48 children

this summer the heart ministry center will be supplying backpacks every friday, for 8 weeks, to children.  the backpacks will, hopefully, be filled with healthy, non perishable foods to get them through the weekend.  monday through friday they can come to the center to receive a free lunch and bottled water, but on the weekend there was no option until now. today i had the awesome oppurtunity to help decide what foods would make it in the bags and what else should go in....things like wipes, sunscreen, and more.  for their first bag, the kids received hygiene products.  john, the executive director, also would like to get the kids their own reusable water bottles.  as i worked on a list, i asked him "will the kids eat this? or that?".  the answer was always "yes." because, of course, when you are little and hungry, with no other options, you will eat anything. some of these children are as young as four.  in this city, omaha, we have children who are hungry and are not sure where their next meal is coming from...1 in 6 children, qualify as food insecure in our fair city.  this is not right and it breaks my heart.  i wanted to be able fill the bags with more.
if you would like to help, think about donating food or reusable water bottles for the children to use.  most of the food needs to be non-perishable and if it comes in a can, please make sure it has a pop-top.  we did include some fresh fruit since we figured it could be a treat or would at least last for 24 hours.  yes, fresh fruit is a treat. here is a list of things that would be appreciated, i am sure:

reusable water bottles
individual packages of wet wipes
resealable packages of tuna
crackers
pop top cans of beans {pinto or black}
tortilla chips
dried fruits
unsalted nuts
granola bars
individual containers of peanut butter
disposable utensils
individual containers of applesauce
apples
bananas
granola bars
packets of oatmeal

the heart ministy center is located on 22nd & binney street. right in the heart of where they need to be. donations can be made at the center and, of course, you can always send a cash donation. you can always recieve a receipt for your donations, as well.  i would be happy to pick up your donation if i am going down there, too.  just send an email. 
to learn more about the heart ministry center and all they do...like their food pantry, free legal clinic, free urgent care clinic, iva's clothes closet, or self sufficency prgram for women...go to http://www.heartministrycenter.org/
also, some things i noticed on the wish list board.  the wish list board is where the staff fills out what certain clients of the center need. 

sewing machine
crockpots
bed frames
mattresses
couches

if you have any of these items and would like to donate, please contact the center and they can arrange for it to be picked up.  thanks, folks.

sunday drives

we usually take drives on sundays.  we always have.  i love them and feel a little lost if we don't take one.  this sunday we took one late when it seemed like hendrix felt a bit better and needed a change of scenery.  it was a short one, but beautiful.  just fields and fields and rows and rows.  

.....

did you have a nice weekend? we did until the boy got sick. poor baby. not sure what happened, but he seems to be on the mend. thankfully.  i hope this finds everyone well on this beautiful monday morning.  i will back this week with some family things to do for august, a menu plan, a beautiful garden, and more. xo.



rainy saturday

it's raining so superwoman and bob the builder are playing
 in cloud dough hanging out on their john deere.

things i love this week

finding rogue lettuce growing in the nooks and crannies of our garden

you know what's nice about posting what i love this week, every week?  it forces me to be grateful and kind even when i am having a rough day and don't want to be nice.  it's good for my soul to search for pretty or neat things to share with you all.  it's even better when they happen to have something to do with my friends or community. so, thanks for reading.

.....

 this week, i love....

the omaha public library offering a free lecture on how to eat seasonally

cloud dough...this stuff is awesome on a rainy day or too hot to go outside day
{boredom buster!}

splash pads! {boredom buster!}

a city that offers lots of stuff to do for free {boredom buster!}

customizable chore charts to help kids understand what it means to be part of a family

this nectarine rice pudding with an indian twist. it's calling my name.

amazepack!  i'd sign up, but i have an entire art::workroom that is filled with projects. {boredom buster!}

this house... i want our next house to be an a-frame meets shipping containers sort of dwelling.  preferably, in the middle of nowhere.

this picture....

i have to blow this up.  it's too great. my heart hurts looking at it.

 

GSW::five

help the kids set the table with these diy placemats by say yes to hoboken



howdy!  this week's menu has quite a few super easy weeknight options, and of course, LOTS of veggies.  if you are looking to learn more about eating seasonally then check out this lecture that the omaha public library is offering. omaha's own local food writer, summer miller, will be the speaker.
for dinner on saturday, we're lucky enough to be going to our friends for a lamb dinner and i am super excited.  i think i am bringing a hoho chocolate cake for dessert and this beautiful {and super easy to make!!} hand scrub for the hostess.  on sunday, hendrix's cousins will be visiting and eating dinner with us.   i think i'll have them make some {easy!} tie dye shirts while mike grills something, perhaps #5 below for the adults. i'll be back tomorrow with some clementine's tested summer boredom busters for the kids & the things i love post for this week.
.....
1. beet greens pasta
{you could substitute any greens for the beets greens, as well as, pine nuts for the walnuts}

2. chicken "nuggets" with broccoli carrot raisin slaw
{super fast and easy for the weeknight and always a hit with the kids.  see below for the recipe}

3. sweet potato + black bean quesadillas with swiss chard pesto
{this a good make ahead and/or use for lunches meal, as well.  the components would work for several other meals, too.}

4. grill a steak or chicken and serve alongside roasted cabbage with gorgonzola
{weekend meal alert! or better yet...grill that cabbage right with your steaks or chicken}

5. baked cod with creamed kale
{easy + elegant weeknight meal}

sweet treat...
lemon bars

let's go the healthy route... 
10 healthy breakfasts in 10 minutes or less!
.....

Chicken "Nuggets"
1 lb. chicken tenders or breast, cut up and pounded thin
flour
salt
pepper
breadcrumbs
egg
oil
set up a breading station with three bowls: bowl one has about a cup of flour, bowl two has a beaten egg with a bit of water, and bowl three has about a cup of breadcrumbs seasoned with salt and pepper {you can add dry or fresh chopped herbs, if you like}. begin to heat about an inch of oil in your skillet.  meanwhile, dip chicken in the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.  in that order.  brown pieces in the skillet.  about 2-4 minutes total to cook thoroughly {depending on the thickness of chicken}.  serve with your favorite dip.

*this breading technique is my go to when i want to bread anything from chicken to veggies to fish.  the three dip process is the best way to ensure a nice crust.  cornmeal can be substituted for the breadcrumbs and is especially delicious for fish.

* this chicken recipe can also be made in bulk, cooled, and frozen for a make ahead meal.  just reheat in the oven or toaster oven to ensure crispness.

{garden}REVOLUTION::three

where: westwood church, omaha ne
awesomeness: the church contributed not only property but funds to build this community garden for the neighborhood they are a part of...there are 30 raised beds for the neighborhood and church members to grow food in which is....
totally awesome.

july for free

free is good.  some of the best things in life are free.  especially when it comes to entertaining the kids.  i have found that children are fickle and dirtballs which is why i don't like to spend much on entertainment or clothes for hendrix.  so a  few months ago, i provided a list of free (or nearly free) stuff to do around the omaha metro.  here is the list for july, as promised. august will come out next week.  let me know if i missed anything or if you tried any of the free stuff i listed.  don't forget about the splash pads, schramm park aquarium, farmer's market, and gene leahy mall slides....they are almost always open and are free or damn near free.

JULY:


Everyday
Kids Bowl Free

Every Tuesday @ 10am {doors open @ 9:30 am}
Free Family Flicks @ Aksarben Cinema

July 4th in Ralston

July 4th
Swim for $4 at all Omaha City Pools

July 7 @ 9am
Free Fishing Clinic @ Mahoney State Park

July 12 @ 6pm
Free Family Fishing @ Halleck Lake in Papillion

July 11th @ 10:30am
Whiz Bang Science Show @ Westroads {free}

Every Thursday from July 12 - Aug. 16
venue opens @ 5pm, show begins @ 7pm
Jazz on the Green @ Midtown Crossing {free}

July 14 @ 10am
Lowe's Build & Grow Workshops {free}

July 15 @ 2pm
Lowe's Build & Grow Workshops {free}

July 20 - 22nd
Gretna Days {nearly free}

July 20
Muppets @ The Holland Center Courtyard

July 27- 29
Benson Days {nearly free}

July 28
Playing with Fire Concert {free}

July 28 @10am
Lowe's Build & Grow Workshops {free}

July 29 @ 2pm
Lowe's Build & Grow Workshops {free}

July27 doors open @ 7:30, movie begins @ dusk
The Muppets @ The Sumtur Amphitheater