Staring Benjamin . . .

This story is out of a movie from Hollywood.

.

Benjamin has been struggling with baseball. It is almost like stage fright. He gets up at bat and hopes that the young pitchers will walk him to first. So he doesn't swing. The boys on his team are really good and very into the game. They are great kids. They come to every game -- everyone. They want to win. But they are also having fun. Their coach - a superintendent of schools of a nearby town - is fabulous. He has high expectations for them - and they know it. But he's encouraging, not demoralizing. And, he comes up with teachable moments about twenty times during any given game. The team is doing well and last week was tied for first in the minor league. Again, Benjamin went up to bat. The pitcher was a good pitcher and was throwing strikes. His coach told him so. So you can imagine Benjamin's team mates looking on while Benjamin didn't swing at pitch after pitch. Each time he was up at bat. Ugh. None of the kids were "down on him" at all, but they were disappointed to the point of tears when they lost the game. I actually had Benjamin apologize to one of his close friends on the team (who is one of the best players, one of the kids crying, and happens to be the coaches son). The reason being, Benjamin wasn't taking it seriously. He didn't get why these kids were crying. "It's just a game." he told me. I told Benjamin that it wasn't fair to his teammates who did take the game seriously, for him to continue on the team with a half-hearted attitude. Benjamin's buddy, Jason, kindly told Benjamin that it wasn't his fault, there were just a few plays that didn't work out. However, I told Benjamin that he needed to make a decision. Either decide to do your best and give your all, or decide that this isn't the sport for me. Benjamin decided he wanted to try harder. Victor had told Benjamin (with no success) that if he hit the ball and got on base, Victor would take Benjamin out for an ice cream sundae. I told Benjamin that if he didn't at least swing the bat at good pitches, he had to quit. Enough was enough. Admittedly, I went to the game last night with a bad attitude. Spring has stalled here and I literally have to pack my UGGs and wool coat just to stay warm. I have a million things to do at home, and here is Benjamin sleeping in the outfield, zoning out at the plate, and frankly embarrassing me a bit.

.

So here it is. It's time. Benjamin's up at bat. His coach had already made him "shake on it" and promise that he was going to swing the bat. Not hit the ball, mind you. Just SWING. Good grief. So, Benjamin doesn't swing at a ball ... "good eye" his coach says encouragingly. I'm looking out skeptically saying between gritted teeth "just hit the ball!" Finally, next throw, Benjamin swings. And hits. The cute little ball bounds only seven feet from home plate and Benjamin sits there staring like "why did that ball just move? what is happening?" All of his teammates are going nuts, screaming RUN and cheering for him like he is Manny Ramirez hitting a homer. Benjamin finally gets his act together and runs for first. Instead of running through the base, he slows and stops at first -- and therefore gets tagged out. But everyone is still cheering! "YEA BENJAMIN!!!" Benjamin gets a high five from his coach with an encouraging nod and "next time run through the base" instruction. Several pats on the back in the dug out. Wow. Benjamin is beaming like he just brought home straight A's to his mommy. Victor tells him we're going out for ice cream anyway - because if he'd run through the base, he would have been safe.

.

Again, Benjamin is up at bat. I'm a little more optimistic - but still clinching my teeth. Benjamin's coach nods at Benjamin encouragingly like "you can do it -- get it done Ben". Benjamin goes up at bat and hits that bloody ball again! This time the ball goes a little farther and Benjamin runs right away to first. The first baseman misses the ball and Benjamin is told to run to second. The Coach, The Mom's and Dad's in the stands, The boys in the dugout all go crazy cheering for Benjamin! Benjamin had the opportunity to run home after the next two hits and when he got to the dugout all of the boys crowded around him and gave him high fives and cheers. Don't you know he hit another one the next time up at bat and got on base again?! And, made it home. At the end of the game, Coach sat everyone down as usual to talk over the things they learned to do and not to do. He pointed out the good things the players had done. He reiterated how in this group everyone hits, everyone plays, everyone is a part of the team. When he got to Benjamin he congratulated him for his two runs and his accomplishment and handed Benjamin the prized reward of a "Game Ball" -- the first one handed out this season by Coach. Benjamin was beaming and his team mates were too. Everyone cheered.

.

Don't you know we went out for burgers, chicken nuggets, french fries and ice cream after the game?!

Benjamin can't wait to go back today for his next game.

Now I understand why Dr. Trivett asked Benjamin at his recent annual checkup if he was involved in a team sport.

Healthy Cookies for Kiddos (and grown-ups too)

These are souped up cookies that I altered slightly from Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious cookbook. I put so many things in these cookies you'd hardly believe that they stick together. But they do and the boys were excited to have them in their lunches this morning. Of course, they are not Tollhouse, but I'm guessing they will be devoured at lunch ... and I won't be ashamed or sorry for packing them.

.

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Chickpeas! Yes, chickpeas. Ripley doesn't know it yet, but it will be the first time he's had these! (ha ha ... little whipper-snapper) This recipe makes good sized fat cookies - well over 24 of them.

.

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Put a piece of parchment paper on the cookie sheet. (Jessica says use cooking spray, I say no chemicals -- then compost the parchment paper)

.

1 Cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 C trans-fat free soft tub margarine spread (I didn't have any of this, so I used some butter and a little Crisco b/c I didn't have enough butter. I think I'd try to use the trans-fat free stuff -- it sounds good)

1 large egg (Jessica says 2 egg whites, but I'm okay with getting the omega 3's from the yolk in spite of the cholesterol)

2 t vanilla extract

1 15ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 C chopped walnuts

3/4 C raisins (I soaked these in warm water briefly and used YELLOW raisins -- more camouflage)

1 C all-purpose flour

1 C Whole Wheat Flour (Jessica called for just the all-purpose, I added in the whole wheat -- why not??)

1/2 C old fashioned oats

1 t baking soda

1/4 t salt (I used 1/2 t like tollhouse. Over 2 dozen cookies, 1/4 t salt? Come on.)

.

Sift together dry ingredients: flours, oats, soda, salt

Cream margarine/butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla, then add all of the chunky stuff: chips, peas, raisins, nuts. Then, slowly add in the flour while beating on a low setting. Stop when thick dough forms.

.

Drop the dough by the tablespoon onto the baking sheet. Press gently with a fork to flatten.

Bake 12 minutes -- don't over bake. If anything, slightly under bake.

.

Voila!! You've gotten whole grains, protein, beans, raisins and nuts into your kiddo. Super yummy warm. Wow.

Baltimore Orioles

I don't know if the Baltimore Orioles are reading my blog, but they have come to mate in my yard. They are gorgeous. Their "call" is beautiful, powerful and loud. I've been gawking at them as they chirp back and forth marveling at how pretty they are. However, I just read that they eat fruit (also bugs, nuts, seeds and nectar). Thank God for fruit tree nets. No fruit for you guys from my little orchard. Speaking of my little orchard. I have one sweet cherry tree, one Chinese apricot tree, one Bartlett pear tree, one Anjou pear tree, two peach trees, one Fuji Apple tree, one three-in-one grafted apple tree, one Cortland apple tree (for pies especially) and six tall blue berry bushes. Fun! Of course it will be a few years for anything substantial, but hopefully by then I will have really ironed out the organic spraying thing. Keep well! Happy gardening.

My Victory Garden

Here it is ... my Victory Garden

Kids are Funny

At breakfast I was talking to Benjamin about baseball, which he's been struggling with, explaining that everyone isn't good at everything. I volunteered that I certainly wasn't good at everything. Ripley quickly spoke up and said "Yea, you're not good at throwing." (as in pitching a baseball) I agreed. Ripley reminded sweetly, not a hint of negativity detected just genuine honesty "You're noooootttttttt." "You're right Love, Mommy isn't good at throwing." Sheesh.

Portuguese Beans

This weekend when we were visiting Victor's parents for Mother's Day my Father-in-Law, who is Portuguese, was giving me a tour of his freshly planted garden. His potatoes are already poking up a good 2 inches out of the ground, as well as his beans. Every year he grows these broad green pole beans that are right from Portugal. They look a lot like a cannelloni bean from Italy. You can eat them when they are young like a regular "string bean" -- they usually cut them in a "French Cut" (but I guess it's really a Portuguese Cut) style, boil them in salted water along with a few eggs (still in their shells). Then, when they are done, the hard boiled eggs are taken out and minced, then mixed with a little balsamic vinegar (one teaspoon or more), lots of olive oil and salt. Pour the egg mixture over the beans. If you're feeling fancy, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. One of Victor's favorite summer dishes. When the beans are allowed to grow larger, the beans are shelled and dried -- then used in soups all winter long. Yum. SOOOoooooo .... My Father-in-Law gave me a large baggie of his Portuguese Bean Seeds saved from last year for planting. I'm excited to learn from him how he saves his seeds and to do a little studying on my own. He also gave me some bush Portuguese Beans that look like a light kidney bean. I've never tried growing any other type of bean besides your standard bush green bean, so I'm looking forward to getting into it. Especially because they keep so nicely, are a good source of protein, and are easy to grow. Happy Spring and Come Summer!

Where have I been?!

I forget every year how much work is involved in springtime. Now, not only do you have to keep up the inside of your house (which I'm not doing a very good job at), but now you're also enjoying the great outdoors and the beauty of spring while tidying up the outside of your house. This spring has been a different year altogether. Over the past month we have almost completed adding wood chips to our side yard between our yard and the neighbors to cut down on weeds. We do this about once every 3 years and this was THAT YEAR. We had a 20' x 40' garden added to our yard and we had 2 apple trees, 2 pear trees, 2 peach trees, 1 cherry tree and 6 blueberry bushes planted into our side yard -- eliminating two huge areas of grass that no longer will need to be mowed. Lucky Victor. Me on the other hand ... I've been hard at work. I planted several perennial plants -- which like the fruit trees will produce in time, but need some work in the beginning -- including 5 rhubarb plants, 20 strawberry plants and the 30 (yes 30) asparagus plants (from Seeds of Change) that Victor gave me for Valentines Day. I also planted seed potatoes (a first for me) including heirloom Russian Banana, Yukon Gold and Reddale -- all ordered from Abundant Life Seeds. Yesterday I also planted my broccoli and broccoli rabe spoutlettes in addition to more seeds. All of these things could have gone in earlier, but I had to wait for my garden to be put in. I did a lot of transplanting in my perennial garden as well. Not only did several of them need to be split, but I'm making room for a larger kitchen garden for my basil, chives, thyme, oregano, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, etc. This area is right off my front wrap-around porch, so it's very convenient and leaves more room for vegetables in my larger garden. Already growing in the raised beds I've had for several years now are snap peas, shelling bush peas, 1925 heirloom bloomsdale spinach, May Queen lettuce, rare Scottish Macgreggors favorite beets, Rote Kugel beets, Dragon Carrots, and Chantenay Carrots. Happy Spring!

Chocolate Nut Chewies

**REVISED** (forgot to list the nuts ... oops. chocolate NUT chewies??!)

This recipe posting is a request ... because these are incredible.

The recipe is from Ann Faulstich. When my brother and I went to visit one of our closest neighborhood friends Amy Lynn and "Blair-Boy", their mother Mrs. Faulstich would invariably be pulling cookies right out of the oven. How she always managed to be thin I have no idea. But this woman seemed to bake cookies on a daily basis (I'm not exaggerating). We'd march into her house and grab several and off we'd go playing. When I got married, she sent three of her favorite and most popular cookie recipes along with a specially handmade cookie jar. Here is one of the recipes. Look out, you might have several!

Chocolate Nut Chewies
(Mrs. Faulstich noted that "Everyone likes these!")

cream:
2/3 cup butter
1 box brown sugar (1 lb)

Add:
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
Then add the dry stuff:
2 C flour
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 cup pecans (or whatever your favorite nut is) and 1 cup chocolate chips
Mix until smooth. Pour into a 9x13" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Mrs. Faulstich adds that "Sometimes I put 1 cup of chocolate chips on top after I take it out of the oven, let them melt and spread - let it set until firm." That's what I did! Yum.

More on PLASTICS

There was another Providence Journal article regarding plastics yesterday. I've searched online to get a copy of the article, but after 15 minutes I can't find it. So, here are some excerpts ... as I still have the old fashioned hard copy pulled from my recycling pile here in front of me.

.

From the Providence Journal: Material from the New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post and the Associated Press was used to compile this report.

Chemical in plastics new cause for concern
Retailers move quickly to remove baby bottles containing BPA from store shelves

Are toxic plastics lurking in your kitchen?

That's the question many people are asking after reports last week that a chemical used to make baby bottles, water bottles and food containers is facing increasing scrutiny by health officials in Canada and the United States.

The substance is bisphenol-A, or BPA, widely used in the making of hard, clear and nearly unbreakable plastic called poly-carbonate. Studies and tests show that trace amounts of BPA are leaching from polycarbonate containers into foods and liquids.

Yesterday, Woonsocket-based CVS Caremark said it was joining numerous other retailers, including WalMart and Toys "R" Us, in pulling tens of thousands of products containing the chemical off its store shelves.

Nalgene, the maker of a popular sports bottle, and the baby products maker Playtex have announced they will stop using the plastic.

And last week, the Canadian government became the first country to ban BPA from use in baby bottles, a move that spurred a leading Democrat in the U.S. Senate to call for legislation that would prohibit its use in a number of everyday consumer products.

"We have immediately taken action on bisphenol-A because we believe it is our responsibility to ensure families, Canadians and our environment are not exposed to a potentially harmful chemical," Tony Clement, the minister of health, said in a statement.

BPA is used in production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy linings to add strength and resilience to the products. U.S. manufacturers produce more than 6 billion pounds annually.

While most of the focus so far has been on products for children, the plastic is also used in food-storage containers, clear plastic pitchers used for filtered water, refillable water bottles and the lining of soft-drink and food cans.

The article goes on .... and end with statements from the American Chemistry Council's Polycarbonate / BPA Global Group and the Grocery Manufacturers Association ... basically encouraging you to go ahead and continue to buy their stuff.

.

This article from the New York Times is also good - click on link below -

.

A Hard Plastic Is Raising Hard Questions

This is an excerpt from the NYT article that I list because it contains some information that I didn't know about. Like presence of BPA in canned food and drinks. Sheesh.

From the New York Times:

What about canned food and drinks?
While much of the focus is on plastic bottles, most human exposure occurs through the lining of canned foods. Canned beverages appear to contain less of the chemical than canned foods like soup, pasta, fruits and vegetables, which are often processed at high temperatures. Virtually every canned product, even those labeled organic, has a liner with BPA. One brand, Eden Organic Baked Beans, says it uses a BPA-free can.
How do I lower my exposure?
Switch to frozen or fresh vegetables. Use glass, porcelain and stainless-steel containers, particularly for hot foods and liquids. If you don’t want to use a glass baby bottle, several companies, including the popular brand Born Free, now sell BPA-free baby bottles and sippy cups. For formula-fed babies, you can switch to powdered formula rather than liquid.
Although many plastic products claim to be microwave safe, some scientists warn against putting any plastic in the microwave. “There is such a wide variety now, from disposable containers to actual Tupperware,” says Dr. Anila Jacob, a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, a Washington-based advocacy group. “I don’t know of anyone who has done definitive testing of all these different types of plastic containers to see what is leaching into food.”

.

Hope this is helpful.

Victor MADE IT! Go Lovey!

Victor finished the Boston Marathon yesterday looking great. You'd never know that the guy had one of the more difficult marathon runs (out of his more than 25+ marathons that he's completed). Now, with a wifey (me!), two kiddos and a job to hold down ... it's tough to find time to train. And this time 'round he didn't train as much as he'd like to. After debating how I might pull off a trip to Boston with two kids, half of the city shut down b/c of the marathon and a Red Sox game going on at the same time ... I decided to give it a try. We drove up to the Quincy T station and took the commuter train into Boston and walked along a bit of the "Freedom Trail" exploring local history. Then took the long winding walk (because of all of the shut down roads) to find the end of the marathon. Unfortunately, we were unable to get over to the side that Victor was expecting us to be on (when I say CROWD that just scratches the surface of what insanity was around the finish line) so, sadly after waiting to kiss and hug Victor for 2 hours (cheering on all the runners) -- Victor gracefully jogged by on the opposite side of the road waving to onlookers as we screamed at the top of our lungs and flapped our arms. At least we saw him. Then we walked around the maze of blocked off streets to get to the family and friends area divided by the alphabet. There we found him. Like I said, looking great. My sister-in-law Michelle said that some folks were literally crawling across the actual finish line (where she and Victor's mom were able to get to). When Victor says he had a tough run ... it means he didn't run like a gazelle the whole time. Sheesh. Here are some pictures (the last one is Victor with his long time friend Paul who also ran for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society). It's still not to late to donate to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society - he ran in memory of my cousin Eileen who died at the age of 33 of Lymphoma - and help Victor to reach his goal of $3000. Go to his site. You can donate right online with a credit card. Some of the donations are still not showing, so, not to worry those of you who have donated, but don't see your name! :) Thanks everyone!

Minor League BASEBALL

Here is Benjamin with his friend all dressed up for his first "minor league" baseball game. Looking sharp. (of course instead of smiling he's saying the word "baseball" which isn't as flattering as "Cheeeeese", but what are you gonna do?) They had a fun time, but after the sun of the day wore off most of the parents were freezing in the bleachers with temps at 47 degrees. Brrrrrr. Looking forward to warmer weather. (Hey, we could be like Iowa who got snow last week.)

PLASTICS

This article was the Wednesday, April 16th Providence Journal via The Washington Post. The headline was "New concern is raised over 'everyday' chemical" and "A federal scientific panel signals a shift in thinking about health risks related to bisphenol-a, used in numerous products." Good grief. The upsetting thing is how government agencies go on the defensive when concerned organizations and citizens raise concerns -- and then they come out saying "Gee, maybe there is a problem". I'll copy the whole article here, but here are a few excerpts in case you don't have time: "Used in plastic production since the 1950s, BPA in laboratory animals may be linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, early puberty in females and behavioral changes (like hyperactivity - see previous entry) according to the study." BPA "has been detected in the urine of 93 percent of the population over 6 years of age." Here is the article. All I can say is that I'm glad we've gotten rid of our plastic both from an environmental standpoint and from a health standpoint.

Government raises safety questions about chemical in plastics
01:43 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
By MATTHEW PERRONE / Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A chemical used to make baby bottles and other shatterproof plastic containers could be linked to a range of hormonal problems, a preliminary government report has found.
The report was greeted by some environmental groups as confirmation of their concerns, while chemical makers latched on to the report's preliminary nature and its authors' warning against drawing overly worrisome conclusions.
The federal National Toxicology Program said Tuesday that experiments on rats found precancerous tumors, urinary tract problems and early puberty when the animals were fed or injected with low doses of the plastics chemical bisphenol A.
While such animal studies only provide "limited evidence" of bisphenol's developmental risks, the group's draft report stresses the possible effects on humans "cannot be dismissed." The group is made up of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration and the Institutes of Health.
More than 90 percent of Americans are exposed to trace amounts of bisphenol, according to the CDC. The chemical leaches out of water bottles, the lining of cans and other items made with it.
The American Chemistry Council, which represents manufacturers, said the report "affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of bisphenol on human reproduction and development." Among the manufacturers of bisphenol are Dow Chemical Co. and BASF Group.
The group said it supports additional research to determine whether adverse effects seen in animals "are of any significance to human health."
Environmentalists, meanwhile, hailed the report as the first step toward reassessing a chemical they believe could contribute to cancer and other health problems.
"We're hoping this decision will force FDA to recognize the toxicity of this chemical and make manufacturers set a safety standard that's protective of the most vulnerable populations," said Dr. Anila Jacob of the Environmental Working Group.
The toxicology group's findings echo those of researchers assembled by the National Institutes of Health, who last August called for more research on bisphenol in humans.
The FDA in November said there is "no reason at this time to ban or otherwise restrict its use." The agency on Tuesday did not immediately have any comment about the new report.
But growing concern about the chemical has pushed many consumers toward glass alternatives, and triggered investigations by state and federal lawmakers.
Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., called on FDA Tuesday to reconsider the safety of bisphenol, saying the toxicology report's findings "fly in the face of the FDA's determination."
Dingell, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued letters to seven companies that make baby formulations earlier this year, questioning whether they use bisphenol in the lining of their cans and bottles.
The companies included Hain Celestial Group, Nestle USA and Abbott Laboratories.
A spokeswoman for the International Formula Council, which represents baby food makers, said Tuesday "the overwhelming scientific evidence supports the safety" of bisphenol, adding that no foreign governments have restricted or banned its use.
The National Toxicology Program will take public comments on its initial report through May. A final version will be issued this summer.
Earlier this month state lawmakers in New Jersey passed a bill that would ban the sale of all products containing bisphenol.
Canada's health agency is also examining the health risks of bisphenol is expected to issue its findings in coming days.

Catching up

Sorry I've been out of touch.

I've been a little down about the seemingly endless rain and 10 degrees lower than normal temperatures for the past month. However, I'm very excited about the 65 degree weather that's warming up outside. Thank the Lord. (Today we had to go to skating class ... me dressed in my long down coat. Ugh. Only two more weeks of classes)

I was finally able to catch up with the laundry after a week of strep throat. It was like going on a vacation where you have to play "catch-up" for over a week to recover. Strep throat wasn't quite like a trip to the Bahama's though. Hmph.

Also this week I've been hard at work trying to trouble shoot my bread baking. I made the Raisin Oatmeal Bread again, but it rose poorly. Totally demoralized I went to The Fresh Loaf website and asked for help in the "forum". (click that link to get to the conversation) This is a place where you can pose questions / problems regarding bread baking and loads of people email you back with suggestions and information. Fabulous. I was so thankful for the help of hard core bread bakers! One man who helped me out a great deal was Mike from Sourdough Home. I'm giving his site a plug because he was so helpful and generous with his time. He has a lot of helpful bread baking tips on his site as well. I have never tried to make sourdough bread, but I think I'll give it a try. Doesn't it sound good? Homemade Sourdough Bread?? MMmmmmm. Anyway, I'm excited to report that yesterday I produced two beautiful whole wheat loaves from The Moosewood Restaurant cookbook. Yum. I'll list that recipe later -- as I want to get outside and enjoy the weather.

My seedlings are coming along nicely. I have peppers, tomatoes, okra, broccoli, broccoli rabe, leeks, kale, herbs planted indoors. And cold weather peas, lettuce and spinach planted outside. Unfortunately the guy who's going to help us enlarge my garden space and plant my fruit trees came down with pneumonia and is set back two weeks. So, sadly I'm on hold outdoors. But two weeks will pass by quickly. More on that later too ... as I'm leaving you know to fold laundry and then to GO OUTSIDE!! Yipee!!

Children make you Laugh

Thank God. Children make you laugh. Yesterday's examples:
.

Last night when it was time for the kids to take a showers / baths Benjamin lamented.

"Why do we have to take showers every night?" in a whinny tone. Of course I didn't point out that they hadn't had showers the night before, but said "Because, you get dirty." Benjamin plunks himself on the bathroom counter top and folds his arms and states (while trying to suppress a smirk) "Well, I'm not going to. I'm going to sit right here for the rest of my life." As the wheels of my very smart 8 year old start turning he adds ... "drinking water from this faucet ... and eating soap." I blew a gasket laughing. Seriously. Hilarious.

.

This is a case of son and husband making me laugh.

Victor was sitting after getting home from work, flipping through a J.Crew catalog (The only one I haven't cancelled) with Ripley standing by his side looking on. They were in the men's section checking out the hope of summer attire when Ripley stops Victor and flips the catalog back a few pages and inquires with what Victor detected as a twinkle in his eye "Who's Heeeeeerrrrrr?" referring to the adorable, gorgeous, young "adoring" blond woman giggling behind the young dashing man featuring a pair of pants and shirt. Adding to the hilarity, Victor bounds over to me at the stove -- proud father that he was -- pointing out the dame that Ripley had supposedly ogled over. "And ...." Victor adds "she's not bad looking either!" (as if to say, Ripley really knows how to pick 'em) Proud Papa. Sheesh.

.

And this morning ...

Benjamin was reminded to do his jobs ... one of which includes sorting out dirty laundry and bringing a load downstairs. He laments "No one in my class does this job." and as if to point out my laziness "Their Mom and Dad does!" Then I challenge like I'm considering composing an email to the class parents "I think the kids should sort the laundry" Benjamin responds "That's because you're one of THEM." Hilarious.

Skating Progress

I couldn't leave you on such a low note, so take a look at Ripley's skating progress! Wow!!

The Blues

Or more appropriately, The Greys. I've made it until April this year, thanks to my vitamin D supplements -- but I'm finally at that annual point (after a hum-dinger of a week ... Benjamin got strep throat, week of rain and cold, that "time" of the month, then I got strep throat!) where I start asking myself ... "Why in God's Earth do people choose to live in New England?!" Yeah, yeah, yeah ... the coast is beautiful, the topography is beautiful, the annual turning of leaves (which I have to admit I view in part like a funeral ... welcome grey), but seriously, How about Virginia? I went to college there and even though my family was living by the coast in Southeastern Massachusetts where it's milder, I had two complete springs every year. One in Virginia ... and one in Massachusetts when I came home IN MAY!! Sheesh. If I was on that Mayflower boat that was meant to land in Virginia ... I would have said "Let's go south! It's too dang cold here!!" A case in point ... I took the opportunity to record this grey 40 degree and rainy last day of March and at least show you where I plan to plant my fruit trees! (poor things only have two months of good summer ... ) Thankfully, "they" are forcasting 60 degrees tomorrow ... and rain, but beggars can't be choosers I suppose.

Knitting

I know, I know ... Love, Cook, Create, Knit. I really haven't had much to say about knitting. I'm currently on a reading / anti-television kick. (not very conducive to knitting) A woman once told me when I was brand new to the whole knitting thing that I would eventually be able to knit and read at the same time. It sounds like a dream come true to me (as I love to accomplish great things - two at once, even better!) however, I still can't imagine it. It seems like mistakes waiting to happen. Anyway, if you enjoy knitting you have GOT to check out this website if you haven't already ... RAVELRY . It's so clever, and so fabulous. In order to use this online knitting community website, you have to sign-up. Because of the demand, in a few days they send you an "invitation" in your email box. But, just to give you an example, you can look up a certain pattern in a certain book and see other knitters efforts at making this project. They show pictures, list the yarn they used and explain any changes they made to the pattern or trouble they ran into. What a brilliant idea. Really, if you like to knit. Check it out. Enjoy.

Earth Hour 2008

Here is a small way you can join with others to make a statement. Turn off all your lights this Saturday, March 29th from 8 to 9 pm to participate in Earth Hour to raise awareness regarding our energy use and how it effects our earth. This is a global event that was first created in Sydney, Australia last year. Make it a family event - light some candles, read books, tell stories, play games, play hide and seek. Teach your children about the importance of saving electricity. Take the opportunity to check your house for ways that you can save, like connecting your television etc. to a power strip and turning it all off when you're done. Talk about ways that you can save energy. Create a plan of action. You can sign up by clicking right HERE. This will bring you to OUR TEAM Earth Hour Group. Cool Eh? Let's see how many of us we can get to join in. Plus, it's kinda fun, isn't it? Check out this video from Earth Hour. Also from You Tube ... Enjoy.

My Pediatrician Politics Lobbyists Greed ... #37

Have I mentioned I love my pediatrician? Thankfully, my children don't get sick often, so I feel I can justify driving 45 minutes to reach this man. R.B. Trivett. He is a "one man band", only books patients he has time to see in a timely fashion (you pretty much never wait), he never does things that aren't necessary, has a time or two performed "old fashioned" inexpensive methods to diagnose, he inspects the kids shins to make sure they are active enough ... ie: many bruises mean that you are an active kiddo ... No bruises = too much t.v., He also has the kids squat down like ducks and walk across the floor ... if you can do this, it's a good sign that you are getting good exercise (he usually adds that you'd be surprised how many kids can't pull this off ... I'm happy to report that my kids have always passed.) He's cautious about using antibiotics even years ago when this wasn't "in fashion" (keeps up their usefulness), he's a no nonsense old fashioned dude who loves kids -- in a laid back New Englander kind of way. I could go on. Unrelated to my experience with him, when he found that Wednesdays were slow, he decided to go over to clinics to help out those who aren't as privileged as others. He and his wife (a nurse practitioner) also go to Haiti to serve folks there in clinics. We had to go visit Dr. Trivett today because Benjamin was complaining of a sore throat, head ache and had a fever the previous day. As usual when you're hanging out watching Dr. Trivett look at your child's sore throat or whatever, he gets to talking. I mentioned that although Benjamin has a great brain, he doesn't have the stomach to become a doctor. Then Doctor Trivett shook his head and told us that becoming a doctor isn't a great idea anyway. He went on to say that we used to have the best health care system in the world. Now we are #37. He informed me (with my astonished face) that France is number ONE. Dr. Trivett went on to gripe and complain that this was due to Corporate Greed, Politics and Lobbyists. I commented "Don't get me started". He added "And Pharmaceutical Companies." Amen. Don't get me started. I felt validated hearing this from a Doctor I have a great deal of respect and trust for. (p.s. Benjamin did have strep throat, poor guy)

Save Trees

Ok, I'll confess this took me one hour. I'd collected catalogs over several weeks (I've done this once before, but not as thoroughly) and sat down and worked through my entire pile. It took me exactly one hour. Really, it wasn't too bad. A lot of catalogs have a specific selection when you call to deal with folks who want to be removed from their mailing list. This gave me hope that others too are making an effort to stop the waste. Particularly with so many being able to access catalogs online, it's really unnecessary. I've been chipping away on this ... I've unsubscribed from DMA, called Valassis at 1-800-437-0479 to stop all of the weekly flyer junk mail, and called several other catalogs previously. Now, when I go to my mailbox, there is very little in there. Exciting. It also means time-saved in that I don't have to go through it, sort it or recycle it. And, of course it saves trees, energy both to produce them and to deliver them. Be encouraged. It's worth it.

Aunt Ruthie's Hummingbird Cake

This is a bunt cake family recipe from my Great Aunt Ruthie. After chatting at a small family reunion down in Maryland about my passion for family recipes, and heritage, she sent me four family recipes in the mail. One of the recipe's was my Grandmom Wohler's Raisin Bread recipe that Aunt Ruthie swears comes out best when she uses the recipe written by my Grandmom's own hand (rather than from a copy). Too Cute. I will write out the Raisin Bread recipe later. Now, enjoy Aunt Ruthie's Hummingbird Cake.

3 C flour, 2 C sugar, 1 t salt, 1 t baking soda, 1 t cinnamon, 1/2 C nuts, 1 1/2 t vanilla, 1 1/2 C oil, 2 C mashed bananas, 3 eggs, 1 8oz can crushed pineapple not drained.

By Hand: Mix dry ingredients together, Mix wet ingredients together. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients stirring with a spoon NOT a mixer. Bake in a greased and floured Bunt pan 300 degrees for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Cake will crack slightly on top. Cool in pan for 1 hour before removing.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz softened cream cheese, 1 stick butter, 1 lb. box confectioners sugar, 1 t vanilla.

Cream butter and cheese, add sugar and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

Yum. Yum. Yum.

After having TASTED this cake now, I can say with confidence ... WOW!!! It got rave reviews at our small group last night. Yumola!!!

Thank you MINDI for saving me when I realized I didn't have enough confectioner's sugar!!

Kiddos, kiddos, kiddos

By the way ... when writing my last post this morning, I went to download the pictures from my camera card onto my computer AND What did I find?! Cracker crumbs in the CF card slot on my computer. Argh! Yes, Ripley tried to put his "cracker card" into my computer. Sheesh.

My Victory Garden - Beginnings

A 21st Century Victory Garden: Victory over Factory Farms, Victory over Chemicals and Pesticides, Victory over gas and pollution used to carry my vegetables all the way from California or Chile. Victory over wasting perfectly useful land on grass (we have a sizable front yard for outdoor sports), Victory over mowing large patches of grass - wasting fuel and polluting - when it's not being used. Here are the beginnings of my Victory Garden. On the left are my first seedlings. Broccoli and Broccoli Rabe, and two varieties of Leeks. Broccoli is a cold weather plant and can be planted here in Southeastern Massachusetts in mid-April. Leeks are a slow growing vegetable and need to be started early in order to be ready before snowfall. They can be "over-wintered" - which means covered with straw, protected from the elements, they go dormant and you can uncover them, pry them out with a pitch-fork and PRESTO fresh leeks in the winter. Cool. The picture to the right is the location of my new garden area (I currently have two raised beds). It should be ready by mid-April. Exciting.

The Boston Marathon

My sweet, thoughtful, fab-u-dad, loving, fun, thought-provoking, interesting, Portugal-Born, handsome husband Victor is running the Boston Marathon. It will be his 26th Marathon. Wow. This year he is running to benefit the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Victor needs to raise $3000. He will be running in the memory of my cousin Eileen Murphy Churn who died in less than a year after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 33. Eileen's two children Sarah and James were both under the age of 10. It's a worthy cause. If you'd like to donate and help raise funding for the fight against Leukemia and Lymphoma you can do so through the Team in Training's Website on which Victor has a web page. Click HERE to get to his web page. Learn more about Team in Training by checking out their official site at http://www.teamintraining.org/ Thanks for giving. p.s. Victor is shown here riding in the right seat of my brother Scott's airplane.

More Ideas on Saving

Click HERE to link to even more ideas I've written on saving!

Bread Baking, part two

Ok, I feel better. The standard "Active Dry Yeast" should be proofed in liquid between 100 and 110 degrees. Phew! I'm not completely out to lunch. By the way, I need to tell you again, the Oatmeal Raisin Bread is INCREDIBLE! See the post below to get to the link to the recipe. Yumola.

Bread Baking

Like my experience with Green Tea I feel I'm the last to know some crucial information regarding bread baking. Regarding "rapid rise yeast" or "instant yeast" (I haven't researched regular "active dry yeast" yet because I'm currently out of it) ... this "instant yeast" is exclusively used in Peter Reinheart's thorough books about bread, and I see it frequently on a fabulous website for bread bakers www.thefreshloaf.com . Well, typically a recipe will indicate that "lukewarm" water should be used at some point to activate the yeast. I have always read in recipe books that the temperature of the water should be between 105 and 115 degrees -- you don't want it too hot or you could kill the yeast, you don't want it too cool or it wont activate the yeast. When my bread wasn't rising nicely I tried water closer to the 105 side of the scale -- thinking maybe I was killing the yeast. Well, I just happened to read the label on the "Fleischmann's BreadMachine / RapidRise Yeast" today. It said that some liquid (be it milk or water or a combo) should be mixed with the yeast at some point that is between 120 to 130 degrees!!! Good grief. So, of course, when making Oatmeal Raisin Bread today I heated my "liquid" to the correct temperature and don't you know my bread rose beautifully! Wow. Lesson learned. I feel like a turkey. I'm going to check the regular active dry yeast package tomorrow to see if the same applies to that. Anyway ... problem solved. PS - the Oatmeal Raisin Bread is FABULOUS! If you bake bread ... try it. (see link above) Enjoy!

Saving & Giving versus Consumption *Even More Added*

Whether you are saving to make ends meet, saving for emergencies, saving for retirement, or saving to give -- I want to write down some ideas I have. In a society that encourages consumption and waste without shame, I think it's worth considering that we don't have to "buy into" what THEY say that we need. Not only is it possible to cut back on a LOT, but you'll find that it also happens to be more GREEN. I'm going to keep adding to this as I have time, so keep checking back.

My thoughts and ideas:

Watch this Saturday Night Live Clip My Pastor played this during a recent sermon - it's hilarious! "Don't Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford" FABULOUS! Click here to watch the clip.

Don't use your credit card If you don't have the money for something ... don't buy it. It's tempting once you've "charged" not to pay the entire amount on your credit card bill - and then you have to pay interest. Plan savings into your monthly budget for unexpected expenses. Use the suggestions on this post to try and get to the point where you can afford it.

Read the book AFFLUENZA I just finished the book Affluenza - get it? The authors define Affluenza as "a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more." It's a great, thought provoking book. Makes you think about how we've gotten here as a society and about the choices you make regarding the things you choose to do with your money, your stuff, your life.

Watch this Video Clip This clip The Story of Stuff is great. It talks about our consumption, and the mathematics of what it means to our society. Keep watching because it touches on a variety of subject matters -- it's well worth watching until the end. It will give you a fresh perspective and make you think twice before buying something you don't need. Save.Save.Save.

Plant a GARDEN I learned recently that Victory Gardens were created in the 40's to releave the pressure that the war put on our food supply. Everyone contributed in ways from recycling to creating victory gardens to help our country and economy. I think we should create a NEW KIND of Victory Garden ... Victory from bland vegetables ... Victory from supporting conventional (non-organic) farming ... Victory from shipping our vegetables across the country - vegetables that were picked well before they are ripened and genetically engineered to "look ripe" even though they weren't propperly ripened ... Victory from spending money on something that we can do for ourselves more cheaply and with WAY better taste!

Recycle & Compost Save money (and the environment) by cutting down on how many plastic garbage bags you use. Together with recycling and composting we produce LESS THAN one tall kitchen garbage bag worth of trash a week. We used to fill one tall kitchen garbage bag A DAY! Wow. Big difference. Check out the story on my blog - click here.

Cut down on your Electrical Bill Switch to CFL bulbs, Air Dry your clothes, Connect your computer and t.v. stations to power strips in order to shut off all "phantom electricity" and making sure everything is off. Commit to turning off lights when you're out of the room. Turn off your outdoor lighting unless you're expecting guests. Entertain yourself in ways that don't involve electricity -- read a book, play a board game with your kids. Check out my electric bill testimony - click here

Create a Weekly Menu, Shopping List At the start of your week (whenever you plan for the oncoming week) plan what you will serve for breakfasts, lunches, and especially dinners. Write a shopping list -- and when you go shopping, stick to the list! This week a got money for grocery shopping out of the bank. I am keeping it in an envelope and when I spend money on groceries (or other weekly expenses) I record the amount I spent and what I spent it on, on the envelope. It's fun to try to spend less than you have in the envelope (I love games). Today, I was thinking -- how fun it would be if - at the end of the week - if I spend less than I'd allowed for, I can donate it to charity. How cool is that?! I'll keep you posted and let you know how this goes. We do waste a lot of food. How many times have you cleaned out your fridge of tons of veggies you never used before they "went bad"? Plan. Plan. Plan. Stick to your list. Save. Save. Save.

Stop buying "to go" coffee At $2-$4 dollars a cup, this is a ridiculous waste of money. I have been on this bandwagon myself, but since being home with my children I have improved. Since going on my recycling kick I've improved even more. I'd say I "treat" myself to a to-go coffee once every one to two weeks. However, there are tons of people who regularly buy coffee two times a day. Not only is it expensive, think of the waste. Dunkin Donuts and Honey Dew are particularly bad because they use Styrofoam cups. It's tough to find a town who will recycle Styrofoam. Talking about chemicals. Ugh. With the amount of money you will save by drinking quality home brewed coffee, you will be able to afford organic, fair trade, shade-grown coffee from the Coffee Exchange in Providence! At $9.99 a pound for some varieties (16oz) - Mocha Java is FABULOUS - , it's about "on par" with ON SALE Starbucks Coffee (NOT organic, fair trade or shade grown) at Stop and Shop for $7.99 for 12 oz. Think about it.

Use your local library Free books. Go to your local library and check out books for your children and for yourself on a regular basis. Not only are books a better bet than t.v. and video games, but they are free to use at the library, and don't feed the consumerism monster. TV - commercials VIDEO games - accessories and new games. Plus, books are great for your brain and increase your vocabulary.

Stop buying bottled water. Save well over $300 a year ... stop buying bottled water. ($300 is based on buying one case a week at Walmart ... if you cave and buy SINGLE bottles of water you could save a boat-load more than $300) When you get ready to leave your house, fill up your water bottle (please, no leaching plastic) with fresh water from your faucet. Bottled water has far fewer restrictions to pass than your household water. Did you know that? Research it. Not only will you be saving big bucks by drinking water from home, but you will save the planet BIG TIME! Thank you for recycling your used bottled water containers -- if you do, but just think, there is no need to be using up the energy used to create the chemically based plastic bottles in the first place.

Stop buying soda. Honestly. The stuff is horrible for you. If you drink the sugar based soda ... not only are you getting empty calories in the sugar, but have you ever taken a gander through the ingredients list? If you drink the DIET soda ... do you really want to put ingredients in your body that have been proven to cause cancer in mice? Why? Not only is it bad for you, there is an inexpensive GOOD FOR YOU alternative .... water. Save BIG TIME by choosing water from your home. And, you wont waste needless energy producing the plastic and aluminum cans used to contain the liquid. AND, you don't have to add needless piles of cans and bottles to the recycling pile ... or worse, landfill. Eeeek.

Start a compost bin. A compost bin is a bin that you put outside in your yard (there are all kinds of sizes). In it you put all of your vegetable scraps. You can also put paper towel rolls / t.p. rolls, tissue paper (used is fine), hair, coffee grounds, egg shells, paper bags, newspaper ... click here for more information ... In the end, you get free natural chemical free fertilizer for your yard and garden. Plus, you don't fill up your landfill with stuff that you can make good use out of. Cool! Alot of towns offer a discounted compost bin. If you live in the greater Providence / Attleboro area I know that Attleboro and Seekonk offer compost bins for $25 -- which is quite a deal! Even though I live in Rehoboth, Seekonk was very willing to sell me a bin for $25 along with a kitchen compost bucket. Check it out.

Stop buying Paper towels. Use good old fashioned rags. Not only are you USING old clothing like t-shirts, sheets, towels, that might be stained, torn, or too small rather than throwing them in the land fill -- but you aren't supporting the unnecessary cutting down of perfectly good trees. It's amazing to see that if you don't buy them, you realize you don't need them. Use dish towels, dish rags and good 'ole fashioned rags (for cleaning floors, etc.).

Stop buying Swiffers. Again, no need to buy anything except environmentally friendly soap. Get down on your knees, get some extra exercise, and clean the silly floor. We are under exercised, over maxed on our credit cards, and overloaded in our landfills -- Don't "buy on" to buying "tools" we don't need to make life easier. A rag and soap is simpler, cheaper, better for you and better for the environment.

Stop buying WINDEX. My parents have a house in Florida with LOTS of LARGE windows to take advantage of beautiful views they are blessed to be nearby. Do you know what they use? White Vinegar and Water. Not only is white vinegar very low in cost, it's natural and fine for the environment! Plus, who needs to handle chemicals when other options are cheaper -- and as far as I can tell work as well or better. What a racket. Put the Windex down.

Stop buying Sponges. Not only are the majority of sponges that people use unnatural requiring chemicals to produce -- and therefore pollute the environment (and let's not rob the ocean of natural sponges, please) but they collect germs. I use one dish cloth a day. At the end of the day, it goes into the wash with our clothes.

Buy WHOLE FOODS No, I don't mean the natural foods store. I mean, foods that aren't processed. Simple whole foods are better for you, have less packaging, and have a lower impact on the environment. The Providence Journal has been running a terrific series on saving money when buying food. One article discussed how immigrants often do a better job saving by cooking whole foods - simply because they are used to cooking simply, from scratch. For example -- there is nothing cheaper and simpler to make than rice and beans. It isn't difficult to cook simply, from scratch. Let's face it, we generally don't have time and energy to cook like Martha Stewart every night -- but that's not necessary to have a good whole foods meal that taste great and takes a small amount of time to whip up. When we "bought on" to packaged and prepared foods (such the novelty in the 60's and 70's) we lost the ART of cooking quickly, simply and cheaply. You should see my Portuguese in-laws whip up a simple chicken soup in no time. I'm not talking chicken soup with boxes of broth and pre-cooked packaged chicken ... I'm talking from a whole chicken. It DOESN'T TAKE LONG! A lost art ... worth learning. (I will get around to enclosing simple whole food recipes)

Stop CATALOGS. Take time, pick up the phone and call the 800 number for free and tell stores to "hold the catalog". You will be amazed, without allowing retailers to brainwash you that you NEED MORE STUFF with their slick photo shoots and advertisements how much you will ultimately save. Plus, you save trees and the environment. Also, other mailers can be stopped by going to this site, filling out the form and paying one dollar (which simply validates your information ... and let's face it, they make a dollar out of the deal) www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist . To stop flyer's that typically come on Wednesday's in the mail including everything from Goodyear to ALL of your local grocery stores call Valassis at 1-800-437-0479 ... at least this is the number for southeastern Massachusetts.

Stop buying Dryer Sheets Stop drying your clothes in the dryer all together. We have cut down our electric bill dramatically by air drying our clothes. If you don't use a dryer, you don't need dryer sheets! Cool, eh?

I will be writing more, so please stay tuned!

Let me know if you have any ideas!

Thanks, Sandy

Ripley strikes again!

When we went skiing several weeks ago, Ripley was introduced to the snowboard. He didn't try it out, but he informed me that he'd like to. Since then, he's been eyeing Benjamin's skateboard and saying that it's like the snowboard. Well, today was a little taste of spring outside so Ripley took the opportunity to try out the skateboard. He literally worked at it for over an hour. Here is a little video clip of him trying to master the skateboard at the ripe old age of 3 1/2. Enjoy!

Miraculous!

There is something miraculous about approaching spring. I just walked outside to pick up the newspaper and experienced 49 degrees at 6:45am -- which after a full season of winter, felt like a balmy 65 degree morning. That all of the planets in our solar system hang in space spinning in time on their own axis and around our sun changing our weather and seasons ... miraculous. Just like all of the minuet details that must come together to conceive, grow and give birth to a child ... it's miraculous. Welcome spring ... come quickly! And, thank you Lord for this small glimpse of what's to come.