Whats been cooking

I made beans, I love beans.  I would eat a bean and cheese burrito everyday if I could, and at times in my life I probably have. 

I highly reccomend making your own beans, they are so much better (and cheaper) then canned.

Here is how I make them: Get your crock pot out.  Soak the beans over night in water (or if you do not have the foresight to do this, boil some water, poor it over your pot of beans and soak them for as long as you have).

Then drain the soaking water, and refill with fresh cold water, add a few cloves of chopped garlic, turn your crock pot on high and leave.

Several hours later come back and your beans should be done.

They will not taste good! Beans need SALT, a lot of salt.  I add salt, and sometimes I add a little cumin and red chile powder then let them cook for a little while longer so they can soak up the seasoning.

You can freeze extras in small serving sizes, the next time you want to reach for a can of beans you can pull out your frozen beans instead.

Clearly we ate some beans this week, I will spare you the pictures (yummy but not so pretty).

Also on our menu:


Chicken Fajitas:

Saute chicken tenders, bell peppers and onions that have been marinated in lime juice, red chile powder, salt and a touch of cumin.   I made guacamole and salsa also super easy, let me know if you want the recipe.




Chicken with mushrooms and parsley:

My picture is not so good because I had chopped all the chicken for fajitas, it tasted good but looks much nicer if you use a chicken cutlet.
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/sauteed-chicken-with-mushrooms-and-green-beans

Asparagus with a soft boiled egg: This is so easy and good.  Top asparagus with a little olive oil and roast it in a 425 degrees, then top it with the egg and coarse ground salt.
 

What are you cooking this week?

Elena

I had good plans

We were going to spend Saturday in Oakland and San Francisco, I have had the date on my calendar for over a month now.  I was ready to spend day and night with friends and family.  Then we were going to come home on Sunday and head to a Super Bowl party, I like parties.

But, you know what they say about plans, the best laid plans....my kids got sick. 

We are home.

I feel bad for my sick babies.  Taylor keeps asking, "When will I be better?"

I gave her some orange juice and told her it should help her feel better. Half way through the cup she called, "Mom it's not working!" 

"What do you mean its not working, is the cup leaking?"

"No, I still feel sick, it's not making me feel better." 

Poor my baby girl. 

We were heading to the doctors so she could have her ears looked at and  just before we walked out the door Taylor coughed, it made her gag, which made her vomit, all over herself, me, the blankets, the couch and the carpet.  My sweet little girl then apologized to me for throwing up every where.

Poor girl. 

Poor me.

Rob went to work at about at 5:00 am Saturday morning and does not come home until 9:00 am on Tuesday.  That means that it is just me and the small people at home all weekend.  We are not good at staying home.

No parties, no trip to the bay, just home.

This may not be the most thrilling post, sorry but I am not having a thrilling weekend and for some reason I decided to share, aka whine about it.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday,

Elena

I was going to run this morning but...

I just could not do it.

I am taking a personal morning.  Taylor is at school (for a wopping 2.5 hours), Jaxson is napping and I am playing on my computer. 

You know what I like? 

Cooking Blogs. 

I have been playing on TheWednesdayChef.com, she has a page of her favorite cooking blogs and there are some good ones, good pictures and fun to read.

I like reading about food.

I will sit down and read a cookbook just for kicks.  Which, by the way, if you are looking to do I reccomend reading Nigella Lawson.  If you have ever heard her talk you can hear her sultry voice when you read her cookbook.

Enough on that, it is Friday and it feels like the week has been endless.  I am tired.  I am trying not be be blaa today.  So in addition to taking a personal morning here are the other perks of my morning. Hopefully writing them down will be the perk me up I need.

Jaxson slept until 8:00, so I had the morning alone with Taylor.

My husband sent be flowers.

I sneezed and Taylor said, "bless you", from the other room.  It was a "good job mama" feeling.

I had Blue Bottle coffee (thank you Kyle and Tabby).

Ms. Grace, Taylor's preschool teacher, I had a good conversation with her.  Love her.

Rob is home from work, only for 20 hours the gone for 3 days, but at least he is home.

I am not running tomorrow so I can have a glass of wine or a margarita tonight.  Long runs on the weekend = no cocktails for me, which = no fun.

I am going to the city this weekend to play with my friends.

Happy Friday,

Elena

What I do

I stay home with my kids.  I chose this.  I wanted this life.

I never thought I would stay home with my kids but when Taylor was born it felt right for my family and I.  I know people who would love to stay at home but it is not an option, and I know people who would not consider staying home with their kids.  There is not a right answer.

Occasionally, I struggle with the decision.  I liked working, I liked business cards and business lunches, I liked professional clothes and shoes, I liked getting a paycheck. 

I liked being a professional. 

I put my career on hold, I stopped moving up the ladder.

I don't want to work crazy hours any more, I want to snuggle my kids when they get up and before they go to bed.  I want to be their primary care giver all the time.  We have built our life so this is an option.  We live in Sacramento largely because it allows me to stay at home.

I want stay home but don't take that to mean that I am not strong and capable.  

I could fully support myself and my family.  It is not what I want but I could do it.

I choose this life, this is what I want, it is not for lack of other options.

Elena