Inspiration from Sweet Paul and the weekend

This weekend I read through the latest online Fall issue of Sweet Paul. I was really inspired to try a new recipe when I saw the above submitted by one of Paul's readers. I also feel the need to tell anybody out there interested in making a delicious stew to give butternut squash and white beans a shot..SO GOOD! Also why pursuing Sweet Paul's latest issue I came across the styling for the below table setting. Loved the concept and many of the simple ideas that went into creating this little set-up.

Then in between church, sick kids and painting I was most inspired by my little girl who got up in front of our church congregation and stated the following by heart:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I don't know about you...but sometimes the whole everlasting life thing scares me..haha. Lets be honest though, doesn't everlasting life sound well just that..EVER LASTINGGG at times..and there are just some things should not last longer than a shake of a lambs tail. Good thing I am not basing everlasting life on kids who are puking for a living. Bless their hearts.

As for the boysie's room, we painted it and I picked up some handsome fabric for $1.00 a yrd to make duvet covers. I really love the concept of built in beds or three single beds but we either do not have the space or the budget. Funny thing about that bunk bed....we bought one from IKEA and got it all put together & painted only to find a warning sticker saying it was not recommended for kids under 6, nice. Anyway I think we might be able pull this room together if I can get over mixing navy blue with black because I really want to use that sweet trim. Anybody else have issues with mixing navy and black?

P.S. Just a side note but Modern Manor in Phoenix is awesome. I almost bought the above desk there a few weeks ago.

{bottom photo via elle decor}

Sometimes I feel like a DILL WEED....

Especially when I want to make a chilled cucumber soup with smoked salmon and dill recipe.

So wish this dill weed luck in helping to make our soup good:-)

Recipe found here.

Do you like the smell of dill? I do & I initially had a pre-package bunch of dill in my cart until I saw the above sitting right next to all of the veggies @ my local Sprouts and had to get that one as well because I thought it was just beautiful.

There is a reason I wanted to cook something a little different and it has to do with a wonderful daydream. Come back & I will share it with you later.

Have a fine Tuesday evening.

fleur de sel

When I saw that my foodie friend GiGi Momma busted out her fleur de sel to put on top of her brownies I had to copy cat. The brownies were a hit. In fact I left for 2 seconds only to come back and find about 4 out of the 5 kids fighting for their piece after they had pulled chairs over to the counter. Above is what I salvaged from the cute little savages. I'm guessing we should make brownies more often.

This is not a joke....putting either grey salt or fleur de sel salt on a brownie is HUGE. Go here for more ideas (like adding caramel vanilla sauce & ice cream) and the recipes.

the miracles of lentils

When I was McPregnant with both the McDoubles and the McTriples I lost all want for meat. It was the weirdest thing because you'd think that when you are pregnant that your body would crave meat. I could no longer stomach the thought of even eating chicken. The only problem was that Dr. Elliot said that I had to eat 4000 calories a day. He didn't care how I did it and even suggested McDonalds to gain the necessary 40 pounds by week 20. He swore I would have large healthy triplets if I stuck to his plan. Somehow by drinking lots of Ensure and high caloric shakes as fillers I was able to gain 70 pounds when it was all said and done. The doctor was really shocked when I told him that I hardly ate any meat. To this day I swear by lentils, salmon, veggies, flax and quinoa for the successful arrival of my triplets that were in the 98 percentile for weight. They were actually ready to come home with me from the hospital which I thought was amazing. Anyway last night as I made a big pot of lentil quinoa soup I thought about the miracles of life and how much I LOVE LENTILS...they are so comforting.

The below recipe is both simple and tasty.

1 large onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3 carrots, peeled and diced

1/2 dried quinoa

1 1/2 cups dried red or brown lentils
4-5ish cups vegetable stock
1 bunch baby spinach, chopped
1 lemon juiced
finely grated lemon zest to taste
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until soft. Add carrots and sauté for another 3 minutes. Add lentils and stock. Bring to the boil.

Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, for 25 minutes or until lentils are tender. Remove from heat. Add spinach, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Stir until well combined. Ladle into bowls. Top with lemon zest. Serves 6ish.

I also made this cornmeal crunch side dish to go with the soup. So far 101 cookbooks is one of my favorite food blogs. Just thought I would share.

P.S. - If you are pregnant with multiples, talk to me...I have an awesome book recommendation.

P.S.S. - In case there is any confusion, I am not recommending being pregnant with triplets but just in case you are then there is hope:-) Did you know that in the state of AZ that you qualify for a handicap parking pass with triplets and above....I'm thinking I should have taken it...ha!

weekend scene

Wow what a weekend. What is it about a white flag? Doesn't that mean when you wave one that you are surrendering? If that is the case then there are days I feel like waving a white flag. Usually it's not over something big but a bunch of little things that have piled up.

A few things:

*The Olympics were inspiring.

*It's time to take a moment to post on the family blog. I feel like I have so much to say about this Motherhood thing.

*There's a new gourmet pie place that just opened up, down the road. It is operated by 2 local women who clearly have a passion for making pies. I hope it is good because I love finding a new small business to support.

*Needed to use up my sour cream so I made the above pancakes. Didn't know I needed honey butter with cinnamon and toasted pecans as a topping until I came across this recipe.

*Sometimes I fly by the seat of my pants.

*I'm good @ finding distractions & project (refer below @ the latest vintage faux bamboo tables that I bought this weekend)

*I also am really good @ starting projects but not finishing them.(Blame it on the part ADD in me)

Speaking of projects...

This weekend, I just purchased the exact same vintage faux bamboo tables as pictured above. Husband said I needed more faux bamboo tables like a hole in the head. I say a few holes in the head never hurt..especially if I could re-create them to look like the below side tables from 1stDibs.

{faux pancakes}

Have you ever wanted to cut down on breads and flour? (like me because I am obsessed with all things bakery and had an overload of croissants & baguettes yesterday @ Tartine)  May I then suggest a faux pancake.  What's in it you ask..

2  EGG WHITES + 1 WHOLE EGG

1/4 TEASPOON VANILLA

1 TEASPOON RAW SUGAR OR OTHER SWEETENER

FRESH FRUIT & NUTS

SMALL BIT OF PURE MAPLE SYRUP

Very simple to make and I think they taste pretty eggy...but good.

The eggs in the crepe-like pancake give you a protein boost.  Whisk together the eggs white, whole egg, vanilla, & sweetener in a bowl, pour mixture into a nonstick pan over medium-high heat.  when batter is firm on one side, flip it over.  Once fully cooked, place on plate, top with fruit and syrup.

***I actually put a little bit of flax oil onto the pan before I put the egg mixture on to cook & it worked great.  Also I didn't need maple syrup because I just added a little more agave to the mixture to help sweeten it a bit more.  The kids like it and I thought it was a simple and easy way to mix up the usual pancake regimen.  Plus it is very healthy.

{the love cake}

Husband finally decided to have his birthday 2 hours after I got home my trip. I was a little heart broken that I didn't pull off the envisioned party but I hope I made it up to him with the cake I made from my heart. I didn't stop thinking about him in any one of those four hours that it took to make that cake. What a glorious day when husband graced his presence to this world. The value he has brought to our family is immeasurable so by me saying his birthday is one of my favorite days is not an exaggeration.

Hope you had a wonderful birthday my main Mr. Man.


OH MY, besides my kids, that cake was the most wonderful thing I have ever made....I am not exaggerating that one either. Everyone NEEDS to go and make it. Every little detail that went into making the cake was so worth it...even the very expensive dutch processed cocoa.  So my little cakie cake didn't exactly look like the picture but I didn't care because it was all about the taste.

Recipe from here, ENJOY!

ingredients

For cake layers
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whole milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 cup boiling-hot water

For filling
7 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
4 ounces coarsely chopped pecans (1 cup)
14-ounces can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon vanilla

For glaze
2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
10 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate
3 tablespoons light corn syrup

For full instructions go here.

If your wondering if cake is included in my special diet than the answer is no but there is always an exception for LOVE CAKE.  I made my candida very happy last night:-)

chicken & quinoa

This is one of our familys favorite ways to use chicken & quinoa. Shhhh, sometimes if I'm feeling really lazy I used canned chicken from Cosco (canned chicken not so healthy but tasty). My kids even like it because it is so delicious.

Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Quinoa, Peppers and Basil

This recipe comes from the box of Trader Joe's Organic Quinoa.

1 cup Trader Joe's Organic Quinoa prepared with chicken stock according to package directions

2 cups Trader Joe's Chicken Broth

1 1/2 pounds Trader Joe's Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast Tenders (any chicken)

4 tablespoons Trader Joe's Garlic Flavored Olive Oil (or just fresh garlic sauteed in olive oil)

1 small onion, thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced

5 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

20 leaves fresh sweet basil, julienne

Grated parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Cut chicken into one inch pieces. Heat large nonstick skillet over high heat and add the oil. Add chicken and saute for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Add onions, peppers, and saute for one or two more minutes. Add garlic and saute until peppers become slightly limp, but still bright, about one to two minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the pan from heat. Add basil and quinoa. Toss until basil wilts and garnish with parmesan cheese. Serves four