Food Geek

I have totally geeked out on the whole food thing lately.  I have tried more new recipes in the past few months than I have probably ever tried in my entire career of cooking.  Ruby and Owen, when they aren't sick, are pretty open to trying new things which encourages my willingness and desire to pursue this new interest.  It is a total challenge to make a variety of foods available in forms that are edible for a 16 month old- soft enough, usually able to be picked up by the fingers, and with enough flavor to be interesting and enough nutrition to be alright with mom.

Our daily lunch- Owen is now on the smoothie train.  I have to fight them both off to get a sip in before they put down a whole batch on their own- broccoli, kale, coconut milk, mango, banana, yogurt- yummm.  And, we also eat what I call "peanut butter dip" on this thin pita-type bread- perfect for toddlers- they should call it toddler bread.  The dip is half peanut or almond butter, half plain yogurt and some pureed fruit or applesauce mixed in for a little extra flavor.  I have to say, it is quite good- goes down a bit easier than plain peanut butter.

Homemade Cheese-Its.  I was about to buy stock in Annie Anne's- we were inhaling the Cheddar Bunnies.  Then, I discovered how easily I could make something similar with my handy dandy newish Cuisinart.   

Baked pumpkin donut holes.  These are more for the adults once they have the sugar on the outside.  But, before they have been sugar-coated, there isn't much sugar inside and Ruby and Owen chow them down too. Also, super easy- pretty much a requisite for me to try something.

And, when in doubt, I can take just about anything out of the fridge and they will eat it if I allow them to dip it in ketchup.  They are big dippers in general- we are addicted to the jalapeno yogurt dip from Costco.  We also like tartar sauce, jalapeno ranch dressing, and taziki.  So far, they are big fans of hot things.  Owen will even dip his finger alone in hot sauce and lick it- hilarious.  Dad puts hot sauce on everything so it is often out.  I have learned not to take it as an insult to my cooking.

Also- Other staples in our snack repertoire include homemade gummy/jello cubes, pretzels (Owen LOVES pretzels.  He is such a DuRoss.), Cheddar Bunnies, and boiled eggs.  They still love tofu with all of their hearts and would never pass up cheese or mac and cheese.  They really dig these veggie toddler hors d'oeuvres I make and canned beets are often our "dessert". 

Other randomness-

Ruby and Owen have a love affair with balls ("ba-ba" as they call them)- all sizes, colors, and textures.  They especially like to throw them in our sloped driveway and watch them roll and bounce into the neighbor's yard below us...and then watch mom run after them.

The cleaning tendencies continue.  Now, they like to throw away their own diapers.  I have tried to limit it to only the diapers with pee in them, and not let them handle the poopy diapers, but lots of crying ensues.  So, I have just gotten really good at wrapping up diapers of all extremes and let them take them to the trash.  It is pretty funny- they look so grown up.

Until a few weeks ago, Owen would only wear the Robeez shoes.  If you tried to put other shoes on his feet he would throw a fit, bawl, and certainly would not try to take a step....until Ms Ruby got some Crocs handed down to her by her cousin Mercy.  She wore them around all day and by the end of this day, Owen was wearing the pink Crocs around too! Turns out they were the gateway shoes for us.  Now, they both will wear something a little more substantial.  Check out the photos of our favorite kicks currently (Crocs are still just a little big, but we plan on making them a staple this summer).  They are so stinkin cute. Who doesn't love tiny shoes?!

Just a final shot that daddy got. He must have said somethin really funny cause we all look pretty entertained.

"If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart!"