Instant Breakfast Cookies

Yesterday, I finally got the time or well inclination... to do something I've had my brain 'baking' on. Xan isn't so excited about the last 3 flavors of his instant oatmeal. Cinnamon spice, maple and brown sugar and the original flavor. The apple cinnamon flew out of the box alright, but these last three I have to mash up bananas, add apple sauce etc. He can't feed himself with a spoon quite yet. The little fork he has is getting some limited use, but if I have some work to do early I need a good breakfast that he can feed to himself. And one can only eat so many pancakes and french toast!! Even though I've gotten quite clever at adding good things to the pancakes!!

AND my other motivation... I have also been spending too much money on Nutrigrain bars which I know darn well I could be making myself... again TIME. Ugh.

Onto packages of unused instant oatmeal equals breakfast cookie... I grabbed one of each flavor... hmmm... need flour, brown sugar, {i have no eggs...} flax meal, almond milk, and little oil... I will use more applesauce than oil... OH I will need baking aids {powder/ soda}

Here it is as I fly by the seat of my pants... IT WORKED!! I've baked these twice now. They are super soft and cake like. The oatmeal flavors are perfect together and these little babies are really inexpensive! I bought this huge box from Sam's Club... so I've got plenty of these on the way.

All you need is a bowl and a fork!! I have one of those handy ice cream scoopy things for plopping cupcake batter etc. They work perfect for these cookies. Probably holds 1/3 of cup of batter. I think it says 5 oz... Anyway, it is a great investment!

Preheat oven to 350

Instant Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies {makes 8}

3 packages of Instant Oatmeal
1/2 c unbleached flour
1/4 c brown sugar
1T flax meal {no flax meal? you could also substitute a 1/2 smashed up banana!}
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t baking powder
{mix dry ingredients together}
3 T of water
2 T of almond milk
1 T of vegetable oil
1/2 c applesauce

Mix well... drop onto cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes.

ENJOY!!!

John thought I bought a scone mix... I kinda took that as a great compliment!! Xan devours these and I get to sit next to him typing up requests for proposals :) AHHH... ain't life grand!!

xoxo

Getting it Sorted Part II & Menu Planned!

Waking up at 5am requires my first cup of coffee to be really hot. Every other cup for some reason I can do warm... but the first cup... go figure.

Office Organization Redux

So, the office organization thing... stalled a bit. The help that I was getting had some troubles and I didn't get finished. sigh. However! This Saturday everyone has recommitted their assistance and hoping that we can get everything in order. I've also hired a "nanny"/ baby-sitter to come into our home and help me two days a week. I will let you know how that increases all of the organization and work load on the architectural end of my life... well, that is the plan anyway!

For another delay, we discovered a large nest of a former rodent tenant. YIK YUK YAK!!! So that needed taking care of for good. Oddly, we have cleaned up a lot of mouse crap and nesty materials but only one time. It makes me a bit nervous. Kind of on edge. Do we have mice? Did they move out after the year that there was no food in the house? We aren't sure what to think.

Anywho, we are moving forward with the cleaning up and painting on Saturday! I also took some advice from my friend Jenifer and posted a bunch of my Christmas jewelry on Ebay... happy to report... it is SELLING!! Woo Hoo!! Thanks J!! I am going to be putting a bunch of other things on Ebay now as well with the success I've been having.

Menu Planning

I also wanted to share a really cool menu organizing idea with all of you. I am trying it out right now with a lot of success. I ran across it on Pinterest (duh) and forgot to pin it!!! Who does that?? So I apologize for not giving credit to the original thought maker of this menu plan. I'm a bit naive with a few things in life so forgive me if this is common place for all of you but a stroke of genius to me!

First, I don't want my menu plan to be complicated... If you look at some past menu plans I've tried to work with a grocery list and had to write up the pantry items and keep track of things on hand etc... to sum up NOT WORKING. I need simple. Beyond simple actually... I need zero. So, this meal plan is by type of meal as opposed to what the meal actually is!! Get it??

For example... Your week of dinner could be broken out like this:

Monday - Soup and Sandwiches
Tuesday - Casserole/ one dish meal
Wednesday - Stir Fry
Thursday - International (Mexican, Italian, Middle Eastern... etc.)
Friday - Pizza
Saturday - Leftovers!! or our one night to eat out/ order in...
Sunday - Brinner ( Breakfast for dinner!) because we love brunch.

Whew! That seriously made this week tolerable. Instead of thinking what to do... I have a "heading" for the day to work from. My little brain can think... "WHAT kind of soup and sandwich will I make tonight..." I grab my iPad and go to my Pinterest board now labeled with the above headings... and pick out something yummy!! WOO HOO!!

To spice things up next month I might shift some things around as I get comfortable and make Friday International food... Sunday is soup and sandwich... bla bla bla you get what I mean. I'm doing my menu by month because again... I need SIMPLE. But if you have the need or want for flexibility you can happily change this menu and do this by the week. My husband and I are both creatures of habit and do not mind the routine. And this keeps me from having to worry about the grocery shopping as well. Ever been grocery shopping with a 15 month old? It isn't too bad... but, you have a time limit. (insert smile here)

Other headings could be:
Vegetarian, Tapas, Noodles, Something with Cheese, Crockpot, Grilled, Burgers, Salad, Poultry, Seafood, etc.

You could also label by cuisine type, region, or :

Italian, French, Irish, Chinese, Greek, Lebanese, Tex-Mex, etc.

You get me right?? I'm still trying to get my little templates attached so bear with me... But I've included one here!! Maybe you can print it out. I hope you can print it out if you'd like. If not, email me... and I will email it to you if you'd like. I've started this one with November. But the one I email to you, you can write in the week or month for your own organization!

And let me give you a little more love here... So when I say it is Pizza night... That could be flatbread, bagel, calzone, tortilla, cauliflower crust, crustless, Chicago style... the sky is the limit... SEE... 

brilliant.

Well. at least I thought so. ;) I hope you will too. I am putting together a vegetarian Thanksgiving and Christmas menu at the moment. I've been experimenting with different dishes to see if I like them. I will share soon so if you are thinking of some veggie options off the traditional route! 

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

I hope you've noticed my absence. Maybe some have, maybe some haven't. Either way. I've noticed it! I have been on a whirlwind weird and wild ride since we landed back in Michigan. Some of it wonderful... some of it depressing, harsh and just down right ugly.

Mostly I've stayed away because I didn't have anything good or positive to say. So, I just didn't! I would start a post and it would inevitably start down the nastiest spiral. I've gotten over it. I have decided if that is some of what I need to say. I may say it. Regardless, I have hit a new higher road with all that has been dragging me down. I am happy to say that! John was on the roller coaster with me. He's also doing a lot better here. He's found a great job at Stryker and started this week! That has made a huge difference in the mood of our little home here on the Michigan prairie.

I thought I would start our return to blogging off with a really, really delicious recipe!!

Zucchini Bread... Don't give me that look!! I know, I know... been there done that. So you know I had to make it different! Vegan and less oil. But then balanced the universe back with chocolate chips. Pure love... Baked love.

I got this recipe from an awesome customer I met while I made my way through the 3rd layer of hell as a part-time employee at Lowe's. Yup. I had a great time! And Robyn made it even better! We all need a job somewhere at different times in our lives. I was lucky enough to grab a great gig at Lowe's while other things in my life were trying to balance out. It was a great anchor... I just put in my two weeks notice yesterday. I've been hired, as an independent consultant, to work on several planning/ urban design jobs for the forseeable future and Lowe's, Xan and John are all competing for attention.

So, Lowe's had to be told good-bye. I now get to stay home and work with Xan! And John is happily working 1st shift and gets home at 3pm!! So, like I said, things are going really well for us again. That isn't a monetary thing, it is just a stability thing!! Feeling like we are on the same road traveling together as a family. So many upsetting things were happening (we will get to them eventually) that we couldn't find our way for a while. I was making every sacrifice I could, so was John... but nothing was coming together. Until two weeks ago. We both had awesome returned phone calls, meetings and JOBS waiting for us on Monday!!

Anyway... until next post... that will be TOMORROW... 

"Happily!", she exclaimed. 

Please enjoy Robyn's recipe handed down from her mom. To make this vegan, substitute flax seed for the eggs (3 T and 9 T of water) And applesauce for oil. That is it!! And instead of nuts, I chose to add chocolate chips!

Eat: St. Patty's Brownies

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! Maybe you've been up since 5am making some kind of kegs and eggs celebration for a local parade... Or you're a die hard Irish fan so you're thinking Rudy and maybe you'll break out the only green shirt you own because it has an ND leprechaun on it. Okay, now that I'm looking, I have 2. Either way, I am certainly the latter!

I was happily attending Notre Dame during Brady Quinn's stint as a quarterback...

We have fond memories of each other in the South Dining Hall.

No Guinness for me this year as I've recently found out that it is NOT vegetarian. Neither is Foster's, Red Stripe or Newcastle. They all contain fish guts. Using 'isinglass' which is made from fish bladders. Hmmm... yuck. And all of my dearest friends know what a huge disappointment this will be to me. I used to love Guinness. Now, I feel a little sick.

On to better things... Like brownies slathered in a mint buttercream. Oh yeah baby!!

These are incredible brownies and not one single time have I brought or sold these and not had a dozen more orders. I think they are pretty special too. I used them to woo my husband. He has a HUGE sweet tooth. I had him over for dinner and I made this incredible polenta dish and then brownies for dessert. We were engaged the next week. I'm not sayin' it was the brownies... But I'm not sayin' it wasn't a factor!!

Brownies {you could make these GF}

Get out a medium sized, heavy bottomed sauce pan. Yup, you read that right. NO BOWL. SAUCE PAN.
Oil and parchment line the bottom of an 8x8 pan. Preheat oven to 350.

Add to sauce pan over medium/ low heat... Go slow... no burning.

1 stick of butter. {I haven't had too much luck with margarine... sorry vegans :(...}
...when melted...
Add 2 T of canola or veggie oil.
...stir in...
Add 1/4 c dark chocolate chips
...melt in...
Add 1/2 c sugar {i've used all kinds to experiment - raw, truvia, etc... raw works best, you can half it with truvia if you'd like.}
...melt in...
Add 1/2 c cocoa powder {i swear by Penzey's. Use amazing cocoa and you will have amazing brownies. That's a huge benefit! You can order it online. DO NOT get dutch process}
...stir in...
Take off the heat. Turn off stove top.

A slow constant stir makes sure everything is getting together and lovely!

Add 2 whole eggs - for high altitude add another yolk. {I've tried flaxmeal... mixed results. sorry again vegans :(...}
...stir in slowly and completely...
Add 2 t of VERY good vanilla. {Not the cheap stuff}
...stir in...
Add 1/4 c of unbleached/ unbrominated flour
...stir in...

Using a rubber spatula get your mixture into the 8x8 pan nice and even. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. You should start smelling those yummy brownies just about the time they are ready. Test your oven, of course if you know it runs hot, adjust accordingly.

High altitude folks, I lived in Denver and 350 for 25 to 30 min worked well for me! The extra yolk was KEY in the cakey factor!!

Cool those brownies and get ready for the minty buttercream!

I wish I could say I was an amazing frosting gal... but Baked out of Red Hook in Brooklyn has the best mint buttercream recipe on the planet. So I will be sharing their love with you!!

Minty Buttercream {ala Baked}

3/4 c sugar
2 T flour
3/4 c milk
2 T heavy cream
1- 1/2 sticks of butter softened but still cool, cut into small cubes
3 T creme de menthe
1 T peppermint extract

In a medium heavy-bottom saucepan, whisk together the sugar and flour together. Add the milk and cream and cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally until mixture comes to a boil and has thickened, 5 to 7 min.

Transfer the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on high until cool. Reduce the speed to low and add the butter and mix until thoroughly combined. increase the speed to medium-high and beat until filling is light and fluffy.

Add the creme de menthe and peppermint and mix until combined. If the frosting is too soft, chill slightly in the refrigerator and then mix again until it is the proper consistency.

If the frosting is too firm, place the bowl over a pot of simmering water and re-mix to the proper consistency.

This makes enough for 2 batches of brownies :}

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

photo from whitelotuscooks.com - YUM!!

Eat: Burrito Bowls {vegetarian}

I gave up meat for lent so that I could get back to my roots so to speak. I needed a good cleanse for my body and my soul. Whether you believe in animal rights or not... everything is better in moderation. If you're like my husband you might eat some kind of animal product at EVERY meal and sometimes even for snacks. Yikes is all I say to that. I'm also pretty lactose intolerant... so being vegan as far as dairy goes isn't an issue. I don't crave cheese, always hated milk even when I was a kid and I don't care about ice cream at all... again, I don't care for many milky tasting things. The pain I go through is enough of a punishment to never go there. The only thing on the vegan no-no list I do love is a good omelet... So, I am what you'd call an ovo vegetarian for now. If I ever found a good egg replacement I'd be a full fledged vegan without even trying!

Since my husband and I have a slightly different diet, dinners can be tiresome to prepare for me. With out making a big deal out of cooking each night I usually make myself what ever he's craving and skip the animals. But, through the past two years, I've come up with a great vegetarian dish that my husband adores! I will put chicken in this for him, but mainly he will eat it sans meat. The black & pinto beans provide loads of fiber and protein to keep you full and it is so yummy!

I will also give you two versions of this recipe. The first is from scratch... if you have the time, making your own beans is SO much better and it gives you plenty to stash in the freezer. Canned are good too, and great when you don't want to plan ahead! For the second recipe "I don't want to cook tonight" version can be done at the drop of a hat. I've done it many times. I also threw in my homemade tortilla recipe if you have the energy.

Scratch recipe or not, this is a very good for you recipe and has become a staple in our house!! This recipe makes enough for 2 adults. If you are making the beans you probably will have enough for oh let's say... 6 to 8 adults just be sure to adjust all the other vegetables to chop and rice to make too!

Burrito Bowl {scratch baby}