Sunday, March 20, 2011

A New Meal and Finally, Park Season!

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A simple simple dinner that I like to make at the end of the week. Saute all left over veggies in olive oil. I had a couple carrots, celery, onion, garlic and kale. Add 1.5 cups green lentils, stir for a minute. Add 3 cups water, curry, cumin, salt and black pepper. Cover and cook until lentils are done. (35mins?) I don't have any exact measurements or times because I like to cook improve. If you do serve it with beets, as picture, you want to start boiling those before cutting any veggies.They typically take anywhere from 45-75mins depending on size. YUM! I topped it with a scoop of plain yogurt which I must admit I had to work up to. I always grew up eating yogurt sweet with berries or granola but I highly recommend trying it with this dish.

Friday the kids and I went to The Bellevue Botanical Gardens and enjoyed the fresh air even if it seemed we only walked about 100ft. I went back Saturday with middle school bff Bailey and actually got to see the whole thing. Beautiful!

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Thursday, March 10, 2011

For Sara Because She Often Listens To Me

Once a week meal posts. My dear Sister flatters me with her compliments of my cooking. She requested I post some of the things I've been cooking up. I don't usually make up my own recipes so I'll just post a link. I almost exclusively cook from the internet which is why the lap top is always in the kitchen.

Last night we had the yummiest sweetest cornbread I've made so far. Recipes from Bob's Red Mill. whose flour and cornmeal I buy often and love. [I also use their gluten free flours when entertaining my gluten free family members.]

The main course was from Cooks.com. I've never been a big fan of Cooks magazine beside the beautiful illustrations. I used to browse through it often on slow days while working at Metropolitan Market. Most of the recipes had meat in them and required too many things I don't usually have around. Anyway I googled cabbage and sausage because I had splurged and bought some vegan sausages from Field Roast Grain Meat Co. These are probably my favorite fake meat product. They are definitely a "sometimes" food at my house because they are expensive and super processed. I do love that they are made in Seattle and 100% cruelty free. You can find Cooks recipe here.

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I am rating this recipe 10 out of 10. It was easy to follow clean up was super quick because all I used was the dutch oven, a knife, cutting board, and mixing spoon. Everything beside the cabbage and sausages I always have on hand so it doesn't take a lot of forward planning. Also, everyone ate it and liked it! There is nothing more satisfying to me than making a dinner my whole family will eat and not having to worry about if it is too hard for Elliott to chew or too soupy for Bella's tastes or having to remember to hold the vinegar for David.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Not-A-Lot-To-Say-About-This-Shirt Shirt

The pattern was easy enough to follow and aside from the elephant sized sleeves I had to adjust it was true to size. I am not crazy about the final product but I don't hate it either. It will definitely be worn again. I am going to keep trying new patterns until I get a top I LOVE. Until I find/make that ONE I'll just have to put up with these so-so tops. Ok! Lets add up some points!

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Lets add up some points!
* 5 points per yard of fabric used
* 10 points for fabric being vintage, thrifted or upcycled
* 3 points for every pattern used that you've never sewn before
* 10 points for using a pattern/fabric you've had for more than a year
* 20 points for integrating a SCRAP (not a piece of fabric you cut) less than 1/2 yard into your garment

+5 points for one yard of fabric
+10 points for that fabric being thrifted
+3 points for never having used the pattern before

Total points: 18!