Made by Me

I love this adorable Made by Me car set and know lots of little friends that would as well. What a fun stocking stuffer, party favor, or as Gracie would say "just because you love me?" gift.

Batch Cooking :: Ratatouille

Three for the "price" of one. This is really this first time I have tried batch cooking, even though I have been intrigued with the idea of cooking just a few days a month, freezing prepped dinners and then simply thawing and cooking when the time comes. A perfect solution for an abundance of veggies from the summer's harvest/farmer's market. A perfect solution for a mama with another little one on the way.

This batch is Ratatouille. Simple roasted eggplant and other summer veggies. In the time that it takes to make one dinner, add a little extra for chopping, we were able to make not one, but three batches of Ratatouille. One is in the oven, two are in freezer bags. Just add chopped tomatoes and roast.

Ratatouille:

8-10 japanese eggplant

8 Romanesco zucchini

4 bell peppers

chopped tomatoes added at the end of roasting

olive oil

thyme

oregano

salt and pepper "Not too much pepper mama"

Baked for 30 minutes at 400 degrees (my new standard for everything)

Oatmeal Carob Walnut Cookies

I try to copy all of the recipes I post on The Coffee Cottage on my food blog You Are What You Eat. 

I label them by ingredient or type of food (ex. cookies, picnic/potluck) so searching for recipes is easier. I would also love to post guest recipes if you have a family friendly recipe you would like to share. 

Adapted from Feeding the Whole Family, one of my favorite family friendly cookbooks. Gracie doesn't care for chocolate too much, or metabolize it that well, so we used carob chips, which she said were still too chocolaty. Only walnuts next time. Or pine nuts? YUM!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

mix dry ingredients:
1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (plus a little bit if the dough is too wet)
1/4 tsp sea salt

mix wet ingredients then add to dry above:
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 melted butter (this must be why they are so good!)
1 tsp vanilla

then add the yummies:
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or other nut
1/3 cup carob or chocolate chips (optional)

Bake 15-20 minutes until edges start to turn golden brown

This made 20 cookies and I put them in the freezer to keep from eating them all in one day. I at least have to let them thaw for 10 minutes, okay one minute if my teeth are lucky.

Brought to you by the letter G

I think this is the first time she has intentionally written the letter G. Was she trying to write her name?We don't practice letters or even sing our abc's that often so I was really impressed. 

B's Frozen Yogurt

WOW this is good! I suggest you put it into the freezer to harden it a bit but it was so delicious we ate all of it right away. 

B's Frozen Yogurt:

blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth

frozen blackberries (our own)

frozen blueberries 

banana

Strauss whole milk yogurt 

honey

A Year Ago...

This is one of my favorite photos, taken exactly a year ago. So much has changed, yet so much is the same.

Gone Camping

We've gone camping this weekend and a little this week too.

I don't know if you can see her angelic face in there, 

but she fell asleep looking at the stars for the first time.

We built camp fires.

She helped put up the tent. 

And why is it that everything tastes better outside?

Oh yeah, we were in our own backyard. We should have done this years ago! So fun and so easy!

Ryan: This is the best way to camp because we still have cappuccinos in the morning.

Brook: Gracie please don't wipe your mouth with your sleeve.

Gracie: I wasn't wiping my mouth mama, I was wiping my nose.