Thursday, November 14, 2013

Upcoming blogs....
1. Searching for scholarships...tips and traps.
2. Pikl-it....my latest obsession......recipes and explosions to follow~

Why I haven't been blogging lately is our youngest son is applying to colleges and applying for scholarships.  This means a lot of work for Mom as I have to look everything over to make sure it looks good and he hasn't forgotten anything.  We are also doing scholarship searches.  If you have any tips, let me know and I will share them when I come up for air.

I am also playing with my new Pikl-it   http://www.pickl-it.com/  
This is my newest obsession and I am producing lovely foods that my family are enjoying....or at least trying.  Heehee.
Love to you all
Yay or Blah!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Just to keep you updated, I am at the Mexico Missouri Walk Back in Time
http://www.audrain.org

Story and pictures to follow.
Love to you all

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Rushed Saturday, Kitchen Testing Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauce

This is a very rushed Saturday for me.  In addition to the normal cooking, cleaning and errands, I went with my youngest to a cross-country race (he came in 12th! for Varsity).  This meant that I got up early and stood for hours in the hot sun while I watched young people run until they got sick.  After that, we both wanted a nap.  But what about dinner?  Dear Husband is going to want something tasty and I don't want to deal with anything. 
The Test Subject
 Quickly pulling down the big crockpot, searching the pantry, came up with this that was an impulse purchase.



3 lbs chicken thighs

chicken, sauce and chopped carrots

Grabbed the package of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (love those thighs).  Tossed them into the crock.


Decided to boost the Middle Eastern flavor up a notch.  Took out my home-preserved lemons and 3 carrots.  Rinsed and chopped half a lemon and 3 carrots.




Tossed the lemons and carrots into the crock onto the chicken and then opened the sauce pouch.  Poured the Moroccan Spiced Stew with Green Olives and Lemon over the carrots and my own lemons.  Set the crock pot on high for 3-4 hours.  Now it is nap time for Mommy.

Make sure to comment on what we should have with it.  Rice, couscous or bread?

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Baba Ganouj=Spoiled Daddy

Baba Ganouj is a wonderful vegetable dip that can be enjoyed with chips, bread or even as a sandwich spread.  My family has even used it to dip other veggies in.  

Ingredients:
3 average sized Italian (purple) eggplants.
6 cloves of garlic
salt
the juice of 2 lemons
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 tablespoons of Tahini (often found in the oil section of the grocery store)

Lemon Juice
My mother's food processor that I snagged 20+ years ago when I got married
Use the lemon rinds in the garbage disposal to freshen and clean it.
Slice the stems off the eggplants and cut lengthwise.  Place cut side down on grill and broil in oven.  Watch and pull them out when the skins are crispy and the flesh under is soft. (see video below) (audio in video is from a webseries I must have been watching while I cooked.  Sorry about that.)


This is the brand of tahini I use.  Ziyad Brothers is a Chicago based food importer and processor.  They have excellent quality.  Tahini is a sesame seed paste that is kind of the consistency of old fashioned peanut butter.  You have to stir it before you measure it out as the oil will separate from the paste.
Add the tahini into the processor with the lemon juice, chop the garlic cloves and toss them into the processor as well with the olive oil.

This is how I incorporate the eggplant into the rest of the ingredients.  When the eggplant is done, I pull them out of the oven and flip them flesh side up.  I scoop out the hot eggplant out of the crispy skins with a spoon and place it into the processor bowl.  Some people say to not use the seeds, but I think that they add to the flavor and texture.  I also add some of the burnt skin to give it a smoky flavor.
Pulse everything and check it every so often.  You want a smooth consistency, but you don't want it watery.  Add salt to taste.  Remember that you are making this to the taste of your family.  Some like more tahini, some like more lemon, I like lots of garlic.  When it is done, smooth onto a deep dish plate and chill.  Decorate it with chopped parsley or paprika.  Serve with bagel chips, toasted pita bread or veggies.  Also a wonderful warm vegetarian sandwich spread.  Tell me if you enjoy this and how you served it.

Life is too short for blah!



Sunday, August 25, 2013

An URGENT message.

This is the not posting that I planned to send out today.  We have a crisis in the works in our nation.  We are in great need of doctors, nurses and especial general SURGEONS in rural America.  
http://www.ruralsurgeonsfilm.com/
Please help out this director who is finishing a film about the need for surgeons in rural America and what can be done to help.
Thank you for all the attention and help you can give.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

My August Ipsy Bag

This is the first time I am putting a video in my blog.  I just got my Ipsy bag.

Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here: http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-h051gb9iwx9612hi


I just want to say I really love Ipsy.  They have begun to personalize the shipments, so even though I enjoyed the very teenagery glittery stuff, I asked for more..ahem...age appropriate...items in my shipments.  I now get mostly pinks and reds and things that go with my skin tone and type.  I like to think that my glamor is more classic than trendy....though I really miss some of the fun stuff I was getting before that my niece Cheb would glom off of me.

This shipment was entitled "Glamour Academy".  The bag was a lovely royal purple with a Ipsy family crest.  Very roomy and nicely lined.  I have used my bags for clutches sometimes when I just needed my license and a credit card (and makeup, of course)

In the bag was Michael Todd True Organic Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub.  It seems to work really well.  I had to hold down a teenage boy while one of his friends rubbed it into his face.  I was amazed on how much smoother and clearer his face was....and how bruised I was afterwards.

I tried the Noya Kosher Natural Lip Balm in Cherry on him while I had him down.  It seemed to make his lips look really kissable.  After his friend told him that, I opened the door and let them duke it out on the back yard.  As long as the neighbors don't call the police, we are gold.

Next was the Pacifica Natural Skincare Alight MultiMineral BB Cream with Shade Correcting Technology.  It seemed to really blend into my skin and I think it is a keeper.  I want to get a big tube now.  Thank goodness for the discount that Ipsy will provide if I buy it online.  I want MORE!!!

A really pretty tube in mint of mascara was next.  The tube was mint, not the color.  The color is Blackest Black and the brand is Pixi.  It is a lash booster mascara and I am thrilled with it.  Everyone knows I can't live without my mascara.

The last item is Chella's Dazzling Dark Brown Eybrow Color.  It is a slim white pencil with a twist core.  I like that a lot as I hate hate hate having to sharpen eyebrow and eyeliner pencils.  My brows are naturally darker than my hair, so I might give this to my mother.  My brows are darker than the pencil. 

All in all, everything is a YAY!  Ipsy is a wonderful product service and I have been able to sample and love products that would have been difficult for me to find locally.  It also provides discounts and coupons for the other products that were offered this month that I didn't receive.  So if I truly have my heart on some sparkley blue eyeshadow that is guaranteed to make me feel perky.....I can get it!

Don't be Blah!  

(I know I promised to either blow up a sink this week or show a video of a teenager doing a dangerous stunt and getting hurt, but Ipsy trumped it all!)

Sunday, August 11, 2013

You wanted to know about the cleaning strength vinegar!

This is the vinegar that I have been using.  It is Heinz Cleaning Strength.  The last jug I purchased had the actual strength on the label.  I couldn't find it on this one.  I believe it is 6% instead of what normally is 5% used for cooking and food.  It can be purchased in most stores, though they may not carry it all the time.  I would suggest purchasing a couple of jugs when you find them, more if you have storage room.  It is stronger than regular vinegar and it is fantastic for cleaning. 


 
I have a tip for the really hard lime deposits you have around your faucets and handles.  If it is a level surface (such as around sink handles), soak rags or dish clothes in this vinegar (use old ones, not the pretty embroidered ones that your favorite aunt gave you that she bought at the craft fair) and place them around the handles.  Really pack them against the surface and cracks.  The longer you can leave them, the better.  If they dry out, pour on a little more vinegar.  Overnight should work for a light layer of lime.  I left soaked paper towels around the sink handles at work over a weekend and the chunks gave away by Monday morning.  For those clogged shower faucets, fill a baggie with the vinegar and tie it up around the stem.  As I said before, the longer you can leave it, the longer the magic works.  This is a picture of what I got loose after a few hours.

Monday, August 5, 2013

A YAY! Home cleaning miracle!

This is the BEST shower cleanser I have found.  I forgot where I got the recipe so I will not be able to credit it to the proper person.  You take 1 part Dawn Dishwashing liquid to 1 part vinegar (I used a stronger type of vinegar by Heinsz advertised as cleansing strength, DO NOT USE FOR FOOD!).  I put it in a bottle I got from my discount store.  When I am almost done in the shower, I squirt and then scrub it down. (yes, the fumes about kill me, but it cuts through all that soap scum that nothing has cut).  Then I rinse both the shower and myself both off.  I actually cheat and squirt the shower down when I leave the bathroom and let it sit until some other person takes a shower.  The smell dies down and it works its magic while everyone is out doing other things.  Make sure you shake it well before you spray as the dishwashing liquid and vinegar will separate.