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I’m in love.

Seriously, in love.

Okay, I have a history of getting obsessed with new recipes and making them until I’m burnt out, but what if I never get burned out on this one?

Do you like chocolate? Fudge? Smooth, creamy, wonderful goodness with 100% healthy ingredients?

You know by now I’m really not big on exact measurements, so follow this loosely and then do what you want with it!

Melt chocolate chips in a small pot – approximately ½ cup.

When melted, remove from heat and mix in the following:

1 can of coconut milk

Dash of vanilla

2 TBSP of raw cacao powder (or more)

2 TBSP of raw, unheated honey (or more)

(See below for which ingredients I choose to purchase.)

Use an immersion blender to make everything creamy and then choose your adventure:

Do you want popsicles that are fudgy frozen perfection?

Pour them into a ZOKU popsicle maker and wait 7 minutes for your heaven.

Or, pour them into popsicle molds and wait however long those things take.

Do you want chocolate fudge mousse that’s so creamy it melts in your mouth?

Pour the mixture into a small jar or bowl and chill in the fridge for a few hours.

Please do this.
Immediately.
Then, please thank me.
Nah, just enjoy.

Below are the affiliate links to some awesome tools and ingredients. You do not have to purchase through these links but if you do, a small, very small, percentage of your purchase will go toward supporting this blog and my family!

For the week of June 2, 2014:
Welcome to June! It’s warming up here and we’ve finished our home school preschool, complete with a little graduation ceremony. We are coming up with things to do in the cool(er) mornings before we settle down for the warmer afternoons. And of course, coming up with good meals to enjoy each night as a family! I have a great recipe for you later this week for a sweet, cold treat for you and your family – keep an eye out for it!

Monday: Tilapia tacos and refried black beans with side salads (We substitute yogurt for recipes that call for sour cream)

Tuesday: Chicken Tikka Masala – this is one of my husband’s favorite meals out and I’ve never tried to make it. Wish me luck! (As an aside, I’m serving over rice instead of the cauliflower rice on this blog link.) Serving with steamed broccoli.

Wednesday: Beef stroganoff in the crockpot with coconut milk cream, mushrooms and spinach (I’m working on my own version of this to share with you)

Thursday: Chickpea vegetable curry with quinoa – new recipe

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a blog about Making Time for Mommy. It was a post that talked about my kitchen remodel and being a mommy above all else, while wondering if there was a “me” left in there. I received positive feedback on that post and got to thinking… What about Daddy? Again, this post is about my specific circumstances and the Daddy of my children. I hope, with Father’s Day around the corner, it will inspire and uplift.

In Mommy’s world, Daddy is gone for 10-12 hours a day. Mommy does it all: laundry, breakfast, diapers, play dates, errands, lunch, more diapers, more laundry, cleaning, nap times, stories, home school, crafts, dinner, dishes and the packing of lunches for the next day to start all over again. When Daddy walks through that door, Mommy takes his lunch bag, hands him a baby and serves dinner. Mommy wants to collapse on the couch, but Mommy cleans up after dinner, listening to Daddy play with the little ones, their giggling and games echoing in her head. When was the last time I had that one-on-one play time completely devoted to just them? Mommy sighs, clears the dishes, wipes the table, stove, counters and puts the dishes away. When Daddy collapses on the couch after the babies’ bedtime, Mommy starts planning the next day and getting things ready. Mommy’s brain is too tired for TV. Mommy crawls into bed, sets the alarm and passes out.

In Daddy’s world, Daddy is gone for 10-12 hours a day. His commute is almost an hour each day (a quiet time alone that sometimes Mommy envies). Mommy gets it all. Hugs, kisses, laughter, meals together, conversations like only toddlers can have, adventures, play dates, time with other mommy friends, snuggles, and short drives to the library or the grocery store. When Daddy walks through the door, he grabs his baby in his arms and talks to his toddler while trying to change into something more comfortable. He eats his dinner quickly so he can have as much time with them as possible. Sometimes it’s 10 minutes, sometimes an hour. He never takes his phone with him. It stays on the counter so he’s completely focused on his little people. Daddy plays “super heroes” and “flying” games until his arms are sore. Daddy asks all about the babies’ days and hears tales that range from fictional to very serious. He starts bath time and plays with them, speaking in different voices that make them giggle. When Daddy sits on the couch and checks his e-mail while flipping channels, he’s looking for something to help his mind unwind. After Mommy goes to bed, Daddy puts the diapers in the wash, starts the dishwasher, fills up the water bottles, feeds the animals, turns off the lights and locks the doors. Tomorrow it will begin again.

Behind Daddy & Mommy we are friends, lovers, husband and wife; we are an incredible energy healer and a holistic nutritionist, a gardener and a photographer. We are a guitarist and a pianist; we are singers and healers and nature-lovers.  We love cooking and researching, writing and reading… We don’t have to get lost behind our most important roles.

I still remember those first few months after our oldest daughter was born, when Daddy was unemployed and the stress of looking for a job and taking care of a baby who wouldn’t sleep wore us down. I remember how we did everything together with our baby. I remember how grateful we were when he got a job and my long days as Mommy truly began. I remember when I sent him a picture of our daughter with her first food (a half-eaten apple); he replied, “I’m missing everything!” I think about that all the time. How grateful I am that he’s employed. How grateful I am that I can be with our children every day. How long his days are away from his family. How blessed we are to have a home, two cars, healthy children, electricity, fresh water, good food, loving pets and good sleep at night. How “not having much money” means very little when we have “SO MUCH” of what matters. How hard he works. How much he loves us.

Here’s to you Daddy, for all that you do for us and with us, for coming home because you long to be with us, for working hard because you desire to take care of us, for silly voices, for your laughter, for grocery shopping on Sundays so Mommy doesn’t have to do it alone with two kids during the week, for giving our girls their bath, for feeding the pets, for playing with us even when you’re exhausted, for your hugs and kisses, for the all of you that you give us everyday: We See You. We Love You.

For the week of May 26, 2014:

It’s a short week! Yay! I hope you had a long weekend and a short week ahead of you, too! Yesterday, we barbecued and my husband’s recipes are secret so I can’t share them. We also had corn on the cob and our favorite: kale salad!

This week, I feel like we are fully embarking on the summer activities. We have the tiny backyard pool for the kids, we are taking a big group to the lake, my oldest is graduating from her home school preschool and it’s going to be pretty warm!

Some good things on sale at Martin’s this week including whole chicken, thighs and drumsticks (Nature’s Promise brand). We also picked up some yellow fin tuna at a good price. Unfortunately, berries still aren’t that cheap, but we found some at our local farmer’s market that were “no spray” – that was a big win for us. Four quarts gone in three days. Lucky kids!

Tuesday: Seared yellow fin tuna, rice, asparagus

Wednesday: Roast chicken with celery, carrots, potatoes and onions (going to make some broth with the leftovers later this week) and steamed broccoli

Thursday: Ground beef mac n goat cheese – it’s just like my original recipe except I brown a pound of ground beef with the onions and continue on as normal.

** All my meals are gluten-free and lactose-free – if you have any questions as to “how?”, please just ask! **

Not trying to bemoan the “poor man”, but I’ve needed heat before and didn’t have a hot water bottle, a heating pad, or one of those microwavable thingies (I don’t even have a microwave!).

I learned about this method when I was pregnant and had the flu. I read that heat on the abdomen would help reduce stomach spasms and, in turn, reduce vomiting. I tried it. It worked!

More recently, I went to the chiropractor for some terrible back pain I was having. He was so helpful and recommended heat on my lower back. Of course, my mind went through my “medicine cabinet” and I knew I didn’t have anything for heat until I remembered this trick and even found my original supplies!

Take a small pot and pour rice in it. (I don’t use my organic brown basmati rice, though. I grab an old bag of white sushi rice that I hardly ever use.) Turn the burner to medium and shake the pan several times. When the rice is hot, pour it into an old pillow case, fold it over a few times and press it to the area needing heat. As the heat begins to dissipate, unfold the pillow case so there are less layers between it and you.

Surprisingly, the heat lasts for quite awhile and is super easy to reheat, by simply dumping the rice back into the pot and reheating. There is now always a pillowcase filled with rice in my medicine cabinet and I’m grateful for the cheap and easy heating pad I always have on hand.

Remember:

The rice is dry and so is the pot – we’re not cooking rice here, just heating the dry grain.

Electric heating pads emit EMF’s and may not be a great choice.

Microwavable heating pads use a microwave, which emits electromagnetic radiation. It wouldn’t be my first choice, even if I had one.

Rice + pot + pillowcase = quick, non-toxic, and practically free!

For the week of May 19th, 2014 – we are basking in the spring time beauty and enjoying a lot of time outside! I’m still enjoying my clean, updated kitchen and have some fun meals to share with you!

Enjoy your week!

Monday: Baked swordfish, asparagus and quinoa

Tuesday: My husband’s favorite baked chicken thighs (Nature’s Promise thighs are on sale at Martin’s this week!), corn (tis the season!), potatoes

Wednesday: Beef tacos with tomatoes, avocados, yogurt in lieu of sour cream, shredded yogurt cheese and salad

Thursday: Pizza – this new GF recipe I made a few weeks ago was a big hit – but wasn’t enough food (they’re small pizzas), so I’ll double it this time. One more note about this recipe – I didn’t use all the recommended flours but opted for my favorite “all purpose bread flour” by Jules. Unfortunately, Jules Gluten Free flours are no longer made by Jules. I’m patiently waiting for her new web page to be up and running so I can continue buying her flour blends and not supporting her old company, which is producing flour with her name on it without her permission.

I did it! I did it! I redid my kitchen cabinets, with the help of my “sister” and some really long, physically demanding days. (Please view the Slideshow below!) Sanding, sanding, sanding, staining, staining, and polyurethane. New door and drawer pulls and spray painted hinges (saved a lot of money that way!) – that’s how I got it done. This isn’t a step-by-step of how to redo your kitchen, though. You’ll find that all over the internet. This is a play-by-play of how I worked 16+ hours a day on this huge project, while caring for my children, providing meals, comfort and attention. And how we all fell apart.

It got me thinking: I don’t get much time alone. I don’t get much time for me. I guess you could count nap time, but I’m still “on”, always listening for a cry or a whimper, looking at the clock, seeing what I can get done while they’re resting. Then there’s bedtime, but I’m so tired by then, how can I do much of anything? I barely check my e-mail, maybe cuddle with my husband and then 9 o’clock rolls around and I’m more than ready to go to sleep. At 5:45 a.m. the next day, it all begins again.

This project was as much for my family, my husband and my home as it was for me. I like finishing things. I like transforming things and creating things. I really wanted this. But how?

So, here’s what I’ve learned about making time for Mommy:

1. Find things you love to do and do them. PERIOD.

2. When your kids interrupt you while doing something you love, explain to them what you’re doing and ask them if they’d like to help.

3. If what you love to do involves sitting down (reading, writing, crocheting or being on the computer), forget it. Seriously, my kids are angels when I’m busy, but if I stand or sit in one place for too long, I’m fair game.

4. Remember: they look to you for everything and even when you can’t be everything or do everything, you’re still their everything. Allow that realization to be an honor and a privilege instead of a burden.

5. Forgive yourself. For not being enough. For being selfish. For wanting peace and quiet once in a while. For arguing with a 3-year-old. For wishing a 12-hour day with your children on your husband (complete with chores, tantrums, laundry and dinner). For being human.

6. Forgive your children. They’re little people. They’re crazy little people (sometimes). They’re awesome little people (most of the time). They’re in uncharted territory and don’t have a clue what’s going on in their lives, let alone yours.

Phew! My kitchen is done! (pictures to come) This means a few things: it’s beautiful, I love it, it’s clean and organized again and I want to cook! I actually can’t wait to cook again, like really cook. Here’s the plan:

Monday: Tilapia (#9 with mayo – we use Vegenaise – cheese and spices), steamed broccoli and rice

Tuesday: Chicken, kale and chickpea soup with rosemary croutons (new recipe!)

Wednesday: Beef roast with Ceasar Salad

Thursday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup (a favorite comfort dinner)

Good morning! I’m sorry I didn’t post this yesterday! Monday slipped by me, between trying to put my kitchen back together, missing my “sister” after a week together, getting my kids out of the house and on and on I could go.

It’s a “normal” week, with the exception of not having my kitchen back together yet. I tried to choose some simple recipes, since anything too complicated might require gadgets, appliances or pans I haven’t yet found!

Monday: Baked cod, steamed broccoli, rice

Tuesday: Easy roast chicken, potatoes, green beans

Wednesday: Southwestern ground beef casserole – adding spinach

Thursday: Corn tortilla quesadillas with veggies

I may be really busy with my impending DIY kitchen remodel, but I still have to feed my family! Sorry the blog and Facebook posts have been sparse – I’ll post pictures after it’s finished!

Here’s our menu for the week. What’s yours?

If you shop at Martin’s, please note that this week the scallops, asparagus, organic broccoli and organic spinach are on sale!




Monday: Scallops, asparagus and quinoa

Tuesday: Chicken, broccoli and rice – probably a curry type like this

Wednesday: Crockpot roast with potatoes and green beans (like this one but without the onion soup packet)

Thursday: GF man n (goat) cheese with spinach