Wheat Grinder Moments

My guest chef

2012-01-16T20:11:00.001-07:00

I can not take any credit for the following recipe except for the fact that I gave birth to the girl who prepared it. My daughter who had been opposed to cooking for many years decided it was time to prepare herself for the day she might need to feed herself and a cute family. She now cooks dinner every Wednesday, and now Wednesday is my favorite day of the week. When someone else decides the menu, you just might find yourself eating something that you never thought would be tasty. Adding fresh chopped avocado to a bowl of hot soup would have seemed odd to me, but my daughter thought it would be yummy, and she was right!

Veggie Tortilla Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, diced

1 red pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin

1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

2 cans chopped green chile peppers

3 (14 ounce) cans vegetable broth

1 can corn

2 cans black beans, rinsed

2 cans pinto beans, rinsed

2 avocados, diced

tortilla chips

1. Heat oil in a large pot on medium heat, stir in onion, red pepper, garlic, and cumin. Cook for 5 minutes or until veggies are tender.

2. Add tomatoes, chile peppers and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.

3. Reduce heat to low. Add corn, black beans, and pinto beans. Stir and cook for 5-10 minutes.

4. Garnish each bowl with avocado and chips before serving.

5. Try to get another member of your family to cook tomorrow. :)

New Year, New Do

2012-01-11T14:33:00.003-07:00

I heard the phrase New Year, New You so many times last week that I began to get a complex about what was wrong with the old me. If I made a list, it would probably include significant items such as needing to be less judgmental to something as frivolous as needing a change in the way I do my hair.

I am always looking for something a little different, but when my hairdresser asks, “What are we going to do today?” I panic and don’t want to do anything too drastic and leave with just a trim. I want something different, up-to-date, and new, but my hair seems to always end up looking the same. Something I believe Donald Trump and I have in common.

Saw an ad for his new Celebrity Apprentice and the only one I recognized was Clay Aiken. It was just a quick peek, but I just assumed that if you were a celebrity, people shouldn’t have to wonder why you were famous.

I did recognize other Idol alum during the recent CMA awards but was saddened to see how ridiculously thin Kellie Pickler, Carrie Underwood, and Lauren Alaina have become. I thought Lauren was so cute with her curves.

Speaking of starving yourself, I bet Warren Jeffs’ followers wish his hunger protest had a different end result now that he has banned toys, sex, and anything that might seem even slightly fun.

Unlike Mr. Jeffs, JLo and Marc Anthony won’t be serving jail time for their respective relationships with their barely old enough lovers, but it sure does seem just a little bit creepy.

Several other not-so-surprising Hollywood break-ups occurred recently. Katy Perry and Demi Moore once again find themselves single. And their former men, well, a little advise for the new year, they each could use a new do!

Black and Blue Friday

2011-11-27T10:08:00.004-07:00

Large crowds, fist fights, pepper spray, gun shots, and even death are the price you just might need to pay to get the unbelievable bargains on Black Friday. To me, the only thing unbelievable about it is that people actually enjoy this type of shopping. One retailer recounts watching two grown women fight over a pair of sheets. I guess it is okay to act like a two year old if you are going to save five dollars. One news commentator speculated that the poor economy is to blame. As if consumers could only give this Christmas season if they got their hands on that incredibly priced 46 inch plasma television. I guess the thought of giving less was never really an option. As I watched the news Friday evening and heard story after story of shopping frenzy turned to violence, the common denominator in each incident was Wal-mart. And people worry about Obama being the anti-Christ. All of this pushing, shoving, and fighting is to usher in the holiday season celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace. Well, just maybe our priorities are a little mixed up.

Kick the can and enjoy some yams!

2011-11-23T22:01:00.002-07:00

Leatha Colby is woman I have never met, but each Thanksgiving I think of her fondly as I make her famous pumpkin pie. Several years ago, at a neighborhood party, this pie was her grandson’s entry in the bake-off competition. By the looks of all the entries, I didn’t think it had a chance of winning. After all, there were several delectable chocolate entries. But after just one taste of this pie, it is easily the best pumpkin pie you will ever eat. And on that night, Leatha Colby’s grandson won the blue ribbon. Who would think the secret to the best pumpkin pie would be absolutely no pumpkin.

Leatha Colby's Famous Pumpkin Pie

Filling for one pie

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon flour

1 1/2 cups yams

1 can evaporated milk

2 eggs, slightly beaten

Scrub yams, cut into chunks, and cook just like potatoes. Drain, peel, and mash. Measure and set aside. In a separate bowl, add spices and flour to the sugar. Combine yam and sugar mixture. Add the milk and then the eggs.

Rub egg white on unbaked crust before pouring in the pumpkin mixture.

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes and then at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

No more Fs

2011-11-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

When my oldest daughter, who shall remain nameless, was about 13 years old, she became irritated with her siblings for a) eating all the ice cream, b) coming into her room, c) looking at her wrong, or d) possibly just being born. I am sure it was a valid reason, and once again I am trivializing her feelings. And, that is all beside the point. In order for her to express how truly mad she was, she chose the biggest, toughest word she had ever heard to convey her feelings. That’s right, she used the F word. I don’t believe that word had been spoken before in our home, but I am sure she heard it several times a day just walking down the halls of her school. I was beside myself that a child of mine would dare use that word and probably yelled something not so nice back at her. My husband, on the other hand, sat her down and explained just what that word actually meant and asked her if that was truly the thing she wanted to express to her siblings. Long story short, that was the end of the use of that word at our house.

I believe Cameron Diaz has yet to have this conversation with her father. How do I know? Well, because, as you know, a PG-13 movie is allowed to have that word uttered once during the course of the show, and I believe Cameron Diaz possibly has it in her contract that if someone is going to use that word, then she is the one who gets to say it. Two movies to prove my theory are Knight and Day and My Sister’s Keeper. I am hoping that she soon finds a better way to express her anger because that word just ruins a movie for me.

Now this next part of my post may seem fabricated, but it is totally true. I like to read – okay, that is not the possible fabricated part – and the last three books that I have started reading have had the F word in them. Two of the three at least had the courtesy of including it in the first chapter before I would become engrossed in the story. Mothers and Other Liars was getting high ratings on the reader’s choice list at my local library, The Saving Graces was recommended to me by Goodreads because of a similar book I enjoyed, and the other book with something about a curious dog in the title was from a friend’s book club list and was even in the young adult section. My question is why? I just want to read books free of vulgarities and smut. After all, I am avoiding the romance section of my library.

Maybe I am just hyper sensitive because when the recent rage was to say “freakin”, I outlawed that word at my house too. I even hate Celo Green’s Forget You song because I know what he sings in the other version. No matter how mad I was at someone, I wouldn’t use that word. I don’t like the feeling or imagery associated with it. I think it is just time to bring back the good old bar of soap, maybe then the world would stop using it, and see it as the dirty word it is.

Eleven / eleven / eleven

2011-11-11T11:11:00.002-07:00

Apparently today happens only once in a lifetime, but if you think about it, every day happens just once in a lifetime. But, I guess it being 11/11/11 is a big deal. Many people are getting married or with careful planning nine months previously possibly trying to arrange the birth of a child on this numerical day of wonder. My celebration will come with no labor pains, wedding vows, or big parties. Maybe just some simple lists of eleven will have to be enough.

Eleven books I loved and bought:

1. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
2. Small change: The secret life of Penny Buford by J. Belinda Yandell
3. These is my words by Nancy E. Turner
4. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
5. Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
6. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
7. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
8. Sarah by Orson Scott Card
9. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
10. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
11. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

Eleven Marvelous Meatless Menu Items:

1. Mango Berry Salad at Cafe Zupas
2. Mushroom-Swiss Black Bean Burger at Chili's
3. Eggplant Parmigiana at Johnny Carino's
4. Lo Mein Noodles with Tofu at Pei Wei
5. Veggie Avocado Sandwich at Kneaders
6. Grilled Vegetable Tacos at Chili's
7. Five Cheese Ziti at Olive Garden
8. Veggie Burrito at Gecko's
9. Wisconsin Cauliflower at Cafe Zupas
10. Smothered Bean, Rice, and Cheese Burrito at Cafe Rio
11. Whole Grain Pancakes with 100% Maple Syrup at Cracker Barrel

Eleven Marathon Training Tips
I recently ran my first marathon, and these are the things that I learned.

1. Blueberry Cliffbars are my favorite fuel during a long run.
2. Sucking on Jolly Ranchers keep your mouth from getting dry.
3. Lap swimming is excellent cross training.
4. Carb up 2 to 3 days before every long run.
5. If at all possible, avoid a bathroom stop during the race. It kills your momentum.
6. Chocolate milk is an excellent recovery drink.
7. Do at least 20 miles before the marathon.
8. Practice wearing race clothing to prevent any chaffing. And the anti-chaffing roll-on really works!
9. I usually don't run with music, but an Ipod would be helpful for the last hard miles.
10. Next marathon, I will leave my fuel belt at home and use water and fuel provided.
11. Realize that the last 6 miles are totally brutal but worth it! :)

Seat Refresher

2011-11-03T08:01:00.008-06:00

I would try this at my house, but instead of lowering the toilet seat, I am afraid the solution just might be to leave the door open. Now, if you have watched Dr. Oz, he has warned us all of the dangers of flushing before shutting. With the toilet lid up, germs fly through the air. Even your toothbrush isn’t safe. Now the following isn’t a foolproof plan of keeping germs from invading your bathroom, but it is a good start.

Seat Refresher

Mix in a spray bottle:

2 cups water

4 tablespoons liquid castile soap

5 drops each of eucalyptus, lemon, and tea tree oils

Spray on toilet seat, handle, sink, counter tops, and faucets. Then wipe away those pesky germs. Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant. Not only is it earth friendly, but it smells far better than those toxic Clorox wipes.

Hmmmmm

2011-11-01T11:57:00.003-06:00

Never understood why the customary greeting is Happy Halloween. Happiness is not the emotion I have experienced when looking at yard displays, store decorations, or costumes depicting gore, death, and mayhem, but now it will be forever marred by the day that Kim Kardashian’s hopes for true love were dashed after 72 grueling days of marriage.

There is hope for all the male commoners of England. They can now dream of one day becoming a king to their queen. The rules concerning monarch succession have now been altered to avoid discrimination against female heirs. Apparently the policy favoring male heirs is outdated, as if the whole idea of a monarchy is not.
I’m wondering if the woman who stabbed her boyfriend for cheating during a recent monopoly game is just a really poor loser, or if she just took the “Go to jail” card too seriously.
We’re sorry for the miscommunication was the recent apology I received when my local Taco Bell could not get my order right even on the second try. Since I clearly and adequately conveyed my order both times, the definition of miscommunication must be something entirely different than I originally thought.
The middle. My favorite television sitcom. Sweet, funny, and clean. Unfortunately it will probably be cancelled soon.
madoff Schmadoff! Their recent desire to break their silence is about selling books. I would have thought Matt Lauer would have known their motive and wouldn’t need to ask such a ridiculous question.

Odds and evens

2011-10-25T19:44:00.003-06:00

Last month, I ran a triathlon with two of my daughters. After the race, we thought it would be fun to take a picture of the age markings on our calves. Funny thing, my age (46) was the sum of my daughters’ ages (21 & 25). I wondered the odds of that happening again with some of my other children. As with most things, I could use my God given brain and elementary math to figure it out, or I could be hip and cool and wait for an iPhone app to do it for me.

Even though Wil Smith and his wife have denied rumors of a split, it is usually about a month later that one of the partners file for divorce. This news will be devastating to Oprah. Either way, the fruit of their union brought us the totally awesome “I can whip my hair back and forth” song.

Now that Mikayla has found herself on Redemption Island, what are the odds of Brandon joining her? I wonder if he would be a man of integrity and honor his God then, or if he would succumb to his Delilah temptation.

Even though every death is sad, I find it tragic when we mourn someone’s life more than their death. That is the case for me and Michael Jackson. However, I believe he beat the odds and lived longer than most troubled celebrities. And now, I am just tired of hearing about the fate of Conrad Murray.

Was never a huge fan of The Talk but every once in a while I loved me some Leah Remini. Even though I know she is gone, I find myself tuning in to see if CBS executives realize what a huge mistake they made by firing her.

Even though Baby Lisa’s mom is adamant about her innocence in her baby’s disappearance, it seems to me she would be more believable if her story was consistent. When you have nothing to hide, it is probably best to live by the simple philosophy of telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

I don’t know which I find odder. The excitement over the return of the McRib or the buzz surrounding Lindsay Lohan’s Playboy spread. Both are just plain sick and wrong.

Good nuts, bad nuts

2011-10-24T16:26:00.002-06:00

I guess if your wardrobe was influenced by his flamboyant fashion sense, you might consider him a good nut. However, you are probably in the minority. Most people are grateful that the death of Muammar Gaddafi rid the world of one more very bad nut.

You might categorize grown women throwing bleach on one another while shopping at their local Wal-mart as a bad nut, but if you enjoy a front row seat to a three ring circus along with the price of milk, you might need to rethink your judgment in more ways than one.

If you based their appeal solely on price, you would consider them a bad nut. But, when you consider the long list of health benefits associated with pine nuts, they definitely are a good nut. Along with being high in protein and good fats, pine nuts are also filled with amino acids and are a good source of magnesium, copper, zinc, potassium, and vitamins B1, 2 & 3, and E. All of that from a little nut found inside a pine cone. You might be tempted to skip this ingredient when making this yummy pasta dish, but be a good nut and leave it in.

Broccoli and Bow Tie Pasta

8 cups broccoli florets

1/2 lb bow tie pasta

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

zest of 1 lemon

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add broccoli and cook just 3 minutes. Remover with slotted spoon in order to cook pasta in same water. Add pasta and cook 10 to 12 minutes. Drain well. Combine broccoli and pasta in a large bowl.

Heat butter and oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and lemon zest and saute for 1 minute. Remove skillet from burner and add salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir to combine then pour over broccoli and pasta. Toss together. Sprinkle with pine nuts and parmesan cheese.

Hold the horse hooves please!

2011-09-26T18:37:00.001-06:00

Jell-o is a huge hit at my in-laws house. We often have not one but two Jell-o salads at any family gathering. And so, it is rather ironic that my husband won’t even touch the stuff. In fact, my husband likes to tell anyone who will listen to him the origin of gelatin and hot dogs. So if you are a big fan of Jell-o and don’t want to know its shady background, you might want to skip the rest of this post. The popular legend has been that gelatin is made from horses’ and cows’ hooves, but the truth is actually that it comes from the bones, skins, and hides of cows and pigs. I don't think I like either option. The funny thing is that gelatin is not considered an animal product because of its extensive processing. My daughter used to love Jell-o until she received an unsolicited education from her father.

I found a truly vegan "jel dessert" at my local Whole Foods store, and it was a big hit with the family. Instead of sugar, it contains evaporated cane juice and is colored with beet powder rather than the controversial Red #40. And by the way, Kraft, the maker of Jell-o, wants you to know that hooves do not contain the necessary collagen and therefore are not used in the production of its products. Isn't that a relief!

Things we forgot

2011-09-19T19:29:00.000-06:00

You would think that the “always remember” signs seem to be unnecessary. How could anyone forget the tragedies of September 11, 2001? But then again who would think that there would be people who would say that the Holocaust never happened. Maybe the signs are to remind us to remember how we felt on that day, and how our country came together, and our desire to preserve freedoms and rid the world of evil. After ten short years, I believe there are things that we already have forgotten.

Remember how grateful we were for the heroes of that day. The courageous New York firefighters, many of whom were off duty and without even being asked showed up to help, bravely risked their lives because that is simply what they do. Many of those who survived that tragic day have now lost their lives to cancer, and our government denied them medical insurance coverage because it was determined that the cancer was not a result of the toxic fumes and debris they came in contact with as they tirelessly looked for survivors. It seemed that the days following 9/11 that there would have been nothing we would have denied these heroes.

I had forgotten that many of our elected leaders stood together on the steps of the Capitol building and spontaneously sang “God Bless America”. It wasn’t our national anthem they relied upon to unite our nation, but a song invoking the very being that many now want out of the pledge of allegiance to protect and guide us.

It is sad that we list the first casualty of 9/11 as Rev. Mychal Judge who was known as the people’s priest and firefighters’ chaplain, but on the tenth anniversary of his death, New York City’s mayor didn’t invite one man of the cloth to speak or pray at the memorial.

Have you forgotten how it felt that day? There is already a great song with that title. Maybe we just need to be reminded.

Children are like trees

2011-09-04T21:20:00.002-06:00

As my husband and I were hiking in a local canyon yesterday, I was intrigued by the various directions the aspen trees had grown. Some were very tall and straight, many were a little bowed, while some initially came up straight out of the ground were bent and almost growing parallel to the ground. I wondered what factors caused each tree to grow the way it did. My husband said the different growing patterns of the trees were like our children. I would have to agree.

It seems that some children will grow up to be strong, honest, hardworking individuals regardless of their upbringing. Those are the straight trees of the world. They don’t require a lot of energy from others to point them in the right direction. They just instinctively know what way is up. They just do the right thing.

Other trees want to grow the right way but are influenced by wind and the storms of life. They are a little bent and maybe even have a little more character because of their experiences. Often times these trees are staked to help them grow right, like a rebellious teenager given an abundance of rules to keep him on the right path.

Trees seem to be most productive when they grow the right direction and not giving into the storms. A straight tree will not fall early because it cannot bear its weight.

Some trees just want to do their own thing. They fight against what they should become. They don’t want to take direction and feel they know what is best for them.

Regardless of their stage of growth or direction they want to take, I love all my trees!

Just because you can . . .

2011-07-29T15:27:00.000-06:00

Doesn’t mean that you should eat all you can at any buffet! Recently on vacation, because it was cheaper to buy the all-you-can-eat buffet meal combo pass for admission at a theme park, we did. I am not a buffet person. It seems like you eat more than you need to just so you can get your “money’s worth” and then have to watch others do the same. Not my idea of a good night out. As I was enjoying my plate of potato salad and baked beans, at the table next to me was a large gentle man consuming more than his fare share worth of food. One plate contained at least ten servings of fried chicken and beef brisket. When that plate was finished, he asked his daughter to get him some chocolate chip cookies, and then needed her to fill his glass with Mountain Dew in order to take his “pills”. Didn’t ask but I assumed they were probably to help control his high blood pressure and cholesterol and possibly diabetes. So why do we consume the very foods that are causing the problem, and then absentmindedly pop a pill to counteract the effects? I say skip the pill and order a salad!

Just because you can ask certain questions doesn’t mean that you should. We all know that asking someone’s weight, age, or annual income is impolite, but other questions should be taboo as well. Just this morning, I finished watching the Primetime Special featuring Jaycee Dugard. I initially was not going to Tivo this because I felt it was exploitation, but after seeing Diane Sawyer comment on an interview that Jaycee was the most remarkable woman she had ever interviewed, I wanted to understand not only how she survived the horrible 18 years, but how she wasn’t bitter. Her outlook is incredible. I am sure everyone wants to know, and so Diane felt inclined to ask, but really if she felt she had the tools to escape, she would have. I have seen other victims asked the same question. “Why didn’t you escape?” As if they needed to accept some responsibility for their captivity. That question always infuriates me. Survivors of sexual abuse should never be asked “Why didn’t you tell?” or “Did you say no?” or any other ridiculous question that implies they are partly accountable for their perpetrators actions. Maybe when we quit asking these questions, we will empower each victim with the knowledge that the shame belongs solely on the abuser, and they won’t need to ask themselves, “What if . . .?” because everyone will understand there were no other options at the time.

Calling for Ben Matlock

2011-07-08T20:12:00.002-06:00

As I heard the verdict on the Casey Anthony trial, I immediately thought how great it would have been for Ben Matlock to have been the defense attorney. When he solved a case, it didn’t make you wonder if the wrong guy was acquitted. Every show of this series was based on a murder and an obvious suspect. Matlock’s client was always proven innocent by him solving the crime and identifying the actual murderer. I guess Ms. Anthony’s attorneys actually tried this approach by accusing her father. It helped to get her off, but I don’t think she thought through the ramifications of that defense. Not only does it seem that her family relationships will be forever strained, but the country finds her even more despicable.

One of the most disturbing facts that I have heard since the verdict is that 200 children die each year at the hands of a parent. It made me wonder with all of the attention on Caylee Anthony why we haven’t heard more about the other 199 children killed that year. I am always saddened to hear news about the very person who should protect and defend a child at all costs is the one who has done them the greatest harm.

Just go ride a bike

2011-06-26T10:24:00.001-06:00

The title of this post might lead you to believe that you will read something incredibly cool about fitness or how to single handedly stop global warning, but it is about a more serious problem plaguing our society. I know you can’t believe there could be anything more dangerous than our planet burning up.

“Just go ride a bike!” was the advice my daughter would yell to Jackie Evancho, the ten year-old opera singer who was competing on America’s Got Talent last year. Ten year-olds should be enjoying riding bikes, playing dolls, and cooking in their Easy Bake Ovens and not experiencing the pressures of Hollywood, agents, critics, and parents living their dreams through their children. Parents can plead all they want that it is really what their child wants to do. Well, my children have wanted to drive a car at eight, have a boyfriend at twelve, and move away from home at fifteen, but as a parent it is my responsibility to allow them to do certain things when they possess the skills and maturity to handle each situation.

Any responsible parent watching Lindsey Lohan or Miley Cyrus self-destruct would find it a deterrent and would keep their child as far away from Hollywood as possible. But, we have parents lining up just waiting for their child’s big break. We have parents proudly injecting Botox in their eight year-old daughter’s face. There wouldn’t be padded bikini swim suits and thigh-toning Sketcher’s shape-ups if parents weren’t buying these things for their little nine year-olds. Toddlers and Tiaras exists because parents don’t realize that when their child says they want to play dress-up, it means prancing around the house in mom’s shoes, jewelry, and make-up.

Whether it is a publicity stunt or not, news has circulated about a 16 year-old aspiring singer marrying her 51 year-old actor boyfriend, and the parents couldn’t be any happier. Really? And, the mother is eager to inform us that her daughter was a virgin before this blissful event.

Childhood passes by too quickly all on its own. As parents, we should do our best to preserve the innocence of our children. Let children be children because the pressures of adulthood will find them soon enough. And why not ride a bike with your child today.

Stranger than Fiction

2011-06-15T12:16:00.000-06:00

This whole Weiner-gate gets stranger every day. First of all, if the Artist formerly known as Prince can change his name to a symbol, Mister Weiner could at the very least change the pronunciation of his name. Maybe his wife will have enough sense to give the baby her last name.

I saw the two remaining women on Christina Aguilera’s team on The Voice. It made me wonder if she didn’t want anyone on her team with prettier hair than her bleach-blonde locks.

Did you see the Nightline about face recognition technology on facebook? It was just a little scary. My facebook activity is on the minimal side. I have never actually tagged anyone in a picture. Apparently, if I upload a picture, facebook can determine who else from the facebook community is in the picture without me even telling them. It sounded like a strange concept from a science fiction novel. The scary part is it is real.

Just do it!

2011-05-27T20:05:00.001-06:00

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt

Over a fifteen year period of my life, I was a dutiful mother and enrolled my children in swimming lessons. As I watched them swim, out of the corner of my eye I would be secretly envying the parents who were lap swimming during their child’s lesson. I wasn’t afraid of water, in fact, I loved hanging out at the pool, but I couldn’t go under the water without plugging my nose. I would use my glasses as an excuse to not to have to dunk my head. As I began doing running races, I thought how great it would be to do a triathlon. Two years ago, I finally decided I would allow myself a little embarrassment and enrolled in an adult swimming class. Let me just say that swimming is really hard. I now love to swim, and I am mad that I didn’t do this earlier in life. After reaching a certain age, we often think that it is too late to learn a new skill or habit. The saddest part is how often our insecurities or embarrassment hold us back from achieving. I can now proudly check triathlon off my bucket list. I came in 422 out of over 900 participants, but it really wouldn’t have mattered if I came in dead last, because for me it wasn’t about competing but finishing.

The stand-off

2011-05-18T14:20:00.001-06:00

Don’t know if this kind of thing happens at anyone else’s home, but I expect it probably does. Sunday night, my son went into the bathroom he normally uses and brushed his teeth. Afterwards, he walked to another bathroom and blew his nose. Being a little confused, I asked him if by chance “his” bathroom was out of toilet paper. Expecting a yes, I had my “don’t be so lazy” lecture prepared and ready. Apparently the bathroom is not out of toilet paper, but my son is simply trying to teach his dad a lesson. It seems that last time my son didn’t replace the toilet paper roll after using the last of it, my husband gave him a little talking to about responsibility. Because the toilet paper was out when he entered the bathroom, my son determined it must have been his dad that didn’t replace it. I am assuming my son must think highly of my skills in always remembering to change the roll. It remained unchanged for 2 days, and it is yet to be determined if anyone actually learned a lesson.

The things I know . . .

2011-05-16T17:39:00.000-06:00

When I read the question, “What will you do without Oprah?” on the ABC News website, I knew that I would be okay. Because when she said every woman needed a white pair of jeans, I didn’t buy them. You see, I can make decisions all on my own.

I know that there had to be a motive behind the large amount of puzzle solving challenges on Survivor this season. Could it possibly have been to help Boston “Puzzle Master” Rob finally win the game?

I began reading the Bible in January, and now I know that King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Now, I am confused about why they called him wise. I also learned that when King David was stricken in years, they brought a young virgin into his bed to warm him. I wonder just exactly when the phrase “dirty old man” was invented.

I know that I could possibly be the reason that James Durbin went home last week on American Idol. Ryan warned me to vote for my favorites. Can someone tell me who is voting for Haley?

I know that when I cook with sour cream, butter, or cheese, my husband will be concerned about fat grams. I must admit that I love my fats. I also know that when I make baked ziti, it will be devoured. Fat grams and all.

Baked Ziti

1 lb ziti pasta

15 ounces ricotta cheese

4 cups mozzarella cheese, grated

6 cups (2 jars) spaghetti sauce

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil ziti, according to package instructions, drain, and return to pot. Add all the ricotta cheese and half the mozzarella cheese. Stir til combined. Cover the bottom of a 13X9 pan with half the sauce. Put ziti mixture on top of the sauce. Pour remaining sauce on top of ziti. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly golden.

I know your family will love this on Meatless Monday or any day of the week.

No-fault, no-thanks

2011-05-03T21:08:00.003-06:00

As my daughter was climbing out of our mini-van yesterday, she hit her head on the top of the car. She immediately grabbed the top of her head, and as I was asking her if she was okay, blood began streaming down her face. Her husband was out of town, and so I stayed with her baby, and my husband drove her to the Insta-care. As she was being admitted, the kind lady behind the desk called her sweetie and asked her how it happened. When my husband replied that she hit her head climbing out of the car, the sweet lady’s demeanor changed, and she informed them that this would not be covered by my daughter’s health insurance plan but would need to be paid by our auto insurance, and if they chose to stay and get medical help a $75 deposit would be required. What?

The crazy legislators of the state I live in have passed a law that any injury occurring in or around a vehicle is to be filed with the auto carrier and paid out of the No-fault benefit. I am assuming that several bribes were offered by the health care industry and kindly accepted by the lawmakers of my state. So, for example, if your car is parked in your driveway and a neighbor child rides his bike into your car and falls and breaks his arm then your auto insurance will be responsible. Isn’t that nice?

Perhaps for her future reference, my daughter was given a paper explaining the No-fault Coverage Policy with a list of claim examples. One example explains that an attached trailer is an integral part of the vehicle and subject to these laws. So my question is this – if I had a trailer and had taken it camping and was cutting a tomato and happened to slice my finger, would it be my vehicles fault because I didn’t take the time to unhook my trailer?

Now if I choose to file a claim against my car insurance policy, then my rates could possibly increase. I have a $500 deductable anyhow, and so I will probably just pay this out of pocket. By law, I have to carry workman’s comp insurance for my business, and after two claims in four years, our policy was cancelled. Now, I choose not to file any claims. I am so tired of paying for insurance that I can not use.

Making every day Earth Day

2011-04-22T13:13:00.002-06:00

If we could leave all the political rhetoric out of it, Earth Day should be about making a change to preserve and minimize our impact on the environment. We shouldn’t need a government mandate to tell us to be more conscience of our gluttony, and I don’t want Rush Limbaugh calling me a flaming liberal because I think people should recycle, reduce, and reuse. So much in life is about common sense, and sometimes I wonder if we are so consumed with getting what we feel we deserve that we loose sight of what just might be best. Yesterday, the Today Show said that the United States was the number one trash producing country, and that the average American produces 1600 pounds of trash per year, and that a good amount of that trash could be recycled. That is almost 4 1/2 pounds per person per day.

Just as New Year’s resolutions give us the opportunity to make a goal to improve our health, Earth Day should be about making a change in our habits to improve our environment. If you don’t already use cloth bags at the grocery store, make a commitment to do it. If recycling is your weakness, start small and make improvements. If you purchase plastic water bottles, buy a reusable container.

Did you know that U.S. consumers purchased enough water bottles last year to stretch around the earth 190 times? And that 38 billion of those bottles ended up in a landfill?

For me, I think my goal this year will be to start purchasing napkins made from recycled materials and save a few trees! :)

Things I simply cannot understand . . .

2011-04-18T20:12:00.001-06:00

Barbara Walters. Why is this woman considered a great journalist? All I know is she takes herself way too seriously. Barbara, when David Letterman makes a funny about you, there is no need to explain that you didn’t have plastic surgery while recuperating from your heart surgery, everyone knows it is a joke.

The Royal Wedding phenomenon. It seems as if I can’t escape the current “news” about this event. I really don’t care who designed the gown. And now tonight, Barbara Walters will enlighten us on this modern day fairytale. If it takes you eight years to decide if you really love the person enough to marry them, is it really a fairytale?

Tax day. Okay, I understand that April 15th is tax day, but if it is also another holiday, will it be permanently moved to another day? I didn’t realize I had a few more days to hold on to my check.

School lunch. Apparently a school district in Chicago is outlawing brown bagging. The reason – homemade lunch is not as nutritious as the school lunch. The only way I see that this is even possible is if the parents are sending a package of Twinkies, a bag of Cheetos, and a Mountain Dew to wash them down.

Time. My grandson turns a year today, and it seems like he was born just yesterday. And yet, my brother-in-law was killed in a car accident nearly two years ago, and it seems like an eternity since he was with us.

Puberty at age seven. How do you explain menstruating to a little seven year-old girl? Two of the reasons for this crazy occurrence – obesity in children and all of the hormones in the meat we eat. And that is two reasons to skip the tax relief offer of the second Big Mac for a penny at McDonald’s today.

Thursday Thoughts

2011-04-14T08:47:00.004-06:00

Once the game is over,
the King and the pawn go back in the same box.

To beef, or not to beef

2011-04-11T18:41:00.008-06:00

To beef, or not to beef, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the diet to remove
And save the cows from outrageous fortune,
And to take arms against mine carnivores,
And by opposing madden them? To cook, to eat,
No more; and take a stand to say we end
The heart-ache, and the thousand unnatural shocks
That their flesh is heir to: 'tis a consumption
Devoutly to be avoided. To cook, to steam;
To eat, perchance a veggie – ay, there's the rule:
For in that meatless meal what delights may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal custom,
Must give us pause – there's the respect
That Meatless Monday makes of so long life.

No Chicken Pot Pie

3 large red potatoes, scrubbed and diced

4 carrots, peeled and chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup flour

2 cups chicken or veggie broth

1 cup half-and-half

1 1/2 cups each frozen corn and peas

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 pie crusts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Saute onion, carrots, and potatoes in butter for 10 minutes. Add flour and cook one minute, stirring constantly. Add broth and half-and-half. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly. Stir in salt, pepper, corn, and peas. Pour into 2 pie plates and cover with pie shells. Cut slits to allow steam to escape. Bake 40-50 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly and cooked through.

If your home is like mine, you may have a few carnivores, vegetarians, and some who eat meat in moderation. So I constantly ask myself should I beef or not beef. Yesterday I made this pot pie. One was made with chicken and one without. It was pleasing to all. To answer the question: I say save yourself some time and money and go no meat.

Make a change

2011-04-09T14:42:00.000-06:00

Change is the most powerful word in a political race. It isn’t even necessary to articulate your plan for change but to simply imply you have one.

Change can be confusing. Like why the footwear I wore as a teenager is now called flip-flops. When my mother-in-law would tell one of her granddaughters that their thongs were cute, I knew what she meant, but it sure would bring an uncomfortable feeling in the room. Her granddaughters have now educated her on the change to that word’s definition.

I wish Alison Sweeney, the host of Biggest Loser, would make a stylist change. She is a cute, but her clothing choices make her look awkward and goofy.

You would think that scientific experts wouldn’t need to change their opinions as often as they do. I can never remember the recommended sleeping position for a newborn because it changes so frequently.

If American Idol wants the best singers to stay in the competition then they need to make a change. I recommend a cumulative voting system. When someone falls into the bottom three and doesn’t go home, their fans rally behind to make sure they don’t go home the next week. They will then be safe, and then someone who has never been in the bottom three ends up going home.

Making a change to eating healthier can be overwhelming if you try to do it all at once. Replacing white flour with whole grains in many recipes is an easy change to make. Cakes and quick breads with spices work quite easily to exchange the entire amount of white flour with the same amount of hard white wheat flour. I made this carrot cake for a family party and it was a hit.

Carrot Cake

2 cups sugar

2 cups hard white wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

3 cups shredded carrots

2/3 cup applesauce

1/3 cup oil

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

walnuts and/or raisins (optional)

Mix dry ingredients. Add carrots, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Stir till all is wet. Add nuts or raisins, if you desire. Place batter in a greased and floured 9x13 pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Cool. Frost with cream cheese frosting.

Eat your veggies!

2011-04-04T21:51:00.002-06:00

Just a little pop quiz for you to enjoy on this Meatless Monday! Match the animal with the amount slaughtered per day for American consumption:

1. cattle a. 85,000

2. pigs b. 90,000

3. turkeys c. 26 million

4. chickens d. 270,000

answers: 1-b; 2-d; 3-a; 4-c

So that would be 182 million per week, 806 million per month, and almost 9 ½ billion chickens killed per year in order for us Americans to have our chicken fix at KFC. Our mothers have long encouraged us to eat our veggies, and it is probably time to start doing it. And lay off the meat for a day. We could save 26 million chickens in just one day! Need a little something to make your veggies appealing? Then try this dill dip. It makes veggies a treat. :)

Dill Dip

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon dried dill

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 tablespoon dried onion

1 teaspoon season salt

Mix all ingredients. It is best chilled overnight to blend flavors.

Is it the end?

2011-03-21T22:47:00.002-06:00

Wondering if the world is going to end soon? If you listen to the doomsday global warming fanatics or believe the Mayans knew something we don’t know, then maybe you already think the date to be December 21, 2012. The devastating earthquake and threat of nuclear disaster in Japan and all of the unrest in the Middle East have caused some to speculate that it is not even that far away.

I would prefer the world not ending but if it did, there are several things that I would happily say good riddance. First and for most, I will not miss even one over-exposed self-absorbed celebrity who may or may not have tiger’s blood flowing through their veins. I can’t imagine experiencing pot holes, road construction, and detours while driving on the gold paved roads in heaven. It sounds a little mean, but I might find a little enjoyment watching scammers burn. So many people want to help and give to those in need especially during a devastating tragedy, and I think anyone who will take advantage of another’s kindness and charity deserves what they get in the end. I don’t think that God will need us to pay taxes or a hefty health insurance premium. I might be among the minority, but I really don’t care if the world’s end disrupts the big plans for the royal wedding. If you have been living together for eight years, does the world really need to celebrate the beginning of your life together? I think not. And I am definitely tired of winter. My calendar says that spring is here, but I am afraid that it might be as reliable as the Mayan calendar. My heaven will have spring year round.

As long as winter is still hanging in there, I can sneak in one more meatless soup for dinner.

Minestrone Soup

In a 1/4 cup olive oil saute

1 small onion, diced

4 large carrots, chopped

4 stems celery, chopped

3 medium tomatoes, diced

Then Add:

8 cups water

5 chicken bouillon cubes

3 beef bouillon cubes

1 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp basil

2 tsp oregano

1 can tomato sauce

Bring to a boil and add:

1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can small white beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups fresh green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces

1/2 cup barley

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

Simmer 45 minutes

Enjoy this soup sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and a nice slice of homemade bread.

As long as the end hasn’t come, I will continue to enjoy March Madness, the cowboys’ run on Amazing Race, and the cute Paul McDonald on American Idol.

Get Real!

2011-03-11T14:51:00.003-07:00

Let’s play a little game of real or not real.

The Real Housewives of _________ (insert city of your choice) – Despite the use of the word real in the title, I would say definitely not real.

Donald Trump running for president – I believe that actually might be real. My sister-in-law thinks it is a great idea, but we should elect him with the “you’re fired” option.

Rumors that Moammar Gadhafi might resign – I would say not real. I imagine he is just trying to pacify “his” people before he annihilates them.

Charlie Sheen’s clean drug test – I would hope it is not real because otherwise he is just plain crazy.

Kim Kardashian’s eyelashes – I say not real.

$3.79 for a gallon of gas – I filled my tank yesterday, and unfortunately it is real.

Survivor contestant Ralph’s fur coat – sadly for his wife that looks completely real.

A restaurant called Heart Attack Grill – amazingly real. It was featured on Nightline this week. Their 29 year-old, 500 pound spokesman died last month. It is unreal to think that people actually eat there.

On a Meatless Monday, try this game on your family. Replace the meat in one of your favorite recipes with a meat substitute. Last week, I bought some meatless “chicken”, cooked it, put it in a favorite family recipe, and didn’t tell my son. He thought it was completely real. And I thought not real.

The weird, wild, and wacky

2011-03-06T12:34:00.002-07:00

That is how I would describe the bizarre behavior of Charlie Sheen, and it is wild all the air time his insanity case is getting on TV. I got my feel of him with the 10 minute blip last week on Nightline. I guess it is the car wreck syndrome. Most of us know we shouldn’t gawk, but we just can’t stop ourselves.

I didn’t watch the Academy Awards, but heard about the planned or unplanned (depending on who you believe) dropping of the f-bomb by someone old enough to know better. It’s just a little weird, but I thought it was only teenagers who thought that swearing made them look cool. I guess that proves that most of Hollywood has never grown up.

I was not surprised by Randy or J-Lo’s wild card picks but thought Steven Tyler would have made a different choice. After all his drooling over the good looking less than talented girls, I was sure he would choose one of his hot babes.

My daughter was almost in for a wild night when trying to vote for her favorite guy on American Idol. She misdialed just one number and was greeted by a very seductive voice inviting her to a good time. Don’t think that was just a coincidence that a sex chat number was one off from an American Idol voting line. The adult sex industry is very crafty at targeting our children.

Went to a college basketball game yesterday and witnessed a lot of wacky behavior. The guy directly in front of me who asked the gentleman standing and cheering in front of him to sit down was my favorite. If you want to SIT and enjoy the game, please just stay home. My behavior was a little wacky after that, I wondered if my cheering intensity increased would cause him to ask us all to keep the noise level down. And just totally off subject, if you buy a hotdog, popcorn, or drink, take your trash to a garbage can. And that goes for movie theaters too!

When life gives you lemons . . .

2011-02-25T14:49:00.005-07:00

Lemon: Owning a Deron Williams Utah Jazz Jersey
Lemonade: At least my son has had his jersey for a couple years and got good use out of it. His friend is not so lucky. He just bought a D-Will jersey last week. :(

Lemon: The selling out of Lindsey Lohan’s tight fitting white not-so-appropriate court dress.
Lemonade: I will assume that most people are just getting an early start on their next year’s Halloween costume and not desiring to be like the troubled girl.

Lemon: Charlie Sheen and his new found love.
Lemonade: I guess that proves that the right person is out there for everyone. Or if you have enough money, any jerk can buy love.

Lemon: The price increase and size decrease of Marie Callendar’s sour cream lemon pie.
Lemonade: I found a homemade version I like better.

My family was eating this pie so fast that I barely got a picture of it.

And not a very good one at that.

But the pie is delicious!

Sour Cream Lemon Pie

1 cup sugar

3 1/3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon grated lemon rind

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

3 egg yolks, slightly beaten

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter

1 cup sour cream

1 9 inch baked pie shell

1 cup whipping cream, whipped

Combine sugar, cornstarch, lemon rind, lemon juice, egg yolks, and milk in a heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thick. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Cool to room temperature. Stir in sour cream and pour filling into pie shell. Cover with whip cream and garnish with lemon twists.

Eye seam two knead sum thin moor then spiel Czech

2011-02-21T20:12:00.001-07:00

It bugs me when people use the wrong their or there or they’re, but for some reason even when I obsess over my own writing, I sometimes still get it wrong. It is not because I don’t understand the difference between are and our, I just rely too much on that read (or I guess I mean red) or green squiggly underlining my mistypes. My brain knows if I want where or wear, but my fingers don’t always cooperate.

For some reason as I was driving down the road today and dodging various potholes, I thought about how I wished my tax dollars were at work on this road instead of the sidewalks by my house, and it hit me. I had assumed on my previous post that you are tax dollars at work. (I am grateful for the edit feature.) Wouldn’t that be funny, or maybe that is the solution. If congress didn’t think that it is just mine or your tax dollars they are spending, but that they are actually our tax dollars at work, maybe they wouldn’t waste so much time enjoying the sound of their own ranting but would just get the job accomplished. I would be happy to put a “You’re Tax Dollars at Work” sign in the Capitol if it would help.

Now maybe some of you who have been in meetings most of the day wish it were Meet less Monday, but Paul McCartney has only put a stop to our animal consumption on Mondays and not our job requirements. I don’t think he has that much influence.

Today was an experiment day for dinner. I tried using tofu in my fajitas instead of chicken. I was hoping for a taste and texture like Pei Wei’s tofu, and because that didn’t happen, I was disappointed. I think if I had no expectations that I would have really liked this dish. It was a hit with my husband and daughter.

Baked Tofu

                3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
                1 tsp honey
                1 tsp balsamic vinegar
                1 clove garlic, minced
                ½ tsp sesame oil
               1 package extra-firm tofu, cubed

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Blend first five ingredients until smooth. Spray a baking sheet with canola oil spray. Place tofu in single layer and pour soy mixture over tofu. Bake for 30 minutes.

Fajitas

               2 tablespoons olive oil
               1 each green, red, and orange bell pepper, sliced
               1 red onion, sliced
               4 cloves garlic, minced
               Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauté peppers, onion and garlic in olive oil. Add baked tofu and season with salt and pepper. Serve on tortillas with your choice of toppings.

Know meet!

Presumptuous

2011-02-19T21:16:00.002-07:00

This past week was my 27th wedding anniversary, and my husband gave me a list of 27 items that he loves about me. Listed as reason number ten is “You admittedly love Jeff Probst but for some reason you won’t leave me for him”. I think that he might be giving me just a little bit too much credit. Jeff has not nor will he ever ask me to be his girl, and that is a good thing because I am not sure that I could resist those dimples.

Yesterday I went to my parents’ house to pay them a visit. Congesting their street were two very large tree cutting service trucks and just in front of the trucks was an orange sign that read “Men Working Ahead”. For two hours I watched those men work at shooting hoops on the neighbor’s basketball standard but not once did they cut, trim, or even attempt to look at a tree. I guess the sign should have been a little more specific as to what type of work these men should have been doing.

And that orange “Your Tax Dollars at Work” sign seems to suppose that I want or even need the particular sidewalk or street “improvements” in my area. Pay down the national debt, give a police officer a raise, or improve education would be a great way to put MY hard earned tax dollars to work.

I am presuming by the appalled look and the “no comment” comment at the end of the report that the Nightline anchor was totally disgusted by the report, and I guess I would have been shocked if she wasn’t. I am so tired of people being rewarded for bad behavior. The tattoo painting who broke up Sandra Bullock’s marriage is now reporting that she makes a lot more money after the scandal than she did before. Apparently being a hoochie mama is a lucrative business that gets you an agent, personal appearances, and your own reality show. If that is what it takes to become rich and famous these days, I will be happy to die an unknown self-respected content middle class woman.

It’s complicated

2011-02-14T20:44:00.001-07:00

Money, a box of chocolates, and a home-cooked meal have all been given as the definition of love by men. Women describe it as romance, affection, and “never having to say you’re sorry”. Children spell it t-i-m-e. Love certainly can be complicated. And if you look up its meaning on dictionary.com, you just might think so. It lists 28 different definitions.

I have heard that love is finding someone who completes your puzzle. I love a challenging jigsaw puzzle. Call me selfish, but if I create the border and separate all the pieces by color and shape, I want to be the one who puts that last piece in. One would not feel love from me with the completion of my puzzle.

One web sight lists its top meaning as “someone you’d give your life for”.

Mother Teresa has been quoted as saying “Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.”

And speaking of fruit, something I love is the Nuts about Berries Salad at Zuppa’s. Now I say that I love this salad, but if given the choice between my life and the salad, I would choose life. I have come up with a homemade version when feeling the cravings and the best part is that it’s not complicated.

Start with some chopped romaine lettuce, add some Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette Dressing and mix to cover lettuce, and add berries of your choice. And then top with chopped candied almonds. It just might be better than a box of chocolates.

Candied Almonds

1/2 cup water

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 lb almonds

Bring water, sugar and cinnamon to a boil; stirring constantly. Add almonds and toss to coat. Arrange almonds on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Store in an airtight container once cooled.

Toys not included

2011-02-02T20:48:00.001-07:00

If you watched Nightline last week, you might have seen an episode about a mother suing McDonald’s. Apparently it isn’t a Happy Meal to her. As I watched this report, I found it a little ironic that she was concerned that McDonald’s was enticing her child with a toy to purchase their foods she deemed unhealthy, and with the cameras rolling and while explaining her concerns of her daughter eating fries and nuggets, she handed her daughter a GoGurt. Seriously, I couldn’t stop laughing. I would put all those items in the same category. They are treats. And even though GoGurts, nuggets, and fries are commonly served by most school districts as a vital part of the food pyramid, they really hold minimal nutritional value. I would have taken this lady seriously if she would have handed her daughter an apple. Parents seem to forget who earns the money and has the valid driver’s license that enables their family to drive to McDonald’s and purchase the very food they are opposed to consuming.

If you want food to be easy, fast and healthy, I have a suggestion your kids might like. I just wondered how long it might take me to go to a McDonald’s. I live about 8 minutes from the closest Happy Meal, and on this particular day, I timed a car going through the drive through. From the moment the order was placed until the food was received was 2 minutes and 53 seconds. The wait would have been longer if there was a line to place the order. So it would take at least 20 minutes to satisfy my Big Mac attack. In less than 20 minutes you can have these tasty whole wheat breadsticks in the oven.

Dissolve 1 tablespoon yeast in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Add 1 tablespoon sugar. Let stand 5 minutes. Mix in 3 1/2 cups hard white wheat flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Knead for 5 minutes. Roll out dough on a greased cookie sheet (add additional flour if too sticky). Spread about 1/4 cup butter (flavored with garlic powder or fresh minced garlic if you like) and then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cut into strips with a pizza cuter. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Your kids will love dipping these healthy breadsticks in pizza sauce. For a complete happy meal, serve with your own milk and apple slices. And they just might forget they didn't get a toy with their meal.

Mental Burritos

2011-01-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

When children are little they pronounce things in such a cute way, and often their interpretation becomes the way the whole family then says a particular word. That is how spaghetti became sketti at our house. As my children got older they would change the names of dishes not out of cuteness, but to express how they felt about a particular meal. That is how Lentil Burritos became Mental Burritos at our house. You just have to love teenage boys and their mode of expression.

Lentil Burritos

1 cup lentils

1 (14 ounce) can vegetable broth

Place in a sauce pan and simmer covered for 30 minutes.

In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and add

1 medium chopped onion

1 medium chopped zucchini

Cook for 6 minutes and add

2 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning

2 cups loosely packed chopped spinach

1 cup frozen corn, thawed and drained

cooked lentils

Serve on tortillas with salsa and sour cream.

Bad Moon Rising

2011-01-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

My absolute favorite episode of Everybody Loves Raymond was on television on Wednesday night. It is hysterically funny to watch Raymond try to convince Debra that her bad mood just might be PMS related. Any one who has experienced or been the victim PMS could surely relate. Frank calls it the enemy within, and Raymond thinks it is Hyde, if he were the bad one, taking over his wife each month. I know I hate my “ladies days” (as Marie refers to them), and anything that makes them more tolerable I gladly embrace. A couple years ago, I bought a little item that is not only environmentally friendly, but also a little improvement on “my ladies days”. So if there are any men reading this post, you just might find yourself blushing a little.

There is a whole isle in the grocery store devoted to feminine hygiene products, and yet we would all like to pretend that they are there for someone else. We can go to the store and buy just a loaf of bread or a single gallon of milk, but have you ever purchased just a box of tampons. If I am out, I will need to buy at least five other items that I don’t necessarily need so everyone doesn’t realize what time of the month it is for me. And then heaven forbid you run into a male neighbor with them glaring up from your cart. Now I still buy them on occasion, but if I am out I don’t need to run to the store. If you haven’t heard of a diva cup, you will need to check it out. The initial investment might seem a lot, but it paid for itself in less than a year. The best thing about it is that I can situate it in the morning and not worry about it again until evening. With this one product, I have definitely reduced my carbon footprint, and Al Gore would be proud.

I am done!

2011-01-23T19:44:00.007-07:00

Before I started the cleanse, and even half-way through, I thought that I might make this a yearly commitment, but now I am not so sure. I like food. I like making my family food. I like baking. I like watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn. I like going to dinner. I like having family over for Sunday dinner. The cleansing part is only ten days, but I also did the three day ease in and am currently on the three day ease out. Sixteen days out of 365 doesn’t seem like that much, but when you have to put them all together it felt hard. I will have to see what the long term benefits will be before I determine if I will starve myself again. One of the short term benefits was the cute decorations my husband made to congratulate us on as he said, "Mastering the Cleanse."

With the help of my daughter who shared my days of cleansing, we wrote this poem.

Elimination (My daughter didn’t agree with the title, but I thought it was funny.)

Planning and preparing to begin the cleanse,
Let’s get it started ‘cause I just want it to end.

Buying tons of lemons, maple syrup, and tea,
Plenty of wipes will also be something you need.

It sounds awfully long to go ten days without food.
I better warn my family that I might be in a bad mood.

Day one begins and the drink seems okay.
I think I can do it; it is just simply nine more days.

Eliminating, eliminating so much on day two.
Let’s just say it, “I am sick of going poo!”

Day three, day three, oh it's just day three,
At least I can be grateful for herbal tea.

The lemonade drink is getting old by day four.
Do I really need to drink sixty-three more?

I stretch and awake on day number five,
I simply wonder how am I still alive.

Half-way done by the morning of day six,
I’m a little concerned, my daughter looks like a stick.

Day seven and I wonder how much more I can take.
My health better improve for goodness sake.

The amazing discovery on morning of day eight,
In one week I can’t believe I have lost that much weight.

Day nine, day nine, oh blessed day nine,
I wonder how much more could I possibly whine?

I hear myself declare at the end of day ten,
“I will absolutely never do this again!”

Nine

2011-01-21T22:24:00.002-07:00

On day number nine, I am tired of hearing myself whine. Nine days of the cleanse, nine pounds weight loss, and at least nine times per minute I think about food. On the same week that I lost nine pounds, amazingly both twins gained nine pounds on The Biggest Loser. I sometimes wonder if any of these people actually watch the shows that they would like to be on as a contestant.

I would suggest these nine tips for reality show contestants:

1. Learn to drive a stick shift before competing on The Amazing Race. And knowing how to row a boat just might be helpful.

2. If you go on Survivor, it might be a good idea to wear glasses and know how to start a fire with them. And then practice, practice, practice.

3. Before applying to be the next American Idol ask someone other than your mother if you can really sing. And don’t brag about your voice until the judges give you props.

4. Realize that Jillian will get in your face and yell at you until you cry. Cry early and share quickly as to why you emotionally eat, and then she just might move on to fix someone else.

5. Don’t be surprised when you don’t get much sleep or food on Survivor, but you get plenty wet.

6. Afraid of water, take swimming lessons. Afraid of heights, go bungee jumping. Afraid of bugs, learn to eat them.

7. When you have been sitting on the sofa most of your life, exercise just might be a little painful at first.

8. Don’t be shocked when someone lies to you, yields you, or votes you out.

9. Just suck it up and realize you will miss your family!

Take that Ashton Kutcher

2011-01-17T14:16:00.001-07:00

Today for Meatless Monday I will be having lemon juice, maple syrup, and a little cayenne pepper in some water for dinner. I think that I am just a little crazy. After Christmas, my daughter and I were feeling slightly overfed and in need of a little cleaning of our systems. We crazily began making plans to do the master cleanse. It is something that has always intrigued me and thought that if I had a partner to commiserate with during my ten days of torture that I might actually give it a try. Each day gets a little easier I think simply because you get closer to the end. I didn’t realize how much of my life revolves around food. Even though I am not currently eating any thing that I can actually sink my teeth into, when the hunger pains hit, I still find myself planning what I should eat next. And then sadly I remember it is some more of that drink. At the end of the day, I will be halfway to a Kneaders Veggie Delite Sandwich. While doing a little schooling about the cleanse on the web, I discovered that Ashton Kutcher tweeted about his intentions to start the cleanse. Sadly for him, he didn’t bother to see if he could make it through day one before alerting the world of his plans. He only lasted 6 hours on the diet. I figured I could at the very least outlast his efforts.

I am a health snob

2011-01-16T12:00:00.001-07:00

I go to church weekly. I try to live the golden rule. I give to charities. And I try to be honest in the things I do, but I am pretty sure that heaven is going to slam the doors when I try to sneak in. Most people will probably feign ignorance when rejected at the pearly gates. Not me. I know why I will be kept out. The one commandment that tells us not to judge is my definite down fall. I don’t judge every aspect of another person’s life just their health choices. For example, yesterday as I was grocery shopping on my day three of the master cleanse (which is a whole different post for another day) I was dismayed at all the unhealthy food options. And they are only available because that is what people buy, and then we wonder why we are such an overweight, unhealthy nation. After walking through the isles and shaking my head at the shopping carts full of soda, chips, and processed easy meals, I went to my car and passed two women smoking. I definitely need to go to church and repent today.

Well before I begin my new repentant attitude, I would like to recommend one thing before our nation goes to nationalized healthcare. I believe The Biggest Loser should be required watching for our nation. Just as television program is pre-empted for the President’s address, we could do the same for Bob and Jillian. It is quite amazing to watch the transformation of the contestants. As their diets improve so does their health, and as their weight decreases so does their physical issues and the amount of medicines they take. I know we might be putting some pharmaceutical reps out of a job, but maybe they could become personal fitness trainers instead. I think that would be a more rewarding career anyhow.

My apologies to Al Gore

2011-01-14T20:20:00.002-07:00

Have you bought a new energy efficient appliance recently and wondered if it is actually costing you more money and using more energy? That is how I feel about my new washing machine. I no longer need to select a load size because it has a censor that determines the amount of water required, but if you open the lid after it begins filling, it will automatically add more water. It also is not very efficient in spinning out all the water it adds. I usually have to run the spin cycle again, or it would take all day to dry my clothes. I appreciate the manufactures attempt to green my machine, but energy efficient it is not. I made another purchase that is definitely green friendly. During the winter months, I am addicted to herbal tea. I used to just boil water in a saucepan, but this year I found this quaint little teapot on clearance. It sits so very cutely on my stove. I put my teapot to the test. To be fair, I put the same amount of water in my teapot and saucepan and placed both burners on high. At 2 minutes and 58 seconds, my tea kettle was whistling at me. It took the water in my not so esthetically pleasing saucepan an additional 2 minutes and 29 seconds to boil, and it doesn’t even ever whistle. So my friend Al, I guess it all evens out. The extra energy used by my washing machine is now saved by my teapot.

And just in case Mr. Gore is a tea drinker himself, I would like to recommend an earth friendly tea. Celestial Seasonings tea bags are made minus the individual packaging, string, and tag. It is just a small amount of paper, but as Al will tell you, it all adds up. And Al if you are having trouble sleeping alone try the Sleepytime Vanilla, it works like a charm.

And by the way, I have never thanked Mr. Gore for his invention of the internet. So thanks and happy surfing!

Rachel Ray meet Mr. McCartney

2011-01-10T16:29:00.001-07:00

I love Rachel Ray. So many women in the spotlight catch the “I have to be skinnier than Kelly Ripa” disease, and I am just glad she looks like a real woman and not your typical Hollywood stick figure. We need more of her type on TV. You can tell that she actually eats the food she cooks. I think that is always an important quality for a chef to possess. One of her recipes that I tried at home was her 30 minute Chicken Noodle Soup. If it wasn’t Meatless Monday, I could probably share the recipe. Rachel adds parsnips and dill to the traditional recipe. Another recipe that looked delicious was a soup with chorizo, collard greens, and potatoes. My husband, however, does NOT eat pig. One day I picked up some veggie sausages at the store, and they worked great in the recipe. I am not sure that Rachel’s husband would approve because I get the impression he actually likes his meat from an animal and not a plant, but my husband loved the soup.

Peasant-Style Potato and Collard Green Soup

4 Italian "sausages", browned and sliced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

8 cups vegetable stock

8 potatoes, sliced

6 cloves garlic, peeled and root ends trimmed

1 bunch collard greens, washed, trimmed, and thinly sliced

salt and black pepper, to taste

In a heavy stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and saute until softened. Add stock, potatoes, and garlic and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

With a slotted spoon transfer the potatoes and garlic to a bowl; lightly mash with a fork. Return to the soup and bring to a simmer. Stir in collard greens. Simmer 5 minutes, or until greens are tender. Stir in the sausages and season with salt and pepper.

How do you mend a broken heart?

2011-01-09T14:51:00.001-07:00

The hardest thing about parenting is when your child decides that you don’t have all the answers, and they decide that they have to learn on their own. There are classes to prepare us for childbirth, changing diapers, and balanced nutrition, but not for broken hearts and dreams. No new parent holds their precious baby in their arms anticipating that one day that child will be the cause of their greatest heartache. No one dreams that their child will spend even one night in jail, purchase even one ounce of illegal drugs let alone become an addict, or believe their child would ever be capable of uttering the words “I hate you”. But it happens every day. Every day there is a parent mourning the loss of what could have been. There is no funeral. No well wishers bringing food to comfort the grieving parents. No notice in the paper. Just anguished parents left behind usually suffering in silence and going through the motions of life. They say that growing up is hard, but I think they mean it is tough on the parents.

If it eventually happens to all of us well-intentioned parents, how do we make it through? It usually helps to have had one child experience the it’s-all-about-me teenage years and come out on the other side okay. I also take comfort in my younger children recognizing how foolish their older siblings are being and commit to never making the same stupid mistakes. I have never taken full credit for the awesome choices my children make, and therefore choose not to take all the blame for their poor choices. That takes some of the guilt out of parenting. And most of all, I recognize that along with my greatest sorrows, my children have also given me my greatest joys.

Common Sense and the Greek Gods

2011-01-08T22:10:00.000-07:00

Nightline reported this week that the diet industry is a $60 billion business and sadly only about five percent of the dieters are actually successful. I will share the secret to weight loss, and it won’t cost you one penny. Simply eat less and move more. Well, I guess the confusion comes in with what to eat.

I remember in the early 1990’s the low-fat diet was all the craze. People would forgo eating almonds, avocados, fish, and peanut butter because they were high in fat and instead eat a fat-free hostess cupcake and a Tab for lunch.

Then came the Atkins Diet. Meat and cheese. More meat and cheese. And then some cheese and meat. How could an apple or carrot be the hindrance to weight loss?

Then because some people had initial success with the Atkins Diet, low-carb became the in thing. Bread was shunned. People forgot that brown rice and whole grains are your friends not a Coke Zero.

The two popular trends today are forgoing all sugars and the vegan diet. I agree that we eat way too much sugar and animal products, but giving up one item and replacing it with an unhealthier choice defeats the purpose of a diet. Those who give up sugar will eat fries and a hamburger, while the vegans would abstain from the burger but could enjoy the fries, and a package of skittles, and a Mountain Dew. Both would have been better off with a slice of pumpkin pie. I think we have lost common sense in our diet choices.

I guess my advice would be move more, eat less sugar, processed foods, meat, and dairy and eat more whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

And what does the Greek Gods have to do with this post you may ask. When choosing to eat dairy make a healthier choice. I like yogurt, and I used to think all yogurts were created equal, but I recently tried the Greek Gods brand, and realized they are not. Yoplait is a treat. Greek Gods with fresh fruit and granola is a breakfast.

If I was in charge of reality

2011-01-04T17:26:00.000-07:00

Tonight begins another season of The Biggest Loser. Changes are coming to the show, but not necessarily the changes that I would like to see. I was so tired last season of Elizabeth falling below the yellow line week after week and never being eliminated, and players who worked hard every week falling below only once and being voted out. I think there needs to be a rule that if you fall below three weeks in a row, then you are automatically the player sent home. That would prevent the week players making it all the way to the end.

American Idol will begin soon without the charming Simon Cowell. I can’t believe their world wide search to replace him ended with Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. If the show doesn’t self destruct, I have the best idea for two new judges. Adam Lambert and Kellie Pickler would be perfect. I am not a fan of Adam, but I really liked him when he was a mentor. I thought he gave excellent feedback. And Kellie would keep you watching just to see what she would say next. Oh, I miss Paula Abdul.

I am currently missing Jeff Probst. I was so happy to hear him announce that if you quit Survivor, then you may not be on the jury. I vote if you quit the show you can no longer be on any reality program. You just know that Na’Onka is not going away any time soon. A fun season for Survivor if they are in need of any ideas would be pitting Boston Rob against Russell. Wouldn’t that be fun if they got to pick their own teams and compete against each other?

And one little complaint against The Amazing Race, I hate challenges that require one team to completely finish before the next team can begin. That gives the first team there a significant advantage without the chance of the other teams catching up. It definitely shouldn’t happen on the last leg. I just really wanted Brooke and Claire to be the first all female team to win. Maybe they will be back next season for Second Chances. They were a lot of fun to watch.

Resolutions

2011-01-02T21:55:00.000-07:00

It is now officially time for people to exercise daily, give up sugar completely, quit smoking, lose 50 pounds in a month, and never ever say anything unkind about anyone ever again. See the problem with most New Year’s resolutions is that they are entirely unrealistic, and besides who really wants to totally give up sugar. Smoking and exercising are not a problem for me, and I wish that I never had said anything unkind about anyone, but I blew it in kindergarten when I met Jason Despain. Instead of New Year’s resolutions, a friend of mine sets a number of goals on her birthday consistent with how old she will be on her next birthday. My birthday isn’t until March, but I thought I might start compiling the list, and if I happen to accomplish one of my goals early, I think it will be okay because I can set the rules. It is my life after all. On my list will definitely have to be a marathon. It is just time to make it happen. I have always wanted to learn to swim with correct strokes. I finally allowed myself to get past the embarrassment and took an adult swim class last year, and so I would really like to do a triathlon this year. I printed out a bagel recipe last year with the intent of making my own bagels, and now that is officially on my to-do list. Two things I have never done despite attending a Christian church most of my life is read the entire Bible beginning to end, and tie a neck tie for my boys. Even though my boys are older now, it is probably a good skill to have and a simple goal to complete. Well, I have five items on my list with 42 more to go. Forty-two plus five makes me sound old.

Thanks Paul! It’s just what I needed.

2010-12-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

I am meated out! It is like Paul McCartney just knew I would need a meatless day after the long holiday weekend. I guess it is his gift to me. This weekend my family ate a prime rib roast that seemed questionably raw on Christmas Eve, several pounds of bacon, ham, and sausage for Christmas breakfast (see above photo of my goofy son), and then more ham and a roast for Christmas dinner. I am not sure how many animals were slaughtered for our celebration, but it was way too many for my taste. After spending many hours in the kitchen over the past month, I am not excited about cooking dinner, but I have the perfect solution. Veggie Quesadillas will be on the menu tonight. They are quick, easy, tasty, and most importantly meat free.

Veggie Quesadillas

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can corn, drained

1 can green chiles

shredded colby/jack cheese

8 tortillas

Mix beans, corn, and chiles. Place about 2 tablespoons of cheese on half of the tortilla, 1/3 cup bean mixture, and then more cheese. Fold tortilla over. Place on cookie sheet and cook under broiler until toasted and browned. About one minute. Flip and cook other side. Serve this with a yummy green salad for an easy and tasty meal.

Another Cranberry Salad

1 head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped

1 cup dried cranberries

1 6 oz can mandarin oranges

1/4 cup sliced almonds

Dressing

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon dried onion

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1 teaspoon poppy seeds

In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, cranberries and oranges. In a blender combine first six dressing ingredients and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil. Add sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with almonds.

What makes you tired?

2010-12-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

Turkey and pumpkin are usually on the list of things people are tired of come December. I don’t think my family could ever get tired of pumpkin desserts. I am tired of the dishes that come with making desserts, but not the pumpkin itself. Along with scrubbing pots and pans, I have two things that have grown weary with me lately - The Kardashians and Jersey Shore. I don’t have cable and have never watched an episode of either of these reality shows, and yet I am sick of hearing about them. I am rather confused as to why these people are fascinating. I happily left the TV off this evening and made this scrumptious dessert, and my family was thrilled.

Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs

1 2/3 cups sugar

1 cp canola oil

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

1 cup hard white wheat flour

1 cup barley flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With an electric mixer, mix eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin until light and fluffly. Sift together dry ingredients and stir into the pumpkin mixture until combined. Spread the batter into a 10X15 inch jelly roll pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

3 ounces cream cheese

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar

Cream butter and cream cheese. Stir in vanilla. Add sugar a little at a time, beating until mixture is smooth. Spread on cooled cake.

What’s for dinner?

2010-12-06T16:51:00.001-07:00

I hate that question! You would think that since I have been cooking for my family for over 25 years that I would let that one just roll off my back. The problem is that even when I have an answer there will always be a critic. And when I don’t have an answer, and I fire back, “What would you like?” I usually don’t like the response. I don’t even know what I would like them to ask instead. I guess I just want them to stand happily by the oven and see what comes out at 6:00PM, and eat without any complaints. Well, I guess if I was really going to get a miracle at my house, I wouldn’t waste it on that silly idea, so I guess we will stick to our same old routine. Child asks. Mother gets irritated. Child learns not to ask for a few days. Mother makes a plan. In case I don’t have a plan, I like to have a few meals that work with things mostly from my food storage. And being since it is Monday, no meat is required!

                      Southwest Vegetarian Bake

               1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
               1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
               1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
               1 (4 ounce) can green chiles
               1 pint salsa
               1 cup sour cream
               2 cups cheese, divided, preferably colby/jack but cheddar will work
             1/4 teaspoon pepper
             1/2 cup chopped onions, red, green, or yellow will work
             1 small can olives, sliced and drained

In a large bowl, combine rice, beans, corn, chiles, salsa, sour cream, 1 cup of cheese, and pepper. Transfer to a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with onions and olives over top. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake an additional 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Serve with chips and salsa or guacamole. This is seriously good and easy. I usually don't have any whiners when I serve this!

Gratitude

2010-12-05T15:06:00.001-07:00

I love Thanksgiving. I love eating all the good food. I love being with family. I love pies. This year I played host to 24 family members for Thanksgiving dinner. It seems as if I spent the week before preparing for the big day, and the week after recuperating. With so much to do, it left little time to contemplate the abundance of blessings in my life.

I just recently finished reading The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. My favorite part of the book focuses on finding gratitude in everything God gives us. Betsie who is Corrie’s older sister tells her the Bible instructs us to thank the Lord in all things. As Betsie encourages her, she begins to express gratitude for all things, but stops short with thanking God for flees that infest their barracks. She doesn’t believe there is any reason she could ever be grateful for flees. Weeks later Betsie and Corrie learn the reason why there is almost no patrolling by the guards in their new barracks which enables them to conduct worship services with little fear of being caught. It seems as if the guards are afraid of getting flees. Often times it is hard to recognize the blessings in all things especially during difficult times. I began to think about the things in my life that cause me frustration, heartache, or just seem to be an annoyance. Could I find the reason to be grateful for these things?

Road construction, taxes, a wayward child, the death of a loved one, a bad hair day, the flu, dishes, and a broken washer are all on my list of things that would test my ability to be grateful in all things. As my heart aches for a child, I draw closer to the Lord in prayer. I enjoy the blessings of policeman and fireman because I am a tax paying citizen. When my washer died, I did my part to help the economy get back on track. As I mourn the death of a loved one, I find greater love and appreciation for my family. As for road construction, I think I will just be grateful when it comes to an end.

Almost as good as glue

2010-12-03T15:06:00.002-07:00

Everyone has their favorite traditions during the Christmas season. One of my favorites happens to be building ginger bread houses with my family. My children have been very creative through the years. We have had a nativity scene with marshmallow sheep and camels, a candy land board game, an Aztec pyramid, a three story castle, and a Viking boat. It is amazing what can be made from graham crackers and candy. I think the trick is the right frosting and a wide assortment of candy. Before I found this frosting recipe, frustration would easily become part of our tradition as houses would easily collapse. This stuff is almost like glue.

Snow Icing

6 egg whites

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 2-pound package powdered sugar

Beat egg whites to soft peaks. Add cream of tartar and mix well. Slowly add powdered sugar and continue beating to stiff peaks. Keep covered until use so it doesn't dry out.

Check your closets

2010-11-16T22:43:00.001-07:00

There is a saying that was probably started by Imelda Marcos about one can never own too many pairs of shoes. I learned last night that not only do I own too many pairs of shoes but pants as well.

My husband is a night person and I am a morning person, and so it is not unusual for me to go to bed a couple hours before him such as I did last night. About 12:45, I heard him crawling into bed, and then he fell into a deep sleep while my mind wandered for a while. At 1:15, we were both startled awake by a boom, boom, crash, boom, boom noise. Instantly we both jumped out of bed not knowing if we had an intruder in our home or if World War III had begun. I called out to my son whose room is across the hall from mine. He was frightened as well but safe. I immediately ran downstairs not knowing if my daughter was in trouble. I think I gave her a heart attack as I opened her door and ran into her room. Gratefully, she was safe. I found nothing amiss downstairs and headed back to our main floor where my husband was searching for the cause of the commotion. As I was climbing the stairs, I had a thought to check my walk-in closet. I opened the door and found a huge mess. A clothes bar that was heavily weighed down by mostly my pants had fallen and pulled down the attached shelf above it. On the shelf, I stored many of my shoes in their boxes. All of them falling explained repeated gun shot like sounds we had heard. We arranged the clothes so no additional falling would awaken us, closed the door, and comforted our children before heading back to bed. As we climbed back into our bed with hearts still racing my kind husband who knew he now had several hours of repair work to do just said, “I think you own too many pairs of pants.”

I am not sure why I hold on to pants that no longer fit when there are many charities that would love these gently used clothes. After I turned 40, a few extra pounds slowly crept on my body, and I dream that one day they will fall off, and I will be able to fit in my old jeans. It really is just torture to see them hanging in the closet. I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but without feeling much of a dent in my clothing pile so far I am donating 37 pants, shirts, skirts and sweaters to Deseret Industries. The sad part is that many a day I walk in to my closet and feel as if I have nothing to wear. Ridiculous, I know!

The perfect time to go meatless

2010-11-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

Winter time is a perfect time to try some meatless meals. Why? Because cold winter nights and meatless soups go together just like Donny and Marie, ketchup and mustard, Charlie Sheen and infidelity, Kanye West and a little hissy fit, and well, you get the point. When you serve a hearty vegetable soup with wholegrain bread, your family may not even realize the meat is missing. I always dread the end of summer and enduring long cold winter nights, but a good bowl of hot soup can push the winter blues away for a moment. I love steamed cauliflower, but my family doesn't, however they love this cream of cauliflower soup.

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

2 tablespoons butter

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 large potatoes, cubed

2 carrots, chopped

2 (14.5 ounce) cans vegetable or chicken broth

1 head cauliflower, chopped

1 cup cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Swiss cheese, grated

In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in potatoes and carrots and cook 5 minutes more. pour in broth and bring to a boil. Stir in cauliflower, cover, reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, 10 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat.

Puree in batches in a blender or in the pot using an immersion blender. Return to low heat and stir in cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Heat through. Top with Swiss cheese.

This creamy soup and homemade cornbread go together like Joan Rivers and plastic surgery, Lindsay Lohan and rehab . . . . well, those things haven't worked out the best, but trust me on the bread and soup. Enjoy!

For my grown-up taste buds

2010-11-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

I grew up eating Captain Crunch and Wonder Bread. We had shredded wheat cereal in our house, but there was absolutely no way I was eating that wheat stuff without the frosted side. I remember trying Triscuit crackers once when I was a kid and couldn’t believe people would choose to eat those shredded mini-wheat crackers as a snack. Now they are my absolute favorite cracker. I will eat them plain, but I love them topped with Muenster cheese.

The best part is that they are made with whole wheat and only two other ingredients. I don’t know if another cracker exists that the recommended daily allowance of fiber is higher than the sodium and fat percentage. If you tried them before and didn’t like them, try them again when your taste buds are all grown up.

I guess if Al can do it so can I!

2010-11-09T16:46:00.001-07:00

That would be Roker and not Gore. During the winter, my husband is obsessed with the weather. Since our business involves delivering each day, he wants to know if snow might be on the roads. So yesterday morning, he was flipping through the morning shows for weather updates, and I saw Al Roker with a bigger than usual smile on his face and a very large medal around his neck. Come to find out along with his colleague Meredith Vieira, he had run in the New York City Marathon. To be honest I am quite jealous. I ran the Snow Canyon half-marathon this weekend and about mile eleven I just wanted to cry. I have running a marathon on my bucket list, but the training schedule seems overwhelming. Maybe if I had a personal trainer, chef, and broadcast my progress on a TV show it might happen. Well, I don’t see any of those happening in the near or even very distant future so I guess I am on my own with that goal. As if Al Roker’s story of weight loss and marathon running wasn’t enough to inspire me, one of the Chilean miners also ran and finished the New York City Marathon. If he can train while trapped in a mine, I really have no excuse.

The reason I could never be a vegan

2010-11-05T08:22:00.002-06:00

I love sour cream! I will eat it on just about anything. I always order a side of it when eating at a Mexican restaurant, and when my husband tries to share it with me; I usually give him the evil eye. At Sam’s Club, you can buy it in 3 and 5 pound containers and for me the bigger the better. I always thought sour cream was just sour cream until one day I happened to notice the list of ingredients on a container. Meadow Gold Sour Cream has 12 ingredients, and Daisy Sour Cream has just one – grade A cultured cream. It makes me wonder how many cancer causing chemicals I have consumed through the years. It is a little more money but I only purchase Daisy brand now, but it is probably cheaper in the long run when you factor in less health care costs.

I make these delicious Blueberry Muffins with my favorite sour cream. It is from King Arthur Whole Grain Baking with a little alteration.

Sour Cream Blueberry Muffins

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup sour cream

2 cups hard white wheat flour

1/2 cup barley flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups blueberries

Coarse sugar for sprinkling

Lightly grease muffin tin, or line with papers. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and sour cream, and mix well. Whisk together dry ingredients, and add to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until the batter is smooth. Gently fold in the berries and refrigerate at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Scoop the batter by 1/4 cupful into prepared pans and sprinkle with sugar. Bake the muffins until a cake tester inserted in the center comes our clean, 22 to 26 minutes. Remove from oven and allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn them out onto a rack to finish cooling.

My Martha Stewart Meatless Monday

2010-11-04T16:15:00.000-06:00

I love a corndog on occasion, and yet the thought of eating deep fried animal parts usually stops me from enjoying one. I used to be able to buy veggie corndogs in the freezer section but haven’t seen them lately. I began thinking about making my own and wondered if I could bake them instead of frying. Well, I googled baked corndogs and guess who had a recipe. That’s right – Martha Stewart. I decided to attempt the recipe with a change from all-purpose flour to whole grain flour. Now I wonder how Martha Stewart feels about one of her recipes being altered. I have never met her and I am not a faithful follower, but I can hear her in an ever so slightly condescending tone say, “Why change perfection.” That would not be a question but a statement. I am sure she is not pleased, but I changed it any way. She suggested 4 smoked chicken sausages, but I used 8 veggie dogs. These are a little time consuming when you consider most corndogs only require you to preheat your oven. I would definitely make them again, and they were a hit with my family. I also tried her speedy “baked” beans with no alterations. My husband and son loved them. The molasses taste was a little strong for my liking.

Baked Corn Dogs

1 1/6 cup hard white wheat flour

1 cup cornmeal

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2/3 cup milk

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

8 veggie dogs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, sugar, salt and pepper. Make a well in the center; add milk, eggs, and oil. Mix just until combined.

Insert a stick into one end of each veggie dog. Dust with flour; tap off excess. Using handle, rotate each veggie dog over bowl as you spoon batter to coat evenly. Place on sheet; bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven. Using spatula, reapply batter that has slipped onto sheet. Return to even; bake until golden, 20 minutes. Serve with ketchup and mustard.

The recipe said prep time was 10 minutes. Maybe that is enough time for a true Martha Stewart fan, but it was more like 25 minutes for me.

A Good Day for a Chili Cook-off

2010-10-25T12:53:00.001-06:00

In my part of the world, I woke up to snow. A nice bowl of chili is great for dinner on a blustery day like today. Most people combine big chunks of ground chuck and some kidney beans to make chili. That would all be good if today hadn’t been declared Meatless Monday by Paul McCartney. I have a chili recipe that would make Paul sing. I am not even sure where I got this recipe. I am not very environmentally friendly when it comes to recipes. If I see one I like, I print it off. I have a rather large stack of recipes to be tested. At least when I try one if I don’t like it I will recycle the paper. No recycling bin for this recipe. It is a keeper.

Healthy Black Bean Chili

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 large bell pepper, chopped ( the recipe called for a yellow pepper, I had a red one and used it)

5 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

4 cups cooked black beans

2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

2 cups mild salsa

2 cups vegetable or chicken broth

2 cups cooked wheat berries

Juice of one lime

Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, and spices. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add beans, tomatoes, salsa, and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir in cooked wheat berries and heat through.

Remove from heat. Stir in lime juice. Garnish with your choice of sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla chips.

Have my taste buds been altered?

2010-10-24T16:32:00.001-06:00

You know how people who give up sugar say that after a few weeks of no treats fruit tastes so much sweeter. Well, I have been wondering if eating whole grains has caused my taste buds to just expect the wholesome taste in my goodies. Last week, I made some Multigrain Snickerdoodles from a recipe in the King Arthur’s Whole Grain Cooking. I actually made them the previous week also, but I didn’t leave them in the fridge long enough and while baking spread too thin. My family ate and loved them anyhow, but they were not presentable to share with friends. Last week, I followed the instructions to leave them in the fridge overnight and they turned out perfect. They looked so good that I shared them with a couple neighbors. When my neighbor thanked me for them the next day, I told her that they were made with whole grains. She said, “Oh, I knew that.” Now I am perplexed. Did she know that because they obviously tasted that way, or did she know that because I have a reputation of whole grain baking? Either way, these cookies will definitely be in my cookie jar again!

Multigrain Snickerdoodles

Dough
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon orange juice
2 large eggs
1 cup whole barley flour
3/4 cup hard white wheat flour
1 1/3 cup oat flour

Coating
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Cream butter, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat in the orange juice and eggs. Add the flours and beat until well combined. Refrigerate the dough, covered, overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.

Combine sugar and cinnamon in a gallon size Ziploc bag. Drop the dough by tablespoons, 6 pieces at a time, into the bag. Zip the bag closed trapping some air inside. Shake gently to coat the balls with the sugar mixture. Place them on prepared baking sheets and flatten to about 1/2 inch thick, using the flat bottom of a drinking glass.

Bake the cookies, reversing the pans midway through (top to bottom, bottom to top), until they are beginning to brown around the edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. Place them in an airtight container once they are cool.

My Two Sense

2010-10-23T10:43:00.002-06:00

1. If you haven’t seen the GQ Glee pictures, you must have been in a coma the past couple of days. So much talk about if they crossed the line. I just want to know why the girls are scantily clad sex kittens and the boy gets to be fully clothed and playing the drums? When are women going to unite and say enough is enough! We say we want equal rights, but then allow our value to be determined by our looks and sex appeal.

2. It was so exciting to see all the miners reunited with their families last week. Well, one wife decided to stay home when she realized her hubby not only had one but two mistresses. Now it is reported that this "gentleman" is going to receive $100,000 to work for one of the how-to-cheat websites. When are we going to stop rewarding bad behavior?

Take that Oprah!

2010-10-22T22:37:00.000-06:00

Oprah devotes a whole show to it. Hoda and Kathie Lee talk about it every Monday. And so I thought I would join in the craze. I can’t guarantee that I will actually do it weekly like the Today Show, but you never know I might just have Favorite Things Fridays. I don’t enjoy celebrity status, but I am a real housewife from Utah with a list of my own favorite things. You won’t find me promoting a $50 t-shirt or a $200 bag that is designed to carry your coat when not in use because frankly I don't have the money for those things.

Being environmentally conscience, one of my favorite things is my reusable produce bags. Millions and millions of the plastic produce bags are used daily in the United States and most are probably just thrown in the trash. I purchased my bags from reusit.com for $3.45 each, and they make a great companion to my canvas shopping bags. The web site actually offers a variety of reusable items. So Go Green!

A Suggestion for a Meatless Monday for Al Gore

2010-10-18T11:59:00.000-06:00

I haven’t heard if Mr. Gore has joined the Meatless Monday campaign. I have been thinking about a meal that might be tempting for him to join. I make a Spinach Lasagna that my husband loves. In order to post this recipe for A.G., I actually had to figure out the exact quantities in this recipe. My daughter gets a little annoyed with me when she asks for a recipe, and I am not sure of the exact instructions. Sometimes I just cook, and the process is in my head. The other problem with that method is sometimes a dish turns out better than usual, and I don’t know what I did different. But enough about my life, I need to convince my planet saving friend to give up meat for a day, and I hope this recipe will do it. I spent extra time measuring and jotting down the amounts when I made this, and so I hope Al will give it a try!

Spinach Lasagna

Sauce

Saute the following:

small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

Then add and simmer for about 15 minutes:

1 quart tomatoes, chopped

3 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce

1 tablespoon parsley flakes

1 tablespoon dried basil

Cheese Mixture

Combine the following:

24 ounces cottage cheese

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

9 uncooked lasagna noodles (whole wheat works great)*

8 cups loosely packed chopped spinach

4 cups grated mozzarella or Italian blend cheese

In a 9x13 casserole dish, layer the following:

a little bit of sauce to cover the bottom of the pan, 3 noodles, 1/2 the cheese mixture, 1/2 the spinach, 1/3 of the sauce, 1/3 of the cheese, 3 noodles, 1/2 cheese mixture, 1/2 spinach, 1/3 of the sauce, 1/3 of the cheese, 3 noodles, cover noodles with remaining sauce and cheese.

Bake covered for 1 hour at 375 degrees.

It is best if you let it sit for at least 1 hour before cutting.

* I have used these whole wheat noodles in this recipe and my family didn't detect a difference in the taste from the regular noodles. One of the things I have hated about making lasagna is cooking the noodles before layering all the ingredients. This recipe works great to let the noodles cook during baking, and they actually absorb the taste of the sauce.

The View from Here

2010-10-17T15:25:00.000-06:00

That is the view of part of my 6 mile run yesterday. Running this hill is always a challenge. It is only 1.6 miles to the end of the street, but every inch of the way it feels like my quads and calves are on fire. I have to tell myself to keep going because once I start walking part of the way, it is easy to stop and walk again. I have this little trick I do in my head as I am running a hard stretch. I pick a tree, light pole, or traffic sign up ahead and picture myself tied to that tree by a bungee cord. This seems weird, but as I do it, I can almost feel myself being pulled toward the tree. If I look at the entire street and focus on all I must climb to get to the end, I could easily give up.

Life is similar to jogging. Sometimes we are on an easy down hill path that feels like we could go forever. Sometimes we are just plugging along and doing the day to day mundane things like the flat trail without much of a view. And then there are the times in our lives when every step feels hard, and we have to convince ourselves not to give up and if we just keep moving that we can make it to the end. Sometimes we have to get through each day dealing with just one small step and not allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by the big picture, and then pray that somehow we can feel someone pulling us along.

For Those Who Don’t Have Time to Read

2010-10-16T13:31:00.001-06:00

Are you someone who loves to read, but doesn’t have the time? Do you wish that you liked to read, but find yourself just waiting for the movie to come out? Do you think all books should have cliff notes? Or do you hate to read an entire book when it’s just a small percentage of the book you end up enjoying? Well if you said yes to any of these questions, then this post is for you. Often times when I am reading a book, I will keep track of the lines in the book that caused an aha moment. Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand had several.

     “The world is full of small ignorances. We must all do our best to ignore them and thereby keep them small.”

     “It was never a good idea to confide in people. They always remembered, and when they came up to you in the street, years later, you could see the information was still firmly attached to your face and present in the way they said your name and the pressure of their hand clasping yours.”

     “Don’t worry about it. I don’t have space in my head to put up with harmless old gits trying to make me feel bad. I’ve learned to tell the difference between the people who can really hurt you and those who just want to look down their noses.”

      "'Oh, it’s simple Pragmatism, Dad. It’s called the real world. If we refused to do business with the morally questionable, the deal volume would drop in half and the good guys like us would end up poor. Then where would we all be?'
     'On a nice dry spit of land known as the moral high ground?' suggested the Major.”

     “I think we wake up every day with high intentions and by dusk we have routinely fallen short. Sometimes I think God created the darkness just so he didn’t have to look at us all the time.”

My Dessert Dilemma

2010-10-15T19:28:00.002-06:00

Sometimes it seems just impossible to please everyone in my family with one dessert. We have some who love nuts in their brownies and others who won’t eat them with nuts. My one daughter loves whip cream as a cake topping, and my son wants frosting. Hot fudge is a favorite with some while others just like a cold chocolate sauce. Pumpkin pie pleases three of my children, and the other two want chocolate. Even a simple chocolate cake brings the struggle between white or chocolate frosting. I love to make desserts, but I hate the look of disappointment on my child’s face when they ask what I am making, and it’s not what they like. It is hard to please everyone, and yet they all think that is my job!

Last week, I decided to make a dessert pizza. I knew four of my children would be excited, and one would be very disappointed. I had this great idea to make extra cookie dough and make sugar cookies for the non-fruit dessert lover. I also had been eyeing this cookie recipe in my King Arthur’s Whole Grain Baking Book. And now I have created more dessert dilemmas. My husband and one daughter loved the flavor of this recipe as the crust, and another preferred the simple sugar cookie dough I made before. I am definitely in a cookie quandary!

Soft Barley-Sugar Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 large eggs

3 cups barley flour

1 cup spelt flour*

2/3 cup sour cream

Coarse white or granulated sugar for topping

Cream the butter, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, nutmeg, vanilla, and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Add the eggs and beat until smooth.

Whisk together the flours in a separate bowl. Add half the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating to combine. Beat in the sour cream, then the remaining flour. Refrigerate the dough overnight.

Scoop out dough and form into a ball and roll in sugar. Bake on a greased baking sheet in a 450 degree preheated oven for 8 minutes.

I rolled out about 2/3 of this dough and placed on a greased cookie sheet for my dessert pizza crust.

* Original recipe called for unbleached all-purpose flour, but I used spelt flour instead.

I have a confession

2010-10-07T16:11:00.000-06:00

I love pies. Apple pie, pumpkin, fresh strawberry pie, chocolate cream pie, and Marie Callendar’s sour cream lemon pie are among my favorites, but my absolute favorite would have to be a pecan pie. The confession isn’t that I love pies, but that I like my pies minus any whole grain. I have tried a whole wheat crust and to be honest it just ruins the whole pie for me. So, even though it is out of character for my normal baking habits, and it kills me to admit it, I choose to use white flour in my pie crusts. I think I can blame this issue on my upbringing. Every year for Thanksgiving, our home would be inundated with pies. My mother and aunts would make the best pies with the most incredibly flaky crusts. I wasn’t really fond of the pie filling back then; I was really just interested in eating the crust. In fact, if I am confessing, I remember sitting by the pies and hoping that a piece of the fluted edge would just happen to fall off if the pie accidentally got bumped. I think my mom was on to me because she repeatedly had to tell me to get away from the pies.

I tried a new pie recipe last week. I had quite a few peaches and wanted to try something a little different. I found a recipe for a Peach-a-Berry Pie on allrecipes.com. This pie was gone in less than 24 hours. I was craving it the following day and decided to make another one. It lasted a couple days.

Peach-a-Berry Pie

4 cups fresh peaches - peeled, pitted and sliced

1 cup fresh raspberries

3/4 cup white sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 pie crusts

2 tablespoons butter, softened and cut into pieces

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Place peaches and berries in a colander for about 15 minutes to drain any excess fluid, then transfer to a large bowl. Gently toss with sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Transfer to a pie crust. Dot with butter, and top with remaining crust. Cut vents in top crust.
3. Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven until crust is golden brown.

I can't wait for Thanksgiving!

And thanks mom for all the great pies through the years!

My Meat Free Monday

2010-10-04T16:06:00.001-06:00

I was wondering the other day if Paul McCartney and Al Gore get together for a little meeting to determine what green advice should be shared with the world to help us little people be better stewards of our environment. And do they invite Robert Redford? Paul McCartney has launched a new campaign on his Help the Planet website. It is called “Meat Free Mondays”. Now I know Sir Paul is a vegetarian, but I just don’t see Mr. Gore going along with this campaign. He seems like a meat and potatoes guy to me. Usually most vegetarians are on the thin side, and well, Al Gore is not exactly slender. I think that we Americans eat way too much meat, and so I am giving Paul McCartney my full support and cooperation on his new campaign. Actually, we usually have meat free Mondays at our house. We also have meat free Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Typically we have meat twice a week. Now when I tell people this little interesting tidbit about our family, the first question is “What do you eat?” It takes a little more creativity to make meatless dishes that your family will like and give them the protein their bodies need, but it can be done. One of my all time favorite meat free meals is Baked Vegetarian Chimichangas. I found this recipe on a vegan website. It called for soy cheese and a non-dairy sour cream. I like the real stuff, and so that is how I make it.

BAKED VEGETARIAN CHIMICHANGAS

1/2 cup chopped onions

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 (7 ounce) can chopped green chilies

1 (16 ounce) vegetarian refried beans

1 1/2 cups of your favorite salsa

2 cups cooked brown rice

1 (16 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons powdered cumin

3 tablespoons sour cream

1 1/2 cups grated colby jack cheese

8-10 large burrito size tortillas or 12-14 medium size flour tortillas (I like the uncooked flour tortillas the best)

olive oil

cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado for garnish, as desired

1. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is soft. Add green chilies, flatten mixture in bottom of pan and saute without stirring until onions begin to caramelize a little, remove from heat.
2. In a large bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Add onion mixture.
3. Depending on size of tortilla, place 1/2 to 1 cup filling on each tortilla. Fold the bottom over the filling, fold the sides in, then carefully fold it over to close. Brush each chimichanga with olive oil.
4. Place chimichangas on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.
5. Add cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and tomatoes, and enjoy!

Beans and whole grain combined make a complete protein. These make excellent leftovers. Just place in the oven for about 15 minutes to reheat and enjoy for lunch the next day.

Every 20 Minutes Makes a Difference

2010-10-02T15:29:00.001-06:00

So yesterday at my local fitness center they began their annual Fall Fitness Challenge. Each time you go in to work out, they give you a sticker to put up next to your name, and when you have collected seven stickers, you get a prize. Somehow a little acknowledgement of our effort motivates many of us to work out more. I know when I have a goal, I am more motivated to put my running shoes on. I have read that for every mile a person walks they add 20 minutes to their life. So after a 3 mile run, I will add an additional hour to my life. I would need to go 72 miles to add a full day, 504 miles for a week, and 2160 miles to add a full month. I have often wondered how many miles do I actually run, walk, bike, and swim in a year. If I averaged 15 miles per week, after one year, I would have added 11 days to my 79.5 year life expectancy. I think I would like to add 15 days to my life during the next year. That would mean that I need to average 20.76 miles per week. I am sure that I exceed that amount during the summer, but the winter is much harder for me to stay motivated. So my goal is set, and a year from now my life expectancy will be up .041. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but when life is short, every second counts!

Now That's Italian

2010-09-28T10:58:00.002-06:00

I am not sure if the low carb craze is over yet, like other fad diets that have come and gone, but I could never follow that type of diet because I LOVE bread. Love of bread runs in my family. My grandmother loved bread, my mom loves bread, and my sister is the queen of bread loving. At family dinners, she will always be found in the kitchen waiting for the homemade rolls to come out of the oven. It is definitely a genetic weakness. My love affair with bread is one of the main reasons I like to eat at Italian restaurants. Macaroni Grill has my favorite Italian bread. It has a variety of herbs baked in the bread and tastes wonderful dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I found this recipe online one day when searching for breads and thought it might taste similar to the bread at Macaroni Grill. It called for only a small amount of whole wheat flour. I changed that and added olive oil instead of shortening. This bread is a hit with my family.

Italian Herb Bread

3 cups warm water

1 tablespoon yeast

4 tablespoons sugar

7 1/2 cups hard white wheat flour

1 cup high gluten bread flour

1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten

1 tablespoon dough enhancer

1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 cup olive oil

2 1/2 tsp dried basil

2 1/2 tsp dried dill

2 1/2 tsp dried thyme

2/3 cup snipped fresh parsley

Dissolve yeast and one tablespoon of the sugar in warm water in large bowl or bread mixer. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and knead for 7 minutes. Let rise for 1 hour. Punch down and divide into 3 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 10 x 8 inch rectangle. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal. Whisk an egg white and 1 tablespoon water; brush over loaves. With a sharp knife, make four shallow slashes across the top of each loaf. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. This bread works great to freeze the loaves before allowing them to rise. Just take out several hours before baking to thaw and rise and you can have warm homemade bread with your pasta.

I love this bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

It also makes great sandwich bread.

Crazy Thoughts of the Day

2010-09-25T08:44:00.002-06:00

Whose crazy idea was it to have Katy Perry on Sesame Street? She certainly isn’t anyone I would want my preschooler to identify with fully clothed or not.

One of the craziest families on TV is the Heck family from The Middle. I had watched a few reruns of this show during the summer, and thought it was quite funny. Wednesday evening was its season premiere, and I was laughing crazy hard.

The "experts" featured on Nightline sharing their beliefs that all sugar is bad just seem a little crazy to me. Can you really put an apple and a package of skittles in the same category because they each contain the same amount of sugar? People who believe all sugars are bad, and therefore avoid fruit, but then think nothing of eating fries and a Big Mac just drive me crazy!

I have never watched Jon Stewart of The Daily Show. Even if I had cable I would probably find him a little bit of a potty mouth for my taste. As I watched him on Oprah this week talking about his Rally to Restore Sanity, I thought he had some good points. He said it is the craziest among us who get the attention in our society, and often lawmakers try to pass legislation to stop the crazies. But many of these laws seem insane and end up restricting the freedoms of the normal. His point - you just can’t legislate crazy!

One of my favorite children’s books is Flipped. I just happened to be watching the Today Show one day when Rob Reiner was on to promote the movie he directed based on the book. It was the first I had heard about the movie. He said it was in limited release, and so I began watching to see when it would be in the Salt Lake area. It came two weeks ago and is almost on its way out. This maybe a crazy idea, but it seems like Hollywood wants PG movies to fail. It had almost no advertising, and even many fans of the book weren’t even aware a movie had been made.

How many crazies are there on Survivor this season? Too many to count! I often wonder if some of these contestants have ever watched the show before they go on it. I am not sure who is crazier the person who takes a pair of shoes and after filling them with sand sinks them in the ocean and then confesses, or the person who brings a $1600 pair of shoes on the show.

How crazy would it be to be evacuated from your home and not know if your home will survive a raging fire? As my family watched the news Sunday evening about the Herriman fire, we were saddened for all the families who left their homes that day not knowing if they would lose all they had left behind. We listed all the things we would try to take with us. Of course pictures and keepsakes were the first things on our list. In my bathroom, I have a jewelry box that was handmade by a daughter and given to me on Mother’s Day during a time when I truly thought she hated me. Because it isn’t with all of our other memorabilia, it would probably have been left behind. I wonder how many things were left behind by the families who lost their homes, and just now they are realizing they lost something that was very precious to them. It is crazy how it is the things that cost the least amount that we would try to save.

Move Over Windex

2010-09-23T16:22:00.000-06:00

Whenever I walk down the cleaning supplies isle of the grocery store, I feel a little nauseated by all of the chemicals and fragrances. I have always tried to buy fragrance free products, but even the chemical smells of many items would still make me feel queasy. My new thing lately has been to try homemade green cleaning products. For years, I have used vinegar to mop my floor and clean spills on my carpet, but it can be used for so many other chores around the home. The acetic acid in vinegar kills germs, mold, viruses, and bacteria. Vinegar is also a deodorizer, as you work with it; it freshens the air and neutralizes odors. A recipe for an all-purpose cleaner is quite simple and very inexpensive.

All-purpose Cleaner

Fill a spray bottle one-third full with white vinegar. Fill with cold water. Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (lemon, eucalyptus, orange, or tea tree are great for the kitchen and bathroom). It works great on tile, countertops, mirrors, and appliances.

Other ideas for vinegar include adding ¼ cup white vinegar to your washing machine’s rinse cycle to help rinse out detergent completely and leave clothes soft and reduce static cling. To freshen a toilet bowl, pour two or three cups of white vinegar into the toilet bowl, let it sit for a few hours, then scrub and flush. Vinegar can also be used to remove underarm odors from clothing. Vinegar is great for the hair after the pool to get out chlorine. Rinse hair with vinegar and then shampoo as normal. Equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle make a good fruit and vegetable wash. Spray on produce, rub and rinse. The acetic acid in vinegar kills bacteria and helps to dissolve the wax and pesticide residues found on the skins of many fruits and vegetables. It is funny that Windex now boasts that it contains vinegar when actually all you need is vinegar to keep windows and mirrors clean.

The True Test of a Good Dessert

2010-09-19T16:09:00.000-06:00

Many times I will try a new dessert and my family will say that they like it, but then it sits on my counter uneaten. I believe that I am to assume that they were just being polite, and I don’t need to make that dessert again. Every summer I seem to be trying to find the perfect chocolate zucchini cake recipe that will taste good when I convert it to whole grain and quite possibly the search has finally ended. I wasn’t so sure if the cake I made this past week was really good until it was gone in just two days.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Zucchini Cake

2 1/2 cups hard white wheat flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup buttermilk

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups shredded zucchini

1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a 9x13 cake pan or bundt pan. Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the sugars and butter until smooth. Add the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla; mix well. Add half the dry ingredients, stirring until evenly moistened. Stir in the zucchini and then the remaining flour mixture. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. For bundt cake, allow to cool on wire rack for 15 minutes before removing cake from pan. Cool completely and drizzle with chocolate glaze.

Chocolate Glaze

1/2 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup chocolate chips

2 teaspoons corn syrup

Heat the heavy cream to a simmer, and pour over the chocolate chips in a bowl. Stir in corn syrup, and keep stirring until there are no more lumps and the mixture is smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake.

Produce Surprise

2010-09-15T16:17:00.000-06:00

Several months ago, a friend told me about bountifulbaskets.org. It is a produce co-op run primarily by volunteers. For fifteen dollars, you get about 12 different kinds of vegetables and fruits. The baskets need to be ordered on Monday evening and picked up Saturday morning. The fun thing is that each week it is a surprise as to what interesting produce my family will get to eat. Sometimes it is something that I wouldn’t normally buy, and I get to find and try a new recipe. This week waiting for me was a cabbage. I have bought cabbages in the past, but I don’t buy them on a regular basis. I decided to make coleslaw. I tried a new recipe, and my family thought it was great.

Creamy Coleslaw

1 head green cabbage, chopped into small pieces ( I use the shredder attachment to my Bosche)

1 large carrot, peeled and finely shredded

Whisk together the following for the dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup buttermilk

2 Tablespoons white vinegar

3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon seasoning salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

dash garlic powder

Pour the dressing over the veggies, and mix well to combine. Store covered in refrigerator for several hours to blend flavors.

No Disappearing Act

2010-09-09T18:56:00.002-06:00

For the past several years, I have been collecting a pile of glass containers in my garage with the intent of recycling them someday. The pile was beginning to impede my daughter’s ability to get from her car to the house. The time had come to figure out where to take this load. It was really simple enough. There are several glass recycling drop off locations in the Salt Lake area. The easiest for me was at the Salt Lake landfill located at 6030 West California Avenue. They have several very large bins for glass, cardboard, plastics, and aluminum. The amazing thing about glass is that it can be recycled an indefinite number of times without losing quality or purity. When it ends up in the landfill, I have read that it can take up to a million years to break down. I am not sure how they figure a million years, but that seems to be general consensus by Al Gore and friends. Here is an interesting list compiled by the U.S. Department of Energy of how long it takes certain items to decompose in a landfill:

Banana peel: 3-4 weeks

Paper box: 1-2 months

Cotton sock: 5-6 months

Wood: 10-20 years

Leather belt: 40-50 years

Aluminum can: 200-500 years

Disposable diaper: 500-600 years

Styrofoam cup: 1 million years or more

Glass bottle: 1 million years or more

I was feeling a little bit of guilt for all the previous items that I have sent to the landfill. Well, maybe not for the disposable diapers. I like being green, but I don’t think I could ever do cloth diapers, so I am glad that I am past having to make that decision. :)

Calling for a redo

2010-09-05T17:31:00.001-06:00

I was one of the fans of The Hunger Games who had anxiously awaited the final book of the series. It was the first book I actually preordered on Amazon. If this had been the first book in the series, I wouldn’t even have finished the book. The first 180 pages were boring! As I was reading it, I just kept thinking that I should skip to the last chapter to see how the love saga between Peeta, Katniss, and Gale was resolved and get on with my own life. My daughter who read it before I did, just kept telling me to make it to page 200, and it would get better. Halfway through and it finally gets better? She was right, but even now as I have finished the book, I am still frustrated. Suzanne Collins spends way too much time giving us a feel for what it is like to live in district 13. She spends almost half the book when a mere 25 pages would have been more than sufficient. And then I didn’t feel like the corruption she alludes to in 13 was adequately resolved after spending almost the entire first half on its bizarre policies. Peeta seems missing for too much of the book. I love Peeta! I wanted more Peeta. Gale didn’t seem this cold-hearted in any of the previous books. And Katniss just seems too lost. I know it was war, but too many of my favorites die. Many things I thought and hoped would be included in the book were written of only briefly because so much was written about district 13. I wanted more closure between Gale, Katniss, and Peeta, and to know more of rebuilding life after the fall of the capitol. I loved the last four pages. Yes, the last four pages were the best. The rest was just mediocre writing with a few clever twists mingled in. But now I can get on with my life!

Mixed Reviews

2010-08-31T16:03:00.005-06:00

I was tired of my same old zucchini bread recipe. I was in the mood for one with a little bit of chocolate and some nuts, and so I thought I would browse the web and find a new one. Usually when I make quick bread, I do at least six loaves because I typically give several to my married children, and my husband can eat almost an entire loaf in one sitting. Now I understand they are called quick breads because there is no rising involved, but there is nothing quick when you have to grate zucchini, chop nuts, grind wheat, and zest an orange, to say nothing about the clean-up. Any how, I didn’t want to do six loaves and nobody like them. Since I was grating zucchini and grinding wheat any way, I did six loaves of my tried and true recipe, and two loaves of the experimental bread.

* One daughter said there was too much going on, and if I left out the nuts, it would be good.

* Another daughter liked the new bread just how it was. Well, maybe less chocolate chips.
* My husband and another daughter said they definitely liked the old recipe better.

* One son won’t try anything new, and my other son will eat anything but bananas and peanut butter.

* I like them both, and my mood will determine which one I will choose to make next time.

Chocolate Chip Orange Zucchini Bread

3 eggs 2 cups white sugar

1 cup vegetable 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups hard white wheat flour 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups zucchini 1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup chocolate chips 1 tablespoon orange zest

1. Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt and spices.

2. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and fluffy. Add sugar, and continue beating until well blended. Stir in oil, vanilla, and zucchini. Blend in sifted ingredients. Stir in nuts, chips, and orange rind. Turn batter into two greased loaf pans.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, or until bread tests done. Remove loaves from pans, and cool.

For the technologically challenged

2010-08-21T12:24:00.000-06:00

Do you ever learn something and immediately wonder why no one explained this to you sooner? Now some of you pro texters out there probably learned this as a baby, but maybe there is just one other person out there who doesn’t know this little bit of info and will be delighted that I shared my new found knowledge. I have liked using texting as a way to keep in touch with my teenagers but that was as far as my texting went because it seemed it would take longer to text one simple sentence than it would take to make a phone call. One of my frustrations has been numbers. I couldn’t ever figure out how to just get a simple “1” in my text, and so instead I would type “one”. Well, that doesn’t seem too difficult unless one of your children ask you to text them a phone number. Nine, six, nine, two, seven . . . you get the point. Once in exasperation, I gave my phone to one of my children to text a number, and they said, “Mom, you just hold down the number!” Well, what do you know, I simply pushed and held down the 8 and instead of a T, an 8 appeared. And now any one who needs a number, address, bank account balance, forgotten library card, or anything but my visa number, I am happy to oblige.

Grilling is not just for meat lovers

2010-08-18T17:13:00.003-06:00

For many years, I have wanted to buy a barbeque, but my husband has been against the idea. I have many fond memories of my dad cooking ribs, hamburgers, chicken, and even a Thanksgiving Day turkey on his grill. The problem with my husband and barbeques is that most of what is cooked on the grill is meat, and my husband is not a big fan of meat. One of my arguments in favor of a grill is that I promised that we wouldn’t eat more meat just because we had a grill. My sweet children pulled their resources last year and surprised me with a barbeque for Christmas. In keeping with my “no more meat commitment”, I purchased The New Vegetarian Grill cookbook, and we have tried some fun recipes from it on the grill. Last Sunday, we had Maple-Grilled Pound Cake with Peaches.

Maple-Grilled Pound Cake with Peaches

8 firm, ripe peaches, skins removed, and halved
1/4 cup orange juice
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
One 8-inch loaf pound cake

1. Prepare a medium fire in the grill.
2. Combine the orange juice, butter, and maple syrup and mix well. Brush onto the peaches and both sides of the cake slices. Grill the peaches and cake slices until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side for the peaches and about 3 minutes per side for the cake.
3. Place a slice of cake and 2 peach halves on each plate. Drizzle additional maple syrup over the cake and peaches, if desired.

Vanilla Pound Cake

2 1/2 cups soft white wheat flour
1 cup barley flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pans.

Whisk together the flours and salt in a medium bowl. Cream together the butter, sugars and baking powder in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. On low, add the flour mixture alternately with the sour cream. Stir in the vanilla and almond extract. Place batter in prepared pans and bake for 55 minutes.

Cooking, but not with Al Gore!

2010-06-27T20:01:00.001-06:00

My life has been crazy busy the past few months, but I haven’t been experiencing the wackiness dominating Mr. Gore’s life. We share a passion for the environment that’s for sure, but I have never received a Noble Peace Prize for it. Although, if you had been to my house lately and witnessed some of the negotiations I have with my teenagers, I believe that I would be a strong candidate. My marriage is still intact, and I was sad to hear that his is ending. And well, I haven’t had a massage lately.

Cooking has taken a back burner to a cute grandbaby, summer fun, and unfortunately the dreaded need to work. One meal that I cook on a Sunday that makes up for all the skipped meals during the week is Café Rio’s sweet rice, black beans, and sweet pork. (I am not a big pork fan, so we do the other white meat at our house.) If you haven’t seen these recipes on line before, here they are, and your family will love you for them.

Café Rio Pork

1 cup medium Pace salsa
1 cup brown sugar
3-4 lb sirloin roast (I use 4-5 boneless chicken breasts)
Place meat in a crock pot. Mix salsa and brown sugar together, and pour over meat. Cook on low for 8 hours.

Cilantro-Lime Rice

1 cup uncooked rice
1 tsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp lime zest
1 can (15 oz) chicken broth
1 1/4 cup water
2 T freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tsp sugar
3 T fresh chopped cilantro

In a saucepan combine rice, butter, garlic, lime peel, chicken broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat. In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar, and cilantro. Pour over hot cooked rice.

Black Beans

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2/3 cup tomato juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
2 T olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 T fresh chopped cilantro

In a nonstick skillet, gook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. Add beans, tomato juice, and salt. Continually stirring until heated through. Just before serving stir in the cilantro.

Hey Al, these recipes are so good that they could almost bring about world peace or at least save a marriage.

A reason to care about Earth Day :)

2010-04-22T20:58:00.004-06:00

This past week my first grandbaby was born, and he is just the cutest thing ever! Just as when my own children were born, I loved this baby immediately and wanted the best for him. I have heard it said that my generation is the first to pass on a bleaker future to our children. Wow! My parents worked hard and sacrificed all of their lives so that I could have it better than they did. I can’t erase the national debt on my own or fix the health care crisis, but I can make small changes in my life to give our children a better future. As I have listened to talk radio, I don’t understand why being green has become such a political issue. Shouldn’t taking care of the things we are given just be the right thing to do? In most things I would consider myself a conservative, but when I hear Sean Hannity say he doesn’t have time to smash a cardboard box and throw it in a recycling can, I become confused. Really how hard is that? Now, I am not suggesting we all sell our cars and ride a bike everywhere we go or give up modern conveniences and live like the Amish, but just doing simple things can make a difference. Most green activities are just a matter of a change of habits. For my office this year, I bought a calendar with 101 ideas of ways to save the planet. It was printed with soy ink on recycled paper of course. Here are 10 easy things we can do:

1. Always recycle food and beverage cans. Recycling aluminum uses only 5 percent of the energy it takes to process aluminum from raw materials.
2. Remember to turn off the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth, applying makeup, or shaving. The water saved during one instance of brushing your teeth is about 2 gallons.
3. Birds are much more efficient than people at killing insects, so encourage birds to visit your yard with a bird feeder that is suitable for the wild birds in your area.
4. Be honest- how much junk mail do you actually read? You can control the amount of unsolicited mail you receive and reduce paper waste. Learn how to opt out of junk mail at www.dmachoice.org
5. Every mile you walk is estimated to add 20 minutes to your life.
6. When the charger for a cell phone is left plugged in, about 95 percent of the energy goes to waste – so unplug all chargers when not in use.
7. Plastic bags are a major environmental no-no. Keep a stash of reusable fabric bags in your car so you won’t forget to take them along when you go shopping.
8. Dust your lights! Keeping bulbs clean makes them work more efficiently.
9. Here’s a natural way to freshen the air in your home: simmer citrus slices and a few cloves in a pan of water for about an hour.
10. Don’t try to change your lifestyle dramatically all at once. Be realistic about making green changes and incorporate them gradually in your daily life.

One of October’s hints is placing a wool blanket under the bottom sheet of your bed to make it feel warmer. I must confess that I have a mattress heater, and I love it. So I will save energy in another area and indulge myself with my mattress heater. I’m hoping Al Gore has a mattress heater of his own because it is heavenly on a cold winter night.

Take some notes Jesse and Tiger

2010-03-31T21:38:00.005-06:00

Well, I hear that Jesse James has decided if sex addiction therapy could possibly salvage Tiger’s marriage and reputation, he might as well give it a shot. I guess they think that a doctor’s “diagnosis” should excuse their bad behavior. I can’t decide who the bigger cad is, but I am definitely leaning towards the Cheetah or quite possibly Johnny Edwards. I was starting to believe that all famous men are incapable of any kind of fidelity, and then my heart was warmed by a report about Jeff Bridges. He recently won several awards including an Academy Award for his role in Crazy Heart. He attended all ceremonies with his wife of 33 years and apparently they seemed very, very affectionate. In fact, Piers Morgan of Britain’s Got Talent fame was recapping events of the Oscars, and said of Bridges, “It is amazing to see a Hollywood husband keeping his hands like that on his own wife.” So Tiger and Jesse, if you want your marriage to last, just keep your hands from wandering.

Guilt-free French Fries for the Food Revolution

2010-03-30T13:56:00.004-06:00

If you happened to watch any of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution show last Friday, you were probably alarmed by many things you saw. The disgusting presentation on how chicken nuggets are made and the fact that the elementary school classroom he visited was still willing to eat nuggets anyway, or the fact that these children didn’t even know what a potato was but could immediately identify French fries was troubling.

After watching the Oprah episode on Food Inc., I was interested in reading a book she highlighted on her show. Food Rules by Michael Pollan gives some pretty basic eating guidelines, but after watching Food Revolution, I realized that many people don’t have a basic understanding of the importance of eating real food.

There are 64 Food Rules listed. These are some of my favorites:

#13 Eat only foods that will eventually rot. Does a Twinkie ever rot?
#19 If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.
#20 It’s not food if it arrived through the window of your car.
#21 It’s not food if it’s called by the same name in every language. (Think Big Mac.)
#57 Don’t get your fuel from the same place your car does.

And in honor of rule #39 - Eat all the junk food you want as long as you cook it yourself, I thought I would blog my favorite home-made fry recipe.

Oven Baked French Fries

3 large russet potatoes and one medium sized yam, scrubbed, unpeeled & cut into ¼ inch strips.
4 cups cold water
2 Tbls apple cider vinegar
¾ tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp paprika
2 Tbls canola oil

As potatoes are sliced, immediately drop them into a large bowl containing the water, vinegar, and ½ tsp salt. Let soak for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Drain potatoes very well. Lay potatoes on dish cloth and place another on top. In a clean, dry bowl toss potatoes with remaining salt, chili powder, and paprika, and then stir in oil. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, turn and bake 5 minutes more.

Now if only I could find great tasting guilt-free fry sauce!

There is hope for my stupidity!

2010-02-09T11:05:00.002-07:00

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years." - Mark Twain

These brownies actually get better with age.

2010-02-07T15:23:00.002-07:00

Last week I was craving something chocolate. To be honest, I am almost always craving chocolate. Keeping with my desire to keep things whole grain, I decided to try a new whole grain recipe from King Arthur Whole Grain Baking Cookbook. This recipe suggested letting the brownies sit over night before cutting. I don’t know about your house but most brownies don’t even make it to the next day at my house. Craving chocolate as I was, I didn’t wait. I thought they were okay, but wasn’t sure I would even make them again. My family wasn’t big on them either. The next day I, of course, was craving chocolate and cut myself a brownie. The chocolate flavor was rich, and I really liked the brownies, by day three I was sold. The best thing about these brownies is that my family passed on them because the flavor wasn’t real sweet and rich the first day, and there was plenty left to satisfy my need for chocolate.

Double Fudge Whole Grain Brownies

1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups packed light brown sugar
¾ cup cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 Tbls vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 ½ cups hard white wheat flour
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add sugar and stir to combine. Heat briefly until mixture it hot and starting to bubble. Stir in cocoa, baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Cool mixture until it feels like hot bath water. Whisk in eggs, stirring until smooth, then add the flour and chips, again stirring until smooth. Spoon the batter into prepared pan. Bake about 30 minutes, until a cake tester poked into the center reveals wet crumbs but not raw batter.

Still standing

2010-02-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

Among the many reports coming out of Haiti during the past 3 weeks, one of my favorite stories is about a bronze statue – the unknown escaped slave. As I have watched the news and listened to reports of the destruction, I was reminded this week of the facts concerning Haiti that I am sure I learned during world history class over 25 years ago. So the mini history lesson is this. Haiti is a former French colony and was the hub of the slave trade, and it is the only country on earth to have gained independence by a slave rebellion. This bronze statue in Port-au-Prince is a symbol of the freedom gained through that revolt. Amazingly, amidst all of the rubble and devastation this statue that symbolizes Haiti’s spirit is still standing.

Finally cookies!

2010-01-26T17:15:00.003-07:00

My son had been asking me for weeks to make some white chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies. I really didn’t feel like baking or eating baked goods after the holidays, so I kept making up excuses. Finally, the guilt got to me, and I baked. I got creative and tried something new. I found a recipe on-line and made whole grain adjustments. My son loved them and ate almost a dozen the first night. My husband thought they were a little too sweet but seemed to eat his fair share anyway.

White Chocolate Chip and Macadamia Nut Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ tsp vanilla
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 ½ cups hard white wheat flour
½ cup spelt flour
1 cup barley flour
1 (12 ounce) package white chocolate chips
1 ½ cups chopped macadamia nuts

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Blend in flours, soda and salt. Stir in chips and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

A dumb blonde joke?

2010-01-23T18:29:00.003-07:00

“Well, my main message is that beauty is really from within.” Heidi Montag on Nightline

Until this week, I had never heard of Heidi Montag. I saw her interviewed on Nightline, she was talked about on The Bonnie Hunt Show, and I saw her on the cover of various magazines at the grocery store. I believe that she is famous for being famous. At the age of 23, she had ten plastic surgery procedures during a $30,000 ten hour almost-lost-her-life operation. I liked her cute and wholesome girl-next-door looks. Now she just looks fake and plastic. There is a reason they call it plastic surgery. But she wants all the young girls that look up to her as a role model to know that beauty really comes from within. Well so does happiness, self-worth, and personal contentment. She seems to not understand any of that. How sad!

Al Gore, I’m still here!

2010-01-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

It has been months since I have communicated to Mr. Gore, but I was thinking about him as I was shoveling my driveway this morning. We have a snow blower, but it isn’t as therapeutic as my shovel, or as environmentally friendly. To be honest, halfway through shoveling just the driveway, I wondered why I didn’t get the snow blower out, but then a picture of Al Gore came to my mind. Alright, it wasn’t Al Gore but the release of frustration towards raising teenagers that kept that shovel going. When my husband asked me why the shovel, I told him shoveling was beneficial to my emotional well being and that of my children. He wondered why I hadn’t done the whole neighborhood. So my shovel was three fold today. I did my part for the planet, I got a little exercise, and I am better prepared for the aggravation of raising teenagers. Bring it on! And I still think Al Gore would be proud.

Whose seat is it any way?

2010-01-20T15:13:00.003-07:00

My favorite quote of the year thus far:

“Well with all do respect it’s not the Kennedys' seat, it's not the Democrats' seat, it’s the people’s seat.”
Scott Brown, newly elected senator from Massachusetts.

I wish more elected officials would remember who they are representing!

What I wish my husband would read.

2010-01-18T13:59:00.002-07:00

I don’t believe that my husband would ever sit down and read an entire novel, but he always seems interested in what I am reading. He likes to flip through whatever novel I am currently reading just to see what is keeping my attention. It seems if there is a part of the book that is questionable or when read out of context seems inappropriate that is the part he will read. There are so many lines or paragraphs in a book that could spark the kind of discussion I would enjoy and not cause me to have to defend the book. So, if I was able to pick which part of the book he would flip to this would be it:

“If she was to become a wife and mother, she must learn the harsh lessons life can teach, although the lessons of war taught to James Whitmore seemed too harsh to bear repeating. Anyone who had studied history, however, must know that mankind would make war until judgment day, for one cause or another. And soldier after kinsman would fall.”
The Wedding Dress by Virginia Ellis

“‘All I’m saying is that once we head down the wrong track, we open ourselves up to all kinds of mischief. You’re putting yourself between this child and his mother, and that’s just wrong. We have to do everything we can to keep families together, not break them up, don’t you agree?’
Well, no I didn’t. I’d heard of too many families that needed to be broken up – cruel fathers, drunken mothers, drugged boyfriends, battered wives, and so on and so on. But I’d heard Pastor Ledbetter on all those subjects form the pulpit and, according to him, prayer and a good dose of family values would cure them all. To my way of thinking, about the only thing that would cure them was a baseball bat.”
Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross

“It’s no secret that teens try to wear down their parents. God made parents to be the guard rails on the twisting road of life. You need to be strong enough for kids to crash into over and over and over again. You must stay strong, so that your teens will learn to stay on track. Guard rails get dinged up. But if they work well, they preserve the young lives that run up against them.”
“While ‘I don’t know’ can be a teen’s intentional means to shut out or provoke a grown-up, it can also be the truth. Teens often don’t know what they think or feel, because on an almost daily basis, they are becoming a different person.”
“To a teen, being understood is everything.”
Boundaries with Teens by Dr. John Townsend

“Death is just a bi-line in the newspaper until it visits you personally and suffocates your empty heart.”
A Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell

My body is screaming for something healthy!

2010-01-14T17:02:00.007-07:00

I don’t know about any one else, but my body sure takes a beating during the holidays. My children and husband love to stay up late and sleep in. I always say I am definitely keeping my going to bed and early to rise routine this holiday season, but somehow they always seem to win, and I end up staying up late playing games and watching movies. Exercise seems to take a back seat to just about everything else during Christmas time. And then there are chocolates, homemade caramels, and treats galore sitting on my kitchen counter just begging me to eat them. By the time January 2nd arrives, my body is screaming for healthy food and a hard work-out.

One of my favorite healthy foods is homemade granola. After trying many different granola recipes, this one is my all time favorite.

CRUNCHY GRANOLA
1 ½ cups brown sugar
½ cup water
4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp salt
8 cups rolled oats
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
1 cup almonds, coarsely chopped

Heat oven to 275 degrees.
Combine sugar and water.
Bring to a boil and cook until sugar is completely dissolved.
Stir in salt and vanilla.
In a large bowl combine oats, nuts and sugar mixture.
Mix thoroughly.
Spread on 2 cookie sheets and bake 45-60 minutes until golden brown.
When granola has completely cooled, add dried fruit if desired and store in airtight container.

Neighbor Gifts

2009-12-29T16:15:00.003-07:00

“What am I going to do for neighbor gifts?” was the question that would cause me the most stress at Christmastime. Several years ago, we were given a cup of homemade glass candy by one of Scott’s co-workers. I got the recipe and made it for my friends and neighbors the following year, and it has become tradition ever since. Now some of my neighbors say they love it and seem genuinely excited when I bring it by, but I am sure there are some neighbors who just humor me and secretly wish that I would come up with a different idea. This tradition works for me and anything that relieves stress during the holidays, I say stick with it!

Glass Candy
3 ½ cups sugar
1 cup light Karo syrup
1 cup water
2 drams Lorann flavoring
Food coloring

Bring sugar, Karo syrup, and water to a boil on high heat. Reduce temperature to medium and cook to hard crack stage – 295 degrees. Remove from heat. Stir in food coloring and flavoring. Pour onto a marble slab that is covered with powdered sugar. Dust top with powdered sugar. Cut into ¼ inch strips with pizza cutter. When hard, snap into bite size pieces with hands.

We always get lots of candy, cookies, and fun treats. Sometimes we get homemade crafts and cute decorations.
This year the prize for the most unique present was a pair of scissors with the following tag: Whether you cut the paper or the cheese, we hope you have a ripping good Christmas!

My garden – the successes and failures

2009-10-22T18:12:00.006-06:00

Success – I said I wasn’t going to plant a garden this year, until we built planter boxes. My husband did a fantastic job and had them completed by mid May!

Failure – Even though we laid down weed control carpet and brought in special dirt, the morning glory still found its way into my garden.

Success – This was the first year my cucumber plant survived. I love dipping cucumbers in dill dip.

Failure – and the first year my zucchini plant died. I am probably the first person on the planet who actually killed a zucchini plant. All of my wonderful plans for zucchini recipes died along with my plant.

Success – My cherry tomato plant was out of control.

Failure – My cherry tomato plant was out of control.

Success – I had fantastic luck with basil, eggplant, green peppers, and cilantro.

Failures – I love spaghetti squash and decided to give it a try in my garden. I planted one plant, and it looked like it wasn’t going to make it, and so I bought another plant. The first one began to thrive as my second one died along with my zucchini plant. The first plant lived, but it turned out to be cantaloupe. My husband is allergic to cantaloupe and I am not very good at knowing when they are ripe. Big Failure!

Success – Baked Eggplant Parmesan

I tried a new recipe, and it was fantastic! Well, it is from Martha Stewart, and so you know it has to be good.

Olive oil
2 large eggs
¾ cup plain bread crumbs
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, for topping
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
Salt
Pepper
2 large eggplants, peeled and sliced into ½ inch rounds
6 cups favorite tomato sauce
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Brush 2 baking sheets with oil; set aside. In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and 2 tablespoons water. In another bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 3/4 cup Parmesan, oregano, and basil; season with salt and pepper.

2. Dip eggplant slices in egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then dredge in breadcrumb mixture, coating well; place on baking sheets. Bake until golden brown on bottom, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn slices; continue baking until browned on other side, 20 to 25 minutes more. Remove from oven; raise oven heat to 400°.

3. Spread 2 cups sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange half the eggplant in dish; cover with 2 cups sauce, then 1/2 cup mozzarella. Repeat with remaining eggplant, sauce, and mozzarella; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is melted, 15 to 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

2009-09-30T19:50:00.003-06:00

Whenever we go to Zupa’s my husband usually orders the Tomato Basil Soup, and when he doesn’t, he is usually disappointed in his selection. I have tried making a homemade creamy tomato soup in the past without much success. This year I tried a new recipe, and my husband gave me a thumbs up! Not only did I use homegrown tomatoes, but the basil was also from my garden.

This recipe is not for those on a fat free diet, but I think it is worth every fat gram!

Rich and Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

4 tomatoes - peeled and diced
4 cups tomato juice
14 fresh basil leaves
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
salt and pepper to taste

Place tomatoes and juice in a stock pot over medium heat. Simmer 30 minutes. Puree the tomato mixture along with the basil leaves, and return the puree to the pot. Place the pot over medium heat, and stir in the cream and butter. Heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Do not boil. Season with salt and pepper.

Salsa!

2009-09-10T18:43:00.006-06:00

On Monday, I decided that I really needed to pick tomatoes. I didn’t realize how many were ripe until I got into the plants. I probably picked over 70 tomatoes from my four plants. I couldn’t believe it. That would mean I would be busy making at least 2 batches of salsa. I love homemade salsa. I love it even more when it is all done and every one of the jars sealed.
SALSA
24 large tomatoes
4 large green peppers
4 large onions
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tsp salt
1/4 cup taco seasoning
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
3 4 ounce cans green chilies
Dash garlic powder

Prepare tomatoes, remove skins and cores. Chop onions and green peppers. Place all ingredients in a large saucepan and simmer for 2 1/2 hours. Place in pint jars and process for 25 minutes. Makes about 14 pints.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Antioxidants

2009-08-08T11:23:00.006-06:00

This past week I was in the mood for something chocolaty. I decided to use up some of the zucchini that was collecting on my kitchen counter and try a chocolate zucchini cake. I don’t have a favorite recipe for chocolate zucchini cake, and so I tried a new recipe that I found on the internet. There were literally hundreds of recipes that combined zucchini and chocolate. My favorite zucchini bread recipe was easily adapted to whole wheat flour, and so I figured whatever recipe I used would turn out well with whole wheat instead of all-purpose flour. I liked the flavor of the cake, but the texture was more like a quick bread recipe than a fluffy cake. My husband ate the majority of this cake. He loved the flavor and thought it was incredibly moist, but I think the middle section must have been a little too moist because he cut all around it.

ZUCCHINI CHOCOLATE CAKE
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup cocoa
2 1/2 cups hard white wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups zucchini, grated
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Cream butter then add oil and sugar; mix.
Add next 8 ingredients; mix well.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Put in greased and floured 9X13 pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until done.

ANTIOXIDANTS? REALLY?
Have you ever noticed that Hershey’s Cocoa claims to be a natural flavorful source of antioxidants? Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize free radicals and protect your body against their destructive effects. According to Hershey’s website, cocoa has more oxygen radical absorbance capacity than cranberries, grapes, or prunes. Prunes or cocoa – now that is a no brainer! Antioxidants, vegetables, and whole grains, and I thought I was simply making a dessert.

Just a little food for thought!

2009-07-28T19:02:00.002-06:00

So today we went to Sundance Resort to do some hiking. My daughter went into the store to purchase a magnet and saw this cute green bag for $3 and bought it for me. Some people collect spoons, thimbles, or charms, but a green bag is my kind of souvenir.

This bag comes from Robert Redford’s place so you know it’s not just an item to carry around your things but a product to help you be a well informed environmentally-friendly consumer. The following information was listed on the bag:

Use this bag twice a week for 2 years and each bag will SAVE:
- 11 pounds of garbage
- 832 plastic bags
- Enough petroleum to drive a car 60 miles

From 1BagataTime.com
- 14 plastic bags contain enough petroleum to drive a car a mile
- 380 billion plastic bags or wraps are thrown away in America each year
- 0 paper bags biodegrade in landfills due to lack of oxygen
- Cities spend up to 17 cents per bag in disposal costs, wasting millions of tax dollars

Zucchini Season

2009-07-27T10:35:00.003-06:00

If you have a zucchini plant in your garden, and you have neighbors with a zucchini plant, you probably have a kitchen counter filled with oversized zucchinis just waiting to be shredded. I have a family tried and tested whole wheat zucchini bread recipe that I make each summer, but it is only the end of July, and I am already inundated with the squash. If I intend to not waste any zucchini, I will need to get creative and try more recipes. At recipeezaar.com, there are 2,890 recipes listed when the ingredient zucchini is typed in the search engine. Numerous recipes are available for pie, casseroles, salads, muffins, quiche, and even one for pancakes. Stay tuned for more recipes.

Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

3 eggs, beaten
¾ cup oil
2 cups sugar
4 tsp vanilla
2 cups shredded zucchini
3 cups hard white wheat flour (red wheat also works fine in this recipe)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
½ tsp baking powder
4 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cloves
1 tsp nutmeg

Mix eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla. Sift together dry ingredients and then add alternately with zucchini to wet ingredients. Bake in two greased loaf pans for 45-50 minutes at 350 degrees.

New York - a once in a lifetime experience for me!

2009-07-22T12:51:00.012-06:00

On my recent one and only trip to New York, I thought about many things:

- Filmmakers do a mighty nice job of making New York look cleaner and grander than it really is.

The fountain from the movie Enchanted!

- I like the sun way too much to ever live there.

When it isn't overcast, there are tall buildings everywhere preventing the sunlight on the streets.

- People in New York are not rude. I believe they are just in a hurry. In fact we had several kind gentlemen help us when we were lost and another nice looking business man bought us ice cream simply because he had never met anyone from Utah before.

If you go to New York, know where you are going, do not stand still in the middle of the sidewalk, and when you go to a deli, do not stand in front of the menu board to decide what you want. Just know before you go!

- New York is not a place for a family vacation.

- It made me a little uneasy that department stores felt it was necessary to post security guards at every door.

- Where does all the garbage go?

At the end of each day, there are piles and piles of garbage on the street.

- How many times does the average driver honk his horn in a day?

I came to believe that this sign was never enforced because there was a constant sound of car, truck, bus, bike, and scooter horns honking.

- It really is not necessary to wait for the flashing green sign to cross the street.

No one waits, and if you do, you definitely look like a tourist or Girl Scout.

- 99% of cars are either yellow or black.

And when you get into one it will cost you big bucks for the ride of your life! it was definitely more fun than Lagoon!

Wheat Grinder Moments

My guest chef

New Year, New Do

Black and Blue Friday

Kick the can and enjoy some yams!

No more Fs

Eleven / eleven / eleven

Seat Refresher

Hmmmmm

Odds and evens

Good nuts, bad nuts

Hold the horse hooves please!

Things we forgot

Children are like trees

Just because you can . . .

Calling for Ben Matlock

Just go ride a bike

Stranger than Fiction

Just do it!

The stand-off

The things I know . . .

No-fault, no-thanks

Making every day Earth Day

Things I simply cannot understand . . .

Thursday Thoughts

To beef, or not to beef

Make a change

Eat your veggies!

Is it the end?

Get Real!

The weird, wild, and wacky

When life gives you lemons . . .

Eye seam two knead sum thin moor then spiel Czech

Presumptuous

It’s complicated

Toys not included

Mental Burritos

Bad Moon Rising

I am done!

Nine

Take that Ashton Kutcher

I am a health snob

My apologies to Al Gore

Rachel Ray meet Mr. McCartney

How do you mend a broken heart?

Common Sense and the Greek Gods

If I was in charge of reality

Resolutions

Thanks Paul! It’s just what I needed.

What makes you tired?

What’s for dinner?

Gratitude

Almost as good as glue

Check your closets

The perfect time to go meatless

For my grown-up taste buds

I guess if Al can do it so can I!

The reason I could never be a vegan

My Martha Stewart Meatless Monday

A Good Day for a Chili Cook-off

Have my taste buds been altered?

My Two Sense

Take that Oprah!

﻿A Suggestion for a Meatless Monday for Al Gore

The View from Here

For Those Who Don’t Have Time to Read

My Dessert Dilemma

I have a confession

My Meat Free Monday

Every 20 Minutes Makes a Difference

Now That's Italian

Crazy Thoughts of the Day

Move Over Windex

The True Test of a Good Dessert

Produce Surprise

No Disappearing Act

Calling for a redo

Mixed Reviews

For the technologically challenged

Grilling is not just for meat lovers

A Suggestion for a Meatless Monday for Al Gore