I just got back from an absolutely amazing extended birthday weekend at my in laws place. While there, my dear father-in-law treated my husband and I to two absolutely fabulous meals out (alone! without our son!). Meals that pleased the eye as well as the tongue. Meals that served as inspiration and kicked my creativity out of the doldrums.
I have definitely been in a rut of late. Always the same veg side dishes (kale chips, sweet potatoes or sauteed chard) and, even worse, I've gotten lazy. Very lazy. Very, very lazy. While we eat well, we don't eat WELL. Nothing that intrigues or enlivens the palette. Nothing that gets you to the table just a little bit quicker. Dinner has been something defrosted from the freezer, healthy and tasting good but safe, boring, dull. Same old same old.
This weekend definitely served as inspiration. Not only to start cooking new and different things but also to make a larger focus on first courses and side dishes. They've always been an afterthought for me, which is funny because I love vegetables. I'll start making salads and then fall out of the habit. The side dish will be an uninspired last minute addition. They should be just as important as the main or meat course.
I have this great desire to explore new cuisines, make our vegetable side dishes as unique as the main course and to present them in a beautiful way. I have been inspired a great deal by this blog. I have yet to make any of her recipes (that will be fixed this week) but I love the care and consideration she puts into her family's meals.
J is turning 3 next week and he has been showing a great willingness to try new foods. I need to seize this moment while I can. I really want him to grow up with a true appreciation for food and a love of trying new things. I think that can be fostered now. Plus this is really, really good for D and I. We need things to look forward to as well and we both like trying new things. It's going to be an adjustment and I know there are days it will be hard but I think I can do it. I know I can. Cooking is such a creative outlet for me, I need to start viewing it as a pleasure again rather than a chore.
Menu for this Week:
Monday - Tapas night! Featuring, albondigas (Spanish meatballs), patatas bravas and Catalan spinach
Tuesday - Halibut and Brussels sprouts in garlic cream sauce cooked in parchment and crisp pea salad
Wednesday - Grilled foccacia sandwich with prosciutto, parmesan and arugula (as good as it looks)
Thursday - Grilled pork chops, succotash and roasted root vegetables
Friday - Smoked salmon rolls with asparagus and spaghetti al limone
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Today I fell in love.
Well it's the day for it isn't it?
Luckily for my husband (who I am already in love with), what I fell in love with was a replacement for the Trader Joes yogurt in a tube. The TJ yogurts have been a favorite with J for a long time but at 9 grams of sugar per tube they definitely aren't a favorite of mine. Plus I have no idea about the quality of milk, additives and ingredients (etc, etc, etc).
Other than having absolutely no confidence in the ingredients, I love the convenience of yogurt in a tube. It is super easy to take on a picnic for part of J's lunch, when frozen it makes an awesome summertime treat and there's something very fun and kid-friendly about being able to suck yogurt out of the tube. They feel like a fun treat, plus J really loves them.
About a month ago my sister in law posted a link to an etsy shop selling these things called SqueeZurts which were billed as a replacement for the yogurt tubes. On a whim, and because I trust my sister in law's opinion, I ordered a starter kit. Could they be the answer to my prayers? (Not that I literally prayed for an alternative but I was pretty close some days). Today I used them for the first time and WOW where have these been my whole life? Seriously. They're that awesome.
I whirled together (in my food processor but a blender would work just as well), half Greek yogurt and half homemade yogurt for about 8 oz total. Then I added a tablespoon of juice from defrosting some raspberries and 1/4 of a cup of frozen raspberries. Because both the homemade yogurt and raspberries were pretty tart, I added some honey, about 2 teaspoons. The color was lovely and pink and the flavor refreshing without being overly sweet. I taste tested it with J before I filled the tubes to make sure he liked it.
The starter kit comes with a squeeze bottle for filling the tubes and it honestly couldn't be easier. Fill the tubes about 2/3 full, lay a twist tie across the top of the tube and roll it up at least 3 times and twist it closed. I put mine in the freezer and they froze super fast. I pulled it out after about an hour to take to the park today and it was still cold and kind of slushy when we had lunch. J loved it. I had to help him because it was mushy but he'll be able to do the frozen ones by himself. And finally I have peace of mind and I don't mind how many he eats because I know he's getting something good for him.
Luckily for my husband (who I am already in love with), what I fell in love with was a replacement for the Trader Joes yogurt in a tube. The TJ yogurts have been a favorite with J for a long time but at 9 grams of sugar per tube they definitely aren't a favorite of mine. Plus I have no idea about the quality of milk, additives and ingredients (etc, etc, etc).
Other than having absolutely no confidence in the ingredients, I love the convenience of yogurt in a tube. It is super easy to take on a picnic for part of J's lunch, when frozen it makes an awesome summertime treat and there's something very fun and kid-friendly about being able to suck yogurt out of the tube. They feel like a fun treat, plus J really loves them.
About a month ago my sister in law posted a link to an etsy shop selling these things called SqueeZurts which were billed as a replacement for the yogurt tubes. On a whim, and because I trust my sister in law's opinion, I ordered a starter kit. Could they be the answer to my prayers? (Not that I literally prayed for an alternative but I was pretty close some days). Today I used them for the first time and WOW where have these been my whole life? Seriously. They're that awesome.
I whirled together (in my food processor but a blender would work just as well), half Greek yogurt and half homemade yogurt for about 8 oz total. Then I added a tablespoon of juice from defrosting some raspberries and 1/4 of a cup of frozen raspberries. Because both the homemade yogurt and raspberries were pretty tart, I added some honey, about 2 teaspoons. The color was lovely and pink and the flavor refreshing without being overly sweet. I taste tested it with J before I filled the tubes to make sure he liked it.
The starter kit comes with a squeeze bottle for filling the tubes and it honestly couldn't be easier. Fill the tubes about 2/3 full, lay a twist tie across the top of the tube and roll it up at least 3 times and twist it closed. I put mine in the freezer and they froze super fast. I pulled it out after about an hour to take to the park today and it was still cold and kind of slushy when we had lunch. J loved it. I had to help him because it was mushy but he'll be able to do the frozen ones by himself. And finally I have peace of mind and I don't mind how many he eats because I know he's getting something good for him.
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| Frozen SqueeZurts - how pretty they are! |
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Lookit what came in the mail today!!!
Ok so I make exceptions for cookbooks. I couldn't help myself. I do so love to cook.
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| Recommended in my cheese making class - I've mastered feta, next stop blue cheese! (Joking) |
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| Derek loves sauerkraut and I've been promising him I'd attempt it. There's loads more things I want to ferment so this book was a nobrainer. It's been recommended by just about every food blog I read. |
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| Totally controversial book (and who doesn't like a little controversy with their dinner). I tried to get it from the library but they never got it in. It wasn't very expensive so I figured I'd take a look and if I don't like it, I can donate it to the library! |
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
I am very lucky
for many reasons of course, but what was really brought to mind today was how lucky I am to be surrounded by and blessed with friends who are like-minded when it comes to some pretty fundamental things.
My food journey for one. We didn't always used to eat this way and I was not always a religious label reader. I didn't always insist on whole, real foods. There used to be convenience foods in our cupboards and fridge. I bought bread and crackers and thought that because they said 'organic' on the label, they were fine . I ate refined white sugar. I didn't care about GMOs. I knew corn syrup was bad but I didn't know it was in everything. I hadn't researched soy, I ate veggie burgers.
I would say that within the past 6 months there has been a pretty fundamental change in how we eat and what we buy. The changes were brought on by conversations with friends and family, articles read and a deep gut feeling of how we are supposed to nourish our bodies. My friends (and family) have been nothing but supportive and encouraging. Asking questions, giving advice, teaching, offering help and hints. I can't imagine how difficult this would be if any one part of the equation was mocking, hurtful or unsupportive. It might make me more defiant, but it would also undoubtedly make me feel weird and like I had to hide how we eat or that I couldn't talk openly about it.
When you're finding a new path, it's so, so helpful to have someone to talk to about it. To bounce ideas off of, to give you kefir grains (hi Felicity!), to share ideas back and forth. We need this so much in our daily lives. Without support, it's awfully hard to forge ahead sometimes. So basically this post is a huge thank you to all the amazing and remarkable women and men in my life who have taught me so much and who continue to encourage, challenge and teach me on a daily basis. Thank you.
My food journey for one. We didn't always used to eat this way and I was not always a religious label reader. I didn't always insist on whole, real foods. There used to be convenience foods in our cupboards and fridge. I bought bread and crackers and thought that because they said 'organic' on the label, they were fine . I ate refined white sugar. I didn't care about GMOs. I knew corn syrup was bad but I didn't know it was in everything. I hadn't researched soy, I ate veggie burgers.
I would say that within the past 6 months there has been a pretty fundamental change in how we eat and what we buy. The changes were brought on by conversations with friends and family, articles read and a deep gut feeling of how we are supposed to nourish our bodies. My friends (and family) have been nothing but supportive and encouraging. Asking questions, giving advice, teaching, offering help and hints. I can't imagine how difficult this would be if any one part of the equation was mocking, hurtful or unsupportive. It might make me more defiant, but it would also undoubtedly make me feel weird and like I had to hide how we eat or that I couldn't talk openly about it.
When you're finding a new path, it's so, so helpful to have someone to talk to about it. To bounce ideas off of, to give you kefir grains (hi Felicity!), to share ideas back and forth. We need this so much in our daily lives. Without support, it's awfully hard to forge ahead sometimes. So basically this post is a huge thank you to all the amazing and remarkable women and men in my life who have taught me so much and who continue to encourage, challenge and teach me on a daily basis. Thank you.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Weekend Accomplishments - Go Niners!!!
I had quite a busy weekend! D took J to his first swim class yesterday morning which gave me a morning to make a ton of Valentines Day cards for my dad's office.
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| Bookmarks |
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| Some of the other cards (sorry for the angle) |
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| A clean break! |
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| Finished product marinating in olive oil |
Then I made more cards. And some more. And then some more. I'm having fun with the cards :)
And I am finishing the day off by making some beef bone broth. :)
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Today I'm pissed off and fired up - about food
I'm not sure there is anything more important you can do for your health than eating well. And our grocery stores, Madison Avenue geniuses (advertising to you young'uns) and the food corps that hire them are doing their damned best to make sure we don't.
After many, many hours of thinking, researching, talking about and listening to my gut feelings about food there are some things that I think are pretty darn fundamental to eating well. Because I'm a list person that's how this is going to roll:
After many, many hours of thinking, researching, talking about and listening to my gut feelings about food there are some things that I think are pretty darn fundamental to eating well. Because I'm a list person that's how this is going to roll:
- Right now it is more important to be thoughtful and deliberate about the choices you make when feeding yourself and your family than ever before.
- There are more pesticides, more herbicides, more hormones shot into cattle for no reason, less care, less long term view than we have ever seen in the past.
- Small farms are being forced out of business on a daily basis. 70 years (probably more recently than that) ago it was ONLY small farms. How much seed diversity do we think we will get with all farms being planted by a few large ag corporations?
- The majority of the food you can buy in the grocery store is processed crap, full of crap, and it will make you feel like crap.
- Food companies only care about the bottom line so it's our responsibility to make sure that what we put into our mouths is real food not 'food substitute'.
- By 'food substitute' I mean anything you can't pronounce, anything you have to google, any of the corn and soy derivatives.
- GMOs are awful, evil, and are a bane to all of us. And they are EVERYWHERE. And they won't tell you. That's the sneaky thing. Corn and soy derivatives are almost always GMO corn or soy but it won't say 'GMO' on the label.
- Homemade bread is cheaper and much better for you than anything you can buy in the store. It's also incredibly easy to make. Use organic flour. If you want a lesson, ask me.
- We have a First Lady who is doing a wonderful job of trying to get people active and eating healthy while her husband's administration is allowing Monsanto's GMOs to run rampant.
- I am physically repulsed by the very idea of GMO salmon.
- Do I trust that any of these GMO salmon won't ever get released or escape into the wild and wipe out wild salmon? No I do not.
- Our government is a revolving door of ex-Monsanto employees.
- Monsanto truly is the Evil Empire. Cargill isn't much better. They don't care how many people they poison, or how sick and obese we all become as long as they're shoving their crap down the throats of as many people as they can. Seen WallE recently? Monsanto=Buy and Large without the humor.
- Monsanto suing small farmers because their crops interpolinated (something that can't be prevented) is typical of their tactics on trying to get rid of any healthy competition.
- THEY DO NOT CARE - they don't care what happens to this country. They don't care what happens to Americans. They don't care that obesity rates have skyrocketed in the past 20 years and it's not because we're all couch potatoes. It's because our diet turned to convenience foods and those things are fillers NOT food.
- I believe that animal fats are not evil. I think we have been sold a load of hogwash about how healthy a low fat diet is. We are more unhealthy now than when the very idea of a low fat diet was ever invented.
- I don't believe in diets. I believe in a healthy lifestyle that is aware and open to change.
- I do my best to avoid all oils except for olive and coconut. Canola especially since it's usually GMO. Look at what your chips are fried in - it's usually canola.
- Food dyes are going to be in 20 years (maybe less) the Wonder bread of the day. As in how on EARTH did we ever eat that and think it was healthy. In fact, I'm willing to bet that food dyes will be closer to DDT. The EU won't even allow the food dyes the FDA does. All those cookies and cakes people feed their kids? How toxic do you think those dyes are? Yeah. Scary.
- If you want a better picture of what's safe and what isn't - check out how many things the EU has banned that are allowed in the US. How many other countries are banning GMOs? We are going to become a very small food island.
- Cities and municipalities across the country are suing and/or forcing homeowners to dig up their front yard vegetable gardens. What kind of country do we live in where if you want to grow delicious, organic, safe veg in your yard you're not allowed? WWII and it's Victory Gardens wasn't that long ago!
- Every time you spray fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide on your yard it ends up someplace you never intended.
- You should be just as thoughtful about what type of meats you're buying. Grassfed beef, pastured pork and chicken. These are the ONLY types of animals any of us should be consuming. Of course the other meat is cheaper and there's a damn good reason. Grain fed cows up to their bellies in their own manure, hogs confined into 2x4 foot pens and chickens so crowded together they are pooping on the cages below them and they have to be debeaked in order to not attack each other. THINK about these things before you buy meat.
- Speaking of debeaking. This is standard practice in egg factories. You have to be very careful about your eggs. Even so called 'pastured' hens are often debeaked which means they can't peck and eat things off the ground as they were meant to do. Doesn't do them any good to be out in the pasture if they can't eat.
- People need to take responsibility for themselves and their families. No one else is going to make sure your food is good for you. We all swallowed the 'low fat' mantra hook line and sinker.
- Soy is usually GMO. Google how they make those veggie substitute foods (you know the ones that are supposed to look and taste like meat?). It's disgusting and dangerous. Be vegetarian but be aware of what you're eating.
- Eat in season. This means you do NOT buy fresh berries in winter among other things.
- Like Ratatouille, anyone can learn to cook. You don't have to enjoy it but you need to learn, it's the first step towards becoming independent from the food corps. Find a friend, read a blog, watch a video, ask questions.
- Don't buy into Madison Avenue marketing. Just like you don't need a new car with a big red bow to feel special and loved on Christmas, you also don't need a snickers to change your personality. Just Don't Buy Into The Marketing.
- Milk. Buy the best you can. Do not buy ultra pasteurized, that milk is dead. I buy Organic Valley grassfed for cooking/cheese making and Saint Benoit for drinking. You can find good milk, just look for it.
- Be thoughtful about the butter and cheese you buy as well. Don't buy anything that's not cheese (so called 'American cheese' I'm looking at you).
- Making cheese is as easy as heating 4 cups whole milk to 190 degrees, remove from heat, add 3T vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes, strain (keep that whey for bread baking) and voila you have ricotta. It's really that simple.
- Life is too short to drink cheap wine. Inexpensive wine is ok, cheap no.
- Life is too short to eat or drink ANYTHING cheap.
- Water is the best drink out there. Next to wine.
- Refined sugar is slowly killing us all. Don't believe me? Try cutting it out of your diet and watch how your body reacts to the lack of sugar. And it's in EVERYTHING.
- This does not give you free reign to guzzle your jars of raw honey instead.
- Organic food isn't the end all be all of course, but I think it's the best that we have so far. It's expensive for a reason.
- Nothing is a panacea.
- Be thoughtful, make wise decisions, think about what you put into your mouth before it gets there. Be careful with yourself and your family. No one is going to care more than you do about what your family eats. And no one else is going to make sure it's safe, healthy or good for you.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Sunday's Accomplishments
Today is my husband's birthday! We celebrated by letting him go for a run and then brew two beers :)
I did find the time to make a few things :
I did find the time to make a few things :
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| Fruit and Nut Bars |
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| Fermented Ketchup |
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| Cheese Crackers |
Monday, January 14, 2013
Taking a Day Off
Well sort of. I'm still a full time mom and wife today. I'm not spending the day at the spa nor running away from home. What I did was give myself permission to not do anything I didn't want to. I didn't work out this morning. I didn't run errands. I just...enjoyed the morning. I got to have my tea while it was hot, I played rocket ship with J, I portioned up the soup and chili I made yesterday, I ordered D's birthday presents and some card-making goodies, made pretzels (per request of J), I'm going to start prepping dinner so I can have it on the table at a decent time and I'm sitting to write this post. All in all it has been a relatively stress free day.
Menu for this Week:
Monday - Spaghetti with chickpeas
Tuesday - Pasta e Fagioli (David Rocco)
Wednesday - Chili and Cornbread
Thursday - Country Split Pea Soup (The New England Soup Factory Cookbook)
Friday - Turban Squash Risotto
Saturday - Birthday Party
Sunday - Short Rib Ragu (Williams Sonoma Slow Cooker Cookbook)
Menu for this Week:
Monday - Spaghetti with chickpeas
Tuesday - Pasta e Fagioli (David Rocco)
Wednesday - Chili and Cornbread
Thursday - Country Split Pea Soup (The New England Soup Factory Cookbook)
Friday - Turban Squash Risotto
Saturday - Birthday Party
Sunday - Short Rib Ragu (Williams Sonoma Slow Cooker Cookbook)
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Sunday's Accomplishments
Chicken Stock
(using the bones from the Blues and Flu Chaser Soup and some chicken backs)
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Slow Cooker Goulash
Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE The Smitten Kitchen blog. She is my first look-to for my weekly menu and every recipe I've made from her rocks.
Looking for something to do with the grass-fed stew cuts I have in my freezer, I happened upon her goulash recipe. Now I don't think I've ever actually had goulash before, but beef and paprika served over wide noodles? What's not to love? Because I was using stew meat instead of her called-for chuck roast and because I adore my slow-cooker, I decided at 2am last night that I really should make this a slow-cooker version. A decision which I somewhat regretted this morning as I did my 'crazy cooking Mama' impression. Tasting it tonight, the crazy was totally worth it.
Her original recipe is linked above, my changes are below.
Goulash can be made into either a soup or stew (I made it thick like a stew and am serving it over broken pappardella).
Makes about 16 cups, serving 12
5 slices bacon, chopped
3 pounds grass-fed stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 medium onions (about 1 1/2 pounds), chopped fine
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons paprika (preferably Hungarian sweet - it's the kind in the red box)
1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
1/4 cup tomato paste
4 cups beef broth
1 cup white wine (or less if your husband drinks your cooking wine - ahem)
1 to 5 cups water (use the former to make a stew, the latter to make a soup)
1 teaspoon salt
2 red bell peppers, diced
*My slow cooker has an insert that lets me cook on the stove top but since it's non-stick I chose to cook this in my Le Creuset Dutch oven and then transfer everything to the slow cooker to simmer.
Looking for something to do with the grass-fed stew cuts I have in my freezer, I happened upon her goulash recipe. Now I don't think I've ever actually had goulash before, but beef and paprika served over wide noodles? What's not to love? Because I was using stew meat instead of her called-for chuck roast and because I adore my slow-cooker, I decided at 2am last night that I really should make this a slow-cooker version. A decision which I somewhat regretted this morning as I did my 'crazy cooking Mama' impression. Tasting it tonight, the crazy was totally worth it.
Her original recipe is linked above, my changes are below.
Goulash can be made into either a soup or stew (I made it thick like a stew and am serving it over broken pappardella).
Makes about 16 cups, serving 12
5 slices bacon, chopped
3 pounds grass-fed stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 medium onions (about 1 1/2 pounds), chopped fine
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons paprika (preferably Hungarian sweet - it's the kind in the red box)
1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
1/4 cup tomato paste
4 cups beef broth
1 cup white wine (or less if your husband drinks your cooking wine - ahem)
1 to 5 cups water (use the former to make a stew, the latter to make a soup)
1 teaspoon salt
2 red bell peppers, diced
- In an 8-quart heavy kettle* cook bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and transfer with a slotted spoon to the slow cooker. In fat remaining in kettle, brown stew meat in small batches over high heat, transferring it as browned with slotted spoon to slow cooker
- Reduce heat to moderate and add oil. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until golden. Stir in paprika, caraway seeds, and flour and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Stir in vinegar and tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. (Mixture will be very thick.) Stir in broth and water, boil, stirring. Transfer to slow cooker and stir everything to blend.
- Cook on low all day (I did about 9-5). Add bell pepper and cook for an additional 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve over pasta, potatoes, rice, etc.
*My slow cooker has an insert that lets me cook on the stove top but since it's non-stick I chose to cook this in my Le Creuset Dutch oven and then transfer everything to the slow cooker to simmer.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Stuffed Potato Soup
Can I just say that this is a big old bowl of YUM? I used the potato soup from The New England Soup Factory Cookbook as a base but then I added a little of this and a little of that and then more cheese. What's life without cheese? The result was fantastic, a little gooey, definitely sort of chowdery with a dash of rustic satisfaction thrown in. I served it up with kale chips (the kiddo liked swirling them into his portion) and the pretzels I made yesterday. All in all a satisfactory meal.
Stuffed Potato Soup
3T unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 celery ribs, diced
6 large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 cups chicken stock (a cup of beer would also be a good substitute for a cup of stock)
1 large Yukon gold potato, peeled and cubed into 1/3 inch dice
2 large carrots, peeled and cubed into 1/4 inch dice
1 1/2 cup grated cheese (I used Colby)
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups half and half
Dashes of Tabasco
Dashes of Worcestershire (I use Annies)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Garnish:
4 slices (or more) cooked bacon, sliced (I like the Whole Foods Black Forest from Wellshire Farms)
Chives, finely chopped
Cheese, cubed for garnish
Horseradish
Stuffed Potato Soup
3T unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 celery ribs, diced
6 large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 cups chicken stock (a cup of beer would also be a good substitute for a cup of stock)
1 large Yukon gold potato, peeled and cubed into 1/3 inch dice
2 large carrots, peeled and cubed into 1/4 inch dice
1 1/2 cup grated cheese (I used Colby)
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups half and half
Dashes of Tabasco
Dashes of Worcestershire (I use Annies)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Garnish:
4 slices (or more) cooked bacon, sliced (I like the Whole Foods Black Forest from Wellshire Farms)
Chives, finely chopped
Cheese, cubed for garnish
Horseradish
- In a stock pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion and celery. Saute until the onions start to get brown around the edges. Add the potatoes and stir to coat with the butter and vegetables. Add stock (and beer if using), onion powder and garlic powder. Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove from stove and puree using a hand blender or working in batches in a blender until smooth and creamy. Return to pot and add the cubed potatoes and carrots and cook until they're soft (about 7-10 minutes. Add the sour cream, half and half, grated cheese, Worcestershire and Tabasco. Stir them together using a large whisk to blend.
- Serve with garnishes of choice.
I have a weakness
I have a weakness. Legos. And trains. And J. I have three weaknesses: Legos, trains and J. J is the big one though. Went to Target today to get gifts for some kids and a few other things. Did great buying just what was on my list until we hit the Lego aisle and there was a Duplo set. That was a train. And J's eyes lit up and asked "can it go home with us?". I did pause, I really, really did. I almost put it back up on the shelf, reminding myself of The Compact and how J has some duplo already (which he LOVES) and then those eyes looked at me and I saw the train has blocks with NUMBERS on them (he's learning his numbers) and I gave up even trying to pretend that I wasn't going to get it for him. Using a 5% off coupon and a gift card. This Mama is weak but the boy is happy.
I wasn't going to work out today, we had errands to run and my legs are suspiciously sore from Pilates yesterday. I was putting things away in J's play room and he asked "potties mommy?" pointing at the cabinet where I keep bins of Plan Toys for him. Thinking he was talking about a toy/game and that I just didn't catch the name, I opened the cabinet. He pointed at the TV, "potties mommy?". My boy was telling me to do Pilates! So I did. I finished up the dvd I started yesterday and discovered that I gave up with only one exercise to go. Isn't that always the way? So feeling more robust, I walked for 35 minutes. That kid got me moving this morning! And he was sad when there weren't any other 'Potties' to do. I think he likes seeing his mommy on the ground not looking AT ALL like the lovely, lithe lady on the TV. The noises are pretty funny too.
It's been a pretty nice, sunny day today, no coat needed, so we played outside for a little bit and I rearranged some stuff in the yard and tossed/recycled some junk - feels pretty good to streamline things. I don't like random stuff just being there but sometimes I get too lazy to take care of it. Speaking of recycling, (nice segue, right?) if they really want us to be diligent about recycling they should pick it up EVERY week rather than every OTHER week. That really annoys me. My recycling bin is always full after a week.
Dinner tonight is Stuffed Potato Soup. I'm super excited to make this recipe up. I'm putting bacon and yukon gold potatoes in it. Two of my very favorite things. Even J paused in his saying "I don't like potato soup" to say "I like potato soup". Now if he eats some I will be victorious! "I don't like_____" is the phase du jour unfortunately. He did love the pretzels I made yesterday.
No games on TV tonight, nothing urgent to watch, my plan is to keep it off all night and play board games or do puzzles. Or to do art or crafting. Something, anything, other than the siren song of the TV. We have more get well cards to make today, both Grandpa's have had or are having surgery. Maybe we should start a side business, get well cards by J featuring loads of cotton balls and buttons. Any takers?
I wasn't going to work out today, we had errands to run and my legs are suspiciously sore from Pilates yesterday. I was putting things away in J's play room and he asked "potties mommy?" pointing at the cabinet where I keep bins of Plan Toys for him. Thinking he was talking about a toy/game and that I just didn't catch the name, I opened the cabinet. He pointed at the TV, "potties mommy?". My boy was telling me to do Pilates! So I did. I finished up the dvd I started yesterday and discovered that I gave up with only one exercise to go. Isn't that always the way? So feeling more robust, I walked for 35 minutes. That kid got me moving this morning! And he was sad when there weren't any other 'Potties' to do. I think he likes seeing his mommy on the ground not looking AT ALL like the lovely, lithe lady on the TV. The noises are pretty funny too.
It's been a pretty nice, sunny day today, no coat needed, so we played outside for a little bit and I rearranged some stuff in the yard and tossed/recycled some junk - feels pretty good to streamline things. I don't like random stuff just being there but sometimes I get too lazy to take care of it. Speaking of recycling, (nice segue, right?) if they really want us to be diligent about recycling they should pick it up EVERY week rather than every OTHER week. That really annoys me. My recycling bin is always full after a week.
Dinner tonight is Stuffed Potato Soup. I'm super excited to make this recipe up. I'm putting bacon and yukon gold potatoes in it. Two of my very favorite things. Even J paused in his saying "I don't like potato soup" to say "I like potato soup". Now if he eats some I will be victorious! "I don't like_____" is the phase du jour unfortunately. He did love the pretzels I made yesterday.
No games on TV tonight, nothing urgent to watch, my plan is to keep it off all night and play board games or do puzzles. Or to do art or crafting. Something, anything, other than the siren song of the TV. We have more get well cards to make today, both Grandpa's have had or are having surgery. Maybe we should start a side business, get well cards by J featuring loads of cotton balls and buttons. Any takers?
Monday, January 7, 2013
My first day back into, not reality since vacation is, of course, reality too, but into the swing of things? The groove? Whatever, I'm back. Trying to follow the new schedule of Mondays being our baking/errand running day, walking on the treadmill, trying Pilates, not looking like something the cat dragged in, cooking real food meals, not relying on the TV or computer games to entertain J, crafting something, Me Time, doing some art with J, my god. That's a lot for one day to handle not to mention me.
I did get up on the treadmill for my 30 minutes of walking up a sweat, I did try Pilates and made it though a good portion of the dvd before I gave in to hunger pains and turned it off. Plus trying to do a dvd in my son's play room was...interesting. Between the toys on the floor, the cat and kid who both wanted to cuddle me and not being able to hear the instructions because J was talking to me, I think I did ok. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed turning it off even more. I'll try to finish it up tomorrow and see how long this dvd actually is. I know that my core is weak and this is definitely going to help that. Felt pretty good just putting it in the dvd player actually - something I haven't managed to do for the past 6 months!
I trimmed J's hair today. I've been trimming his hair and the Pippins. J's doesn't save much money (Pips saves $75!) but he hates going to the hairdresser and ducks and dodges so I actually end up giving him a more even cut than she does. I guess I'm getting better? This cut is definitely less of a monk look. My little elf looks adorable no matter what his hair looks like. :) Besides I love cutting hair, D used to (used to) let me cut his hair back in the days when he could wear a baseball cap to work.
I spent the weekend in some truly nasty old sweats and old t-shirts I have. I didn't put on mascara and I didn't even put gel in my hair yesterday. As a result I didn't FaceTime with my brother when he asked knowing that I wouldn't want anyone to see me this way (sorry Drew). Silly? Quite probably.
Would my brother care or notice? Probably not. I cared. Not enough to go put mascara on but I definitely felt less than great. I should probably just donate those sweats, they're a crutch. Ok I'm doing it. Consider them gone! They're the last vestige of not making an effort to look decent.
Today I've baked pretzels, whole wheat bread and made pizza dough for dinner tonight. Pizza will be topped with homemade tomato sauce, provolone, free range pork sausage, and chard from our garden. Eating well and eating real isn't going to be much of a challenge. I love good food. It's skipping the snacks and eating well while out that's going to be hard.
Haven't done art with J yet, but we will as soon as he wakes up from nap. I think we will make a get well card for a friend of his who is in the hospital. I gave away the little table and chairs that we had previously used as his art table - the only place to do art now is at the breakfast room table. I do better without a fall back.
Haven't bought anything today, besides pizza for my friend who is with her daughter in the hospital and that doesn't count. So far my monthly 'Not in The Compact' tally is towels and a puzzle for J. Tomorrow we are running all our errands and I'm going to Target and Michaels. This should be interesting. Fingers crossed I stay strong.
I did get up on the treadmill for my 30 minutes of walking up a sweat, I did try Pilates and made it though a good portion of the dvd before I gave in to hunger pains and turned it off. Plus trying to do a dvd in my son's play room was...interesting. Between the toys on the floor, the cat and kid who both wanted to cuddle me and not being able to hear the instructions because J was talking to me, I think I did ok. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed turning it off even more. I'll try to finish it up tomorrow and see how long this dvd actually is. I know that my core is weak and this is definitely going to help that. Felt pretty good just putting it in the dvd player actually - something I haven't managed to do for the past 6 months!
I trimmed J's hair today. I've been trimming his hair and the Pippins. J's doesn't save much money (Pips saves $75!) but he hates going to the hairdresser and ducks and dodges so I actually end up giving him a more even cut than she does. I guess I'm getting better? This cut is definitely less of a monk look. My little elf looks adorable no matter what his hair looks like. :) Besides I love cutting hair, D used to (used to) let me cut his hair back in the days when he could wear a baseball cap to work.
I spent the weekend in some truly nasty old sweats and old t-shirts I have. I didn't put on mascara and I didn't even put gel in my hair yesterday. As a result I didn't FaceTime with my brother when he asked knowing that I wouldn't want anyone to see me this way (sorry Drew). Silly? Quite probably.
Would my brother care or notice? Probably not. I cared. Not enough to go put mascara on but I definitely felt less than great. I should probably just donate those sweats, they're a crutch. Ok I'm doing it. Consider them gone! They're the last vestige of not making an effort to look decent.
Today I've baked pretzels, whole wheat bread and made pizza dough for dinner tonight. Pizza will be topped with homemade tomato sauce, provolone, free range pork sausage, and chard from our garden. Eating well and eating real isn't going to be much of a challenge. I love good food. It's skipping the snacks and eating well while out that's going to be hard.
Haven't done art with J yet, but we will as soon as he wakes up from nap. I think we will make a get well card for a friend of his who is in the hospital. I gave away the little table and chairs that we had previously used as his art table - the only place to do art now is at the breakfast room table. I do better without a fall back.
Haven't bought anything today, besides pizza for my friend who is with her daughter in the hospital and that doesn't count. So far my monthly 'Not in The Compact' tally is towels and a puzzle for J. Tomorrow we are running all our errands and I'm going to Target and Michaels. This should be interesting. Fingers crossed I stay strong.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Week of January 7th Menu (subject to change without notice)
Monday - homemade pizza (we always have Monday Night Pizza and Football Night during the season)
Tuesday - Stuffed Potato Soup (loosely based on a recipe from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook)
Wednesday - Goulash (Smitten Kitchen) (Making the full, serves 16, recipe because it should freeze well)
Thursday - Baked Rigatoni with Tiny Meatballs (Smitten Kitchen)
Friday - Spanikopita Soup (Also from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook)
Saturday - Over to a friends house for dinner
Sunday - Ploughmans (mixed cheeses, pate and fruit)
Monday - homemade pizza (we always have Monday Night Pizza and Football Night during the season)
Tuesday - Stuffed Potato Soup (loosely based on a recipe from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook)
Wednesday - Goulash (Smitten Kitchen) (Making the full, serves 16, recipe because it should freeze well)
Thursday - Baked Rigatoni with Tiny Meatballs (Smitten Kitchen)
Friday - Spanikopita Soup (Also from the New England Soup Factory Cookbook)
Saturday - Over to a friends house for dinner
Sunday - Ploughmans (mixed cheeses, pate and fruit)
Ah back to reality. Mountains, foothills and valleys of laundry. A cat who decided to make, ahem, a mess on our bed and that stale mustiness from a home that hadn't been opened in over a week.
Laundry is gradually decreasing, load by load, the bedding has been changed and I've lit beeswax candles to help with the mustiness. D is out grocery shopping and for the first time that I can ever remember, our list for Whole Foods is longer than the one for Trader Joes. It's going to be very interesting and probably scary to watch our grocery bill increase as we try to eat mostly organic, real foods. Whole Foods is not the best place to be doing this shopping I know, but with bare cupboards and an empty fridge, we are kind of desperate for replacement fare. As I move into a normal routine starting Monday, I'm hoping to figure out how to keep the grocery bill within non-heart attack distance. In the summer, when we grow most of our veg, it will be easier, but in winter, chard is the only thing thriving out in the garden. That's another thing I have to work on, getting the fall crops in the ground in enough time so that they actually start before it gets too cold.
We have never had a huge amount of food waste, mostly because we have chickens. Those girls are awesome at eating anything and everything we don't. We eat in mostly local and in season, I make weekly menus (I'll start posting them) so we never buy much 'extra' at the store and I have learned the hard way not to shop while eating. I sound like a Yahoo! article. What I'm saying is I do pretty much everything right, but we only have so much each month for food and I am determined to eat real and not go over our budget. I should be holding some scales because that's what I feel like I'm doing. Money on one side and real food on the other. The first couple of months may involve some serious freezer diving at the end instead of grocery runs...
Updated to say that sending the husband to run grocery errands works well. He came back having spent only a little bit more than what we normally spend on a week of groceries. We may make it through the month, not having to buy any meat (besides bacon - you ALWAYS need bacon), definitely helped.
Laundry is gradually decreasing, load by load, the bedding has been changed and I've lit beeswax candles to help with the mustiness. D is out grocery shopping and for the first time that I can ever remember, our list for Whole Foods is longer than the one for Trader Joes. It's going to be very interesting and probably scary to watch our grocery bill increase as we try to eat mostly organic, real foods. Whole Foods is not the best place to be doing this shopping I know, but with bare cupboards and an empty fridge, we are kind of desperate for replacement fare. As I move into a normal routine starting Monday, I'm hoping to figure out how to keep the grocery bill within non-heart attack distance. In the summer, when we grow most of our veg, it will be easier, but in winter, chard is the only thing thriving out in the garden. That's another thing I have to work on, getting the fall crops in the ground in enough time so that they actually start before it gets too cold.
We have never had a huge amount of food waste, mostly because we have chickens. Those girls are awesome at eating anything and everything we don't. We eat in mostly local and in season, I make weekly menus (I'll start posting them) so we never buy much 'extra' at the store and I have learned the hard way not to shop while eating. I sound like a Yahoo! article. What I'm saying is I do pretty much everything right, but we only have so much each month for food and I am determined to eat real and not go over our budget. I should be holding some scales because that's what I feel like I'm doing. Money on one side and real food on the other. The first couple of months may involve some serious freezer diving at the end instead of grocery runs...
Updated to say that sending the husband to run grocery errands works well. He came back having spent only a little bit more than what we normally spend on a week of groceries. We may make it through the month, not having to buy any meat (besides bacon - you ALWAYS need bacon), definitely helped.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Some dietary changes we have recently made:
1) Started buying whole milk from a small herd of Jersey cows. It comes in glass bottles and has a layer of lovely cream on the top - we were people who drank only skim milk. link
2) I already made our breads (whole wheat and sourdough) and seed crackers but I started making cheese crackers for J too (to replace cheese sandwich crackers from Trader Joes). cheese crackers
3) Started buying full-fat yogurt. We love the Fage Greek yogurt, I'm received a yogurt maker for Christmas and will have fun experimenting with trying to replicate the Fage. By making our yogurt, I'll know exactly the quality of milk being used. I love that idea.
4) Started eating a LOT more butter and without guilt. I've been doing a lot of reading about how the fats that we have been told are bad for us, are actually good and the ones 'they' said were good are actually horrible. Go figure, the real ones certainly taste better.
5) I need to look into the cheeses we eat. I've read how raw cheese is good for you, but the ones I've found are crazy expensive. We go through a lot of cheese in this family and I want to be sure what we're eating is good for us.
6) I've started serving a cheese course after dinner. In part because we LOVE cheese and in part because I want J to have the pleasure of learning about new cheeses. I'm going to pick up new ones each week or so and we will all enjoy the new tradition of a cheese course. French Foodie Baby served as a pretty strong inspiration for this. http://frenchfoodiebaby.blogspot.com/
7) Cut down our sugar consumption in a very large way. In fact the only candy/sweets in the house are some organic lollipops I bought ages ago for my toddler. I'm the type of person who won't stop eating if it's in the house so the best thing is to go cold turkey. I have maple sugar for baking and will buy chocolate without soy lethicin when I need to bake something (I rarely need to make a dessert).
8) Buying only locally raised grass-fed beef and pastured pork. The beef is actually cheaper than anything from Trader Joes or Whole Foods but the pork is quite a bit more. The flavor however is incomparable. We are looking into splitting half a pig with family. That way it becomes much more reasonable. Beef Pork
9) Stopped buying almost anything with fake ingredients in it and started making my own versions of snacks, etc. Still looking for a kids cliff bars substitute.
10) Became very aware of the oils we use as well as the oils in the items we buy. This blog has been very helpful in choosing oils oils
11) We are eating a lot more saturated fats. Instead of thinking they're evil, a lot of things I've been reading from people I trust leads me to believe that we're being fed a load of bunk Homemade Mommy
1) Started buying whole milk from a small herd of Jersey cows. It comes in glass bottles and has a layer of lovely cream on the top - we were people who drank only skim milk. link
2) I already made our breads (whole wheat and sourdough) and seed crackers but I started making cheese crackers for J too (to replace cheese sandwich crackers from Trader Joes). cheese crackers
3) Started buying full-fat yogurt. We love the Fage Greek yogurt, I'm received a yogurt maker for Christmas and will have fun experimenting with trying to replicate the Fage. By making our yogurt, I'll know exactly the quality of milk being used. I love that idea.
4) Started eating a LOT more butter and without guilt. I've been doing a lot of reading about how the fats that we have been told are bad for us, are actually good and the ones 'they' said were good are actually horrible. Go figure, the real ones certainly taste better.
5) I need to look into the cheeses we eat. I've read how raw cheese is good for you, but the ones I've found are crazy expensive. We go through a lot of cheese in this family and I want to be sure what we're eating is good for us.
6) I've started serving a cheese course after dinner. In part because we LOVE cheese and in part because I want J to have the pleasure of learning about new cheeses. I'm going to pick up new ones each week or so and we will all enjoy the new tradition of a cheese course. French Foodie Baby served as a pretty strong inspiration for this. http://frenchfoodiebaby.blogspot.com/
7) Cut down our sugar consumption in a very large way. In fact the only candy/sweets in the house are some organic lollipops I bought ages ago for my toddler. I'm the type of person who won't stop eating if it's in the house so the best thing is to go cold turkey. I have maple sugar for baking and will buy chocolate without soy lethicin when I need to bake something (I rarely need to make a dessert).
8) Buying only locally raised grass-fed beef and pastured pork. The beef is actually cheaper than anything from Trader Joes or Whole Foods but the pork is quite a bit more. The flavor however is incomparable. We are looking into splitting half a pig with family. That way it becomes much more reasonable. Beef Pork
9) Stopped buying almost anything with fake ingredients in it and started making my own versions of snacks, etc. Still looking for a kids cliff bars substitute.
10) Became very aware of the oils we use as well as the oils in the items we buy. This blog has been very helpful in choosing oils oils
11) We are eating a lot more saturated fats. Instead of thinking they're evil, a lot of things I've been reading from people I trust leads me to believe that we're being fed a load of bunk Homemade Mommy
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Today I'm making beef bone broth. I've been reading how bone broths give us all sorts of lovely nutrients and while I'm sure this is true, we just love drinking a warm mug of broth. It's...wholesome and nourishing feeling. It's delicious and satisfies us.
I get soup and marrow bones from the ranch I get our grass-fed beef from and it makes an amazing broth.
Making broth is super simple and it's so much better than anything out of a box or can. I love being able to go out to the freezer and pull out a container of broth to use in a recipe.
I use all organic ingredients because that's important to me.
Beef marrow and soup bones (this last bag had about 2.5 lbs in it)
An onion, peeled and quartered
A few carrots, halved
A bunch of celery, quartered
A bunch of parsley
Bay leaf
Peppercorns
Peelings from organic potatoes (I can't feed these to the hens so I freeze them until I'm going to make soup)
Tablespoon apple cider vinegar (this apparently helps nutrients leach out of the bones, I have no proof but figure it doesn't hurt)
Throw it all in a stock pot and fill with cold water, bring to a boil, cover, lower heat and simmer for 48 hours. Strain it to get all the stuff out. I do two strainings, one through a colander and one through a chinois. Taste the broth to see if it needs further reducing or salt. Don't add too much salt if you're reducing it since that will concentrate the salt too much. I store my broths in Reditainer freezer containers.
http://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Freeze-Reditainer-Freezeable-Containers/dp/B007V2TNOE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356203661&sr=8-2&keywords=reditainer+freezer+containers
I get soup and marrow bones from the ranch I get our grass-fed beef from and it makes an amazing broth.
Making broth is super simple and it's so much better than anything out of a box or can. I love being able to go out to the freezer and pull out a container of broth to use in a recipe.
I use all organic ingredients because that's important to me.
Beef marrow and soup bones (this last bag had about 2.5 lbs in it)
An onion, peeled and quartered
A few carrots, halved
A bunch of celery, quartered
A bunch of parsley
Bay leaf
Peppercorns
Peelings from organic potatoes (I can't feed these to the hens so I freeze them until I'm going to make soup)
Tablespoon apple cider vinegar (this apparently helps nutrients leach out of the bones, I have no proof but figure it doesn't hurt)
Throw it all in a stock pot and fill with cold water, bring to a boil, cover, lower heat and simmer for 48 hours. Strain it to get all the stuff out. I do two strainings, one through a colander and one through a chinois. Taste the broth to see if it needs further reducing or salt. Don't add too much salt if you're reducing it since that will concentrate the salt too much. I store my broths in Reditainer freezer containers.
http://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Freeze-Reditainer-Freezeable-Containers/dp/B007V2TNOE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356203661&sr=8-2&keywords=reditainer+freezer+containers
Next on my list is to eat healthful, nourishing foods and to work continuously and with determination on increasing the healthy factor. Continue to be aware and conscious of the food choices I make for myself and my family.
I've been doing a lot of reading and talking to people within the past month and it seems to me, and feels right, to move towards eating real food. The types of foods you make yourself and that don't have any additives, preservatives or ingredients you can't pronounce or or that you have to ask your scientist husband what they are. It just feels fundamentally right that foods like these would nourish our bodies and feed our souls better than something out of cardboard that has nothing that is actual food in it.
Part of my cleaning out/detoxing the kitchen this month was getting rid of all the foods that had things in them I could not duplicate myself. This left my cabinets pretty bare. Not Mother Hubbard bare, but bare nonetheless. Looking for something to sack on yesterday, I found...not much. Which actually was ok because I was bored snacking, not hungry snacking. At the time, I couldn't find anything. Today I think, I could have had fruit, yogurt, crackers and cheese, a glass of milk, some broth, a multitude of things, but yesterday my brain was still looking for something out of a box that was quick and easy. This is going to take some time. I'm glad I just got rid of everything, it's too easy for me to fall back into old habits.
My kiddo hasn't asked for any of the things I've gotten rid of and happily snacks on fresh and dried fruits, nuts and my homemade cheese crackers. I feel lucky that I made this switch sooner rather than later so he will grow up only remembering real food out of mom's kitchen.
I have a lot to work to do here, I've taken the first steps. I believe some of what I read about the benefits of certain things and I take the rest with a very large grain of salt. I've seen the benefits of some things (drinking kefir daily) but I don't believe it's the end all be all. I'm exploring.
I've been doing a lot of reading and talking to people within the past month and it seems to me, and feels right, to move towards eating real food. The types of foods you make yourself and that don't have any additives, preservatives or ingredients you can't pronounce or or that you have to ask your scientist husband what they are. It just feels fundamentally right that foods like these would nourish our bodies and feed our souls better than something out of cardboard that has nothing that is actual food in it.
Part of my cleaning out/detoxing the kitchen this month was getting rid of all the foods that had things in them I could not duplicate myself. This left my cabinets pretty bare. Not Mother Hubbard bare, but bare nonetheless. Looking for something to sack on yesterday, I found...not much. Which actually was ok because I was bored snacking, not hungry snacking. At the time, I couldn't find anything. Today I think, I could have had fruit, yogurt, crackers and cheese, a glass of milk, some broth, a multitude of things, but yesterday my brain was still looking for something out of a box that was quick and easy. This is going to take some time. I'm glad I just got rid of everything, it's too easy for me to fall back into old habits.
My kiddo hasn't asked for any of the things I've gotten rid of and happily snacks on fresh and dried fruits, nuts and my homemade cheese crackers. I feel lucky that I made this switch sooner rather than later so he will grow up only remembering real food out of mom's kitchen.
I have a lot to work to do here, I've taken the first steps. I believe some of what I read about the benefits of certain things and I take the rest with a very large grain of salt. I've seen the benefits of some things (drinking kefir daily) but I don't believe it's the end all be all. I'm exploring.
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