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
Gifts You Can Eat: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cups
It’s only December 1st, and I’m already feeling the holiday time crunch. Lucky for me, I am armed with lots of time-saving tips. They aren’t always endearing and they’re rarely hygienic, but I have many ways I cut corners and add a few more minutes to my day. I sleep in my workout clothes. There’s nothing hotter than sports bras and shorts with built-in underwear. Yeah, baby. I keep a grocery list going on the whiteboard in the kitchen... Read More
New and Improved: Pumpkin Molasses Cookie Dough Balls
It’s not too late to carve pumpkins, is it? Please say yes. I’m not a big fan. Knives. Slippery round buggers. Goo. Lots of goo. The actual requirement of some form of artistic ability. I was not blessed in that department. Pea Daddy most definitely was, though I question his knife skills. (Don’t ask about the time when I was eight months pregnant with Gigi and he passed out after barely nicking himself slicing a bagel. I had very... Read More
Wannabe Recipea: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
I don’t even know what a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake is. But Lauren does. And she emailed me and asked me to make one. Today seemed like as good a day as any. Do you ever wake up and the sun feels like it is shining directly on you? And there’s no specific reason, but you just feel happy to just be alive? I live for days like today. It was day six for me without coffee. No one died. Praise God! My child told me that she hates the cat... Read More
Everyday Eats: Protein Trail Mix Cookies
I’m not a runner. I’m not even really an athlete anymore. You know I always stop doing pushups right before the workout DVD instructor says, “Three more!” She’s so bossy. But that doesn’t mean I’m not active. Especially after I’m done cheating on “girl pushups” and my day actually starts. Today, we went to the park. We jumped down from the jungle gym to run from a bee. Or a butterfly. Details, details. We wedged... Read More
Ashley, This Is Your Birthday Present! (GIVEAWAY)
I couldn’t keep a secret if my life depended on it. I know I should be stockpiling recipes and rationing them out in case I have the good fortune of getting to write a second book, but as soon as I make something delicious, I immediately want to share it. Except for a few. See, I couldn’t even keep that a secret! Same goes for stories. I just can’t keep my mouth shut, even if it ruins the element of surprise. Which is why my Twitter... Read More
My Plate
As someone who talks about food constantly and cares about nutrition deeply, I feel like I have a duty to tell you my thoughts on the new USDA My Plate Dietary Guidelines. I was going to tell you that I’m pleased that fruit and veggies take up a bigger share of the plate, yet it’s a shame that our food subsidies don’t reflect this same proportion of our tax dollars. But Dr. Barnard already covered that. I was going to tell you that I don’t... Read More
The Shape of Things
I’ll admit, it’s a little weird to feed my kids animal-shaped things, but I generally don’t think twice about it. Sure, we don’t eat actual animals, but it’s totally fine to bite the head off that gummy bear. To clip a fin from a Swedish fish. To munch a handful of Cheddar Bunnies. And more than one chocolate rabbit viciously lost his ear last Sunday. That was me. But my friend Brandi was thinking of these mixed messages when she gave... Read More
Doctor’s Orders
I hope my doctor doesn’t read Peas and Thank You. Or follow me on Twitter. And it’s not just because I’ve referred to him as McDreamy a half a dozen times. I’m more fearful that he’ll be upset with my loose interpretation of his orders. Singlehandedly killed that repeat batch all by myself. And tried again to do as McDreamy said. I bought my first one-piece since I was six years old. From Tommy Bahama. Let’s not speak of this... Read More
Spontaneous Vanilla Wafers
I swear to you, I wasn’t planning this. It’s true, I keep baking obscenely delicious treats every Friday. Shame on me. It’s just that I’ve cooked healthy meals all week and I’m out of food. You can’t juice Earth Balance, sugar or vanilla extract (though that would probably be delicious). I need to go to the grocery store. Preferably alone. And in a retailer that doesn’t provide proof positive that Satan does exist: mini-carts. Not... Read More
Den of Sin
I’m not really feeling much better today, despite going to bed early, skipping any sort of physical exertion whatsoever and sneaking downstairs at 2 a.m. to take a hit off the Afrin bottle. Let’s keep that one between you and me. How about a flashback to happier times? When I was in law school, I lived with my brother and his wife in a rental house. I actually loved it. They got a little help with the rent and I got free pastries. How... Read More
Chill Out
I’m feeling very zen today. I’ve suppressed my urge to clean up the living room with a Shop Vac, and I’m able to sit with the mess. It could be that today was just a day symbolic of encouraging change through pacifism and tolerance. Even tolerance for completely unnecessary footwear. Oh, believe you me, we’ve kicked off our Sunday shoes. My zen-like state could stem from that I’m still drinking not drinking coffee. I sniff the beans... Read More
Lessons From Christmas Dinner
If you pile my family around a dinner table, you are bound to learn a thing or two. We eat. We talk, borderline shout. We argue. We eat. We talk, borderline shout some more. I cannot guarantee the factual accuracy of any tidbit that comes out of any person with my genetic makeup, admittedly, myself included. Perhaps that is why it is so easy to get into little arguments. When two parties of a heated debate are both making things up, it is virtually... Read More
A Little Christmas Magic
“I would like a new cup and a little cat and an American Girl doll, Lanie.” I’ll spare you the suspense. We are not getting a “little cat.” We already have one cat too many, Santa. Maybe I’m just a Scrooge, but I really don’t give a flying, er…reindeer about Santa. The day I told my mom I wasn’t buying the whole Santa thing anymore she died a little inside. You’d have thought I told her I was changing my name to Burly... Read More
Seeing Double
I’m so dilated. I’m so dilated Pea Daddy is typing this. I’m so dilated I drank the creepy strands in my kombucha. I’m so dilated I’ve asked for an epidural. Twice. I’m so dilated that my generally $6.82 Whole Foods salad bar got heaped up to $12.74. Only because I’m dilated. I’m so dilated I thought an old man in the Tommy Bahama store was Pea Daddy. Oh, wait. Pea Daddy didn’t want to type that. I’m so dilated I want... Read More
Wacky Wednesday: Show Me The Dough (GIVEAWAY)
Wednesdays really are wacky around here. We tried a new breakfast recipe. With chocolate. Again. Wax on, wax off, Gigi. We juiced. A classic Green Juice in a recycled bottle. If I pay $3 for a kombucha, I’m getting my money’s worth. It’s also my explanation for wearing these overpriced jeans three days in a row. We’ll see which disintegrates first: the bottle label or my skinny jeans. We balleted. We have eight Nutcracker... Read More
Recipeas Worth Repeating: Anytime Cookies
One of the chief complaints Pea Daddy has about being married to me, aside from the constant broccoli and hairspray fumes, is that since I am always creating new recipes, I rarely revisit the old ones. And if Pea Daddy has proven anything by his closet, it’s that he’s loyal to his favorites. If I’ve proven anything by my ever-changing hairstyles and hair colors, it’s that I’m not loyal to mine. Except for hairspray. I’ll never leave... Read More
Just for Looks
I am vain. I’ve learned in life that if you just admit your faults and shamelessly blurt them out to other people, it makes them seem a little less vile. Vain. Sing too loudly for the pitch and tone I have. Wear sports bras too many times without washing. Think I am funnier than anyone else does. Vain. See, that’s not so bad. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Another fault. After forgoing buying myself basic things as a stay-at-home mom for... Read More
Deck the Balls
If you are just joining us after the holiday weekend, let me catch you up. I was treated to a Thanksgiving morning dance recital. I made the best stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner. No, it wasn’t really a competition. But if it was, I would have won. I became a bread pudding convert and slept on the living room floor. The living room floor was closer to the leftovers. Easy access, baby. And today. Today we decked the halls. Every year when... Read More
Photo Finish
Twenty-two recipes, and over 800 photos, …in seventy-five hours. That’s almost one recipe per three hours for those of you that can’t find the calculator on your Start menu. (It’s okay, Mom. Call me. I’ll walk you through it.) There’s been at least three different sleeping arrangements: Gigi on the air mattress, which ended with Gigi in our bed at 1 a.m. and me getting a cavity search with her right knee; Gigi in my bed and me... Read More
Mama’s Mea Culpas
1. If I have an important phone call to take, I’ll give the girls fun activities to occupy them while I’m predisposed. Like doing dishes. 2. I was overjoyed when my parents showed up to help out today, not so I could take a much-needed shower, but so they could do the scrapbooking project I’d promised to let the girls do. 3. I hate scrapbooking. 4. Whenever anyone says, “Uh oh!” when they are sitting on the couch, I assume... Read More
Having a Ball
I’m not going to beat around the bush: today was not the greatest. Gigi’s still sick. I’ve lost my garage door opener and can’t leave the house anyway. It rained so hard last night, it woke me up and made somebody wet their bed. And then it rained all day too. We read book after book. We did crafts and puzzles. I hate puzzles. We played dress up. We cleaned out the Tupperware drawer. I hate Tupperware. I got rid of every bottom... Read More
Are You Going to San Francisco?
I am, so you can breathe a sigh of relief that you will not have to hear me talk about my upcoming trip anymore. Instead, you get to come with me! It’s a strange feeling being at the airport alone. I’m tempted to ask the guy next to me here in the waiting area if he needs to go tinkle before we get on the plane. I didn’t pack him a Pullup, so if he has an accident it’s a long, wet flight… Last night the girls and I prepared my foodie... Read More
I Will Make It Up to You
Did you ever make up something about yourself to get somebody to like you? Namely a member of the opposite sex? I would NEVER do such a thing. That would be just plain wrong. I would never pretend to be a natural blond. I would never pretend to be a responsible law student who just so happens to spend weekends studying in the same section of the library as you do. I would never pretend to enjoy watching sports, using Sportscenter as my main... Read More
Wacky Wednesday: Slide Slide, Slippedy Slide (VIDEO)
Do you know how to do the Oreo Slide? Amateurs. Let the pro do it. Seriously, I have never been more proud of myself than I am in this very moment. Thank you for sharing in my glory. Read More
How Do You Like Your Lovin’?
I’ll be somewhat brief in this post, for reasons that will probably become very clear by the time I’m through. I’m reading a book during my “me time” that today spoke about the five ways to show your spouse (and anyone else you love, for that matter) that you love him or her. They are: gifts: from little tokens to big presents service: doing a chore, cooking a meal, running an errand time: spending time together touch: a hug, a kiss,... Read More
Don’t Make Me Turn This Day Around
Today was the one day I have on the calendar this month without anything on it. I was going to go shopping for a cocktail dress for my San Francisco trip. It’s been far too long since I’ve needed a cocktail dress, and exactly ten minutes since I’ve needed a cocktail. The truth is, I have nothing to myself in this house, not an uninterrupted moment in the bathroom, not a package of gum, not even a batch of roasted Brussels sprouts. The only... Read More
A Few Acknowledgments
The “writer” part of my brain is fully spent. And now you have to suffer because of it. I finished up my book edits today and went as far as to write one of the most difficult parts of the book for me so far: the acknowledgments page. How could I possibly try to pinpoint only one page worth of people to acknowledge? “Readers” and “healthy living bloggers” made the cut (that’s you!). My mailman did not (I hope that’s not... Read More
A Day of Mystery
I’m totally stumped as to how to thank all of you for your prayers and support based on yesterday’s post. How about a post on a Friday night, when I’m usually deep in my couch, a glass of red and my DVR? Here you go. First, some good news: though Rachael isn’t out of the woods yet, they removed the pump this evening and her heart is beating on its own. If all goes well she will be out of the ICU and into the cardiac unit tomorrow.... Read More
A Fluff Piece
That last post was a little heavy, huh? I completely underestimated the amount of thoughtful feedback and support I would receive, via your comments and emails. I really cannot express to you how much it means to pour your heart into writing something that you feel so passionately about and to have others, even others with completely different views, respond with such positivity. I have such respect and high regard for you all, and it makes me... Read More
Helping Out a Friend
If you’re new to this site, you may not know that Peas and Thank You is part of a unofficial network of Healthy Living Blogs. (I’m talking to you, the two people who my dashboard tells me searched “Ryan Reynolds Shirtless” and found this site today.) Most of the sites are written by women, some younger than me, a few older (doesn’t Betty White have a Healthy Living blog?). Some are vegans, some are vegetarians and... Read More
We Have a Winner!
Hasn’t it been a beautiful day? Something about seeing a friend (who happens to be a blogger and author) on the Today Show can just put a smile on your face. I wasn’t the only Pea excited about it. Lulu said, “We HAVE that book!” I said, “I KNOW HER!” Gigi said, “I want to be on the Today Show.” I hope she gets on somehow besides showing up on a Smuckers’ jar in 2111. I was so proud of how... Read More
Lighten Up
You may find this hard to believe, but I’m actually far more laid back than I used to be. I think Pea Daddy just gave himself whiplash nodding his head so hard in agreement. Yet I hope that for every day I take a breath on this Earth, that I’m always a work in progress. I still have a long way to go. Today’s moment when I checked myself was when Lulu cried out, “Uh oh…I got Spaghetti O’s on my blankie!” You’d... Read More
Eerily Similar
Many of you know that Gigi and Lulu are not the girls’ real names, but just nicknames that are based on their real names. Gigi has been “Gigi” since she was born, and Lulu has been always been my “Lulu.” That’s why I was completely shocked when my friend Deb texted me last night and said, “You know about the Gigi and Lulu books, right?” And then I woke up this morning to a library book on my doorstep... Read More
One Fine Day
For all the days that I complain about dealing with diaper blowouts at the indoor park, having to clean toothbrush holders under the eerie watchful eye of Pea Kitty, intervening during peanut butter finger-painting on the couch and having sleep interrupted by announcements of, “There’s diarrhea in my crib!” there are some days when I absolutely appreciate that I have the best job in the entire world. Wait, what do you mean I never... Read More
Unspoken Rules
There are some guiding principles in our house that have never been said out loud. Until now. Pea Kitty is the sole responsibility of Pea Daddy. This cat hates me. I’m afraid I might die soon, though, because the last two nights in a row she’s curled up in between my legs while I sleep. I know it’s not for affection. I suspect she is acting like the nursing home cat that visits the elderly patients that are about to pass. ... Read More
Pea Mail: Winging It, Lunch Edition
We are literally pooped and had a day full of errands and laundry (for obvious reasons), so I thought today would be a great day to pick up with Part II of reader Jessica’s question. You may want to see the previous Pea Mail posts to bring yourself up to speed: Pea Mail: Winging It, Breakfast Edition Pea Mail: Vegan to Go Here again is Jessica’s eloquent and flattery-filled question (as all questions should be…): Hey Mama Pea, Love... Read More
Pea Mail: Vegan to Go
I get a lot of email. True, most messages are from the UK National Lottery with my millions of pounds in winnings or Zakabi Soyoba with a remarkable business opportunity. What can I say? I’m a lucky woman. Once in awhile, I get a really great question from a reader that I think everyone might benefit from having the answer to, or that I can at least make a convincing case that I have a halfway intelligent answer to. Today was one of... Read More
Date Night
If you have stumbled upon this post looking to lodge a complaint with, or in the alternative, propose marriage to the producer of the new Steve Carrell/Tina Fey movie, you are in exactly the right place. I haven’t seen it yet, so go ahead and tell me what you thought. You’d be doing me a favor since I am quite picky about spending $21.50 and two hours of my life with my butt crammed into a seat that hundreds of other strangers have... Read More
Make it Last
I love savoring a good cookie with a cup of tea in the evening. Or crumbling one on top of a smoothie in the morning. Why can’t you have cookies for breakfast? I’m definitely a savorer. The experience of eating for me is something I like to take my time with, which is somewhat ridiculous as a person that always has a lot of things going on at once, like simultaneously coloring ponies, praising pooping in the potty and folding laundry. I... Read More
