A word to the wise

Do NOT carry a full sun tea container by its flimsy plastic handle. You will undoubtedly:
a. have to use every clean towel in the house
b. have that swimming pool sensation when too much water (aka tea) goes up your nose
c. have a good excuse to finally mop the floor
d. have very little sun tea (aka one glass) left to actually enjoy.

A Sign of Peace

This girl is going to bring lots of peace and love to the world in her lifetime. I was kissing her belly yesterday and saw this. How have I not noticed this before?

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

Gautama Siddharta

“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.”

The 14th Dalai Lama

“Peace is its own reward.”

Mahatma Ghandi

Quinoa Tabouleh

With so many great cucumbers, tomatoes and parsley at the farmer's market (and hopefully our garden soon) I can;t seem to get enough tabouleh. We were heading to a birthday party on the fourth of July and with the traditional bulgar wheat not working, quinoa came to the rescue. I think I may even like it better. Quinoa is a complete protein too so it is better for you as well.

Quinoa Tabouleh:
1 cup quinoa (I used red and white)
cook with 2 cups water 20 minutes or so
chopped tomatoes
chopped cucumbers
chopped parsley
lots of lemon juice
olive oil

In the kitchen :: Orzo Salad

We are all in the kitchen these days, cooking up something tasty!

Thank you Grammie for the play kitchen. It will be loved for years to come.

Harvest Salad with Corn, Tomatoes and Basil adapted from Soule Mama

DRESSING:

4 TBSP fresh lemon juice

2 TBSP red wine vinegar

1 tsp black pepper

2 TBSP olive oil

1 tsp salt

3 cloves garlic, crushed

SALAD:

16 oz Harvest Grains Blend TJ's (Israeli Couscous, orzo, baby garbanzos, red quinoa) 2 cups grains

16 oz organic cherry tomatoes (4 cups)

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

16 oz TJ's organic frozen corn kernels (2 cups)

1/2 cup vertically sliced red onion (optional)

Prepare all dressing ingredients and place in a jar. Cover tightly and shake thoroughly. Prepare grains according to package directions. Add corn to grains to cool down. Drain and place in a large bowl. Spoon half of the dressing and toss to coat. Let cool to room temp. Add the remaining dressing, corn, tomato, onion, and basil to the pasta. Let stand for atleast 30 minutes. 

A Year Ago...

We found this magical place.

Now, we get to call it HOME.

A Fantastic Friday

For Stamps....

And Smoothies!

Today's Smoothie:

1/2 cup yogurt

1/2 cup water

1 banana

1 cup ollalieberries

1/2 cup spinach

squeeze of honey

Under the Weather :: Flowers and Honey Lemon Tea

I may have over done it last night at the summer concert series because on the drive home I started to feel awful. Ryan read books and told Gracie a pretend story and tomorrow (a tradition that my mom and dad did for me when I was a little girl) and she went to bed quite easily. I feel like I was hit by a bus so I just made a cup of honey lemon tea and we are reading books in bed and listening to our collection of audiobooks too. My girlfriend Anne recommended having audiobooks on hand for the big sister while the baby needs special attention and Gracie loves them as much as I am sure she would like TV if given the opportunity--we got rid of it when we moved to the "woods."

Honey Lemon Tea:
Hot water
Lemon
Honey
Lots of hugs and kisses from a cute little three year old

And maybe a bouquet of weeds, I mean flowers.