Gearrrrrrr

I found this under the Giving Tree today!! I like flowers as much as the next girl but I will take a new sleeping bag, ground pad, and headlamp over them any day!! This summer is going to be an epic adventure!!

Brains

We dissected sheep brains in Bio II today and B wanted to come give it a go;) there might be some science in him after all!

Our Own Valentine's Day

Brad and I celebrated Valentine's Day early this year since I have States the 14th - 16th. We planned to day together, started with a couple's Massage at Kimora's and then dinner at this new Indian restaurant, BanZara, that just opened. We finished up the day with Chocolate Covered Strawberries and champagne. It was the perfect Valentine's Day for celebrating my love.

LIS

We had LIS (League of Independent Schools) meet last weekend. This is one of the biggest swim meets of the year and involves all the independent schools in Richmond and the surrounding areas. It is synonymous to the All-County meet we used to swim/run in High School. The girls won the whole meet, absolutely blew the competition out of the water! My boys took third behind St. Christopher's and Fork Union Military Academy. It was an intense meet and I was so proud of my kids!! We are on the countdown now. 4 more practices until the state meet which starts on Thursday, Feb 14th (happy Valentine's day).

The State schedule is:
Thursday, Feb 14 - warm ups at 4:00 - 5:30 and then dinner from 6:00 - 8:00
Friday, Feb 15 - warm ups at 8:05, meet starts at 9:45 - 4:00, Finals starts at 5:30 - 9:30ish, dinner at 9:30 - 11pm
Saturday, Feb 15 - warmups at 8:05, meet starts at 9:45 - 4:00, Finals starts at 5:30 - 9:30ish

 This is going to be an EXHAUSTING weekend for all of us. I'm pumped for it though!!

Daddy Daycare

Brad agreed to watch Emma & George after school yesterday so Alison could go to a meeting for her work. He took the kids to the playground behind the house and Emma proceeded to PUSH George off the top of the slide, sideways! Brad said he busted over but couldn't get there in time and George took a header. Poor little buddy:( They returned home after that to get the mulch out of his head and mouth and played at the house for the rest of the afternoon. When I got home at 7, they were having a blast jumping from the couch to the Zorb. Things only a Daddy would think were a good idea:) He definitely told me that this afternoon confirmed his decision that he does not want 3 children :) Ha! He's a good sport!!

Dinner Club

We, and the Anders, have decided to get together once a month to try out new recipes that we have but haven't used before. We had the first one a few nights ago, at our house. I made this DELICIOUS Pineapple Curry Tofu dish plated over quinoa. Holy smokes, I was totally impressed with the recipe, it came out so well. I could eat this every week:)

Pineapple Curry Tofu

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose whole-wheat flour 
• 2 tsp curry powder, divided
• Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 pkg extra-firm tofu (350 g), drained and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp coconut oil, divided 
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 8 oz fresh pineapple, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about quarter of pineapple) 
• 14 oz diced tomatoes, boxed or jarred (TRY: Pomi Chopped Tomatoes)
• 3 tbsp unsweetened currants or raisins
• 2 tsp Asian hot sauce (such as Sriracha)
• 1 3/4 cups light coconut milk 
• 1 tsp tapioca flour
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped raw unsalted cashews, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a medium bowl, combine whole-wheat flour, 1 tsp curry powder, salt and black pepper. Add tofu, tossing to coat.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1/2 tbsp oil on medium-high. Add tofu and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly crisp on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer tofu to a plate; return skillet to stove top and reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1/2 tbsp oil. Add green pepper, onion and garlic and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. 

Stir in pineapple, tomatoes and their juices, currants, remaining 1 tsp curry powder and hot sauce. Bring to a boil; return tofu to skillet and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk coconut milk and tapioca flour; stir into skillet. Cook, stirring, until thickened and bubbly, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 more minutes. Stir in lime juice and half of cilantro. Serve, sprinkling with remaining cilantro and cashews, if desired.

We are doing the next one at the Anders and I am certain Creighton will do some delicious Mexican dish! I am going to try to save all the recipes from the year (the successful ones anyway) and put them together into a little recipe book.

Fun with the grandparents

While Brad and I were in Philadelphia, Cy stayed behind with my parents. They had a great time! Cy did well, and didn't seem to have too much trouble adjusting without us...until Sunday morning. He started asking for me repeatedly after waking up on Sunday...sweet boy. I hope that was a good warm up for when we go to Colorado in a few weeks!!