Chai Cacao Nib Granola

When Jos and Luke were younger they had a babysitter everyday after school.  For years, sweet Sophia walked home with my guys in rain, snow, hail, bitter cold and unbearable heat.  Over time she started to feel like part of our family.  Driving her home each day I would hear about what was going on in her life and most days, that meant talking about food.  Twelve years old when she started as our sitter, but her kitchen skills were far beyond many adults I've known.  We traded recipes and restaurant reviews even if I was more than twice her age.  She'd tell me what she made for dinner the day before and what she hoped to make the next time she cooked.  We'd talk about food magazines or the leftovers she noticed in my fridge.  She loved seeing our gingerbread houses being built every year and tasting any baking left out for snacks.

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup

Our power went out last week during an ice storm.  Fourteen hours without heat or electricity made for an interesting day.  The kids read books and played board games.  We built a fire with very wet wood in our fireplace.  In the winter we take care to have dry wood available for fire building, but that pile was completely used.  Instead there remained an outdoor pile used for summer campfires.  I'm not sure what made me warmer, the fire once built or the sweaty effort of trying to keep the fire going. 

Cauliflower Brocoli Fritters

Trying to nourish this family during hectic days is not without challenges.  We are all so busy, I know I'm not touching on anything new here.  It is in these times that make ahead meals and snacks are what keep me sane; and feeding my family food I can stand behind.  There is no shortage of fritter, croquette and veggie cakes on this site.  Beyond tasting good, they also are fun to eat and so simple to make.  Handheld foods are always a hit with Don who prefers meals on the run throughout the day.  Although I prefer these on a bed of pea shoots with a nice drizzle of yogurt sauce, he's happy to grab a veggie cake cold from the fridge.

Black Bean Taquitos

It's been a long week here in Kale Eats kitchen. The details are boring, so I will spare you those.  Just know this weekend is being welcomed a little more than usual.  We have few plans and I'm keen to curl up with a great book.  I've not been in the kitchen as much lately and our meals have been a little more laid back.  Taquitos are a little like Mexican egg rolls and super easy to pull together.

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Clusters

Simplicity is so often desired and yet so difficult to achieve.  A quick peak at our calendar and you will see far too many days with events scribbled in.  Worse yet, are the days with multiple entries.  While I profess the importance of downtime with our family, I struggle to live by those words. 

Buttercup Squash Tomato Soup

It's the end of the hockey season for Luke today and that can only mean one thing: spring is on it's way!  Except, this year it really hasn't made much of a showing in these parts.  Oh well, that just means more warm soup on lazy Saturdays at home.  One of my favourite soups, this buttercup squash tomato is made in such a short time with so few ingredients, I feel a little magical pulling it together.