I’ve been writing a lot more than I ever intended to write about food and cooking!  And I intend to write a lot more of that.

With that said, I’ve branched off into another blog, where I’ll write about cooking and creating meals while being frugal, on a budget.  So, I’m happy to introduce Smidgen of a Kitchen:

I’m really, really excited about this project and I hope you’ll go visit!  If you do, drop me a comment over there.

As for this blog, I feel like I can finally focus into the topics I always wanted to write about here (and have) – breastfeeding, babywearing, and attachment parenting.

I think that this new organization will provide lots more focus and less scatter in my brain and ideas!

]]> http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/2009/11/05/a-new-place/feed/ 0 Modern Milkmaid buttonsk http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/an-organized-kitchen-the-30-meal-plan/ http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/an-organized-kitchen-the-30-meal-plan/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:59:49 +0000 Modern Milkmaid http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/?p=222 Continue reading →]]>

It’s that question that never goes away: what’s for dinner?

As a newlywed, I used to feel incredibly disorganized about cooking for my family, and in fact often never had anything prepared because, well, I wasn’t prepared.

I knew there were a few recipes we liked, but I couldn’t remember them. I certainly wasn’t sure if I had the ingredients on-hand, and if I didn’t, I had to make a last-minute run to the grocery store and hope I got it thrown together in time.  Often, I didn’t, and we’d spend money on take-out again.

These days, that never happens, and here’s why.  I found a “system” that works for me.  It keeps my brain de-cluttered.  It involves a menu plan, sure, but there’s more.

It’s the 30 Meal Plan from Nannygoat.  And it involves the Master Ingredients List.

What I did was I sat down and wrote down 30 recipes that I knew we liked.  If I only had 20, I added 10 new ones to try.  As I went through the 10 new recipes, I added it to my 30 Meal master list if we liked it, or discarded it if we didn’t.  I ended up with 30 foolproof recipes that always please us.

Then I wrote each recipe on a separate card.  You can print them if you like, or hand-write them.  I have them in this pretty little French house recipe box, called “Box of Secrets,” from Pfaltzgraff.

Pistoulet "Box of Secrets"

(Tangent: Did I mention how much I adore the dinnerware I received for a wedding gift, my beloved Pistoulet set and matching recipe box?  Ohhh, I do love it.)

Back on track now:  My cards are in that pretty little box, but you could make an easy recipe box to hang right by your fridge.  Here’s a fun tutorial.

Now, here’s one of the best parts.  This is the one that saves me.  The Master Ingredients List.

I made an Excel spreadsheet listing my recipes on the left, all the ingredients for every recipe on the top, and then a grid in between so I can check the boxes off or write in amounts.   Here’s what mine looks like.  It’s organized by categories in the grocery store.

So, I keep this spreadsheet on my fridge.  When I’m trying to think up dinner, and I know I have chicken and onions and bread crumbs, I can peek at my spreadsheet and see which recipes I could make with those ingredients.

One of the ways I use the spreadsheet most is in planning my menu plan and grocery shopping for the week, or two weeks, or month.  I can see what I’ll need all in one place and exactly what I’ll be making.  It’s so streamlined.

Another way it works for me is that, if I see a big sale on something at the grocery store, I can peek on my ingredients list to see if I could use it in a recipe.  Then I stock up!

Now, lately, my 30 Meal Plan has been growing abundantly.  It’s more than 30 meals, and I have lots more to add to it: desserts, side dishes, etc.  I’m getting to the point where I could use the 30 Meal Plan Binder, which looks like a very rewarding creative project to try.

These days, I don’t know what I’d do without the 30 Meal Plan from Little Nanny Goat.  Once I’ve got mine all fixed up, with links to all the recipes, I’ll share it here for anyone to use.

If you think coming up with 30 meals sounds tough, here’s a few of my favorite places to start:

AllRecipes
Tasty Kitchen
Recipe Zaar

And, of course, some of my favorite food-ish and homemaking blogs:

$5 Dinners
Chowmama
Kitchen Stewardship
Life as Mom
The Finer Things in Life

What are some of your favorite ways to get organized in the kitchen?

]]> http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/an-organized-kitchen-the-30-meal-plan/feed/ 2 Modern Milkmaid wfmwbanner Box of Secrets Master Ingredients List http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/menu-plan-monday-november-2/ http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/menu-plan-monday-november-2/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:17:15 +0000 Modern Milkmaid http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/?p=214 Continue reading →]]>

So, the highlights are…

Mexican Hamburgers
(I’ll post a recipe for this later in the week.)

Meatloaf

Photo by cookin' mama

Green Bean Casserole

Photo by Sean Lemecha

Pierogi (Polish Dumplings)

Photo by Allrecipes.com

Amish White Bread

Photo by chestnut

I will definitely be posting in more detail about these recipes this week, as it’s my first time making homemade pierogi AND bread.

I’m hoping that if the bread recipe turns out well, I’ll be baking our bread rather than buying, for many reasons.

In the meantime, find more yummy recipes for this week at Organizing Junkie!

Golabki are delicious!  Is it obvious yet how much we love golabki?

BUT they can seem daunting and scary to make, if you’ve never done it before, and if you’re trying to do it by reading instructions, with no visuals.  At least I know I require visuals, which is why I learned it from my mother-in-law.

In case you think you don’t know what golabki are, you do!  They are stuffed cabbage rolls.  Some people call them pigs in a blanket.  But if you’re truly Polish, they’re golabki.

The point is, I’ve decided to make a step-by-step set of photo instructions to show you how to make golabki.  Here we go!

Start off with my recipe for golabki.  Gather all the ingredients.  Follow numbers 1 and 2 of the Directions, and then meet me back here.  I’m just going to photograph the trickier parts, you see.

Okay!  After you’ve fried one onion in butter and mixed it with your meat and rice (as the recipe calls for), and steamed, peeled, and reserved all the cabbage leaves from the head, the next step is getting your assembly station all together on the table:

Here’s my good cabbage leaves.

Here’s my ground beef, onion, and rice mixture.

And here is my golabki helper, and future golabki-lover.  It’s not necessary to have one of these, but it’s pretty much the best part of the whole process.

Now, see this stem?  We want to cut it off and get rid of it.  It’s hard and not very good to eat, in my opinion.

So, with a knife, carefully slice under the stem, being sure not to rip through the leaf.  You’re just slicing off the toughest layer of the stem.

This is basically what it’ll look like afterwards.  Much better!  And now you’re ready to start rolling the cabbage.

Take as much of the stuffing mixture as you think your leaf can handle, and plop it down toward the bottom.  But leave that little space at the bottom, enough so that you can fold it up and over the meat.

So fold the bottom piece of the leaf up and over the meat, and then start rolling.  Tuck your sides in close, like this.  Be gentle, but make it snug!

When you’re done rolling, it should look like this.  Cute, ain’t it?

Now, you stick him into the pan with the other ladies and gentlemen.  As you can see here, I use a big roasting pan, and I line the bottom and sides with extra leaves or ones I tore while peeling (oops).

I tucked him in there nicely, and folded that extra leaf over.  It keeps them snuggly so they don’t float up and away and come unrolled while cooking.

So, once they’re all in there…

You cover them up with even more leaves that were left over.  I use the denser, heavier leaves from closer to the center of the cabbage head for this.  This way, the golabki won’t float and unroll when simmering.

Now, you stick your pan on the stove and pour in the tomato juice.  I use one big can of tomato juice – not sauce! – juice!

Ignore the crushed tomatoes.  That’s a different recipe.

Now we’re getting there!

And, finally, cover the roast pan and let these guys simmer.  They’ll simmer for a few hours.  The details about all of that can be found in the actual recipe.

And just when you thought you couldn’t wait any longer to eat them, there you are.  Yum!

My next venture in Polish cooking will be homemade pierogi.  I need to perfect them before Lent!  So, stay tuned for my first attempt at making them, sometime next week.

This post is linked up with Real Food Wednesday – stop by and check out tons of other real, whole food recipes!

]]> http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/how-to-make-golabki-step-by-step/feed/ 6 Modern Milkmaid Golabki Cabbage Leaves Golabki Filling Golabki Helper Stem Cutting the Stem No More Stem! Rolling the Cabbage Rolling the Golabki Rolled Up! Into the Pan Tucked In Tucked In Cover them Up! Add the Tomato Juice All Tomato-ey. It's On! Golabki http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/what-is-attachment-parenting-part-2/ http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/what-is-attachment-parenting-part-2/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:25:41 +0000 Modern Milkmaid http://modernmilkmaid.wordpress.com/?p=194 Continue reading →]]>

October 2009 is Attachment Parenting Month.  Over at API, the theme is “Attached at the Heart through the Years.”

This, really, is the essence of Attachment Parenting.  If you can remember nothing else – none of the Baby B’s, 8 Principles – then being attached at the heart is as simple and down-to-earth as it gets!

In Part 1 of “What is Attachment Parenting?”, I wrote about Dr. Sears’ 7 Baby B’s.  Today, I just want to touch on the first 4 Principles of Attachment Parenting set out by Attachment Parenting International, and why being “Attached at the Heart” is inherent to AP.

1.  Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting

Become emotionally and physically prepared for pregnancy and birth…Continuously educate yourself about developmental stages of childhood, setting realistic expectations and remaining flexible. – from API

Attachment from the heart means bonding. If you are not prepared for what to expect during your pregnancy, birth, and years of parenting, unrealistic expectations can be a hindrance to bonding, setting you up for frustration.  Being misinformed, frustrated, or disappointed will detract from the time and means to bond with your child.

We all get overwhelmed and frustrated, of course, and no one can know everything there is to know about parenting (we learn along the way!), but taking the time to research so that no unrealistic or unhealthy expectations are formed, and so that you are somewhat prepared for what may come, can only facilitate attachment and bonding!

2.  Feed with Love and Respect

Breastfeeding is the optimal way to satisfy an infant’s nutritional and emotional needs. Feeding a child involves more than providing nutrients; it is an act of love. Whether providing for the very intense hunger needs of a newborn, or serving meals at the family dinner table, parents can use feeding time as an opportunity to strengthen their bonds with their children. – from API

Photo by rolands.lakis

Attachment from the heart means acting out of love. Meeting your child’s needs, in the best way you know how and are able, is an intense display of love.  In doing so, you show immense respect for their dependence on you and their integrity as human beings.

Whether by breastfeeding or having a meal at the table as a family, you have an amazing chance to become connected.  You answer to your child’s needs, you provide and comfort, and you listen in endless ways.  You are feeding not only your child’s physical needs, but the attachment between the two of you.

3. Respond with Sensitivity

Build the foundation of trust and empathy beginning in infancy…Respond sensitively to a child who is hurting or expressing strong emotion, and share in their joy. – from API

Attachment from the heart means tenderness and fidelity.  When you respond in light of believing that your child’s emotional needs are important, you’re responding sensitively and building trust.  Listening leads to knowing your child well, and being better able to respond correctly.

You’re also establishing trust through fidelity.  You are constant.  Your child will know what to expect of you, since you know what to expect of him or her, and you respond sensitively with that knowledge.

4. Use Nurturing Touch

Touch meets a baby’s needs for physical contact, affection, security, stimulation, and movement. Skin-to-skin contact is especially effective, such as during breastfeeding, bathing, or massage. Carrying or babywearing also meets this need while on the go. -from API

Photo by valentinapowers

Attachment from the heart means being joined and connected. You mirror attachment at the heart by being attached physically.

Because they feel safe when attached, children spend less energy being worried or upset, and instead spend more time and energy learning.  This is true of many attachment parenting practices!

Since babies and children have levels of need for physical touch and affection, neglecting touch for baby gadgets or parent substitutes too often can put a kink in being really connected.  Touch is important to children’s development in different ways at different times, but teaches them how to grow in the midst of healthy attachments.  They feel secure and learn to trust you.

By using nurturing touch in this way, children learn to depend on people, not things.

I believe strongly in all of these practices.  I’ve used them, in my own ways, from the beginning with my baby, and have found they are a simple, flowing part of my parenting intuition.  They feel right!

How do you stay attached to your children?  How has it changed over the years as they grow?  I’d be so interested to know.

I’ll continue with the last 4 Principles from API next week!  Be sure to come back and join in!   And in the meantime, check out the API Speaks blog from Attachment Parenting International.

I am grateful, today, for these words.

“The value of a human life is that it exists.

You are a complex miracle of creation.

You are a person who is trying to live, and that makes you as worthwhile as every other person who is doing the very same thing.”

- from “Self-Esteem“

Share in others’ gratitude at Heavenly Homemakers.

What are you grateful for, today?

Photo by mysza

I decided to illustrate with photos this week, and from now on!  I found that, when browsing the menu plan posts for each week on other sites, I find it easier to sort through them if I can see pictures of the finished product.  If I don’t have my own photos of the recipe to share, I’ll be using the photos that others have provided of that very same recipe.  If you click the pictures, it’ll take you to the picture’s source, not the recipe itself, so be sure to click on the title of my recipe.  Enjoy!

Monday – Golabki (Okay, if you didn’t notice yet, this is pretty much a weekly guarantee. We never get sick of it!)

Photo by Wanda

Tuesday – Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli  (This will be a new one!)

Photo by Bree Ann

Wednesday – Spinach Quiche (If you don’t think you like spinach, try it anyway!  I didn’t think I did, but it’s so delicious.)

Photo by Bevrouch

Thursday – Leftovers

And that will be the end of the menu for this week, since we’re heading out of town to spend Halloween showing off an adorable baby in costume to our family!

As always, there are lots more menu plan ideas to be found over at I’m an Organizing Junkie.

Photo by TheAdventuresofTeaMan

I’m sharing a post that B-Mama over at Building Cathedrals put up, in regards to some natural ways to help prevent H1N1 in your home.  I’ve seen these guidelines in other places, too, and I’m really glad I did.  While I haven’t been going batty over it all, I think taking time for little practices like these can make a big difference (both for our health and for our peace of mind).

I like that it includes drinking warm liquids.  I’d never thought of this as a way to “wash out” bad stuff.  So, for my part, it will be sweet apple chamomile tea: no sacrifice!

Here’s what she posted:

*The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

But I did bake these: Apple-Carrot Pecan Muffins!  I tweaked a Zucchini Carrot Muffin recipe, and would’ve liked to have made the carrot cake ingredient from scratch (as well as the cream cheese icing).  That’ll be my project, next time.  However… this project was absolutely delicious as-is!

Apple-Carrot Pecan Muffins

My first real attempt at food photography.  By the way, they are muffins, but the frosting I added sort of turns them into cupcakes.  Guilty!

Recipe

1 box of carrot cake mix
Whipped cream cheese icing
1 egg
1 c chopped apple
1/2 c apple sauce
1/2 c pecans or raisins
1/4 c vegetable oil

Preheat the oven to 350.  In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, egg, apple sauce, and oil.  Fold in the apples and pecans (or raisins).  Fill a greased or paper-lined pan of muffin cups 3/4 of the way.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out dry.  Top with whipped cream cheese icing if you prefer!

This is a part of Food on Fridays and Foodie Friday!  More delicious recipes await!

Monday: Rump Roast & Mashed Potatoes (This is my mother-in-law’s recipe, which I will index here shortly!)

Tuesday: Lentil Soup

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Turkey Breast & Green Bean Casserole

Thursday: Soft Tacos & Spanish Rice

Friday: Leftovers!

This week, I wanted to highlight the Lentil Soup.  While some people may be shy of trying this, just as we were, it’s incredibly meaty, filling, and delicious.  It’s definitely become a staple in our regular rotation!

And for desserts, we’ll be having Zucchini Carrot Cake Muffins.  Take a peek here for that recipe later on this week!