Month: May 2013

Foodie Pen Pals – May edition

This time I sent to Theresa who lives in Oklahoma.  As soon as I heard about the tornadoes, I emailed her to make sure she was safe.  She lives far enough away that she was not in their path.  Praise God!  Check out her blog to see how I spoiled (her words) her.

Hannah was selected to send to me.  She lives close to my favorite zoo and even worked there last year.  I’m just a little jealous.  Actually I’m a lot jealous.  If the zoo wasn’t 1 hour and 15 minutes away, it would be a perfect summer job for me.  She worked with the summer camps and I took a teacher workshop there last August.  We might have seen each other there.  

Check out my box of goodies:

Note from Hannah (She suggested some restaurants close to my favorite zoo. I tried to stop at one last Sat. However, they weren’t serving at that time.)
Some of the goodies
All of the goodies minus the boys’ cookies
BUCKEYES
Hubby had wanted honey when we were at the Second Street Market. The honey was from Canal Winchester so it was cool we got it from Hannah.
This is so good. I eat a few a time so I can make it last.
The boys loved their cookies.
The boys’ cookie
I haven’t tried this yet but it looks absolutely delicious.
Eiffel tower card – We read about the Statue of Liberty. We learned that the guy who designed the Eiffel tower is the same guy who designed the Statue of Liberty.
Her card
Wee One with this cookie
Imaginative One with his cookie

Key Lime Smoothie (GF, DF)

One of my favorite smoothies at Tropical Smoothie is the Blimey Limey. It has strawberries, limes, oranges, and pineapples. I love the tang of the limes in the drink. So when I found a recipe for a smoothie that used limes, I was had to try it out. Delicious!

After drinking it, I was super energized. In fact one of my students mentioned I was hyper. I don’t know if it was from the smoothie or from the two cups of coffee I had that morning. (Didn’t sleep well the night before.)

Key Lime Smoothie

Healthful Pursuit

Stars of the recipe:

  • 2 tbsp. key lime juice (about 4 limes) – I microwaved mine for about 10 secs. to maximize the amount of juice.
  • 1 tsp. key lime zest
  • 1 c. unsweetened non-dairy milk
  • 1 ripe frozen banana
  • 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract (I omitted this because I used vanilla almond coconut milk.)
  • 1 tbsp. stevia
  • 1 tbsp. sunflower butter
  • 2 c. baby spinach
  • 4 ice cubes
  • crushed graham cracker pieces (optional) – Leave off if gluten free or use a gluten free graham cracker.
  • Cool Whip or something similar (optional) – Leave off if dairy free or use coconut cream instead.

Steps:

  1. Place in your blender in the order of the ingredients listed, blend until smooth.
  2. Top with crushed graham crackers and Cool Whip, if desired.
  3. Enjoy!

This made 2 smoothies for me.

Printable Recipe

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Someone asked me what you could use instead of bananas.  I found this link for other ingredients you can use instead of bananas.

 

Mom, what’s for dinner? – May 27

Monday – Huli huli burgers, sweet potato fries

Tuesday – baked Parmesan Romano chicken legs, garlic bread, veggies

Wednesday – Stir fry with pork, pears, and cashews, ginger rice

Thursday – Cub scout potluck

Friday – Tennessee barbecue pork chops, sweet potato and green onion hash

Saturday – angel hair pasta with lemon and butter, salad

Strawberry Picking

Mom look at this strawberry
All of the strawberries
Buying the strawberries
All of the strawberries
Looking through his goodies
Fresh strawberries
Look at this beauty
Flower

 

Yesterday the Imaginative One and I went to the zoo to check out the new dinosaur island exhibit.  On the way there, I saw a sign about strawberry picking so I asked him if he wanted to stop and pick some fresh strawberries.  Since he loves strawberries, he told me yes!!!!  So I followed the signs and found the farm.  

The owner showed the Imaginative One how to look for ripe strawberries by sight.  Strawberries stop ripening once they are picked.  He also told him to check the ripeness by tasting it.  So we tried a few freshly picked.  YUM!!!

We filled the basket to the top and even a few more so that it overflowed.  It was an experience that we will not forget.

The Wee One was not with us but enjoyed the fruits of our labor.  I had to tell him to stop eating the strawberries because I was afraid he would get a tummy ache.  

At one point, he was running through the house holding a huge strawberry singing “I like big strawberries, I cannot lie.”

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Root Beer Barbecue Sauce (GF, DF)

This barbecue sauce is easy to cook and also delicious!  Both the Wee One and Hubby gave their seal approval with this sauce.

The only issue is that I’m trying to avoid eating or drinking foods or drinks that include high fructose corn syrup.  I recently found a ketchup that does not have high fructose corn syrup (Kroger’s organic ketchup) so I used that.  The root beer however did contain high fructose corn syrup.  My next mission is to find root beer with out the corn syrup.

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Root Beer Barbecue Sauce

Stars of the recipe:

  • 8 oz. (1 c.) of root beer
  • 1 c. ketchup
  • 1/4 c. lemon juice
  • 3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. ground garlic powder

Steps:

  1. Combine all the ingredients in a sauce pan.  Mix well.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Stir occasionally.
  3. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Enjoy with your favorite meat!

Printable Recipe

Letter to Moore, OK

The Imaginative One has decided to write a letter to those affected by the May 20th tornado.  He was saddened but also proud of the people of Moore, OK.  Here is his letter:

Dear people of Moore, OK:

I heard about the tornado.  I am sorry about the people who were hurt or killed.  I heard some sad stories but also some stories of real heroes.  Like a teacher who was found under a car with 3 kids under her.  Also one about a lady who telling about her experience of how her dog who was swept away from her during the tornado.  Suddenly they heard a sound and discovered the dog was just hidden under the debris and came out when he heard her voice.  

I am sure some of the missing people will be found but before they are found let’s hope they are okay.  God be with them is my plea.  

If I could, I would go down there to help search for the missing people and give some of my clothes, toys, books, and other things to the kids who have lost so much.  

My prayers are with the people who live there.

The Imaginative One – May 21, 2013

Mom, What’s for Dinner? – Week of May 20

Monday BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, mashed sweet potatoes,carrots

Tuesday Parmesan chicken burgers, salad

Wednesday root beer chicken, apricot glazed carrots

Thursday pork chops, roasted sweet potatoes

Friday pork tenderloin, red potatoes with green beans

Saturday eat at the zoo