Recipe Linkage

Here are a few recipes I've made over the past weeks that should be shared.

**I'm trying to incorporate more fish into our weekly menus for the non-fish-loving residents of my house very gradually so as not to make them hate it more. I thought this recipe was a good way to do it. Henry and I both loved it, and everyone else ate it, but didn't love it, except Owen, who wouldn't even taste it, but that's okay with me. I used the trader joe's boneless canned salmon, added a little bit of dill, and mixed up a little tartar sauce with mayo, zucchini relish, lemon pepper and onion powder to serve on top.

**Also, made these whole wheat waffles for a weekend breakfast. I added ground up flax seed for some omega-3s, which made it nuttier and I doubled it and froze the rest to put in the toaster oven for future breakfasts--much better than an eggo, I would say.

**Tried my hand at whole wheat hamburger buns. The recipe is a little involved, but worth it and next time I will also double it and freeze the rest.

**This quick macaroni and cheese recipe will make you re-think ever buying a boxed mac-n-cheese again. It is unbelievably simple and relatively cheap and contains no processed anything. I made it with whole wheat spirals and extra sharp cheddar, but next time might try it with a mix of different stinky cheeses--asiago, parmesan and cheddar perhaps to give it even a little more bite. My boys loved this. It doesn't replace a good, homemade mac-n-cheese with a roux and some add-ins, but is a great option to make instead of the boxed variety for a quick dinner.

These last three recipes came from this recently discovered website. If you have any interest in using less refined sugar and more whole wheat flour in your baking, this woman has figured it out and has an unbelievable recipe archive. Most of her recipes call for 100 percent whole wheat flour, and she offers suggestions on ways to prepare it to make it easier to digest, and less dense.

I've only just begun to incorporate these ideas into my own baking and cooking, but hope that eventually for me it will be second nature to use all whole grains all the time.

Linkage

Just a few links to share that struck my fancy and might strike yours:

We celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary this week on Feb. 2nd. That is groundhog day. It makes that "holiday", if you will, more fun and eventful than just the usual wondering if that pesky rodent will see his shadow. This post about groundhog day made me laugh because, yes, I am also living that life and also wouldn't trade it for the world. Except mine has now expanded to include a few daily drop-offs and pick-ups and "hurry up and get your shoes on and your backpack ready and brush your teeth and comb your hair or you'll be late for school"s.

I read angry chicken because I really like Amy Karol's approach to sewing, cooking and her life. She is honest, hilarious and very candid in her writing. This recent post I loved because I also think I have it in me to make cough syrup out of the elder flowers that are growing in my backyard. I'm not there yet, but I have the desire. So I'll keep reading and getting ideas from her. Plus, she lives in Portland and I kind of love that.

And last, this helpful chart tells me that I can go ahead and plant peas now that it is February. Since I've been buying and consuming large amounts of snap peas lately, I think it is much better if I just grow and consume large amounts of my own from my backyard. I've never planted this early, so hopefully it will work out.

Linkage

Only two links to share, but both pretty great.

weeds vs. wants--cjane. laugh out loud, especially the FHE poem midway through the post.
homemade granola bars --ellen posts a great recipe and a mouthwatering picture of this yummy treat. I'm hoping to make some this week with dried cranberries, coconut and almonds.

Linkage

A few of my favorites from the past two weeks:


Things I do not want for Valentine's Day--alitris (this one needs no explanation
Amazing free patterns for paper toys--designmom, (great activity for these dreary, indoor months. we printed and cut out the bus and plan to do some others)
Video of a lambing--(The link for this was originally posted on a blog I read called my happy little life, and the boys and I enjoyed watching a bit of nature)
French Toast & Buttermilk Syrup--dinner's on me (she has a similar feeling about french toast that I do, which is why I am putting this on my menu to try)
SoulePapa blogs--soulemama, (they make a very talented couple, these two)
Make your own handwriting font--designmom (this one is for you, lis cause you're a little font obsessed. and it's FREE)

Enjoy!

Linkage

Here are 4 of my favorite posts from the past few weeks, straight from blogs I love to read. These four made me want to laugh, cry, make a new year's resolution, and covet a little bit (though not in that order).

Start Your Day By Eating a Frog--Simple Mom
(Oh how I want to knit this hat)--SouleMama
Sleepy Husband Corner-(a friend of mine--she has a way with words)
15 Steps--Nie Nie Dialogues