The big picture

 

I am so excited for June! We will have so many cookies!  I am already planning how to freeze the apricots for the cookies.   Usually the tree produces the week after the girls get out of school... Here's hoping it's the same!  (They are good pickers.)  Mark your calendar for June and come by if you want some fresh apricots.

Future apricots

Nutrition

http://www.forksoverknives.com/why-the-nations-largest-health-plan-wants-their-doctors-to-recommend-a-plant-based-diet/

It's too hard to eat plant-based people say... No, it's not. I will be the first to admit it is overwhelming at first, but it's not too hard; learning something new is hard at first when it's new, but then you figure it out.  Find a friend to help you.

It requires a commitment, but if you aren't feeling well (or if you are getting bad news at the doctor), it should be something you are interested in fixing.  Your diet has so much power over your body and your well-being.  I know these are just "anecdotes," but take a read of a few http://www.forksoverknives.com/category/success-stories/ they are very powerful. This is my favorite showing that it can be done!  (Eating well while traveling is hard, but it can be done.)

Cooking dinner

 

Did I forget to post this of the girls cooking my birthday dinner?

Future plums

 

Our plum tree is getting ready!  

dinner

 

Our broccoli is producing!  Last year, we planted a little earlier, and we had our broccoli a little earlier. This year, it just started, but it was worth the wait!  It is awesome.  We had it for dinner Thursday and we'll have some more tonight!

Vegan, oven-broiled s'mores

Happy February!

Last year, I had the problem of being too busy with my birthday, work, and getting ready to go skiing to blog. I made only one post last year in February. I'm hoping to at least DOUBLE my number for this month this year.

 Here's post number one for the month... It's a good one!

The girls love marshmallows. We're vegan but thank goodness, there's a lovely vegan option! As we went shopping for food for the ski trip they found some at the store an we bought them.  I got creative and made them oven-broiled s'mores.

I put 9 graham crackers in the pan (just 1/2) and poured a few chocolate chips on them (probably would be easier with chocolate bars, but I didn't have any) and one marshmallow on each.

I put them in the oven on bake for a few minutes (I don't know how long).  I just watched them and poked at them with my finger. 

 
When they seemed somewhat soft,  I took them out of them oven and put some more chocolate on top.

 
Then I got serious about the broiler.

 
A few minutes later (watching them closely) they looked like this.  I plan to repeat the experiment and let them get a little more brown the next time.

 
The girls loved them.  I enjoyed one, but it was a little sweet for me.  I'll make them again for the girls... Maybe when they have friends over.