Welcome, Kaylee Jo!!

Kaylee is here. She weighed 8lbs 11.5oz. She was 20 3/4 long. She is such a good baby. Recovery is going, well. I can't wait to get back into cooking and being "normal" again. Hopefully I'll get some posts back on here soon!

Looking for a little bit of spring!

Well, we have all been sick this week so I have been behind on all my posts. I will probably be out for a while soon to welcome Kaylee. She should be here soon! But because of all the gloomy weather and prediction of snow again this week, I have been craving smoothies. I got online and researched some recipes then came up with my own this morning. Both the girls loved them. The straws didn't work very well so we resorted to spoons. YUM!

Spring Smoothie
1 frozen banana
1 6 oz container strawberry yogurt
6 fresh or frozen strawberries
1/2 c. orange juice
1/2 c. milk
8-10 ice cubes
Cool Whip/Redi Whip
fresh strawberry for garnish

Blend until desired consistency is reached. Pour into glass, top with Whip and strawberry. Enjoy!

Sick Day

Mommy has had to make chicken noodle soup today. Daddy has been sick for a while and both the girls woke up with fevers and coughs. Thankfully, I am not feeling under the weather. Just frustrated with the insomnia I have been having here lately. I know its not anxiety because Kaylee Jo is staying put. Doctor says I am a finger tip dialated and about 40% effaced. With all my other sick ones, its a good thing she doesn't come yet! Not much progress is good news even though I can't wait to see her! So until my girls' throats and stomaches feel better we'll have to take a break on bentos. Hope everyone else is well!

Bento 1 and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

The main reason I've been making these bentos so much is because Daddy has been working in another town and hasn't been able to come home for lunch. These are easy and fun to make without getting all the pots and pans out. Our next house will definately have a dishwasher! Yesterday we didn't do a bento because I was in a cooking and making mood. The girls and I made white chocolate covered pretzels and roasted red pepper hummus. The pretzels went fast and the hummus was a big hit with all of us. So I took down the recipe and put it directly into my box.

Roasted red pepper hummus, pita chips, strawberries, turkey roll up and swiss cheese. Both girls finished off everything. I am so glad strawberries went on sale, too. I don't buy them unless they are less than three dollars. And, yes, I need to buy some more pita chips. Maybe I can make some homemade tortilla chips out of the sun dried tomato and basil tortilla wraps.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

1/3 c. tahini paste       1 can garbanzo or chickpea beans      1/4 c. lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)           2 Tbsp. olive oil           1/2 c. - 3/4 c. jarred roasted red peppers       2 cloves crushed garlic

First of all let me just say the when I first started making hummus, tahini paste was hard to find. Tahini paste is sorta like peanut butter only its made with sesame seeds and does not have any sugar. Our local Wal Mart does not carry it so we've had to go to United Supermaket. I've also found it in health food stores but the kinds they have can be really expensive.

Anyways, drain the garbanzo beans and put in a blender or food processor. I use a food processor. Add the tahini paste, lemon juice and olive oil. Blend all of this until its to the consistency you like. I like mine creamy so I add more olive oil and a little more lemon juice. You might want to have another lemon if you like yours more tart.

Next, add the peppers and garlic and blend until combined.

Hummus can be eaten with anything. Even put into sandwiches or wraps. Our favorite is with warm pita bread or pita chips. Enjoy!