Dinner Table Talk

Do you eat dinner together as a family? It's one of the most brilliant ways to connect in this sometimes crazy world. Here's a little something from our dinner table talk. Mostly we did this when our kids were small, but we still do it when everyone is home from time to time. Choose one question and go around the table giving everyone a chance to answer. It's good for everyone to be given a voice and a chance to share.

• What are you grateful for?
• Choose someone in the family and give that person a compliment (everyone gives and everyone receives)
• If you could wish for anything in the world, what would it be? Name at least one thing that you personally want (in addition to world peace!).
• Share something you learned today.
• Do you know why you got the  name you have? (This is a chance for parents to tell the story and learn what names mean.)
• Go around the table and give each person a blessing.

If you have ideas to add, please do! (Just use the comments section.)

Yummiest Smoothie Recipe

This is a refreshing, filling, healthy, raw, smoothie you can make with a blender. 

It takes a little bit of planning if you want it thick and frothy and cold because you need peeled, sliced (or broken up by hand) ripe bananas frozen in advance. I buy bananas in big bunches so that we can eat some and I always have a ready supply frozen in a big zipper baggie. Here's the recipe:

1/8-1/4 cup raw, shelled cashews or sunflower seeds per person (or serving) or a combo of both.
1-2 pitted Medjoul dates per serving
1 teaspoon of carob or cocoa powder per serving (when I make a full blender full, I use two heaping tablespoons)
water
frozen banana pieces

This is the part of the process that will get you the creamiest texture:

In the blender put the sunflower seeds with enough water to generously cover them. Blend on high for a bit. Add the dates and carob powder and blend again until there are not chunks of dates, probably less than a minute depending on the power of your blender. You can really use any kind of date. If you have hard dates, soak them first and use the soak water for the shake because it will be sweet. Adjust the amount of dates you use to make it sweeter if you like. They are so good for you anyway!

Slowly add the banana pieces, about 2 small bananas per serving. Adding the ingredients in this order has given me the smoothest of smoothies. This seems to really amaze people (even the chocolate lovers have loved the carob!).

I am using less cocoa powder since I saw the documentary "The Dark Side of Chocolate."
There is only one brand that I'm absolutely certain of as free trade and that's Holy Cacao which is a very small company (so far). Cocoa powder is very bitter. Carob powder is actually sweet in comparison.

To your health!
Let me know how you like this or if you do something different and love it.

Love,
Aunt Laya

I hate to iron!

I just found this video in a random kind of way and thought it was a four minute investment that I wish I'd have had much earlier in my life. He has some great tips for ironing a shirt in about three minutes.




Love,
Aunt Laya

Fly Lady

This is a foundation for help and support for getting your home organized and in order. Fly Lady is a wonderful woman who tells it like it is. No need for perfectionism or, as she calls it, "stinkin' thinkin'".

If you get one tip from this blog, Fly Lady may just be the best thing I have to offer as a foundation for taking care of keeping your home clean.

Ready, set, F.L.Y.

http://flylady.net/

Love,
Aunt Laya

Peanut Sauce

I knew I wanted to make an Asian dish for my family for lunch today. I have a fast way of throwing things into a pot so I don't have to think about it much but it's still yummy. I wanted a twist, did a search for peanut sauce, and found Cooking with Amy (Here's the URL in case for some reason the link doesn't work: http://cookingwithamy.blogspot.com/2005/07/perfect-peanut-sauce-recipe.html). I didn't measure, just threw the stuff into a pot and it got rave reviews from the... er... do I dare? ...peanut gallery.

You could use this sauce on pasta as well. Amy gives lots of other ideas.

You know, I've been thinking about doing a blog like this for years now and it was this recipe that just gave me that last little push I needed to click "publish." So, thanks Amy. :-)

Enjoy.

Love,
Aunt Laya

Welcome!

Okay, so a welcome post is kind of boring, but I had to start somewhere and this is where I'm breaking the ice. The first thing I wanted to post was about a peanut sauce recipe I found that is so yummy and simple. If you found your way here, go check it out on the food tab.
Best blessings and love,
Aunt Laya