Sprouted squash

Sprouted squash
Originally uploaded by jumjum15

I have mentioned before my extreme love for roasted squash. I can only eat it pureed, however, or in soups, not chunks.

In case I didn't mention it, here's what you do.

Wash a whole squash. Stab it deeply five or six times. Very satisfying. Set it in a roasting pan that's only a little bigger than the squash, if you can, and cook for at least an hour at 375. Larger squash takes longer, and I think I once had to go 2 hours.

The nice thing is, if it's undercooked when you cut it open to check, you can just toss it back in the oven until it's done. This happens to me almost every time.

I bought this one and let it sit on the shelf about a week before I cooked it, and when I opened it up, I saw the seeds had sprouted. I called my Mother-in-law, ho would know about these things, and asked her if the sprouting would poison me and the boy. She said it probably was picked in the fall, and here we are 6 months later, so that's why it had sprouted. But no poison.

We did the usual scrape, fork-mash, drown in butter treatment, which is the best. I've also used olive oil, and occasionally maple syrup, but butter is best. Massive doses of iron and vitamin A, all good things.

I attribute butternut squash to my son's awesome non-anemic state. I swear all the other kids his age are anemic. He likes meats, too though, so maybe that's it.

So yeah, eat seasonally, or your food might look like it's infested with worms. Still tasty, though!

Thanks for reading,
-Anne

Set the Table

set the table.jpg
Originally uploaded by jumjum15

I tried this about a month ago and it didn't take, so I'll try again.

J likes to (usually) set the table. Here is the diagram I made for him. Yes, I KNOW the fork is technically in the wrong spot, but when I made a new one, and tried to switch it, he wouldn't let it go. And really, it's about continuity with a three-year-old, isn't it?

I don't really believe in chores for kids this young, or really ever, in a normal "stars n the chart, stuff you have to do every day/week whatever" sense. We have sort of general household rules, where we clean up after ourselves, but almost always with help, and take care of our things, but there's never any real negative consequence. He just can't play with something new until whatever he's finished with gets put away. It's mostly about space, because if there's Legos everywhere, there's no ROOM for the castle! So he's really good about putting things away. Of course, there's exceptions for massive block structures and works in progress.

Anyway, I think children are far more capable than most people give them credit for. Up until very, very recently, my kid was the only one of his peer group who drank from a regular glass and used regular, although slightly smaller, silverware. He also eats only at the table, with a special "popcorn on the couch" exception, and takes his dishes to the counter when he's done. He's obsessive about using his napkin, although gets upset when all the cloth ones are dirty and has to use paper.

The table-setting began as a way to have him occupied while I was cooking, at those times he can't help due to splattering grease or tight time constraints. I felt he was old enough that he didn't need the TV anymore to keep him busy, and also he's always been a helpful guy.

Now, if he's playing in the yard or in the middle of some project, i don't stop him and make him set the table. The whole point is to help him improve his focus, which is phenomenal anyway, so stopping him in the middle of something to do a non-essential chore would be counter-productive.

So give your kid something useful to do! You might be surprised how capable they are.

As a bonus, it will be extra handy when his sister shows up in July. At which time, he'll of course cease to be helpful, and I'll be extra thankful for Little Bear again.

Thanks for reading,
-Anne