Vegan Lasagna

Since I have 5 kids who can't have dairy, I have to look for no-milk alternatives. This is my favorite vegan lasagna. It is super healthy with whole grain noodles and packed with veggies. Best of all - no cheese!

http://engine2diet.com/recipe/raise-the-roof-sweet-potato-lasagna/

Hummus

combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth:


1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
3 T tahini
1/4 c. lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
2 cloves garlic; minced
1 T olive oil
1 dash paprika
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. chili pepper
1/2 of a red pepper; diced and roasted (I cooked it in a skillet until browning)


great as a dip for veggies, spread for whole grain crackers, tortillas, chips etc.

My Favorite Refried Beans (and I didn't used to like refried beans!)

3 T oil
1 c. chopped onion
5 cloves garlic (minced)

4 c. cooked pinto beans

2 1/2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
(milk or bean broth)

Saute onion in oil until translucent. Add garlic, cook 1-2 min. Add beans (and a little liquid - milk or bean broth if you cooked them yourself). Stir in seasonings. Simmer 10-20 minutes. Mash over heat until its a good consistency (I like them a little lumpy, if you want it more like a spread then use a food processor). Enjoy!

Cloth Diaper Choices

I have been using cloth diapers for the last 3 1/2 years. I also used them 10 years ago, for the first year of V's life. So, altogether I have 4 1/2 years of experience.

Over the last decade, cloth diapering has exploded in popularity. When V was in cloth diapers, I didn't know another soul who used them. Now, even though I moved halfway across the country away from the granola capital of Austin, TX, I still run into other users of cloth diapers. Hurrah!

I'm not sure whether cloth is becoming more popular because there are more options, or if there are more options because they are becoming more popular - but I'm glad either way! Back in the old days, when the grandparents used cloth, they only had rubber pants to cover the diapers. Most people probably used flats, which is basically a big square of absorbent birdeye weave cloth. 10 years ago, I used Chinese prefolds with diaper pins and covers. I tried pull-ons, which were the cheapest, but they didn't adjust around my baby's skinny legs. I also tried ajustable velcro and snap covers. They gave me a much better fit, simply by their adjustability. I also tried wool soakers, especially for overnight.

When I decided to go back to cloth, when S was a few months old, I jumped right in with prefolds and bought some Bummis velcro covers without even thinking. I also was intruduced to the Snappi (a plactic device for holding the diaper snug without pins) and totally loved it. By the time he was potty trained, I was already diapering little A. I decided to branch out and try some other options. I tried Thirsties velcro covers, which worked comparably with Bummis, and I got some Flip adjustable covers. They are a bit cheaper than some other adjustable size covers, but I am not able to get a tight enough fit around my baby's skinny legs, so they are not my favorite. I do like that they fit my 4 month old and can also fit my 2-year-old in a pinch!

I am notoriously frugal, so I have mostly stuck to prefolds and covers rather than sized diapers, pocket, diapers, all-in-ones, etc. I do use disposables a lot at night because my babies have sensitive skin, are heavy wetters, and disposables fit better under pajamas then cloth diapers.

I recently purchased some BumGenius onesize pocket diapers and am ready to put them to the test. So far, I can tell you they do fit both M, at 4 months and A at 25 months (though admittedly, A is petite). They fit snug around the waist and legs and haven't leaked yet. They do need a little more particular care than prefolds. They need to be washed every 2-3 days in a special detergent (one free of phospates and other chemicals). Detergents such as Rockin' Green are sold where cloth diapers are sold. This is my first foray into other types of cloth diapers and I look forward to trying out several types on my little guinea pigs :)

Veggie Beef Pasta

This recipe is a mixture of 2 similar recipes from different sources 1-1 1/2 lb. ground beef (cooked in a large skillet, drained), remove meat from pan and set aside

cook until soft:
1 T canola oil
1 large onion (diced)
4 cloves garlic (minced)

add, bring to boil (about 10 min):
3 1/2 c. beef or chicken broth
3 c. pasta (I like rotini or farfalle)
1 tsp. each basil, oregano, thyme
2 cans diced tomatoes (kind with Italian seasoning, or add some extra seasoning)

next add veggies and cook to desired doneness (about 7 min): (in above picture I used some of each)
4 c. diced zucchini OR 4-5 c. brocolli florets

then return meat to pan and warm through.
Serve topped with plenty of parmesan cheese or shredded cheddar cheese :)

Mexican Rice

pictured with all 4 veggie options and some cooked chicken. I also add a little salsa with the meat when I put in chicken.

1 c. rice
1 T oil
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 tsp. Knorr chicken and tomato seasoning (for soup)*
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. cumin

vegetable options:
- frozen peas and grated carrot
- chopped green pepper and corn

Heat oil on medium and saute rice until light brown. Add onion and cook until softened. Add 2 c. water, seasonings, and choice of vegetables. Cover and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to simmer for another 20-25 minutes.

*Alternate I've used for Knorr tomato seasoning: 1 cube chicken boullion and a packet of Sazon Goya con culantro y achiote or cilantro y tomate

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