Oatmeal add ons.

I've always loved how satisfying a good bowl of oatmeal can be.

Before we became parents it was mostly eaten on chilly mornings with a steaming cup of turkish coffee and Bloomberg radio in the background.

So, when it came time to make "baby" oatmeal, I was beyond excited. There's no real secret when it comes to making this dish, and it also means there are no real limits either.

Here's a list of the spices and fruits that are in our son's oatmeal on any given day:

spices

cardamom

cinnamon

nutmeg

allspice

turmeric

fruits

chopped apple

banana

pureed mango

pureed papaya

roasted, chopped mango

roasted, chopped pears

roasted, chopped apples

roasted, chopped peaches

roasted, chopped apricots

chopped sulfur-free raisins

sulfur-free dried blueberries

My recommendation? Try anything, at least once. I think it should be fun to introduce your child to new flavors...have fun with it! Let me know what works, or if you have any oatmeal tips/tricks.

Already working on tomorrow's post....

Adventures in baby feeding.

Creating meals for a 9 month old is no easy feat. They don't spare your feelings when you've given them something they don't like and it can be frustrating finding ways to get them to ingest the vitamins and proteins their growing bodies need. Bottom line--I've had to step up my game.

Committed to making his meals myself, I've decided to post what works (DISCLAIMER: for us, for now).

Great Greens

2 cups frozen spinach, kale, collards, Swiss chard (you can use one of these or all 4)

1 cup shelled Edamame

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Toss the leafy greens in about an inch of boiling water, just until their color changes to a vibrant green. Add the Edamame and stir for a minute or two. Drain most of the water and pour into a blender/food processor. Mixture should be chunky. Add cheese and blend.

That's it, enjoy!

Already working on tomorrow's recipe...stay tuned.

it's been a while.

I know, I know.

A lot has happened in the time that's passed, (almost 2.5 years!?)

R and I got married, had a baby and might be moving to Israel. It's a lot in such a sort amount of time, no?

Not surprisingly, I've got a lot of opinions and observations when it comes to weddings, pregnancy and parenting so stay tuned...

something I wanted to share

More Israeli Genius

Ok, so maybe you don't like tolls.

But popsicles? you like those? Here in Israel they have these popsicles, called "shlookeem" and I am obsessed with the packaging.

You have a colored plastic tube and a pinched center. when you take it out of the freezer you break it in half and you have two! AND....AND, little kids can eat it without a mess.

Brilliant. Also, it comes sans color, so the kids choose the tube color and there is none to wear, only to eat.

Genius

Ok, so I love Israel. Ain't no surprise.

But I am constantly thrilled by discoveries when I am here. For example, the other day we were driving on highway 6.

For those of you who know, keep quiet.

Instead of "easy pass" and congestion from ill-equipped toll booths, guess what they do here?!

There is only one toll road in all of Israel. To take it, you have to have and "easy pass" like type of device. Because instead of a toll booth, they have the above bridge-like contraption. It scans your pass at whatever speed you are traveling and charges your account. Don't have a pass? They send you a bill.

I LOVE THIS PLACE.

It is so efficient, seriously. No lines, no fumbling for cash. Please save the Big Brother crap for someone who cares. *NEWSFLASH* they are already watching you. Why not skip the line at the toll booth, skip that jerk that will inevitably cut you off at the last minute cause he's in the wrong lane? Come on people....make your life a little easier.

Next post...I'll introduce you to the wonders of "Sponga".

Floating

(a photo from 3 years ago, but you get the general idea...yes?)

After what has been a rather tumultuous few months, I am completely at peace. Things tend to get a little out of your control once in a while, blogs go unwritten, friends' emails unanswered, and for that I apologize.

I am missing a lot, I know. Trader Joe's opened in Brooklyn Heights (sorry Sahadi's), Sarah Palin was interviewed by Katie Couric (some might say horrifically), my least favorite Iranian was at the UN, people in cubicles (no telling where) obsessed over minutia.

I will post more when I can upload all of my photos. Roy and I got back from a road trip to Maine and Nova Scotia not too long ago, so I will start with those.

For today, you'll have to make due with this slightly (read VERY) old photo. Doin' the same stuff, just with slightly shorter hair.