Sunday, January 20, 2008

Raw Food Bars


So, I'm excited about my new culinary venture... making raw food bars. They're like Lara Bars. But Lara Bars and Organic Food Bars are so expensive! I'm trying to make the snack more cost effective. In order to do that I really need to get bulk dates, but this is a start. Here are a couple of recipes that I've made. It's really easy to tweak them. Also, I'm not anal about the raw thing because chocolate chips are tasty! Here's a blog with more detailed instructions and lots of combinations http://bunnyfoot.blogspot.com/2006/02/homemade-lara-type-bars.html

Super Yummy Raw Bar
12 dates
3 TBS peanut butter
1/3 C coconut
1/3 C oats
~25 almonds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 TBS honey
handful of chocolate chips

Blend in a food processor. Add the chocolate chips at the end so they don't get too smashed. Smash it all into a big rectangle and refrigerate until firm. Then slice into bars. Yummy!

Key Lime Pie Bar
18 dates
1/2 C coconut
1/3 C oats
~18 almonds
lime zest
splash of lime juice
splash of tequila (why not?)

Same deal as above. And more yum.

Book Reviews

I've been meaning to add book reviews to the blog for a long time, but haven't gotten around to it. So, this will be a multi review, to cover the books that I've read in the past few months. And, the descriptions won't be very thorough since I've forgotten about half the stuff I've read by now...

The Lord of The Rings trilogy - Ok, Tolkien nazis, I know it's not really a trilogy, but I'm calling it one anyway. I put off reading this for so many years because I'm really not into fantasy, sci-fi, that kind of thing. But this little boxed set just sat on our shelf and beckoned me to give it a chance. And I'm so glad I did! It's still not my style, and I am not out looking for more of its kind, but it was a great read. A masterpiece of literature. Beautifully written. Everyone should read it. And I hadn't read the Hobbit since sixth grade, so don't worry about reading that one first if you don't have the patience. Now, I'm trying to make it through the movies.

In Search of Eden - My sis lent me this book. I really liked it. It explored interesting family dynamics and dealt with forgiveness. Good read.

The Mercy Seller - I loved this book! It's historical fiction set in the 1400s in Bohemia and England. It centered around the Lollard cause (a call for reforming the Catholic church stemming from the teaching of Wycliffe). Anyway, I didn't know about the extent of the corruption of the church and persecution of reformers during this time. I read a biography of Luther and then I read this, and I was shocked by the persecution in both eras! We are so fortunate to have the Bible in a language we can read. So, this is a great story as well as being informative. I definitely recommend it. Oh, I think the prequel to the book is The Illuminator, so you may want to read that one first. I haven't read it yet.

I read a bunch of Debbie Macomber Christmas stories. I forget what they were called. I always like her stuff for a light, wholesome read.

Grub - This was an interesting book. Not wholesome, but not exactly morally bankrupt. It dealt with the writing and publishing world in New York. I recommend it if you're interested in writing at all. Otherwise, you may want to skip it.

The Abstinence Teacher - Not so much about abstinence. It would be good material for a book club, particularly one comprised of people all along the faith spectrum. It delved into conflict over evangelism and such. Interesting book, but if you don't have anyone to discuss it with, it's probably not worth it.

Madeleine, I mean... Madison

Madi always tries to be on the cutting edge of fashion. Here, she models her stylish new hat.

Caleb Quote O' The Day

We were discussing Caleb's cabbage, which he did not want to eat, when he said,
"When God turns me into a rabbit, then I will really like cabbage."

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Caleb Quote O' The Day

"When we move, can our new house have lots of doors and my own kitchen and a church in the backyard?"

Thursday, January 17, 2008

A Muddy Day in the Park



Nothing like a muddy romp in a tutu. I always try to dress the children appropriately for the weather.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Signs of the Times

Madi has turned into a signing fiend. It's really cool that she can communicate with us, but her signs enable her to be even more specific in her demands than she was with her shrieks.
For instance, about 150 times a day, she comes up to me and signs "Milk! Milk! Milk!" adding a verbal, "Mmm, Mmm, Mmm!" for emphasis.
And her new favorite food is the apple. So, many times a day, she runs up to the counter where we keep our fruit tray and frantically signs apple. It takes diligence to keep an adequate supply of apples around here.
If you recall that Madi was born during a Texas game, this next one won't be much of a surprise... When Matt left for work the other day, I immediately turned off the football coverage on tv. Well, Madi ran to the tv, started signing "ball" and saying "b ba, b ba" She wouldn't give in until I turned the football back on.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Caleb Quote O' The Day

Caleb: "I'm a vegetarian."

Jen: "Why do you think you're a vegetarian?"

Caleb: "Cause I am."
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