Homemade pizza dough

Funny note- I just realized that I did a blog post about pizza almost exactly a year ago. Back then I was using Trader Joe dough...

 

If I knew I was going to die tomorrow I would make sure that pizza was one of my last meals.  Canadian bacon with pineapple was my pizza of choice in my pre vegan-ish days.  Now Danial and I skip the cheese and add what ever vegis we have on hand on top of a TON of sauce.  If I am short on time I will toss on some  frozen peas that I defrosted quickly by putting them in a colander and running water over them.   Dan was actually teased about his pea pizza when he took left overs to work with him one day.

In the picture above I had added some basil, onion and garlic to the dough. Sooo good. Usually I don't add any thing extra because the kids like for the fourth pizza dessert style with strudel topping and sugar glaze. This is such an easy dinner that we have pizza at least once a week.

 

This is a link to the recipe that I use: 

Refrigerator pizza dough by The Stay at Home Chief. I do not have a big mixer so I do mix it with a spoon as long as I can then finish with my hands. I also divide the dough right after mixing. Also since I took this photo I put each ball of dough into its own container to rise. I have found that separating them makes for a lighter crust and I don't feel the pressure to make all of the pizzas at once.

 

Health, Fitness and Me: How to Prevent Constipation with Foods

The writers over at Heath, Fitness and Me shared this great graphic about foods that will help us stay regular. Such a great reminder for expectant and new moms. Thank you!!
"Health,Fitness and Me: How to Prevent Constipation with Foods:     Fiber rich foods are helpful in relieving constipation some act as laxatives and foods with high potassium helps control blood pressure."

Enough protein

Thank you Bizarro for an awesome comic!

Spinach salad

I tend to make more soup and chilies. Easier maybe? Comfort food? What ever the reason, I need to branch out. Last thing Dan wants after working outside in the heat all day is a nice hot bowl of soup.
Today's dinner: spinach salad with garlic chickpeas, kidney beans, cooked barley, chopped carrots, peas and chopped cashews. I also made a balsamic vinaigrette. Elle ate all of my kidney beans. Her salad had ranch. Guess mine was better!

Lentil cakes

So we all know I can't follow a recipe to save my life. Dinner was supposed to be Lentil burgers but they turned out best thinner like a pancake. I also made the garlic/cilantro pesto and added tomatoes. Very good! Next week I plan on adding more shredded carrots to give them more texture.

Daily bread

So this is my routine for making bread for the week. On Sunday I assemble 6 containers with the dry ingredients minus the yeast for my bread.
One is done in the container for my bread maker. That is the only one that I add water with lemon juice and oil still minus the yeast. I let the bread machine mix it and then turn it off to let it "soak" for about 24 hours. In the morning I will add the yeast, mix it again in the machine and let it rise. After it has doubled I divide  and dump it into my two oiled bread pans. After a second rise I toss it in the oven.
If I will be needing another loaf the next day I wash then refill the bread maker container in the same fashion so that I can begin the 24 hour soak. The finished bread does have a ever so slight sour dough taste. Rarely do the loaves not get devoured  in the first day. I have to be careful to save enough bread for Dan's peanut butter and honey sandwiches that he takes to work with him everyday.

Cooking day

I totally messed up dinner tonight. I was supposed to make dough for some pizzas and I totally spaced and I just went into my loaf bread routine. So when I realized my mistake I had to figure out a plan B. Quinoa with sauteed vegis and a basalmic vinagrette. I forgot to add the black beans. The kids are fighting a cold so they did not partake. It bugs when they chicken out and don't even try it. I loved it and I am looking forward to lunch tomorrow!
In my defense I spent a lot of time in the kitchen today. Did some very over due dishes, cleaned out the fridge, made a double batch of double chocolate chip cookies, dough for tomorrows bread, 5 bread starters, fried tortillas chips for my 12 year old, and  started soaking some wheat berries for tomorrow's dinner.

Healthy nails and skin: Vitamin E Benefits

My oldest girls love to paint their nails.  Sometimes twice in one day!  Sadly Maddie's nails are showing some wear and tear.  I remember when I was young my mother telling me to squeeze Vitamin E on my nails so off to google we went to find more info.  We found a cute site named Beautiful Healthy Finger Nails, Love Your Nails. Check out the site for reasons why Vitamin E can be can be so helpful (hint: who wants youthful skin?)!!  I love simple ways to take care of myself!




I liked this list of natural sources Over at The Daily Green. On this site we not only learn about the specific nutrients but there are recipes to boot!!
Foods with vitamin E
Turnips greens, nuts, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, almonds, olives, blueberries, spinach, olive oil, asparagus, avocado, eggs, wheat germ and wholegrain foods.

After coating her nails in vitamin E Maddie exclaimed, "I should do this everyday!!"