Home Sweet Home

As some of you know, we are taking a trip to Amish country (otherwise known as Lancaster, Pennsylvania) this summer.  For Andy, Riley and me, this is where we call "home."  Poor Kendall, home is wherever we are to her.  We are really looking forward to this trip.  There are so many things on our list that I'm not sure we'll be able to fit them all in!

Some of the many activities we're looking forward to doing while in the Keystone State:

Watching the kids visiting with their grandparents - the joy on all of their faces is to be treasured

Visiting with my family members (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.)


Seeing, hugging, & lovin' on my prego BFF!

Drinking some Turkey Hill ice tea

Eating ice cream at Pine View Dairy while walking around the barn saying hi to the cows and checking out the calves

Taking the kids to get real Reese's Pieces sundaes at Friendly's

Going to Central Market - to shop, walk, take in the sights and smells, maybe eat a whoopie pie (or two)

Eating at any number of favorite restaurants in Lancaster (breakfast @ Wish You Were Here anyone?)

Seeing an Amish horse & buggy as well as a windmill and explaining to the kids why they use them instead of a car and electricity.  Maybe we'll get the chance to explain what "road apples" are while we're there!

Visiting with friends from high school at the Hoffman's


Catching up with my former CV colleagues @ the Millers'

Getting pictures taken of the kids by one of my favorite photographers - who is also a former student of mine and someone I truly admire

Watching the kids play with Riley's friends (Myles, Jameson, Ellie, Hank, Hannah, Drew, Jill and Natalie) from when we lived in Lancaster


Hugging my former "loop" neighbors and catching up after WAY too much time has passed - Hoping Tom can still "party like a rock star!"  (So glad the Danisch family can come from Chicago at the same time)

Spending a day in Philly with my family - taking the kids to see the Liberty bell, Please Touch Museum, going to Pat's & Gino's for world famous cheesesteaks, Jeweler's Row - to look and shop (okay, to get my ring fixed), showing them Betsy Ross' house and explaining who she was, running up the stairs of the Art Museum like Rocky, riding the train into 30th Street Station, taking the kids on their first subway ride...

Smelling manure - I know, bizarre, right?  But there is something about the smell of methane in the air that feels like home!


Eating some ring bologna and some Bomberger's sweet bologna


Stocking up on Tasty Kakes - gotta remember to save room in the suitcase for a few extra boxes to bring back with me!


Eating Grandma Utz's Kettle cooked potato chips

I know some of you from outside of the great state of Pennsylvania are thinking, she's gone off the reservation!  Well, yes, that's quite possible, but there are certain things about where you grew up, things that you may have hated or took for granted before, that now after being away for so long, are what you want to see, smell and taste.  This trip will be fun for so many different reasons!

Chicken Nuggets with Spinach?

Yes, another successful Deceptively Delicious recipe at the Chunko house!  They didn't look pretty or even like the ones in the cookbook, but they were tasty.  I don't care for spinach and I tried one and couldn't even tell they had spinach in them!  Pretty cool, huh?  Again, made with almost all organic ingredients!

Here's how to create these yummy creations:

1 c. panko breadcrumbs

1/2 c. flaxseed meal

1 T. grated Parmesan

1/2 tsp. papricka

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1 c. spinach puree

1 lg. egg, lightly beaten

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast/tenders cut into chunks

1/2 tsp. salt

nonstick cooking spray

1 T. olive oil

In bowl, combine breadcrumbs, flaxseed, Parmesan, paprika, garlic and onion powder.  Mix well.  

In a shallow bowl, mix spinach puree and egg with fork and set next to breadcrumb mixture.

Sprinkle chicken with salt (I skipped this part.  Not a big salt fan).  Dip chunks into egg/spinach mixture and then toss with breadcrumbs until completely coated.  

Coat large non-stick skillet with cooking spray and set over med-high heat.  When skillet is hot, add oil.  Place nuggets in single layer and cook until crisp and golden on one side, 3-4 minutes.  Turn and cook chicken is cooked through and crisp all over.  Serve warm.

*Note:  I used pre-cut chicken (very small chunks) and would NOT do this again. I would have used much larger chunks made easily from tenders than the little pieces.  What a pain to coat and cook.  I also was wondering how they'd taste if you would bake them verses cook them in oil on the stove...I don't own any non-stick pans anymore so I had to add more olive oil in my pan to cook them without burning.  Any thoughts?  You could also use sweet potato or broccoli puree.  Think maybe we'll try sweet potato next time for something different.  Again, another veggie we don't eat much here at our house.  But the kids enjoyed them and never once mentioned that they tasted any different than normal chicken nuggets.  They didn't even complain that they weren't in the shape of dinosaurs!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Avocado?

Who knew?  Right?  Well, I tried these today but already knew they'd be successful.  I have a friend from Mom To Mom in Jax who turned me on to them but never tried the recipe before.  Sooooo glad that I got around to trying them! Wow!  I made a few alterations to make them a little healthier.  I used all organic ingredients when possible.  Couldn't find organic avocados at the store the other day, but the majority of it's organic!

Here's the recipe:

1 c. avocado puree (mash with a fork then put in food processor for 2 min. )

1 1/2 c. sugar (I replaced the sugar with organic agave nectar to make them sugar free)

1 c. milk (I used about 3/4 c. milk because of the agave nectar)

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar (weird to bake with, but I swear you don't taste it!)

2 lg. egg whites

2 c. flour (I added a tiny bit extra because of our altitude)

1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350.  Use non-stick spray for cupcake pan or liners.  

Beat avocado puree, sugar (or agave nectar), milk, vanilla, and vinegar with mixer.  Beat in egg whites one at a time, just until incorporated.

Add flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.  Mix until smooth.  Divide among muffin cups.  Bake until tops are lightly browned and spring back to the touch, 15-20 minutes.  Turn out on rack to cool completely.

Store in airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

You could frost them, but I don't think they need it!  Jessica Seinfeld has a frosting with cauliflower puree and cream cheese, but I'd rather pass on the calories and sugar and just enjoy the yummy cupcakes.  I also made them using my mini-muffin pan and it's a great way to make them into smaller portions for your little ones!

Enjoy!

Homemade Organic Goldfish Crackers

After many, many requests via FB, here is the delicious recipe for homemade goldfish crackers!  Hope your kids enjoy them as much as mine do!

Goldfish Crackers:

1 c all-purpose flour

4 T cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

8 oz cheddar cheese 

1/2 t salt

1/2 t fresh-ground pepper

A fish cookie cutter.

Pulse the flour, butter, cheese, salt, and pepper together using a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse meal.  Pulse in 3 to 4 tablespoons of water, one tablespoon at a time, and only enough so that the dough forms a ball and rides the blade.  Remove, wrap in plastic, and chill for 20 minutes or up to 24 hours.

Line 2 baking pans with parchment paper and set aside.  Roll the dough out to 1/8-inch thickness. (If you roll it thicker, it will still work, but the crackers won't be quite as crunchy. This dough rolled out so easily; you'll wish that you always worked with cheddar!)  Cut out as many crackers as possible.  Place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking pans.  Bake at 350 F until golden and crisp - 15 to 20 minutes.

We used mini apple shapes, fish shapes and bunny shapes for our crackers

Golden and crispy!

It was hard to let them cool before popping them in our mouths!

  *Just to add, I used all organic ingredients to make them an even healthier option.  I also made them with extra sharp cheddar.  Andy even liked eating these and he doesn't normally care for goldfish crackers.  I have some mild cheddar I'd like to try as well as maybe giving some pepper jack or adding some other seasonings on our next attempts.

These are as easy as they are delicious.  Kendall actually helped me cut out the little shapes to make them.  I found miniature cookie cutters at HERE for a reasonable price.  The fish one is not exactly like the Peppridge Farms fish shape but my kids didn't care.  You can find one more like it HERE but it's more expensive and I knew that didn't matter to my kids.

ENJOY!

Field Day Fun!

Lutheran High holds a field day for all three Lutheran elementary schools in the Salt Lake Valley.  They host it at a big park nearby.  All grade level classes (first - eighth) compete against each other as well as against their own classmates in individual and team events.

Riley was entered in: the Dash, the Sack Race, the T-Shirt Relay and the Crab Crawl.  He was so excited for Field Day that he could hardly contain his energy.  Kendall came along with me to help cheer on Riley and his friends.  She had as much fun as he did!

Riley with some of his friends at field day

Hayley is a the best 7 yr. old babysitter I've ever met!  She's so good with Kendall!

This is Kendall's little boyfriend.  They are so cute together and have become really good friends over this past year.  She prays for him at night!

Next to Riley is one of his closest pals - Chloe.  Thought I was going to mention the boy on other side of him, huh?  Well, they are good friends too, but Chloe is such a tomboy (regardless of the bow and hat) that she and Riley get along so well.  She plays transformers and star wars with him!

This picture is one of my favorite of the day.  Riley wanted Kendall to come sit with him and his buddies and then I caught them holding hands.  This is the picture I have to burn into my mind so that when they are fighting like cats and dogs, I can remember that they really do love each other!

Looking for ants on the ground was big excitement for the kids

Riley and his biggest cheerleader

Waiting for the crab crawl to start with his buddies

Mentally preparing for the T-Shirt Relay

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to be at a school field day and NOT be in charge of it!  I enjoyed every minute of watching my child enjoy himself and not being stressed over running the event.  Riley was so proud of himself.  He won ribbons in all four of his events and couldn't wait to tell his Dad all about it later that night.

Yummy Tenderloin

I just ordered another cookbook that I had been very anxious to get my hands on.  It's called Our Best Bites and I've been following their blog for awhile now.  My first recipe from the cookbook is also one they have online, but I'll post it here anyway.

Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri

2-3lb pork tenderloin (2 small-med pork loins)
1 1/2 C chopped parsley
1 1/2 C chopped cilantro
1/2 C loosely packed oregano leaves
2 T fresh lime juice
1 T red wine vinegar
3 T chopped garlic (6-7 cloves)
1/4 t red pepper flakes
1 t kosher salt
1/4 t black pepper
1/2 C extra virgin olive oil

Place parsley, cilantro, oregano, lime juice, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Pulse several times until finely chopped.  

Transfer to a bowl and throw in some red pepper flakes.  And then stir in the extra virgin olive oil by hand. Don’t put the olive oil in the food processor because you run the risk of turning the entire sauce bitter.  

Take about 1/2-3/4 C chimichurri and place in a ziplock bag with the pork. Cover the remaining chimichurri and set both aside for about an hour.  

When ready to cook, preheat grill (or indoor grill pan). Remove tenderloins from bag and let excess marinade drip off. Place on grill and cook for about 5-8 minutes before flipping to the other side. You want the internal temp to be about 160 degrees, so check with a thermometer and take it off the grill when it reaches 155-158 since it will continue to cook a bit as it sits.  Remove from grill and let stand 5 minutes before cutting. 

Slice and serve with remaining chimichurri drizzled on top.  

Oh my word, was this delicious!  I am so glad we have extras because I can't wait to eat some again!  It's pretty simple to make and it's totally going into my Family Favorites recipe book!

Deceptively Delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Can cookies be healthy?  Well, maybe they can be healthier.  Tonight I attempted Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious recipe for chocolate chip cookies.  But I changed one thing.  I used grain sweetened chocolate chips.  Never heard of them?  Me neither until today.  The ingredient list on the bag is as follows:  whole grain malted barley and corn, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin and vanilla.  They taste more like a dark chocolate (which is fine by me!).  They are a little more expensive than regular chocolate chips, but not more than organic chips.  I highly recommend them if you find them in your store.

Here's the recipe:

1 c. firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 c. butter (she suggested trans-fat free margarine, but I prefer organic butter)

2 lg. egg whites

2 tsp. vanilla

1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 c. semisweet chocolate chips (or grain sweetened)

2 c. flour

1/2 c. oats

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350.  Beat sugar and butter at medium speed until smooth.  Beat in egg whites and vanilla, then add chickpeas and chocolate chips.  Add the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt and mix on low until a thick dough forms.

Drop onto cookie sheets with tablespoon (I use a melon baller because they make smaller, child-sized cookies).  Press with a fork to flatten.  Bake until golden brown, 11-13 minutes.  Do not over bake.  Cool on rack.  

Andy and I taste tested them tonight and they are pretty good.  Not the best chocolate chip cookie I've ever eaten, but a good cookie overall.  I didn't really flatten mine and that's one thing I'll try to remember to do next time around.  I think this yielded around 6 dozen of the small size cookies.  I'm going to end up freezing a bunch of them for future use.  We'll see if they pass the real test tomorrow morning when the kids get up!  BTW - a little trick I learned is to save some of the chips and put them on top before you put them in the oven.  I wanted them to look more like chocolate chip cookies...but I would recommend not putting just one chip on the top of each cookie.  They will look reminiscent of a part of the female anatomy.  Ha!  Enjoy!

Our Summer Experiment

Some of you may not know, but as this year has passed, Riley's teacher and I have witnessed a decline in his ability to focus on tasks (especially those of little interest to him).  He can sit and work on building things with Legos easily for a hour, but if I ask him to upstairs and get a pair of socks, it will take him 3 attempts to successfully accomplish that simple task.  I have been asking him to repeat instructions back to me and when he does, the success rate goes through the roof.  He struggles to stay focused, forgets to complete parts of worksheets, etc.

I also know from past history with my brother, that certain foods can make it more difficult for some kids with attention issues to focus.  I was reading an article last night that I posted on FB and got lots of comments regarding the issue of ingredients in our foods.  The article can be found HERE.  It's from NPR and it's about a possible FDA study of the link of food dyes to the behavior of children.  Red dye has always been in question in relationship to kids' behavior.  I know there were certain food triggers that would set my brother off and if by chance he consumed all of those triggers in one day, the fire would be ablaze in no time.

So I'm going to experiment with some different types of foods this summer.  I typically buy organic or healthier versions of things when possible.  Kendall is going to go into withdraw when I stop buying fruit snacks.  They things have little to no nutritional value and are loaded with color!  I try to comfort myself with the fact that I buy the kind with no hydrogenated oil, which means no princesses, Nemo, etc. for my kids.  Wonder if there is a homemade alternative?

I am going to try to make as much of the snacks that the kids eat as possible.  I am baking some granola bars right now.  My hope is to find a recipe that will replace the need to purchase them.  We buy organic bars, which of course is more expensive, but if I can make them myself, they will still be organic and be a cheaper option.  I used the following recipe and they were well received by my kids.  They don't "look" the same as regular granola bars and were lacking the sweetness of the chocolate chips that their Cascadian Farms ones usually have, but a nice alternative.

Homemade granola bars

2 cups rolled oats

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup wheat germ

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup raisins (optional)

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup honey

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350.  Grease 9x13 pan.  Mix oats, brown sugar, wheat germ (I used part wheat bran and flax seed meal because I didn't have wheat germ on hand), cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt into a large bowl.  Make a well and add remaining ingredients and mix with hands. Pat flat into baking dish and bake for 30-36 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes then cut or they will be too hard to cut if you let them cool entirely.

My guess is that these may freeze well so potentially you could make a huge batch and freeze them so you would have enough for lunches or snacks at school.

The biggest item to replace will be the Goldfish crackers.  Riley would live on them if he could.  I found a cheese cracker recipe online that I may attempt this week since our goldfish box is now empty.

I want to try to reduce the amount of processed, pre-made, pre-packaged food that we consume.  If I am making most of it from scratch and the rest is as much organic as I can find, the artificial colors and flavorings should be greatly reduced in our diets.  I can my own jelly every summer and buy organic peanut butter for lunches.  We even make our own popsicles over the summer too.

The kids don't get juice unless it's packed in a lunch to go somewhere.  I have been giving the kids flavored water so there is less sugar, but now I'm rethinking that since I discovered there was Splenda in it.  I think a reusable water bottle will be going into lunch boxes next year.

The plan is to try this over the summer and see how it goes...will it help Riley to focus better?  Who knows?  But it certainly won't hurt any of us to consume less processed foods and watch how much sugar and artificial color/flavor is in our diet.  My new, big Kitchen Aide food processor just arrived today so I dug out my Deceptively Delicious cookbook and can't wait to try some of the recipes.  Sneaking extra veggies into their food won't hurt them (or me) one bit!  Side Note:  Riley thinks the Deceptively Delicious idea is great!  He can't wait to "trick" his sister into eating more veggies!

Wine Club Tasting

I really do have some incredible friends here in Utah.  Last year, we attempted a "knitting club" where each month someone hosted and served appetizers and the rest of us brought wine and our knitting stuff.  Andy always asked me why we bothered to disguise what we were doing and just call it what it was...wine club, not knitting club!  Well, I'm happy to say that is exactly what we have been doing.  Wine club has been up and running for the past two months and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to explore new wines and share the company of some wonderful women.

Last month we tried Malbec, which was already one of my favorites.  This month was Viognier.  We do a blind taste test of each bottle, paired with some food, and then discuss what we like/dislike about each one.  At the end, we try to come up with a winner.

Here are some of my favorite women in Utah at Wine Club:

There are always a few missing - illnesses, lack of babysitters, vacations, etc.  There are about 12 of us total - one to host each month of the year.

Going back for seconds (notice my wicked farmer's tan from last week?  Ugh!)

I also have a few friends through Riley's school that have also started a rotating wine/beer tasting.  The nice thing about that group is it is family and husband friendly.  Thankfully there are a range of ages with the kids so that they all have someone to play with and they all get along.  Last night we all brought wine that had some type of funny/silly label.  I found of a bottle of syrah that was called "Box Car."  Of course, I had to take that regardless of what it tasted like (but thankfully it was pretty good!)  

Andy and I feel so blessed to have made such wonderful friends here in Utah, which can be a pretty lonely place if you don't find someone to take you under their wing.

If You Hang It, They Will Come

We made a rather quick attempt at getting the flower beds and veggie garden ready this past weekend.  On Monday, Kendall and I were picking up some extra flowers I needed for my pots on the back patio and we decided that our backyard was in need of a bird feeder.  So after we got home from school, the kids helped me fill it up with bird food and hang it.  Riley couldn't wait for the birds to come eat from our new feeder.  I warned him that it might take some time for them to realize it's here.  Every day he asks if I saw a bird eating while he's at school.  Well, today we finally did!  Kendall noticed them first so I had to grab my camera so I could show Riley the proof that the birds now know where to find food.

There are two dining at our feeder

Wonder if they will bring their friends?

I love being able to expose the kids to nature - to bring it to our house and have them learn to appreciate it.  Just like with our garden.  They learn how plants grow, how we get our food, how to take care of it, and of course, how  much better organic veggies and fruit taste fresh from your garden!

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

I don't know about you, but I sure am missing spring this year!  I can count the total number of spring-like days on my two hands!  We've had rain/sleet/snow/clouds/cold nasty weather for the past 2 months!  I'm so over it by now!  The Cottonwood canyons got 2 feet of snow yesterday!  Anyone want to ski at Snowbird with me this weekend?

Today was the first day in WEEKS that Kendall and I stayed home and went no where while Riley is in school.  I've been so busy with Easter, prepping for company, having company, Riley's birthday and party, Andy's birthday, Jog-A-Thon, teaching PE classes, being at lunch on the days I wasn't teaching at school, running to karate, scouts, Little Gym, dance class, MOPS, play dates, counting JAT money until late into the evening, awarding prizes, you name it, we've done it.  Kendall and I are beat!

Today is yet again another yucky, cold, rainy day.  We were supposed to go to see the Sleeping Beauty ballet today with the first and second graders but it got rained out since it was supposed to be held at the local amphitheater.  Bummer, but since we now had no plans, we played games, painted lots of pictures, watched an episode of Dora, ate lunch together and now (dare I say it?) Kendall is in her bed for a much overdue nap!  Here's to hoping miracles happen!

Earlier today we took advantage of the rain and I let her go outside to play in her rain boots, rain coat and umbrella.  Who would have ever thought I'd need these items living in the middle of a "desert?"

Here's the little princess having fun splashing in puddles:

She's totally Disney today...Ariel umbrella (chosen because of Mikaeli's influence), princess boots and Riley's old Lion King rain coat!

Looking for puddles

Wanna come play in the rain Mom?

What do you do to keep boredom from overwhelming you after weeks of rain and cold?

 

D-D-D-Dora!

In honor of Cinco De Mayo, some of my girlfriends and I decided to celebrate with our little ones.  We had a Dora party.  What fun for the girls and for us!  Here are a few snapshots of the party:

Stacy made us cute pink Dora cupcakes for the occasion

Kim painted the girls toenails

Paigey loved the cupcakes

On the lookout for Swiper!

Pin the tail on Swiper

Miss Stacy had to help Kendall

Adorable little Sylvia hanging out while the big girls played

Up to no good, I'm sure!

Paigey and Kendall in deep thought...

Kendall's turn at the pinata, but she acted as if she didn't know what to do.

Love Natalie's facial expressions!

No one had to tell Caitlyn what to do to the pinata!

Paigey trying to bust open the butterfly

Kendall and her little friends all standing on the pinata while hugging...so adorable!

My contribution was to make the girls Dora bracelets.  I love that I could find a blue flower bead for the party!

Kendall is so fortunate to have such sweet little friends and I am so lucky that the moms of her little friends are my good friends too!  That makes it so nice to have play dates with girls her age and the moms are all great friends.  I feel so lucky to be in this situation.

Riley Meets A Superstar!

That's Riley with Supercross/Motorcross star Kevin Windham!  If you aren't familiar with the sport, K Dub is one of the best!  He turned pro in 1994 and hasn't looked back!  Andy and I saw him ride at Broome-Tioga many moons ago along with Jeremy McGrath and Jeff Emig.  The fact that K Dub is just a few years younger than me and still at the top of his game is just amazing!  He's competing against much younger riders and can still hang with the best of them.  Riley was so excited to meet Kevin at the Honda shop the night before the Supercross in Salt Lake last month.  What a great birthday surprise for a my little Honda lover!