Black: These foods are not in season in Utah this month but are in season elsewhere and can be imported from other states. Red: These foods are in season in Utah.
Radishes Grapefruit
Rhubarb Oranges
Spinach Pineapple
Mushrooms Apples
Parsnips Bananas
Peas
Potatoes
Artichokes
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Arugula
Monday, December 14, 2009
Produce in Season in February
These foods do not grow in Utah this time of year but are in season and can be imported from other states.
Brussel Sprouts Oranges
Parsnips Grapefruit
Spinach
Rhubarb
Arugula
Brussel Sprouts Oranges
Parsnips Grapefruit
Spinach
Rhubarb
Arugula
Produce in Season in January
These do not grow in Utah this month but can be imported from other climate zones.
Spinach Tangerines
Turnips Grapefruit
Eggplant Oranges
Parsnips Apples
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Potatoes
Avacados
Arugula
Spinach Tangerines
Turnips Grapefruit
Eggplant Oranges
Parsnips Apples
Mushrooms
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Potatoes
Avacados
Arugula
Staying Healthy by Eating Foods in their Season
With so many varieties of produce available to us now, we often don't stop and think whether it is best for our bodies to be eating them when we do. Our bodies need more or less of different nutrients in different seasons of the year and those nutrients come from the foods we eat.
In this section you will find a list of which types of produce are in season during which months of the year. You will find that in season vegetables and fruits are also the least expensive in the grocery store because they are in greater abundance when in season. I like to wait until the produce has been in the store a couple of weeks. Then I know I am getting ripe foods at a great price.
The list I have on here was created from the http://localfoods.about.com/od/searchbystate/a/utahseasons.htm
website. It includes most foods available in all areas, highlighting foods specific to the mountain states. For a look at your own state's seasonal foods, check out the website and look under your own state.
In this section you will find a list of which types of produce are in season during which months of the year. You will find that in season vegetables and fruits are also the least expensive in the grocery store because they are in greater abundance when in season. I like to wait until the produce has been in the store a couple of weeks. Then I know I am getting ripe foods at a great price.
The list I have on here was created from the http://localfoods.about.com/od/searchbystate/a/utahseasons.htm
website. It includes most foods available in all areas, highlighting foods specific to the mountain states. For a look at your own state's seasonal foods, check out the website and look under your own state.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Make Your Own Read Along Stories from the Friend Magazine
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&vgnextoid=ae20e975d2a2b010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
This link will take you to the Friend Magazine website. On it there are stories from present and past issues that you can download and save onto a CD from your computer. For Christmas this year, I removed the stories from past Friend issues and put them into protective sleeves and created a read along book for each of my children. On the CD are the stories they can read along to and also some music too. For my older son, I made a giant comic book of the comic stories included each month too. They are stories from the lives of the prophets. He loves comics and now he has all of the stories together. The comics aren't read aloud so I included in his book a collection of songs from the site. I also included the activities from the Friend too so they have something else in there too. A white board marker works on the plastic sleeve for any drawing or writing activities so they can do it over and over again.
This project can be as elaborate or simple as you like.
Materials needed:
A folder or binder that can hold protective sleeves.
Letter size Clear Protective sleeves that open from the top.
A CD for your computer with a clear cover.
Instructions:
Select the stories you want to put into the book and remove them from the magazine.
Put the pages into the clear sleeves in the order you want them.
Download the stories onto the CD from the above website.
Add music as wanted.
Print a cover for the CD case that includes all of the stories on it.
Decorate the cover of the folder however you want.
This link will take you to the Friend Magazine website. On it there are stories from present and past issues that you can download and save onto a CD from your computer. For Christmas this year, I removed the stories from past Friend issues and put them into protective sleeves and created a read along book for each of my children. On the CD are the stories they can read along to and also some music too. For my older son, I made a giant comic book of the comic stories included each month too. They are stories from the lives of the prophets. He loves comics and now he has all of the stories together. The comics aren't read aloud so I included in his book a collection of songs from the site. I also included the activities from the Friend too so they have something else in there too. A white board marker works on the plastic sleeve for any drawing or writing activities so they can do it over and over again.
This project can be as elaborate or simple as you like.
A folder or binder that can hold protective sleeves.
Letter size Clear Protective sleeves that open from the top.
A CD for your computer with a clear cover.
Instructions:
Select the stories you want to put into the book and remove them from the magazine.
Put the pages into the clear sleeves in the order you want them.
Download the stories onto the CD from the above website.
Add music as wanted.
Print a cover for the CD case that includes all of the stories on it.
Decorate the cover of the folder however you want.
Food Co-ops
I have found a fantastic produce co-op available to people living in the western U. S. states. The website is boutifulbaskets.org and has a complete listing of available drop sites. Check to see if they are in your area. If not, there are co-ops everywhere. Just get online and google co-ops in your area and see what comes up.
So how does it work?
Go to the website and register.
Determine your drop location and this will determine when you can purchase your basket.
They offer a standard produce basket that has fruits and veggies. You order in two week cycles. There is enough produce to fill a large laundry basket!
It costs $15 for a basket and for first timers there is a $3 fee to start. Every two weeks you go online and purchase how ever many baskets you need for your family and then pick up your basket at your drop site at the designated time later in the week. There is a $1.50 handling fee for all purchases. So my total basket is $16.50 each time I order. You don't have to order every two weeks, but that is the ordering cycle. Make sure you take a container with you to put your food in. They don't provide them at the pick up site.
The baskets have different things each time but it is well rounded. I have figured there is about $50-$75 worth of produce for $15. It has helped us reduce our food budget tremendously.
There are other things available each time too. They have specialty baskets you can purchase like a mexican produce or italian and citrus in season too. You can purchase whole grain and specialty breads too. All at a savings over traditional grocery stores. All of these items are in addition to the traditional basket and the prices vary.
Since it is a co-op there are no paid employees. They ask that everyone help out and that includes going early to help divide up the food off the truck and then help handing out the baskets. It has been tremendously rewarding and our family is eating healthier too because we have more produce now than we normally do because it is so inexpensive.
What comes in the regular basket?
I have been doing this for about 2 months now and have gotten the following items throughout this time.
Veggies:
Lettuce, potatoes, spinich, broccoli, onions (red and yellow), carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoflower, cauliflower, mushrooms, green beans
Fruits:
Pineapple, Guava, apples, oranges, lemons, limes, cantaloupe, bananas, blackberries, strawberries, kiwi, cranberries
The specialty baskets have the ingredients listed on the website when they are available.
So how does it work?
Go to the website and register.
Determine your drop location and this will determine when you can purchase your basket.
They offer a standard produce basket that has fruits and veggies. You order in two week cycles. There is enough produce to fill a large laundry basket!
It costs $15 for a basket and for first timers there is a $3 fee to start. Every two weeks you go online and purchase how ever many baskets you need for your family and then pick up your basket at your drop site at the designated time later in the week. There is a $1.50 handling fee for all purchases. So my total basket is $16.50 each time I order. You don't have to order every two weeks, but that is the ordering cycle. Make sure you take a container with you to put your food in. They don't provide them at the pick up site.
The baskets have different things each time but it is well rounded. I have figured there is about $50-$75 worth of produce for $15. It has helped us reduce our food budget tremendously.
There are other things available each time too. They have specialty baskets you can purchase like a mexican produce or italian and citrus in season too. You can purchase whole grain and specialty breads too. All at a savings over traditional grocery stores. All of these items are in addition to the traditional basket and the prices vary.
Since it is a co-op there are no paid employees. They ask that everyone help out and that includes going early to help divide up the food off the truck and then help handing out the baskets. It has been tremendously rewarding and our family is eating healthier too because we have more produce now than we normally do because it is so inexpensive.
What comes in the regular basket?
I have been doing this for about 2 months now and have gotten the following items throughout this time.
Veggies:
Lettuce, potatoes, spinich, broccoli, onions (red and yellow), carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoflower, cauliflower, mushrooms, green beans
Fruits:
Pineapple, Guava, apples, oranges, lemons, limes, cantaloupe, bananas, blackberries, strawberries, kiwi, cranberries
The specialty baskets have the ingredients listed on the website when they are available.
Second Hand and Resale Stores Rock!
In our efforts to live frugally, we have been frequenting the local second hand store for things we need before going someplace to buy it new. We have been able to purchase items needed for a fraction of their retail price and been able to fulfill some frivolous wants in addition to our needs because the prices are so low.
Our latest acquisition was a Christmas Tree. We went looking for some warm clothes for my constantly growing daughter and were surprised to see that there were Artificial Christmas Trees available too. We were not going to buy a tree this year because it cut into our presents budget so we were happy to see that we may be able to afford one after all.
We had budgeted $40 for this trip and had the cash to spend so we weren't using any kind of a card. Regardless of what kind of card it is, we seem to spend more if swiping is involved. We were able to purchase a 7'5" foot artificial tree for $10; new in the box! Along with the tree, we found an air hockey table for $10 for Christmas, a puzzle with all of its pieces for $.75, and 3 pair of pants and a shirt for my daughter. Our total purchases came to only $34.75! The tree didn't have lights on it, but we have our own at home and for $10 we didn't care.
All of the items we purchased were in new or almost new condition and we saved hundreds of dollars by shopping second hand. By budgeting, creating shopping lists, and using cash we have been able to cover Christmas for our entire family this year for a mere $250. This includes food for our Christmas dinner and stocking stuffers. All of our children picked one thing they really wanted and that is what we worked to get them. We have added books from the school book orders and some homemade items. We went to our local $1 store for stocking stuffers and looked in thrift stores for other things. For the food, I joined our local produce co-op and have been able to save a ton on food. And when turkeys were on sale for Thanksgiving, I bought two to save for Christmas. I don't think we have ever had such an inexpensive Christmas. Happy Shopping!
Our latest acquisition was a Christmas Tree. We went looking for some warm clothes for my constantly growing daughter and were surprised to see that there were Artificial Christmas Trees available too. We were not going to buy a tree this year because it cut into our presents budget so we were happy to see that we may be able to afford one after all.
We had budgeted $40 for this trip and had the cash to spend so we weren't using any kind of a card. Regardless of what kind of card it is, we seem to spend more if swiping is involved. We were able to purchase a 7'5" foot artificial tree for $10; new in the box! Along with the tree, we found an air hockey table for $10 for Christmas, a puzzle with all of its pieces for $.75, and 3 pair of pants and a shirt for my daughter. Our total purchases came to only $34.75! The tree didn't have lights on it, but we have our own at home and for $10 we didn't care.
All of the items we purchased were in new or almost new condition and we saved hundreds of dollars by shopping second hand. By budgeting, creating shopping lists, and using cash we have been able to cover Christmas for our entire family this year for a mere $250. This includes food for our Christmas dinner and stocking stuffers. All of our children picked one thing they really wanted and that is what we worked to get them. We have added books from the school book orders and some homemade items. We went to our local $1 store for stocking stuffers and looked in thrift stores for other things. For the food, I joined our local produce co-op and have been able to save a ton on food. And when turkeys were on sale for Thanksgiving, I bought two to save for Christmas. I don't think we have ever had such an inexpensive Christmas. Happy Shopping!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Holiday Sweet Potatoes with Apples and Cranberries
This recipe was a huge hit at Thanksgiving this year. Even people who don't love sweet potatoes, love this recipe. It is very easy to make and if you prep everything first, it goes together pretty quickly. It is sweet and tangy with a hint of spice. The textures are in perfect harmony with each other and the marshmallows finish it off nicely.
Equipment:
15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 2 1/2 casserole dish (or close to this size)
Small sauce pot
Wooden Spoon
Bowl Scraper
Aluminum Foil
4 C Liquid Measuring cup
Ingredients:
6 Sweet Potatoes-The ones that are orange inside; peel and slice into 1/8 inch slices
3 Baking Apples-Fuji, Granny Smith, Gala; peel and slice
1 Bag of Fresh Cranberries
3 T Butter
1 C Brown Sugar
1 Whole Lemon cut into thin slices
3 T Corn Starch
3 C Warm water
3/4 tsp Nutmeg
3/4 tsp Allspice
3 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 Bag of Miniature White Marshmallows
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Spray the bottom of the casserole pan with cooking spray.
3. Layer the potatoes then the apples in the bottom of the pan.
4. Sprinkle the cranberries over the top and then set aside.
5. Mix together spices and salt-make sure they are well combined, set aside.
6. In the Liquid Measuring Cup, combine the cornstarch and the water and mix completely and set aside.
7. Measure out the brown sugar.
8. Make sure the lemon slices, brown sugar, spices and cornstarch mixture are all accessible to the cooktop before starting the sauce.
9. Melt the butter in the sauce pot on high.
10. Add the brown sugar and mix with a wood spoon combining the sugar and butter.
11. When the butter and the sugar have incorporated, add the lemon slices and as they heat mash them down to release the juices. Let it cook and get bubbly.
12. Add the spices stirring till combined.
13. Add the cornstarch mixture and cook the sauce until thick and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Make sure you cook the sauce long enough for the sugar to completely dissolve.
14. Pour the hot sauce over the pan with the potatoes, apples and cranberries.
15. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes.
16. Test the potatoes for tenderness at 30 minutes. If they are still a bit crunchy, then cook for 5-10 more minutes.
17. When they are finished cooking, remove foil and sprinkle the miniature marshmallows over the top of the casserole.
18. Let it bake for 1-2 minutes to brown marshmallows.
19. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Equipment:
15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 2 1/2 casserole dish (or close to this size)
Small sauce pot
Wooden Spoon
Bowl Scraper
Aluminum Foil
4 C Liquid Measuring cup
Ingredients:
6 Sweet Potatoes-The ones that are orange inside; peel and slice into 1/8 inch slices
3 Baking Apples-Fuji, Granny Smith, Gala; peel and slice
1 Bag of Fresh Cranberries
3 T Butter
1 C Brown Sugar
1 Whole Lemon cut into thin slices
3 T Corn Starch
3 C Warm water
3/4 tsp Nutmeg
3/4 tsp Allspice
3 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 Bag of Miniature White Marshmallows
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Spray the bottom of the casserole pan with cooking spray.
3. Layer the potatoes then the apples in the bottom of the pan.
4. Sprinkle the cranberries over the top and then set aside.
5. Mix together spices and salt-make sure they are well combined, set aside.
6. In the Liquid Measuring Cup, combine the cornstarch and the water and mix completely and set aside.
7. Measure out the brown sugar.
8. Make sure the lemon slices, brown sugar, spices and cornstarch mixture are all accessible to the cooktop before starting the sauce.
9. Melt the butter in the sauce pot on high.
10. Add the brown sugar and mix with a wood spoon combining the sugar and butter.
11. When the butter and the sugar have incorporated, add the lemon slices and as they heat mash them down to release the juices. Let it cook and get bubbly.
12. Add the spices stirring till combined.
13. Add the cornstarch mixture and cook the sauce until thick and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Make sure you cook the sauce long enough for the sugar to completely dissolve.
14. Pour the hot sauce over the pan with the potatoes, apples and cranberries.
15. Cover with foil and bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes.
16. Test the potatoes for tenderness at 30 minutes. If they are still a bit crunchy, then cook for 5-10 more minutes.
17. When they are finished cooking, remove foil and sprinkle the miniature marshmallows over the top of the casserole.
18. Let it bake for 1-2 minutes to brown marshmallows.
19. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Professional Clutz, Don't Try This at Home!
There are many things that should never be done at the same time because the results could be disastrous. For instance, texting and driving or in my case talking and walking.
Most morning are hurried in homes full of children that need to get to school and parents who need to get to work. How we all make it out the door some mornings is a miracle. As the "mom" I spend most of morning shouting exclamations to my children. "Get dressed!", "Eat breakfast", "Stop talking and just eat!", "Brush your teeth", "Brush your teeth now and stop playing in the bathroom!", "Get your backpack!", "Don't forget your lunch!", "Let's go!". There are many more but you get the idea. No normal conversation occurs between me and my children in the morning. I suppose I have conditioned them to be this way but I don't know how to do it differently and get the same outcome. Perhaps Dr. Phil could weigh in.
This morning was no different than any other except for the fact that I needed to get to work. I volunteer in the kitchen of the Ogden LDS Temple every week. I wanted to go to cooking school, but we can't afford it and I already have a full time job helping my children to successfully reach adulthood so getting paid doing anything is out. I figured the next best thing was to work in a kitchen and learn from other people who had already gone to cooking school. It has been fabulous!!
I digress. This morning I needed my children to be on time so that I could be on time. I woke up early, showered, got dressed, put on make-up (this rarely happens), did my hair (this happens even less than the make-up) and began to race down the hall yelling orders at my children to get out of bed, I had to go soon. In my haste to get down stairs I failed to factor in the skill required to carefully navigate stairs so as not to kill yourself combined with mommy nagging.
I hit the top step with a bound and went for the second step only to find it didn't quite connect with my foot; my really clean, dry, bare foot. My bare feet had absolutely no traction and the dry winter weather doesn't help. My foot went out from underneath me and I fell on my posterior and began to slide down the stairs rapidly. Unfortunately my arms were already gripping the stair rails and I just grabbed them harder to try and stop myself. This produced rather acute pain that I am really starting to feel now in my arms and neck. My lower body launched down the stairs while my upper body was trying to hold me back. Trying to change the laws of physics is painful.
When I finally stopped. I noticed my husband standing at the bottom of the stairs staring at me with that horrified look I know so well. It is a combination of how much is this going to cost and what part of her will be damaged now. I assured him I was fine and I am pretty sure I was embarrassed. Although, embarrassment isn't an emotion I express regularly anymore given the many opportunities I afford myself to be injured.
Now that night is upon us, I can tell you my neck and shoulders are really sore. I may need to see a chiropractor but I probably won't. I have taken great care to pay attention as I have encountered stairs through out the day. Doing this twice in one day would probably get me membership in a 12 step program. Oh well, as my mom always says, "this too shall pass".
Most morning are hurried in homes full of children that need to get to school and parents who need to get to work. How we all make it out the door some mornings is a miracle. As the "mom" I spend most of morning shouting exclamations to my children. "Get dressed!", "Eat breakfast", "Stop talking and just eat!", "Brush your teeth", "Brush your teeth now and stop playing in the bathroom!", "Get your backpack!", "Don't forget your lunch!", "Let's go!". There are many more but you get the idea. No normal conversation occurs between me and my children in the morning. I suppose I have conditioned them to be this way but I don't know how to do it differently and get the same outcome. Perhaps Dr. Phil could weigh in.
This morning was no different than any other except for the fact that I needed to get to work. I volunteer in the kitchen of the Ogden LDS Temple every week. I wanted to go to cooking school, but we can't afford it and I already have a full time job helping my children to successfully reach adulthood so getting paid doing anything is out. I figured the next best thing was to work in a kitchen and learn from other people who had already gone to cooking school. It has been fabulous!!
I digress. This morning I needed my children to be on time so that I could be on time. I woke up early, showered, got dressed, put on make-up (this rarely happens), did my hair (this happens even less than the make-up) and began to race down the hall yelling orders at my children to get out of bed, I had to go soon. In my haste to get down stairs I failed to factor in the skill required to carefully navigate stairs so as not to kill yourself combined with mommy nagging.
I hit the top step with a bound and went for the second step only to find it didn't quite connect with my foot; my really clean, dry, bare foot. My bare feet had absolutely no traction and the dry winter weather doesn't help. My foot went out from underneath me and I fell on my posterior and began to slide down the stairs rapidly. Unfortunately my arms were already gripping the stair rails and I just grabbed them harder to try and stop myself. This produced rather acute pain that I am really starting to feel now in my arms and neck. My lower body launched down the stairs while my upper body was trying to hold me back. Trying to change the laws of physics is painful.
When I finally stopped. I noticed my husband standing at the bottom of the stairs staring at me with that horrified look I know so well. It is a combination of how much is this going to cost and what part of her will be damaged now. I assured him I was fine and I am pretty sure I was embarrassed. Although, embarrassment isn't an emotion I express regularly anymore given the many opportunities I afford myself to be injured.
Now that night is upon us, I can tell you my neck and shoulders are really sore. I may need to see a chiropractor but I probably won't. I have taken great care to pay attention as I have encountered stairs through out the day. Doing this twice in one day would probably get me membership in a 12 step program. Oh well, as my mom always says, "this too shall pass".
Pumpkin Pancakes
3 C Pancake Mix
4 eggs separated-whip up the eggs whites to fold in
1 tsp baking powder
3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 1/4 C Water-added as needed to thin out batter
1 C Buttermilk
1 T Carnation Malted Milk Mix
2 C Pumpkin Puree-canned or homemade. Other squash purees work fine in this recipe too. I used acorn squash puree the other day and my family was none the wiser! For how to make your own puree, How to cook your own pumpkin puree
In a small bowl beat the egg whites till stiff peaks form.
In a larger separate bowl, mix all of the other ingredients together with a wisk or electric mixer except the water.
Add water 1/4 cup at a time to the batter until you reach your desired consistency. You don't need to add all of the water. The weather will play a role in how much water is needed. Humid, less water; dry, more water.
Fold the egg whites into the batter completely.
Using a 1/3 cup measuring cup, pour batter onto an electric griddle set at 375 degrees.
Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side then flip over to cook for another 2 minutes on the other side. Before flipping, the pancake batter should bubble up and the bubbles should pop. Then you know they are ready to flip.
They taste wonderful with maple syrup!
Add thin apple slices to the batter for an extra yummy treat!
4 eggs separated-whip up the eggs whites to fold in
1 tsp baking powder
3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 1/4 C Water-added as needed to thin out batter
1 C Buttermilk
1 T Carnation Malted Milk Mix
2 C Pumpkin Puree-canned or homemade. Other squash purees work fine in this recipe too. I used acorn squash puree the other day and my family was none the wiser! For how to make your own puree, How to cook your own pumpkin puree
In a small bowl beat the egg whites till stiff peaks form.
In a larger separate bowl, mix all of the other ingredients together with a wisk or electric mixer except the water.
Add water 1/4 cup at a time to the batter until you reach your desired consistency. You don't need to add all of the water. The weather will play a role in how much water is needed. Humid, less water; dry, more water.
Fold the egg whites into the batter completely.
Using a 1/3 cup measuring cup, pour batter onto an electric griddle set at 375 degrees.
Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side then flip over to cook for another 2 minutes on the other side. Before flipping, the pancake batter should bubble up and the bubbles should pop. Then you know they are ready to flip.
They taste wonderful with maple syrup!
Add thin apple slices to the batter for an extra yummy treat!
How to Cook a Pumpkin and other large squash
I cook when I am stressed out and I had a whopper of a stressful day last week waiting to hear how my father was doing in the hospital. So, I baked a leftover Halloween Pumpkin. It was huge too. It was the only one that wasn't carved and it took most of the afternoon to do it so it kept me occupied. It was easy enough to do. I don't think I will ever buy pumpkin in a can from the store ever again. This process can be applied to any large squash, i.e. acorn, butternut, banana, etc. The flavor is similar from one squash to the next and can be interchanged in recipes with little notice.
Cooking a Pumpkin:
Cut up pumpkin-discard seeds and innerds
Place pumpkin pieces face down on jelly roll pans or casserole dishes. Whatever oven safe pans you have.
Put some water in the bottom of the pan or dish so the pumpkin doesn't dry out in the oven. (about 1/2 to 1 inch)
Bake at 375 degrees until the pumpkin is tender and fork will easily go into it.
Take out and let cool till you can touch them.
Scrape cooked pumpkin off the skin into a large bowl. I used a fork and it worked great.
Put pumpkin pulp into either a blender, food processor, or a bowl and use a stick blender to puree in the bowl. I used the stick blender and it worked great. Less mess and it purees really fast. The food processor works well too. You may have to add a bit of water to it to get it the consistency you want in the blender or food processor.
Put pumpkin puree into freezer bags and freeze till you want to use them.
Canning pumpkin puree is not safe because commercial equipment must be used. I found freezing works just fine.
Cooking a Pumpkin:
Cut up pumpkin-discard seeds and innerds
Place pumpkin pieces face down on jelly roll pans or casserole dishes. Whatever oven safe pans you have.
Put some water in the bottom of the pan or dish so the pumpkin doesn't dry out in the oven. (about 1/2 to 1 inch)
Bake at 375 degrees until the pumpkin is tender and fork will easily go into it.
Take out and let cool till you can touch them.
Scrape cooked pumpkin off the skin into a large bowl. I used a fork and it worked great.
Put pumpkin pulp into either a blender, food processor, or a bowl and use a stick blender to puree in the bowl. I used the stick blender and it worked great. Less mess and it purees really fast. The food processor works well too. You may have to add a bit of water to it to get it the consistency you want in the blender or food processor.
Put pumpkin puree into freezer bags and freeze till you want to use them.
Canning pumpkin puree is not safe because commercial equipment must be used. I found freezing works just fine.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Mrs. Claus Cookbook
http://www.northpole.com/kitchen/Cookbook/
This site is great for Holiday baking. They have every kind of cookie, cake and treat you could ever want to create for Christmas. Enjoy!
This site is great for Holiday baking. They have every kind of cookie, cake and treat you could ever want to create for Christmas. Enjoy!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Handwashing
In order to remove germs from your hands:
1. Wet your hands
2. Apply soap-it doesn't matter if it is antibacterial or not
3. Rub your hands together scrubbing for 20 seconds out of the water. Make sure you are creating friction and cleaning up to your wrists. The rubbing and the soap are what get the germs free from your hands. Use a fingernail brush if you have one to get the dirt out from under your nails. Germs hide there too.
4. Rinse the soap off rubbing your hands together some more to ensure they are clean.
5. Use a clean towel to dry your hands. If you are in a public restroom, use the paper towel to open the door so your clean hands don't touch it.
Using hand sanitizer when hand washing isn't possible is effective too. But, the sanitizer has to have at least 60% alcohol in it to work.
20 seconds is a long time to wash your hands. Just count to 20 and really wash your hands well. It is the best way to prevent the spread of germs.
Courtesy of the Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407
Always wash your hands before:
Preparing food
Eating
Treating wounds or giving medicine
Touching a sick or injured person
Inserting or removing contact lenses
Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
Using the toilet
Changing a diaper
Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes or waste
Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands
Treating wounds
Touching a sick or injured person
Handling garbage or something that could be contaminated, such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes
Of course, it's also important to wash your hands whenever they look dirty.
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