I've Moved

For a while now I've been debating whether or not I should stay here on blogger, or move over to Wordpress. I knew there were pros and cons to both blog places.

So, after thinking about it, talking to a few people and participating in a blogging webinar, I've decided to move my blog to wordpress.

My new web address (URL) is:

www.afamilyslife.wordpress.com

I hope that I will see all of you there.
Thank you for reading my blog!

Olive Oil Banana Bread

I had always wanted to try baking with olive oil, but was always worried that whatever I had made would end up tasting like olives. A taste that I actually really like, but not in a cake.

So, last week, when I invited a friend over for that afternoon, I got my chance to bake with olive oil. You see, I had no butter in the fridge and three very ripe bananas that needed to be used.

I made this recipe, it made the softest banana bread I've ever eaten. The recipe also has very little sugar in it. I mixed the whole thing together in my food processor, and was very happy with how this turned out.

Olive Oil Banana Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups mashed, ripe bananas
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 180C and grease a loaf pan.
One by one put all your ingredients into a food processor blending in between each addition.
Pour into your prepared loaf pan.
Bake until golden and a tooth pick comes out clean (about 50 minutes).

Expat Living- My Parents

'What do your parents think about you living abroad?'

Probably the second most common question I get asked, and likely the most difficult. I know my parents are happy that I am happy. I know that they support my decisions, and are happy with the choices I've made.

When I first told my parents I was going to Turkey to work the drove me to the airport, and expected me to be back in a year. Then, when I met Seyfi and things got serious, they came to Turkey to meet him and his family. They came to both of the weddings, and when the girls were born, they came to help me. They come very year to visit, and we go and see them when we get the chance.

I think, they think it is great that I've made a life for myself, that I've made a family, learned a new culture, and new languages. That I've been able to be open minded and accepting of new people and cultures, been adventurous and brave, things I learned from them.

One good thing for them has been all the travel, they've been to Turkey quite a few times, and now they've been to Belgium (which has also meant trips to France) a couple times. I know they love that!

I think that this day in age, it is very difficult to feel far from anyone. Traveling is easier, although not that cheap. I talk to them a few times a week on the phone we text back and forth, there's Facebook and Skype.

But, especially since I've had children, I think it is getting difficult for them. Even though they see the girls at least once a year for a few weeks, it's hard for them, and that I completely understand.

Too be honest, I'm very lucky to have such supportive parents. Of course I miss them all the time, but I know that they will always be there for me, and for that I am forever thankful.

White Bean Hummus

If you asked Seyfi what is comfort food is, he would tell you kuru fasulye, braised white beans. Traditionally made with onions, peppers and tomatoes, served with rice and pickles, I have never met a Turk who didn't love it.

Last week, I decided to make some for him, so I put my dried beans into a bowl of water to soak over night, and went to bed. They next morning when I went to start making my beans in my slow cooker, I realized that Seyfi would only be eating with us that night for the next few days. I had soaked too many beans.

I thought to myself, what should I do with the extra beans? I could freeze them, but there really wasn't enough to make another full batch of kuru fasulye. I could make them into a soup, but that was my plan for what ever kuru fasulye was left over. Then I thought, if the were chick peas that I had made too many of, I would make hummus... Hummus...

What a great idea!

White bean hummus!

Now I was left with a new dilemma, with no tahini in the house, I was going to have to put a new twist on 'hummus.'

White beans by themselves of course are delicious, but let's be honest, they taste like beans! And who wants to spread that on a cracker?

I threw the beans into my food processor, and searched through the fridge... That is how I came up with this delicious recipe.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

White Bean Hummus

2 cups of cooked white beans
8 sun dried tomatoes (oil packed)
1 handful of fresh basil
1 clove of garlic
Olive oil (I started with the oil that the tomatoes were in, then moved on to normal)
Salt and pepper

In your food processor, pulse your beans, tomatoes, basil and garlic until everything is coming together, drizzle in your oils until the hummus is smooth. Pulse in some salt and pepper.

This tastes really good on crackers, or as a spread on a sandwich.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sisters

Look at these two snuggle bugs!

Friday Favourites

This has been such a great week for me. I'm coming up to the weekend not feeling exhausted, or fed up. I feel normal, not like I have a little baby and a three year old, but like I have a family that has been working together for years.

This has been a week of warmer weather, playing in the park after school and lots of chatting with friends, long walks and delicious (healthy) food, a happy baby and a happy three year old, new yoga poses and stress free living. I hope that this feeling continues for a long time.

Here are some great things that I've been reading this week:

Making toast in a gluten-gluten free home at Jenn Cuisine

When I was in Turkey I'd make bagels, but never as good looking as these.

Yum, blueberry muffins from Joy the Baker's new book on
Shutterbean.

Loving the look of this living room.

Some great ideas for when Ela can eat solid food.

A beautiful (free) desktop calendar to download for March.

What do you think about mixing patterns? Have a look here and weigh in.

I'm totally making these...

I've been craving ice cream, this didn't help!

Raising creative kids- here are some suggestions...


That's it for this week! Hope you have a great weekend!

Funny Things Kids Say

Generally we don't carry Alara around, she is getting so big, and really, she doesn't want us to. Which is why it was surprising to Seyfi the other morning when they were going downstairs together that she asked him to carry her.

'Why?' He asked. 'Because.' Was her answer.

He told her no, that she could walk down the stairs.

Alara, who is in a deal making stage of her life, said to Seyfi,

'If you carry me now, I'll take care of you when you're old.'