Nov 10, 2011 |
It’s that time of year. Time when you need to feed your family but don’t have time to cook. Time when you have so many parties to attend, and you need to bring a hearty food that will leave people talking for weeks (in a good way, of course!). Time when your money is better spent on the Big Meals and Family Gatherings.
Here’s a great get-through-the-holidays (and any other time) recipe. I call it a “dump” recipe, because that’s basically what it is. Made mostly with inexpensive canned goods, you open, drain, dump, mix. Okay, there’s a little more to it than that… but not much.
Set aside:
2 lbs. ground turkey, raw
Mix Together:
1 can (15 oz) kernel corn, drained
1 can (15 oz) Great Northern ( or white) beans, drained
1 can (28 oz) black beans, drained
1 can (28 oz) chili beans, DO NOT DRAIN
1 can (12 oz) tomato paste
1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes with added puree
1 medium onion, chopped
Mix Together:
1/2 (or more, to taste) TBSP chili powder
2 tsp Oregano
1 tsp paprika
(*If you don’t have these spices, or you’re looking for a little extra kick to your chili, you can substitute one envelope of taco seasoning mix.)
Reserve 1/4 of spice mixture. Add remaining spices to canned mixture; mix well.
Put ground turkey in bottom of slow cooker, breaking apart.
Cover with bean mixture. Sprinkle with remaining spice mixture.
Cook on low 6-8 hours. Mix well.
Serve with shredded cheese or sour cream. Can also be used as a topping for turkey hotdogs.
*For hot & spicy chili, add chili peppers to taste.
This recipe has been entered in the 2011 Holiday Recipe Exchange – Soups, Stews and Chilis – giveaway. “Come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and Good Life Eats Holiday Recipe Swap sponsored by Pacific Natural Foods.“
Nov 9, 2011 |
I’ve got a bunch of great emails lately.
First was when I won this:
My Scharffen Berger Prize Package
Then I got this great piece of news:
Best. Email. Evvver.
Last week, my reader, Beth, sent me this:
Accessories
I’m currently waiting for the delivery of this:
Le Creuset Orange Tools and Crock Prize
And today, I learned that one of my blog posts is going to be featured on BlogHer.Com on November 18th. They even sent me this awesome Blog Badge to promote it:
My head is kinda spinning.
I’m told I should buy lottery tickets. Often.
I guess I’m just lucky that way.
I’m not writing this to brag.
I’m writing this to keep it real. Because I still can’t believe it.
Playing June Cleaver
In the last six months, I’ve lost my job, been late on the mortgage and car payments (not, like, detrimental-to-my-credit late, but late nonetheless). And even though I don’t know from one day to the next if I can buy milk for the family, I’m doing what I know I need to do: Write. Cook. And sometimes, combine the two.
And my little prizes and recognitions are amazing. The only thing better would be the Backstreet Boys personally singing “As Long As You Love Me” as I drank a bottomless Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte that magically had no calories.
I think it’s God’s way of saying, “Keep at it.”
Because let’s face it: When life throws you lemons, dontcha need those little bits of encouragement? Dontcha really just want to throw those lemons back?! I could really care less about making lemonade, and I love being in the kitchen!
So. Here’s the plan: Keep blogging. Get recognition. Keep writing. Keep cooking. Finish my cookbook. Sell my cookbook. Get more recognition. Earn money. Buy a lottery ticket. Win mucho money.
And hire someone else to make the lemonade. I’ll be too busy enjoying life.
Stinkin’ Big Lemon
Nov 8, 2011 |
Recently I posted my recipe for Asparagus Wraps (click here).
The recipe calls for basting with olive oil. I wish I could make my own. But since I can’t, I’m happy to do the next best thing: I infuse store-bought Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) with my own herbs.
In a 16 oz. vinagrette bottle (or, in my case, if the bottle breaks, use a canning jar), combine 12 ounce EVOO, and whichever fresh herbs you like. I combine crushed black pepper with fresh chopped oregano, fresh chopped parsley, fresh chopped basil, and fresh chopped chives. I also add one fresh crushed clove of garlic. Shake lightly, cap tightly, and let sit for 4 – 7 days before using.
Olive oil is a great addition with balsamic vinegar and other spices to make bread dipping oils. It can be a light salad topping. It can be cooked into foods for an extra Italian flavor. It can be a great meat baste. You can even use it for extra flavor in recipes that call for heating cooking oil in a pan such as sautes.
However you choose to use your olive oil, you’re certain to enjoy the wonderful taste it brings to your table!
Nov 7, 2011 |
Some of you saw the post title and are already nodding in agreement. And that’s exactly why I don’t care. Because you already know who I’m talking about. Because the world is so much more important than the Kardashians and their money-making publicity.
I think mainstream media does us a huge disservice by placing such stories in the “News” category. Since when is how high-maintenance a person is, news? Since when is someone’s paycheck (or lack there of), high priority knowledge for me and my family?
I want news to be news: What is the government doing to protect and serve us? What natural disasters are occurring worldwide? How are people helping other people?
I really don’t want, or need, sordid details of someone’s sex life. I could care less what people do in the privacy of their own home as long as it’s not illegal or immoral.
Yes, there are things we need to know about. So later, we’re not blindsided and say, “Where the heck did that come from?” Yes, it’s important to keep an eye on Politicians, the economy, and headliners.
But our current societal climate is making the economy the Celebrity. There are no great performers, no great actors or singers or athletes. It’s no longer about someone’s talent or offerings or goodwill. Now it’s just about their paycheck. And the bigger their money bags, the bigger their attraction.
Kim Kardashian can afford to be beautiful. She can afford to have her name in print every time I pick up a paper or glance through a magazine.
But where’s the news? While reporters and paparazzi are busy making Stars out of those who have money, the real stories are getting ignored and even pushed aside.
It’s almost Thanksgiving. It’s certainly the season to appreciate what you have, even if it’s not much. It’s the season to go beyond yourself and what image you want to project into the world; and instead reach out to those less fortunate, in need, and desperate.
The only thing I see Kim K. being desperate about is making headlines. And that just makes me sad.
I keep a photo on my fridge, but it’s not of her. It’s not of any celebrity. It’s of the first Thanksgiving dinner I had in my first apartment. My table was overwhelmed with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, sparkling apple cider, and pumpkin pie. That entire meal personally cost me 76 cents.
Why? Because I was blessed by people who wanted to contribute to my first “Big Holiday Meal”. Because I knew how to coupon shop. Because I bought a candle that cost 76 cents, with tax!
I keep the photo up year round to remind me that even when I don’t think I have much, I have far more than I need. I guess I’m more like Kim that I thought.
I wonder if I could get a sponsor to pay me just for being me? Maybe my family and I could be the official spokesmodels for Target or Wal*Mart….
This post was featured on
Nov 6, 2011 |
You’re either screaming out loud, “Ohmagosh, YES!!” or scratching your head in wonder.
FPTO (say it with me: “Fip-Toe”) is the Emerald City for those of us who know good great television.
My date with Bocelli.
Flashpoint is to TV what The Godfather is to movies. What Frank Sinatra and Andrea Bocelli are to music. What tiramisu is to dessert…
In other words, it’s not “just” a show.
Flashpoint is, of course, the greatest cop drama around. And I’m not just saying that. Yes, I’m addicted to the show. But that’s not the point. The point is, why?
Why?
Well, I’m so glad you asked…
There are some good, I mean really good cop shows on TV right now. I still never miss an episode of CBS’s NCIS or Blue Bloods. But Flashpoint takes the cake. It’s not just good writing. It’s astounding writing. It’s not just sets and designs. It’s sights and real streets and locations. The script is always dynamic, yet always plausible. And the actors are amazing performers.
And when I say “performers”, I don’t mean celebrity. These guys aren’t in it for the glory. That’s just a wonderful by-product. They don’t just read a script. They don’t just act. You can see what I mean by catching Amy Jo Johnson (“Jules”) and Michael Cram (“Wordy”) in performance tonight in Toronto.
And that’s not the only public sighting. If you’re lucky enough to live in or around Toronto, you may also be lucky enough to cross paths with the Team when they’re out and about filming an episode.
Time after time, interview articles and fan-spotting have relegated us with words and phrases like “super friendly!”, “nice”, “attentive”, “feels like family”.
Sure, you’re thinking. The press is going to spin everything with rose-colored glasses just to get viewers. It can’t all be that great.
Oh, no? Enter FPTO. FPTO is the little acronym more commonly known as Flashpoint Team One: the official producer’s page on Facebook. And not just official. Authentic. Friendly. Nice. Attentive. And yes, it feels like family. With almost 7,000 “likes” (read: official facebook fans), it’s a community like no other. Fans come and post any and everything. But the best part? FPTO responds. FPTO knows that without their fans, the show is nothing. And they acknowledge us with interactions, shout-outs, and even the occasional gift. (Check out this awesome swag they sent me: an autographed poster!)
FPTO is the place to discuss who held their breath the longest during the most recent heart-pounding episode. How long until each episode premieres? (Here’s something: Canada doesn’t have it’s own timezone. Just in case you were a little flakey at times, and thought they did, like me).
Of course, I’m a broken record with some of this. You’ve heard me say it before. But the FPTO community is also family for the fans. It’s where we relate, and not just about the page.
The page, like the show, is just the catalyst: uniting people with a common base. The producers know not only how to put together a great script and great actors. They know not only how to create a great show.
They know how to create a great community. It’s where we see whose kids dressed up for Halloween. How Kate fared after a week of no electricity following the Nor’Easter. How every day life is among us who have this love for the show.
Wanna join in? C’mon, then! Show them some “like”. Join them over at Facebook. Flashpoint Team One.
They Have the Solution.
*I am by no means an official spokesperson for Flashpoint or FPTO. I just happen to really love the show and the facebook community. I have not been paid or rewarded in any way for my blogging efforts. The poster above was presented as part of their “Random Acts of Kindness Week” in early August, 2011 and was in no way construed as payment or exchange other than I am an active fan on their facebook page. Any fan has the same chance of being rewarded for their support. All opinions on this blog are my own.*
Mix Together:
