Food for thought : Kale Smoothies

I've always been a big fan of adding spinach to Indio's smoothies in order to get a little bit of green into his life, but I was slow to the whole kale smoothie phenomenon until recently.

Being home with a newborn leaves little time for preparing meals, but yesterday morning, during a brief 10-minute nap when Phoenix let me put him in his swing, I quickly threw some kale, peanut butter, milk, and a banana into the blender with some ice and made myself a delicious *green monster shake.*

I have to say, it was delicious and it staved off the hunger pains until dinner time. [Of course, Phoenix woke up the minute I sat down with my drink!]

Tomorrow, if I get the chance, I'm going to try it with avocado and honey instead of peanut butter.

Are you a fan of these nutritious green drinks? What's in your smoothie?

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I had a baby!

I can't believe it's been almost 6 weeks since Phoenix flew into our lives. On February 25, 2014, we were blessed with the arrival of our long awaited baby boy.

My C-section was originally scheduled for March 3, but just like his older brother, this babe decided to choose his own birth date. He also decided that surgery wasn't for him and was born naturally after the most intense pain I've ever felt! [I don't know how women have more children after enduring 30 hour labors when I could barely handle the 2 hours of excruciating contractions I had!]

Life has been a bit more hectic than usual, but I have to say, it seems easier overall this time around. [Could it be the fact that I'm not in the crazed stupor that comes with being a new mom?] Hopefully, I'll start getting more sleep soon too!

Maybe I'll even have time to blog more regularly!

our baby boy #2: phoenix

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School Days

first day of school smiles

Where does the time go? It's been 3 weeks since we moved to NYC and 2 weeks since I started back at school. The kids arrive Monday, but the last 2 weeks have been spent prepping our newly-designed classroom and getting ready for our class of 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders.

On top of all the work excitement, E and I have been busy getting ourselves ready for a huge milestone in the lives of parents: sending your baby to *school*.

Indio began nursery school yesterday and what an emotional day it was . . . for all of us. As excited as we all were, a few tears were shed at drop-off. But at pick-up Indio was reluctant to leave and about 10 feet away from the building he asked if he could "go back to school."

I can't believe my baby boy is going to school though I'm so happy we found a fabulous place for him to play and learn.

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Time Capsule

Sara from Feeding the Soil posted this video link, which brought tears to my eyes. I'm a sucker for almost any sort of *scrapbook,* but this one may just take the cake. I wish I had seen this two and a half years ago, when Indio was first born.

I still love his fill-in-the-blanks baby book and the Blurb books I make, but this is another cool way to preserve time.

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Bad Mommy Moment

Both E and I have been pretty adamant about restricting Indio's sugar-intake since he started eating solid foods, but lately that area seems to be a big-fat FAIL.

Indio had his first bite of cake when he turned a year old. His next bite was somewhere around his 2nd birthday.

But with all the recent birthdays and celebrations, he's had more than his fair share of tooth-decaying goodness. Now he seems to think everyday is a birthday.

Luckily, we are still able to distract him with bribes of mango or berries. Yes, I've progressed from feeding my kid cupcakes for dinner to bribing him.

devouring papa's bday cupcake [made with love by patricia]

mini ice cream cones to celebrate papa's bday [again] with nani and nana.

mickey mouse never tasted so good! indy is hoping angelina has another party soon!

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Falalalala Lala Lala

This year I hosted my very first Christmas dinner, complete with turkey and Claire's sweet potato soufflé! E grew up celebrating Christmas, but I basically took in the festivities at friends' or cousins' houses since we didn't really celebrate in my house, so it was a big deal for me to begin traditions for our little family.

We combined Indy's birthday with Christmas since E's mother, father, sister and her husband were all here visiting from the States.

The house was festive, the food was delicious and the air was full of love!

Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas too!

oh christmas tree my christmas tree...

indy's first words christmas morning: "what is THAT?" as he pointed to the bounty under the tree.

sleepy-eyed: you know i love you when i'm willing to post a bed-head family photo!

the fabulous chocolate/vanilla/pudding birthday cake made for indy by my bff, jenn

indy now equates birthdays with cake...guess it's better than thinking it means "presents"

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Second trip around the sun

Two years ago today our little boy was born and our lives changed forever. The passing of time is always so bittersweet because I want to savour every minute of it but I love watching Indio grow. As he learns new things and navigates his world he reminds us everyday of how lucky we are to have such a beautiful, caring, smart and vibrant boy.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Indio!
We love you more than words will ever be able to describe.

new to the world

world explorer

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From the mouths of babes

Driving by a Starbucks, my not-yet-2-year-old exclaims, "Mommy! Coffee!" as he points to the familiar green logo.

How does he know???

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Snapshot Sunday: week 39

I know you were all having doubts that you'd ever see another timely Project 365 post. Well, I thought I'd surprise you and get a jump start on the week with this Snapshot Sunday. Only 4 photos long, but now I'm caught up until next Sunday!

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

[day 273: Waiting for Papa to get his hair did.]

[day 274: Tabla player extraordinaire, Talvin Singh at The Great Hall in Toronto. I hate to say it, but with all the technical malfunctions, the opening act, Omnesia, was more entertaining.]

[day 275: Yes, I let my son eat crayons. We ran out of string cheese.]

[day 276: A bountiful day at the park--met new friends who shared their Lay's and Ruffles chips. Even strangers know how to win over my boy!]

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Technicolour Thursday: week 38

I'm really getting good at missing my Project 365 deadlines! Maybe it's a secret blessing in disguise that you can see two weeks worth in one shot...what do you think? It's funny how *not working* makes me feel more busy and overwhelmed than when I had a job! Hmmm... Well, we were in NYC for 5 days, which always throws me off and then I had my photos in so many different cameras that it took forever to download-then-upload them all.

Thanks for sticking with me this far. I don't know if I'll do this project again next year. Maybe I'll follow Paula's lead and do a *Project 52* next year: one photo a week!

[day 260: Picking up cupcakes in the rain from the Flour Studio, mmm....so delish!]

[day 261: Breakfast at St.Lawrence Market--peameal bacon sandwiches--YUM!]

[day 262: At the playground with Papa.]

[day 263: The best stop on the road--Sheetz gas station and coffee bar all in one! I always seem to stumble across new M&M's on our trips to NYC. These coconut ones were oh-so-tasty!]

[day 264: Riding the NYC subway always revs up my appetite too.]

[day 265: I always thought this place was called *Tea and Honey* until I finally looked at the sign up close...really close! Now I know where everyone is going when they say, "I'm going to grab an ice coffee from Ted and Honey!"]

[day 266: A little boy's dream--posing with a fireman and his truck. Extra special fact: Ladder 110 is from my old 'hood, Fort Greene!]

[day 267: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially when it's enjoyed with Aja (grandpa) before heading out on the road back to Toronto.]

[day 268: Crazy-cool flower in North Park, Toronto.]

[day 269: Another day in the park with Papa.]

[day 270: Crazy-cool clouds. Crappy phone pic.]

[day 271: It is officially cool enough to test out the new fuzzy Australian slippers given to Indy by my aunt. And another crappy phone pic.]

[day 272: Late night laundry. The joys of cheaper *time of use* electricity rates.]

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Technicolour Thursday: week 36

Lots of photos this week since I'm so very very late. I'm not even going to try to think of an excuse this time. Indio is into everything these days, so of course, I'm trying to capture it all.

Hope you are all having a fabulous week. Tomorrow's Friday! Yaaay!

[day 249: Hot tamales from our lovely neighbour, Maria.]

[day 250: Onesies are the cutest.]

[day 251: My little baker helped clean the spoons while our cookies were in the oven.]

[day 252: Funny face, beautiful light.]

[day 253: For some reason, this plant attracts all the busybees of the neighbourhood.]

[day 254: A weekend jaunt toLittle India on Gerrard St. Appropriately drinking peach-mango lassi!]

[day 255: Making rotis with Nani...and finding out raw dough isn't that tasty.]


[day 256: Lucky little boy gets a whole cup of foam from the Sbux barista while mama drinks her latte at the grocery store.]

[day 257: Making a wish...a new obsession.]

[day 258: How long can one baby run across metal bleachers before he tires out? I don't know because *I* didn't last that long and made him stop before he got bored. Bad mommy, I know.]

[day 259: Kisses for Alex, the Monkey, a gift from Grandma.]

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Technicolour Tuesday: week 35

How did it get to be Tuesday already? And where the heck is August? After another whirlwind trip [this time to Chicago] I'm home for at least a few weeks, maybe months! I've been playing around with Picnik to edit some of my photos. It's fun and more extensive than iPhoto.

[day 242: This is not the first time my car has told me it's 100F outside. Woah.]

[day 243: Cassius is such a trooper and puts up with all of Indy's abuse. I don't think he really has a choice though.]

[day 244: Can you believe this is the only photo I have for day 244? And it's a crappy phone photo of what? I don't know why I took it.]

[day 245: Testing the bed at the Crowne Plaza in Chicago. The Marriott's are still the best in our books.]

[day 246: Pretty horse in Andersonville, Chicago.]

[day 247: Fabulous tootsies before the pain of heels set in. Later, they were in Birks.]

[day 248: Not sure why this was, but Chicago is overrun with beautiful dragonflies. This one was resting on a highway overpass.]

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This Moment...

Inspired by Amanda Soule - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

[From the week before, but a moment captured nonetheless.]

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Rub-a-dub-dub

After a long day, a soak in the tub is always a welcome treat. Sometimes a good book, a glass of wine or just being able to close your eyes for a few minutes is all it takes to wash away the stress of daily life.

Or, if you're almost-two, a soak in the tub means lots of splashing, pouring and exploring...but most of all, it means BUBBLES!

yes, he eats the bubbles.

Indio's idea of paradise is being submerged in a couple of inches of water with a few cups and buckets at his disposable. More recently he has become a huge fan of bubble baths. I'm a fan too because the suds distract him and he doesn't seem to squawk as much when I try to rub behind his ears.

This new love has put me on the quest to find a bubble bath that is as chemical-free as possible [at least free of the *bad* chemicals] but still bubbly. I've tried a couple of *safe* soaps but the bubbles were disappointing at best. So, if you have any tried-and-true favourite healthy bubble baths, please pass on the info. Thanks so much!

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