We can't do a gourmet meal each day. Today, we had burgers and fries - and it's still just as tasty. I did supplement with cuts of fresh tomatoes, and unfortunately Baby1 was so tired from all our activity today she didn't even last through the meal - but at the least, she did eat the tomatoes.
I am, however, genuinely torn when it comes to the costs of some of our meals. I'm torn - not because I don't want to save money in this dire economy, but because I want us to save money in our foodstuffs but I still want to make sure that I put quality and variety on our table. Saving grace is definitely the fact that we don't eat much processed foods, and that we shop primarily along the perimeter - but for a growing family, the food bills do add up over time. My regular purchases: milk, eggs, flour, fruits, vegetables, and a variety of meats. Secondary purchases: cereal, crackers, sugar, juice, water. You'd think this wouldn't add to too much, but boy it really does add up. Then, we also have the take-out orders we place every so often when I can't muster enough energy to cook after a long day (and when I don't want to eat what we already have) - and all of a sudden, our food bills grow exponentially.
So I'm puttin ghtis in writing: I'm going to make a truly concerted effort, during these last few weeks of my maternity leave, to really focus on cooking the foods we have, and to get really well-versed in being able to throw together a good meal, and a series of good meals with variety, from just the items we have in our fridge and freezer. No random ordering out, no cheating with take-out. At the least, while our other costs may be growing while our pocketbooks are shrinking, I can really learn how to use and enjoy what I already have.
And... try to keep up editing this blog on a regular basis.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Gear
Besides the fact that Hubby and I continually find faults with just about every piece of baby/toddler equipment out there (great stroller, just want it to be able to handle having a toddler as well as a baby; great bottle idea, but the nib leaks like Niagara Falls; what a beautiful snack ball, if only the lid would work the way it's supposed to and not break 2 weeks after we start using it), as I am trekking again through the swamps of navigating care for a newborn, I am going through all our old gear again. Same complaints with some of our basic gear:
1. Bibs. Whose brilliant idea was it to have the rough side of the velcro backs face up, where it can scratch baby's neck? Of course, in the ideal world, the velcro would be facing out at the back of the neck, thus negating the scratchy velcro problem. But what baby actually keeps a bib in place enough to keep that scratchy face facing outward?
2. Pacifiers. The pacifiers should have been made with the cover plate (the hard piece at the end of the chewy nib) curved away from the face. All you need after baby sucks on that thing is to have the footprint of this place engraved on its face.
3. Footed onesies. Keeps those feet warm. Also generates planned obsolescence, as babies grow like weeds and what fit last week won't fit this week.
4. Single-side-access onesies. Parents, you know what I'm talking about. There's nothing quite like folding up your baby in half in order to get their foot into the unaccessible leg of these long-zip onesies.
5. Onesies without lap shoulders or shoulder snaps. OK, so maybe my baby has an extraordinarily large head, but why make tops without adjustable openings for the head? Poor thing looks like he's going through the birthing process each time I try to pull one of these stupid shirts over his head - and he cries like he's going through the process again each time.
These are just the start... as I go through more gear, I'm sure I'll find more material for whining.
1. Bibs. Whose brilliant idea was it to have the rough side of the velcro backs face up, where it can scratch baby's neck? Of course, in the ideal world, the velcro would be facing out at the back of the neck, thus negating the scratchy velcro problem. But what baby actually keeps a bib in place enough to keep that scratchy face facing outward?
2. Pacifiers. The pacifiers should have been made with the cover plate (the hard piece at the end of the chewy nib) curved away from the face. All you need after baby sucks on that thing is to have the footprint of this place engraved on its face.
3. Footed onesies. Keeps those feet warm. Also generates planned obsolescence, as babies grow like weeds and what fit last week won't fit this week.
4. Single-side-access onesies. Parents, you know what I'm talking about. There's nothing quite like folding up your baby in half in order to get their foot into the unaccessible leg of these long-zip onesies.
5. Onesies without lap shoulders or shoulder snaps. OK, so maybe my baby has an extraordinarily large head, but why make tops without adjustable openings for the head? Poor thing looks like he's going through the birthing process each time I try to pull one of these stupid shirts over his head - and he cries like he's going through the process again each time.
These are just the start... as I go through more gear, I'm sure I'll find more material for whining.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Childhood toys, refound
Outside of cooking, another one of my pasttimes has been hunting down some toys from childhood that I remember. Recently, at our local community center, during playgroup, Baby1 picked up a little block that I remembered from when I was a little child in Taiwan, but the blocks didn't have a label on them for me to discern what they were. Well, a recent hunt and after asking countless other parents about what these blocks were, I spoke with one of the local moms to find that she too knew what I was talking about. These blocks, they have these nubbies all over them, and they connect with one another via these nubbies.
Do you know what I'm talking about?
Well, she suggested taking a look at Parents Magazine toys, and sure enough, I found them: Bristle Blocks! Here's a link via Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Krinkles-in-Case-113-pieces/dp/B000HDH02Q.
As soon as I found it, I knew this was what I've been searching for, up and down all over the place. I am so getting a box of these for Baby1, and eventually, when he's ready, Baby2.
Do you know what I'm talking about?
Well, she suggested taking a look at Parents Magazine toys, and sure enough, I found them: Bristle Blocks! Here's a link via Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Krinkles-in-Case-113-pieces/dp/B000HDH02Q.
As soon as I found it, I knew this was what I've been searching for, up and down all over the place. I am so getting a box of these for Baby1, and eventually, when he's ready, Baby2.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Bagels... to go
I heard about a great place to get bagels, this Capital Bagel Bakery just south of where I live, and I figured I'd take Baby1, Baby2, and Nanny with me on an excursion to check out the place. We stopped first for lunch (Nanny's first jaunt with sushi!) at a place next door, Golden Dragon, where I get my Chinese delivery all the time. Afterwards, seeing that Nanny didn't venture too far to gobbling up the sushi, I figured, let's check out the bagel place, to pick up some bagels to take home with us, in case she is hungry but didn't want to be impolite and tell me that she doesn't like sushi.
Well.
So I order my baker's dozen ($9.12, tax included), and this tall woman comes up in line behind me, places her order, and she begins her departure. She seemed quite well in a rush - aren't we all. I stop with Baby1, who is completely enraptured by a 10-month old baby boy at a nearby booth, to admire said 10-month old, whose mother was gracious enough to allow Baby1 to humor her curiosity about the little guy and who very patiently answers Baby1's questions about all the accoutrement in his car seat (binkies, toys, blankets). We converse for a little bit, and I thank her for letting Baby1 get so close to him, and we then begin our departure. Enter tall woman.
She was still behind us, even after our conversation and exploration of 10-month-old baby boy, and with a brusk "excuse me" rushes past me. Baby1 is in front of me, and as toddlers are prone to do, she started running, then stumbled and fell. Tall woman steps over her, curses under her breath, and rushes her way out the door. I'm more than just a little annoyed.
Now mind you, if she were dressed like she had a full-time job, instead of in shorts and a t-shirt, I might say, hmm, been there, done that, definitely had something to rush off to, I can empathize. Instead, though, she seemed quite annoyed that anyone outside of herself was there, so the only conclusions I can deduce are these:
1. She doesn't like children.
2. She doesn't want children.
3. She obviously doesn't have children.
4. I'm in Virginia - is this racism that's biting at my heels?
Maybe this is self-centered. Maybe in my insular world the women I've been exposed to have been so gracious with my children, that I just assume that all women would regard other little children with open arms and understand when a toddler falls (and just about all I've encountered have then reached out, regardless of all the stuff they have in their hands, to help out with any child that takes a stumble). Or who knows... maybe one of the immediate reactions I have above is a truth. Or, if this is a balance against the better experiences I've had to date with my children, then it goes to reveal that balance does happen in this world, for good and bad.
So the bagels - I've got them in a paper bag right now, but will give them a try. Sounded like they are pretty good against the NY variety - we shall see.
Well.
So I order my baker's dozen ($9.12, tax included), and this tall woman comes up in line behind me, places her order, and she begins her departure. She seemed quite well in a rush - aren't we all. I stop with Baby1, who is completely enraptured by a 10-month old baby boy at a nearby booth, to admire said 10-month old, whose mother was gracious enough to allow Baby1 to humor her curiosity about the little guy and who very patiently answers Baby1's questions about all the accoutrement in his car seat (binkies, toys, blankets). We converse for a little bit, and I thank her for letting Baby1 get so close to him, and we then begin our departure. Enter tall woman.
She was still behind us, even after our conversation and exploration of 10-month-old baby boy, and with a brusk "excuse me" rushes past me. Baby1 is in front of me, and as toddlers are prone to do, she started running, then stumbled and fell. Tall woman steps over her, curses under her breath, and rushes her way out the door. I'm more than just a little annoyed.
Now mind you, if she were dressed like she had a full-time job, instead of in shorts and a t-shirt, I might say, hmm, been there, done that, definitely had something to rush off to, I can empathize. Instead, though, she seemed quite annoyed that anyone outside of herself was there, so the only conclusions I can deduce are these:
1. She doesn't like children.
2. She doesn't want children.
3. She obviously doesn't have children.
4. I'm in Virginia - is this racism that's biting at my heels?
Maybe this is self-centered. Maybe in my insular world the women I've been exposed to have been so gracious with my children, that I just assume that all women would regard other little children with open arms and understand when a toddler falls (and just about all I've encountered have then reached out, regardless of all the stuff they have in their hands, to help out with any child that takes a stumble). Or who knows... maybe one of the immediate reactions I have above is a truth. Or, if this is a balance against the better experiences I've had to date with my children, then it goes to reveal that balance does happen in this world, for good and bad.
So the bagels - I've got them in a paper bag right now, but will give them a try. Sounded like they are pretty good against the NY variety - we shall see.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Fading memory
It goes without saying for any new mom that somehow our memory deteriorates almost immediately after having said newborn, as we are instantly thrown into reactionary instead of proactive mode. So that's where I find myself these days - unable to keep short term memory for extended period of time (not to mention, being around Baby1 all day gives me a newfound encyclopedia of toddler language and loss of adult language) - that is, until I'm nursing. Then all of a sudden, when I don't have a hand to do anything, I remember all kinds of stuff that I need to do or get, and no way of recording my recalled memory. Maybe I should just attach my crackberry to Baby2, and then whenever I pick up Baby2, I can record my memory at a touch of a button without having to remember to grab said crackberry.
So as if I'm not thrown into a tailspin already with two little ones in tow, I am now nursing a sore throat. Not much except Jello feels good on my sore throat, and there's no way I can rest it as Baby1 insists on an unending string of "what's that what's that what's that what's that what's that what's that" all day long. But, I did get to making a 6-strand challah today... haven't yet tried it, but if my throat feels all right tomorrow, I may try a slice. Substituted about 2oz of the 16.75oz AP flour with wheat flour - we'll see how it turned out!
So as if I'm not thrown into a tailspin already with two little ones in tow, I am now nursing a sore throat. Not much except Jello feels good on my sore throat, and there's no way I can rest it as Baby1 insists on an unending string of "what's that what's that what's that what's that what's that what's that" all day long. But, I did get to making a 6-strand challah today... haven't yet tried it, but if my throat feels all right tomorrow, I may try a slice. Substituted about 2oz of the 16.75oz AP flour with wheat flour - we'll see how it turned out!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Watermelon granita
Our wonderful friends Bondrew came over tonight for dinner, to catch up and check in. On the menu - a bounty of vegetables from their community garden, steaks, and tapioca pudding. From our side, I tried making a 5-minute berry cobbler (eek, not good - flipped a wheat pie crust on top of berries/sugar/butter) and a watermelon granita. I'll provide the watermelon granita recipe here for the fact that it succeeded and it was super easy. This made an excellent palate cleanser.
Watermelon Granita
- watermelon (4 parts)
- triple sec or cointreau (1 part)
1. Puree watermelon in blender.
2. Add cointreau to watermelon, and blend with 2 short pulses.
3. Pour into large flat pan (enough to allow watermelon mixture to attain 1" depth).
4. Freeze for 4 hours, with a fork scraping 2 hours into freezing time.
5. Serve.
Watermelon Granita
- watermelon (4 parts)
- triple sec or cointreau (1 part)
1. Puree watermelon in blender.
2. Add cointreau to watermelon, and blend with 2 short pulses.
3. Pour into large flat pan (enough to allow watermelon mixture to attain 1" depth).
4. Freeze for 4 hours, with a fork scraping 2 hours into freezing time.
5. Serve.
How do I grow a third hand?
Ever step into the kitchen, and suddenly in the midst of cooking this that and the other thing realize that you were missing the most important tool - a third hand? Try cooking with just 1 hand - you'll get that same feeling. I'm on a search now, for recipes that can allow me to cook with just one hand, as often times I end up having to carry Baby2 in one of my arms while I'm cooking and prepping to keep him calm (Baby1 just pulls up a stool to observe everything happening on the countertop). And it's not easy - he has little to no head control, and those neck muscles aren't exactly lean and tuned either, so I sometimes really, REALLY need that third hand.
Well, all the meats are diced, sliced, and ground, in individual packets in the freezer. Dad has brought enough food to stock our fridge and our freezers (sometimes to my dismay as I actually do like to cook, and a packed fridge doesn't allow me to cook anything for storing). Veggie drawers are also stocked. From the outside, it would look like I've got it made...
Except, of course, for said third hand. And more prep time.
So I'm on that search for easy recipes, but preferably not casseroles. So far, I've been tackling only those "fresh" recipes, that use some raw ingredients and simpler cooked ingredients. But complexity is not easy when I have one hand occupied... and I'm craving roux and gumbo. Oh help.
Well, all the meats are diced, sliced, and ground, in individual packets in the freezer. Dad has brought enough food to stock our fridge and our freezers (sometimes to my dismay as I actually do like to cook, and a packed fridge doesn't allow me to cook anything for storing). Veggie drawers are also stocked. From the outside, it would look like I've got it made...
Except, of course, for said third hand. And more prep time.
So I'm on that search for easy recipes, but preferably not casseroles. So far, I've been tackling only those "fresh" recipes, that use some raw ingredients and simpler cooked ingredients. But complexity is not easy when I have one hand occupied... and I'm craving roux and gumbo. Oh help.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Strange dynamics
Our wonderful Nanny has been taking care of Baby1 since last September - and she is continuing with caring now also for Baby2. Now what's strange, is that I had anticipated the transition to go smoothly, but the dynamic has really changed since I've been home on maternity leave. I adore her, and yet, when she starts cooing over Baby2, or when I watch as she takes care of Baby1, I really have to hold myself back from correcting her every move.
Like I should be surprised - it is, after all, a mother's protective intuition. But, we are transitioning, and we have this summer to do it. If anything, she's wonderful with Baby1 (though I'd like for her to really push educational boundaries and help Baby1 learn more beyond what she can do in the playground) and completely dotes on Baby2. What more could a mother ask for?
So cookingwise, I'm actually still able to do quite a bit of cooking. I've made a variety of dishes, done several different cuisines. We're rationing our stored food that people and we have made for this postpartum period for those days when cooking is not an option (i.e., when I've hit my limit of kidhood or the kids are out of control). Most recently, I made my first batch of tabouleh - super easy!
Equal parts bulgar wheat and boiling water (I used 1 c each)
1 tomato, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 bunch parsley, finely chopped
juice of 1/2 lemon
olive oil
S/P
Pour boiling water over bulgar wheat. Let sit for 1 hour.
Chop veggies and parsley.
Mix all vegetables and bulgar wheat together.
Squeeze lemon juice on top, and drizzle with olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
We'll have this taboulleh tonight, alongside some bread and hummus (with ground beef). I really should get off the pre-preg "Daddy diet" I've continued postpartum, and get on board with getting myself back in shape!
Like I should be surprised - it is, after all, a mother's protective intuition. But, we are transitioning, and we have this summer to do it. If anything, she's wonderful with Baby1 (though I'd like for her to really push educational boundaries and help Baby1 learn more beyond what she can do in the playground) and completely dotes on Baby2. What more could a mother ask for?
So cookingwise, I'm actually still able to do quite a bit of cooking. I've made a variety of dishes, done several different cuisines. We're rationing our stored food that people and we have made for this postpartum period for those days when cooking is not an option (i.e., when I've hit my limit of kidhood or the kids are out of control). Most recently, I made my first batch of tabouleh - super easy!
Equal parts bulgar wheat and boiling water (I used 1 c each)
1 tomato, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 bunch parsley, finely chopped
juice of 1/2 lemon
olive oil
S/P
Pour boiling water over bulgar wheat. Let sit for 1 hour.
Chop veggies and parsley.
Mix all vegetables and bulgar wheat together.
Squeeze lemon juice on top, and drizzle with olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
We'll have this taboulleh tonight, alongside some bread and hummus (with ground beef). I really should get off the pre-preg "Daddy diet" I've continued postpartum, and get on board with getting myself back in shape!
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