Kitchen Herbs 101 - Introduction
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Growing herbs is pretty easy, and doesn’t usually require a green thumb. As
a matter of fact, if you do any gardening at all, you are probably pulling weeds - which often enough, are actually herbs!
Herbs have been used in both kitchen and medicine cabinets for centuries, and many cooks find the addition of herbs in cooking adds flavor and nutrition at the same time.
Herbalism - using herbs for medicinal purposes sometimes comes under fire because it is not generally regulated by any government program, and is followed by many people who prefer an alternative means to modern medicine for health and healing.
The funny thing is, modern medicine traces its roots (literally) back to herbalism, and can to this day thank the lowly herb for the introduction of many helpful, and even life-saving, medicines. Read the story »
CBC Comes to an End with the Veggie Queen
In our Cross Blog Conversation, Jill responded to my last questions with her final answers, and provided some great information and links. For anyone new to our Cross Blog Conversation, you should start here at the introduction and my first question to Jill.
Jill Nussinow, a.k.a. The Veggie Queen, responded to my question about meat substitutions and said that although Morningstar products are generally used by people who are starting to go meatless, they also seem to be a bit more processed than she likes. I’ve seen these products readily available, but will consider some of the others she suggested. If I’m going to introduce vegetarian eating to my family, I’d like to do it the right way!
As for using a pressure cooker, Jill suggested visiting her Pressure Cooking Website! She offers more information on a DVD about pressure cooking, and devotes a whole chapter to pressure cooking in her cookbook, Vegetables Get the Royal Treatment. And for the ultimate resource, she offers pressure cookers at her website, too!
This CBC has really been a great experience for me personally, and my family is starting a new habit of eating meatless for at least one dinner each week. I’m going to keep all of Jill’s suggestions and tips in mind as I’m preparing my grocery list and menu plan and try to offer some new things to my family each week. It will be good for all of us to eat more vegetables and healthy grains and proteins, so I’m grateful for this opportunity to have discussed this topic with a pro!
Yobaby! We got a Winner here!
So, the very long awaited announcement for the Stoneyfield Farms Yobaby Pack Giveaway is:
Congratulations to our winner - I’m sending you an email for your contact information so we can get your prize shipped out to you!
Last Minute July 4th Grilling Ideas!
So are you getting your menu and meal preparation together for July 4th? This is one of the best days for family & friends to get together, enjoy great food, and celebrate our nation’s rich history and foundation! But do you have it all together?
Well, here are a few last-minute suggestions that are easy and quick - saving you time when you need it!
How about PIZZA!?!
Oh, but not just any pizza - and certainly not delivery pizza! Not when you can make these in a cinch! Read the story »
The Food of Love. REAL Love.
There are a lot of definitions for love these days - and I’ll admit that I’m one who probably overuses the word “love” to describe my level of affection for say, Coffee. The thing about REAL love is that it reaches outside with open hands and blesses others in some way.
I thought I’d share a few food-related charitable endeavors with you today. Great Food For All is one that I’ve mentioned before. While it is something that can be used for your family, it’s also a means to help others in your community who would otherwise go hungry.
So it’s been awhile, but I used to play FreeRice on a daily basis. Do you know about FreeRice?
FreeRice is an online vocabulary game that donates 10 grains of rice for each vocabulary word you answer correctly. Seriously. That’s all it takes. And it’s addicting!
The way it works is you are given a word like “Evade” with four possible definitions:
Blab
Refrigerate
Smooch
Dodge
You simply click the correct definition and 10 grains of rice are added to a “wooden bowl.” You can play as long as yould like - as often as you like. The food is provided by sponsors via the UN World Food program. Not all the words are easy, but in the process of expanding your vocabulary, you are providing food for people who desperately need it.
The Hunger Site is a similar program, but doesn’t require much thought or effort. You simply click the “Click Here to Give - It’s Free” button once each day, and for each click - a cup of food is donated to people all around the world. At this site, you have the opportunity to select a variety of charitable programs including: Breast Cancer, Child Health, Literacy, Rainforest, and Animal Rescue.
Share Our Strength has a number of options and opportunities to participate in to end childhood hunger, including the The Great American Bake Sale, Great American Dine Out and more.
If you feel the need to do something a bit more proactive, contact your local food bank and find out what their needs are. Donate food or your time to help someone less fortunate.
And always, while enjoying a meal at home - even if it’s just hot dogs and macaroni & cheese - we can be thankful for our blessings!
Fantastic Foodie Link Love!
The foodie world has been busy this week with some really great recipes! July 4th recipes are popping up everywhere so be sure to come back for the next several days and get great last-minute suggestions for your upcoming celebration!
For now, we’ll keep things simple and share this week’s Greatest Hits!
This Breakfast Pancake just looks like fun! Savory Sweet Life offered this as a Father’s Day breakfast for her husband. You can obviously customize this to your family’s tastes - and it looks like a great adventure in food! Read the story »
Thursday 2-for-1: Ultimate Recipe Swap meme!
Yep - it’s my second post in one day. I couldn’t wait to continue my Cross Blog Conversation with The Veggie Queen. But I couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in the Ultimate Recipe Swap meme with Life as Mom, either. One great thing about a recipe swap meme is the variety of recipes you are going to find at the host blog!
The theme is: Feeding a Crowd. So what do you do when you feed a crowd?
I like to keep things simple, and since both of my daughters’ birthdays are during summer, we usually have a backyard get together. I have served Taco Salad almost every time - and everybody has loved it!
In keeping with the 2-for-1 theme, I actually have 2 versions of taco salad - one is my mom’s and one is my mother-in-law’s. They are both easy to serve outside and they serve a crowd nicely. Since we always have coolers full of beverages, the “cold” ingredients are kept chilled in the coolers until its time to clean up! Read the story »
Why The Veggie Queen Rocks!
So Jill, whom I may now begin to referring to as “Her Majesty, The Veggie Queen” has responded to my question, and answered another in the process! That’s why she can claim her royalty status, you know! While wondering about eating vegetarian meals during winter, she also answered my wondering about sources of vegetable proteins! Yay!
So my husband & I have been discussing our transition to more vegetarian meals (and please don’t tell him that I told YOU that his idea of vegetarian in the past meant cakes, cookies, and pies - but no meat… sigh). I love the idea of starting with one meatless meal each week - and with Jill’s most recent post, I have several ideas in mind.
I actually love veggie bean burgers - but have never made them myself. I think her suggestion to add a new grain (like quinoa) is a great idea, and I’m going to start getting my shopping list ready to see what I can come up with!
I love her take on seasons: “Winter is roots, spring is shoots, and summer and fall are fruits.” Great tip to get recipes together according to season!
Here are my questions for Jill:
I would love some suggestions for “fake meat” products as an foray into vegetarian eating. What are some of your recommendations?
I see you have a cookbook devoted to pressure cooking, and your blog bio says you are a pressure cooking advocate. Can you talk about your passion about pressure cooking and what you recommend for someone who has never used a pressure cooker?
Be sure to tune in for Jill’s answer to my questions and see how we wrap things up!
Jetson’s Rosie or Rachel Ray in the kitchen?
Let’s face it - we don’t always feel like cooking every meal, every day.
Personally - as much as I love cooking and baking, there are days I just want to avoid my kitchen. I mean for days at a time. I get tired of the whole process:
Menu planning.
Grocery Shopping.
Coupon clipping.
Meal Prep.
Dirty Dishes.
UGH!!! Read the story »
