Pork roast and a reflection

Snow, snow , snow ! Happily we are not getting as much as a lot of areas in the country, but we seem to be getting our fair share here. Snow, from the perspective of looking at it through a plate glass window from a warm house is pretty. Looking at is from the perspective of the mess you must shovel, drive or walk through is not ! As a kid, a snowstorm represented a day off school and the opportunity to go sledding in the local hilly ravine turned opportunity to catch serious air. As an older adult, snow represents yet another time to contemplate bone density, the laws of gravity and stiff joints. I don't think I took as much time with the kid perspective as I should have ! Then again because of some of the time spent in that kid perspective, the adult perspective looms large( I broke some ribs sledding and my collarbone while skiing back in the good old days and they inform me of the approach of damp weather these days).

For some reason, winter weather makes me think pork roast. No idea why, but I always do. Perhaps it is something about the nutritional make up of pork- it is a good source of B6, B12, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc . Then again it can be something about the pig's role on a farm. Pigs were kept because they were an amazing animal that could convert household scraps into meat. Slopped with the leavings of the family table, cooking scraps, bits and bobs of various organic matter, pigs were kind of like bone broth on the hoof. Take what is thought of as useless, and transform it into something very useful. It has always struck me as interesting that one of the very reasons why I consider pigs to be valuable , some religious thoughts consider this to be reason to declare them unfit for human consumption. Where as they see it as the animal being unclean because it has consumed an unclean thing, I see it as a tribute to nature that this animal has the capacity to take the unclean and clean it for other use. Kind of like the water cycle when you get down to it. Did you know that the amount of water on the planet has been the same since the day it was formed ? It is made clean and usable through the water cycle. All of the snow and rains that are happening are evidence of the melting polar ice caps. We are going to have a very wet time for a long while now it seems !

But back to pork- I came across yet another recipe for a pork loin roast that said "make me". This one was to be served with a sauce, and it made me mourn the loss of my gravy boats over the years. Serving sauce in a coffee cup just seems wrong !

Asian Pork Loin

  2 lb  Pork Loin
  5 cloves garlic
  3 onions, sliced
  1 apple, chopped
  1  can  pineapple chunks, drained
  2 cups  chicken broth
  1/2 c.  splenda
  1/3 c.  balsmic vinegar
  2 t.   soy sauce.

Toss pork loin, garlic, onions, apple , pineapple and chicken broth in crock pot- cook on low for 4-6 hrs. Pour sauce into pan, add Splenda, balsamic vinegar and soy sauce, heat to boiling. Dissolve 2 T cornstarch in cold water, add to sauce to thicken.Slice roast and serve with sauce

Here it is , served with the sauce, soaked rice and saute'd Kale. Chard, kale and other dark greens seem to be so much better in the winter than salads are !

The gravy boat loss was contemplated by me deeply. Part of it was because of an upcoming anniversary. On the 17th we will have been living together for 30 years, and married for 30 years this coming August ( yes we were bad kids and lived together without benefit of marriage- something a lot more shocking at that time than it is now to be sure). As I was hunting down something to serve sauce in, I realized that in our 30 years of housekeeping I have only had one gravy boat, and should have had more. In comparison I have had 10 wine cork removers and have used them very infrequently ( perhaps 15 times in our entire history together) and 3 melon balers that have only been used twice. I still have one coffee cup that was given to me at one of my bridal showers, and the two original sets of cutlery I received as wedding presents. Other than that, nothing about me or my kitchen equipment is the same as it was in those days. I am different, as is he, and the amazing thing is that we have managed to change in ways that still complement each other. That is a good thing.

Cavorting, crock pot and cookies

Yesterday I made a big step towards recovering. I walked around the house, without the chair or a cane, holding a watering can full of water and I watered all my plants . This may sound like a non such thing, but I have still heeded to support my self on the walls while walking , and carrying anything has been  out of the question. This was kind of like a mini marathon at this point. Yay me ...I am getting better !

I am constantly in search of some crock pot recipes that work well ! It seems that modern crock pots cook a lot quicker than their older models, and most foods turn not so nice when cooked in them. Especially true of any dish containing chicken !It takes a bit of experimentation with your own crock pot to discover just the right time table for the dish through trial and error. Happily, my guys are agreeable "guinea pigs"  in this process. These days I am also looking for recipes that use nourishing foods prepared in the proper way, so when I find on , I give it a whirl. Yesterday I experimented with quinoa in the crock pot for the first time. Quinoa is a very healthy, high protein whole grain, and to acchive it's full nutritional benefit it must be soaked in water and a small amount of whey or cider vinegar 8-24 hrs before cooking.( This step removes the phytic acid , which can block the digestive tract from fully absorbing minerals and other nutrients)

                                 Chicken and quinoa stew...or soup

Crockpot Chicken and Quinoa from The Nourishing Gourmet

1 cup quinoa (soaked overnight in water, than drained and rinsed in a strainer. If you don’t soak your grains still rinse to remove a bitter substance from the grain)
2 cups of chicken broth
1/2-3/4 cup of white wine (amount depending on your taste and wine used)
2 cups of water
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon of salt
4-6 carrots, peeled and cubed
3 celery, sliced
1 onion, minced
2 chicken breasts or thighs
3 Tablespoons of butter (opt, for added richness and flavor)

Throw all the ingredients in your crock pot, cook on high, 4 hours or on low, 8. Shred the chicken when done, and stir into the stew and you are done!

Verdict- quinoa seems to really break down in the crock pot !It became almost invisible, and the chicken did get overdone, sadly. It seems that the dish could have used a bit more flavor as well. However, it did come out tasty and very filling !

I also experimented with another cookie - a flourless Walnut Thumbprint using soaked walnuts and home made date butter

Walnut Thumbprints
1 1/2 cup walnuts
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
1 egg
1/2 cup dried unsweetened coconut
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
sweetener equivalent to 1/2 cup of sugar( I used Splenda)
fruit puree OR sugarless jam ( I used Date Puree- recipe follows)

In a food processor, combine walnuts and coconut oil. Process until it becomes walnut butter. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides once or twice. When that mixture is the consistency of a chunky nut butter, add the egg, coconut, soda and sweetener. Blend it until incorporated. Chill for 30 minutes.

Roll dough into balls or use a small scoop. Lay out 24 balls onto a cookie sheet. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each ball as you press down. Fill this cavity with a small amount of jam. Bake for about 15 minutes at 325. Let cool on cookie sheet.

Date Puree
1 lb Majool Dates
water to cover

In a jar place dates , cover with water and soak at room temperature overnight, covered. In the morning drain the dates and place in a food processor. Puree till a jam like consistency. Store in refrigerator.

These were very good ! The date puree gives an almost chocolate taste, so you have a nutty, chocolate cookie that is not overly sweet, and satisfying. Definately a keeper !

It's getting better all the time

Oh, my little herb friends, I could kiss you !! You may be common, green and thought of as weeds by many, but you have never let me down ! Yesterday was one of the "bestus" days I have had in a long time in regards to pain. Not only was I able to function in comfort, but I was able to get in some actual exercise ! Check out my activity log for the day

Exercise
20 minute walk outside
Using guide at Safe exercise for arthritic joints here
50 wall push ups
20 wall slides
40 standing leg abductions
10 counter squats
25 Bridging( it's the Yoga position The Bridge)
30 straight leg raises
20 calf raises
20 Power Knees (Sit in a straight-backed chair and cross your legs above the ankles.
Your legs can be almost straight, or you can bend your knees as much as you like. Try several positions.
Push forward with your back leg and press backward with your front leg.
Exert pressure evenly so that your legs do not move. Hold and count out loud for ten seconds.
Relax. Change leg positions. Be sure to keep breathing.)
40 back kicks

I also slept so well that I woke up very, very early with the feeling that I have had enough sleep and I could start my day.I am sure that will fade, but it was very nice to be awakened by something other than pain. This stuff ROCKS !!! I have great faith in herbs because unlike drugs they have never let me down. Drugs always seem to work partway on my body and create a wake of problems in that course of action. Herbs have always gotten to the root cause, addressed it and the symptoms of the problem fade away. it is like the symptoms are the messenger of an imbalance and once the imbalance is addressed, there is no need for a messenger .

Food was also very good. Here is the log :

Food log
Breakfast
1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup assorted melon cubes, 2 T ground flax. 1 T sliced almonds, coffee, 32 oz water
Lunch
1 c 15 bean soup, 2 c cut veggies( carrots, celery, broccoli) 1/3 cup hummus, Diet Rite, 16 oz water, sugar free fudsicles ( we need to get these out of the freezer so we can make ice cubes)
Snack
2 c air popped popcorn, 16 oz water
Dinner
Aloha pork with brown rice, roast broccoli and green salad with fruit and rosemary roast pecans, Diet Rite
Snack - nonfat plain yogert, blueberries and 1/3 cup Kashi crunch ( not Core so i had to count it)

Dinner was a spur of the moment change that involved the crock pot. I was feeling so good and wanted to just accomplish as much as I possibly could lest I started feeling a backlash of pain, and I did not want to be tied down making dinner at a specific time. The crock pot would give me the freedom to roam as I want to, so I grabbed this recipe from my files- Aloha Pork served with roast broccoli and a green salad tossed with the last of the melon cubes and rosemary roasted nuts ( THESE are potential crack !!)

Aloha Pork ( Gluten free, Core)

4 lean pork steaks ( Boneless skinless Chicken breasts would work fine as well)
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 fresh pineapple, cored , peeled and sliced
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup packed brown sugar twin
2 Tbsp quick-cooking tapioca
2 Tbsp - cat sup
2 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp - dry mustard
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 cups hot cooked brown rice

In a large skillet brown the pork steaks on both sides in hot oil. Transfer the steaks to slow cooker.
In a bowl combine drained pineapple, water, brown sugar twin, tapioca, catsup, soy sauce, and dry mustard; pour over steaks.
Cover; cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours (or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours). At the last half hour, add the cherry tomatoes Skim fat from sauce.
Serve over hot cooked brown rice. Makes 4 servings

Nettles- my love !!

It was another humid day yesterday, which meant another day of having to deal with arthritis. It gets SOOOO frustrating to know that you must move to not only lose weight but to just plain feel better but be in a state where every single step makes you feel like your knees are no longer going to support your body weight and you have to think about every step , looking for something to grab onto in the event that your joints do give out. It was one of those days where my arnica rub was not working, asprin was not working , nor was Tylenol Arthritis strength working ! However, I had to press on. We did school, I had the house to clean ( vacuuming while hanging on walls is an interesting thing), and I got the menu planned for next week. When Bob got home we had planned to go out shopping to one of the fabric stores to look for a pattern and fabric, but the pain was so bad I almost decided to skip it. I didn't , and I told myself at least in a store I will be able to walk around with the aid of a cart. It's not a marathon run or even a jog, but it is movement and I needed it. So we went, I really did not find any inspiration, and we came home. I drug my extremely achy body upstairs, and noticed a medicinal tincture I had made sometime back on the shelf, but had forgotten to use. It was labeled Arthritis Tincture, and I made it because it addresses two of the big issues with arthritis- pain and swelling. I was desperate for some relief ( to the point of seriously thinking about getting an appointment for a knee replacement), so I decided to give this a try. Just 10 drops in a glass of water. 20 minutes later, I felt the first real relief I have had in about 3 weeks . An hour later I was no longer needing to hang onto walls and other stable things when I walked. Last night when we went to bed i was able to feel comfortable instantly and when I woke up to pay a potty call I was able to simply stand up from the bed and walk. This stuff is a near miracle ! This morning I feel so good , we are going to go out for a walk once Nick wakes up. What's in it ? Willow bark and stinging nettles. Willow bark contains the same chemical compound as asprin, but before the refinment of a lab , and so it contains some natural compounds that prevent one of the worst side affects of asprin( bleeding). Nettles , amongst other things , help the body to block inflammatory substances from attacking the body. I think I am in love , once again, with nettles !!!

As to the rest of the day, food wise it was good. I have decided to keep and post a food log to help me transition into the Core program ...and give a reason to post food pictures again !

Food log
Breakfast
1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup berries, 1/3 cup homemade granola ( oatmeal pumpkin seeds sliced almonds honey and oil), coffee, 32 oz water
Lunch
1 oz deli ham, 1 cup carrot and celery sicks, 1 apple, 1 sugar free fudgsicle 16 oz water
Snack
3 cups air popped popcorn 16 oz water
Dinner
1 1/2 cups 8 hr stew, green salad with 1 T cashew /Hibiscus mix, 1 T dressing, Diet rite soda
Snack
1 c nonfat plain yogurt, 1 cup frozen blueberries, 1/4 cup homemade granola

8 Hour Stew ( Gluten Free, Core)


3 cups peeled and cubed Potatoes
2 cups quartered Mushrooms
1 1/2 cups chopped Carrots
1 cup chopped Onions
2 cloves Garlic -- minced
1 tsp ground Thyme and dried Basil
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
2 lbs meat cut into 1" cubes ( I used pork)
1 cup FF Chicken broth
1 1/2 tbsp Tomato Paste
1 teaspoon lite Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh Parsley

Combine the first 8 ingredients in a 3-quart or larger crockpot.
Arrange meat over top of vegetables.
Mix broth, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl.
Pour over meat.
Cover and cook on LOW setting for approximately 8 hours.
During the last hour, stir once or twice, breaking apart any turkey cubes that have stuck together. Be careful not to remove the lid for more
than a minute or so. Stir in parsley just before serving. Makes 6 servings

Off to walk and enjoy a pain free day !

Mom's gone wild !!!!

You ever wonder what mom's do when they have time alone ? First they call in to the Society of Childhood Misery where they learn new ways to get children to pick up their rooms, brush their teeth, stop talking in that smarty tone. All mom's a legally required to check in at least once a year. We are given a tracking implant when we give birth, and if you do not check in.....

Just kidding. This mom, when she has a free day, spends it cooking. A day without interruptions means you get to be productive...just so you don't think about how much you are actually missing the 10,000 questions asked, the million times you have to say things like don't sit too close to the tv, don't yell, can you please pick up... and so forth.

The guys were home for breakfast, so it was something quick and filling- The Breakfast Sundae ! Take 1 c plain nonfat yogurt, top with 1 cup frozen blueberries and 1/3 cup granola. Sprinkle with sugar or splenda if desired. It works as an ice cream sort of desert as well. Here we use my homemade granola, which I make in my crock pot. Here is another recipe I use :

Crock pot Granola

5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (can be a mix of rolled oats and barley flakes)
1/2 cup honey ( I used the locally produced honey)
1/4 cup walnut oil ( better for you than olive oil)
1 cup dried fruit (raisin and dried cranberries in this batch)
1 c coconut flakes

Set crockpot to low heat.
Combine all ingredients until oatmeal is evenly coated.
Cook in crockpot for 3 hours with lid slightly off.
Stir every half hour or so.
(I leave the wooden spoon in the crockpot with the handle sticking out. This way I don't forget to
leave the lid a bit open or to mix it.) Add coconut, cool and store in a container at room temp.
serving size 1/3 of a cup

Wait- isn't coconut bad for you ?
Coconut is considered to be a divine plant in the Vedic tradition, with good reason.Coconuts are
rich in lauric acid, which is known for being antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal, and boosts
the immune system. Coconuts are high in fat, but it is good , but saturated fat. The fat in coconut milk is healthy fat. The fatty acids in coconut milk are of the medium chain triacylglycerol or MCT type. The distinguishing feature of MCTs so important to coconut nutrition is that they are burned faster than other types of fatty acids. They are especially beneficial for providing energy for the lymph nodes, liver, and fat cells themselves. Modest amounts of coconut can stimulate the thyroid, helping the body in the process of weight loss.Coconut can also be helpful in the prevention of acne because of it's amount of lauric acid.

After the guys left I got down to business. I made some red pepper hummus for next week, cole slaw, ham salad for Saturday's lunch and tried my hand at making bread with a whole new to me technique.

Multigrain buns
Night before starter:
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water
Soaker:
• 1/2 cup steel cut oats
• 1/2 cup toasted cracked wheat
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
Day of:
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup oat bran
• 2 T vital Gluten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon instant yeast
• 3 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon walnut oil
The night before you make the bread you will need to make the starter and the soaker. In a med bowl mix together the starter ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap and leave for 12-16 hours. In a separate bowl combine the soaker ingredients, cover with plastic wrap and leave for 12-16 hours. The next morning in a large bowl combine the starter, soaker, oil and honey. Mix together with your hand. Add in the oat bran, salt and instant yeast. Continue to mix till well blended. Allow the mixture to sit uncovered for 15 minutes. Add vital gluten and whole wheat flour ¼ cup at a time till you have a smooth, elastic, non sticky dough. Place oil in a bowl form the dough into a ball and place in bowl, covered in a warm place till it rises double in bulk.Punch down, knead and let rise again. Punch down, roll out and divide into 8 equal sections. Form into buns, place on a greased cookie sheet and let rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 and bake for 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

The results came out EXCELLENT ! This method uses less flour , has soaked/fermented grains, a slight sourdough taste and has a great texture. I stole one to go with my lunch

Romaine , dandelion and watercress topped with a half cup of tabouli salad. One of these buns fresh with a smear of Smart Beat made a really satisfying lunch. Who would not love anything that includes a fresh roll with the meal ?

After lunch it was back to the kitchen. I promised the guys I would make a batch of black bean brownies for Saturday night and I wanted to try my hand at making granola bars acceptable enough to break our habit of buying Fiber One Bars. I don't eat them but Bob does every day and Nick grabs for them if we are out of more desired snacks ( cherry tomatoes) I came across this recipe on Kath's blog. I have tried a few of her recipes before and really liked them , so I thought to give these a whirl . I got 12 bars out of this , because the pan I used has a curved bottom and it gets harder to divide things equally in smaller portions than this. Next time I will bake these in a jelly roll pan. I doubled the recipe and used a 9x13 pan for this batch.

Baked Oatmeal Snack Bars - from Kath eats real food

1.5 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts ( I used almonds and pecans)
3/4 cup dried fruit
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp kosher salt
1.25 cups skim milk
1 egg or egg substitute
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Mix dry ingredients.Mix wet ingredients.
Pour wet into dry. Stir to combine.Pour into a 9×9 baking dish either coated in cooking spray or
lined with parchment.Bake for 40 minutes.

After I finished all that I cleaned up the kitchen and started doing lesson plans, menu plans, shopping lists and my stomach started rumbling. I saved leftovers from last nights dinner and heated them up. The I got to reading our planned chemistry lessons for the rest of the year and I started questioning the safety of this. Chemicals, if not mixed in the proper ratio and sequence, can become dangerous. Labels fall off or become deteriorated, things become unstable as they break down, accidents can happen, and in our Post 9 11 world the simple purchase of certain things can land you on a terrorist watch list. I think I need to re-tool this course of study big time !

Spinach Sunday

Sunday turned into a very restful day - a nice thing after the shop and chop. I was able to catch up on some of my studies and hear some very enjoyable music. Great ways to refresh the inner me !

The guys left very early for two singing commitments and decided they would grab breakfast on the road between them. It was more of a lure to help Nick adjust to the idea of singing two services than a nessesity, so it left me to fly solo. I grabbed a serving of the coconut salad, topped it with pumpkin seeds . I added a cup of coffee and I was ready to go !

After a morning of singing and studying, the guys came back for lunch. The first of the spinach meals of the day- Popeye would be proud !

Lentil sweet potato salad
(originally found at Kath eats real food)

1/2 cup green lentils -- rinsed
2 small or 1 large sweet potato
1/4 cup walnuts
5 dates
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp maple syrup
1 Pinches kosher salt + ground pepper
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Baby Spinach to serve

Cook lentils in a pot until tender using a 4:1 water to lentils ratio.
Bring to boil, reduce to simmer and cook for about 30 minutes on low.
Meanwhile, dice sweet potato, spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with
cinnamon, salt and pepper, and bake cubes at 400* for about 30 minutes.
Chop dates and toast walnuts in the microwave (1 minute on high) or in a
dry skillet.When lentils and potato are done, toss everything together
and serve over chopped baby spinach.

We have all learned that spinach is good for you, but did you know the real reason this is so ? It's not the iron, but the flavinoid compounds that help to protect against so many diseases. Spinach helps to protect against stomach, prostate and ovarian cancer, supports cardiovascular and bone health, improves mental function, eyesight and more. It is low in calories, high in flavor and just plain does your body good. That is my excuse for inadvertently planing two spinach meals in one day ! ( and doing this is proof that lately I need all the spinach I can get !)

Italian Sausage Soup (crock pot)

1 lb Sausage -- cut into pieces
4 cups hot chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 clove garlic -- minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup whole wheat mini pasta shells
1 box frozen chopped spinach
Grated Parmesan cheese

Combine broth,tomato paste, garlic and red pepper flakes in 4 1/2-quart
CROCK-POT® slow cooker.Add sausage slices. Cover -- cook on LOW 5 to 6
hours. Thirty minutes before serving add pasta and spinach
Ladle into bowls -- sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

This one may be the best crock pot recipe I have ! It is the kind that I would plan to use even if I did not need to use the crock pot for convenience. When we must be out or run a late afternoon errand I plan a crock pot meal - and a good one- because if you know that dinner is waiting all ready for you at home , you will not fall into fast food temptation.That can save money AND your health in the long run.

It's going to be a very interesting week here. One of the eight festivals of my spiritual path happens this weekend, and there is a kind of tension in the air that is making me antsy. I don't think it is any different than for those who walk a Christian path as they approach Christmas. The excitement, the preparation, and the general spiritual awareness that something big is about to happen makes for a tense but happy time. Same is true for me now, but that tension is coming from the very earth itself. I just have to remember to breath and remind myself that my observations may not be based in the reality of the situation. My family means me no harm....my family means me no harm....

Progress and worthwild pain

Busy day ! Best to begin it with something healthy- quinoa and frozen berries !

Then school, exercise, housework and a lunch break for some leftovers

Colorful salad and leftover Polenta casserole. Leftovers are something that I am trying to once again embrace. Having a family of 3 makes it hard for cutting down some recipes. You cannot cut some things smaller ( an egg for example), and not everything freezes. The polenta casserole kind of deconstructed when it was reheated ! In the afternoon it was a trip to the DMV to renew my license. I hate driving, but as much as I hate the act I hate the thought of having to redo the whole behind the wheel test even more, so I renew it. I have to say, the pain of this activity was infinitely less than the pain one of my nieces was experiencing at the same time. I got a new license for my trouble , but she got a brand new Abigail Marie !

7 lbs 1 oz and 20 inches long. Ready for the world, and will not have to deal with the DMV for at least 16 years !

Dinner was veggie lasagna in the crockpot- a MUCH better outcome with texture, but it seems all my lasagnas want to slide off their stack and deconstruct. It does not bother the guys, but it bothers me ! I served it with a salad of assorted greens , apple , pear and walnuts.

I noticed yesterday that my walking gait is more stable, even and a little faster. Working on my abs is helping my head to feel a little more connected with the ground when I walk ( hard to explain this one) , and that makes me feel a little less tentative about the terrain under my feet. That has been something that has really bothered me with arthritis. Because of the pain in movement it seems your focus tries to go to places not in pain, and in time you sort of lose your "connection" with things that the painful parts connect or engage with. When a step causes pain and you must constantly step, the survival mechanism does what it must to keep us alive.I think the abdominal work helps to increase the blood flow in my lower body, and with blood flows a certain "cellular awareness" or something, and you begin to be more alive. At least that seems to be what happens. Not sure, but I am looking forward to another opportunity to get out to walk in the woods again ! Perhaps one day I will be able to even consider running if things keep improving.

Shopping, chopping and a new way to shop

Yesterday I had some extra time to devote to a mini field trip to see something that is an application of the idea that not all food is created equal. It is called the Nuval scale, and it ranks foods by nutritional value.Some of the nutrients used in the scale are fiber, foliate, Vitamins A,C,D,E,B12,B6,potassium, zinc,omega fatty acids, iron, magnesium and more. Nutrients that detract from the overall score are saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, sugar and cholesterol. Finally, something that actually recognizes that micro nutrients are of greater importance ! The scale will help people make wiser choices with food, and could go a long way towards battling obesity and many other problems we face in today's society. I discovered that one of the stores in my area was using the system , and I wanted to see it in application.
The Nuval number is listed on the shelf price tag, and you can easily see the score. This is for a large container of Dannon Plain, nonfat yogurt- 96 ( which incidentally ranks higher than Chobani Greek Yogurt- which rates a 63)

To find out more about the system and a store in your area that is using it, check out Nuval .
Enough fun though- on to my own quest for shopping ! I did not escape that store without purchasing a few needed items, but my main needs were to be found elsewhere this pass. I think there is something now deep inside of me that has become a rabbit, and calls me to come buy things to bring home, chop and eat( and most of these veggies come in at 95 or higher on the nuval scale)
This weeks Mt Chop Me- a pretty slender haul for some reason. I think the zucchinis, eggplants and peppers made up the greater amount this week.

My friend fruit ! How I love you- no chopping involved !! Sadly, we will need to buy more fruit before the week is over. After the primary chopping it was time to make some salads for lunches this week . Bob brown bags breakfast and lunch 5 days a week, and I find making two salads of some form to store in the fridge makes putting together lunches super simple.( salad, some kind of fish or seafood, fruit and a grain). We alternate the salads and on Friday or Saturday we eat the leftovers ( makes for a quick deli type lunch)

Colorful Salad

1 c. parsley -- chopped (by hand or food processor)
1 c. cilantro -- chopped (by hand or food processor)
1 small red onion -- chopped (by hand or food processor)
2 red peppers -- chopped (by hand)
2 medium cucumbers -- peeled and seeded, chopped (by hand)
2 c. corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
2 stalks celery -- chopped (by hand) - optional
3 chopped carrots

Mix all together. Dress the mixture with Vinaigrette.

Couscous Salad

2 cups water
2 Tablespoons oil
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh gingerroot
2 cups couscous
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped green onion -- including tops
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 can garbanzo beans drained
3 Tablespoons oil
1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup sliced almonds

In a 1-quart saucepan, bring water, 2 tablespoons oil, turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger to a boil.
Stir in couscous and raisins6. Cover pan and remove from heat; let stand for 15 minutes.
Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add zucchini, carrot, green onion, bell peppers, and garbanzo beans and almonds.
In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, and salt. Pour over salad and mix well,
breaking up any clumps. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

I also decided to make a batch of granola for sprinkling on top of yogurt. We have grown to love plain yogurt with frozen blueberries and a sprinkling of granola for an evening snack.Granola can be made very easily, and in making it you can control whatever ingredients go into your mix. Making it in a crockpot saves time and oven space !

Crockpot Granola 3 points

5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2cup honey
1/4 cup oil
1 cup raisin or other dried fruit
1 c sliced almonds( or other nuts)

Set crockpot to low heat.
Combine all ingredients until oatmeal is evenly coated.
Cook in crockpot for 3 hours with lid slightly off.
Stir every half hour or so.
(I leave the wooden spoon in the crockpot with the handle sticking out.
This way I don't forget to leave the lid a bit open or to mix it.)
serving size 1/3 of a cup

Finally it was time to make dinner- sometimes the hardest meal for me to plan because of the chopping and shopping ! I had cut up extra peppers while making the salads as well as zucchini and onions, placed them on a cookie sheet and topped them with Italian sausages. I baked them at 375 for 45 minutes and served them on hoagie rolls with Pita chips. Quick and easy !
Later today we plan on playing in the park. We have jump ropes, Frisbees and Health Care Insurance. It should be a good day !

A weird little chicken

Thanks for the comments and support ! We all get those days that make you go "grrrr" , and it seems with each stage of life new ones come up. I am soon to be 52, and life is filled with a lot of wild cards these days it seems. Looking at retirement in a few years ( Ha Ha Ha !), looking at my son going to college or whatever he chooses for his life in a year, aging parents who need care decisions ( my mother in law is in a nursing home and my mom will most likely be in one soon, my father in law to watch over ), and on the very near horizon the realization that after 15 years of being the main focus in my life, I am coming to a time when I will no longer be a homeschooling mom.All of those hours spent on lesson planning, chasing down materials, adapting lessons, record keeping and more will be over. After 20 years of either working to improve my body so I could conceive, being pregnant , being a mom of a little or a homeschooling mom, I will finally have the main focus be on me. It's like I am suddenly back to being on the edge of 17, wondering who and what I am , but with a lot of life wisdom to temper the choices. You don't quite know what to expect it seems.

Much like what I found the last time I bought chicken legs . Our market often has a good deal on 5 lb bags of chicken legs and thighs, and when they go on sale I buy them , split them up into meal size portions and freeze for future use. The last bag I bought had several legs and one sort of scrawny, wings removed whole chicken. I portioned off the whole chicken , with intentions of using this guy for a big pot of stock, but forgot to label him as such. Note- ALWAYS label what you put in your freezer because things can become very indistinguishable ! So I pulled him out thinking he was a bag of legs, and Surprise !!

So what do I do with this whole chicken on a day when it is almost too warm to run the oven ? Crockpot to the rescue. Here is how to do it where it does not wind up swimming in grease or so dry it makes you choke.

Take a sheet or two of aluminum foil and bunch it into a ball. Place in your crock pot with a scant cup of water in the bottom ( crock pots work best with moisture, but the moisture will not evaporate so go easy). Then place your chicken on the foil ball and prepare your seasonings

Roast chicken rub

1 teaspoon Black Pepper
2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
juice of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons Paprika
1/2 teaspoon olive oil

Mix together and then paint your chicken with the mixture

Now here's the important part- cook on low for NO MORE than 5 hrs ( 3-4 is optimal)! Modern crockpots run very hot, and the old method of starting them in the morning and letting them run all day will produce something that has a very unpleasant taste and texture. Many a meal has been spoiled by this fact.
I served the Weird little chicken with roast broccoli and a spinach , strawberry, walnut red onion salad with lemon dressing from the other day. Yum !

Exercise wise it was a great day. We went out for a couple of walks and spotted 4 red tail hawks circling in the sky above. I suddenly thought about those cartoon depictions of vultures scanning soon to be dead prey and my changing life, and just got a fit of laughing. I may be getting older, but I am far from ready to let these guys have at me ! Funny how thoughts like that can make you walk extra laps ! All around us the trees have burst into leaves and there are ten million dandelions on the lawns. Rather than focus on those circling hawks above, I think I will join with the dandelions and trees and get excited about my own soon to be new life .