Happy Earth Day

We have been enjoying some lovely books and since it's Earth Day today, i thought it was a perfect time to share them with you. You'll see the connection to today's theme i'm sure. My partner and i are avid budding gardeners, and want to model this to our wee one - of course knowing he's his own dude and all. But with great books like these, i'm sure he'll be inspired!

Here they are for you to learn more:
* In My Nest
* I am a Bunny
* Growing Vegetable Soup
* Planting a Rainbow
* Farmer Duck

As you can see Lil C loves In My Nest. It's an interactive book with finger puppet. What a great idea! It's such a sweet book and C loves to play with the cute blue birdie. I have to say though, my favourite of the bunch is Planting a Rainbow as it features Spring flowers that are in bloom in our own backyard. It makes it real for us as we read together, and i love that it is a tool to help C learn more about our own garden!

A Green Long Weekend

Victoria Day long weekend has come and gone - it seemed a bit early this year, and cold. We busied ourselves in the city, and spent the bulk of the day today in the garden. Supposedly, this first long weekend of the summer is associated with the first real bulk of garden work. Being new to gardening, and accompanied by such cold weather, i'm not sure if this was the best weekend to start! That said, i can't wait for my first batch of peonies to blossom (picture above).

So, i busied myself with other green things too:
I made this yummy Tofu Florentine from the Veganomicon. Tasty! I don't think i've ever had the 'real thing,' and while i know this isn't actually like it, i don't need it to be. The fresh green spinach added such a nice touch, as this wonderful photo taken by J!
Not quite for this weekend, but i made my mom this bulletin board for Mother's Day. It's green (her favourite colour). First, i sewed some pockets on to the fabric, and then i used a new cookie sheet with a lip, and used fabric adhesive to put this lovely vintage fabric on. Since it's magnetic, i also got a great collection of magnets too!

This old classic, first printed in the late 1880s seems to be a distant grandmother to these new books being printed today. The title may be hard to see, but it's called House and Home: A Complete House-Wife's Guide. My mom found it on the side of the road. I think this edition was printed in the 1940s or so, but it could be older. With chapters on "the Etiquette of Family Life," "Licensed Beggar or Business Partner" (a chapter on marriage), and a whole section on menu-making, i'm sure this book was the prize gift for any new bride. It's been fun reading this 'classic.' It's been fun reading it this weekend! Here's a quote:

One must, in mental and spiritual stature, get her head well
above the dust of conceit and the fogs of ignorance before
she can appreciate the dignity of true womanhood.

My Liver is De-toxing!

I am about half-way through a 12-day detox for my liver. I had wanted to start it sooner, so that i can officially do it in the Fall as detoxes are recommended, but i know i'm pushing it a bit. It's my first serious detox like this - complete with a kit with several nasty-tasting and bowel-shaking pills. But, i can already feel a diference. My energy has never felt so good and the initial days of being nauseous and irritable have passed. I love that i'm not eating any 'white stuff' like bread, cereal, vegan cheese, white rice, and pasta - and that i can live without it. Thank goodness i celebrated Halloween and sugar before i committed to this diet!

One thing that is helping me through this, besides J doing it with me, is that we still get to eat lots of food. Like fresh fruit and veggies that are local and organic (not allowed to have tropical fruits or juices), as well as using grains like millet, kasha, amaranth, quinoa, etc that i don't typically use. Now that i have to use them, i am finding great recipes that are both extremely healthy as well as flavourful.

Like, for instance, some great recipes from the book Super Natural Cooking - millet-fried rice, sushi rice bowls, wheat berry salad, and some great soups. The book is organized to highlight 5 key ways to eat a more healthy and colourful diet. I especially like the reminder to use 'alternative' grains like teff and quinoa, so this book came in my hands at the perfect time. There are also some great photos throughout the book to enjoy as your browse through. I think this book as inspired in me to try at least 2 creative dishes each week. And, i'll commit to this by weekly looking through my various books and choosing from them each Sunday afternoon. This way, i know i can put my words into action.Another great source for good meals while i'm on this diet is the blog Domestic Affair. She typically shares some great recipes, and since i went to a Detox Seminar at a Hillside festival that was hosted by Jae (years ago), i trust that she's got some great recipes up her sleeve for my needs! Tonight, for example, i'm writing this post as my Millet-Stuffed Peppers are baking in the oven. Can't wait for dinner - the filling before we stuffed it was fantastic on its own!

I'm sure my liver will thank me. It better.