Mom’s Stuff:
Summer is finally here! This week I have gotten time to go to the park, to chill with LP in the back-yard inflatable pool and to meander through the farmer’s market with a kiddo on my back. To be perfectly honest the transition from work to being home has not been seemless. I was working really hard, and late, last week to get a lot of my teacher planning done so that I can enjoy July as much as possible. Every year I avoid planning for my classroom during the month of July so that I can relax and rejuvenate. I was able to get that work done, but I was left with lots of e-mails to write, phone calls to make, paperwork to finish, articles to edit and blogging to do. However, after a few days of feeling unproductive (and feeling bad about it) I decided that the “work” will just have to wait. So, if you are waiting for me to call, or looking for more posts, hang tight. I’ll get there – after a 6:30 run followed by a morning romp in the park.
LP’s Stuff:
LP has been communicating quite a bit more. While he doesn’t really have words, he does use the term “ga” quite emphatically, and he often points or gestures to get what he wants. We are working on getting him to use words, so we don’t give stuff to him right away anymore, which has led to some frustration on everyone’s part. However, LP always bounces back and he continues to be a happy and busy kid. Both of his knees have been scraped continuously for the last few weeks, and whenever one starts to heal, he scratches it up again. We ended our last park visit with all three of us a bit bloody, but nobody was permanently damaged! LP is also been adventurous about eating lately, and he really has enjoyed our many salads made with the greens and veggies from our CSA box. We had pasta with pesto and salad for dinner last night and all he wanted was the lettuce and grated carrots. Tonight we had smoky sauteed tempeh and collards, but he mostly enjoyed some chopped tomatoes. Luckily he gets enough fat with his smoothies, snacks and meals the rest of the day, so we can just enjoy the way he munches on veggies at dinner.
Food:
I love making muffins, and I was on the search for a muffin recipe that would double as a healthy snack for LP. I combed through my cookbooks and decided to mix-and-match, which led to these delicious muffins that both LP and I gobbled down! These muffins are low in sugar and make a good snack anytime!
Banana-Oat Muffins:
Ingredients:
3/4 cup non-dairy milk (I use almond, but soy or oat would work)
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 banana, mashed with a fork
1/4 cup sugar
3 TB canola or vegetable oil
1 TB molasses
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
Directions:
1. Mix the non-dairy milk and vinegar in a small bowl or glass measuring cup.
2. Mash the banana and then mix it with the milk. Add in the sugar, oil and molasses and mix well with a fork.
3. In a separate large bowl, mix the remaining dry ingredients. Make a well in the middle
4. Pour in the milk mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is just moistened.
5. Spoon into a greased or lined muffin pan and bake at 350 for 24-26 minutes. These are great when warm!
Pictures:
