Foodie Resolution Week #2 of 52: A Smörgåsbord of Deliciousness

This week was nuts. I mayyyyyybe went a little crazy in the kitchen getting all excited about my new foodie challenge. I possibly neglected my husband and kid on Sunday because I was in the kitchen for three hours straight. It could've happened. From the pictures below, I'm sure it will be proof enough that I should've cut out something and spent more time with the boys...

Skin-on, Stovetop Applesauce

Lowdown: Used organic apples, so decided to wash well and leave the skin on. Turned out perfect. Except the part where I put them in my Blendtec to make sure those skins were pureed enough and pressed the pulse button one too many times, ending in quite the scene on my cabinets. 3lbs of organic apples + 1 spoonful of cinnamon + 1/2 cup water  + 30ish minutes on low heat = about 2 quarts of applesauce

Inspiration

 Repeat Recipe: Pretzel Rolls (so good that it's worth sharing)

Lowdown: These are phenomenal. I made them a couple weeks back and those who follow me on Instagram know all about them, but if you don't, these might be new to share. I've made pretzel bites before and we almost ate every single one while they were still warm. So, I thought I'd try my hand at pretzel buns because we love them just the same. And of course I decided to skip the egg wash on top (ick) and instead add butter (yum) so they'd taste like Auntie Anne's. I mean... why not?

Inspiration

 Sweet Potato Cakes

Lowdown: Pinterest says I pinned these 44 weeks ago. It's about time I get around to them. They were more labor intensive than I like for something that seems so simple, so I probably will just stick to my sweet potatoes as fries from now on. Also, this calls for pan frying them in lots of oil/butter. I wasn't down with that, so mine came out still soft with more fat. Meh. Taste was great. I didn't add sour cream to the top or the black bean salsa, but instead added the black bean salsa to the inside by adding cilantro, black beans, red onion, and 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to the mix. Aren't sweet potatoes ugly? Finished product wasn't photographed, but they are pretty tasty.

Inspiration

 Grilled Romaine Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Lowdown: We had friends over for a raclette dinner and started the dinner off with a grilled romaine salad with homemade balsamic vinegar & shaved parmesan. The picture is terrible, but I loved it! It also looks super fancy on a plate and so simple to throw together. I'll definitely be making this again.

Salad Inspiration & Dressing Inspiration

More randomness in the photo below: 

• I finally bit the bullet and bought a big bag of pinto beans. I do believe next week's recipe (hopefully just one!) will be homemade refried beans. And no, Alison, I cannot and will not use bacon fat {Nic told me... gross me out!}. 
• My mom recommended this English cheddar with caramelized onion and we used it with our raclette in addition to the traditional raclette cheese (also from TJ's, seasonal). I liked it, but I'm not a huge English cheddar fan. The onion is delicious though! 
• My first ever can of chipotle peppers in adobo below... and what I did with the extra! Excited to have that in the freezer to use in recipes to come. Anyone use these in their cooking? What do you put them in?

 Basic, No-Knead Artisan Bread

Lowdown: Favorite. Love. OMG. 

I grabbed my big ol' bag of Costco Active Dry Yeast (um, cheapest place ever to buy yeast, people!) out of my freezer and mixed the 4 required ingredients together, covered with plastic wrap for 18 hours, and came back to a nice, easy dough in the morning. Flipped it out of the bowl onto a well-floured cotton towel, covered again, let rise for 2 hours, then flopped it into my Le Creuset dutch oven, put the top on, and baked that baby for an hour. Results below. You can probably smell it through the computer. It was that amazing. Also, I subbed 1/4 cup regular flour for rye & 1/4 cup for wheat as well. I love the bite rye gives bread and the wheat for added nutritional value.

Inspiration

 I mean... honestly.

Phew. I'm tired. Until next week...

This Boy is Trouble with a Capital T.

This kid.

But man is he cute.
{That's him shoving 4 pieces of clementine in his mouth this afternoon.}

I swear that at 10 months, he already has my sass, determination, and disobedience down.

I'm certain he knows specifically what we don't want him doing, yet does it anyway. I'm not willing to spark a developmental debate about this right now, but have no fear... no time out chair exists in our house. Yet. Just a stern no, explanation, and redirection has taken place. While I'd prefer his first word not be no, I'm not too worried about it, as it surely won't be his last word. {If it was up to my husband, he'd already clock Mama as being B's first word, but until I'm absolutely certain, I won't claim it.}

Just a few fun examples of what this boy's been up to as of late. I'm telling you...

• As soon as he notices the baby gate is open, he bolts through, full speed ahead. Usually it's heading straight for the stairs through our foyer. When he sees us following chasing him, he turns around, smiles, and crawls faster. 
• When we were putting away Christmas, we had our mini Christmas tree down that has mini decorations on it. He pulled a shiny bulb off, stuck it in his mouth and kept moving. Did I mention it was glass, probably made in China, and probably painted with toxic everything? That thing could've shattered in his mouth, but he was none too happy when it was taken out of his mouth.
• He knows how to push any door open, and even doors that are closed but not perfectly latched shut. He makes a jailbreak whenever he can and is off to be a nuisance in places that aren't as babyproofed.
• We have lots of wood furniture and he takes a liking to biting it. We now have Benjamin bite marks (the kid only has 4 teeth!) on our end tables in the living room. Perfect height for a little biter.
• He bites us. A lot. He's even broken skin.
• On the biting theme still, he crawls over to the fireplace ledge (we have one you can sit on that hangs over) and proceeds to chew on the STONE. Yeah, if you're thinking painful and nail-on-a-chalkboard bad, you're right on. It's terrible. We're afraid he's going to chip a tooth! And if you pull him away? He goes back at it. 
• When he wakes in the morning, we bring him into our room. He immediately crawls over me (usually my head) and wants to have at everything on my nightstand. I then put him down and he beelines for our on-suite bathroom where he heads to the window shade to pull on it, then to bang on the window of the glass shower door, then to the toilet, trash, or slippers that he attempts to then chew on. And every time, we tell him the toilet, trash and slippers are off limits and move him. He goes back every time.
• That picture above? I was holding him on my hip and peeling a clementine this afternoon. As soon as I took one hand to throw the peel away, he snaps 4 pieces out of my hand and shoves them in his mouth and refuses to budge. I had to use force to pry them from his mouth so he wouldn't choke!

I have lots of gray hairs now. Someone tell me their kids are little terrors too, mmmkay?

{International} Flying with Le Bebe: Travel Series Part II

{Domestic} Flying with Le Bebe: Travel Series Part I

Clearly, I'm not good at these series posts. But, I have had this on the whiteboard for an obscene amount of time, and the post is definitely overdue.

We last flew international with le munchkin around 8 months old in September. We'll be traveling again in March when we escape the end of winter in Chicago for four nights in an ocean view room on St. Kitts! I sure hope they have a big bathroom for the pack 'n' play.

Let's get started.

Airplane must haves:

• Snacks - puffs, crackers, Cheerios, graham crackers, goldfish, B's new favorite crunchy green bean snack, {insert here whatever your kid like for a snack} or squeeze packs are what we use (Happy Baby, Ella's Kitchen, Gerber Organics, Plum Organics) + bib. 
• Food: If on solids, food is a must, unless you're paying for your kid's seat. Under 1 year is tax-only. It was roughly $100 for B to travel to Germany and will be another $100 for St. Kitts. Over plan on this one. Oatmeal is a good meal with a mix-in because it's filling and hot water can be found on all airplanes... thank you flight attendants! Any food that doesn't need to be refrigerated is your best bet. Don't forget the utensils, either!
• Nursing cover & Aden & Anais blanket (used also as padding for a sleeping baby and cover to darken things up a bit on bright airplanes.
• Boppy pillow. If you aren't lucky enough to have an extra seat or bulkhead seating, you'll really want a pillow for the baby to sleep on. It will also take the strain off little limbs kicking and jabbing you.
• Change of clothes. Maybe even multiple. For an overnight flight to Europe, we dressed B in feet pajamas, but honestly, planes are dry and the temperature isn't predictable. Feet pajamas are always a good idea!
• Passports & baby boarding pass. This is required. Babies are required their own pass, even if they are a lap child. See the ticket desk once you get to the airport for printing this.
• About 5 toys. Though honestly, B really likes wrappers from snacks (texture!) that come free on many flights. We bring Sassy A-Z letter links, iPhone/iPad with kid apps, {insert whatever your kid likes to play with that is small & able to be sanitized-- in case it falls... ick!}
• 3 Clorox wipes to wipe down all things babies like to touch. {read: everything} I put these in a Ziploc.
• Ergo carrier: Hit or miss on this one. I'd say it's good for kids around 6 months and younger, but it could be very valuable if you have no free seat and they'll sleep on your chest.
• Diapers, wipes, Ziploc bag (I stuff all of this in here and LOVE this thing. I don't even use a diaper bag anymore because this is amazing. It slips into my purse and goes everywhere with me.)

Airport must haves:

• Lightweight stroller with carseat adaptor to snap in so you don't have to carry it! {gate check item} 
• Stroller bag - we have one because the workers aren't exactly careful with our expensive strollers. {gate check item}
• Carseat {gate check item} B is onto a convertible seat now, but he can use his infant carseat until 32lbs. It's easiest to travel with that as it does snap into the stroller, but if not, gate checking the carseat is a really great idea if you did not purchase a seat for the baby. However, they will gate check it for you if you would prefer to not check it.
• Ergo carrier because sometimes the baby doesn't dig the stroller
• Carry-on backpack: All those airplane must-haves from above are stuffed in our carry-on backpack that always houses our laptop, iPad, chargers, JJ Cole diaper pod, toys, nursing cover, blanket, snacks, clorox wipes, wallet, etc.

The great thing about those gate check items is that they can all be consolidated for airport walking. We throw everything in the stroller and are usually only left with baby in the Ergo and wearing a backpack. It's actually easier walking around airports with all that stuff than it is without it because the wheels make it super convenient!

Always bright. Impossible. to. sleep!

Recommendations for before and in-flight:

• Babies require their own boarding passes. This is very important and needs to be printed out at the airport ticket desk. No more iPhone scanning of your boarding pass or printing at home. At least for the freebie first two years. You can still print yours, but they'll be re-printing them at the airport anyway... so why bother? You can check-in online early still, however. For international travel with a lap child (airline terminology), babies aren't entirely free as you must pay taxes. They usually run you around $100.
• Babies also require identification. A passport is required. Allow TONS of time to get this in the mail when ordering one. We had B's snapshot done at Walgreen's, but anywhere will do. And bonus: you have the most adorable passport ever.
• Make sure the international customs people stamp that passport. Sometimes they don't and it makes me sad. Are you listening, border patrol in Canada? Hmph.
• Before boarding, consult the flight desk for potential seat change if the flight isn't full. You might get lucky and be moved to a row without someone next to you! That extra seat can be invaluable. While you're there, ask about tags for your gate check items {stroller, stroller adaptor, stroller bag, carseat} that are required before boarding. This is SO important for international travel. You might get lucky and receive bulkhead, but if that's already taken, you could ask for movement to allow for a seat for the baby. Now, you aren't paying, so don't be rude. You're not entitled to such luxuries, but note that they usually are very nice and already upgrade people to bulkhead who have small children. We've had both bulkhead and a free seat during an international flight. Honestly, while bulkhead is super cool because you have access to the bassinet, the extra seat was WAY cooler to us. B slept between us and it was just perfect. When we had bulkhead, B didn't sleep in the bassinet more than an hour because the bright lights overhead were way different than his blackout shades at home. ;) No amount of blankets can black out an airplane, sadly. 
• Allow for lots of movement before the flight, especially if you have a crawler/walker on your hands.
• Change diaper before flight. Airplanes are small and accommodations are minimal. Getting at least one diaper out of the way is smart thinking.
• Boarding: they'll allow you to board early for international because you are a family, but considering you probably checked the majority of your luggage, having more roaming time in the airport for little people is so much more valuable... at least to us. We board later because we already have plenty of time on the plane.
• Have all your items accessible from your chair. That's why we bring a backpack as our all-in-one for B items and our in-flight snacks, etc.
• Wipe down your area immediately with anti-bacterial wipes. Babies aren't patient.
• Once doors to cabin are closed, scan the area for empty seats. If you have a seat partner, they probably don't want to sit with you because babies = invasion of space and noisy. Either try to relocate their seat for them or try to move yourself. It helps if you're extremely nice to the flight attendants. We did this on our flight back from Germany. There were plenty of empty seats and we kindly asked the window seat partner if he wouldn't mind moving up one row. There was no one sitting in the middle seat in that row either and we'd all have more room. He kindly obliged. But like a true German, he didn't want to break any rules... we insisted he was fine and he moved. Best. flight. decision. ever.
• Try to hold out feeding until the flight takes off. I try to breastfeed during takeoff and landing, but honestly, it almost never happens. B has never reacted poorly during this time, thankfully. I mostly recommend holding off because it's a perfect activity to occupy the little one during flight time.
• Drink cocktails? Okay, so really, long flights are enough to make a parent want to hyperventilate. The thought of your kid who might not always be so angelic being within just inches of complete strangers for MANY, MANY hours? Enough to drive you to drink. And lucky you. There are drinks available. Get a European airline like Lufthansa, and the wine is free! Cheers to that. And your neighbors will appreciate the free drinks, too. 
• You could also do this: 

If you're lucky enough to get bulkhead:

• Thank your lucky stars. That's some prime treatment. Not only does your kid get a bassinet that hangs from the wall, but you get extra leg room! And a place for the kid to move around!
• Flight attendants will secure the bassinet once the plane is at cruising altitude. 
• Have cover blankets ready. It's never dark enough. Ever. Especially if they take 2 hours to turn off cabin lights for an overnight flight. Not that this has ever happened to us. Le sigh.
• Store all luggage above. That's the downside to bulkhead. No where under the seat to store your crap.
• Strap the kiddo in for take-off and landing. Not all airlines require it, but most European airlines do. You might as well practice safe travel and do it anyway. Wrangling a kid during takeoff and landing sounds like loads of fun otherwise.
• Make nice with your seat partners. They most likely also have a small kiddo. The downside? If your kid does miraculously fall asleep in the bassinet, the other kid probably won't. Because that's how luck would have it. They might be loud enough to wake your kid, too. Most likely. 

If you have an empty seat for the kiddo:

• Thank your lucky stars. Also, if booze aren't free, offer to buy your former neighbor (who moved so you could have this luxury) a drink. If no one moved, buy yourself a drink. It will be a long flight.
• Still use the seatbelt. Especially if you fall asleep, it's important that they don't fall out of their seat. You don't need any reason to upset them or the seat partners around you. Falling = massive baby tears.
• Invest in some kid-sized noise-cancelling headphones. We don't have them, but if we ever take another flight that far, we just may need them. 

On dealing with jetlag:

• Once you arrive at your intended destination, wait until the local nighttime to sleep. This is very important. Do what you can to stay awake... and keep your baby awake, until at least 8 p.m., local time. 
• Follow regular bedtime procedures with your child. Try to make things as familiar as possible.

And remember, traveling is a luxury. An expensive one with quite the price tag, but one that is to be enjoyed! You will lose sleep. You'll probably have to deal with a screaming baby from time to time. Naptime will probably go out the window as soon as you leave your house. Relax a little and know that once you're home, things will get back on track. Try to enjoy your limited time away. Happy & Safe Travels!

Foodie Resolution Week #1 of 52 : Parmesan Crusted Pesto Grilled Cheese

It's no surprise that this will probably be the easiest of the resolutions I have to tackle. Jillian is on her way via Amazon and I'm honestly scared. I almost want it to be lost in the mail. My husband thinks I sounded crazy referring to Jillian and The Shred as something so nonchalant and obvious... like everyone knows what I'm talking about. From the comments on my last post, you people do know Jillian and her Shred. Eat your words, husband!

I'm going to attempt to post the one recipe I try each week on here. I really want to succeed at this, people!

Here's the first installment of my foodie revolution resolution. No guarantees on this being diet food, either. 

Found here

Verdict: Amazing on all accounts. I used light rye, sharp natural Tillamook cheddar, jarred pesto, butter on the outside and sprinkled on some shaved & shredded fresh parmesan. I don't think I'll ever make a traditional grilled cheese ever again.

Two-Thousand Thirteen

So here we are. A new year with new possibilities. Let's hope 2013 rocks as much as 2012 did. Or at the very least, doesn't suck as much as 2010 did. There's my eternal optimism kicking in again. Perhaps I should resolve to work on that first? Ha.

We kicked off the new year by playing a little Super Mario Bros. on the couch while B napped, followed by a full on gutting of our upstairs catch-all closet that housed memories of days past. In numbers... a little fun to begin the new year:

100 - approximate feet of TV cable found in our closet
4 - keyboards and computer mice found
8 - random, empty notebooks filled with empty lined paper
7 - beach towels
7 - sets of earphones
25 - approximate number of USB cords found
2 - Ethernet cords
1 - printer we planned to recycle until we found 3 unused printer ink cartridges for said printer
15 - rough number of electronics boxes of various cameras, GPS devices and the like
5 - approximate pounds of papers shredded after cleaning out our files
5 - approximate pounds of papers from the NICU and both boys' births
6 - books recycled
4 - more books placed in the pile for consignment donating
5 - flash drives probably full of random data
4 - number of hours spent de-cluttering yesterday
25 - approximate weight of the bag of electronics we're recycling this month

Our goal is to go through our basement storage in the coming month as well. I imagine my teaching supplies need to be sifted through and purged a bit. I do plan to teach again eventually, but I don't imagine I'll need the 10-15 boxes of random stuff I schlepped all the way from my classroom in So. Cal.

I'm not a regular resolution setter, but because it's all about a new year and I'm hoping for new results, I guess I have to make some changes. Without futher adieu:

• Complete Jillian's 30-Day Shred at least once. I just bought it this morning on Amazon. No joke. I'm obviously behind the times. Anyone successfully completed it?
• Run a 5k as a family. It's not a huge feat to run that distance for us, but we don't usually run them because they cost a ton! However, I really want Benjamin to be brought up in an active family and see others enjoying an active lifestyle. We want to do the Arboretum run this fall, but whether we do that or not, it will have to be non-traditional.
• Cook one new recipe from my Pinterest account a week. That's not really all that big of a deal... as you all know I love to cook. But man! Somehow I've ended up with about 100 recipes I have yet to try and only 50 on my list of complete (and liked. Some were deleted after unimpressive results).
• Cut out sugar for another 2-3 months. I really feel good when I do this. I can't cut it out forever and I'm obviously horrible at pacing myself throughout the day, so it's all or nothing. Maybe this should be in conjunction with the Shred?
• Once the weather is 50 degrees and higher, I want to get out and run/walk at least 3x/week with Benjamin in the jogger. My husband needs to hold me accountable for this.
• Meet friends. We've lived here 3 years in March and met all of the friends we have now within the first 3 months of moving here. It's time we add to that number. I'm hoping this can be accomplished through Benjamin's swim lessons (start next week!) & our weekly trips to the pool/water park this summer. Hopefully they won't have a 2-3 year old. Might be an automatic deal breaker if it's a boy. If blond? #forgetaboutit
• Plan a ski trip for winter 2013-2014. Aside from our honeymoon in New Zealand and a really lame attempt at a ski hill just down the road, we haven't been skiing in 5 years. Our wedding was 4.5 years ago, so that's really the last official time of skiing at a place with an actual chair lift and not a tow rope. Did I mention my amazing husband loves to ski? 

That's it. That's all I'm committing to accomplishing. Anyone have any of my above items on their list? Maybe we can be accountability partners. Any recommendations on how to deal with the Shred and not die in the process?