Sunday, March 25, 2012

Weekly Menu - March 25th

Well we had a burst of spring which really got me in the mood to leave the soups and such behind. However, I think the temperatures are heading back into their normal range for March and soups may end up back on the menu at least for a couple more weeks. I am looking forward to some early greens and such. I am thinking that a salad garden in the window may be a good idea.

SUNDAY
Breakfast: Green Smoothies with Peanut Butter Banana Bites
Lunch: Quesadillas
Dinner: BBQ Pulled Pork, Ranch Seasoned Fries and Corn

MONDAY
Breakfast: Oatmeal Bar with all the fixings
Lunch: Red Quinoa with Sauteed Veggies
Dinner: Lentil Soup with Kefir Biscuits

TUESDAY
Breakfast: Poached Eggs on Sourdough Toast with Fruit
Lunch: Roasted Tomato Soup with Spelt Crackers
Dinner: American Chop Suey, Cesar Salad

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Homemade Yogurt and Maple Almond Granola
Lunch: Creamy Mac & Cheese with Apples

THURSDAY
Lunch: Grilled Cheese and Peaches
Dinner: Cod, Brown Rice and Sauteed Veggies

FRIDAY
Breakfast: Fried Egg Sandwiches
Lunch: Tuna Sandwiches with Raw Veggie Sticks
Dinner: Pizza

SATURDAY
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Roast Chicken, Barley and Carrots

So what's on your menu this week? Are do tired of winter food? Have you gotten your grill out yet?

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Sourdough Muffins - Your Way

I have been absolutely loving my sourdough starter.

However, I will admit it was a tricky thing to figure out. I had been collecting lots of yummy sourdough recipes of a while. And being the impatient person I am dove right in to try many of them before perfecting my just one. As you can imagine this left me with quite a few flops that I ended up eating because on one else would more than try my not so perfect baked goods.

I will say that when it comes to sourdough practice makes perfect. The one thing I did discover is that you can't just follow a sourdough recipe. Everyone's starter is just different ~ different yeasts and different consistencies are the biggest two. And then of course you need to figure in where you live, this effects the temperature, humidity and such.

Now none of this is to discourage you from trying sourdough. Really it is encouragement that you can do this you just need to play a bit. Your failures when following a recipe aren't your fault. You just need to play.

These muffins are the perfect example of what play can accomplish. I found a sourdough muffin recipe and thought it was the perfect solution to my excess of starter. Well the first few attempts were anything but perfect. Flat, heavy just not yummy muffins. So I started to play. Turns out my starter must be wetter than the starter in the original recipe. Adding more flour made beautiful muffins that rise, aren't heavy and taste divine. The original dough was quite wet, not I judge the batter against other conventional muffin recipes. The batter should pretty much hold it's shape when scooped into the muffin pan.

So here you go, my version of sourdough muffins. Just remember if your fist batch isn't exactly what you want, don't give up.

Sourdough Muffins - Your Way
1 cup sourdough starter
1.5 - 2/5 cups of flour (I use white whole wheat)
1 egg
1/2 cup raw local honey
1/4 cup coconut oil (purchase here)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (spices can be changed to your liking)
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda

Put the starter and flour into the bowl of your mixer. Start with the smallest amount of flour and add until a really stiff dough forms. If you add too much flour add a bit of water. Once it is mixed really well cover with wax paper or plastic wrap and let it sit for at least seven hours. Overnight is great. So do this before you head off to bed and you'll be all set to finish off in the morning.

Mix all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT for the baking soda in a separate bowl. Now add to your flour mixture. Mix until it is a uniform consistency. If the batter seems to wet add a bit of flour.

Now mix in the baking soda.

Now the fun part - you can add 1/2 to 1 cup of whatever mix in you want. Blueberries, banana, pumpkin, etc. The ones in the picture have two small bananas and 1/2 cup of blackberries.

Bake in a 400 degree preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Cool and enjoy!

I'd love to hear what combinations you come up with. Muffins are a favorite breakfast and treat in our house.


Disclaimer: Links in some of my posts are affiliate links. If you decide to purchase that product I receive a small percentage of the cost of the product.  It is a small perk that enables me to continue to blog and stay home with my family.

Friday, March 16, 2012

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.


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In gratitude this week for:

  • Dear friends
  • Beautiful daughters
  • A hardworking husband
  • Knowing Spring is right around the corner
Wishing all of you a glorious weekend!



Friday, March 9, 2012

{this moment)

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.


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In gratitude this week for:

  • A full day of skiing and swimming, hence the sleepy girl

  • A great night out with friends at the Simplicity Parenting lecture

  • Sun and Warm Temperatures, Spring really is just around the corner

  • Friends who took such good care of my girl while she was away from home
Wishing all of you a glorious weekend!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Yarn Along

Joining in the fun of the weekly Yarn Along hosted by Ginny over at Small Things. In Ginny's words:

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

This week I'm still working on my second Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief. I really love this pattern. I like it a little larger so work an extra repeat. That seems to do the trick. The pattern is a quick knit and easy to remember. The wool is a soft merino bamboo blend. Hopefully I have this finished in time to wear out with the girls later this week. We are off to hear Kim John Payne, the author of Simplicity Parenting, speak. So I have been reviewing that book. But I have also been savoring the beauty of Taproot. The new quarterly magazine edited by Amanda Soule of SouleMama. What a pleasant surprise that was to find in my mailbox yesterday. Filled with inspiring articles and beautiful artwork it is a unique magazine that I'm so glad found it's way into our home. There is a real sense of connection and community in its pages. I'd suggest you go check it out.

So what is on your needles? With spring right around the corner, I'm in search of the perfect vest pattern for myself. I'd love suggestions.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Menu Plan ~ Week of March 4th

While life gets crazy with evening meetings, play rehearsals, the end of the ski season, baby sitting jobs and a husband with a crazy work schedule our menu plan is something that actually keeps the day grounded rather than adding to the stress. I will admit coming up with meals I can make in the time available can be a bit of a challenge, but that is still easier than trying to come up with dinner when tummies start growling and I really haven't got a clue. So with one daughter out of the house most of the week and a mom who is out three evenings the menu isn't quite our normal fair, but this mama know everyone will be well fed.

SUNDAY
Breakfast: Cinnamon Toast and Bananas
Lunch: Leftovers
Dinner: Meatball Vegetable Soup

MONDAY
Breakfast: Sourdough Blueberry Muffins
Lunch: Picnic at the Ski Mountain
Dinner: Apres Ski Party - Pizza

TUESDAY
Breakfast: Oatmeal with Apple Butter
Lunch: Mac & Cheese with Apple Slices
Dinner: Cod, Brown Rice and Broccoli

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast: Homemade Yogurt and Maple Almond Granola
Lunch: Grilled Cheese with Carrot & Celery Sticks
Dinner: Pork Chops, Fried Potatoes and Corn

THURSDAY
Breakfast: Green Smoothies and Toast
Lunch: Toasted Tomato Soup with Spelt Crackers
Dinner: Hamburger Stroganoff over Brown Rice with Peas

FRIDAY
Breakfast: Poached Eggs on Toast with Peaches
Lunch: Tuna Melts with Orange Smiles
Dinner: Homemade Pizza

SATURDAY
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: Chicken Noodle Soup
Dinner: Hot Dogs and Sweet Potato Fries