OK, I will openly admit I am by no means a chocolate fan. All of you ladies please close your mouths now. That is not to say I wont try it, but if I have a slice of cheesecake in front of me and a slice of chocolate cake. I am all over that cheesecake, calories be damned. (Sorry, I usually don't swear)
But I came across a blog recently that has me mortified for all you chocolate lovers. Hershey has decided to eliminate cocoa butter from many of their candies. Read the article here. I read most of the article to my daughter(Who could not live with out her chocolate) and she was austered for sure. How dare her chocolate company do that to her and not send her a personalized letter(An E-mail would have sufficed), but no, she has to hear it via a web-blog I read. The More, The Messier went off on Hershey, and as well she should. How dare they attempt to pull the wool over our eyes. Just read Messier's blog and you will see why she feels like she does. No one likes to be lied to.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Call Me Cheap
Well, please remember that we are a single income family that is stretching a dollar so far to its limit that the Stretch Armstrong company is calling us. So we are learning not to waste in the house and especially in the kitchen. We do not overfill our plates, we cook enough to make for leftovers the next day(Hubby and son take their lunches to work).
But I have discovered a new way to make soup base. But my inspiration came from Cook, Study, and be Crafty but there are times we do not have enough to buy all of the veggies needed to make said soup. Fear not, I am Mrs. Frugal. We(My daughter and myself) are saving our scraps. What I mean is that when we peel off the outer layers of cabbage, we throw it in the freezer style bag and we keep filling it with items that we used to throw away.
Examples of what we used to throw away, but now throw in a freezer bag:
Carrot ends
Celery ends and leaves
Outer cabbage leaves
Peels of carrots when we peel them(Redundant...I know)
Onion skins
Eggplant
Bits of potatoes
Once we have two bags filled, we plan on trying out our little venture. When we do, you all will be the first to hear about it.
But I have discovered a new way to make soup base. But my inspiration came from Cook, Study, and be Crafty but there are times we do not have enough to buy all of the veggies needed to make said soup. Fear not, I am Mrs. Frugal. We(My daughter and myself) are saving our scraps. What I mean is that when we peel off the outer layers of cabbage, we throw it in the freezer style bag and we keep filling it with items that we used to throw away.
Examples of what we used to throw away, but now throw in a freezer bag:
Carrot ends
Celery ends and leaves
Outer cabbage leaves
Peels of carrots when we peel them(Redundant...I know)
Onion skins
Eggplant
Bits of potatoes
Once we have two bags filled, we plan on trying out our little venture. When we do, you all will be the first to hear about it.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Three Grain Pancakes
One of my readers tried my oatmeal pancakes and loved them...right River? But wait until you try these puppies. If my husband could eat only one pancake for the rest of his life, it would be these, bar none. So here is for all you lazy Sunday morning brunch eating fools. Once you try these please do not bombard me with a kazillion thank yous, I know already. Enjoy! I know we do!!
2 egg whites**
2T oil
3T honey**
1 cup milk**
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup corn meal
2T baking powder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Combine egg whites(I give the yolk to my dog. I hate waste), oil, honey and milk. In another bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Let batter rest for 5 minutes. (Go set the table) Drop pancake batter onto a hot skillet(We use our huge flat griddle). Cook until bubbles begin to form around edges of each pancake. Flip and cook 1-2 more minutes. Serve hot.
** Vegans, use your substitutes.
2 egg whites**
2T oil
3T honey**
1 cup milk**
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup corn meal
2T baking powder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Combine egg whites(I give the yolk to my dog. I hate waste), oil, honey and milk. In another bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Let batter rest for 5 minutes. (Go set the table) Drop pancake batter onto a hot skillet(We use our huge flat griddle). Cook until bubbles begin to form around edges of each pancake. Flip and cook 1-2 more minutes. Serve hot.
** Vegans, use your substitutes.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
You Say Potato I Say...
My daughter has experimented recently with roasted veggies. She did a very green version, which consisted of celery, green peppers, carrots, potatoes, and onions. I love all of these vegetables I love...I swear, but not roasted. OK, get this. I did not eat them after I tried them. And this was not even a dish that could be tweaked. As far as I was concerned, it needed to be trashed.
And yet I knew our roasting days were not over. I watch enough Food Network and read enough blogs to know we could prevail. Well tonight was out night. I had bulk cooked black beans yesterday, so all they needed today was whatever spice I so chose, I went Cuban style. My daughter made a improv version of green bean almondine(sp?)...minus the almonds and then there was our roasted vegetables. DUN DUN DUN *Insert hokey TV drama music*
Well, if any of you fellow bloggers ever come for dinner, I am slap up going to serve you roasted vegetables. We nailed. I was helping my daughter some of her online highschool courses and I was also surfing food blogs, and low and behold(I say that a lot don't I) I found a recipe for roasted vegetables. But could I find it at dinner time? NO!. But we winged it, and let me tell you I went for seconds but could not finish them and had to put them back, but as my daughter was putting the vegetables away I snagged a few crispy potatoes, so much for being full.
I feel like River now, but here goes.
5-6 potatoes, roughly chopped but small enough to cook quickly
4 carrots peeled and again, roughly chopped(I did this pretty diagonal thingy)
1 onion quartered(This went in the last 10-15 minutes
Olive oil to coat veggies
Paula Deens House seasoning(1 cup salt, 1/4 cup pepper, 1/4 cup garlic powder) Not all on the veggies at the same time. Use the seasoning at your discretion. I truthfully love the stuff and if I ever meet Paula, I will hug her for that alone.
Cook your veggies in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes, remember to put the onion in the last 10-15. Life is good when you eat roasted veggies.
I had them tonight for dinner and you didn't. Nani nani boo boo! *Does the nani nani boo boo dance*
And yet I knew our roasting days were not over. I watch enough Food Network and read enough blogs to know we could prevail. Well tonight was out night. I had bulk cooked black beans yesterday, so all they needed today was whatever spice I so chose, I went Cuban style. My daughter made a improv version of green bean almondine(sp?)...minus the almonds and then there was our roasted vegetables. DUN DUN DUN *Insert hokey TV drama music*
Well, if any of you fellow bloggers ever come for dinner, I am slap up going to serve you roasted vegetables. We nailed. I was helping my daughter some of her online highschool courses and I was also surfing food blogs, and low and behold(I say that a lot don't I) I found a recipe for roasted vegetables. But could I find it at dinner time? NO!. But we winged it, and let me tell you I went for seconds but could not finish them and had to put them back, but as my daughter was putting the vegetables away I snagged a few crispy potatoes, so much for being full.
I feel like River now, but here goes.
5-6 potatoes, roughly chopped but small enough to cook quickly
4 carrots peeled and again, roughly chopped(I did this pretty diagonal thingy)
1 onion quartered(This went in the last 10-15 minutes
Olive oil to coat veggies
Paula Deens House seasoning(1 cup salt, 1/4 cup pepper, 1/4 cup garlic powder) Not all on the veggies at the same time. Use the seasoning at your discretion. I truthfully love the stuff and if I ever meet Paula, I will hug her for that alone.
Cook your veggies in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes, remember to put the onion in the last 10-15. Life is good when you eat roasted veggies.
I had them tonight for dinner and you didn't. Nani nani boo boo! *Does the nani nani boo boo dance*
Corn Dogs, Brownies and Salad... Oh My
Well, I have tried to post this at least 4 times, but my main computer does not like Blogger, go figure. So my daughter has let me borrow hers while she takes a break form her online highschool courses(That was tough for her, thanks Savanah). As I am embracing this vegetarian lifestyle, I promised myself I would not fall into the same old routine and make the same boring dishes. In walks the blogging world.
I thought life was grand with just the Internet, but low and behold, we have the blogging world, and man oh man has my recipe book gotten a wee bit fatter. And that is a good thing. My daughter likes having meat analogs handy for that rare emergency occasion that there is nothing to eat(Very rare in this house, since we do not eat out). And we know that those foods are processed. And we also know that if she chooses to stay with meat analogs that she will have to put up with some processed foods. With that said, we are trying to find ways to cut down on processed foods in general and we have found a way to do that. A big round of applause for Wing it Vegan. She has given us some wonderful recipes. We use our dairy where she uses her vegan ingredients, but man, are her dishes fantastic.
Two in particular that are a big hit are These Two. If you have not made these two recipes, then get off your hineys from reading this blog and go make them. Corn dogs and brownies...my meal is complete. We threw in our Asian Slaw salad and bada boom bada bing, life is grand. I am extremely glad I entered the blogging world, but moreso with this blog. I have learned so much about new and different foods, and the support form fellow vegetarians is unbelievable.
Thank you River and keep the recipes coming!!
I thought life was grand with just the Internet, but low and behold, we have the blogging world, and man oh man has my recipe book gotten a wee bit fatter. And that is a good thing. My daughter likes having meat analogs handy for that rare emergency occasion that there is nothing to eat(Very rare in this house, since we do not eat out). And we know that those foods are processed. And we also know that if she chooses to stay with meat analogs that she will have to put up with some processed foods. With that said, we are trying to find ways to cut down on processed foods in general and we have found a way to do that. A big round of applause for Wing it Vegan. She has given us some wonderful recipes. We use our dairy where she uses her vegan ingredients, but man, are her dishes fantastic.
Two in particular that are a big hit are These Two. If you have not made these two recipes, then get off your hineys from reading this blog and go make them. Corn dogs and brownies...my meal is complete. We threw in our Asian Slaw salad and bada boom bada bing, life is grand. I am extremely glad I entered the blogging world, but moreso with this blog. I have learned so much about new and different foods, and the support form fellow vegetarians is unbelievable.
Thank you River and keep the recipes coming!!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Asian Cabbage Salad
I am in love, and it ain't my husband. We at this house love cabbage. Fix it any way and it will be eaten. I personally love the core, you all can fight over the rest. Well, if you go to any major grocery store, you will find, usually in the produce section a little twirly thing that holds recipe cards. We look at what we think we will like or the ingredients we have and go for it. My daughter asked me to make thins Asian salad and I had no clue what she was referring to. So she dug up the card that came from I believe Walmart, but do not quote me. This salad was jam up great. Make it...eat it and then make it some more. Hope you all liked it as much as we did.
Asian Cabbage Salad
1 head napa cabbage cored and shredded(Thanks for my Rachael Ray knife)
1/2 cup sliced green onions(We used plain old yellow onion)
1 cup shredded or grated carrots
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro(We did not have any)
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
2T lime juice(We used lemon juice)
1T ginger grated
2T light brown sugar
1T soy sauce(We use tamari)
1T toasted sesame oil
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In large bowl, toss cabbage, onions, carrots and cilantro together until evenly mixed.
In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, lime juice, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce and sesame oil.
Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and toss to coat. Serve immediately or chill, covered, until ready to serve.
Wow, did I mention I was in love?!
Asian Cabbage Salad
1 head napa cabbage cored and shredded(Thanks for my Rachael Ray knife)
1/2 cup sliced green onions(We used plain old yellow onion)
1 cup shredded or grated carrots
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro(We did not have any)
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
2T lime juice(We used lemon juice)
1T ginger grated
2T light brown sugar
1T soy sauce(We use tamari)
1T toasted sesame oil
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In large bowl, toss cabbage, onions, carrots and cilantro together until evenly mixed.
In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, lime juice, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce and sesame oil.
Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and toss to coat. Serve immediately or chill, covered, until ready to serve.
Wow, did I mention I was in love?!
This Is For You Moo-Moo
My daughter is a major inspiration to me. She may not know she is, but after reading, I am guessing she will find out. I tell her how proud I am of her and that she made such a major decision at 8&1/2 to become a vegetarian. Who does that? She does and did.
On September 1 I took a vegetarian challenge. which I swear I saw on some veggie blog, but for the life of me I do not remember where I saw it. It said something to thee effect to 'Take the Veggie Challenge'. So I did. I wanted to see if I could do the vegetarian lifestyle for one week, and save for a bite or two of steak off my sons plate, that one week has turned into two weeks ans darned if I don't give a rats backside if I eat meat again or not. I truly do not miss it the way I thought I would. I took a few bites off my sons plate, but it did not thrill me like it used to. Do I miss some meats? Darn skippy. when I smell a BBQ from someones backyard, I get a hankerin', but I have done it now, for two weeks. Ad there are some things I have discovered.
I am more tolerable of other peoples choices...as long as they respect mine. the minute they dog me about my choices, or throw me the lame tofu jokes...it's on like Donkey Kong. I don't start attacking you about you eating dead animals, don criticize me for opting not. I am choosing a healthier lifestyle(Notice I did not say diet) and you have the brass ones to come down on me. I am little Miss Muffet, until you cross the line into my world, then we will definitely duke it out.
I cannot thank my daughter enough for setting me in a direction I am all too familiar with, but needed to be kicked in my complacency and find where I know I should be and feel like it is old home week.
We as vegetarians usually do not have to wait for our meat to defrost before we start dinner. throw some rice in the cooker, saute some veggies and that's dinner for me. While you poor carnivores are heating up an oven to cock the meatloaf for an hour. I am done and cleaning my kitchen. I am not on a crusade to convert...if you will all the meat eaters out there. Most people know about vegetarians. And you can see right off the bat if they are genuinely interested or it is their intent to ridicule. I do not have time for those people. they are closed minded and do not deserve my time. I have bigger fish to fry...I made a funny.
So to end this on an up note. Thank you to my wonderful daughter, who I fondly refer to as Moo-Moo...do not ask!
On September 1 I took a vegetarian challenge. which I swear I saw on some veggie blog, but for the life of me I do not remember where I saw it. It said something to thee effect to 'Take the Veggie Challenge'. So I did. I wanted to see if I could do the vegetarian lifestyle for one week, and save for a bite or two of steak off my sons plate, that one week has turned into two weeks ans darned if I don't give a rats backside if I eat meat again or not. I truly do not miss it the way I thought I would. I took a few bites off my sons plate, but it did not thrill me like it used to. Do I miss some meats? Darn skippy. when I smell a BBQ from someones backyard, I get a hankerin', but I have done it now, for two weeks. Ad there are some things I have discovered.
I am more tolerable of other peoples choices...as long as they respect mine. the minute they dog me about my choices, or throw me the lame tofu jokes...it's on like Donkey Kong. I don't start attacking you about you eating dead animals, don criticize me for opting not. I am choosing a healthier lifestyle(Notice I did not say diet) and you have the brass ones to come down on me. I am little Miss Muffet, until you cross the line into my world, then we will definitely duke it out.
I cannot thank my daughter enough for setting me in a direction I am all too familiar with, but needed to be kicked in my complacency and find where I know I should be and feel like it is old home week.
We as vegetarians usually do not have to wait for our meat to defrost before we start dinner. throw some rice in the cooker, saute some veggies and that's dinner for me. While you poor carnivores are heating up an oven to cock the meatloaf for an hour. I am done and cleaning my kitchen. I am not on a crusade to convert...if you will all the meat eaters out there. Most people know about vegetarians. And you can see right off the bat if they are genuinely interested or it is their intent to ridicule. I do not have time for those people. they are closed minded and do not deserve my time. I have bigger fish to fry...I made a funny.
So to end this on an up note. Thank you to my wonderful daughter, who I fondly refer to as Moo-Moo...do not ask!
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