Picnic

Veggie Lentil Shepherd's Pie

Last week, I thought I'd try out this Shepherd's Pie recipe I had pinned onto my "Foodie" pinboard because I found several of the ingredients needed in my CSA box.

It was simple and delicious and the recipe yielded enough to provide dinner for two nights.  I enjoy cooking, but only when I need to do it a couple of times a week.  Having to cook everyday makes it feel like a chore, kind of like making the bed, laundry and driving the kids to school.  On that note... I wish driving the kids to school could be fun (and some days it is) but the reality is that at least one kid pitches a fit about putting their coat on even though it's 40 degrees out, each one has a different opinion about what song I should be playing on the iPod (the decision is NEVER unanimous), I have sippy cups falling out the car door into the gutter and occasionally a shoe which the boys tend to take off in the car most days. Then, I saved my favorite for last... this new game the boys play where we have to walk 10 feet between the car and gate into their school and they decide not to hold my hand but break free and run in opposite directions down the sidewalk.  At 30 pounds a piece, it's physically impossible for me to carry both but it would be their preferred method of transport into school each day.  In the end, I feel like I shovel them into their classroom and let out a sigh of relief.  Bad breath, uncombed hair, I am the epitome of a toddler twin mom.  I better find a solution to our morning routine before I need to fit in with those perfectly coiffed French women. 

Note:  I was sick last week so I caught myself up on the Design Sponge podcasts.  In one interview Grace Bonney was conducting with the author of Mom Inc., they discussed how many bloggers like to paint this perfect picture of their lives and not discuss the mundane details.  Well, I'm making a vow to keep this blog positive and pretty but I will also share those snippets of our not so idyllic times.  Oh, because we have MANY of those.   

Vegetable Lentil Shepherd's Pie via Yummy Mummy Kitchen

Shaved Butternut and Carrot Salad with Dates and Sunflower Seeds

Of course, my kids refused to go within a foot of this salad but Doug and I liked it and the fact that it's raw made it quick to prepare.

Shaved Butternut and Carrot Salad with Dates and Sunflower Seeds via Martha Stewart

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

Anytime I find a healthy alternative to a sweet treat that passes Bijou's taste test, I must share.  I love that kid to death but she still has a limited pallet that does not make me proud.  She told me recently, "Mom, all of my teeth are sweet teeth.  Every one."

Raw, Vegan, Salted Peanut Butter Cookies via A House In The Hills

Homemade Granola

Now that Cafe Fanny is closed, I'm a bit concerned that the Cafe Fanny granola I buy at the market may also go missing one day without much warning.  Fortunately, a fabulous new cafe/wine bar has opened in place of Cafe Fanny and is equally delicious.  And... I've discovered a tasty and easy-to-make granola recipe I can prepare on my own.

Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar

A Better Granola

Creamy Mango Pops

I have a little secret.  Sometimes when I want to keep my kids from whining in the morning during our daily rush to get out the door at 8:05am, I feed them popsicles for breakfast.  It's really not quite as bad as it sounds.  I try to whip up a healthy combo, sometimes I even sneak in a little spinach, all the while earning the "best mom" award from my kids who think it's super cool of me to feed them popsicles for breakfast.

Creamy Mango Pops via Whole Living

A cold buster breakfast

Our household has been infested with germs for about a month now with cold symptoms jumping from one person to the next.  I seriously feel a little guilty about the amount of tissues we have consumed... living in Berkeley will do that to you.  We are all on the mend with just a lingering cough for 2 of our 6 family members.  From looking at the status updates from friends on FB, the cold season is in full swing across the nation.

To prevent another sick month, we are consuming a lot of citrus.  This salad was delicious on top of yogurt.

Citrus, Pomegranate, and honey with Toasted Coconut via Whole Living

Red Lentil Coconut Soup

It's been super chilly in our neck of the woods lately so cooking a big batch of soup seemed appropriate.  I still couldn't win over my kids with this recipe but Doug and I really liked it and so we will have to make it again.

Oh, and the turkish towel was a gift from Santa and despite the seller's claim to be super absorbent, it is not.  So... it becomes a tablecloth instead.

Red Lentil Coconut Soup via {Scaling Back}

 

A refreshing juice combo

Doug bought me a juicer last year for Mother's Day and it took me until now to read through the instruction manual and start using the thing.  I've made a few concoctions that had to be choked down and one that involved 4 oranges which I didn't peel and ended up so bitter I had to dump it.  However, I've discovered a few wonderfully refreshing combos that Doug and I are loving and even the kids enjoy. Below are our two favorites to date.

Green Lemonade via Whole Living

And our "red juice"... 3 beets, 1 pear, 2 apples, 1" ginger, 1/2 lemon.

If you have a favorite combo, please share it in the comments, I'd love to try it!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Rain outside means soup inside at my house.  With a fever and chill virus hitting the household this week, some type of chicken soup variety seemed appropriate.  This recipe is so simple and really only takes 20 minutes to make.  My favorite kind!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

tip: I added some spinach leaves and avocado as a last step to add some green to the soup. It was delicious!  Oh, I also did not use low-sodium chicken broth, salt is too good to skip.

Butternut squash, Apple, and Hazelnut muffins

Butternut squash, Apple, and Hazelnut muffins via Whole Living