things i have learned as a mom

phone post...?

i have so many videos on my phone and it just now occured to me to post them from here!

Green day

With Roman asleep for his new trend of taking a morning 2 hour nap I find myself in the kitchen making flatbread. It is pretty good and pretty easy too.
Preheat the oven to 450 F and place the pan in the oven
Its just:
1 3/4 unbleached all pourpose flour
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup olive oil
(I added some onion powder and some sesame seeds too)

Mix the dry stuff make a well then mix the oil and water in with a wooden spoon. Hand knead 3-4 times. I divided to make 6 small balls. I rolled them out with both a rolling pin then I switched to my hand to flatten it out. I put some sea salt on top with some sprinkles, rosemary, and sesame seeds and even onion powder on some THEN top with olive oil and I pressed it all in with my fingers. Pop in the oven for 8 to 9 minutes. Keep an eye on it till it starts to get golden on the edges.

I used waxed paper to flatten my bread, but didnt put it in the oven as I didn't have parchment paper just wax which smokes. Not that I have done that before.
SOURCE

Why a greenday? I was saving some green using the inexpensive things I had on hand. We ate all the rosemarry crackers I got at the store so now we get to try these. I think they are pretty good. I liked the ones that are not too thin, they are a cross between a cracker and bread. Not as crunchy as cracker but still good.


ALSO I realized I had not posted anything about going green in a while. SO here is my tip today. Pay all your bills online. I read this post today that reminded me how this idea is good in so many ways. Saves on the postage and might save you from possible mail thieves who want your credit identity!

video of roman in his new hiding spot

Firsts

Last week Roman learned to blow on a whistle! He also blew a kiss to me for the first time. I captured the second on video. I will do my best to get it up here soon.

Homemade "clif" bars

I made some clif like peanut butter bars today. I have a ton of peanut butter and oats to use up. I altered this one up a little too because I cant follow it to the T. I will be making them again because I found some rice cereal to use.


I found the recipe here. I like that its no bake, but you do have to use the stove a little tiny bit.

1 cup Uncooked quick oats {I used old fashioned and did almost 2 cups to make up for lack of rice cereal}
1 1/4 cups Rice Krispies {I did not use them - I used 1/2 cup of corn flakes and crushed them in my hand to mkae them smaller}
1/4 cup Finely chopped roasted peanuts
3 Tbl Flaxseed meal (ground flaxseed) {I ground my own flaxseed - I dont think it was as fine}
1/4 cup Finely chopped dried dates {I used prunes}
1/4 cup Honey
Dark brown sugar {Used normal plus half splenda brown sugar}
1 tsp Vanilla
1/3 cup Peanut butter {I used crunchy}
1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon

grease an 8-inch square pan

1.) Combine oats, Rice Krispies, peanuts, flaxseed meal and dried dates in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly.

2.) Heat ¼ cup of honey with 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar over medium-high heat in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to boil. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in 1 tsp. of vanilla, 1/3 cup of peanut butter and ½ tsp. of ground cinnamon. Blend well.

3.) Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring well to coat everything thoroughly. {I used my hands at the end made sure to butter the pan ahead so you can just press it in} Firmly press the Cliff bar batter into the pan and cool it to room temperature on a wire rack

4.) Cut into 12 bars, and tightly wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Store the bars in the refrigerator. {I made 8 bars. I didn't wait till it cooled all the way and I pressed them together with my hand more in a mini zip lock.}

They are so good! I LOVE THEM> I am going to make more and double the recipe so I can use up all this peanut butter and cereal. I wonder if they will freeze?!

Upset baby new recipe.

This morning I made an overnight french toast with some left over cranberry walnut bread using the following recipe. Roman was just throwing a fit because he ate his breakfast first while it was in the oven, then I shared some with him but when it was gone he was VERY upset. Stomping his feet and pouting and yelling about it. It was pretty funny. I guess he likes this one too.

adapted from this website. I have made another pumpkin one before and it is SOOO GOOD! We topped both with whip cream and agave/maple syrup. I have yet to make the crust on either. I dont think it needs it, but I am sure it would only be that much better. I do like the cubes of bread in this one.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole milk
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• squirt of Agave nectar
  
• 1 tbl ground cinnamon
• 5 cups cubed crusty bread (I didn't measure.. it was just the rest of the loaf I think it was over 5 though)
  

Directions

Night before

• In a bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, yolk, salt, agave, and cinnamon.
• Add the bread cubes to the dish you will be using.
  
• Pour milk mixture on top
• Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate
  

Next morning

• Take out of fridge and let come to room temp while oven heats up
• Preheat oven to 350ºF
• Bake until custard is set 25 to 35 minutes, depending on bread
• I topped mine with some cinnamon and sugar before I put it in the oven. I had to mix around my bread crumbs in the mixture before I went to bed. I had so many they didn't all get soaked. When I put it in the top layer became pretty crusty, but it was still good.