Turkey Arugula Meatballs gluten dairy egg free The end of an era

Since 2004, with the birth of Daughter #1, I have been non-stop with diapers.  For the past nearly-nine years, I have had in some way shape or form diapers on one, or two, and at one point, three children.

However, and Im a bit scared Im about to jinx it, I think that my diaper time is over.  I think Son is finally out of his nighttime diaper.  For the past 10 days, hes been waking up to a dry diaper, so last night he said he wanted to try not wearing one and this morning he woke up dry.  He asked to try again, stating, "Its much more comfortable not sleeping with it on," and its faster getting to bed so I allowed him to try again.

Hopefully I wont be writing another post to the contrary of what Ive said here, but I do feel it is an end to the era.  Although the diapers only took up one moment of my evening and a quick check in the morning, it is a signal of something far crazier - a time where I will no longer be buying diapers and dealing with "baby" stuff.  The last one, my last baby is no longer that, but now grown up.

Today I picked up Son, held him in my arms the way I used to when he was a baby, only now he overflowed out of my arms, legs dangling, with barely his torso making it into the lock of my arms, and he asked, "What are you doing Mom?"

"Im holding you one last time like the baby I remember you as."

"But Im not a baby anymore.  I dont even wear diapers now," he announced proudly.

I practically burst into tears at how quickly time has flown.  But I know that its all good and environmentally wonderful that hes no longer using the diapers, (not to mention a $20 savings each month that I may put towards something completely frivolous like chocolate!) but still - I wish, I just wish they could stay babies for a little bit longer.

Who knows, maybe hell regress and Ill be ranting about how he cant get OUT of his diapers, but for now, Ill mourn a little at the loss of my baby.

In honor of Sons accomplishments, I decided to make something that he loves - pasta.  Ive made meatballs for him before, without egg and milk  but wanted to experiment with more gluten free and dairy free options for my friends who are still struggling with their gluten intolerance.  These meatballs are herbaceous, delicious, light and tender (because of all the herbs and arugula) and are flavorful just in tomato sauce on their own.  Ive also roasted cauliflower and served it with roasted cauliflower for a completely gluten and grain free option.

Turkey Arugula Meatballs (gluten, dairy, egg free)
Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients
2 cups arugula leaves
1/2 cup basil leaves
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1 lb ground turkey
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

1 jar or a quart of your favorite tomato sauce.

Method
In a food processor chop onion, arugula, basil until finely chopped.  Combine onion arugula basil mixture with garlic, turkey, salt and pepper.  Mix with hands.  Roll turkey into 24 to 30 ping pong sized meatballs.  (Meatballs will be less firm than other meatballs as there is no egg or wheat to help pull things together.  However, be gentle when cooking and it’ll be fine.)

Heat tomato sauce in a large pot.  Reduce heat to low.

In a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat, heat olive oil.  Cook meatballs in skillet in batches, leaving enough room to turn meatballs to brown the sides.  10 minutes per batch of meatballs.  Add meatballs to simmering sauce and partially cover pot.  Continue cooking meatballs in tomato sauce for an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve with your choice of pasta or for a totally new option, roasted cauliflower.

Printable recipe

seeking and finding some solace in this plate of food

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Countdown End of school year preparations and Momento App Giveaway!

If youre like me, youre counting down the days until the end of the school year, not necessarily because youre looking forward to it (heh) but maybe because, like me, youre looking for a hot air balloon to whisk you away before things become too intense.

The countdown to the last day of school is typically so insane, filled with end of school year activities, parties, celebrations, and last minute scheduling of EVERYTHING before kids are fully yours for the summer.  Our countdown happens to be longer than 30 days, but were at a year round school, so Im guessing that most of you are at fewer than 30 days.  (In case any of you are wondering how I created that cool countdown above - I found a super fun app called "MOMENTO" and it allows you to create fun little countdowns.)

It becomes the time of year that we begin thinking about how we honor our teachers, and believe me Im thinking the same thing.  Ive got a little plan in works with my friend over at Sillie Smile, and hopefully in a few days well have a fun and neat project for you to do for your teachers.  Im thinking some yummy cookies (if I could only perfect my popcorn cookie) as well as some movie tickets or coffee gift cards.  For me, the most important thing that teachers do (this includes me of course) is RELAX and not think of students and just rest their brains after a grueling school year. I like to give them things that will allow them to do this - hence this years idea of movie tickets and coffee.  (If only I could guarantee they arent going to run into students at the theater - because when I was teaching, I always ran into mine.)

 This was the first round of something I tried, and it is going in the direction I wanted, but isnt complete.  Ill come up with something a bit cuter I think in the coming week or so.

Giveaway details!
And for a little bit of fun - the creators behind Momento are allowing me to give away 4 free apps! In the essence of time, Im just going to give them to the first four people who leave a comment below.  Be advised, Momento is currently ONLY for iOS, so if youre not on an iphone, its not as useful.  In the comments, please let me know what is one thing youre counting down right now!  The first four commenters, Ill be emailing you a redemption code and instructions!

If you want to buy the app, after I have my first four winners, click here.

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End of Year Teacher Gifts When youre not ready to say good bye

For JH - missing you

Its here.  The final last day of school.  Its my last day of preschool ever, as Children will all be in elementary school next year.  Tomorrow Ill say goodbye to a community of teachers, staff, parents, and children who have loved my family and me for the past six years and a part of me breaks.

Im not even sad that Son is growing up - because, you  know, its TIME.  His preschool years were amazing, fun and awesome, but were ready for some new learning and new growth.  Its not like I wish that he could stay longer as a preschooler.

Its that I wish I could stay longer as a community member of the school.  And saying good-bye has never ever been my strong suit.  Im not worried about Son, Im worried about ME.  Son has already announced to his teacher, "My mom is going to cry tomorrow" and Im sure I will.  Ill bawl with tears streaming down my cheeks.  Im readying the kleenex and the ice packs because I dont think my heart will be able to handle it.

It becomes a question of how one says goodbye to a community.  Im not sure.  This community was there for me when we arrived from Korea, not knowing anyone, and my first new friends in California came from this community.  My first parenting support and help came from this community.  And the friends that Children love best came from this place, so the ties are strong.

I decided to say my good-byes today in small ways.   For the office staff, I wanted to give them something small to take home that they could enjoy, and usually I make them a bunch of cookies.  This year the office staff universally is getting in shape and trimming down, so I decided on these gorgeous succulents that I found ($5 at Trader Joes) and wrote simple cards to all.

For Sons teachers, I went the route of humor.  This year has been one fraught with a lot of changes and flux at the school and the teachers were amazing and wonderful.  I wanted them to know that I KNEW that they needed time to recover from their work this year, so I decided to take this idea that I bounced off of my friend blogger over at Sillie Smile.  I wanted little prescription pads with space where I could tell the teachers how I thought that they should relax.

Sillie Smile came up with the bottle labels, prescription sheets, and the cute idea to put movie tickets (I purchased mine from Costco) into a medicine bottle as a form of packaging.  I loved the idea and I have to tell you that the teachers all did as well.  Check out her post with all the details here.

The cookies I made for the prescription were the Oatmeal Brown Butter cookies.  They are Husbands current favorite cookie, and the flavors and textures are awesome.  I made the dough ahead of time, rolled them into logs, and then sliced them.  It definitely works just as well to simply make them and make round balls of dough and bake them immediately.

Anyways, tomorrow Ill say goodbye.  Ill try not to embarrass Son with snotty face and red eyes, but who knows.  I only have an ugly cry and that will be the one that comes out.  I may need to write my own prescription pad, "How to recover from saying goodbye" and it will  say,  "Profuse amounts of chocolate and caramel.  French fries.   Chips."

  

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