Meandering Thoughts of MomTo3Kidz: Food and drink

Yikes - I am out of creamer!

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:42:52 GMT

What a crisis. I cannot drink coffee without my flavored creamer. Someone (named Andrew) put the empty bottle into the refrigerator instead of throwing it away. I stood over my steaming cup of coffee pitifully praying for some creamer to magically flow out of the overturned bottle. Hey, Jesus turned water into wine so miracles can happen, right? I think I got two drips out of the container. Now what? I can be creative - occasionally. A little cartoon balloon appeared over my head. YES! I have an idea! I put a Hershey's dark chocolate Nuggest in my mouth and then drank my coffee. Hot coffee and a smooth chunk of dark chocolate, make for a delicious morning. Try it - you'll like it!

Don't want funky food

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:08:32 GMT

I started counting calories a few days ago and decided to look up some easy, healthy recipes. Oh my gosh, the recipes have stuff that I have never eaten and some I dislike. Here are some ingredients that I found on BHG. com: barley, pine nuts, quinoa, bulgur, wheat berries, artichoke hearts, dried tomatoes... I need normal food - tuna, salmon, garden vegetables, chicken breasts, fresh or frozen fruit. I just want some new recipes that include normal foods. Who really eats that funky food anyhow? Do you?

This week my breakfast consists of oatmeal with extra brown sugar (so I can handle eating it) and water or coffee. Lunch consists of one Granny Smith apple, once cheese stick, 3 - 4 thin sliced turkey (that I wrap around the cheese) and a diet Coke; and for a snack I eat 10 pistachio nuts. It keeps me satisfied all day at work. Dinner is when my eating goes down the tubes. My husband loves sausage, fried food, beef, bread, noodles - all the stuff that I need to stay away from. Usually he does the cooking. I try to limit my portions or skip eating some of the dishes he serves, but it is hard to do. Looks like I might have to start cooking my food separately.

Happy Thanksgiving

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 02:38:51 GMT

This entry isn't really about food and drink. It just seemed that an entry on Thanksgiving Day should be about food and drink. Instead it is about people and personalities:

First of all you can guarantee that Craig will be in a nasty mood every holiday. Every. One. Even the small ones like Labor Day. So I can normally go though the calendar and count on nastiness on specific days of the year. This morning my hubby got up and started nagging and complaining that the kitchen was a disaster. I thought to myself, "Why would this holiday be any different than every holiday for the past 23 years?" All of a sudden he got ahold of himself. I don't know why. I didn't say a word. I just steeled myself for an unpleasant day, and he quit complaining. Wow!

We went to my brother's house for meal number one. It was a decent crowd and my sister and her fiance got the kids into playing a dice game that involved gambling - in this case it was for nickles. The noise was deafening and joyful, as the kids won and lost precious nickles. My sister-in-law's great- niece (who is 4) banged on the piano wildly. My brother's step-daughter had her two dogs with her - one of them Lollie's baby - who ran around, jumped on people and sniffed and begged for food. The only person who couldn't handle the cheerful chaos was my grandpa, who is in his 80's. He made my parents drive an hour back to the nursing home after being at my brother's for two hours. Bummer.

I came home and napped for an hour before going to my mother-in-law's house to face Bio-mom. Bio-mom's favorite thing to do is insult people. This year I decided not to ignore it. She made her usual comment, "So, are you going to grow your hair out? It looked so much better when it was long." I said, "No, I am not growning it out. I like it this way." She said, "But it was so pretty when it was long." Here I go, in for the kill. "I don't wear my hair to please you and I am sick of you saying that. Why can't you ever say anything nice?" She stammerd and stumbled and tried to backtrack and say my hair looks good short too. I ignored her pitiful attempt. She insulted other people after that. Yay for me! I noticed that there were two arguments that could have turned ugly, but somehow Bio-mom managed to back down. Miracles happen.

Having two autistic children in the house at the same time can be quite challenging. Craig's nephew is more severely affected than Drew. He is very loud and prone to melt-downs. Andrew avoids the crowd and the noise and confusion by hiding in Grandma's bedroom to play video games. Zack walked in, saw Andrew put one of his games into the system and snatched it away. Andrew took it back. Zack tried to get it back in his posession and Andrew pushed him away. Zack had a meltdown about Andrew playing his game. Crud. It didn't matter in the least to Andrew that Zack is 12 and he is 16; Zack crowded him and Andrew wanted him out of his space. He also said that Zack needed to learn how to share. Ugh. The game in question was taken away from both of them and Andrew muttered some rude comments until he got himself calmed down. I am so glad he didn't pound the poop out of Zack. Zack had two other tantrums during the evening. When certain family members were making comments about the boys' behavior I said, "Yoo, hoo... What do you expect from two kids who have sensory issues? Think about all of the noise, color, sound, and smells in this little house. They are both out of their routines. Andrew knows that he cannot handle it, so he goes into a cave. Zack is just worried about missing something so he goes from room to room and gets overstimulated. He hasn't developed a method to calm himself."

All in all it was an ok day. No nasty husband and Bio-mom did't fight with anyone. I have to say that I am glad to be back in my tiny, messy, worn out house. I need to rest and relax. Tomorrow is Black Friday and it is my tradition to finish all of my Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I totally enjoy the crowds, the music, the sales, and the general excitement of it all. I know - I am a crazy woman, and proud of it.

Hamburger Soup

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 01:36:17 GMT

I suddenly realized that I haven't posted one of my super-easy recipes in a very long time. Since autumn is around the corner it is time to think about soup!

1 lb. ground chuck, browned and drained

1 can tomato juice

1 can diced tomatoes

1/2 bag frozen hash browns

1/2 bag frozen mixed vegetables

diced onion

diced celery

pepper to taste

garlic salt to taste

Mix it all together and simmer on the stove or crock pot. Serve with bread or salad.

Cheater Fried Rice

Wed, 09 May 2007 21:42:48 GMT

I like to make fast, easy things for my family to eat. I rarely follow a recipe exactly and like to incorporate convenience foods. My fried rice is one of the kids' favorites.

2 boxes of Rice-a-Roni fried rice mix

Diced onion

bacon, fried crispy and cut into small pieces

1egg, beaten

peas

mushrooms, diced

soy sauce

Follow package directions to make the rice. While the rice is boiling, add the onion. When the rice is almost done add the bacon and peas and mushrooms. When the rice is cooked, add the beaten egg and stir well. As soon as the egg is cooked, the rice is ready to eat. Everyone adds soy sauce to their own bowls of rice. I have to make the double batch because everyone chows on this concoction I made up.

Baked Dijon Salmon (or talapia)

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 17:51:30 GMT

1/4 cup butter, melted

3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

1/4 cup dry bread crumbs

1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

4 teaspoons fresh chopped parsley (which I never put in when I make this dish)

4 - 4oz salmon filets

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
In a small bowl stir together butter, mustard and honey.
In another bowl mix together bread crumbs, pecans and parsley
Brush each salmon fillet with honey mustard mixture, and sprinkle the tops with bread crumb mixture.
Bake salmon 12 - 15 minutes un the preheated oven or until it flakes easily with a fork.
Season with salt and pepper.

This is my favorite way to eat fish. If I could afford to eat salmon and talapia often, I would eat it at least once a week.

Smoked Sausage Stew

Sat, 07 Oct 2006 15:07:15 GMT

I always find recipes and then think of ways to change them. I cannot remember when I started making this one but my family loves it and it is perfect for dinner on a cold evening. I will give you the basics, and some ideas for changing it. When I make up a recipe, I never measure, I just eyeball the amounts.

Ingredients:

Smoked Sausage, cut into rings

Potatoes, cut into cubes or slices with peels still on

Diced or sliced onion

Cream of mushroom soup

Canned green beans

Shredded cheese

Maybe a little bit of milk - if needed

Salt and Pepper

Cooking:

The long slow way is to layer the first five ingredients in the crock pot. Set it on low and let it cook until the potatoes are done. If it seems too thick, add a little bit of milk and stir well. Sprinkle cheese in the pot and let it sit until it melts. Serve in bowls with big spoons. Salt and pepper to taste.

Variations:

Use another type of sausage

Use red potatoes or frozen hash browns or canned sliced potatoes

Use Alfredo sauce

Add or delete vegetables

When you use the canned potatoes you can brown the sausage in a deep skillet and cook the whole thing on the stove top. I did this the other night when I didn't plan a dinner before I went to work.

Cut Calories:

turkey sausage

reduced calorie mushroom soup

low fat cheese

Italian Beef Sandwiches

Sun, 09 Jul 2006 11:31:54 GMT

I keep a list of meal ideas on my refrigerator and during the summer I try to go as long as possible without repeating a meal. It is a fun challenge. I tried a new recipe yesterday and it turned out great, so I thought I would share.

Italian Beef-

4 - 5 lb. chuck roast

2 cups water

1 packet Au Jus gravy mix

2 tbs worsesterchire

1 stick margarine

1 packet Good Season's Italian Dressing Mix

1 onion, diced

6 whole pepperocinis (use hot ones if you like some zing)

2 tbs pepperocini juice

Put all ingredients into a crockpot and cook on low until the meat is easily shredded. Serve the meat on hard Italian rolls.

Recipe Time!!! Dump Cake

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 18:33:36 GMT

This cake is more like cherry crisp. It only works if you follow the directions and DO NOT STIR! I have taken it to families who have had babies or been in the hospital. It is a big hit at carry-in dinners. People always ask how to make it. For some reason they skip right over the sentence that says, "Do Not Mix!" and then wonder why it doesn't look or taste anything like mine. Don't make the same mistake...and enjoy!

1 can crushed pineapple with juice

1 can cherry pie filling

1 yellow cake mix

1 1/2 stick of butter or margarine

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 pan. Add the above ingredients in order. The cake mix is sprinkled all over the cherries and pineapple. DO NOT STIR! The butter is sliced and dotted all over the top of the cake mix and then the pecans are sprinkled on last. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes. This is great right out of the oven with vanilla ice cream.

Variations: Use two cans apple pie filling

Use all cherry pie filling

Skip the nuts or use a different kind

Talking about Adventures in coffee

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 11:50:58 GMT

Quote

Adventures in coffee

I have always loved the smell of coffee. It makes my mouth water, like smelling a steak on the grill when I am outside in the summer. The problem was that it tasted horrible. The first time I tried coffee was the day after my junior prom, 26 years ago. My boyfriend's dad made us breakfast and gave me a cup of coffee to wake me up. The face I made when I took my first sip had everyone laughing.

When Dairy Queen came out with Moolattes I decided to try one. As a true blue hater of coffee, I have no idea why I did this. I was instantly hooked on Mocha Moolattes and had an expensive (and fattening) habit there for a while. I decided that coffee was only good when it is mixed with ice cream.

Fast forward to spring of 2005 and my student teaching. I worked in a middle school classroom for students with emotional disabilities. The teacher and the paras in the room as well as the teacher across the hall, were die hard coffee drinkers. They purchased beans, and ground them at school and brewed several pots of coffee a day. They didn't drink regular coffee. They bought flavored beans and creamers. It didn't take the students long to realize that I never touched the stuff.

The coffee pot was right next to my desk. I liked having it there because the smell was divine and I got to talk to the people who came in to get a cup of coffee. One of the students, Mitchell, came in early every morning and ground the first beans of the day and started the coffee, even though he wasn't allowed to drink any of it. He started bugging me about trying a cup. The other students joined in. I finally conceded and tried some caramel praline coffee with added sugar and cream. It smelled so good and I was certain that this time it would taste as good as it smelled. GAG! That stuff was so bitter. I made the same horrible face that I make when I have to take cough medicine. I shuddered as the coffee hit my stomach. The kids loved it. They laughed and teased me about the horrible face I made.

My husband has told me a hundred times that I will end up liking coffee, because "all teachers drink coffee." I countered that prediction with "all teachers do not drink coffee and I will stick with my Diet Coke, thank you." This past February I was in the middle of hell week (having 23 IEP conferences) when one of my co-workers came to my office bearing a gift - a cup of english toffee cappucino. I didn't tell her that I don't drink coffee, I just blew on it and took a sip. It was great. Sweet, very hot, creamy, with the same basic undertones as a Moolatte. "Wow," I thought, "It isn't just the ice cream that makes my favorite treat so delicious."

I dug out my Starbucks card that one of my friends sent me for graduation last May and decided that I would finally use it. It didn't take long for the $10.00 to disappear. Then we started going to a new church with a coffee shop in the foyer. I started buying a latte or a cappucino every Sunday morning. That was totally crazy. Our budget does not have room for coffee shop prices. I started buying a cup of regular coffee with unlimited refills for $1.00 and adding chocolate and amaretto creamer. I finally drug out my coffee pot that I have probably had for 10 years (thanks to a coffee drinking friend who felt I needed one for her visits) and decided to try brewing regular coffee and adding liquid, flavored creamers.

Well the whole reason I started this long and detailed blog about coffee is that I bought a new can of coffee yesterday. My first can was Wal Mart generic coffee. Today I brewed my first pot of Folgers French Roast. Generic is not as good

Talking about Kathleen's Kanned Chili

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 11:45:42 GMT

Quote

Kathleen's Kanned Chili

Ingredients:

2 lbs hamburger, browned and drained

Diced onion

1 can tomato soup

1 can chili beans

1 can diced tomotoes with green chilis

1 package taco or chili seasoning

Water

1 bag corn chips

Sour Cream

Shredded taco cheese

Hot sauce

Mix the first six ingredients together in a large pan or crock pot and then add water to get the desired thickness. After you let the chili simmer long enough for the seasons to blend, serve over corn chips and add sour cream and taco cheese on top. I add hot sauce to my bowl of chili because I like it hotter than the rest of the family. (I usually start this in the crockpot in the morning and let it cook all day.)

One way to use leftovers: Boil some pasta and serve chili on top of it.

Talking about Tater Tot Casserole (Victoria's Favorite)

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 11:41:31 GMT

Quote

Tater Tot Casserole (Victoria's Favorite)

Ingredients:

1 lb hamburger, fried with diced onions and drained

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can green beans, drained

Grated cheese

Frozen tater tots

Mix hamburger and cream of mushroom soup and spread in the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking dish. (may add a bit of milk to make it spread easier) Spread green beans over the hamburger mixture. Sprinkle grated cheese over the green beans. Arrange frozen tater tots over the green beans, completely covering the pan. Bake at 400 degrees until the tater tots are brown. Sprinkle more cheese over the tater tots and bake just long enough to melt.

Victoria loves this so much that she asked to have it for her birthday dinner - minus the green beans. I doubled the recipe and only put green beans in half the pan.

Talking about Mock Lasagna

Sun, 04 Jun 2006 11:40:29 GMT

Quote

Mock Lasagna

Ingredients:

25 oz bag of frozen beef ravioli

1 jar spaghetti sauce

Shredded Mozarella cheese or Italian mixture of cheese

Small carton of small curd cottage cheese or ricotta

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Boil the ravioli according to package directions and drain.

Spread a little spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a round baking dish

Layer ravioli, sauce, cottage cheese, and mozzarella

Last layer should be mozzarella cheese

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Variations: Sometimes I add pepperoni or mushrooms (or both) to the layers

Serve with a salad and garlic bread and you have a full meal.

One fat day

Mon, 28 Feb 2005 22:49:37 GMT

Today is one fat day. I stood on the scale and realized that I the same weight I was when I was 9 months pregnant with Devon. I cannot seem to have the self-discipline to exercise and eat right while I am doing my student teaching. Some parts of my life seem to be on hold for now and living healthy is one of those things. If I wasn't 5' 10" tall I would look like a sow. I guess being tall has some advantages!