Boysenberry preserve from Trader Joe's

My only association with boysenberries BC, was the boysenberry syrup at IHOP. I'd make DH take me there at least a couple of times a month to order two pancakes and go through 3 or 4 bottles of boysenberry syrup. In my defense they were really small bottles. I think I actually emailed IHOP asking about how I can get my hands on a vat of it.

This boysenberry preserve from Trader Joe's is a bit tart and very grainy - not like a fig but just larger and more prominent like a raspberry. I was a bit apprehensive but the kids ate it up with yogurt.

Graham crackers

Whenever I want to introduce something new to the twins and Iam not really sure if they will like it, this is my secret ingredient - anything I roll in graham cracker dust, the twins will at least try.

A funny/weird thing with my daughter and graham crackers - she will not take a bite, she always tries to shove the whole cracker in. Most other things though she will take manageable bites.

Accepting my awards

Iam sorry for the extended break. I did not realize what it would take to move, with twin toddlers that is. Now that I have checked out a couple of grocery stores AND the kids are eating more real food I have much to share.

Now regarding my two awards, thank you again Sara.

10 things about my self:

1) I was a fat kid

2) and I was a fat teenager. Hence my obsession with food

3) I went to a boarding school

4) an all girls catholic boarding school. I like to think I turned out alright

5) I collect old hand embroidered handkerchiefs

6) I always wanted to have twins. Now that I do, I wouldn't have it any other way

7) I used to dream of being a female Indiana Jones! I majored in geography and then accepted a job that described itself as a 'very sedentary position' (serious! not kidding)

8) We live 15 minutes from the Robert Frost Farm - one of my favorite poets

9) We have to haul our own trash to the dump. for now. I (and the kids) think it's fun, DH not so much

10) More than 5 years at one location and I start getting fidgety. I am a nomad.

Red fig jam from Les Comtes de Provence

The difference between a red fig and the common fig, for me at least, are the seeds. Red fig seeds are not as 'grainy' and textured as the common fig ones. This red fig jam from Les Comtes de Provence also has pieces of fig which the twins don't like.

A teaspoon mixed into yogurt and yummy-yummy dessert is ready.

Tilapia fillets from Sam's Club

The twins and fish have a love-hate thing going on. Some days it's yummy-yummy and some days it's gag inducing. They eat it poached (in a soup or rasam) or baked (idea from MandyE) with a little salt.

Tilapia is a 'best choice' according to the Monterey Bay aquarium seafood watch. BUT only if farmed in the United States. These Tilapia fillets from Sam's Club come from China apparently. I am trying to find out if that is still the case, and if so I will not be buying them from Sam's Club anymore.

Wild berry preserve from Mediterranean Organic

One more wild berry item. This wild berry preserve from Mediterranean Organic does list it's wild berries though - blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. It has 10 grams of sugar per tablespoon, so I make sure I use just enough.

I swirl a teaspoon into yogurt and the twins are happy with their dessert.

Yogurt stars from Trader Joe's

I am a big fan of the good stomach bugs - so if there is yogurt in it then it gets extra points. These yogurt covered cookies from Trader Joe's were a big hit with the kids. They are a little too big for one bite and too hard to take a bite from for the twins so I had to break them up.

The internet is really really slow out here (we are officially a 'rural' USPS customer!) Posting may be sporadic till it gets fixed.