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	<title>The Keenan Cookbook</title>
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		<title>Apple Banana Bread</title>
		<link>http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/apple-banana-bread?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=apple-banana-bread</link>
		<comments>http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/apple-banana-bread#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:19:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Breakfast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dessert]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thekeenancookbook.com/?p=2985</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It's like banana bread but extra awesome because of apples. :)]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/apple-banana-bread-banner.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2986 aligncenter" title="apple banana bread " src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/apple-banana-bread-banner.jpg" alt="apple banana bread " width="640" height="250" /></a></p>
<p>Earlier in the month we had a string of hot, humid days. Hot is one thing, but the humidity just sucks the life out of you. Especially when you are wrangling a toddler and an infant. I work in a <del>meat locker</del> office that is so cold I wear a sweater every day. Rachel and the boys do not get to enjoy such luxury as our old steam-heated house does not have central air. Needless to say, when it is that hot out, not a whole lot of cooking or baking goes on inside.</p>
<p>But the heat did break, and on one particularly rainy day Rachel and Toddler Boy decided to make this yummy Apple Banana Bread. I love <a title="Moist Banana Bread" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/moist-banana-bread">banana bread</a>. I love <a title="Nana’s Applesauce Cake" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/nanas-applesauce-cake">apple bread</a>. Apple Banana Bread? Yes please!</p>
<p>Rachel said Toddler Boy was so excited to try this he was asking for some before she even got it on a cooling rack. That boy &#8211; he&#8217;s got good taste! I am sure it was absolute torture for him to have to wait for his Mommy to photograph before he could have some. Case in point:</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2989" title="apple banana bread" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/apple-banana-bread-3.jpg" alt="apple banana bread" width="500" height="334" /></p>
<p>Hahahah. <img src='http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>These boys are getting big.</p>
<p>Every night I go in their rooms to check on them. Really it is just an excuse for me to stand over them and steal a few more minutes before the day ends, my smart phone providing some illumination in the dark. I don&#8217;t exactly have any profound thoughts while I stand there, looking at them. It&#8217;s usually close to midnight and I am beyond exhausted and ready for bed. But I just want to watch them sleeping, soak them up. Reflect on how toddler boy used to rotate himself around the bed 180 degrees over the course of the night as he settled in to deep sleep; now he is too big to do that. That, and he has 5 stuffed animals in his crib that must always be with him when he goes to sleep; Mickey, Lightning McQueen, Puppy Dog, Elmo, and Lion.</p>
<p>And the younger one. That sweet little boy who I caught blowing raspberries in his sleep 2 months ago. Under a certain light (smart phone light perhaps) he looks more and more like a toddler and less like a baby.</p>
<p>No deep thoughts. Just reflecting on how time is passing. I stay the same, but they get bigger, older, smarter. I am definitely not getting smarter, but I&#8217;ll blame that on the lack of sleep. <img src='http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/apple-banana-bread-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2987" title="apple banana bread" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/apple-banana-bread-1.jpg" alt="apple banana bread" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<p>Just a few random thoughts I wanted to share, more for me and Rachel to remember (knowing how terrible our memories are as of late), of the humors, and sometimes challenges, of parenthood right now</p>
<ul>
<li>Toddler Boy has been opening the back screen door despite our &#8220;requests&#8221; that he not. Last week Luna, our Corgi-dor, escaped while Toddler was doing this. With my hands in chopped meat as I prepared dinner I hear him saying &#8220;No Dog. No Dog&#8221;. I rinsed my hands and went to see what he is talking about, thinking maybe a neighbor&#8217;s dog is outside. &#8220;What dog?&#8221; I asked him, I didn&#8217;t see anything outside. &#8220;Luna. No Luna.&#8221; he says. Suddenly I realized what he meant. Luna was gone. Great! I stuck my head out the door and called for her, and to her credit she came bounding out from behind the garage and into the house. Cute the first time, and a funny story, but he&#8217;s now done this a couple times. Yikes! The baby gate is now blocking everyone&#8217;s access to the door to prevent any further escapes.</li>
<li>This is Rachel&#8217;s story but I&#8217;ll try my best at it. Toddler Boy had a stray string on the sleeve of his shirt, he kept saying &#8220;String. String&#8221;. Rachel cut it and Toddler Boy took it. He says &#8220;Fuzz,&#8221; as detached stringes then become fuzz.  Then he stretches out the string,  holds it up to Rachel&#8217;s pants and says &#8220;Tiny Penis&#8221; (HA! Still working out the concept that not everyone is a boy apparently!)</li>
<li>The day before Father&#8217;s Day Rachel painted the front porch ( I sanded it the week before, I&#8217;m just not a careful painter I am told). Anyway, while she was working, I had the boys. We had a nice walk behind an old factory building near our house, got some good play time in, then went to the grocery store for lunch and food for the week. I was feeling exceptionally brave and took both boys. I don&#8217;t know how I did it but I survived the store with minimal drama! I give Rachel, and any parent, credit for regularly taking more than 1 kid grocery shopping. It&#8217;s a lot of work! Hahah</li>
<li>Toddler Boy breaks my heart every few mornings when he asks me to play while I&#8217;m getting ready for work, then sobbing when I kiss him goodbye to leave. Extra heart breakage when he asks me &#8220;Daddy Home Day?&#8221; &#8211; which is what he calls it when I don&#8217;t have work.</li>
<li>Loving that Baby Boy gets super excited and starts shrieking, kicking his legs, launch out of Rachel&#8217;s arms and trying to reach out to me when I come home from work.</li>
</ul>
<p> <img src='http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>&lt;3</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/apple-banana-bread-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2988" title="apple banana bread" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/apple-banana-bread-2.jpg" alt="apple banana bread" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
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		</div><div id="zlrecipe-title" class="fn b-b h-1 strong" >Apple Banana Bread</div>
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    </div><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients" class="h-4 strong">Ingredients</p><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" class="ingredient">1 3/4 cups flour</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" class="ingredient">3/4 teaspoon baking soda</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon salt</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" class="ingredient">1 and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" class="ingredient">1/2 cup white sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" class="ingredient">1/2 cup dark brown sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" class="ingredient">2 eggs</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" class="ingredient">1/3 cup vegetable oil</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" class="ingredient">1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-9" class="ingredient">3 tablespoons milk</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-10" class="ingredient">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-11" class="ingredient">2 large bananas (mashed)</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-12" class="ingredient">1 large apple (peeled, cored, chopped)</li></ul><p id="zlrecipe-instructions" class="h-4 strong">Instructions</p><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" class="instructions"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" class="instruction">Mix together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and sugars.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" class="instruction">Blend in eggs, oil, applesauce, milk, and vanilla.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" class="instruction">Stir in banana and apple.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-3" class="instruction">Pour batter into greased loaf pan.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-4" class="instruction">Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until toothpick test comes out clean.</li></ol><div class="zl-linkback" style="display: none;">Google Recipe View Microformatting by <a title="ZipList Recipe Plugin" href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipe_plugin" target="_blank">ZipList Recipe Plugin</a></div><div class="ziplist-recipe-plugin" style="display: none;">1.3</div><a id="zl-printed-permalink" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/apple-banana-bread"title="Permalink to Recipe">http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/apple-banana-bread</a></div></div>
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<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/apple-banana-bread-4.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2990" title="apple banana bread" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/apple-banana-bread-4.jpg" alt="apple banana bread" width="375" height="562" /></a></p>
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		<title>Carrot, Chickpea, and Parsley Salad</title>
		<link>http://thekeenancookbook.com/side-dish-2/carrot-chickpea-and-parsley-salad?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=carrot-chickpea-and-parsley-salad</link>
		<comments>http://thekeenancookbook.com/side-dish-2/carrot-chickpea-and-parsley-salad#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jun 2013 04:00:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Side Dish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salad]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[side dish]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thekeenancookbook.com/?p=2977</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A light, cool and refreshing salad. A perfect side dish in the hot summer days. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chickpea-carrot-salad-banner.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2979 aligncenter" title="chickpea carrot salad  " src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chickpea-carrot-salad-banner.jpg" alt="chickpea carrot salad  " width="640" height="250" /></a></p>
<p>This weekend Rachel and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary. It&#8217;s crazy just how fast time has gone by.</p>
<p>Six years. So much has changed. I&#8217;m more in love with this pretty woman than I was before- which I didn&#8217;t think was possible given how crazy I was about her on our wedding day. But that is what happens, I have come to understand. As your relationship grows, as your time together increases, you come to a deeper understanding and appreciation for each other.</p>
<p>Kids also help solidify that relationship. There is nothing quite like the teamwork required of two new parents. Being woken up every 2 hours to change wet diapers, feed the baby, burp him, and keep that little sweet but demanding bundle of joy alive; that is the stuff right there that makes (or I suppose breaks) a relationship. And we&#8217;ve done that twice over now! (The second time was old hat &#8211; hah).</p>
<p>Yea&#8230; Six years ago I&#8217;d never have thought that I&#8217;d spend our 6th anniversary at the zoo with our two little boys, sneaking away during their nap time while grandparents babysat, just so we could enjoy a quiet lunch together. But I wouldn&#8217;t change a thing about it. It was a great day spent not just with the woman I love but with the family we, together, created.</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chickpea-carrot-salad-1.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2980 aligncenter" title="chickpea carrot salad" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chickpea-carrot-salad-1.jpg" alt="chickpea carrot salad" width="350" height="524" /></a></p>
<p>Moving on&#8230;</p>
<p>Today is reveal day for <a href="http://secretrecipeclub.com/" target="_blank">The Secret Recipe Club</a>, where each month we bake or cook something from another food blog in secret, and then share our take on the recipe with our readers. This month we were assigned the blog <a href="http://groundcherry.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/carrot-chickpea-and-parsley-salad/" target="_blank">Groundcherry</a> by Stephanie, who&#8217;s motto is <em>sustainable cooking for one</em>. Stephanie focuses on using locally available, in-season foods, and keeps her recipes low or no meat. With a background in nutrition and food systems, Stephanie is passionate about food that is sustainable, delicious, and good for you! I appreciated this aspect of Stephanie&#8217;s blog, having written for a number of sustainable and green blogs in the past. I am definitely the more sustainable and eco-minded member of my family (and I was really into Captain Planet when I was a kid. Seriously, such a good show!).</p>
<p>Anyhow, there were a couple recipes we were considering making, such as yummy looking <a href="http://groundcherry.wordpress.com/2011/06/05/cinnamon-raisin-muffins/" target="_blank">Cinnamon Apple Muffins</a> or <a href="http://groundcherry.wordpress.com/2012/09/20/cauliflower-cheese-soup/" target="_blank">Cauliflower Cheese Soup</a>; but as it has been very hot and humid in NJ for the past week we really didn&#8217;t want to turn on the oven. So these recipes are on the list for cooking when it&#8217;s cooler out, and instead we made this tasty Carrot, Chickpea, and Parsley Salad. It was light, cool, and refreshing, and even Toddler Boy ended up eating a bunch of the chickpeas which he never had an interest in before.</p>
<p>We enjoyed our assignment this month and will be visiting <a href="http://groundcherry.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/carrot-chickpea-and-parsley-salad/" target="_blank">Groundcherry</a> again &#8211; we hope you&#8217;ll try this recipe out and check out Stephanie&#8217;s blog for more tasty recipe ideas!</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chickpea-carrot-salad-2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2981 aligncenter" title="chickpea carrot salad" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chickpea-carrot-salad-2.jpg" alt="chickpea carrot salad" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
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		</div><div id="zlrecipe-title" class="fn b-b h-1 strong" >Carrot, Chickpea, and Parsley Salad</div>
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    </div><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients" class="h-4 strong">Ingredients</p><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" class="ingredient">1/2 cup cooked (or canned) chickpeas, drained and rinsed</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" class="ingredient">1/2 small clove garlic, minced</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" class="ingredient">1 tablespoon olive oil</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" class="ingredient">2 teaspoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" class="ingredient">1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" class="ingredient">Dash salt</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" class="ingredient">Black pepper, to taste</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" class="ingredient">1 medium carrot, shredded</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" class="ingredient">1/2 cup chopped parsley and/or mint</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-9" class="ingredient">2-4 tablespoon minced sweet white onion</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-10" class="ingredient">A few grates of lemon zest</li></ul><p id="zlrecipe-instructions" class="h-4 strong">Instructions</p><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" class="instructions"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" class="instruction">Mash about a tablespoon of chickpeas with the garlic, oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and mustard. Add a drizzle of water, just enough so that the dressing will pour. Toss with the carrots, onion, parsley, and remaining chickpeas. Top with the lemon zest.</li></ol><div class="zl-linkback" style="display: none;">Google Recipe View Microformatting by <a title="ZipList Recipe Plugin" href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipe_plugin" target="_blank">ZipList Recipe Plugin</a></div><div class="ziplist-recipe-plugin" style="display: none;">1.3</div><a id="zl-printed-permalink" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/side-dish-2/carrot-chickpea-and-parsley-salad"title="Permalink to Recipe">http://thekeenancookbook.com/side-dish-2/carrot-chickpea-and-parsley-salad</a></div></div>
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<p>Recipe source: <a href="http://groundcherry.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/carrot-chickpea-and-parsley-salad/" target="_blank">Groundcherry</a></p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chickpea-carrot-salad-3.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-2982 aligncenter" title="chickpea carrot salad" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/chickpea-carrot-salad-3.jpg" alt="chickpea carrot salad" width="350" height="524" /></a></p>
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		<title>Spinach Asparagus Dip &amp; Kettle Brand Chips Giveaway</title>
		<link>http://thekeenancookbook.com/appetizer/spinach-asparagus-dip?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=spinach-asparagus-dip</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Appetizer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[appetizer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[artichoke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spinach]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[A delicious summer dip, perfect with chips on a picnic]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><script src="http://oascentral.blogher.org/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/ReviewBadge/OID3675_Kettle_Chips_ReviewBadge_SummerPicnic_014/@x13" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/spinach-artichoke-dip-banner.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2933" title="spinach artichoke dip " src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/spinach-artichoke-dip-banner.jpg" alt="spinach artichoke dip " width="640" height="250" /></a> <em>This is a sponsored post, written by The Keenan Cookbook on behalf of Kettle Brand Potato Chips.  All thoughts and opinions in this post are our own. We happen to sincerely like Kettle Brand Chips <img src='http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </em></p>
<p>Rachel and I enjoy picnicking. It combines two things we love; good food and being outside. At different stages of our lives and relationship, we&#8217;ve gone on a number of memorable picnics together. When we were dating, one of our favorite picnic spots was at Bear Mountain. For those who&#8217;ve never been, Bear Mountain is a state park overlooking the Hudson River in New York, not far from where I grew up.</p>
<p>On picnic days, Rachel would come collect me from my parents&#8217; house and we would head out for lunch in the great wide open. But first, we would stop at this little Italian deli on the way and pick up a sandwich to split, a bag of chips, and a bottled iced tea. We&#8217;d drive to a spot at the top of the mountain, park, and walk down to this rock ledge where we laid out our blanket and munched on our lunch overlooking the valley below. Sometimes we would get into those deep philosophical conversations that young people in love get into, other times we&#8217;d just sit in silence enjoying each other&#8217;s company and the sounds of nature around us.</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/spinach-artichoke-dip-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2934" title="spinach artichoke dip" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/spinach-artichoke-dip-1.jpg" alt="spinach artichoke dip" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<p>After college I lived in Japan for a year teaching English. Rachel came and visited me for a wonderful week that March. One day, we took the bullet train from the little countryside town I was living in to the busy, ancient city of Kyoto. We visited the sights, including the gold temple <em>Kinkakuji</em>, and even saw a geisha walking in full traditional dress down a cobblestone street (and tried to take a discreet picture so as to not look like &#8220;tourists.&#8221; HA!). Taking a break from the sightseeing, we stopped for lunch. From a street vendor we bought <em>onigiri &#8211; </em>rice balls wrapped in seaweed, and for dessert <em>mochi -</em> rice that had been pounded and then shaped into balls and flavored. We had 3 mochi flavors, regular (white), <em>sakura </em>- cherry blossom &#8211; (pink), and green tea (green). We sat on the banks of a small river flowing through Kyoto, marveling at the sights we had seen, but more so, marveling that there we were there together, after months &#8211; and thousands of miles &#8211; apart.</p>
<p>Fast forward a few years, and now we&#8217;re married and moved into our little <em>UP </em>reminiscent fixer-upper house. The next town over hosts the largest private iris collection in the United States, open to the public during those few gorgeous weeks in the Spring when the irises are in full bloom. It became a tradition for us to go at least once during the blooming season to soak in the sights of these magnificent flowers. The gardens back up to a little park and path that has benches for visitors to sit on and relax. We would pack up <a title="Fresh Bruschetta Sandwich" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/lunch/fresh-bruschetta-sandwich" target="_blank">fresh tomato and mozzarella bruschetta sandwiches</a>, chips, and drinks, and head out for our picnic lunch.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/spinach-artichoke-dip-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2935" title="spinach artichoke dip" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/spinach-artichoke-dip-2.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<p>Having little ones in tow makes picnicking difficult &#8211; but even more memorable. Last year, when Rachel was pregnant with Baby Boy #2, we went on a big family vacation to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. It was the first time at the beach for Toddler Boy. He liked it-for about 30 minutes <img src='http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> . Then he was ready to go back to the house to play in the pool. In the mornings me or my Dad would pick up cold cuts and fresh rolls from a nearby deli. I had grand aspirations at the start of that vacation to have picnics on the beach with Rachel and our little boy; the ocean, the sand, the seagulls. Whatever was I thinking?! Ah - naivety of a new Dad. That turned out to be far too messy and logistically difficult with a pregnant wife and 16 month old to make the trek to the beach with lunch. But we still got our picnic in, of sorts. After an early morning walking the beach looking for shells, playing, and digging in the sand, we would head back to the house with Toddler Boy. We made our sandwiches and ate at the kitchen table with the windows wide open, chatting with brothers, sisters, in-laws, and parents as they came and went from the beach. Now that we have two little boys, our picnics are closer to home these days. While it is hard to pack everybody up to get up to Bear Mountain or the beach, we can pack up and walk a few blocks to the park &#8211; or even just sit outside in the backyard (convenient in case a certain toddler makes a big mess and needs washing).</p>
<p>And you can bet the one thing we are always guaranteed to bring on our picnics is a big bag of <a href="http://goo.gl/aCVgQ" target="_blank">Kettle Brand Chips</a>. These are best paired with homemade dip. My favorite dip is Spinach Artichoke [recipe below] paired with your favorite flavor of Kettle Brand Chips, my recommendation would be Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper.  Even the little guy is dipping his hand into the chips bag these days. <img src='http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  The reason why I love <a href="http://goo.gl/aCVgQ" target="_blank">Kettle Brand Chips</a> is because they are committed to creating delicious chips using all natural ingredients, non-GMO oil and potatoes, without trans fats, MSG or preservatives. Real potatoes, cooked and seasoned with real ingredients, made by real people. You can feel good crunching on that.</p>
<p>Want something else to feel good about? <span style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">We’re giving away a $100 Visa Gift Card giveaway to one lucky The Keenan Cookbook reader. How do you enter? Just leave a comment below answering this question. <strong>What do you include in your picnic basket? </strong>Now go make some picnic memories of your own <img src='http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' />  </span></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/spinach-artichoke-dip-3.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2936" title="spinach artichoke dip" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/spinach-artichoke-dip-3.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="334" /></a></strong></p>
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    </div><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients" class="h-4 strong">Ingredients</p><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" class="ingredient">1 Can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts in water, rinsed, drained and coarsely chopped</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" class="ingredient">4 ounces reduced fat cream cheese</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" class="ingredient">1/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" class="ingredient">1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" class="ingredient">1 garlic clove, chopped</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" class="ingredient">1/8 tsp cayenne pepper</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" class="ingredient">1 package (10 ounces) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry</li></ul><p id="zlrecipe-instructions" class="h-4 strong">Instructions</p><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" class="instructions"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" class="instruction">Directions:</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" class="instruction">Combine half of the artichokes, cream cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, lemon jiuce, cayenne pepper, garlic, and 3 tablespoons water in a food processor. Process until smooth. </li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" class="instruction">Add the remaining artichokes and spinach. Pulse briefly to combine. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-3" class="instruction">Enjoy!</li></ol><div class="zl-linkback" style="display: none;">Google Recipe View Microformatting by <a title="ZipList Recipe Plugin" href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipe_plugin" target="_blank">ZipList Recipe Plugin</a></div><div class="ziplist-recipe-plugin" style="display: none;">1.3</div><a id="zl-printed-permalink" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/appetizer/spinach-asparagus-dip"title="Permalink to Recipe">http://thekeenancookbook.com/appetizer/spinach-asparagus-dip</a></div></div>
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*Recipe adapted from Everyday Food Magazine</p>
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		<title>Turkey Sloppy Joes with Hoisin and Cilantro</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 06 May 2013 04:00:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dinner]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[These sloppy joes are similar to regular sloppy joes, but the hoisin sauce adds some sweetness and a little Asian flavor for a nice change to the traditional joes.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/asian-sloppy-joes-banner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2950" title="asian sloppy joes" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/asian-sloppy-joes-banner.jpg" alt="asian sloppy joes" width="640" height="250" /></a></p>
<p>Today is reveal day for <a href="http://secretrecipeclub.com/" target="_blank">Secret Recipe Club</a> &#8211; the food blogger club where every month we secretly cook something up from a fellow food blogger&#8217;s website and share our results with our readers. This month we were assigned the food blog <a href="http://ilonaskitchen.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ilona&#8217;s Kitchen</a>, hosted by a fellow NJ food blogger! That&#8217;s one more NJ food blogger we&#8217;ve now &#8220;met&#8221;  in addition to Melissa over at <a href="http://iwasborntocook.com/" target="_blank">I Was Born To Cook</a> &#8211; seriously now, I think it&#8217;s about time we host a NJ food blogger get together and round up all the local bloggers for a pot luck gathering!</p>
<p>Someday perhaps &#8211; when I get a little more free time to coordinate that <img src='http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Anyway, Ilona is in a similar boat as us. Besides being from NJ, she is a busy parent trying to get a tasty home cooked meal on the table while juggling children and their many demands and requirements (but how we love them anyway!). If you are looking for inspiration to get a tasty, home cooked meal on your table (and who isn&#8217;t?) be sure to head on over and check Ilona&#8217;s site out.</p>
<p>When we were going through Ilona&#8217;s recipes we immediately found what we wanted to make &#8211; these Hoisin Sloppy Joes. I know, maybe not the first thing that might pop out to you. But if you&#8217;ve cooked with hoisin sauce before you would understand. It&#8217;s an Asian sauce that adds a sweet but soy saucy flavor to a dish, with a texture like BBQ sauce. Indeed, I would go so far as to say hoisin sauce is Asian BBQ sauce.</p>
<p>We&#8217;ve made a <a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dinner/sesame-ginger-turkey-meatballs" target="_blank">sesame ginger turkey meatball (10 minute chinese)</a> dish and a <a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dinner/braised-country-style-pork-ribs-in-ginger-ale-hoisin-sauce" target="_blank">braised country style pork rib recipe</a> with hoisin sauce as the key ingredient. We knew Ilona would not let us down with a sloppy joe recipe using the sauce (and a bit of fresh lime juice!). We were not disappointed! These sloppy joes are similar to regular sloppy joes, but the hoisin sauce adds some sweetness and a little Asian flavor for a nice change to the traditional joes.</p>
<p>These sloppy joes are great with a little shredded cheddar cheese on a soft bun or roll. We served ours with french fries and corn on the cob. A great dinner -we&#8217;ll be making these again.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/asian-sloppy-joes-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2947" title="asian sloppy joes" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/asian-sloppy-joes-1.jpg" alt="asian sloppy joes" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<p>So what&#8217;s new to report here&#8230; Well, the baby is now 7 months old (and the first baby is now 2 years old &#8211; wowzers). He&#8217;s such a mellow and chill kid compared to his older brother, though he certainly isn&#8217;t a pushover and will let you know when he wants something (usually his Mommy &#8211; hahah).</p>
<p>It&#8217;s finally consistently warm out at the end of the day, so after I get home from work and we have dinner we all go outside for a walk. Toddler Boy currently enjoys picking up big sticks, tucking them under his arm, and playing &#8220;leaf blower&#8221; complete with sound effects. The little one meanwhile enjoys being held facing outwards and &#8220;chasing&#8221; his older brother down the little path at the park &#8211; he squeals and giggles as we try to catch the big guy.</p>
<p>Time just seems to go exponentially faster and these little moments with them seem go by far too fast. All the more reason to dedicate my time to them when I have it, to soak it all in and absorb it, and to be thankful for that time I have with them.</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/asian-sloppy-joes-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2948" title="asian sloppy joes" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/asian-sloppy-joes-2.jpg" alt="asian sloppy joes" width="375" height="562" /></a></p>
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		</div><div id="zlrecipe-title" class="fn b-b h-1 strong" >Hoisin Sauce Turkey Sloppy Joes</div>
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    </div><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients" class="h-4 strong">Ingredients</p><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" class="ingredient">1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" class="ingredient">1 medium clove garlic, crushed</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon kosher salt</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" class="ingredient">3/4 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" class="ingredient">1/8 teaspoon cayenne</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" class="ingredient">1 lb. ground turkey</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" class="ingredient">1 cup tomato sauce</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" class="ingredient">1/4 cup hoisin sauce</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" class="ingredient">3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves (optional)</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-9" class="ingredient">2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; more to taste</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-10" class="ingredient"> </li></ul><p id="zlrecipe-instructions" class="h-4 strong">Instructions</p><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" class="instructions"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" class="instruction">Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and spray with non stick spray. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spatula, until softened, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic, ginger, and cayenne and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the turkey and cook, stirring constantly and breaking it up into small pieces, until it no longer looks raw, about 4 minutes.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" class="instruction">Stir in the tomato sauce, salt, and hoisin sauce, increase the heat to medium high, and cook, stirring often, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro and lime juice, adding more lime juice to taste. Serve on rolls or hamburger buns. </li></ol><div class="zl-linkback" style="display: none;">Google Recipe View Microformatting by <a title="ZipList Recipe Plugin" href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipe_plugin" target="_blank">ZipList Recipe Plugin</a></div><div class="ziplist-recipe-plugin" style="display: none;">1.3</div><a id="zl-printed-permalink" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dinner/turkey-sloppy-joes-with-hoisin-and-cilantro"title="Permalink to Recipe">http://thekeenancookbook.com/dinner/turkey-sloppy-joes-with-hoisin-and-cilantro</a></div></div>
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<p>Recipe from: <a href="http://ilonaskitchen.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/turkey-sloppy-joes-with-hoisin-and-cilantro/" target="_blank">ilonaskitchen</a></p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/asian-sloppy-joes-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2949" title="asian sloppy joes" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/asian-sloppy-joes-3.jpg" alt="asian sloppy joes" width="375" height="562" /></a><br />
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		<title>Zucchini Tots</title>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 19:49:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Appetizer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Side Dish]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[A bite-sized way to get those tasty veggies in!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zucchini-bites-banner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2943" title="zucchini bites" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zucchini-bites-banner.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="250" /></a></p>
<p>I celebrated my 31st birthday over the weekend. When my 94 year old grandmother learned of my age, she was in disbelief and commented she couldn&#8217;t believe where the time had gone. I think you reach a new point in your life when a 94 year old tells you you are getting old! Hahah. Love Nana. &lt;3</p>
<p>Anyhoo &#8211; I&#8217;m well past the point of wanting my own birthday party, but Rachel&#8217;s brother was in New Jersey for a short while and was planning on visiting us, so we invited the whole family over and threw a BBQ. Since it was my birthday, I felt obliged to have a birthday cake. I solicited the assistance of my little helper Toddler Boy. Baby Boy supervised from his high chair, and we got to baking.</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zucchini-bites-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2940" title="zucchini bites" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zucchini-bites-1.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="524" /></a></p>
<p>Last year I baked an <a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/oreo-cookies-and-cream-cake" target="_blank">Oreo Cookies &amp; Creme cake</a>. That was a big hit last year but this time I wanted to change it up a little. I was in the mood for a devil&#8217;s food cake, so we made that from scratch and frosted it with the marshmellowy (is that even a word?) 7 minute frosting. The cake was good, but my frosting skills not so good, so I made the executive decision not to request photographs of it. So, sadly, no birthday cake recipe to share with you today. The cake was good though and no doubt we&#8217;ll be making it again, so stay tuned for it!</p>
<p>What a gyp though, huh? You could have gotten a tasty devil&#8217;s food cake recipe but instead you get zucchini tots! Hahah. Hey it&#8217;s my birthday, I can do what I want right? (Isn&#8217;t that how it goes?)</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zucchini-bites-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2941" title="zucchini bites" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zucchini-bites-2.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="524" /></a></p>
<p>Zucchini is one of our favorite summertime vegetables. They taste great as <a title="Stuffed Zucchini" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dinner/stuffed-zucchini" target="_blank">stuffed zucchini boats</a>, can be sliced up and baked as <a title="Zucchini Fries" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/appetizer/zucchini-fries" target="_blank">zucchini fries</a>, or just sliced up thick and grilled plain. Rachel found this recipe for zucchini tots on Pinterest so we gave it try. The recipe was very easy to assemble and baked quite nicely. The original recipe calls for raw diced onion, which was a little too potent for us non-raw onion fans. Even still, it was good. Next time though we&#8217;ll pan fry the diced onion to soften up and remove that biting onion flavor. If you like onion, go ahead and toss it in uncooked.</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zucchini-bites-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2942" title="zucchini bites" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/zucchini-bites-3.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<p>So. 31. No big deal! 30 was a great year, as I mentioned in my <a title="Biscoff Rice Krispie Treats" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/biscoff-rice-krispie-treats" target="_blank">January 1st New Years reflections.</a> 31 is going to be even better. How can it not? I kicked it off doing what I love most. Being home with my family, cooking and baking with them, playing, going for a walk around town. The perfect birthday.</p>
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		</div><div id="zlrecipe-title" class="fn b-b h-1 strong" >Zucchini Tots</div>
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    </div><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients" class="h-4 strong">Ingredients</p><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" class="ingredient">1 cup zucchini, grated</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" class="ingredient">1 egg </li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" class="ingredient">1/4 yellow onion, diced</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" class="ingredient">1/4 cup cheddar cheese </li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" class="ingredient">1/4 cup bread crumbs - Italian style is ok</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" class="ingredient">Salt and Pepper to taste</li></ul><p id="zlrecipe-instructions" class="h-4 strong">Instructions</p><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" class="instructions"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" class="instruction">Preheat oven to 400F. Spray a mini-muffin tin with non-stick spray, set aside.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" class="instruction">Grate the zucchini and then place in a dish towel to squeeze out the excess water.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" class="instruction">Pan fry yellow onion until softened (to remove the bite of raw onion - if you don't mind it, don't pan fry)</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-3" class="instruction">In a bowl combine, the egg, onion, cheese, bread crumbs, zucchini, salt and pepper.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-4" class="instruction">Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, fill the muffin cups to the top. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the top is browned and set.</li></ol><div class="zl-linkback" style="display: none;">Google Recipe View Microformatting by <a title="ZipList Recipe Plugin" href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipe_plugin" target="_blank">ZipList Recipe Plugin</a></div><div class="ziplist-recipe-plugin" style="display: none;">1.3</div><a id="zl-printed-permalink" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/appetizer/zucchini-tots"title="Permalink to Recipe">http://thekeenancookbook.com/appetizer/zucchini-tots</a></div></div>
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<p>Recipe adapted from: <a href="http://curiouscountrycook.blogspot.com/2012/03/zucchini-tots.html" target="_blank">The Curious Country Cook</a></p>
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		<title>Funfetti Cake Batter Dip</title>
		<link>http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/funfetti-cake-batter-dip?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=funfetti-cake-batter-dip</link>
		<comments>http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/funfetti-cake-batter-dip#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:21:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dessert]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Funfetti Cake Batter Dip!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/funfetti-dip-banner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2924" title="funfetti cake batter dip  " src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/funfetti-dip-banner.jpg" alt="funfetti cake batter dip  " width="640" height="250" /></a></p>
<p>Gotta love siblings who are as into tasty (and fun) food as you are.</p>
<p>I woke up Monday morning to an email from my sister Mel titled &#8220;this looks mighty delish&#8221; and a link to this super simple but super awesome recipe. I picked up the ingredients on lunch break. After dinner, Funfetti Cake Batter Dip was made and being enjoyed.</p>
<p>My first thought when I look at the photos is immediately of Dunk-a-roos: a snack I always wanted my Mom to pack me for school growing up, but that I only got on special occasions.</p>
<p>This isn&#8217;t really Dunk-a-roos though, since that was frosting and this is really cake batter dip. But that doesn&#8217;t make this any less amazing.</p>
<p>The recipe is simple, and not too evil either. Fat free Greek yogurt, low or no fat whipped cream, and Funfetti cake mix. Mix it all together and boom &#8211; funfetti cake batter dip. We served ours with Nilla crackers, but enjoy with whatever cookie you like (or just eat it straight up!)</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/funfetti-dip-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2923" title="funfetti cake batter dip  " src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/funfetti-dip-3.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="524" /></a></p>
<p>We&#8217;ve been incredibly busy lately, and as such we&#8217;ve cut back on posting on our blog to once a week now. I held fast to 2 posts a week for the longest time, but it just isn&#8217;t doable at the moment. Which kills me &#8211; it really does &#8211; because as a search engine marketer (now Manager!), I know the number one thing I need to do to maintain a healthy blog (and increase traffic) is to publish. But I don&#8217;t want to sacrifice quality just to throw something up, you know? If we don&#8217;t have something tasty to share, something worthy of being posted and shared, we don&#8217;t want to put it up. After all, this is ultimately our own cookbook, we don&#8217;t want to include something we don&#8217;t like!</p>
<p>I&#8217;m also challenged lately with my writing. When I look back at my posts from the last two years, I shared more on what Baby Boy was doing at the time, what Rachel and I were enjoying as our little guy grew older and did new things. It&#8217;s a fun archive now for us to look back on when we were new parents. I haven&#8217;t been writing as much the past few months about our little guys, or about Rachel and I as parents. I&#8217;m not sure why, because I do so love reading our old posts on when Baby Boy ate solids for the first time and made a face, or when he took his first steps.</p>
<p>Maybe I don&#8217;t know what direction I want to take my writing in. Do I talk about the challenges of being a father, husband, and professional trying to juggle it all? Do I talk about the boys and what they are up to? Do I talk about the trial and tribulations of parenthood Rachel and I go through? Does it even matter, does anyone care, do I just stick to talking about the food? Who knows. I don&#8217;t. I guess those are the thoughts that go through my head though, and as a result, I end up directionless.</p>
<p>Perhaps this is just the nature of blogging &#8211; an organic evolution and change over time. Or maybe not.</p>
<p>Well, enough philosophizing for one evening. I promise to continue to post once a week if for no other reason than I have an excuse to make things like this Funfetti Cake Batter Dip. &#8220;It&#8217;s for the blog&#8221; is the best food excuse I ever came up with <img src='http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/funfetti-dip-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2922" title="funfetti cake batter dip  " src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/funfetti-dip-2.jpg" alt="funfetti cake batter dip  " width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
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    </div><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients" class="h-4 strong">Ingredients</p><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" class="ingredient">1 box Funfetti cake mix</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" class="ingredient">2 cups (about 12 oz total) fat-free plain Greek yogurt</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" class="ingredient">1 cup lite Cool Whip</li></ul><p id="zlrecipe-instructions" class="h-4 strong">Instructions</p><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" class="instructions"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" class="instruction">Mix all ingredients together.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" class="instruction">Enjoy!</li></ol><div class="zl-linkback" style="display: none;">Google Recipe View Microformatting by <a title="ZipList Recipe Plugin" href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipe_plugin" target="_blank">ZipList Recipe Plugin</a></div><div class="ziplist-recipe-plugin" style="display: none;">1.3</div><a id="zl-printed-permalink" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/funfetti-cake-batter-dip"title="Permalink to Recipe">http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/funfetti-cake-batter-dip</a></div></div>
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<p>*Note &#8211; This recipe can be halved quite easily!</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/funfetti-dip-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2921" title="funfetti cake batter dip  " src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/funfetti-dip-1.jpg" alt="funfetti cake batter dip  " width="375" height="562" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Strawberry Cream Cheese Quick Bread</title>
		<link>http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/strawberry-cream-cheese-quick-bread?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=strawberry-cream-cheese-quick-bread</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:00:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dessert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bread]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cream cheese]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quick bread]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strawberry]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Moist strawberry cream cheese bread that has no yeast or rise time. Simple, quick, tasty!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/strawberry-cream-cheese-bread-banner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2915" title="strawberry cream cheese quick bread" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/strawberry-cream-cheese-bread-banner.jpg" alt="strawberry cream cheese quick bread" width="640" height="250" /></a><a href="http://secretrecipeclub.com/" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://secretrecipeclub.com/" target="_blank">Secret Recipe Club</a>&#8230; time to expand our food blog horizons!</p>
<p>This month we were assigned &#8220;The Weekend Gourment&#8221; &#8211; a blog filled with mouth watering recipes presented by Wendy Wofford-Garcia. Wendy is a native Texan with a passion for cooking who shares her love of food, good wine, and restaurants on her blog with a easy-to-read flair. Wendy often reviews products that are unique and sound tasty- a great way to introduce her readers to new items they might not have considered trying before! Her featured items always are accompanied by a great looking recipe that will make your mouth water.</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/strawberry-cream-cheese-bread-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2913" title="strawberry cream cheese quick bread" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/strawberry-cream-cheese-bread-1.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="524" /></a></p>
<p>Enter one Strawberry Cream Cheese Quick Bread.</p>
<p>Some days you want something more than a muffin, but don&#8217;t have the time to wait for a yeast bread to rise. Oh how I love quick breads! Wendy serves her version with a strawberry butter which sounds fantastic. We didn&#8217;t get that far and ended up eating the bread &#8220;plain&#8221; (if you can call a lemon zested, strawberry infused, cream cheese layered quick bread &#8220;plain&#8221;)! When zesting the lemons (yes, lemons- the recipe calls for 2) Rachel and I both thought that it looked like a lot of zest. But in it went. And a good thing too! The resulting bread was definitely kicked up a notch with the strawberries and lemons playing together nicely. And the cream cheese layer- you can NEVER go wrong with a cream cheese layer!</p>
<p>Our bread didn&#8217;t layer particularly well, but this was not a problem at all. It still tasted great! The bread was very moist, thanks to those delicious strawberries so when you try it, be sure to flour the pan well to keep it from getting stuck.</p>
<p>This recipe is a keeper! Thanks Wendy!</p>
<p>PS &#8211; If you&#8217;re considering this recipe, or already made it, you should also consider our <a title="Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/blueberry-cream-cheese-bread" target="_blank">Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread recipe</a>. It&#8217;s another favorite of ours.</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/strawberry-cream-cheese-bread-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2914" title="strawberry cream cheese quick bread" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/strawberry-cream-cheese-bread-2.jpg" alt="strawberry cream cheese quick bread" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
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		</div><div id="zlrecipe-title" class="fn b-b h-1 strong" >Strawberry Cream Cheese Quick Bread</div>
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    </div><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients" class="h-4 strong">Ingredients</p><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" class="ingredient">For Cream Cheese Layer:</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" class="ingredient">6 ounces cream cheese, softened</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" class="ingredient">2 T strawberry jam</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" class="ingredient">1 eggs1</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" class="ingredient">1/3 cup white sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" class="ingredient">For the bread:</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" class="ingredient">1 stick butter, melted</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" class="ingredient">2 eggs</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" class="ingredient">1/2 cup packed brown sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-9" class="ingredient">1/2 cup white sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-10" class="ingredient">1/3 cup milk</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-11" class="ingredient">1 1/2 cups flour</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-12" class="ingredient">1/2 tsp baking soda</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-13" class="ingredient">1/4 tsp salt</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-14" class="ingredient">1 tsp cinnamon</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-15" class="ingredient">zest of 2 lemons</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-16" class="ingredient">1 tsp vanilla extract</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-17" class="ingredient">1 cup strawberries, chopped</li></ul><p id="zlrecipe-instructions" class="h-4 strong">Instructions</p><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" class="instructions"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" class="instruction">Preheat oven to 350. Grease and lightly flour a 9x5 loaf pan. Make the cream cheese layer by using a mixer to combine the following ingredients: 6 ounces softened cream cheese, 2 tbs. strawberry jam, 1 egg, and 1/3 cup sugar. Set aside in the fridge while you make the batter.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" class="instruction">Combine the following ingredients in a large mixing bowl: 1 stick melted butter, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup sugar, the zest of two lemons, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Whisk well to combine.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" class="instruction">Add 1/3 cup milk, 1.5 cups flour, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. cinnamon to the wet mixture. Whisk well to combine. Carefully fold 1 cup chopped strawberries into the batter.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-3" class="instruction">Add half of the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Pour the cream cheese mixture down the center. Top with the remaining batter and smooth carefully. Use a butter knife to swirl the batter and cream cheese.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-4" class="instruction">Bake for 55-60 minutes, until the loaf is golden and a wooden skewer inserted comes out clean.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-5" class="instruction">After the bread has cooked, let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove from pan and cool on a rack for at least an hour. To serve, slice with a sharp serrated knife. The bread is moist, with pieces of strawberry and a ribbon of strawberry-flavored cream cheese.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-6" class="instruction">After the bread has cooked, let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove from pan and cool on a rack for at least an hour. To serve, slice with a sharp serrated knife. The bread is moist, with pieces of strawberry and a ribbon of strawberry-flavored cream cheese.</li></ol><div class="zl-linkback" style="display: none;">Google Recipe View Microformatting by <a title="ZipList Recipe Plugin" href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipe_plugin" target="_blank">ZipList Recipe Plugin</a></div><div class="ziplist-recipe-plugin" style="display: none;">1.3</div><a id="zl-printed-permalink" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/strawberry-cream-cheese-quick-bread"title="Permalink to Recipe">http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/strawberry-cream-cheese-quick-bread</a></div></div>
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<p>Recipe from: <a href="http://www.wendyweekendgourmet.com/2011/03/strawberry-cream-cheese-quick-breadwith.html" target="_blank">The Weekend Gourmet</a></p>
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		<title>Second Birthday Celebration &amp; Birthday Cake</title>
		<link>http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/second-birthday-celebration-birthday-cake?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=second-birthday-celebration-birthday-cake</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:52:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dessert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[birthday cake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cake]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Toddler Boy's 2nd birthday: Homemade Elmo birthday cake with vanilla butter cream frosting.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2903" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/banner.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="250" /></p>
<p>I feel like it was just yesterday Rachel and I were celebrating <a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/just-talk/first-birthday-celebration" target="_blank">the first birthday</a> of our little boy. And here we are, with a 2 year old and a 5 month old. I know the old saying is don&#8217;t blink, because it goes by too fast. Well, I&#8217;m trying my best not to blink-but it is still going too fast!</p>
<p>Last year we did a Puppy Dog theme as Toddler Boy (then Baby Boy) <strong>loved</strong> puppies. He still loves puppies &#8211; indeed, every morning when we asked him how he slept, and what he dreamed about, he tells us &#8220;puppies&#8221;. Not just one uppy but &#8220;two&#8221;. But he has expanded his horizons to include a love of Mickey Mouse and Elmo. We went with an Elmo and Sesame Street theme this year. Check out the homemade vanilla cake with butter cream frosting decoration!</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2905" title="cake" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cake.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="334" /></p>
<p>Toddler Boy and I baked the cake the night before, and Rachel decorated it on the day of. Didn&#8217;t she do a fantastic job with Elmo?</p>
<p>The cake itself was a simple homemade birthday cake out of a Williams Sonoma cookbook. It came out fantastic (recipe below), and so much tastier and satisfying than a store bought cake mix. And, it really didn&#8217;t take too much extra time to make. Toddler Boy and I made it together, which was a fun activity (I love baking with this boy, in case I haven&#8217;t said that enough lately). I measure out the ingredients, and he pours everything in.</p>
<p>For the frosting, we used a <a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/almond-cupcakes-with-vanilla-buttercream-frosting" target="_blank">vanilla butter cream frosting recipe</a> we first made for Rachel&#8217;s birthday 2 years ago. You really can&#8217;t beat butter cream frosting. The frosting initially was a little too thick &#8211; fine for spreading but difficult for a pastry bag &#8211; so I added 2 extra teaspoons of milk. That seemed to do the trick.</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cake.jpg"></a><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0183.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2906" title="IMG_0183" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0183.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="525" /></a></p>
<p>Toddler Boy had a blast the day of his birthday. He had almost his whole extended family there except for his Pittsburgh cousins. He was bouncing around having fun playing with everyone and opening his presents. We got him a Mickey Mouse helmet and a little Radio Flyer red tricycle. He is still getting the hang of how to peddle (he&#8217;s much better at going backwards) but by this summer I think he&#8217;ll be having a ball outside on it. This kid also made out like a bandit with all the presents his Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents got him. It&#8217;s good to be 2!</p>
<div>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0206.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2907" title="IMG_0206" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0206.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a></p>
<p>In addition to Elmo cake that we made, my Mom outdid herself again  by making fantastic Sesame Street Cake Pops.  Dipped in chocolate, my Mom made Elmo, Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and Cookie Monster. I know she baked a couple batches and practiced over the past few weeks, and it shows. Not only did these cake pops taste good, but they looked gorgeous!</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0206.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2904" title="cake pops 1" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/cake-pops-1.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="525" /></a></p>
<p>Looking back at last years photos of his first birthday, it&#8217;s crazy to think of just how much has changed, how much <em>he</em> has changed in the past year. He throws words around like nobody&#8217;s business (as well as the occasional book or toy), he can walk, run, and jump quite well &#8211; even dance in his silly way. And he has a baby brother who adores him and thinks he is the coolest, and Toddler Boy likes him quite a bit too. What a great year its been. Looking forward to another one with this little guy.</p>
<p><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0210.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2908" title="IMG_0210" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0210.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a></p>
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		</div><div id="zlrecipe-title" class="fn b-b h-1 strong" >Second Birthday Celebration</div>
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    </div><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients" class="h-4 strong">Ingredients</p><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" class="ingredient">2 3/4 cups all purpose flour</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" class="ingredient">1 tablespoon baking powder</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon salt</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" class="ingredient">3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temp</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" class="ingredient">1 3/4 cups sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" class="ingredient">3 large eggs, at room temp</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" class="ingredient">2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" class="ingredient">1 1/4 cups buttermilk (or 1 1/4 cups regular milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar, combine, and let sit for 5 minutes)</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" class="ingredient">Frosting</li></ul><p id="zlrecipe-instructions" class="h-4 strong">Instructions</p><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" class="instructions"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" class="instruction">Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly grease the bottoms of two 9x2" round cake pans and line with parchment paper. Grease the paper and sides of the pans and dust with flour. </li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" class="instruction">In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended. In another bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter smooth. Slowly add the sugar and continue beating until well blended and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, until just blended. Beat in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk in 2 additions, beating on low speed after each addition.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" class="instruction">Divide the batter between the prepared pans and spread it evenly. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of cake comes out clean, about 25 - 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a table knife around the inside edges of the pans to loosen the layers. Invert onto the track and lift off the pans, then carefully peel off the parchment paper. Let the layers cool completely before frosting. </li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-3" class="instruction">To assemble the cake, brush away any loose crumbs from both layers. Place one layer, top side down, on a flat service plate. Using an icing spatula, spread about a third of the frosting on top. Place the other layer, top side down, on the first layer and press gently. Spread a thin layer of frosting over the entire cake to seal in any crumbs, then either coat the cake with remaining frosting or decorate cake with frosting using a pastry bag.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-4" class="instruction">Serve right away or keep covered at room temperature until ready to serve. Enjoy!</li></ol><div class="zl-linkback" style="display: none;">Google Recipe View Microformatting by <a title="ZipList Recipe Plugin" href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipe_plugin" target="_blank">ZipList Recipe Plugin</a></div><div class="ziplist-recipe-plugin" style="display: none;">1.3</div><a id="zl-printed-permalink" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/second-birthday-celebration-birthday-cake"title="Permalink to Recipe">http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/second-birthday-celebration-birthday-cake</a></div></div>
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<p>Recipe adapted from: The Williams Sonoma Baking Book</p>
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		</div><div id="zlrecipe-title" class="fn b-b h-1 strong" >Vanilla Buttercream Frosting</div>
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    </div><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients" class="h-4 strong">Ingredients</p><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" class="ingredient">1 cup butter, softened</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" class="ingredient">3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" class="ingredient">1 teaspoon milk</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" class="ingredient">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" class="ingredient">1/8 teaspoon salt</li></ul><p id="zlrecipe-instructions" class="h-4 strong">Instructions</p><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" class="instructions"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" class="instruction">In a bowl combine butter, sugar and salt. Beat till blended.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" class="instruction">Add the milk and vanilla and beat for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until smooth and creamy.</li></ol><div class="zl-linkback" style="display: none;">Google Recipe View Microformatting by <a title="ZipList Recipe Plugin" href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipe_plugin" target="_blank">ZipList Recipe Plugin</a></div><div class="ziplist-recipe-plugin" style="display: none;">1.3</div><a id="zl-printed-permalink" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/second-birthday-celebration-birthday-cake"title="Permalink to Recipe">http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/second-birthday-celebration-birthday-cake</a></div></div>
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<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2909" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_0217.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="525" /></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Blondies</title>
		<link>http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/blondies?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=blondies</link>
		<comments>http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/blondies#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:00:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Dessert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blondies]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Easy to make homemade blondies. Tasty and delicious. Enjoy!]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2892" title="blondies" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/bondies-banner.jpg" alt="blondies" width="640" height="250" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I&#8217;m very particular about how I like my vanilla or chocolate. I do not like chocolate ice cream, but I do like chocolate syrup or fudge on vanilla ice cream. I prefer chocolate Oreos over the vanilla Oreos. I prefer devils food to angels food cake, but I usually like vanilla ice cream over chocolate cup cakes. Picky dessert eater or discerning foodie? You decide.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I also prefer brownies over blondies. Most of the time.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Toddler Boy and I made these  home made blondies last weekend just because we wanted to. Well, because I wanted to, and because he had no qualms about helping me.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">That&#8217;s one of the things I love about this boy. Doesn&#8217;t matter what his mood, or what he is doing- if you ask him to come help cook, he drops what he is doing (or drops his attitude) and comes and helps. And he knows where stuff is too, the flour in one cabinet and salt in the other. Even knows the names of the ingredients. Gotta keep a close eye on him though. He is quick to grab a handful of flour or reach for that egg. Messiness can ensue quickly.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The little one is getting interested in helping out in the kitchen too. He&#8217;s big enough now that he can jump in his jumparoo, right in the center of the kitchen &#8211; which is the center of activity in our house &#8211; and takes it all in. He&#8217;s quiet, that little guy, but he is taking it all in. He knows just what kind of trouble his older brother gets into, and is plotting in his time to causing trouble of his own.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">They&#8217;re good boys though. Really. And I love them.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blondies-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2891" title="blondies" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blondies-3.jpg" alt="blondies" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">So about these blondies. Well, they are super simple to make. We whipped them up entirely too quickly on a Saturday morning. I had wanted the whole affair to be done in time for me us to have lunch then to break into the blondies. Sadly, we got around to baking them far too early and I was forced to see and smell them for a few hours until I allowed myself to dig into them. And dig in we did.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Interestingly, Rachel and I observed these blondies are truly the complete opposite of brownies. With brownies, we usually fight over who gets the gooey, chewy, soft middle. Nobody likes the crusty edges. We though the same for blondies. But actually, it was the edges we liked more. Don&#8217;t get me wrong, the middle was nice. But the nice crunchy edges just really were so much more satisfying then the already satisfying middle. Call me crazy, but give it a try and let us know what you think.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blondies-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2890" title="blondies" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blondies-2.jpg" alt="blondies" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
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		</div><div id="zlrecipe-title" class="fn b-b h-1 strong" >Blondies</div>
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    </div><p id="zlrecipe-ingredients" class="h-4 strong">Ingredients</p><ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" class="ingredient">1 cup + 2 tablespoons flour</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon salt</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" class="ingredient">1/2 cup unsalted butter</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" class="ingredient">1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" class="ingredient">1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature</li><li id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" class="ingredient">1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</li></ul><p id="zlrecipe-instructions" class="h-4 strong">Instructions</p><ol id="zlrecipe-instructions-list" class="instructions"><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" class="instruction">Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan, line the bottom with parchment paper, and grease the parchment.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" class="instruction">Sift the flour and salt together onto a sheet of waxed paper; set aside.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" class="instruction">In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and brown sugar. Heat, stirring often, until the sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook about 1 minute longer; the mixture will bubble but not boil. Set aside to cool, about 10 minutes.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-3" class="instruction">Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla to the cooled sugar mixture and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Sprinkle the sifted flour and salt over the sugar mixture and stir until just blended.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-4" class="instruction">Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula and smoothing the top. Bake until the center is springy to the touch and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 25-35 minutes. Do not overbake. Transfer the pan to a wire rack until cool enough to handle.</li><li id="zlrecipe-instruction-5" class="instruction">Run a small knife around the inside of the pan to loosen the blondies. Invert onto the rack, lift off the pan, and then carefully peel off the parchment paper. Let cool completely on the rack before cutting into 2-inch squares. </li></ol><div class="zl-linkback" style="display: none;">Google Recipe View Microformatting by <a title="ZipList Recipe Plugin" href="http://www.ziplist.com/recipe_plugin" target="_blank">ZipList Recipe Plugin</a></div><div class="ziplist-recipe-plugin" style="display: none;">1.3</div><a id="zl-printed-permalink" href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/blondies"title="Permalink to Recipe">http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/blondies</a></div></div>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Recipe from: The William Sonoma Baking Book</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blondies-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2889" title="blondies" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/blondies-1.jpg" alt="blondies" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
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		<title>St Patricks Day 2013 Recipe Roundup</title>
		<link>http://thekeenancookbook.com/dinner/st-patricks-day-2013-recipe-roundup?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=st-patricks-day-2013-recipe-roundup</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:47:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Appetizer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dessert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dinner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recipe Roundup]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[A delicious recipe roundup: 2013 St. Patrick's Day style! ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I recall fondly waiting and waiting and waiting for our first son to come meet us on St. Patricks Day of 2011. His due date came, and it went, and Rachel was still pregnant. He came a week later, and made his birthday his own day. But even still, after so many months counting down to St. Patricks Day, the day now holds a special place in my heart.</p>
<p>When we announced to our families that we were expecting, we got these little photo album books and on the cover put a pretty photo of a shamrock with the words &#8220;To be filled March 17th, 2011&#8243;. My Dad got it right away and started crying. My Mom didn&#8217;t get it right away-but my Dad&#8217;s sobs of joy tipped her off. Rachel&#8217;s Mom was ecstatic, and her Dad had this big smile (claiming he already knew- HA!). Fun memories.</p>
<p>Now, two years later, we are preparing for this little guy&#8217;s 2nd birthday. A small affair, just our immediate families. Sesame Street theme since he loves Elmo (and &#8220;Bird&#8221;, and &#8220;Cookie&#8221;).  Man, times goes fast. It&#8217;s all going faster and faster, it&#8217;s almost kind of scary. This kid is going to be two, and he has a baby brother who is growing up entirely too fast as well.</p>
<p>In any event, before we get to the birthday party, we first have St. Patrick&#8217;s Day. Being part Irish, The Keenan&#8217;s do enjoy St Paddy&#8217;s Day. I don&#8217;t have a corned beef recipe to share with you, but I do have a couple other delicious Irish inspired recipes for you. So, put on your green shamrock sweater and cook or bake these up.</p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/breakfast/irish-soda-bread" target="_blank">Irish Soda Bread &#8211; 2 Family Recipes!</a></h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/breakfast/irish-soda-bread"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/irish-soda-bread2.jpg" alt="irish soda bread" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dinner/irish-stew" target="_blank">Irish Guinness Stew</a></h2>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dinner/irish-stew"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/stew-2.jpg" alt="irish stew" width="500" height="334" /></a></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thekeenancookbook.com/dessert/guinness-cupcakes" target="_blank">Guinness Cupcakes</a></h2>
<p><img class="aligncenter" src="http://thekeenancookbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/guiness-cupcakes-1.jpg" alt="Guinness cupcakes" /></p>
<p>Have a Happy St. Patrick&#8217;s Day!</p>
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