This Week In My Kitchen

It has been way too long since I've blogged last.  With the birth of our sixth child, a two month stay in the NICU at Children's Hospital, and months of non-stop doctor's visits and therapy, I'm craving some sense of normalcy.  I really want to get back to this space more often to document our days that are going by too quickly.  I thought I'd jump back in with an easy post with lots of pictures and few words.  It's Thursday, which means its time for the This Week in My Kitchen Blog Hop hosted by Heather from A Beauty That Moves.  

"Capturing my love of whole foods, combined with the activity of a bustling kitchen.

A weekly collection of photos from the center of my home."

It's strawberry season in our neck of the woods for just a few short weeks.  We went strawberry picking at a local farm on a beautiful Saturday.  I made jam, of course.

Strawberry Chia Spread. I think we like this better than the jam.

Fruit leather dots

If you follow me on Instagram, you would have caught my living farm to table montage with my strawberry picking cuties.

It's CSA and farmer's market season, so we are eating tons of fresh, local fruits and veges.

I can't look at these without thinking Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica.

Lately, most of my time in the kitchen is spent making him wholesome food.  He loves everything I make.  Except this time.

My oldest made banana bites for dessert this week.  

She covered them in homemade "Magic Shell."  Melt 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips and 1/2 cup coconut oil.  Cover everything you eat in this stuff. Trust me.

With the kids home from school for the summer, they are eating massive quantities of food.  

So I batch cook  . . .a lot.

What's summer without a little sugar?  We loved these milkshakes.

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2013 Our Year in Review

Sometimes pictures say so much more than words . . . 

http://flipagram.com/f/IPInVkGvLn

Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Baby #6 on the Way!

Sweet Local Honey on a Hot Day

We recently spent a few hours one Saturday morning touring a local farm and learning how honey is made.  While I believe that like any sweetener, you should use honey in moderation, there are some health benefits to using raw honey. 

 

 

We came home with a few jars.  I serve it over homemade yogurt and in my no-bake granola bars.  It is also wonderful to use as a facial cleanser!

 



The farm was so beautiful and quiet.

 

 

She was getting a little tired of posing at this point . . . .

 

What a wonderful way to spend a few hours learning about and enjoying the beauty of local real food!

 

 

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Back to School Batch Cooking, Baking, and Freezing

As we all know, the end of August through the beginning of September is often like New Years.  We make resolutions, we get back into family routines, and we get back to "normal" after a hopefully relaxing summer.  By next week, we will have three children in elementary school, one child in preschool, and one VERY active toddler.  As we jump into homework and activities, I think it is important for me to batch cook, bake, and freeze some easy meals and snacks so that I can get healthy food on our table without too much trouble.  So for the last two weeks or so, this is what I have been up to.  I have provided many links to recipes.  In some cases, I link to the e-book where I got the particular recipe. I also have a few posts coming down the line with some new great recipes.  I really hope you find this helpful if you are trying to stock your freezer and pantry!

 

We love this egg casserole.  I can make this on the weekend and reheat it in my toaster oven each morning for a hearty breakfast.  I love it with hot sauce.

 

 

 I make a triple batch of these Freezer Waffles every few weeks.  They also make a great dessert topped with ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream!

 

 

Freezer smoothies make a great breakfast addition or snack.  Serve them frozen, slushy or defrosted.

This Almond Coconut Granola made my kitchen smell like autumn.  We eat is with milk for breakfast, over homemade yogurt, and even over desserts.  The granola is especially tasty over my delicious yogurt parfaits!

 

 

These blueberry lemon muffins have a become a favorite in our house!

 

Instant Oatmeal Cups . . . recipe will be posted soon :)

 Homemade tortillas.  I seriously never want to eat store bought tortillas again!

 

Pioneer Woman's Simple Chili is to die for . . .

 

My famous meatballs . . . at least they are famous in my head.  I will post the recipe soon!

 

 

Chocolate Chip Coconut Granola Bars make a great grab-and-go snack.

Homemade "larabars" for the runners  . . . and toddlers in our house.  I will cut and wrap these individually so they are ready to go before the next cross country meet or 5K.

 

 Refrigerator dill pickles . . . recipe will be posted soon.

 

 

I also stocked up on my favorite homemade mixes including onion soup mix, taco seasoning, garlic lime mix, Italian dressing, and ranch dressing.

 

And to help me get through these crazy mornings - iced coffee!

 What's going on in your kitchen as they days getter shorter and busier?

 

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You can follow Blessed and Busy on facebook or on twitter to keep up on new posts.You can also find me on Pinterest and Instagram at blessedandbusy!  Hope to see you soon!