healthy wholewheat pancakes (waffles)

1 cup wholewheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbs. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1 egg
2 Tbs. vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients and beat until well-mixed. Bake on hot griddle and serve with fruit or syrup.

i HEART Vita-Mix

I'm in LOVE, (with Justin, yes...) because he bought me this! I've been wanting one for EVER (actually, i was looking at a BlendTEC but Vita-Mix is better!)

Anyways... I'm just having a blast making whole food meals for myself and my LOVER...

Beautiful Green Smoothie Breakfast!

For recipe click HERE

Healthy Tortilla Soup:

For recipe click HERE

... AND I borrowed this book from a friend... and I'm just eating it up... I'm hoping to be able to sneak some nutritional goodness into Will and (esp. my picky eater) Caitlin's diet!!!

Brinners is on the health food train... here she is with a Breakfast Green Smoothie mustache! Ha!She looks like... what's that actor's name...? oh yeah, Tom Selleck! ha.

Halloween

Today was such a perfect day... besides the fact that were were totally busy doing house projects and other things...Today's weather reminded me why i love fall so much! Ah! It was just gorgeous, perfect day to do a little yard work- picking up leaves, pruning rose bushes... Caitlin and Will played in the yard too, it was fun to see them drag their pillows and blankets outside to make forts and houses... i bet it felt good for them to be out side. the past 2 weeks have been rough on them...being so sick and all.

Dinner time rolled around, and we decided on a fave, BREAKFAST for dinner! ("and in the morning... I'm making WAFFLES!" -- Donkey, Shreck 2)

This just might become our Halloween Tradition... I've got a friend who makes a delicious Rig-a-boney (Click for Recipe) for her daughter before Trick-or-Treating... a nice warm meal before heading out into the cold... What a fun idea.

So, I thought this was pretty hilarious... my cooking- at it's finest. Don' worry kids... Next year it will only get better!
Enough chit-chat, on to the pictures...

Sweet Dorothy...

with Toto...

"I wont let the mean old nasty witch get you... We've got to run away!"

Buzz Light year!! speaking of traditions... i believe the last two years Will has cried when I've tried to take his Halloween picture... i must be getting good... cause look at this action shot!

Hot Dog Brinners...

All Three of my Trick-or-Treaters.

Daddy took Dorothy, Toto and Buzz out while the Hot Dog and I stayed home and handed out mini bags of pop corn to the kids... While we waited for the crowds to arrive i thought it would be fun to dig out Caitlin's old Halloween costume, a gift from Auntie Linds!! Wow, 4 years ago i was taking Caitlin's picture in this same outfit.

ALOHA!

Mmmm. Candy.

Hey, it actually feels like summer today!!

These pictures were just TOO CUTE not to share. Miss B... looking so cute in yellow!

I was THRILLED to get this shot... all THREE kids!

drool, "It's only mouth water..."

We also decided to take a break from Will's potty training. So we busted out the pool!! Free reign buddy... have at it... go pee all over the yard if you want... mommy needs a break.WE Love summer time... please don't go away...

Pretty much the best French Toast I've EVER had...

Fluffy French Toast
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 pinch salt
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon white sugar
12 thick slices bread

DIRECTIONS
Measure flour into a large mixing bowl. Slowly whisk in the milk. Whisk in the salt, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla extract and sugar until smooth.Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium heat.Soak bread slices in mixture until saturated. Cook bread on each side until golden brown. Serve hot.

Mmmm. Seriously Delicious... Thanks Wilkinson's for posting this on your blog!!

Homemade Granola!

¾ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup 100% pure maple syrup

Boil until sugars melt, stir occasionally

In 13 x 9 Pyrex put:

7 cups oatmeal (Rolled Oats, often called 'old fashioned'.)
1/3 cup dry milk (comes in a box on baking isle)
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup coconut
Dried fruit (optional)

1. Pour sugar over and mix.
2. Bake at 325 for 15 minutes. Stir.

3. Repeat step 2 as many times as you like for desired chewy/crunchiness texture. (I prefer to bake 15 min, stir, and then bake for 5-8 min.) This is really good warm with milk! Store in air tight container or zip lock bag. (This also makes great neighbor gifts around the holidays, is a great snack and is a delicious breakfast!