misty’s cereal and remaining connected, or disconnected, or whatever
The term “disconnecting” is used a lot in web-world. The notion of turning off/leaving alone your computer/smart phone etc and actually focusing on life. I was listening to something on the radio the other day (Oh man, I am officially OLD, listening to talk back radio, ick) about how this generation of teenagers are actually addicted to their technology and suffer from intense anxiety when “disconnected.” One of the contributors even said to “limit checking phones/emails to only once every 15 minutes,” to help these teens.
What? 15 minutes? I’m lucky if I even find my phone when it rings… it’s usually at the bottom of my bag, covered in sand, cracker crumbs and burried in Misty’s boogie covered snot rags. Ew, no wonder I never search it out. If you know me, you know my voice-mail message… a trip to Seaworld on Sunday = 4 missed calls. Whoops.
I love technology and think it’s amazing, but I don’t really understand it; I just can’t be bothered spending the time to work it out. Writing a blog is enough brain gym for me technologically-speaking. Just like food, technology should be treated like something to be moderated. Too much of anything isn’t good, and being dependant on your phone or computer is always going to end in tears. I mean, I love the internet, it is a time sucker for sure, but seriously, how amazing is it? Before I started this blog I actually “disconnected” fully – deleted all my facebook/social media accounts – just gave up on the whole thing. I didn’t really think this out enough as a) I love to write and share my thoughts, and the internet is perfect for this b) We live in an age that is really internet/technology focused…. simply staying up to date on news/current events is so much easier on the net c) Staying connected with friends/family overseas is crucial, and social media really makes this a breeze.
As I said before, moderation is key… and making sure you keep “connected” to real life – but what IS “real life” these days? Help me out on this one! Viper sees the internet as a means to purchase records, and remains “faceless” in terms of social media; he can’t stand it. Actually, I don’t really like the terms “connected” and “disconnected” as it seems so black and white – you’re either on or off. Where’s the grey area? It’s all about balance – every aspect of life, whether it be how much time you spend facebook stalking, or how many beers you down at the pub on a Friday evening.
Maybe it IS the fact I am getting “old” – another Mama at playgroup the other day mentioned how at her 4 year old’s kindy “Show & Tell” one child brought along his iPad and showed everyone his apps. I don’t even know how to get an app – oh I have Instagram (but never use it) that’s an app right? I remember taking a jar of my Mother’s gall stones to Show & Tell from when she got them removed. A winning Show & Tell item requires mega-EW factor when you are 9, right? I think Mum still has the gall stones (in the jar). Anyway, goes to show ‘the times they are a chaaaang-ing’ (any Bob Dylan fans? Or does that just drive the point home that I am way old and not cool any more, come on, I’m only 27!)
Misty is really into cereal at the moment. He started stealing the dregs from Viper’s bowl, so I decided to create him his own special blend. I’m not saying that kiddos need their own separate cereal; I was just bored. Even though Misty has no problem chomping back whole nuts (Brazil nuts are his favourite) I have kept this recipe nut free…. a bit of flax for some omegas, oats for fibre and the addition of my Chicky Cornies for protein.
Misty’s Morning Cereal:
(Vegan, wheat/refined sugar/soy/nut free)
- 2C oats
- 1/2C pitted medjool dates plus 1/2C water (date puree for sweetness)
- 1T coconut oil (liquid)
- 3T ground flax seed
- 1/2T ground cinnamon
- 1/8t sea salt
- 1C of Chicky Cornies mixed through when cool.
- Whiz together dates, water, cinnamon and salt in the food processor.
- Stir oats and flax through date mix and spread out on a lined baking tray.
- Bake at 150 degrees C for around an hour, stirring around mix every 15 minutes or so to ensure even browning. I usually turn off the oven and leave the cereal inside to get extra crunchy.
- Once cool, stir through Chicky Cornies and store in an airtight container.
You could add chopped dried fruit and nuts if you like, but the date puree involved in this recipe gives it a lovely sweetness. Serve as you would any cereal, with milk, fresh fruit or yoghurt. I even cook this up in a little saucepan with milk on colder mornings for the little dude. Such an indulged child.
19 Responses to “misty’s cereal and remaining connected, or disconnected, or whatever”
Leave a Reply
Vegan. Stay at home Mum of Misty. Yoga teacher in training. Passionate about REAL food - creating it, eating it, sharing it. I can never stick to a recipe.
oh the cutest. i love his hair!
He’s got a wicked mullet going on
I don’t care that it makes me a luddite, I HATE, I really really HATE seeing toddlers with iPads and iPhones. For [expletive] sake, get the children out and about playing, or reading. My friend’s niece tried to “pull” a physical menu down with her fingers once. UGH.
Hannah I totally agree with you on this… it is frightening to me how many toddlers we see at playgroups who try to turn pages of books etc. by swiping their fingers across like an ipad. I get that eventually they need to learn how to use technology, but come on!!
Really!? That’s kinda hilarious (but more so frightening!) I haven’t seen that yet, but I’m sure I will…. the school we are looking at sending Misty too tries to moderate technology (just using computers, but not FOCUSING on them constantly) which I like – teach them the benefits of tech, but don’t rely on it for EVERYTHING ya know?
It’s kinda creepy, huh?
Ha, that’s classic about your friend’s niece, tee hee. I agree, it’s creepy when toddlers can work technology and YOU can’t…. a 2 1/2 year old was showing ME how to use MY phone the other day, argh!
WE LOVE TALKBACK RADIO!!! and you know my feelings on disconnecting. ugh. Treehouse anyone?
Tree house ahoy!!! You bring the Healthy Bites and I’ll bring the wine…. we’ll survive!
Misty’s a lucky little guy with that delicious cereal blend! YUMMMM! and i agree, i think that it’s all about moderation. social media has its benefits and downfalls — i do think its a great way to keep in touch with out-of-town family…however, nothing beats a face-to-face convo or phone call:)
Yeah, Skype is incredible though huh? We use it a lot seeing as ALL of my family is in another country…. it’s great they all get to “see” Misty through it!
I think you know my thoughts on unplugging. More & more I feel my blog moving in that direction — trying to inspire people to get offline more. It seems strange having a “blog” to promote that, but like you mentioned, this is an age of internet/technology focus. It’s a great way to express ourselves & connect with so many people everywhere. We just have to find that balance.
It does drive me crazy to see toddlers with iPads, dvd players, etc. as much as it drives me crazy to see people out for dinner or hanging out while they both text. Connect with life & those that are right in front of you. That’s where the real disconnect lives in our society.
I think it is kinda creepy most 7 year olds (and younger!) know more about technology than me…. I mean what does a child need a cell phone for? Who do they ring!?
I agree, it is about finding that balance – too much of anything is not good, and spending our lives in front of screens seems kind of wasteful + disrespectful to this beautiful planet that allows us to live on it!
I love how you use your blog to encourage and inspire us to get offline more… your photos sell me every time
i listen to talk radio ALL the time lol. We actually often listen to it in the background at dinner (that’s how my husband usually catches up on the news of the day). I remember my grandparents ALWAYS had it playing in the background of their kitchen growing up and I kind of found it comforting, but swore I would NEVER be that old/boring…. hahaha so much for that.
I find my addiction to technology has gotten worse since staying at home with Holden. When I was working I barely ever cracked open my computer (I wanted to spend my time away from work seriously decompressing). Now some days I feel like it is the only communication I have with other adults/the outside world :s. Sad, but true. Now that summer and warmer weather is here in Canada it isn’t so bad… a lot easier to be out and about more. I have never been much of a phone person though (well not since I was an early teen and that was before cell phones… when I would just gossip with my girlfriends or talk to my crush for hours). Now I am right there with you… its always buried in my bag and I never answer it… it’s a running joke with all my friends/family.
I actually feel quite bad for teens now a days, it must be really stressful to always be connected… cells, fb, twitter, youtube. You can never escape AND embarrassing moments are always captured/documented :s. I am very thankful I grew up before those things existed!
Wow, great comment, Ami, I relate so much….. I hardly ever used my computer before Misty, just checked email etc – now I blog, do my banking/shopping etc plus just “surf”…. but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way, blogging in particular has been such a positive/inspiring thing for me – it’s really helped me through some rough times!
Some days it does help “connecting” with others via the net being a stay at home Mama – it’s like a little escape from toddler/baby world no?
Again, I think it’s working on balancing out the amount of technology in one’s life…. that’s the challenge huh? Man oh man I am SO glad I was not a teen in this technology-loco world, ick!
I know how you feel in regards to technology! I feel so lost with it all. I mean I love it, but I like that my phone is not an extension of my hand and that I am able to shut things off every now and then. This next generation of kids worries me because they have never lived in a time when they couldn’t text or communicate 100% through the internet- I can only imagine what their communication skills will look like! Plus our brains need a break occasionally too. As do my eyes- they start to hurt after being on the computer for too long…
This cereal looks awesome! I don’t care if it’s meant for your little Misty- I want some for me
Man oh Man, my brain needs a break from technology very frequently…. that’s when I escape to my bedroom with a GOOD BOOK (oh and a bowl of cereal). Some times I wish I could just go live in a hut in the bush and ignore this crazy world
i have similar feelings about being tied to my computer but then i also get to chat with you almost every day via our blogs (and all the other lovely bloggers i’ve come to meet). in that way, it’s a blessing and i’m so grateful for it!
i look forward to reading your posts and your updates/recipes!
Oh YES, I’m not saying the web is the devil or anything…. I LOVE interacting with you and other fellow lovely bloggers… it’s just finding a balance with it… not letting technology take over LIFE ya know? Blogging has been such an amazing blessing in MY life too – LOVE it