tdizzle's Profile

There is a group called Food Not Bombs that cooks food and distributes it for free in public places, mostly the the homeless, and they are being arrested and harassed by police for it in many places. More than 40 cities have passed laws banning or limiting sharing food in public. Generally people ignore these laws being passed, or even applaud them, because they feel better when the problem of hunger and homelessness is hidden. But keep in mind that this idea you have (that I personally really like, and think would be fabulous and fun) might already be illegal where you live, and many other cities are considering similar laws.

I would also guess that you are over-mixing after adding the flour. I use a mixer to cream together wet ingredients, but stir in the dry ingredients by hand just until moist.
I was having almost the opposite problem as you, in that I wanted chewy cookies but mine were always spreading and there have been 2 major changes that have perfected my chocolate chip cookies. 1. Melt the butter (I don't know why this makes a difference, but seems to improve chewyness) 2. Chill the dough for a bit (half hour to an hour) after mixing, it prevents them from over-spreading.
This is my favorite recipe (except that I melt the butter) http://www.marthastewart.com/344840/soft-and-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies

It really depends on the baby, your preferences, and what stage the baby is in. In my daughters year of life thus far we have done a variety of sleeping arrangements (bassinet, co-sleeping, crib in the same room, crib in her own room) depending on what her (and our) needs have been at the time. So I wouldn't be so quick to refuse the moses basket, a co-sleeper and so forth. But you won't know if you need them until the time comes that what you're doing isn't working and you need to try something different.

You are totally correct that babies don't need a lot of stuff. Particularly before they are born, when you don't know what their personal preferences and needs will be. The one recommendation I have is to get quality items - I went through about 5 baby carriers because I kept getting cheap ones that wouldn't last for a very long time (the Moby was nice when she was a newborn, but once she started to get heavier it was terrible. A ring sling was nice for a while, but again we have reached the point where she is too heavy). I resisted buying an Ergo because of their hefty price tag, but I finally bit the bullet and got one - I should have done it to begin with, and skipped the cheaper but shorter lived alternatives.

The vinegar water solution is the best! I now do it to wash all my fruit (toss it all in the sink when I get home from the store). After getting everything dry the berries go in an airtight container with a paper towel. Works amazing! Raspberries are the only thing I wait to wash until right before eating, but they definitely get washed

This is great! I love that my husband has different food preferences than I do so that I will be encouraged to eat things I'm not a huge fan of (and he is too).
And I totally agree with the comment on CSAs. Luckily they will let me trade out the bell peppers because I absolutely hate those, but summer squash isn't something I buy or use regularly otherwise and they are overflowing with it so I am finding all sorts of new ways to cook and enjoy it.

At the farmers market I always used to pass by produce that I didn't know what it is, and now I at least ask. Then I can look up recipes and find out ways to use items I have never seen before, and lots of times the vendors are also great at offering suggestions.

Avocado with cottage cheese is a favorite of mine!
I also make big batches of healthy muffins - carrot applesauce zucchini has been my favorite lately.
Trail mixes with lots of nuts are filling, i love dried apricots in them
Apple slices with oeanut butter
Mini frittatas made in muffin cups, I like to toss in spinach or arugula with feta. So yummy and easy to keep a bunch in the fridge, they are good at any temperature but I like to warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds
Homemade kale, sweet potato, and beet chips for something crunchy

I am 26 and would absolutely love to garden. But I have nowhere to do so. Living i an apartment and moving every year or so is not st all conducive to gardening. Community gardens are not plentiful enough and are never nearby.

I dont think the older geneationd realize how much easier it was for them to become home owners. My parents bought their first house at the age of 20 for $7000. I don't know a single person my age who could afford to buy a house, much less one with space to garden. i cant imagine how long its going to take me to crawl out from under massive debt and be able to live anywhee besides a shitty apartment

Muffins! i usually use some white flour too, about 50/50
I love the wheat flour in the carrot applesauce breakfast muffins I make

I love the ideas!
Most places do not have munucipal composting, and many apartments are not ideal for composting. So I am glad to have alternative ideas for utilizing scraps

Check out Pomi tomatoes, they are in paper cartons and they are fantastic! I love that they don't add anythin like salt or citric acid. If your grocer doesn't carry them, they are available on Amazon.