Purging.

Posted on by
Reply

National Clean-Your-What Day???

I saw it on CNN.   This past Tuesday (2 days ago) was National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.  Have you ever heard of such a thing?  I suppose it’s a great effort.  Way to go, People-who-think-of-these-rather-obscure-things.  

What I find especially disturbing is that we are encouraged to perform this task… once a year.  Maybe some people need this sort of yearly reminder, but I am pretty vigilant about thoroughly cleaning out the fridge very week or two, right before I make my big grocery trip.  (Can’t stand the thought of putting fresh food that just cost me an arm and a leg into a grimy fridge).  

I am not saying my fridge is always pristine (believe me, a week or two is all some things need to cause trouble in there).  And there is occasionally the thing that falls down behind the other thing that I completely forget about until it has gone all  “science experiment” on me.

I guess I’ll embrace this occasion to think about food safety.

Hubby and I are entirely obsessive about food safety…  especially leftovers.  (When in doubt, throw it out!)  I also really can’t stand being wasteful, so there has to be a healthy balance.  When it comes to leftovers, I never make more than what we will eat in the next two days.  Any prepared food older than two days gets tossed.  (Most experts say 3-4 days, but I use the two-day rule to play it safe.)  Generally, I am pretty good about making sure our leftovers get eaten so we don’t waste anything.  If I make a big batch of something, I freeze a portion of it right away to save for another time.  (Really, most everything can be frozen.)

I have a couple of trusty friends that help me out:  “Masking Tape” & “Sharpie.”  Everything in my fridge gets a dated label.  Everything.  Ketchup.  Mayo.  Leftovers.  Nothing is exempt from the treatment.  I used to think I could remember when I prepared everything, but when life gets busy (which is pretty much always), time rolls by like a steam locomotive and before I know it, I have no earthly idea if I hard-boiled those eggs yesterday or last week.

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I can’t help but think of all that food coming my way.  More than probably any of us can handle.  

Freeze what you can.  Be safe.  And happy eating to all. 

Continue the coffee love by joining my facebook page:
Blue Jeans & Coffee Beans.

This post is a part of Simple Lives Thursday.


Test Drive.

Posted on by
Reply

Chilly September morning.  Warm coffee cup in my hand.  And test-driving a new brew.  Maple Walnut from Cameron’s.  Woodsy, nutty, rich and syrupy… just like I have always imagined a backwoods Vermont maple sugar house to be.  Enchantingly divine.  The only thing that could possibly make this moment better would be this cozy Handwarmer mug.  (This is soooo on my Christmas list!)

And speaking of test-drive… have you seen this?  A jet-powered school bus that reaches a speed of 367 mph?  I can completely relate.  Give me my morning coffee and I can conquer the world!  (Only maybe at slightly less than 367 mph.)

Hand over the coffee and nobody gets hurt.

Recharge.

Posted on by
2

My daughter has one of those nifty play kitchens in her room.  Honestly, it’s been some of the best money we have ever been spent because this kitchen is one of those things that has actually been played with like crazy and it’s now been handed down to kid #3. 

And when seen through the eyes of a child, it has become much more than a kitchen.  My girls have showed me that if you remove the sink, it can be used as a washing machine, stuffing the laundry down inside what should be the refrigerator.  If you pull it out from the wall and someone stands behind it, the kitchen is transformed to a drive-up bank window.  The stove also doubles as a school desk.  Who knew???

Did I yet mention it is a “Dora the Explorer” talking kitchen?  Not my first choice, but we got an amazing deal on it at the time.  There’s nothing necessarily wrong with Dora except for the fact that she YELLS ALL THE TIME!!!  (Just like that.)  Clearly, someone has not properly taught that child how to use her “inside voice.”

And the batteries are dying.  So Dora has been behaving especially erratically.  And I never think about changing her batteries until around 2:30 am, because that’s when Dora delivers an impromptu cooking lesson… “LET’S MAKE BANAAAAANA NUT CAAAAAKE!  YOU NEED BUUUUUTTTEEEEER!  MAAAANTEQUIIIIILLLLA!… and so on and so forth.  I have it memorized by now and quite frankly, I don’t think her recipe would make a very good banana nut cake. 

However, dead-battery Dora has taught me a thing or two.  Sometimes, I just need to take some time to recharge my batteries.  When my juice is low, my behavior can be just as erratic and off-the-wall. 

Recipe for Recharge.

1.  Grab a cup of coffee. 

2.  Go here:  The Prayer Garden.  (Take some time and click on everything.  Every page holds hidden treasures… and make sure your sound is turned up.  You won’t want to leave…)

(For future reference, The Prayer Garden link can also be found on the left-hand side of this page under “Happy Places.”)

“God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired, 
they walk and don’t lag behind.“

Isaiah 40.29-31 (The Message)

This post is a part of Simple Lives Thursday.

Pin It

Water, Water, Everywhere…

Posted on by
4

… and not a drop to drink.  -The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

When I was young people drank something I like to call water.  And we didn’t purchase it in bottles.  And it wasn’t flavored.  And it wasn’t carbonated.  My parents paid for it each month by way of a utility bill.  It came straight from the tap.  And it was good.

It seems that now more than ever we are daily bombarded with a barrage of beverage choices.  Soda pop, juices, sports drinks, etc.  I can even purchase artificially flavored powders to dump into my pre-bottled water just so I won’t have to bother tasting the water.  Seriously.

Maybe it’s just me, but I cannot imagine anything more thirst-quenching than a good ol’ glass of cool water.  These days, we filter our water mostly because it just tastes better.  (I like the Brita Ultramax.)  Given that our bodies are over 70% water, it just makes good sense to drink it.

When we are dining out, I order water.  Yes, it saves me money, but I am one of those people who actually prefer it.  You will hardly ever find me without my stainless steel water bottle by my side. 

Water.  Is.  My.  Friend.

I especially dislike how fruit juice is touted to be such a wholesome drink option for my kids.  In most cases, it contains just as much or more sugar than a can of soda!  In a perfect world, I would rather them be consuming whole fruit with a glass of water or milk… a more beneficial choice. 

However, my husband is crazy about his juice… and so are my girls.  In an effort to curb the sugar intake (and pad my pocketbook since the cost of fruit juice is frighteningly absurd) we use the half and half principle.  Half juice.  Half water.  Yes, it’s diluted, but my girls don’t know any better.  Even my hubby has grown to love his juice less-than-full-strength.

So I raise my water glass to good health, joyful moments and hot coffee!  Cheers!

  This post is a part of the Frugal Tuesday Tip and Fresh Bites Friday.     

Pleasantries.

Posted on by
Reply

Oh, sweet Saturday.  It was one of those days.  Any woman would understand.  That feeling of being completely overwhelmed by life and the daily tasks at hand, not knowing exactly where to start.  (I should also mention that I was running on little to no sleep from the aforementioned sleepover which may or may not explain what happens next.) So I tear into my chores with the vigilance of a soldier.  I throw the stray shoes from the entryway into the closet (saving the sorting for later), tossed the first load of the laundry mountain into the washing machine, and began washing dishes like mad. 

I was feeling oh-so-pleased with myself.  You know that feeling you get when you are actually getting things done.  Things were going well… too well. 

And that’s when it happened.  I heard of rush of water.  A deluge.  It sounded just like it was raining… in the house. 

I soon discovered a waterfall in the basement.  Not only was water pouring in, it was directed at the neatly stacked boxes of books, pictures and keepsakes we had stored in the corner.  Ay yi yi.  I automatically assumed there was a bathroom plumbing problem and naturally started to have a breakdown.  My awesome hubby soon found evidence to the contrary…

Apparently, this overzealous mama overfilled the washing machine (BIG oops!), causing it to overflow in the first floor wash room, which, in addition to flooding the entire room, leaked into the basement.  Well, at least it wasn’t raw sewage, right? 

I immediately went into rescue mode, moving soggy boxes and salvaging what I could.  Most things were okay and in the process, I found a few long-lost treasures that I was sure had gone missing in one of our many moves, including the Unity candle from our wedding (still intact!), the missing piece to the Christmas tree stand (which had gone rogue years ago), and a box of my old journals. 

As it happened, I was able to rid my basement of two large piles… one for the trash man and one for Goodwill.  Not an expected event, but I will still call it a good day.

Exhausted and happy, I did the only logical thing I could think of that night… collapsed onto the couch and read the manual to my 9-year-old bread machine.  I know.  Weird.  I was looking for a new recipe to try in the machine and that’s when the lightning struck…  MY BREAD MACHINE HAS A DELAY TIMER???  May I remind you that I have had this thing for 9 years… it was a wedding gift.  I am even one of those people who actually uses my machine quite regularly to make everything from pizza dough to peach jam to… bread!  Imagine my surprise. 

Consequently, I arrived home from church yesterday to a warm, freshly done loaf of bread (and, of course, a crock pot of hearty beef stew).  And it was heavenly. 

As much as I love surprises, I would love for Monday to be slightly more predictable.  I have had all the excitment I can handle for a couple of days. 

It’s amazing how the world begins to change through the eyes of a cup of coffee! ~Donna A. Favors

This is my grandmother’s old bread recipe and it’s amazing… perfect every time!


Grandma’s Bread (bread machine)


3 c. (level) flour (cracked wheat or white)
2 T. sugar (slightly rounded)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 T. butter (divided into 4 pieces)
2 tsp. active dry yeast (slightly rounded)
1 c. + 2 T. milk


1.  Warm milk to lukewarm.  Place in pan.  Spoon in dry ingredients (do not mix in).  Smooth out.  Pat pan to settle dry ingredients on top of milk.


2.  Make a slight well in center and spoon in yeast.  Place 4 pieces of butter in corners.  Close lid.  Set crust setting (light, medium or dark) and bake.


Makes 1.5 lb loaf.

For a downloadable/printable copy of this recipe and many more, visit my Recipes page.

Three Ring Circus.

Posted on by
1

Well today is the big day.  I am helping to host an uber-sleepover for scores of screaming little girls.  I know what you’re thinking… “What is she thinking???”  Well, clearly I was not thinking when I accepted such a mission. 

However,

I can tell you that my little sweeties are beside-themselves-giddy.  And just knowing that thrills me to pieces.

Rest assured… 

There.  Will.  Be.  Coffee. 
A whole lotta coffee.

So until Monday, my dear friends, I leave you with this…

(Watch all the way until the end.  You won’t regret it.)

For the love of breakfast.

Posted on by
9

Breakfast.  As they say, it is the most important meal of the day.  As much as I would love to serve up a hot meal at the crack of dawn each morning, I don’t exactly foresee that happening.  (Mom, I have no earthly clue how you were able to accomplish such a feat!) 

“Big Breakfast Day” is a delicacy reserved for Saturday mornings… a special treat to celebrate the end to our week.

I am always on the lookout for new ideas to simplify our morning routine and get a quick, healthy breakfast in all those growling tummies!

One of my favorite staples are these healthy breakfast bars, a simple granola-type bar that takes about 5 minutes to mix together and a little longer to wrap up.  They are super portable and perfect for grabbing on-the-go!  I always stuff a couple in my handbag when heading out, because no matter where we are, or how recently they have eaten, one of my sweet little girls will… be… hungry. 

The bars are rich in protein and just sweet enough that you will forget they are good for you!  My kids gobble them up like crazy.  (I form them in a round patty shape so my little ones call them “cookies!”)  I have been making the bars for several years now and I could never go back to eating a store-bought granola bar.  They don’t even come close!

I always double or triple this recipe and keep our freezer stocked with these treats! 





Breakfast Bars (EASY!)

2 ½ c. old fashioned or quick oats
½ c. whole flax seed
¼ c. dark cocoa powder or ½ c. semisweet chocolate chips (organic is best!)
½ c. natural peanut butter (unsweetened)
½ c. honey
½ – 1 c. HOT water


1. Stir ingredients together. (If adding chocolate chips instead of cocoa powder, add them last so they don’t melt too much.)
2. Form into individual sized patties, like hamburgers. Wrap in plastic wrap and keep in freezer or fridge. OR press mixture into a 13 x 9 pan and chill in freezer for about 20 minutes. Cut evenly into squares and wrap in plastic wrap.


Makes about 16

Note:  I prefer using the chocolate chips over the cocoa powder, simply due to the fact that I have small children.  The dark cocoa powder can be a brown gooey mess in those little hands!  Preserving my own sanity…

Note, Part Deux:  To quickly (and cleanly!) form the patties, place a big heaping tablespoon of mixture on plastic wrap.  Double wrap over the top of the mixture and mash down with the heel of your hand.  Finish wrapping tightly.

For a downloadable/printable copy of this recipe and many more, visit my Recipes page.


As always… serve with coffee.
This post is a part of Simple Lives Thursday , Fresh Bites Friday , Make Your Own! Monday and Healthy 2Day Wednesday.

Pin It

Treasured Moments.

Posted on by
2

Autumn has truly arrived in style this morning (never mind the calendar).  I love the chill that runs through me as my bare feet hit the cold hardwood floor, awakening my senses. I welcome summer’s end on this rainy fall day.  On a brisk morning such as this, I sincerely hope there will be time to curl up with a well-loved book in my window seat.  My coffee, all the while, is never far away.  Positively idyllic. 


My three precious girls will soon awaken and come running to find me and my dear husband, showering us with giggles and kisses.  I treasure every morning moment, when we are reunited from our slumber and reminded of the deep love we share before parting for the day. 

Life is just so darn good.

Song for a rainy day…

 “I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms—
I’m celebrating your rescue.
I’m singing at the top of my lungs,
I’m so full of answered prayers.”
Psalms 13.5-6 (The Message)

Where’s the Beef?

Posted on by
1
Tuesday.  Another perfect day to indulge in a sweet cup of Chocolate Caramel Brownie coffee.  Heavenly bliss.  I don’t think anything could ever completely replace my love for a Starbucks Sumatra, but this might come close!

It’s going to be a rather full day at my house.  Definitely a 2 cupper. (Meaning I will need at least 2 cups of joe just to get my posse out the door this morning.) 

On the agenda? 

School. 
Post office.
Library. 
Car wash. 
Grocery store. 

Oh, the grocery store.  Love and loathing.  My three little darlings count it success if there are melon samples in the produce section.  I count it success if we make it to the checkout with two or less trips to the bathroom. 

It is no stretch of the imagination that my grocery bill is growing and the contents of my cart are dwindling.  For a Type A budgeter like myself, this is cause for alarm.  Getting the most out of my food dollars, while making healthy choices, is crucial. (After all, somebody is going to have pay for these kids to get through college!) 

One of my favorite tricks revolves around ground meat.  I never buy less than 90% lean ground beef.  When you buy lower quality meat, you are paying for fat that cooks away and leaves you with less meat, not to mention it’s not the best choice for your health.  (Investing in yourself now, will reap many rewards later, including money saved on preventable health conditions.) 

Many recipes call for 1 pound of ground beef, but I always cut the amount in half and substitute the other half with brown rice or veggies, depending on the recipe.  I use Minute brown rice because it is quick and studies show that it offers the same health benefits as the regular.  You can try this tip with any recipe that calls for ground meat. 

As a rule of thumb, 1 c. of cooked brown rice is about equal to 1/2 lb. of ground meat.  Use less, if you want to add lots of veggies.

For example, when I make enchiladas, I add 1 c. cooked brown rice to 1/2 lb. of ground beef.  Saute some red peppers and onions in olive oil until tender.  Add to the ground beef and continue with your recipe as written.

If I make any kind of pasta dish, I omit the rice and load it up with shredded carrots, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, etc.  Cook veggies in olive oil until tender before adding to meat mixture.  (If it were up to me, I’d be satisfied with a veggie sauce, but hubby loves his meat!)

For beef stroganoff, I add lots of mushrooms and onions in with 1/2 lb. of meat.  My whole family adores mushrooms so I can never go wrong there.

I do this with sloppy joes, tacos, lasagna… pretty much everything.  (Also, a great way to sneak veggies to my unsuspecting girls!)

This trick really stretches our meat dollars and it’s a healthier way to eat, too.  I watch for sales and buy ground beef in the biggest size possible to save more.  I wrap and freeze it in half pound increments right away so it’s all ready to go.

Off and running for the day! 

Given enough coffee, I could rule the world…

  This post is part of the Frugal Tuesday Tip. 
On Tuesdays, I am linking up with other bloggers to share a Frugal Tuesday Tip. Go here to learn more about it and get more Frugal Tuesday tips!  

The Daily Grind.

Posted on by
Reply

Back to the grind.  After a perfect weekend, it is today that we commence our oh-so-hectic schedule.  Dance classes resume for the year beginning today.  While I find it exceedingly fun and rewarding for my little angels, it is also a bit of a busy bear for this mama.  Is it worth it?  Of course.  (Especially come June recital when I see those girlies dancing their little hearts out in tutus and lip gloss!)  Is it easy?  Not a chance.  Not without a little planning anyway… and of course, a cup of coffee.

For the next nine months dance classes will put a permanent dent in our family dinner time every Monday and Tuesday.  I will arrive home well after 6:00 pm with 3 hungry kids in tow and a famished hubby on his way home from the office.  By that point, I am exhausted, spent and most certainly not in the mood to cook.

Three Options.  Dining out.   (I don’t know about you, but my money tree doesn’t seem to be quite so fruitful ever since I had kids.)  Frozen pizza.  (Ugh.)   Preparing ahead for a home-cooked meal.  (Now, were talkin’!)

These are the days I thank God for my crock pot.  At this stage in my life, I am certain that my survival depends on it.  Mondays are dubbed crock pot day (as are most Sundays!) and thanks to the large volume produced from many crock pot recipes, we enjoy mouth-watering leftovers on Tuesday night, too.

I enjoy a Sunday beef pot roast as much as the next girl, but my crock pot has so much more potential.  Spaghetti is one of the few meals that every person in my family will actually eat… even the picky one!  Serve with a light lettuce salad and you’ve got a winner.

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

Makes 4 servings

1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. chopped onion (1 medium)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 16 oz. can tomatoes, undrained and cut up
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1/2 c. fresh mushrooms 
2 T. corn starch or quick-cooking tapioca
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/8 tsp. black pepper
Dash salt
8 oz. spaghetti, cooked and drained

1.  In a skillet cook ground beef, onion, garlic and mushrooms until meat is brown and veggies are tender.  Drain.

2.  Meanwhile, in a 3 1/2 – 4 quart slow cooker, combine tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms, tapioca or corn starch, Italian seasoning, black pepper and salt.  Stir in meat mixture.

3.  Cover and cook on low for 8 – 10 hours or on high for 4 – 5 hours.  Serve over hot spaghetti.

For a 5 or 6 quart slow cooker, double all ingredients.  Prepare as above.  Makes 8 – 10 servings.

I think if I were a woman I’d wear coffee as a perfume. ~John Van Druten

You know, that’s not exactly a bad idea…  Happy Monday!