It's the first week of March already! I can't wait for warmer weather. This winter has been unusually cold here in the South. Bring on spring!
Last week I told you about our church's International Dinner that we have for our missions conference. I tried out some recipes last week and have one more to try on Monday to determine what I'll contribute to the dinner. Right now I'm leaning toward the mujadarrah, but I'm looking forward to the Ethiopian stew on Monday.
Here's this week's menu plan:
Sunday
Out to eat
Monday
Doro Wat (Ethiopian chicken stew)
I found this recipe in Mary Ostyn's Family Feasts for $75 a Week
Tuesday
Speedy corn chowder, homemade bread
Wednesday
Deep dish pizza
Thursday
Pasta with veggie sauce, cheesy garlic breadsticks
Friday
International Dinner at church
Saturday
Hot dogs with homemade sauce
For more meal-planning inspiration, visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Mondays.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Snickerdoodle Bars
I like Snickerdoodle cookies well enough. But put that cinnamony goodness in a bar form, and I love them! I can't tell you how warm and inviting your kitchen will smell after you put these in the oven.
Best of all, there are no fancy ingredients. You probably have everything you need in your pantry. These will freeze well too. Just wrap individually in plastic wrap and put in a freezer bag. Pop in the microwave for a few seconds and you've got a warm treat that tastes fresh from the oven.
Here's what you need:
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 eggs
1 TBSP vanilla
2 2/3 cups flour
2 teas baking powder
1 teas cinnamon
1/4 teas nutmeg
1 teas salt
2 TBSP sugar mixed with 2 teas cinnamon
In a bowl, beat brown sugar and butter together. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla and beat until smooth.
In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmet and salt. Add to butter mixture and stir until well-blended. The batter will be thick like cookie dough. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan with a greased spatula or your hands.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top, making sure it's all covered.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Check after 25 minutes to see if it's done. Gently press the surface with your finger. It will spring back when done. If you overbake these, they will be crumbly. So go with the shortest amount of baking time if you can. Cut into bars when cool enough to handle. Store in an airtight container.
A warm Snickerdoodle bar plus a cold glass of milk....ummm, delightful!
This recipe is linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday over at Blessed with Grace. Head over there for some more yummy recipes!
Best of all, there are no fancy ingredients. You probably have everything you need in your pantry. These will freeze well too. Just wrap individually in plastic wrap and put in a freezer bag. Pop in the microwave for a few seconds and you've got a warm treat that tastes fresh from the oven.
Here's what you need:
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 eggs
1 TBSP vanilla
2 2/3 cups flour
2 teas baking powder
1 teas cinnamon
1/4 teas nutmeg
1 teas salt
2 TBSP sugar mixed with 2 teas cinnamon
In a bowl, beat brown sugar and butter together. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla and beat until smooth.
In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmet and salt. Add to butter mixture and stir until well-blended. The batter will be thick like cookie dough. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan with a greased spatula or your hands.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top, making sure it's all covered.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Check after 25 minutes to see if it's done. Gently press the surface with your finger. It will spring back when done. If you overbake these, they will be crumbly. So go with the shortest amount of baking time if you can. Cut into bars when cool enough to handle. Store in an airtight container.
A warm Snickerdoodle bar plus a cold glass of milk....ummm, delightful!
This recipe is linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday over at Blessed with Grace. Head over there for some more yummy recipes!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday Follow Blog Hop
I've never participated in a blog hop before, so this is new to me. The idea is to hop from blog to blog and find new ones to read and enjoy. It's also a way to share your blog with others so they can find inspiration from you. So, here goes.
Hope everyone has a lovely Friday!
Hope everyone has a lovely Friday!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Natural Pain Relief - Arnica
Over the past few years my family has tried to decrease our dependence on prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines for the flu, colds, and minor illnesses. My dad recently gave me the book The Natural Physician's Healing Therapies: Proven Remedies that Medical Doctors Don't Know About by Mark Stengler. This book has 113 natural remedies using homeopathic and herbal therapies for a wide range of conditions.
I've been very impressed with the information this book contains in an easy-to-use format. All of the remedies are listed alphabetically and described in great detail, then the back of the book contains a quick remedy finder so you can look up possible treatments for whatever ails you.
My favorite "find" so far has been for pain relief and bruising. It's arnica. This is not the herbal form of arnica. It's the homeopathic form. Herbal arnica is used in gels or creams and should not be taken internally. Arnica reduces swelling caused by sprains and falls, helps alleviate muscle and joint pain, and is used effectively to treat concussions. It can also be taken pre- and post-surgery to reduce swelling and pain.
I bought some here and have been very pleased with how well it works. The pellets are small and dissolve easily. The Princess bumped her forehead and a bruise started puffing out right away. I gave her a dose of arnica and the swelling went down almost immediately. I gave her one more dose a few hours later. By the end of the day, I couldn't see where the bruise had been. I've taken it when I've awakened with a stiff neck and seen quick results, too.
I'm looking forward to trying other natural remedies listed in this book. I enjoy learning about alternative treatments for common ailments. However, I am not a doctor nor do I portray one on TV. Research these treatments for yourself and determine if they'll work for you.
I just know that arnica works for me!
I've been very impressed with the information this book contains in an easy-to-use format. All of the remedies are listed alphabetically and described in great detail, then the back of the book contains a quick remedy finder so you can look up possible treatments for whatever ails you.
My favorite "find" so far has been for pain relief and bruising. It's arnica. This is not the herbal form of arnica. It's the homeopathic form. Herbal arnica is used in gels or creams and should not be taken internally. Arnica reduces swelling caused by sprains and falls, helps alleviate muscle and joint pain, and is used effectively to treat concussions. It can also be taken pre- and post-surgery to reduce swelling and pain.
I bought some here and have been very pleased with how well it works. The pellets are small and dissolve easily. The Princess bumped her forehead and a bruise started puffing out right away. I gave her a dose of arnica and the swelling went down almost immediately. I gave her one more dose a few hours later. By the end of the day, I couldn't see where the bruise had been. I've taken it when I've awakened with a stiff neck and seen quick results, too.
I'm looking forward to trying other natural remedies listed in this book. I enjoy learning about alternative treatments for common ailments. However, I am not a doctor nor do I portray one on TV. Research these treatments for yourself and determine if they'll work for you.
I just know that arnica works for me!
Ratatouille
I've wanted to make ratatouille since the Disney movie came out. I decided to make some for last year's International Dinner at my church's missions conference, and it was a big hit.
As I searched the internet for ratatouille recipes, I found out there are as many versions of this dish as there are days in the year. Some chefs insist it must be layered a certain way and that only certain veggies can be used. For others, it's the spices that count. It can be prepared in a casserole dish or a skillet. Baked or cooked on the stovetop. See what I mean?
So I gathered a little from this recipe and a little from that one and came up with my own version. My husband who doesn't care for eggplant or zucchini will eat it in this dish. It's very flavorful.
You can easily double this recipe, but the 8x8 size is just right for my family.
You'll need:
olive oil for sauteing
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small eggplant, diced
1 zucchini, sliced
1 cup of sliced mushrooms
1/2 half an onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, sliced
grated Parmesan cheese
salt
Herbs de Provence
A word about Herbs de Provence - it's a mixture of basil, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, fennel, sage and lavender. In my opinion, it is essential in this dish. The aroma from the lavender is divine.
In a saucepan, saute the garlic in olive oil for a minute or two. Add the diced eggplant and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the pan and add more olive oil if needed. Saute the onions and peppers until softened.
In a greased 8x8 pan, layer the cooked eggplant. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, salt and herbs.
Layer the zucchini over the eggplant and sprinkle with cheese, salt and herbs. Next layer the mushrooms, followed by cheese, salt and herbs. The onions and peppers are next, sprinkled with the cheese, salt and herbs. Finally, cover with a layer of sliced tomatoes, finished with a the cheese, salt and herbs sprinkle.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. The pan might look full, but the veggies have a lot of liquid and will cook down during baking.
Doesn't that look yummy?
This recipe is linked to Blessed with Grace's Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays. Head over there for some more delicious recipes.
As I searched the internet for ratatouille recipes, I found out there are as many versions of this dish as there are days in the year. Some chefs insist it must be layered a certain way and that only certain veggies can be used. For others, it's the spices that count. It can be prepared in a casserole dish or a skillet. Baked or cooked on the stovetop. See what I mean?
So I gathered a little from this recipe and a little from that one and came up with my own version. My husband who doesn't care for eggplant or zucchini will eat it in this dish. It's very flavorful.
You can easily double this recipe, but the 8x8 size is just right for my family.
You'll need:
olive oil for sauteing
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small eggplant, diced
1 zucchini, sliced
1 cup of sliced mushrooms
1/2 half an onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, sliced
grated Parmesan cheese
salt
Herbs de Provence
A word about Herbs de Provence - it's a mixture of basil, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, fennel, sage and lavender. In my opinion, it is essential in this dish. The aroma from the lavender is divine.
In a saucepan, saute the garlic in olive oil for a minute or two. Add the diced eggplant and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the pan and add more olive oil if needed. Saute the onions and peppers until softened.
In a greased 8x8 pan, layer the cooked eggplant. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, salt and herbs.
Layer the zucchini over the eggplant and sprinkle with cheese, salt and herbs. Next layer the mushrooms, followed by cheese, salt and herbs. The onions and peppers are next, sprinkled with the cheese, salt and herbs. Finally, cover with a layer of sliced tomatoes, finished with a the cheese, salt and herbs sprinkle.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. The pan might look full, but the veggies have a lot of liquid and will cook down during baking.
Doesn't that look yummy?
This recipe is linked to Blessed with Grace's Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays. Head over there for some more delicious recipes.
Monday, February 22, 2010
It Happened Again!
Y'all know I don't like spiders. I posted about it here.
For the 4th time in my lifetime, I found a spider on my bath towel. While I was drying off in the shower!
Seriously, the 4th time!
The first time I was at college. I threw the towel out onto the floor of the bathroom I shared with 20 other girls on the hall. Nice. A girl waiting for a shower killed the spider for me. I dripped the whole way back to my room because I didn't want to use that towel to dry off.
The second time I was a counselor at camp. Okay, that's not too unbelievable since I was in the middle of the West Virginia wilderness, therefore technically in spider territory. But for four weeks of camp, I was the only person to have a spider on the bath towel while drying off in the shower. I know this because I asked around.
The third time was at my in-laws' house. My husband dutifully followed the screams and came into the bathroom to kill the spider for me. He also brought me an extra towel.
But this morning - in my own bathroom! Ugh!!! I'm blind as a bat in the shower without my glasses, so if the little varmint hadn't scurried up my arm I might not have noticed it at all. All I know is that swiping, dancing, gyrating and jumping out of the tub ensued. And I know it came from the towel because I always, always, ALWAYS check the tub and shower curtain for spiders before I get in. Always. And I usually check the towel too, but not today. See what happens when you let your guard down?
Somehow my towel ended up in the bottom of the tub and I just knew the spider was just waiting for me to peek under it so it could get me. And hubby had left early for work so I knew I had to take care of this myself. I got dressed, ran downstairs to the kitchen and got a pair of tongs so I could lift the towel up and see underneath it. I had a shoe in the other hand, ready to strike. When I lifted up the towel, I found this:
I guess somewhere in the midst of the swiping and gyrating, it got in the way. Too bad.
Am I the only one this happened to, four times no less? Could my dad have really been right, that spider families see when you kill one of their family members and take revenge?
But what I really, really want to know....how do the spiders know which towel is mine?
For the 4th time in my lifetime, I found a spider on my bath towel. While I was drying off in the shower!
Seriously, the 4th time!
The first time I was at college. I threw the towel out onto the floor of the bathroom I shared with 20 other girls on the hall. Nice. A girl waiting for a shower killed the spider for me. I dripped the whole way back to my room because I didn't want to use that towel to dry off.
The second time I was a counselor at camp. Okay, that's not too unbelievable since I was in the middle of the West Virginia wilderness, therefore technically in spider territory. But for four weeks of camp, I was the only person to have a spider on the bath towel while drying off in the shower. I know this because I asked around.
The third time was at my in-laws' house. My husband dutifully followed the screams and came into the bathroom to kill the spider for me. He also brought me an extra towel.
But this morning - in my own bathroom! Ugh!!! I'm blind as a bat in the shower without my glasses, so if the little varmint hadn't scurried up my arm I might not have noticed it at all. All I know is that swiping, dancing, gyrating and jumping out of the tub ensued. And I know it came from the towel because I always, always, ALWAYS check the tub and shower curtain for spiders before I get in. Always. And I usually check the towel too, but not today. See what happens when you let your guard down?
Somehow my towel ended up in the bottom of the tub and I just knew the spider was just waiting for me to peek under it so it could get me. And hubby had left early for work so I knew I had to take care of this myself. I got dressed, ran downstairs to the kitchen and got a pair of tongs so I could lift the towel up and see underneath it. I had a shoe in the other hand, ready to strike. When I lifted up the towel, I found this:
I guess somewhere in the midst of the swiping and gyrating, it got in the way. Too bad.
Am I the only one this happened to, four times no less? Could my dad have really been right, that spider families see when you kill one of their family members and take revenge?
But what I really, really want to know....how do the spiders know which towel is mine?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Menu Plan Monday - Feb. 21-27
Next week our church is hosting our annual Missions Conference. Each year we have missionaries from all over the world come and present the work that God has called them to do on the mission field. One of the highlights of the week is the International Dinner on Friday night. Everyone brings an international dish to share and a great time is had by all.
So this week, I'm going to try out some international recipes on my family and see how they go. I always try a test run before taking a new dish, especially one with which I'm not familiar, to a church fellowship. My guinea pigs...er, family then give them their approval (or not) and I know if it's an acceptable offering to take.
Here's the plan for the week:
Sunday
Herbed chicken, rice
Monday
Frybread tacos, corn
Tuesday
Mujadarrah (Lentils and rice with fried onions)
Syrian green beans
Wednesday
Black bean soup
Thursday
Chicken taquitos
Friday
Spaghetti with Very Veggie Pasta Sauce, cheesy garlic breadsticks
Saturday
Bonfire and weinie roast with friends (I'm bringing hot dog sauce and a dessert)
For more meal planning inspiration, visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Mondays.
So this week, I'm going to try out some international recipes on my family and see how they go. I always try a test run before taking a new dish, especially one with which I'm not familiar, to a church fellowship. My guinea pigs...er, family then give them their approval (or not) and I know if it's an acceptable offering to take.
Here's the plan for the week:
Sunday
Herbed chicken, rice
Monday
Frybread tacos, corn
Tuesday
Mujadarrah (Lentils and rice with fried onions)
Syrian green beans
Wednesday
Black bean soup
Thursday
Chicken taquitos
Friday
Spaghetti with Very Veggie Pasta Sauce, cheesy garlic breadsticks
Saturday
Bonfire and weinie roast with friends (I'm bringing hot dog sauce and a dessert)
For more meal planning inspiration, visit Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Mondays.
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