Rooster update

So many roosters were getting to be a challenge. We were able to overcome it. We decided to bless someone who might be in need. We asked the family who wanted them with little response. We put an ad on the local classified website. Just over an hour later we had two responses. A bit later we had a family member who said they were ready for the challenge. We ended up blessing my husband's neice. She is a newlywed with a brave strong husband.  They were happy to be blessed. The children seemed to be happy and willing to give up their pets to bless the lives of others.  It is a good ending. I just hope that with the roosters gone the hens will start laying eggs so that we can bless others with fresh eggs.

Blasted Broccoli and Cauliflower

Blasted broccoli and cauliflower is a great way for kids to experience vegetables. The roasting part of it really enhances the flavor. Children who think that broccoli tastes like grass will be pleasantly surprised.  It is really easy



Blasted broccoli and Cauliflower

preheat the oven to 450  (or I use the grill in summertime)

1 small head of cauliflower
1 bunch of broccoli
2 Tablespoons oil
salt and pepper

Wash and cut up the vegetables into florettes, cutting larger peices in half.
toss the broccoli and cauliflower with the oil and salt and pepper

pour out on a baking sheet and pop into a hot oven. Stir every five minutes or so.  Cook until browned and slightly crispy (about 30 min)  Let it get crispy brown that is where the flavor develops.Watch so it does not burn.

can be eaten hot or at room temperature. This is a real pleasant change from the old boiled or steamed vegetables.

Roosters are a crowing

We started with chickens this spring.  It has been a wonderful experience so far, but we have WAY TO MANY ROOSTERS.  It is time to get rid of them before the neighbors start complaining about the crowing. I have never butchered a chicken before and it is something that my husband does not really like to do. It ought to be interesting to see what happens.

We have three young children who think that the chickens are their favorite pets. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn new skills and teach my children. Am I ready for this?  Somehow I know that I will be OK. It is all part of the self sufficency process.



this post linked @ make a move monday

Balsamic Salmon

This is a recipe that I have developed It is super simple and easy.





Balsamic Salmon

Preheat the oven to 350


4-6 Salmon portions about 5 oz each (Thawed if frozen)

place salmon on a baking sheet
season with salt and pepper

Topping

2 Tablespoons chopped chives
1/2 cup Mayonaise
1 1/2  Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
1 small garlic clove chopped or a small sprinkle of garlic powder
mix ingredients together in a small bowl

spread topping mix over the fish

sprinkle with Parmesan cheese

for fish that is about 1 1/2 inches thick  bake in the oven for about 12-15  minutes. If it is more like 1 inch thick you will need about 8-10 minutes.   A general rule of thumb for  baked fish is about 8 minutes per inch thickness. 






here is our salmon just  before going into the oven


Telling when fish is done can be tricky. Here are some pointers.


1. It should flake apart when touched on the corner. Do NOT use the flake test in the center.  If you wait for it to flake in the center it is overdone and will be dry.

2. If you want to use an instant read thermometer 145 is the temp to look for.

3.  I also use a look test. You can see a color and texture change.



Fish is not as hard to cook as people make it out to be.  Try it today.





This post is linked @ mondays barnyard hop
post linked @ make a move mondays

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When values are challenged

Trying to teach my kids good values is a process. Earlier this year my values were tested. I was able to set an example for the kids and let them see first hand the things that I am trying to teach them.

We were at the grocery store. When we got out to the parking lot, I noticed that there was a rather large package of paper towels in my cart. I had not put them there, nor had I paid for them. We were needing paper towels at the time. We were on our last roll. "I deserve it. Money is tight and this is a nice bonus" I thought to myself. I knew it was wrong. It only took about ten seconds; We turned around and back into the store we went. After explaining it to the cashier, and returning the paper towels we were on our way back home. It opened a conversation with the kids I was able to have a real heart to heart with my kids about honesty and integrity.

What would have happened had I kept the papertowels? This would be stealing wouldn't it?  Would anybody else know? Is it honest?  How does it make us feel to do the right thing? Teaching moments come. Talking about the how's and why's are important. I was glad in the end for this challenge of my integrity and a chance to show my kids how it works in real life.



what about you? How have you been able to teach your children values?  leave a comment below I would love to hear from you



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Green onion cottage cheese dip

This is a recipe that has been in the family since the 1960's.  Grandma would make this every year for our annual Christmas party. We usually have it with ruffled potato chips. It serves well as a vegetable dip too.





Green onion cottage cheese dip


1 package cream cheese 8 ounces
1 container of cottage cheese 16 ounce
1 bunch green onions sliced  thin (both white part and green tops)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 tsp garlic salt

My Grandma adds a big scoop of Miracle whip to her recipe

1. Soften the cream cheese
2. Add remaining ingredients blending well
3. Chill

This is best made a day in advance.  It gets better with time. 




This post is linked with fight back fridays @ food renegade

this post is linked @mondays barnyard hop

post linked @ hearth and soul hop

No boring brown bag lunch for me

A great way to save money is to pack your own lunch. But for those who do it often, bordem can set in. Here are some ways to make the brown bag luch less boring.


THE SANDWICH
It seems to be the basis of many lunches on the go. The typical white bread sanwich that somehow seems to get squished during transport has got to go.

Change up your bread. There is a world of bread out there. Look at your local store. Rolls, artisan loaves, french bread, Buns, flat breads, pitas, tortillas, biscuts,bagels, english muffins, the options are  nearly endless. 

Change up the fillings.  Are your sandwiches always the same boring filling (coldcuts)?  If so, try something new. There are so many options out there. Make it a point to try something new at least once a week.

Make the sandwich fresh on the spot. There is nothing worse than an old soggy sandwich. When I pull out the fixings and make it fresh right there it gets people's attention.  I have a small container that I put my Toppings in.(lettuce, tomato, pickle, peppers, onions etc). I also keep a small container of spread. These can be prepared the night before. Pop them into your luch container along with the protiens and bread and you are ready to go. 

I once had a job and when I pulled out some precooked bacon and made a BLT sandwich right there. My co-workers  were in amazement.  The next week when I pulled out a leftover hamburger from a barbeque and heated it in the toaster oven. my Co-workers went into overdrive.

It became a sport to try and guess what would be in my lunchbox everyday.  It made lunchtime kind of fun. 


THE SIDES

 Chips and cookies are not it.  There are so many other options out there.  Find  small containers and put good food in them to take with you.

Many fruits and vevetables are naturally portable food.  Those that are not can be cut up and taken along in a container. They are also so wonderful. The can wake up your senses after a long morning.

I remember bringing 1/2 of a small melon to work.  My co-workers couldn't believe that one.

Salads  There are so many salads out there.  They can be made ahead and put into containers ready to go for a good lunch.

Don't overlook the egg  Hard boiled eggs are an easily packed lunch item and full of frugal nutrition. I had a roomate that would put two freshly boiled eggs hot out of the pan into her coat pockets to keep her hands warm.  She then would eat them for lunch later on.

LEFTOVERS

Lunch can be a great way to use up  leftovers. About half of the time my lunch consists of leftovers.  There is no reason that they cannot be taken as a lunch. Make it a point to pack leftovers in lunch size containers.

Think outside the box. One day I used some leftover taco meat and cheese to make a big plate of nachos at luch. The posibilites are endless when you open up your mind to more than just sandwiches.



What are some of your favorites to pack for lunch? How do you get out of the old sandwich rut?  leave a comment below.




this post is linked up with frugal fridays @ lifeasmom.com