What is beautiful to a four year-old?

E and Daddy on our "too full of turkey" walk

We don't watch very much TV in our house. It really isn't a conscious decision, but more of a low priority, both financially and for use of time.
Today my sometimes too crazy and rambunctious 4 year-old boy just saw a commercial of some supermodels advertising some shampoo and he said, "that isn't beautiful to me".
So I asked him what, or who, was beautiful to him? He answered, "M & S": the names of his two older sisters. I don't know if this is because of his low exposure to TV, and the tainted view of what "beautiful" is, or if he just really loves his sisters. I'd like to think that it is some of both. Either way, it warmed my heart. And I agree that his sisters are the REAL beautiful.
What are some benefits you've seen with low TV exposure, either for you or for your children?

Grandma's Raw Cranberry Relish (Sauce) Recipe

Grandma used to make this 'relish' for Thanksgiving dinner. This is one of the few recipes that I have handed down to me from my grandmother.

Raw Cranberry Relish
1 bag fresh cranberries, rinsed,
2 medium oranges (including the peel)
Juice from the cranberries and oranges
3/4 c. sugar

Grind up the cranberries and oranges in food processor or blender.
Stir together all the ingredients and refrigerate overnight.

I know you shouldn't mess with granny's recipes, but I think I am going to try a natural sweetener, like dates or agave, this Thanksgiving. Also, since I am one of the only people who eats this on their turkey, I will probably cut the ingredients in half. I'll let you know how it goes and post pictures.

**Update**
Ok, it was awesome! So I only messed with granny's recipe a little. I cut the sugar to under 1/2 cup and it was still PLENTY sweet (at least for me). I loved the tartness on my turkey! And since it was just a couple of us who opted for the relish rather than the gravy, I had some leftovers that I popped into my green smoothie yesterday. And it was seriously some yummy wake up juice.

Grandma's cranberry relish

Oh, and because of all the festivities, I forgot to get a picture of the sauce on the real turkey day. But here is a pic of some headed to my smoothie.

Cranberry Orange Muffins Recipe

Cranberry Orange Muffins

I love cranberries around Thanksgiving and this past weekend I was craving the Cranberry Orange Muffin box mix that I used to pick up back before I had to be more careful what I ate. So, I decided to develop my own recipe.


Cranberry Orange Muffins
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
3/4 t. salt
1/2 cup sweetener (sugar, honey, agave)
Orange zest from 1 orange (about 3 T)
Orange juice from 2 oranges or 1 cup
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups fresh cranberries, chopped (once chopped, they are just over 1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
orange sugar topping (optional)

Orange sugar topping:
3 T sugar mixed with 1/2 t orange juice

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin pan.
2. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar (if using), and orange zest. In a separate bowl, combine the orange juice, applesauce, eggs, chopped cranberries, liquid sweetener (if using), and nuts (if using). Add to the flour mixture, stirring just until combined.
3. Pour or spoon mixture into muffin pan or muffin cups and sprinkle with orange sugar topping (if using).
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Cool the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing and serving.