Oct 5, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Last week was our first taste of autumn here in the desert. Once the high temp doesn’t get above 80, it’s time to break out those winter coats. Okay, maybe not for the rest of the country, but here we celebrate the cool breeze and the ability to not sweat off ten pounds just by putting on a jacket.
Of course, something I love all year ’round are soups and slow cookers. And when the two combine, oi vey! Look out tastebuds!
Today’s recipe brings the tangy yet sweet flavors of pumpkin and cream together with spices for an amazing blend that will delight you.
Frankly, My Dear . . . Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
Recipe: Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
- 28-30 oz canned pumpkin puree
- 32 oz chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 TBS pumpkin spices
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 TBS turmeric
- 1/2 TBS ground ginger
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except whipping cream and parsley into slow cooker.
- Cook on medium for approximately three hours. Stir thoroughly. Cook for another hour.
- Remove bay leaf.
- Add whipping cream.
- Puree soup in blender. It's best to do this two cups at a time.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2017/10/05/recipe-slow-cooker-pumpkin-soup/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
This autumn delight can be served hot or cold, so enjoy it however you like.
TWEET THIS: It’s never too early for slow cooker pumpkin soup. @RealMojo68 #pumpkinsoup #autumn
With autumn spices and a big spoon,
Happy eating!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Sep 27, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Hobo Dinner
The Menagerie’s not helping with this recipe. This one’s all mine. (Like I want to share this with a frog or zebra, anyway.)
Can I get a hello for another family favorite recipe that’s easily changeable? I love love love the meat-and-potatoes flavors, the easy clean up, and of course, the wallet-friendly ingredients. I mean, who wouldn’t? Even the Catford Manor felines drool for this savory meal.
So, on a busy week like this (writing NOLA, working the new day job, watching NCIS season premieres), it’s nice to have a quick dinner fix. Am I right? Especially when it’s midnight and you finally remember to do a blog post. [Note to self: Make more notes to self.]
Now, this is a foil dinner, which means you can also make this on the backyard grill or when you’re camping. Cool, huh? Just make sure you use the extra strength foil to avoid any leaks.
The Unemployment Cookbook: Hobo Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef, make into four patties
- 1 medium onion, sliced. Thick or thin. Doesn't matter. Well, depends who you're breathing next to.
- 2 or 3 medium potatoes, sliced or quartered. You can peel or not peel. User's preference.
- 1 can Cream of Mushroom soup.
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Tear four large squares of heavy duty cooking foil. Not large enough to cover a window, but you know.
- In the center of each square, layer a hamburger patty, onion slice, potato, and approximately 1/4 can of soup. Salt and pepper each layer to taste.
- Wrap tightly.
- Place on a cookie sheet or in a cake pan. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
- Remove from oven.
- Be careful upon opening as packets will be very hot and steamy. But also very delicious.
Notes
Use heavy duty cooking foil.
Line your pan with foil also for easy clean up.
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2017/09/27/the-unemployment-cookbook-hobo-dinner/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
I like to serve up a side of mac-n-cheese, maybe a nice greens salad, and of course, a tall glass of sweet tea.
CHANGE IT UP:
- Season the meat with smoke or hickory flavorings
- Indulge in a sweet potato or yam
- Add a few French-cut green beans
- For a Mexican flavor, season the meat with taco spices and add diced green chilis
TWEET THIS: Need a good meal for your busy schedule? The Unemployment #Cookbook: Hobo Dinner @RealMojo68 #recipe
With a busy schedule and healthy appetite,
Happy eating!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
you can find this and many more recipes in The Unemployment Cookbook available through New Inklings Press.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : My Favorite Cookbooks
Aug 29, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Unemployment Cookbook
Hey y’all! I’m so excited for this recipe post!
Last week I celebrated my new career by going to WinCo. Along with a new day gig at the local paper’s ad and digital marketing division, This Girl got paid to present on social media vs. marketing at WOK in Bakersfield, and I bought food with that thar income. So I guess social media really does put food on the table.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Social Media does put food on the table.
Now, the day job won’t start for another day or two, but I quit the old job last week so I could take a few days for things like editing and cleaning and cooking and writing. (Can I get a woot! woot! on that last one? All right! Raise the roof with that noise!)
Girlfriend, let me tell you. My house hasn’t smelled this good since the Christmas cider two years ago. But these smells are a different cooking aroma. Lemme tell ya.
I made two recipes in the last few days. The first is a take on my Cheese Fondue. Now, I’m not gonna tell you how I made it, ‘cuz it was a little strong. Okay, so I’ll tell ya. But the printable recipe will have the better version.
Frankly, My Dear . . . Beer Cheese Fondue
I took 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, 2 cups shredded Italian 6-Cheese blend, one bottle of pumpkin beer, one bottle of regular beer, one packet of onion soup mix, two tablespoons of cornstarch, and a few dashes of salt and pepper. Honey, it was a lot. And it was spicy. Like, onion-spicy. You know those cooking shows where they tell the contestant to not do that? Yeah. Don’t do that. Instead, follow this recipe:
The Unemployment Cookbook: Beer Cheese Fondue
Ingredients
- 1 bottle beer
- 2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 TBS flour or cornstarch
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Carefully pour the beer into your fondue pot.
- Turn on medium high.
- While the beer heats up, toss cheese and flour in a small bowl.
- Once the beer is warmed but not boiling, add cheese.
- Stir occasionally, until melted thoroughly.
- Reduce heat to medium.
- Serve with dippers such as diced meats, crackers, fruits, and vegetables.
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2017/08/29/the-unemployment-cookbook-when-two-good-recipes-make-a-third/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
As you can see from the photo, we enjoyed dipping pretzels, apples, diced meat, and a variety of vegetables.
That was Saturday.
Now lemme tell ya what was for dinner the next day.
This one’s just as easy-peasy. [And you can click on the photo to download the recipe for this month’s PDF.]
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
But wait! There’s more!
What’s a girl to do with leftover cheese fondue and BBQ pork?
Aww, yeah. You know where this is going, don’t you, my hungry little Swarm.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Toasted MoJo Melt Sandwich:
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Toasted MoJo Melt Sandwich
Just look at those layers of BBQ pork and caramelized onion covered with tangy cheese fondue on crunchy toast. The perfect blend of smooth and savory in every bite. I just found a new meal to feed my people. Honey, I’m gonna open a restaurant with this sandwich, it’s that good! Served with a few chips, apple slices, and some refreshing citrus-infused water, there ain’t nothing better on the block.
But don’t take my word for it. Until my restaurant dream becomes a reality, you’ll have to make it on your own.
What are some of your favorite ways to combine leftovers?
TWEET THIS: What are your favorite food leftover combinations? @RealMojo68 @WinCoFoods #amcooking #ameating
TWEET THIS: When two good recipes make a third. @RealMojo68 @WinCoFoods #amcooking #ameating
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
[To order your copy of The Unemployment Cookbook, please visit New Inklings Press.]
Jul 20, 2017 |
Eeee! Insert super hero girl scream here! Peeps, I’m so incredibly excited to welcome my Mississippi bestie to the blog, also known as SuperGirl. We met at Blue Ridge three years ago and became instantly inseparable. How could we not? She’s the Monica in my FRIENDS post, and identifies herself as That Bedford Gal. BEDFORD. I mean, you know. #wonderfullife #itsasign. Yeah, we have a lot in common and one is our passion for living great. So when I pressured her she agreed to blog once a month on essential oils I could hardly contain myself! Welcome to CEO: Cara’s Essential Oils. Enjoy!
Cara Pearson: An Intro to Essential Oils
by Cara Pearson @ThatBedfordGal
I just wanted something that smelled nice.
Because we all know how a lotion smells is the most important factor in whether or not we buy it. I absolutely love to splurge and treat myself to new body and bath products; who doesn’t? I mean, those do fall under “necessities” of personal hygiene and all that jazz. I would even stock up on gifts for my girl friends during those “buy two get one free” specials.
Then one year when DIY was just becoming all the rage, I thought I’d go the extra mile and make myself and my girl friends some bath products. The recipe I settled on called for essential oils. Knowing no better, I ordered a bottle through Amazon and that was that.
Several years and loads of education later, I’m still making my own bath and body products. One day (hopefully soon), I’ll have my own product line.
Cara Pearson – An Intro to Essential Oils
I’ve learned quite a lot, and I learn more every day. What to mix (and what not to mix); how to get desired results; how to package; why natural products are my passion; and the importance of quality in ingredients. Knowing what I know now, I shudder at my Amazon oil purchase. More important than how a product smells is what it does to my skin and body after application. Many essential oils on the market today are diluted with synthetics in order to give buyers cheap prices. But purchasing a compromised oil cancels out many health benefits offered. That’s why I chose a more natural ingredient path with my products using only quality materials—beauty truly is more than skin deep. Often the outward signs (acne, psoriasis, eczema, etc.) are just an indicator that something isn’t quite right on the inside. Layering on chemicals, toxins, and expensive prescriptions wasn’t the answer I was looking for.
In the process of my “journey to my best self” (pretty sure I stole that from an inspirational guru), I cleaned up my diet by eliminating most processed and preservative-filled foods. I found an exercise routine that works for me. And, upon learning they were responsible for introducing countless chemicals into my body, I cleaned out my cosmetics and skincare products.
Most of the products I use now I make myself. The few items I don’t, I spend a little extra cash on and get high quality from companies I trust.
This lifestyle doesn’t have to break the bank. There are memberships and personal accounts you can hold that will save you dollars (mine save me 10-55%). You can look around and compare for yourself, but here are a few of my favorites:
From Nature with Love. Not only do they have an impressive offering of natural ingredients, they also have a nice online library of recipes, tips, and tricks for creating your own handmade products. I also earn back 10% of my purchase in rewards points to redeem for free product.
DoTERRA essential oils. This was the real game changer for me. I spent over a year comparing different brands, researching the scientific findings, and talking to my oil-using friends. I did the rounds of buying oils from companies big and small. I wanted to be able to say truthfully that the oils in my products were the best available. I no longer wanted just a nice smell, but the therapeutic benefits as well.
There are a million reasons why I absolutely love this company, but for this post, I’ll stick with the economical side. Through my membership, I save 25% with every purchase. On top of that, I earn an additional 30% of my purchase back in rewards points to redeem for free product. Oh, and any shipping I pay? I earn that amount back in rewards points, too. I could stop with that. But there’s more. In addition, when you enroll with a membership in doTERRA, you do so under another member. This gave me personalized education on oils and doTERRA. Since I enrolled under my sister, she gets to earn a percentage of everything I purchase. And when I share with my friends and family, I get to earn $$ off of their purchases. So I’m getting the products I want, with impressive savings, all while supporting my friends and family. This was such a win for me.
OilLife. While there aren’t memberships available here, they have most of the packaging/containers that I need to hold my DIY products. They also have educational resources available.
Willow and Sage. I subscribe to this beautiful magazine. Again, this doesn’t have a huge savings attached to it, but it is chock-full of recipes, beautiful photos, inspiration, education, and insight on your natural journey through skincare. It is worth every penny.
When making your own products, start off simple. Master the beginner recipes, then move on when you’re ready.
The simplest DIY you can find is a relaxing foot/bath soak. Epsom salts are great for detoxifying your body. The Himalayan Salt, in addition to making the mixture look pretty, can help blood circulation–which may help reduce cellulite!
For the full recipe, click here: Cara’s Essential Oils: Soothing Bath Salts.
CEO: Salt Soak
Most people love lavender for its light, soothing floral scent. Its calming properties can help you relax after a long day and help you sleep better. But it’s also great for your skin.
Like Lavender, White Fir is a relaxing oil, and is helpful for muscle fatigue and inflammation.
Marjoram is an amazing oil. It works with your body to relieve tension and all sorts of muscular issues. Which makes it the perfect addition to our bath soak (use with caution during pregnancy).
I love to add dried lavender flowers to mine–it looks so pretty. But if the thought of little petals floating about in your bath water disturbs you, they can easily be left out.
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . : Cara Pearson: An Intro to Essential Oils. @RealMojo68 @ThatBedfordGal #essentialoils
TWEET THIS: Tweet: Frankly, My Dear . . .: Essential Oil Salt Soak Recipe. @RealMojo68 @ThatBedfordGal #essentialoil #eo #recipe
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Cara Pearson
Enigmatic. Fragile. Tenacious. Reader. Writer. Musician. Grace. These are all words to describe Cara.
A superhero/barista by day, she makes coffee and plots epic stories in the Deep South. Evenings, she can be found on the ranch, making her own natural skin and beauty products and helping others reach wellness goals through essential oils.
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Jul 19, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Hey, peeps! I’m gonna try something a little fun and participatory.
The Unemployment Cookbook: What’s on your plate?
So, I’ve decided part of my new meal plan should include recipes from The Unemployment Cookbook so I can also do a foodie blog. I know, I know . . . DUH. But I guess I’ve been so focused on writing NOLA and keeping a clean house (insert sarcastic laughter here) that I didn’t give much thought to it.
And then it hit me. It hit me like a sweet tea on a humid day. Like a misty shade tree on a concrete jungle. Like, well, like an idea worth sharing. Are y’all ready?
I want you to decide what I make.
Yup. You read that right. The fate of my weekly meal is in your hands. That’s not to say I’m only eating once a week. More like, you’re responsible for the meal I make. A meal. “One of”. Not the “only”. Anyway, let’s continue . . .
Here’s how it works: Each week I’ll post three recipe choices on my Facebook Page and pin the photos to the top of the page. You get to hop on over and click “like” for the photo of the recipe you want me to make and blog about. Now, normally, I’ll try to have the selections available for you Monday through Wednesday. By 9pm Wednesday, the photo with the most “likes” will be the recipe I make. Depending on my schedule, the recipe blog will post no later than the following Monday, at which time a new recipe selection will be available. Once a recipe has been made, blogged, and eaten, it’s out of the running.
Now I know today’s already Wednesday, so I’ll give y’all until Friday noon to make your choices. ‘Cause when I leave work Friday, I’m going grocery shopping!
At this rate, it will take quite some time to get through all the recipes, but hey. We’ve got time, haven’t we? And hunger? And a budget? So I’m thinking this could totally be a win-win situation.
Oh, and don’t worry if you don’t have Facebook. You can also vote by leaving a comment on the blog posts.
So, you wanna give it a try?
Which recipe should I make this weekend? Tell me in the comments.
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . .: What’s on my Plate? You decide! @RealMojo68 #franklymydearmojo #ameating #cookbook
The Unemployment Cookbook: Slow Cooker Ratatouille
The Unemployment Cookbook: Hamburger Pie
The Unemployment Cookbook: Hot Dog Casserole
With a Cookbook, a plan, and a tea in the desert,
Happy eating!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
