Sunday, January 30, 2011

Well, That Explains It!

Judith came up to me with Ruthie's Blankie tied around her neck like a cape, and announced that she was a super hero.

She asked me if there was anything I was missing that she could find or "save" for me.

I automatically responded with "My brain."

And she excitedly told me "OH! I saw a brain behind a tree in the jungle, and it had the name KELLY on it!" Then she ran off, to the rescue.

Unfortunately, the super hero got distracted by some toy ponies along the way, then Ruthie reclaimed her Blankie, and there was no more super hero.

At least I know my brain is out there... somewhere...

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Mediterranean Lasagna

I don't normally like to post 2 recipes in a row, but I have to type this out before I forget it! It's in the oven right now, so I will come back and edit it later perhaps, with my review. Also, please let me know if you have any ideas to make this dish yummier for future attempts! I love making recipes up as I go. =)

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Cook or soak lasagna noodles, according to the instructions on the box.

Open a large can of crushed tomatoes, and take out a large spoonful and spread over the bottom of your lasagna pan. Set the rest aside.

In a pan over medium heat, saute 1 medium onion (chopped finely), 2 tsp dried parsley, and 1 tsp rosemary in a bit of olive oil. After a couple minutes add 1 lb of ground lamb and several cloves of finely chopped/crushed garlic (I used half a bulb). Cover and cook, mixing every couple minutes, until meat is all cooked. Pour in 3/4 of the can of crushed tomatoes, then add 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp garlic salt (or kosher salt), and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and mix well. Let simmer for a few minutes uncovered.

In a separate covered pan also over medium heat, saute a clove or two of finely chopped/crushed garlic, and a mountain of baby spinach (or chopped spinach) in olive oil, stirring every minute or so. I used a whole package of organic baby spinach, it barely fit in the pan, but it shrunk down a lot once it was cooked. After it is all wilted (it only takes a few minutes), add a pinch of kosher salt and the rest of the crushed tomatoes and mix well.

Put a layer of lasagna noodles down over the crushed tomatoes in the pan. Then add a layer of cottage cheese, topped with the lamb mixture. Add another layer of noodles, top with the spinach mixture, and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and black olives. Then add another layer of noodles, and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Loosely cover the pan with tin foil, and cook for 45 minutes. Then remove foil, increase the temperature to 450 degrees F, and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until cheese on top browns.

Enjoy with a side of Greek salad!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Lactation Cookies

Whether you are looking to boost your milk supply, or just your yum supply, these cookies are a must try!



Preheat oven to 375F.

Mix together 2 tsp flaxseed meal and 4 tsp water in a small bowl, set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup butter, 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup brown sugar.

Add the flax meal goop (make sure it has been sitting for at least 5 mins or so), 2 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla, mix well.

Add 2 cups whole wheat flour, 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp salt, mix well.

Add 3 cups thick cut oats (or rolled oats), and 2 tsp brewer's yeast (found in health food stores, it's a nutritional supplement), mix well.

Add 1 cup chocolate chips, mix well.

Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Makes about 24 large-ish cookies (or a bazillion little Gideon-rolled cookies). Bake 8-12 minutes.

Enjoy, and happy lactating!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Fun Times

(I'm just copying things I post on facebook here so I can keep a record of them!)

Judith: "Do you have any escape pants?" Me: "What are escape pants?" Judith: "Pants that get up and walk away when you're not looking." Hahaha, maybe that's why I find her clothes all over the house!

Judith: "Mom, this mirror looks fat..."

Best misinterpretation: Me - (rolling over in bed this morning) "Oh, I kneed you..." Dave - (getting all excited) "You NEED me?" Hahahahaha.

Judith: "Curling is a party, eating is NOT a party!" and "Farting is stupid."

Judith: "Mommy, come look at this!" Me: "I can't right now, I'm cleaning the kitchen." Judith: "You're ACTUALLY cleaning the kitchen?!?!"

Judith: "Let's play a game, Mom. I'll scream, and you have to guess if there's blood, or no blood."

Judith (in the van, as we were stopped at a red light): "Dear Jesus, please give me wings so I can fly to Tim Hortons faster." Me: "I don't think Jesus is going to give you wings, at least not in this lifetime." J: "But Jesus just told me that he would give me whatever I prayed for..." Me: ... Then later as we were pulling into the drive-thru, she screams "Ouch! My back hurts! I think it's my wings growing!" Haha.

Judith (while making a "seascape"): "This jellyfish is the Mommy, because it has a big head..."

Judith is currently playing with a magnifying glass, and claims it has x-ray powers!

Gideon joined us for our Shred tonight (so it was me and all 3 kids). Most of the time he looked like he was dancing in the pit at a hardcore show, it was awesome.