Adapted from David Lebovitz

I made this a free-style tart, roll dough about 14 inches and then folded up the border instead of using a tart ring. If you have a tart ring you can use it as well.

This time I left the tomatoes whole but next time I am thinking of cutting them lengthwise and letting them sit in the marinade for added flavor. When draining the tomatoes make sure to save the marinade and use in a simple arugula and spinach salad. This Tomato Tarte is a great mix of sweet and savory.

Preheat the oven to 400ºF

Tart Filling
3 cups of cherry tomatoes
2 tbs olive oil
¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar
1 garlic clove minced
2 tbs chopped tarragon
1 tbs honey
Spicy Mustard
6 Slices of Gouda Cheese Slices
salt and pepper to taste

In a bowl mix together olive oil, balsamic, garlic, honey and tarragon, add the tomatoes and let them marinate for 30 minutes.

Tart Dough
4 1/2 oz unsalted butter, chilled, cut into small cubes
1 1/2 cups All Purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg
3 tbs cold water

In a food processor mix flour and salt pulse in butter until you mixture is crumbly. In a separate bowl beat the egg and the water. Mix in the egg mixture and pulse until dough holds together. If dough is not holding together add another tbs of cold water.
Gather the dough into a ball and roll it on a floured surface, add additional flour only as needed to keep the dough from sticking to your surface. Roll dough to about 14 inches and transfer to a baking sheet.

Spread an even layer of spicy mustard over the bottom of the tart dough. Add the Gouda slices. Drain the tomatoes and let it sit a few minutes to dry out, then add them to the tart. Fold the corners of your tart over your filling. Sprinkle with some fresh basil and bake the tart for 35 minutes or until dough is cooked.

Last year we set out to build our on raised beds and start our very own vegetable garden.   For a days worth of work, $250 in materials and some seeds you can grow yourself a garden providing some savings, peace of mind knowing your veggies are organic, sense of pride growing your own, priceless fun, adventures and memories to last a lifetime.

The project is fairly simple as long as you are able to do some light handy work. We used This Old House guidance on how to build a raised beds. Here is the link: How to Build a Raised Garden

Here is a slideshow of our veggie patch

Some great books to get you started:

As I developed into a young lady and my boobs started to ripen the world around me told me they were a sexual object. I remember the amount of time spent in front of the mirror stuffing them with socks to make them look bigger. Low cut shirts and pushup bras for better cleavage. Never fully understanding the real purpose of boobs. Until one day the boobie fairy struck me with her magic wand and so the journey into motherhood began and so my boobies became the feeding vessel of health that they were always intended to become.

I had never seen anyone breastfeed before I became a mother, but instinctively I knew it was what I planned to do. After all it was the natural thing to do. My child is human and he needs human milk, why would I give him anything else if my anatomy was designed to deliver exactly what he needs through his first year of life and beyond.

I was lucky enough to breastfeed on demand for the first year of my child’s life and continue our breastfeeding journey through the age of 3. In my journey I encountered adversity, misinformation and whole lot of unwarranted advice. From the pediatrician that suggested I should supplement, to the many that thought I was doing wrong by allowing my child to feed on demand, to those that were concerned about my child’s well-being at age 3 and still on to the boob, to the many appalling stares while breastfeeding in public and let’s not forget inadvertently becoming a member of the ongoing controversy amongst breastfeeding mamas and formula feeding mamas.

Although my breastfeeding journey has already ended with my first born I will forever cherish the memories of the bond we have developed and the health benefits that will last a lifetime.

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week I wrote this poem…

As I hold you close to my breast
With every gaze
I feel connected
You are one with me
I am one with you
We understand each other
Your tender eyes express comfort, happiness and satisfaction
We are in the moment even when the world around us moves at lightning speed

As your tender voice calls out for “boobies”
I know they are your instant pacifier
your automatic mood shifter
the eternal comfort blanky
and your favorite pillow

But best of all I know they are a vessel of health
That supplies your every need
And a bond we will forever share
And one I will forever cherish

Involve children in meal preparation
I can vividly remember being about three years old and helping my grandmother in the kitchen; she used to sit me on the kitchen counter and allowed me to be part of the meal preparation process. To this day I attribute my love for the kitchen and healthy eating to the opportunities she provided me at a very young age and allowing me to explore in the kitchen. I am passing this forward by involving my son in my cooking routine and allowing him to wash the vegetables, measure out the flour, sprinkle herbs on vegetables, baking cookies and many other cooking related activities. I believe that kids are more likely to try different foods if you involve them in the process of selecting, preparing, and serving foods.

According to a WebMD article, Cooking With Your Children some of the benefit are:

• It encourages kids to try healthy foods.
• Kids feel like they are accomplishing something and contributing to the family.
• Kids are more likely to sit down to a family meal when they helped prepare it.
• Parents get to spend quality time with their kids.
• Kids aren’t spending time in front of the TV or computer while they’re cooking.
• Kids generally aren’t eating junk food when they’re cooking a meal at home.
• Learning to cook is a skill your children can use for the rest of their lives.
• Kids who learn to eat well may be more likely to eat healthfully as adults.
• Positive cooking experiences can help build self-confidence.

If your are new to cooking or looking to make changes in your kitchen or at the kitchen table this great opportunity to grab a new cookbook and try out new recipes together as as a family! If you not to comfortable with your skills in the kitchen join a cooking with kids class locally. These classes are popping up locally across the country. Some supermaket chains like HEB, Wegmans and Wholefood also offer summer cooking programs for kids to attend.

Resources:

http://whatscookingwithkids.com/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/cooking-for-kids/package/index.html

My favorite books:

Visit your local Farmers Markets regularly
Consuming locally grown foods allows you to make healthier and more economical choices while supporting your local economy. All of these open air markets not only offer great access to locally grown foods, they also offers access to unique local products like fresh flowers, homemade goods, honey and so much more.

Advantages of shopping at a Farmers Market:

• Fresher and more nutritious produce that is better tasting. On average most produce purchased at the supermarket has traveled 1500 miles, travel time causes environmental pollution, impacts the nutritional value and because it is picked before it is ripe it is less tasty.
• Encourages you to eat what is in season, buying seasonal produce allows you to try new foods and experiment with new recipes. If it is in season it will most likely taste better too!
• Local farmers tend to use more natural and organic practices when growing their produce limiting the amount of pesticides and insecticides.
• Local pasture-based farms raise livestock often raised without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones
• Developing a relationships with your local farmers

Visit your local Farmers Market with your children on the weekends. Give them a few dollars and encourage them to pick their own fruits and vegetables. An added benefit of shopping at your local farmers market is saving money you can buy a whole lot more fruits and veggies for $15 that you could ever get at the supermarket!

Resources:
Local Harvest: Find a Farmers Market in your area
http://www.localharvest.org/
Eat Wild: Find a pasture-based farm in your area
http://www.eatwild.com/products/

Check out this seasonal produce map

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/seasonalcooking/farmtotable/seasonalingredientmap

My favorite books:

Plant a Garden
Get children interested in the process of growing vegetables and where they come from. They are more likely to eat vegetables if they grow them themselves. This has really worked for me personally, we have involved our toddler in every step of the process and the best part is to see his excitement every time he discovers something new in the garden. He is full of excitement when the broccoli head is ready for harvest, the new tomato that just turned red or the purple eggplant that he gets to pick and bring in the house and help me fix for dinner.

1. Take them shopping for seeds, and let them pick some of their own seeds.
2. Make planting day an event let them get dirty, let them plant their own seeds
3. Continue to cultivate their interest by having your child write the names of the vegetables planted on wooden sticks and/or drawing the picture.
4. Give them small responsibilities so they have a vested interest in the garden they are growing. (watering duties, weeding)
5. Encourage them to care for the garden on a daily basis, and keep it fun by pointing out blooms as they appear, counting tomatoes, finding the longest string bean and scoping out for insects that may appear. Use only Organic Sprays only when needed!

Resources:

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=10096

http://www.squidoo.com/VegetableGardenLayout

Check out this creative “I’m growing my own Garden Certificate for kids” and great planning resource

http://www.marghanita.com/your-first-vegetable-garden/

My favorite books:

As parents we are always concerned about our children and whether or not they are eating enough.  We should be more concerned with the quality of the foods they consume rather than the amount.  What steps can we take to to raise real food eater’s vs. fake food eaters.  Most Americans eat a diet of highly processed foods,  it is estimated that a regular household eats at least 90% fake food and doesn’t even know it.  They may be under the false impression that what they are eating is  “fresh” and “natural” because the glossy label on the well crafted box tells them so.   In the past three years we have seen increased concern in our diminishing health and the obvious link to common preventable diseases and what we eat.   Even worse are the alarming statistics about the childhood obesity epidemic and concern that future generations may have a shorter lifespan than previous generations. Yes, the statistics are alarming but by adopting healthier behaviors we can accomplish amazing results.  It all begins with the simple commitment to consume more fruits and vegetable and limit our intake of highly processed foods from our daily diets.

What is “real food”?
Real food is a term that relates to fresh, natural foods choices that are minimally processed and that are close to their source. No preservatives, no artificial dyes, no chemicals.

Raising “real food” eaters is a family affair that begins with you as a parent.  You are the role model and if you want your children to adopt healthy eating you have to show them by example.  Remember that actions speak louder than words. You are trying to teach your child to enjoy eating veggies. Are you enjoying them too? Always set a good example of what you want your kids to follow.

As part of this series I will share with you easy ways to encourage healthier eating.