Day Two: Hunger Action Week

With the birds chirping cheerily and the sun shining it warmth on us, morning on day two began. I sprung out of bed early, full of energy and smiles. Love radiated from my very being showering my family in cheer.

Then I woke up for real, slowly rolling over, trying to ignore my little boy's saliva swishing sounds as he laid there staring at mommy trying to keep her eyes open. Okay, I'm up. Rolling over, I can't remember why my whole body hurts. Then I remember the new exercise ball and pilates video that I used yesterday in an effort to get past this "I just had a baby" stage (when the kid is about to turn one, you really can't use that line anymore!).

Thank goodness I baked some great bread yesterday. Breakfast was a cinch. Thickly slice the whole grain homemade bread (paid), toast once for the kids and twice for the parents. Spread on butter (2.79) and jam (paid), slice a couple of bananas (1.00) and pour the coffee! Feel the life ebb into my body...



At least the warm and sunny part really did happen today. I managed to take a fabulous walk, baby and stroller in tow, during my son's preschool class. And even did the pilates/ball routine for a second day in a row. Almost a habit now!

Lunch was an inspired fare consisting of Trader Joe's frozen Gorgonzola Gnocchi (3.29) and fresh sauteed green beans. These beans are really delish. It's usually my husband's dish to cook, so this time I watched so that I could share the inspiration.



Sauteed Green Beans with Lemon

1 lb fresh organic green beans (3.49)
2 cloves organic garlic, chopped (1.00 for two heads)
1 TB olive oil (paid)
1 lemon, juiced (1.29 for the bag)
salt and pepper

Wash and trim about 1 pound of green beans.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over MH. Saute the garlic for about 30 seconds. Add in the green beans, season with salt and pepper. Stir around and add the lemon juice. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 7-10 minutes until the beans are a little tender but still bright green. Turn out onto a platter and serve immediately.

I had a wonderful afternoon knowing dinner was planned and required little prep. I even helped out the hubby by washing the car. My little boy enjoyed spraying it off. Being in charge of the hose is great fun. After raking the kajillions of pine cones in the back yard, I called it a day and came in to make dinner. Oh, and snacks included an apple (.50), two bananas (1.00), and loads of pretzel sticks (paid). The baby had a snack of organic whole milk yogurt (3.79).



As some of you know, I've been making dough from the cookbook Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking On Sunday, I made a new batch to use this week. It requires 6 1/2 c white (organic) unbleached flour (2.26), 1 TB yeast (paid), 1 TB salt (freebie), and 3 cups of water.

After preheating the oven to 500 degrees, I pulled out a couple of hunks of dough to let them warm up a bit while I prepped some veg. Trader Joe's Herb Salad (1.99 per bag), organic tomatoes (3.99), shredded organic carrots (2.77 for 1.75 lbs), a small handful of organic raisins (2.69), and some organic cucumber slices (2.00).



The kids also got a veggie plate consisting of o. red peppers (2.00), o. carrots (paid), o. cucumbers (paid), and o. tomatoes (paid).

I made two pizzas. The kids wanted cheese, of course. But I also chopped up some of the leftover chicken (paid). First, I rolled out their dough, drizzled it with olive oil (paid), a pinch of salt, a dash of chopped oregano (free from my garden). The o. pizza sauce came from a can (2.29). Into the oven for about 10 minutes.



Our pizza had all the above, plus some o. red pepper slices (paid), a sprinkling of basil from about 4 leaves left in the fridge (I know I'm not supposed to include leftovers, but the basil was past its prime and I'm too frugal to throw 4 good leaves away!), and also a few pinches of ricotta (also leftover and on it's way out). If I must include them in the cost...how about $1.00?



Even the baby ate shredded veg and pizza crusts, plus a few pieces of leftover chicken.

Hopefully there is just enough leftover pizza for tomorrow's lunch like I planned!

"There was morning and there was evening, the second day."