Today’s Homemaker

I’ve been looking for a whole grain pancake mix that’s healthy and delicious. Why not make my own? Well, whole grains astound me, frankly. It seems like there is a whole world past the unbleached all-purpose flour that requires a fair amount of knowledge and decision-making. And I’m just not up for it yet.

I decided to try these after finding them in my local Fresh Market. Each 3-pancake serving packs in 7 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber…that is unbelievable in my book. I couldn’t wait to dig in.

Unfortunately for me (and the pancakes), John happened to be home when I made them. Not that I don’t love having him around - that’s not the point. It’s just that he’s very anti-healthy. I pointed out that any sweetness lacking in these pancakes could be made up for with the proper amount of syrup. He wasn’t buying it. Fast forward through a lengthy conversation…he convinced me to put chocolate chips in them.

Now luckily for all of us, I did make one small batch without chocolate chips first, and they were delicious. They had a nutty texture (as promised) and the syrup added the sweetness that I desperately require.

When you add chocolate chips to them, however, they become something else entirely. It’s like the chocolate chips do not want to BE there, quite honestly. You can practically see them trying to hastily leap out onto the edge of your plate. And with good reason, because the reputation of both the chocolate chips and the pancakes would be forever soiled if this were the only impression I had gotten of either. In other words, don’t try it.

For those who care about such things, the pancakes are created from whole wheat, blue corn, flax seeds, wheat and oat brans, and “kissed with brown sugar”. (See, I told you this whole wheat flour was complicated…it takes a whole legion of grains to make it up.)

So all in all, thumbs up. I think I may have found my mix.  

I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect cookie. One both delicious and different, yet simple enough for me to conquer the first time. Here are some of the front-runners:

• Rugelach Pinwheels - These look amazing. I like that both the process and ingredients are uncomplicated. And the instructions are extremely clear and beautifully photographed.
• Fig Cookies - I want to try something that my husband would NOT like (since he’s not going to be there, and I might otherwise never get the opportunity), and this would probably fit that bill. However, some of the ingredients are a bit exotic and probably pricey. I wouldn’t even know where to find xanthum gum, for instance. But they do look interesting.
• Homemade Oreos - Now these definitely would not pass the “husband wouldn’t like it” test, but my GOSH! They look amazing. I want them now, please.
• Milk-Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies - Ummm…because that would be amazing. But then I’d have to share…
• Chocolate Toffee Crunchies - This seems to be more bar than cookie, but I doubt anyone would point fingers.
• Rolled Baklava - This looks like a much easier version of baklava. Instead of stacking layers upon layers of phyllo dough, you are rolling the dough into a log-like shape and cutting it into pieces.
• Gingerbread Men - Very traditional, and these are so cute!  I adore the scarves. I just hate biting their little smiling heads off, you know?
• Two Tone Chocolate Peanut Butter Stars - Stunning presentation, looks easy enough, and very holiday-ish. Best of all, no icing required! 

Okay, I think I’ll quit now. Too many choices makes the head swim and the stomach growl (more than it is already).

Whenever I mention our 14 hour car trips to visit grandparents, I get one of two responses: “Oh that’s nothing…me and my family of 8 recently drove 20 hours to [a farther off place]” or “What?! How did you survive with a two year old and a 10 month old???” Clearly, I like the second response best. It makes me feel like quite the hero.

But honestly, there are some things you just have to know if you are going to attempt such a journey sans-DVD player. Yes, the DVD player could help immensely, but for those of us less fortunate, we have a few other options:

1. Food. Lots and lots of food. - Now is not the time to bemoan the health risks of eating snack food for 12 hours straight. If they get too much, they will let you know, I promise. Of course, you can try and pack healthy snacks, but the most important thing is that you Don’t. Run. Out.
2. Books - Neither of my children get carsick yet. I don’t know why, but I didn’t either when I was younger. Maybe it’s an adult-onset thing. Anyway, I like to get a bunch of new ones from the library for the novelty factor.
3. Music - Enduring 5 hours of “Everybody’s going to the Alphabet Jam” is a slightly better alternative to hearing your infant cry out of the inevitable boredom and immobility that they are being forced to endure. We like to use the “fade” function on our CD player to put all of the music in the back speakers. It helps a bit.
4. Separation - Even though the middle seat IS the safest place for a car seat, you would be wise to separate your two year old from your baby by at least two arm’s lengths. Even though Big Brother may have never bothered Baby before, keep in mind that his little brain is desperately seeking entertainment. “What would happen if I did THIS?” can start a crying session that will not be pacified with a mere cracker.
5. Sleep deprivation - On your part. Leaving at 3am is a good idea, since your kids will be asleep for a good 4 or 5 hours before waking up for breakfast. Then they’ll be awake for just 3 or 4 hours before nap time gives you another few hours of sanity. You could always drive late through the night instead, but I find this to be very difficult, considering the hypnotic effects of driving on the highway. You might end up like this woman.
6. Pack several sippy cups - It’s very hard to mix your half-water, half-juice concoction while going at speeds up to 70 mph.
7. Keep toy replacements within (your) reach - When your toddler drops his Thomas the Tank engine, it’s helpful to have a different toy to hand to him in case it is (and it will probably be) simply unreachable. I can’t guarantee that this will work (in all likelihood, he will insist on having the dropped toy), but it’s worth a shot. To make this more effective, start off with the most boring toy and progressively hand him bigger and better things each time he drops the one he just had. Of course, should you have an exceedingly bright child (and I’m sure you do), this plan may backfire once he figures you out. Should this be the case, refer back to tip number one.

Any other methods of car trip survival I should know about?

Okay, so there are times when I think that we need moderation in all things…like when I swear to buy handmade and/or make all of my presents for Christmas…and then I see these.  And I want them.  So so bad.

Is it wrong to love a hair tie? I just wonder why in the world someone hasn’t thought of this before. They’re called Trash Ties, and I bet you can guess why: they are essentially trash tie like wires wrapped in smooth fabric that is knotted at the ends.

So I’ve dropped several hints to my husband. Hopefully he knows me better than I do and does not ask the dreaded question: “Which color?”

(P.S. Menu plan coming later today…I haven’t forgotten!)