More Vegetables, Please

One of my lesser goals for 2014 is to cook two vegetarian meals per week for dinner.  It is more of a personal challenge with several purposes: 1) save money on the food budget 2) broaden and diversify our palettes for different foods 3) keep my kitchen time from getting too monotonous and 4) eat more roughage.  Thus far, it has been great fun.  I think we have eaten a wider variety of foods, and I have enjoyed the puzzle of "What's for dinner?" with my new requirements.

In the process, I have discovered that Ezra--lover of almost no vegetables--adores fresh steamed broccoli.  He will eat half the bowl, if given the opportunity.  I have also discovered that I adore kale.  I never dreamed something so raw and curly and stiff could taste so delectable.  Recently, I coarse-chopped some kale, threw it in a skillet with olive oil and garlic, tossed it until it started to wilt and turn a gorgeous deep green color, sprinkled some salt on it, and tried hard to leave some for Dallin.

Here are some of my favorite recent vegetarian fixes: 
Butternut Squash Lasagna
Lentil-Barley Burgers with Fiery Fruit Salsa
Creamy Parsnip Soup
Vegetarian Korma
Vegetable Lasagna (Pioneer Woman)
Curried Carrot Soup
Gnocchi with Squash and Kale

So, I am still new at this, and I am running out of yummy ideas.  Any suggestions?    

Almost Spring

Winter with a toddler is not my favorite thing.  I am feeling really itchy for warmness.  We spent a great deal of time indoors this winter because Ezra had no desire to play with the snow in any form or fashion.  (We know our public library very well.)  We are on the cusp of spring, even though March weather is such a tease.  Here's a little sampling of our recent warmish day activities:

The local botanical garden has many free days, and we took advantage of that on a sunny March morning.  When we got too cold, we ducked inside the orangery and the tropical conservatory.  Ezra was very interested in picking the citrus, tearing apart all the primrose flowers and fern fronds, and filling every tulip with dirt.  Luckily, no garden employees witnessed his behavior. 

 
About five minutes from our house is a large man-made lake with a pier and walking trails.  One warmish day, we made paper boats, launched them from the pier, and watched their progress.  Then we took a little walk, stopping every two minutes to throw any available projectile into the lake.  Next door to the lake is a large acreage.  The owners have a horse and two miniature donkey-like creatures.  On this particular day, the animals were out and close to the fence.  We made our introductions, and found the little donkeys to be incredible gentle and curious.  Ezra is not an animal person, but he had absolutely no fear in approaching, talking to, and touching these new friends.  Maren was riding in a backpack, and I felt comfortable in putting her closer too.  As soon as I put her down, and before I could do anything about it, one of the donkeys stuck its head through the fence and touched its nose to her cheek.  Maren had a small panic attack at the large nostrils in close proximity (arms flailing, high pitched squeals), but did not cry.

 

  

   

Teamwork

From my perspective as a daughter, I believe my parents strengthened unity in their marriage by working on projects together.  I found that endearing as a child in their home, and it inspires me now as a young married person.  I appreciate that both my mom and my dad brought a unique set of talents and abilities to the table, and then found ways to pool their resources to make something greater.  I see evidence of those efforts in both physical, tangible things, and in emotional and spiritual ways as well. 

Dallin and I have been working on a project together, and I have found a lot of satisfaction in what our combined efforts can contribute.  In our family room, we have a vertically short, horizontally long wall, which tended to become a clutter zone with no real purpose.  After some brainstorming, we decided it needed some kind of shelf, and might be a good place to store toys.  We soon discovered that because of the odd dimensions (82" long x 24" tall x 16" deep), and a return air vent that couldn't be blocked, nothing we could buy at a store would fit the space.  So, I studied the wall again, and drew up my own plan.  And then we bought wood, had it cut, learned a little about wood construction and assembly, and made our own custom toy cubby.  Dallin marked and drilled all the holes because he is more accurate and disciplined about exactness than I am.  I sanded and sawed because my mommy arms are more in shape for endurance exercises.  Teamwork was required in the assembly.  When the weather warms up, we can take it outside to be painted.  It was such a great project!  Ezra loves the special toy bins, the area stays very tidy, it fills the space perfectly, and sweet husband and I did it together! 

Next on the list: vegetable garden.