Imagine the world without anger, without greed. We have the power, the tools, the skills and the resources right now to build a peaceful world, where people live in harmony with the Earth and each other. This blog explores ways we are doing just that, one post, one change, one day at a time. Join me. Tell your stories. Ask for help. Spread your ideas for making the vision real and, well, ordinary.

Monday, July 12, 2010

War on Garbage: Making homemade crackers with the two-year-old

Homemade crackers with roasted pepper hummus
© Kathryn Grace
"Guackers!" That's what our two-year-old granddaughter said when I asked what she would like to eat. We were out of the last box of crackers we had on hand when I declared this war on garbage, so we decided to make some.

Now I admit it requires a little patience and some leeway in your expectations of the outcome when you cook with a toddler, but the rewards far outweigh the mishaps. A happy hour later, two grands and a child produced this quart-sized bowl of delicious crackers to go with the homemade hummus already in the fridge. That's one cardboard box and one plastic liner that did not hit our trash bin this week.

We found this easy, tasty, four-ingredient whole wheat version at AllRecipes.com. They're so much better than the pricey crackers we usually buy that we were quickly addicted to them and had to force ourselves to stop munching. We used all organic ingredients, so we knew we were eating healthy, but still.

The best part was cooking with the little one. We measured out the ingredients, then one of us held the bowl while the other handed the measuring cup or spoon to her over the container so any spills fell where they should. She is so careful, though, that she did just fine pouring the goods. I showed her how to stir, and she mixed the flour and salt up well. By the time we added the oil and water, of course, she discovered quickly she wasn't strong enough to stir the dough and was happy enough to watch me finish. She helped pat the dough out, and we took turns rolling till we had a nice flat piece. We all had fun pricking the crackers with forks after scoring the dough for easy breaking into squares later.

"Yum!" she said, rubbing her belly, when the crackers had cooled enough to break apart and we administered the first taste test. "Yum! Yum!"

I can't think of anything more Ordinary than that. What Ordinary experiences have you had this last week?
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We make peace in a million small ways every day.
All text and images, unless otherwise noted, copyright L. Kathryn Grace. All rights reserved.

5 comments:

Tessa said...

Wow, for some reason it never occured to me that I could make crackers at home! Thanks for the inspiration!

I found your blog through a comment on Danielle LaPorte's site, and I have to say I am very drawn to your perspective!

Some Ordinary experiences I've had this week- letting myself surrender into a yoga pose, watching my orange cat sleep on a blue table, taking my good time to think before sending out a heartfelt email! (The last part was surprisingly difficult!)

Have a lovely week :)

Hayden said...

lovely. I've been wanting a cracker recipe, so I'll check this out. But.... in a few days, when the thermometer comes back down out of the 90's.

Wanda said...

Nothing better than time with the little ones....

graceonline said...

Tessa, welcome! Crackers are so much easier than I imagined, and there are a million recipes online. Easy Google. Thank you for your kindly comments. I appreciate so much your sharing your Ordinary experiences. Your words took me instantly into each of those. I hope the recipient of your email was blessed by your thoughtful missive.

Hayden, let me know how it works for you. We loved them, but they went stale very quickly. Not as tasty the second day. Of course, all crackers go stale quickly here in SF, once the package is opened.

graceonline said...

Wanda, so true.

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