Kodo with kids

I didn't feel good this morning and did not want to get out of bed.  But I did. I had special plans with Peter and Maryanna to go see Kodo, a traditional Japanese drum group perform at Hill auditorium. 

But late into the morning I was still in such a groggy state that I dropped my keys somewhere after parking the car.  We retraced our steps and my little hero Peter found them in a pile of snow not too far from the car.  At this point I wondered if I really should have stayed in bed.  But we pressed on and a kind student directed us to the theater because even though I had been there several times I was too tired to find my way out and about.

We made it to our seats just in time.  And I'm so glad we did, this was just what I needed, a beat so deep to shake my bones and remind me I was, at that very moment, very alive.  

Children don't need that reminder so much, in fact, most of the children in the auditorium, including Maryanna and Peter had their hands over their ears from the very first beat.  They liked it though.  They joined in the gasping and laughter of all the other children when these two performers stepped out in their barely there costumes.  

What made their performance so impressive was the giant shadows projected across the whole ceiling.  Maryanna said their drumming shadows looked like dancing elephants and dinosaurs, it certainly sounded as such.  

This was indeed a full body performance, the drummers displayed the strength and stamina of professional athletes.  Peter liked when they hit their sticks at each other like sword fighters and I was most impressed with the segment of drummers on the floor rapidly drumming in a flexed abs position - that was a workout.

I kept thinking about the large wooden drums my Dad brought back from Africa.  They were loud and I use to like to bang on them - both when I was very happy and when I very angry.  I suppose banging on a drum is an urge most children have - mine came back.

Finally Maryanna told me she was getting a headache and turned her head to allow her eyes to wonder throughout the entire auditorium behind her.  She discovered the joy of people watching in a large crowd - I like to do that too, but mostly at sporting events.

This really was a great event to share with my "in the middle" children.  When we were through they convinced me to stop into Ben and Jerry's just around the corner.  We got ice cream cones and they finished them on the cold walk back to the car.

When we got to the car I reminded Peter how grateful I was he found my keys earlier - we headed straight to the grocery store with their faces still sticky with ice cream.  Their messy faces were just a reminder of all the fun we had together today.

And now I'm about to download some Kodo on itunes because there may be another rough morning that I need that deep beating rhythm to remind me that I truly am, very alive. 

How I wrap my baby on my back

With so many sisters and friends with babies, toddlers and babies on the way I thought I'd post a video on how and why I wrap my baby on my back.  I highly recommend it for so many reasons.  

For now you can enjoy my low budget filming on photo booth.  Something funny happened with the film speed and audio but that makes it even more entertaining - I like the way the kids are speeding around me because that's how it feels sometimes.  

Enjoy for now and if there is interest I'll figure out a way to make a better "how to" video with my flip camera.  

Brown Rice Berry Muffins - Gluten Free!

Transitioning to a gluten free diet can be challenging.  In the early stages I was too intimidated by gluten free baking and spent way too much money on the prepackaged goods.  They didn't even taste good.  I have since mastered a few basics and brown rice berry muffins are one of our favorites.  

This is just a variation of the basic muffin recipe from Nourishing Traditions.

Start with 3 cups brown rice.  Sometimes I do a combo of gluten free grains including millet, white rice or oats (we avoid quinoa or amaranth for baking because the flavor is too strong).

Run them through a flour mill or grinder.  

I have an old Magic Mill stone grinder I bought off ebay. This purchase was Marie's recommendation, she comes from a family of super homemakers who all use the Magic Mill so I know it was a good purchase.  I use it at least once a week and is so heavy that I just keep it on my counter top.  This machine is heavy duty - it's going to run for years.

Dump the freshly ground flour in a glass bowl and add 2 cups buttermilk.  Cover and set on counter top for 12 - 24 hours.

After the mix has set add in:

1/2 tsp. xantham gum

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

3 Tbs. melted butter

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup frozen berries

Bake at 375 for 10 - 15 minutes.   

Henry gets a separate egg free batch - I just add applesauce instead of eggs and it works as a mini muffin.  Sometimes we add pumpkin and chocolate chips instead of berries. Remember for George's birthday I made them with fresh grated ginger - but that only got mixed reviews. 

More than anything though gluten free baking has taught me to be brave and experiment with food - and enjoy the process not just the product.

Leg Warmers and Feet Warmers

It is actually 40 and sunny today!  The kids are outside playing without coats (some without shoes) and Clara requested I pull out her pretty sandals.

But this is Michigan so unless we plan a trip to Florida, it will be several months before I pull the sandals out.  Clara actually needs some slippers.  All her "spinny" moves have worn holes in the bottom of most her tights this winter.  So I plan on making her a pair of wool felt slippers/leg warmers to get her through the remainder of winter.

Here is the test run I completed this morning.  It all started with this wool felted cardigan.

I cut off the arms.

And traced my foot on a piece of scrap leather that was picked up at a thrift store weeks ago.

Switched to a leather needle.

Set my machine for a wide zig-zag and sewed around the edges just like I finished James' fleece socks.

It is easier to sew with the leather side up because it can stick.  After inside outing it, pull to expose the zig-zag seam the to the outside, this reduces uncomfortable seam allowance around the toes.  I also like the way it looks.

It fit good so I proceeded with the second one.  I sewed it in warmth and comfort.

Final product - please note how I took advantage of the ribbing on the sleeve.  These were quick and easy so I'm off to the thrift store to find some more leather for Clara's pair.

As for the rest of the sweater, I'm wearing it.

Big Kids in Baby Wraps

I have found another use for my multiple baby wraps - kid hammocks!  One of the ladies at The Little Seedling suggested I try it, she promised it would help us get through winter.  Oh how grateful I am for her suggestion.  It is a perfect spot for quiet time.  I usually have at least 2 set up at any given time but have capacity to get 5 going at once (that is if we happen to clear the kitchen table).

Here they are in action - baby wraps are my favorite mothering tool!

Best of Valentines 2011

Remember these from last year?  I love when children create messages from the heart.

Here is a sampling from what was exchanged last night:

Maryanna drew the horse for me and glasses for Paul.  I especially love James' note to Archie the dog, even if Archie's been throwing up all over the place today.

You may not be able to read the red one, it reads:  "To: Henry, Hello Henry, I love you, I'd rather have you then a chocalate chip cookie - love, Peter"

Here's what Paul presented me........chocolates wrapped in dental floss.  These are so yummy and exotic that they actually have instructions on how to eat them on the outside of the box.  My favorite? Tibetan pink salt and goji berry.

This was To:  Him   Love, Me   - Made by them.  A little scrap journal to write down thoughts.  He loved it!

We ate crepes then danced off all the sugar with a family dance party.  And just so you know, family dance parties make the best flip videos - I'll post one sometime.

Lots of Little Love Notes

In celebration of Valentines we have set up a little postal system in our home.  It has been running almost  two weeks and the kids have been busy earning their postage, scribbling notes and taking turns as the postal worker.  

Here is Clara in uniform doing her postal duty.  The postal hat was made along side the recent birthday crowns.  

When the flag on the little mailbox is up the postal worker collects the note and puts it in the pouch then delivers it to an individual mailbox.

The pouch was sewn out of an old pair of ripped church pants and the letters were just stamped on.

Here are the mailboxes all assembled with felt and hung with grommets and ribbon.

I have to say the girls have been the most enthusiastic about this activity and beg for little jobs to earn postal stickers..... but with only a few more days until Valentines the boys are starting to catch up.  We will read them aloud to each other during our family Valentines party on Monday night. 

And if you are wondering where this idea came from, it was Ms. Mortimore's 2nd grade class.  Paul and I were in there together and the Valentine's Village she created with a working postal system is among one of our favorite shared memories from elementary school.  Paul actually found the exact Valentine I gave him in 1983 in a box in his parents basement, he gave it back to me in 1995 and it is now in a box somewhere in our basement.  When I find it I'll post it.

Here's what we had for dinner

I am posting food again because it was requested by a few individuals.  This is soaked and cooked quinoa topped with stir fried veggies and a bit of beef.  It was delicious but not everyone loved it so there was enough for both lunch and dinner. 

For those who do not love what is cooked, I only request they take two bites.  That was suggested by my pediatrician and we have seen gradual success in pickiness decline.

Back to the meal.  This started with a few beef bones - these are local, grass fed, organic from an excellent supplier,  Garry Kuneman at Natural Local Foods Express.  I buy most of my meat there and highly recommend it.  

Here are the beef bones. After searing them, I placed them in a crock pot with an onion, some garlic, peppercorns, baby leaf and covered it all with filtered water.  After 12 hours on low the meat was falling off the bone and I was left with several cups of rich broth.

I strained the broth, reserved the beef (even knocked out the bone marrow because it is good for you) then let it cool overnight in the fridge so the fat could be easily skimmed.

Just like the millet and most grains, quinoa (which technically is a seed) should be soaked overnight.  The reason for this is to help break down the phytic acid which can block the absorption of vital nutrients.  I read about this in Nourishing Traditions but also just found this report.  So if replicating this recipe go ahead and rinse 2 cups (or half if it is only for a few people) of quinoa then soak covered overnight in filtered water with a splash of buttermilk, whey or lemon juice.

The rest of the cooking was done just before dinner.  Here I am in action chopping piles of veggies:

First start cooking the quinoa the same way I cooked the millet, sauteing in garlic and onions and adding broth.  For two cups quinoa use 4 cups broth.  Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered stirring as needed.  

For the stir fry, again start with chopped onion and minced garlic - I like garlic so most likely used at least 5.  If I'm pressed for time I'll use my garlic press but I like the flavor better minced (probably because the garlic press is more like a juicer).  Toss this around in a hot wok with a bit of oil (I use olive or grape seed) but when if it starts to stick add a few spoonfuls of broth.  

For variety I like to add leeks and green onions - go ahead and toss them in.  Now a bit of fresh ginger, don't over do it because it can be strong - mince it, don't juice it.  Toss it all together and when the yummy smell starts to fill your kitchen add diced carrots and zucchini.  At this point you may want to spoon a bit more broth to help the carrots cook faster (they should be very small and uniformly chopped).  

When the carrots begin to soften toss in some chopped mushrooms then finely chopped collards, kale or spinach.  As they start to wilt add in the reserved minced beef (and marrow) from the broth bones, sprinkle with a little  sea salt or Braggs and top onto the finished quinoa.

Here it is again steaming off the plate.  You may even see Peter in the far background with forehead to fist in dread, so if you're not interested no hard feelings.  But this is definitely my kind of food - it is what I crave and if we didn't have a sesame allergy would have toasted some for the top.  

In the end Peter did eat it, but not until he sprinkled it with a little dried kelp.  I don't think it tasted good that way but happy he ate his share.