tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42755398989252461422020-11-20T05:07:27.027-06:00a vegetarian's compromises in the kitchenthe happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]Blogger339125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-26273044124440566582013-11-07T11:35:00.003-06:002013-11-07T11:35:28.175-06:00

As much as I love comforting fall foods, I have to admit I miss the fresh produce summer provides - especially tomatoes. Unfortunately, once the temperatures start to dip I want a salad less frequently. But as the final bits of this years' harvest make it in my CSA bag, I am determined to find a way to use and savor every last bite. This recipe for roasted roma tomatoes in fresh herbs does just

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]232tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-23053125900928875722013-10-18T22:46:00.002-05:002013-10-18T22:46:05.557-05:00

Look, I love the slow food movement. I am all about taking your time and getting things done right - especially food. But, sometimes you need something quick and easy. In my life, I have the two most adorable and precious little time-sucks, I mean toddlers, that take up most of my energy, focus, and patience. So when we get invited to a BBQ or a family gathering, I am not gonna lie - I try to

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-43945863121211428552013-10-01T22:36:00.001-05:002013-10-01T22:36:15.692-05:00

Sometimes when my carnivore and I go out to eat (which is rare with two toddlers) I see things on the menu that aren't vegetarian, but that I kinda wish I could have. Sure sometimes they will substitute this or that, but it isn't right there on the menu. What if you don't eat meat but that mushroom swiss burger sounds good? Well, you can do what I do - go home and recreate your own version.

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-49026594655653567162013-09-18T11:45:00.001-05:002013-09-18T11:45:36.826-05:00

My children seem to reach new milestones everyday. It happens faster with the second than the first child. Before you know it they are sleeping through the night (and waking at six in the morning), walking (and falling...lots), and talking (and repeating things you wish you hadn't said in front of them). Right now we are potty training my second child. And true to form, she is mastering this

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-58616072717969213912013-09-10T16:29:00.000-05:002013-09-10T16:37:26.311-05:00

Traditions are big in the South.  We believe that if someone is a minute older than you, you call them sir or m'am. We believe the everyone should read a lot of Mark Twain, and a little William Faulkner. We believe that Saturdays are football, and Sundays and for church. And birthdays are to be celebrated with a little something sweet. Sure most people want cake or ice cream on their birthday,

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-2540263568519094512013-09-07T23:45:00.000-05:002013-09-08T01:11:26.056-05:00

My dear, sweet hubby has a never ending honey do list. He gets sent reminders all the time with things like - I need you to get ice cream and salmon on your way home, and could you see if anyone is still selling kiddie pools, oh, and the cable box in the kitchen isn't working, and the mosquitos are so bad in the backyard, can you fix that? Poor fella. He not only works full time at the office,

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-65844770748543663452013-09-04T12:16:00.000-05:002013-09-04T12:16:53.272-05:00

When my CSA comes each week its like a little celebration. It reminds me of when I was little and I got to go to the fair. Rides, funnel cakes, carnival games - it was fun at every turn. And all the food on a stick. Candied apples, foot long corn dogs - you name it the food was fun too. So when my CSA came this past week, I decided to recreate the feeling in a way...a fresher and more

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-27690645562505751792013-09-02T23:21:00.000-05:002013-09-02T23:21:06.069-05:00

One of my favorite things about this time of year is the farmers' markets. I love all the vibrant colors - bright red strawberries, yellow heirloom tomatoes, deep green zucchini, dusty blueberries. It is a treat to the senses to just walk around and look at everything, even if you don't buy something - not that that ever happens for me. I always find a some colorful beauty that needs to come

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-12472724374367256492013-08-27T14:48:00.000-05:002013-08-27T14:48:02.954-05:00

I love summer foods. Sweet corn, fresh okra, and juicy blackberries. In my opinion food doesn't get better than this. But above all things, when tomatoes hit their peak, it is my favorite time of year. I toss them in salads. I put them on sandwiches. I ate them straight with a bit of salt. I simply love a perfectly ripe local tomato. And this equally simple tart is a wonderful way to enjoy them

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-59374062271959376302013-07-16T10:58:00.000-05:002013-07-16T10:58:33.344-05:00

Many years ago when I became a vegetarian I had a hard time re-learning how to eat. There weren't many cookbooks out there that laid out meal plans or even uncomplicated dishes. I seriously spent a whole summer eating side dishes once. But as time passed I learned how to make my meals more balanced. And the food world evolved too. Before I knew it my little grocery store have everything from fake

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-4360640930660256372013-07-11T09:57:00.002-05:002013-07-11T09:57:38.378-05:00

My dear carnivore has recently learned he has an aversion to on of his favorite things - garlic. Can you imagine? I mean it is a real tragedy. It's like if I found out I was allergic to cheese. But, just like he doesn't give up meat for me, I haven't kicked the garlic habit for him. I just partake in that fragrant clove when he isn't around. After all it is one of my favorite things too. I

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-30541259739449415352013-07-07T22:22:00.000-05:002013-07-07T22:24:09.965-05:00

With two toddlers in the house there is lots of talk about colors. What color is that leaf you found? What color shirt do you want to wear today? What color are your eyes? And so on...My son is went through a stage where he wanted everything pink. I am certain this is because when baby sister came along there was a sudden influx of pink things - and attention on her. But, now he was decided his

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-31433389405306245132013-07-06T09:45:00.002-05:002013-07-06T09:45:48.869-05:00

 It is that time of year again. The days are getting longer. The air is getting thicker. And there aren't enough ways out there to keep me and the kids cool. The muggy Memphis summer is setting in. And in my house, that means it is popsicle season. While I have been known to by the pre-made pops, my son always asks for my homemade ones. This, of course, makes my foodie mom heart smile. But

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-56453008975067532562013-07-02T22:33:00.000-05:002013-07-02T22:33:26.698-05:00

Ladies of a certain age are known to come down with a condition known as baby fever. I'm not sure when it really starts or ends, but I can tell you, despite having two toddlers I am not immune. One whiff of a newborn's head and I am looking at my husband with pleading eyes. And without so much as a word escaping my lips, he barks "No!" We can't help it. Babies are just irresistible. In the

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-47081096459055999482013-06-24T23:20:00.001-05:002013-06-24T23:20:40.993-05:00

I am not a trendy person. I am usually (at least) two steps behind on fashion trends or diet fads. I stick to the basics and figure what's out now will eventually come back around. Like I just saw jean jackets are back! I still have mine deep in a closet somewhere...But according to pinterest mint green is big right now. Blouses, butter dishes, you name it - that color is everywhere. I'm not

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-91901042677646539382013-06-17T21:51:00.000-05:002013-06-17T21:51:44.380-05:00

Letters are big in my house right now. We talk about the sounds they make, we draw them on magnadoodles and chalkboards, we spot them on signs during road trips. The alphabet is everywhere these days thanks to my little man. His favorite game is to try to figure out what letter a word starts with. We play this a lot at meals as we sit down and eat together. He especially loves when a meal has

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-80472847472436909902013-06-12T20:57:00.001-05:002013-06-12T20:57:34.496-05:00

So, it has been a bit since I have done a post like this, but I really wanted to share with you all our family's experience picking strawberries this summer. We found a small organic farm here in Memphis, tucked away in a suburban neighborhood (of all places). After driving to a part of town that neither I (a native Memphian) or my husband (a transplant) have ventured to before, we easily found

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-41368341011856389212013-06-08T12:08:00.002-05:002013-06-08T12:08:43.535-05:00

We eat real breakfast in my house. My kids are not satisfied with a fruit bar or a bowl of instant oatmeal. No, we have to have a substantial meal. Whether it is a croissant smeared with homemade apple butter or a piece of rye bread topped with strawberry honey jam from the berries we pick ourselves, I had better be prepared to also whip up some scrambled eggs or bacon too. And do forget some

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-48019304996500238722013-06-05T21:54:00.000-05:002013-06-05T21:54:31.474-05:00

The South has a very distinct palate. We like simple things - like hot corn bread smeared with real butter or a homemade biscuit slathered in a berry jam that was "put up" by someone's grandmother. From cobbler to fried fish, the food may not be fancy, but is flavorful. There are a few southern classics I have generally steered clear of. Even when I ate meat (decades ago) I never like meat

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-85359684474889217772013-06-02T22:24:00.002-05:002013-06-02T22:24:51.032-05:00

I am probably the most adven-turous eater in my family. That means a couple of things -1) when I see a new recipe for a swiss chard gratin and get excited, I'm probably going to be on my own, 2) when I try to convince my family that grilled brussel sprouts are amazing, I'm gonna get silent stares, and 3) occasionally, I have to cave and give them pizza. That doesn't mean, however, I have to

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-1669263724862148252013-05-28T09:54:00.002-05:002013-05-28T09:54:55.340-05:00

My husband has no manfort or man cave to speak of. He has no real place to escape the chaos that the kids and I create. Unless you count the garage. But despite my son's insistence that he lives out there, dirty floors, rusty tools, and discarded furniture are no haven from my hellions. His one place of peace may be his grill. He can survey the yard (which he has made many improvements to) from

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-5611062189992941372013-05-23T16:10:00.001-05:002013-05-23T16:10:16.704-05:00

Summer is by far my favorite time of the year. It has everything. From gazing at giant blue hydrangeas to jumping into pristine pools, every second is seductive to the senses. And the food is no exception. Succulent strawberries, sweet corn, you name it, it is just better in the summer. This sandwich contains several of my summer favorites. To make your own you will need the following: crusty

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-61620591523558525282013-05-19T21:37:00.000-05:002013-05-19T21:37:10.673-05:00

You ever make a dish and it is almost too pretty to eat? You just want to admire your work before you take a bite? Whether it is the birthday cake you just frosted for your kid or the tenderloin you made for the potluck, sometimes you take the first bite with your eyes because it looks so good you can almost taste it. Well, I had just that experience the other day when I made this turnip and

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-70706079046197930452013-05-17T22:40:00.001-05:002013-05-17T22:40:12.436-05:00

Because we live in a hundred year old bungalow, we are constantly making home improvements. Sometimes its just painting the dining room the perfect shade of blue (even if it takes five different shades to get that right), other times its more mundane tasks like re-calking the tub. It seems like there is always something that needs fixing up a bit, even though we love our little home just as it

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275539898925246142.post-85547259661474755472013-05-16T22:51:00.000-05:002013-05-16T22:51:02.884-05:00

Toddlers are notoriously picky eaters. There are no shortage of parenting blogs and cookbooks that claim to have the solution to how to get your kid to expand their palate beyond mac and cheese. Fill up muffin tins with a rainbow of healthy snacks! Smother your broccoli in alfredo sauce and hide it among fun shaped pasta! And so on. Don't get me wrong, I have pinned my fair share of these tips.

the happy familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10632867612460234466[email protected]0