Archive for the ‘stuff I like’ Category
I bake bread [almost] every day!
It all started with my brother-in-law, who brought bread to our Thanksgiving feast this year. (When Andrea said, Jay will bake bread for the meal, I was like, “really? Jay bakes bread??”)
It was a delicious loaf of white bread with molasses. And he told me I needed to try it for myself – he sent me an email right that moment with a link to the recipe for a simple crusty bread that requires no kneading and no lengthy rising times. (Adapted from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day). I watched this video, and couldn’t get over the simplicity!
And so began my obsession.
That gorgeous loaf on the right was my third batch of dough, where I sprinkled some rosemary into the dough while mixing it up. These loaves turn out so beautifully, my kids gather around the cooling rack to admire the freshly-baked bread whenever it comes out of the oven. It’s almost like a shrine!
It pleases me that even as a VERY busy working and otherwise multitasking mom I can bake bread for my family nearly every day. Especially when they react so favorably, as if it is the greatest gift that MOM! Bakes bread! For us!!
Finally, a food I make that they can truly appreciate.
If that’s not revolutionary…
The method
The dough you mix up with this no-knead bread method has a high yeast and high water content (it’s also called “high moisture dough”). The extra yeast aids a faster rise (saving time!). The high moisture content breaks down the gluten in the wheat flour – a task normally accomplished with kneading.
My first time
I was so excited to put this bread in the oven and watch it bloom and bake. The whole house smelled just amazing. Bailey and I were in raptures (she thinks homemade bread every day is quite luxurious).
I can’t get over just how easy this is! I messed it up my first batch in a couple ways and it still turned out PERFECTLY. I used bleached flour before realizing that was a no no. Besides adding chemicals, bleaching removes some of the protein and that throws off the recipe because the dough will be too wet.
I read that AFTER I mixed up my first batch of dough with bleached flour and of course I fretted about it all night.
However, it turned out PERFECTLY. My future loaves might be better with other flours, but this was still quite amazing. The crackly crust is divine.
I made four loaves of bread with bleached flour they were tasty!
The texture with the unbleached is definitely different (not quite as dense), but everyone was still in raptures about the bread I made with bleached flour.
I’ve read elsewhere online that this recipe is incredibly forgiving and found that to be true!
I also did a crappy job portioning out those first loaves and forming them (see photo above), but I already feel much more practiced about that.
Like sourdough?
One of the cool things about this dough is that you make a large batch (enough for 4 one pound loaves) and refrigerate it for UP TO 2 WEEKS! The longer it’s refrigerated, the more it ferments and the more if achieves sour dough tang (without any starter maintenance!). You don’t stir it, knead it nor mix anything further into it.
One of the tips they have in the book to get even more sourdough-y goodness is to NOT wash your dough container when you make a fresh batch. Just scrape it down and incorporate the aged dough remnants into the fresh dough mixture. They call it the lazy sourdough shortcut. How inspired is that?
Oh, and I’ve read some people mention that between day 10 and 14 it does start to lose it’s rising ability. Tired yeasties. That’s when it’s a good time to roll it out into pizza dough!
I’m trying to imagine this dough lasting anything like 2 weeks around here, though. I might have to make bigger batches at one time!
Challah fun
Make sure to also spend some time on the authors’ website. After browsing the many recipes and variations in the book, I found myself anxious to try a different bread. The next dough I mixed up was the challah.
I found this recipe on the authors’ website: Braided challah filled with spinach, feta and pine nuts
It was amazing – Scott is becoming more seriously impressed with this method.
Since making the challah I’ve also made the Broa (Portuguese cornbread), the Vermont cheddar bread (will use more cheddar next time), the chocolate bread, which I then made into chocolate bread pudding (which has a super chocolate-y custard – divine!) and onion pletzel (don’t forget to sprinkle with kosher salt – that makes it!).
I feel like I’m cheating to make such easy bread and have it look/taste so awesome!
Tips and hints
For more analysis, discussion and variations with the 5 minute bread method, don’t miss this cool interview with the book’s authors.
There is much discussion there about how to get higher, airier loaves of bread, and the positive impact of longer rising times during the second-rise stage. The longer rise has definitely improved my breads.
Also, using parchment paper to transfer bread to the baking stone has greatly simplified the process (as if it was ever complicated!). I set the bread out to rise on a cookie sheet covered with a piece of parchment paper. When its time to put the bread in the oven, I slip the loaf onto the pre-heated baking stone, parchment paper and all. After about 15-20 minutes – when the crust is good and firm – I slip the parchment paper out so the bottom crust can bake directly against the stone. This is a particularly superior method for transferring pizza and pletzel and other flatbreads to the baking stone.
Oops. Torchwood (is not for kids!)
I was just porting this old entry about parents taking their young kids into rated-R movies (Knocked Up, in this case) over from my archives and I had to laugh at the irony. Particularly the part where I said:
Sex, drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, profanity – you name it, it was in there. I can’t sit through quite a number of PG-13 movies with my teenage stepson. When so many PG-13 movies are so much on that edge of being too uncomfortable to watch with your kids, what are people THINKING taking an under-13-year-old to a rated R movie????
Not that the following incident was nearly so heinous, but… still.
First, some background. We are a family that caught on to the Dr. Who craze just this year. We started by Netflixing the first disk in the Season 1 set. Immediately, we were hooked. The kids like watching and re-watching the episodes, so Scott went online and purchased Seasons 1-4. And we devoured them in less than six months with no self-control whatsoever – all 140+ episodes and the DVD extras.
We were all a little melancholy a couple weeks ago as we watched the final episode of Season 4 (especially when we learned that Season 5 is all a mess. Three Dr. Who specials in 2009, but no full season until 2010!).
But we consoled ourselves with the plan of watching various Dr. Who spin-offs, like the Sarah Jane Adventures. And Torchwood. Maybe check out some of the old Dr. Who episodes from the 80s that Scott remembers with fondness.
It was with this in mind that Scott purchased the Torchwood Season 1 DVD and presented it to me as a gift on Christmas Eve. The kids were so excited! Dr. Who has really captured their imaginations – they talk about the episodes obsessively. The read about them online. They write fan fiction. Even my 16 month old toddles around the house singsonging the Dr. Who theme. True story.
So it was with much anticipation that we settled down to see the story of Captain Jack Harkness resumed in our lives. Boy were we in for a surprise.
(This is what happens when you don’t vet your children’s programming!!)
Where Dr. Who is sunny and bright – with a lot of day time scenes, I realize in hindsight – this first episode of Torchwood was dark and gloomy – a lot of nighttime, a lot of drenching rain. Where Dr. Who stops short of gruesome violence, Torchwood let’s the blood spurt (vividly). Where Dr. Who is rated G for language, Torchwood dropped the F bomb at least a dozen times.
Not that my kids have never heard the F word in real life, goodness knows. But I guess we’ve sheltered them adequately, because they are NOT used to it on TV. They aren’t even allowed to watch most PG-13 movies until they are 13. So they were visibly flinching with every instance of profanity.
So, yeah, obviously kids are not the intended audience here. We were chagrined. Bailey and HM were berating me for letting them watch such a horrible show: “Maaahhhhm. We are not OLD ENOUGH for this yet!”
I wasn’t planning to let them watch any more of it for several more years. But they caught the preview for the next episode. Whoa, there goes Captain Jack running NAKED across the screen. The girls erupted with squealing. So I don’t think they heard the part about how the aliens in that episode are somehow activated by the sexual act.
Yep, okay, this is NOT Dr. Who. No mistake about it. Oops.
The episode was great, though. Scott and I really enjoyed it (and the girls enjoyed the storyline, too, actually) and are looking forward to watching the rest. It’s just not gonna be family TV night is all.
The Sarah Jane Adventures it is. (After we watch the first episode ourselves and read up a little on the reviews first, just in case.)
Celebrating mamahood
I found this little treasure on Etsy and couldn't resist. She sits on my desk as a lovely tribute to my childbearing and rearing years. I love haddy2dog's etsy shop and wanted to share the link with my mama friends.
It's also inspired an interested in needle felting. Someday, when I have time for handiworking, I'd really like to learn this craft. Apparently, there is a kid-friendly version, too (using water and soap vs. the sharp felting needle).
New piano
Over the weekend we bought a piano! It's just a digital piano – not an acoustic one – but it certainly works the same way! The keys are even weighted to feel like an acoustic piano.
Anyway, I can't really play – I had very basic intro lessons from my grandma (organist) when I was a kid, but I didn't advance very far. I loved to play it and did so often, but I didn't learn much beyond simple melodies that I played with one hand only. My interest is revived though! I've been doing some self-teaching from a book since we got this on Saturday, but I think I might even take some lessons for a little more structured guidance.
We'll see what we can afford for MY lessons after we determine how many kid lessons we need to cover. Hopefully we can get some kind of group rate. 
Apparently at least HM and Mir are very musically talented. Their music teacher actually showed up for HM's parent teacher conference last week just to tell me that. I'd been thinking about getting a piano lately anyhow, but that news definitely motivated me to action sooner vs. later.
Mir is very interested in piano lessons – curious to see how she fares. Ironically, she's the most organized and disciplined of all the kids in our household.
HM said she would prefer to learn the trumpet (and that's the instrument she plans on learning in band next year), but we'll see if she doesn't change her mind about piano lessons once she sees we actually HAVE a piano in our house. (The girls are in OH for the first week of their fall break, so they will be surprised when they come home.)
I have no idea about B's interest/aptitude. And plus we're paying for riding lessons for her right now – we can only afford so much eek. I like how having a piano in the house makes learning music so accessible, though! A is taking guitar lessons right now and says that's enough for him. But we'll see. 
Stay tuned! (har)
Vox Hunt: Check Out These Shoes
I like…
LANA nursing pads are THE BOMB. Love them. I am a bigtime leaker and these contain the overflow wonderfully. Plus they are so soft and warm and I don't have to deal with that sour milk smell that pervades disposable nursing pads.
This baby keepsake album! My MIL got it for my 10 year old to help chronicle Jake's babyhood. It's perfect! And my 10 yo DD feels SO important to be in charge of this important documentation.
Cloth diapering resources
- Washing cloth diapers: Detergents and stripping tips
- Washing cloth diapers: Routine
- Might want to consider these dipes later… Baby Beehinds
- More detergent recommendations
Cloth diapers: Taking the plunge
Oh, I was resistant to do the cloth diapering thing. In large part because just researching the topic is so overwhelming and presented a timesuck challenge. I've slowly been coming round to the idea, especially after I kind of accidentally discovered the bumGenius 2.0 option recently.
What sealed it for me, though, was when I got my LANA nursing pads and tried them on earlier this week. OMG, they are SO soft and comfortable. I'm really sold on the concept – especially in how they compare to the disposable nursing pads I was using when I breastfed my other babies. It got me to thinking that I want Jakey to be that much more comfy, too.
My girls never had any problems with disposable diapers, but I am anticipating a more sensitive baby this time, based on Scott's skin sensitivities, particularly with contact allergic reactions. Also, there is some speculation about disposable diapers and the longterm fertility consequences for boys.
Anyway, there are a ton of good reasons for me to consider cloth diapering, especially since I work from home and we can afford the more convenient alternatives like fitteds, pockets and all-in-ones.
So I dug in, did my homework and have decided: We're going to do it. (And for the record, Scott is all for it, too. 
In fact, he's actually wanted me to CD all along because he thinks it's best for baby, environment, etc., BUT he didn't want to be pushy since I'm the one who will be doing the majority of the work (have I mentioned I ADORE this man). So he was pretty happy to see me researching and getting serious about this alternative.
The initial cloth diaper stash will look something like this:
For newborn stage (0-4 months):
- Three dozen Kissaluvs fitteds – size 0 – These seem to be universally hailed for newborns and explosive BF poop containment. I think I will feel very comfortable investing in a stash of these to get us through the first few months. (They are not so popular for older babies that have a greater bladder capacity and don't need to be changed with every feeding – absorbency apparently becomes an issue…)
For older baby (5+ months) – just considering for now; won't buy at first:
- Dream-eze fitteds (organic cotton and organic velour) – These are wildly popular, but also significantly more expensive than the Kissaluvs. Because they are so expensive, I'm wary about stashing a large supply of them for the newborn stage (which is relatively short compared to the length of time babies can wear the larger sizes). Also, I have a feeling we'll be using the bumGenius 2.0 once Jakey has chubbed out a bit.
- One dozen bumGenius one size – This seems like a low risk investment… over the course of 2-3 years I imagine we'll get enough use out of a dozen of these to warrant the risk of buying that many up front. And if it turns out to be a love affair at any point of the diaper stage, I will just buy more! Most of the complaints I've read about these have been in regard to their fit on a newborn.
Assorted covers to try before making decisions about next size up:
- Bummi's Super Whisper Wrap – Wildflower Diapers is offering a free one of these per dozen Kissaluvs, so will have three of these on hand.
- Imse Vimse organic cotton – I'd like to try one of these
- Stacinator fleece – I want one in the leopard – so cute!
- Wonder Wraps – one size | reviews
- And I'm thinking a couple wool covers, too: Like maybe this one? I also may try an Aristocrats. I'm really sold, in theory, on wool covers. I'm curious to see how they play out in practice.
- gDiaper starter kit – For $25, I think these are worth trying out. Even if we don't cotton to the flushable inserts (harrr), cloth diapering moms rave about the quality and effectiveness of the covers (plus they are really cute)!
Nursing attire (I love to shop)
Based on past experience, I know that over the course of breastfeeding for the next couple years, the majority of it will happen right here – at home, and in front of 'puter, most like.
That means most of my nursingwear will consist of a comfy nursing bra, breastpads so I'm not a complete leaking mess – and a sloppy t-shirt. For kicking around the house and sleeping, plus to wear as an underlayer in cooler months, I also got several of these nursing tanks from Target that come HIGHLY recommended by nursing moms in the know.
From left:
Bravado original nursing bra (I got the leopard print
LANA nursing pads (moms rave about these!)
Target nursing tank
All of the above is comfy and practical, but, alas, not particularly flattering. I might be a mama a million times over, but I still want to look NICE sometimes for hubby (and for the sake of my own self-esteem, which can be especially fragile in those vulnerable postpartum months) – especially when being seen in public.
So to that end, I went on a quest yesterday for some pretty and fashionable (yet still highly functional and comfortable) nursing bras and nursing tops. I was less than impressed with the offerings at Motherwear (YMMV). Expressiva, on the other hand, stocked exactly what I had in mind. Plus they had a sale going on and I picked up several items for $8.99-$15.99!) I also got a couple bras (one black, one white) that are a little more structured. These are from Bravado's newer lifestyle line.
Diapers: Cloth, disposable or…
Hybrid?!
Clever, clever. Aside from the cute little diaper covers, the inner liner is disposable. And not just disposable, my friends, but flushable.
Aside from the big environmental benefit here, how much would I LOVE to not have stinky bins of diapers around my house??
The materials in ‘little g’ pants, liners and flushables are designed with comfort and dryness in mind. Flushables are made of a water resistant, breathable outer material that keep bottoms dry and wetness away. It is made of all natural fiber and is 100% biodegradable. The interior uses elemental chlorine-free tree farmed fluff pulp and Super Absorbing Poly-acrylate to absorb wetness. These super absorbing lock away cells hold up to 100 times their weight in liquid.
Snap-in liners are made of breathable polyurethane coated nylon, not pvc like many diaper covers. They are easy to change and rinse out. Our liners are also breathable which helps prevent diaper rash.
Our ‘little g’ pants are made of a soft, breathable outer cotton/elastene fabric giving them a slight stretch.
I'm completely intrigued by this innovation. They do not represent any kind of cost savings over conventional disposable diapers – let alone cloth. In fact, of course, they are pricier. But if they are all that they are marketed to be, they certainly marry the best of both worlds – and even trump both!
So, I do believe we're going to try them out once the babe is here. I'll let y'all know how they work out.
Mom to 4 kids and 2 stepkids, I work at home in the heart of the chaos. Founder and executive editor of SheKnows.com and various other sites. Homeschooling. Knitter. Family chef. Gadget geek. Wordphreak. LAZY BLOGGER. 