People usually say Jonas looks a lot like Joe. Sometimes he is called "little Joe." Even last night a friend said, "he is looking more and more like Joe." I do agree he looks like his daddy, mainly because he has his eyes. A person's eyes can just "make their face" sometimes. However, recently I'm seeing more of me in him. I have looked at some of my baby/toddler pictures lately and he is totally making some of the same facial expressions with his mouth as I did in these particular pictures. When he was born, the first thing I noticed was his chin. I said "he has my chin." And his nice round plump cheeks are mine too. :-) I've always said he is Joe from his nose up and me from his nose down. We still don't know whose nose he has. :-) Well the meter says it all! And for the record, I saw this meter on another blog reflecting her two children and it gave percentages of how the child looked like the parents. So, I know it doesn't register "equal" for all the kids! :-)

Where do you find Quinoa?

Silly me. I should have elaborated a little more. I was worried the post was getting too long. :-)I have browsed our local grocer's and have not found it there. How sad they don't know this great secret! :-) So, you are better off going to your local "health food" store. We are graced with the presences of E*arth Fare and Wh*le Foods in these parts. Both places carry quinoa in bulk or by the box. A small box runs under $3.00 and measures 2 cups uncooked. This stuff puffs up QUITE a bit when its cooked. It swells like crazy. Its easier than cooking rice! I hope all of you who commented will enjoy this. Since this was the most common question I thought it would be easier to just post again! Happy Wednesday to you!

Quinoa

We found a new food we love and its so healthy for you. I have eaten it on a few occasions with friends, but just started cooking it recently. This post is dedicated to my friends who like to shop and eat as healthy as possible, but still like the occasional splurge of ice cream. :-) So, to you Miss Rachel I dedicate this post! :-) (and others of course, but she has been asking for recipes) For now, I am posting a recipe that Tina Mackey sent me last night on Facebook. I had asked Tina a few weeks ago how she cooks her quinoa and she said she mainly ate it for breakfast in a cereal form. I told her I had only been making it for dinner. I love sharing ideas with friends! So, she passed along the recipe below. She said it was good and it sounds Yumm-O to me. I can't wait to try it. I will post my dinner version of quinoa a little later.

What is Quinoa?

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa),is a grain that comes from the Andes Mountains of South America. Quinoa's origins are truly ancient. It was one of the three staple foods, along with corn and potatoes, of the Inca civilization. Quinoa was known then, and still is known, with respect, as the mother grain. We call it the "Supergrain of the Future."

Quinoa contains more protein than any other grain; an average of 16.2 percent, compared with 7.5 percent for rice, 9.9 percent for millet, and 14 percent for wheat. Some varieties of quinoa are more than 20 percent protein.

Quinoa's protein is of an unusually high quality. It is a complete protein, with an essential amino acid balance close to the ideal ... similar to milk!

Quinoa's protein is high in lysine, methionine and cystine. This makes it an excellent food to combine with, and boost the protein value of, other grains (which are low in lysine), or soy (which is low in methionine and cystine).

Rich & Balanced Source of Nutrients
Besides its unique protein, quinoa also provides starch, sugars, oil (high in essential linoleic acid), fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

Easy on the Stomach
Quinoa is light, tasty, and easy to digest. It is not sticky or heavy like most other grains, and it has a delicious flavor all its own.

Quick and Simple to Prepare
A whole-grain dish of quinoa takes just 15 minutes.

Versatile
Quinoa can be substituted for almost any grain in almost any recipe. It looks and tastes great on its own, or in any dish from soup to salad.

Perfect for Summertime
Many people eat grains only during the colder months, but quinoa's lightness combined with its versatility in cold dishes like salads and desserts makes it an ideal source of good summertime nutrition.

Kids love it!
Quinoa is an excellent source of nutrition for infants and children --JONAS LOVES IT and the fiber is great for his little digestive track!


Zesty Quinoa with Broccoli & Cashews
Gluten-Free, Vegan

Serves 4
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned or chopped
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup quinoa
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
1 cup broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces Fresh ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup roasted cashew pieces
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan and sauté the onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, vegetable stock, wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil.
Stir in the quinoa and salt. Reduce heat, and simmer covered about 20 minutes. Add the broccoli on top and simmer an additional 5 to 6 minutes.
Remove from heat, toss gently until combined. Add ground pepper and additional salt, if desired, to taste.
Garnish with cashews and scallions before serving.
Nutrition Info
Per Serving (6.25 oz-wt.): 280 calories (120 from fat), 13g total fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 4g dietary fiber, 9g protein, 31g carbohydrate, 0mg cholesterol, 120mg sodium

Recent Pictures taken by Papa and Grammy

Happy Anniversary Baby

Fall 2002-Hendersonville-the year we got a digital camera
Fall 2003-Michigan hay-ride

September 2004-New Bern-our first sail boat ride
November 2005-Biltmore-one of the best dates ever

May 2006-6 months pregnant
December 31, 2006-the night of Jonas' dedication

July 2007-Lovin on our Jonas

Joe and I were married August 12, 2000. I can't believe 7 years have passed. What is even more mind boggling to me is that we've been together for 11 1/2 years. I married my best friend and I love him with my whole heart. I look forward to growing old together and accomplishing the goals we have set in our marriage. The best reward, so far, has been our son Jonas. He is the greatest gift!

I love you Joe Barker and thank you for loving me.

Another Snake--Yikes!

I was just about to open the sliding glass door to let Daisy out last night. I noticed she was sitting there shaking while looking out the window. This always means there is a predator of some sort in HER space. :-) Usually its a lizard or squirrel. This time it was a 2 ft. COPPER HEAD SNAKE. Now picture me with gauze in my mouth, because I had my top wisdom teeth pulled yesterday, trying to get Joe's attention. He was in the living room watching t.v. and I'm saying "oe um here um ere!" I had a sense of urgency in my gauzy tone but I was trying to be quiet because Jonas was sleeping. "oe!! There's a STHAKE!" Joe says, "what? What are you saying?" I reply, "A STHAKE!" At this time he jumps up and says "keep an eye on it." It was slithering off the patio to the grass. I stepped out there so I could see where it was going as Joe was running to the shed to get a shovel and metal rake. My hero killed the snake. I didn't have the camera around but we googled copper head and the snake my hero killed looks EXACTLY like this picture.



The weather here in our parts has been unbearable. The temps all week have been over 100, like 102, 104, 107. Just awful. So, these predators are showing their faces more and trying to eat the lizards that Daisy is usually hunting. We are off to H*me D*pot again for snake repellent. Last time they were out and we have failed to keep checking. We have been putting moth balls out around the perimeter of the house and in the garage. Thankfully, none have gotten in the house or garage! I can't see my child ever playing outside!