Pumpkin Puree

There is something about the scents of fall. The smell of wet, dead leaves are one of the first signs of fall I carry in my memory. It’s not the same living in Florida, but there are many fall foods that bring back memories. Pumpkins are not only a visual memory most people have for fall the smell of pumpkin is another. From carving a jack-o-lantern to roasting seeds in October to pumpkin pie in November.

I have learned that while canned pumpkin is so easy, there is nothing like homemade pumpkin puree. Roasting it in the oven doubles as potpourri. Last year I had the hardest time finding pie pumpkins after October. I learned my lesson and this year purchased two. I have since made two batches of pumpkin cookies and froze the rest for Thanksgiving.

Just as a jack-o-lantern you can save the seeds to roast.

Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Makes about 3 cups

Ingredients:

1 pie pumpkin / 4-6 pounds
salt
foil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil.
Cut off pumpkin stem, if still attached. Wash the outside of the pumpkin.
Cut the pumpkin in half.
Remove seeds and pulp and set aside.

Cut each piece in half again. Sprinkle with salt and set on foil lined baking sheet skin side down.
Roast in oven for about 40 minutes or until soft.
Let cool for about an hour.
Tear off the skin. Place the pumpkin into a food processor or blender. Puree until it is smooth.
Freeze up to 3 months.

What smell reminds you of fall?

Category: Yummy | LEAVE A COMMENT

October 29

Breastfeeding in Sarasota

Did you know that according to the CDC Breastfeeding report card for 2013 76.5% of U.S. women who started to breastfeed their baby, only 16.4% are exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months?

In the state of Florida while 78.1% of women ever breastfed, only 10.6% are exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months.

Sarasota isn’t exactly a young town but there are plenty of babies around. I’ve noticed more now than ever. Maybe it’s because I had one recently or maybe it’s a big baby year here.

Breastfeeding is the best choice for feeding a baby in the first year. It’s not the only choice but if able to, it’s the best choice. I breastfed my previous children, ages 15 and up, for a short period of time. I was young, uneducated and had no support. After 1-3 months they were all formula fed.

I have been breastfeeding EJ for 7 months now. I had the support of a WIC lactation consultant whom I appreciated so much, especially in those early weeks.

I’ve heard of people all over the US that live in areas that aren’t breastfeeding friendly. I won’t ever understand why anyone would shame women for feeding a baby in public. Feed them in an unsanitary bathroom? Cover them with a blanket so they can overheat? Starve them until they get home? Don’t leave the house? I think people are so insecure with themselves and their own relationships that they expect others to feel the same way or at least follow their way. I hope these people don’t frequent a pool or beach as they will likely see more skin there than by a breastfeeding mother.

Ever since I moved here, however, I have found nothing but nice people. There are sour apples everywhere, of course, but in general people here are positive, smile, and just nice. Even most tourists I have run into soak up the sun here and always seem to have a smile on their faces. This hasn’t been any different breastfeeding in public. To my knowledge I haven’t had one dirty look, not one rude comment, and not one person make me feel uncomfortable about it. Once I felt more comfortable and the humidity got out of control I stopped covering him to feed. No one ever really sees much anyway. I have fed him everywhere from the grocery store, the mall, many restaurants, and the beach. I feel so lucky to live somewhere that breastfeeding feels normal. I wish every mother could have that.

For a period of time daddy brought EJ to my work everyday where I fed him.

If you live in the Sarasota area and need help from a consultant contact WIC or Healthy Start.

If you need to know the law surrounding breastfeeding as well as pumping at work in Florida the Florida Breastfeeding Coalition has information on the law as well as cards you can print out.

A great resource for breastfeeding mom’s everywhere is KellyMom. It is evidence-based breastfeeding, pregnancy and parenting information. It is my #1 goto website for all things related to breastfeeding.

Latch on ladies!

Category: Breastfeeding | LEAVE A COMMENT

October 24

Did I say 4th Kid?

Watching a baby grow and learn is an amazing part of parenthood. You spend 9 months carrying them in your body watching the transformation of a belly getting bigger and bigger. Then you spend hours and sometimes days in labor. I was one of those people that spent days in labor. With my third child I was in labor for about 1 1/2-2 days. I honestly don’t remember. My fourth I was in labor for 3 days. Yup, you read that right: 3 days! Oh, you mean the fourth kid thing.

EJ was born April 1st, 2014 and that’s no joke. Mind you, after 3 days in labor I was hoping he would hold on until April 2nd, just until 12:00am.

I have spent the past 6 months since he was born in awe. From the sounds of his first cries after birth to the first time he figured out how to bounce himself in the bouncy. The smile on my face matched his as his little toes reached the floor and pushed off.

Ever since EJ was born everyone tells us how cute he is. You sometimes wonder if, as parents, you just think they are cuter than everyone else does. People go out of their way to tell us how adorable he is all the time.

I don’t think we have ever left the house in 6 months and not been approached by at least one person. We had such an incident at a restaurant one evening where not only the guests around us couldn’t get enough, but an employee came over three times while we were eating.

This kid is destined for tv. He was already on the local news station, but that has nothing to do with his dad working there, nope.

I don’t think I will ever tire of watching him learn things like sticking his tongue out, because, you know, that’s important.