1 can chicken breast, drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can Rotel tomatoes & jalapenos
1 pouch Mexican rice (the microwave kind)
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 cup water
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp taco seasoning
any other spices or seasonings you like: cumin, cayenne pepper, etc.
Heat & Serve. Top with sour cream and cheese if desired.
It's amazing the things you can make when you are trying to empty the cupboards.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Whole House Challenge Update
The turn that cooking has taken since I started the whole house challenge has been interesting--and very simple. Since you can use only what you have in the cupboards and fridge already, you have to think of some interesting solutions to making simple food. I found something in the back of the cupboard that I had forgotten about: a box of "mashed potatoes." The box instructions called for 1-1/2 cups water (no problem), 2 tbsp of butter or margarine, and 1/2 cup of milk. I ended up stirring in 1/2 cup of low-sodium chicken broth instead of the milk, and Parkay spray instead of butter. They tasted almost identical but had a slightly stiffer texture. With the potatoes, we had chicken that I stir-fried in the wok and steamed sugar snap peas.
It's amazing that I have been cooking without buying groceries for almost 2 weeks now. I had no idea how many boxes of pasta were in the cupboard and how much meat was in the freezer. Now I am finally down to my final bag of chicken breast tenderloins and my last 2 boxes of pasta, though I still have lots of other items. I also found some vacuum-packed beef--I'm not sure what cuts, though. I'm going to have to defrost it before I can know what to do with it. I also have 7 pounds of wheat flour!! Thanks to my bread maker I will be able to make bread for sandwiches (Rich will like that for his work lunches!) I have plenty of jam (4 jars of various flavors) but I will probably get some peanut butter. Based on the average amount we spend for groceries each month, I have saved about $265 in groceries alone in less than 2 weeks. Also (it's part of the challenge) we have not eaten out at all since January 26. We went out today to a burrito place with our friends and spent $20--and we have enough leftovers for Rich to have for lunch tomorrow. :)
Taking this challenge has made me realize something that I hadn't thought about. I thought the challenge was just about saving money and using up some extra food, but it has made me think about how much excess I actually have sitting in the house in the back of the cupboards, unused. I usually make a quick stop for groceries on the way home from work when I run out of "convenient" items instead of only buying what we will truly use up. A lot of the items I bought were on great sales, or buy-1-get-1, but it's only a deal if you use it! I'm actually excited about running out of everything in a couple of weeks. Then I can complete the final stage of the challenge: reevaluating what should actually be in my shopping cart when I do start shopping regularly again.
Happy Sunday!
It's amazing that I have been cooking without buying groceries for almost 2 weeks now. I had no idea how many boxes of pasta were in the cupboard and how much meat was in the freezer. Now I am finally down to my final bag of chicken breast tenderloins and my last 2 boxes of pasta, though I still have lots of other items. I also found some vacuum-packed beef--I'm not sure what cuts, though. I'm going to have to defrost it before I can know what to do with it. I also have 7 pounds of wheat flour!! Thanks to my bread maker I will be able to make bread for sandwiches (Rich will like that for his work lunches!) I have plenty of jam (4 jars of various flavors) but I will probably get some peanut butter. Based on the average amount we spend for groceries each month, I have saved about $265 in groceries alone in less than 2 weeks. Also (it's part of the challenge) we have not eaten out at all since January 26. We went out today to a burrito place with our friends and spent $20--and we have enough leftovers for Rich to have for lunch tomorrow. :)
Taking this challenge has made me realize something that I hadn't thought about. I thought the challenge was just about saving money and using up some extra food, but it has made me think about how much excess I actually have sitting in the house in the back of the cupboards, unused. I usually make a quick stop for groceries on the way home from work when I run out of "convenient" items instead of only buying what we will truly use up. A lot of the items I bought were on great sales, or buy-1-get-1, but it's only a deal if you use it! I'm actually excited about running out of everything in a couple of weeks. Then I can complete the final stage of the challenge: reevaluating what should actually be in my shopping cart when I do start shopping regularly again.
Happy Sunday!
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Jar of Life
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'
The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'
The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Real Life: Vacation, House Hunting & Vegetarian Slop!
We had a great trip to Virginia for our friends' wedding. We got to see so many friends from California. And, we got acquainted with truly freezing cold, miserable weather. We spent a day in Colonial Williamsburg, which was actually interesting...and made me aware of exactly how much I hate walking around in cold weather, and also how thankful I am to have been born in the 1900's instead of the 1700's. :)
We also spent a day shopping in Carytown, which is downtown Richmond. We found so many unique little shops. I made my first purchase in LeenaLu's boutique, where I found a super amazing mustard yellow handbag that made me smile. :)
We meandered down the street a little further into a stationery shop where Rich ordered some custom notecards & envelopes. He was excited about them because they have his initials on them....I have to admit, they do look really sharp & masculine. My favorite part is the envelopes lined in black. :) I spent a little time in a makeup & skincare boutique next, where I stocked up on some of my favorite products. By then I was so cold that we had to get back in the car. But, we had a great afternoon! My least favorite souvenir from the trip was the cold-slash-flu that I brought home with me. I actually got an earlier flight so that I could bask in my sickness alone. After missing four days of work to sit at home coughing, blowing my nose, and puking everything up, I finally felt a little better and we decided to go house hunting.
Even though I am still not 100% better, I REALLY enjoyed house hunting on Sunday afternoon!! We really liked our realtor and found some great places. So far we are favoring one house above the rest...it's a two story townhome. We were pleasantly surprised, because we didn't expect much from the tiny pictures we saw. However, somewhere between the travertine floors and the sunny master suite, we both started smiling a little. We'll see what happens.
This entire crazy couple of weeks left me with very few perishables in the house...I had just been too tired, then too busy to go grocery shopping. So I decided to take the "whole house challenge" that I had been reading about a few months back. This challenge entails using everything edible in your house that you have stuck in the cupboards and forgotten about. Boxes of pasta, rice, jars of beans, pasta sauce, frozen vegetables, even the veggie burgers in the bottom of the freezer. Last night's dinner actually came out pretty amazing. I made bow tie pasta with olive oil & seasonings, then cooked a bag of broccoli florets and 3 random chicken tenderloins that have been floating around in the freezer. Topped with a little parm, it was actually a pleasing meal. That whole concept took a slight downward twist tonight, in Rich's eyes, anyway. I actually enjoy vegetarian and vegan dishes...the husband, not so much. I started with ziti rigati, then added a bit of leftover pasta sauce. I dug through the freezer to find a mix of frozen vegetables that seemed...Italian. Zucchini, carrots, roasted peppers. Somehow I thought that tomato & basil vegetarian pizza burgers would be tasty cut up, sauteed, and mixed in. And to me, it was. Poor Rich made a valiant effort to the enjoy a meal that is two of least favorite combinations--Italian & vegetarian. To his credit he did thank me for attempting to save on grocery money. :)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Herbs, Spices, & Seasonings
I LOVE, LOVE using herbs & spices. I have a shelf full of herbs & spices, and 2 more spice racks. I love using them to add interest to most dishes! I love using cumin & coriander. Also love rosemary, sage & thyme (especially on roasted potatoes and roasted chicken). I also enjoy using a nice Herbes de Provence. I use Kosher salt and coarse cracked pepper in cooking...it makes a difference. Below I have put a basic Herb & Spice chart for those of you who are not sure how to use these different things in cooking.
| Fresh Herbs - Flavor and Uses | Spices - Form, Flavor and Uses | ||
| Basil | Sweet, sunny flavor, versatile. Use with green beans, peas potatoes, chicken dishes, tomato sauces, salads. Only add at end of cooking time | Allspice | Berries, ground. Similar to cloves and cinnamon combo, more complex. Cakes, cookies, relishes, tomato sauce, stew, chicken, lamb. |
| Bay Leaves | Pungent, mint like; dried leaves more widely available. Used in sauces, stews, gumbos; many varieties | Celery | Seeds, ground. Stronger then celery flavor. Salad dressings, potatoes, veggies, soups, beans, pork |
| Chives | Delicate onion flavor, never overpowering. Use at end of cooking or as final flavor garnish. Chop finely; snip with scissors. Great with eggs, salads, potatoes dishes, poultry, sauces | Chile Peppers | Ground, dried whole, pepper flakes.Made by grinding hot chilies. Countless types from many countries. Mild to blistering hot. Soups, stews, beans, sauces, poultry, greens; add to most foods for that extra kick |
| Cilantro | Fresh, aromatic, distinctive. Predominate in Mexican and Chinese cookery; salsas, chutneys, chicken, pork, salads, tacos | Chile Powder | Ground mixture commonly of chile peppers, paprika, cumin, black pepper. Spicy, hot or mild. Chili, beans, Mexican dishes. Buy high-quality |
| Dill | Pungent, tangy; dominate, use alone or with parsley. Seeds also have strong flavor.. Salmon, peas, eggplant, cabbage, cucumber yogurt sauces, salads, pickling; predominate in Mediterranean cooking | Cinnamon | Sticks/bark, ground. Pungent, sweet, hot. Fruit desserts, cakes cookies. Also try on pork, lamb, meat pies, curries |
| Marjoram | Oregano like but sweeter. Fish stews, stuffing's, carrots, greens, beans, egg dishes | Cloves | Whole or ground. Aromatic, sweet. Fruits, desserts, meats, curry, soups, beans, pork |
| Mint | Strong; sweet. Teas, desserts, lamb, fish, salads | Cumin | Seeds, ground. Bold, distinctive; can overpower. Chili, tacos, stews, cabbage, beans. Toast ground or seeds |
| Oregano | Earthy. Lamb, chicken, pork, seafood, eggplant, tomato sauces; excellent with lemon: Retains good flavor when dried | Curry | Ground. Mixture of numerous spices including cloves and cumin . Buy high-quality. Base spice for curries; use also in tomato sauces, stews |
| Parsley | Clean bright flavor. Good with almost any savory food; all seafood, beef, chicken, potatoes, sauces, soups, salads. Fresh is better then dried | Fennel | Seeds, ground. Licorice-like, stronger then fresh fennel. Bread, fish, Italian dishes, sausage, tomato sauces. Toast ground or seeds to enhance flavor |
| Rosemary | Fresh, piney, pungent; easily overpowers. Chop finely and use lightly. A must with poultry, potatoes, white beans, lamb, breads, fruit salads | Ginger | Fresh root, ground, candied. Pungent, spicy. Grate, mince to use in chicken, squash, sesame noodles, applesauce, chutneys, marinade. Ground and fresh have much different flavors. Predominate in Asian cooking. |
| Sage | Almost mint-like, slightly bitter; can overpower other herbs. Use whole stems in soups, stews, remove when done. Chop whole leaves in very thin strips. Pork, veal, sausages, poultry, stuffing, sauces. Dried herb has much different flavor | Mustard | Seeds, ground. Often hot, pungent. Several varieties available. Vegetables, stews, relishes, seafood, salad dressings. Seeds can be toasted to enhance flavor. |
| Savory | Reminiscent of thyme. Veal, pork, eggplant tomatoes, stuffing | Nutmeg | Whole, ground. Sweet, spicy, fragrant. Cakes, fruit, desserts, beans, sauces, cabbage, spinach. |
| Tarragon | Licorice, lemon flavor; strong. Use alone or with parsley; veal, chicken, potatoes, mushrooms, tomato dishes, vinaigrettes | Paprika | Ground. Made from red peppers. Can be mild or hot and pungent. Not just for garnish. Buy high-quality with fresh peppery aroma. Seafood, vegetables, eggs; almost anything |
| Thyme | Earthy, subtle, versatile; use whole sprigs in soups, stews. Pluck leaves and add at all stages of cooking. Excellent in most dishes especially seafood, poultry, pork, veal, tomato, vegetables, breads. Retains good flavor when dried | Pepper | Whole berries, ground. Most common of all spices. Hot peppers, sweet peppers and peppercorns are from same plant. Peppercorns are black, white and green--depends on level of maturity. Pink peppercorns are a distant relative. Use on everything including sweets and fruits. Buy a pepper mill and whole peppercorns. You'll be glad you did. |
Monday, January 17, 2011
Vacation!
I have been looking forward to our vacation for months! However, I'm not too excited about the cold weather. I've been stocking up on cold weather wear: tights, leggings, sweaters, henleys, and my favorite purchase-my EMU boots! This vacation started with a wedding, and finally we decided that we would just make a vacation out of it. We are planning to spend a couple of days in Williamsburg, since neither of us has been since we were kids. We're really excited to get to spend a couple of days with some friends that we haven't seen in a while! We're going to be spending Friday night with my friend Jessica, from high school, and then Saturday through Tuesday we'll be vacationing with my honorary "sis", Nanette, her husband Jim, and their 3 kids. We are so excited!! The picture I posted below is from their daughter Chloe's baby shower-Choe is 3 already!! I haven't gotten to meet their 3rd baby, Seth, who was born a few months ago.
I can't believe how fast time is flying--it's hard to believe we have been living here for almost a year now--it's been a long time since we saw our "old" friends.
"Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other is gold."
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