pancakes. again.

i think i blog about pancakes, alot. 

we used to make fresh toast on challah, alot. so easy.

then bella tested with a food sensitivity to eggs, and bye bye delicious challah encrusted french toast. 

so i have had to master the eggless pancake. and it ain't been easy.

this batch just might have done it. 

they were protein enriched too, which scores extra points. 

1 cup spelt flour (can use gluten free)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 scoop genuine health whey proteins+ (they also have a vegan one)

mix all the dry ingredients together.
2 tbsp ground flax mixed with a little water (the egg replacement)
1 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
Mix the flax seeds with almond milk and then mix the wet into the dry. and done!

 I added vegan chocolate chips and sprinkled with hemp hearts (rich in omega 3's)

drizzled with grade C maple syrup with a side of raspberries. 

they lick their plates clean (literally.)

Cold Rolls

I love these. I make them all the time. They are easy, but do take a few minutes to roll. I like things to be snappy in the kitchen but these are so delicious that I take the time to quickly roll them :-)

I cut up all the ingredients and put them into sections on a cutting board. ie. avocado, cucumbers, carrots, cilantro (If you know me you know I have a serious obsession with this herb), mango, pineapple etc... The other day I had leftover wild salmon and rolled those up too. Anything goes. Take the leftovers from your fridge and roll them up. Last weekend I was in NYC and there was a food booth making these with lentils, beets, basil and goat cheese.
When I am all set to roll them I use a big pan and fill with warm water. The warmer the water the quicker the rice papers soften. While I roll one the next is soaking, and I become a solo assembling machine. Hmmm, think I should get the kids helping on this one.....
Dipping sauce here is peanut, but I also like a sweet chili.
Enjoy!

weird skin rash??

Aidan woke up with this all over his torso yesterday morning. 

back was mostly clear. little on the groin and armpit area. 

no fever. not itchy. mild cough. happy. energetic. eating. 

i was thinking viral or allergic. all three kids are a bit snotty with mild coughs.

he also has bad seasonal allergies.

 

i went to the pediatrican, for an assessment. she had no idea. 

i gave him our usual regime; vtm D, fish oils, acidophilus. i added some honey garlic syrup for the cough and he enjoyed some peppermint tea with buckwheat honey to help cool his skin. he ate bowls of chicken soup.

at 5 pm this started on his back.

 7:30pm after an hour in the park

and it progressively got worse. 8:30 pm

also on his upper legs, groin, torso, armpits, face, scalp

he is super restless and itchy (you can see the scratch marks now)

gave him some remedies. not any better.

 9 pm. a trip to shoppers for our first ever purchase of benadryl. 

yes, even ND's can use drugs when need be.

he was restless til 2 am. and then slept well. 

he woke up this morning mostly clear but got really itchy around lunch again. 

i'm thinking allergic, but if you have any ideas, your input is much appreciated.....

30 x 30 challenge.....and beyond

As soon as the weather gets warmer and the sun is shining, I just want to be outdoors. Me and the kiddies spend our time at parks, walking to school and around the neighbourhood. There is lots of research on the benefit of being outdoors. I don't really think we need research to tell us it's good for us, but here it is from Harvard and this has interesting facts from the National Wildlife Federation. Being outdoors makes us happy, increases focus and concentration, boosts our immune system, gives us a healthy dose of vtm. D and keeps us healthy and fit. Accordinng to the American Academy of Pedatrics, the recommendation is for kids to spend 1 hour outside, everyday.
David Suzuki foundation for the month of May has a 30x30 challenge. 30 minutes outdoors for 30 days in a row. Piece of cake in May. Let's try that in January.....
So here are a bunch of Iphone pictures taken so far this month. (I have been using instagram and you can follow me there at rachelsnd)

on the toronto island

wychwood barns

 on a stroll through wychwood park

 walking to school

working in papa's backyard

 dancing

 ball hockey at hillcrest park

 planting pea seeds

 smelling the sweet blossoms

mini skateboarder

not sure if you have been foloowing this challenge, but it's never too late to get on board.

Eggs.

while bella has to avoid eggs, aidan does so well with them and will have them for breakfast a few times per week.
they are such a great source of protein, as well as vitamins A, D and B12. depending on the eggs you buy, they often have omega 3 rich foods such as flax seeds added to the hens feed which will increase the eggs omega 3 content three to five times.
cage free hens have a richer colour egg yolk (which you can see here) and there is some evidence that these yolks could also be richer in nutrients, which you can read about here.

as long as i have peppers i will cook them in the ring of the pepper, which he then sweetly shares with his younger brother. i simply cook it in some butter, in a stainless steel pan. enjoy!