Art of waiting and breads

Running or walking, so far, has been my stress free time. In the beginning it was the only time I felt semi-comfortable leaving Kasey alone, because I was never far away. We just got our jogging stroller and in many ways it is fantastic, but now I don't jog alone - I take Annie and Kasey along and I must say it can be stressful. Annie, I love her so much, can be a wild dog - something we allowed when she was the "only child." She generally walks well and is easy going - but if she sees something interesting, like a cat or a squirrel or piece of garbage she lunges... If the baby is happy or if I dont feel rushed I dont mind - but sometimes it gets on my nerves. A woman passed me running yesterday and gasped "looks like you have your hands full!" I only have one baby right now and want more in the future - I hope my hands can handle it all and that I don't let Kasey get away with things that will make having a second more tough...
This method of parenting - where children (and dogs) learn the art of waiting - is all the rage (French parenting.) Read more about it here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204740904577196931457473816.html). 

learning the "art of waiting" for mommy to finish taking pictures

the "art of waiting" to fall asleep - really she is terrible at this - took 45 minutes to get her to calm down and look like this cause se fights it so bad

While teaching Kasey the art of waiting I also hope to keep her interested in cooking in the kitchen. We had been making lots of unhealthy foods (brownies, lava cakes, cookie bars) so I decided we needed to focus on more healthy recipes. I also have been enjoying playing with yeast and who doesn't love the smell of baking dough!

hey!

Monday night we made honey wheat pizza dough! This was a test run for Sunday when a bunch of my friends are coming over for a "Valentines Day dinner." It was very different then other dough I have made - possibly because of the olive oil - but it was delicious! We didn't take any pictures though. We got the recipe from here http://vittlesandbits.blogspot.com/2012/01/honey-wheat-pizza-dough.html and didn't change a thing.

Kasey trying to read the recipe

Yesterday we stayed on our healthy breads kick and made Vanilla Chai Banana Bread (3 small loafs). My standard banana bread recipe is adapted from a cooking light recipe I found and I change it almost every time here is what we did this time:


Vanilla Chai Banana Bread (to make it regular just don't use the tea bags)

2 cups flour - we use 1 cup whole wheat and 1 cup all purpose
1 cup sugar - we used 1/2 cup light brown and 1/2 cup granulated
3 bananas
1/4 cup butter - we used apple sauce instead
1/3 cup yogurt or sour cream - used Trader Joe's French Vanilla Lowfat yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
few pinches of salt
2 eggs - used 1/3 cup egg white substitute
5 teabags - 2 vanilla chai and 3 decaf chai


We baked at 350 for about 35-40 minutes, it made 3 small loafs in m 4 loaf pan. 

We alo made Honey Oatmeal Sandwich Bread, http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/05/19/honey-oatmeal-sandwich-bread/

What a big helper!

Unfortunately it called for dry milk - I now know it you don't have dry milk you would use 1 cup milk in place of 1 cup of the water in the beginning of the recipe. Since I didn't realize this until after doing the part with water I had to just play it by ear. I just put in about 5-6 teaspoons almond milk until I reach the desired consistency. It actually worked and the bread came out delicious. I did have to cook it a lot longer then the original recipe, not sure why and it never reached 190 degrees internally as far as I could tell. It was delicious for breakfast today with cream cheese and jelly though.

1st step

Gotta match the spoon to the bowl - we didn't have any orange outfits to match though!

rising again

finished product - yum

On our healthy kick Kasey and I also went to a mommy-baby boot camp class this past Monday! It was so fun - I know you think I am crazy. It was nice to be able to exercise with her and be in a room with other moms and babies - I felt normal! I also met a group of women with babies that go for walks every week - which is fantastic. I am excited for Kasey to be able to interact with other babies and moms to ask questions to about everything from delaware gyms childcare to parenting theories on naps.  Wish I could have taken pictures at the class, Kasey was alert the whole time and really interested in everything going on! Love that little munchkin!

Anyway this "snappy nappy is almost over...

Have a great day and it's SNOWING!