Another silly milestone, I know but I've reached 200 (and now 1) posts here. It has been a blast sharing with you and I hope to make it to 300 before you know it. These last 100 took quite a while. There will be a lot of cool reviews coming up in the next couple weeks. We are challenging ourselves to mostly local eating (the 100 mile challenge) so I will be sure to post about that (including some recipes...I hope). The kitchen is more or less finished so we'll (finally) share that with you. I'll post about my poor, sad little garden. Next place of the week will be our very own Sydney Mines.
Stay tuned! Here's to the next 100 posts!!!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Cape Breton Place of the Week-Highland Village Museum
This week's place of the weeks is The Highland Village Museum in Iona. I am very interested in Celtic culture and the Gaelic language so it was such a treat to go visit this living museum. Like Louisbourgthe Highland Village takes you back in time to when the Scots first arrived in Cape Breton. By visiting several period house, the schoolhouse, church and general store you get a feel for what it was like for these brave families that travelled across the ocean to a new land. There are reenactments and guides in full period attire that are available to answer any questions you might have. The kids watched the blacksmith make a nail over his coal fire and then got to keep it as a souvenir. The also got to taste taste some snaps at another home. They even had their first experience in school! I was thrilled to hear Gaelic spoken and see several different families sitting together learning to speak this great language.
We were even happier with our visit to The Highland Village than to The Fortress of Louisbourg. Louisbourg was massive, we just couldn't see it all with the children but The Highland Village was easy to see in 3 hours (with lots of time for the kids to ask questions). It didn't feel rushed at all. We also felt that the workers at The Highland Village were better equipped to answer our questions and stayed true to the period better (however, in all fairness we went to Louisbourg when it was first opening for the season and I think that there were quite a few new people working there and not everything was set up yet). Of course, because it was Celtic/Gaelic I particularly loved it. Morgaine has also decided that "Gaelic is the most beautiful language". It was also nice to walk through time (from Scotland, to the New Land right until the 1900s) at the Highlands Museum as opposed to focus on one year of French history in Louisbourg. It really helped the children see the changes that took place over the years.
Definitely worth visiting if you plan a trip to Cape Breton, especially if you have youngins that might find Louisbourg a little too overwhelming. I am sure that we will visit both many times over the next few years.
We were even happier with our visit to The Highland Village than to The Fortress of Louisbourg. Louisbourg was massive, we just couldn't see it all with the children but The Highland Village was easy to see in 3 hours (with lots of time for the kids to ask questions). It didn't feel rushed at all. We also felt that the workers at The Highland Village were better equipped to answer our questions and stayed true to the period better (however, in all fairness we went to Louisbourg when it was first opening for the season and I think that there were quite a few new people working there and not everything was set up yet). Of course, because it was Celtic/Gaelic I particularly loved it. Morgaine has also decided that "Gaelic is the most beautiful language". It was also nice to walk through time (from Scotland, to the New Land right until the 1900s) at the Highlands Museum as opposed to focus on one year of French history in Louisbourg. It really helped the children see the changes that took place over the years.
Definitely worth visiting if you plan a trip to Cape Breton, especially if you have youngins that might find Louisbourg a little too overwhelming. I am sure that we will visit both many times over the next few years.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Whole Food Cooking with Sue Gregg
This is not an official review of Sue Gregg's cook books but I did get the opportunity to taste test a couple recipes from her website. We've always tried to eat as healthy as possible and limit our intake of processed foods so I jumped at the opportunity to try out some new recipes.
Black Bean Chowder
Liam, who fluctuates between wanting to be a chef or an architect (he likes to create stuff), was very eager to help me prepare this meal. He likes to see what things go into recipes so he was my little "gopher" (go get this, go get that). There was a fair amount of chopping in this recipe so that bored him a little but he liked being the one to add everything to the pot.
The verdict
Liam gave this meal a 5 1/2 out of ten because he thought it was a little too spicy for his taste.
Morgaine, who is almost 4, enthusiastically gave this recipe a 9 out of 10 and said she'd be happy to eat it EVERY day. However, once Liam said it was too spicy she also decided it was too spicy *lol*.
Mike gave the soup a 7 1/2 and said it was something that he would like to eat again, however, he found it a little bit too chili like.
I, personally, give the the recipe a 7 because I also found it to be too chili like. I would have also preferred to use dried beans as opposed to canned. I liked that it was hardy and easily felt like a complete meal.
As a family we agreed that it was something that we like and would make it monthly and maybe a bit more often in the winter months as it is so warm and filling.
Baked Parmesan Chicken
This recipe is quite simple as it asks you to basically throw all the ingredients into a blender to make a coating for chicken breasts. However, because I was somewhat afraid that my blender would not be able to handle dry ingredients I kept Liam busy tearing up the bread and parsley needed in the recipe. We also had the opportunity to talk, again, about food cross contamination and safety as it was a busy day in the kitchen and we were cooking several dishes at once.
The Verdict
Liam did not like this meal but he is going through a phase where chicken just seems to fill him up (and that is what he told us) therefore causing him to not want to eat it. He told us that we would likely like it on another day when it wasn't filling him up so much.
Morgaine gave this recipe 7 stars. She liked the taste of it but didn't say much else.
Mike liked it and gave the topping an 8 1/2. His only comment was that it was a little too dry. However, I did overcook it slightly because he was busy outside and instead of taking it out of the over I left it in order to keep it warm.
I quite liked the taste of this meal, it was crunchy enough and had pleasing taste. Having tried it about 10 minutes earlier than the rest of the family, when it was cooked just perfectly, I also found it to be juicy.
It is a meal that we would likely enjoy once every couple of weeks (though for now would have to think of something else for our little boy). It was simple to prepare and with it's relatively mild taste something that can be served with various other dishes making it versatile and one of those dishes that can be served just about anytime. I believe it would even be good cold, served in a salad during the summer months when one doesn't feel like having a hot supper.
We would be more than happy, as a family, to have to opportunity to try out other Sue Gregg recipes. As a family who tries to eat healthy and have tried various other whole food ideas, we were happy (especially, Mike, who has been somewhat whole food resistant) to see that these meals were healthy without necessarily feeling that way. Check out her site and try one of her recipes for yourself!
Black Bean Chowder
Liam, who fluctuates between wanting to be a chef or an architect (he likes to create stuff), was very eager to help me prepare this meal. He likes to see what things go into recipes so he was my little "gopher" (go get this, go get that). There was a fair amount of chopping in this recipe so that bored him a little but he liked being the one to add everything to the pot.
The verdict
Liam gave this meal a 5 1/2 out of ten because he thought it was a little too spicy for his taste.
Morgaine, who is almost 4, enthusiastically gave this recipe a 9 out of 10 and said she'd be happy to eat it EVERY day. However, once Liam said it was too spicy she also decided it was too spicy *lol*.
Mike gave the soup a 7 1/2 and said it was something that he would like to eat again, however, he found it a little bit too chili like.
I, personally, give the the recipe a 7 because I also found it to be too chili like. I would have also preferred to use dried beans as opposed to canned. I liked that it was hardy and easily felt like a complete meal.
As a family we agreed that it was something that we like and would make it monthly and maybe a bit more often in the winter months as it is so warm and filling.
Baked Parmesan Chicken
This recipe is quite simple as it asks you to basically throw all the ingredients into a blender to make a coating for chicken breasts. However, because I was somewhat afraid that my blender would not be able to handle dry ingredients I kept Liam busy tearing up the bread and parsley needed in the recipe. We also had the opportunity to talk, again, about food cross contamination and safety as it was a busy day in the kitchen and we were cooking several dishes at once.
The Verdict
Liam did not like this meal but he is going through a phase where chicken just seems to fill him up (and that is what he told us) therefore causing him to not want to eat it. He told us that we would likely like it on another day when it wasn't filling him up so much.
Morgaine gave this recipe 7 stars. She liked the taste of it but didn't say much else.
Mike liked it and gave the topping an 8 1/2. His only comment was that it was a little too dry. However, I did overcook it slightly because he was busy outside and instead of taking it out of the over I left it in order to keep it warm.
I quite liked the taste of this meal, it was crunchy enough and had pleasing taste. Having tried it about 10 minutes earlier than the rest of the family, when it was cooked just perfectly, I also found it to be juicy.
It is a meal that we would likely enjoy once every couple of weeks (though for now would have to think of something else for our little boy). It was simple to prepare and with it's relatively mild taste something that can be served with various other dishes making it versatile and one of those dishes that can be served just about anytime. I believe it would even be good cold, served in a salad during the summer months when one doesn't feel like having a hot supper.
We would be more than happy, as a family, to have to opportunity to try out other Sue Gregg recipes. As a family who tries to eat healthy and have tried various other whole food ideas, we were happy (especially, Mike, who has been somewhat whole food resistant) to see that these meals were healthy without necessarily feeling that way. Check out her site and try one of her recipes for yourself!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
I'm loving-Fresh picked cherries from our own yard
About a month and a half ago I took this picture so that my friend's could admire the beautiful apple blossoms I had bloom throughout my yard.
As the weeks passed hard little green fruits appeared on the branches. I told kids not the eat the fruits because I assumed that it was a decorative apple tree. A few days ago, Mike called me out to examine the fruits more closely. Overnight they seemed to have gone from little hard green fruits wonderfully ripe CHERRIES.
We picked to our hearts content but then quickly came to realize that cherries need to be used pretty quickly. Not really knowing what to do with them, and not wanting to waste them (as I was just a guest blogger on 3 Boys & a Dog talking about living green frugally), I decided to experiment. Feeling a little inspired, I decided to try making something with them but figured that they would be too tart to really enjoy. However, the result was delicious so I've decided to share my recipe for "Summer Harvest Crumble".
Summer Harvest Crumble
(as always my measurements are approximate. I also tried to make this recipe quite healthy and don't feel that it takes away from the end result at all...but if you are whole food phobic then feel free to make it with white flour/sugar)
2 cups of pitted fresh cherries
2 cups of other fruit (I used strawberries and peaches as I was going for a summertime feel)
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup of white sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups oats
3 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1/2 butter melted
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1. In a small saucepan heat pitted cherries over low heat.
2. Add two cups of fruit of your choice.
3. Add honey and white sugar (you can use only honey if you wish). Bring to a boil over medium low heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
4. Separate fruits from their juices and save juice to use as a syrup. Place fruits in an 8 x 8 baking dish.
5. Make a crumble mixture with flour, oats, flax seeds, melted butter and brown sugar.
6. Spread crumble over fruit mixture and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.
7. Serve warm or cold with vanilla ice cream and the reserved syrup.
ENJOY!!
As the weeks passed hard little green fruits appeared on the branches. I told kids not the eat the fruits because I assumed that it was a decorative apple tree. A few days ago, Mike called me out to examine the fruits more closely. Overnight they seemed to have gone from little hard green fruits wonderfully ripe CHERRIES.
We picked to our hearts content but then quickly came to realize that cherries need to be used pretty quickly. Not really knowing what to do with them, and not wanting to waste them (as I was just a guest blogger on 3 Boys & a Dog talking about living green frugally), I decided to experiment. Feeling a little inspired, I decided to try making something with them but figured that they would be too tart to really enjoy. However, the result was delicious so I've decided to share my recipe for "Summer Harvest Crumble".
Summer Harvest Crumble
(as always my measurements are approximate. I also tried to make this recipe quite healthy and don't feel that it takes away from the end result at all...but if you are whole food phobic then feel free to make it with white flour/sugar)
2 cups of pitted fresh cherries
2 cups of other fruit (I used strawberries and peaches as I was going for a summertime feel)
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup of white sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups oats
3 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1/2 butter melted
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1. In a small saucepan heat pitted cherries over low heat.
2. Add two cups of fruit of your choice.
3. Add honey and white sugar (you can use only honey if you wish). Bring to a boil over medium low heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
4. Separate fruits from their juices and save juice to use as a syrup. Place fruits in an 8 x 8 baking dish.
5. Make a crumble mixture with flour, oats, flax seeds, melted butter and brown sugar.
6. Spread crumble over fruit mixture and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.
7. Serve warm or cold with vanilla ice cream and the reserved syrup.
ENJOY!!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
What we are doing now-July 19th
Obviously, we AREN'T post on our blog.
Instead we are:
-Finishing up the kitchen makeover (it looks great);
-Preparing for my brother visit (starting tonight);
-Sewing an apron (Lord help me);
-Covering our potatoes and watching the garden grow.
I'll be back in few days!!
Instead we are:
-Finishing up the kitchen makeover (it looks great);
-Preparing for my brother visit (starting tonight);
-Sewing an apron (Lord help me);
-Covering our potatoes and watching the garden grow.
I'll be back in few days!!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
On Gaurd!!
(don't mind the dust bunnies....under the couch doesn't always get the attention it deserves and besides they like it under there).
Our cats are all on edge. They've taken to hiding. They crouch in corners. I've even caught them trembling. Why on earth would our incredibly mellow kitties be so on edge. What could possibly phase them?
Here's what?
Yes, we've done it again. We've let a kitty tug on our heartstrings and we've taken her in. She looks nice and calm, doesn't she? She wonderful with the children and always underfoot. She a little fur ball. But goodness, does she have personality. Each one of our kitties have had the opportunity to witness her fiery side and let's just say the fur was flying. So yeah, "Mama" (she recently had a litter of kitten, no we don't have the kittens, IMAGINE) has the run of the house.
Sleeping on the couch....
sharing the bed with the humans.
No wonder the others are on guard. One of the reasons we got her was to be a companion to our other young kitty but right now she's a bit more than what we bargained for! Poor, poor George! I am sure that with time she'll mellow out and fit right in but until then, I'm sure it will be an interesting few days!
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