It's All About the Food Baby!!

Hello once again from sunny London. We are continuing to have the most wonderful weather. The flowers are beautiful and we're getting loads of bumper crops of food just in time for 2 very important events:

1. Evie's first solid foods
2. National Vegetarian Week

Due to extreme hunger and a growth spurt, Evie started on solid foods last week. She's mastered the art of eating from the spoon and she's tolerated the baby rice wonderfully. So, today we had our first real food - Avocado!! It was a huge success.

As most of you know, I feed children (in my day job). So, I know how important a proper diet is for children and how important it is to have them eating proper food and a mixed diet from the beginning. So, it's very exciting for me to now get to introduce Evie to the wonderful food that we have available to us. We've been so lucky here that since we've had the warm weather, we have some lovely bumper crops of strawberries and raspberries. So, I'm going to freeze the excess for when she's ready to tame those fruits.

I will cook all of Evie's baby food. I know that some people won't be able to do that, but I'm going to give it a shot. It seems a waste of a good cheffing degree to at least not try.

All of the planning and prepping for Evie's first foods got me very excited about the big event this week; National Vegetarian Week.

First let me start by saying, I'm not a vegetarian. I do like meat. However, I don't eat a lot of it. I don't eat a lot of it because for starters it's expensive and secondly, I feel a lot lighter and I have more energy when I lay off the meat for a few meals each week. I only buy organic or fairly raised meat, eggs and dairy.   And I only buy meat, eggs and dairy from Great Britain. There is such an abundance of meat here, there's no need to increase one's carbon footprint by importing meat. In my diet, I eat vegetarian for breakfast, lunch and snacks and I typically have meat 3-4 times a week, fish 2-3 times a week and vegetarian 1-2 times a week for dinner. It has definitely helped me maintain my weight and it has helped me focus on getting the proper balance of vitamins and minerals that I need daily.  And it makes me feel better about my carbon footprint. The raising of meat uses a lot of energy.

So, I'm really excited about National Vegetarian Week. First, it's the perfect time of year, all of the spring vegetables are hitting their peak and I can't wait to get my hands on them (especially the fresh peas). I have convinced (Ian says forced, but he's come around to the idea) Ian that it would be a good thing for us to try a full vegetarian diet for the week. So, I've got some great recipes lined up. I'm going to raid the farmer's markets and even the supermarket for some great fresh veggies tomorrow. Once again, I only eat British fruit and vegetables. it's quite rare that I use anything that's imported (citrus being the main thing as it's not grown here at all). I also only eat food when it's in season. This was really hard for Ian at first. But, once he realized how much better a tomato tastes in the summer than in the middle of January, he soon came around. As much as I love fresh ripe tomatoes, I hate imperfect ones. I think it's fabulous to wait all year for that wonderful and ripe tomato and to savor it then. I believe in enjoying every bite of my food!!

I know not everyone feels this way. I also know that food is my life (it's my job) and while it comes very easy for me, it doesn't for a lot of people. I know that not everyone has the time or the patience for this. However, I do know that EVERYONE could do with eating more fruit and vegetables. And I know that everyone could try at least one vegetarian meal this week. It's a great way to get your kids talking about how food grows, where it comes from and balancing nutrients. It's a great way to get everyone around the table talking about some very important topics; local farmers, fair treatment of animals, processed food, energy efficiency, etc. And the best thing is, you'll save money!! That is something we could all use a little of in this economy. Ground organic beef is £5.00 ($8.00) per 600 grams (1.3 pounds/ 21 oz). This makes it £8.33 ($13.33)per kg or £3.81 ($6.10) per lb. Red Lentils (great vegetarian protein source are £0.79 ($1.26) per kg or £0.36 ($0.57) per lb. A great savings indeed!! Quick tip - if you want to stretch your ground meats, add some cooked red lentils, they melt into the mix and you'll never know they're there!!

I challenge you all to try and add at least one vegetarian meal to your repertoire this week. It's easier than you think. Find some lovely veggies and enjoy them with your beautiful families!! Below are a few of the things we'll be trying this week.

Freshly made spring pea and goat cheese ravioli
Courgette Lasagna
Cauliflower Risotto
Celeriac Gratin
Spinach, Spring Greens and Potato Gratin
Spinach and Cheese/ Avocado and Strawberry Crepes
Red Thai Vegetable Curry
Mac and Cheese Frittata
Leek and Goat Cheese Empanadas
Pan Fried Chick Pea Salad
Barley and Vegetable Salad

Give it a go and if you need help or further recipes, give me a shout!! I'm happy to help.

Happy cooking and Savoring everyone. Evie's off to try some beautiful butternut squash on Wednesday!!

From Mommy to Granny in 60 Seconds

Well, the Royal Wedding is over and we are basking in the warm and beautiful sun for the last of our holiday. Even though Daddy has to go back to work tomorrow, we do have two short work weeks ahead.

I'm really lucky to still be on maternity leave. Evie and I are having a lovely time now that she can appreciate some of the classes a little more.

I'm really lucky to have such a great group of girls in my NCT group (mommy group). We meet each week and generally let our little ones roll around as we discuss all ranges of problems and activities and new toys and classes. I am the only American in the group. Actually, I'm the only Non-English person in the group. It's great because I have an extra group of people to explain English customs.

So far the girls have been very helpful with doctors visits and teaching me about all the areas near where we live to visit. They're fabulous about making sure I know not to wear white to a wedding (we're going to Ian's cousin's wedding next week) and where to get fabulous hats.

But every once in a while, they say something that is completely and utterly foreign to me. Last week we had an in depth discussion about beds and sheets (I'm not sure why, I think we were talking about making the baby's beds). I was shocked to find out that ALL of them only use the fitted sheet. No top sheet. I was also amazed to learned that because I use two sheets this classifies me as a Granny. Because, evidently only old people use two sheets. They also use the pillow cases (shams) that come with the Duvet covers as actual pillow cases. The fact that I use them as throw pillows (or that I even have throw pillows) was a cause for much laughter, pointing and generally calling me a bed lunatic. There were many cries of "poor Evie" and "oh, that's just another OCD Amy thing". When I explained that all my sheets are from the US and all our sheets come as sets (which include two sheets and two pillow cases), they thought I was seriously shopping in an old lady store and were convinced that no one (American or English) would use two sheets if they were under 80.

I was very puzzled by this whole exchange. I mean why would sheet sets come as sets if you were only meant to use one? That is just absurd. And who has heard of using shams as actual pillow cases?

I was in need of some serious confirmation of this sheet debacle.

So, at Easter we went to Ian's Mom's house. She had a bunch of her friends around and Ian's grandmother was there too. I promptly brought up my sheet debate. The only person that was in agreement with my two sheet bed was Ian's Grandmother. It seems everyone else only uses the fitted sheet.

So, with that, I've just resigned myself to be a granny (I'm in some very good company). I don't care, I like my two sheets!! And don't you worry, Evie will have two sheets too!!

Happy May to Everyone!!