Stop Stressing Over Dinner

 This morning,  as I was thinking about my day,  the thought occurred to me that many of you may struggle with the same daily issues that I do. 

  One of the biggest issues that I face everyday is "what to do about dinner"? I sometimes cringe when a my kids ask me that question and I just love when there is silence after I give an answer. So I have decided to put my struggle out here for all the world to see and share what I have learned as I work through this daily issue. Any comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated as we go on this journey together. 

  For me,  the goal is to have a basic plan for the week,  so that I eat a home cooked meal that is healthy,and easy to prepare. In the long run, this will save money, time and alleviate the stress of dinner. I won't post daily because that might be way too stressful, so posting twice a week is what I am shooting for. Today I will look at how last week went, what did my family eat and how does this week compare between schedules and activities to last week. Why don't you do the same and we can compare notes!

   

Meatless Monday - veggie pizza

A recipe to start your week on a healthy note!

It's also very easy to prepare, delicious and filling!

From my Tastefully Simple website....................flattened and baked crescent rolls are the base, Vidalia Onion dressing with cream cheese spread on top, chopped veggies tossed with Bacon Bacon and Spinach and Herb, then some mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for a few minutes until the cheese melts and your ready to eat!

Hat Ideas

Ok, so hats are my latest project, they've been on my mind for a few months, and I have been inspired by classic film and the  very showy hats worn by Carmen Miranda.

I would not wear anything quite like this, but I can get some color and design ideas.

So a toned down version might look like this

I found this on Pinterest
So what would a cute hat look like today?

I like this one found on revelry! and this one too and some headbands, all from revelry.com

© Drops Design

So I will start making a few and see how I like them....................................

Oil and Fat info you need to know

I subscribe to Saving Dinner, an email newsletter about meal planning, cooking, recipes and healthy eating. I thought I would share this info since it's stuff I have wondered about and most of this news to me! The skinny on fats and oils by Leanne Ely Olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, walnut oil, avocado oil, flaxseed oil, rice bran oil, coconut oil, grape seed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil . . . there are so many different types of oils staring back at you from the grocery store shelf that you almost need a degree in food science to figure out which one to choose. And then there's bacon fat and butter. Ghee and margarine. It's enough to make your head spin. Which ones do you use? Which ones do you avoid? Which ones do you cook and which do you eat raw? I'm going to attempt to make all of this oil business a bit less confusing for you the next time you're trying to decide which fats to buy. Let's talk about which fats to eat and which to avoid. Good Fats * Coconut oil * Olive oil * Avocado oil * Fish oils * Grass-fed meat fat * Walnut oil * Grain-fed butter * Ghee * Flax Fats to avoid * Margarine and other artificial trans fats * Vegetable oils * Oils made from GMO grains * Lard * Grape seed oil (it's very high in Omega 6 fatty acids which we need to be consuming less of) The only oils I personally use are olive oil and coconut oil for cooking, and extra virgin olive oil for salads. EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) should never be heated up because doing so not only destroys the benefits of the olive oil, but it can also turn that healthy oil into a damaging trans fat that will actually harm your health. For many of you this might be the first you've heard of there being a significant difference between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil. EVOO is what you get after the first press. The result is a rich, pungent oil, best for drizzling over salads or breads. When the oil is pressed multiple times, you have a lighter oil that is best for cooking. The more it's pressed, the lighter the oil. Avocado and walnut oils are both recommended for cooking, but they're so expensive that they aren't reasonable options for most folks. Flax is excellent for you, but I don't recommend buying it in a liquid oil form because of how unstable it is. It goes rancid very quickly. Purchase whole flax seeds and grind them into flax meal yourself to be added to baked goods or smoothies. (We'll be doing a dedicated post in the near future about flax and all of its wonders, so stay tuned!) Smoking points of oils When oil starts to smoke it a) stinks b) makes your food taste bad and c) turns good fat into trans fat that will harm your health! Here are the smoking points for the cooking oils I recommend. Keep in mind, however, that a smoking point can depend on a variety of factors including the age of your oil, the quality of the oil and even the thickness of the cooking vessel. * Unrefined olive oil smokes at 320 F * Coconut oil smokes at 350 F * Avocado oil has an extremely high smoking point of 520 F So, there you have it. Any of this news to you? Does this clear up any questions you've had about fats and oils? If there's anything else you'd like to know, please leave a comment and we'll chat about it! http://www.facebook.com/savingdinner

Hat Inspirations from Carmen Miranda

Yesterday it felt like Spring, a little rain and a few peaks of sun and a mild temperature. This morning I woke to 3 or 4 inches of wet snow. The rest of the house is still asleep and I needed some colorful craft inspiration so I turn to my favorite source of inspiration, Turner Classic Movies! And who should I see singing and dancing across the screen, but Carmen Miranda in one of her fabulous costumes; now that was inspiration, especially at 6:00 am.

Ever since I can remember I have always loved watching Carmen in movies, I have always loved hats and hers were quite something! I think my favorite time of year for  hats was Easter, I would always have a cute hat to match my Easter outfit. I still love watching classic movies and one thing I always pay attention to are the clothes, especially the hats. It was almost unheard of back in the 19430's and 1940's to be seen without a hat, especially in film. So when did the hat go "out of style" ? 

I will admit that I am not a big hat wearer these days unless my head is cold or it's raining. I admire those who wear a hat just for fun. I am knitting and crocheting almost everyday lately and I made a few hats as gifts this year so now it's my turn. I am on a mission to create some hats for myself that I will wear all year, just for fun. Hopefully they wont mess up my hair too much.........or else I guess I will leave it on!

Check out this website for some great pictures of Carmen Miranda hats:

www.imdb.com/name/nm0000544/

Carmen Miranda was a young hatmaker before she was invited to display her singing... It was during this time that she developed the costume with the distinctive fruit hat

exotic pets part 2

Do I live in a home conducive to owning this type of exotic pet?
This is a fundamental question you must answer before even considering adopting or purchasing any kind of exotic animal. This really means, can you and your family tolerate the noise of a parrot, the frequent droppings of a rabbit or guinea pig, or the large tank and constantly bubbling water filtration system needed by a turtle? Parrots naturally chatter and squawk early in the morning and at dusk, around feeding time. Plus, large bird and mammal cages (and toys and bedding and supplies) can take up a great deal of space. Small-apartment dwellers (with nearby neighbors and limited storage space) might not be able to tolerate these noise and space restrictions. Also, little children and large birds or mouthy small mammals, like young ferrets, often don’t mix; these pets may be scared by kids’ quick movements and loud voices, so that they may scream or nip in reaction. So, if you have a baby or toddler, you may want to pass on the parrot or small mammal until the kids reach elementary school.

Do I have time to care for an exotic pet?
In the wild, birds often live in flocks of hundreds to thousands. Other exotic pets, such as sugar gliders, are also very social creatures that need constant contact and interaction with their family members (not just other sugar gliders but you, too) to prosper and remain healthy. When they are ignored or left alone for long periods, they may bite or mutilate their own skin. Without proper socialization and frequent handling, some pets like ferrets, hamsters, degus, rats, and other small rodents may withdraw or become nippy. Also, most exotic pets need water and food (including fresh produce for some) twice a day, plus weekly complete cleaning and daily spot cleaning of their cages. This all adds up to several hours a week in playtime, feeding, and cleanup – not something all of us who work long hours outside our homes can readily spare. So, if your time is already spread thin, certain socially demanding exotic pets – like birds, ferrets, and rodents - may not be the best choice for you.              

Do I have the lifestyle suited to owning an exotic pet?
Many exotic animals are homebodies that generally don’t like change. When they are moved into new environments, they sometimes stop eating and can take days to weeks to adjust. Plus, we already noted how attached they become to their mates. As a result, they sometimes don’t acclimate easily to unfamiliar surroundings like boarding kennels. So if you travel a lot, or if you’re often gone from morning until midnight, a fish or two might be better for you.

Do I have the finances to take care of an exotic pet?
This is a question that almost no one considers. While many people will shell out hundreds to thousands of dollars to purchase an unusual exotic pet, very few consider what happens next. Many of these animals require fresh food daily which can add up on your grocery bill. Plus, some will chew up expensive toys in just a few minutes. And what happens when your pet becomes ill? Very few people take their exotic pets for regular veterinary check-ups, and even fewer take out exotic pet insurance policies, as they do for their dogs or cats. So when their animals get sick, they may be hit with a veterinary bill they didn’t expect. If your budget will be maxed out if you make that exotic pet purchase, you may want to wait a little and save so you have funds available for exotic pet medical care.   

That all said, if you can answer these questions with an honest, “yes,” that exotic animal in the pet shop window can be an entertaining, loving companion that will bring you years of joy.

Is an exotic pet for you?

I found this on Pet Health Network - great advice!

Exotic 101: Picking Your Perfect Pet

Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice)

Posted November 30, 2012 in Pet Health

It happens in malls across America every year. Somewhere between Build-a-Bear and the food court, an eight-year-old child races up to the pet store window, presses his face up against the glass, points to the large parrot perched inside, and shouts, “Mommy, Daddy, can we get him, PLEASE?” The parents then glance up at the window, see the colorful bird dancing on the other side of the glass and then at their child’s longing expression, and all reason leaves their bodies. They are mesmerized, and without thinking, before they know it, they are swiping their credit card and trying to cram the family SUV with a big metal cage, several bags of food, and a large feathered family member who is no longer sitting quietly but is now squawking loudly in the back seat. And so it begins…

Exotic pets – large and small, from parakeets to geckos to hedgehogs – can make wonderful companions, but unfortunately, many are purchased on a whim. Many exotic pets are highly intelligent creatures that require a great deal of attention and care. They can thrive in the right homes, but they are often bought impulsively by people who have very little knowledge of what they require. As a result, many birds end up being relinquished to shelters, or worse, they remain in homes where they are ignored. Many reptiles are released into the backyard where, not knowing how to survive, they are killed by predators. Many bunnies are banished to the basement where they languish in small cages.