getting outside…and brownies

It seems as though I have been sitting in this same chair for months. Despite our lack of winter this year, we haven’t been getting out much. Isaac often resists going outside and I think it’s because of all his sensory issues – too many sounds, and smells. There are too many people and he has to wear too many clothes. He’d really rather stay indoors. And so we often do. But today, I needed some serious fresh air; I needed to move my body. Thankfully he was happy to oblige.

leading the way

So off we went. We decided to search for signs of spring, figuring they wouldn’t be too hard to find. The snow was all melting which, given we’ve had hardly any, wasn’t much of a surprise. (Albeit it’s a little sad. We haven’t been able to go tobogganing one day this winter. That is unheard of here.) The trails of melting snow were forming lots of little streams along the side of the road. Isaac loves the tinkly sound that is made when the water drips into the depths of the sewer so we stopped and listened a while. I must admit…it sounded like spring.

water + isaac + tinkly sounds = joy

What else did we spy with our little spring eyes? Well, we found some serious buds on a couple of trees. And we found daffodils starting to poke their heads up too.

buds in February

this isn't normal

daffodils

We popped by the café for a snack. Since making a lifestyle change to a primal way of eating, we haven’t frequented the café much. But today felt like a good time for a treat – for Isaac. I just had tea.

rice krispie square

And then it was on to the library to pick up some books that were on hold and once we were there Isaac decided he really wanted to play the Harry Potter video game on the computer. Soooooo…I chatted for a bit with my friend who works there and I helped him with his game…and then we were both getting hungry and it was time for home. Not before a quick dash into the grocery store next door though. We always seem to need something.

A quick walk home and we were ready to eat. After lunch Isaac stood at the counter for a good hour listening to his 50′s and 60′s MP3. He was into the oldies quite sometime ago…for a long time too, but it tapered eventually. This past weekend he asked to have it back on and we spent all day Saturday and Sunday listening to “Happy Birthday Sweet 16″ by Neil Sedaka…on repeat. Today it was Heat Wave by Martha and the Vandellas.

peanut butter and pumpkin purée

cocoa and an egg

Mid-afternoon I decided to do some baking. Both my guys have a considerable sweet tooth (me…I’d rather eat an olive – LOVE salt) and so I made some primal pumpkin brownies. Would you like the recipe…because I was going to share it? You do?  Good…here goes!

1 cup peanut butter (any nut butter would work. I had planned on almond…but realized last-minute we were out.)

3/4 cups of pumpkin (I used my own puree that I made last year but you could buy pumpkin puree…or use any other squash you might like)

1 egg

1/3 cup of honey (I used far less…again, because I didn’t have enough and while they were more bitter…both Fred and Isaac loved them)

1 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp cocoa powder

mmmmmm...

so good the spoon needed to be licked clean

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well (so that you don’t find chucks of nut butter when biting into a brownie).

I used mini-muffin tins to make 2-bite brownies…but you could also use a regular size baking pan – 8×8 – and just increase the cooking time by 10 minutes.

Grease tins well, pour in batter and cook for 15 minutes at 350′F.  Made 2 dozen 2-bite brownies.

gone in two bites

Now, if you are adventurous, as I am…you might want to make some chocolate ganache to go on top. Or a yummy cream cheese frosting. It’s up to you. We went with ganache and then topped them with whipped cream. My kid couldn’t have been happier.

ganache and whipped cream...what could be better?

After dinner we all crawled into bed to watch Monsters, Inc. Isaac is just starting to get interested in movies and watching half of one before bed is REALLY helping him relax enough to be ready to sleep. Bedtime has always been a struggle for us…it’s nice to find something that actually works.

And that was our day. Tomorrow promises brownies for breakfast…ganache and whipped cream included. Can hardly wait.

Namaste,
Debbie

recipe adapted from here.