Thursday, February 14, 2013

Meatless meals during Lent

If you came here looking for some more meal ideas for Friday...well...you won't find it.  We were discussing what to do about our Friday Lenten meals over dinner on Ash Wednesday.  We fast from meat on all Fridays throughout the year, so we felt we should do something more.  My husband started a discussion with the kids about why we fast and how it is important to keep our Friday meal, well, nothing special. 

He suggested fish sticks.  Yep, fish sticks every.single.Friday.during lent?  Why?  Those of us old enough to be required to give up meat will grow tired of them very quickly (read....immediately or read blech...)  The 1, 4, and 7 year olds really enjoy fish sticks, though they might not by Eastertime!

I did note the look of horror in my very busy college freshman's face (she happens to be dairy, tomato, and gluten free)...what will I eat?  If you see this Anna, no worries.  I will locate some gluten free fish sticks (you're still worried, aren't you?)  Maybe I'll even throw in a fairly plain salad.

I have to admit, I'm feeling a bit relieved and a bit guilty here.  There goes the sacrifice for me!  YEAH!  or BUMMER!  You see, cooking meatless meals for a family with allergies is a challenge (Anna is not the only one who can't have dairy or tomatos).  And, I've always thought that the meatless days were harder for the cook than those who sit at the table and eat whatever you put in front of them anyway.  Fish sticks are incredibly easy....there are only 2 dairy free brands I've found...so there won't even be variety...no pressure there..

So, I can't wait to sit at the table with everyone and eat them week after week (Not!).  Canned spinach might start looking appealing.....

Monday, February 11, 2013

Ash Wednesday Meal

Nope, not going to share with you what I intend to make.  Not that it's a big secret, just that I don't yet know.

I am going to share with you what NOT to make.

Something wonderful smelling in the crockpot that cooks all day.

I did one Ash Wednesday without thinking....so in addition to being hungary all day...we had to smell the delicious creamy corn chowder/potato soup...ALL.DAY.LONG....

So...don't make that.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Snow

Gotta love it. 

Then again, we live in the midwest...not on the East Coast, I'm guessing they've had enough of it!

According to the weather reports we only got about 5-6".  But those 5-6" were heavy and wet.  (Perfect snowman building snow!)

This afternoon was spent:

  • Driving my oldest (Anna) to her appointment to have her broken foot rechecked.  Slow and steady progress with the foot.  But at least we are now making progress (hard to make progress when the first 2 doctors didn't think it was broken).  We made pretty good time, our 50 minute drive only took about 75 which was pretty good for today.  We passed about 10 cars in the ditch.
  • Snow removal:  Off the roof, the driveway, sidewalk, deck, etc.  Nathan even did much of the cul-de-sac on our end...hoping to avoid a snow pile-up when the plow came through.  Nope.  For some reason the driver chose to pile it in front of our driveway.  Last time it was on top of our rose garden.  Sheesshh.  Nathan was so kind and went out to take care of it tonight so that Anna could get out of the driveway early tomorrow morning for her college commute.  Nathan told me the pile at the end of the driveway was about 3 feet high, the neighbor across from us (only 2 houses on the cul-de-sac) got about 2 inches.  Glad for him...but considering there is a huge space between the houses (where a street will go in the future) we just don't know why he doesn't pile it there.
  • Missing my husband who is out of town on business for a few days.  Poor guy is missing this...and I am serious when I say poor guy.  He would have directed that snow removal so that he and anyone else could spend time snowmobiling!


Thursday, February 7, 2013

Puerto Rican Plantain Lasagna

Last night I made my Puerto Rican Plantain Lasagna.  Lasagna is something we haven't had in years.   With 3 people who are allergic to both dairy and tomatoes, and one of those who can no longer tolerate wheat, I though I'd give this a try.

I was a little surprised when the kids said they really liked it (though they requested more spices next time -I had to leave out the small amount of tomato paste and I tried to compensate for that by increasing some of the other flavorings).  My kids like it?  OK, I have to admit, I also served meatballs just in case, and my pickiest eater got away without trying it.

My husband said it was OK...except for the plantains and it could use more spices.  Haha...except for the plantains?!  Pretty much in integral part of this recipe.

I'll peruse the site for more Paleo recipes to make in the future!  Are we making the leap?  No, not yet anyway.  Although I have heard amazing stories of people whose headaches, eczema, asthma, etc. have completely disappeared after having gone paleo.  We deal with all that and more here so maybe...just maybe...though making such a drastic change for a busy family of 10 is really really daunting!

Monday, February 4, 2013

Which child do you love the most?

Someone shared this little story with me recently, hopefully I get it right.

There was an older mother of a large family who was asked this question, "Do you love any of your kids more than the others?"

She answered, "Yes."

Surprised and caught a little off guard the person then asked her, "Which one?"

To which she answered, "The one who needs it the most right now."




Remember:  "Love is deeds, not sweet words"  -St. Josemaria Escriva