Tuesday, August 19, 2008

A Spicy Primer

1. Turmeric –The reason curried dishes are yellow is mainly because of tumeric. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants are incredible—I take it myself daily in the form of a supplement for my gallbladder. It’s delicious in rice, on fish and stir fried into veggies.


2. Basil -- Ah, the taste of summer. Who can resist fresh basil and tomatoes from the garden tossed with olive oil and garlic on a plate full of pasta? Dried, it's wonderful in soups, pasta dishes and chicken. Basil is good source of vitamin A, plus C, potassium and calcium, with almost no calories.


3. Dill -- It's not just for pickles. Try some dill sprinkled on fish, chicken or even in a light cream soup. Dill is known for its antibacterial qualities, as well as its iron content, fiber and magnesium.


4. Garlic -- Nectar of the gods, well, bulb of the gods anyway. Garlic has a way of making the most ordinary food gourmet. Try sprinkling garlic powder (not garlic salt) into a prepared box of white cheddar macaroni and cheese. Surprise! It's pretty good. Fresh, though, is best. Squeeze it from a press into almost anything, except chocolate. Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties and may help lower blood pressure.


5. Ginger -- Sprinkle it in your stir-fry, try it on baked chicken breasts with a little soy sauce and garlic. For fun, get it fresh (it's that alien-looking root mass in the produce department) and freeze it. It will keep almost indefinitely when frozen. To use, hack off a piece, peel it and grate into your recipe. Ginger tea helps quell nausea and an upset tummy.


6. Nutmeg -- I love nutmeg. If you can find nutmeg nuts and the itty, bitty grater that comes with it, buy it. Once you've had freshly grated nutmeg, the powdered stuff in the jar is beneath you. Obviously an ingredient in baking, it's also good grated on sauteed squash, green beans, and carrots. Nutmeg may help with pain relief and stress.


7. Oregano -- A staple in Italian cooking, it's also good in stews and salad dressings. Oregano is nutrient rich, a good source of fiber, plus a fabulous anti-bacterial (oil of oregano is used in some natural cold remedies), as well as a terrific antioxidant!


8. Rosemary -- This beautiful plant grows wild in my garden and provides an intoxicating aroma to meats, stews and root veggies. Try some crumbled in your carrots for a change of pace. Rosemary stimulates the immune system and helps with digestion, too.


9. Tarragon -- An almost licorice flavor, this delicate herb takes front and center in vinaigrettes, as a delicious sprinkle on the top of baked or poached poultry and fish. Tarragon is known for stimulating the brain, nervous system and digestive system as well.


10. Thyme – Definitely make time for thyme! It's strong and adds a hint of character to an otherwise pretty standard dish. Use it with chicken, soups and beef. Thyme is an amazing antioxidant, is nutrient rich (vitamin K content is off the hook) and may protect cell membranes from oxidization.



Healthy-Foods Resource
"For the first time I can remember, I
am excited to go home and eat. I don't dread the evening, wondering what on earth I'm going to make that will please both my daughter and myself in addition to being quick and healthy. I didn't think there was such a dinner!! Enter Menu Mailer... and dinner has truly been saved. I cannot sufficiently express my gratitude for the wonderful service you provide... I thank God for you!" ~Talitha



The answer to that perplexing question, "What's for Dinner?" is www.savingdinner.com for ALL the different ways to do dinner! From our ebooks, to freezer menus and of course, the menu that started a dinnertime revolution, Menu-Mailer! Check it out!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

It is hard to believe how amazing...

It is hard to believe how amazing my husband is...my computer is working again.



I love you baby!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Check out this Challenge from Life as Mom.
It's a recipe swap "What's in Your Crock Pot?"

She wants us to post our favorite crock pot recipes.

Here's ours:

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
  • 2-3 chicken breasts, more if you like it really "chicken-y" (frozen or fresh)
  • 2 cans cream of chicken soup
  • 2 cans milk
  • 2 cans water
  • garlic powder to taste
  • 1 can canned biscuits cut into quarters (wait until the end to do this)

Throw everything (except the biscuits) into the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. If your chicken is frozen, make sure you cook it until it's DONE!

About 30-45 minutes before you are going to serve it, cut up the biscuits and drop them into the "gravy." If you do not have a lot of gravy in the pot at this point, add warmed chicken broth to give some more liquid. Put the lid back on and let the dumplings cook.

Serve hot!

A :)

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Meals

You either love Rachel Ray or you don't. . .but she does have some great, quick recipes.


Have you seen her site?


Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Meals - Every Day with Rachael Ray Recipes

30-Minute Meals
Cook up Rach's fast and delicious 30-Minute Meals.

10 Essential Gluten Free Recipes

--From About.com


10 Essential Gluten Free Recipes

Recipes for gluten free versions of our favorite foods are indispensable. Here are 10 essential gluten free recipes that will help you adapt old favorite recipes into new, gluten free favorites. Build upon these recipes and make them your own gluten free favorites.

10 Telltale Signs of Low Blood Sugar

From EVERYDAY HEALTH:


10 Telltale Signs of Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is common among diabetics, and it can occur even when you're carefully managing your diabetes. Hypoglycemia occurs when the amount of blood glucose (sugar in the blood) drops too low to sustain normal functioning. This drop can cause both short- and long-term complications, so it's crucial to monitor your glucose levels and treat hypoglycemia as soon as you're aware of it. Pay attention to these telltale signs of low blood sugar and do your best to keep your glucose under control

Very Berry Peach Pies - Gooseberry Patch

Each week we feature a yummy FREE recipe from one of our collectible cookbooks...be sure to drop by often and see what's cooking!

Enjoy this FREE recipe from 101 Homestyle Favorites. Click on the cookbook to the right to have a sneak peek inside this cookbook.


Free Recipe of the Week - Gooseberry Patch

MenuSaver from Taste of Home

Enjoy reading through this. Looks like some good ideas this week!


A :)


Welcome to this week's Menu$aver newsletter!


Try these delicious main dishes, then complete your meal with sides and a dessert.



Looking for helpful household hints?


Be sure to check out our Penny Pincher Tips for great ideas from our readers.


Happy cooking and happy savings!


Julie



MenuSaver!

Cozi – Free Family Organizer for Busy Families.

Have you seen this site? If you have multiple schedules, like most families do, this may work for you!


Free Family Calendar, Shopping, Grocery and To Do Lists, Family Journal & Photo Collage Screen Saver | Cozi – Free Family Organizer for Busy Families.


The new way busy families stay organized, manage schedules and coordinate with each other.* and it's FREE!


Located in Seattle, WA, Cozi was founded in 2005 by a group of Microsoft veterans with a vision of creating technology that would address the complex, dynamic needs of family life.


We here at Cozi have families too. And we understand the difficulties in coordinating schedules so that kids are picked up on time, the dog gets to the vet, groceries are bought, homework is completed, and quality time with family is not just “wishful thinking.”


Families come in all shapes and sizes, but they share common challenges—they are incredibly busy juggling work, school, after-school activities, errands and household chores. That’s why Cozi software was created. We are dedicated to enriching the lives of active families by making it easier for them to accomplish what they need and want to do.

Easy Eatin'

I like this site. She has some very practical stuff. . .her menu for the week sounds great!


A :)


Life as Mom: Easy Eatin'

CarriesCooking: Full Pantry and Nothing For Dinner

This is an interesting article. . .read on!


CarriesCooking: Full Pantry and Nothing For Dinner


Full Pantry and Nothing For Dinner


"Christina just wrote a comment how she has a full pantry but doesn't know what she is going to have for dinner tonight. We understand that feeling well. Before menu planning I would get home from the grocery, spending $100 to $200 on groceries and have nothing to make for dinner. Now she is ready to try menu planning herself."

Grilled Greek Chicken Salad - Diabetic Recipe

Diabetic Living Online - Diabetic Recipe - Diabetic Living Diet and Magazine


Where Flavor Meets Healthy--The Diabetic Living Diet was designed to be two things — flavorful and healthy — for people living with diabetes.

Mocha Meringue Kisses--Diabetic Friendly

Prep Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 1 h Total Time: 1 h 25 mins Servings: 24

Diabetic Living Online - Diabetic Recipe - Diabetic Living Diet and Magazine

Strawberry Raspberry Trifle--Light Dessert from Taste of Home

Strawberry Raspberry Trifle


A fantastic finale to any meal, this tantalizing trifle helped finish first in a local competition. It took top prize in the low-fat category of the Wisconsin Strawberry Festival recipe contest.


Taste of Home's Light Dessert of the Week Newsletter

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Spaghetti Sauce







Spaghetti Sauce

4 medium onions
1 1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
12 cups chopped, fresh tomatoes
3 bay leaves
4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
2 cans (6 ounces) tomato paste
1/3 cup packed brown sugar

In large kettle, saute the onions and pepper in oil until onions are tender. Add garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves, salt, oregano and basil.

Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add tomato paste and brown sugar and simmer for 1 hour longer.

Remove bay leaves and serve or freeze.

The tomatoes do not need to be peeled, but instead the sauce can be run through a foodmill after the sauce is completed.

Fun and Frugal School Lunches

It's Lunchtime!

If you've got a child headed back to school in the next few weeks, you've probably been busy finding the best deals on school supplies, new shoes, and a backpack for your little super-student to haul home all those A+ papers.

But in the hectic end of summer/beginning of school month that is August, you may not have given much thought to what your child will be munching on each day in the lunchroom. Like any endeavor that involves spending money, a little pre-planning now can help you save time and money on your child's school lunches this year


Keeping the Kingdom First: Guest Post: Fun and Frugal School Lunches

Satisfying Slow Cooker Recipes

From Taste of Home Online


Simple Slow Cooker Recipes | Taste of Home Plus

Back-to-School Recipes

Busy parents will love these kid-friendly recipes for breakfast, lunch and snack-time that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. And don't forget to check out our reader tips below for easy back-to-school ideas. You'll also find even more tips for brown bag lunches at tasteofhome.com/lunchbox, and a handy list of everything you'll need for the new school year at rd.com/school.


Back-to-School in 30-Minutes or Less | Taste of Home Plus

Five or Fewer Ingredients. . .

With five or fewer ingredients (excluding water, salt, and pepper), these simple recipes are a cinch to make on busy nights.


5 or Fewer | Taste of Home Plus

Can't get enough cooking shows on TV. . .Check out this site!

Now you have another option: AnswersTV, a new interactive TV network. They feature original, cooking-focused, HDTV programming. . .


Click below:


The Food Channel at AnswersTV- Lifestyle Video - Food, Cuisine & Cooking Know-How

Supercook - The Intelligent Recipe Search Engine

Have you been here before?


The Pantry's Almost Bare--Now What?


Turn to Supercook.com a new website that lets you type in what you have in the pantry and then will tell you what you can make with it. Add the ingredients you have one at a time and wiht each addition, you'll get options for the dishes you can create. Worst case, it will tell you what you can make with


Supercook - The Intelligent Recipe Search Engine

Friday, August 1, 2008

Counting the Cost Reader's Poll. . .Favorite Summer Salads

In the July 15, 2008 issue of the newsletter, Counting the Cost editor Nancy Twigg asked readers this question:


What are you're best Summer Salads?


Here are the Responses:

Counting the Cost

Summer Money-Saving Tips from Dave Ramsey

The summer season is notorious for being a time of great spending. Chances are you've experienced the effects of this! Family vacations, sending the kids to camp, updating the wardrobe...the list could go on and on. You know what? It's okay to spend money. Money's fun...if you got some.

So in an effort to help you save some money this summer, here are some ideas. They may not seem like huge changes in your daily life, but keep in mind that every little thing adds up and you could save a significant amount of money. A little research and minor alterations can create opportunities for a very fun summer.



Summer Money-Saving Tips

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