Mommy Rant time: No More Stuff

I know it's been a little while but I am finally ready to write about something.  I spent yesterday helping out at Project Warmth, http://www.projectwarmth.ca/.  Project Warmth is a grassroots Toronto based organization that collects donations of gently used baby and children clothing for teen moms.  The items are sorted and then re-gifted as lovely packages.  My job this year was to sort clothing for little girls ages 0-6 months.  It is a really fulfilling thing for me to do because I am big proponent of buying used in general.  Let's face it my little Belle grows out of clothes in no time so I never see the point of buying her anything new.  She wears the same stuff to daycare every day; jeans, t-shirt and a sweater.  Keeps her warm and while she is getting the walking thing down the jeans protect her little knees.  She's also pretty tidy for the most part so I don't change her outfits during the day all that often.  Back to yesterday at Project Warmth.

The amount of stuff we got as a donation for the little ones was a little thinner this year than in years past.  I think it feels that way because the same people donate and their kids are getting bigger so there wasn't much stuff for the tiny ones.  I actually only donated some books because I am not sure if I am done having children but I could really kick myself though.  I have a ridiculous amount of stuff for my little girl and most of it has been gifted to her.  Although I appreciate the generosity I can't get over how much I have versus how much I need.  A friend posted a link on facebook that's an oldie but so appropriate for this time of year.  It's the Story of Stuff, http://www.storyofstuff.com/.  Really we need nothing for Christmas this year and neither does my daughter.  If you feel the need, shop thrift for a treasure.  A vintage piece of jewelry, used books and a home cooked meal would be heavenly.  Give me a lasagna for my freezer so I don't have to cook one night and I'd be a happy lady.  Not only that, a few weeks ago I found a book for Belle at Value Village that was my brother's favourite as a child.  It's long been out of print and I was so excited to find it that I don't think anything new could have given me that kind of thrill.

Don't stress and don't care so much about shopping folks.  It really means so little at the end of it all.

Recipe Time: Multi Grain Blueberry Banana Bread

Well moms, my amazing little eating maching has started getting picky.  If the pasta isn't fresh she won't eat it (no microwaved left-overs for my girl.).  Breakfast can be a bust.  She was loving the Pita Break Apple cinnamon pita's but that's no more.  Bananas, grapes, raspberries are hit and miss and forget anything with milk, it flies across the room.  Yogurt, for who knows how long, is still our friend.  God bless Stonyfield!  What does seem to go over well is this recipe I found on the back of the PC frozen blueberries.  I modified slightly because I don't buy processed cereals.  I am an oatmeal girl through and through.  So this is my modified version, it's not too high in sugar and my Belle and her dad love it.


1 1/2 cups all purpose whole wheat flour
1 cup quick rolled oats
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup wild blueberries, thawed for more flavour
1 cup mashed riped banana, about two
2 eggs
1/4 cup grapeseed oil (I always say I am going to try apple sauce as a substitute but forget to buy it as Belle doesn't eat it)
1/4 cup milk or water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray (I use a little oil poured onto a tissue and swiped around a non-stick pan personally).

In a large bowl sift together, flour sugar, baking soda.  Stir in oats and blueberries.

In another bowl whisk banana, eggs, and oil.  Using wooden spoon stir banana mixture into flour mixture until just combined.  At this point because the oats absorb all the liquid I add milk or water until I get the desired consistency.  I describe it as a soupy oatmeal.  Try not to overmix.  Spoon into prepared loaf pan.

Bake in the centre rack of the over for 50-55 minutes or until tester comes out clean (toothpick).  Cool in pan for 10 minutes.  Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.