Post your guess in the comments section! Or shoot me an email.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Name this fruit
10 bonus points if you can name this fruit! And no cheating from any CSA members!!! You can not answer!
Post your guess in the comments section! Or shoot me an email.
Post your guess in the comments section! Or shoot me an email.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
CSA, 9/23
In this week's share we got apples, peppers, cucumber and green beans. For some reason, I also put the zucchini in this picture, but I didn't get those from the CSA!
I have apples coming out of my ears. I have a apple dumpling recipe that I want to try and we are eating apples at every meal I think! We love apples though, so having too many is a good thing. Any one have suggestions for how to use up a bunch of apples? maybe I could make some applesauce this weekend?
I have apples coming out of my ears. I have a apple dumpling recipe that I want to try and we are eating apples at every meal I think! We love apples though, so having too many is a good thing. Any one have suggestions for how to use up a bunch of apples? maybe I could make some applesauce this weekend?
Lentils
Tonight I did my grocery shopping while Gavin was at church and Zack/Brenna were at the ESU volleyball game. It is so relaxing for me to go to the grocery store alone! I saw some lentils and bought them because I have been wanting to try a recipe that I have been hearing rave reviews about. It is good, but I need to tweak it next time. I would DOUBLE the amount of water. It is supposed to be almost stew like, but it came out very dry. I just went ahead and added some chicken broth to moisten it up. They say you can add any veggies that you want. I added potato and carrot. I think it would be really really good with sweet potatoes. Our CSA shares are supposed to have some sweet potatoes soon and I can't wait to try it out with this.
Honey Baked Lentils
1 cup lentils
2 cups water (I would increase this to 3 or 4 cups)
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soysauce or tamari
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ginger
1 clove garlic
1 small onion
salt & pepper to taste
Combine in a 2.5 qt casserole dish.
Bake in a covered dish at 350 until tender (about an hour and a half).
The recipe also says, "You could also substitute 1/3 cup of rice or barley for some of the lentils; oh, and add whatever "winter" vegetables you have on hand. When I made it last night, I used carrots and potatoes. It was delicious. Squash would be a great addition, too, I bet. We ate this as a stew over brown rice, but it would also be yummy over quinoa, or on some flatbread (lentils on toast? on a bagel, lol?) We eat it as the main dish, but it would be a great side dish as well."
Lentils are a superfood and extremely healthy for you. I would love to find some other ways of using them.
Honey Baked Lentils
1 cup lentils
2 cups water (I would increase this to 3 or 4 cups)
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soysauce or tamari
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ginger
1 clove garlic
1 small onion
salt & pepper to taste
Combine in a 2.5 qt casserole dish.
Bake in a covered dish at 350 until tender (about an hour and a half).
The recipe also says, "You could also substitute 1/3 cup of rice or barley for some of the lentils; oh, and add whatever "winter" vegetables you have on hand. When I made it last night, I used carrots and potatoes. It was delicious. Squash would be a great addition, too, I bet. We ate this as a stew over brown rice, but it would also be yummy over quinoa, or on some flatbread (lentils on toast? on a bagel, lol?) We eat it as the main dish, but it would be a great side dish as well."
Lentils are a superfood and extremely healthy for you. I would love to find some other ways of using them.
Football
Gavin is doing rec football again this year and he seems to enjoy it. They play twice a week for an hour. It is more of a fundamental type of group. They do stations where they work on kicking, passing etc. You know..football stuff. They do a bit of a scrimage at the end. Next year, he will be old enough for flag football.
Gavin's birthday
On Gavin's birthday, we had friends over in the afternoon and the family over for dinner that night.
Gavin talking to Aunt Meg who lives in Seattle.
I went to Gavin's school party on Monday and it was really fun. They sang him Happy Birthday and the class got to ask him 3 questions. Afterwards, we had cookies and juice! Oh and in the middle we had a fire drill. It has been quite some time since I have been in a fire drill!
The cookies I made for his party were the "Doubletree Cookies". They turned out beautifully and from what I hear, they were good! We had just enough for his classmates, teachers and the last one went to the principle.
Doubletree Cookies
1/2 cup rolled oats
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
2 eggs
3 cups semi-sweet, chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts (I left these out for Gavin's class in case someone was allergic to nuts)
Directions:
Grind oats in a food processor or blender until fine. Combine the ground oats with the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Cream together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and lemon juice in another medium bowl with an electric mixer. Add the eggs and mix until smooth. Stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture and blend well. Add the chocolate chips and nuts to the dough and mix by hand until ingredients are well blended.
For the best results, chill the dough overnight in the refrigerator before baking the cookies.
Spoon rounded 1/4 cup portions onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Place the scoops about 2 inches apart. Bake in a 350°F oven for 16-18 minutes or until cookies are light brown and soft in the middle. Store in a sealed container when cool to keep soft.
I made this recipe a bit differently than it suggests. I creamed the butter and sugars first and then just put my dry ingrediants right into the mixer bowl. I know you are not supposed to do that, but I always do and they always turn out good. And then you only dirty one bowl! I also used my stand mixer to mix the dry ingrediants as well as the chocolate chips even though it says to mix by hand.
Gavin talking to Aunt Meg who lives in Seattle.
I went to Gavin's school party on Monday and it was really fun. They sang him Happy Birthday and the class got to ask him 3 questions. Afterwards, we had cookies and juice! Oh and in the middle we had a fire drill. It has been quite some time since I have been in a fire drill!
The cookies I made for his party were the "Doubletree Cookies". They turned out beautifully and from what I hear, they were good! We had just enough for his classmates, teachers and the last one went to the principle.
Doubletree Cookies
1/2 cup rolled oats
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
2 eggs
3 cups semi-sweet, chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts (I left these out for Gavin's class in case someone was allergic to nuts)
Directions:
Grind oats in a food processor or blender until fine. Combine the ground oats with the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Cream together the butter, sugars, vanilla, and lemon juice in another medium bowl with an electric mixer. Add the eggs and mix until smooth. Stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture and blend well. Add the chocolate chips and nuts to the dough and mix by hand until ingredients are well blended.
For the best results, chill the dough overnight in the refrigerator before baking the cookies.
Spoon rounded 1/4 cup portions onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Place the scoops about 2 inches apart. Bake in a 350°F oven for 16-18 minutes or until cookies are light brown and soft in the middle. Store in a sealed container when cool to keep soft.
I made this recipe a bit differently than it suggests. I creamed the butter and sugars first and then just put my dry ingrediants right into the mixer bowl. I know you are not supposed to do that, but I always do and they always turn out good. And then you only dirty one bowl! I also used my stand mixer to mix the dry ingrediants as well as the chocolate chips even though it says to mix by hand.
Raiders!
The Lakes are a Raiders Family. For better or worse, richer or poorer....
Zack was born in California, so that is where the love of Raiders began, but he left Cali when he was 3 and the love has never died!
Every year, Zack and his dad take the kids to the Chiefs/Raiders game. Raiders won this year, so it ended up being a great day! And beings that it was in Sept, the weather was not bad either.
The kids were excited!
Tailgating with the kids
Zack was born in California, so that is where the love of Raiders began, but he left Cali when he was 3 and the love has never died!
Every year, Zack and his dad take the kids to the Chiefs/Raiders game. Raiders won this year, so it ended up being a great day! And beings that it was in Sept, the weather was not bad either.
The kids were excited!
Tailgating with the kids
Gavin's art gallery
Gavin's school is doing something really neat with their artwork. They are submitting it to a website and you all have a chance to see and make comments on his art!
He would love to share his art with you! Please feel free to look over his website and he would love to read any comments that you would like to leave! He has 12 items listed as of this date. Scroll down to the bottom to see his other projects.
http://www.artsonia.com/museum/art.asp?id=3502609
You will have to cut and paste that link as for some reason I can't get the link tool to work on here!
He would love to share his art with you! Please feel free to look over his website and he would love to read any comments that you would like to leave! He has 12 items listed as of this date. Scroll down to the bottom to see his other projects.
http://www.artsonia.com/museum/art.asp?id=3502609
You will have to cut and paste that link as for some reason I can't get the link tool to work on here!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Recipes
I mentioned a black bean salad that I had made a couple of days ago. It turned out really good! Very delicious and lots of veggies. The cilantro totally makes the dish, so don't leave it out. Other than that, I think it is very forgiving, so you can mix and match what you have.
Black Bean Salad
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
8 green onions, chopped (I left those out)
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped (I put about 1/4 of green, 1/4 of red and 1/4 of yellow for more variety)
1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
1 (4 ounce) jar pimentos (couldn't find at store, so didn't add)
3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped (I used two, an orange one and yellow one--both from the farm)
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime, juiced
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
I also added some cucumber from the farm.
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine everything. Season with garlic salt. Toss, and chill until serving.
Gavin requested fried chicken for his party tonight. I tried out a new recipe and everyone at the party really seemed to enjoy it. It had a really great crust. Mother in law made some gravy and that really made this dish. I realized later I should have paid attention to how she made it because I am clueless with gravy!! I tripled this recipe.
Fried Chicken
30 saltine crackers
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons dry potato flakes
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 egg
vegetable oil
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (I used some chicken breasts, boneless thighs and drumsticks.)
DIRECTIONS
Place crackers in a large resealable plastic bag; seal bag and crush crackers until they are coarse crumbs. Add flour, potato flakes, seasoned salt, and pepper to bag and mix well.
Beat egg in a shallow dish or bowl; heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. (I put enough oil in the skillet that it was about 1/2 inchs worth.)
One by one, dredge chicken pieces in egg beat, then place in bag with crumb mixture, seal bag and shake to coat.
Reduce heat to medium and cook coated chicken in skillet for 15 to 20 minutes, turning frequently, until golden brown and juices run clear.
Black Bean Salad
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
8 green onions, chopped (I left those out)
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped (I put about 1/4 of green, 1/4 of red and 1/4 of yellow for more variety)
1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
1 (4 ounce) jar pimentos (couldn't find at store, so didn't add)
3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped (I used two, an orange one and yellow one--both from the farm)
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime, juiced
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
I also added some cucumber from the farm.
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine everything. Season with garlic salt. Toss, and chill until serving.
Gavin requested fried chicken for his party tonight. I tried out a new recipe and everyone at the party really seemed to enjoy it. It had a really great crust. Mother in law made some gravy and that really made this dish. I realized later I should have paid attention to how she made it because I am clueless with gravy!! I tripled this recipe.
Fried Chicken
30 saltine crackers
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons dry potato flakes
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 egg
vegetable oil
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (I used some chicken breasts, boneless thighs and drumsticks.)
DIRECTIONS
Place crackers in a large resealable plastic bag; seal bag and crush crackers until they are coarse crumbs. Add flour, potato flakes, seasoned salt, and pepper to bag and mix well.
Beat egg in a shallow dish or bowl; heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. (I put enough oil in the skillet that it was about 1/2 inchs worth.)
One by one, dredge chicken pieces in egg beat, then place in bag with crumb mixture, seal bag and shake to coat.
Reduce heat to medium and cook coated chicken in skillet for 15 to 20 minutes, turning frequently, until golden brown and juices run clear.
Happy Birthday!!!
Gavin turned 8 today!! Hard to believe that so much time has passed.
8 years ago, Zack and I went up to Topeka early in the morning to be induced. I was 10 days post due. They gave me some medicine to help start my contractions. Then I went to the Olive Garden for lunch while we waited for the show to start!! Went to the mall afterward for some heavy duty walking. Went back to the Birth Center for some more medication and the contractions came on hard and heavy in the afternoon. After doing that all day and having no progress we were sent home. I was exhausted!
We got to our hotel and I could not sleep through the pain. It was getting worse and worse. After being there about an hour, I told Zack I had to go back. We went back and the real deal was in full swing. I got in the big hot tub and tried to deal with the contractions! At some point, the midwife checked me while I was in the tub and said, "oh, he is about to come out!" So I got out, laid down on the bed and about 3 pushes later, he was laying on my chest. I was shocked!!!! And relieved that it was over.
Our family had gone home when we were sent home, so they got an early morning phone call telling them that Gavin was on his way. Grandma Shirley gave him his first bath. It was wonderful showing him off to everyone. He was so beautiful. I remember that the first people I asked to come back to the room to see him were my mother and mother in law. I was so proud to show them their grandson.
I had him at 5:15am and we left the birth center before lunch time and came back to our home. My Grandpa Carl came over to see him. It was wonderful seeing them together.
I remember just constantly staring at him and being in awe that he was there and that he was mine.
Gavin, you are one of the greatest people I have ever known. And I am proud to call you my son. I was born to be your mother. You are the best of me.
8 years ago, Zack and I went up to Topeka early in the morning to be induced. I was 10 days post due. They gave me some medicine to help start my contractions. Then I went to the Olive Garden for lunch while we waited for the show to start!! Went to the mall afterward for some heavy duty walking. Went back to the Birth Center for some more medication and the contractions came on hard and heavy in the afternoon. After doing that all day and having no progress we were sent home. I was exhausted!
We got to our hotel and I could not sleep through the pain. It was getting worse and worse. After being there about an hour, I told Zack I had to go back. We went back and the real deal was in full swing. I got in the big hot tub and tried to deal with the contractions! At some point, the midwife checked me while I was in the tub and said, "oh, he is about to come out!" So I got out, laid down on the bed and about 3 pushes later, he was laying on my chest. I was shocked!!!! And relieved that it was over.
Our family had gone home when we were sent home, so they got an early morning phone call telling them that Gavin was on his way. Grandma Shirley gave him his first bath. It was wonderful showing him off to everyone. He was so beautiful. I remember that the first people I asked to come back to the room to see him were my mother and mother in law. I was so proud to show them their grandson.
I had him at 5:15am and we left the birth center before lunch time and came back to our home. My Grandpa Carl came over to see him. It was wonderful seeing them together.
I remember just constantly staring at him and being in awe that he was there and that he was mine.
Gavin, you are one of the greatest people I have ever known. And I am proud to call you my son. I was born to be your mother. You are the best of me.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
CSA, 9/16
Last Saturday, I had arranged with Farmer John for an "end of summer" tour of the farm. We hadn't been out for awhile and with the kids starting fall activities, I knew it was going to be darn near impossible to get out there much again. Zack has not yet been out and he was excited about seeing it all.
Well, the rain came and came and came last week, so roads were flooded out and there was just no way to get out there. So hopefully sometime soon we can try again!
In our share this week we got lots of apples (yay!), tomatoes (double yay!), and cucumbers. I used some of the tomatoes in the black bean salad I made tonight. I bought some fresh mozzerella tonight at the store and want to make a nice pizza sometime with those good tomatoes! Also finding recipes for "capresa salads" which look to die for!!
Well, the rain came and came and came last week, so roads were flooded out and there was just no way to get out there. So hopefully sometime soon we can try again!
In our share this week we got lots of apples (yay!), tomatoes (double yay!), and cucumbers. I used some of the tomatoes in the black bean salad I made tonight. I bought some fresh mozzerella tonight at the store and want to make a nice pizza sometime with those good tomatoes! Also finding recipes for "capresa salads" which look to die for!!
Sept 17th
Tonight Zack, Brenna and I went to an ESU volleyball game. Our babysitter who came into our home this summer is on the team. It was really fun and interesting to watch. I didn't know much about the rules, but Zack did a good job explaining! The team they were playing is very good and ranked like number 2 in the nation. And ESU won!! Brenna had fun and after the game Kristen made a point to come and visit with her. Brenna has decided that she wants to be a volleyball player like Kristen when she grows up!
I made a black bean salad tonight. I am going to take it to work to eat for lunch. I had a few bites and I really liked it. I will share the recipe tomorrow if I decide I really like it! It is a health food bonanza! Black beans, avocado, peppers, tomatoes.....
I heard a radio program the other day about "plant based diets" and it really struck a cord with me. That type of diet has always made sense to me and I enjoy eating a plant based diet! But unfortunately, I am not good on following through with it! So I have decided to focus on the FAMILY eaing a plant based diet and blog about it. Makes it more interesting!! So I will hopefully be talking about that more in the next few weeks.
I made a black bean salad tonight. I am going to take it to work to eat for lunch. I had a few bites and I really liked it. I will share the recipe tomorrow if I decide I really like it! It is a health food bonanza! Black beans, avocado, peppers, tomatoes.....
I heard a radio program the other day about "plant based diets" and it really struck a cord with me. That type of diet has always made sense to me and I enjoy eating a plant based diet! But unfortunately, I am not good on following through with it! So I have decided to focus on the FAMILY eaing a plant based diet and blog about it. Makes it more interesting!! So I will hopefully be talking about that more in the next few weeks.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Fall Activities have begun!
Isn't it weird how this year we went straight from summer to fall with no transition at all? I keep thinking that the sun is going to come out again, but fall seems to be sticking! I am kind of excited about it actually. I kind of like the nice cool weather.
Last night Gavin started football practice which was fun. It is a developmental team, but the coaches were really motivated and seemed excited to be there.
Tonight the kids both started church. In the Spring and Fall our church has about a 6 week Wed night program that they enjoy going to. I usually go to an adult bible study at the same time, but I decided to go to the grocery store tonight! I was kid-free! It was awesome!
Brenna starts ballet tomorrow which we are all excited about! I will be sure to post some pictures!
Tonight I had a wonderful dinner, but didn't get a picture of it. My camera was out of batteries and I was too excited to eat it. I made steel cut oatmeal and cooked some apples. I had a nice hot steaming bowl of oatmeal with carmalized apples and walnuts. Uh, YUM!!!! It was awesome. Some day..and probably some day soon, I will dedicate an entire post to my love of oatmeal. It is a little unnatural how much I love oatmeal!!
Last night Gavin started football practice which was fun. It is a developmental team, but the coaches were really motivated and seemed excited to be there.
Tonight the kids both started church. In the Spring and Fall our church has about a 6 week Wed night program that they enjoy going to. I usually go to an adult bible study at the same time, but I decided to go to the grocery store tonight! I was kid-free! It was awesome!
Brenna starts ballet tomorrow which we are all excited about! I will be sure to post some pictures!
Tonight I had a wonderful dinner, but didn't get a picture of it. My camera was out of batteries and I was too excited to eat it. I made steel cut oatmeal and cooked some apples. I had a nice hot steaming bowl of oatmeal with carmalized apples and walnuts. Uh, YUM!!!! It was awesome. Some day..and probably some day soon, I will dedicate an entire post to my love of oatmeal. It is a little unnatural how much I love oatmeal!!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Blog
I have had a lot of fun with this blog since I started it in May. It has been an awesome way of keeping in touch with my friends and family who are near and far.
Here is some interesting facts about the blog...
*I started the blog on May 21st.
*Since then..there have been 1,603 page loads with 1,123 UNIQUE viewers of the page! Wow!
*On average every day, there are 15 page loads, 10 unique viewers and 5 first time viewers.
*Entering the blog. The vast majority of people who read this blog, go straight into this blog. The second most popular way is to enter through our friends at www.flyoverpeople.net.
*I can tell when someone googles something and ends up on this blog. The most popular searches that get people here?
*"shredded beef tacos"
*"slow clooker beef tacos recipe"
*"lake kahola"
*People from 14 different countries have visited with the US and Ireland being the most popular.
Here is some interesting facts about the blog...
*I started the blog on May 21st.
*Since then..there have been 1,603 page loads with 1,123 UNIQUE viewers of the page! Wow!
*On average every day, there are 15 page loads, 10 unique viewers and 5 first time viewers.
*Entering the blog. The vast majority of people who read this blog, go straight into this blog. The second most popular way is to enter through our friends at www.flyoverpeople.net.
*I can tell when someone googles something and ends up on this blog. The most popular searches that get people here?
*"shredded beef tacos"
*"slow clooker beef tacos recipe"
*"lake kahola"
*People from 14 different countries have visited with the US and Ireland being the most popular.
Apple Orchard
We have an apple orchard right outside of our town called "The Orchard" and every September we like to make a visit. It is a really fun place to go and the kids really like it.
Picking our own apples
Trying to get a group shot with our friends!
Running around the orchard
There is a pond on the property and the kids enjoy playing on the dock. Usually they have fish food that the kids can toss in the water, but they didn't have any available when we checked today.
They have a shop there where you can buy pre-picked apples, honey, apple cider, etc. You can also buy an apple cider slushie which is yummy!
Picking our own apples
Trying to get a group shot with our friends!
Running around the orchard
There is a pond on the property and the kids enjoy playing on the dock. Usually they have fish food that the kids can toss in the water, but they didn't have any available when we checked today.
They have a shop there where you can buy pre-picked apples, honey, apple cider, etc. You can also buy an apple cider slushie which is yummy!
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