Book Update

Since I'm in Washington DC with some time to kill (I'm not inclined to roam the city at night by myself), I felt the urge to write an updated book review since my last book list written in January.

My mom has a crazy passion for books unlike no one else (seriously!), so it didn't surprise me when she set up a "Little Free Library" in her front lawn filled with good books for anyone to grab.

Here's information about the Little Free Library movement.  Gosh, I would love to set one up in my community of Seeley but I have to make sure I have the time to properly care for it.  Isn't that a cool idea?? 

Here's a list of my books in 2012:

• The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway  - 1 thumb up
• The Immortal Times of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot    - 1 thumb up
• 50 Shades of Gray by E.L. James - 1 thumb up 
• 50 Shades Darker - 0 thumbs up
• 50 Shades Freer - negative 0 thumbs up
• The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes - 2 thumbs up
• Quiet: The Power of  Introverts, Susan Cain- 2 thumbs up

As I said in my earlier post, I read a non-fiction book in between every fiction book but Quiet is a long book so I picked it up in between each book I read above.  I really, really loved this book mainly because I've spent a lot of my life disliking the fact that I'm on the quiet side or that I'm not good about promoting myself or any accomplishments.  Anyway, I highly recommend this book for an introvert looking for validation or trying to figure out how to better communicate or co-exist with an extrovert.

Currently, I'm reading The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht and so far I'm REALLY enjoying it.

My trip to DC has been great!  My favorite hang-out has been the local whole foods market and the white house garden (pictures coming soon).

On the back side of the Washington Monument.  My pictures have been turning out GREAT because of the amazing clouds and the way the sun is hitting.  LOVE IT.

I had two big rookie mistakes though on my first day.  First of all, I reached in my suitcase and pulled out a gun.  Yes, one of my boys put an air soft gun in my suitcase and I really have no idea how or why they would've put it in there.  Zoinks - so glad no one searched my suitcase.  Then, the first time on the subway I hoped on the wrong train (oops), and I wore cute but uncomfortable shoes and then walked close to 10 miles.  Luckily, I was able to go barefoot on the clean DC streets.

More to follow!!


What book are you reading?

Kristin

Easy, Fun, Summer-time Drinks

Most of us have certain summer drinks we look forward to revisiting each year -- drinks that epitomize the sensation of summer. Below you will find my favorite summer-time drinks.

My go-to drink this summer has been Iced Tea:

Boil water and add tea bag to 2 cups of water (I've been using mason jars).  I add 3 mint leaves, spearmint leaves, and stevia leaves from my herb garden plus a lemon wedge and brew for 2 days.  After 2 days of brewing, I've had the best tasting iced tea ever.  LOVE this :)

Iced Green Tea - Delicious Every Time!

Next up, Strawberry Mint Champagne:

Boil 2 cups of water with 1 cup of sugar (I used Xilitol and Stevia) until sugar is dissolved.  Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and allow time to cool.  After cool, add 2 cups of chopped strawberries.  Chill for 2 hours and stir every 20 minutes.  Place 1/4 cup of strawberries in the bottom of a glass and top with strawberry champagne.  Yum!

Strawberry Mint Champagne - in the right hand corner
I was on a book club pontoon float - forgive me for the poor picture

Cold Pressed Iced Coffee


Add desired amount of coffee grounds to the bottom of a coffee press, add boiling water but do not press the plunger.  Leave the press in the fridge for 2 days, plunge and serve over ice, cream or milk and sweetener.  In my opinion, this is just as good as any Iced Coffee at any coffee shop.  I look forward to this every morning.

Iced Coffee - I look forward to waking up so I can start my day with this delicious drink

Last but not least:  Strawberry Mojitos

Here's the recipe I like to use:  Strawberry Mojito

Strawberry Mojito

This week, I had to slow down on my blog because I've been crazy busy with work and the kid's crazy schedules.  But, we did manage to see Madagascar 3D on a rainy day (awesome), we marked "Musky Fest" carny rides off our 2012 Summer Bucket List, we enjoyed a few trips to Silverthorn Beach, AND we finally were able to pick strawberries at my friend Heather Harrington's patch.     

Picking strawberries at Mary's Orchard in Seeley

I can honestly say that I can not eat another strawberry.  This week I purchased some asparagus with the intention of pickling them, but it doesn't like that will happen.

Tonight I'm packing!  I'm off to Washington DC for the week and the kids each have something great going on (2 of them at camp), so I'm leaving guilt-free.  No cooking, cleaning, or chasing kids for 5 glorious days.

What's your favorite summer drink?

Strawberry Salads

My all time favorite strawberry salad comes from my friend Heather Harrington.  You can not go wrong with this DELICIOUS salad with fresh, local, organic berries which I of course have been buying from Bashaw Valley in Shell Lake.  They truly are the best!


Directions: 
Dressing
1/2 Cup Mayo
1/3 Cup Sugar (I used Xylitol)
2 Tbsp. Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Poppy seeds
Mix and drizzle over salad right before serving

Salad

Spinach and romaine lettuce, strawberries, cashews, and thinly sliced sweet onion

Combine and enjoy! As the week went on and I ran out of cashews, I substituted the cashews for walnuts and it was equally as good.  This recipe really is my all time favorite salad recipe.

Since I have plenty of mint growing in my potted herb garden, AND about 2 pounds of goat cheese that I made last week, I decided to combine them with strawberries for a very interesting and delicious salad. 

Combine: 1 tablespoon of mint, 3 cups of strawberries, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.  Chill for one hour.  Sprinkle 2 ounces of goat cheese on top and serve.  The strawberries take on a whole new flavor in this recipe, but with these fresh ingredients you can't go wrong.  YUM!!!

Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad - on my Grandma Evelyn's tablecloth

The next salad is a take on my Grandma Evelyn's famous angel food cake desserts.

Directions:

1 box white chocolate pudding
1 angel food cake
1 tub of cool whip
Strawberries / Blueberries

Make the pudding.
Layer angel food cake, pudding, berries three times.
Top with cool whip and add berries before serving.

Grandma Evelyn's Angel Food Trifle - in her glass dish

This weekend we visited St. Peter's Dome as part of our 2012 Bucket List.  We had a GREAT time even though we scampered through mud, skeets, and rain. 

I believe Gus had the most fun on this adventure - anytime he can run, climb, and play in the mud he's happy.  Here he's pulling the kids up the trail.

Gus pulling the kids up the trail

Here's a video of them trying to make it up to St. Peter's Dome.

And, this picture just about sums it up. 

Three happy kids equals one happy mom

Happy Father's Day!  Chad requested shish kabobs on the grill for his Father's Day meal.  What are you making?

Thanks for reading,

Kristin

Strawberries for Breakfast

Strawberries are in full bloom and are so tasty this year.  The kids have been eating pint upon pint as I bring them into the house to the point where I'm starting to hide them in the fridge so I can actually make something.


Of course, when strawberries are in season I like to incorporate them into every meal, but they are especially tasty for breakfast.  My favorite is strawberry oatmeal.

Steel Cut Baked Oatmeal

• 3c. steel cut oats
• 1c. milk
• 2t. baking powder
• 1t. salt
• 2t. cinnamon
• 2 eggs, whisked
• 1/3c. sugar (I used xilotol which is a sweetener from tree bark)
• 1t. vanilla
• 1-2c. fruit

In a large bowl, cover the steel cut oats with about an inch of water.  Allow to sit for at least 2 hours.  Drain the excess water.

Mix together the oats and dry ingredients.  Add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla.  Mix well.  Fold in the fruit (add more or less depending on the size of your fruit and how fruit-laden you want your oats).  Pour in a greased 9x13 casserole dish.  Bake at 350 for 50 minutes.

Seriously, this is SUPER, SUPER good and everyone loves to wake up to baked oats and strawberries for breakfast.  YUM!

Strawberry Steel Cut Oats

Another favorite of mine is strawberry smoothies.  I make 2 servings in the blender the night before so I have enough for 2 days.  If I'm going to dirty up the blender, I figure I may as well make a double batch.


Here's my standby recipe:


Strawberry Smoothie:


1 cup kefir (or you could use yogurt)
1 cup strawberries
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed


Blend and enjoy!  Yum - my favorite!!

Last but not least, here's some healthy strawberry muffins that we ALL love.

Here's the recipe:  Strawberry Oatmeal Muffins

Strawberry Oatmeal Muffins

We marked Como Zoo off our 2012 Bucket List, and we had a GREAT time.  We hit the jackpot because it was "community night" so everything was 1/2 price AND the weather was perfect.

Como Park

Greta (with crazy hair) and Owen on the bumper cars

And finally, on the way home we found a GREAT drive-in restaurant in Grantsburg, WI that served healthy, locally grown / made food.  What a score! 

The 3 G's at The Drive In in Grantsburg

Up next, strawberry salads!  What's your favorite strawberry salad?

Thanks for reading,


Kristin

The Radish Challenge

Up until 2 days ago, I would've told you the only vegetable in the world I dislike is the radish.  So when my friend Kristie offered me some of her radish harvest, I thought it would be a challenge to incorporate this healthy vegetable into our diet.  Several times over the past few days I tried to consume a raw radish, but I could not tolerate that bitter zaniness in my mouth.

Radishes from Kristie's Garden

First up, I simply grilled the radishes.  I diced the radishes, added garlic, olive oil, and salt and pepper.  I added some ice cubes on top to "steam" them.  They turned out GREAT!!!

Radishes cooking on the grill

Next I made a PHENOMENAL radish cake!  Instead using oil I used shredded radishes.  You could not taste the radishes and my kids loved it too.

Here's the recipe:  Radish Cake

I skipped the instant cocoa mix because I didn't have any, and I used my bunt pan because I LOVE to display any cake on my Grandma's platter.

Radish Bunt Cake on my Grandma Evelyn's Platter - lupines in her vase

I also made some delicious radish fritters.  My family didn't like the consistency, but I thought they were tasty.
Radish Fritters

Ingredients:

• 1 pound radish
• 1 egg
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• Vegetable or canola oil for frying

Preparation:

1. Grate radish into a large bowl.
2. Add the egg and beat it with a fork. Combine zucchini and egg. Sprinkle mixture with flour and salt and stir to combine thoroughly. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
3. Heat a generous layer of oil in a large frying pan or pot over medium-high heat to 350 - 375. A bit of batter dropped into the pan should sizzle immediately.
4. Put generous spoonfuls of batter into the pan and flatten a bit with the back of the spoon. You should be able to fit about four fritters in the pan at a time. Cook until fritters are browned on one side, flip, and cook until they are brown on both sides. Transfer fritters to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and repeat with remaining batter.  Tastes good cold too!

Radish Fritters

And, last but not least I made braised radishes!  Out of all the recipes, I would probably recommend this one - delicious!

Here's the recipe:  Braised Radishes

Cooking Braised Radishes

Thanks Kristie for inspiring the radish challenge of 2012!!!!

We're moving along with the Summer 2012 Bucket List.  I was fortunate to hit a Brewers game with my friend Denise, and on Monday I'm taking the kids to the Cities to visit my cousin Erinn and her family.  Can't wait!!

Thanks for reading!!

Kristin

Healthy, Quick, Delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Recipes

 Up in the Northwoods, the rhubarb is winding down and the strawberries are just starting, so I was excited to have the opportunity to combine an awesome vegetable and my favorite fruit!


Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

For the filling:

1 pound of strawberries hulled and quartered
6 rhubarb stalks chopped
1/2 orange zested and juiced
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup agave nectar or honey

For the topping:

1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup butter

Directions:  Heat oven to 375.  Combine rhubarb and strawberries in an oven safe dish.  Add honey or agave nectar, orange juice and zest, and cornstarch and combine to coat. 

Mix remaining ingredients and sprinkle on top of fruit.  Bake for 40 minutes.  Yum!

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

 Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

1 pound of strawberries
1 pound of rhubarb
2 T. of agave nectar or honey
1 T. of water

Directions:  Cut strawberries and rhubarb.  Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil.  Simmer for about 15 minutes.  Cool and serve over green yogurt or frozen yogurt.  Delicious!!!!

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

Strawberry Rhubarb Salsa

Ingredients

2 stalks rhubarb (a little less than 1/2 lb), trimmed and cut into 3 inch pieces

10 strawberries (1/2 lb), hulled and chopped into 1/4 inch pieces

1/2 small red onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

Juice from one lime

1/4 tsp salt

3 or 4 sprigs fresh cilantro

Directions

Bring a small pot of water to boil.  Add rhubarb and boil for 1 minute (be careful not to boil any longer or it will get mushy.  Transfer to a plate to cool.  Once cool enough to handle, chop rhubarb into 1/4 inch pieces.

In a large bowl, combine chopped rhubarb, strawberries, onions and garlic.  Add lime juice and salt and toss gently to combine.  Remove cilantro leaves from stems, tear leaves into small pieces and add to bowl.  Season to taste with additional salt if needed.  Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!  The kids also enjoyed this salsa because it's not spicy.

Strawberry Rhubarb Salsa - in my Grandma's dishes :)



I'm off to my first Brewer's game at Miller Park.  Go Brewer's!!!!!

I still have rhubarb and strawberries left, so please let me know if you have a recipe and I'll feature it in my next blog.

Thanks for reading!

Kristin

Strawberries & the 2012 Summer Bucket List

The first strawberries of the season taste better than almost anything so I was elated to discover the first crop at Bashaw Valley in Shell Lake this week.  My plan was to make a few dishes with strawberries, but we ate 6 quarts in 24 hours so I'm going to hold off for a few days. 

Strawberries are one of those fruits you must buy organic as they top the "dirty dozen" list of foods.   There's no way to wash the pesticides off the strawberries so if you don't buy organic you may as well plan on eating some fresh fruit poison. 

Strawberries are a powerhouse food and have 7 major health benefits:  anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer food (as long as organic), they are low calories (a cup has 43 calories ) and high in fiber so are a great choice for any diet, improves eye health, great source of magnesium, a great source of vitamin C, and promote bone health.  After reading about the health benefits of strawberries, I didn't feel quite so guilty for eating a whole pint of strawberries myself in one day.

Strawberries

This week we worked on the summer bucket list.    Even though I love having our summer activities laid out, I also want to make sure there's room for quiet time.  Greta and I are the early birds in the family and this morning and she sat on my lap as we played "eye spy".  Spending quiet time with any of my kids like this makes me happier than anything, so we try and keep space open for the quiet moments.

Here's the Family Activity Summer Bucket List:

1.  Tent camping in Northern MN
2.  Trip to Valleyfair
3.  Scheer's Lumberjack Show
4.  Mini-golfing
5.  Skyzone Indoor Trampoline in the Cities
6.  Packer pre-season game
7.  Wisconsin Dells waterpark
8.  Trip to cousin Erinn's and Como Zoo
9.  Pick rocks along shoreline of Lake Superior
10.  Bayfield berry picking and then swimming at FriendlyValley beach in Bayfield
11. Local Carnival (Musky Fest) and Sawyer County Fair
12. Fun day at the KOA
13. Visit Mall of America
14.  Tubing down the Namekagon River
15.  Hike to St. Peter's Dome at Morgan's Falls and have a picnic lunch

Bucket List 2012, checking off number 4 while mini-golfing

Bucket List # 3, Scheer's Lumberjack Show 2012

So far, we've hit 2 of these, so we have 13 activities left and 12 weeks of summer....piece of cake.   We filled an entire photo album last year with the Summer Bucket List 2011 pictures, but my favorite keepsake is a video Gus took of us surreptitiously singing loudly off key in the van while we were singing loudly off-keyin the car as the trees passed by.  Sometimes it's the simple things.

What's on your summer bucket list? 


Kristin