The moment is mine.

I've been wanting to return to blogging for a while. I do get downtime right before bed just like I did before my hiatus. I am most creative, expressive and inspired in the evenings. 

But I felt I needed an angle or a key concept to write about. I could never corner a single idea, nor could I think of a title that might compliment this reflection of myself.

Then I realized I already have it. "Celebrate the Simple" really is who I am at the core. 

So I won't fix what ain't broke.

Because at this very moment I'm in a tent trailer snuggled beside an out-cold 4 year old who spread his wings and biked around the campsite all day today. A big step for him and a big leap for my protective heart. The breeze just picked up and is wafting through the screen. There's a group campfire down the way but I'm perfectly happy right where I am.

This monent is simple and it's mine.

Chicken Tomato Parm Soup

I made my own version of this recipe:

http://melaniegetsmarried.blogspot.ca/2013/09/tomato-basil-parmesan-soup.html?m=1

... and it turned out delicious!

I boiled chicken to make my own both and then included the meat in the soup. I used cream instead of cream, green onions instead of regular and I cooked it on the stove with a raised pot.

It was best eaten by the kids with bread. Quite hearty.

Quote of the day.

This is me being kind to myself (the theme for myself this year).

You can only do,

What you can do.

So do more of that.

Salt Dough craft

It's too cold outside to play and the kids already finished their Valentines. We decided to make salt dough decorations and they're in the oven baking. Easiest thing to do, it requires what you already have in your cupboard.

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup water

Mix until it makes a ball. Make stuff. Bake for 2 hours at 250C. Let cool and paint/glue glitter and hang.

I would like to do this craft again for Easter where we cut out eggs, paint, string and hang from branches in an iron pot. I got the idea here: http://www.designmom.com/2013/03/diy-salt-dough-eggs/ .

 I love our vintage cutters.

Definitely the favourite for cookies and crafts.

A smoothie a day...

... covers so many bases.

Go to recipe:

Spinach (fresh or frozen)

Fruits (frozen) + fresh banana

Plain yogurt (usually frozen cubes

Milk or water

Peanut butter

Blend it all and serve!

Tips:

You can get large bags of spinach and make them into frozen cubes by blending with water and pouring into your ice cube tray.

Ditto for yogurt... pour into ice cube trays.

I love almond milk the most for the smoothie liquid.

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Up next... Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls. No clue how the kids will like this one but I am sure I'll love it. My backup is beans 'n weenies LOL.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 to 2 pounds lean ground beef
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small cabbage, chopped
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) low sodium diced tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion and cook, stirring, until ground beef is no longer pink and onion is tender.
Add the garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute.

Add the chopped cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until cabbage is tender.
 
Yield: Serves 6 to 8

Banana Bread - take 2? 3?

I am experimenting with baking banana bread again using gluten-free flour. I've baked banana bread many times and most of the time it's fine. But I'm aiming for amazing. This time I'm trying Robin Hood's gluten-free all purpose flour. The batter looked dark and tasted chalky... but it's in the oven nonetheless. Added semi-sweet Toll House chocolate chips for extra child-eating insurance.

I kept it simple this time: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread/ . I did reduce the sugar as it mentions.

RESULT: It was chalky and crumbly. Still not a fan of the flour, will not buy again. Bread was palatable when heated.