I'd say that idea was a huge success :)
Needless to say, he has been wearing his wings non-stop.
(from our walk this morning to the play ground)
(a little more flying practice)
Thursday, August 2, 2012
3,2,1 Blast Off
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
There's an app for that...
Just found the blogger app for my iPhone! Haven't decided whether that's a good or bad thing yet...ha!
Actually, I'm gonna go ahead and say it's a good thing! I honestly wish I had kept up with blogging these last several months. Not even so that people could read about my life (cause it really isn't even all that interesting), but for ME! I just recently went back and read my posts from the first year of Addison's life. Wow! I can't believe how much has changed since then. I wish I would have documented the changes, to help me remember every stage of his short two year old life.
Addison is quite literally all over the place. Sitting down is reserved for eating and after nap snuggles. It's exhausting at times, but I love it! His personality explodes, and I can't help but smile. Don't get me wrong...there are moments when i feel as though I could pull my hair out, out of frustration, but the smiles far out weigh the hair pulling :) his very being is like a sponge, soaking up every bit of life. We've hit the stage of questioning. "what is that?" is a common phrase of the house. He's so curious, and picks up everything...including things we'd rather he didn't. The other day he repeated the phrase "Oh Crap!". Not the worst thing he could possibly say, but still.
But even though he's picking up so much, i'm needing to remind myself that he is still just 2. It's hard to not get frustrated when he's been doing well with potty training, and out of nowhere poops on the floor! Those are the moments when I need to stop and remind myself, that he's still learning, and that this too shall pass.
Well that's all I have for today. He's napping, and I'm crafting. All is as it should be in the Hickman household!
Actually, I'm gonna go ahead and say it's a good thing! I honestly wish I had kept up with blogging these last several months. Not even so that people could read about my life (cause it really isn't even all that interesting), but for ME! I just recently went back and read my posts from the first year of Addison's life. Wow! I can't believe how much has changed since then. I wish I would have documented the changes, to help me remember every stage of his short two year old life.
Addison is quite literally all over the place. Sitting down is reserved for eating and after nap snuggles. It's exhausting at times, but I love it! His personality explodes, and I can't help but smile. Don't get me wrong...there are moments when i feel as though I could pull my hair out, out of frustration, but the smiles far out weigh the hair pulling :) his very being is like a sponge, soaking up every bit of life. We've hit the stage of questioning. "what is that?" is a common phrase of the house. He's so curious, and picks up everything...including things we'd rather he didn't. The other day he repeated the phrase "Oh Crap!". Not the worst thing he could possibly say, but still.
But even though he's picking up so much, i'm needing to remind myself that he is still just 2. It's hard to not get frustrated when he's been doing well with potty training, and out of nowhere poops on the floor! Those are the moments when I need to stop and remind myself, that he's still learning, and that this too shall pass.
Well that's all I have for today. He's napping, and I'm crafting. All is as it should be in the Hickman household!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Green Milkshake...
So, I'm just gonna go ahead and pretend that it hasn't been forever since I last posted.
By now I'm sure everyone's heard of a "green smoothie"...but what about a green milkshake?! I'm not a huge fan of green vegetables, which is sad, since they're some of the healthiest foods you can put in your body. Because of this tragedy, and since we have a 2 year old, Russ and I are always looking for ways to add them into our diet. We've been on the green smoothie train for awhile now, but just recently we came across our new favorite way to incorporate greens...Milkshakes! Ice Cream is my weakness. I do not buy it because I lack the self control to not devour the entire container as soon as it makes it into our home. Lucky for me, our milkshake recipe does not include ice cream. In fact, it includes no added sugar at all! You may be asking yourself "How do you make a milkshake without ice cream?". My answer...BANANAS!! Frozen bananas to be exact. We've always included a banana in our green smoothies because of the sweetness, and creamy texture they add. So one day, I decided to experiment a little. What if we froze our bananas, and used those in our smoothies, and used milk instead of water? I'll tell you what happens...you get an amazingly, smooth, sweet, and delicious milkshake, that's whole food based, and actually good for you! Needless to say, Addison is a fan!
Here's what you'll need:
2-3 Frozen Bananas (Make it easy on yourself...peel and cut your bananas before you freeze them)
1-2 Tbl Peanut Butter
Handful of spinach, kale, or greens of your choice
1-2 Cups Milk (We use raw milk...look up the benefits!!)
Throw the bananas, peanut butter, kale, and half of the milk in your blender, and blend, blend, blend (adding more milk as needed) til you have the perfect consistency.
This is a super basic recipe, and there is room for LOTS of creativity. Try adding frozen blueberries, apples, cinnamon, cocoa powder, or any other ingredient that you may fancy. The possibilities are endless.
By now I'm sure everyone's heard of a "green smoothie"...but what about a green milkshake?! I'm not a huge fan of green vegetables, which is sad, since they're some of the healthiest foods you can put in your body. Because of this tragedy, and since we have a 2 year old, Russ and I are always looking for ways to add them into our diet. We've been on the green smoothie train for awhile now, but just recently we came across our new favorite way to incorporate greens...Milkshakes! Ice Cream is my weakness. I do not buy it because I lack the self control to not devour the entire container as soon as it makes it into our home. Lucky for me, our milkshake recipe does not include ice cream. In fact, it includes no added sugar at all! You may be asking yourself "How do you make a milkshake without ice cream?". My answer...BANANAS!! Frozen bananas to be exact. We've always included a banana in our green smoothies because of the sweetness, and creamy texture they add. So one day, I decided to experiment a little. What if we froze our bananas, and used those in our smoothies, and used milk instead of water? I'll tell you what happens...you get an amazingly, smooth, sweet, and delicious milkshake, that's whole food based, and actually good for you! Needless to say, Addison is a fan!
Don't believe me?
Try it yourself...I dare you.
Here's what you'll need:
2-3 Frozen Bananas (Make it easy on yourself...peel and cut your bananas before you freeze them)
1-2 Tbl Peanut Butter
Handful of spinach, kale, or greens of your choice
1-2 Cups Milk (We use raw milk...look up the benefits!!)
Throw the bananas, peanut butter, kale, and half of the milk in your blender, and blend, blend, blend (adding more milk as needed) til you have the perfect consistency.
This is a super basic recipe, and there is room for LOTS of creativity. Try adding frozen blueberries, apples, cinnamon, cocoa powder, or any other ingredient that you may fancy. The possibilities are endless.
Friday, March 9, 2012
La Petite Peach!
Hello Friends...just popping in to tell you about a blog feature on yours truly :) If you care to check it out visit www.lapetitepeach.com
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Brownies
You read that right...chocolate brownies that are both gluten free AND vegan! When my hubby Russ first told me about these, I was like "sure...I bet they taste great" (add LOTS of sarcasm). He decided to make them for me as part of my Valentines Day dinner he made me...and he made me a believer. They're chewy, chocolatey, and well...just perfect! So as my super belated Valentines Day gift to you...I'm sharing the recipe :)
Raw Brownies with Chocolate Avocado Frosting
From Food Loves Writing
Ingredients:
For brownie layer:
1 cup walnuts
1 cup medjool dates, pitted
1/3 cup cocoa powder
For frosting
1/2 avocado
3 to 5 tablespoons raw honey (you can adjust to taste)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
a hefty dash of cinnamon
a tiny pinch of salt
Directions:
1. Make the brownie layer: Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, with extra paper hanging off the sides so you can lift it out when the brownies are done. Combine walnuts, dates and 1/3 cup of cocoa powder in a food processor and blend until the mixture looks like clumpy dirt or potting soil. Pat this mixture into a compact layer in the bottom of your lined loaf pan.
2. Make the frosting: Combine avocado, honey, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a food processor and blend until smooth. Spread mixture over the brownie layer in the loaf pan, creating an even layer on top.
3. Freeze the loaf pan for 30 minutes to an hour. Remove parchment from loaf pan, lifting the brownies out in one big piece. Slice and serve. Note the brownies will be slightly crumbly, so they are best eaten with a spoon or fork.
Just as a bit of bonus info, this recipe, being that it utilizes all whole foods, is filled with all kinds of nutritional benefits. Walnuts are high in Omega-3s, known to control inflammation. Dates are not only an excellent source of fiber but also B vitamins. There are rich antioxidants in cocoa powder and honey, and the avocado is one of those really amazing sources of good monounsaturated fat, shown to be easily burned by the body for energy.
On another note...I've been up to quite a bit these days in the crafting department. I've added a bunch of super cute crocheted headbands to the store...
Plus, I'm working on some new animals I hope to be adding soon...so stay tuned :)
Raw Brownies with Chocolate Avocado FrostingFrom Food Loves Writing
Ingredients:
For brownie layer:
1 cup walnuts
1 cup medjool dates, pitted
1/3 cup cocoa powder
For frosting
1/2 avocado
3 to 5 tablespoons raw honey (you can adjust to taste)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
a hefty dash of cinnamon
a tiny pinch of salt
Directions:
1. Make the brownie layer: Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, with extra paper hanging off the sides so you can lift it out when the brownies are done. Combine walnuts, dates and 1/3 cup of cocoa powder in a food processor and blend until the mixture looks like clumpy dirt or potting soil. Pat this mixture into a compact layer in the bottom of your lined loaf pan.
2. Make the frosting: Combine avocado, honey, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a food processor and blend until smooth. Spread mixture over the brownie layer in the loaf pan, creating an even layer on top.
3. Freeze the loaf pan for 30 minutes to an hour. Remove parchment from loaf pan, lifting the brownies out in one big piece. Slice and serve. Note the brownies will be slightly crumbly, so they are best eaten with a spoon or fork.
Just as a bit of bonus info, this recipe, being that it utilizes all whole foods, is filled with all kinds of nutritional benefits. Walnuts are high in Omega-3s, known to control inflammation. Dates are not only an excellent source of fiber but also B vitamins. There are rich antioxidants in cocoa powder and honey, and the avocado is one of those really amazing sources of good monounsaturated fat, shown to be easily burned by the body for energy.
On another note...I've been up to quite a bit these days in the crafting department. I've added a bunch of super cute crocheted headbands to the store...
And some pretty cute necktie onesies too :)
Plus, I'm working on some new animals I hope to be adding soon...so stay tuned :)
Monday, February 13, 2012
A's appy sauce...
I don't know about you, but I am always looking for ways to "sneak" veggies in to A's food. Don't get me wrong, A does love him some broccoli, and I want him to eat his veggies by themselves, but you can never get enough veggies, so why not throw it in with some of the other foods he eats!
One such concoction is A's appy sauce (he can't say apple...so he says appy, and I love it...haha).
It's super duper tasty and easy, and pretty darn cheap too. A bag of organic apples at Trader Joes is $2.49, and a bag of organic carrots are $.89. You could do several batches for under $4...not too bad.
3-4 apples
I start off by peeling and chopping my carrots, and then throwing them into a steam basket over steaming water, and let them chill until their tender (10-15 min). If you don't have a steamer...throw the carrots in just enough boiling water to cover the carrots, and let boil for 15-20 min. Then toss the carrots (no water) into the blender.
While the carrots are steaming, I core and chop my apples. I usually skin half, but then leave the other half with skins on to get those good nutrients you're missing out on by throwing the skins away. Throw those in a heavy bottomed pan, and add a few Tbs of water, and some cinnamon (I think I usually end up adding around a Tbs or so). The cinnamon is great, cause not only does it add a great flavor, but there are some awesome health benefits to cinnamon as well (http://www.organicauthority.com/health/11-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html). Cook the apples, cinnamon, and water on low until the apples are tender (about 6-8 min). Throw the apples and juices in the blender with your carrots, and blend away to your little hearts content.
I've tried this same sauce, but with Broccoli instead of carrots...and he loves it!
There are probably a million different variations you could make, so get creative!
One such concoction is A's appy sauce (he can't say apple...so he says appy, and I love it...haha).
It's super duper tasty and easy, and pretty darn cheap too. A bag of organic apples at Trader Joes is $2.49, and a bag of organic carrots are $.89. You could do several batches for under $4...not too bad.
So here's what you need to make one jar of A's appy sauce:
3-4 applescinnamon
4-5 carrots
4-5 carrots
I start off by peeling and chopping my carrots, and then throwing them into a steam basket over steaming water, and let them chill until their tender (10-15 min). If you don't have a steamer...throw the carrots in just enough boiling water to cover the carrots, and let boil for 15-20 min. Then toss the carrots (no water) into the blender.
While the carrots are steaming, I core and chop my apples. I usually skin half, but then leave the other half with skins on to get those good nutrients you're missing out on by throwing the skins away. Throw those in a heavy bottomed pan, and add a few Tbs of water, and some cinnamon (I think I usually end up adding around a Tbs or so). The cinnamon is great, cause not only does it add a great flavor, but there are some awesome health benefits to cinnamon as well (http://www.organicauthority.com/health/11-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html). Cook the apples, cinnamon, and water on low until the apples are tender (about 6-8 min). Throw the apples and juices in the blender with your carrots, and blend away to your little hearts content.
Pour the sauce into an old applesauce jar :) and let cool
And then watch your little munckin enjoy the fruits (and veggies...hehe) of your labor. This is the best part!
I've tried this same sauce, but with Broccoli instead of carrots...and he loves it!
There are probably a million different variations you could make, so get creative!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Crocheted Bottle Cap Trivet
Has it really been 5 months since my last post?! Golly, I didn't realize I was quite this bad at keeping up a blog.
First off, can I just say how crazy, amazing, handsome, and wonderful our little Addison is?! He is going to be 22 months this month, and I can't even begin to explain how I feel about him being so close to 2 years old. Gosh, he's doing so much more now then the last time I posted about him. He has a ton of words, and has started putting 2 and 3 words together. The absolute BEST is when he says "la la Mommy" which means love you mommy. Makes my heart melt every time. He is 100% boy. He loves his trucks and trains, and LOVES to wrestle anything and everything that comes in his path. He's mischievous as all get out, but also can be the sweetest little munchkin.
And of course I have to talk about crafting...haha. My newest completed project is this adorable crocheted bottle cap trivet...
I'm pretty sure I started this thing 6 months ago...but with a little push from my dear hubby, I finished it up over the weekend. I saw this pattern while browsing patterns on Ravelry, and just fell in love with it. I did make a few adjustments to the pattern so here goes:
Materials:
Size 0 Crochet hook
DMC Embroidery Floss (I was able to make 2 covers per package of embroidery floss)
Bottle Caps (preferably twist off)
Ch 6, and then slip stitch in the first chain to form a ring
Rnd 1: Ch 4, 19 tc in ring, slip stitch in top of ch 4
Rnd 2: Ch2, dc2tog around, slip stitch in top of ch 2
*take your bottle cap, and put into the pocket you've created
Rnd 3: With bottle cap in your cover, Ch1, sc2tog around, slip stitch in top of ch1 and tie off
When you've made all of the covers you want (I made 55), turn em over, and start stitching together in whatever pattern you decide (I used a simple whip stitch).
Is it silly that it makes my heart a little happier when I see it sitting on the kitchen table? I'm thinking about selling them in my etsy shop...so if you're not a crocheter...stay tuned :)
Enjoy your Wednesday friends!
First off, can I just say how crazy, amazing, handsome, and wonderful our little Addison is?! He is going to be 22 months this month, and I can't even begin to explain how I feel about him being so close to 2 years old. Gosh, he's doing so much more now then the last time I posted about him. He has a ton of words, and has started putting 2 and 3 words together. The absolute BEST is when he says "la la Mommy" which means love you mommy. Makes my heart melt every time. He is 100% boy. He loves his trucks and trains, and LOVES to wrestle anything and everything that comes in his path. He's mischievous as all get out, but also can be the sweetest little munchkin.
And of course I have to talk about crafting...haha. My newest completed project is this adorable crocheted bottle cap trivet...
I'm pretty sure I started this thing 6 months ago...but with a little push from my dear hubby, I finished it up over the weekend. I saw this pattern while browsing patterns on Ravelry, and just fell in love with it. I did make a few adjustments to the pattern so here goes:
Materials:
Size 0 Crochet hook
DMC Embroidery Floss (I was able to make 2 covers per package of embroidery floss)
Bottle Caps (preferably twist off)
Ch 6, and then slip stitch in the first chain to form a ring
Rnd 1: Ch 4, 19 tc in ring, slip stitch in top of ch 4
Rnd 2: Ch2, dc2tog around, slip stitch in top of ch 2
*take your bottle cap, and put into the pocket you've created
Rnd 3: With bottle cap in your cover, Ch1, sc2tog around, slip stitch in top of ch1 and tie off
When you've made all of the covers you want (I made 55), turn em over, and start stitching together in whatever pattern you decide (I used a simple whip stitch).
Is it silly that it makes my heart a little happier when I see it sitting on the kitchen table? I'm thinking about selling them in my etsy shop...so if you're not a crocheter...stay tuned :)
Enjoy your Wednesday friends!
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