Delicious Whole Grain Cookies!

I'm really excited about this recipe. Its the first time I have come up with my own baking recipe. I am dieting but I have found if I don't have something to sweet to snack on than I lose all my senses and over eat. These were my attempt to combine sweetness and healthfulness.

2 sticks of butter, softened
1/2 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
Cream together until fluffy.

Add 2 eggs
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Meanwhile in another bowl combine
2 c. whole wheat pasty powder or regular flour
1 heaping teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Add to butter mixture and mix just until combined. Then add
2 cups oats
1/4 cup flax seeds
chocolate chips
chill for about 1/2 hour and bake at 350.

notes: You don't have to add the flax seeds but they do add a little crunch.
I have only tried this recipe with whole wheat PASTRY flour. Let me know if you try another kind.
I used old-fashioned oats.

My Wii Fit is judging me

I got a new Wii Fit today. I had my little son try it out first. I guess I didn't realize it weighed you. Yikes! I sent him outside so as not to witness my shame and looked down at my Fit board. I couldn't shake the feeling that it was already passing judgment. I hesitated before setting foot on it. When I finally did I could just hear it say, "watch out! here comes the heavy-weight!" Then I went through the balance test and you know what Wii Fit I kicked butt! So there! I am a coordinated fat girl. meh! Then it had the gall to say my body was actually in better shape considering what a fatty I was. (well, maybe that isn't the exact wording) Then I turned it off. Sorry Wii Fit. I'll do better tomorrow.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

by Barbara Kingsolver

This book is about eating locally. The authors write about a year of living of their land and only buying local foods. I am really inspired to do my garden this year. I have already planned it out, which plants, where they are going. I am totally excited to get going but unfortunately its January. I should have read it in March.

Book Notes

I'm an addict. I'm completely addicted to reader. I am so hooked that I pratically devour a book so much that I don't remember a whole lot after I'm done. Its so extreme that I can read the same book over and over. Hello, my name is Harmony and I'm a book addict (which unfortunately tied to my eating addiction). So, in an effort to slow down and take note I'm going to start taking notes! Maybe that way I will remember something.

Going Camping

Fancy Camp Menu-Italian style

Night 1:
hot dogs
pasta salad

Day 1
breakfast:
coffee and hot chocolate
pancakes
veggie sausage

lunch:
pita sandwhiches
chips

dinner:
panceta wrapped mozarella stuffed chicken (fancy huh?) in foil
garlic potatoes in foil
zucchinni in foil

and then s'mores!

Day 2
Breakfast
coffee and hot chocolate
cereal

recipes to come...

Stretching a grocery store dollar.

Ok so if I have to hear about how hard times are getting I may gag. Yes, they are I can tell thanks for sharing. Anyhow, I'm trying to save money on groceries and here are a few ways I've thought up. Hopefully, I can add on to it later.

--I like to buy bags of frozen tilapia or mahi mahi. I like fish but its too expensive fresh. I also buy canned salmon which is wild and I've heard lower in mercury. At the very least its got to be better for you than that color added yuckiness they sell in stores. Both are great cheaper sources of high quality protein. I just bought a bag of mahi mahi (tastes just like chicken I swear) at the wharehouse store for about $10. A can of salmon is about $2.

--Of course buy in bulk. Buy ten chicken breast and freeze the rest. I used to be very hesitant to thaw meat. I still don't like to do it in the microwave. But if your chicken is not old and you thaw in the fridge it doesn't taste any different.

--This is such a grandma trick but add breadcrumbs to all the meat you can (meatballs, salmon patties etc)

--I keep hearing to use chicken thighs. Still trying to master this...

--Italian sausage is actually a pretty good bargain. I put it in all spaghetti sauce. I usually use 2 links and freeze the rest. So about 1.50 for the meat portion of our dinner.

Trains and Ducks

Today we went on an outing to the neighboring town
ramshackle Victorian
old railroad town
tracks crisscrossing
we yell choo choo!
as reckless boys ride on past hangin on tight
suicidal cicadas in the fountain
feeding the ducks sourdough
Cole runs scared and zips down the slide instead
forgotten camera, lost binky
McDonalds for lunch