Hoppin’ To It!
Having kids makes holidays a whole lot of fun and a whole lot of work.
I shopped yesterday for all the fun Easter basket goodies…with Lulu right alongside me. I was quite strategic in the process, though, and there’s no better natural high than knowing that you are pulling a fast one on your kids.
I first sat Lulu in the front basket of the cart where I would normally put my groceries (you know, the part that the cart itself warns you is “NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN” and the part that Gigi was climbing on when I flung her off like a wild bronco).
That picture right there could be my kids every time we go to the store, only without the added safety of the side cart monkey’s fireman helmet.
While Lulu navigated from her crow’s nest, I set up the biggest handbag I own in the child’s seat, and then shoved My Little Ponys, Dora bandaids, headbands, bubbles, DVDs and games between the bag and myself. It worked like a charm, until I decided to peruse the clothing section. This was a bad choice on two levels: one, after cleaning out my closet last year and getting rid of 392 worn-looking Exhilaration/Merona/Mossimo shirts and keeping 12 Anthropolgie/Banana Republic/Ann Taylor tops, I vowed NEVER to buy another item of clothing for myself from Target; and two, I was distracted enough not to notice when Lulu stood up in the cart, reached around my purse and grabbed Curious George 2. Oh yes, rest assured there IS a sequel.
I threw the polyester blouse marked down to $9.42 back on the clearance rack and managed to pry the movie out of her sticky, cart germ-covered hands and hide it IN my bag, ensuring that I will now forever be on the “watch” list for Target security.
I thought we were pretty much in the clear, until this morning when Gigi and Lulu pulled out the DVD player and Lulu announced, “I want to watch my new movie!“ Even though I had told Pea Daddy the story, he pipes up, “What new movie are you talll—-OUCH!“ He’s lucky I had flats on.
The rest of the day then was spent keeping Lulu from talking to Gigi about what went on at Target yesterday. I distracted her with make-believe pet care,
(or drownings, you be the judge). She played dressup,
and we took the girls to the carousel.
Lulu’s main factor in choosing a horse? How many mirrors she can look at her reflection in.
Looking good, kid, looking good.
We picked up groceries for the week’s meals, and also for our Easter offerings. I always bring dessert to Easter dinner. After our mediocre Key Lime Pie in Hawaii, I was highly motivated to not ever have to set foot in a Tommy Bahama’s restaurant again. The result was a vegan Key Lime Pie that is special enough for the holiday, yet super simple to make.
Key Lime Pie
Crust:
- 10 organic graham cracker sheets, finely crushed
- 1/4 c. melted vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)
- 1 T. organic sugar
Filling:
- 1 1/3 c. key lime juice
- 1/4 c. + 2 T. arrowroot powder
- 1 T. + 1 t. agar agar powder (not flakes! A conversion table can be found here)
- 2 c. organic sugar (can substitute stevia for a portion, if desired)
- 1 c. non dairy milk
- 1 c. water
- pinch of salt
- zest of 2 limes
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place graham crackers in a Ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin.
(ever the exhibitionist, Lulu confirms that everyone is in fact watching her)
Meanwhile, melt the vegan margarine on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Add crushed graham crackers and sugar to melted margarine and combine well.
Press mixture into a pie plate using your hands or the back of a fork.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
For the filling, whisk cornstarch, agar agar and lime juice together in a large saucepan.
Once thoroughly combined, add water, non-dairy milk, sugar and salt and bring slowly to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Once the mixture has come to a slow boil, remove it from the heat.
Add the lime zest and stir well.
At this point, I like to transfer the filling to a small dish and refrigerate until cool, stirring every once in awhile.
When both the filling and crust are cool, you can pour the filling into the crust.
Refrigerate pie for at least an hour before serving. I’m bringing TruWhip to top it with, but I’m sure my mom will also offer whipped cream, so it’s going topless for now.
I’ve just ensured that a dozen creepy people will find my blog by Googling “topless pie pictures.”
After dinner, I got to work on Easter brunch, which you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see. A small hint: THIS +
Gigi was stalking those berries like a lion creeper Goggling “naked pie pictures.” Pea Daddy kept her busy writing a letter to the Easter Bunny.
Dear Easter Bunny,
Please bring me lots and lots of dresses and clothes.
Love, Gigi
Who do you think you are kid, Suri Cruise? It’s going to take more than a carrot shoved in the dusty entryway corner to get a new wardrobe.
I hope she’s not too disappointed with her Hello Kitty panties and Hungry Hungry Hippos game. I wonder if Target’s still open?
I’ll eat my dirty carrot on the way there.
Vegan Key Lime Pie, Family Get-Togethers, Dusty Carrots and Curious George… What could make for a better Easter? I love the fact that Gigi writes to the Easter bunny. My sister and I used to do that EVERY year, and she is nine years older than me. I think she was like 18 the year we stopped. I guess she was milking him for everything he had… I hope you guys have an awesome Holiday! And know that you aren’t the only one who will be at church late i am sure!
Vegan Key Lime pie? Swoon. And at a quick glance, appears could easily be GF’ed too, just use GF grahams or almond meal. Oh my, I may have to make this, i love key lime, thanks (or not!) for reminding me.
Have a very blessed and lovely holiday with the fam, Mama Pea!
xoxo
Mama Pea,
I hope you have a fun Easter, although, I have no doubt you will. My niece got four new dresses for Easter from my Mom and during our 4 hour brunch we got to watch the fashion parade as a change of clothing was required for each new task (a dress for going to the park, a dress for eating, a dress for playing, etc.) She also mentioned that she hopes today the Easter bunny brings her dresses. She is the easiest person in the world to shop for!
I love sharing holidays with them and created my signature fruit-animal creations for the occasion. I put up Mr. Fruit Bunny and Mr. Fruity Chick on my blog. It takes about 5 minutes to pile the fruit in the right way and the kids just love the result.
Happy Easter!
ha – curious george 2 was on TV yesterday…yeah, i am almost 30 years old
your kids look so healthy and happy all the time
happy easter.
HAPPY EASTER to the Pea fam! Your topless pie looks great, even if it sounds pervy.
I am DEFINITELY making that pie this summer. Key Lime is my mom’s absolute favorite.
I hope the easter bunny hid lots of eggs for the girls!
Man, HHH? When Kyra plays that game I want to rip my ears off and flush them down the toilet! haha Its so freaking loud. Kids just pound that sucker so it makes a loud noise. Ok, sorry, done with HHH rant. Hope you all have a great Easter
~Justine
A vegan key lime pie?? Yum!! The last time I had key lime pie was from Red Lobster years ago.. I’m sure your version is 100% times better!
Happy Easter!
LOLLLLL hahahaha. Lulu had to confirm everyone was watching her. Have a fantastic Easter with your beautiful HEALTHY family. And yes, although I represent Target (cause my paycheck is from there) I must admit…I donated 2 trashbags worth of Xhilaration tops yesterday!
The pie looks yummy! My husband would sure love some of that. He is a huge fan of keylime pie and I just don’t make pies that often. I will have to give this one a try. Have a great day with your family!
I wish I’d had your recipe before i made my dairy and fat-laden key lime cheesecake yesterday for today’s easter dessert! always next year!
To keep my perv statements going this week, I’ll say that your topless pie looks lovely!
Happy Easter too all my fave Peas!
target is one of my favorite places to shop for clothes!
that pie looks delicious!!! and gigi is too cute! i didnt know that the easter bunny brought gifts…the letter with the carrot is adorable!
-Lena
Hello Mama Pea!
I emailed you a day or two ago asking about the Body For Life challenge. I was just wondering if you received that email? I have some questions about doing it vegan style, as I am a vegan myself. I’ve been trying out the food part of it (I still need to do the exercise part – getting used to lifting, etc), but I find it’s really hard to get my carbs and protein even. I eat SO many carbs as a vegan. My fat intake is pretty easy to keep at a 20, but the 40/40 carbs and protein is tough. In the email I asked some specific questions just to get an idea of what you do and what works best for you. I guess I just need a starting place and then work with trial and error from there.
Thanks and I hope to hear back from you.
Have a Happy Easter with your lovely family!
Katie
Hi Katie, I did get your email, I just haven’t had the opportunity to respond yet. My focus has been on the holiday with my family. I will do my best to get back to you soon. Happy Easter!
I am loving your pie! Key lime is pretty unique too, haven’t that since a visit to Florida about a hundred years ago.
Maya always rides in the part not intended for children. We get in trouble sometimes but seriously, what can you do?
ah hungry hungry hippos…twas my fave game.
lulu is quite the little actress, pose pose pose. adorable!!
Blessed Easter to the family Pea!!
hahah.. lots of dresses and clothes? that is too much. she’s so cute. the key lime pie looks awesome! one i will have to try sometime for my vegan boys!
oh, and happy easter!
in the uk we just get like a chocolate bar :p
You also just made certain to get a dozen creepy people who google “eat my dirty carrot”
That pie looks awesome, I haven’t had key lime pie in forever!
you got me hooked on suri’s website. although i have to say gigi is much more photogenic.
key lime pie looks scrumptious. happy easter!
This is amazing. Key Lime Pie is my favorite!!!!!!!! Thank you
You’re such a sneaky mom! haha. The girls are so cute and seem so great. I love that they “help” you cook. I loved “helping” my mom, AKA eating all of the batter
oh, how i wish gigi were 20 years older. we would so be BFF.
that vegan key lime pie looks amaze. i have recently discovered the wonder that is arrowroot, and LOVE IT.
happy belated easter mama pea!