Here is a link to the EpiPen Copay Coupon. It can save you up to $100.00 per refill for epipens.
https://www.epipen.com/en/copay-offer
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Holiday Cooking Marathon - Pumpkin Mascarpone Pie, Pumpkin Soymilk Pie, Broccoli Casserole with cheese sauce
Holiday Cooking Marathon:
Pumpkin Mascarpone Pies –
3 ½ cups cooked, mashed pumpkin
1 ½ cups honey
6 large eggs
2 cups milk/cream mixture
12 ounces mascarpone cheese
8 ounces apricot preserves/jam
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon sea salt
Mix all until smooth.
Pour into glass or ceramic pie pans (at least 2). Bake at 350 for 60-90 minutes until dry on
top and starting to crack.
Pumpkin Soymilk Pie
8 ounces cooked, mashed pumpkin
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup honey
4 eggs
8 ounces vanilla soymilk
Mix all until smooth.
Pour into metal pie pan. Bake at
350 for 1 hour until dry on top and starting to crack.
Broccoli Casserole with cheese sauce
Broccoli
3 bunches broccoli cut into
bite-sized bits.
3 cups thick chicken broth (chicken
broth boiled down to at least ½ original amount to concentrate flavors and to
make freezer storage easier)
½ onion, finely minced
3 cloves garlic, minced/crushed
1 cup water
Put all ingredients in large stock
pot. Bring to boil. Cover.
Boil 4 minutes until broccoli starts to soften and turns bright green. DRAIN – SAVING THE BROTH!!. Run cold water over broccoli to stop
cooking. Set aside.
Return broth to stock pan to use in
cheese sauce.
Cheese sauce
8 ounces Colby cheese, shredded
8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
4 ounces feta cheese, shredded/crumbled
4 ounces finely shredded Asiago
cheese
4 cups full-flavor broth (ex. Broth
from the broccoli, thick chicken broth, chicken broth plus extra bouillon cube,
etc.)
1 cup 50/50 bean flour (Besan
flour) and starch (I used a blend of tapioca starch and sweet potato starch)
2 cups cold water.
16 ounces sour cream
6 eggs
Bring broth to boil. While broth comes to boil, mix water and
flour/starch until smooth (Important that there are no lumps!!).
Set cheeses in bowl beside
stove. Set sour cream beside stove.
Once broth boils, drizzle flour/starch/water
mixture into broth STIRRING CONSTANTLY.
It should thicken quickly. IF too
thick add more water. If too thin add
more starch/flour/water mixture. Target
is thick gravy consistency.
Once thickened, still stirring
constantly, start dropping handfuls of cheese into the pot. Stir until melted. Add another handful. Continue until all cheese is added and melted.
Stir in sour cream. Bring to simmer. Remove from heat.
In a large, metal bowl - Whisk eggs
until smooth. Slowly add hot cheese
mixture ¼ cup at a time to temper the eggs.
When cheese mixture is completely added, sauce is complete.
Put cooked broccoli in casserole dish. Pour over cheese sauce until covered. Bake in oven at 350 until browned and bubbly
on top.
TIPS AND DISCUSSION
I had a ton of extra cheese sauce, so I also cut up a
casserole dish worth of baby potatoes and covered those with the cheese
sauce. Still had a quart left, so am
going to see if it mixes into mashed potatoes well.
My hands get sore because of fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis
– so I did all mixing with a mixer.
I have allergies, so I used safe for me ingredients. Because so many of my friends and family have
allergies, there are no brands listed here – too much possibility of reactions.
Thick broth – I make my own broth from chickens I stew. When the bones and skin have had all the
wonderful nutrients stewed out, I strain out the solids and then boil the broth
down to about 1/6 of what the original volume was. This creates something like a gel, which has
an intense and wonderful flavor. I use
this for my base in lots of things that other people might use bouillon.
Pies- the pies would probably be more flavorful with
cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, and other sweet spices – however I am now
reacting to cinnamon and clove. L However, if this is not the case for you, go
for it!
There are no crusts on the pies because I am cooking for
myself and several family members so I am working around multiple food
restrictions. If I were making this just
for myself, I would use ground nuts, honey, bean flour, and butter to make a
crust.
Still to make – grain-free bread which will then be made
into stuffing. Roast. Wild Turkey.
Devilled Eggs. Sweet Tea. Mashed potatoes.
I think the cooking is my favorite part of ANY holiday!
I think the cooking is my favorite part of ANY holiday!
Saturday, December 13, 2014
A Holiday Wish
During the Holiday season, I hear so very often people feeling despair due to their family having fractured connections, money being less than needs and nothing near what presents might require, real life not resembling anything close to television glitter or facebook stellar moments.
Please remember you have both family of blood and a family of the heart. When one is cracked or broken, the other is there to love, sustain, and care. Holidays, regardless of which religion to which you belong or you abstain, are there to celebrate the miracles of life in all the myriad possibilities it has. And that which is illusion will never anchor you when challenges arise. Instead, that which is real will serve as your foundation to build something that echoes through the ages.
You each are real. You each matter. And to everyone who breathes - there are connections which bind you into the tapestry that makes life. Celebrate that which you have, that of which you dream, and the family you have chosen to make within this world.
My Holiday Wish is this:
May each of you find yourself to be enough;
May each of you find the courage to step outside whatever box has been placed around you in order that you find what your potential truly is;
May each of you find peace in your life and love within the connections you have to others.
Be kind to yourselves and to each other.
Please remember you have both family of blood and a family of the heart. When one is cracked or broken, the other is there to love, sustain, and care. Holidays, regardless of which religion to which you belong or you abstain, are there to celebrate the miracles of life in all the myriad possibilities it has. And that which is illusion will never anchor you when challenges arise. Instead, that which is real will serve as your foundation to build something that echoes through the ages.
You each are real. You each matter. And to everyone who breathes - there are connections which bind you into the tapestry that makes life. Celebrate that which you have, that of which you dream, and the family you have chosen to make within this world.
My Holiday Wish is this:
May each of you find yourself to be enough;
May each of you find the courage to step outside whatever box has been placed around you in order that you find what your potential truly is;
May each of you find peace in your life and love within the connections you have to others.
Be kind to yourselves and to each other.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Roasted taters and cheese. Beeswax lip & Hand balm - 2 recipes
Roasted Taters and Cheese
Last night, I was hungry, but really did not want to do much cooking and DEFINITELY did not want to do many dishes. So, I thought about some sort of twist on a baked potato. This is what I ended up with:
2 large (baking) potatoes - scrubbed clean.
8 ounces mozzarella (or any other) cheese
1 tablespoon butter
I sliced the scrubbed baking potatoes into rounds that were 1/4 inch thick. It is important to get all rounds about the same thickness.
I put down a layer of potato rounds in the bottom of a glass casserole dish. I then laid out a second layer on top of the first, offsetting the potatoes so the second layer lay over the edges of the potatoes below it.
I dotted the entire top layer with very thin slices of butter.
I put this into a cold oven and turned it onto 400 degrees fahrenheit, let it bake for 20 minutes.
At 20 minutes, I took the potatoes out of the oven and topped with thinly sliced mozzarella cheese (could use shredded cheese, but why bother with the work of shredding it when slices work just as well??). I put the potatoes back into the oven for another 15-20 minutes. When the cheese was toasty browned on top and crispy, I took them out of the oven.
It was a lovely meal to eat with salmon and green peas. And, the amount of dishes - 1 casserole dish and 1 knife (I sliced the cheese in the casserole dish before layering on potatoes so I did not have to dirty a cutting board).
AWESOME!
BEESWAX LIP/HAND BALM
2 ounces of beeswax
1/2 cup castor oil
1/4 cup apricot kernel oil.
Put all ingredients in a double boiler (or if you don't have one as I do not, make one by sticking a smaller pot suspended in a bigger pot and fill the bigger pot so water covers the bottom 1/3 of the smaller pot's depth).
Heat OVER LOW HEAT (takes about 30-45 minutes) to melt the beeswax. Stir frequently. Time to completely melt beeswax is reduced if you chop the beeswax into thin chunks/slices prior to heating.
Once completely melted, turn out into glass dish with sides or into containers. Once cool, use sharp, oiled knife to cut into small squares. Wrap in waxed paper and then in foil. Tie a little bow on it. Give as gifts for hands/lips over winter.
Last night, I was hungry, but really did not want to do much cooking and DEFINITELY did not want to do many dishes. So, I thought about some sort of twist on a baked potato. This is what I ended up with:
2 large (baking) potatoes - scrubbed clean.
8 ounces mozzarella (or any other) cheese
1 tablespoon butter
I sliced the scrubbed baking potatoes into rounds that were 1/4 inch thick. It is important to get all rounds about the same thickness.
I put down a layer of potato rounds in the bottom of a glass casserole dish. I then laid out a second layer on top of the first, offsetting the potatoes so the second layer lay over the edges of the potatoes below it.
I dotted the entire top layer with very thin slices of butter.
I put this into a cold oven and turned it onto 400 degrees fahrenheit, let it bake for 20 minutes.
At 20 minutes, I took the potatoes out of the oven and topped with thinly sliced mozzarella cheese (could use shredded cheese, but why bother with the work of shredding it when slices work just as well??). I put the potatoes back into the oven for another 15-20 minutes. When the cheese was toasty browned on top and crispy, I took them out of the oven.
It was a lovely meal to eat with salmon and green peas. And, the amount of dishes - 1 casserole dish and 1 knife (I sliced the cheese in the casserole dish before layering on potatoes so I did not have to dirty a cutting board).
AWESOME!
BEESWAX LIP/HAND BALM
2 ounces of beeswax
1/2 cup castor oil
1/4 cup apricot kernel oil.
Put all ingredients in a double boiler (or if you don't have one as I do not, make one by sticking a smaller pot suspended in a bigger pot and fill the bigger pot so water covers the bottom 1/3 of the smaller pot's depth).
Heat OVER LOW HEAT (takes about 30-45 minutes) to melt the beeswax. Stir frequently. Time to completely melt beeswax is reduced if you chop the beeswax into thin chunks/slices prior to heating.
Once completely melted, turn out into glass dish with sides or into containers. Once cool, use sharp, oiled knife to cut into small squares. Wrap in waxed paper and then in foil. Tie a little bow on it. Give as gifts for hands/lips over winter.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Easy Egg Salad for hurting hands
I wanted to make egg salad this weekend, but with the weather changes, my hands are definitely hurting a bit with fibromyalgia and arthritis flare. SOOOO.... time to problem solve.
And the answer was ... Use the oven.
Break raw eggs into a glass baking dish. (I used 20 eggs and can definitely state that cracking eggs is MUCH easier than peeling boiled ones!!).
Cover with a layer of parchment paper to reduce development of tough layer of baked egg. (The layer that forms when baking eggs is kind of like taffy and gets stuck in your teeth. The parchment paper fixes this.)
Put glass baking dish in oven and turn onto 350 degrees fahrenheit. Bake for 45 minutes (until completely baked in the center).
Remove from oven. Let cool.
Chunk up and drop into a food processor or blender. Pulse to mince up the egg into bits. Dump into a mixing bowl.
Add mayo and mustard to taste. Stir.
(For me, I make my mayo and add mustard powder to it so that I only have one thing to add. Also, I mix the mayo/mustard into the eggs in the same food processor - so no by hand mixing.)
To make your own mayo:
1 raw egg. (If raw eggs flip you out, this works just fine with pasteurized egg-beaters or other egg substitute)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon (or maybe 2 teaspoons) onion powder.
1-2 teaspoons mustard powder.
BLEND.
1/2 tablespoon or so lemon juice. (the longer you wait to add lemon juice the hotter the mustard powder develops)
BLEND
DRIZZLE SLOWLY into blender mixing on high speed 3/4 cup oil.
The oil makes an emulsion with the egg mixture. Drizzling it in slowly is the trick to getting your mayo mixture to solidify.
You can also add other spices or herbs to the mix instead of the mustard for southwestern or italian or other types of dressings. Vinegar instead of lemon juice and sugar = sauce for crab salad.
And the answer was ... Use the oven.
Break raw eggs into a glass baking dish. (I used 20 eggs and can definitely state that cracking eggs is MUCH easier than peeling boiled ones!!).
Cover with a layer of parchment paper to reduce development of tough layer of baked egg. (The layer that forms when baking eggs is kind of like taffy and gets stuck in your teeth. The parchment paper fixes this.)
Put glass baking dish in oven and turn onto 350 degrees fahrenheit. Bake for 45 minutes (until completely baked in the center).
Remove from oven. Let cool.
Chunk up and drop into a food processor or blender. Pulse to mince up the egg into bits. Dump into a mixing bowl.
Add mayo and mustard to taste. Stir.
(For me, I make my mayo and add mustard powder to it so that I only have one thing to add. Also, I mix the mayo/mustard into the eggs in the same food processor - so no by hand mixing.)
To make your own mayo:
1 raw egg. (If raw eggs flip you out, this works just fine with pasteurized egg-beaters or other egg substitute)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon (or maybe 2 teaspoons) onion powder.
1-2 teaspoons mustard powder.
BLEND.
1/2 tablespoon or so lemon juice. (the longer you wait to add lemon juice the hotter the mustard powder develops)
BLEND
DRIZZLE SLOWLY into blender mixing on high speed 3/4 cup oil.
The oil makes an emulsion with the egg mixture. Drizzling it in slowly is the trick to getting your mayo mixture to solidify.
You can also add other spices or herbs to the mix instead of the mustard for southwestern or italian or other types of dressings. Vinegar instead of lemon juice and sugar = sauce for crab salad.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Shan's Recipes - Curry Chicken and Taco Meat
Hung out today with my niece. We made a couple recipes and enjoyed cooking.
NOTE - Both these recipes are made without salt - so you may want to add some salt to match your preferences/tastes.
Curry Chicken:
Mix spices:
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 tablespoons curry powder (mild)
2 teaspoons garlic powder.
Combine with 1 cup sour cream, yogurt, or coconut milk (Canned).
Mix well.
Add 2 teaspoons lemon juice.
Mix well.
Cut up 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
Add chicken to sour cream and spice mixture. Stir until all chicken is well coated. Let sit for at least 30 minutes. This can marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Heat some oil in a skillet.
Dump chicken and sour cream mixture into hot skillet. Stir and cook until thickened. Add some water if you want broth for rice. Leave alone if you want it to be almost dry.
Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and there is no more pink.
Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or bread.
TACO MEAT:
Make Spice Mixture.
1 teaspoon each
Garlic powder
chili powder
2 teaspoons each
onion powder
cumin powder
tumeric powder
paprika
Cut 1 yellow onion into small pieces
In a large skillet, heat oil.
Saute (cook with a little oil) onions until they turn translucent (clear-ish).
Add to onions in skillet, 2 pounds very lean ground beef.
Add all of spice mixture.
Cook until there is no more pink beef left.
Cover and let cook over low heat for 20-30 more minutes for flavors to blend.
Serve over lettuce bed, with cheese and salsa
Serve in taco shells with toppings of choice.
Serve over rice or potato medallions.
Serve on crusty bread, topped with cheddar cheese and broiled until toasty
NOTE - Both these recipes are made without salt - so you may want to add some salt to match your preferences/tastes.
Curry Chicken:
Mix spices:
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 tablespoons curry powder (mild)
2 teaspoons garlic powder.
Combine with 1 cup sour cream, yogurt, or coconut milk (Canned).
Mix well.
Add 2 teaspoons lemon juice.
Mix well.
Cut up 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
Add chicken to sour cream and spice mixture. Stir until all chicken is well coated. Let sit for at least 30 minutes. This can marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Heat some oil in a skillet.
Dump chicken and sour cream mixture into hot skillet. Stir and cook until thickened. Add some water if you want broth for rice. Leave alone if you want it to be almost dry.
Cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and there is no more pink.
Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or bread.
TACO MEAT:
Make Spice Mixture.
1 teaspoon each
Garlic powder
chili powder
2 teaspoons each
onion powder
cumin powder
tumeric powder
paprika
Cut 1 yellow onion into small pieces
In a large skillet, heat oil.
Saute (cook with a little oil) onions until they turn translucent (clear-ish).
Add to onions in skillet, 2 pounds very lean ground beef.
Add all of spice mixture.
Cook until there is no more pink beef left.
Cover and let cook over low heat for 20-30 more minutes for flavors to blend.
Serve over lettuce bed, with cheese and salsa
Serve in taco shells with toppings of choice.
Serve over rice or potato medallions.
Serve on crusty bread, topped with cheddar cheese and broiled until toasty
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Potato Fritatta - Recipe
Cooking fun for the day - Made a fritatta, but used potatoes instead of my typical squash. Turned out pretty good.
2 large potatoes sliced thinly and evenly (If you slice them different thicknesses some will cook and others will still be crunchy)
4 eggs
2 cups milk
4 ounces colby jack cheese
2 ounces feta cheese
Slice potatoes very thin and set aside. Mix eggs and milk and whisk well. Set aside. Crumble feta cheese into small crumbs. Set aside. Shred cheese. Split into two bowls, 1 with about 1/2 cup of shredded cheese, the other with the rest. Reserve the 1/2 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top of everything.
Once all ingredients are ready, oil a glass 9x12 baking dish (think cake pan size). Layer potatoes, sprinkle of colby jack, potatoes, sprinkle of feta and repeat until out of ingredients. When everything layered, slowly pour egg/milk mixture over the fritatta. Sprinkle reserved cheese over the top. Place uncovered in oven. Turn on oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Turn oven down to 300 and bake another 30 minutes.
NOTE - I do not preheat the oven when using glass baking dishes, so this recipe is assuming you put the fritatta into a cold oven.
2 large potatoes sliced thinly and evenly (If you slice them different thicknesses some will cook and others will still be crunchy)
4 eggs
2 cups milk
4 ounces colby jack cheese
2 ounces feta cheese
Slice potatoes very thin and set aside. Mix eggs and milk and whisk well. Set aside. Crumble feta cheese into small crumbs. Set aside. Shred cheese. Split into two bowls, 1 with about 1/2 cup of shredded cheese, the other with the rest. Reserve the 1/2 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top of everything.
Once all ingredients are ready, oil a glass 9x12 baking dish (think cake pan size). Layer potatoes, sprinkle of colby jack, potatoes, sprinkle of feta and repeat until out of ingredients. When everything layered, slowly pour egg/milk mixture over the fritatta. Sprinkle reserved cheese over the top. Place uncovered in oven. Turn on oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Turn oven down to 300 and bake another 30 minutes.
NOTE - I do not preheat the oven when using glass baking dishes, so this recipe is assuming you put the fritatta into a cold oven.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Easy Substitutions from an allergic life
Conditioner
Marshmallow root
Hibiscus flower
Chamomile flowers
Steep in boiled water for 10 minutes. Use immediately.
Air Freshener
1 bottle Isopropyl Alcohol
3 vanilla beans snipped into 1 inch pieces.
Drop beans into bottle. Cap. Put in cabinet. Retrieve 4 weeks later. Sieve out solids. Put liquid into spray bottle. Use as wanted.
Can also use citrus zest, pieces of fresh mint plants, lavender flowers, chamomile flowers, etc.
Flavored salt/sugar
Layer citrus zest, vanilla beans, fresh mint, etc. into crushed salt or sugar. Store in GLASS, Opaque bottle or in GLASS clear bottle in a DARK PLACE. Shake every couple days. Ready in about 4 weeks.
Syrup Substitute:
In a slow cooker, place 2 cups fruit chunks. Add spices and sweetener to taste. Turn onto low. Cook 12 hours. Use hand blender to puree. Sub for any type of THICK fruit syrup. If you want it thinner, add water when putting all things into slow cooker.
Marshmallow root
Hibiscus flower
Chamomile flowers
Steep in boiled water for 10 minutes. Use immediately.
Air Freshener
1 bottle Isopropyl Alcohol
3 vanilla beans snipped into 1 inch pieces.
Drop beans into bottle. Cap. Put in cabinet. Retrieve 4 weeks later. Sieve out solids. Put liquid into spray bottle. Use as wanted.
Can also use citrus zest, pieces of fresh mint plants, lavender flowers, chamomile flowers, etc.
Flavored salt/sugar
Layer citrus zest, vanilla beans, fresh mint, etc. into crushed salt or sugar. Store in GLASS, Opaque bottle or in GLASS clear bottle in a DARK PLACE. Shake every couple days. Ready in about 4 weeks.
Syrup Substitute:
In a slow cooker, place 2 cups fruit chunks. Add spices and sweetener to taste. Turn onto low. Cook 12 hours. Use hand blender to puree. Sub for any type of THICK fruit syrup. If you want it thinner, add water when putting all things into slow cooker.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Cream of Broccoli Soup - The easy way
Cream of Broccoli Soup - The easy way
2 bunches of broccoli - cut off the woody thick stalks. Discard stalks.
2 cups water.
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 onion
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
Drop it all into a large cooking pot (three minutes or so to do this). Turn stove onto high. Bring to boil. Boil 15 minutes while drinking a cup of coffee or a cup of tea.
Sieve out solids and put into blender (takes about 2 minutes). Leave liquids in pot. Pulse blender a couple times until only small chunks are left (30 seconds).
Put pot back onto stove. Turn on MEDIUM so as not to boil but still keep warm enough to simmer. Mix 1/4 cup starch and 1 cup cold water. Pour into liquids in pot while stirring constantly (1 minute).
Sprinkle in 1 cup or so of shredded cheddar cheese (or other cheese/cheeses per your personal preferences) - a handful at a time. STIR CONSTANTLY (3 minutes).
When broth is thickened and cheese is melted completely (about 3-5 minutes from pouring in starch mixture), dump in blended veggies. Stir a couple times to mix (30 seconds)
Pour in 1 cup Regular milk (or canned milk)... Nonfat milk does not taste very good so use something other than non-fat milk. I use 1/2 and 1/2. Stir to mix and then simmer 1 more minute and serve.
DO NOT HEAT THIS UP IN THE MICROWAVE - IT CURDLES. Heat on a stove top over low heat.
Overall, the soup takes about 30 minutes from start to eating. However, it only takes about 5-7 minutes of active work.
2 bunches of broccoli - cut off the woody thick stalks. Discard stalks.
2 cups water.
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 onion
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
Drop it all into a large cooking pot (three minutes or so to do this). Turn stove onto high. Bring to boil. Boil 15 minutes while drinking a cup of coffee or a cup of tea.
Sieve out solids and put into blender (takes about 2 minutes). Leave liquids in pot. Pulse blender a couple times until only small chunks are left (30 seconds).
Put pot back onto stove. Turn on MEDIUM so as not to boil but still keep warm enough to simmer. Mix 1/4 cup starch and 1 cup cold water. Pour into liquids in pot while stirring constantly (1 minute).
Sprinkle in 1 cup or so of shredded cheddar cheese (or other cheese/cheeses per your personal preferences) - a handful at a time. STIR CONSTANTLY (3 minutes).
When broth is thickened and cheese is melted completely (about 3-5 minutes from pouring in starch mixture), dump in blended veggies. Stir a couple times to mix (30 seconds)
Pour in 1 cup Regular milk (or canned milk)... Nonfat milk does not taste very good so use something other than non-fat milk. I use 1/2 and 1/2. Stir to mix and then simmer 1 more minute and serve.
DO NOT HEAT THIS UP IN THE MICROWAVE - IT CURDLES. Heat on a stove top over low heat.
Overall, the soup takes about 30 minutes from start to eating. However, it only takes about 5-7 minutes of active work.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Tips to open jars when your hands may not work the way you want:
Tips to open jars when your hands may not work the way you want:
to open sealed jars - IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE THEM AGAIN COMPLETELY SEALED - use a bottle opener to pop the seal, then the lid will open easily.
To open one you have to have sealed again, run REALLY hot water over the lid for a minute or so. USING A (Silicone is best) POT HOLDER SO YOU DON'T BURN YOUR HAND, twist the lid. Metal expands faster than glass so the heat loosens the lid.
If you don't have a bottle opener, pound a nail into the top of the lid to break the seal. Be careful to use a clean nail, and not to hit the lid so you don't break the glass.
to open sealed jars - IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE THEM AGAIN COMPLETELY SEALED - use a bottle opener to pop the seal, then the lid will open easily.
To open one you have to have sealed again, run REALLY hot water over the lid for a minute or so. USING A (Silicone is best) POT HOLDER SO YOU DON'T BURN YOUR HAND, twist the lid. Metal expands faster than glass so the heat loosens the lid.
If you don't have a bottle opener, pound a nail into the top of the lid to break the seal. Be careful to use a clean nail, and not to hit the lid so you don't break the glass.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Cooking for the week - Meatballs, Lentil & Potato Stew, Lentils, Stewed Minute Steaks, boiled eggs
Cooking for the week
meatballs:
1 pound ground beef - VERY LEAN
1 pound sausage (homemade sausage is very easy)
1/4 cup grain-free bread crumbs
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3 large eggs
onion powder
garlic powder
italian spice powder
mix well. roll into meatballs. layer in a single layer in a glass dish. bake at 350 (uncovered) for at least 1 hour until crispy looking on top.
Salmon casserole:
1 can drained salmon
2 eggs
4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
onion powder
garlic powder
Mix well. Put into crock pot. Turn on low. Cook for at least 4 hours.
Lentil and potato stew:
1 cup lentils
3 small diced potatoes
2 minced cloves garlic
salt
3 cups water
1/4 cup minced onion (fresh onion, chopped tiny... not the dehydrated stuff)
Put into crock pot. Cook on High at least 4 hours.
Lentils
1 cup lentils
1 minced garlic clove
1/4 cup minced onion
3 cups water
Put into crock pot. Cook on high at least 4 hours.
Stewed Minute Steaks
Brown 2 pounds minute steaks in melted butter. Pour over browned steaks 2 cups water (use more if needed to cover). Sprinkle water with onion powder and with garlic powder. Cover pan. Let simmer for at least 90 minutes.
And one dozen boiled eggs.
meatballs:
1 pound ground beef - VERY LEAN
1 pound sausage (homemade sausage is very easy)
1/4 cup grain-free bread crumbs
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3 large eggs
onion powder
garlic powder
italian spice powder
mix well. roll into meatballs. layer in a single layer in a glass dish. bake at 350 (uncovered) for at least 1 hour until crispy looking on top.
Salmon casserole:
1 can drained salmon
2 eggs
4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
onion powder
garlic powder
Mix well. Put into crock pot. Turn on low. Cook for at least 4 hours.
Lentil and potato stew:
1 cup lentils
3 small diced potatoes
2 minced cloves garlic
salt
3 cups water
1/4 cup minced onion (fresh onion, chopped tiny... not the dehydrated stuff)
Put into crock pot. Cook on High at least 4 hours.
Lentils
1 cup lentils
1 minced garlic clove
1/4 cup minced onion
3 cups water
Put into crock pot. Cook on high at least 4 hours.
Stewed Minute Steaks
Brown 2 pounds minute steaks in melted butter. Pour over browned steaks 2 cups water (use more if needed to cover). Sprinkle water with onion powder and with garlic powder. Cover pan. Let simmer for at least 90 minutes.
And one dozen boiled eggs.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Some Food Pantries for New River Valley (NRV), Virginia
|
Sunday
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
Saturday
|
|
|
Willow
Woods – RADFORD - (Aug 4th and 18th) alternating with
at Lilly Woods.
Arrive
at 9:15 to get ticket. For apartment
residents first then in ticket order for non-residents.
|
BLAND
– 10-1 – BLAND ministry Center65 Seddon Street, Bland VA
276-688-4701
Per
client report, arrive at 8:00 AM.
Dwelling
Place - Christiansburg – 4-6??
Arrive
at 3:30.
Attend
once per month
|
Dwelling
Place - Christiansburg – 4-6??
Arrive
at 3:30.
Attend
once per month
|
9-4
Heritage
Route
100, Dublin.
Heritage
Church. Can go once every 4 weeks. USDA Food Pantry.
|
Fieldstone
– 6-7
Do
not arrive before 4:30.
Raffle
System.
No
benefit with arriving early.
Can
go 1 time every 3 weeks.
|
8-10
All About Jesus – RADFORD. Arrive by
7:00 AM to get a decent box. Order of
Arrival.
|
|
|
Willow
Woods – RADFORD - (Aug 4th and 18th) alternating with
at Lilly Woods.
Arrive
at 9:15 to get ticket. For apartment
residents first then in ticket order for non-residents..
SHARE
PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION – Dora Highway – Pulaski, 2:00 PM. Arrive by 1:00 for best selection. NO SHELTER OR SHADE WHILE WAITING.
|
BLAND
– 10-1 – BLAND ministry Center65 Seddon Street, Bland VA
276-688-4701
Per
client report, arrive at 8:00 AM.
Dwelling
Place - Christiansburg – 4-6??
Arrive
at 3:30.
Attend
once per month
|
Dwelling
Place - Christiansburg – 4-6??
Arrive
at 3:30.
Attend
once per month
|
9-4
Heritage
Route
100, Dublin.
Heritage
Church. Can go once every 4 weeks. USDA Food Pantry.
|
Fieldstone
– 6-7
Do
not arrive before 4:30.
Raffle
System.
No
benefit with arriving early.
Can
go 1 time every 3 weeks.
|
8-10
All About Jesus – RADFORD. Arrive by
7:00 AM to get a decent box. Order of
Arrival.
|
|
|
Willow
Woods – RADFORD - (Aug 4th and 18th) alternating with
at Lilly Woods.
Arrive
at 9:15 to get ticket. For apartment
residents first then in ticket order for non-residents.
|
BLAND
– 10-1 – BLAND ministry Center65 Seddon Street, Bland VA
276-688-4701
Per
client report, arrive at 8:00 AM.
Dwelling
Place - Christiansburg – 4-6??
Arrive
at 3:30.
Attend
once per month
|
Dwelling
Place - Christiansburg – 4-6??
Arrive
at 3:30.
Attend
once per month
|
9-4
Heritage
Route
100, Dublin.
Heritage
Church. Can go once every 4 weeks. USDA Food Pantry.
3rd
Thursday and Friday = Gethsemane Baptist Church, RADFORD – 10-2. Box goods only. DONOT ARRIVE BEFORE 10:00 AM.
|
3rd
Thursday and Friday = Gethsemane Baptist Church, RADFORD – 10-2. Box goods only. DONOT ARRIVE BEFORE 10:00 AM.
Fieldstone
– 6-7
Do
not arrive before 4:30.
Raffle
System.
No
benefit with arriving early.
Can
go 1 time every 3 weeks.
|
8-10
All About Jesus – RADFORD. Arrive by
7:00 AM to get a decent box. Order of
Arrival.
|
|
4th
Sunday
2-4
Radford
Worship Center -
Radford
–
Arrive
at 1:00. Order of Arrival. USDA Food
Pantry
|
Willow
Woods – RADFORD - (Aug 4th and 18th) alternating with
at Lilly Woods.
Arrive
at 9:15 to get ticket. For apartment
residents first then in ticket order for non-residents.
|
BLAND
– 10-1 – BLAND ministry Center65 Seddon Street, Bland VA
276-688-4701
Per
client report, arrive at 8:00 AM.
4th
Tuesday – SHARE BOX Distribution- Share building on Dora Highway,
PULASKI. 10:00 AM. Arrive by 8:30. Order of arrival. NO SHADE OR SHELTER WHILE WAITING!!
Dwelling
Place - Christiansburg – 4-6??
Arrive
at 3:30.
Attend
once per month
|
Dwelling
Place - Christiansburg – 4-6??
Arrive
at 3:30.
Attend
once per month
|
9-4
Heritage
Route
100, Dublin.
Heritage
Church. Can go once every 4 weeks. USDA Food Pantry.
|
Fieldstone
– 6-7
Do
not arrive before 4:30.
Raffle
System.
No
benefit with arriving early.
Can
go 1 time every 3 weeks.
|
8-10
All About Jesus – RADFORD. Arrive by
7:00 AM to get a decent box. Order of
Arrival.
|
ONLY FOR BLACKSBURG
RESIDENTS – Interfaith Food Pantry. Basement
of Catholic Church on Harding Street.
Blacksburg. Registration through
NR Community Action.
NR Community Action
and Salvation Army – Food Pantries available – Contact local branches of
organization/angency.
Salvation Army
Christiansburg Church on Roanoke Street – Monday and Friday 12-1:30 Free Lunch
for people.
Daily Bread in
Radford 11-12:30. Daily Bread in Pulaski
as well.
Drop-in Center at
Fieldstone – 10-2 THURSDAYS – Serves Lunch at Noon. Also has access to ONE washer and ONE Dryer
without charge. Get there at 10:00 to
have time to wait for your turn at doing a load of laundry.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Latest bread recipe.
I was mostly out of bean flour (besan flour), so I made bread with 75% starch mixture (tapioca, sweet potato, potato) and 25% equal amounts besan flour and almond flour - for about 8 cups dry stuff.
Used more eggs than typical (about 1 egg per cup flour/starch mixture).
Used 2 cups sour cream, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 cup oil.
Used a mixer to beat the liquids smooth and then to mix liquids into dry.
SHOULD BE THICKNESS OF PANCAKE BATTER - if not, add water.
Dumped it into GREASED (OILED) glass 9x13 and 8x11 baking dishes. DO NOT FILL OVER 2/3 full.
Baked it on low (325 degrees Fahrenheit) for a bit over an hour. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR FIRST 45 MINUTES or it falls and gets gummy in the center!
Tastes very good. Light crumb, so is going to be GREAT to slice each piece into 4 slices to make crackers. HAPPY MOMENT
Yes - you can sub in any sort of starches for the ones I used, you can sub in any sort of milk thing (soy, almond, hemp, etc) for the dairy based stuff. For eggs, you could try chia seeds or flax seeds soaked in water - not sure that would work. But, if not, make thinner and then pour onto metal trays to bake as crackers.
Used more eggs than typical (about 1 egg per cup flour/starch mixture).
Used 2 cups sour cream, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 cup oil.
Used a mixer to beat the liquids smooth and then to mix liquids into dry.
SHOULD BE THICKNESS OF PANCAKE BATTER - if not, add water.
Dumped it into GREASED (OILED) glass 9x13 and 8x11 baking dishes. DO NOT FILL OVER 2/3 full.
Baked it on low (325 degrees Fahrenheit) for a bit over an hour. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR FIRST 45 MINUTES or it falls and gets gummy in the center!
Tastes very good. Light crumb, so is going to be GREAT to slice each piece into 4 slices to make crackers. HAPPY MOMENT
Yes - you can sub in any sort of starches for the ones I used, you can sub in any sort of milk thing (soy, almond, hemp, etc) for the dairy based stuff. For eggs, you could try chia seeds or flax seeds soaked in water - not sure that would work. But, if not, make thinner and then pour onto metal trays to bake as crackers.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Unfortunate Statements and a wish for something different
I work with a subset of the population which experiences discrimination on multiple fronts every single day. Today was a doozy with stupid statements from well-meaning people who have no clue.
AND PLEASE UNDERSTAND - I am not sure I am even aware of all the bias and inaccurate information. I do not LIVE the same life as do the people with whom I work. I am blessed to have a life that has had different challenges and different lessons. It is slowly that I am learning how very blessed I was and am.
But I am very much learning people's lives are neither simple nor easy. There are no easy answers to "fix" problems which are society-wide and systemic. There are no demons in this story.
Statements that make me clench my teeth and want to scream:
"I don't know why they can't just make better choices. That's why they have food stamps to make sure they have food"
"We only let people come to the food pantry once a month cause it should be enough to get them through if they are really using their food stamps"
"People are only homeless because they are too lazy to work"
"If you pray enough, you won't have problems with mental illness"
"Those people are just abusing the system"
"Medicaid should not exist. My taxes should not pay for people who can't be bothered to get a job"
"You can choose not to have mental illness"
"Only criminals go to jail"
"There are safety nets for people. No one has to be homeless or hungry. They just don't want help."
I just so very dearly wish that people would look past labels and preconceived ideas to see the PERSON on the other side of that neat little box. Maybe if we could have honest and caring conversations, instead of taking the convenient short-cuts of incomplete labels, we might start seeing what can be done.
AND PLEASE UNDERSTAND - I am not sure I am even aware of all the bias and inaccurate information. I do not LIVE the same life as do the people with whom I work. I am blessed to have a life that has had different challenges and different lessons. It is slowly that I am learning how very blessed I was and am.
But I am very much learning people's lives are neither simple nor easy. There are no easy answers to "fix" problems which are society-wide and systemic. There are no demons in this story.
Statements that make me clench my teeth and want to scream:
"I don't know why they can't just make better choices. That's why they have food stamps to make sure they have food"
"We only let people come to the food pantry once a month cause it should be enough to get them through if they are really using their food stamps"
"People are only homeless because they are too lazy to work"
"If you pray enough, you won't have problems with mental illness"
"Those people are just abusing the system"
"Medicaid should not exist. My taxes should not pay for people who can't be bothered to get a job"
"You can choose not to have mental illness"
"Only criminals go to jail"
"There are safety nets for people. No one has to be homeless or hungry. They just don't want help."
I just so very dearly wish that people would look past labels and preconceived ideas to see the PERSON on the other side of that neat little box. Maybe if we could have honest and caring conversations, instead of taking the convenient short-cuts of incomplete labels, we might start seeing what can be done.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
If you use Epi Pens and have a copay: A coupon
Link for EPI-PEN COPAY COUPON.
Good for up to $100.00 per 2-pack.
Expires 12-31-14.
Good for up to $100.00 per 2-pack.
Expires 12-31-14.
Thanks to a friend who published the link on facebook!
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
If I paid you $5000, would you let someone use your restroom?
If I paid you $5000, would you let someone use your restroom?
That is the question that was asked yesterday. One of you got it right. One of you did not. Let me explain.
I buy gas for my car each week. Due to the job I have, I am on the road a lot. I spend between $100.00 and $150.00 most weeks. One busy weeks, I buy $300.00 worth of gas. But, hey - to make the math easy, lets assume I only spend $100.00 a week on gas. Let's talk minimums!
I work most weeks. So, let's assume I have 2 weeks I do not work.
That means 100x50 = 5000.
So, I spend about $5000.00 per year on gas.
I had been buying gas at the Marathon station (Speedy Mart) between Fairlawn and Dublin. The gas there costs approximately $0.10 less than other locations. And it is a local vendor.
BUT, yesterday while I was buying gas, my friend went into the store to ask to use the bathroom. There was no sign up saying "no public restroom". My friend was told, "We don't let customers use the bathroom." Uhmmm, OKAY.
So let's check - female person, no specific triggers for biases (not that this would be an excuse), acknowledgement of being a customer (person spending money), middle of the day (could maybe understand if this were midnight... or maybe not).... And no bathroom access...
We drove down the road about 3 miles to Cougar Xpress. Having already bought gas, I did not need to purchase anything. My friend walked into the store and asked to use the bathroom. "Sure thing." And it was no problem. Customer service was provided - even though we were not purchasing anything.
But guess what! Remember that $5000.00 I spend in gas each year? Want to know who is going to benefit from that money? Surely is not Speedy Mart.
And, I did the math about that $0.10. Going to Cougar Xpress will cost me another $120.00 per year. I am willing to pay $10.00 per month for the purpose of supporting a business which will let a friend use the bathroom.
So next time you (business owner or employee) are asked by a community member if your bathroom is available for use, please consider that there are those of us who vote with our feet, our wallets, and our blogs. That simple question might cost you $5000.00 or it might win you $5000.00. You choose.
That is the question that was asked yesterday. One of you got it right. One of you did not. Let me explain.
I buy gas for my car each week. Due to the job I have, I am on the road a lot. I spend between $100.00 and $150.00 most weeks. One busy weeks, I buy $300.00 worth of gas. But, hey - to make the math easy, lets assume I only spend $100.00 a week on gas. Let's talk minimums!
I work most weeks. So, let's assume I have 2 weeks I do not work.
That means 100x50 = 5000.
So, I spend about $5000.00 per year on gas.
I had been buying gas at the Marathon station (Speedy Mart) between Fairlawn and Dublin. The gas there costs approximately $0.10 less than other locations. And it is a local vendor.
BUT, yesterday while I was buying gas, my friend went into the store to ask to use the bathroom. There was no sign up saying "no public restroom". My friend was told, "We don't let customers use the bathroom." Uhmmm, OKAY.
So let's check - female person, no specific triggers for biases (not that this would be an excuse), acknowledgement of being a customer (person spending money), middle of the day (could maybe understand if this were midnight... or maybe not).... And no bathroom access...
We drove down the road about 3 miles to Cougar Xpress. Having already bought gas, I did not need to purchase anything. My friend walked into the store and asked to use the bathroom. "Sure thing." And it was no problem. Customer service was provided - even though we were not purchasing anything.
But guess what! Remember that $5000.00 I spend in gas each year? Want to know who is going to benefit from that money? Surely is not Speedy Mart.
And, I did the math about that $0.10. Going to Cougar Xpress will cost me another $120.00 per year. I am willing to pay $10.00 per month for the purpose of supporting a business which will let a friend use the bathroom.
So next time you (business owner or employee) are asked by a community member if your bathroom is available for use, please consider that there are those of us who vote with our feet, our wallets, and our blogs. That simple question might cost you $5000.00 or it might win you $5000.00. You choose.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Irony - Letter from Montgomery County, VA
Irony:
Montgomery county sends to my home a notice that I have not registered Chai for his dog tag. Per letter, if I no longer own the dog or have moved out of Montgomery County, please note it on the bottom of the letter and return to the office. If I do not comply, I will receive a visit from Animal Control.
THE LETTER WAS SENT TO MY ADDRESS IN PULASKI COUNTY!
I am almost tempted to not respond just to see if they come to Pulaski to tell me about it.
Montgomery county sends to my home a notice that I have not registered Chai for his dog tag. Per letter, if I no longer own the dog or have moved out of Montgomery County, please note it on the bottom of the letter and return to the office. If I do not comply, I will receive a visit from Animal Control.
THE LETTER WAS SENT TO MY ADDRESS IN PULASKI COUNTY!
I am almost tempted to not respond just to see if they come to Pulaski to tell me about it.
RECIPE: Curried potato salad
For people with allergies - USE SAFE FOR YOU INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon curry powder (get individual spices and mix your own is safest!)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups large diced left over baked potatoes (Skinned)
1/2 cup sour cream or sour cream substitute
mix all ingredients well. Place in GLASS (not plastic or metal cause it taints the flavors) dish and cover. Let sit in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Tastes like a light potato salad with curried flavors.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Gluten-free, corn-free DUMP AND BAKE bread. Takes about 10 minutes of work to get it done.
USE SAFE FOR YOU INGREDIENTS
Frittatas are done. Had all the pans and stuff out, so thought I would make bread. Dump and bake bread in the oven.
Today's recipe -
DRY:
10 cups 50% starches (sweet potato, potato, tapioca) 50% chickpea (besan) Flour
4 tablespoons baking powder (make your own for safety)
Salt to taste
WET:
16 oz sour cream (can use any somewhat greasy/milky sub)
1 cup oil
1 cup melted butter (or GHEE) (can use any oil or sub a liquid)
a couple cups of water (to thin it all out to thickness of thick pancake batter)
6 eggs (prob would work with some sort of egg-replacer, but you gotta have enough to puff up the stuff or you will end up with hockey pucks!)
step 1 - Mix dry. (2 minutes to measure and mix)
Step 2 - Whisk eggs, add wet stuff, mix well. (3 minutes to break eggs, whisk and mix)
Step 3 - Pour wet into dry. Stir until thoroughly mixed. (3 minutes)
Step 4 - Dump into 2 cake pans (greased) (1 minute).
Put into COLD OVEN (no preheating necessary). Bake at 375 for 90 minutes.
Check after 60 minutes. Done when thumps hollow and is cracked on top.
Frittatas are done. Had all the pans and stuff out, so thought I would make bread. Dump and bake bread in the oven.
Today's recipe -
DRY:
10 cups 50% starches (sweet potato, potato, tapioca) 50% chickpea (besan) Flour
4 tablespoons baking powder (make your own for safety)
Salt to taste
WET:
16 oz sour cream (can use any somewhat greasy/milky sub)
1 cup oil
1 cup melted butter (or GHEE) (can use any oil or sub a liquid)
a couple cups of water (to thin it all out to thickness of thick pancake batter)
6 eggs (prob would work with some sort of egg-replacer, but you gotta have enough to puff up the stuff or you will end up with hockey pucks!)
step 1 - Mix dry. (2 minutes to measure and mix)
Step 2 - Whisk eggs, add wet stuff, mix well. (3 minutes to break eggs, whisk and mix)
Step 3 - Pour wet into dry. Stir until thoroughly mixed. (3 minutes)
Step 4 - Dump into 2 cake pans (greased) (1 minute).
Put into COLD OVEN (no preheating necessary). Bake at 375 for 90 minutes.
Check after 60 minutes. Done when thumps hollow and is cracked on top.
Dump and Bake - squash frittata and salmon frittata
cooking for the day is done.
Used ninja to blend cheese (10 oz), eggs (5), garden scallions (1/4 cup), garlic (4 cloves), onion (1/4 cup), milk (1 cup) and salmon (1 pound). Poured into very large casserole dish (cake pan size or bigger).
Used ninja to blend blend cheese (10 oz), eggs (5), garden scallions (1/4 cup), garlic (4 cloves), onion (1/4 cup), milk (1 cup) and 5 large yellow squash. Poured into very large casserole dish (cake pan size or bigger).
10 minutes prep time. 5 minutes rinsing and putting dishes in dishwasher.
Cheeses - asiago, feta, cheddar, parmesan, farmer - but you can use whatever you like.
Now the oven is baking 2 very large casseroles/fritattas at 350 for about an hour
...and lunch is baked for the week. YAY.
Used ninja to blend cheese (10 oz), eggs (5), garden scallions (1/4 cup), garlic (4 cloves), onion (1/4 cup), milk (1 cup) and salmon (1 pound). Poured into very large casserole dish (cake pan size or bigger).
Used ninja to blend blend cheese (10 oz), eggs (5), garden scallions (1/4 cup), garlic (4 cloves), onion (1/4 cup), milk (1 cup) and 5 large yellow squash. Poured into very large casserole dish (cake pan size or bigger).
10 minutes prep time. 5 minutes rinsing and putting dishes in dishwasher.
Cheeses - asiago, feta, cheddar, parmesan, farmer - but you can use whatever you like.
Now the oven is baking 2 very large casseroles/fritattas at 350 for about an hour
...and lunch is baked for the week. YAY.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Inky and Chai Pictures - March and April 2014
Inky (black, min-pin and pug mix) is 1 1/2 years old. Chai (brown, whippet mix) is 8 months.
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