Recipe Blog Shout-Out

I just wanted to give a quick shout-out to Jenny, a fellow blogger, for her meal planning blog, "In My Mouse." She unwittingly helped me out in a huge way today! While I was dealing with P's tantrum and racking my brain trying to decide what to make this week, I thought of her blog and went there for some inspiration.

She recommended the Oregano Lemon Chicken that we had tonight. I served it with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli steamed in chicken broth. Jake prefers chicken breast, but he ate it AND said yes when I asked him if he wanted to bring the leftovers to work for lunch tomorrow. Whew! Parker even tried one bite of everything before asking for something else. I was more than happy to serve him something else knowing he at least tried everything! Miracle of miracles. Maybe the episode this morning was worth it?

After the day I had, I was more than ready for a cup of tea to help relax me tonight. As I started filling the water in my teapot, I remembered this treat Jenny had posted on her blog and decided to give it a shot. YUM! I used vanilla rice milk instead of regular milk, but it was still delicious. As a former barista, though, I would call it a Lattea rather than a Capputeano (laugh). Whatever you call it, it's GOOD!

Tomorrow night we're trying these chicken enchiladas. I have two different enchilada recipes I make already, but this one looked pretty tasty and (hopefully) less time-consuming than my staple one.

Thanks, Jenny!

Monday, Monday. Can't Trust That Day.

I had no intention of blogging today. I was supposed to be grocery shopping a long time ago. But I can't even finish my meal planning/grocery list because Parker has been crying all morning. I can't believe I've managed to stay calm this whole time. I've had to say quite a few silent prayers for patience, and God, fortunately, answered them. I am now attempting some sanity and distraction by writing while he's throwing a tantrum in his room. I decided to put him in there instead of letting him pull on my pants and scream while I try to think about what we need for meals this week. I tried again to finish my list after putting him in his room, but it's futile. I can't concentrate when he's screaming like this. Ironically enough, food seems unimportant at the moment.

I bet you wonder why that's ironic and also why he's crying. It's because he's hungry, but refuses to feed himself. That's right. Over the past few months our "I do it all by myself" toddler has turned into a "I can't do it!" terror. He "can't" feed himself. He "can't" climb the stairs by himself. He "can't" put his toys away. I feel like a failure every time he uses those words. I want him to be proud of his accomplishments and want him to know we're proud of him when he does something all by himself. Lately, though, he has turned a regression corner away from which I have been unable to steer him. I wonder what I've done (or not done) to cause this. I've tried reminding him of the Little Engine That Could and the Bob the Builder slogan, "Can we do it? Yes we can!" He doesn't buy it.

While Lily was visiting, we had to help feed her with some items like yogurt and oatmeal, etc. When Parker saw that, you'd better believe he wanted us to feed him, too. To avoid a fight, I admit I probably made a huge mistake. I fed him. All the while I was doing it I was thinking about that terrible day a while back when I had to let him cry for an hour before he decided he would feed himself a muffin. Yup, see? I knew what I was getting into, but I did it anyway.

So, now, today, we're having the same struggle as that one day. He is so hungry and feels so yucky, but he refuses to feed himself his oatmeal. He wants it. He asked me for it. He asked me to feed it to him. I told him if he tried to do it by himself but couldn't that I would help him. He said no deal to that. He didn't even want to try. So I decided to just let him get down from the table and play until he was ready to feed himself. But that didn't work, either. I'm trying hard to stand my ground and not feed him. I feel so torn about it. I don't want to create a power struggle over food. Since he turned two we've had enough eating problems from him as it is. It's like his taste buds changed overnight. My self-feeding broccoli/spinach/chicken/fish eater just disappeared.

I just don't know if I should be spoon feeding him when I know he's perfectly capable of doing it himself. I question whether I'm doing the right thing, believe me. Am I being too hard on him? He's not even three years old, for goodness sake. But his self confidence lately has been so low. I can't figure it out!

After checking on him and having a talk with him, I was able to calm him down and he's finally playing at least. Do I dare bring him to the grocery store hungry? That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe now I can at least finish my grocery list in peace and then we'll see how things go...

And by the way, I would appreciate any life experience advice in this matter! Even if you think I'm going about this all the wrong way, give it to me; I can handle criticism. Sometimes it's the only way I learn.
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From my quiet time reading today:
"... a sensible person learns by being instructed." - Proverbs 21:11

Coffee Crumb Cake

This is a scrumptious Betty Crocker coffee cake recipe, slightly modified (so that I can pretend it's better for me). I'm not a coffee drinker, but it tastes awesome with tea, too! I will include the original recipe as well, just in case anyone would rather make that version. Note that the modified version has double the topping (kind of defeats the purpose of trying to make it "healthy," Erin). Also, the modified version lowers the temperature and cooks it a little longer (helps prevent it from burning on the edges before the middle is cooked).


Cake Ingredients:
1 beaten egg
1/4 cup oil
2/3 cup milk
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp Fiber-sure, Benefiber or other clear-mixing/baking fiber (optional)

Topping Ingredients:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup nuts (optional - I go without for picky hubby and son)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together topping ingredients and set aside. Combine beaten egg, oil and milk. Combine dry ingredients together and then add wet ingredients to the dry and mix. Pour into a greased 9x9x2 pan or pie plate. Sprinkle with topping. Bake about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.


ORIGINAL RECIPE:

Cake ingredients:
1 beaten egg
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Topping:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tbsp flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix together topping ingredients and set aside. Combine beaten egg, oil and milk. Combine dry ingredients together and then add wet ingredients to the dry and mix. Pour into a greased 9x9x2 pan or pie plate. Sprinkle with topping. Bake about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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"A simple meal with love is better than a feast where there is hatred." - Proverbs 15:17

Let's Talk About Dinner

Hubby was nice enough to make P dinner tonight. We had leftover homemade fried rice and P didn't like it the first time around (him spitting it out onto the floor was the first clue) so he got his own meal this round. Jake made him a big plate of macaroni and cheese, garden vegetables, and five (got that? 5!) chicken nuggets.

"Five chicken nuggets AND macaroni and cheese?" I asked incredulously.

"Well, there were only five left and it seemed silly to make three and leave two," Hubby replied.

"Why didn't you make two and leave three then?" I snidely remarked.

Guess how many chicken nuggets P ate? That's right. Two. Guess how many bites of vegetables he ate? Yeah, I don't even have to say it, do I?

Hubby says, "It's OK, whatever he doesn't eat you will."

And yes, I wanted to, but because of that comment, I didn't. I wasn't hungry, I just hate throwing away food. Something my mom shoved down my throat about starving kids in China.

Perfect End to our Nice Summer Day!

P's first ice cream cone!

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

My friend Kristin shared this recipe with me from Deceptively Delicious and I had to share it with you. They are so yummy that I have made them twice already! The best part is the hint she shared with me. Wrap them up and freeze them! Microwave them for 20 seconds and you're good to go. I love these for a special treat for my son, or lazy mornings I'll share a half with him and we'll eat it with fruit and yogurt. But I have to call them cupcakes, not muffins, or Parker won't eat them. Of course.

OK, so I admit that I added one bonus non-deceptive ingredient: mini chocolate chips. I had them on hand and thought it would be cute to make a smiley face on each one.


Ingredients:
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar.
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (edit: or you can substitute with something like almond butter... yum)
1/2 cup carrot or cauliflower puree (I just used one of those carrot baby food jars)
1/2 cup banana puree (about 2 ripe bananas smashed)
1 large egg white (I just put the whole egg in... kids can handle a little cholesterol, right?)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
(optional) Handful mini chocolate chips (or just decorative on top)

Edit: Other ingredients I've tried with success:
(optional) 1 tbsp ground flax seed
(optional) 1 tbsp fiber powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. Coat 12 cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray or line with muffin tins.

In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar, peanut butter (or substitute), purees and the egg with a wooden spoon.

Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a ziploc bag or bowl and mix. Add to the peanut butter mixture and stir until just combined.

Divide the batter into the muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on rack.

Hint: After cooling, wrap each muffin with saran wrap, and then put them all in a gallon freezer bag before freezing them. Then you can take them out of the bag one at a time as needed. They don't stay as fresh without the bag. But be sure to sample at least one of them fresh from the oven... just to make sure they're good. ;)

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"When I told you my troubles, you answered my prayers." Psalm 119:26

"I obey your word instead of following a way that leads to trouble. You have been my teacher, and I won't reject your instructions. Your teachings are sweeter than honey. They give me understanding and make me hate all lies." Psalm 119:101-104

I Ate Shampoo

Yes, that's right. I had a dream last night about eating shampoo. It was blue. I think it was Pert Plus, the old school flavor. I mean, color.

I was so grossed out that I made myself wake up before I did something stupid like washing it down with milk (I'm lactose intolerant).

But it got me thinking about all the strange stuff I used to consume when I was a kid:

The weird weed in my neighbor's yard that we called sauerkraut. My mom freaked out every time she caught us chewing on it. "At least wash it first! There could be cat pee on there!"

Bubble gum. Yes, that's right. I chewed AND swallowed it. Regularly.

Play Doh. But only the red flavor. I mean, color.

My toenails. I'd probably still do it if I were flexible enough.

Boogers. I tease my older sister about her booger collection on the ceiling (we shared the top bunk), but at least she didn't eat them.

Dog bone cookies. I don't think it was a dare, either.

Fish eyes. OK, that wasn't me. That was my best friend's weird brother.

Brown bread.

And there's nothing as refreshing as a big glass of pickle juice.

All that and my mother said I was a picky eater. Pshaw! As if.

Plates

I think food is on my mind a lot this week... I found these kids plates at Target in the $1 section awhile back and I just had to share that it was the best buy ever! The sections keep food separated for those kids that don't like different things touching. Granted, we're pretty fortunate that P-man is generally a good eater, but these plates have really helped him to chow down the veggies. See this pic? Look closely at the animals...

About halfway into the meal

He likes putting "eyes" on the animals with different veggies (especially peas). The first time I did it I was afraid of his reaction. Would he be freaked out and not want to eat their eyes? No! He thought that it was really cool and ate them all up! Yay!

Then of course, the other special thing about these plates is the littlest section especially for dipping sauces. He loves salad with uncooked spinach and carrots as long as he gets to dip everything generously into salad dressing! One other thing I've learned about Parker is that if I start out with smaller portions, he is more likely to go at it and eat everything and ask for more. If I put too much on his plate it's almost as though he gets overwhelmed by the amount in front of him. These plates help me remember how small his tummy is!

All done. Not bad!