Moving On...

...to another blog! I was recently inspired to start blogging again, but wanted to start fresh with a brand new blog. So I'm leaving this one behind for now and heading over to Swirling in the Here and Now...please join me!

New Year's Eve 2009: Blogging on a Blue Moon

I'm home with the babies while Nate is running some errands with the boys, and this actual QUIET (the babies fell asleep nursing) has lured me into some reflection...and into the realization that we stand at the door to a new decade. This has sort of blindsided me, which also has made me realize how little time I have to actually think these days. Sounds like an excuse, I know...but mothering four children under the age of five is honestly the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life.

In 2000, Nathan and I got married on a lovely sunny day in May. I think we both would have laughed hysterically if you would have told either of us that, 10 years later, we would have 4 kids, I would be a stay-at-home mom, and he would be a programmer who wears a tie to work. The "Jen and Nate of the 90s" would not have been able to wrap their minds around the difference a decade makes.

We have grown. While I feel like I am in the trenches of the hardest job I've ever had, I also can't believe how lucky I am. Life has definitely been good to me.

What will 2010 bring? I have no idea. I am excited for the surprises the universe has in store for me. Happy New Year everyone!


-- Posted from my iPhone

Daring Bakers Reveal Day! I'm back!

After a full year away from the Daring Bakers, I am back for this month's challenge!

The July Daring Bakers' challenge was hosted by Nicole at Sweet Tooth. She chose Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies and Milan Cookies from pastry chef Gale Gand of the Food Network.

OK...so...part of the appeal of the Daring Bakers, to me, is the fact that we have to adhere to directions. This is something I do not do well, especially when it comes to food. I have a hard time resisting the urge to change this or that ingredient, use a different technique, or scrap the directions altogether. This leads to some awful results at times, but has also led to some awesome new creations! So, I joined DB as an exercise in discipline, and as a way to learn some new baking techniques.

When I saw this month's challenge, I thought I was getting off easy. We were given the option to bake both types of cookies or choose just one. Since I'm not a big fan of marshmallows and I'd have to either order vegan marshmallows online or try to make them myself, I passed in the marshmallow cookies. I decided to give the Milan Cookies a try, and thought, "how hard could this be?".

As a vegan baker, DB rules allow for some variation. So I based my recipe off of Isa's* . (I haven't said it in awhile...we are so lucky to have Isa making the world safe for vegans!) All in all, it turned out a good cookie...a BIG cookie, not the dainty Pepperidge Farm variety, but that was my own fault. These were Milanos on Steroids!

The recipe itself was straight-forward. If I make them again I will try to make the sandwich cookies thinner and more crisp. I will also not bake them with a screaming baby on my back and two toddler apprentices...but who am I kidding??

So thank you, Nicole, for a good challenge this month! I look forward to see what DB have in store for me in August!

*I made one variation from Isa's recipe, I used hemp milk instead of rice and arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch.

Return to Raw

Today is Saturday so we will be off to Eastern Market in a few hours. Nathan and I have made it a goal to return to a high raw diet for the summer, so we need to stock up!

Nate is pretty much high raw right now, with only one cooked meal (dinner) each day. I am still eating mostly cooked food, mostly part of my postpartum recovery regime. I have found cooked foods to be very grounding and comforting during this time. But now that the twins will soon be 3 months old, I think I am ready for a return to the "raw until dinner" approach. Eating that way for the last couple summers made me feel healthier than I ever had before. It also gives me the freedom to bake without guilt!

So...my first mission today is to find the best price for dates...off we go!


-- Post From My iPhon

The most ridiculous looking configuration, but it works!

Several people have asked me how I am wearing the twins. I haven't quite figured out a great and totally hands-free way to wear them both at the same time, although they are getting better head control so we may be able to do two mei tais (front and back) soon. For now, we are using a Beco Butterfly and a Maya Wrap ring sling, both on the front. It looks kind of awkward and I still need one arm free to support the baby in the Maya, but it works! I would like to try to carry both in one long woven wrap, one baby in a high back carry and the other in a front cross. But I still need lots of practice with that one.





-- Post From My iPhone

Another beautiful day in the neighborhood

The last couple days have been so lovely, sunny and 70s. The boys love playing in the front and backyard, and the babies enjoy the fresh air. I'm trying to come up with as many summer activities as I can figure out logistically with two tots and two babies. I think I'm getting better at it, we've been getting out more and more.



-- Post From My iPhone

The happiest baby!

Gus loves to smile. It's a beautiful, heartwarming grin that I just can't wait to see every morning!




-- Post From My iPhone