Rice & Beans

Made for dinner and we loved it!

Gallo pinto
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 yellow, white or red onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cooked rice (you get better results with day old or defrosted frozen rice than freshly cooked rice)
1 cup of canned black beans, with some liquid
5 tablespoons Lizano salsa or Worcestershire sauce
Salt and black pepper to taste
cilantro, roughly chopped

Directions
Pour the oil into a large skillet or wok set on medium heat. Add the
onion and cook until the onion starts to turn translucent. Add the red pepper and cook until the red pepper is soft. Add the
garlic and cook for about a minute.

Add the can of beans to the pan, but only add a little of the liquid in the can (reserve the rest of the liquid just in case). Add the Lizano or Worcestershire sauce, stir and let everything cook for about 3 minutes. If the pan starts to dry out, add more of the reserved bean liquid. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the rice, and stir until well coated, and cook until the rice is heated through. Top with chopped cilantro, and add additional salt, pepper, or Lizano sauce if necessary.

Splash Park

This tip comes from Rhiannon and I can't wait to go: There is a really cool new Splash Park in Highland at the Town Center Plaza. They have a man-made river with big rocks in it and an area with shooting fountains and then tons of grassy area. These places are free too.

Family Vacation

We just got back from a FABULOUS time together of hiking and enjoying the great outdoors. People thought we were crazy hiking with a toddler and 3 month old, but it was great. Here is my tip from the trip:

Invest in a Bjorn when it comes to baby carriers. I know you can buy much cheaper ones, but the back support and comfort you get from a Bjorn is priceless. The one pictured is the one I recommend most-it comes with the lumbar support for your back.

Bruschetta

DELICIOUS!!! Most people have "their song", Marc and I have "our dish". This is what we ordered on our first date and we've loved it (and been in love) ever since.

Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil Recipe

* 6 or 7 ripe plum tomatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs)
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
* 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
* 6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped.
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

* 1 baguette French bread or similar Italian bread

Sippy cups

My tip: once you transition to a sippy cup, just go straight to the ones with a hard plastic nipple. I thought it was so nice how well Lucy "transitioned" to a sippy with a rubber nipple and I have paid the price ever since. Bottom line, they leak!

How to swaddle a baby

My babies loves this and it helps them to stay asleep longer. There are a lot of ways to do it, but this one seems to do the job.

Basic Salt Dough Recipe

Lindsay reminded me of this classic (and took the great picture too):

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of fine salt
• 1 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of water (may add more)

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, combine the salt and the flour
• Make a well in the salt/flour mixture and add the water
• Knead until smooth and shape into a ball
• When not in use, wrap in plastic or store in an airtight container
• You may want to add a teaspoon or two of vedg. oil this will help it not stick to things.
  
• The batch I made was 4 times this. That seemed to be a good amount.