If You Like to Talk to Tomatoes

Have they got a sale for you . . .
Just a heads up that Veggie Tales DVDs are $5 on their website (not all, but several of the newer ones). They also come with a free CD. Shipping is extra, of course.

My kids love the shows, and it's good to know that there won't be objectionable material. Plus, it's always nice to have 30-45 minute videos instead of 2-hour long ones.

So check out their sale if you're in need of some good videos or gifts.

Exercise

I wish that going on a bike ride with my boys was a viable form of exercise. I know it will be some day. Right now, I spend more time coasting and pedaling. And when I have a chance to pedal, I usually have to get off my bike and push a child up a hill. So, to get exercise while biking, I have to go by myself. Which isn't a possibility too often. I used to be able to do some with the kids in the bike trailer. But they're getting too big for that (which does make it a good workout); they also want to be able to bike on their own.

The main way I can exercise with the children around is to push a stroller (still possible on days when I watch my niece--I put her and Nils in it and go for a long walk) or to talk the boys into playing some active soccer (which has been hard to do lately--mainly because the get taken away from me by friends in the park).

So, without the funds for a gym membership, I do what I can and try and make the most of the opportunities I have. But someday, a bike ride with the boys will be exercise. I just hope they still want to bike with me then.

Stay-at-Home Sinner

An old friend of mine from high school and college sent me a video last week from Pastor Mark Driscoll. To sum it up, if you don't have the time to watch it, Driscoll and his wife answer a question about what they think of a woman who works and a husband who stays home with the kids. The condemn a dad who's not working because of 1 Timothy 5:8 which says, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

Of course, if you look at the rest of the passage, Paul is talking about taking care of widows. And, of course, women couldn't even get much work back then. Plus, what does it mean to provide fo your family? Is it just about making money? Because a lot of people in ancient culture didn't earn actual money. But all that is beside the point. Yes, I'm a sinner. But I don't think that taking care of my kids and my household is the worst of my transgressions.

This isn't the first time I've been told I'm not doing the right thing by not being the "breadwinner" for my family. And it probably won't be the last. But for the most part, people are very supportive of my career right now.

Let's face it--there are plenty of dads out there who aren't involved with their families at all. And just as many who aren't involved in household chores. And while I believe it's important for a parent to stay at home and raise their children, that was a lifestyle choice we made for ourselves. We don't judge others who are working. Staying at home isn't for everyone. It's a tough job and it takes the right personality to balance it all.

Driscoll also talks a lot about how the man needs to work and the wife needs to stay home with the kids in order for there to be respect, happiness and a successful marriage. We've done it both ways where I've worked and where I've stayed home. And frankly, our marriage is the best it's ever been. We're both happier than we've ever been (of course, some of the therapy and counseling we finally got around to having may have a part in that).

Needless to say, we all make our own decisions and we all try and do what we think is best. There will always be the nay-sayers. But our job is to always act on our conscience. And to be the best dad and husband we can be.

Keep up the good work!

Creamy Asparagus & Mushroom Soup

This is one of those recipes I'm posting for my sake--it turned out well tonight (the boys seldom eat soup, but they ate this--Anders even had thirds!) and my wife prompted me to write it down. I make no promises that your kids will like it, but soup can be a good way to sneak in some veggies. Plus, I love fresh spring-time asparagus.

Creamy Asparagus & Mushroom Soup

4c. chicken stock
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 cup cream cheese/neufchatel
1 T. butter
2c. asparagus, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1 1/2c. mushrooms, sliced
1 small onion diced


Add chicken stock, cream cheese and spices to a large pot and heat over medium-low heat.
In a sauce pan melt butter on medium-low heat and add the chopped asparagus. After 5-10 minutes add the mushrooms and onion. Let simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Turn burner off and let cool for about 20 minutes.
Laddle about a half cup of the stock into a blender/food processor and add half of the vegetables. Puree well. Return to soup pot. Add another half cup of stock and the rest of the vegetables. Return to soup pot after pureed.
Whisk soup to help cream cheese melt. Let simmer for a while to let flavors blend.
I like to serve with some bread or croutons.

All measurements are guesses. Nothing was measured. So feel free to add more or less of an item as your tastes desire. It could easily take a little more stock and asparagus. This wasn't an overly creamy soup, but it was really good. Just add some more a whole package of cream cheese instead of half.

Giveaway #2! (And Mediterranean Lentils)

Our next giveaway is for a Rold Gold Cookbook. To enter, just post a comment to this post (please make sure you're registered or leave your email so there is a way to connect you if you win). One entry per person, please. I will be choosing the winner using random.org. I encourage you to include one of your favorite recipes using canned tomatoes in your comment. Drawing will close at noon on April 19.

Here's one of our family's (and it's crockpot-based, too!). We first had it at the home of some friends when we lived in British Columbia.

Mediterranean Lentils

2T olive oil
1 onion, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp cayenne (more or less as desired)
1 tsp salt
3/4 c lentils
2c vegetable broth or water
1 can (14 oz) crushed/diced tomatoes
1/3 c dried currants (can use raisins, craisins or something similar)
Crumbled feta or Parmesan cheese (optional)

Heat oil, adding onions, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne and salt. Cook over medium-high heat until onions are soft.
Add lentils & broth/water. Stir in tomatoes & currants.
Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 3-4 hours (until lentils are tender).
Serve over rice (quinoa could also work). Top with cheese.

We've only ever used raisins as we never have currants on hand. My wife did substitute black olives recently (as our family all loves them) and it worked well. We always use feta on top--it really makes the recipe.


Now, don't forget to post your own recipe (or just say hello) under the comments so you can have a chance to win a cookbook.

Second Vehicle

Right now the boys and I are in Iowa. My wife is on her way back home. We were able to purchase my parents old vehicle from them.

We haven't been able to afford a second car for a while. And I haven't totally wanted one, either. There are plenty more financial concerns with them: more gas, insurance, maintenance, license fees, etc. And being able to bike is more environmental, cheaper and it gives me much needed exercise.

At the same time, we live in an area where there isn't much that's accessible to me by bike: mainly a variety of parks. The boys miss out on getting to some events, museums and activites (like swim lessons) unless we can schedule them when my wife isn't missing.

So, I'm still going to try and bike as much as possible, but I'm also going to take advantage of the situation. Like this week, the boys and I are able to see my grandmothers and their cousins while Anders is having Spring Break. And there may be some extra camping trips this summer . . .

Mimic

Noises from the boys' bedroom:

Anders: I didn't do it.
Nils: I didn't do it.
Anders: Stop repeating everything I say.
Nils: Stop repeating everything I say.
Anders: Dad!
Nils: Dad!

I think we've had a few conversations (and even a devotion one night) about how we can stop quarrels by saying something nice or just keeping our mouth shut. Maybe someday that will set in . . .

The Jungle Messiah

Anders: Daddy, I think Tarzan is half-like Jesus.
Me: How so?
Anders: Well, he helps people like Jesus.
Me: So, is Batman half-like Jesus?
Anders: No.
Me: But Batman helps people.
Anders: But he's like a bat.

Does the Surgeon General Know about This?

The boys and I picked up a DVD of Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1970s. We've been watching "Yogi's Gang", "Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan", "Scooby-Doo" and others. Currently the Mystery Inc. gang is working with the Harlem Globetrotters to solve a mystery. Classic.

I noticed this warning on the DVD case: "Saturday Morning Cartoons - The 1970s is Intended for the Adult Collector and is Not Suitable for Children." This warning had me puzzled. 1: I don't know why they insisted on capitalizing most words. 2: What makes the cartoons of the 1970s (the very ones I grew up on) not suitable for children? Seriously. If you can explain it to me, I'd like to know.

Giveaway!

* We have a winner! Keep checking back for the next giveaway: a cookbook from Red Gold Tomatoes!

I was recently sent a large tin filled filled with products from Red Gold tomatoes. And by a large tin, I mean a large tin (see comparison picture with regular cans of tomatoes).

I love tomatoes. Of course, like any person with taste buds, I prefer home-grown, off the vine, garden tomatoes. But those aren't available year round. So, for much of the year, I'm forced to use "fake" tomatoes from the grocery store (you know the ones--they're only slightly red and have no taste) or canned tomatoes. For most recipes, canned tomatoes make sense. And if I'm going to use canned ones, I'm going to use ones with flavor. And Red Gold delivered.

The tin contained some items which I'm passing on to you, my good readers. The first is for a red Red Gold tote bag, handy for taking with for groceries or other shopping. To enter, just post a comment (make sure you're signed in with google or that you include a way for me to contact you). One post per person. Posts must be made by noon on Friday, March 26. I'll be picking a post using random.org. And stay posted. Giveaway #2 will be coming soon.