The Multi-Task Master
When you are a busy, liquid eyeliner addicted, won’t get up early to workout, always got a new recipe brewing, Facebook friend conflicted mom like me, you learn to get really good at multitasking.
Some of the strangest tasks I’ve ever “multied”:
- Breastfeeding WHILE walking around Disneyland (don’t worry, the Hooter Hider was living up to its’ name and Mickey wasn’t getting a free peek).
- Read the Bible while doing a Pilates DVD (that way I could swear like a sailor during plank hold and then quickly repent for the same).
- Rocking a baby to sleep while blow drying and flat-ironing my hair (because as a new mom, frizz-free hair meant so much more than burn-free babies).
In other words, today was nothing new.
Daddy had ANOTHER hearing early this morning. With all the big time lawyer talk, you’d think we’d be using $100 bills as baby wipes: not the case. They give Lulu a rash.
But his early departure meant I was in charge of carpooling both ways and thus had to cram yet another workout in. I did some interval training while keeping my finger on the pulse of America’s youth by watching MTV. If you catch a ten-minute window between 7:40 and 7:50 am, you might actually get to watch a music video and three commercials. Today’s cutting edge new video: Missy Elliot’s “Work It.”
That video predates my kids, so I was still putting my thing down, flippin’ it and reversing it…probably while studying for the Bar. I’m telling you: multitasker.
Our multitasking carried over to the carpool, as we drove…and reviewed products.
Oh Nuts! sent us some apricots, almonds and fruit leather for review, which we enjoyed while we drove and checked email and read blogs and sang along with Jack Johnson.
Gigi’s review of her cherry fruit leather was “Yummy…in my tummy.” I really dug the raw almonds. They were super crunchy, even though they were raw. If you eat raw nuts, you know that sometimes they get a little soft. I guess I’ve gotten a little soft myself, but Daddy hasn’t voiced any complaints. Thanks, Oh Nuts!
This afternoon, we had a ton of activities going on at once. It was like someone gave us chocolate and tied us to a jungle gym.
There was a dress up station.
A blocks station.
A tea party station.
A “stick pony had an unfortunate run-in at the glue factory” station.
And then we did some baking. We put to use our Oh Nuts! almonds and apricots in some Anytime Cookies.
While I was capable of multitasking tea set cleanup, water paint mopping up, block stacking and stick pony liberating while baking, I had some assistance.
And since the potholder was out, you might as well multitask it right into a game of Pincher Pincher. You didn’t think we’d outgrown that, did you?
I enjoyed the quick work Lulu made of her cookie…
…or at least her favorite part.
She’s quite good at excavating. Unfortunately, she practices a lot at church with her nose.
Oh, we didn’t stop there. I made over an old favorite for dinner while making sure Ms. Sticky Fingers didn’t waste chocolate on the carpet.
I’ve been trying to hold a few recipes back for my secret recipe vault, but after all the love and support from yesterday’s pro-vegan rant, I though I needed to let you all on this one. It’s a winner.
Green and Red Lentil Enchiladas
- 1/4 c. chopped onions
- 2 T. chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
- 1 c. red lentils, rinsed
- 3 c. of water or vegetable broth, or combination of the two
- salt, to taste
- 8-10 corn tortillas
- 30 oz. green enchilada sauce
- 1 can sliced olives
- grated cheese, vegan or organic, if desired
- sour cream, vegan or organic, if desired
- salsa
- chopped cilantro
Preheat oven to 350.
Bring water or broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add salt to taste. Add 1 c. of red lentils and cook until lentils are al dente, approximately 10 minutes.
Drain lentils and set aside.
Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and place over medium high heat. Saute onions, cilantro and jalapeno until softened, approximately four minutes.
(NOTE: do not place the hands that you seeded the jalapeno with near your eyes, or your almost completely gone pink eye will soon become a screaming, throbbing, teary RED eye, and you will begin multitasking using a makeshift eyewash with your retractable sink hose, dumping the contents of your coinpurse into the swear jar and overcooking your vegetables.)
When the vegetables are burnt done, add in your lentils and approximately a cup of the green enchilada sauce. Heat through.
Meanwhile, wrap 8-10 corn tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave for approximately 30 seconds to soften.
Pour another cup of green enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 13×9 baking dish.
Put several spoonfuls of the lentil mixture into each corn tortilla and roll, placing the tortilla seamside down in the prepared pan.
Repeat until your pan is full and your lentils are gone.
Pour remaining cup of green enchilada sauce over rolled tortillas, and top with cheese of your liking, if desired (my side looked like a Carrie Prejean home video, so I put a modest covering of grated carrots over the top) and sliced olives.
Bake enchiladas for 20-25 minutes.
Top with sour cream, salsa and cilantro, if desired. Enjoy some gorgeous and delicious Mexican food, and even Donald Trump can’t strip you of your vegetarian/vegan title.
Here’s Daddy’s plate with local organic cheddar and organic sour cream.
I topped mine with salsa and cilantro,
and ate it along side a glorious salad of kale I massaged with lime juice, stevia and salt, and mixed with orange segments, cilantro and chopped almonds.
I didn’t just eat dinner, I multitasked.
Sweet lord, I haven’t thought of mike meyers in that way in a LONG time. That image just made my night! and that dinner looks so good I might actually buy a casserole dish and make it!
Holy Moly! I believe everything to make the enchiladas is in my kitchen. No excuses not to make them, huh?
The picture of LuLu by the blocks is GORGEOUS! She looks so sweet and innocent. Which I’m sure isn’t true…
Ummm…yumm! I’m definitely going to be eathingTHAT! I used the orange sesame tofu last night in Thai Lettuce Wraps. Major thumbs up. I wrote about it on my blog!
I’m loving how becoming vegan has opened my kitchen up to all this new and creative cooking that I never really cared to do before! LOVE IT!
I need some dessert ideas for Thanksgiving. I’m definitely doing your vegan cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning though!
Yes, you are quite the multi-tasker! Reading the bible while doing pilates? That’s brilliant! Haha, I choose to do Tae-Bo on sunday mornings because Billy always thanks God in the last 5 min of the workout. There nothing like getting a jump start on worship with a workout on a Sunday morning.
Enchilladas look FANTASTIC!
That SNL clip w/Mike Meyers & Nicole Kidman is one of my all-time favorites – my husband and I quote it regularly.
I just bought some of those fruit leathers for my mommy happy hour! Hope the kiddies like them
I love the $100 bills line -you are hilarious!
haha im the worst at multitasking…my brain gets too scrambled LOL
those enchiladas look heavenly! A good thing about dishes like those are u get to go do other stuff while its baking
Got to try that recipe some time!
Cannot wait to try that recipe! I used to blow dry my hair in the bedroom with my daughter on the bed because it lulled her to sleep (the motor eventually burned out, but my hair always looked great). She became so used to the noise, we actually still use a large fan on the highest power level in the hall outside of her room while she naps (she’s 16mo).
You are quite the multi-tasker. We had some coupons for those fruit things (I call fruit roll ups for trickery purposes) and my little darlin loves them
. I have got some cookies I am going to make tomorrow, cant wait. Thanks for sharing your top secret recipe.
~Justine
Your enchiladas look awesome. I also curse like a sailor, well, all the time but especially while holding plank.
Enchiladas?! Oh my gosh, so yummy! I’m saving this recipe for sure!
Does it count as multi-tasking if I’m reading blogs while I’m pretending to work and pretending to care? If so, count me in.
I tell you all the time but I love your posts…you are so entertaining!
)
I am still laughing over your email about my…cat (??)
Do you know the best part of my morning is sitting down with a cup of tea and reading one of your posts? I love starting my morning off with a laugh.
I am always saying, “The dishes are done man!!” but I guess not many people have seen, “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead,” because I usually get odd looks.
The lentil enchiladas look amazing! What kind of corn tortillas do you use and do you have to soak the lentils before you cook them?
I am cracking up over Lulu’s excavation abilities – maybe she will grow up to be an archeologist.
Thanks for starting another one of my days off with a smile!
Those enchiladas look sooo good
Love love the recipe! Those look fantastic! I am seeing cookies all over the blogsphere. I must make some!
Oh wow…you just won my heart by quoting Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead! Love it!
Yay! I got my daily dose of Mama Pea plus a bonus recipe! I can’t wait to make it. Thank you!
Oh those enchiladas look fabuloso! Definitely going on next week’s meal plan – thanks for taking pity on us
I *just* bought a hooter hider for one of my pregnant girlfriends about 2 minutes ago! They’re the daily steal at http://www.babysteals.com/ !!
Those enchiladas look amazing!!!
LOL I was looking for a good way to use up my red lentils Thanks Mama!
I want to borrow that Princess hat is that available? Maybe then people will listen.
And holding baby and doing hair? JEEZ get a cape your superwoman!
That Nicole Kidman-Mike Myers skit is my favorite SNL bit ever! LOVE it. And your blog!!!
Hilarious! I love, love, love that SNL skit–and this blog.
ZOMG the carrie prejan reference with the image of gooey-ness made me throw up a little…in a good way! You studied for the Bar?!?!
This eyeliner: I’m obsessed.
http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P242108&categoryId=C17357&shouldPaginate=true
so when i text while driving, that’s just multitasking which is preparing me to be a great mom, right?
i am going to be SO good at motherhood.
You come up with the BEST recipes. Seriously!!
The enchilada recipe sounds great, thanks so much! You are hilarious, as I’m sure you already know
‘She’s quite good at excavating. Unfortunately, she practices a lot at church with her nose.’ <— OMG, I think I have to change my underwear now. Thanks Mama, and I should be past this stage by now.
I need to come over for one day – it looks like so much fun in your house, all the time.
Dress up, baking, blocks…I could get used to that
the enchiladas sound awesome. I’m going to have to try those soon.
Those enchiladas sound sublime! Lentils go down so well at this time of year too. But now I feel lazy & am gonna have to go home & get multi tasking too
I have an even great respect for you seeing how you multitask with two kids. I only have Hunni and it’s a pain.
BTW those enchiladas look amazing. I think I may have to try them
This post is chock full for me.
First multitasking while breastfeeding. Story of my freakin life. Did I mention in all my spare time as a new mother I became a lactation educator/counselor? Yes, I can talk milk all day long. If you ever have a friend that needs yoga/raw food/lactation advice I’m your homegirl.
Missy’s Work It. Love it. I can tell you some stories bout that song. In email.
Lentils. Ok you make the savory entrees, I’ll make the sweets. I cannot get lentils to be anything except hard rocks OR baby mush. I cannot find the al dente sweet spot. Nice job on the recipe. It looks awesome!!!
And Daddy’s early am’s putting a dent into mommy’s am workouts and life? Yea. I HEAR ya!!
xoxo
mama pea…how you manage to outdo yourself on every post is beyond me! i am trying to think of something creative for my next post but i suck at multitasking
love your living room playstations – you can just tell how much fun the kiddos are having. makes me happyyyy!
i just love the costume changes. who’s in charge of costumes at the Peas’ residence? LOL.
Oooh, those enchiladas are what I’m talkin’ about! And just in time for Christmas too. My family’s traditional xmas-eve dinner is actually enchiladas, believe it or not…not sure where the Mexican-themed tradition came from, but in recent years we’ve gotten lazy and done chili instead. Last year the enchiladas returned, but made from a recipe that called for a filling of chicken+cheese+sour cream. And a death wish, apparently. I think I’ll wear this recipe taped to my head til xmas, just as a subtle hint.
Lulu by the blocks=beautiful picture!
Oh my goodness-that SNL clip is one of my favorites of all time!
Thanks for the sweet recipe. I smeel lentil enchos in my near future!
Ahh…you are so hilarious. You make my lunchtime sooooo much better, as I am currently MULTITASKING by reading your blog and eating lunch. Love you!
Sweet heavens those enchiladas looks good!
You’re too hilarious!
I heart mexican. Enchiladas send me into a mexicoma. LOVE THEM. DROOL ING.
In fact, I’ve got mexican tomato soup on the stove right this very second! It’s true!
Three things appearing in response to your post and appearing in reverse order:
1. NOM, enchiladas, NOM.
2. That blocks picture is beautiful! (although every picture of your children is beautiful!)
3. I forgot about that Mike Myers sketch and almost fell off my desk chair laughing at the thought!
AND, comment on the comments, what what: I love the word “mexicoma.”
Let me guess…the wind blew the cheese off of your side, right?
I won’t even try to deny it, I want to play pincher pincher. I need to find some playmates though!
I am not a vegetarian/vegan but those enchiladas look FANTASTIC! I’ll be making them soon. Yum…
enchilada!! ARIBAAAAAAAAAAA! aiyaiyai!! WHERE MY SOMBRERO AT?!
yum yummmmmmmmmmmm
lulu holding the fruit leather is the cutest thing EVAAAAAAAA
can i play peeeencher peencher?!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! TOFURKY ! DID YOU LIKE?! im nervvv!
That Mad TV skit was one of my faves!! “Work It” was also a fave of mine…I was a young, single chick once upon a time too…
LOL Seriously one of my favorite SNL skits of all time!!
I LOVE mexican food. And cookies. Can I come to your house for dinner? I promise I won’t just eat the chocolate chips
I actually made some enchiladas the other day,too. I mixed some smokey bbq sauce into the enchilada sauce (red) and it came out quite well. xoxo
the dishes are DONE man!!! hahaha, great reference.
why WOULDNT you practice in church. she takes after mommy, sin and repent in one sitting. youve got yourself a multitasker!
I made the enchiladas for my family tonight. I couldn’t find the green enchilada sauce, is that what it is really called? I saw salsa verde? Anyway, I went with the regular red sauce and they were great. Still trying to get my family to come around to my way of eating. The husband thought it was weird that I used chickpeas in our tacos instead of chicken. He ate six of them…anyway, I guess I just have to keep at it and they can have PB&J if they don’t care for what I’m serving.
I’m really enjoying your blog and have enjoyed all of your recipes that I have tried (just 3 so far.)