Make Your Own : Roasted Almonds

On my recent trip to Texas, I asked my step-mom if my dad would eat almonds. I had a container of raw almonds in my hand when I asked her. She said, "Oh, he loves, them, but he won't eat them raw."
So I threw them in the cart and said, "Great, we'll just roast them"!

She looked at me like I had a few heads but agreed. When we got home, I showed her how easy it was and she and my dad were hooked. They loved how awesome the house smelled, and how delicious the almonds tasted!

Make Your Own: Artichokes

Artichokes!

My awesome friend Tish taught me how to make artichokes recently and I really liked them!!!

2 artichokes

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 a red onion, diced

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (cold-pressed, organic)

Freshly cracked pepper, salt (optional)

1.  Snip sharp points off artichoke leaves
2. Drizzle Olive Oil over artichokes
3.  Stuff inside of leaves with onions and garlic, top with pepper and salt
4. Add 1/2 cup of water in a deep pot and bring it to a boil
5. Place the artichokes in (directly in the water or on a steamer) and reduce heat to low simmer and put lid on. 
6. Let steam for about 35 minutes...then take remove out and spread open leaves.

Thank you, Tish!!!!

Standard Process Day 15

Another good day on the cleanse. I don't want to say it's become easy, but really it kind of has! I really enjoy this way of eating and love how I feel on it.

Today I had one cup of 1/2 caff coffee with soymilk (my bliss).  Then I had a strawberry-spinach smoothie with powder in it...
As a late morning breakfast/early lunch, I had a salad:
fresh local lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, 1 avocado, turkey from Bolton's Farm, and onions. Since I used avocado, I did not need any dressing. I was VERY satisfied after this salad. It was delicious!

I took my lunchtime supplements an hour or two later, but did not make a shake. I was still stuffed from my salad.

As dinner/class approached, I still wasn't hungry, so I just whipped up some juice instead. Even that was pushing it, but I felt okay, just full.

I juiced some celery, cucumbers, carrots, 1 apple, 1 lemon, a little onion, and I think that's it. It was pretty good and I added some ice to chill it.

After class, I was HUNGRY! I came home and even though it was way passed 7pm, I ate turkey salad that I had made for my family for dinner, and some edamame.

The picture of the turkey salad looks a little funky, but it was amazing. I baked 2 turkey breasts (local turkey from Bolton's), chopped onions, fresh local basil, and garlic, and then mixed it all together with white bean hummus. Simple yet fabulous. JP and Ava enjoyed it on an Ezekiel wrap with local organic lettuce, and I ate mine in a bowl, plain.

Oh yeah, I weigh 131 today, making it a 10lb loss on the cleanse to date:)

Go Read: Dinosaur Train Books!

Abers and I recently had the opportunity to check out some brand-new Dinosaur Train books, in honor of Get Caught Reading Month.

Get Caught Reading Month is organized annually by the Association of American Publishers to stimulate a love of reading in people of all ages.  Sid the Science Kid and Buddy from Dinosaur Train are teaming up and are participating in a free poster campaign (flat shipping applies) that supports Get Caught Reading Month. These are great for teachers or parents, check them out here! 

 We got to review three Dinosaur Train books, all of which are aged 3-5. There is:

Buddy and Friends 

This colorful board book follows Buddy as he meets many of his friends from the TV show.  This is a fun introduction to the various species included on Dinosaur Train. We still LOVE board books around here. I like that Abes can sit in her special chair and read and read and read, and I do not have to worry about her tearing any pages- this is wonderful during laundry time!!!

 Next, we got to check out A Surprise for Mom! 

This book details a sweet adventure that Buddy takes as he searches for the perfect gift for his mommy, ya gotta love that.

Lastly, we read Tiny Learns to Fish .  Mr. Pteranodon takes the kids to the pond to learn to fish, but they encounter some difficulties when they get there. In the end, team work makes it happen!

 As a teacher and as a mom, I love these books because they're colorful and teach important life skills in a fun and exciting manner.  Since I am a teacher, I tend to support these stories with questions like, "What do you think this book is about?" 

"What do you think will happen next?"
"Where did Buddy go with his friends?"

Following up with questions like this is so important and truly does help children retain what they just learned!

If you want to purchase these books for your little reader, check them out here:

Want more information on Sid the Science Kid or Dinosaur Train? Check out these great websites:

Dinosaur Train on PBS: http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain/

The Jim Henson Company: www.henson.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hensoncompany
Twitter: http://twitter.com/hensonparents

Geocache: www.geocaching.com/dinosaurtrain

SID THE SCIENCE KID and DINOSAUR TRAIN air on PBS KIDS (check local listings for details).

We were provided with samples of these books to help facilitate this review. All opinions are our own.

Make Your Own: Kid-Friendly Salsa

I recently hosted a party for a bunch of my relatives on my husband's side, and though we were ordering pizza and sandwiches out, I wanted to make the sides. I made white bean hummus, fruit salad, and salsa.  We have a LOT of kids in the family, as well as some adults who do not like spicy food, so I wanted to make sure everybody could enjoy it.  I found this Kiddie Salsa recipe on weelicious and it was a hit! Everybody asked for the recipe afterwards!

Kiddie Salsa (Serves 4)
2 Cups Tomatoes, chopped (about 4 tomatoes)
1 Tbsp Cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp Red Onion, chopped
2 Tsp Lime Juice
Salt to taste

1. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and puree.*
2. Serve with tortilla chips.
* If you prefer your salsa a bit chunkier, simply put all of the ingredients in a bowl and then stir to combine.