Heat Wave vs. Microwave

We are well into week two of no microwave and after the first few days of accidentally heading towards it to reheat something, we have, in 100% honesty, not missed it. Not one bit. Everything tastes so much better when heated in the oven. We haven't had to give up any of our favorites. G's favorite nuggets and burgers taste even better in the oven. Whether its the nice crispiness the oven baking creates on the food, the anticipation (and growing hunger pains) that waiting thirty minutes vs two and a half minutes creates or the slow, ever growing smell of deliciousness we've all decided that it's worth it. Even my usually "I'm-starving-right-now-and-I-can't-even-handle-it!" four year old is willing to wait 40 minutes for his beloved enchiladas.

Having no microwave has also made me more creative with whole foods. Last week we feasted for several days on fajitas after a trip to the farmer's market left us with yummy peppers and onions. I found an all but abandoned bag of dried black beans in the cupboard. I cooked those up and mixed in some of the garden fresh onions and the delicious factor was so great that with the exception of a pinch of salt, no other spices were needed.

In the spirit of this no microwave business, I'm taking any and all suggestions of your fav vegetarian recipes, so feel free to email me! (And thank you so much to KE and TL for your fabulous suggestions.) Oh and if anyone has suggestions on how to reheat pasta, please let me know. All I know is not in a pan. Not. In. A pan. Just trust me on that one.

And now for this Heat Wave business. Wow. Just when you think being stuck in the house in the middle of an icy winter with a preschooler is the worst thing possible, along comes a blistering heat wave. From inside the a/c'd house it LOOKS like it'd be a great day to play outside, but even a trip to the pool has to be short and quick (not to mention, not at all refreshing--bath water, anyone? Ugh.). So we've been trying to get creative about the indoor activities that our small house can accommodate. Lots and lots of Candyland games, many obstacle courses created from the couch cushions. I am now an expert on finding pictures of all poisonous creatures on the internet, thank you to the Wii games that help burn off 4 yr old energy levels, and books. Lots of books. We reached a book milestone yesterday that has my heart singing. Grant is now old enough to sit still for chapter books. We read our first chapter book, and he was so excited to be reading (okay, listening to) a big kid book. He's equally excited about the fact that he now has a use for a bookmark. :) So is Mommy.