Great Book and Great Recipe

I just read "Food Matters" by Mark Bittman. It was great! It motivates you to eat the way we are told to in the Word of Wisdom. In "Food Matters" Bittman discusses the impact of the meat industry on the environment. Did you know that raising cows the way we do pollutes the air worse than our cars? He challenges everyone to be a "vegan until 6"- dinnertime. Lots of veggies, beans, whole grains, fruit, nuts. And at dinner, eat less meat- and better meat. I like that. We just had a scrumptious lunch of flatbread smeared with mashed beans (flavored with taco seasoning), topped with lettuce and steamed veggies. Yummmmmmmmmmmm. I was surprised at how filling, too! I am going to learn how to make flatbread. I tried it last night but it was a bomb. I burned it. I thought next time I'd try making it like pancakes. Did you know there is only whole wheat flour, salt and water in them?

Anyway, he does talk a lot about the politics involved, but it's also got a bunch of yummy looking recipes and good dietary advice. He had a killer article in a recent Runner's World, too.

The following is a fantastic recipe from Alton Brown's new DVD set. We couldn't stop eating it. :)

Oven Roasted Broccoli

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2007

• Cook time: 10 min
  

• Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound broccoli, rinsed and trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan or sharp Cheddar

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Cut the broccoli florets into bite size pieces. Cut the stalk into 1/8-inch thick, round slices. Place the broccoli into a mixing bowl and toss with the olive oil, garlic, kosher salt and pepper and set aside.

Spread the panko into a 13 by 9-inch metal cake pan and place into the oven for 2 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove the panko from the oven and add to the bowl with the broccoli mixture. Toss to combine. Return the mixture to the cake pan, place in the oven and roast just until the broccoli is tender, 8 to 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven, toss in the cheese and serve immediately.

Intervals!

At least I think that's what they're called. I organized my exercise efforts a bit more.

Day 1- Speed day- Intervals! Like Body for Life- increase your speed every minute until you hit an effort level of 10, then go back to level 5 and work up again. My ultimate goal is to lose enough weight to be able to run again and this is easing me into running again.

Day 2- Weights

Day 3- Easy day. I just have to hit my mileage.

Day 4- Weights

Day 5- Long distance.

I'm still contemplating my nutrition goals for the month. Perhaps I'll add a legume requirement. And a whole grain requirement. Any ideas?

Fitness Challenge

I read an article in Runners World where 16 siblings all ran the same marathon. They kept up with each others' training and cheered each other on by posting on Facebook. I liked that idea. In Dave's family we have each set an individual fitness goal for the month (and plan to add to our goals each month). This has kept me going because I don't want to have to confess that I messed up. What do you all say to doing something like that for our family? My idea is to declare our goal for the month and record our progress weekly or so. If we need motivation, hopefully we can help each other out. Any other ideas, improvements, suggestions?

My personal goal for this month is to exercise 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes each time, to eat no sugar this month, and to eat three veggies and two fruits a day.

So far so good. I haven't eaten sugar in two weeks. :) At the beginning of the month I was doing a little over a mile in half an hour. I've worked up to 2 miles in a little over half an hour. I ran out and got new running shoes today because my old ones were shot. And I've been especially enjoying carrots.

Tell me your thoughts! Love you guys!

Laurie

One more UFO- finished!

Look, look, look! I finished another one!. I even like it. Turned out good, didn't it?

Cousin Pictures

We took these pictures after getting back into town last weekend. When we first got to the house, Rex didn't have any pants on. Not an entirely unusual occurence. But this time it was because he was waiting for his jeans to get washed so he could match Jackson. Matching shirts, and we didn't even plan it. Matching noses. We didn't plan it either. Must be a Lubeck gene.

This was infinitely cuter in person. Especially considering that May has not been in a high chair very many times (I think-but since I'm not the mom I'm not the expert). May is finally starting to get her revenge for all of Jackson's pokes in her face (he really likes her eyes). P & C said that while they were both getting a diaper change on the floor, May reached over and stuck her finger up Jackson's nose. Way to teach him a lesson May. Do it again for me.

Pictures

I thought that I would take the liberty of posting pictures of P&C and kids since they don't have a blog of their own.
Ivy took this picture. Pretty good, huh? And she got her own camera for Christmas.

Big girl May.

Cute Ivy. And the only picture of Rex from this night. I just realized that we didn't get any of him when I was searching for pictures to add. Oh well. A picture doesn't really do his cuteness justice anyways. (Awex, I wuv you vewy much. Jackson wuvs me vewy much too.)

Uncle Peter is the coolest (next to Aunt Chrissy)

Santa Clause is Coming to Town

Actually Santa Clause lives in Roanoke and I am making him a new upper denture. It's true. Mrs. Claus is also a patient but she just needed some fillings. No dentures for her.

Anyways, the reason for me bringing this up is because I was talking to ultra organized super planner Laurie today and whe brought up the subject of the good ol' gift swap. It just so happend that Alex and I had been discussing this very matter earlier in the day. So... what shall we do this year. The options as I see it are as follows:

1) continue with tradition and throw all siblings and siblings childrens names in a hat and divy up names so that each individual gets and gives a gift.

2) slightly modifiy tradition (evolve) and place each families name including little Grant in a hat and swap such that each family and little Grant gives and receives a gift.

3) do not place names of any one in any hat and forego the gift swap altogether.

I think that Alex and I would lean more towards idea #2; however, we are open to all suggestions and input. If any of you creative siblings have an idea to add to the list we are all cochleas.

as ivy says,
love you nuts

the frog suit returns

Two Lovely Ladies

Ada was spoiled last week. It was so much fun having Grandma here to play with! We are all missing her sorely.

another blog....

new blog alert! we figured it was time to have a blog now that our little friend will be here soon. follow the R6 link on the side.

Labor Day Weekend

I know these pictures are a little late in coming, but boy were they worth they wait. We had such a fun time in Roanoke for Labor Day weekend! Here are pics of the cutest chuks in ol' virginie.Ivy created a pretty cool Mrs/Mr Potato Head

Jackson chilling during a kickball game. Peter's office-team dominated.

Cute little May. It was fun to hear Ivy and Rex try to get her to smile. They would both say "Hi May!" in the highest voice they could manage.

The impressive dance stylings of Ivy, Katie, and Rex, post taco dinner. You can still see some of the taco remnants on Rex's face. He loved himself some tacos. All throughout dinner he kept telling each person at the table that "I 'ever had tacos before!"

Thanks to the Roanoke folk for a great weekend!

Music Night!

Cousin Time!

Chrissy went and saw Jon at the office yesterday while I was on kid duty. We did all kinds of fun stuff: had snacks, jumped on the bean bag, ate popsicles, colored hand picked pictures from the internet, colored our names from stencils, read books, built a fort, played with trains and so on. Okay, so I didn't do quite all of that, but most of it. Here are some fun pictures for you to enjoy. A close up of the kids inside their fort.
A better picture of the fort. Ivy was very creative in getting it to work.
The babes.
The damage. (See our blog)

Montréal est MERVEILLEUSE!

Simple Summer Stew

Last night we had a "Simple Summer Stew" for dinner from "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone." It was quite delicious-and filling. I had my doubts as to whether a meal consistly only of vegetables would be enough and it was (served with bread). What was in it? Squash, green beans, tomato, bell pepper, and corn. And the reason for posting? I quote Jon, "This is a meal my mom would go bananas over. And actually, Katie would love it too." And I bet that you would like it too Laurie. And Peter and Chrissy, you have all the ingredients in your backyard! Except for the corn. I don't know if anyone besides Mom owns the cookbook (and we only have it checked out from the library) so let me know if you want me to type it up for you. We have leftovers, anyone want some? Come and get it!

And the bar is upon us! Glen and his beard have been working hard to prepare for the big test this week. We're taking votes for how he should shave his beard off. Checkerboard pattern? Mutton Chops? Moustachio only?









I've had a few friends to keep me company while glen is so busy:

Both are a little green and round, but very very cute.

Offered...and Accepted (finally)!

This is our beaut of a house. There is lots of room for visitors. Come soon! Well, at least after we buy the place and move in, hopefully in the next month or so.

Check Me Out Sassy G

Am I the only one who thinks that Grant makes faces like this? Especially for pictures?

Hello everyone

First of all, I don't remember who the moderator for this blog is. Was it Katie? Whoever it is, Laurie has a new gmail account that she can use to post as herself rather than both of us sharing an account. This way you'll know right away who posted what. Her gmail screen name is just her first name middle initial and last name all as one word (I don't want to post it to prevent spam bots from harvesting it off this blog). Please invite her. Thanks!

The latest word is that our buyers got approval from the VA and now we're just waiting for the HUD forms to be finished. We should have a date here really soon...

Just in case you didn't notice . . .

David set up a link to our new family blog in his last post here. You can see a picture of our new house there. We move out this Saturday and move in sometime next week, probably. Our house looks like a war zone but Carol is happy as a clam. So many kind people have offered their help. We just ask them to play with Carol and keep her happy while we work. It is difficult to have people help you pack. How do you let them know what sorts of things ought to go together so you can find them again- but without getting on their nerves? Anyway, we're almost finished and Carol has had more playdates this week than in the last couple of months put together! Love you guys!

Laurie

Philly Pics

We sure do enjoy our traditional Memorial Day trips to Philadelphia. The dual wedding attempt on Saturday was crazy. We were at both ceremonies but no meals that we RSVP'ed for (I'm hoping that we didn't create bitter feelings with one of the brides) or wedding cake. The highlight of the weekend, even above running on Forbidden Drive and eating Rita's, was spending time with Katie and Glen.

Jonathan and Jackson on the recently re-Astroturfed patio

YUM! Shish kabobs for dinner on the patio. So good. Katie and Glen sure know how to treat guests, as do Laurie and Dave. They pull out all the good stuff.

The Big Sitter (aka Jackson) with his aunt and uncle, just waiting for a cousin to play with.

Next time.

We're moving

See details...

Swedish meatballs

There are some things that just don't seem to go together very well, and yet some people like the combination, anyway. Take Swedish meatballs, for example. This is the classic dish to be made fun of in our household. Laurie likes it, but I just can't get over the thought of mixing ketchup, orange juice, and molasses in a meal. That's just wrong. So there you have it--things that shouldn't go together that someone put together, anyway, and someone else agrees that it isn't so bad together. But this mixing conundrum isn't confined to just food. Oh, no--you can mix all kinds of things that don't belong together. Like, say for example... oh, a cello quartet, and a heavy metal concert. Enter the Finnish bad, "Apocalyptica." This time Laurie thinks that the combination is absurd and that I shouldn't even let Mom know about it because she'd probably puke. I'm the one who likes it. Well, sorta'--I like the original songs and I think it's fun to hear them in cello, but watching the visuals is a bit too much to handle; it just reminds me of ketchup and orange juice. Still, I'd like to share, if for no other reason, I find the juxtaposition amusing. I think I'll make 2 posts, though: one for Mom and one for everyone else. The first one is for Mom. It illustrates the odd combination, but it's not anything as dramatic as post number two...




OK, did you like that one? Now try this one. If you're pressed for time, start 1/2 way through...



Laurie's theory (and I think she might be on to something here) is that these poor chaps were constantly picked on as kids because they played the cello. They continued playing because they were good at it and they enjoyed it, but one can only take so much abuse. They decided to try and prove that they could be as cool with a cello as all the guitar-playing bullies. And what better way to do this than to play their own music and beat them at their own game? ... the rest is history.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

We love those pictures below. Especially the first one of Ivy and May. Ivy looks so happy with her new treasure.

Recently Katie and I have been enjoying a guitar group that I think a few of you might appreciate. Rodrigo y Gabriela were originally members of a thrash metal band in Mexico City. They switched to acoustic guitar and moved to Ireland where their albums have gone #1. They are slowly gaining steam in the states. Hope you like them.

Here She Is!

Ivy holding May for the first time
All the ladies (man, does Chrissy know how to have babies or what? I think that she looks fantastic for having a baby less than 12 hours before this picture was taken)
Peter trying to entertain Rex in a small hospital room.
Ivy's last hold before we left.
Beautiful Baby May.

(Sorry if I pre-empted you on posting Peter and Chrissy)