Slow Cooker - Lentils

I shared this recipe last year but am reposting it in honor of my friend Lisa who just took the Crock Pot plunge. This lentil recipe is easy, healthy, and inexpensive. It takes me about 5 minutes total (including chopping) to prepare. Yummy and quick! Bon Appetite Lisa!

1. 1 bag lentils
   
2. 1 box chicken or vegetable stock
   
3. 1 cup water
   
4. 1 diced onion
   
5. 1 red pepper chopped
   
6. 2 chopped and seeded jalapenos
   
7. palm full or approx. 2 tbls. paprika
   
8. " " " cumin
   
9. " " " chili powder
   
10. minced garlic to taste (heaping tablespoon for us)
    
11. dash of cayenne
    

put in crockpot on low for 6 or high for 4

serve as burrito or taco filling or nacho topper with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream

freezes beautifully

Do you have a shelf full of cookbooks that looked great in the bookstore but have collected dust ever since? If so then here is the cookbook for you! Make Me Something Good to Eat a cookbook by Tamara Davis has answered my prayers. This small cookbook is full of kid friendly recipes suited for adults as well. The recipes are healthy and quick promoting simple living at its best. I ordered the cookbook after getting hooked on Tamara's online cooking show and have since plowed my way through the book making everything from orange and green muffins to pasta with pesto sauce. OK so here is the challenge, clear out the clutter! Donate any cookbooks that have not been used recently and only keep what you love and use. If there is a cookbook with one or two recipes you like tear them out and place them in your recipe binder. Out with the old in with the new.....

Check out Tamara's Web Site at http://www.tamradaviscookingshow.com/

Bon Appetite!

Batman's After-School Snack

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread/Muffins

Ingredients

3 or 4 ripe bananas, mashed up

1/3 cup melted butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 organic egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups of spelt flour

Chocolate chips (a many as you like)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt butter in bowl. Add bananas and mash them up with fork. Stir together. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over top of mixture & stir together. Add the flour & mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan or muffin pan. Bake for about 1 hour, muffins about 15-20 min. Remove from pan, slice, and enjoy.

The Library - Save on Cash, Clutter, and Waste

A while back I wrote about my love of books. I also discussed my self-imposed restriction on my purchase of books. So far it has been a success. I have continued to utilize the local trade-a-book to get new books while I trade in the old. I have also expanding my library use 10 fold (you know you are a frequent visitor when you don't need to show your library card). With a bit of delayed gratification the library is not only free but efficient as well. Here is how it works. I go online reserve the books and movies that interest me and when they are in I receive an email notification. Usually it only takes a few days to get what you are looking for unless it is a new release & you are way down on the list. The NY Times Book Review online is a great resource for new books that you might want to reserve. Now I am able to read as much as I want without the expense, the waste, and my shelves are relatively clutter free.

The Land of Little Cars…..

It has been 8 years since my last trip to Germany. We traveled there for my husband’s cousin’s wedding. My husband is part German decent and lived there as a child and later as an adult. With two children under age 3 in tow we traveled around for a week or two exploring villages and the countryside. As many of you know a lot goes unnoticed when you have babies. The focus is when they were last fed and if a nap is going to happen that day. We recently had the opportunity for a return visit. This time with three children ages 10, 8, and 4, a bit more self-sufficient and flexible. I arrived with eyes wide open, noticing all the differences in the way most Americans live compared to Europeans. The most profound being how progressive they are and yet how simply they live. From the Wind Mills and Solar Panels lining the Autoban, to small cars and community composting. This progressive and accountable nature is surrounded by a sense of simplicity that permeates their way of life. Clothes lines, kitchen gardens, walking and biking as a primary mode of transportation, small homes, and afternoon naps. Here are some pictures of our adventure...

Garden Update

Here are some pictures from the garden planted in honor of Earth Day.

Recycled Bag Bath-Mat

My Mother-in-Law just mailed this to me, a mat made out of bags she collected from the local market. What a great way to reuse plastic bags! I was so excited at her vision to weave something so functional and eco-friendly. She wrote me that she has already made 11 of these for friends and family. I put ours next to the tub where it keeps water off the floor and dries quickly. Frances, Thanks for the inspiration!

Namaste, Guruji

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, founder of Ashtanga Yoga, passes away at age 94

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Our Vegetable Garden, planted last weekend in honor of Earth Day.... I will keep you updated on it's progress.

Slow Cooker - Lentils

I shared this recipe last year but am reposting it in honor of my friend Lisa who just took the Crock Pot plunge. This lentil recipe is easy, healthy, and inexpensive. It takes me about 5 minutes total (including chopping) to prepare. Yummy and quick! Bon Appetite Lisa!

1. 1 bag lentils
   
2. 1 box chicken or vegetable stock
   
3. 1 cup water
   
4. 1 diced onion
   
5. 1 red pepper chopped
   
6. 2 chopped and seeded jalapenos
   
7. palm full or approx. 2 tbls. paprika
   
8. " " " cumin
   
9. " " " chili powder
   
10. minced garlic to taste (heaping tablespoon for us)
    
11. dash of cayenne
    

put in crockpot on low for 6 or high for 4

serve as burrito or taco filling or nacho topper with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream

freezes beautifully

Quote of the Day.....

Eat when you're hungry. Drink when you're thirsty. Sleep when you're tired.

- Buddhist proverb

Corral your Chaos

You can manage to keep pretty organized by utilizing boxes, bins, and such to corral the little things in your home. By keeping like items together it cuts down on clutter and created a less chaotic environment. You also will save time because everything has a home. Below are some pictures from my home on ways I keep the mayhem to a minimum. 

Knitting Supplies kept neatly in a basket by the couch, ready to use at any time

Bedtime potions and supplies

After school snacks and water bottles kept in wine boxes in the pantry

Ipod and chargers in an antique bowl

Resurrecting the Bread Maker

In an effort to practice what I preach I decided that if I did not use my bread maker on a regular basis it would have to go. So I have documented my bread making experience below. I picked up the mix at Whole Foods, it was cheap, healthy, and easy.... No preservatives or high fructose corn syrup, just lots of whole grain goodness... and my house smelt like a bakery.

Here are the pictures:

What appliances do you need to resurrect? Take inventory of what you really use and what collects dust or just takes up space, & decide if you should keep it or pass it on. My vow to you all is if the bread is all gone and the bread maker sits idly by while I pick up a loaf at the market I will pass it on.

Quote of the Day.....

Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. 

It isn't more complicated that that. 

It is opening to or recieving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, 

without either clinging to it or rejecting it. 

Sylvia Boorstein

Thrifty Thursdays - Black Bean Burgers

Trying to save a few pennies? Here is a great recipe for Black Bean Burgers from this months Gourmet Magazine. I tried the recipe and they were great. One tip, I think I made mine a bit big, so maybe slider size would be better. I served mine on salad with tomatoes, avocado, salsa, and a touch of sour cream. Here it is:

Serves 4

2 (14-oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained, divided

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

1/3 cup plain dry bread crumbs

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 soft hamburger buns

Accompaniments: 
sour cream; salsa; lettuce

Pulse 1 can beans in a food processor with mayonnaise, bread crumbs, cumin, oregano, and cayenne until a coarse purée forms. Transfer to a bowl and stir in cilantro and remaining can beans. Form mixture into 4 patties.

Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Cook burgers until outsides are crisp and lightly browned, turning once, about 5 minutes total. Serve on buns.

The Blue Jars

At a recent visit to the Hawk & Ivy Bed and Breakfast in North Carolina I discovered the "blue jars". These antique mason jars lined the open shelving in the kitchen of the inn. Fully functional with nuts, seeds, coffee, and grains they were the highlight of the kitchen. While staying in the Asheville area I peaked around a few antique markets and scored, a slew of "blue jars". While they were not cheap they were definitely worth it. I use them daily for oats, tea, & coffee. Although I have not researched the value of the my jars it is my understanding that they vary in worth. According to a commenter on the Martha Stewart Wedding site, “Antique mason jars are eagerly sought after by collectors, and are bought and sold not only through antique stores, but also on auction sites such as eBay. While most jars sell for only a few dollars, some have sold for as high as $30,000. The value of a jar is related to its age, rarity, and condition.” 

Here are some pictures of the jars in my kitchen....

 And this is the inn where I first discovered these beautiful, yet functional antiques...

ALPHABET STAMPS

Along with my addiction to my label maker I have also developed an obsession with alphabet stamps. I found them at the local Michael's Arts and Crafts Store. Here are some of the labels I have made with the stamps. 

Do you think I should stop now?

Quote of the Day.....

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. 

-Confucius

Teaism at Dupont Circle

Now that I have defrosted from my trip to D.C I thought I would share one of my favorite discoveries. A friend recommended this great little tea shop in Dupont Circle called, Teaism. While walking around in the bitter cold I stumbled upon it and stopped in for a chai latte. The restaurant/shop smelled of basmati rice and spices. My brother and I sat out front amongst the birds, drank tea, and talked. I stayed in D.C for a few more days and each day made the mile walk across the bridge to have a chai. The last day after spending about an hour at Kramerbooks I stopped by to purchase some loose tea for the road. If you happen to be in the D.C area it is definitely worth a visit.

Quote of the Day.....

“Whatever the tasks, do them slowly

with ease,

in mindfulness,

so not do any tasks with the goal

of getting them over with.

Resolve to each job in a relaxed way,

with all your attention.”

- Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Master

Repurposing Treasured Items

This past summer I spent about two weeks at my parent's house and during my stay we did a bit (or shall I say, a lot) of de-cluttering. We found lots of lost treasures from Hulk Hogan action figures to beautiful silver tucked away in boxes. We even stumbled across a silver antique toast holder, I was in awe. When I mentioned that it would make a great letter holder my mom 's eyes lit up. At that moment I thought, I will never see that item come my way. Well I did! My mom delivered it to me as a gift, and it is one of my favorite treasures. I have it on my desk to hold letters and bills and enjoy it's beauty everyday. Thanks Mom!

Here is a picture:

Bedside Storage

Having a limited amount of space is a constant challenge when two children share a room. Keeping furniture to a minimum so they have room to play on the floor is important, as well as making sure they have a place for their favorite items. I decided to use some kitchen storage items from IKEA for my boy's books. Since they have a bunk bed it is important that the child on the top-bunk can store books and a glass of water. Above are some pictures of their bedside storage solution. 

Orla Kiely meet Target

So I am a huge fan of Orla Kiely. I received my first bag about 5 years ago and still use it today. Love her designs & color palate, but as many of you know the prices can be a bit steep (yet worth it!). For those of you who have not heard the news, her line (a more economical one) will be at Target next month! Be on the look-out and be ready to pounce as it will quickly disappear.....