Rice and Beans (Wali Maharage)

This is roughly based on East African flavours.  And is flexible enough to be adapted to what you have on hand.  For instance, we almost always have carrots in ours, which would not be traditional.  We eat this once or twice a week.  It is inexpensive, yet full of flavour and protein.  For a heartier meal, this can be served with spicy fried prawns (shrimp) or some grilled meat.  In Tanzania this might be eaten with your hands, but you can use a spoon!

For the Rice:

The rule in our house, according to my Other Half, is that the rice needs to be basmati and preferably Tilda brand.  (I prefer brown rice, but we have to compromise on occasion).  You can actually serve the beans with plain rice of any type if you prefer.  But we always like to spice things up a bit.

1. Measure out your rice per person and rinse in a sieve or bowl of cold water. 
2. Boil your kettle.
3. Toast your spices in a dry saucepan for a few minutes.  Choose any combination of the following: 3-4 cloves, 3-4 cardamon pods, chunk cinnamon bark, some cumin seeds.  We usually stick to two spices. The spices should start smelling nice, but not burn.
4. Add the rice and boiled water.  Cook rice according to the package instructions. Some people add extra water and sieve later.  Some people follow the package instructions and measure the exact amount of water, which is then absorbed by the rice.   
5. If you are feeding this rice to children, try to remove the spices from the rice or their portions.  You can warn the adults there are spices in the dish.

For the Beans:

Tin of beans, (any kind, but we love pinto beans), rinsed and drained
small tin of chopped tomatoes, or 2-3 small fresh ones
1/2 tin coconut milk
carrot
sweet/bell pepper
onion
hot chilli (optional--since I don't like chilli, we leave it out and people can add hot sauce afterwards)

You can add other vegetables if you like.  We like mushrooms or green beans in this dish as well when we have them or they need using up!

1. Chop the onion and fry in a saucepan in a little bit of oil.  When soft, add chopped carrot and pepper, and any other vegetables, including chilli, if using.  Fry for 3-5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
2. Add the beans and the small tin of tomatoes with their juice and continue to cook over medium heat for ten minutes.
3. Add about half a tin of coconut milk and simmer for a further 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, just to heat through.  If you heat the coconut milk too long it will separate.
4. The vegetables and beans should be both hot and tender.
5. Serve with rice.
6. This keeps well for the next day as well. (Cook once, eat twice!)

Bento!!

I have fallen in love with bento boxes.  They seem to be taking over American lunchboxes, but have not reached the UK yet.  I love both the traditional Japanese versions as well as the new kid-friendly ones.

And I want these fork picks!  The problem is that they are not available in the UK, and I cannot justify the cost of  shipping them in my current budget.  That isn't all I want.  I would like some reusable baran, rice molds, mini cutters decoratice food picks, and sandwich crimpers.  And maybe a bento box!!  Although I could continue to use the many lunch containers I already have.

If half of that was a foreign language, check out two of my favourite websites/blogs:

http://www.anotherlunch.com/    and    http://www.justbento.com/



                                 Stay tuned as I try to make a few of my own.

New Year's Resolutions 2011 Part 4: Goal Writing

Goal Writing

To really succeed in your goals, you need to take it step by step.  You will need some pen and paper.

1. First and foremost, you need to identify your goal.  What would it look like when you achieved it? How would you know?  When would you like to achieve it?
2. Next, identify where you are now.  List your weak areas, and anything which is blocking you from achieving your goal.  And also list your strengths.  What skills, resources, and experiences can you bring to the project?    Do you need to do any more research or recruit help?  This part needs care and consideration.  Otherwise you would have achieved your goal by now!
3. Break your goal into parts.  Create both weekly and monthly goals.
4. Review your progress regularly and adjust your mini goals if necessary.

Ode to Cinnamon Toast

I have now created a bowl just for cinnamon sugar because I love cinnamon toast so much!  During this pregnancy I think it has become my cold weather comfort food---with a cup of tea!  Please don't tell me off for having sugar or butter or bread or any of these things which are supposed to be so bad for us these days.  It is dangerous to argue with a pregnant woman!  How can such a lovely, yummy, scrummy thing cause me any harm?

I also love cinnamon sugar on pancakes with some butter, or put in the coffee filter (though I have gone off coffee while pregnant).

Erin Maria's Sopa del Día: i'm in love with a cookie

Erin Maria's Sopa del Día: i'm in love with a cookie: "How should I put this? I'm in love with a cookie. I adapted the following recipe from one found on one of my favorite food blogs, simply rec..."



I think that I am going to have to try these pumpkin cookies really soon.

My favourite parenting book

I came across this book by happy chance.  Or divine providence!  And it has truly changed my life.  It has changed the way I think and talk to everyone.  It is an easy read and has some great illustrations.

According to the authors, it is possible to create boundaries with children while maintaining their self-esteem.  One of the most important things I gained from reading the book is my role in helping young people name their feelings.  They outline common pitfalls and many solutions.  Most of the examples are for school age children, but I read this when my son was 18 months and started using this principles right away.

While I loved the concept, I wasn't sure I could use it with a toddler who did not speak much and didn't listen as much as I would have liked either.  But sure enough when he was having a tantrum on the floor, I would name his feelings (anger or sadness).  He would stop crying and come for a cuddle.  We managed to skip the terrible twos altogether!  Now that my son is four he is even able to reason out problems and solutions with his friends at school, and even his disagreements with us.  I am by no means the perfect parent after reading this, but I continue to try out these techniques with children with success.

I have also found the ideas helpful in my work and in my relationships with friends.  I have been lending the book to colleagues and friends for years.  In fact I have finally ordered a copy just to be used at work.  And when I told my sister about the book, she said that she already read it because her daughter's school asked all the parents to read it. 

This book is also available on amazon.co.uk, which is where I purchased it four years ago.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/

New Year's Resolutions 2011 Part 2

The Other Half is out with the girls bowling today.  My 4 year old and I have been starting the cleaning.  Most people do spring cleaning, but I find the house is a bit of a mess.  There are bits of wrapping paper under the sofa, new toys everywhere, bowls of Bombay Mix getting stale...

And I have some free time to day dream about the year to come.  In many ways I feel so spoilt by living in the countryside and I am eager to take advantage of the wide open spaces, free blackberries and the apple trees here on the farm.  I make ambitious plans to become self-sufficient in vegetables, make loads of blackberry wine, preserves, and dried apples.  I plan to make all of my own bread or make 6 quilts, or finally hold a car boot sale.  And some of these things actually happen each year. 

It is a lovely feeling to have a fresh new year.  It will be what you make it.  Whether that is a year of losing the weight or developing a prayer life, exploring new places or learning a new skill.  It is full of potential and therefore quite exciting.

As I have said before, I often set myself a few too many tasks.  Many of which I do not achieve.  And so for this year we have chosen three resolutions.  And for today, everything seems possible.  One magical day when all your dreams are waiting for you to take the first step.