crazedparent

Things I love: Citrus in a glass...

The boys both came down with sniffles (I lie, big yellow mocoso noses) earlier this week. An afternoon later, I had that tell-tale tickle in my throat, sore neck, and that sneeze...the one that causes your head to feel fuzzy and you just know a cold is coming on.

I started to crave citrus. Thankfully, our CSA has been providing us with a generous amount of grapefruit and various types of oranges. And our lemon trees still continue to overwhelm us with their bounty.

Twice a day, I've been using the juice from three oranges, one grapefruit and one lemon (a la Mad Hungry), adding a teaspoon of agave nectar or honey and taking the mixture to task with my Cuisinart Smart Stick hand blender (a birthday gift from last year). The result is a frothy citrus drink that is sweet but tart enough to make you scrunch your cheeks. It's wonderful on a sore throat. It's also refreshing, which is why I always feel like a million bucks after I drink it.

I'm grateful that it's citrus season because I can have this blend every day. Lucky for me, the boys -- big and small -- dig it too.

Dispatch from the test kitchen: Black bean vegetable chili

You know you have a good black bean vegetable chili in your bowl when you don't even notice that meat is missing from the dish. My recipe is adapted from The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lutkins. I started cooking it in my pre-kid days, but back then I used to take the basic veggie chili recipe and add meat. Now, I can't imagine adding meat to this particular chili because it is so hearty and so good with veggies alone. And hello, it ain't called veggie chili for nothin'.

This dish has been on heavy fall/winter dinner rotation at casa crazedparent. It's also fantastic for those days when you need to use up all your veggies before they go bad. My list of ingredients covers the key ingredients, but you can really add whatever veggies you want.

As with any stew or slow-cooking dish, the flavor always gets better the day after you initially cook it. And if you freeze it? Hold on to your taste buds.

Also? Serve it with sweet corn bread. I just use the receipe on the side of my favorite corn meal, Alber's Yellow Corn Meal. My abuelita got me hooked on it when I was a kid.

Okay, here we go.

Black Bean Vegetable Chili

1 large eggplant, chopped into 1/2" chunks

Sea salt

1 tbs olive oil

1 yellow onion, diced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 peppers -- orange/yellow/red or a mix of them -- diced

2-3 zuchinni, diced

1 bag frozen sweet corn

1 can diced tomatoes, with juices

1 tbs tomato paste

2 cups black beans, freshly made (save a few tbs of the bean "juice") or canned (rinse before use)

2 tbs of really, really good chili powder

1 tbs cumin

1 tsp Mexican oregano

4 cups of vegetable broth, fresh or from box*

juice from one lemon

salt/pepper to taste

Toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream/plain yogurt, chopped cilantro

1. Place eggplant in colander and toss with sea salt. I use about one tablespoon but it's a large eggplant, I may use a little more. Cover the eggplant with a plate, facing down, so that the plate "pushing down" on the eggplant. Place the colander on top of a plate, which will catch the excess water that's going to come from the eggplant. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour.

2. When eggplant is ready...heat large dutch oven or soup pan over medium/high heat. Add olive oil. When oil is warm, add garlic and onions and cook until onions are translucent, about 4 minutes.

3. Add eggplant. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

4. Add peppers, zucchini, corn, tomatoes and tomato paste and stir to mix. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes.

5. Add beans through veggie broth. If you are using fresh beans, add the bean juice here. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer, partially covered.

6. Partially cover and simmer for at least one hour, stirring frequently to make sure the beans don't scorch on the bottom of the pan. I usually let this sit on the stove for about two hours to get intense flavors and burn off the broth. It also helps soften the eggplant skin.

7. Before you serve it, add the lemon juice and add salt/pepper if necessary. I have found that that salt on the eggplant and the seasonings are enough kick for my brood, but maybe you want to add more chili powder or cumin or pepper or whatever else you think it needs.

8. Dish it up with nice hot slices of cornbread and garnishes. Personally, I cannot resist a big dollop of sour cream on this chili.

You can freeze the leftover chili or pack in in the fridge for lunch over the next few days. Sometimes it's so thick and yummy that I even use it for lunchtime black bean/veggie burritos.

I'm also toying with the idea of adding butternut squash to it instead of eggplant. Maybe too sweet?

Enjoy! And let me know if you try it!

*I've also used chicken broth in place of veggie broth and it tastes delish. Just depends on what's in my pantry (or what I've accidentally left off my shopping list).

**One more thing. You may want to break out your favorite Mexican cerveza. Just sayin'.

Dispatch from the test kitchen: Coffee Cake, a la "Mad Hungry"

The phrase "we've been doing a little cooking around here" is an understatement. The entire family is enamored with Lucinda Scala Quinn's book, Mad Hungry: Feeding Boys & Men and we've been testing out as many dishes as we can. When I say "we," I mean it. The boys, big and small, are part of the cooking act. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Q. loves to make "Aunt Patty's Coffee Cake." Besides the fact that it's delicious, he knows that he can really get his hands dirty making of the dish. And if he's not in the picture, his stuffed animal is:

Let's take a closer look, shall we? Because this little mix of sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder* and instant coffee (Starbucks Via*) brings the coffee cake to life:

Yum.

The cake batter calls for one cup of sour cream, which adds a delicious richness to the cake. Last night, however, our refrigerator didn't contain sour cream. So we used Brown Cow plain non-fat yogurt instead.  My husband said the yogurt version tasted better than the sour cream version. The only noticeable difference was that the cake didn't have as much volume after baking.

Two great jobs for little helper hands: Prepping the Bundt pan by covering it with butter and mom or dad can handle the flouring of the pan. (See Spot? Always around.)

And sprinkling the filling over the batter (they get to do this twice).

Once the last bit of batter covers the filling, I let Q. help me swirl a knife through the middle of the batter to give it a marble effect. We popped it in the oven and waited patiently for 80 minutes (50 to bake, 30 to cool down). For an almost five-year-old boy, 80 minutes is ETERNITY. But Q. was a good sport about it. And the requisite peeking was involved.

Once the cake is ready for us to devour, I usually slice it into two halves and freeze one half of it. It thaws quickly so it's perfect for a weekend breakfast treat. This time, I cut it in half but the four of us each had a slice right away and I could tell we were going to need that other half sooner rather than later. That little slice at the top of this post? Inhaled.

I interviewed Lucinda back in November and I'll have to post it here soon. Her book is wonderful, I can't
recommend it enough. Her family favorites have become our family favorites. (I also tweak her recipes to add different twists and flavors. Which is the way of cooking, right?)

But tomorrow, my recipe for veggie chili. 

*I used samples obtained at BlogHer Food 2009. Thank you, Sharfen Berger Chocolate and the gal who was handing out Starbucks Via samples. I'm not a fan of it for drinking but those little packs rock for recipes that require instant coffee.

Things I love (running edition): A good pair of knickers...

I've been running in the rain this week. This requires a decent set of running attire that keeps you not sopping wet. I can't say "keeps you dry" because hello, you're running in the rain. You get wet. (And it's fun.*)

I am head over heals in love with running tights/knickers. Flare jogging/workout pants distract me. When I run, I don't want to feel the heels of my pants hitting my ankles. It's a mental thing, but they weigh me down.

I found an inexpensive pair of running knickers a few months back at Target and once I started running four to five times a week, I knew I needed to get another few pairs to preserve the feel and structure of them over time. Also? I needed a back pocket to store my running essentials (doggie bags, etc.).

I was at my local Title Nine store gearing up as for Eat. Blog. Run. I was on a mission to find running tights (the kind that go to your ankle) for cold/wet weather training but the store was completely sold out. Apparently running tights are very popular in my hood.

But I did find these Pearl Izumi "Quicker Knicker." Arrow through heart with love.

Some running tights/knickers are super comfortable because they are thin and tight fitting to help with wind (it won't hurt) and speed (aerodynamics, y'all). The downside is that these types of tights are usually more "sheer" than others. They really feel like tights and you feel unclothed (read: nakey), like you should be wearing a skirt over them. 

While I'm still looking for non-nakey feeling tights, I am now deeply committed to the Quicker Knicker. We've bonded. They keep me warm and dry even though they are not water resistant. They are the epitome of comfort. And the back pocket? Zoinks. Perfectly sized without being the least bit bulky.

They also make me run faster. In my head.

Things to look for when you buy running knickers/pants:

• Zip-Back pocket. When you try the tights/knickers on, drop in your key, a license, whatever else you bring on your rum and see how it feels. You shouldn't really notice your stuff.
• Drawstring! I can't emphasize enough how important the drawstring is in running tights/knickers. You need to be able to adjust that waistband so that your pants don't constantly feel like they are sliding off you. Distracting and uncomfortable! 
• No chafing. Talk about ouch. I have a pair of running skorts and while I love their look, boy do they chafe my leg! (They are now relegated to "comfort walking wear.") So when you try on those knickers/tights, move around in them. Don't be afraid to jog in your dressing room or even in the store. In fact, a good running store will encourage it.

My knickers cost me US$60 minus a birthday discount I received. (Title Nine has a neat little birthday discount club. I think it's only available at stores versus online.)

If you want less-expensive but decent running knickers, check out the C9 line by Champion (you can find them at Target). They average about US$22. I have not tried the latest version of the knicker. The pair I had were spandex versus the new line, which is mostly cotton. (I happen to prefer the spandex version). But be aware that in the C9 line, the key pocket is super tiny. As in you can fit a single key and your drivers license, and you can see their outlines through the fabric.

Last note: Don't put your tights/knickers in the dryer. You'll wear them out. Air dry them. Which is why you'll need more than one pair!

*Running in the rain IS fun. This is where my dog has been whispering in my ear. She welcomes a good splash outside during a storm...and I'm happy to oblige.

Luna Loves: Visiting the vet (alt title: My dog has allergies...)

Because we haven't had our share of vet visits, y'all.

My neighbor and I were joking a few weeks back that since our dogs are so astute and perceptive, they sense when things are bothering us. That our dogs are mimicking our health woes.

During that same time period, I was undergoing environmental allergy testing to get a better handle on my asthma. The result? I am severly allergic to cat dander, pollen, grass (even the one in our backyard), a whole lotta trees, and dust mites.

Coincidentally, during that same time period, Luna Lovegood was experiencing some major skin issues. Her nickname was "Itchy" because she scratched herself so much.

Turns out Luna also has environmental allergies; the doggy name for it is atopic dermatitis. It is also called "Lick, Bite and Scratch" disease because that's what your pup does when he/she has skin allergies. The end result is usually a rash that gets infected. Ick to infinity.

When the vet told me what Luna was suffering from, I laughed as I immediately flew back to the chat with my neighbor. My health issues are rubbing off on my dog!

The current solution is to have Luna on antibiotics and the equivalent of doggie Benadryl.

"Will it make her drowsy?" I asked, the vet sensing the anticipation in my voice.

"Your dog is so hyper that nothing will make her drowsy."

Just like the boys, said the voice in my head.

I once scoffed at the thought of pet insurance. Now? It's starting to look like a really good idea.

A Birthday Tale: Always a contractor's daughter, cont'd...

I celebrated my thirty-eighth birthday over the weekend (the 17th, in case you want to know) and true to birthday weekend form, it was pure bliss. (The hubds and I had drinks here, dinner here, and my boys further indulged my baseball fever by getting me this.)

My parents joined us for a little celebratory dinner on Sunday evening and before heading over to the restaurant, they came to our house bearing gifts for The Birthday Girl. Two presents were disguised in pink Hello Kitty wrapping papper, their cute way of remembering my childhood love and collection of All Things Sanrio. Also their cute way of reminding that I am always and forever their little girl.

The gifts were heavy. The boys watched me open them with great interest and oooh'd and ahhh'd when my new toys were revealed.

My parents did not disappoint.

Several years ago, I wrote an essay for the San Francisco Chronicle about being a contractor's daughter. If you dared to not believe it were true, behold my birthday gifts:

My new power drill.

My old drill broke and will no longer charge. The new one? It came with three...THREE...18 volt rechargeable batteries. First very delinquent project: New hooks in the boys' closets.

Also, good things in small, Hello Kitty-wrapped packages:

Yep, a pink, flowery sheetrock knife (you non-contractor's daughters may call them utility knives.)

Because a girl needs to be able to cut boxes (for recycling and, hello, box castles, spaceships and stuffed animal mansions and crafty moments) with a little cuteness.

Good things--and lots of home projects--are clearly in store for my new year ahead.

Things I love: DIY silly putty...

Gross, right?

When I wrote about DIY goop, Jay Fence said that when he was a kid, he loved "goop that used to come in a plastic egg."

Silly Putty! 

I used to love playing with Silly Putty when I was a kid, too. And Jay's comment added a new DIY craft project for me and the boys.

DIY silly putty calls for two ingredients: liquid starch and washable, non-toxic glue. Simple enough.

I found one set of instructions that said you mix and equal ratio of liquid starch and glue. Hmm, not so simple. Turns out it requires a little bit of experimenting.

Eight and I figured out that it's a two to five ratio. Two tablespoons of liquid starch to five tablespoons of glue. (We used Sta-Flo Concentrated liquid starch and Elmer's school glue.)

You mix and knead it in a plastic container. You want to make sure that the you -- or the kids -- really mop up all the liquid starch with the glue, otherwise it feels too wet. If it IS too wet, you may have to add more glue...go one teaspoon at at time. Again, just make sure you or the kids mix it all really, really well.

The DIY silly putty starts out slippery and the more you knead, the smoother and more silly putty-esque it gets. It starts out shiny then loses that luster. But if you let it sit for a bit, the shine comes back. When you're done, store the Silly Putty in a resealable plastic bag.

If the DIY silly putty gets on clothes (or hair, just sayin'), rub the spot with whatever kind of vinegar you have on hand (a la Crafty Teacher). It works really well, especially when you say, "Out damned spot."

Now, there are those folks who add food coloring to their DIY silly putty. After a food coloring mini disaster in our kitchen earlier this week that ended with our blinds covered with red streaks, I say avoid it at all costs.

Glitter? Okay.

Food coloring? Run. Run like the wind.

Eight had the idea of packaging the ratio of starch and glue in small containers along with a sheet with instructions, and giving it as a small gift. I thought that was cute and may have to investigate it further. Maybe for Valentine's Day? (Then I'll have to purchase this big mama.)

Test out the DIY silly putty and let me know how it goes and what worked for you!

Things I love: Pretty cooking gear...

Walking into a Sur la Table store is a dangerous thing. I find myself thinking about Julia Child in her memoir, My Life in France, where she writes about visiting an amazing cooking store and wanting to buy every single glorious utensil she could find.

Alas, I have not the space nor the infinite money tree in my back yard to allow for the purchase of all those lovely items I covet. But the 50 percent off section? Come to mama.

I found these hot red and pink Sur la Table-branded measuring cups (they cost $5) and spoons ($3) and since casa crazedparent is "accented' with splashes or red, I knew it was meant to be. (I mean, I know I was supposed to be looking for Sterno for our fondue pot.)

Why do I love them? They stack up so nicely. And so pretty in the money spot.

The measuring spoons are equally pretty and cute. Also? They have stands on bottom and can be left on the counter without tipping over when filled with ingredients.

Having pretty stuff in the kitchen makes me want to cook.

What are some of your favorite kitchen gadgets (could be because you love the way they look or the double-star whammy...because they look pretty and are super useful)?

Personal mission statements and manifestos...

Notes jotted down on scraps of paper while in the car waiting to pick up the kids. Lists in notebooks strewn throughout the house. I gather them together and compile them into one sheet of resolutions for a new year.

This year, this year, feels different. I awoke early one in the morning last Saturday to enjoy the quiet that comes from tired kids sleeping in. I felt like writing. No. I needed to write. I opened an blank sheet on the laptop completely unaware of what would come next. And the words just trickled onto the keyboard and up to the screen. I realized I was writing a mission statement for myself and my goals and focus over the next year. I'd never done that before and I found myself wondering why. It makes such sense.

The house was still when I completed my writing. I cuddled up with my pup and waited for my husband to return from the early-morning coffee run. My head was clear. And after a chaotic, hectic year, that's exactly what I needed.

I told my husband that I wrote a mission statement and he asked to read it. As a writer, it's sometimes difficult to allow others to read something so deeply personal. (It's a strange thing, since my words appear on the printed (or digital) page so often. I even have trouble sharing fictional stores, for that matter, because you wonder if the reader will understand that it's fiction and not about you. I digress.)  I handed the laptop over to him because you know what? It only helps me if my husband knows exactly what I'm about to embark upon over the next year.

"It's not a mission statement. It's a manifesto," he said with an approving smile.

And we both started joking about Jerry McGuire.

Mission statement, manifesto, whatever. Writing out my mission for 2010 with the seriousness of writing out a business plan has given me clarity and focus. Do you know how much I dig that? Because 2009? Zoinks. It was hectic.

If you want to try your hand at a personal mission statement, maybe this will help. (I'm not sharing my entire manifesto because it's solo para mi, but I'll share some pieces of it.)

• Start with a paragraph about 2009--don't recap the good times. Focus on what caused you the most stress. The "thing" that needs to change. And why.

• Pick a word or two that will help give you zoom focus for the next 365 days. I've done this since some friends of mine shared their "word of the year" tradition with us many moons back. This year, my words are "simply" and "believe." Not to simplify, but to do things simply. There's a difference. Simplify connotes making things easy. "Simply," to me, means purity. No complication. (I am the queen of taking simple and making it complicated.) My second word, believe, is just that. To believe in my goals. To know that I can do the things I need to do this year. (Other words in past years have been expansion, experience, adventure, focus.)

• Write a few sentences about why you chose that word or words.

• Get serious. Write down 3-5 areas where you will apply that word in your life and how you can make those changes. A few examples from me? Cooking, parenting, running, my new venture.

• Be kind to yourself. Be realistic. And start small. You can always add more later.

• Step away from your mission statement/manifesto. Take a look later in the day, revise, and then print it out. Read it. Often. And be proud of yourself every single time you take a small step toward your goals.

The key is to just write. Think of it as a 10-minute writing exercise because you know what? The words really should just flow. If they don't, you're not ready to do it.

Okay, enough rah rah from me. Get inspired by reading mission statements, goals and deresolutions from these folks:

1x1 year: 2010 mission statement

Ali Edwards: My one little word: Story

PetCobra: New Year's day deresolutions

Mama is...making resolutions

Crafty & Crazed: DIY Goop (not the Gwyneth Paltrow kind...)

It's a given that we'll get crafty at casa crazedparent over winter break. The kids are big into "science projects" right now. They love using play test tubes, droppers, food coloring and just about anything else that makes them feel like they are mad scientists. Crazy, mad scientists.

It's taken many deep breaths and om moments on my part to get past the mess. Also, I've been teaching them that they have to clean up their "lab," which makes them slightly more conscious of what they are doing...and how much time they'll have to spend on kitchen rehab after their projects are done. Good stuff.

One of their favorite "tricks" is making colored goop. Why a trick? Because the goop starts out wet, dries when it touches their hands, and then becomes wet again when they rub their fingers and hands together.

If you want to let your kids try making their own goop, let them mix 1 cup of corn starch with 1/2 cup of water.

That's it.

If your a daredevil, let them add a few drops of food coloring. Ahhh, red pretty goop. Snotty green goop. Cloudy blue goop. They've even made neon goop with those awesome neon food gels I use for baking rainbow cakes.

They'll spend an hour just stirring that brew, dipping their hands in it, watching it dry and then making it turn back into goop again.

And really, who can't use an hour of their kids playing nicely? Even when school is back in session. (That's today for my boys, yaow!)