What to Do With Leftover Baby Food

It's possible, that like baby Yoyo, your child made a very quick transition from the pureed baby food....

to what we call "people food".

So, before I knew it, I was left with tons and tons of purees that my baby won't touch, preferring instead, scrambled eggs, avocados, turkey bacon (he loves to suck on anything salty), beans and rice, chicken...

I've written before about what to do with the glass baby food jars. With our third child, I was having an eco-friendly moment and turned the glass jars into mason jar sippers, gilded vases, painted votives...

Alas, with the 4th baby came not only a return to plastic containers of baby food, but also any crafting desire I had before is now gone. Cooking and baking are still high up on my list of things that I don't delegate (see how I decide, refuse, and delegate here).

My favorite recipes to make with baby food:

Banana Bread

Carrot cake (yummy, smooth, no weird textural issues)

Spagetti sauce (there is possibly nothing else to do with leftover green beans, just throw a little in)


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An Honest Review of Blue Apron

I adore having things delivered.

There might be nothing in this world I refer to staying at home and having things brought to me. I've always been a homebody, and my love for creating a home has just nestled nicely in with my natural tendencies towards being *inside* and looking at a lovely view *outside*. (After 10 years my husband understands this, but still isn't of the same mindset. Hence he rides bikes outside, and I do exercise videos inside)

Anyway, I have an unending love for Amazon Prime (I wrote about how I think it saves me hours a week here), so this summer, while we were at the vacation house I decided to try Blue Apron. They deliver a box to your door every week with ingredients for 3 meals. Everything is all perfectly portioned, with photo step-by-step instructions. Since we were "in the woods", grocery shopping was not very refined, and this was a chance to spice things up a bit.

Little did I know how spicy it would be. 

Even with our stove and oven being out for 5 weeks (I know, I know, but "in the woods" there are very few repair people), I managed to make the meals Blue Apron sent.

An aside- This is not a sponsored post, I paid for everything, just wanted to let you know my thoughts.

Sorry for the iphone photo, but everything tastes great. The downside, which I alluded to earlier, is that it is WAY too spicy for my kids. So in the end, I wind up seasoning and spicing half of everything, and the leaving the rest plain. The above was salmon crusted with rice flakes, kale with garlic, and miso-mashed potatoes which were a huge hit, even the baby likes them!

The other major drawback is that while the food is pre-portioned (1 tomato, 3 stalks of celery...) it is not pre-cut. So each meal takes about 45 minutes to prepare, but most of that is hands-on time. Not ideal for the baby stage that I'm currently in. I'm used to hands-off dinners, so to find 45 minutes to chop, slice, dice, marinate, sauté, broil, sear, toss and garnish is a tough call most weeknights.

The recipes are delicious, and give me tons of ideas. My kids adored a Vietnamese Shaking Beef (recipe here).

So inspired by the shaking beef success, I made it again and served it to guests. I paired it with corn ravioli in a miso-ginger broth, lime rice, and we ended with poached pears and ice cream. You can find my recipe for poached pears here.

Any new convenience deliveries you are using?

Jessica

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Moodboard Thanksgiving

It's getting to be that time of year, so I decided to make a mood board of all my Thanksgiving ideas this year.

The recipe-side will probably come to fruition, the decorating side, might be a wee bit overly ambitious:) Time will tell...

Bacon-wrapped Turkey
Sweet Potatoes
Perfect Gravy
Pumpkin Pie
Peanut Butter Cookies with Maple Bacon

string lights outside, holiday party design by Emily Henderson

It will be a kosher Thanksgiving at our house, so it will be beef bacon (no pork), plus I'll add a few more "green things" to quote my kids. Maybe green beans, or brussels sprouts, or a salad... But sometimes they only get in the way!

Jessica

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What to do with leftover half and half #tbt

Every Friday my dad picks up my preschooler and takes her to the park for lunch and playing. I know, I'm super lucky. Believe me, you do't even want to hear about what the other 3 local grand parents do, they are all amazing:) Anyhoo, my dad brings half and half for my daughter to drink (just go with it), and we often have some left over in our fridge.

Recently, as the weather has been turned a bit cooler, and I'm nursing the baby only during the day (he sleeps at night), I've revisited one of my favorite cocktails, the Brandy Alexander. I first discovered it at the Bar at La Terrasse, a great restaurant in West Philly, when I was in college, and Ive brought it back as a special occasion drink. It fills both the dessert and drink categories, so take that into account when planning when to have it!

After getting back to my wedding weight (I posted about it yesterday), I certainly only have this as a special occasion drink. And as a mom, that usually means a day when the preschooler refused to wear a costume to the Halloween party, the baby is snotty, the kindergartener left his library book at home, and the second grader had really hard questions about life that she only thought of 5 minutes *after* bedtime:)

Find my original post and recipe for a Brandy Alexander cocktail here.

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How I Survive Without Coffee

I have made it through high school, college, architecture school, and now having 4 children all without having coffee. I wish there was a good reason, some moral outrage against the coffee industry, or a health reason, but honestly, I just never liked the taste and by the time I realized that I "should" drink it, it was too late.

I do love the ritual of coffee, so to duplicate that calm feeling (and give me a *little* caffeine boost), I drink tea instead.

My new favorite, is the Earl Grey Lavender from Ceremonie Tea. It's my go-to morning tea, perfect with a splash of milk.

A good friend of mine now works for Ceremonie, and when he asked if I'd like a free box to sample, I jumped at the chance. Here are my favorite things:

• The packaging is elegant and pretty enough to be left out
• They have a bento-box-esque display tray that makes offering company tea an elegant experience
• I adore the minicubes. Each person can have their own touching all the other bags.
• The flavors are inventive and yummy, Ginger peach? Lemongrass & Verbena?
• They come in pretty pyramid sachets which just makes me feel fancy:)

I'm also using tea as a key part of my weight loss strategy. (You can read about how I lost almost 50 pounds of baby weight in less than three months here). After dinner, instead of putting the kids to bed, pouring a glass of wine, and then giving in to food cravings that only exist because of said glass of wine, I drink tea instead. I've even gotten my 7 year old on the tea-after-dinner wagon, and we make a few cups, sit on the couch, read, talk and actually connect, all without me having random cravings for a bowl of chocolate chips, almonds, ice cream... you get the idea. At night, I go for the non-caffeinated tea, so Moroccan Mint is my fave.

If you are local, you can find it at Oakland Kosher. Friends farther afield can find Ceremonie Tea online at Abe's Market or more info at CeremonieTea.com

Jessica

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Owl Cupcakes #tbt

As i mentioned in my original Throwback Thursday post, I'm embracing some of my favorite posts from years past, just in case you missed them the first time around:)

I've made these Owl Cupcakes each year for Halloween, fun, easy, the kids can do it themselves... Nothing better than that:)

Find my original post with more pics and instructions (in case you need them) here.

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Fruitcake Cookies #tbt

I have decided to embrace blogging as an outlet for all creative endeavors, my parenting successes and failures, my decorating fantasies and real-life projects, and as a way to remember the foods I cook, parties I throw, and the people who I share them with. To that end, I've decided to bring in Throw Back Thursday #tbt posts, of some of my favorite posts from the past. While I've been blogging less this past year, in 2012 I posted 256 times! More than enough for me to want to go back and remember some of the better recipes, tips, and fun.

I made these again this year for Rosh Hashanah, it's become something of a tradition for me and the kids, but the spiciness and warmth of the cookies works perfectly all fall and winter long.

Find my original post with the recipe here.

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How to Prepare for a Major Holiday

These three days before Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year) could be the template for my approach for the 3 days before any big holiday or event.

Day 1: The Messy Stuff

This day I bake, bake, and bake more. Challah braiding, cookies, cakes, anything that will cover my kitchen with flour and sugar and make it a total mess. This week I made 9 challahs, and 2 desserts, plus a really complicated dinner that I wanted to try out. My strategy is that if there are any disasters, I have plenty of time to fix the problem. I also do my grocery shopping today.

Day 2: Me Time

Today is Day 2 (yay)! So I exercised really hard, took a leisurely shower, shaved my legs, went out to get my nails done... Plus I am currently watching Caillou with my 2 year old, will nurse the baby a ton, feed the kids an easy dinner (pizza maybe?), and try to sneak in a few magazines. Ideally, I would also use today to get spiritually ready, but a few minutes to decompress is enough for me this year.

Day 3: Get $hit Done

The "day of" is when it all comes together. I set the table (if we didn't eat breakfast and dinner in the dining room I might have done this on Day 2), do the cooking (briskets, veggies, sides, soup, etc), run  and unload at least 2 dishwasher loads, wipe off counters, and get the house in order.

Of course there is still parenting to do, so day 3 this year also includes a speech assessment for the 5 year old, music class with the 5 month old, and hopefully seeing my stepmom as she drops off kids from school.

After the Event:

We clean up as much as possible that night, then unload dishwashers and reload the next morning.

Just for fun, here is my menu this year:

Whole wheat raisin challah
Cinnamon and cranberry challah
Apples and Honey
Miso-Ginger Soup with Fresh Corn Ravioli
Brisket with Pomegranate Relish
Multi-Colored Carrots and Potatoes
"French Fry" Green Beans (just thin, crispy and with salt)
Coconut Macaroons with Lemon Curd
Fresh Berries

Wine, lots of wine.

Jessica

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Pregnant people should not be asked to make Tuna Melts

That being said, this was the best-dang tuna melt I've had in a loooong time.

I added white beans, greek yogurt, dill and cayenne pepper to my regular tuna-mayo-dijon-salt combo. Bam! Better tuna, plus more protein for the kidlets.

The picture is horrid- bad lighting plus everything is beige, but it was yummy!

Brioche buns courtesy of Trader Joes.

Munster cheese melted on top, courtesy of the toaster and my 4 year old's love of anything orange, hence his irrational love of Port Salut cheese and munster (orange rinds on both, fyi).

If this were a night like the salmon burgers of lore, I would have had avocado and tomato and maybe a salad on the side. See how much prettier that one looks? Except...

did you miss the part where I am pregnant and making tuna melts?

Yah, it's just as fun as it sounds:)

Jessica

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Gingerbread House Alternatives

Usually I just buy gingerbread house kits at Trader Joe's and let my kids build and decorate them, without eating. If I've planned well, I do this on a rainy morning, then let them enjoy using the vacuum to clean up all the sprinkles:)



This year, my parents discovered Hannukkah Houses in New York, and shipped them home to us. Super cute:)

Jessica

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Popping Corn off the Cob

Last year was my first year doing this and it was super exciting. Or not "super", but I was amazed that it actually worked! 

First you take popping corn, the yellow ears in the photo above, not the multi-colored Indian corn, which is apparently only for show. Sidenote- Then why is it corn? Why can't we eat it? Who invented this idea? 

Ok, I'm back.

Next you let your corn dry out, maybe a few weeks to a month.

Then you put it in a paper bag, fold over the end, and put it in the microwave.

Let it pop until the popping slows (about 2 minutes) or until you smell burning. In which case, toss the bag and corn and start again.

Think of this as a neat party trick, or something to entertain your kids on a cool/wet/drizzly/sick autumn afternoon:)

Jessica

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School Year Slump

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the blogosphere, I've just been busy making these:

This was week 1 of school. See how nice and bento-boxed the lunches were? And variety! Some pb&j, some cheese and crackers, lentils, a variety of fruit options, plus I added homemade trail mix on top for snack.

It was all for this one who started first grade!

But now, I'm so tired, and crazy-pants busy, that she's been packing her own lunches. Less pretty and nutritionally balanced, but still good. And I promise, next week, I'll make them again.

The 4 year old has been adorable, and lovely, and inventive.

Even this one, the 22 month old who is desperate to be in preschool, has been putting on a cute face. 

So I'll put on my big girl blogger pants and try to get back in the swing of things next week. We have a  a backlog of party and food ideas, and even a completed backyard play structure, that I haven't blogged about.

Happy end-of-September my friends.

Jessica

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Easy, Cheesy, Creamy Brussels Sprouts

The most ridiculous part abut this recipe is that it makes my kids ask for these little veggies! Other than my generous use of "sprinkle cheese" (otherwise known as Parmesan), this has got to be the easiest-to-get-the-kids-to-eat vegetable I make. They call them "Cheesy Brussels Sprouts".

Recipe:

• Saute diced shallots (those little purple things that are halfway between an onion and garlic) in some coconut oil or olive oil.
• Add halved brussels sprouts
• After 5 minutes, add 1/4 cup cream. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Add a dash of nutmeg and salt.
• Pour mixture into a casserole dish and top with Parmesan cheese and Asiago (or anything you have on hand)
• Bake at 400 for 15 minutes until cheese is golden brown.

I'm pretty sure the secret is that they are fully cooked, so there is no bitter aftertaste, and they are soft and delicious. And now in picture/tutorial form...

The shallots, 

The brussels sprouts in the pan,

Adding the cream:)

In the baking dish with cheese on top.

All done and ready to eat!

Jessica

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Indian Summer Hostess Gift

So you need a hostess gift?

For tonight? 

Or you're invited to a million meals this month and don't know what to bring? This is super easy to throw together, and my test-hostess loved it.

Yep, I tried it out on my very particular aunt, and she loved the peaches, local honey, dried fruit and nuts. Just the right thing to get someone who has everything.

Use what you have on hand, or if you have a little time to plan ahead, go to the farmer's market and pick up the great end-of-summer items, peaches, corn, heirloom tomatoes, anything that looks amazing and fresh will be perfect.

OK, now it's back to my Rosh Hashana cooking. Guests are arriving at 5pm this evening, eeek!

Jessica

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Healthy Homemade Trail Mix

Happy Labor Day! 

Don't let the holiday fool you. You still need to pack your kids lunch this week...

With the beginning of school here, I find myself stumbling around looking for good lunchbox solutions (see my favorite school lunches here). 

Healthy trail mix is one of my favorites since you can mix it up, it stores well, and my kids get in on the act.

My favorite ingredients include:

• Almonds
• Macadamia nuts
• Cashews (chose 1 or 2 nuts)
• Coconut Flakes
• Dried Cranberries
• Dried Blueberries (dried fruit of any kind)
• Chocolate chips

You can even make this, dare I say it, educational, by taking the time to count, weight, sort and measure the ingredients. Which totally makes it fall into the DIY category, by the way:)

Plus stacking them in my go-to lunch containers is always a fun:)

Jessica

Thanks for stopping by! 

Please feel free to follow me with all those nifty buttons in the sidebar:)

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Making my own Pickled Vegetables

The best part of this dish is that it goes sooo nicely over a bbq brisket sandwich. I mean, salty, and sweet, and tangy, hot and cold, crunchy and soft...

The second best part was that I got to buy a new kitchen tool for this:) I'm a new addict. The Zyliss Julienne Peeler makes julienning things a breeze. I've already made a cucumber-mango salad with peanuts and mint that was restaurant worthy (or so said my husband).





The third best part, was that once I put everything in the fridge, I could effectively "set it and forget it". It pickles in an hour, and lasts at least a week. Perfect for make-ahead, or make and eat right now meals, whichever you prefer.

Today is my daughter's first day of 1st grade, so follow me on Instagram for photo updates:)

Jessica

I totally recipe copy-catted (is that a word?) from Smitten Kitchen, so here is the link to her actual recipe. Pin It

Rosh Hashana Menu Ideas

You can also find my new things to try with apples and honey post here.

Back to menu planning:

and yes, I realize this is mostly for me. But how awesome will it be next year when I can just go back and repeat my menu?

Corn and Avocado Soup with balsamic reduction and basil garnish

Salad with figs, walnuts, butternut squash and apples
or
Julienned salad of cucumber and mango with peanuts and mint (if it's hot)

Roast Chicken with Apples, onions and a Honey-Dijon glaze. Similar to my engagement chicken recipe

Brussels Sprouts roasted on the stalk with dried cranberries and maple syrup

Fruitcake Cookies- perfect because they have spices and dried fruits in them
Apple, Pear Crumble

Apple cider served in apple cups

I promise, I wrote that down without realizing that I've made most of it before. So I'm linking to those recipes and posts, but it also shows that while I might do something a little new with a garnish or glaze, I mostly stick to the same things I know how to cook and make actually taste good:)

What are you making this year?

Jessica

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My Favorite School Lunches

This post could also be titled, "What I learned from packing a year's worth of school lunches... for a picky eater... who went gluten free mid-year....at a school with a zero waste lunch policy... at a dairy-only Jewish day school, so no meat... and no leftovers.... and and and and...."

But that might not fit in your reader, right?

So here's my top 5 things I've learned:

1. Only have 1 lunchbox. I know that seems simple, but but son switched between two and it drove me insane, one box out, one box home. That's the new policy.

2. Pre-pack a week's worth of lunches at once. If you need to, you can always freeze Wednesday-Friday's sandwiches, and move them to the fridge Tuesday night. But believe me, you might grumble Sunday night or Monday morning, but by Friday, you will be singing your own praises:)

3. Don't feel like you need to change it up every.single.day. Nope. If your kid is happy, they can eat a yogurt every day for the entire year. Of course, then they won't eat yogurt again for 7 more years (that was me growing up), so be careful what you choose.

4. The "one time exception" will become the rule. So DO NOT pack treats, candy, a "special something", because every other day that they get pb&j, a pear and trail mix will feel like a let down. The caveat to this are notes. You can put one in on the first day, birthday, and last day. Maybe Valentine's Day, but that's it. Growing up my parents would pack lunch with notes, and a decorated brown paper bag (I know, how did we not know we were killing the earth with those things!?!). I don't even try to replicate that.

5. Ask you child what they want. Does a friend have something that looks good? In my daughter's class there was a lot of avocado, gluten-free bread, cheese sticks, tofu hot dogs, and pretzels. None of those were appealing, so i had to wing it.

Check out my favorite back-to-school lunch ideas from last year: Just click on the photo to get to the post.

How to pack a zero waste lunch.

Jessica

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Infused Strawberry Mint Water

Do you really need instructions for this?

I didn't think so.

I'm just your friendly blogger reminding you to take advantage of summer, and make something that tastes like summer, with no alcohol (for a change), and just brightens your spirits.

But for those of you who want to know....

I put 1 cup of strawberries and a handful of mint in a Target drink dispenser.

My kids thought this was "fancy spa water", which made my day!

Happy almost-but-it's-too-soon-yet-I-want-school-to-start end of summer!

Jessica

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Last Minute Party

Two weeks ago as I was unsuccessfully reentering the world of parenting from my 2 week trip to Israel with no children, I realized that if I didn't have people over to keep me awake, I would fall asleep on the floor at 4pm and my children would run wild over my sleeping body.

So, I hurriedly texted a few friends for a totally last minute BBQ.

In my attempts to make it "fancy" for my daughter, we searched the pantry/party closet, and came up with pretty paper straws, nice paper goods from Target, and a pink tablecloth.

Enter this pin,



and I was all set.

Strawberry lemonade was a *huge* hit (I would have added basil or rosemary had it been for adults only), and we cooked up some hot dogs on the grill and called it a day.

Plus, I managed to stay awake until 7pm, a real accomplishment:)

Jessica

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