tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69494400187329295232024-02-19T07:42:06.918-05:00my life in snacksEat Cheap, Live RichlyBob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-17921110720333834332017-06-18T12:35:00.000-04:002017-06-18T12:35:56.030-04:00Bobbie Cooks for FourWHOA-<br />
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Blast from the past! three plus years of no blogging, and going through my Google account one day I come across this. Wow.<br />
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Three plus years and two kids, purchase of a house, and new job later, hey! I'm back! Its funny, just the other day I was thinking, <em>I should really blog again</em>. And reading through these old posts I think yes- its a good idea. Its fun to see how I have changed in three years- cooking, lifestyle, etc.<br />
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Time these days is eaten up by bodacious boys who are rambunctious and little firecrackers. Our house stays messy and full of love. There is ALWAYS something that needs to be cleaned. <br />
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Meals are simple. Compromises abound. And I am satisfied with that. <br />
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Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-85359215509197560062013-10-06T10:39:00.003-04:002013-10-06T10:39:57.008-04:00The progression of a nurseryI'm excited to say that our nursery is almost done, after much hard work on the part of J. There are still certain things we need and plan to work on, but they are mostly finishing touches at this point.<br />
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We started our development of of the nursery with no real direction. All I knew is that I didn't want the nursery to be in pastels, or feel very "baby-y", if that makes sense. We started with items that were handed down to us by friends and coworkers:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crib, mattress, sheets, bumper: all hand me downs!</td></tr>
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Then we made a list of things we still needed, and decided to re purpose items from around the house to meet the rest of our needs:<br />
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This ratan sofa doesnt fit anywhere else in our small house, so we stuck it in the baby's room, for now. To keep it in good condition, I sewed felt covers for the cushions. I still need to make covers for the pillows. A fleece blanket covers the back to make it softer for long feeding times. The boppy pillow was bought second hand for $8 by a family member! <br />
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This quilt rack is a great addition to the room, and will hold plenty of warm baby blankets.<br />
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BUT- we still needed a changing table. We didn't have one of those hanging around to re-purpose, so we decided to do the next best thing: build one.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building...</td></tr>
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J has skills. The best part? When the baby grows out of diapers, we can modify the changing table by adding drawers and turning it into a dresser.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanding...</td></tr>
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I chose this green because it accented the crib nicely, and by choosing a color that is not a pastel, it can last longer and grow with the baby through his younger years.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting</td></tr>
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11 weeks to go, and it feels great to be almost completely done!<br /><br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-91201315720182431602013-10-06T10:10:00.002-04:002013-10-06T10:10:34.636-04:00Pear SauceApple sauce is just so mainstream, right? Pear sauce is, like, <i>hip</i>. And <i>fresh</i>. Right? Right.<br />
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You can eat it plain. You can mix it in oatmeal. You can substitute it in applesauce bread. Best of all, its super easy to make.<br />
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You will need:<br />
6 pears, diced, skin on<br />
1/2 cup sugar<br />
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Yield: 3 cups <br />
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Combine the sugar and pears in your crock pot. Cook on high for 4 hours. Turn off crock pot, allow to cool. Scoop the pears into a blender and whirl until smooth. By leaving the skin on the pears, you are increasing the amount of fiber in the sauce.<br />
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Store the pear sauce in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze for use later.<br />
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-73465711217088523522013-10-06T10:00:00.002-04:002013-10-06T10:00:43.949-04:00Chicken Pot Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This recipe is an easy addition to any fall or winter repertoire! You can make it ahead and freeze it, and you can put any vegetables or type of meat you like. Ingredients are interchangeable.</div>
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Filling:</div>
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1 cup of chicken broth</div>
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1 cup of milk</div>
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1 heaping tablespoon of flour</div>
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1 cup shredded chicken</div>
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3 cups of frozen mixed vegetables</div>
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1 potato, diced small</div>
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1tsp garlic salt</div>
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pepper to taste </div>
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Biscuit topping:</div>
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2 cups all purpose flour</div>
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1 heaping tablespoon baking powder</div>
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1/4 cup butter, cold, diced small </div>
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3/4 cups milk</div>
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1 tsp parsley flakes </div>
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In a large bowl, mix all filling ingredients. Spread into an 8x8 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Easy enough, right?<br />
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For the biscuit topping combine flour, baking soda, parsley, and diced butter. Stir in milk. Spread over the top of the filling mixture.<br />
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Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving. Serves 4-6.<br />
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-80406210586807013762013-09-22T08:02:00.004-04:002013-09-22T08:02:59.882-04:00Goals for October<br />
I don't think I've posted a goal post since April. Yowza! Between then and now my goal has mainly been not to lose my mind. :)<br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><b>Goals for October</b></span><br />
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Household:<br />
Clean windows<br />
Shampoo Carpets<br />
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Baby:<br />
Finish nursery<br />
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Cooking:<br />
Continue making breakfasts for the week on Sunday's<br />
Try a new soup recipe<br />
Keep our grocery budget under $150<br />
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Financial:<br />
Pay off a credit card!<br />
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Gardening:<br />
Till garden and put down landscape fabric<br />
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Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-39503258239037597232013-09-22T07:51:00.001-04:002013-09-22T07:51:11.655-04:00Lately.....plus how I really feel about being pregnantWow, has it been a while, or what? I just kind of fell off the face of the planet. No, wait, I've just been busy growing a human being, working full time, and preparing myself, husband, dog, and house for the biggest change of our lives. Thats all!<br />
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We have been steadily working on the nursery for baby's arrival. I will post pictures when it's ready. I have not been very good at taking photos of my pregnancy, and I'm really not sure why. I guess that even though it feels real, it also feels surreal....like I'll believe it when I see a crying pink baby kind of surreal.<br />
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I am entering my third trimester next week and I am slowing down a lot. This past week has been wrought in uncomfortableness: swelling, sleepless nights, and random aches (which I am told is all "normal"). I also feel like I am on fire! I cannot cool my body temperature to a comfortable level unless the entire house is set at 65 degrees. I dont know how the woman with the 20 kids and counting has managed to do this so many times without completely losing her mind.<br />
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I do not do well with slowing down. It's not in my nature. I work full time, and I give 100% when I'm there. Weekends are my time for outdoor projects, cooking like a maniac, and enjoying the great outdoors. I haven't been able to do these things nearly as much as what I would like. I feel limited. And I tell Josh often that this is what it must feel like to be obese: shortness of breath, needing to sit down a lot, even getting off the couch is starting to be a struggle. I can't just hop up anymore and go about my business.<br />
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Of course, it's all for a great cause. I think pregnancy forces you to see yourself for what you really are, though: a human. And quite frankly, I needed that little dose of reality. My life is going to change now...my priorities are completely different. And that's scary. And exciting. And horrifying. And wonderful. <br />
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Well, that's all for now. I am off to enjoy some Spiced Pear Baked Oatmeal for breakfast (recipe to come!) chug like 60 bottles of water, enjoy my ONE (damnit) cup of coffee, and savor this gorgeous fall day!Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-84276894889532806292013-06-11T20:12:00.001-04:002013-06-11T20:12:48.259-04:00What pregnant chicks eat, volume II.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A-ha! The appetite is back! Woo hoo! It has taken several weeks, but I am finally (knock on wood) feeling like my old self (well, just a rounder, more bloated version anyway...). The last few days I have been enjoying the fruits of the season! Cherries, strawberries, peaches, yum! Things are looking up, especially after a few good meals in your tummy....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBV_UkTBJcL8IXKzBwb3YQCfZh6wiQUGmNGoWcG7N-yDb2iAWmDCwQs0Ry4Gf-WZIaRVpgB7KVh0kLBR-GxrQwiVAPuBVZYtcjcAvMdg-gIq3f8gI20LhevCzIdk926BDfD-Gc2J-NFI/s1600/IMAG1878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBV_UkTBJcL8IXKzBwb3YQCfZh6wiQUGmNGoWcG7N-yDb2iAWmDCwQs0Ry4Gf-WZIaRVpgB7KVh0kLBR-GxrQwiVAPuBVZYtcjcAvMdg-gIq3f8gI20LhevCzIdk926BDfD-Gc2J-NFI/s320/IMAG1878.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">greek yogurt with strawberries and granola</td></tr>
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Today I had a pretty overwhelming craving for Ruby Tuesday's salad bar. Random and weird, yes? So, we went, and I ate. And ate. And it was marvelous. And then I paid dearly with heartburn. Worth it! Oh, and I know you aren't really supposed to eat at salad bars. But whatever. I wanted it, and we've never gotten sick there before so I took a risk.<br />
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Pregnancy is fascinating. One day all you can eat is egg muffins, and the next you can't stand the sight of them and wonder how you are going to eat the remaining 10 that are in your freezer.....hmm.<br />
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The garden is starting to produce!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqSpQpKezlnet4_28XIQjsgSI6n6Bg74OUQGdTPr5-HVPo1dtqkkHYh1aCGtOHbF_c_sDhbdPX9qzAVS6TpBaQpJdioCMh-FdvhajNO6pPnmqBR9rxyx0u-iHY32TovwftxKBOaFBs2w/s1600/IMAG1875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqSpQpKezlnet4_28XIQjsgSI6n6Bg74OUQGdTPr5-HVPo1dtqkkHYh1aCGtOHbF_c_sDhbdPX9qzAVS6TpBaQpJdioCMh-FdvhajNO6pPnmqBR9rxyx0u-iHY32TovwftxKBOaFBs2w/s320/IMAG1875.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lettuce and spinach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had a pizza with some spinach from the garden this weekend....the peas are coming in now, and it wont be long until we are enjoying tomatoes! I can't wait!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-v6YwpgzfGe5dRMj4AMXb_K2wQT9GLl-J7vVhcSNhypZxNmUSuhHvsMcjexjIfGsJYVy6TK9bhzDjURp0YQHdGYLeHHL4FLqH_jccowaCpw47Bg-zYuc5fD6iVMFsxGWRIfW7sDqXhw/s1600/IMAG1874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-v6YwpgzfGe5dRMj4AMXb_K2wQT9GLl-J7vVhcSNhypZxNmUSuhHvsMcjexjIfGsJYVy6TK9bhzDjURp0YQHdGYLeHHL4FLqH_jccowaCpw47Bg-zYuc5fD6iVMFsxGWRIfW7sDqXhw/s320/IMAG1874.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pesto pizza with dollops of tomatoes and spinach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-12276303281295062082013-06-02T07:23:00.000-04:002013-06-02T07:23:01.038-04:00Dealing with pregnancy cravings on the cheapThis is our first baby, so I must say that pregnancy do's and don'ts have been a learning curve for me. I don't generally find out I'm not supposed to do something until after I do it....hmm. You mean I'm only supposed to lift 25 lbs? So carrying that 50 lb bag of dog food around Sam's Club was a <i>bad</i> idea?<br />
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I say the human body is stronger than we give it credit for. Of course, I'll be taking J to Sam's Club for all my future dog food carrying needs from now on, though. <br />
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Anyways, on to the point of this post, shall we? Food!<br />
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I have been craving some strange things....for breakfast I could seriously eat egg McMuffins like, every day. So, in order to save money and make it slightly healthier, I made a bunch of them homemade and stuffed them in the freezer for easy morning access. No drive thru line required.<br />
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I'm going to just say a few things for any expectant mothers or women who might become one someday: when you are pregnant, cut yourself some slack. Normally I would have made my own English muffins, <i>but I'm tired</i>, darn it! While I spent a little more on buying them, I'm still spending less than going to McD's every morning. Another piece of advice: invest in some paper plates, because you won't want to do dishes. Promise. Sometimes spending a little money saves your sanity.<br />
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Egg and Bacon Muffins:<br />
12 eggs<br />
12 pieces of bacon, cut in half and cooked until crisp<br />
12 whole-wheat muffins<br />
12 slices of cheddar or American cheese<br />
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Grease a standard muffin tin. Crack the eggs into the tin, bake @ 325 until the eggs are cooked through (10-15 mins).<br />
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This is the easiest way to cook all of the eggs at once, and makes the process super quick (which is great if looking at food makes you queasy)<br />
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Assemble your sandwiches! <br />
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-35680026360063899072013-05-28T07:04:00.000-04:002013-05-28T07:04:07.405-04:00Garden progress! The garden is booming right now with growth, and it wont be long until the we are starting to roll in fresh produce. Lets take a look!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNpv484ULg_G2aKuUkBSHlLnHF9A_GwmH8ZaUX1RarRc1WmcE2UR1Ge8BTTeKaFRKafs7snJv_Ahcafa2_hCZ64u0OKzCwbSuVhlz_HWj6mGLLZ3UNLd2LU9032TCdHKY6bhtoK8qLeU/s1600/IMAG1852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNpv484ULg_G2aKuUkBSHlLnHF9A_GwmH8ZaUX1RarRc1WmcE2UR1Ge8BTTeKaFRKafs7snJv_Ahcafa2_hCZ64u0OKzCwbSuVhlz_HWj6mGLLZ3UNLd2LU9032TCdHKY6bhtoK8qLeU/s320/IMAG1852.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinach!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vmm7OBkx5y3eEV_pnO7Cjxo0YjaZqetwXVc-lPqpJBD8oTnHKhErJRZ4m4RkSRdHIxKzyuAuEe7JborHeKRxibaXGITR6hUsV-wg0lHBraLIBHoYWsaWa8Hl1uFVTBOMl3JAz554N-I/s1600/IMAG1853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vmm7OBkx5y3eEV_pnO7Cjxo0YjaZqetwXVc-lPqpJBD8oTnHKhErJRZ4m4RkSRdHIxKzyuAuEe7JborHeKRxibaXGITR6hUsV-wg0lHBraLIBHoYWsaWa8Hl1uFVTBOMl3JAz554N-I/s320/IMAG1853.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this color!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEaSCJEvJ47XK4WNg0YNyPtKRDzzwqcqyRDvvHXJ1Qb7FcPE1xCdKfODWmp5reeiN66RZuMONtVtyqRu5K4vw7PhILwfdCb03yqKp8wwZ6KCpZzTqm_oTsgyseRP7HN4ds39Vsy9VQvo/s1600/IMAG1854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEaSCJEvJ47XK4WNg0YNyPtKRDzzwqcqyRDvvHXJ1Qb7FcPE1xCdKfODWmp5reeiN66RZuMONtVtyqRu5K4vw7PhILwfdCb03yqKp8wwZ6KCpZzTqm_oTsgyseRP7HN4ds39Vsy9VQvo/s320/IMAG1854.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dill!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuEEQrFtKNwbf7v4ufnwEWhgx-gwIsyfKj_GyyJd756EE-NhTq4A2pHSZXUYNKMhXarA_ZZUeQZCRRAIww-2PFW3oOoM5ZUjrHjC2SpmTrk3B2dfPZW6jYsdYDcRDyNYTAJi74bty3lI/s1600/IMAG1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuEEQrFtKNwbf7v4ufnwEWhgx-gwIsyfKj_GyyJd756EE-NhTq4A2pHSZXUYNKMhXarA_ZZUeQZCRRAIww-2PFW3oOoM5ZUjrHjC2SpmTrk3B2dfPZW6jYsdYDcRDyNYTAJi74bty3lI/s320/IMAG1855.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">radishes. blegh, only J eats these.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1L9PsWfhvZHjtPMYhlMquF9nS73RrXOmKYmdXgbdrJmsi9V5Kfmng-rgDn6cHISbUF78F-4AtGKXj4s-7eT-LZf9hDoSO15N1VIk_ME0dqA5cMVWBrFuvUMO4wIb3PY1bhZpSSyU_eC4/s1600/IMAG1856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1L9PsWfhvZHjtPMYhlMquF9nS73RrXOmKYmdXgbdrJmsi9V5Kfmng-rgDn6cHISbUF78F-4AtGKXj4s-7eT-LZf9hDoSO15N1VIk_ME0dqA5cMVWBrFuvUMO4wIb3PY1bhZpSSyU_eC4/s320/IMAG1856.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red potatoes are flowering :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXHEmCVhOATMULSBGV4rCPSROHTx7RiGoHxY2v4r3C23SC39jcAnKALg2Pr5I-SrAV2RRiRrqKxMkDy3IgMz7sXQpFSktsYQd3u3eNy3154gIwufsfIKFDvsOIXNhZ5BPo_wSfmkFHQM/s1600/IMAG1859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXHEmCVhOATMULSBGV4rCPSROHTx7RiGoHxY2v4r3C23SC39jcAnKALg2Pr5I-SrAV2RRiRrqKxMkDy3IgMz7sXQpFSktsYQd3u3eNy3154gIwufsfIKFDvsOIXNhZ5BPo_wSfmkFHQM/s320/IMAG1859.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydrangeas. This will soon be a huge blue flower.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiIrKRfcpMqlDA8mYVCMjLOm2DSe4lQ426z-eO1MWMXVn3YNVzONnO_CSs5442WK8jF_gfqXC9OqW00esHb1I6f0m0uoosEsF6rRk0zR68cACVXL-pTKwvwwaVIFmWLQQ7p1v8G4voyo/s1600/IMAG1860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiIrKRfcpMqlDA8mYVCMjLOm2DSe4lQ426z-eO1MWMXVn3YNVzONnO_CSs5442WK8jF_gfqXC9OqW00esHb1I6f0m0uoosEsF6rRk0zR68cACVXL-pTKwvwwaVIFmWLQQ7p1v8G4voyo/s320/IMAG1860.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lettuce galore!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYymFUBI8Me7lGsDbs3MwvpfHdZcgv8WwtAs8dHoJqWuaDymiqO_RZzl7FP4ocA1l1b52xvry5M0fbvrOgKIhy6KCq2DnFZoey-sq7mhUsRI_Metxo4s0pZFWcWlC2FLlhTbXrbmCaV8/s1600/IMAG1861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYymFUBI8Me7lGsDbs3MwvpfHdZcgv8WwtAs8dHoJqWuaDymiqO_RZzl7FP4ocA1l1b52xvry5M0fbvrOgKIhy6KCq2DnFZoey-sq7mhUsRI_Metxo4s0pZFWcWlC2FLlhTbXrbmCaV8/s320/IMAG1861.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunflowers are 2 1/2 feet tall already...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tomatoes: celebrity, hungarian heart, lemon boy, cherry....surrounded by red onions :)</td></tr>
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-86937741189995385332013-05-28T06:57:00.003-04:002013-05-28T06:57:58.368-04:00What pregnant chicks like to eatI'm sure you have noticed my hiatus in the recent weeks....and I'm sure you can guess why by the title of this post!<br />
<br />
What do pregnant chicks like to eat? Lets find out....<br />
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Pad Thai. Lots of it. And you wont find a lot of pictures to document what I've been eating, because the answer is <i>not much</i>.<br />
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I've been quite queasey. When I am eating, you can find me enjoying like, a piece of cheese. Or a cracker. Or mac n cheese. Basically, if it involves cheese, I can stomach it. Or pad thai, oddly enough. My appetite comes and goes. Often, something sounds good, then I bite into it and it tastes awful. Or, I force myself to eat something that looks unappetizing and it ends up tasting like gold.<br />
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I have started putting up food for the year, though! Woo hoo! We went strawberry picking this weekend (we picked 20 quarts!)and I put up 12 jars of jam, a freezer bag full of frozen berries for smoothies, and left a few to eat fresh. I feel like a chipmunk, storing things away for winter, so I will be prepared for my baby. <br />
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Bread mixing in the machine. This machine has been a life saver, fo realz! Fresh bread (with cheese??) is a god sent on a flip-flopping stomach.<br />
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Hopefully next weekend I will be back to my regular posting :) Thanks for all the patience!Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-49833465677327698752013-04-21T07:20:00.003-04:002013-04-21T07:20:31.502-04:00Goal Check-In: April Goals for April:<br />
<br />
Cooking goals:<br />
-Make something with parsnips<br />
-Make homemade cream cheese and sour cream<br />
<br />
Gardening goals:<br />
<strike>-Get my seed starts planted!<br />
-Fertilize the garden, till one more time<br />
-Plant spinach and variety of lettuce, plant snow peas<br />
-Plant herb garden close to the house<br />
-Plan flower garden. </strike><br />
<br />
Extras that we did:<br />
Changed the battery in my car<br />
Bought a large shelf for the extra room to organize our supplies<br />
Purchased a rototiller<br />
Took a trip to Florida<br />
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Well, April was s successful month in the garden and around the house! I haven't had much time in the kitchen this month, and do not foresee any time in the next 9 days. So, I'm going to call it a wash and move on to May's Goals :)<br />
<br />
MAY: out like a lamb??<br />
Cooking/Household Goals:<br />
-Spend several days a week grilling<br />
-Try to keep the electric bill down this month<br />
-Glean more stuff from the house for the yard sale we're having (the Canning Queen and I are yard sale-ing it up in May! Wahoo!)<br />
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Gardening Goals:<br />
-Try to find room for more tomato plants.<br />
-Keep the thing weeded (eeeek.....)<br />
-Declare war on volesBob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-40818313512740989242013-04-21T07:08:00.000-04:002013-04-21T07:08:18.331-04:00Quick dinner idea: tomato soup and pizza pocketsIf someone would have served me this when I was a kid, I would have been in heaven. I <i>love</i> tomato soup and grilled cheese!<br />
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Now that I'm a little older, I typically make my tomato soup from actual tomatoes, but yesterday I was hungry and didn't feel like putting in too much effort, so I used plain old tomato soup from a can.<br />
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For the dippers, I used a box of jiffy pizza crust mix. I rolled it out and used a glass to cut about 3 inch circles. I stuffed them with mozzarella cheese and italian seasoning, pinched them shut, and baked until cooked and somewhat brown.<br />
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Stuff whatever you want into these pockets: pepperoni, sausage, peppers, onions, whatever. All in all, it took me about 15 minutes.<br />
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-14147180546736087552013-04-19T19:40:00.001-04:002013-04-19T19:40:08.272-04:00Garden Tour: AprilThings are in full bloom in Small Town, Virginia! Woo hoo!<br />
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Lets take a tour, shall we? The Garlic bed is in full swing already... <br />
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The planter is filling up with spinach seedlings...<br />
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The herb garden (which also includes the garlic) is full of rosemary, sage, lemon thyme, radishes, dill, and cilantro.<br />
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small flower starts line one of the beds, along with a berries and cream mint plant in the middle bordered by two jalepeno plants....<br />
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Tomatoes are rooting and doing well! Can't wait till they fill up the cages. Behind them are sunflower starts...<br />
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Hydrangea bush is leafing out...<br />
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Pansies by the front door after a nice spring rain! I feel so starved from color after winter.<br />
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One of the only tulips that popped up this year.....<br />
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-65060389333243156202013-04-14T07:51:00.001-04:002013-04-14T07:51:16.193-04:00The best turkey burger in the history of the worldWe don't eat a lot of beef around here. Although, I did just find out that we have a buffalo farm near us, so I am thinking about going there to check out how much their meat is. Anyways, I digress.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My precious</td></tr>
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Yesterday I was in the grilling mood....so I made the best turkey burgers ever.<br />
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You will need:<br />
Buns (ours were homemade whole wheat, any kind you like will do)<br />
1 lb ground turkey<br />
1/3 cup vegetable oil<br />
1/2 onion, cut into thin thin thin slices!<br />
1 tsp ranch seasoning<br />
1 tsp flour <br />
provalone cheese<br />
spinach<br />
bbq sauce<br />
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First, heat the oil in a skillet. In a large zip-top bag combine ranch seasoning, flour, and onion slices. Shake shake shake. Gently put the onions into the hot oil and fry until brown. Allow them to drain on a paper towel while you make your burgers.<br />
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Take 1tbs of the oil used to fry the onions and mix it with your burger. This will give it some nice oniony flavor! Nom nom nom. Form the burger into Four patties. Grill until completely cooked through, about 5-8 minutes on each side. Top with cheese and allow it to melt.<br />
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Assemble the burger! BBQ sauce, spinach, crispy ranch onions, Oh. My. Word. Eat, enjoy (because you will) and then lay on the couch thinking about how good that burger was.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J's big burger plate</td></tr>
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I served ours with a baked potato and some grilled zuchinni.<br />
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-69352795346619265022013-04-14T07:41:00.002-04:002013-04-14T07:41:44.091-04:00Sour Cream Coffee CakeI've been trying very hard to clean out our food storage these last few months by incorporating things I canned last year into meals. Last year was the first year that I really canned a substantial amount of food, so I feel like I now have a better idea of what I canned too much of, and what we need more of next year. One thing I canned too much of: apple sauce.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee cake and coffee, a match made in heaven</td></tr>
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This cake is great because you dont have to just add apples to it....you can add berries, pears, carrots and raisins, whatever floats your boat.<br />
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You will need:<br />
1/2cup shortening (you can also use butter or softened coconut oil)<br />
1 cup sugar (I cut this down to 3/4 cup and it was still plenty sweet)<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
1 cup sour cream<br />
2 cups whole wheat flour<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1/3 cup brown sugar<br />
2 tsp cinnamon<br />
2 cups chopped apples (or in this case, applesauce. You can also add some nuts if you want. Go crazy!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Applesauce from last falls apple haul.</td></tr>
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In a mixing bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until crumbly and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat for 3-4 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Add flour to your mixture in small amounts, alternating with the sour cream until all of it is mixed in. Fold the apples and nuts into your batter. Spread batter into a greased 9x13 cake pan and top with brown sugar and cinnamon. Bake for 30-45 minutes.<br />
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I made a smaller cake so I could make a few cupcakes to freeze for breakfasts later.<br />
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This cake tastes awesome on a Sunday morning with coffee :)<br />
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Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-68511218975773180602013-04-13T07:05:00.000-04:002013-04-13T07:05:03.606-04:00Hawaiian BreadEver have a craving for that "Hawaiian" bread that comes in the orange package? Try making this:<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_188132413"><br /></a>
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hawaiian-bread-ii/">http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hawaiian-bread-ii/</a><br />
<br />
I formed mine into loaves and cut squares on the top.<br />
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They baked up so nicely. I had a slice for breakfast this morning and O.M.G. was it good! I think they key is to let it sit overnight after baking so the flavors meld. I definitely recommend giving this recipe a try.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One for me, one for <strike>me</strike> my neighbor, the canning queen (I guess I should be nice)</td></tr>
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-63803009900482725492013-04-13T06:59:00.001-04:002013-04-13T06:59:28.109-04:00The differenceWe recently started getting our eggs from a lady that works at the local library. She raises her own chickens and sells the eggs for $2 a dozen. I don't mind paying for these fresher-than-fresh, free-range organic eggs because in the grocery store their equivalent would be $5 a dozen.<br />
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When I tell people this is where we get our eggs, some people are grossed out. What? Why?! Eggs all come from the same place, whether you get them from a huge supply chain that feeds it's chickens pieces of their neighbors, or from down the street where the chickens dine on kale and corn.<br />
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Can you guess which ones are the farm fresh?<br />
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The deep yellow hue on the left gives it away. The yolks are sturdy but not too hard, bigger than the grocery store egg on the right. The color indicates a presence of more Choline, an important nutrient. Plus they just taste better....duh.<br />
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-26887767030911990372013-04-13T06:52:00.001-04:002013-04-13T06:52:26.897-04:00Grilling season has arrived! Wahoo! It has been in the 80's all week here in Small Town, Virginia. I am loving it! The garden is popping up, grass is green, and the tree's are starting to get their leaves. This weekend we are doing the great spring clean, along with moving some furniture to our office and doing some work on the jeep.<br />
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Well, not before a few cups of coffee, anyways.<br />
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We didn't eat anything really out of the ordinary this week, but I did snap a picture of this yummy dinner: kabobs with pork, chock full of veggies and smothered in bbq sauce. On the side J had some leftover pasta salad I had made for our lunches this week.<br />
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I'm so exited to be able to fire up our grill!<br />
<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-65849035899826129552013-04-08T07:19:00.001-04:002013-04-08T07:19:13.616-04:00Change Tastes GoodDid you know you can eat barley for breakfast? And did you know it doesn't taste like crap?<br />
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I didn't, until I did. I mean, until I ate it for breakfast. You know what I mean.<br />
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If you have a rice cooker, this is a piece of cake. I ordered hull-less barley from Bob's Red Mill a while back and it's been patiently sitting in my pantry, waiting for a day when I felt a little adventurous. Throw some barley in your rice cooker, add water and flip the switch:<br />
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When it's all done it will look so pretty, like this:<br />
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Barley is a good substitute for oatmeal (I kind of think it's better to be honest). It is also well known for stabilizing blood sugar longer than any other food. It takes on the flavors of whatever you add to it, and the small barley kernels pop in your mouth when you eat them. Texture heaven! You can add whatever you want to it. Last week I had it with apples and pecans, this morning I'm eating it with a diced pear, ginger and cinnamon. Yum!<br />
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Barley re-heats well, so you can make a big pot of it and eat it all week. You can also eat it cold. It is full of fiber (especially the hull-less kind, not so much the pearled) and vitamins; add a protein source like some peanut butter or a scoop of yogurt and you have a very balanced and tasty breakfast.<br />
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Huh, who knew? Barley doesn't suck.<br />
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-55703817930568481052013-03-24T16:18:00.002-04:002013-03-24T16:18:38.067-04:00Garden Day!They have been calling for snow this last week, and I will admit I was skeptical. The weather lady here is about as accurate at my NCAA Bracket (I chose villanova for the win). Low and behold, we have 4 inches already and its still coming down hard.<br />
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But on another note, I'm so excited! Weeeee! We planted seeds yesterday!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, the possibilities!</td></tr>
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Tennis Ball Lettuce<br />
Red Sun Sunflowers<br />
Prince Albert Pea<br />
Little Marvel Peas<br />
Red Wethersfield Onion<br />
White Lisbon Bunching onions<br />
Marigolds galore! Spanish Brocade and Petite<br />
Solar Yellow Carrots<br />
Skyscraper sunflowers<br />
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How's that for exciting? Am I nerd or what? In this dark picture are my sweet little tomato plants, enjoying the snow storm and waiting patiently for warmer weather. I'm just so happy Kona hasn't tried eating them yet.<br />
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Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-90007119682874588932013-03-23T09:35:00.001-04:002013-03-23T09:35:26.362-04:00Soaked OatsThe first time I saw a recipe for soaking oats, and eating them raw (what?! blegh!) I was pretty disgusted. Oats are one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast. I think I get that from my grandpa, who used to eat them every single day. He lived to be 82 (which is up there for my family).<br />
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So, to eat them raw seemed pretty nasty. But, every hippie blog in a thousand miles toted their benefits: easier digestion, easier something or other. I guess I didn't really pay that much attention. I thought I was digesting my cooked oats just fine, thanks.<br />
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Anyways, turns out that when you are insulin resistant, food choices suddenly get a little more limited (read as: boring). So, I tried soaking my oats last night to switch up my morning go to staple: oatmeal. It was pretty good! Who knew all those hippies could be right? :P<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weird but delicious....</td></tr>
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I used:<br />
1 small container of Oikos greek yogurt with cherries<br />
1/4 cup old fashioned oats, raw<br />
1 TBS milk<br />
1 TBS crushed walnuts<br />
Sprinkling of granola or in my case, corn chex for some crunch.<br />
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The night before, stir the first three ingredients together and cover. Let sit overnight.<br />
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In the morning, stir in walnuts and top with something crunchy. You can heat it up if you like, but I preferred it cold. The yogurt is a protein powerhouse, walnuts give you healthy fats, and oat give you fiber. All in all, its a pretty balanced breakfast. Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-91586399725287394032013-03-22T19:05:00.002-04:002013-03-22T19:05:18.978-04:00Peas and BaconThere's only one way I can eat peas.<br />
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Well, thats not true. I can eat them in chicken pot pie. But I can only eat them ONE way when they are standing alone as a side dish.<br />
<br />
...Well, I guess thats not really true either. OK....peas. They are good with bacon. They are good in pot pie. They are also good in pasta salad or alfredo. Maybe I do like peas? Huh. I guess I always thought I didn't like them that much.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoSyTJBpcJ8yrBlvmQopXIK8ebVXCy0hfqUFXmP__Ml1kSAzy3da0CIgglRUgT71bnxARywhkqw139sD9ZOXDB11xYLVotsjLHeJ7V3aqgPbWDOec70b4UdzGl_eBwOc5po4nexJgwyQ/s1600/IMAG1755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieoSyTJBpcJ8yrBlvmQopXIK8ebVXCy0hfqUFXmP__Ml1kSAzy3da0CIgglRUgT71bnxARywhkqw139sD9ZOXDB11xYLVotsjLHeJ7V3aqgPbWDOec70b4UdzGl_eBwOc5po4nexJgwyQ/s320/IMAG1755.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bbq chicken and peas! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For this yummy side dish, you will need:<br />
1/2 bag frozen peas (canned peas are too mushy I think)<br />
4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled<br />
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce<br />
2 TBS balsamic vinegar <br />
1/2 onion, diced<br />
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes<br />
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Saute onion until translucent. Add cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until tomatoes start to burst. Add peas and bacon, heat until warm. Serve hot! Yum!<br />
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Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-76024810290894086232013-03-19T20:04:00.001-04:002013-03-19T20:04:51.773-04:00Goal Check-inI'd say it was a successful month :) <br />
<br />
Last months goals:<br />
<u>Gardening Goals:</u><br />
<strike>-Landscape fabric and mulch the front of the house<br />
-Have all seed starts going<br />
-Stake and tie off garden area<br />
-Complete garden plan</strike><br />
<br />
<u>Cooking Goals:</u><br />
-Make homemade cream cheese and sour cream<br />
<strike>-Cook something with beets in it (i have never cooked with beets before)</strike><br />
<strike>-Eat from pantry (focus on things that were canned last year) </strike><br />
<br />
Goals for April:<br />
<br />
Cooking goals:<br />
-Make something with parsnips<br />
-Make homemade cream cheese and sour cream<br />
<br />
Gardening goals:<br />
-Get my seed starts planted!<br />
-Fertilize the garden, till one more time<br />
-Plant spinach and variety of lettuce, plant snow peas<br />
-Plant herb garden close to the house<br />
-Plan flower garden. <br />
<strike><br /></strike>Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-80735662447235865372013-03-19T19:46:00.000-04:002013-03-19T19:46:03.993-04:00The craziness continues...Sorry there havent been any food posts yet this weekend, I'm trying to rectify that as we speak :)<br />
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Apparently J and I both have the gardening bug somethin' fierce (see, I sound like a southern farmer already). This weekend we decided to take the plunge and purchace a tiller, which is now sitting in my kitchen because we didn't really think about where we were going to put this thing. Here are some of the awesome outdoor chores we were able to accomplish this weekend:<br />
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I mulched the back of the house! The front pictures weren't great, so I am happy to be able to show this one. It really shows the difference mulching can make. Yay!<br />
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I made a platform for the lawnmower, so it doesn't get muddy.<br />
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Josh trimmed the pine trees in the front....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsehiLbwVb3lOatzw0VzjNoe5hL2XZrs_jrhov-Ownf_Ze3GdMISf9WRSOFU72J0u2zFYInDzMAlco2h9xELcg5uXUaGKl8dR69mLcU4Sm4I0JjfFG4BxT6Qe_09HlQgS7CGBWwgC9kIw/s1600/IMAG1749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsehiLbwVb3lOatzw0VzjNoe5hL2XZrs_jrhov-Ownf_Ze3GdMISf9WRSOFU72J0u2zFYInDzMAlco2h9xELcg5uXUaGKl8dR69mLcU4Sm4I0JjfFG4BxT6Qe_09HlQgS7CGBWwgC9kIw/s320/IMAG1749.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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And the other one....<br />
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Josh also sprayed the entire house for bugs, which is awesome. But, now for the most important project: my garden! I had grand aspirations for this garden, and he really helped make them come true. I wasn't expecting to put up fence, but we did....so now the range of things I can grow is much larger!<br />
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The smaller fence keeps out rabbits, so now I can grow lettuce and spinach and carrots! Yahoo! Its 16x20. I can't wait to get planting. We are going to have vegetables galore this year. I'm even hoping to grow somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 lbs of food....maybe even more. Between potatoes, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes I definitely think I can do it. I also plan to use the chicken wire to grow peas laterally. This not only free's up more ground space, but makes the fence disappear in a sea of peas! <br />
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Can't you tell I'm excited? Ha! Actually, I was so excited, I forgot to put on sunscreen yesterday. Now I look like a lobster covered in ketchup. And I feel like one, too. Oh well, worth it!<br />
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Happy Gardening!<br />
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Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6949440018732929523.post-36126137700038954282013-03-19T19:40:00.002-04:002013-03-19T19:40:54.157-04:00Piney fresh!So, I was walking around wally world looking at mulch (you know, like you do....) when I spotted a great deal! $2.15 for 2 cubic feet of pine bark mulch! WHA!? Sign me up, Bob, I'll take 10!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0YCLxBdXGDp9V00v9-SnRnhyphenhyphenmR1-P-wPsvVKdOMKr2uPe9BxBB0FHNM6W0azhscKJaKpeRsrDqeYwmJbyVHpcIZqlQfk90WW4t6dQUtQmzp9ljmV3V4IA2RagjP6pWKGO4QnHUQhBh8/s1600/IMAG1743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0YCLxBdXGDp9V00v9-SnRnhyphenhyphenmR1-P-wPsvVKdOMKr2uPe9BxBB0FHNM6W0azhscKJaKpeRsrDqeYwmJbyVHpcIZqlQfk90WW4t6dQUtQmzp9ljmV3V4IA2RagjP6pWKGO4QnHUQhBh8/s320/IMAG1743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Two hours, 20 cubic feet of mulch, and an achy back later, I have mulched the front of the house. Just the front. Remember all those times in high school algebra when you wondered when you would ever use that stuff? Well, I should have paid attention. I thought i'd have enough for the front AND the back. Apparently my math skills continue to be sub-par. Either way, the front is looking slightly less trashy and a little more manicured. I'm not even near done with my front of the house remodel yet, but here is my progress so far. Before:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi719fN6gXRzZZ7hkuUdzINDAf3qPy34aMHhmp0rlEg8HZjmf-yexsfHNajTtlhG3vTWH6fb0b-ukMBCFwkWLVlWfudc03oQaaRhYt6-UvKpvONjghqcz0Vcw5ijv1l99Ofxi0guVOVTqM/s1600/IMAG1742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi719fN6gXRzZZ7hkuUdzINDAf3qPy34aMHhmp0rlEg8HZjmf-yexsfHNajTtlhG3vTWH6fb0b-ukMBCFwkWLVlWfudc03oQaaRhYt6-UvKpvONjghqcz0Vcw5ijv1l99Ofxi0guVOVTqM/s320/IMAG1742.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After (nevermind that doggie in the window):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IhZQrID_-2Tlzqu28zIt-WKqxOchXiee592s9UugHYyChyANMeU4ODDFI1c1N15VzCTffPwV18BVRDjnBS8blGqBiGl8Wvs501T3Ul4HHtrSwLA0H2KWHu5oza0oce1Y3cCgB0cpafg/s1600/IMAG1744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IhZQrID_-2Tlzqu28zIt-WKqxOchXiee592s9UugHYyChyANMeU4ODDFI1c1N15VzCTffPwV18BVRDjnBS8blGqBiGl8Wvs501T3Ul4HHtrSwLA0H2KWHu5oza0oce1Y3cCgB0cpafg/s320/IMAG1744.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bushes still need to be shaped.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also planted potatoes today, and am working on finding the energy to plant onions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9_ph3DqOlPvmrYZaDPRHjIPvj1SrREVcXhRYVDTRz3XgeNno2cbeDogDjpM429n95AgsKukpwpWCB_LD-OcyKH_fQpu1oBZPd8lMoFSDG__it4-5KeiSTtpUm7FQJoKZUoTzhdV4_6g/s1600/IMAG1745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9_ph3DqOlPvmrYZaDPRHjIPvj1SrREVcXhRYVDTRz3XgeNno2cbeDogDjpM429n95AgsKukpwpWCB_LD-OcyKH_fQpu1oBZPd8lMoFSDG__it4-5KeiSTtpUm7FQJoKZUoTzhdV4_6g/s320/IMAG1745.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more....</td></tr>
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<br />Bob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01465094555452131908noreply@blogger.com0