We're eating healthier here at home. WHAT?!

It seems that I have been paying more attention to all the preservatives in food lately. Perhaps because I am watching what I am eating due to my pregnancy? Maybe, it was the episode of 'The Nature of Things' I watched a couple weeks ago about how our cells are changing due to all of the 'chemicals' in our food? Possibly, it was the lecture I saw from Dr. Terry Wahl and how she is beating her MS progression because of her diet. It could also have been connected to the debate I had about getting the flu shot last month. Either way - I have become more and more aware of the 'crap' in our food and what we are putting in our bodies.

I gave a little lesson to the kids the other day. I asked them what ingredients we put in our banana bread, and they listed what they could remember. They like to bake it with me so they pretty much recalled every ingredient. Then I asked them to get the packaged banana bread type snack from the cupboard and read the ingredients on the box. Of course, there were items they couldn't pronounce and had no idea what they were. Their scrunched up, confused little faces after they finished reading was proof that I just got my point across. I just want them to be aware of whats in those 'yummy' little packages that they so desperately want in their lunches and I will no longer be buying at the grocery store.

Tonight, I am making my first batch of kale chips. They are baking in the oven as I type. We will see how they go over with everybody. I know it might take some time to get everyone here used to the healthier way of eating, but in the end, we will be better for it.

Don't get me wrong! We will still be eating banana bread, cookies, and granola bars - they will just be made at home. I will also be more selective at the grocery store, trying my best to stick to the outer isles. I have no intentions of baking a sugar free cupcake though, after all, I am all about the desserts in life and sometimes, you just shouldn't mess with perfection.

Just in case you are interested, here is a recipe for Kale Chips:

Ingredients

Fresh Kale

Olive Oil

Rice Vinegar

Sea Salt

Preheat oven to 230 degrees

Wash and dry the kale. Cut away the stem of the kale (from what I understand this is the bitter part) then rip kale leaf into bit size pieces and put into a large bowl.

I put about a tablespoon (or more) of olive oil, and a tablespoon of rice vinegar. Mix well. Honestly, I seasoned to taste, so I am guessing at my measurements. If you have a large batch of kale, use your best judgement.

I spread the kale on a baking sheet and salted. Then into the oven it went.

In total I baked for about 40 minutes, turning the leaves often. I think I will shorten the baking time for the next batch as the slightly soft spots are very tasty!

The overall verdict:

Me - I like it!

My eleven year old son - spit it out

My nine year old daughter - 'yumm, that's good!' and she keeps coming back in kitchen to grab more

My better half - is not home and will probably have to wait for another batch to be made :)

I'll make this often.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas holiday. Mine was great, a time filled with family and friends is always wonderful. Any resolutions? I didn't make any - dieting, going to the gym and eating better is not on the list until late March (when I have the baby). So nothing for me.
I did do a lot of baking over the holidays, but I didn't take pictures to post for you. I believe that I now have a serious case of pregnancy brain - very forgetful, and quite honestly I've become kind of dumb. Just don't tell me that, it will make me angry if you do.(I'm moody)
We are into the final stretch now for the arrival of this baby and quite frankly, I am looking forward to the end. I know it's a miracle and a blessing but enough with the heartburn, coughing, piddling, and mood swings. I expect that my better half is looking forward to the end at this point too - poor guy. I am officially done 'work' at the end of this month  - which is very exciting - and will have about a month or so before the baby is due. I figure I will be baking a lot during this time and will have a lot of material to post. I want to try a few things that I've always been wanting to do:
1. Make my own fondant - I'm always worried I won't make a perfect texture so I've avoided this. I know it will taste better than store bought though, so I think it's well worth looking into
2. Modeling chocolate - I want to start making characters with modeling chocolate. A good time to practice and see how it is to work with.
3. Practice piping techniques - I know how to pipe with icing, but I feel I should perfect my skills a little. I plan to make a couple cakes and decorate only with butter cream - you know the ones you can find at the grocery store. Besides, I could eat butter cream by the bowl full right now. I won't mind the clean up.

That's it for now. I don't want to run out of time.

Hope you all have a wonderful 2012 - eat, drink and be merry!