Snow Day

Spring seems to be taking its sweet time arriving in Austin this year. Hopefully that means summer won't be hot as blazes. Sunny days have arrived for now, but just a couple of weeks ago Jackson had a snow day. Actually it was an ice day, or more precisely, a "fear of possible ice" day. We'll take it.

Popcorn, pillows, and Big Hero 6.

Soup for dinner - the best thing to warm you up. Spiced Red Lentil, Tomato and Kale Soup from Oh She Glows. Oh, this was good!

I also tried my hand at baking some pretzel rolls. I am not very good at baking yeast breads. These came out less roll-shaped than I would've liked. I am not sure how to keep them from spreading. I will try again though.

Vegan MoFo Day 9: Piscean Princess

While Jackson is at school, Olivia often asks to swim. Sometimes we will visit a neighborhood pool, but on the days the pool is closed, she is just as happy to splash around in the tub for an hour or so, until her skin turns all wrinkly. I will hang out nearby with a book, and we are happy. She is a true Pisces, this one.

Today we made one of her favorite snacks, Salt and Vinegar Roasted Chickpeas from the Oh She Glows cookbook. I made a double batch so Jackson can take some in his lunch box.

What a water baby eats for lunch. Roasted chickpeas, black olives, hummus and baby carrots.

Finally, today's Pinterest find. For dinner I made Vegan Yum Yum's Kale Soup. Kale, quinoa and lentils. The vegan trifecta!

A Day's Eats

Watermelon for breakfast.

Eat Your Greens Detox Soup from The Oh She Glows Cookbook for lunch. I was curious about the unusual combination of flavors in this soup...broccoli, kale, mushrooms, and seaweed? Of course it all came together perfectly. Can't stop, won't stop with this awesome cookbook.

Afternoon snack: No Mallow Rice Krispie Treats from Fran Costigan's Vegan Chocolate. Agar powder and guar gum act as the "glue" for these marshmallow-free bars. Jackson and Olivia loved helping make these.

Dinner was Spicy Tomato, Peanut & Kale Pasta from La Dolce Vegan. Always delightful.

Jackson and his Power Ranger army.

Costco Haul

My new favorite breakfast: oats (made with 1/2 almond milk, 1/2 water), maca powder, peanut butter, cacao nibs and bee pollen. Fortification for the Costco journey that lay ahead.

I thought I would share a typical haul. I go to Costco once a month. I don't always buy the exact same things, but here's what I needed (and impulse bought) this month.

Mixed olives, organic diced tomatoes, salsa.

Amy's bean burritos, Mary's crackers, and organic carrot juice. I thought my kids would love the carrot juice because they are fans of making it at home. Turns out, they are mostly interested in using the juicer. Store-bought carrot juice does not appeal to them at all. Lesson learned.

Organic blueberries, black olives, avocados. I wavered on the avocados, wondering if they'd go bad before I could use them. But then I confirmed that you can refrigerate avocados to slow their ripening. Which is what I did.

Mamma Chia squeeze packets, stevia packets, Alexia sweet potato fries. Olivia requested the chia squeeze. It's like a pouch of jelly with chia seeds mixed in. The kids suck it down, of course, since it's sweet. But it's also very messy. They get it on their clothes every time. Won't be buying again for that reason.

Mama's treats: pistachios, smoked almonds, Sabra hummus.

Organic red quinoa, Brussels sprouts, pecorino romano, and Baby Bel cheese rounds (another request from Olivia, my constant Costco companion.)

I find Costco fun -- I like to see what new products they have and try the samples -- but also semi-exhausting. For dinner I made something simple, the Curried Peanut Sauce Bowl with Tofu and Kale from Isa Does It. I served it over some of the red quinoa. Amazing, thanks to the rich, flavorful peanut sauce. 

My buddy working on his Legos. I love seeing the chimera-like creatures he comes up with.

Thinkery Fun

Another smoothie in a bowl this morning with frozen mango and banana, almond milk, a handful of kale, spirulina, and raw chocolate granola.

We spent the day at the Thinkery, doing some sciencing.

There's so much to do, and the kids are drawn to different areas each time we go. Today it was the machine that dribbles out hot wax, allowing you to make flat sculptures with it.

"T-Rex's Ghost" was Jackson's title for his creation.

"I made an L," Olivia added.

It was warm enough to enjoy the outdoor play area. We could not figure out what these green circles were. Turtle shells was our guess.

Back inside to cook up something good.

Taking a break for real-life nourishment.

We finished off with a visit to the lab, where we learned to play video games using fruit.

Each piece of fruit was a directional key. I can't explain it but it was cool!

For dinner I made quinoa bowls with steamed kale, tempeh bacon, sauerkraut made by Tony's coworker, and a dressing I threw together with tahini, mustard, smoked paprika and a few other things I can't recall.

Have a lovely weekend!

Pinterest Odds 'n' Ends

Occasionally I become determined to actually cook a few of the hundreds of recipes I've pinned on my "food I will cook" Pinterest board!

First up, Soba Noodles with Lemony Kale Pesto. I love soba noodles lately, and they are so easy and fast to cook. I didn't know you could make pesto from kale. It has a really green, vitamin-y flavor. Really tasty; I had two helpings. Oh, and I cut the amount of oil in half and just thinned it out with water as needed, because an entire cup of oil is too crazy.

Next, Roasted Radishes. OK, I also never knew you could roast radishes. Pinterest is so educational. When roasted, the radishes have a buttery, potato-like flavor and texture. Aren't they pretty?

Finally, Okonomiyaki -- Japanese savory pancakes made from napa cabbage, and served with a dollop of sriracha-enhanced Veganaise. These crisped up really nicely and I'd definitely make them again. 

I had to pick up some bath soap for the kids today, and instead of their usual Mr. Bubble, I decided to go a more natural route. Although I don't usually talk about bath and beauty products, I have to rave about this Everyday Shea lemon-lavender bubble bath. Aside from being all natural and fair trade certified, it smells amazing. And very strong! I could smell it down the hall, and my babies came out of the tub smelling like the little cherubs that they are (haha!)

I also picked up two bags of Saffron Road crunchy chickpea snacks because they were on sale at Whole Foods. I got Bombay Spice and Falafel flavors. Olivia has eaten almost the entire bag of Bombay Spice by herself. Jackson is not crazy about them. The Falafel flavor is spicy, so we saved that one for Tony. I grabbed a Kosmic Kombucha for myself. I brew my own kombucha but sometimes I want a different flavor. Kosmic is my favorite brand and their Mint Julep flavor is super refreshing.

My pretty girl showing off her new headband.

Long Hair

My baby girl wasn't born with much hair.

No flowing locks as a toddler, either.

Long hair has been a long time coming for Miss O. But while carefully combing through post-bath tangles last night, I realized, it's getting there!

I think she looks cute with her up-do. Scrunchy goblin face and all!

Back view. So grown up. 

Dinner was Roasted Tomato & Rosemary Soup with Kale & Potatoes. I found this descriptively-named recipe on Pinterest. I thought it was on the bland side, but Tony said it was one of my best soups. Different strokes tastebuds.

Vegan MoFo Day 13: Tiny Dancer and Karate Master

Today went by in a flash. It felt like I spent most of the day shuttling to and from the rec center. Olivia had her first dance lesson this afternoon.

Then we rushed home and I made a quick dinner, Matthew's Spicy Tomato Peanut & Kale Pasta from La Dolce Vegan.  It's an odd-sounding recipe, but it's actually fantastic. And if you use a mild chili sauce like I do (or omit it, whatever), it's a very kid-friendly pasta. I do recommend doubling the amount of kale called for, because it cooks down to almost nothing, as you can see below. 

Then it was back to the rec center for Jackson's first karate class.

Time to flop onto the couch and not move until bedtime! See y'all tomorrow!