kale chips
Apr
26

kale chips

By ·

You know that thing my mom people said to you about when you turn 30?  That you won’t be able to eat just whatever you want?  That things will start to “stick” and your body will basically begin the downhill slide that comes after the “peak” formerly known as your twenties?  Yeah, I think it’s happening :(

So we’re trying a new thing around the Treu house.  Being healthier.  I’ve heard good things.  I’m not talking go crazy and stop eating all processed food (maybe one day :)  But we can do A LOT better, just be smarter about what we’re putting into our bodies, into our kids’ bodies!  I know as far as food, I’m pretty much the ring leader of this circus, which means a lot of it is my fault responsibility.  It also means the changes will start and stop with me and that my kids will learn to eat the way they see me eat.  So, it’s time my friends, time for a change.

Right now I really just want to be intentional about what we eat/what we don’t eat.  So far it’s been kind of a slow start.  I’ve stopped buying a ton of processed food.  And I’m trying to substitute good stuff for the not so good stuff we’re so used to.  I’m also wanting to try new things.  That’s not always easy, old habits die hard.  But right now my kids seem somewhat adventurous with new foods, and they get excited about making food, so it can be fun!

The other day I made kale chips.  Yup, I took a green leafy vegetable and made them into chips.  And you know what?  The boys LOVE them!  And what’s better, they were really easy to make and are a great substitute for pretty much any other kind of chips we might buy at the store.

Okay, if you’re wanting to try your hand at making a batch, here’s what you’ll need:

  • kale (You can buy them bagged like lettuce or by the bunch.  I actually had 1 bunch left over from a different meal, so I used that)
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • seasoning of your choice (we used this)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Take the kale (if not already off the stems) and pull off the leaves into bite sized pieces.  (Kids like to eat stuff they helped make, so let them help where they can!  Pulling off leaves?  They can handle that!)  Drizzle a little olive oil onto a baking sheet (we needed 2 baking sheets for our 1 bunch of kale).  Spread the kale pieces out on the baking sheet.  Turn leaves to lightly coat both sides.  Sprinkle with seasoning.  Bake for 10-15 minutes.  Let cool and enjoy!
I think they turned out pretty good actually :)  They almost tasted like potato chips, but the texture was different.  Like I said, the boys loved them.  I’m glad we’re trying new things.  I know some things will be an adjustment and we just have to open to that, even if it takes time.  I don’t want to write things off because it’s not what we’re used to or we don’t love it the first time.  This is important, right?  I want to teach my kids that we need to be committed to the right thing, even if it’s a challenging thing :)
Okay, go make some kale chips!

Topics: be creative, The Treu Life Tagged With: ,
diy – hot pack
Apr
18

diy – hot pack

By ·

Well, the weather in Colorado has been…let’s just say schizophrenic.  One day it’s 68 degrees and the sun is shining, people walking around in shorts and a t-shirt.  The next day it’s snowing and there’s an inch of ice on the ground!  I will say that, even with its crazy, constantly changing weather, Colorado is still one of the prettiest places to live :)

Anyways, since for some parts of the country, there are still chilly days, I thought I’d share a super easy sewing project with you – a diy hot pack!  For those of you who only know how to sew an almost straight line with your sewing machine (hello, fellow sewing novices!) this is the project for you – super easy!

Okay, here’s what you’ll need:

  • fabric (I used flannel because it’s a little thicker and had a little stretch to it)
  • coordinating thread
  • rice (to fill the hot pack :)
Step 1:  Cut your fabric
I asked for a 1/3 of a yard at the store, then just cut out a rectangle that I thought would be big enough.  I ended up cutting mine to 10″x17″ but it’s totally up to you and how big or small you want it.
Leave the fabric folded in half like it was when you bought it.  When you cut, cut through both sides of the fabric.

Since you cut through both sides of the folded fabric, you really end up with a super long rectangle with a fold in the middle.

Step 2:  Start sewing!

Here’s the part where you break out your sweet sewing skills!  Turn the fabric with the right sides (the part you want on the outside) facing each other.  Start at the side with the fold and sew a seam around the three open sides.  Leave a gap at the end, an opening about 3 inches long.  Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and end of the seam.

Here you can see where I left the gap.  This is where you’ll turn it right side out and put the rice in.

Step 3: Turn the fabric

Using the gap in the seam, turn the bag right side out.  When you’re done, the seam you just sewed should be on the inside.

Step 4: Fill the bag

Alrighty, here’s the fun and potentially messy part :)  You’ll need rice and a funnel.  I tried using a funnel from my kitchen.  Yeah, that didn’t work.  I ended up making a funnel out of a piece of paper.  Just roll it into a cone shape.

Employ the help of the nearest preschooler to pour the rice as you hold the funnel.  Place the skinny end of the funnel into the gap in the seam and fill the bag with rice 1/3 to 1/2 of the way full.

Step 5: Sew the bag shut

Once the bag has enough rice, fold the fabric around the gap in on itself like this:

Now you need to close the gap.  You can either sew a new seam, just over the gap or sew a seam all the way across that side for a more finished look.  I went with the second option.

Here you can see the seam that goes all the way across the top.

To use your hot pack, you’ll need to warm it up in the microwave.  How long you warm it will depend on how big it is and how much rice is inside.  My 10×17 hot pack takes about 2 minutes and 45 seconds to warm.  I’d start with about a minute and then check to see if it’s warm enough for you.

Okay, that’s it!  Make them, use them, give them away!  Who doesn’t want a little instant comfort on a cold day?  So easy and practical :)  Enjoy!

Topics: be creative Tagged With:
pizzelles!
Apr
05

pizzelles!

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When I was younger, my mom and sisters and I would bake together.  We all had our favorites (and still do!) but everyone really liked pizzelles.

If you’ve never had one, pizzelles are basically waffle cookies.  They’re also what cannoli shells are made out of.  You use a special kind of press, like a waffle iron, to make them.  My mom has one and lets me borrow it if I make enough to share :)  Anyways, I thought I’d share the recipe with you!

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 6 eggs
  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 stick butter melted
  • 1 stick margarine melted
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp anise extract
Directions:
Beat eggs and sugar gradually until smooth.  Add margarine, butter, and anise extract.  Blend together.  Add flour and baking powder. Mix until well combined.  Dough will be sticky.  Drop 1 tablespoon onto each side of waffle iron.  Close tight and cook for 25 seconds, then check.  Cook longer if needed.  Do not let cookies get too brown.  Remove and place on cooling rack.  Keep in cookie tin, share, and enjoy!

A pizzelle iron is on my wish list!  These cookies are really light so you can eat 2 or 5 or 10 without feeling bad (at least that’s my philosophy :)

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