Don’t get too excited.
It’s just seltzer.
I don’t normally dress up my bubbly water, but whatever it takes for me to drink water in the first place is what we’re going for here.
I’m like a cactus.
This is Cranberry Clementine seltzer garnished with blood orange and mint.
I’ve discovered a new collection of flavors; Ginger Apple, Blackberry Bergamot & Ruby Red Grapefruit. I think there was Coconut Crème too… all unsweetened.
Interesting, right?
It actually makes me want to hydrate.
My kitchen table.
And what it looks like… everyday.
Muffins. Nothing new in this house.
But, I will tell you how fed up I am with the outrageous price of school snacks.
I make a bunch of stuff at home to offset the cost.
And then I fall off the wagon.
Why?
Because it disappears faster than I can make it!
It’s like getting your tax refund: hello and goodbye.
How does one keep up with this pace? Wait until they’re teenagers- I’m going to have to buy a cow!
So, I revert back to the grocery store. For convenience. And the cycle repeats.
Then I figured something out…
Using my banana bread recipe, I pre-mixed all the dry ingredients and packed them into bags. I used my mini vac-pack machine. Ziploc bags would work too or if you’re feeling Pinteresty, go for the mason jars. On the back of each packet, I listed the wet ingredients and the baking temperature.
Homemade muffin mix.
Now, I can make muffins faster the my coffee brews. It’s all natural for a fraction of the price.
So get this-
These are Frost Kissed Artichokes.
Have you heard of such a thing?
I wasn’t going to buy them because they looked weird.
But Dillon, my charming 5 year old, is suddenly an artichoke connoisseur. He requests them everyday as an after school snack (what?!).
I couldn’t say no.
According to the label, these artichokes are totally fine. The cold temperatures cause the outer leaves to turn brown and flaky, but once cooked, they transform into beautiful green artichokes. Their flavor is said to be more intensified. I haven’t made them yet, but when I do it will be a very interesting experience. We like to dunk the leaves in vinaigrette…
Jamie Oliver once talked about his Cavolo Nero (black kale) and how delicious it was after the frost.
Now I get it.
There’s always bread.
This weekend was filled with more baking as it has become an essential part of my routine. I’ve been experimenting with whole grains, herbs and different salts. I’ve also been playing around with a new baking vessel; enamel roasters. After hearing about my friend Celia’s success, my mom got me a set for my birthday. These roasters are much lighter than a Dutch oven, yet effectively maintain the heat and moisture within the pot.
So far, so good.
It’s funny, because my sourdough disappears just as fast as the kids’ snacks.
But I never complain about baking bread.
PS- thank you to all that entered the sourdough consult giveaway. The winners will be selected soon!
That was our weekend! How was yours?
Comments
Pam Green says
What beautiful and special weekend routines you provide for your family. Such great snacks and meals and providing love for your family through their bellies!
Emilie says
Thanks Pam! It usually looks very chaotic but there’s never a dull moment in this house!
Laney (Ortensia Blu) says
How do you find the time to do everything Emilie? You’re amazing! And I love Thomas and Playdoh just hangin’ out in the kitchen…Your photos are spectacular and the drink is stunning (perhaps with a wee shot of vodka?).
Emilie says
I have a cape lol… just kidding. I honestly don’t know. All of my blog posts are done on this table with the mess you see pushed off to the side. No Pinterest-styled kitchen here! I enjoy the creative outlet. xo
The Blonde Chef says
I love that first photo and that you too dress up your seltzer water! As someone who is trying to get rid of her Diet Coke habit, flavored seltzer water has become my new go-to. Now I’ll have to try yout gourmet version!
Emilie says
You should definitely try it! The brand is Polar. They make so many flavors. I really love them all!
Francesca says
Looks like you had a lovely weekend, lady.
Emilie says
I did :) And then it snowed! Lots and lots of snow! How are things in your neck of the woods?
Jayme Henderson says
My weekend was busy but fun! Found a local kombucha maker, who serves different kinds of kombucha on tap! Thanks for the reminder to pre-package muffin mixes. I lost the habit and need to start it up again. What a time-saver! Have a great week ahead! :-)
Emilie says
Ooo, that sounds interesting. On tap? So cool. I love stuff like that. Where are you again in CO?
The pre-made muffin is mix is great. Even if you don’t eat muffins you can do this with another favorite snack. You save so much $$$! The clean up is much easier too.
Enjoy the week, Jayme! xo
Jayme Henderson says
OMG – Somehow, I didn’t respond back to you! I am in south Denver {right off the highway at 285}, but the kombucha maker is located near Commerce City. They’re great! The company is Happy Leaf, and it was started by two of my good friends. And I DID do the make-ahead muffin mix! I have starters for banana bread muffins and made some this week. Thanks again for the tip! ;-)
Emilie says
You are soooo sweet Jayme! Why do you live so far away! We’d have such fun ;) xo
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
I love seeing the playdough and the behind the scenes of your kitchen. My kitchen looks the same!
Emilie says
I imagine your kitchen beautifully dusted in powdered sugar… a baker’s dream :)
Christine // my natural kitchen says
It’s so nice to see a glimpse of your life! Now I want to try blackberry bergamont seltzer, and premix my banana bread so I can quickly throw together muffins (it’s all the measuring that seems to take so long!). I also think it’s hilarious and adorable that your 5 year old loves artichokes – so cute!
I always try to get a bit of baking in each weekend too. It’s so nice to spend time in a warm kitchen and this weekend in particular was quite busy in there! Have a wonderful week, Emilie! xo
Emilie says
Thank you Christine :)
The seltzers are so, so good. The brand is Polar; do have that by you? In my opinion, they don’t taste fake and are very refreshing. I highly recommend!
And you’re absolutely right about the measuring. Just the thought of it can be annoying, sometimes. Because we bake (and eat) a lot of muffins, the pre-ahead mixes are such a great solution. I actually had fun putting them together!
Christine // my natural kitchen says
I haven’t heard of Polar but I’ll look for it now :) it can be super tough to find flavoured seltzer that doesn’t taste artificial so these sound pretty special! Ah the measuring thing – yet another reason that I love to use scales for baking :)
Emilie says
Hi!
I’m not sure if they’re international but I do hope so! I’ll let you know if I hear anything. They’re available at Trader Joe’s.
And I’m totally with you about the scale! That is my preferred method for baking/cooking in general. I just wish all of our recipes were formatted this way. It really closes the error gap. Ah well…
Jennifer @ Delicious Everyday says
Lovely photos! That glass of thirsty has got me all kinds of thirsty! Lol :P
Emilie says
Haha… whatever it takes, right? Like I said, normally I don’t garnish my water but it sure makes me want to hydrate! Thank you, Jennifer! :)
Anne says
What a homely kitchen table. It’s good to see Thomas the Tank Engine is still going strong – I keep my dressmaking pins in a Thomas the Tank Engine tin, which makes me smile whenever I get it out. Can’t say I miss the Play-Doh though; I think we probably still have some ground into the carpet.
Emilie says
Our house would not be complete without Thomas! My boys play trains all day long. It’s cute to see their little ‘adventures.’ What’s not cute is having to clean it all up- I think they have about 150 trains, at least.
If you look closely at some of my shots, there’s some play-doh permanently ground into our table. I like to call that rustic. ;)
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Throughly enjoyed your post, Emiliy, and seeing a bit into your world. What a full table.. and so much buzz going on around it! I’m so impressed with all you accomplish. You’re an inspiration.
The bread, the artichokes… the spritzer. I too am a cactus. Too busy to drink, although I’m working on it. I tend to drink more when there’s ice involved… and a straw. A bit of mint and blood orange never hurt. Oh and frost kissed kale, yes, I know! But I didn’t know about artichokes!
The weekend was good, but I was in bed for a good chunk of it, recovering from this dreadful cold, until Sunday evening. It was slightly warm out… I guess low 50’s and it was twilight. My husband and I went on one of our favorite walks. The sun was setting behind the Olympic Mountains, the air was crisp and the fog was just starting to roll in. It was a perfect walk; the highlight of my weekend.
Hope your week is off to a great start!
Emilie says
Hi Traci! Thank you!
What is it about hydrating that’s so difficult? I was thinking about it the other day and for me, it’s about having to pee! It brings me back to the days when I was pregnant, with both kids, who permanently sat on my bladder for 9 months- kicking and poking around. I actually had to use the bathroom (employee) at Home Depot because I couldn’t hold it. Maybe that’s why I’m traumatized ;)
Ugh, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re still not feeling well! Rob too? And yet you managed to post such a delicious granola bar recipe. You go girl. You live in such a beautiful part of the country, by the way. I’m sure the fresh air was most welcome. I’ve only visited once, but it was very memorable ;)
Enjoy the week & feel better darlin’ xo
dana says
That first photo though…
Emilie says
Ahhh… and I made you something vegan ;) Thank you lovely lady!
Adri says
I never complain about baking bread either. What a satisfying pursuit it is. It looks like you had a terrific family weekend. The Play-Doh shots brought back lots of memories~!
Emilie says
You know, I’ve figured it out; it’s the measuring that takes most of the time when baking. And of course, digging through your extra deep cabinets to find all your ingredients! What I love about bread is that it’s just flour and water, and I mix the dough with my hands! Maybe that’s why I never complain ;)
celia says
Oh Em, this post made me a wee bit teary – I so miss the Playdoh and wood trains on the dining room table days. That’s almost exactly what our table used to look like. The boys are all grown and wonderful and a joy to be with now, but those days of trains and cuddles – they were the best days of my life. Your seltzer looks very refreshing and as always, your bread looks stunning! So glad the enamel roaster is working well for you! xxx
Emilie says
I know… it’s so cliche but where does the time go? I feel like I woke up and one day Dillon was already off to kindergarten. It makes them so mature, so fast. So every time I look at the mess, and get frustrated, I realize that they grow out of these phases faster than I can even imagine. I’m enjoying every minute of it.
Also enjoying my new roasters. I love that pretty white! Although, it won’t stay that way ;)