My Favorite Snack

So I have fallen in love with homemade granola bars. Normally I put chocolate chips in them. I think next time I am going to try out apple cinnamon with crunched up apple chips and cinnamon. Anyway, here is the recipe.

4 1/2 cup Rolled Oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup Honey
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons ground Flax seed

Now that is the base and you can put whatever you want to make it tasty to you. The recipe calls for 2 cups of chocolate chips so I am sure that if whatever you put in should equal out to that 2 cups as not to over fill.

Spread the mixture out onto a baking pan and bake at 325 for 18 to 22 minutes depending on how you like your bars. I tend to use the 18 because I like mine still kinda chewy. After they are done, cool for 10 minutes then over turn onto a cutting board. Using a pizza cutter, cut into desired pieces.

These are normally gone in a matter of days. They always come out so tasty. Another thing, if you don't like the taste of the olive oil, you can used butter.

Try them out, let me know what you think.

I will keep trying to find unprocessed alternatives to what we can buy in the store!

Espresso-Braised Brisket with Peas and Onions Recipe - Every Day with Rachael Ray

Espresso-Braised Brisket with Peas and Onions Recipe - Every Day with Rachael Ray

Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• One 4-pound brisket, at room temperature and patted dry
• Salt and pepper
• 3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 11 sprigs thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 3/4 cup brewed espresso
• 2 1/2 cups frozen pearl onions, thawed and patted dry
• 1 pound frozen peas

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°. In a large dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the brisket with salt and pepper and add to the pot. Cook, turning once, until browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter.

2. Discard the fat in the dutch oven; add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the yellow onions, garlic, 8 sprigs thyme and the bay leaves; season with salt and pepper. Cook, scraping up the browned bits, until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the espresso and 1 cup water. Return the brisket, fat side up, and top with the onion mixture. Bring to a simmer, cover and transfer to the oven; braise until fork-tender, about 3 1/2 hours.

3. Transfer the brisket to a platter; let rest for 15 minutes before thinly slicing. Skim the fat from the cooking liquid and discard with the herbs. Simmer the liquid over medium-high heat until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Pour over the brisket.

4. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the pearl onions and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the peas and remaining 3 sprigs thyme and cook for 3 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Discard the thyme. Serve the vegetables with the brisket.

Relactation/Adoption Breastfeeding

So I have been thinking about the for a while now. With Hayden, I bf him for 3 weeks and I was DONE. He was horrible, wouldn't latch, too impatient, plus I had no support what so ever right after he was born. This time with Jayson, he was a perfect bf-er. I stopped at 6 weeks because I could not discipline Hayden while sitting on the couch all day with Jayson, feeding him. I feel like I short changed him for selfish reasons. I know that mommy milk is better. I knew so much more this time and I still failed.

I decided Monday that if adoptive moms can bf their non-biological children that I can surely restart and get my milk back for my own child. I know this is going to be hard but I want this so bad for my little boy since he might be my last. :(

So starting yesterday, I have been offering myself to Jayson whenever he is happy. He has his latch skills still but gets rather aggravated there is nothing for him to drink. I have also been pumping every few hours and man do I hurt. I have mother's milk tea coming and fenugreek and also a supplemental nursing system. I can't wait for them to arrive so I can kick this in high gear. I don't really want prescription drugs if this doesn't work bit if need be there are some alternatives that way that I can ask the doctor about.

I am so excited for this to hopefully work. Like I said, I want this so bad for Jayson. He deserves the best, just like I am trying to give to the rest of my family.

I just had another quick recipe to share before I head off to bed. These are just basically meatball burgers with provolone and the fire roasted tomatoes. They are very tasty! Both Brad and I love meatball subs but meatballs are a pain to make. I found this recipe, another from Rachael Ray....love her!

Meatball Melties

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, pork and veal mix
• 2/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons grated onion
• A splash whole milk
• 1/2 tablespoon rubbed or ground sage
• Fresh nutmeg

• Salt and pepper
• EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for generous drizzling
• 8 deli slices mild or sharp provolone cheese
• 1 15-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• A few leaves fresh basil, torn
• A pinch dried oregano or marjoram
• 4 ciabatta rolls or 1/4 large ciabatta loaf, split and warmed or toasted

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation

Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle pan over medium-high heat. In a large bowl, combine the meat mixture, breadcrumbs, parsley, Pecorino Romano, egg, garlic, onion, milk and sage; season with nutmeg, salt and lots of pepper. Form the mixture into 4 patties (thinner at the center and thicker at the edges for even cooking).

Drizzle the burgers all over with a liberal amount of EVOO. Place in the hot skillet and cook, turning once, for 10 minutes. Top each burger with 2 slices of provolone and tent with foil to melt.

While the burgers are working, in a medium saucepan, heat the tomatoes. Stir in the basil and oregano; season with salt and pepper.

Place the burgers on the roll bottom, then top with the sauce and roll tops.

Smoked Mozzarella and Chicken Sandwiches with Italian Barbeque Sauce

We have had these twice now and my husband and I are absolutely in love. Its almost like chicken Parmesan on bread with a little BBQ tomato sauce. I didn't have any red onion tonight so I just used the normal sweet onions that I always buy and it was still just as tasty. I also didn't have the arugula ( I have no idea what it is even) so we just skipped it as well as the basil. Although, we have used the basil in the past and it was a great addition. Oh and I buy the fire roasted tomatoes with garlic already incorporated so there was no need for the extra. And just a little short cut, we grill the chicken breasts on the grill since I don't have any of the cool grill pans just yet.




Ingredients:

* 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus more for drizzling
* 1 red onion, finely chopped
* 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
* One 14.5-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
* 1/2 cup chicken stock
* 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* Salt and pepper
* 4 pieces skinless, boneless chicken breast, each halved horizontally into 2 cutlets
* 12 thin slices smoked mozzarella cheese (1-pound ball)
* 2 cups loosely packed baby arugula
* 1/2 cup basil leaves (10 to 12), shredded or torn
* 1 loaf ciabatta bread, split lengthwise and cut into 4 pieces

Directions:

1.Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. In a medium saucepan, heat the EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and chicken stock and heat through, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and lots of pepper. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 7 to 8 minutes.


2.Drizzle the chicken with EVOO and season with salt and pepper. Cook on the grill pan, turning once, for 6 minutes. Remove from the pan and layer 1 chicken piece with 2 mozzarella slices, another chicken piece and another mozzarella slice. Repeat 3 more times to make 4 double-decker chicken stacks. Tent with foil for 1 minute to soften the mozzarella cheese.


3.Combine the arugula and basil. Pile one-quarter of the greens on each of the 4 bottom pieces of ciabatta. Pile the chicken stacks on top, then cover with the barbecue sauce and bread tops.



I am sure that we will have them again in the future!

Enjoy!

New sprouts

I just looked outside and I now have watermelon coming up! Oh and I think there is another green bean, more tomatoes and some more squashes coming up too! I can't wait for the other few I am waiting on to come up also.

On a side note, I am so glad that people are asking me about my gardening method. I hope it catches on. It is certainly a great way without all the hard back breaking digging and work with the dirt. I think it is so much easier than bending over all the time and being on your knees in the dirt.

Being eaten and trampled and finally giving in

So as of right now, My boys are 2.583 yrs and 3.548 months old...lol! I can't believe Jayson will be 4 months old in 2 weeks.

Jayson


Hayden

Those are just some cute pictures I took in our backyard area. They have on cute big brother/little brother shirts! I love them both so much!

My Garden Update

So I got my straw bales on April 13th.


My seeds were busting out of the peat things they were planted in. They looked GREAT!

After only 9 days

I then proceeded to add the potting soil to the top of the bales. I watered and watered just like everything told me to. I then planted a few of each plant, the healthiest ones, in the bales after a week of watering. Then, I went to bed. Little did I know most of my plants would be eaten by this little puppy. I did not originally have the fences up. They were a certainly a good investment.

Brady, The Plant Eater


After 3 or 4 days of battling dying plants, a dog and cats walking on my bales, I caved on one side of the garden. I bought big plants. They weren't too expensive but still money I didn't want to spend.

Side 1 that I had to buy big plants for since everything else was eaten
Tomatoes (Roma and Big Boy), Green Beans, Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Eggplant, Acorn Squash, and Cucumbers


Side 2 part 1
Sugar Snap Peas, Sweet Onions, Watermelon


Side 2 part 2
Pumpkin, Basil, Anaheim Chili, Broccoli, Cauliflower,


Sugar Snap Peas


Out of everything, including the already growing plants, my sugar snap peas are doing the BEST! I don't really know why either. I guess that they are just the happiest.

Right now I am currently battling the acorn squash. In the morning it is fine. When the sun comes around it looks dead and then after I water a little better. I don't get it. It is supposed to be a warm weather plant and it has been between 70-85 degrees since I planted it. I will keep you posted.

After the Brady fiasco, I replanted seeds and thought they weren't growing since it only took 6 days the last time when they were inside. That's another reason I bought the potted plants. Now about 4 days after digging into the bales(which I have to Thank Brad so much for) to plant them, I have cucumbers, yellow and green squash, lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower sprouting!!!!!! Now all I am waiting on is the cilantro, corn, Swiss chard, butternut squash, romaine lettuce, carrots and watermelons to sprout. It seems daunting but it should be soon. I might even need 2 more bales while I have this HHR rental.


Until then....

On Television

So I went to the Price is Right about a month ago with a few friends to celebrate my neighbors birthday. It finally aired today. We should be watching it here on the west coast in about 2 hours. I am so excited!

It has begun

So I think Tuesday, I started my garden by buying and planting my seeds in one of those seed starter trays.



I definitely went over board buying seeds though. I bought a grand total of 18 different things. Holy crap is what I said too.



So here is the list:
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Basil
Roma Tomatoes
Cilantro
Sweet Yellow Onions
Watermelon
Pumpkin (Hayden's lil garden experiment)
Celery
Lettuce
Butternut Squash
Sugar Peas
Anaheim Chilies
Eggplant
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
Cucumber
Green Beans
Carrot

So that list is huge I know! I am just waiting for the seeds to sprout so I can go and get my straw bales. The seed trays are currently living on my dryer!



Then the next step will be to water and fertilize them for 14 days. I am so super excited!

Brad is starting to make fun of me wanting to go all natural but I say, Its cheaper and better for us. I have had Hayden off of food with excess sugar and high fructose corn syrup for 3 days now and he has already been sleeping later and listening better. We have also been going outside every few hours when I see his energy build up. I think it is helping his hyperactivity!

Oh and last night, I made Italian Lentil and Sausage Soup. I was super tasty. I didn't take pictures but here is the recipe from allrecipes.com.

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Ingredients

• 1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 (16 ounce) package dry lentils, rinsed
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 8 cups water
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 pound ditalini pasta (optional)

Directions

1. Place sausage in a large pot. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Add onion, celery and chopped garlic, and saute until tender and translucent. Stir in lentils, carrot, water, chicken broth and tomatoes. Season with garlic powder, parsley, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover, and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until lentils are tender.
2. Stir in pasta, and cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until pasta is tender.

Just some thoughts

So this morning our "great" president, whom everyone voted for "change", changed our nuclear weapon policy.

Obama to Limit Potential Uses of Nuclear Weapons

FOXNews.com

The United States will pledge not to use nuclear weapons against most non-nuclear countries -- no matter what they use against us -- but will keep "all options" on the table for nations like North Korea and Iran, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.

Seriously! I think that we will be less feared as a nation and people will start to mess with us more and more. Oh and by the way, I CAN'T stand him. First he rammed through health care and now he is weakening our defenses. Way to go! We are on our way to becoming Russia after World War II.

Ok so this politics crap gets me heated because I voted against him. I have written my representatives and senators. I have even written my president. Every single time, my comments were dismissed and got a programmed email about what that person stood for. I know they probably get 500 million emails a day but jeez!

On another note, I am almost done with Chrissy's quilt. All I have left to do is quilt and finish it. Here is a picture of the top before I put the letters on it for the baby's name. Hopefully I can finish this weekend as Baby Grace is expected in the next 6 weeks.

Up to speed

Okay, so i have to catch you up.

I am Anneka.

I have 2 boys, Hayden (2.2) and Jayson (2.5 months). They are my whole world. Little boys are the best thing ever.

I am married to a sailor, Brad, and have been for just over 3 years. It has been great but I won't lie; it's the hardest thing I have ever done.

I have recently stopped working for the first time in my whole entire thing and it has been the second hardest thing ever. I went and went and went for years and years, and now I clean, play with and nurture my children. I love it but deep down inside I am so super bored. Which brings me to, Now!

I have always loved sewing. I find it so relaxing and rewarding. Quilting's one of the things that takes up the time I have left after my little ones. I have also taken up cooking to provide my family with the best nutrition I can. I don't like the way I feel when I eat processed food so I made a promise to myself to start making things from scratch so I know exactly what is in it and to feel healthier.

Another new adventure I hope to start soon is to plant my straw bale garden. I am so excited to get this started so that we can eat the best possible fruits and veggies without pesticides and hormones or anything else that affects its nutrition. I have a large list of things I want to plant and hope that it all works out. I want to plant carrots, Zucchini, Roma tomatoes, Yellow Squash, Cucumbers, Watermelon, Eggplant, Green Beans, Sugar Peas, Hot Peppers, Onions, Bell Peppers, Cauliflower, some kind of lettuce and Butternut Squash. I know that seems like a lot but we are a small family and only need a few plants of each.

I am so excited to get this started. I can't wait to eat my veggies. Maybe I can get my toddler eating healthy again. Hopefully!