Two Recipes, Fast and Delicious

Having four kids under the age of six makes for a really busy household, but I like to cook and I like to cook from scratch. In order for a recipe to make an impression it has to live up to some pretty tough standards. I need fast, easy, healthy, cheap, and wheat free. I recently came across a couple of recipes that (mostly) fit the bill.

Stuffed Pablanos recipe adapted from this recipe found at Cooking Light - Serves 2-4


2 Pablano Peppers
1 (15 oz.) Can refried beans (I like the vegetarian or fat free ones, they do not contain lard)
Taco Seasoning
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup colby cheese
Shredded lettuce
Chopped tomatoes
Sour cream or ranch dressing

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Slice pablanos in half length-wise. Dump beans, taco seasoning, and salsa into a bowl and mix. Divide mixture between pepper halves top with cheese and bake for 20 minutes. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, and cream or dressing.


Cheesy Broccoli, Ham, Rice - slight variation on this recipe - Serves 4


1 cup white rice
1/2 cup quinoa
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 (16 oz) package frozen chopped broccoli
1/2 pound ham, chopped
1/2 cup each shredded romano and parmesan cheeses
1 cup shredded Extra Sharp Wisconsin Cheddar

In  pot combine rice, quinoa, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover and let simmer 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile put frozen broccoli in a pot, cover with water and heat on the stove until warmed through. When rice/quinoa mixture is done add in broccoli, ham, and cheeses. Stir until combined. Serve.

Two loves

Why is that I seem so torn between two loves so often and is there a world where both can coexist? I love being a mother. I love my children, they are amazing and bring such joy and I can't imagine life without them. I also love creating, I love art and fashion design, sewing and building. It seems that these two loves could coexist well together, after all there is a level of creativity that is helpful with raising children, especially children that are also artistically inclined. And yet, like all mothers, my days are filled with the seemingly small and nitty-gritty. The cleaning and the listening, the teaching and guiding is nearly unceasing. If anything artistic at all creeps in it is usually a happy accident or a spontaneous burst of energy. Sometimes I think that perhaps once the kids are in bed I will take the time to pursue my passion but so often other things creep in like other responsibilities that seem more pertinent or I'm just plain tired.
I know I am not alone, whether it's being creative, reading a good book or pursuing other hobbies or interests, I think most mothers struggle with balancing self pursuits and familial needs. More often or the sense of responsibility or obligation becomes the louder voice and personal pursuits are put aside in favor of those that are more important. I almost typed seemingly more important, but all mothers know that when it comes down to it the most important matter of our lives is our children, hand down, not seemingly  they are.
So where is the balance? Is this the one question that plagues the mothers of my generation? Balance, how much do I need for myself and how much do I give? Perhaps it is one of the great struggles that will never find complete rest, I don't think it is an answer that anyone but the individual can answer for everyone's needs and situations vary. It's like finding a shade of red that everyone can wear, it's impossible because everyone is so different. I also believe that as children grow and family dynamics change the answer will also.
However, I find that one thing never changes, regardless of how many children I have or what age they are, a few moments of peace, either at the end of the day or in the morning. A few moments for reflection, prayer, meditation and spiritual fulfillment are, in my experience, the one thing that can bring balance to even the busiest and most challenging days. For me, it's few minutes in the morning before the others wake up. I spend a some time in prayer and scripture study and journal writing/reflecting. By the time the kids start waking up I am finishing and ready to greet them with open arms. Right now this is what works for me, it hasn't always been this schedule and I am sure that in the future it will change as the needs of family change. And, I don't always get it in. Some days I have a hard time waking up and miss the opportunity or the children wake up sooner and my attention is needed sooner than expected. So it isn't a perfected solution but it is one that I strive for on a daily basis and the one thing that has made the most profound difference.