More Creative Cooking

I have some more creative ideas for eating and drinking, as a continuation from my post on creative cooking.

One day I had no lemon for tea so I had this bright idea to used the lemonade punch in my cabinet. All you need is one spoonful and no sugar. It was divine.

If you buy a frozen pizza, save money with purchasing a plain pizza and add your own topping from home. ex. peppers, onions, mushrooms, sandwich meat, etc. You can also make mini pizza's using the dough from Pillsbury. 

I learned from my Latin babysitter a meal called the poor person's dinner. Needless to say I have used it a few times. It's rice with red Goya sazon seasoning and a fried egg over easy, on top. You can add yellow or white cheese on top. I like black pepper on my eggs with this dish.

Lastly, for today, I learned how to make granola from a neighbor who moved away. I miss her. Use dry oatmeal, brown sugar, maple syrup, teaspoon of oil to keep moist. That's the basics. Add what you like after that nuts, chocolate or butterscotch chips, coconut shredding, raisins, cranberries, a certain cereal, etc. make as moist or as dry with the basic ingredients. I like to crumble over my yogurt and cereals. My children like it as a snack in a zip lock bag for lunch or trips.

I'll give some more interesting ideas in another post. Bye for now.

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For All Christians

Where were you for Easter and what did you learn this year? I was coming back from Spring Break vacation when I explained to my son that it was Easter. My youngest asked questions and my oldest answered stating it was about bunnies and eggs. I was surprised at his answer as I thought he knew it was considered the day Jesus died.

My youngest was surprised at my answer and said, "But he's not dead (anymore). I thought he was alive?" And then I had been enlightened by my children, yet again. Almost a reminder, that we celebrate his life and death which is so one dimensional because that's a reflection for what happens to us. We forget he lived, died and then lives again. Ironic to others who do not believe but absolutely amazing to us who believe.

For if he lives, why do I walk around and live as though he is dead? Why do I have negative or defeating attitudes at work? Why do I not take chances that are good choices to take me to the next level in life? Why do I second guess myself? Why do I have low expectations? Why do I not believe in change of situation, health, wealth and relationships?

If I believed Jesus is currently alive, my actions would be so much different, hopeful and even rejuvenant. By the way I was going, I might as well have believed in the Easter Bunny as I forgot and was missing the whole point. Understanding he is alive puts him in the present, back in the spotlight and replacing me, taking on my burdens, so that I am not doing everything alone. He feels closer although I made him far away in my thinking and independence. I feel heard when I speak to him and "intuned".

It's so funny how I was teaching the meaning of Easter to my little ones and I myself received the lesson from them. Don't you love when that happens?

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I Stand Corrected

My older son rediscovered his collection of rocks. One has an eerie resemblance to the red rock formation seen in pictures of Mars. He reminded me of when he first found this rock as a four year old. I can't remember where I was but as we were walking he stooped down and said, "Look momma, a space rock!"

Looking back I was so cynical. "That's not a space rock". He proceeded to say, "Yes it is, I found it on Earth and earth is in space. It is a space rock."

(I stand corrected).

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9 Secrets for Couples

Look what I found today. Just perfect for this site. I found it on the Yahoo page.

The 9 Secrets of Happy Couples

I'm going to email my husband this post and highlight #7 as I have been asking for a simple love letter for over 3 years! Everything else, I can say we meet the standard. And me? There's nothing I need to work on from this list. Is there ever, when we need to work on ourselves ; )

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Anniversary Date

It was so nice to finally go out for our 13th Wedding Anniversary. A new environment means all the world in dating. It's so good for your psyche. You almost feel like a new person when you have school aged children and date night is nearby or decorating the house to look as though you are in a theater or restaurant. My husband was creative at one time in having a projector, project DVD movies on the wall. I still love that. (It works too with in-home kids birthday parties as well).

We got dresses and dined fancy and went for entertainment. We had a blast. You have to be careful though as talk about the children or past uncomfortable events can seep into the conversation. A little is okay but of course too much can damper the mood. By all means change the subject. We as parents always say, "What did we speak about or eat before they came along?" You definitely have to be creative.

I used to give hubby a difficult time and continually questioned him as to why we don't go out anymore. Don't make my same mistake. This is just the "season" you are in. Dates are rare and that's okay. It comes with the territory of being responsible parents. Even the definition has changed and can include family outings as a time to be together in your double role of Spouse/Parent. It's also fun to swap Saturday nights out, with one of the children for alone time. And if you have more than one child, switch.

When you do get alone time have no expectations. I find that can ruin a good date. Make the date fun and real. Share something they don't know about you, no matter how small. They can never really know everything about you. Just stay away from former dating relationships unless you have that report with your spouse. Be the perfect lady and you'll find he will be the perfect gentleman and visa versa. Most importantly, remember to be each other's fantasy during the date, immediately after (hint, hint) and long after the date has ended.

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And I love myself!

Happy Valentine's Day. I heard something on the radio yesterday regarding men and women's perspective of Valentine's Day. One male caller stated the thing that "urks" him about Valentine's Day is that it is all about what the men get the women.

In my opinion he is right. Look at the commercials on television. I don't think I have ever seen so much emphasis on what the woman is getting the man. Bless their hearts. They seem to luck out. So let's do it up for them. This Valentine go the extra mile. Lord knows we all need encouragement.

Make sure to focus on loving yourself as well. Interesting thought for Valentine's Day, huh? I got the idea from my younger son, who at bedtimes says, "I love Mommy and Daddy, and (his brother) and I love myself!" Isn't that the best? While you encourage someone else, be sure to show yourself some extra love.

Below are some current love songs and main stream of Pop music. Enjoy.

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Creative Cooking

I have been known as a teenager to cook for my siblings while my mother was working as a nutritionist for a major hospital in New York. From then my training began in being creative and making the mundane into extraordinary and a very little into a feast.

I've failed a few times but picked back up my wooden spoon and kept trying, turning water into sugar water and food coloring (most of the times there was no lemons). In college my roommates always made me cook. One is still a very good friend who still goes around telling everyone, "I remember when there was three items in the refrigerator and she would return from cooking with a five course meal and I would say, where did you get that? There was nothing there when I looked".

My secret? Cook with what you have, literally. I made this tonight:

Simple, yes but deliciouso. I was tired of red sauce so I made my own white sauce. I also added the things my family loves such as small pieces of carrots, sausage, onion, and egg whites. I forgot to add fresh corn. Now the secret really is in the sauce. So what I had in my fridge was:

-Sour cream and onion dip
-Blue cheese salad dressing
-Add powdered onion and/or powdered garlic
-Water for stretching the sauce
-Milk for stretching the sauce and simmering
-Parmesan cheese (optional)
(I have no measurements except to use according to your own taste).

Tips: It's important to put salt in the water for boiling pasta. It will improve the taste of the dish. Cook or saute' most of the ingredients separately and put together and simmer in a little milk depending on how moist you want it. Cook pasta close to done then add everything else to simmer with a cover. (No soggy pasta). Top with Parmesan cheese.

As I get other off the wall ideas, I'll let you know.

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