Let’s Keep It Clean
We woke up this morning in some serious need of cleaning: our digestive systems, our house, our mouths and our minds!
Before Daddy went into work for a few hours, I did a treadmill walk, some light weights and ab work (I should be clear to start running again tomorrow). After forty five minutes, I had wine and pie coming out of my pores. I could have wrung my sweaty socks out and taken communion. Instead, we made ice cream.
I threw some bananas and raspberries into our new Cuisinart and blended until the girls couldn’t wait any more.
Little Kirk Douglas especially liked it.
I left a little in the processor, added some strawberries and spinach and then topped my “soft serve” with Kashi Go Lean and vanilla almond granola.
Once our bodies were detoxed, we got started on the house. Like everyone else, I like to put the Christmas decorations up, trim the tree and erect the Gingerbread Men in our yard as soon as it turns midnight on Black Friday. Problem is, I’ve been neglecting my housekeeping duties a bit, thanks in part to Gigi’s fear of the vacuum cleaner and my fear of hard work. I refuse to throw tinsel on top of our dust bunnies. It’d be like putting Russell Brand in a jacket and taking him to a movie premiere.
Like my toilets, the man is in dire need of a scrub down.
The girls pitched in with the picking up process.
I overheard Gigi telling Lemon Meringue, “Sorry, I can’t do anything fun until my room is clean.”
We made a good dent in getting things put away before Daddy came home for lunch.
I had some leftover salad and a cup of butternut squash soup.
In the salad:
- mixed greens
- carrots
- broccoli
- pickles
- Sabra sundried tomato hummus
- sesame sticks
I enjoyed all of us getting to sit together and have lunch.
Gigi tried to pawn off half of a PB&J on me.
Lulu took hers apart and scraped the peanut butter off with her finger.
Daddy had some leftover Meatless Meatloaf (aka “Loaf”) on a hamburger bun with all the fixings. Fortunately, the loaf won the recipe vote by two votes (narrowly beating out the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes), so I can now make a “clean” transition into sharing the recipe.
Meatless Meatloaf
- 1 can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1/2 c. sunflower seeds
- 2 stalks of celery
- 1/4 c. chopped onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 T. organic ketchup
- 1 T. vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 3 T. reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 T. poultry seasoning (or your own combination of sage, rosemary, thyme or any other spices desired)
- salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with non stick cooking spray
Pulse onion and celery in food processor until finely chopped. Set aside in a large mixing bowl. Grind oats in processor and add to celery and onion. Pulse beans in processor, leaving some texture. Put beans in with oats and vegetables and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir until well-combined and thoroughly moistened.
Put mixture into loaf pan and distribute evenly.
Bake for 20 minutes or until edges are starting to brown. Serve with ketchup, barbecue sauce, tahini dressing or whatever other sauce you like.
After I cleaned up the lunch mess, I sent the kids outside to play with Daddy so I could get some cleaning done.
Gigi has yet to learn the difference between outdoor play clothes and formal wear.
After two hours of scrubbing on my hands and knees, we all needed a smoke break…
or at least a Yummy Earth lollipop.
Gigi used her Bible as a lollipop holder, which I didn’t have the heart to tell her was not the proper use of God’s word.
Lulu seriously disapproved.
After cleaning the fridge, I realized, that not only do I have a serious condiment addiction, but that we pretty much had nothing else in it. While I’m down for a nice bowl of hummus with ketchup, pickles and barbecue sauce for dinner, I’m not so sure Children Protective Services would see it the same way. We did the brave thing and headed out to the store on the Blackest of Fridays.
We made a little pit stop on the way to the grocery store.
Fortunately for me, Lulu fell asleep on the way there, so Daddy and Gigi ventured in while I people watched from the passenger seat.
I observed that though people may not be able to afford long pants or coats, they can afford Transformers 2 on DVD. I observed that it is possible to chew tobacco, pick your nose and send a text message at the same time. I observed that Gigi likes shopping as much as I do.
We haven’t bought a single Christmas present yet, but we got the Glee soundtrack.
Isn’t Black Friday just about buying things for yourself that you are too embarrassed to tell other people you want for Christmas?
We were pleasantly surprised to find that the Glee kids cleaned up the lyrics of “Golddigger:” “I ain’t saying she’s a gold digger, but she ain’t messing with no broke bro.” It doesn’t exactly roll off of the tongue. How dare they mess with the poetry of Kanye? I just hope they don’t win a TV Emmy or there might be bloodshed.
While we were doing our grocery shopping, Gigi found a gift that was right in line with our clean theme of the day: Slipper Genie!
Mops on slippers? I would have loved these when I was a kid…or this afternoon. Forget the Swiffer, I want to do some Gliding Calm triple axles in my Slipper Genies!
For dinner, I made some CLEAN spaghetti: no wheat, no soy, totally vegan and almost raw.
Zucchini noodles with marinara and basil,
alongside a Hugh Jass salad of:
- spinach
- cabbage
- broccoli
- celery
- carrots
- tahini dressing
- sesame sticks
While I ate peacefully, Daddy, on the other hand, is on “The Lulu Diet.”
Every night, after she’s finished eating her dinner, she hounds Daddy until he is done with his or until he gives in and will come play with her. I’m loaning her out to The Biggest Loser next season. There will be Bob, Jillian…and Lulu.
While I finished eating and got started cleaning the dishes, the family was on their way undoing all the cleaning I had done earlier in the day.
At least I have clean sheets, and come flirtation or promises of VitaMixes, they are staying that way!
one of my friends in college really and truly thought the lyrics were “but he aint messin with no brokie broke”
she was SHOCKED when we pointed out that “digger” did not rhyme with “brokie broke” and that perhaps something else was originally there.
she was also from nebraska. i feel like that makes the story make more sense.
Hi – just found your blog. From one parent to another, I love it!!
Ugh, I feel the same way. My house is so neglected, and I really need to do some cleaning before putting up all the decorations tomorrow.
Best Buy…scary day to be there. You know, I have yet to watch Glee, but I hear it’s hilarious. Need to add that one to the DVR line-up.
Your Hugh Jass is looking especially yummy tonight Mama Pea! Thanks for the Loaf recipe. Bet it would be awesome with some tahini sauce.
Lovely post, Pea.
Ok from memory here are my fave parts:
The wine/food detox opening line.
Lulu not getting to do anything fun til her room’s clean. Skylar has stuffed animal friends and a toy chest and could probably swap rooms with Lulu’s stuff or vice versa. Except we have copious amounts of Barbie and plastic pieces like Barbie’s 5 inch heels. You know, practical footwear.
The loaf. Ok,you’re right. It is easy. The protein and fiber. Doesn’t stevia count as fiber? And the cashews in my cookie dough are good protein LOL
Seriously though…I could make that. I freak ’bout celery though b/c it tends to overpower things. I remember when you used to be the juice wonderwoman you used to show a stalk of celery. I however dont dig the stalks. So maybe I could just omit.
Anyhooo…
Best Buy. I havent been in there in a good 9 mos or so..and went today. I think I singlehandedly keep the G.N.P. of this country moving, but hey, I am a Proud American doing my part to get our economy moving and out of recession.
Alright my dear, it’s time to end this novel.
xoxo
Err, so about the slipper genies… I have them in green. I don’t know that they work all that well but they’re pretty fun when you have all hard surface flooring
What a fun post! All those amazing plates of food are sending my tastebuds into over drive, I’m not sure where to start. Oh wait, yes I am! That meat loaf looks amazing and so simple. Can’t wait to try it, I’m glad it won the recipe contest.
I know your kids are not picky eaters…but do you think the loaf recipe would go over well with your average kid?? I’m really trying to find more plant based foods my youngest will eat. It’s seriously driving me flipping insane all the cooking I’m doing with these awesome recipes for us to have a battle at the dinner table.
I almost made a bean loaf the other day. I’m smelling a link back. And I’m smelling meatless meatloaf too.
Thank God I’m not the only one who only bought something for herself on Black Friday! Shew!
Thanks for sharing the “meatloaf” recipe!
I have been secretly wanting the “Glee” soundtrack for months now
Thanks for the recipe Mama! That sounds pretty delish, and it would have been nice to have that last night when everyone was chowing regular meatloaf at my MIL’s
I totally want those slipper things! xoxo
I just love how your little girls are always dressed up- it’s adorable!!! I love that I’m not the only one who eats the “soft serve” for breakfast! I’m in love with this stuff- though I had it for lunch yesterday with strawberries and blueberries- toped with some raw cashews, coconut and a few chocolate chips!! I’ll have to try it with go lean crunch
I’m so jealous. My mom makes us wait until Dec. 1st to put up decorations. I die.
Mmm, love the loaf! I totally forgot to mention that one in my comment. I’m totally saving the recipe.
I just love your references to celebrities because I am a huge celebrity gossip freak. My house, fridge, laundry room, and bathrooms are a gigantic mess – I’ve only lived here for 6 months and have no kids. What is wrong with that?
Hahaha, I heard it as “brokey-broke” on the radio at first, too, and thought it was weird, but after I heard the “real” version, I decided I like brokey-broke better. It’s way more fun to sing along to.
Annnnnd, I adore Glee. It wins you over in spite of yourself– I was adamantly hating it before I actually watched it.
I’m glad the loaf won–that recipe looks good!
Haha, Lulu the trainer is a funny thought
I’m not attempting to do any cleaning until all of my in-laws are gone. Right now I’m just wearing blinders as to the mess everywhere!
I’m really interested in trying that loaf – it sounds so good!! Maybe with some tahini dressing or ketchup?
I’m cracking up over comparing tinsel on dust bunnies to Russel Brand in a suit. Your entire post had me laughing and smiling – I know i say this every single time I leave a comment, but I absolutely love your blog. You have no idea how much happiness it brings me…that and a lot of tummy rumbling!
You are such a beautiful family – inside and out.
How cute is that picture of Gigi and Pea Daddy?! I love it.
Glee is a guilty pleasure of mine but I get 2nd hand embarrassment watching it sometimes! Sometimes the performances make me cringe (Thong Song?).
Wow, that loaf looks fantastic! and quite easy to put together. Which, therefore, means I will definitely be making it soon! Thanks Mama Pea!
Your girls are quite lucky to have a mother who allows them ice cream for breakfast
Don’t you just love Glee?
Have a great day!
Kanye says: If Gigi’s working the formal hair, I guess she be wearing the formalwear!
I think I would have gone with “She ain’t messin’ with no broke bloke” just to get a rhyme in there somewhere, but who am I to rewrite Kanye (I’ll let you finish your blog inna minute…).
The Russel Brand ref slayed me!
Enjoy the weekend, killah!
I LOVE the Glee soundtrack. But yes I was a little embarrassed when I bought it at Target. I agree that the edited Kanye doesn’t roll of the tongue as well but at least you can listen to it with the girls!
My house is a complete disaster! I will be cleaning today for sure!
I’ve never seen Glee. It seems to be a huge hit though!
I felt the same way yesterday about the wine and working out relationship!
You got the Glee soundtrack! You’ll love it
how do you not freeze your tush off when you have a smoothie in the morning? i’ve tried before and i’m frozen to the bone the rest of the day…
great workout in the morning..i sweated/stretched out my 4 thanksgivings with yoga…or my crap-tastic looking downward dog that is more like me doing a push up with my butt up in the air. no flexibility here!
I always love reading your blog. Its too funny.
You are a brave one for venturing to Best Buy on black friday! I have yet to attempt that!=) Have a great day!
I love that Glee soundtrack. I’ve been listening to it on Pandora all week.
I think those slippers would be great as a kid to clean. I wish they had those when I was a kid. Maybe I’d enjoy cleaning more now.
I am so ready for clean eats it’s not even funny. T-day was nice but whoa that’s some heavy food. Umph.
Loaf sounds awesome!
So glad to have found your blog again!
I’ve missed vicariously watching your girls’ antics.
Or something that sounds less creepy.
Things have obviously been changing with you, though! In your previous domain existence, I remember that you were a bit upset that you couldn’t run anymore because it was too much of a strain on your back after surgery? Are you back to running now?
Hi Laura! I can run just short distances now. The doctors have warned that there is a risk of continued disc wear if I try starting to run long distances again, so I’ve kind of limited myself than no more than 3 miles a day.
No joke. I want to put up the Christmas stuff to. However, I have not finished cleaning. I’ve got one more day before I go back to work though. Thanks for the loaf recipe!
my favorite things from this post: gigi wearing a crown, sesame sticks in salads, yummy earth lollipops, the glee soundtrack, meatless meatloaf recipe and lulu’s disapproving glares. and not necessarily in that order.
love ya mama pea – i would be more than happy to marry your older brother and become insta-aunts. was that him in your thanksgiving post? if so, i was thinking he was cute…
I cannot believe you ventured into BB on Black Friday. Brave woman.
And your caramelized sprouts from yesterday look exquisite! Happy Belated Thanksgiving, love.
Have no shame. I’m thinking of buying the Glee soundtrack as a christmas present for my own mama since I got her so hooked this past week!!
I just made your “loaf” tonight!! The whole (carnivore) family LOVED it!! I subbed some things like broth, tomato paste and organic pasta sauce since I didn’t have worchestire or soy and it still tasted great! Big success!! Thanks so much!
I know I’m WAY late on this, but I made your “loaf” tonight, and just had to comment
It’s absolutely delicious, thank you so much! It almost tastes like stove-top stuffing. Yum. The only “problem” I had was that mine didn’t stiffen up through the middle, even though I baked it for 40 minutes. I think next time I’ll bake it in a larger pan so that it’s thinner. I’ll be crumbling the leftovers up into salad toppings though, so I’m not concerned about this one going to waste.
Thanks again!
Great to hear! I’ve been meaning to revisit this recipea and tweak it a bit, so you’ve inspired me to do so soon!