Hmmm...my lymph nodes are swollen but I have no other symptoms of illness. "That still means you can walk right?"- DS11. Yes, I suppose it does. Once I finish my water, I'll lace up my shoes dear boy.

Buttermilk "brownies" that really came out more like a chocolate cake

Description:
I had buttermilk to use up, and I came across a recipe for buttermilk brownies in a BHG cookbook from the 70's. I thought I'd replace the butter with Smart Balance, but other than that, I stayed pretty true to the recipe.

I was disappointed these were not what I would call a brownie, but rather a chocolate cake. Having said that, it was a very tasty chocolate cake, better than something you'd get from a boxed mix. If I have the need to bake up a chocolate cake, I'll use this recipe again. If I want real, chewy brownies, I'll try a different recipe.

I did use a 10 x 13 pan instead of a 15 X 10, or two 9 x 9 pans the recipe suggested. I don't think this changed the consistency though. I'm thinking the two eggs and amount of flour make this recipe more of a cake than a brownie. Its still a great, indulgent dessert.

Ingredients:
1 C Smart Balance Spread - (Its high in Omega 3s!)
1/2 C cocoa powder - (anti-oxidant power!)
1 C water
2 C flour- (you could use whole wheat)
2 C sugar -(This is where it gets bad, but oh, so good bad!)
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
2 slightly beaten eggs
1/2 C buttermilk
1 1/2 t vanilla

Your choice of chocolate frosting or icing.

Directions:
In a saucepan, melt the Smart Balance with the water and cocoa powder, stirring often. Bring to a boil and then remove from the heat.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add in the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.

Add about a cup of the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture and stir. Add a little more and then completely mix the chocolate mixture with the rest of your flour mixture. Doing this tempers the chocolate so you don't end up with scrambled egg pieces in your cake.

Pour the mixture into a 10 x 13 pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake for 30 minutes in a preheated 375 degree oven. When your toothpick comes out clean, its done. *The original recipe only baked this for 20 minutes, but my cake didn't set until 30 minutes.

Place the cake on a wire rack to cool. Spread your choice of chocolate frosting/icing over the warm cake and allow it to cool.

Super Quick Update...

I'm on my 5th load of laundry. How did that happen? We usually only average one a day.

Buttermilk brownies are cooling and being allowed to age before being tested. I'm trying a new recipe using Smart Balance instead of butter or oil. Plus I had buttermilk I had to use up.

Experimenting with buttermilk ice cubes- I'm hoping I can keep the cubes in a freezer bag and thaw as needed for recipes. We just don't go through that much buttermilk all at once, and the powdered instant buttermilk isn't as good.

DS14- soon to be DS15 - asked me to cut his hair. I offered to take him for a real, professional cut, but he said it didn't matter because soon it will be hat weather. I love that frugal boy!

Yumi is being really naughty. I can't figure out what's got her so ticked off. You should see DS11's feet!

I can't believe we're short about 4 feet of underlay in the hallway. I had really wanted to return that last $50 roll! Its seems to be a cruel joke I have to cut only 4 feet off of the 100 foot roll and be left with 96 feet. This confirms, we'll have to lay down laminate in the bedrooms one day to use it up.

Speaking of the flooring project, the living room is so close to being done. To our horror, we discovered our walls are not straight and now instead of that last row of planks fitting nicely, we are left with a small inch or so gap, too big for the quarter round to hide. Its only along half of the wall. We're thinking of cutting a sliver of laminate and gluing it in.

I've been taking magnesium pills. I didn't think I was low in magnesium, but I thought I'd try them and see what kind of results I ended up with. I had read magnesium helps with hypertension, nerve function and metabolism. Well, after a week, my RLS is gone and the scale is finally starting to move down! I'll have to re-test my blood pressure soon.

There goes the dryer buzzing at me. One quick fold and then I'm off to work. See ya later, gators!

I asked DS11 if he wanted to walk the long route or the short route. He chose the long one. I'm so proud of him!

The Last Harvest Of The 2010 Garden

We're putting our Sleepyhouse garden to bed for the winter. Except for plans to plant garlic bulbs in a few weeks, we'll be covering up the square foot garden beds. Today we picked the last of the produce, pulled up stakes and rolled up rabbit fencing.

The potato pot experiment did not yield us too many spuds, but the ones we did end up with are creamy white. Next year either we'll try the fabric pots designed for this purpose rather than using plastic pots, or we'll till potato hills. We did notice an abundance of worms in the pots, so they were happy.

I'm sorry to say it, but I think after two years of trying to grow melons, next year we'll scrap those plans. We just don't get a hot and humid enough summer in our zone.

We'll grow carrots again, but we'll be better at spreading them out. These carrots were designed to be short, but we over crowded them.

Along with the garlic, I want to grow onions. We made and canned some great salsa with our tomatoes, but I had to buy garlic and onions to add to the recipe.

The sugar snap peas were like candy. These will always have a place in our garden, although they are a spring and early fall crop only.

Our butternut squash did not do as well as last year when we grew them vertically. Next year, perhaps we'll try that technique once again.

I'll have to make room for zucchini and scrap plans for broccoli. Our broccoli never made it to the stage where we could actually harvest it.

I want to grow more medicinal herbs too.

One of the square foot beds must have been hit by my neighbor's riding lawn mower. Its off center and too heavy to move back into place. I'll just have to get over my symmetry hang up and live with it this way. We do plan on mulching around the beds rather than trying to keep up with mowing next year. I have a neighbor who did this and it does make your garden look much better.

Although it leaves me a little sad to see the end of the growing season, planning for next  year is fun!

Coming Off Of A Great Weekend

Running away helped.

Saturday we ditched the nest and took a mini-road trip. We drove to K-town to visit the always wonderful G-Ma. We enjoyed lunch together and afterward left the boys with G-Ma, while DH and I made a side trip to visit a high school chum for supper.

Driving down to the area near where I grew up, so much had changed, we got a little lost. Funny how landmarks can change leaving you feeling like you're traveling someplace new.

Our friend made us a wonderful supper and we enjoyed seeing her house and new car. I marveled at her garden, never having seen sweet pepper plants grow so big. She told me to pick all I wanted, and I kicked myself later after realizing I had forgotten my bag of picked peppers as we left. (Sorry Karen!) We won't allow so much time to pass again before our next visit.

The boys walked the lakefront with G-Ma and fed the seagulls and ducks. They also saw a loon which really surprised me. I've never seen a loon on Lake Michigan before. They returned to her house to watch their favorite cable channel which we are not privileged to get, the Chiller channel. They also watched Sharktopus on the SyFy channel. Gotta love those cheesy thrillers!

We drove home late rather than stay over because we wanted to get a jump on our flooring project the next morning. I'm very happy with how much progress we made! The first row took some time, but then we got moving much more quickly. Its a math thing. You have to stagger those seams, and we try our best to use as much square feet of each board, trying to eliminate waste. We only have 1.5 rows left to complete our living room area and all that will be left is the hallway and tricky angle transition between the living room and kitchen. Today I'll be picking up some mighty movers for our furniture to slide around on and ordering a Water Hog door mat. Its all starting to come together!

I'd predict we'd finish by this evening, but the dentist just called with a cancellation, and I scheduled DH in for his cleaning. Working on this floor, has taught me a new meaning of patience. It will be done, when it gets done. Life happens.

I'm running away today. The floor can wait until tomorrow.

From 86 degrees down to 56 in less than 24. What a difference! I've got the windows open and the Sleepyhouse is chilling out, literally and figuratively.

Floor Progess Moving Slowly

Yumi doesn't mind the furniture being turned over, but its starting to get to me.

I feel like I'm going through the motions, but not getting anywhere. I suppose its because our Sleepyhouse is still in disarray. The flooring project is taking longer than expected, due to the reality that living our lives has to continue throughout this process. We must work, learn, exercise, clean, eat, sleep. We can't be fixing the nest 24/7. I have to let go and go with the flow. I want this project finished though because I'm already planning others.

I am learning quite a bit working on this flooring project. Maybe I should focus on that rather than worrying about when the house will be back in order? Before we began, I admit I felt a bit overwhelmed. Once I began cutting and ripping up carpet, I could feel the fear leaving. With each carpet tack strip I destroyed, I knew there was no turning back. Seeing all the layers of dirt, pulling up each staple, I just knew this change was going to be for the better.

We're hitting speed bumps, but so far, we haven't come across any obstacles we haven't been able to overcome. I'm so thankful for the Internet!! Its come in so handy when we needed to research how to make two seams come together after that first row of planks went in. The manufacturer's DVD makes the installation process look so easy, but they don't show you how to lock two seams together at 90 degree angles after that first row. Hint, you can't knock those planks too hard with your mallet or you'll break off those tongues for your next row! You have to place some weight on the previous seam to prevent it from coming apart and gently wiggle and press until you find that sweet spot.

You may also not realize how much math goes into laying this floor. We are carefully trying to ensure the seams are properly staggered, at the same time trying not to waste too many boards. We have to calculate how long each board needs to be and exactly where the cut boards can be placed to best use them.

When its all finished, I know we're going to love it. Its going to be easier to keep clean and should help with our allergies.

Ouch! I think I have left too much DNA under our new flooring.

Laminate Project 9/10 Before and During

Here's a few before and during photos. Its moving along slower than I expected but we are taking our time and getting it right. Having an engineer for a husband means every board is being measured and those seams have to be perfect. :) I don't mind. I know when its all done, it will hold up nicely. I just hope our knees hold out!! I'll be sure to post after photos when we are finished. 

Quick lunch break update- carpet and pad is removed, along with a gazillion staples. Underlay and laminate goes down after lunch. Blood pressure this morning 124/78!! Oh Yeah!!!

I am now walking our fitness routes in my dreams. I guess I've reached the point where exercise is habitual. Last night's dream I wasn't satisfied with walking, and I began to run. Maybe someday, I can make that dream a reality.

Thoughts On This Thursday

The Sleepyhouse is quiet, the windows open, and I'm enjoying listening to the wind blow through the trees. I'm thankful for the rain which has finally made its way to us.

I woke up with a crink in my neck. It may sound crazy but I know exactly when I pulled my neck muscle in my sleep. I believe my body turned but my head did not and the pain woke me up. Now I can't turn my head very comfortably, but if I look ahead everything is fine. Its a perfect metaphor for me right now- look ahead, not behind.

The first book I read on blood pressure brought me down. The doctor who wrote it basically says once you are diagnosed with hypertension, you must take medications the rest of your life and you will never be cured of it. He also said if you have high blood pressure, you SHOULD NOT exercise until MEDICATION can bring your pressure down first.

The second book I'm reading, Lower Your Blood Pressure In Eight Weeks by Dr. Sinatra I'm liking better. I can understand how harmful hypertension can be, but the drugs scare me more. It seems crazy to think your doctor may put you on one drug, see if it works, if not, prescribe another, or even piggy back on top of another!

I'd like to keep trying diet and exercise first. I've been monitoring my pressure the past few days and I'm happy to report the highest reading I've had has been 140/89 and I've even had it down to 128/80. I know I'm taking the right steps, I just need to give it more time.

We started watching Survivor again. I don't know if I'll get attached to this season, but I am curious to see how far Jimmy Johnson makes it. I think we'll see how ugly people can get too, by how they treat the amputee. We think it would be fun if there were places you could go to try the Survivor challenges. They need to set up an Survivor amusement park!

I've begun clearing the living room out in preparation for the floor installation. Its making me realize I need to do something about the amount of books and magazines we end up keeping. I should have realized long ago, if we're going to homeschool, we need a room we can  designate as an official library. I like having reading material around, but I don't like how cluttered it can look. On the other hand, out of sight is out of mind. As an unschooler, strewing is my game!!

I better go put the kettle on and brew up some tea. I need to enjoy more stolen quiet moments until my personal trainer wakes up.

Blood Pressure Update

I have lots to do, but I need a little mental health blogging time. :)

My sister has loaned me her blood pressure wrist cuff. I am happy to report my pressure is not always as high as it was at the dentist last week. Although I'm not getting consistent good readings, I have noticed a difference in my pressure after exercising. A few times I have been able to get it down to a safer 124/70, but on average, I'm still hovering around the 140/90 mark.

As a show of support, DH is also keeping track of his bp, and together we both are committed to making improvements and bringing these numbers down. I'm discovering I have many family members who also are dealing with this.

I hit up the library yesterday for blood pressure related help books, and I'm going to get back to fresh juicing. I realized I have not been drinking water like I should be. I'm sure that is not helping.

I've been meaning to pick up a filter for our facet. We already use a Brita picture, but I'm concerned about all the chlorine our city puts in the water. I haven't been filtering our water for cooking and washing. When I canned salsa and tomatoes with my mom last Saturday, the jars all came out of the water bath and dried with a white powdery residue on them. I know inside the jars is nothing but organic veg, but it has me really concerned about our water supply. I know this is why I've been shying away from using our tap water, even with the Brita filter.

I'm feeling less stressed about the flooring project. What gets done, gets done. There really isn't any time table I need to be concerned with. Thanks for your thoughts on this. It really helped me put this in perspective.

I have to vote in our primary today. I'll try not to get depressed when my choices are not the majority, at least I know I'm using my right to vote. That's all I can do. I just wish people would think for themselves, not vote along party lines or base their vote on how many advertisements they saw.

I'm excited about a free resource available through our library, Mango. You can learn foreign languages online for free, using your library account!! I've previewed the Spanish and its pretty good. I'm hoping the boys are interested too.

Okay, drink break is over. I better get moving along. Take care!

Weekend Notes 9/10-9/12

Friday we spent the afternoon in the chemistry lab at Air Products. Our friend's dad works there as a chemist. We participated in different chemistry experiments and got to learn about industrial lab equipment. While we were on our field trip, the grandparents went shopping.

Saturday morning we took the grandparents to the famous farmer's market in Madison, meeting my sister and my nephew. We picked out organic veggies for making into salsa later.

We stopped at a snotty apple orchard on the way home, Epplegarten. I was yelled at for using my cell phone, and when my parents wanted to buy ten pounds of apples, they were told they had no choice but to pay for two 5 pound bags at the higher price because they currently did not have any 10 pound bags ready. I was using my phone, alone, away from everyone, but apparently they do not want cell phones used anywhere on their property. Its the last time we shop for apples there. I'll make the drive to our favorite orchard next time.

Saturday afternoon and into the evening we made salsa and canned tomatoes. My sister came over after soccer to continue visiting with our parents.

Sunday the grandparents headed home to Minnesota, while we relaxed and enjoyed the day watching football and having neighborhood friends over. We did a bit of walking and enjoyed making homemade tacos.

I'm trying not to focus on how much we have to get done this week ahead. I had trouble falling asleep last night just thinking of it. Next weekend we want to install our new flooring, but when I look around the room, it seems like we'll have so much to move out first. Plus ripping up the old, nasty carpet will probably take a good chunk of time. Why did we decide this was the right time to do this?

Unschoolers Waterpark Gathering

Start:	May 16, '11
End:	May 20, '11
Location:	Sandusky,OH

I can't wait for this! Every year I want to go and this year it looks better than ever. We will have to find a way to this event now that we won't have to worry about driving through snow and ice!

http://ugoevent.com/

I Too, Am Not Jello!!

I read a great article on Home Education Magazine's website, written by an unschooling mom. It was just what I needed this morning. Click here to check it out.

I found myself beginning to worry about yesterday's blood pressure reading, even after I told myself I wasn't going to. I woke up wishing I could just stay asleep and not face the day's reality. I pushed through promising myself I would continue to take steps towards health and not focus on the negative. Then I read Ms. Kilgore's article and found my moxie.

I am not Jello. I will never fit into anyone's mold. I am moving towards my goals, and I am enjoying the journey. That's what's important. Yesterday's speed bump may propel me in a different direction than I expected, but I can adapt and evolve. I'm not stuck in a mold I can't break out of.

Hours after being told by the dentist he had two baby molar teeth left, he plucked one out on his own. I'm expecting the second one to be yanked today. The tooth fairy will have to remove the Sleepyhouse from her GPS.

Yeah! No Cavities!

I'm so pleased with how well things went this morning visiting our new dentist. It was a much smaller office, and that has advantages, such as no waiting 9 months to get in for your 6 month check up. Plus, we were not separated by different floors, wondering where in the building we all were. This dentist is right in our hometown, so we didn't have to drive far either.

I called yesterday and scheduled 3 of us for today. Checking my calendar I could see it was almost a year ago since we'd last had a cleaning, but that was mostly because we did not have dental insurance during DH's layoff. I was expecting cavities but we all came out great!

The homeschool stigma wasn't too bad. "I thought your 14 year old son was so well spoken, and then he told me he homeschools, so I thought, ahhh.. that's why. Homeschoolers are around adults most of the time, so that is why they speak like them," I was told by our new dentist.

I explained how my boys actually have several friends who go to school and several who do not. Its true they have no difficulty speaking with grown ups, and I'm sure that is due to how they were always around people of different ages, not just a room full of peers, but I still cringe when I hear homeschooling stereotypes. I know homeschoolers who are shy and who are extroverted. Every person is different, with their own personality, whether you learn at home or at school.

The one thing that did not go too well this morning was my blood pressure check. I was stunned it was so high. I have been doing so much walking, and usually when I exercise it's always in the safe range. I suppose it could have been the fact I was at the DENTIST and I knew our insurance had a deductible and copay, but I'm alarmed it was up. I will have to schedule a doctor's appointment and make sure my bp is okay. Maybe it was the allergy medication I've been taking too? I have found in the past, OTC drugs have that kind of effect on me. I won't take the Loratadine for a few days and we'll see what my pressure is Monday.

Its frustrating to feel you have been taking steps, (literally), towards better health and then to hear the news your blood pressure is 160/102!! I want to scream, but I won't. Getting angry will only make it go up more. LOL! Seriously, I have taken salt out of my diet, I walk 3 miles a day and I eat my veg. It should be back at 120/70. I do not, do not, DO NOT, want to go on blood pressure meds.

Dentist appointments today- Still trying to get excited about that, but insurance, no insurance, its still the dentist.

Recovering From The Weekend....

Two days of parties, two days of family, it will take us a while to get back into the groove of things. The Sleepyhouse is full of left overs, but at least a good portion is veggies and fruit. I'll have no excuse not to bring healthy munchies with me to work this week.

The partying alone could have worn me out, but I've noticed my head feels thick, my throat and eyes scratchy. I think this is the first Fall season where I've noticed allergies. My sister told me Ragweed is off the charts, so maybe I do have Fall allergies? Spring didn't bother me this year, but I guess fall will.

I'm grateful this will be a short week, but on the other hand, that just means I have to cram more into 4 days instead of 5. I always seem to keep adding to my to do list before checking everything off.

Our new flooring is sitting in the garage. We wanted to buy it before the sale ended, but we won't have time to install it for a few weeks. We still need to self educate ourselves as to how we're installing it. We're receiving advice and opinions from everyone, even strangers in line at the home improvement store, but when it comes down to it, its our baby. I find it funny, the analogy. I had the excitement knowing it was coming, the worry, what will we do when we get it, and the realization, boy, this is going to be a time suck! LOL! I'm sure when it's all finished it will feel good and we'll move on to the next project.

I better get moving on my to do list today. I know this week will fly by.

I don't want to go for a walk. I want chocolate. Thankfully my 11 year old personal trainer will not take no for an answer this morning. Its been a crazy full weekend of eating and I need to get back on track.

High of 60F today. I can't believe I'm wearing jeans and a jacket, but it feels so good!!! I may even put on socks. :)

Our Not Back To School Day

Do you want to know what we autodidacts did on September 1st?

While our public school friends had to climb the bus, the boys at Sleepyhouse were still in dreamland. I recently read how vital it is for teenagers to get 8 hours of sleep. Those who do not, tend to eat more junk.

DS11 woke up around 8:00 and fed Tornado and Gust. He proceeded to get himself dressed and wake his brain with gaming.

About an hour later, I had finished my work at home, and the two of us went out for our aerobic daily exercise. I woke up DS14 to let him know we were leaving, but also because I knew he needed to start stirring or we'd miss our lunch date. On a "normal" day, I'd let him sleep until he wakes on his own, which is usually around 11:00am.

We returned from our walk to find DS14 on the computer, doing a bit of research. We showered and then left to pick up DH for lunch.

We enjoyed a special Not Back To School Day lunch with DH at our favorite Mexican restaurant, saving the leftovers for supper. It was something we hadn't done in a great while, meet dad for lunch during the workday. It was a perfect way to celebrate, not back to school.

After dropping DH back at work, I made a quick appearance at the pool and then we headed to Menards to research what we're going to need to complete our flooring project. I showed the boys how we will put the floor together. I still don't think they are excited yet to get to work. Maybe once I introduce them to a power saw it will peak their interest? :) For those of you worried we aren't learning anything, you should have been there with us as we tried to figure out square footage and exactly how many cartons of laminate and tile we'll need.

As we returned home, the mail carrier pulled up and dropped off a package DS11 had been waiting for. (See photo.) Needless to say he was very excited. He's worked hard to earn the money for this box of cards.

After the excitement wore down a little, we read books. I think I may have Metabolic Syndrome and will research that further.

Our friends got out of school and we stopped reading to hang out with them. 

I baked cookies while the boys visited with their friends, although at one point, DS11 did come back up from the Mancave wanting to play Uno with me.

DS11 managed to wait until DH got home and then he opened his Yu-Gi-Oh cards while DS14 filmed it. They sorted cards and reviewed values from their price guides. 

DS11 & DH went out for a Father-Son walk and although I couldn't encourage DS14 to do a Mother-Son walk, I did enjoy my solo walk. DS14 enjoyed more computer time.

After the walk, we snacked on lunch leftovers and watched a little TV. The boys went down to play more games while DH & I did some more reading and watching TV.

Everyone except DS14 went to bed around 10:00pm. DS14 stayed up another few hours reading his book.

"Learning can only happen when a child is interested. If he’s not interested, it’s like throwing marshmallows at his head and calling it eating.” ~ Katrina Gutleben

Chocolate Kamut Low Fat cookies

Description:
I experimented today with trying to make a low fat cookie, using whole grains. I ground up organic Kamut flour and rather than use butter or oil, I used non fat plain yogurt. They came out pretty good for a cookie that is healthier than most.

Kamut flour is an ancient wheat type grain that actually has a 40% higher protein content that regular wheat. Many people who can't tolerate wheat, can tolerate Kamut flour.

Ingredients:
1/4 C plain, non fat yogurt
1 C brown sugar
1 t vanilla
1 L egg
1/2 c almond milk

2 1/2 C Kamut flour
1/2 C cocoa powder
2 t baking powder


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350.

Cream together the non-fat yogurt and brown sugar. Add in the vanilla, egg and milk.

In a separate bowl, stir together the Kamut flour, cocoa powder and baking powder.

Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until combined. Do not over mix.

Drop by cookie scoop spoonfuls onto a silicon lined or parchment paper lined cookie sheet. These cookies will not spread out so if you prefer, flatten the cookie balls a bit.

Bake for 7-8 minutes taking care not to over bake them. Allow to cool on a wire rack and enjoy.