Passion Fruit Bars

In less than 2 week I am leaving Bahia and will start to make my way back to the U.S. I have mixed feelings about leaving. I'm excited to see my family in Sao Paulo and even more excited to spend my anniversary in Rio de Janeiro with Chris. I am excited to go on a Disney vacation with my friend, my kids, and her daughter. I am excited to see our family and friends in California, move back to Santa Cruz, get Enzo enrolled in school, enjoy Fall weather, and then welcome our new addition.

There is a lot to look forward to.

At the same time I am sad about leaving Bahia. There is something really simple about living here. No car. No where to go really except for the beach. Homeschooling. Eating tropical fruit everyday just 'cuz it's cheap and in season. I'm even going to miss my simple kitchen without all the bells and whistles of a modern kitchen. I seriously haven't used a microwave in almost a year.

My cousin, Taina, is visiting us for the week. I wanted to make something special for her on the weekend, since she's probably the last visitor we'll have I'm trying to spoil her. I thought about making lemon bars, I love lemon bars, but then decided to try something more Brazilian - passion fruit bars.

It's not every day I'll be able to get my hands on fresh passion fruit. I might as well use as much of it as I possibly can. For this recipe you will need 1 cup of passion fruit concentrate. If you have access to passion fruit then in a blender puree 4 medium sized passion fruits (just the pulp). If you don't live in a tropical somewhere or other then you can find passion fruit concentrate at most Mexican markets.

Also, since we are doing this the Brazilian way you'll just mix everything in a blender.  Basically if you have passion fruit, a blender, and muggy weather you're good to go. If not you can improvise and create your own little tropical paradise with store bought passion fruit concentrate and a mixer. No biggie. I do recommend listening to some Seu Jorge in the background though just to set the mood. 

Passion Fruit Bars
(printable version)
yields 2 dozen bars

For the crust
1/2 pound salted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar 
2 cups flour

Passion fruit Layer 
6 extra-large eggs or 8 small eggs at room temperature

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup passion fruit concentrate (4-5 fresh passion fruits)
1 cup flour

Optional Syrup for topping
1 large passion fruit
1/2 cup granulated sugar, more if needed

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet. 
2. For the crust, cream the butter and sugar. If you have a mixer use a mixer otherwise just use a wooden spoon.
3. Add the flour until just mixed. 
4. Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into the greased baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides, then bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. 
5. Let the crust cool and leave the oven on. 
6. For the passion fruit layer, mix in a blender the eggs, sugar, passion fruit concentrate, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
7. For the syrup just mix together the pulp of the passion fruit and granulated sugar, until desired sweetness. I don't mind the syrup being grainy, if you do then you can mix the passion fruit and sugar over low heat until the sugar is melted. Then let it cool down. Spread on top of the passion fruit layer. 
8. Cut into rectangles and serve as bars.

Cereal Humor

{sources: 1, 2, 3, 4}

I'm not really sure why I have cereal on my mind. Maybe because Chris is gone until Saturday and I'm tempted to lazy parent and just feed the kids cereal for the next 3 days. Or maybe it's because Chris is gone so I am spending my kids-are-finally-asleep time hanging out with Pinterest, where I found the first poster and then decided to search the web for more cereal posters.

And because cereal is such a happy topic here are 10 more cereal-sly funny finds

1 // This is so me
2 // and this is so true
3 // Do you find this creepy or funny?
4 // I find this funny, I know I shouldn't, but I totally do
5 // This totally happens to me, and since I am the only soy milk drinker in the house it makes it even worse because I have no one to blame but myself.
6 // Normally I would say this is true, unless it's your birthday and you are a Palmer and you get to choose any cereal you want on your birthday. In that case go all out.
7 // My kitty's dream.
8 // I thought this picture was hilarious because it totally reminded me of women laughing alone with salad (if what I just wrote means nothing to you then do click on the link, it's just so classic). I know the woman in the cereal picture is not alone but still, it's just so staged. Come on why is there a fork and a knife next to the cereal bowl? Stop it already.
9 // Right?!
10 // and in case all this cereal talk got you hungry for some cereal then this can help you choose what to eat.

A Photo Journal of 2 Sisters and a Cool Photographer Dad

I know we just had Mother's Day but now I'm in Father's Day planning mode. Some dads are just so cool and definitely need to be celebrated. Jason from JLWPhotography is one of my favorite daddy bloggers. I love checking out his personal blog and seeing what fun pictures he's taken recently of his two girls, Kristin and Kayla. Seriously, what a fun dad. Naturally, the ones where he uses food as props are some of my favorite pictures.

Vacation is Good for the Soul

Yesterday after a 12 hour drive we made it safely home. Christian's one advice to anyone taking a road trip in Brazil is this - if the map says that the road is paved, it may or may not be paved. In other words take your time, expect surprises and detours, expect beautiful brand new roads one minute and dirt roads the next. It was good practice for our 2014 trip, the one where we want to take 6 months to drive from California to Brazil so we can watch the World Cup in Rio and Sao Paulo.

Remember how we thought we were going to drive back to California, and then I got pregnant? Speaking of pregnancy I've been feeling like myself again, only with popcorn popping inside of me. I love this phase, where the nausea and fatigue is gone and where I can start to feel the little flutters of my little baby.

Life is good again.

Last year when we did our long road trip through the West Coast of the United States Christian and I discovered audio books. It makes the drive go by so much faster. Last year we were enthralled with the Hunger Games saga, this year we listened to The Happiness Project. I'm semi-skeptical of such books and Christian is ultra-skeptical, but we both really enjoyed it. It was pretty fitting to be on vacation, driving through beautiful places contemplating happiness. It's a good read (or listen) and I strongly recommend it.

One of the things that makes me happy is being a mom. It's also what makes me most tired, most impatient, and most enraged. But right now I'm really enjoying parenting Enzo and Maria even if I still do get impatient with them. It was so hard feeling so sick during my first trimester and not being able to do basic things. Getting up to get a cup of water for Maria seemed like an unsurmountable task, I really couldn't get myself to do it.

It felt so good being able to chase them around, go swimming with them in caves and waterfalls, and just feel like their mom again.

Chapada Diamantina | Palmer Family Vacation

Every year Christian and I (mostly Christian) plan a family vacation. The first time we did it Enzo was just shy of turning 1. We went to Maui and camped at a volcano. I'm sure we saw other things in Maui but I mostly just remember the volcano, and Enzo being little. I also remember thinking, "this is beautiful" at least a hundred times during our vacation. Christian is really good about taking us to beautiful places. There are lots of things I like about Christian, but his love for the outdoors and his patience to take us with him is one of my favorite things about him for sure.

Growing up I had heard of Chapada Diamantina and remember seeing the steep cliffs, the majestic waterfalls, and the caves on T.V. Consequently it feels a little unreal to be here. It is more beautiful than I could ever imagine. I have taken lots of pictures. None of them do this place justice. Never the less here are a few.

Happy Mother's Day

Excuse my French but Christian is a total badass. He made croissants from scratch and served up a super delish breakfast. He takes Mother's Day seriously.

He wrote me a card, gave me coupons, and is waiting patiently so he can talk to his mom in Hawaii. Because of the 7 hour time difference we'll probably only be able to talk to her later tonight. Also, because of the time difference I figured most of you are still asleep, which gives me plenty of time to write this post and wish you a Happy Mother's Day.

I love being a mother to the little person pictured below, and to my medium person, and also to my apple sized fetus. And before being a mother I loved being an aunt to my nephew Bruno and to Christian's nieces and nephews.

I love being a mother. I love homeschooling Enzo. I love teaching them how to cook. I love reading the scriptures with them and sharing my testimony of the Savior in small but significant ways. I also love going to my mother's house and having them watch cartoons on my mom's T.V for hours and hours and hours with her and my grandma while I relax in the other room re-reading something silly like Breaking Dawn. I like taking my kids to the museum and other cultural events. I am also excited to take them to Disney this Summer. 

When I was pregnant with Enzo I had the opportunity to meet Winona LaDuke, a Native American Environmental activist. I asked her opinion on something I was worried about. My friends were throwing me a babyshower and I didn't want any plastic toys as gifts. I also wanted all the baby clothes to be organic cotton. And I definitely did not want anyone to give me pacifiers (something I was totally against, and then of course ended up using with Enzo and wished Maria would of used too). Ms. LaDuke kindly replied "Do not be a politically correct island unto yourself, otherwise you'll end up very lonely." She was right. And if I have one one advice to give to new mothers it is to not be lonely. Surround yourself with friends, with other mothers, with fathers, with a diverse community that will respect you and will love your kids. Your kids will be made better for it and motherhood will be a lot easier. 

You know the saying "Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff" well, a lot of parenting is small stuff. Seriously, don't sweat it.

I also want to wish a happy Mother's Day to women in general. We've been lucky having our friend Juliana living with us since February. She's so kind to Enzo and Maria and has helped mother them while I was too nauseous to even get out of bed. And like Juliana we've been lucky to have other wonderful women in my children's lives who've been good examples to them and at some point or another have mothered them. 

Oh, and of couse a special shout out to my Christian, who not only makes a killer breakfast but also makes cute kids with me. Being a mother is very rewarding when you have the chance to share the joys and the burdens with someone else.

Kiwi Crate

I have yet to meet a child that doesn't love hands on projects. That's why I am so intrigued by Kiwi Crate, a subscription service that delivers curated "crates" with all the tools and materials needed for a variety of of age-appropriate projects. Kiwi Crate is designed for kids ages 3-7. In other words I think both Maria and Enzo would love it. I think the garden project, for example, would be a lot of fun.

Because I homeschool I tend to spend a lot of time online getting ideas for projects I'd like to do with the kids. However, most of the time I just end up giving them a big roll of white paper, paint, crayons, and let them make their own projects.

What about you, is Kiwi Crate something your kids would enjoy?

Babies and Limes

My little fruitavore.

This morning when we were snuggling in bed, trying to stay quiet so as not to wake up Enzo she turns to me and says

"I have a baby in my tummy too and when my baby comes out I'm going to nurse my baby. On one side I'll make milk and on the other side I'll make fruit juice, it's boring to just have milk."

She's content with the juicer for now.

Brazilian Style Lasagna

There are two traditional types of Brazilian lasagnas. The one I always make, is the ham and mozzarella cheese, red and white sauce lasagna. Sometimes I add ground beef to the red sauce (Bolognese sauce) but more often than not I don't. Mostly because it's an additional step. Also, I love meat but I don't need ground beef and ham together.

I'm a fan of lasagna, specially of Brazilian lasagna because it's kid friendly, and pregnant mother friendly. I work really hard to get my kids to eat everything. On a good day I lovingly encourage them. On a normal day I just lay down the law and force them to eat what's on their plate. But on a pregnant day I don't even try to reason with them or force them, I pretty much leave them to eat whatever they want. So now that I'm slowly feeling better instead of fighting with them I'm trying to make food they'll eat and enjoy. Brazilian style lasagna with loads of ham and cheese is something we all enjoy. Plus it's easy to make and there are always left overs.

And I can find all the ingredients in the little market down the street.

When I get back to fancy California with it's fancy stores where I can find all sorts of good ingredients I'll make lasagna with white sauce made from raw almond milk and I'll sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top for a nice nutty crunch. But for now I'll indulge in homemade creamy white sauce and simple ham and cheese.

For this recipe you'll need 8 cups red sauce and 6 cups of white sauce. You can use store bought but I recommend making it at home because it tastes better and it's easy. No news there right?!

Red Sauce or Plain Tomato Sauce

I love homemade tomato sauce that's simmered for hours and hours, the one I dream about but rarely make. Usually if I want to make tomato sauce I'll just throw some tomatoes in the blender with water and vegetable broth, warm it up and we're good to go. This sauce was just that with a couple cups of left over pumpkin puree.

Here are some excellent tomato sauce recipes you can try
Fresh Tomato Sauce from Smitten Kitchen
Marcella Hazen Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter from Steamy Kitchen
Basic Tomato Sauce from Simply Recipes

White Sauce
(printable version)

1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup flour
6 cups milk
1 teaspoon nutmeg
100 grams shredded parmesan cheese


Warm up the butter in a medium sized pan until it's melted. Sprinkle the flour on top.

Mix until the flour and butter comes together.

Then Slowly add the milk and the nutmeg and stir constantly over low heat until it becomes creamy. If the flour and butter mixture isn't dissolving then use a whisk. When the sauce starts to thicken up (about 8-10 minutes of constant stirring) add the parmesan cheese and mix.

Now, on to assembling the lasagna

Brazilian Lasagna
(printable version)
prep time: 30 minutes
cooking time: 40 minutes
rest time: 15 minutes
Makes about 10 portions

500g of dried lasagna noodles
8 cups tomato sauce
6 cups white sauce (see above for recipe)
500 g of sliced ham
700 g of sliced mozzarella

1. Preheat oven to 350*
2. In a large rectangular sauce pan pour 2 cups of tomato sauce and then layer dried lasagna noodles on top. 
3. Add 1 1/2 cups white sauce and then layer cheese and ham and another 2 cups of tomato sauce. Repeat with noodles, white sauce, cheese, and ham, red sauce.
4. Make a last layer of cheese on top of the lasagna. Cover with tin foil and bake for 40 minutes.
5. Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it sit for 15 minutes.
6. Serve warm.

Anatomy of a Piñata

So, how was your Cinco de Maio? I'm planning on making Taco Salad sometime this week. I've been shying away from Mexican food because I can't find tortillas, taco seasoning, or sour cream, all things I'm going to have to figure out how to make from scratch. I'm excited for the challenge because I am finally cooking again. That first trimester was a real doozy. I'm still not 100% but even feeling 50% is an improvement from how I've been these last three months.

Thanks for being so kind to me. Thanks for your emails and your comments. Thanks for caring. I've missed blogging a lot. I'm excited to get back to cooking, to eating, and to writing. I feel like I need to celebrate!

Piñata Anatomy from Carmichael Collective found via this pinboard