May 12, 2013

Top 10 Pics from March

My sweet friend Leslie and her daughter came out to LA for a week to care for a sick friend (amazing, I know) and we had an amazing and memorable breakfast at Paradise Cove in Malibu. 

I love, love, love this shot of Charlotte. My sweet girl.


Soul mates. Skylar and Charlotte at Paradise Cove.

I will never tire of bathtub pics. There's just something about babies in baths.

LOL LOL This is what greeted me at the door when I came home from a morning off. I love my husband's sense of humor.


Oh my - there is just something about this pic I will take with me forever.

It's not a joke. This is a real picture of my real son in a real suit. I love my life.

I love the bond my kids have. Every day, every time, every nap - they think is the BEST THING EVER to go pick her up. It fills my love cup.

Matchy girls.

This pic is hysterical. It's a flash forward of him into adult hood starting off his morning. The hair, the outfit, the messy kitchen with crazy hippie fermented cheese hanging from the cabinet. Love it all.

The kids just love this apple peeler my mother in law brought them. They make "apple donuts" now.....67 times a day. 

no words.

My sweet man. I love you.

This picture stunned me. Who said you could be so beautiful!?

LOL LOL LOL until I die. This is so true and so therapeutic.

My hubby around age 11/12. LOVE IT

One of my all time favorite pictures for several reasons. It's symbolic really. He really is this dynamic, colorful but laid back guy. We are lucky!!!

What's better than a bathtub pic? A bathtub kissing pic. 

I am blessed. I should visit this post when my blood boils in frustration. Good plan. 
What?? It was more than 10 pics?? Sorry :)

Paleo Bites in March

Yes - we are still eating like cavemen. Paleo it's called. Not sure what that is? Click back to my original post

Here are some of my favorite things from March...

Grilled burgers (cross that off my NY resolutions! It was to learn to grill!)
Avocado, baby greens & beets, etc.


The makings for Jen's Salsa! And beyond!
Well.....not exactly. I actually majorly messed up her recipe but it still turned out amazing and now I use my mess up recipe all the time :)
In a blender: 6 tomatillos, 1/2 a deseeded jalapeƱo, 1 whole cucumber, 2 avocados, 1/2 small onion, juice of 2 lemons, 1/2 a bunch cilantro, lots of salt. Delish!  

"muffins" more like cooked eggs made slightly bready. Was obsessed for like 2 days as it was an avenue for lots of grassfed butter. Over it. 

This pic kills me. Want to eat my screen. This is my homemade Eggs Benedict. I used the Pioneer Woman's hallandaise sauce. Thanks PW. I also learned how to poach an egg from her! 

Dear sweet babe - you loved the "chocolate pudding" I made. I was not so much a fan....threw out the recipe. But I am going to have to try another one. My mother in law taught me about using avocados in desserts as a creamy, thick medium for grain & sugar free recipes. It's amazing!!! But this one isn't so much.

Made my own mayo!! Thanks Melissa!

OMGoodness. This "pad thai" and pineapple chicken curry was heaven on a plate. 


Just a delectable plate of veggie scramble with avocados, roasted zucchini and parsnips and turkey bacon. Yummers

This chicken recipe is again from Melissa of the cookbook Well Fed. Her recipes rock my world.
Oh sweet Paleo baby. How I love your sweet broccoli face. :) 

Easter 2013

In the interest of keepin' things real I thought I would kick off this year's pictures with this little treasure. William without his suit pants. 



He had better things on his mind.....like rolling in mud. 
But let's back up to the beginning - like any good story.

A few days before my sis and I did our traditional gathering of the gaggle and dyed some pretty snazzy eggs this year. A couple years ago we decided to damn The Man and make our own dyes using vinegar and food coloring. I love 'em!!!

This was Willsie's first year of actually "getting" what was going on. He thought it was fab and would have decorated 7,000 if we had let him. The older bunch did some awesome double and triple dyed eggs. Next year we vow to make a triple batch it's so fun.



  Cut to day of - we scrubbed up the ruffians and headed to M & D's house for a lovely and extravagant Easter Bonanza (thanks mom!!!)

Those with a family of any size will relate how difficult it is to gather your people in one room and get them dressed in coordinating outfits without being too "matchy matchy" all while staying in a budget and having perfect smiles. Riiiiight. This year I vowed I would be organized and have all the outfits hanging in my closet in one Martha Stewart garment bag all coordinated and pressed 2 weeks beforehand. Riiiiight.

I did start 6 weeks early but only to find out the stores were not ready for my crazy, hyper organized self and I had to buy and return and buy and return a few thousand times to find exactly what I needed. I hate/love my hair-brained ideas like "seersucker for the boys and blue and green for the girls!" as once I get it in my head I can't shed that idea even if the 27 stores I search through don't have it. Why not just buy what the stores have easily accessible? That would be too easy.

Wow - that tyraid really exhausted me!! But maybe now you children see into my crazy a bit better?? Let's move on.

Awww - sweet girls. This is one of my favorite pictures from the day. 



My hunk-o-chunka-burning-love. You are THE MAN for me. <3 br="" nbsp="">

I love my sis and her fam.


Isabella's face is perfection. This is the great reveal by Grammy Bunny of the new backyard presents.

A dome and trampoline


Thanks Grammy Bunny. You are A-MAZ-ING.

Sis, your face is priceless. I love my bro's new girl Amy. She is a "down and dirty" kind of gal and loves playing with the kids. Here they are playing "crack the egg" and my brother is one tough egg. 

Speaking of which....here's the lovely couple now. 




Oh my - my dear mother in law has done it again. She turns our purchases into Easter Bunny Basket Art. Thank you Nana!!!!

Oh sweet babes. I love my family. It was a fav Easter.
Where's William?!?!!!!! Oh don't mind him....remember - he's pant less, rolling in the mud and jumping on the trampoline. 





May 8, 2013

Homemade Baby Formula


Lots of peeps have asked me for this recipe so I am posting it for all time.

I chose this formula because store bought creeps me out - food is not meant to have shelf life - just saying. And I don't believe in grain based formulas or milks. So the search was on! 


Here's my hunk-o-chuck-o-burning-love and my mini loves sippin' formula cocktails ;)


This formula was developed by a scientist and nutritionist who took several samples of breast milk and sent it to a lab to isolate exactly what was in it making it the best food on teh planet for babies, and to therefore attempt to duplicate it as closely as possible. 
On their website they have a side by side comparison of this formula (and a few of it's variations) & breastmilk samples It's astounding!! 

My babies absolutely thrive on it. I used it with Charlotte starting at 9 months because I became pregnant again (but lost that baby - sadness!) And I started using it with William around 14 months when I weaned him and he had suffered a crazy severe mouth injury damaging three teeth. When I rushed him to the Pediatric Dentist she told me he would most likely loose the tooth due to infection & nerve detachment. Not satisfied, I took him to my wonderful nutritionist/chiro (Dr. Eileen Kenny in Altadena, CA) who told me the same thing but if we could figure out a way to get him enough mouth adjustments, Vitamin C and OMEGAs  we might be able to save it. 

I immediately remembered this formula (up until this point I had just been giving him goat milk & molasses as that's perfectly fine as a base) and I doubled the oils and tripled the Vitamin C in his bottles and we were able to totally clear the infection and save the tooth!!! Xray proof! 


Dentist was amazed and called it a miracle and my nutritionist asked me to type up what I had done for her office so they could pass it out to patients seeking a formula after weening. Can't say enough good! 





Raw Milk Formula
_____ = heat in pan   ______ = kept in fridge    ______ = kept in cabinet

Ingredients:

1 and 7/8 cup water (basically 2 cups minus a tablespoon)
2 teaspoons gelatin
2 teaspoons coconut oil

4 tablespoons lactose (milk sugar)
 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
 ¼ teaspoon acerola powder (vitamin C)
 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil – unrefined

¼ teaspoon bifodobacterium infantis (probiotic)
 1 teaspoon cod-liver oil
1 teaspoon sunflower oil – unrefined
2 tablespoons Black strap molasses (Allie’s addition to correct low iron of goat milk)
2 cups raw cow milk* (I use goat milk)
 2 teaspoons raw cream* (optional – I don’t use, see below)
 ¼ cups whey* (recipe below)

Instructions:
1)   Heat first three ingredients (yellow) in a small pot to melt on medium low.
2)   While this is heating place remaining ingredients in a blender – starting with the first 4 (pink) as these won’t dirty your measuring spoon ;).
3)   When you are done measuring the remaining ingredients your first three should be done heating. Stir them well (gelatin tends to stick to the bottom of the pan) and then add to the blender.
4)   Blend – working up to high speed – for about 7-10 seconds or so until you feel it’s fully mixed.
5)   Immediately place in bottles and refrigerate.
6)   To serve (and it must be warm for all the oils to melt again properly) place bottle in a large cup or bowl of hot water for a few minutes, or bottle warmer.

Resources:
Notes: This whole process takes me 10 minutes including getting everything out of the fridge and cupboards and then fully cleaning up after myself. The first few times feel awkward but then it’s no big deal at all & you will embrace your new hippie ways. I keep the recipe posted on the inside cupboard & flip it open when making and have a quick system now. I keep all my products grouped together to make my system faster. Cod liver, sunflower, bifodobacterium infantis, whey, cream, and milk are all on one shelf in my fridge. The remaining ingredients are on another shelf in my cabinet. When I pull them out I keep them in two separate piles on my counter so I can quickly see what needs to be put back where. The recipe says it’s best to make it every day. I personally make a double-triple batch once a week to make my life a little easier but then again my son is 2 and drinks less. I have also heard of people making a few batches and freezing in breastmilk storage bags in their freezer for later use (brilliant).

Products: All products (except perishables) be purchased from RadientLifeCatalog.com. They have a package with everything you need (except perishables). I originally attempted to purchase products individually at other sites/stores and didn’t have a lot of luck - but it’s becoming easier with Amazon & Vitacost now carrying some of it. The raw milk and cream can be purchased from a Sprouts grocery store, several small health food stores, several Farmers Markets and the company we like, Organic Pastures, sells to co-ops and this is the cheapest way to buy. One way to find your local seller is to visit the Organic Pastures website. Or if you are using goat products these are easily attained from Trader Joes or any super market. I like Trader Joes goat products the best (by far!) but they are not raw. PLEASE NOTE: I don’t follow the recipe in their site exactly – please watch the video and refer the the site to get the exact recipe if you are using the goat version.

Videos: There are wonderful video tutorials on the Weston A Price Foundation website at http://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/recipes-for-homemade-baby-formula. This site also has a list of FAQs, and wonderful chart comparing this formula to breast milk (this made me feel SO GOOD about what I was doing!), and other great things to read. I watched the video before making it and it really helped.

Whey: It is incredibly easy to make. This process is shown in the video above. Line a bowl with a clean dish towel or a double layer of cheese cloth . Dump one carton of organic yogurt 32 oz (I use goat yogurt) inside the towel. Wrap it up and secure with a rubber band. Hook this strange bundle to a cabinet handle or knob or however your kitchen is set up - so the yogurt can drip into the bowl (I had hubs scream a hook to the underside of our cabinet). The liquid that drips out is whey, what remains will be homemade cream cheese – no waste!) Let this drip for 24 hours. Whey keeps for about 6 months and cream cheese for about a month – both in the refrigerator.. And while is sound super complicated and hippie – it isn’t complicated….it is super hippie J And my husband loves to tease me.

* All of the dairy products I use are goat or goat based. My family is allergic to casin, which is cow milk protein.

May 6, 2013

Sleeping Babe

Oh sweet baby Jesus - a sleeping babe - no matter the age - is heaven divine.
Especially my sleeping babe.

Especially my youngest sleeping baby with red hair.

Especially my youngest sleeping babe with red hair and fat lips.

You better watch yourself girl. I might suck those luscious lips right off that dang face! LOVE YOU!

April 23, 2013

I may not be an Orange Rhino - but that's ok

While I have failed flagrantly on my Orange Rhino Challenge and have since given up, and given myself permission to not be perfect - I have grown tremendously. At least I feel that way today :)

I have felt very, very, very, very, very challenged in my calmness and connectedness goal recently with my #2 child. Is it your ability to see through all excuses and justifications? Is is your ability to bravely and correctly call me out on my BS ways? Is it your passionate search for truth that has be grappling with tough questions? Is it your unquenchable thirst for understanding EVERYTHING and never giving up when you are 98% there? 

Maybe.

It's also your moodiness, your dramatic response to things I deem insignificant.

But it's what's real to you and what you are feeling and who am I to judge??? 

After winning this city's crankiest mom award yesterday & feeling like crap - I vowed last night while studying at church that all day today I would hug you Charlotte, every time you made my blood boil. We hugged 67 times. And ended the night in harmony *sigh*

 Love really does save the day. I felt this tighter bond with you by the nights end. I feel at peace with myself and with you and with my life.

That Orange Rhino lady really does have it right. But I give myself permission to not be perfect. I can't force absolutes upon myself or others. But I can vow I will always be trying to be better.

And even though it's annoying as HELL that you are 99% correct 99% of the time about my shortcomings. And even tough William is very, very, very loud and angry when things don't go his way right now. I know it never, ever, ever, ever, ever, fails that by about the 3rd time of me loving you guys how you want to be loved (William wants to be sat next to and Charlotte you seem to want to be hugged) every fiber in your ever-loving being calms down and reaches out to thank me, not in words....but I can feel it. It's what we all need when we are crazy - don't' you think?? That friend that sees through the crazy and says in word and deed "I love you no matter what" It's THE answer. At least I keep telling myself so.

Date Night with girlie pie

Charlotte my dear - you had been hounding me for a little alone time. You call this "mommy day." I admit it can be hard to come by with all the people clamoring for me. But you finally grabbed my attention long enough to say with all intensity "Mommy! WHEN can we have mommy day?!" 
"OK! I am listening now. I will schedule it right now!" And I did.

One perfect Sunday evening in March we went to the Americana and had dinner at Granville.
I introduced you to the ways of the virgin strawberry daiquiri. Oh my does that bring back pleasure moments in my childhood. When my parents were feeling spendy they would let us get these when we we go to Acopollco restaurant. Love.

The above pic about sums up your reaction. 
I then asked the waiter for a few blank pieces of paper and informed you that you had a surprise from your dad and I. I then ripped the paper in small pieces and wrote out the surprise one word at a time and scrambled them up. It took you a bit - but then you got it.
And this was your face.
Classic.

Our amazing waiter saw us celebrating and brought you out a dessert with a candle assuming it was your birthday. When he found out we were just celebrating our love he brought me out a virgin strawberry daiquiri. I love random acts of kindness.


Sweet girl......thank you for being such an amazing daughter, teacher, sister and friend. I am blessed by you every day. I look forward to many a dinner celebrating our love. 

April 13, 2013

11 Step Program for those thinking of Having Kids:

Dear Children,

I saw this on Facebook this week, a friend of mine with 5 kids found it. When the cramps in my face & tears of laughter subsided enough to type - I knew it was time to record this for all time. Yes these are ALL things parents 110% go through. Take note. Your dad and I love you A LOT. If I had to choose a few favorites (so tough) I would say they are #2, 8 & 10. Know them well.

xo, 
Momma

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.

2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.

3. Go home.

4. Pick up the paper.

5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...

1. Methods of discipline.

2. Lack of patience.

3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.

4. Allowing their children to run wild.

5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.

Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...

1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)

2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.

3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.

4. Set the alarm for 3AM.

5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.

6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.

7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.

8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.

9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)

Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? T o find out...

1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.

2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.

3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.

4. Then rub them on the clean walls.

5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.

6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.

2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.

1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.

Leave it there.

2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.

3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.

4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.

2. Make a small hole in the side.

3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.

4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.

5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.

6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.