Menu Monday

MONDAY

We had to trade in our tv, and we actually ate out tonight.

TUESDAY

Chicken Quesadillas with Quacamole and Pinto Beans

WEDNESDAY

Mystery Soup

THURSDAY

Tofu and Vegetable Thai Curry with Thai Green Tossed Salad

FRIDAY

Tilapia Piccata and Celeriac Puree

SATURDAY

Shrimp Diablo Marinara, Spaghetti Squash (for the hubs!)  Soft Mashed Polenta, Roasted Vegetables

SUNDAY

Roasted Pork Loin with Fig Sauce and Wild Mushroom Risotto

Mystery Dessert!

Make Do and Eat: White Bean and Chicken Soup

AN INTRODUCTION

Here is my latest food experiment.  Currently I keep a food journal in a spiral notebook where I right down meal ideas for special ingredients such as what to make with brussel sprouts, apples, ham, etc. etc.  My current goal is to incorporate more fruits and vegetables in our diet, and more variety.  This couldn't have come at a better time considering my husband is on a low-carb diet, and I intend to improve my health as well.

When I was in Culinary School our Introduction to Culinary Arts instructor, the very funny Chef Ron, pushed the policy, "Total utilization is our ultimate goal," and I concur.  I hate throwing away wasted ingredients, buying what I already have, and having a meal come out so bad that it sits in the fridge uneaten.  Food costs are just as important in the home as in the restaurant, and while your family won't go out of business like most restaurants will if you don't control your spending, as Alton Brown would say, "Organization will set you free."

I was reading some posts about fashion on the ration involving the policy of make do and mend which was a big idea during World War II.  While I'm definitely not on my way yet to upcycling and altering my clothing around mine or my families needs, I believe I have enough experience with the food industry, to apply those same concepts to our weekly meal plan.  Hence my brainchild, the make do and eat experiment.  Where one night a week I have to make one dinner that is completely unplanned, made only with ingredients I have on hand, and with no prep done beforehand.

Experiment #1 White Bean and Chicken Soup
When my son was a newborn, we ate ALOT of already prepared meals, and the fresh soups from the grocery store were one of my favorites.  At the time I couldn't have dairy, because my breastfeeding son was allergic, so when I was in the mood for creamy without the dairy I would eat alot of the Rosemary White Bean Chicken soup from Safeway.  Here is my interpretation of that with ingredients I had on hand.

First I sorted and washed one bag of white beans.  Great Northern or Navy beans would work here as well.  Notice I didn't soak the beans overnight?  You really don't need to if you don't mind your beans being mushy, which in this recipe, would be preferable.  You will however have to allow extra cooking time.

Next I surveyed what kind of produce we had on hand.  Hearts of celery, an onion, a couple cloves of garlic from the commissary (where the produce tends to be found lacking in the freshness and flavor department), and some leftover carrots from the last time we went to the farmer's market (about 1-2 months ago!  and still tasting fresher and sweeter than most supermarket carrots.  On a side note if you can get your produce at a farmer's market than there is no better way to go, besides growing it yourself)
I washed, scrubbed, peeled, and chopped those up including the leaves of the celery which are fine where prettiness isn't a concern, like in this almost stew like soup.

A bowl to catch food garbage is a good idea if you don't have a trash can nearby.  I would say even if you do have one nearby it's still a good idea, since touching a trash lid is never a good idea while you are cutting up your dinner.  The Tinkerbell mug in the background used to be my favorite, but I have since gone to a smaller mug, because I have cut back my caffeine consumption.

Added a small amount of Pure (not Extra Virgin) Olive oil to a large soup pot.  Turned the heat to medium-low, and threw in a pinch of kosher salt.  This process is called sweating, and the goal is to cook the vegetables until they turn transparent, and the moisture is drawn out of them.  We won't be browning during this process.  The veggie mixture of 2 parts onion to 1 part celery, and 1 part carrot is called a mirepoix.  There are many types of mirepoixs and they are the basis for many frequently made dishes.  This is a French mirepoix.

While the veggies were starting to cook, I used my chef's knife to chop up the garlic.  You'll want to add garlic at the end of cooking because it will burn faster than the other vegetables will.

A note about knife placement.  This was a big one they emphasized in school, and one I use at home expecially if you have small ones running around at home or you are prone to bumping into stuff.  Above is the wrong way to set down your knife when you aren't using it.  See how it is in the middle of the cutting board.

And this is the right way.  I keep a wet abrasive cloth under my board to keep it from sliding on the counter.  Blade facing away from you, and as far back on the cutting board as possible.  Off of and behind the cutting board would be even better, but obviously I don't have the room here!  Also, if you drop your knife DON'T try to catch it, and don't stand there and watch it fall to your feet.  Sounds obvious, but seriously you will want to catch it, and it will be a reflex.  Step back and let it fall to the floor.  I have known too many cooks who have taken trips to the ER because of this.

OK.  Add the garlic and soften it for only about a minute.  It will add an intoxicating smell to your kitchen.

Add beans and broth to the pot.  I used about 1 1/2 containers of low-sodium natural chicken broth.  I wish I could give an exact amount, but really it all depends on what you put into your pot.  I always have 3 kinds of broth on hand, so if I needed more than this I could have opened a new container.  I added just enough to cover the tops of the beans.

Now normally I would have ground some rosemary in my mortal and pestle (or chopped with a knife if you don't have one, or even run through a clean coffee grinder which wouldn't be my personal preference because rosemary powder just sounds weird, but to each there own.  Powder would be better than rosemary stems getting stuck in your teeth) and added it now.  However I discovered we were out so I instead added thyme.  Thyme is not going to substitute rosemary in any way, but I find that I like it in chicken so in it went.

Bring to a boil.  Do not season to taste yet.  Wait until it is cooked down or you may oversalt.  Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cover.  Again I wish I could give exact times, but there are just too many factors.  Cook it until it's done.  One of my cookbooks said about 1-1/2 hours, but I found it took closer to 2-3 hours.  You'll just have to check it from time to time.  Once the beans are soft it is done.

I like to remove the lid for a few minutes, and let it simmer uncovered to cook off some of the condensation that drips down from the lid.  I feel it gives a prettier appearance, and a more appealing texture.  I tasted and added salt and pepper to my liking.  I added previously cooked chicken from another meal again I don't have exact amounts I just added to my liking.  The chicken was frozen so I cooked just until it was warmed through.  Since the soup was so beige I added bagged frozen peas for added color and nutrition, and removed the pot from the heat.  The residual heat is enough to cook the peas through by the time the soup is served at the table.

TA-DA!!!!!!!

What I Learned About Social Networking Etiquette

I recently had a bad experience with a certain social networking site (we'll say it rhymes with Shmacebook).  The problem wasn't the site itself, but the way it is being used to push political, parenting, social, ettiquette, religious, etc etc... agendas.  I'm all for being passionate about something, have a purpose in your life, and believing in something.  A lot of the time I am envious of individuals who do, mainly because, in my own life I tend to take a half/half position on most things, and at times that feels like too much information to deal with.  Sometimes I wish I could see more things in black and white, but this is my personality, and I have to deal with who I am. 

My problem is when a person is called names, or belittled for their beliefs, or when a person is so sure about their particular method, that they somehow feel above whoever doesn't share that belief.  I wish that we as human beings could present the best information we can, and then let it go.  However, this is wishful and idealic thinking, and will never be so.  Maybe it's because I am sensitive, but if I (or someone I know) am attacked for what I do, or if I am more passively aggressively attacked (i.e. well if you don't do this then you are a bad......)  I do take it personally.  I know people who are stronger in this area of their personalities than me.  For me I tend to avoid after that.  I will not continue to squabble.  I will walk away (usually bitterly), and continue to do what I want.  I'm not talking about debating either.  True debate shouldn't get emotional.  You don't attack personally in debate.

So I took a week long internet break.  And it was kind of nice.  No gossip, no bashing, no unfriendly advice, no defensiveness.  No support either.  I did miss my social interactions.  Most of my networking is done online now, and it has many wonderful points, far more than the negative.  However, I  do get fed up from time to time, like a constant dripping of water, or being beaten to death by a strand of wet spaghetti.  I couldn't handle it anymore.  During my haitus I had a lot of time to think things over, and I came up with some points, and strategies to help me cope with this next time, and took a long look at my behavior as well.  So what did I learn, you may ask?

1.  Negativity breeds negativity:  If I post everytime I have a bad day two things will happen.  I will get support (albeit negative support) in the form of "oh you poor..."  or a bunch of :( symbols.  I'm already having a bad day to begin with, and getting reinforcement in that way doesn't help.  Besides, I believe venting is healthy, and going to a girlfriend's house, calling one of my loved friends who I have known for years, taking a walk with another mother, or crying on my husband's shoulder are much healthier ways to vent.  Which brings me to my second point.

2.  Complaining posts create laziness:  I need more people's numbers.  I have people who I can call more often, but I don't.  Because I can talk to them online.  I have neighbors I never see, because I get enough "social" interaction for myself through the internet.

3.  The internet is not my personal diary.  How many times have you almost posted something, but realized that the person you are mad at might see it, or they may know someone who will say something, or you really don't want your family to read it?:  Then you have to delete the vent. Or you look back at your posts, and realized that you complained ALOT.  People who know you may understand, but what about those people who you friended on a whim?  How do you sound to them?  How does looking back on your posts make YOU feel about yourself?  How many of us really expect everyone on our friend's list to read what we wrote?  Maybe we have a few close friend's who comment on our page daily.  Your expectations may have been to mainly share it with them, but what would it be like if everyone (76 people for me!!!!) replied to your post.  For me it would be overwhelming, and maybe even a little embarassing.

4.  Bad mouthing online spreads gossip, discontent, and furthermore it is there "forever".  Here again, it would be much better to discuss this with a trusted friend, spouse, diary, neutral party etc.  I post my creative stuff online as well.  If I ever decide to use the internet for job opportunities, then I don't want the whole world in on that personal stuff.  Although in that situation I probably create a completely different page.
Additionally, and this is the worst, if I complain about my husband, family, or friends online, then I am presenting them in a terrible light to the rest of the world.  People drive us crazy.  It is a part of life.  To take a quote from the military "Loose lips sink ships"  Something said on a whim about your loved ones is viewed by people who may not even know them.  They may form an opinion about that person, before even meeting them. 

So those are my conclusions.  To help present myself in a shinier, more polished, confident way online.  I know it's not the "authentic" me, but this isn't ME anyways.  It's a page about myself, a presentation to the world, with no "ugly pictures" of me, and easily corrected typos.  I will be trying these out and seeing what happens.  And if you don't hear from me as much online, then I will always have an ear to lend over the phone, or in person.  I leave you now with this quotation from Dolphina over at GoddessLife.

"..How many times have I been destructive or hurtful with another female classmate, coworker or friend by my own thoughts, gossip and rivalry with other women?  Unlike the open and healthy way men compete over sports and business with each other, competition with women takes on a personal nature, while maintaining a facade of being, "nice".
Whether or not it stems from sister rivalry or an insecure mother, we must resist the temptation to compete with women. If we compete with other women over men, looks, jobs, clothes and children, we are dooming ourselves to a lifetime of perpetual insecurity.  Sometimes the rivalry is reversed and we apologize for our own successes, fearing our friend will interpret our accomplishment as her own defeat. Seeing our lives as a grand contest among women is exhausting and robs us of the chance to make women our allies.
Who better than other women to understand what we are going through - on the job, with men, in friendships, with our family?  With whom should we join together for women's causes?  But we cannot expect other women to join us in a powerful sisterhood if we are continually reminding ourselves that these very women are our enemies..."

http://www.goddesslife.com/women-unite-lessons-i-learned-from-cheating-with-my-yoga-teacher

Fall Planting Spring Flowers

At the beginning of October my daughter's school had a frundraiser.  They sold flower bulbs from a company called Dutch Mill Bulbs.  I got 10 bags of bulbs and have been slowly, but surely, getting them in the ground before winter sets in.

In the ground......

Waiting for the huge pot I have......

I read that these can pull up other flowers if you need to dig them up and divide them, hence the putting them together and putting them in a pot.

Waiting to go in the ground........

And in the fridge....

I got super excited about these, because they are an indoor perennial.  However, once I got them I found out that they only bloom once and then most people throw them away.  Plants that don't come back year after year always make me kind of sad, and in my opinion are a waste of money.  That being said, these are in the fridge, because I am trying to delay blooming until Christmas.  About 4-6 weeks ahead of time you plant these in a pot, and set them in a dark cool place and slowly bring into the sunlight to "force bloom" them.  I think you confuse the plant into thinking spring has come, since most bulbs need a cold, dormant season to thrive.  Come Christmas I will have sweet smelling, lovely blooms that will eventually end up in my yard where nature will take it's course. 

All photos taken from the Dutch Mills Bulbs website:

http://dutchmillbulbs.com/

Tombstones

I'm a big Halloween fan.  When I was searching for tombstones last year to decorate our own yard, I couldn't find anything that I liked.  Either they were too small, bad quality, or had the same cheesy sayings on them that I knew everyone else would have.  So I decided that we should make our own.  I found the instructions on Martha Stewart's website, and pretty much followed them as they were given.

http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tombstone-yard-halloween-decorations

The only real differences are we etched our sayings and scratches into the tombstone with an exacto knife, and used yellow and green to make a sickly looking moss rather green and red to make moss and rust effects.  Also instead of rebar my husband is drilling holes into them (as we speak, and I don't think that he minds getting a new power tool out of the deal), and he's inserting wooden dowels into them with glue (about 12 in. into the decoration with 12 extra in. that will go into the ground).  Then we will be sealing them with WATER-based polyeurathane which isn't necessary, but we have a good chance of getting snow in October, so I wanted to be extra prepared, especially since so much time went into these things.

These pictures are from last year.  I will make a post when they are completely finished, and placed outside.  I am thinking of adding lanterns on shepherd's hooks.  I also bought a pair of tattered hands coming out of the ground that reminded me of my husband (in a creepy way).  :)

Gardening in the Front Yard

Here are the pictures of my "garden", and also pictures of the plants when they are grown by a professional.  I got the latter from google.  Keep in mind that when I received these plants they had been in there original nursery containers for almost the whole summer so they are not going to look as pristine as they would if they were in the ground right away.  You can't beat free though and I hope they make a big comeback in the spring/summer.

First is the Daylilies in Chicago Apache.  This is what they look like now (well what they looked like in August)

Next is a "planter" I guess is what you would call it, that's in our driveway.  Hopefully I finish the rock border soon.  I'm just using rocks I find in the backyard when I dig up flower beds.

And a different view shot with the much prettier toy- cam app on my phone.

 These plants are growning in there. Coral Bells in Caramel

 False Spirea in Peach

Jacob's Ladder

It took me forever to find out that these are called Cardinal Flowers.  I don't have a current picture from the internet because I didn't know what they were called until recently.  However they don't look much different then this.  These will actualy be moving out back because even though they can live in the shade, they preform much better with some sun.

Lastly the Vinca Vines.  These are in the large "planter" by our front door.  These are supposedly fast spreaders that will grow almost anywhere.  Hopefully they will go from looking like this......................

To This!

Thank you for reading this blog.  This is just a small selection of the plants I received from my husband's grandma.  Also, since most of our front is shaded the selection that I could put out there is limited.  I will be posting a follow up to this showcasing the backyard (where the really pretty stuff is!), and the bulbs I will be getting from my daughter's school.

Am I Too Old....

A little background first. My father was an older man who had a very rare illness (go to http://www.alpha1.org/ to learn more), because of my experiences I told myself I would have my kids young.  My cut-off age is thirty.  Pregnant by twenty-nine.  Give birth by thirty.  No more babies after that.  The dilemma is that there is a big age gap between my first two kids (one is 2 and the other is 9) and I would like to have another child, but I only technically have this year and the next and then done.  No more.  I'm not sure if I'm ready though. I had an emotionally trying pregnancy and have worked hard over the past 2 years to overcome that, and my second child was a VERY difficult baby. So I guess the dilemma is do I go against a very strong conviction that has been with me for years, and wait until I am ready, but possibly live with the regrets of having another child "too late", or do I get pregnant now even though I really don't want to and may not be emotionally ready to.  Let me just say I am very convicted about the over 30 thing, mainly because of my upbringing.  There are two very strong emotions at play here and it feels like time is running out. Any of you have a similar timeline of when it is too late to have kids, and do you have any specific reasons for it?