Crock-Pot Revisited

Come fall I have to remind myself that we received a Crock-pot as a wedding gift and make it more accessable than during the summer months. I had a busy day last week and knew I was going to get home late. Beef Stew was on the menu so I took my crock-pot out of it's hiding place and literally threw stew beef and a bunch of veggies (carrots, onions, celery), covered it with water and added a package of McCormicks Beef Stew mix into the pot, set it on 10 hrs, and out the door I went. (I didn't even pre-brown the stew beef)



Now I really didn't think at the time that both my husband and I would get home 10 hours later. But much to my surprise we actually got home more than 10 hours later. The meat was so tender and the gravy was perfect! Move over Juicer the Crock-pot is moving into the neighborhood. I forgot how easy using a Crock-pot makes cooking dinner a snap.



So if you have a Crock-pot collecting dust break it out of hybernation save some time and plan some easy meals that are ready when you get home. If you don't have one think about investing in one. Depending on the size they range anywhere from $19 and up.

Look for more adventures in Crock-potting or share yours by adding your comments.

Just Like Kids

Its funny how two little Yorkies can give you a post it note to remind you to be thankful for what you have and not covet what others have.

Zach, our now 3 year old Yorkie and Joy Hannah (she's now 8 mos) sometimes act just like little kids.

Just tonight my husband brought home two large raw hide dog bones. I mean large. Like the size of Joy's head. Now one might think oh they will just take their bone and go off and chew it to death. Nope ~ they immediately got into this thing where one had to have the others dog bone. It became a tug of war where we had to work with them to get them to understand they have their own bone. It reminded me of when I was little and my brother just had to have my bike with the banana seat. He started riding down the street with it and I grabbed on to the bar and held on as tight as I could trying to stop him. Eventually he stopped me when he elbowed me in the mouth and chipped my tooth. Of course mom got wind of it, because I obviously had to go to the dentist, and my brother never took my bike again.

It's late and well, Zach is still chewing away while Joy is still trying periodically to get his bone away from him. She'll learn.

Laura

Practical Monday - A Little Chicken Goes A Long Way

Over the weekend I purchased a whole organic chicken to make a chicken pot pie and knew I would have some leftover. Well who knew this would be one hearty chicken. At a little over 4 pounds I got a large chicken pot pie (enough for 5-6 servings), 2 chicken salads and 2 meals. It averaged out to be about $1.00 of chicken per serving, which is much less than if I purchased chicken breast or even tenders to make all of that.

To save time I boiled it for about 1 hour (while cleaning) in a pasta pot, so I could lift the chicken out in the strainer. Then I let it cool, pulled it apart and stored the chicken until the next night when I made the pot pie.

So the next time your at the grocery store think practical and think about purchasing a whole chicken. A little chicken goes a long way!

Enjoy!
Laura

Burt's Bees Favorite

I missed blogging yesterday which I plan on designating as My Friday Favorites. So here is my first favorite. For months I’ve been on the prowl looking for the most natural skin care. Huge project! What became difficult is that some products that called themselves natural or organic had one or more ingredients that are harmful. About a month ago I tried Burt’s Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile cleanser at 97% natural. So far I love this product and so doesn’t my husband. The only thing you have to do is be careful that you don’t get it in your eyes. I’m looking forward to checking out more of their products, and I’ll let you know what I think. Check out Burt’s Bees at Burt's Bees. If you have tried this item – tell me what do you think?

York Maine Harvest Festival

This weekend don't miss out on the 24th Annual Harvestfest held in York Maine. The festivities begin Friday with a market place and food festival on the Village Green in York Village. Saturday and Sunday have a full line up of events.  Check them out at: www.gatewaytomaine.org. Weather wise - it's going to be sunny to mostly cloudy and in the 50's this weekend. Enjoy!

Columbus Day

Even the dogs took a break and relaxed today! Zack never sleeps on his back but he snuggled underneath a blanket and it was a perfect photo. He could barely keep his eyes open. Joy is in the back joining him for a nap. Soooo cute!

Car Care for the Winter

This weekend was "get the cars ready for winter". We not only washed and waxed both cars but cleaned out the insides but made sure we were prepared for the winter ahead. Here's my check list:

• Check all fluids


• Check windshield wipers for wear


• Tire pressure (I check mine once a month)


• Check battery and connections (does it need to be replaced)


• Check lights, directionals, heating elements


• Don't forget to check your spare tire (condition and air)

Survival kit that I keep in the trunk: jumper cables, blanket, flashlight (check batteries), de-icer, ice scraper, extra gloves, bucket of sand/salt, portable shovel, old sweatshirt (to add a layer if needed), first aid kit.

I also pack bottled water, granola bar or other snack but I keep these readily accessable, like behind the seat.

Use wisdom and be safe this winter!

Spelt Bread

I love the smell of fresh baked bread. In an effort to stay away from food that contain white flour, I switched to spelt bread. However, with a cost at over $5 a loaf I found it cheaper to make my own.

Here's my receipe. Try it and let me know what you think.

2 Cups warm water (105-119 degrees)

2 Tablespoons of Yeast

3 Tablespoons of Brown Rice Syrup*

2 Teaspoons of sea salt

6 Cups of Spelt flour (a mix of white & whole).

3 Tablespoons of Butter (melted)

Coconut Oil*

Combine yeast and water in a large bowl and dissolve yeast (approx 10 mins). Stir in melted butter and salt.

Add 1/3 of the spelt flour and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon.

Add another 1/3 of the flour and then the remaining flour until the dough becomes stiff.

Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-6 mins.

Do not clean (wash) your mixing bowl yet!

It is important not to OVER KNEAD the dough.

Melt a generous tablespoon of Coconut Oil* and coat your mixing bowl (even if there are pieces of the dough left on the sides after scraping the dough out. Its ok they come out at the end).

Place the dough in your greased bowl and turn to coat it. Cover it with a dishtowel and let it rise for 2 hrs.





Prepare two baking pans (I use stoneware. I find that it bakes better and it's healthier too) by coating them with coconut oil. I use it in its solid state to coat the pans.

After the dough has risen punch it down and remove it from the bowl. It should slide out and leave your bowl super clean!

Divide into two equal parts and place them in the baking pans. Smooth them out and let rise for 1 hour.

Then place them on a cookie sheet in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 45 mins. Turn out onto a cooling rack before storing.











Footnotes:

Coconut Oil- I use coconut oil because olive oil turns into a transfat at high temperatures so I use it for all my cooking and olive oil for cold dishes and dressings.

Brown Rice Syrup - better for you than honey (less calories, carbs and sugar).

Cost: I figured it cost $5 to make 2 loaves of bread.

Eliot Library October Fest

Although fall is here you wouldn’t know it today when temperatures reached high in the 60’s. So my husband and I took advantage of the warm sun and took our Yorkies, Zach and Joy to the Eliot library’s October Fest. We arrived late in the afternoon. They face painting for kids, a silent auction, an apple pie contest, and the Taylor Band playing in the back ground. Oh can’t miss their book sale!

They have several throughout the year and they are a bargain! 25 – 50 cents depending on if it’s a soft or hard cover. Periodically they also sell DVD’s and CD’s all to raise money for the library. I never walk away empty handed.

It was also bath day for the kids.

Here’s Joy the one on the left is her rolling around getting dried off and the one on the right is her taking a breathier. Isn’t she just too cute!