Thanks for the many sweet comments yesterday. I love that I can put a thought out there and you read it and then – like magic – a few of your write back. So cool.
My kitchen was wildly busy yesterday. I had a box of produce from a friend, my CSA share, and some harvests of my own.
Here's what happened around my cutting board in just a few short hours:
Kale chips. One word: Yum.They don't photograph well, and we ate half of the bowl before I thought to pick up my camera, but yum, yum, yum. Recipes abound online. I used a ton of kale, a splash of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt. Toss well, spread out in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and bake at 300 for 20 minutes or so. Watch them. My stainless steel trays were great but the batch I put on an aluminum tray (in an effort to bake them all in one round) burned.
Zukes: grated and frozen for future baked goods and soups.
(More) kale plus chard: Stemmed, blanched, chopped, and frozen. Winter greens for skillet dinner, soups, and baked dishes.
Live fermented dilly beans and cukes: I can hardly wait to dip into these in the coming days. I posted a recipe for the dilly beans here. You an use it for any vegetable worth fermenting. Beets, cukes, garlic, cabbage, carrots… you get the idea.
Pesto: Lots and lots of pesto. I freeze it in ice cube trays, pop out the cubes, and store in a jar or zip bag. There is something so delightful about pesto in January.
And of course, peanut butter cookies: (This was Lupine's addition to our day.) Not exactly seasonal fare, but it doesn't take much to convince me to make these.
And today in the kitchen? We'll be making another batch of toothpaste and some homemade deodorant. Not edible, but definitely on the necessary list around here.
Rachel. WOW – really, its amazing all you do – where do you find the time? I feel like me days are spent nursing, washing diapers, making baby food and chasing my 6 year old – one day I hope to get to try some of your recepies. How do you make your deoderant? I haven’t had very good luck finding a natural deoderant that works. Have a magical day.
Shredded zukes? Great idea! So you don’t have to blanch or prep them in any way? Just shred, and freeze?
Lori,
Sage is visiting my parents and Lupine is at a lovely stage of helper/solitary play as long as shed has her mama-fill-up for the morning. Leading up to the cooking looked like this: go outside with tutu-clad Lupine. Dance ballet together in the front yard. Read a book. Cook like made, together and alone. Set up a store and take breaks from cooking to buy doll clothes and hair clips from her. Switch roles and run the store while she buys the same. Cook like made. Make cookies. Collapse.
When Lulu was little it was definitely the diaper-nursing-laundry-napping-reading cycle!
Oh, and the deodorant is amazing. It works! And it doesnt stop working after a few weeks like other natural deodorants.
Peace,
Rachel
Joey,
Thats right! Then you squeeze out the extra moisture after they thaw if youre going to bake with them.
(P.S. Congratulations!)
~Rachel
Looking good Rachel. Do you have any extra xylitol around your place? Did you order it from the co-op?
Hey Meg,
I picked up a bag of it a while back. They were stocking it when I bought it. Not sure if they still have it now. Swing by if you need more!
xo Rachel
I have to make refrigerator pickles and some pesto soon too and I have a pile of veggies that I’d like to freeze for winter. I love this time of year!
Rachel do you sell the deoderant you make????
Me, too, Sara (as long as Im keeping up and not just growing compost!).
Rachel
Lori,
We are considering it. I am trying to pace myself with new releases. Though this is nearing the top of the list (bug spray, nipple balm, deodorant).
Rachel
Rachel,
I’d be curious to know your recipe to see how it differs from the deodorant recipe I used recently. I used one from Amy over at Angry Chicken which is working really well so far, but I really want something more solid that I can melt into an old deodorant container for easier use… Any suggestions? I love the simplicity of the ingredients…
I love productive days like the one you just had. I feel so content to know i’ve accomplished so much!
Have a beautiful day!
-Kristen
Kristen,
Amys recipe is lovely. Its a great starting-point. The recipe that I use does not differ that much from hers. To make your harder, replace some (or all) of your shea with cocoa butter. Thatll do the trick.
Blessings,
Rachel
Love to see what you have planned for cherries headed your way, too! 🙂
I am going to try that deodorant… I love your toothpaste recipe… just made some yesterday.
You seem like a very busy woman, and a fantastic juggler! What a great mom!
Have a great day!
Brooke
Sounds wonderfully productive 🙂 When do you find time to work on your business? Do you have help yet?
Casey,
Oh goodness! The cherries. I think hand pies are in order. We love making those. And perhaps some ice cream or cherry-ricotta dessert. Yum.
Thanks again!
Rachel
Brooke,
Its a good busy. There are days we just laze around, and there are days we kick butt. Its all in balance in the big picture.
Peace, Rachel
Josie,
It depends on the day. This was a home/homeschooling day, rather than a work day. I squeeze work in when I can. We have wonderful help. I am thankful everyday for our team!
~ Rachel
Have you posted the recipe for those peanut butter cookies? I bet they’re healthful and delicious….
Id be happy to share it. Its yummy, thought healthy might be a stretch. 🙂
Rachel
Your pesto looks so pretty! What “recipe” do you use? I’ve begun using your meal planners with my nutritionist to create more healthful weeks since I know that regular meals as opposed to constant grazing keeps my weight more stable. Lastly, when I saw those Kale chips, I thought “no way! who will eat those?” Then I saw a commercial version advertised in the latest issue of Whole Living (formerly Body + Soul). I’m still getting up the nerve to try them myself.
Hi Susanne,
So glad the meal plans have been helpful. I stopped posting because they never got many comments, but Ive had a couple of people ask about them. Perhaps Ill bring them back now and then. I had no idea there were commercial kale chips! They are yummy (especially right out of the oven.)
For the pesto I dont use a recipe. I just do it all by eye. There is a great recipe here that you might enjoy:
http://www.recipesfor2.com.au/recipes/107/basil-pesto
If you are freezing it leave out the cheese and add when you use the pesto. That will keep the texture nice.
Best,
Rachel