Bean and Fish Tacos

I started a new eating plan in August (which I will talk about in a different post) focused on whole unprocessed foods.  With that I decided to try my hand at a more vegetarian/vegan diet.  This is not to say I haven't had any meat, cheese, eggs, etc., but I have drastically cut down on the amount I consume.  I have barely had any meat since I started and try to only eat a small quantities of cheese during the week.  I am constantly looking for new recipes and when I can across these tacos, I knew they were a must try.

I pretty much followed the recipe verbatim, with the exception of the limes and the lettuce.  I ended up juicing both limes for the onions, not serving one as an accoutrement.  I also was tired of chopping and it was getting late so I decided not to shred lettuce to serve with the tacos.  We didn't seem to miss it.  I did soak and cook my own black beans (again, trying to eat less processed foods, which include things in a can), but you could easily use canned black beans, just make sure they don't have any additives in them!  One cup of black beans would suffice for 2-4 people as we had a TON leftover. 

Here is a picture of Matt's plate after he put his tacos together...they tasted as good as they look!

If you are looking for a great vegetarian recipe that is fairly easy to whip up on a weeknight, I highly recommend these tacos.  I think you could even use the rub on chicken and it would be delish...maybe just marinate for a couple hours and grill. 

Happy Birthday, Matt!

We also celebrated another very important birthday in September...someone who makes Ethan, Henry, and I who we are.  Someone who is our rock, our provider, our constant.  Someone who we adore, look up to, laugh with, and most importantly love unconditionally...and that someone is our "man", Matt/Daddy/the hubs!

 

When I asked the boys what kind of cake we should make for daddy, they responded with a "Gunners" cake.  Well, actually Ethan was first to speak up, but Henry shortly copied and after a few days of repeatedly asking about making daddy a Gunners cake, I knew one was in my future. 

 

For those of you who don't know who the Gunners are, a brief synopsis:

Gunners is a nickname for an English Premier Football League team, the Arsenal Football Club.  They are based in Holloway London and are one of the most successful clubs in London.  Ethan and Matt would spend early Saturday mornings watching soccer and Ethan just took a liking to the Gunners.  Not sure if it is because it allowed him to use the work "Gunner" without getting in trouble or just the fact that they were good and actually won games.  I am hoping for the latter.  Regardless, Ethan had no doubt what kind of cake he wanted to make for his daddy. 

Since I didn't want to make a cake in the shape of a gun (I am trying to avoid gun talk/toys at all costs even though it is inevitable), the next best idea I had was a soccer ball.  So, off to Hobby Lobby I went to find a mold and this was the end result...





Ta-dah...pretty darn good if you ask me!

 

We didn't do much to celebrate except have a nice family dinner at home, sing Happy Birthday, and open a few gifts!

Having a serious discussion about the cake!

 



So excited!

Make a wish!

 

A very happy birthday to a very special man in our lives!  We love you so much and look forward to celebrating many more birthdays!  

Happy Birthday, HRH!

After a long hiatus, I am finally back on the blogging train.  I was fresh out of time and things to say, but I am going to give this whole blog another chance.  What better way to get the ball rolling than with a post about sweet Henry turning 2!

Our baby turned 2 on September 18th and we celebrated a week later when Papa Larry was in town with a small family party!  Henry loves Elmo so I thought a little Elmo themed party was order (Cookie Monster came, too). 

 

Yum...cupcakes

 



The cupcakes weren't enough for Henry though.  For the months leading up to his birthday, whenever we asked him what kind of cake he wanted, he said "a faffle cake" so I put my creative baking skills to the test and gave this little guy exactly what he wanted....a faffle cake!

 A waffle iron, come pancake mix, chocolate icing, whipped cream and a cherry make a delicious cake.  Turned out pretty well, if you ask me.  And Henry could not have been more excited!

 

 

Happy Birthday to you!

 



"Want some of my faffle cake, Charlie?"

Group photo

(Ethan, Jack, Lily, Henry, Charlotte, and Ellie and nanny in the background)

 

The weather was beautiful and we spent most of the evening outside.  Just a cute picture I snapped of the "big" boys playing dress up...fire rescue, a favorite in our house!

 

I will do another post on Henry with his stats and "accomplishments" as he turned two, but for now I thought some pictures of this birthday were enough.  It was the perfect way to celebrate our baby boy, small and colorful, surrounded by friends and family.  HRH, I can't believe you are 2!