that's sooooo cheesy.....

Fridays are my day with my little man, the Munch, the bambino, the Nugget - my son, Dylan. Every Friday, it's just us bonding and having a ball! (I work part-time as a Development Director, and Fridays are the day during the week when I am off the clock!)


We spent the morning in the Children's Department at the Main Library - A-MAZ-ING - and then surprised my husband by picking him up at his office for lunch. (OK...so we made an exception to the "us only" Friday rule...but we kept it in the family so it only half counts...)


The guest of honor got to choose our destination, and he made a fabulous choice - the Cool Moose Cafe and Bistro - a local eatery that offers breakfast and lunch...all with homemade goodness & a lot of organic goodies to boot! It was here that today's post came to fruition.


I dissected the menu, not for something I would enjoy as I find myself flipping a coin to make decisions, but rather to choose a nutritious meal my 6-toothed stud can manage. Alas, I came across my inspiration - grilled cheese.


But this wasn't just any grilled cheese. It was a grilled cheese made with Australian cheddar on Texas toast. It was not only multicultural, but one of the things I love most in life: a creative approach to a tried and true standard. 

Grilled cheese & blueberry muffins - yummmmmmm

Therefore, on this Friday evening I suggest trying this standby with a new twist! Here are some suggestions:

• Gruyere (you can really sass this up with a touch of truffle oil)
• Comte
• Appenzeller
• Fontina
• Munster 
• Swiss

If you want to live on the edge (please note sarcasm) combine multiple cheeses on the same sandwich...or get crazy and vary the bread from your mother's simple Wonder white. 

Some bread suggestions:

• wheat
• asiago cheese 
• sunflower seed
• multi-grain 
• marble
• rye
• a fresh, tasty original from your neighborhood bakery

Add one or more of the following for the cherry on top:

• basil
• tomato
• bacon (turkey bacon or meat-substitute bacon make for good options as well)
• roasted red bell peppers
• onion
• garlic
• pesto
• mustard

For a meal made in heaven, add a cup of tomato bisque. Bon Appétit!

Veggies for the Carnivores!

Happy Friday, All! 

As I have mentioned before, I am a vegetarian by proxy ... my husband doesn’t eat meat and therefore most of what I cook follows a vegetarian or pescatarian regimen. 

People are always asking me is there anything I cook that I enjoy eating since I’m bending my ways to another’s dietary requests. The answer? Y-E-S - YES! There are many foods and recipes that lend themselves to this style of cooking, and best of all...they are tasty!

Here are two recipes I’ve made this week that I encourage you to try at home - carnivore or not!

Squash Spaghetti

A creative approach to a dinner table classic.

Adriana introduced the idea earlier this week in the post A little squash. (Hopefully you've already been tempted by her recipe!) This recipe is a variation on squash spaghetti that I hope will also rock your socks.


I was introduced to this idea at a family function and we love it at my house!! Feel free to knock out the noodles all together...we just happen to enjoy a mix.

Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash (When in season this is in the produce section of your local grocer.)

2 jars of organic marinara 

Fresh white mushrooms (These are sauteed and added to the sauce - if you’re not a mushroom fan, feel free to exclude!)

1 box angel hair noodles (Noodle type can be changed to suit your tastes.)

Olive oil

Garlic salt

1. Pierce spaghetti squash in five places with a knife. Microwave for 12 minutes.
2. Sauté mushrooms using a splash of olive oil; when done, add sauce and simmer.If desired add garlic salt to taste.
3. Bring water to a boil with splash of olive oil - add noodles and cook to al dente. Drain.
4. Split squash in middle and remove seeds. (They resemble pumpkin seeds.) With a fork, scrape out “noodles” into a bowl. 
5. Combine angel hair and squash noodles into individual bowls. Top with sauce.
6. Enjoy!

Crumbles Lasagna

Replace the meat with a healthy treat!

An important aspect of a vegetarian’s diet is protein - just because you have chosen to exclude animals doesn’t mean the food pyramid becomes unimportant. Sometimes you simply have to get more creative with your intake sources. A product that we have grown to love is protein crumbles by Smart Ground; the product resembles ground beef in appearance and is loaded with nutrition! The following recipe replaces ground beef with this product, and adds spinach for an extra punch of delish!

Ingredients:

1 box of Barilla no-boil lasagna noodles

2 eggs

1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 package Smart Ground crumbles browned

1 jar organic spaghetti sauce

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce  

1 package frozen chopped spinach

Parsley (garnish)

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Prepare spinach according to package directions. Drain.
3. Ground protein crumbles. 
4. In pan, combine spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and protein crumbles.
5. In bowl combine beaten eggs, ricotta cheese, spinach, and TWO cups of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
6. Set aside.
7. In 9 X 13 pan, spread 1 cup of sauce on bottom of pan.
8. Layer in this order: lasagna noodles (make sure they do not overlap as they expand when cooked), 1/3 part of ricotta cheese mixture, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1 1/2 cups sauce mixture.
9. Next layer: lasagna noodles (make sure they do not overlap as they expand when cooked), 1/3 part of ricotta cheese mixture, and 1 1/2 cups sauce mixture.
10. Next layer: lasagna noodles (make sure they do not overlap as they expand when cooked), remaining ricotta cheese mixture, and 1 cup sauce mixture.
11. Top layer: lasagna noodles (make sure they do not overlap as they expand when cooked), remaining sauce, remaining 1 cup mozzarella. 
12. Garnish with parsley. 
13. Bake covered with foil for 50-60 minutes.
14. Uncover and continue cooking until cheese on top is melted.
15. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
16. NOTE: If you are using a 13x9x2 pan, reduce to 3 layers to avoid spillage.
17. Enjoy!

a new spin on an old fave

the crisp air and fall feeling of my day has inspired me to change my post at the last minute. i had planned to touch on the wonders of baking soda...but i want to share one of my all time (and now my hubby's as well...) simple vegetarian recipes perfect for this time of year: kickin' mac & cheese! not only is it tasty, but it warms you all over and fills you up.

ingredients:

1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni 

4 tablespoons butter (divided in half)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups whole milk

1 teaspoon dry mustard

3/4 tablespoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

6 teaspoons green Tabasco sauce (this is the magical ingredient; if you are unsure if you can handle the spice, use 2 teaspoons and garnish finished serving as desired)

1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese (not quite as critical as the sauce, but just as sassy)

1 3/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup dry bread crumbs

2 teaspoons chili powder

directions:

1. preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or as directed by package for al dente; drain.
3. in a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. whisk in flour and cook, stirring continuously for 1 minute. gradually whisk in milk, mustard, salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce. bring to a gentle boil, again stirring constantly. boil for 1 minute - lower heat to lowest setting. whisk in pepper jack, cheddar, and Parmesan until smooth. stir in cooked pasta and pour into shallow 2 quart baking dish.
4. melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. (you may wish to use 3 tablespoons butter depending on how saturated you want your crumbs to be.) stir in bread crumbs and chili powder. sprinkle over macaroni.
5. bake for 38 minutes. let stand at least 10 minutes before serving.

i suggest serving with seasoned asparagus and a glass of white vino for a perfect fall treat! bon appetite!

when life gives you lemons....

happy friday, everyone!

fridays are my day off, and like anyone with a day off i had the choice to get things done...or have some fun. as tempting as the outdoors are this time of year i went with the former.

sitting at my desk, furiously typing in an attempt to successfully upload my thoughts before the little one wakes up, a smile is on my face. my house smells like the citrus section of a floral shop - and i dig it!

you guessed it....today i bring you...

LEMON.

while lemons aren’t as abundant in usefulness as vinegar can be, it isn’t the red headed step child of green cleaning, either. 

for a not so lazy friday, here are just a few suggestions:

• trash can freshener - don’t waste your pretty penny on scented trash bags! simply place the rind of a lemon (an orange will work, too) at the bottom of your can and voila! 
• furniture polish - mix lemon juice with olive oil (1/2 cup and 1 cup respectively) 
• (solid)brass and copper polish - cut a lemon in half, and sprinkle surface with salt. rub in circular motion to polish - rinse well with water. (this does not work on plated pieces)
• drain freshener - done doing the dishes after dinner? freshen the drain by grinding up a lemon (or orange) peel - your whole kitchen will feel refreshed!
• removing stains from tupperware - squeeze half of a lemon in stained tupperware, add some baking soda, and scrub! (for deep, tough stains it can help to let the paste sit overnight.)
• lime and calcium buildups - squeeze lemon onto areas affected in bathroom or kitchen, allow a few minutes to penetrate, and scrub
• removing rust from clothes - squeeze lemon juice onto rusted area, sprinkle on some cream of tartar, and pat with finger. allow to sit for 15 minutes or so. rinse and clean. **don’t attempt on any silk fabric! 

until next week...

greening the cleaning

In the spirit of full disclosure...(and since I will soon be teaching my son that "honesty is the best policy")...I gave my husband a merciless really hard time when he announced he wanted to green the way we clean.

In our relationship, I'm the dreamer; he's the doer. I am the artsy, right-brained creative who is passionate about an idea one minute, and have forgotten it as I move on the next. Daniel, on the other hand, takes it all in and then develops a plan of action. (i.e. I announced a couple years ago that I was considering going back to being a vegetarian. The next week at the grocery store as I was putting chicken cutlets into the cart, Daniel asked what I was doing, a dumbfounded look spread across his face. He had already been operating sans carcass for a week, had registered for PETA emails, and had added Food, Inc. to our Netflix cue.)

When we found out we were expecting, Daniel decided it was time to make a change. Dragging my feet, not to mention everything else since the first trimester knocked me on my butt, I agreed. After a few days of an intense relationship with Google, I was secure in our choice. Research shows that by making the switch to a green clean approach you reduce your family's risk for asthma, allergic reactions, skin conditions, and more.

Therefore...I present Green Cleaning ideas from our home to yours! It is not only a healthier alternative, but an excellent way to save money! For the next few weeks I'll focus on a cleaning agent and all it's possibilities.

• Vinegar
• Vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent, not to mention plentiful and cheap!
• You want white vinegar for cleaning purposes. (Save apple cider and balsamic vinegar for cooking.)
• All purpose cleaner replacement.
• Deodorizer - Have a room or area of your home that an odor has attacked? Pour some vinegar in a cereal bowl or small Tupperware container and place in the suspicious location for a few hours. The vinegar will remove the smell.
• Surface cleaner - Mix 1 part vinegar to 1 part water into a spray bottle. Use everywhere from shower to kitchen table. 
• Personally, I use this approach with an old t-shirt to dust or to clean windows with yesterday's newspaper.
• Great on soap scum and hard water stains! (If you live in FL like me, you know that's a plus!)
• Floor cleaner - Throw out the Pine Sol and say hello to vinegar mixed with hot water! Have a robot mop? No problem! We use white vinegar mixed with hot water rather than the Clorox alternative in our Scooba. 
• Grout - scrub vinegar on bathroom tiles to remove grout buildup! 
• Toilet cleaner - Have rings that just won't budge? Flush the toilet allowing water level to go down and pour pure vinegar around the bowl. Scrub and flush.
• Laundry - My son and I both have very sensitive skin, and vinegar acts as a combatant on our team! Mix 1/2 cup into wash with detergent; vinegar will not only help to break down the detergent to make it more effective, but it will result in less trace of detergent in your clothing. Added bonus? Vinegar helps colors stay bright! This will prolong the life of that favorite item.
• System cleaner - All the mechanics in your house will appreciate a vinegar bath from the inside out. 
• Iron - pour vinegar into water chamber to remove calcium and lime build up
• Coffee maker - remove lime stains on inside and outside by running vinegar through once a month
• Washing machine - run a cup of vinegar on a normal wash cycle once a month...this will not only refresh your system, but will solve the problem of misty glassware!

We are still learning, and regularly come across great substitutions we'd never thought of. Please share any ways you use vinegar in the comments section so we can all grow! Until next week.....

a week of reflection

Most days start with the goal of putting your best foot forward, having a positive outlook, and the pursuit of making one good choice followed by another. (Kellogg's NutriGrain commercials ring a bell...?) As a wife, and now a mother, I find myself carrying the yolk of making wise decisions for three, not just myself ... and I'm happy to do so...on most days. :)

This week, however, I have found myself just trying to make it through the day next hour. 

Daniel, the hubby, flew to Colorado at the crack of dawn Monday morning; he will be out of town through this Sunday. (Which reminds me - am I the one getting him at the airport...? I digress.) A nursing baby with another dual ear infection. Phoebe, a spastic dog that thinks she must protect the 'castle' at all costs, a fact of which the neighbors within a five mile radius are now all too painfully aware. Three cats who have recently made the switch to soft food, for dietary reasons - see first paragraph, and serve as a living, breathing, clawing alarm clock if not fed promptly at 5:30AM. A part-time job that lately consumes my full-time thoughts. Oh - and don't forget the cherry on top: the phone call from my dad who saw a summary of the above in a status message on Facebook and felt it necessary to call and remind me that in his mother's day the wife/mom took care of all of that and more every week before gender roles became more balanced. Thanks, Dad.

This was my week and my selfish complaints ... until Wednesday.

As I sat down in the family room, with my well deserved glass of wine, ready to unwind from the day I was jolted as I read, "Missing Plane Wreckage Found In Alaska." I became sick to my stomach as I read further: "Officials said there were no signs of survivors."

For five weeks now, family and friends of Mason McLeod and three others have done all they can to keep efforts alive to find the plane that went missing on August 21st. This story has been featured on every news outlet and in every publication in the Northeast Florida area ever since.

This wasn't just a news story to me, or many close to me. Mason was a friend - and always will be.

Details on his life, his dreams, a synopsis typically given as if someone's life can be summed up in a sentence were all included in the broadcasts and news articles. But that wasn't the Mason I knew. Who was the Mason I knew? First boyfriend in the 6th grade. Amazing writer. Humanist. Homecoming date, freshman year. Witty observer. Entrepreneur. Friend. Son. Intelligent. Lover of art. Jaguars fan. Classmate. Avid reader. Jack of all trades. Political activist. Pilot. Ranger. A goof. Serious. Genuine.

Last night friends gathered from all over to celebrate the life of the one we've lost at a benefit held in Mason's name. All money raised will go into a scholarship fund, as well as pay for gas to continue the search for the still missing remains. (To donate, please visit www.bringmasonhome.myevent.com.) As I stood surrounded by faces from past and present, hearing and sharing so many stories of how Mason inspired a laugh or a life choice from everyone in attendance, I started to realize how much I took for granted this week.

I was able to hold my son every day and tell him how much I love him. My husband made it safely to CO, and with God's help, will make it safely back to me in just a few days. I have a dog, that as spastic as she may be, loves me so much that she wants to protect me from anything she fears may cause me harm. I have three cats that recognize that we made a decision for them to better their health and they are meowing to let me know they approve. I have a job, and it helps me to provide for my family. I have my life.

Sometimes it can be so much easier to look at the negative, than to search for the silver lining.

Tomorrow when I wake up, as I'm preparing my mental "to do" lists for the day, deciding what the healthiest breakfast choices are for myself and the baby, scheduling the day, feeding the pets, and "Shh-ing" the dog, I am going to take a moment and acknowledge how truly blessed I am, and to find a reason to laugh.

For that, and so so much more, I have my dear friend Mason to thank.

A new face...

"A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment." - Jane Austen


In real life, things don't happen as rapidly as Ms. Austen implied...but at times it can certainly feel like they do!

My name is Laura, and I am very excited to join with the lovely ladies of So Maybe Mom Was Right to provide a window into my world.

I am...a woman. A wife. A mom. A daughter. A sister. A friend. Evolving.

At 26 going on 27, I am married to a wonderful man, Daniel; we recently celebrated our second wedding anniversary. In January we were blessed with the arrival of a son - Dylan Logan. As if that wasn't enough to fill the walls of our quirky old house, we also share space with a spastic beagle/Jack Russell mix and three cats collectively known as "the boys." I work part-time in the education field, and full-time in the wife/mom field. I was born in the Midwest, but grew up in the South. I have an old fashioned foundation, with some moderate bricks and mortar.

I love...my family, my friends, being a mom, the Florida Gators, all most things organic and green, literature - specifically British and Childrens', ice cream, my faith, the internet, my iPhone (how others or myself made it through the day without one I'll never know!!), Page Six, reality TV, gerber daisies, pedicures, chocolate truffle flavored coffee with two Splenda and a dash of cream, Autumn, Christmas cookies, painting, Bob Dylan, van Gogh, bistros, painting, cities where you can use your own two feet as transportation, a perfectly made fire in winter, fresh herbs, anything pumpkin or coconut flavored, Italy, libraries, learning to cook, satire, heels.

I despise...exercise, apple juice, the cotton in medicine bottles, decaf, insincerity, mayonnaise, harsh chemicals and byproducts, pork, the color purple, injustice, not being perfect at everything.

I'm not a green nut or tree hugger. I'm not Susie Homemaker. I'm not perfect. The battle is that I try to be.

Hello, my name is Laura. I am a blogger and I hope you'll join me on this new adventure...