Salt & Lime Tortilla Chips with Strawberry Avocado Salsa
I’ve got bad habits. So do you. But this is about me, as things almost always are. See, there’s one bad habit. Here’s a few more: I stack the recycling on the bench in the garage until cereal boxes, empty bean tins and maple syrup jugs are toppling over onto the floor rather than taking them out to the recycling can on the side of the house. Hey, it’s raining. I flip over the towels in the guest bathroom instead of washing them. It’s... Read More
Banana Splits on a Stick
It’s hot! We’ve had record temps here in the Pacific Northwest for the last week. You aren’t getting any complaints from me, though. I dig walking to the gym instead of circling the parking lot in the rain for the closest spot to the door. You know you do it too. I dig pouring Pea Daddy the tiniest cup of coffee in the morning and the putting the rest in a jar in the fridge for a mid-afternoon iced coffee. I need it more than he does. I... Read More
Teriyaki Chickpea Stirfry
There was a small casualty today. It’s pretty much expected when I am trying too hard to do too much that something’s gotta give. Something besides just trading out the color of headband I wore to the gym and considering that “getting ready.” Or shaving with a squirt of Pea Daddy’s shaving cream and a dry razor. Ouch. I chaperoned Gigi’s field trip to the Oregon Garden today, but I was prepared. I got up extra early to pack lunches,... Read More
Spectacular Carrot Cake
I like birthdays. Last night I was in heaven as I sat on the couch in my free Alaskan Airlines t-shirt and washed out, grey boxer shorts with my recently pampered feet on the coffee table. I’d just done the unthinkably torturous act of rewinding and rewatching my favorite performances on Idol twice. There was a slice of cake on my left, a slice of “can’t complain because it’s not his birthday” husband on my right. It was then that... Read More
Root Beer Float Popsicles
I am always up for a challenge. Entertaining the girls by myself this weekend while Pea Daddy was away on a business trip? That’d have been way too easy. Hosting their first sleepover ever while being the sole responsible adult? Bring it. At first, things were going far too smoothly. Personal pizzas were built and cheese and pineapple were openly shared. Ropes were jumped, hoops were hula-ed, nails were sloppily painted the most God-awful... Read More
Grilled Plantains
It’s a girls’ night again. Because I am a jerk 99% of the time, I decided to do something kind for my husband and relinquish my ticket to tonight’s Coldplay concert so he could take one of his guy friends along instead. Truthfully, I am not all that much of a Coldplay fan and find that if I listen to more than two of their songs in a row I am overcome with the need to immediately sit in front of a sun lamp, hold a puppy and chase an... Read More
Chunky Apple Muffins
We are a house divided. Two vastly different eating styles have developed, pitting husband against wife, sister against sister. It’s the epic battle of The One-Bite Bandits and The Pickers. (Note to self: Learn to play banjo. Start a Bluegrass band. Name it The One-Bite Bandit and The Pickers.) Gigi and Pea Daddy are One-Bite Bandits. Their philosophy is that if a food tastes good, it will taste even better if you can shove the entire thing... Read More
Sunny Green Wraps
It’s here. Farmer’s Market season. Saturday mornings where we silly Oregonians try to pretend it’s summer. We slip our pale white legs into our wrinkled, dusty shorts from the very back of our drawers, ignoring the fact that we haven’t carefully shaved our legs since August. My knees have more whiskers than my granny’s chin. We do unspeakable things to our feet to facilitate unseasonable sandal wearing. I’m saving my professional pedicure... Read More
Secret Sourdough Donuts
Do you remember My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Me neither. But I do remember the Greek father’s go-to remedy for everything. Got a zit? Got a rash? Got poison ivy? “Put some Windex on it!” Well, my sourdough starter has become my Windex. Want some pizza? Want some pancakes? Want some muffins? “Put some sourdough starter in it!” Sure, I’m excited about the health benefits for us about incorporating sourdough in our diets,... Read More
Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter
I know what you are thinking. “Another asparagus recipe?” “I don’t even like asparagus!” “If I see another asparagus recipe I’m going to gag myself.” “With an asparagus.” “But should I peel it first?” “Are thinner asparagus less gaggy?” “And why are there songs about beans and their bathroom side effects but not about asparagus?” I have no clue on that last one, though I do have a few salty lyrics in... Read More
Nutty Cauliflower Wings with Buffalo BBQ Sauce
Where were you at 9:54 a.m. today? Did you hear a faint “Whoohoo!” coming from the West coast? (If you heard “Whoohoo!” at 3:02 p.m., it was Lulu. She found a black bean from her lunch burrito up her sleeve. Jackpot.) My yelp came when I was driving our crew over to a friend’s house for a visit and heard on the radio the results of a recent study that found that 33 is the happiest age for most people. I’m 33. For one more month. ... Read More
The Ultimate Sourdough Bread Recipe
You may be asking, “What do I do with this slop you have me growing on my counter?” Or, if you are me, you are asking, “Why did I think The Hunger Games would somehow not be about kids killing kids and that I would enjoy my two hours plus in the movie theater instead of sitting there with my head between my legs trying not to throw up the whole time?” I am such a wuss. I know everyone loved it, but not me. Between the plot and the shaky... Read More
Snowy Day Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa
It’s the perfect kind of snowy day here. The kind where it’s the first day of Spring Break anyway, so there’s no worrying about school delays or slippery roads. Yes, it’s Spring Break, baby! Here’s fair warning that you may hear a little less from me this coming week as I spend my time with the girls. (But don’t worry, I’ll share that sourdough recipe in our next post.) Meanwhile, bikinis, sunshine and wild times shall ensue. Or... Read More
How To Make and Maintain Your Own Sourdough Starter
Have I dragged this out for you enough? Truth be told, I rarely go through rounds and rounds of testing when it comes to recipes. I’ve been pretty lucky, because I usually get things right the first time. Not so with the sourdough. My poor family choked down some pretty awful bread last week. But I think I’ve finally got it down. Let’s first discuss what’s so great about sourdough: 1. It’s delicious. Especially hot out of the... Read More
Dinner Tonight: Spaghetti Squash Casserole
My right eye won’t stop twitching today and it’s driving me insane. True insanity, according to Einstein is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” He’s right. I continuously flush hundreds of hours of my life down the drain watching The Bachelor expecting that it will strengthen my belief in long-lasting love and in the ability of women to develop genuine friendships with each other. Heh heh.... Read More
Caveman Cookies
I am a master negotiator. I think I’ve mentioned before that I got High Paper in my Negotiation class in law school. (Let’s not talk about my Federal Tax grade. I don’t have to tell you who fills out the returns in our house.) The key to a successful negotiation is to make the person on the other side think that you are completely caving in, when in actuality you aren’t giving up anything that truly impacts you at all. Suckers. Take,... Read More
Super Soft Whole Grain Sandwich Bread
I’m on a kick. A slightly time sucking, make-it-from-scratch, “why buy it when you can stick it to Monsanto?” kick. Proof positive: there are currently four things intentionally fermenting in my kitchen. I blame my second reading of The Omnivore’s Dilemma. But to a higher degree, I blame the fact that Lulu did this with the sprouted grain bread I made her a sandwich with last week. Nice. So this weekend I did a little research. And... Read More
Like Peanut Butter Cups. Only Better.
I bet you think you know what this is. And most days, you’d be right. We love peanut butter cups around here. They are super simple to make and totally delicious. Whenever we need a go-to quick treat, I get out the muffin tin and the chocolate and make peanut butter cups. I make people happy. Sunday night during the Oscars, I made people happy. We didn’t have a viewing party. Truth is, people who have kids don’t watch the... Read More
Apple Cinnamon Streusel Pancakes
I was pretty excited when I wrapped our manuscript last week because it meant more time for doing the things that I love. They are, in no particular order: having smooth, clean shaven legs (that’s yet to happen) giving my full attention to my favorite reality shows (that’s completely unnecessary. Hot tub. Champagne. Making out. Rose ceremony. Limo meltdown. Got it.) engaging in conversations with Pea Daddy that don’t involve,... Read More
Magic Kale Salad with Pistachios and Apples
Do you like magic? I’ve always had a thing for magicians. I have a cousin on my mom’s side of the family who was a model and used to date David Copperfield. I’m not related to Claudia Schiffer, so the three male readers I have can calm down now. That includes you, Pea Daddy. I had this fantasy in my head that somehow I’d show up at a family gathering and he’d be there with his mysterious demeanor, satin jacket and totally awesome eyebrows. ... Read More
Better Spaghetti Sauce From a Jar
Remember when all you needed for dinner was a jar of sauce, a pound of ground beef and a package of pasta? But now you read all these “fancy” food blogs that have you rolling out your own raviolis, cutting out homemade goldfish crackers and toasting your own cinnamon crunch cereal. Who does that? Seriously, get a life. Or get a jar of sauce, a pound of tempeh and a package of pasta. Plus a few add-ins. And suddenly your spaghetti... Read More
Smoked Sea Salt Kissed Maple Donuts
Do you love Valentine’s Day? Yeah, me neither. When I was a kid, it only reinforced how completely not popular I was with the fellas. I’d tear through my Valentines box at school, scouring each flimsy little pre-written card for the one that might just hold a message cryptic enough it could possibly mean that the boy that gave it to me actually liked me. “Like” liked me. Nope. All I ever got were clearly platonic statements like “Bee... Read More
Coconut Collard Greens with Roasted Kabocha Squash
I’ve been talking to myself lately. There is a beauty in having one or more children with you at all times because if you are in public, people assume you are having a conversation with those children and not singing a little ditty about toilet paper, glass cleaner, orange juice and razor blades. In the Everglades. I am a crafty songstress. But when I’m not singing grocery lists to myself, I’m saying affirmations. Like pickup lines I use... Read More
Chocolate Covered Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Footballs
I want to be a cheerleader. Not the competitive, insane basket throwing kind on ESPN. More of the Sue Heck, bursting with enthusiasm, persistently optimistic kind. I know it’s a little late, but I can still carry that cheerleader spirit into my life. And maybe the skirt? I’ve spent too many years of my life thinking it was uncool to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. I was too cool to play mini-golf, listen to boy bands or let my mom call me... Read More
Black Bean and Roasted Corn Nacho Bites with Avocado Crema
We took a trip to the local farm stand yesterday and the girls were in absolute heaven because I bought them fresh honey sticks. Gigi got grape. Lulu got strawberry. And after sucking most of the honey out of the straws, slobbering and smacking their way through, they wanted to trade. Uh, no. Because there are some things that just don’t seem right to share. (And I’m not talking about my chocolate stash—that’s just a hoarding situation,... Read More
Cauliflower Rice Paella
How are those New Years’ resolutions holding up? I didn’t make any because, as I like to say, I am on a constant journey of self-improvement. My husband wishes I would hurry up and get there already. One of the ways I’m trying to improve is by learning balance. And not to feel guilty about it. That’s the hard part. Would you want to punch me in the face if I said that before we went on vacation I found myself googling “How to not... Read More
Flex on the Beach Smoothie
Well, aloha. I’m sorry I didn’t send you a postcard. I didn’t find one that spoke to me. I was looking for something really sleazy, with six women lined up in different colored thongs saying “Flex on the Beach.” I know you love that kind of thing as much as I do. I’m sorry I also didn’t bring you home a box of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. We bought a Costco-sized box full at, where else—Costco, and then got to the airport... Read More
Wannabe Recipea: Goldfish Crackers
Lulu might be taking her self-imposed lessons in empathy a little too far. Yesterday she sat in her baby doll stroller and rolled herself around the house, claiming to be in a wheelchair. I was going to put a kibosh on her game as being insensitive, but it came to a crashing end all on its own. Let’s just say our stairway is not up to ADA standards. Today she’s pretending that a pair of blue Minnie Mouse sunglasses are actual eyeglasses and... Read More
Wannabe Recipea: Chocolate Chip Zee Bars
There are lots of things I don’t get. Of course, that’s just a nice way of saying, here are some things I am going to complain about before I give you a recipe. We could be here awhile. But we won’t be, because incessant complaining is one thing I don’t get. It’s a cruel joke of fate that I could teach a master class on it, though. Such a wasted gift. #1 Thing I Don’t Get: Sweaters for Dogs Or rain slickers. Or any sort of outerwear. ... Read More
Everyday Eats: Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Corn and Peppers
My year is not off to the luckiest of starts. Yesterday, while packing up all of our Christmas decorations, putting our gingerbread house and painted pinecones decorated with Red Hots in the safest of places*, Gigi made an upsetting discovery. *the recycling bin is a very, very safe place She found not one, but two Karaoke Christmas Microphones that my dear aunt gave the girls for Christmas. I had unfortunately not put them in the safest of places**. **Pea... Read More
Wannabe Recipea: White Chocolate Cranberry-Kissed Cake
I’m trying really hard not to be cliché. Then again, maybe I’m just lazy. My hair for the day would confirm that. I’m going through an awkward stage which I’m attempting to mitigate with the tiniest ponytail you’ve ever seen and a headband. I look like I either just got my wig snatched on Jerry Springer or like I’m about to film a Proactiv commercial and am poised to go in for the big sink splash. The UPS guy came to do the door,... Read More
Everyday Eats: Mediterranean Salad Shakers
Now’s the time of the year when everyone starts making lists. It starts with lists of what they wanted to achieve last year, followed by big red checkmarks and “x”s by what they did and didn’t achieve. It’s a real “feel good” exercise. Then, in the afterglow of their successes and shadows of their failures, they make lists of what they want to achieve next year. If I’ve learned anything in 2011, though, it’s that no matter how... Read More
Gifts You Can Eat (But Shouldn’t): Lavender Rosemary Gel
One of the worst things about making a living putting things in writing is that, well, it’s in writing. Even really stupid things. Even worse is when you spell “lavender” wrong, photograph it, realize your mistake and know there’s no way in h-e-double hockey sticks that you are reshooting. Don’t do that. Worse still is when you say something stupid in a book. That doesn’t go away, people. Pull out your copies of Peas and Thank... Read More
Wannabe Recipea: Gingerbread “Cliff” Bars
You know what’s the worst? Staying up until midnight watching the Survivor finale and then having your phone alarm go off at 5:45. Only your phone fell off your nightstand and under your bed and you have to scramble around and try to find it before the whole house wakes up and you have to workout with an audience. And they totally call you out when you do girl pushups. Also the worst? Getting icing caked on your jeans that you just washed for... Read More
Gifts You Can Eat: Ranch Oyster Crackers
Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. I find myself saying this a lot. “Look Mom, I can stick this whole Christmas ornament in my mouth!” It wasn’t a candy cane. And the ornament hook is still missing. That’s gonna leave a mark on the way out. “Look Honey, I can get free shipping on a Tommy Bahama dress for you for Hawaii!” Perfect. I’ll look lovely in it while I crochet doilies on the plane... Read More
For Santa: No Bake Snowball Cookies
I haven’t been fully working this Santa thing to my advantage. We haven’t gone and seen him yet this year, and I’d be surprised if we do. I’d also be surprised if I make gingerbread men for our tree or mail out our Christmas cards. The Christmas card thing would be especially surprising since I never ordered any. So, friends and family, consider this your Christmas card/newsletter nearly every day of the year. Merry Christmas! But back... Read More
Vegan Pie in The Sky (GIVEAWAY)
I was on Math Team in seventh grade. I’m still not sure how that happened. I was a book nerd. I read books. And not books about math. Unless you count A Tale of Two Cities. See, I‘m such a book nerd I actually said that. Is it a wonder I was bullied on my seventh grade math team? Our math team, wearing matching purple t-shirts with all sorts of algebraic formulas screen-printed on them, would pile onto a big yellow school bus and... Read More
Gifts You Can Eat: Eggnog Spiced Nuts
I’m nuts. I blame Jingle Cats, which Pea Daddy decided to play for the girls right before bedtime last night. Brilliant move. I heard meowing Christmas carols from their bedrooms for an hour straight. I further blame the 102 degree fever I spiked around caroling time last night. And for that I blame Maya, Myla, Mayla or whoever was coughing on my lap at Nutrcracker rehearsals last weekend. I wanted to die when I woke up this morning, only... Read More
Recipeas Worth Repeating: Pumpkin Spice Bars (VIDEO)
I know my timing is totally off on this pumpkin thing. You’re all onto flavors like gingerbread (I’ve got a bar recipe pending), eggnog (I’ve got a gift recipe pending), and peppermint (I’ve got a homemade mocha pending…in my stomach). But some recipeas and some opportunities are just too fun to pass up. Personal girl crush of mine and amazing cookbook author, Julie Hasson, invited me up to her home to cook with her on the webcast... Read More
Everyday Eats: Sugar Cookie Smoothie
It’s about to get cheeky in here. I’ve been working hard to get in bikini shape before we go to Hawaii right after the New Year. Really hard. So hard in fact that I let a friend talk me out of buying my usual safe, skirted swimsuit bottoms and into something just a tad less modest. I thought skirted bottoms were retro. Turns out they might just be a bit more coverage than what I need. But what a deal! Twice the fabric for the same... Read More
