Waffles and sunshine

Another thing I am happy about and I can't believe I didn't mention it yesterday is this weather! I so addicted to being outside. I've been campaigning again for my deck, and last night while we were eating an early dinner at a local restaurant that I had a Groupon for (this place ... if you live in the area, GO THERE IMMEDIATELY. It's fantastic. And healthy. And uses local produce. And you get a free frozen yogurt with every meal. I digress.) and we sketched out how I want the deck (yes, how I want it) so Hubby can start on it soon. It's so beautiful out there!! I've been spending every minute I can outside before the heat index reaches 120 degrees and I start spending $800 a month in air conditioning.

Also, these waffles make me very happy.


I promised myself I wouldn't be one of those mothers who fights with their kids over what they eat. There are plenty of things to fight about without force feeding your child too (which is my own opinion and might be wrong, so please don't think I'm judging you for forcing your kid to eat his spinach). I do often request that he eat one bite, but even then he will concede that it tastes fine but that he's not interested (unless it's green and not edemame, because then it will be a cold day in hell before it passes his lips). So this week I took the leftover roasted butternut squash and incorporated it into a self-made recipe for waffles and success! So here you go:


Butternut Squash and Oatmeal Waffles

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup packed squash or pumpkin puree
1/2 cup (skim) milk
1 egg
2 tbs (Greek) yogurt
1 tbs vegetable oil
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda

mix all ingredients except oatmeal well, then mix in oatmeal. makes 5 waffles, which in this house feeds one hungry toddler. For extra healthy breakfast, top with peanut butter and honey, with a side of fruit. Freeze leftovers and pop them into toaster oven as needed!

(this is the first bite being removed from the plate in record time, even before the fruit)

Now does someone want to suggest something to me to sneak greens into that doesn't involve chocolate?