Playdough

So, play-doh is really cheap and you can get it almost anywhere in any color.  But where's the fun in that when you could make it yourself?  In search of a science experiment this morning we decided to make our own play dough.  The recipe and pictures follow:

You will need:
2 c. flour
2 c. warm water
1 c. salt
1 T. cream of tartar
2 T. vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients in a pot and stir constantly over low heat.  *Note: this will make your arms tired!* When the dough starts to pull away from the sides and form a clump in the middle of the pan, remove from heat.

Let it cool a bit until it is cool enough to handle.  On a silicon mat (or plastic wrap, wax paper, whatever you prefer) knead for several minutes until smooth and elastic.

Divide dough into however many different pieces you will want - we did 4 pieces so that we could have 4 different colors.

Make a divot in your dough and add a few drops of food coloring.  *Note: be careful!  The concentrated food coloring WILL stain your hands and/or your work surface!  I should take a picture of my hands to prove it!  :) *

After you have smushed your playdough around a bit to start the mix process, hand it off to your tiny helpers and let them smush away. 

If you're not happy with the shade of color you get, repeat the process.  We found that yellow and red needed a bit more color than blue and green.

Enjoy!  We store these in the fridge in plastic bags just to keep them lasting a bit longer. 

Apple-Blueberry Crisp

So yummy!  My kids couldn't wait for this to come out of the oven - they just sat in front of it and watched it bake!  I had my youngest help put the fruit in the pan, and my oldest measured out the other ingredients for me.  :)

Apple-Blueberry Crisp
4 medium apples, cored and chopped
2 cups frozen blueberries
1 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 Tablespoons canola oil

Preheat oven to 350.
Spray a 9x9 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Add apples and blueberries to pan and stir to mix.
In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients, stirring to mix until crumbly.
Spread mixture evenly over top of fruit.
Bake 40 minutes.
Serve warm.

Whoa!

I can't believe that it is already March 2011!  Isn't that crazy?!  Graham will be 3 in just a few weeks!  Gabriel is getting registered for KINDERGARTEN.  That's just wrong!  But I'm so proud of my boys - they're turning out to be such great little guys!  There is a quote that I read recently that I just loved by Frederick Douglass:  It is easier to raise strong children than to repair broken men.  That is certainly my number 1 parenting goal:  To raise strong, Christian boys who will eventually become strong, Christian men. 

We've had a rollercoaster of a year so far:  Troy recently received a tentative selection letter from Border Patrol and now we are just waiting to schedule all the tests and interviews!  We are really praying that this comes together for him, it would be an awesome opportunity for him!  He's getting Lasik done in a few weeks, too!  Gabriel's bullying issues have resolved, thankfully!  He's so sweet, he said "Mom, I think he just needs Jesus."  Good job, buddy!  I'm enrolled in 2 classes this semester!  So far, that's a bit hectic with all the other things we have going on, but I'm only 4 classes total away from graduating, so I'm hoping I can just put my head down and grind through it.  So far, I'm enjoying my religion class.  Intro to French?  Not so much.  Just before the Christmas break, Graham was diagnosed with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder) which is an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD - I now know more acronyms than should be legal!).  He is doing great, but it is definitely a day-to-day challenge in life.  I have heard from a lot of people telling me that I'm spoiling him, that I'm letting him have too much control over me, etc.  I feel like I need a sign: My child has SPD, questions are appreciated, parenting advice is NOT!  We've joined up with a few groups here in Tucson and online that are giving me some great support and ideas.  He is 'high functioning' so he can socialize, talk, etc. but he is 'sensory avoiding' so he doesn't like to touch things, hear loud sounds, bright lights, etc. It just gives you a whole new way to look at the world.  I'll share some really cute stories and poems that I have heard, too.  I think Autism Awareness is wonderful and I'm an advocate that even if you don't live with it, you should take some time to just learn a little about it. 

OK, off of my soapbox now!  Gabriel is chasing the dog around the place, and Graham is currently trying to freeze me with his ray-gun.  Boys are awesome!

Dairy-Free Menu Planning

Well, it's been awhile since I've updated this blog, and I'm sorry for that!  Things have been quite crazy around here.  I just finished my weekly menu planning, and thought that I would share it here for those who are interested.

Monday:
Chicken-Rice Bake
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
4 chicken thighs, skin and fat removed
1 medium onion, chopped
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup long grain white rice
2 ¼ cups low sodium chicken broth, heated until boiling
1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
1 medium zucchini or summer squash, chopped
2 cups packed fresh spinach, chopped
1 can (about 15 ounces) whole kernel corn or green peas, drained
Directions
1. Wash hands with warm water and soap. Wash fresh vegetables before preparing.
2. Preheat oven to 350º F.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken. Lightly brown on all sides. Remove from skillet.
4. Add onion and garlic to skillet; cook until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
5. Combine rice, broth and oregano (if desired), in a 2 quart casserole dish. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add chicken. Cover tightly. Bake 20 minutes.
7. Stir in zucchini, spinach and corn. Cover and bake 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. If liquid is absorbed before rice is tender, add additional broth or water as needed.
8. Serve warm.

Tuesday:
We're having left-over Salsa Chicken.  Yummy!

Wednesday:
We eat at our church fellowship dinner.

Thursday:
Is my DH's birthday, so we'll be going out!  What a treat!

Friday:
Crispy Baked Tilapia
Ingredients:
2 large Tilapia Fillets
1 cups seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup butter, melted
1. Preheat oven to 400°F
2. In a large shallow dish (like a pie pan) mix breadcrumbs, oregano, paprika and black pepper
3. Place melted butter in another shallow dish
4. Place fillets, one at a time in the butter, turning to coat both sides. Then transfer each buttery fillet to the breadcrumb mixture, turning to coat both sides. Place fillets in a 9x12 baking dish. To make clean up easier, you can line the baking dish with foil and spread 1 Tablespoon of olive oil over the foil before placing the fillets in the baking dish.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes until fish is golden brown and flakes easily

Served with a baked potato and salad.

Saturday:
Sloppy Joes served with french fries and sugar snap peas
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion chopped finely
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 Tablespoon mustard
In a large skillet, brown beef and onions. Drain. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 30 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns.

Enjoy!

Orange Julius!!

An Orange Julius is one of my husband's favorite treats.  Of course, we usually have to sneak around and hide them from the kids.  But not anymore!  Here's an easy, dairy-free recipe for your own frosty treat:

My Orange Julius:

1 8 oz. can of orange juice concentrate
1 cup of your milk (I've only used soy so far)
1 tsp. vanilla
about 8 ice cubes or so

Toss in the blender and let 'er rip! 

This makes a pretty large drink, so I halved the recipe and then split it between each of my kids.  Just enough for a treat.