HAVE BABY // WILL TRAVEL

Sevengrams has always been a space for both recipes and stories from our travels. I have fallen seriously behind on journaling travel over the past several years (Patagonian honeymoon, Spain, Norway, Italy), but we most definitely have not stopped exploring and adventuring (apart from all the canceled itineraries due to Covid — Japan, US road trip, NYC, Turkey and Israel, Jasper and Banff - sigh). 

Since E’s arrival, we have made every effort to maintain our love of travel, and share the joy of it with him. He’s approaching 18 months and has already been on several plane rides, road trips and even a few train trips. He's also dealt with his fair share of jet lag, broken hotel sleeps and vacay illness. Along the way, we’ve learned a lot about traveling with a baby (now toddler), and though none of it is revolutionary, I thought it would be nice to have it all live in this space. 

FAMILY FRIENDLY (WHOLE WHEAT) PANCAKES

Don't let the "whole wheat" scare you -- these are actually delicious. I took my favourite fluffy pancake recipe, and modified them to have less sugar and more fibre. The result was shockingly delicious. We've been making these on repeat, and storing a big batch in the freezer (they reheat well in the toaster). 

BLUEBERRY BAKED OATMEAL

We’ve been making this baked oatmeal a lot lately. It’s warm, hearty and perfectly sweet from the berries. It also lasts a few days and reheats well...all things that I’m quickly learning are essential for new parents.  

ALMOND AND APPLE PORRIDGE

What started as an easy breakfast while introducing E to allergens and solids, has turned into one of his morning favourites. It also happens to be one of my favourites, as it’s ridiculously easy to prepare and freezes well - major wins for busy parents. 

BITE SIZE SNACKS

We're welcoming a little one in a few months, and in anticipation, I've been stockpiling a list of relatively easy to make snacks. They have been a lifesaver during pregnancy (so hungry all the time), and I imagine they will come in equally handy in the early days of mother-hood (eaten one-handed and easily prepped in advance). 

BASIC OVERNIGHT OATS

There are a lot of recipes out there for overnight oats, and some are way more involved and ingredient heavy than others. For us, the beauty of overnight oats is their simplicity -- toss a limited number of ingredients together the night before, and have breakfast at the ready when you wake up. We've started to be more efficient in the kitchen, really trying to limit how much time we spend there. I love cooking, but when you're on duty 3 meals a day, 7 days a week, sometimes the shortcuts can be nice.

SOURDOUGH DISCARD CARROT MUFFINS

It's now been 13 months of working from home, and though there are a lot of things about this new normal that we still can't get used to, having more relaxed weekday mornings has been a really lovely benefit. With that comes the desire for breakfast dessert, and though I'd happily bake scones or cakes weekly, I was in need of something a little healthier. These muffins have minimal sugar so definitely feel perfectly appropriate for breakfast, and are a great way to use up leftover starter.