Protein Packed!!

Last summer we explored the downtown farmers' market for a fun family outing.  This summer we have been at one of the area farmers' markets almost every Saturday morning on mission. The markets have become our main "grocery stores."  

As we explore new markets we discover foods we have never seen.  Last Saturday at the State Farmers' Market the girls saw these funny bean looking things.  The next thing I know a nice, grandmotherly lady was giving Mark and the girls a full run down on how to cook these beans just right. 

These beans are actually called crowder peas.

I did some research on these crowder peas to find they are packed with protein!! (Which is exactly what we need, especially for Haleigh.)  My first search reported 18 grams of protein in a one cup serving!!  As I continued my surfing I found a variety of ranges but came up with an average measure of around 14 grams per cup.  Now if Haleigh would just like it we may have a winner!

The step that took the longest time in the cooking process was shelling the peas.  I put Haleigh and Mackenzie on this job in hopes that having them join in the prep would encourage them to like these power packed marvels.

Once shelled and rinsed we simply placed them in a pot of salted water and cooked for about 20 minutes.  When the rest of dinner (Mexican Lime soup) was ready we drained them, added some salt and placed them on the table.  

They were a hit with everyone! WoooHooo!!

Simple, yummy, protein packed!!

weekend victory (a long time coming)

I almost didn't post this because how "late" this victory has come.  However, I realize this victory is so much more than finally learning to ride a bike.  On the surface that is the victory, riding her bike, and a big victory that could stand alone.  

 

For several years now we have tried to mark this milestone in a timely manner.  We would go work on this feet as a family, just Sophie and me, just Mark and Sophie, then I happened to be the one to bite the bullet and attempt this again over this past weekend.  And I am SO glad I got to be the one there to celebrate this victory with Sophie. 

You see, there was a fear factor, not a lack of ability to figure out how to ride. Sheer fear of wrecking swept my girl away each time she thought of riding her bike.  (And honestly, sheer fear swept me away too.  Fear of another battle that would bring out the worst in both of us.  I wasn't exactly compassionate when Sophie would freeze up not wanting to wreck ride.  I considered just wrecking her from the beginning to let her know she would be alright and able to get back up once she did wreck.)

Mark had taken her out a few weeks ago and she was just on the brink but couldn't bust through.  As we loaded up this past Saturday tears were already flowing from the anxiety of what was ahead of us.  I almost pulled back into the garage to call the whole thing off.  BUT, the Holy Spirit poured out an ample portion of calm and said, "pray."  So we did, as we drove to get the job done we prayed.  I realized we didn't pray so much for success of learning to ride, but success with our attitudes and trusting Him to be with us even in the routine milestone marking event.  As we arrived at our training ground and unloaded I was not sure what to expect.  

She pretty much just took off.  I jumped up and down, whooping it up.  I don't even think she fully realized she was really riding and enjoying it until she heard me celebrating.  Then she cracked up at me completely letting loose for anyone within a several block range to hear. "Mom, I have never seen you like that!"

We sent video to Mark back home.  He sent us to the Game Stop for Sophie to pick out a new game for her victory.  Then after church the next day the much anticipated, long awaited, promised "when you can ride your bike you can get your ears pierced" reward I had spouted out one day several years ago after a failed attempt at this whole thing. 

So, to wrap it up, one weekend, many victories. Victory of Sophie riding her bike.  Sophie's victory over fear (of wrecking and then fear of actually getting her ears pierced.)  My victory of a new perspective,  a reality check that I need to celebrate my kids accomplishments like I did in that parking lot, free and leaving no question of my delight.  We are coming to an age with this precious girl when she will question if anyone is really in her corner.  I want her to only have that question run part way through her mind before she can picture me jumping up and down on many occasions celebrating her and her victories knowing I am undoubtedly in her corner. Victory of knowing God more,  being reminded that He is in the small details that sometimes seem to swallow us up.  He is in our corner along with sweetly placing others in our corner to cheer us on as well.  Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins from across the miles cheered knowing this was a big deal to us.  

Before church Sophie was telling me how excited she was to tell her friends she learned to ride her bike.  The insecure me got shaky and explained that "some people may look at you and wonder why you haven't learned till now."  But that didn't shake my confident girl.  As we entered the church God placed precious folks in her path that cheered for her accomplishment so well, with no regard to the delay in timing. 

"Mom, you know my favorite part?  When I got going and could feel the wind moving across my arms, that was really great!  It was a great day Mom, thanks!"

 

Summer Camps

As we wrap up our summer I have been thinking back to all that was done (and not done, but we'll focus on the "done" for now ;)  We are very blessed to have many treasures all about our city.  One of these treasures is Roper Mountain Science Center.  Last year was the first time we experienced summer camp at Roper Mountain and we were sold!  The catalog of camps arrived in our mailbox in early spring.  We combed through all the options for the ages of the two who would attend.  After some gentle steering as the girls honed in on their picks, we penciled in the dates we hoped to fill with camps and registered. 

Haleigh picked "Jungle Tales" where she learned so much about the Jungle animals and their habitats.  She loved every day of camp and couldn't wait to tell us all about the animals they got to hold or see each day.  The last day of camp she got to be a tour guide for her sisters and me.  Haleigh did a great job telling us detailed facts of the animals and then the rain forest.  It was a blast to watch the excitement of learning in her eyes.

Haleigh and the giant toad.

the rain forest

Tour Guide Haleigh in the misty rain forest.

 The following week Sophie had anticipated since she saw the camp options,  Marine Biology camp. Amazing! I was blown away by all the cool things this camp offered.  They had hands on tank time everyday where sting rays, sea urchins and star fish, were fed and studied.  They made shark tooth necklaces, dissected squids, and kept a neat journal with facts of all they learned.  The last day of Sophie's camp she had the pleasure of being a tour guide to Mrs. Megan, a special friend whose family had just arrived for a few days visit.  (In all the excitement of our special guests I forgot my camera :( for the tour.) Sophie did a great job showing us how to handle the creatures and teaching us much of what she learned.

Finally, perhaps the most exciting, was Sophie's four day overnight camp at Look Up Lodge.  Such an incredible opportunity for the third through fifth graders from our church to really dig in and learn about a personal relationship with Christ.  I was surprised how tough it was on me to have Sophie away without the ability to chat with her throughout the days.  I was glued to face book and twitter for any glimpse of her sweet face in a posted pic, or just a word of what was happening at camp.  It was a funny feeling but good for both us.  I can't say enough about the sweet folks that led the kiddos throughout the week. Sophie was so sad when it was time for camp to end. She has treasured memories and friends from the week that will last forever!

the "cabin 9" girls

Ms. Kristy, Sophie's super sweet counselor for the week (and Sunday School teacher.)

after a talk on creation and dinosaurs

sweet victory!  the much anticipated zip line was conquered together with a friend!

the place Sophie would call home if we let her ;)

Kicking Off School Year 2012-1013!!

 Monday morning was the day I set in my mind we would kick off our fresh school year.  We have some fun trips planned over the next few months so we need a little cushion of days.  However, as is usual in our house, plans don't always turn out the way I imagine they should. 

The girls were in bed early, under the instructions to get to sleep quickly and rest well so we could have a great, well-rested first day.  Around 1:30 a.m. I heard the patter of feet, I got up to check things out only to find my Haleigh fevered with a nasty headache.  Not much sleep happened for either one of us, but I was determined to mutter through if we could... and we did!

 One of the foods Haleigh has missed is cinnamon sticks.  I decided to make a surprise treat of monkey bread suitable for Haleigh and delicious to all.  Again, the plan didn't work out, the monkey bread had potential but needs some tweaking before we post that recipe for sure!  We downed our protein smoothies and headed to the school room.

It was a much later start in the day than we had anticipated, but we started none the less.  With some juggling of timing, headaches, and material we thought we would have finished over the summer we ended up having a fun beginning day and remembering that this learning stuff isn't so bad after all. Now late in the week we are able to chalk up a successful week one! 

 Glad to be in somewhat of a gentle routine, brain cobwebs are clearing, and most of all... we are elated to officially have three students in our home school!!

SCORE! new favorite treat!!!

The journey at the Call house has taken another slight curve in eating style yet again,  It's really not too far from where we have been lately, but this little curve has turned up the heat in the kitchen, at least as far as planning goes.  This past week in the evenings we have been watching food documentaries.  Let me just say for the record... DON"T WATCH food documentaries unless you are ready to make some changes in the kitchen!!  So now that we are trying this vegan thing for a bit, food is constantly on my mind:  What will we eat for dinner? Does this fit in our new menu plan?  How can I make these veggies taste different since we have eaten them the last three nights?  What can I snack on?

I found one fantastic answer to this last question!  I have been sifting through so many websites, recipes, cookbooks... one site I have found a lot of good information on is http://ohsheglows.com/ I'm not at all sure how I ended up on this link, but it is now bookmarked and visited often.  Here is our new favorite treat from that site...

~you can make it in the time it takes to read this post.

~you only need five ingredients.

~all five ingredients are probably in your kitchen already.

~they'll disappear almost as quickly as you can make them...

Let's just double this one from the start because there is no reason to just have twelve of these when you are done.  So here is the doubled recipe the way we make it in our house...

~ 1/2 cup chunky almond butter (you could use about any nut butter you have on hand)

~ 2 tsp pure vanilla

~ 6 TBSP honey 

~ 2 TBSP chocolate chips (one's with non-hydrogenated oil)

~ 2 cups rice crispy cereal (We like these from Trader Joes, no preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors.  It is also free of all our allergens.)

 In a glass dish stir together the almond butter, vanilla, and honey then microwave for 45 seconds.  When it is done give it a quick stir and then add the rice crispy cereal and chocolate.  Stir it all up and you are almost done.  Wet you hands and roll the balls into golf ball size balls (a medium scooper works perfectly) place them on a parchment paper lined dish.  After licking cleaning off your hands the only step left is to place them in the fridge for as long as you can keep it a secret that they are prepared and you can dig in. Enjoy!!

Brownies - I found them!!!

I'm learning some tricks to this allergy life-style we are living.  When a special get together, such as a pool party complete with dinner and cake, is on the calendar I know I need to pull out something a little extra special to pack with Haleigh's food.  I had just the recipe in mind a few Sundays ago as I started preparing for such an evening.  
Before I knew it at least one hour zipped by as I frantically looked for this recipe.  A tried and true gluten free brownie recipe that I further tweaked to make dairy free and substituted out the refined sugars.  Somehow all of these substitutions ended up in a final product that gets rave reviews, even from my non-special dietary needs critics.  (I fed them to some unsuspecting kid friends yesterday and they had no idea they weren't your regular box brownies ;) or if they did they never mentioned it.)

I'll admit it, I didn't find this recipe in time for the pool party.  I tried another one and it was ok,  way more involved and the end result was pretty dry.  The stand in didn't meet up to the taste of this one so once we got home I began to search online, in my post drafts, in my email... I found the thing within 3 minutes.  Now I have printed it, saved it in my email, saved it in my documents and written it out in my new recipe binder.   Here it is with all its tweaks...

 

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup butter (we use Earth Balance dairy free soy free non hydrogenated)
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup sucanat (or brown sugar)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips (or any other non-hydrogenated choc. chip)
• 1/2 cup macadamia nuts (optional) 
•  
• 1
  Preheat oven to 350 F. and lightly grease an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
• 2
  In a saucepan over a low heat, melt butter and add cocoa powder. Whisk.
• 3
  Mix the sucanat, eggs and vanilla into the butter/cocoa mixture.
• 4
  Add the cornstarch and salt and mix well.
• 5
  Stir in chocolate chips
• 6
  Pour the mixture into the baking pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Your brownies are done when a toothpick stuck into the center of the pan comes out clean.
• 7
  Allow the brownies ample time to cool and set before serving.