Meal Plan Monday – January 14th Edition

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I don’t actually meal plan on Mondays… but Mondays are when I start the meal plan I prepared the previous week. If you’ve been following along over the last few days, you’ll realise that we had some unexpected curveballs thrown our way. Between a sick kid and exhaustion, meal plans didn’t quite go, well, according to plan. This is where flexibility is an amazing mindset!

Meal-planning may help me at the grocery store, but if I have to throw something together that’s a bit simpler or quicker to prepare, that’s just fine. If I’m on the verge of a meltdown and text Kevin to bring home takeout and we indulge in Thai basil beef, mango salad, and rice balls – that’s just fine too!

“You can have a plan, but you have to be flexible. Every day is unpredictable, and you just have to go with the flow.”


 – Jane Krakowski

I think plans and lists and order is important. I also think that they should not be burdens and you shouldn’t feel guilty or upset if you veer off course. Food is nourishment and nourishment is health; peace of mind is also vital to our health and if food is stressing you out or your plans are stressing you out, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Just my two (very uneducated) cents… a happy, healthy you is important. Figure out what that means in your individual case.

My meal plan for this week will include some revisitations on last weeks plans, plus some comfort food, and a quick meal or two. I will plan a meal for each day, but I don’t hold myself to the schedule – we may end up eating Monday’s meal on Wednesday. Wednesday’s meal may be subbed for grilled cheese and soup. Flexibility is key.

  • Monday – Tomato Lentil Soup
  • Tuesday – Italian Sausage & Creamy Spinach Pasta
  • Wednesday – Bacon-wrapped tournedos, broccoli, carrots, fresh bread, salad
  • Thursday – Boneless Chicken Bites, seasoned rice, and “restaurant veggies” (This is how my kids refer to crudites, I guess because they serve carrots & celery with their chicken wings when we go out to eat!)
  • Friday – Spinach & goat cheese omelettes with a peameal, pepper hash
  • Saturday – Peameal Spinach Pizza

My tomato lentil soup will be made using a jar of Soup Girl soup mix – packed full of locally sourced, healthy ingredients, and loaded with amazing flavour! They are vegetarian, so you can use your choice of broth or another liquid base, add in meat (we’ve used chicken in some and leftover beef in others), or just add in a handful or can of your favourite veggie.

I usually make my own cream sauce for pasta, but sometimes shortcut with a jar. The boneless bites are a box of frozen convenience food because Wednesdays are a crazy day and I’m exercising my right to make things easy… plus I usually forget to take meat out at least once a week and this gives me something easy on-hand. That last reason is also why I occasionally do breakfast for dinner. Omelettes are easy and can include anything you’ve got hanging out in your fridge. Great for clearing out your drawers and containers!

So this is my plan… and I may or may not stick to it. It’s a starting point for stocking the pantry and the fridge. It’s a foundation so I don’t have to overthink dinner if it’s been a mentally long day. It also helps me make sure we’ve got a good number of veggie servings squeezed in. It keeps me on budget and ensures I don’t rely on freezer food.

What are you eating this week? Anything new or exciting? I always have a few things pinned that I’ve seen in my web travels, but I have enough ingredients on hand that I’m trying to use what I have before stocking for something new. Happy eats this week!

Veggie & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry

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Our dinner tonight was a quick fix using a ton of veggies on their last legs. Omelettes, pizza, flatbreads, and puff pastry are great ways to use up ingredients you want to get rid of.

Tonight’s puff pastry was light and flavourful – chock full of veggie goodness. Most of the veggies were local grown – bonus points in winter!

I started by caramelizing an onion, then sauteed some frozen leafy greens. I chopped some red pepper and vine-ripened tomatoes and seasoned all of the veggies with Epicure’s Chimichurri seasoning, a pinch of kosher salt, and some fresh ground pepper for depth of flavour.

After coating the thawed puff pastry with olive oil, I topped it with the veggies. My favourite topping – and the one that pulled it all together – was a generous layer of herbed Ontario goat cheese crumbled all over the top. So creamy and savoury.

Finally, it was all baked in the oven at 400° for about 20 minutes. The centre of the pastry was not as flaky or puffy as the sides, but it was all delicious!

Of course, the oldest child refused to eat it (and had already had some frozen pizza for dinner. He didn’t starve.) The youngest has still been living off soup, but surprisingly helped himself to a piece after we had finished. So kid approved? Maybe… just depends on the kid!

Practicing Gratitude

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The times I’m feeling a little sorry for myself, a little off, or a little overwhelmed are generally the times I have to practice meaningful gratitude.

Here are 5 things I’m grateful for this Friday.

  1. Friends who will talk me down when I’m lost in my own doubts and indecision, talk me into doing the right thing, and talk me through the hard situations.
  2. Sitting in the E.R waiting room for hours. Not to be confused with just being in the E.R., but if I have to make use of that service, and I’m left waiting to linger, I know that our situation, while possibly concerning and uncomfortable, it is not life-threatening.
  3. Takeout – meal plans and meal prep is all fine and dandy, but when you’re physically and emotionally done it’s okay to take a shortcut to make life easier and that mango salad was delicious.
  4. My bed. Oh Lord, am I grateful for my bed this morning. Those three hours of sleep were not enough and I know I’ll be sneaking in a nap today.
  5. My kids. They make me want to pull my hair out at times and we don’t always see eye to eye, but this Mama’s heart is just bubbling over with thanks for her boys. They are beautifully and wonderfully made, unique and incredible in their own ways, bring a richness of joy and fullness to our lives.

Quickly… instead of thinking on what’s gone wrong this week, think of what you can be grateful for – even if it was just as simple as a ray of sunshine on your living room floor or a great cup of coffee this morning.

Waiting Room

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It’s 10:30 PM and I’m sitting in our local E.R. waiting room with my youngest, hoping that we shouldn’t be here at all. In a time when our healthcare system is notoriously overcrowded and E.R.s are seemingly overwhelmed and understaffed, I don’t want us to be yet another burden on the system. Inside though, I’m secretly hoping that I’m just an over-vigilant mother and they’ll roll their eyes and send us home to our own bed.

Realistically, I’ve been advised by a trusted friend in the healthcare industry and by the on-call haemotologist that the E.R. is exactly where we need to be. I have to admit as well that the triage nurse also agreed. So we wait. We pray. We hope that in this case medical professionals are wrong. My kids been working his way down a list of symptoms that may indicate he’s in an anaemic crisis.

Thank you to friends who support and check in and answer my million questions when I’m second-guessing myself… and for telling me to cool it when need be.

If you stumble across this in the next few hours, and think of us,will you pray for wisdom and grace for the medical team and for mom wishing hospital waiting room seats were just a wee bit more comfortable?

Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This…

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I had some hours owing this week and decided it was time for an overdo salon visit followed by lunch with a friend. However, despite my best intentions and contingency plans and schedule adjustments, when my feet hit the floor I just knew that today wasn’t going to be “my day” – even though, for everyone else’s safety and my own sanity – I really need a day for me.

The oldest got ready with excitement and speed as it’s the first ski club session of the year. The youngest lagged and lagged and eventually moved from the bed to the couch, looking decidedly pale and green. He’s currently tucked up beside me in our bed because whether you’re 11 or 37 years of age, we all want our mamas close when we’re feeling crummy.

As parents and partners this is often what our days look like. We make our plans and our plans change because life throws some little hiccups and giant monkey wrenches our way. We’re up to our necks in chaos and tears and laughter and cookies and completely forget ourselves. (What’s my name again?!) We understand the importance of self-care and independence, but also know that sacrifice and caring for others are just as important in the balance of a healthy relationship.

So today is not my day, and if I wasn’t consumed with endless love for this child of mine, I’d be upset that he sabotaged my plans… and I’m human enough to admit I’m frustrated – with the curveball, not with him. I’m feeling a little helpless because my care doesn’t seem to be soothing and a little angry that we’ve been hit with something again. I’m definitely irritated that I can’t make things better and have been washing my hands like crazy.

There are days… days when it seems to a stressed out mama or other caregiver that they’re always the ones who have to bend. There are days when they’ll feel like they’re stuck in the trenches with no hope of ever climbing out. There are days when they’ll be holding puke buckets or little hands or bottomless laundry baskets…. and all they really want is a Frappucino and a spa day. These are the days that they need you.

Let your fellow mamas know that even though life can change at the drop of the hat or gust of the wind, they are never alone. Let them know they have a comrade in the nitty gritty ins and outs of this parenting gig. Check in on the strong and silent ones too – not everyone knows how to reach out when they’re drowning.

Be a comfort – send an encouraging text, commiserate over the phone, surprise them with some takeout and offer to fold a load of laundry (but don’t mention the dishes in the sink) and remind them that their day is coming.

And if it is your day? Think of all the strength you can lend! I’m a little jealous, to be honest. Maybe tomorrow will be my day…. in the meantime, those laundry baskets are mocking me and I have a great excuse to dive into a new book without feeling guilty!

Eco-Crushin’

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I am the first to admit that we are not the eco-friendliest family on the planet.  Convenience will often win in the battle against conscience.  I’m notoriously bad at remembering my reusable straws.  My kids still grab paper towel way more often than a rag or napkin.  Guilt aside, we have made little changes to improve our footprints.  This is a (very) short list of some of the eco-happy products that I’m crushing on – they were small swaps that hopefully have an impact for the greater good.

1.  Beeswax Wraps {sub for plastic wrap}

A friend first told me about these a few years ago and I was reluctant to get on board.  Last year, I finally bit the bullet and invested in a sample pack from Mind Your Bees Wraps, based in Hamilton.  Her patterns were pretty (it shouldn’t make a difference, but I’m vain, okay?!)  I fell in love. 

At a vendor event I help organize every November, we invited an even more local maker, The Tacky Bee, who also uses salvaged materials as her wrap base – even better!  I bought a few of her sample packs as well and gifted many of them away.


From Mind Your Bees Wraps

In my recent basement purge, I found some cotton fabrics I will never use for sewing (because sewing is not one of my skill sets.) We’ll be stopping at our honey producing friends in Cookstown this weekend, Dickey Bee Honey, to pick up some beeswax and I have grand plans to make my own set – I need a bigger one for casserole dishes and the like.   There are a ton of tutorials available online if you want to attempt to DIY.   These are an easy swap for saran and I found half a grapefruit lost to the No Man’s Land at the back of the fridge the other day – it had to have been in there a few weeks and was as juicy and delicious as the day it went it.  Even J has started to reach for the wraps when he’s helping in the kitchen.

Easy to clean without harsh chemicals, no plastic waste, biodegradable when it’s life-cycle is done, and pretty enough to Insta… why wouldn’t you make the switch?

Shop Local:  Mind Your Bees,  The Tacky Bee, Dickey Bee Honey

2.  Cloth Menstrual Pads {sub for tampons and/or disposable pads and pantyliners}

Women have been padding their panties with strips of cloth since the age of dinosaurs.  Our grandmas and great-grandmas are all familiar with bulky, eco-friendly options for dealing with Aunt Flo when she shows up with a vengeance.   Disposable pads were created back in the 1880s, but the industry grew by leaps and bounds in the 1980s – much to the sorrow of our landfills – and our bodies.

There are many alternatives to disposable pads and (oft-bemoaned) tampons.  My first switch to a planet-happy solution was actually a cup – and I hated it. I didn’t make any more leaps until someone suggested I might have less feminine issues if I trashed the synthetic disposables.  I found some organic, natural, biodegradable options on Well.ca and they were fine.  I didn’t love them, but yes, my period was a bit happier.


5 Small Pads from HannahPad

Finally, I bit the bullet and invested in a set of reusable cloth pads from HannahPad.  Once I got over the ick-factor, I loved them.  I mean… women have been doing this for centuries, but these are so comfortable and better for the planet.   (I mean, as comfortable as having to wear any kind of pad, amiright?)

I also found a local supplier at a vendor event who sews her own.  Garden of Eden is a Canadian company (yay!) with cute print options and her pads (and nursing pads) are very well constructed.  She’s also very comfortable with discussing periods with total strangers.

I’ve been thrilled with both suppliers.  During each cycle, after use I rinse the pads and then soak until wash day.  I use some probiotic soap to help with stubborn stains, and then just wash as usual.  The dryer is not recommended, but I buck convention and throw them in for convenience sake.  For panty liners, I just wash with my usual laundry. 

It’s a big upfront cost if you’re comparing it to a single cycle supply of pads or tampons – think about investing in one or two at a time – and make sure your happy with the brand you’re using!

Shop Local:  Garden of Eden Reusables, HannahPad

3.  Mesh Produce Bags {Sub for plastic produce bags}

I have an endless supply of reusable shopping totes.  It’s a little ridiculous.  I could probably hand them out to people in line at the grocery store and still have enough bags left for my own haul.   My problem is that I forget to bring them, but I feel guilty using plastic, so I end up buying more.  I’m hanging my head in shame.     The workaround to this is to empty them and leave them by my keys or shoes or purse… and store them in the car for next time around. 

I have some favourite bags.  I bought them online years ago when this was starting to be strongly encouraged.  They’re foldable to tuck into your purse,  they’re lightweight, they wash amazing, and they are so amazingly strong.   If I could find more of this particular brand, I would donate all the rest and use them forever.

So I’ve cultivated a good shopping habit… but the produce department bothered me.   I found some President’s Choice mesh bags inexpensively on Amazon and as long as I remember to tuck them away (or not away as the case may be), I’m golden for picking the plumpest produce and not having to pay for extra weight.  These are so light and much like their above-mentioned cousins, easy to wash.  Super convenient without another plastic bag to worry about.   Even better, more and more makers are providing local options to source your own!   If you’re anywhere near me, Fresh Off The Line has some cute ones!  Now if only we could regularly find cucumber not surrounded in shrink wrap…

Shop Local:  Fresh Off the Line

What are the little substitutes you’ve embraced that make your home a little more eco-friendly?  We’ve also subbed harsh scented candles (i.e. BBW) for locally made, naturally fragranced ones.  We reuse. We recycle.  I shop second hand first, especially for the boys.  Are you crushing on any earth-friendly, eco-happy changes or products?  Feel free to share!

Banana Chocolate Chia Loaf – Experimental Baking

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Justin (my supposedly not picky child) has been striking when it comes to breakfast.  With the Christmas holidays, I let it slide as we often seemed to graze or do more of a brunch.   With back to school and the attempt to get back into a routine, it bothers me that he’ll choose to leave the house at 7:30am on an empty stomach (and yet… I totally get it! Breakfast early is a hard one for me as well.)  Instead of the drama, I’ve been adding an extra piece of fruit to his lunch bag… and know that the school office supplies breakfast as well to anyone that would like it, that the first break is fairly early and he’s not going to starve, and that as a mother I’m not a failure because there are plenty of food options in the house.  However… breakfast… it’s the most important meal of the day, right!?! 

I asked him yesterday if he would like me to bake something – banana muffins, lemon poppyseed loaf, etc. to tempt his taste buds.  To him, baked goods are a treat, but with little changes I can up the protein, blend in some extra fruit, and cut back on the refined sugar without compromising the taste. I can also feel better about the breakfast battle.  Our discussion led to the decision that I’d make a chocolate banana loaf…. and it just came out of the oven… and I may have had two small slices for lunch. (And they may have been delicious!)

Unfortunately, I don’t have a recipe to share, because lately, I’ve been baking on instinct and prayers.  A bit of this, a bit of that, cross-reference a classic recipe if needed.   This Banana Chocolate Chia Loaf will never be reproduced in the exact same manner, but I’ve had the remarkable luck of each of my dump in the oven and hope for the best endeavours so I’m sure the next one will be just as tasty.

banana loaf

This hug-on-a-plate started with a few pouches of ChiAmigos (in two different flavours because I didn’t read the packages – whoops.)  I added a few teaspoons of PC Organic Chia Seeds.  These were all blended together with three bananas, a cup of flour, a little snack pack of applesauce (it was in Justin’s stocking from the extended family…), some salt, baking soda, baking powder, a good amount of cocoa, less than a quarter cup of oil, some water, a splash of milk, and a quarter cup of granulated sugar.


I used my KitchenAid mixer (best tool in my kitchen!) to blend it all together and then dipped a finger in to taste test.  I found it was missing a little something and didn’t have the rich chocolaty flavour I had hoped for, nor quite the right amount of sweetness.  I added more cocoa and drizzled in some maple syrup.  The finger dip taste test passed muster this time.   Baked for 45 minutes and it came out as perfect as you see in the image above. 

It has a deep chocolate flavour that’s not overwhelmed with banana – it’s not overly sweet on the palate at all.  I think beets or zucchini would work well in a similar concoction for an added veggie boost and it would be simple to use eggs, milk or no milk, oil or applesauce, maple syrup or sugar, or whatever you have kicking around.  It should just have a mix of essential ingredients and be the right consistency going into the pan (slightly softer batter for a cake, a bit heavier for a denser loaf.)  The only thing I feel like mine was missing was an extra banana (I only had 3 and they weren’t extra ripe) and some walnuts across the top would have been perfect!   You could even add in chocolate chips if that’s the way you like it.

Baking is definitely a science… but it can also be a delightful expression of the heart with some experimentation along the way!

 

 

Book Review: A Stitch In Time by Beryl Kingston

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A Stitch In Time by Beryl Kingston, my latest NetGalley title, was both excellent and easy to read! 

This historical novel was filled with descriptive prose and emotion.  Set during WW1 and the Roaring Twenties, the tale follows one family determined to make their way despite the hardships of life in lower-class London and the intertwining of their lives with an upper-class family full of dysfunction despite their wealth. 

Once I could read through the cant (mostly the first few chapters) I was enmeshed in Rose’s narrative. In turns heartbreaking, surprising, comical, and filled with grit, it was a remarkable book.

Women were extraordinary through the Great War and the lives they built afterwards were inspiring, as reflected in this work.  The determination to keep on – pull up the bootstraps and rely on each other, the resilience of families (as built by blood and by choice), and the hardships faced were unimaginable, but Kingston did well in painting this picture as a complete and colourful portrait of triumph in a rapidly changing landscape.

Note:  this title was first published in 1995 as Alive and Kicking.

Published by Agora Books; current publication date: November 22, 2018

I received a complimentary copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and/or the publisher in exchange for my honest reviews. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Burritos and Purpose

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My youngest son is not picky, with the exception of pizza, hot dogs, and breads (unless it’s a bakery loaf.) He loves new restaurants, enjoys picking out new recipes (“Mom, we should try this one!”), and will usually eat any home cooked meal he’s served.  His faves include potatoes in any form, butter chicken (but not the way I make it), and rice and peas. (Grandpa’s are still his favourite.)
The last few weeks he’s been asking for burritos… but not at-home burritos – fast food burritos. The closest burrito bar is about 25 minutes from us.  Considering it’s the last official day of winter break… and that I have to pick up Kaleb’s skis from the pro-shop across the street from a Mucho Burrito, we decided to have a lunch date today and finally get our burritos..
That is my priority. I have a million other stops to attempt, and I know running a full day of errands means he’ll most likely get on my nerves. (Honestly, we haven’t left yet and I’ve already spent most of my vocal time encouraging him to stop.  Stop what? Well… everything.) But lunch today is more than just a burrito. 
It will be a phones down, one-on-one pause in our busyness. It’s recognizing that the days are long, but the years are short… and one day, I’ll be fighting for his attention. It’s reminding him that he’s a person of importance in my life. It’s a chance to laugh, dig into what’s on his mind, and make memories together. It’s solidifying that presence is important, family matters, and that relationships take intentional nurturing – even if it’s just over fast-food burritos.
God grant me patience… and here’s hoping for no heartburn.

Book Review: The Happiness Project by Pippa James

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Have you ever noticed that women need each other, but especially mothers need someone on their team?  Have you noticed that sometimes other moms can be just horrible in their judgement and criticism?  Have you ever felt convinced you were messing up your kids irreparably? Wondered if you’re slowly poisoning them because they won’t eat a darn vegetable despite your best efforts?  Wanted to crash on your best friend’s couch in yoga pants with tears because it seems like you do everything at home, and at work, and at school?  If you can relate to any of those questions… you’ll relate to my latest read. 

 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and/or author through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
 
My first read of 2019 and a new-to-me author: Pippa James.  The Happiness Project was a charming glimpse into the life of three mothers as they make a list of New Years Resolutions together.  Being a mother myself, I found I could relate to all of the women at times. I could sympathize with their worries of failure, the desire to not be judged less-than, and the questioning of their parenting choices.  Each woman’s personality was well-developed – and with that, of course, was the fact that you may love them at times and detest them at times, and some days they were just off – much like real life. 
 
The storyline meandered nicely.  It wasn’t too slow, it wasn’t too fast – just a nice walk through their lives, culminating happily (which I will admit made me want to go join a fun run.)  A great fictional reminder – at times humorous, often heartfelt – that as women and mothers we need to find our tribes and back them up.  It was a pleasant read, but may have been more gripping if I had read Pippa’s “I Will Survive” first. However, it definitely can be read as a stand-alone novel – easy enough to figure out. 
 
Caution for those who do not approve of swearing in their novels as one of the characters had a rougher vocabulary than the others.  I did not find this detracting as it seamlessly fit with her cheekiness as a whole. A timely plot considering the new year that’ll make you want to grab your best mummy friends and share the love.
 
Published by Bookouture;  Publication Date February 12, 2019