March 30, 2012

Quinoa - Recipes and Growing!


Quinoa -  (Keen- O- Wa)

The super grain!  Full of what our bodies need and void of what we don't.


"This plant origionated in the Andean region of Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia and Peru

Quinoa was of great nutritional importance in pre-Columbian Andean civilizations, secondary only to the potato, and was followed in importance by maize. In contemporary times, this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (18%). Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), and like oats, quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it a complete protein source.[14] It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is being considered a possible crop in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration human occupied spaceflights.[14]"

- quoted from Wikipedia





seed before cooking
 after cooking


Quinoa has a soft, slightly crunchy almost nutty taste. It makes a very healthy and yummy oatmeal,  can be used in baking, in place of rice or pasta for a side dish, with sauces, in cold salads, ...




Here is a yummy looking recipe:
Martha Stewart's Quinoa Spinach Bake



I am going to try it tonight and probably put in in a regular roatation!!






There is a Saskatchewan company who produces Quinoa,
 along with other organic grains, flakes and pastas.

the prices are really good...

They have tonnes of quinoa recipes!! 



 The quinoa plant, is in the goosfoot family with things like spinach, beets and tumbleweeds.


The only downfall of quinoa, is that it can be kind of pricey.

So, in my seed ordering escapades, I ran into some local quinoa seed!
I am so very pumped to try it.  I guess the plant grows from 3'-8' (feet) tall.
Grows easily, and then there's some work to do involving the harvest.
But I am willing to try er out!!

Here is someone's story on their quinoa growing journey



And, THIS is the catalogue where I found quinoa seed! 



for the website and online catalogue:


Jim Ternier and Family have an excellent Heirloom seed company near Humbolt, Saskatchewan.
Their prices and variety are good.  Lots of grains, like quinoa AND chia!! 
(another plant I am going to try out this summer!)
Along with tonnes of heirloom veggies, grasses and flowers.
Also, cover crops for green manure.
(yet another experiment for this fall...)

They are a conscious and hard working family dedicated to the preservation of old heirloom varieties and seed variety in general.

check em out!

Jim,
 By Richard Widdifield





fire party!


We had a good gathering for my birthday!  


Including long lost buddies!


wagon rides



BBQ and pilsners


Toothy smiles!


Yeeaah!


 

March 26, 2012

how to make toddler pants from a t-shirt

Stevie had a shirt from his roaring fun early 20's that he had been hanging onto for sentimental value.
Almost too tattered to wear.
but how could he throw it away? he hesitated, 
holding it over the box destined for salvation army..

SO I figured, I'll make it into something else!
Pants. For Attie.
Cuz that's the thing I know how to sew the best...


This is my pants pattern.  cut out from another pattern, using christmas wrapping paper!


Firstly, cut out two of this pattern.
I cut out 4 because I lined them with white cotton jersey.

I cut and flipped the top so there'd be a white band.
Sew that back up, press seams.




Sew the length each of the pant legs,
then flip one inside out,
and and place one leg inside the other leg,
right sides together.

Sew from crotch to top on either side.


then fold the top down leaving plenty of space for the elastic you will use,

sew almost all around, leaving a few inches to insert the elastic.
Put a safety pin on the end of the elastic and string it through.
sew the elastic ends together close up the hole.

I made a pocket (which gets sewn on before any leg sewing)

finish the bottom with a blind stitch - if you want a nice edge for folding up the bottom.
cut off all the stray thread ends,


  et voila!




Little hipster, daddy shirt pants!


They make her dance and move so fast I couldn't even get a good pic!
I'll get one later!


Cutie pants!


Wanna try pants?

Here's a tutorial for some drawstring toddler pants at Prudent Baby.

and here's a previous post of mine with more pants tutorials!~



March 3, 2012

My baby carrier reviews

 
Ever since our little one was born, she got worn.  

 I found it such a great tool to calm her down, 
bond,
be able to do things around the house 
or just go for a nice walk. 

It was guaranteed to calm her down from any fit at all.  
Being right close to the momma (or daddy) is all she wanted as a newborn. 
I guess that is still true... but just not quite as close!!

 We've tried a few, and always found that 
depending on her age or what I felt like at the time, 
I went through phases of liking each one!

Its all about finding the proper adjustment for that carrier.




Here are the carriers we've tried:




the Belle carrier we really liked.
It fits tiny babies and big babies.
Quite easy to put on and get a baby in and out of.

Facing in...




...or facing out!!!  
tuckered out at Ness Creek Music Festival '10






The Maya wrap ring sling came in handy at certain times, although not my favorite. 
Not quite as good on the back as others because its not symmetrical.  
Although I have friends who really like it.



making muffins

 its still good for a 2 year old on a very sick day.







The Moby Wrap, I found very very comfy for a newborn!


Once you figure out how to put the damn thing on, 
(very confusing at first, but once you get it, its easy)
it is quite sturdy and very good for a tiny sleeper.
They can be front or inside facing.
Breastfeeding is easy in there too.
I breast fed Attie walking down the street one day!

Better for the smaller ones.







The Blue Celery Wrap is a lot like the moby,
 except it has 3 parts instead of one long piece of fabric.
I tried my sister's out and REally liked it.

Having a sleeping baby in there is heaven.
They are so soso snug.








 The Jack Wolfskin Backpack is great for longer hikes.  
OR anything. We really like it and still use it.
Lots of storage places, very sturdy, framed, good harnesses to hold baby in,
Also chest strap and waist strap to save your back.
If you wear this properly adjusted, you can carry a lot of weight!




 up mountains!








The Ergo Carrier is my favorite nowadays.
comfy, sturdy, pockets, front or back wearer....
  maybe better for a bigger kid, 

although you can buy the newborn inserts,
Or just put a folded blanket inside under their bum!
(cheaper and just as affective!!)






 so, we gave our Ergo back to my sister
who just had a little babe.
Now we need another one.    ;0)

Finally, after a long search on kijiji and places,
we found a really good Ergo which came with
an attaching backpack!!

Its been about 3 months since Attie's been in her ergo,
so i was worried she wouldn't want to go in it anymore.
Not a prob!  She still loves it!!



 



Isn't it so expensive to buy all those carriers tho?!
Not for us!  We found them second hand or borrowed/traded.

I've never bought a brand new carrier!!






What is your favorite??  

Have you tried any that I did not mention??

March 1, 2012

Toque from felted sweater

 

first project knocked off in my new sewing room!!



I'll post the pattern pieces soon. 
Twas quite simple.  
took about 30 minutes.  


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