tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10105787447091979862024-03-18T01:59:03.812-07:00Miss Barb's KitchenMiss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-37441727917652059722017-05-18T08:05:00.003-07:002017-05-18T08:05:37.514-07:00Follow Me On FacebookPlease follow me at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/missbarbskitchen/">Miss Barb on Facebook </a> ..........for now.Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-4297518149822970992013-01-25T06:13:00.003-08:002013-01-25T06:13:50.725-08:00Miss Barb's Winter Warmers<b id="internal-source-marker_0.655878190184012" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s been a cold winter and we all are doing everything to keep warm from warm winter coats, gloves and hats to sitting by the crackling fire if you are lucky enough to have a fireplace or wood stove or just plugging in a new space heater.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soup, the ultimate hot comfort food, is a must have meal. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It starts from the cooking and simmering where fragrant, healthy ingredients fill the air with warm wonderful smells.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This tomato based fish soup is easy to make, filled with fiber rich vegetables and protein from the fish. Warm filling and delicious, this soup when paired with some crusty whole grain bread is a warming satisfying balanced meal.</span></b><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7qdulqxJ3I/UQKJRQCnDII/AAAAAAAAAKg/2EbBBLfut_Q/s1600/Fish+Chowder+w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7qdulqxJ3I/UQKJRQCnDII/AAAAAAAAAKg/2EbBBLfut_Q/s1600/Fish+Chowder+w.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soup warms you from the inside out so when you go out in the cold again you feel warmer.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vegetarians can substitute beans for the fish . So be sure to make enough for an easy warm quick heat up meal for later in the week.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soups help you brave the cold . Soups warm you from the inside out.</span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recipe Link: <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B71-vKmfjiE3VmhQUXBkM1hRdFU/edit">6 By Land and 1 By Sea Chowder</a> </span></b>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-78367095872344305192012-08-01T07:24:00.000-07:002012-08-01T07:24:25.415-07:00Turning an Apple into a Power Snack<b id="internal-source-marker_0.5129469514358789" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.5129469514358789" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With all the press and all of the research that shows that eating healthy is the way to go </span></b></b><b id="internal-source-marker_0.5129469514358789" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">people, including myself, struggle with how to have a quick , easy grab and go healthy breakfast or snack that tastes great and has eye appeal. Because we eat with our eyes 1st and lets be honest.....an apple or a container of yogurt might not have that same instant appeal - however if you can slow it down, get past that sudden impulse, and think of another choice......</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkJA5DFwsSw/UBkvb3bqh2I/AAAAAAAAAJI/5BgdAdnqUMc/s1600/Apple+Snack+Idea+1a+(c).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XkJA5DFwsSw/UBkvb3bqh2I/AAAAAAAAAJI/5BgdAdnqUMc/s320/Apple+Snack+Idea+1a+(c).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I present to you the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Apple Power Snack</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Kind of looks like a doughnut don’t you think?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Apple Power Snack Recipe<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1 Apple<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1 tbsp peanut butter (divided)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 10.0pt;">2 tbsp <st1:place w:st="on">Berkshire</st1:place>
Grain Granola (divided)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwqiv-0tsMk/UBk62w6BkLI/AAAAAAAAAJY/ntAiGH-hwQI/s1600/Apple+Corer+%25283-c%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwqiv-0tsMk/UBk62w6BkLI/AAAAAAAAAJY/ntAiGH-hwQI/s320/Apple+Corer+%25283-c%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Remove the Apple core
using an apple corer. Next slice the Apple in ½ horizontally leaving the small
hole from the missing core in the middle.
Smear on peanut butter; dip into granola..</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This grab and go easy to eat and easy to make breakfast, with a glass of nice fresh juice, or why not a fancy coffee. As a snack, which do you think will keep you satisfied until your next meal? or take longer to eat and enjoy? The Apple Power Snack combines, fruit , fiber and protein. It delivers great taste and energy in a fun presentation. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s so easy to make - have the kids make their own and one for you too!</span></b>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-91140690412484166502011-08-29T10:53:00.000-07:002011-08-29T10:56:34.537-07:00School is Coming.......So Are School Lunches<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As school vacation draws to a close - for some it already has - here in the Northeast next week marks the beginning of another school year.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So it was little surprise when I clicked on Time Magazine On-line Edition to find a story - B<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e9e8e8; line-height: 16px;">ack to School: Best Lunchboxes for Kids (and Their Parents!)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #e9e8e8; line-height: 16px;">Read more: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_697621946">http://www.time.com/time/world?xid=rss-world#ixzz1W3DrIy25</a></span><a href="http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2090274_2090267,00.html">http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2090274_2090267,00.html</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In my travels from school to school teaching children of all ages about food, healthy eating habits, and how to cook simple foods I talk to lots of parents and teachers. I look at this feature about buying a new lunchbox at Pottery Barn, and think of all the families struggling today. If you're in the category of shopping for a new lunch box for your child maybe you should also give some thought to another less fortunate child in need of last years lunch box - even to donate it to the Salvation Army or Goodwill. For everyone though I have some interesting ideas to get you thinking about school lunches.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bento Boxes</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Bento Box has become increasingly popular offering children a great selection of their favorites fresh foods. The following recipes I developed for Doggity, which can be viewed weekly on PBS/Sprout Network, or On-Demand is your local TV System does not carry PBS/Sprout.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is8XtAkiXr4/TlZfiVzgtXI/AAAAAAAAAGo/v1rqQqBxvCA/s1600/Bento+Box+-+Blanched+Veggies+%2526+Dip%252C+Fresh+Baked+Pita+Chips-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is8XtAkiXr4/TlZfiVzgtXI/AAAAAAAAAGo/v1rqQqBxvCA/s400/Bento+Box+-+Blanched+Veggies+%2526+Dip%252C+Fresh+Baked+Pita+Chips-1.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ingredients:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dipping Vegetables ---blanched broccoli flowerettes, carrots sticks and red pepper strips<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ranch Dip( recipe below)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Prepared hummus<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Small cheese cubes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rolled sliced turkey<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pita Chips(recipe below)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dipping vegetables</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup small broccoli florettes<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup baby carrots, sliced in half lengthwise, or 1/2 cup thin carrot sticks<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup thinly sliced red pepper cut in 1-inch pieces<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wash all vegetables.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cut broccoli into small tree like pieces leaving short piece as bottom stem<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cut baby carrots in half lengthwise.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Remove seeds from red pepper and cut in thin, short strips about 1-1 1/2 inches in length.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fill medium/large pot 2/3 full of water, bring to a boil.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fill large bowl 2/3 full with ice water, set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Place vegetables into pot of boiling water. Allow for water to return to boiling and boil for 3 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With slotted spoon or strainer remove vegetables from boiling water and put into ice water to cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Drain and pat dry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Refrigerate until ready to use.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-<br />
<b>Ranch Dip</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 cup light mayonnaise<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 cup plain yogurt<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar<br />
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon onion powder<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In small bowl combine all ingredients. Mix with wire whisk until well blended.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">makes 1/2 cup ranch dip.<br />
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<b>Pita Chips</b><br />
2 round whole wheat pita bread<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Olive oil,olive oil or canola oil non stick cooking spray<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Kosher salt, garlic powder,or other seasonings of your choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Using Scissors cut each pita bread in half. Pull apart each half into 2 pieces. Lightly brush or spray the rough side of each half with oil or cooking spray.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lightly sprinkle with salt and other seasonings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Using scissors, cut each half into 6 -8 wedges.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Arrange in a single layer on large baking sheet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bake for 5-7 minutes or until browned.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bento Box Containers Made Easy</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Like the idea of a Bento Box Lunch or Snack for yourself and your children it's really easy - all you need is a plastic container with individual compartments and a lid. Look and around and get creative. You can find ideal containers in unusual places like your Sporting Goods Store, or Local Hardware Supply Shop.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wPklp9mCIzM/TlvKm4MyGrI/AAAAAAAAAGs/tKzJdRWJ3Oc/s1600/fishing+tackle+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wPklp9mCIzM/TlvKm4MyGrI/AAAAAAAAAGs/tKzJdRWJ3Oc/s400/fishing+tackle+box.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvsjqiP-24w/TlvLBk1KwaI/AAAAAAAAAGw/NGvQOLXg01Q/s1600/finger+food+ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mvsjqiP-24w/TlvLBk1KwaI/AAAAAAAAAGw/NGvQOLXg01Q/s400/finger+food+ideas.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>DIY Freezer Pack</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While most of us grownups have probably survived a lunch in a brown bag in a backpack, or a desk drawer without refrigeration it's really not a wise thing to do. Children can be extremely susceptible and run a serious risk of severe illness from food stored improperly in the Food Temp Danger Zone 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's a neat idea to make with your children, and if for some reason they discard the freezer pack at lunch time - just make another. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<h3 style="font-size: 20px; font: normal normal normal 20px/normal Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 14px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What You Need</span></h3><div style="font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Materials</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 plastic zip top freezer bag (or vacuum seal type)<br />
1/2 cup liquid dish soap (your choice)<br />
1 glass jar (optional)</span></div><h3 style="font-size: 20px; font: normal normal normal 20px/normal Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 14px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Instructions</span></h3><div style="font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>1. Open Bag:</b> Although this sounds like a silly first step, it's an important one. Even though it's not rocket science to squirt soap into a bag, any residual soap could end up on your lunch, so we take an extra second to roll back the lip of the bag to eliminate any chance of contact later on.</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>2. Add Soap:</b> Although you can just squirt the soap right in the bag, we use a small jar to help hold the bag open and also to keep the zip-closure out of the way. This ensures that we won't have any external soap that could come in contact with our tasty lunches or picnic food!</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>3. Different Colors:</b> These days you can buy Dishwash Soap in almost every color - so why not a freezer pack in your favorite color?</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>4. Remove Air:</b> This is easiest done on the first try, once you flip it upright to squeeze any excess out of the bag, you'll have new found air bubbles that will need to work their way to the surface. Keep the bag flat and let it almost flow out the top and seal right before it gets to the end. You can of course choose any method you wish, this one just happens to work well for us.<br />
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<b>5. Freeze:</b> Your ice pack will take to whatever shape it rests on in your freezer and even though it will spend most of it's time in your lunch box as a thick cold gel, when it's first removed from the freezer it's more solid than not (depending on the size of your ice pack). Sometimes we keep them flat, other times we roll them up and store them in a glass until frozen, that way it will keep your fruit perfectly chilled, but not your peanut butter sandwich.</span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>6. Tips On Using</b> These packs will work forever as long as you take care of them. If you're worried about them leaking you can use a double bag or a vacuum seal bag. They're super inexpensive to make and at only a few pennies a piece, you could make one for each day of the week or different shapes or sizes.</span></div><br />
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</div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-48775265622570016942011-08-17T14:55:00.000-07:002011-08-17T14:55:23.829-07:00Being Watchful of What/Who is Behind That Interesting ArticleJust today I came across an article that caught my eye and since it dealt with children and children's health and nutrition I stopped.<br />
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The tile was......Milk Better Than Water to Rehydrate Kids, Study Finds<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HdLYZq5fAc/Tkw30VW0TiI/AAAAAAAAAGk/F4A8DveZ0Dw/s1600/Glass-milk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HdLYZq5fAc/Tkw30VW0TiI/AAAAAAAAAGk/F4A8DveZ0Dw/s320/Glass-milk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So of course I had to read this to get the scoop and see if it was worth passing on to you all.<br />
The article goes on to speak about the virtues of milk and how milk has sodium to replace what is lost by sweating, that milk contains protein and other nutrients.<br />
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At the very bottom of the article it posted: The study is funded by Dairy Farmers of Canada.<br />
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The lesson I'm trying to share with you is not that Milk is not good for 8-10 year old children to help re-hydrating - just that based on this article and who funded it we should all seek further opinions before running out to a hot ball field in the middle of summer and forcing a glass of milk on your child's soccer team.<br />
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In searching the internet for a glass of milk I also came across a story about a Glass of Milk, that is well worth sharing with you. <a href="http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2011/07/01/a-glass-of-milk-shared-by-rich-albeen/">http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/2011/07/01/a-glass-of-milk-shared-by-rich-albeen/</a>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-33058646574800432882011-07-14T15:27:00.000-07:002011-07-14T15:27:03.082-07:00Breakfast, Metabolism, Weight Management - How it WorksBy Miss Barb<br />
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How does it all work?? Skipping Breakfast will put the pounds on.<br />
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Our bodies are like these very efficient computers. Most of us are familiar with the term “Energy Star” which is an early green technology implemented in all types of smart electronic devices that reduces power to conserve energy. In essence the computer processor shuts down non-essential activities thereby allowing basic functions to be maintained and monitored. <br />
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Biologically our body has it’s own unique “Energy Star System” – skip breakfast and your body goes into a reduce energy cycle. So, which human functions would you choose to reduce? – unfortunately when a person skips breakfast they give up those rights, and the bodies “Energy Star System” kicks in and overrides even our conscious commands. We feel sluggish, and fuzzy, rather than sharp and alert. In this state running for the school bus or commuter train, forces your body to deplete stored nutrients and throws your Blood Glucose Levels into the danger zone – and depending on one’s present health condition in these emergencies the bodies reaction can be scary.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLlpqfRGE48/Th9hQZ9RkgI/AAAAAAAAAFs/p-LM2hxZii8/s1600/HPIM0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WLlpqfRGE48/Th9hQZ9RkgI/AAAAAAAAAFs/p-LM2hxZii8/s320/HPIM0568.JPG" /></a></div>Your body has a name for it’s “Energy Star System” it is called Metabolism. Another explanation for Metabolism is -- the rate at which your body burns calories. There is no easy way to cover the plethora of information and the dynamic correlations of Weight Management and your Metabolism – the internet is a great wealth of information -- if you have school age children sit with them and read it together.<br />
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Breakfast is essential to fuel the start of another day – research shows that those who eat breakfast lose more weight than those who skip it. Your metabolism slows down while you sleep and it doesn’t speed back up until you eat again. If you don’t eat until lunchtime?? – your body won’t burn as many calories as it could during the morning period.<br />
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Your body's BMR is dynamically affected by several factors.<br />
• Age<br />
• Body Type<br />
• Genetics<br />
• Activity Levels<br />
• Diet <br />
The higher the BMR the better, and sedentary lifestyles have lower BMR's which makes it more difficult to keep weight off.<br />
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Making Your Metabolism Your Friend<br />
There are 2 biochemical processes working independently in the body called Anabolism and Catabolism. The results of these 2 processes is what we call the Metabolism. In the simplest terms Anabolism is the buildup of molecules into energy, while Catabolism is the breakdown of those "energy molecules."<br />
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A simplified example of how this works is imagine a storage bucket. Everything we eat gets evaluated in the Anabolic process -- molecules that can create energy get incorporated into larger mass and stored in this "Energy Bucket", the size of which is determined by your BMR. The Catabolic process breaks down the stored energy from the "Energy Bucket" as the body creates demand -- the more active a person is the greater the demand. If due to a combination of factors the demand for Energy throughtout the day is insufficient to empty the "Energy Bucket" and more calories are consumed the body converts the molecules in the "Energy Bucket" into fat in order to make more room in the "Bucket." Body Fat is how the body stores Energy for "Long-Term Storage." And when caloric intake is insufficient to meet the body's demand for energy it begins to consume that stored fat/energy, thereby potentially initiating weight-loss or reduction in body mass. Lastly when everything is in balance the body's weight remains unchanged.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bdl3T355UtI/Th9lZxEzdVI/AAAAAAAAAF0/fDZgG67-npQ/s1600/HPIM2471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bdl3T355UtI/Th9lZxEzdVI/AAAAAAAAAF0/fDZgG67-npQ/s320/HPIM2471.JPG" /></a></div>From this can you begin to understand why a person might feel sluggish with no energy?? If you guessed poor diet offering too little sustainable energy you are correct -- this condition is almost entirely diet related.<br />
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As children we receive encouraging suggestions from adults……….eat your veggies, drink your milk……if you want to grow up to have a healthy strong body. These are good lessons to adopt -- and this loving suggestion is a life long lesson to once learned to be practiced everyday. As adults people tend to take better care of their automobiles than their bodies. They use the right grade of gasoline, the correct type of oil, brake fluid, spark plugs – it’s all clearly spelled out in the owners manual – ah-ha! No “Human Manual.”<br />
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A good friend likes to use an expression “My Body is My Temple” – that seems to work for him. Why not make Your Metabolism Your Friend? It’s a good place to start.<br />
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If we refer back to the Anabolic and Catabolic processes – the body needs good quality and correct amounts of specific food types for these processes to work efficiently. Simple Carbohydrates in the form of refined sugars (white sugar, high fructose corn syrups) enriched flours, other forms of processed grains work against the body. Processed foods have many of the vital nutrients essential to sustain our daily needs stripped away in manufacturing, and in the long-term produce the results – Obesity and Insulin Resistance (leading to Diabetes). Many breakfast cereals targeting children -- that are frosted, artificially flavored and artificially colored offer little opportunity for "sustainable energy."<br />
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Breakfast Foods that offer a good choice of Whole Grains, Quality Lean Proteins, and Healthy Fats is the best way to start the day. Feeling good is contagious and unconsciously your body and mind will begin to attract more right choices throughout the day.<br />
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Conversely processed foods offer too few essential nutrients if any in comparison to their<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itMkxK3xMxQ/Th9qB10ssGI/AAAAAAAAAGE/nl_9v2nMZyg/s1600/Granola%2BCrusted%2BFrench%2BToast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="250" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itMkxK3xMxQ/Th9qB10ssGI/AAAAAAAAAGE/nl_9v2nMZyg/s320/Granola%2BCrusted%2BFrench%2BToast.JPG" /></a></div>calorie count, and so the body doesn’t convert these to energy. Unfortunately starting your day with poor choices and your body will push you towards further, like choices throughout the whole day -- pushing you further into low energy, irritability, depression, lack of focus and worse. Ever feel thirsty and just can't quench that thirst? ah-ha! same thing keep feeding the body sugar and processed foods.<br />
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The following plan is an example of poor habits that is almost guaranteed to result in worsening health issues, which wil be discussed in the 3rd part of this 4 part series: <br />
• Eating lots proceesed foods with little nutritive value<br />
• Little or No Exercise<br />
• Skipping Meals (not just breakfast)<br />
• Eating too close to bedtime<br />
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The above plan will over time develop High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Insulin Resistance. Without any remediation these conditions will lead to Inflammation in the body , sometimes referred to as “Heat”, and Oxidative Stress and Free Radicals, “Rust.” <br />
Likewise here is the list of good practices to support a “healthy” weight management system. <br />
• Eat a balanced good quality lean diet, balanced between protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats.<br />
• Eat Small meals every 2-4 hours through out the day<br />
• Reduce your caloric intake<br />
• Exercise 3-4 times/week (every other day) a combination of cardio fitness exercises like walking/running/swimming, and weight resistance approximately 40 minutes in duration.Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com97tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-11678939210163516372011-04-27T19:20:00.001-07:002012-03-28T14:42:58.596-07:00D.I.Y., Fat-Free Greek Style Yogurt<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you love any kind of yogurt, and especially Greek style yogurt, then this is going to be a treat from the heavens. If you have some spare time this week-end, invite some friends over and make yogurt together. You'll be dealing with fresh dairy, which contains live acidophilus cultures from yogurt, and you'll need to follow some simple but essential procedures – so it's a bit of a throwback to middle school chem class. Right up front I want to assure you that making yogurt is virtually foolproof – even for those lacking confidence in the kitchen. Just follow the three easy steps below.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Px3EVMK2Qg/TbgcbNY36eI/AAAAAAAAAFk/ZonZK0bhXgs/s1600/Parfait_Round+Plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Px3EVMK2Qg/TbgcbNY36eI/AAAAAAAAAFk/ZonZK0bhXgs/s200/Parfait_Round+Plate.jpg" width="183" /></a>Some purest strongly advocate the use of whole milk for Greek style yogurt, but I've adapted this recipe using fat-free milk and assure you that it is rich and creamy. (It also doesn't have the tartness that may turn some off.) If calories and fat are not an issue for you though, feel free to use any grade of milk you like. </div><br />
<b>Basic Yogurt Facts</b><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many have heard that most (not all) store-bought yogurt contains a friendly bacteria called acidophilus, yet few really know why it is good for us. Acidophilus keeps the intestines clean, helps eliminates bad breath and flatulence, improves the complexion and can be effective in reversing the intestinal damage caused by antibiotic treatments. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
Yogurt is also great source of calcium, protein, and vitamin B. Some people with digestive problems with Lactose common in dairy products can find some relief from eating yogurt because it the process of turning milk into yogurt transforms the lactose into lactic acid. This means your body doesn't have to process the sugars in the original milk product.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
Personally, I've found that eating 8-12 ounces of yogurt not only aids in my digestion but helps me to lose weight. Don't try and eat all that yogurt in one sitting, however. Break it up into 2-3 servings throughout the day and it can be quite sustaining. It is thick, rich, and goes well with combinations of fresh fruit, granola or other ready-to-eat cereals. There are also a number of other uses for yogurt. For instance, it can be used in salad dressings, as a substitute for sour cream on your baked potato. Play and invent on your own and if you have a tip, please do share by leaving a comment at the bottom of the blog post. </div><b></b><br />
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<b>Easy 3-Step Homemade Greek Style Yogurt</b></div><b><br />
Equipment and Supplies<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">digital thermometer (recommended)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">4-qt stainless steel pot</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">glass or ceramic type bowl (preferably with a lid)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">hemp bag or cheese cloth (used to strain the developed culture)</span></b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R44_d8807kg/TbgWLJLUPPI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/XZVVC4STge4/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R44_d8807kg/TbgWLJLUPPI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/XZVVC4STge4/s320/photo+1.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
1 liter fat-free milk<br />
2 tbsp fat-free plain yogurt with live active acidophilus cultures<br />
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<b>Step 1</b><br />
Heat milk to 200-205°F – just under boiling point. (I like to heat the milk on medium-high heat.) Be sure to stir the bottom of your pot several times to prevent milk from scalding and burning on bottom of the pot. Once the milk reaches proper temperature remove immediately and transfer to a glass or ceramic bowl.<br />
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While the milk is cooling, prepare the yogurt culture by taking 2 tbsp of good quality, plain, fat-free yogurt and mix with 1-2 tbsp of milk. Let this sit out at room temperature until the "cooked milk" is ready.<br />
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<b>Step 2</b><br />
Let the milk cool to about 104°F and pour the yogurt/milk mixture into the milk carefully without disturbing the skin that may have formed on the surface of the milk. Cover. If your bowl doesn't have a lid, any pot cover will do – or even a clean towel. Next place the bowl in a warm, draft-free place for 10 to 12 hours or overnight. I use my oven for this part, and have found the interior light when left on creates enough warmth to help grow the culture. Likewise if you cook by gas and have a gas pilot that is constantly burning this will work well too. This part is important: do *not* disturb to allow the cultures to develop and the yogurt thickens.<br />
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<b>Step 3</b><br />
Remove bowl from its warm spot and remove the skin on the surface of the yogurt. Traditional methods call for pouring the yogurt into a muslin or cheesecloth bag. Hang the bag over a bowl and let drain for about 2 hours or until the desired thickness is obtained. I have found that a hemp bag works best as it is much more durable and should last indefinitely.<br />
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Please help support Miss Barb's Kitchen by purchasing your digital thermometer and hemp bag through our Amazon Affiliate links to the left of this blog.<br />
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Good luck and, as always, please leave us a comment below and share your experience. My guess is that if you give this a try you'll be hooked. Remember: yogurt is a healthy snack for children too, one helpful way to get kids to eat well is to include them in the process of making and preparing the foods they eat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWgbntngLbc/T3OFmyqidGI/AAAAAAAAAIA/loatMv9ZcD8/s1600/yogurt+parfait+with+comments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWgbntngLbc/T3OFmyqidGI/AAAAAAAAAIA/loatMv9ZcD8/s400/yogurt+parfait+with+comments.jpg" width="331" /></a></div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-25326084639389831832011-04-08T19:57:00.000-07:002011-04-08T19:57:39.166-07:00Homemade Soup ~ Made EasyLately, I've been inspired to make soup. In fact, I've been making two big pots of soup every week over the past few weeks – it makes for tasty, healthy and easy lunches, and a small cup staves off my appetite if I'm starving while cooking dinner. Soup is also a wonderful way to warm up a casual evening with friends. It's unpretentious, non-messy and popular. <br />
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There's no reason not to have homemade soup on-hand for any occasion. Canned soup may appeal to our urge to buy pre-made, convenient items, but it is just as easy to portion out your homemade soups into recycled to-go containers and reheat as needed. Besides, I like the fact that my soups are made with healthy, natural ingredients that are low in fat and sodium.<br />
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All my soups contain fresh vegetables – it doesn't matter whether it's bean, beef and barley, tomato, cream or clear broth. The following is just my basic soup-making method. Use this as your starter and once you've got the basics down, feel free to use your imagination and try a new varieties to spice things up.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Basic Soup Recipe</div><br />
2 tbsp olive oil, cold pressed or extra virgin<br />
1/2 lb baby carrots<br />
4 large stalks of celery<br />
1 medium onion<br />
1 qt of low sodium stock (vegetable, chicken or beef)<br />
1 qt of water<br />
1 tsp thyme<br />
salt and pepper to taste<br />
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I like to use baby carrots because I can just toss them right in the pot (versus peeling and chopping whole carrots). It's a convenience factor and in most markets today baby carrots are reasonably priced when compared to whole carrots.<br />
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Place all the vegetables in a food processor and pulse until your mixture of vegetables is coarse. This is a technique you'll need to perfect for personal texture preference. I find that if your vegetables are processed too much, they disintegrate and disappear in the cooking process. On the other hand, if they are left too large it is difficult to saute them gently down to size. After a few soups you'll have figured out the right amount of processing. After the vegetables have been sauteing in the pot for a few minutes, add the water, and the prepared stock and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on a low heat for two hours and...Voila! You're done.<br />
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Remember that this is only a basic soup – it might be rather plain for many. But it's only offered as a 'starter'. When you're ready, use the recipe below for one of my slightly more complex and very popular soups.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Tomato Lentil Soup Recipe</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6BfCJsiyJs/TZ9NeLKKKkI/AAAAAAAAAFI/MDyFg5ruMUE/s1600/tomato+bean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6BfCJsiyJs/TZ9NeLKKKkI/AAAAAAAAAFI/MDyFg5ruMUE/s320/tomato+bean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1/2 lb baby carrots</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">4 large stalks of celery</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 medium onion</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 qt of low sodium vegetable stock </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2 qt of water</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1/2 pound lentils</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1/3 pound pearl barley</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 tsp thyme</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 tsp chili powder</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">salt and pepper to taste</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 small can tomato paste</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Dice or process vegetables into coarse-sized pieces, place in soup pot with olive oil over medium-high heat and saute the veggies for two to four minutes to soften them. Add stock and water to pot, cover and bring to a boil. Once the base ingredients are boiling, add the lentils, barley, herbs and spices. Reduce to low heat and simmer covered for approximately two hours. Then uncover and add tomato paste, give it a good stir to evenly distribute the paste and continue to simmer the soup uncovered for one more hour. Cooking the soup longer with the pot uncovered will cause some of the liquid to evaporate, which will make the soup thicker in texture.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When it's ready, enjoy a bowl and, after the left-overs in the pot have cooled, store your soup in plastic serving containers. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for a week, or in the freezer indefinitely.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Come back next week for my Italian Wedding Soup recipe!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-3016546157950227512011-04-03T07:02:00.000-07:002011-04-03T10:53:23.384-07:00Mi vientre es feliz ahora! or: My Belly is Happy Now!If you're like me you love learning about new food. And that easily translates into a love of the Internet. When I first started my professional career in the food business, I spent countless hours scouring magazines and cookbooks for interesting and innovative ideas. It's great to have all that information right at my fingertips these days. (My fellow pre-Internet generation readers know what I'm talking about!) In my recent research on superfoods, I was happy to discover an interesting recipe using the guava (also referred to as guayaba). It's popularly used in Latin and Caribbean cultures, and it's so healthy and tasty that I would like to personally promote more frequent use of this delicious fruit in American diets.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fRL72pJDIA/TZXtRpRq3KI/AAAAAAAAAE8/pJC3LkhmRTA/s1600/guava+in+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4fRL72pJDIA/TZXtRpRq3KI/AAAAAAAAAE8/pJC3LkhmRTA/s320/guava+in+tree.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There are many different types of guava, just like their are many different types of apples. I'm mentioning this because, whist scouring the aisles of your local market, you may find something labeled 'guava' that doesn't quite fit the image in your mind of what a guava 'should' look like. The shapes and sizes of this fruit vary just as the McIntosh apple looks different than a Cortland or even a Golden Delicious. That shouldn't stop you from taking one home and sharing it with your family though, right?<br />
<br />
The guava is so rich in nutrients, antioxidants (especially <a href="http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochemicals/lycopene.php">lycopene</a> and <a href="http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=4142">polyphenols</a>), and so high in fiber that it has been designated a 'superfruit'. Looking for a vitamin C without the calories? Oranges and bananas can't compete with guava.<br />
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Today's food idea (using guayaba, of course) comes via <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Bonnie, from </em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://sweetlifebake.com/" style="color: #632747; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_self">Sweet Life Bake</a> - I recommend you check out her blog and follow the link to her recipe.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"> <br />
Bonnie's recipe calls for an ingredient called piloncillo, which is an indigenous sugar found in Mexico and the Caribbean. It is more intensely sweet than our brown sugar and has a darker, richer flavor that comes from naturally-formed molasses found in the sugar cane. The name pilon (or pylon) is a descriptive phrase since this sugar is typically sold in cone shapes. For most of us here in the States, piloncillo will be difficult to find, but you can substitute 1/2 cup piloncillo by mixing 1/2 cup brown sugar with 2 teaspoons molasses.<br />
<br />
<i>One helpful idea that may save some time and calories/fat is to take your favorite vanilla ice cream, frozen yogurt or even gellato and allow it to soften, then mix in the lime zest and lime juice to it and re-freeze.</i><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Some of you might be cringing at how much butter and sugar is contained in the recipe, but hey –TGIF. It's the weekend – splurge a little... it's call dessert! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">Pon una</span> <span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">sonrisa</span> <span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">en el</span> <span class="hps" title="Click for alternate translations">abdomen: Put a smile in your belly!</span></span></span>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-1621436505147104602011-04-01T13:01:00.000-07:002011-04-01T13:06:04.187-07:00The Hidden Treasures in My Food WasteThis blog is part of my adventurous goal to have a wonderful home garden and bountiful harvest throughout the summer and fall. I've been doing a lot of research and planning, and it seems that the nutritive value of one's grow medium is key. In other words: soil content is a critical factor to gardening success.<br />
<br />
When you're ready to transfer your seedlings into their permanent home, you'll want to make sure that the soil is optimum for the types of crops you want. Most of this information is readily available on-line, at your local nursery, or on the seed packet.<br />
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I realize that many of my blog followers are city dwellers or live in condos with little access to a backyard. Don't worry – I haven't forgotten about your circumstances. The great thing about gardening is it can be done anywhere; it just takes is good research and sometimes ingenuity. Composting is no exception.<br />
<br />
In fact, <a href="http://www.compost-info-guide.com/beginner_guide.htm">home composting</a> of food scraps will produce the best fertilizer you can find anywhere – so today I'm excited to share with you a fun and easy way to compost indoors (without the smell of garbage). It's called vermiculture, or worm composting.<br />
<br />
Worm composting is a method for recycling food waste into a rich, dark, earth-smelling soil conditioner. There are many great advantages to worm composting. For instance, since it can be done indoors, it is an accessible way of composting for for apartment dwellers, and it can also be done all year 'round. (Did anyone else's outdoor composter freeze this year?)<br />
<br />
In a nutshell, worm compost is made in a container filled with moistened bedding and redworms. Add your food waste for a period of time, and the worms and micro-organisms will eventually convert the entire contents into rich compost.<br />
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The following video will demonstrate exactly how to go about making your own Worm Bin from things you already have around the house.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7rFxSeMXGoU" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe></div><br />
<br />
For a great wealth of information about vermilculture/worm composting and a source for you starter batch of Reg Wigglers, check out the <a href="http://wormladies.com/">Rhody Wormladies</a>. There are several other vendors you can find online too.<br />
<br />
Composting is just another great use for food waste, and it's one of the best things you can do for our environment. After you've completed the process you'll be left with an organic super-fertilizer to add to your vegetable and flower beds – the ideal start for healthy plants and abundant crops.<br />
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Have you decided what you're going to plant yet?Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-41326447836024725192011-03-20T20:37:00.000-07:002011-03-20T20:37:23.713-07:00The Japanese Crisis: Another Reason to Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cYGxSyMkZb4/TYbDCouOXPI/AAAAAAAAAEw/CelJ0fqjSPQ/s1600/tomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cYGxSyMkZb4/TYbDCouOXPI/AAAAAAAAAEw/CelJ0fqjSPQ/s320/tomato.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We've all been keeping up with the devastating aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and I find it especially horrible to think of the affects such a disaster could have in the long-term, for our children.<br />
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I recently read an article in the New York Times about how radiation has been detected in Japan’s farms and crops - it is obvious that many people will no longer trust food from Japan, and the impact that this disaster will have on our food supply will be profound. We've all experienced a sharp increase in food prices at our markets due to weather and energy. The situation in Japan will create opportunity for food growers and manufacturers to increase their exports to Japan, and I suspect that this will, in turn, cause prices at home to spike even further.<br />
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However, the average person may be able to cope with this problem by growing their own vegetables - it's the perfect time to begin that process, and it’s a great activity to do with your children. So here at Miss Barb's Kitchen that is exactly what we plan on doing and chronicling our progress every week. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EbtMO9btaDg/TYbDO-jkwDI/AAAAAAAAAE0/jnvSWvIT5vw/s1600/Eggshell-Seed-Starters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EbtMO9btaDg/TYbDO-jkwDI/AAAAAAAAAE0/jnvSWvIT5vw/s400/Eggshell-Seed-Starters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><h1 class="fn" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eggshell Seed Starters</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 22px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal;">by <span class="author"><a href="http://www.instructables.com/member/NaturalCulture/" style="color: #ff5200; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;" title="view NaturalCulture's profile">NaturalCulture</a></span></span></span></h1><br />
I've always liked <a href="http://www.sunset.com/garden/fruits-veggies/how-to-plant-vegetables-00400000040732/">Sunset Books</a>, which tends to publish good basic guides. The instructions are accompanied with illustrations that make the process easy to follow and understand, even for our littlest helpers.<br />
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A word to the wise is Planning. Growing your own vegetables is fulfilling and also hard work - evaluate your area for light, soil, and irrigation. The University of Missouri’s website has<a href="http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=g6985"> excellent information about planning a raised garden bed</a>, which you may want to think about if the ground soil where you want to plant is less than ideal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EhkJVFhTh7A/TYbEHLgpAjI/AAAAAAAAAE4/wCdOcttrtMQ/s1600/raised-bed-main-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EhkJVFhTh7A/TYbEHLgpAjI/AAAAAAAAAE4/wCdOcttrtMQ/s400/raised-bed-main-l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo Credit by</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">Norman A. Plate</span></span></div><br />
Okay, off to do my gardening homework.Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-25632095456375072542011-03-20T12:57:00.000-07:002011-03-20T13:01:40.955-07:00Easy, Healthy, Freezable MealsSo you just got back from grocery shopping and the refrigerator, freezer and pantry are full of healthy foods such as: fruits, vegetables, chicken broth, tuna, beans, eggs, and rice.<br />
You even have light butte and reduced fat cheese. And yet: your family questions what is there to eat or complains, there is nothing to eat. Sound familiar? I share in this frustration, and I've discovered that it helps to attack this dilemma with one delicous food item at a time.<br />
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Here are some of my initial breakfast wins:<br />
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Mini Omelets baked in muffin tins: they're easily reheatable and are great to grab and go on busy mornings. And they're versitile, too! Try them on a toasted English muffin or over a salad and served with a slice of whole grain bread for lunch or dinner.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-685_UVqXc-8/TYZbgihXLmI/AAAAAAAAAEg/TR_hhHymRnU/s1600/HPIM2471.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-685_UVqXc-8/TYZbgihXLmI/AAAAAAAAAEg/TR_hhHymRnU/s320/HPIM2471.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>King and Queen Royal (Mini) Omelette</u></b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
6 eggs<br />
1/2 cup milk<br />
1/4 tsp. salt<br />
1/8 tsp. pepper<br />
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese<br />
1/2 cup chopped zucchini or red pepper<br />
whole grain english muffin halves, toasted.<br />
small fresh strawberries, halved lengthwise<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Directions</b><br />
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.<br />
Beat eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until blended. Add cheese,<br />
zucchini, bell pepper, and mix well.<br />
Spoon evenly into 12 greased muffin cups, sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.<br />
Muffin cups should be filled 1/4 cup mixture.<br />
Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 22 minutes, or until set. Cool on rack 5 minutes, then<br />
remove omlets from cups. For each crown toast 1 English muffin half. Place mini<br />
omelet in the middle of English muffin half.<br />
Place fresh strawberries around mini omelet.<br />
Extra mini omelets can be wrapped<br />
and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and can be quickly reheated in the microwave in the morning.<br />
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Whole grain, frozen waffles are also a must buy. They're easy, and you can top them up with<br />
yogurt or cottage cheese and fresh or defrosted fruit. For added crunch, sprinkle on some granola.<br />
The key here is to have the fruit cut up in the refrigerator or the frozen fruit defrosted in small covered containers. This way, it can be easily 'grabbed'.<br />
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Crunchy oven-baked french toast: this couldn't possibly be any easier, and it's a great item to freeze and reheat.<br />
<b><u><br />
</u></b><br />
<b><u>Crunchy Oven-Baked French Toast</u></b><br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
2 eggs<br />
2 tbsp water<br />
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
1/2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
1/4 cup Berkshire Grain Granola<br />
2 slices thick sliced bread (challah if available), cut each bread slice in 1/2<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pl_xhRtF1GA/TYZbxSEoYaI/AAAAAAAAAEk/DnGY6FdwQuE/s1600/GCFT+01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pl_xhRtF1GA/TYZbxSEoYaI/AAAAAAAAAEk/DnGY6FdwQuE/s200/GCFT+01.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><b>Directions</b><br />
Preheat oven to 300° F<br />
Beat eggs, then add the next 3 ingredients, and place in shallow bowl.<br />
Process granola in food processor or blender to the coarseness of fine Panko Style Crumbs.<br />
Place your finished granola topping in a flat plate.<br />
Dip your bread in the egg mixture, letting egg drip off of bread, then place each piece of bread into the granola topping and coat evenly on both sides.<br />
Cook for 3 minutes on each side in a lightly greased griddle pan or cast iron skillet , over medium to medium high heat.<br />
Next, transfer the french toast to a baking pan and bake for another 5-10 minutes, allowing for the egg to bake in and get a light crisp.<br />
To serve, sprinkle with cinnamon and white confectionery sugar top with your favorite fruit or maple syrup. Cut into French Toast sticks or cut each full slice in half to serve. Freeze any leftovers – french toast can be reheated in a toaster oven, on toast setting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VRMiSw0ymi4/TYZbxpYLDGI/AAAAAAAAAEo/T-t4-qFjq8c/s1600/GCFT+02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VRMiSw0ymi4/TYZbxpYLDGI/AAAAAAAAAEo/T-t4-qFjq8c/s200/GCFT+02.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>I hope you'll find these ideas helpful, and I welcome your input. I'm convinced that if we can navigate through this together and make refrigerator food user friendly, appetizing, and accessible, then we have accomplished a lot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J9er1YMSrjU/TYZb2xYKpFI/AAAAAAAAAEs/aFMlTP1u8oI/s1600/DSC01078.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J9er1YMSrjU/TYZb2xYKpFI/AAAAAAAAAEs/aFMlTP1u8oI/s320/DSC01078.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-68395738308674298082011-03-16T16:11:00.000-07:002011-03-20T11:45:19.864-07:00Happy St Patrick's Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah, gone are my days of being in NYC on St Patrick's Day, the huge parades when everyone turned Irish and the streets were filled with happy people. Or the days when we hosted dinner guests for a traditional Irish corned beef dinner at The Country Lakeside Inn on Lake Waramaug.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But just because I'm not preparing a big festivity this year doesn't mean that you're not – so I thought I would share a wonderful recipe with you. It's Traditional Irish Soda Bread – kind of. To be more accurate, I'll call it 'New England Irish' since I've replaced currants with dried cranberries.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This recipe is incredibly easy and quick to make – the prep time is 10-15 minutes and it bakes for 55 minutes total. Ah, there's my buzzer and I've got to add the glaze for another 10 minutes of baking. I do hope you'll give this recipe a try. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't forget to serve the bread with lots of butter, along with your corned beef and boiled cabbage for dinner.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feel free to leave a comment and let me know how your St. Patrick's day dinner turned out, too.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>New England Style Irish Soda Bread</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sOpHUPbJHVM/TYE8d-7HusI/AAAAAAAAAEY/7QI9yMDDtSI/s1600/Irish+Soda+Bread+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sOpHUPbJHVM/TYE8d-7HusI/AAAAAAAAAEY/7QI9yMDDtSI/s400/Irish+Soda+Bread+1.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingredients</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 cups sifted flour</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 tbsp sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 cup dried cranberries (raisins or currants)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 1/3 cup buttermilk *</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tbsp sugar for glaze</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tbsp water for glaze</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Directions</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sift flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stir in dried cranberries and buttermilk .*</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Combine until well blended.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dough will be sticky (very).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turn out onto floured board and need 10 times, until smooth.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shape into 8" rounded loaf.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Placed on ungreased cookie sheet.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cut an "X" with a knife in the top of the loaf.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bake at 375 F for 45 minutes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove from oven ; pour sugar and water glaze over the top and return to oven for an additonal 10 minutes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Serves 8</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* Buttermilk substitute: add 1 tbsp + 1 tsp of vinegar to milk and let sit for 5 minutes<b style="text-decoration: underline;">.</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cklLZZeZg5w/TYE85W5gptI/AAAAAAAAAEc/AC3eb-0QOB0/s1600/DSC01087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cklLZZeZg5w/TYE85W5gptI/AAAAAAAAAEc/AC3eb-0QOB0/s400/DSC01087.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Erin Go Bragh </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>(Ireland Forever)</b></span></div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-71952172277780237192011-02-23T11:55:00.001-08:002011-02-23T12:32:17.784-08:00My Belly Is Thinking About It<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When it comes to trying new foods, there is a conversation that takes place between the mind and the belly of a pre-schooler, and I have been trying to figure out who has the clout to make the final decision.<br />
From conversations with three and four year olds it is unclear as to who of the personified mind or belly needs the most convincing.<br />
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As in my Power Play, Pretend Play blog entry, pretending to make and eat something new or creating a fun, integrated activity that builds up to the eating experience takes the stress out of the equation.<br />
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An example of this took place in the preschool classroom at <a href="http://kidzoneinc.org/">Kidzone, Early Childhood Learning Center</a>, in Pittsfield MA, this week. In circle, the kids learned the Mother Goose nursery rhyme The 3 Little Kittens - you know, the ones who lost their mittens:<br />
<br />
<b>Three Little Kittens</b><br />
Three little kittens,<br />
They lost their mittens,<br />
And they began to cry,<br />
Oh, mother dear,<br />
We sadly fear<br />
Our mittens we have lost.<br />
What! Lost your mittens,<br />
You naughty kittens!<br />
Then you shall have no pie.<br />
<br />
The three little kittens,<br />
They found their mittens,<br />
And they began to cry,<br />
Oh, mother dear,<br />
See here, see here,<br />
Our mittens we have found.<br />
What! Found your mittens,<br />
You good little kittens!<br />
Then you shall have some pie.<br />
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Naturally, the rhyme lead to discussions about the kids' pet kittens or cats, their mittens and pie. At the art table, kids decorated pre-cut paper mittens with glue sticks and collage materials to form patterns. In the kitchen the kids made <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Doggitys-Diner-Inc/154650411232653?ref=ts">Doggity's</a> better for you Grand Apple Pie. During naptime, their mittens were hidden by a teacher. When the kids woke up they found their mittens like good little kittens and for snack they had some pie (the one they made).<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rMq3DMW52x4" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This morning, when they were told about the events of the day, one little girl said, "I think I'm going to try the pie, Miss Barb."Then after a moments thought she said,"I'm not so sure...my belly is thinking about it. I've never tried pie before."<br />
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Fast forward to snack time. "This is the first time I've tried pie and I like it! " said the little girl.<br />
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Doggity's Better for you Grand Apple Pie was a hit. Bellies Beware!!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Grandparents' Grand Apple Pie</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5-d7q89oHI/TWVtq8vIBiI/AAAAAAAAAD0/333VnFZb2ds/s1600/HPIM2232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U5-d7q89oHI/TWVtq8vIBiI/AAAAAAAAAD0/333VnFZb2ds/s400/HPIM2232.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Pie Crust</u></b><br />
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour<br />
1/4 teaspoon sea salt<br />
3 tablespoon granulated sugar<br />
1/4 cup cold butter<br />
4 to 6 tablespoons ice water<br />
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<b><u>Pie Filling</u></b><br />
5 cups peeled , sliced apples<br />
1/4 cup granulated sugar<br />
1 tablespoon unbleached all purpose flour<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
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<b><u>Crumb Topping</u></b><br />
1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour<br />
1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour<br />
3 tablespoons brown sugar<br />
1/4 teaspoon baking powder<br />
3 tablespoons melted butter<br />
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<b><u>Bottom Crust Directions</u></b><br />
Preheat oven to 400° F.<br />
1. In medium bowl combine flour, sugar and salt. Add butter by cutting into flour mixture with pastry cutter until butter is the size of small peas.<br />
2. Add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time mixing well after each addition. Dough will form a ball when enough water has been added. Gather dough with dry hands and form into ball.<br />
3. Let rest for 5 minutes.<br />
4. On lightly floured board roll dough into circle. Place in 9-inch pie pan. Pinch edges of crust if desired or press edges with fork.<br />
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<b><u>Assembly</u></b><br />
1. Mix filling ingredients together in separate bowl.<br />
2. Mix topping ingredients in another bowl.<br />
3. Place filling in crust; sprinkle on topping.<br />
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Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned.<br />
Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.<br />
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Makes one 9-inch pie. </div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-11666056604607491632011-02-02T15:45:00.000-08:002011-02-02T22:36:47.270-08:00Berkshire Grain Granola: the secret ingredient to Football Crunch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TUnq-slhHwI/AAAAAAAAADk/35q3zy1-o-w/s1600/Snack+mix+for+Barb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TUnq-slhHwI/AAAAAAAAADk/35q3zy1-o-w/s320/Snack+mix+for+Barb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I love creating recipes and new products.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">It is my profession; it is my passion. And much like the Starship Enterprise, I take foods where they have not gone before. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Companies large and small contract my services for creative marketing ideas, prototype development, product introduction, recipe handouts, back of package copy, point of sale recipes, etc. This week, I was asked to support the product Introduction of <a href="http://www.berkshiregrain.com/">Berkshire Grain Granola </a>(my favorite granola by the way) at Stew Leonard's in Connecticut.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Berkshire Grain will be sampling their <a href="http://www.berkshiregrain.com/products-page/cinnamon-toast-granola-by-berkshire-grain">Cinnamon Toast</a> and <a href="http://www.berkshiregrain.com/products-page/cranberry-pumpkinseeds-organic-granola">Cranberry Pumpkin Seed</a> Granolas at the <a href="http://www.stewleonards.com/html/directions_norwalk.cfm">Norwalk store</a> on Friday, February 4, 12-6pm and Saturday February 5, 10am-4pm.<br />
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The Super Bowl is a big event for entertaining, and a great time to share food with friends and family. So i thought it natural to come up with a great tasting and unique snacking mix - the perfect thing to go with a beer, wine or non-alcoholic beverage. Just in case you can't make it to Stew Leonard's this week-end, here is one of the printed "recipe take-aways" that I'll be giving to customers:</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Football Crunch Snack Mix</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Ingredients </b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">2 cups Popped Corn</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">2 cups Chex cereal</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1 cup Berkshire Grain Cinnamon Toast or Cranberry Pumpkin Seed Granola</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">2 tablespoons Earth Balance buttery spread, Smart Balance buttery spread or your light butter spread of choice</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">2 tablespoons maple syrup or natural pancake syrup</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">2 tablespoons natural cane sugar</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1 teaspoon chili powder</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1 teaspoon garlic powder</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1/2 teaspoon sea salt</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Directions</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">In medium bowl mix together, popcorn, cereal and granola.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">In small saucepan combine remaining ingredients. Cook over medium high heat,</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Reduce heat to medium . Let boil for two minutes without stirring.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Immediately pour cooked mixture over popcorn mixture, stirring with rubber spatula or wooden spoon to coat.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Turn onto cookie sheet than has been lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Bake in preheated 250 oven for one hour. Remove from oven and let cool.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Makes 5 cups mix. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><u>For Snack mix variation</u></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Use 1 -1/2 cups Chex cereal, add 1/2 cups small pretzel sticks broken in half, or 1/2 cup peanuts</li>
<li>Omit salt, proceed as recipe directs.</li>
<li>For a spicier mix add a dash of your favorite hot sauce.</li>
</ol><div>Berkshire Grain is conducting a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Berkshire-Grain-LLC/175986729106533?v=app_4949752878&ref=ts">Super Bowl Contest</a> on their Facebook Fan Page. It's free, and if you're lucky you can win a case of their delicious granolas. </div></div></div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-81479390678359145442011-01-27T21:22:00.000-08:002011-01-27T22:42:17.330-08:00Muffin Lovers Rejoice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">I always wanted to be friends with the Muffin Man because I love muffins. Growing up, my mom made blueberry, cranberry and fruit and nut muffins made from recipes adapted from the famous Jordon Marsh Department Store Chain. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">As of late, muffins have gotten some bad press. They're touted as a high fat, high calorie, nutrient-sparse food. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Now I do not know the nutritional profile of the muffins mentioned above but I am here to say Muffin Lovers Rejoice!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
I have found (and tested) some Delicious BFY (Better For You) muffin recipes that will become your BFF (Best Friend Forever) when you want a muffin and nothing else will do.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TUJLXEJIOeI/AAAAAAAAAC8/GmDFp4a8kLQ/s1600/IMG_20101211_063123.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TUJLXEJIOeI/AAAAAAAAAC8/GmDFp4a8kLQ/s400/IMG_20101211_063123.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">The recipe (below) is a great grab-and-go for snacks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">Now, there are some muffin<i> </i>rules, which were told to me by a friend, and I feel that I should pass along to you. My friend's rule is that you must drink a glass of milk with a muffin.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">She said that she heard it directly from the Muffin Man. I wonder if the Muffin Man is friends with the Milk Man.</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Enjoy these Muffins and if you run into the Muffin Man tell him to friend me on facebook.</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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<b>Basic Muffin Recipe </b></div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b></b></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Ingredients</b></span> </div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">2 cups all purpose unbleached flour (or substitute whole wheat pastry flour) </div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">¼ cup Florida Crystals Light Sugar </div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">1 tablespoon baking powder </div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">¼ teaspoon sea salt </div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">1 large egg </div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">1 cup plain yogurt </div></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">4 tablespoons melted butter </div></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract </div><br />
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TUJLWfQWCnI/AAAAAAAAAC4/2QfHrRAuEXw/s1600/IMG_20101211_063051.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TUJLWfQWCnI/AAAAAAAAAC4/2QfHrRAuEXw/s400/IMG_20101211_063051.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Directions</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Preheat oven to 375 ° Fahrenheit </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Line 8 muffin cups with natural muffin papers (look in baking section) </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Mix first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. In a medium bowl mix next 4 ingredients together until smooth. Pour liquid mixture over the flour mix, and mix with a spoon until dry ingredients are moistened. Do Not Over Mix. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Spoon batter evenly into each muffin cup. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Bake 25-30 minutes. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">At 25 minutes test for doneness. </div><div style="font: 16.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Is it done yet? </b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Testing a baked product for 'doneness' is a very delicate process. Gently insert a wooden pick (e.g., a toothpick) into the center of your baked muffin, and if it comes out clean (with no crumbs or wet batter) then your muffins are probably done. If the pick does not come out clean then put back in oven for another 5 minutes and test again. Muffins are not pin cushions so one test per muffin.</div><div><br />
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</div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-2532777554693834192011-01-16T17:29:00.000-08:002011-01-16T20:05:29.076-08:00Kids Love Making Pita Pizza with Wholesome Pizzazz!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/IVS6FFLg3_I/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IVS6FFLg3_I&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IVS6FFLg3_I&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Kids are all about fun, and mealtime should be no exception. At preschool this week, "p" was the featured letter. Rhyming words, tongue twisters like Peter Piper, songs and activities all focused on the letter <i>p</i>.</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">To go along with the theme, our cooking activity in Miss Barb's kitchen this week was Pita Pizzas. We even tried to make up our own tongue twisters by saying, "Pita Pizza, Pita Pizza Please" and "Pizza, Please!" five times fast. We also had our own version of Peter Piper: Paula Piper Picked a Pan of Pita Pizzas. </div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Pizza is a favorite kids food. It's right up there with Mac and Cheese, Chicken Nuggets and French Fries. There is only one thing kids love more than eating pizza...and that's making it themselves.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b>3 - Pepper Pita Pizza</b></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Obviously making dough is no easy feat even for some adults so for our pizza we used whole wheat pita bread since it's low fat, delicious and nutritious. The kids especially enjoyed putting on their own sauce, cheese and toppings. For parents and guardians, this represents a great opportunity to encourage kids to experiment with new foods. New colors and shapes on pizza are exciting to them. It's worth trying to throw in some broccoli and cauliflower. Before you know it your young chef proteges will be creating pizzas with green, yellow and red peppers, broccoli, chopped tomato, cucumber, olives, pineapple tidbits and good protein sources like chicken, lean ground beef or turkey, low fat pepperoni or turkey bacon. They'll be proudly feeding the whole family their healthy pizza creations, and gobbling up those tasty nutrients instead of spitting it out or feeding it to the dog and cat.</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">If you're short on time and don't want to chop up toppings, just visit a fresh salad bar at your local Whole Foods Market or supermarket to assemble toppings. </div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">The keys ingredients to success here are fast, easy and (most importantly) <i>fun.</i> Have a weekly Family Pizza Party and or use this recipe idea for your kids next Birthday Party or Sleepover.</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">And for more fun watch <a href="http://www.sproutonline.com/noodle-and-doodle/doggity/"><i>Doggity's</i></a> on PBS Sprout. This recipe and others have Doggity's Dog Gone Good seal of approval.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TTOoAqe7SxI/AAAAAAAAACw/jakpxrei0G8/s1600/HPIM2116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TTOoAqe7SxI/AAAAAAAAACw/jakpxrei0G8/s400/HPIM2116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Broccoli "Trees" & Cheese</b></span></td></tr>
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</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Pita Pizza </b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Ingredients: </b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1 package (8 ounces) small round pita bread, preferably whole wheat</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1/2 cup pizza, marinara or tomato sauce</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Sliced or chopped vegetables or your choice (I recommend red/green/yellow</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">peppers, onions, mushrooms zucchini, broccoli – fresh or frozen defrosted,</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">drained and patted dry)</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Pepperoni pieces or other favorite meat topping</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, preferably part skim</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Garlic powder or pizza seasoning (optional)</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Non Stick cooking spray</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Preheat oven to 400° F.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Directions:</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Lightly spray cookie sheet with non stick cooking spray.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Spread 1 tablespoon of sauce on each of 8 pita rounds.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese on each of 8 pita rounds.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Top with vegetables or meat , if desired.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Sprinkle additional 1 tablespoon of cheese on each pita pizza.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Season as desired with garlic powder or pizzaseasoning.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Place on prepared cookie sheet.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Bake for 7 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and melted.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Cut in wedges to serve.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Makes 8 Pita Pizzas</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TTOo65Zea5I/AAAAAAAAAC0/bYiRp-dHISA/s1600/HPIM2111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TTOo65Zea5I/AAAAAAAAAC0/bYiRp-dHISA/s400/HPIM2111.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cheese Pizza</b></span></td></tr>
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</div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-12991469669234270282011-01-11T18:53:00.000-08:002011-01-27T21:40:33.456-08:00New Year's Resolution: Revival of the Family Dinner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TS0Wzuix-wI/AAAAAAAAACU/ufHsXA18Vns/s1600/HPIM2291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TS0Wzuix-wI/AAAAAAAAACU/ufHsXA18Vns/s320/HPIM2291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">When I was growing up, somehow my mothers (whether working or not) managed to cook and put a delicious meal on the table most every night. </span>Sitting down at the dinner table together was a nice ritual as much as it was the norm; it just happened. </div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Studies show that kids who have family dinners do better in school and are less likely to become obese or suffer from depression. </span>The reason for this could be due to healthy conversations and parent-child exchanges that often take place at the dinner table. Comfortable respectful communication (positive non confrontational) is certainly key.</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">But it seems that these days, parents and kids are busier than ever. Parents often work two or more jobs, kids juggle a million school commitments, etc. </span>Fragmented schedules run us ragged and make it difficult to put that seemingly simple very important piece in place.</div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Another mealtime challenge is getting the kids to eat the healthy foods you prepare when they are finally sitting down at the dinner table. Cookbook authors and celebrity chefs across America (e.g., Rachael Ray and Jessica Seinfeld) have </span>addressed this subject and have created recipes and techniques to help with the "food fights." </div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Food fights wear us parents down and sometimes it is just easier to give in and pick up chicken nuggets and french fries or pizza and call it a day. </span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Now, I am all for that as a quck fix on occasion – but with a little pre planning, we can get a delicious, healthy, kid-friendly dinner on the table quickly and easily.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">One of my family’s favorites is is Cowboy’s Mexican Lasagna. This easy to make main dish is served with a green salad and is super yummy. You can watch the characters on <a href="http://www.sproutonline.com/noodle-and-doodle/doggity/">Doggity’s</a> (PBS Sprout) make it, or just give it a whirl on your own</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Cowboy’s Mexican Lasagna</b></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Ingredients</b></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1 pound ground beef or ground turkey</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1 tablespoon chili powder</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">2 cans (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1 can ( 15 ounce) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed, optional</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1 package(11 ounce) traditional size corn tortillas or 12 corn tortillas</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">1½ cups mild salsa</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">2 packages ( 8 ounces each) reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese, 4 cups</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">shredded cheese</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Directions</b></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Preheat oven to 350° F.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Place ground beef in large skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">occasionally until browned and cooked through. Place in</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">colander and rinse with hot water. Place meat back in pan. Stir in chili powder,</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">tomatoes and beans, if desired.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Spoon 1/4 of the meat mixture over the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan spreading to</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">cover the bottom. It’s OK if entire bottom is not covered completely, though. This just keeps the tortillas from sticking.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Using 4 tortillas, form a layer on bottom of pan – breaking tortillas if necessary – to</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">cover most of the meat. Spread another 1/4 of meat mixture on top of tortillas and spoon 1/2 cup of salsa over the meat. Sprinkle with 1 1/3 cup of cheese.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Repeat two times, ending with cheese.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.</span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Makes 1 13x9 inch pan of Mexican Lasagna</span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</span></div></div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-78359960949518907312011-01-09T21:04:00.000-08:002011-01-12T14:54:58.116-08:00Power Play<div style="font: 13.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: 14.0px Times New Roman; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; min-height: 16.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TS4xMoqE1sI/AAAAAAAAACY/j56LU5XZUNw/s1600/Ballerina+Spinning+Tutu+Salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TS4xMoqE1sI/AAAAAAAAACY/j56LU5XZUNw/s320/Ballerina+Spinning+Tutu+Salad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Pretend play gives kids the power to create their own reality, take risks try new things, and mimic adults – without real life stress. Familiarity, comfort, and experimentation take place over and over again until one day their play crosses over into reality.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">This was first evident to me when I showed my new class of three year olds an episode of the Ballerina episode on <a href="http://www.sproutonline.com/noodle-and-doodle/doggity/">Doggity's</a>, which features a Spinning Spinach Salad Tutu recipe. After watching the episode, I noticed that at outside play that day (and subsequent days), the kids recreated the episode using real leaves in place of spinach leaves. They even added new variations as the play continued.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">The kids talked about salads at lunch when I brought up the subject, too. They were acutely aware of who of their friends and teachers brought salads and who was eating salad for lunch. Discussions bridged to who eats salads at home.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">In the kitchen/housekeeping area of the classroom they made, served and ate make believe salads made of anything and everything. Making the salad recipe for real was especially enjoyable for the kids. This group had not tested this recipe with me, and I was delighted to see how much they loved tearing the spinach leaves, cutting the cucumber, and arranging all the colorful fruits and vegetables. Even shaking the dressing was fun for them!</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">When it was time to taste the salad there was excitement as the open-minded little kids ate their creation. In their minds, they had been making and eating salads in make believe pretend play for a long time – so it wasn't scary at all.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Here is the Spinning Spinach Salad Tutu recipe and another favorite called Springs and Gears Pasta Salad.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I will be posting more spin and toss salad recipes as well snackin' salads recipes with yummy shake and pour dressings and dips.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">As Doggitys says, they are "Dog Gone Good!"</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Ballerina – Spinning Spinach Salad Tutu</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><b><u>Ingredients:</u> </b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 13.9px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Salad </b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 13.9px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">5 cups (5 ounces) baby spinach, washed and dried<br />
2 oranges peeled, sectioned and cut into bite sized pieces or, 1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges drained <i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 13.9px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><i>2 cups sliced fresh strawberries (about 15 berries),optional </i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
1 small cucumber, peeled * and sliced <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 13.9px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 13.9px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Raspberry Dressing </b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
2 tablespoons Raspberry vinegar <br />
3 tablespoons Orange juice <br />
1 teaspoon honey <br />
1/4 cup olive oil <br />
1/4 teaspoon sea salt </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.4px 0.0px;"><b></b>1/8 teaspoon pepper </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; text-indent: -36.0px;"><b><u>Instructions: </u></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; text-indent: -36.0px;">Place spinach in shallow large bowl arranging outside leaves on edges to resemble edge or tutu. Place cucumber slices</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; text-indent: -36.0px;">in the center of salad. Place orange pieces artistically around cucumber slices. In small bowl, whisk together all</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; text-indent: -36.0px;">ingredients. Pour 1/2 of dressing over salad and toss lightly when ready to serve. Add more dressing as needed for </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 36.0px; text-indent: -36.0px;">personal taste. Serve with crusty whole grain bread, if desired. For main dish salad add strips of cooked chicken. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">*If skin of cucumber is not waxed or if using a piece of an English cucumber, cucumber can be sliced without peeling.</div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-72357389367002900472010-12-26T21:06:00.000-08:002011-01-12T14:58:01.602-08:00Monkey See, Monkey Do (Sooner or Later)<div style="color: #333333; font: 11.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Kids are always watching, listening and processing – even when you think they’re not. Modeling, copying and mimicking parents, grandparents and other caregivers is how children learn. Kids have radar vision and double decibel hearing.</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">This week a teacher at my preschool was giving a lesson on Thailand and brought in some fruit for the kids to taste. In front of the children, she asked another adult if she would like to taste the fruit as well. That adult immediately looked down at the fruit being offered and said “No, thank you.” Well, as you may have guessed children followed suit and refused the fruit as well. </div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">The fruit was given to another class where the teacher tasted the fruit herself and then asked the kids if they wanted to try it. They did, of course, and declared that it was yummy. In this case, 10 out of 12 kids with some reserve tasted the fruit and loved it.</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">So how do we as parents and role models change our own eating habits, willingness to try new foods,</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">and recipes? We can start by simply changing the way we think about eating healthy food – our attitudes are incredibly influential with children.</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I suggest a bit of inspiration and a "baby-steps" approach.</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Throughout this blog, I will provide you with delicious recipes and tips designed for adults and children alike. We will take it slowly, one bite at a time. You can also find this community on the <a href="http://ko-kr.facebook.com/pages/Doggitys-Diner-Inc/154650411232653"><span style="color: #bc2d00; text-decoration: underline;">Doggity's Facebook</span></a> page. <a href="http://www.sproutonline.com/noodle-and-doodle/doggity/"><span style="color: #bc2d00; text-decoration: underline;">Doggity'</span><span style="color: #bc2d00;">s</span></a> is a new animated show on PBS Sprout about healthy eating. </div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Click on this link to to find recipes and watch the show online. You can use Doggity to encourage your kids to eat healthy foods that are "Dog Gone Good." </div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #333333; font: 12.0px Arial; line-height: 20.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Smile, if you are skeptical about Healthy Foods being Knock your sox off delicious – go head and fake it till you make it. In the meantime make a batch of these better for you chocolate chip cookies (Treasure Chest Treats). Relax and enjoy.</div><div><br />
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<b><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>Treasure Chest Treats </b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">(chocolate chip cookies)</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1/4 cup lightly salted butter</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1/4 cup low fat cream cheese</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1/2 cup light brown sugar</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1/2 cup granulated sugar</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1 egg</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all purpose flour</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">3/4 teaspoon baking soda</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1/2 teaspoon sea salt</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Diced Dried Fruit Pieces, Optional</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Instructions:</b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Preheat oven to 375° F. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">1. In bowl of electric mixer beat butter, cream cheese, sugars and</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">vanilla until creamy. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">2. Beat in 1 egg. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">2. In small bowl mix together all remaining ingredients except for</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">chocolate chips and diced dried fruit pieces.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">3. Beat flour mixture into creamed mixture until combined. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">4. Beat in chocolate chips.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">5. Drop by rounded teaspoon onto lightly greased baking sheet</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">sprayed with non stick cooking spray.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">6. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until lightly browned.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Remove from oven, immediately press in diced dried fruit pieces to</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">resemble jewels if desired...</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">7. Let cookies set on baking sheet for 2 minute before removing to</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">wire rack to cool completely. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Yield: 24 cookies</div></b></div></b></div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-28137793966947892552010-12-17T20:33:00.000-08:002011-03-04T04:16:29.325-08:00Combatting Fear of Veggies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
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<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Like I said earlier, Preschoolers are smart, very smart. They strive for independence and control of their choices. By their second, third or fourth year they have had limited exposure in many areas, including food. Their choices continue to develop as they mature and in the case of food, their menu choices expand. As they are able to bite and chew, new textures are introduced. With the development of fine motor skills, they are able to use a spoon, fork, and knife with ease.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, as the world of food opens up to them a large majority of kids become anxious, stressed, and suspicious. Trying new foods takes them out of their comfort zone and away from the things they know they like. It represents risk. This was expressed by quite a few children when doing a program called <a href="http://www.cfchildren.org/programs/ssp/prek/"><span style="color: #0000fa; text-decoration: underline;">Next Step</span></a>. This particular exercise was all about how our feelings about things and experiences can change over time.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One <a href="http://www.cfchildren.org/programs/ssp/prek/"><span style="color: #0000fa; text-decoration: underline;">Next Step</span></a> question in particular was about how one feel about eating vegetables. Many kids responded that they are scared of vegetables. This response surprised me for a moment. In talking with the kids further, I realized that trying new things is scary for not just kids but for adults also.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Taking baby steps is the key. Eating should be easy, fun, and appealing for both kids and parents—not stressful. I call this Eating Education.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first two steps in Eating Education is to explore what foods look like and how they can be eaten.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I showed kids a potato, I was shocked to find that many of them did not previously know what a potato looked like and some even thought it was a peanut. The connection between the potato and the potato becoming french fries , hash, browns or mashed was a lesson that needed to be learned or reinforced.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TQw5CKmzziI/AAAAAAAAAB4/RRliG3dONkU/s1600/IMG_20101031_163350.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NrbwkjCTBQ4/TQw5CKmzziI/AAAAAAAAAB4/RRliG3dONkU/s400/IMG_20101031_163350.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Together, we prepared some much loved french fries, the healthy way: on a rack using Idaho potatoes, red bliss potatoes, yukon gold and sweet potatoes. This recipe (link) is as delicious as it is healthy.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Explore healthy, easy-to-prepare recipes on the show <a href="http://www.sproutonline.com/noodle-and-doodle/doggity/"><span style="color: #0000fa; text-decoration: underline;">Doggity's</span></a>. Doggity and his canine friends make preparing healthy foods fun. Kids can’t resist these dog gone good snacks and meals!</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><b>Healthy Fries Recipe</b></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b><b></b></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>2 medium or one large potato (white, and/or sweet)</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>1-2 tablespoons of olive oil</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>1/2 teaspoon coarse salt</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>pepper to taste</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Instructions:</b></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>1. Cut potatoes into any shapes and sizes desired, 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. </b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>2. Place potatoes into large mixing bowl, add spices, and then oil. Toss with your hands and rub potatoes to coat with oil. If a little more oil is needed pour into cap of oil bottle and drizzle over potatoes and continue to coat each potato with your hands.</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>3. Place a wire rack over a flat baking pan and lay potatoes in single layer (not touching).</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b>4. Bake in preheated 450°F oven for 20-25 minutes.</b></div><div><b><br />
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</span>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010578744709197986.post-16523941804262022842010-11-29T21:14:00.000-08:002011-01-12T14:57:02.634-08:00What Does A Famous Dog Chef and a Pre-School Educator Have in Common?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"> <style type="text/css">
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<div class="p1"><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Three year olds are smart – very smart. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">As a preschool teacher, I play with them, listen to them, and teach them. And they teach me, too. Eight hours a day, five days a week, fifty-two weeks a year.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">At <a href="http://www.kidzoneinc.org/"><span style="color: #0000fa;">Kidzone</span></a> Preschool in Pittsfield MA, I am known as Miss Barb. And when I'm not living life as a big three year-old, I am the Children’s Culinary expert and partner of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Doggitys-Diner-Inc/154650411232653"><span style="color: #0000fa;">Doggity's Diner Inc</span></a>. We co-produce Doggity’s, an animated show about heathy eating on PBS Sprout.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">I entered the world of preschool teaching to test of the recipes for the TV show Doggitys and gain an understanding as to how these kids look at life, think, eat, and specifically to gain an understanding of their eating habits, likes, dislikes and willingness to try new foods. Also to gain an understanding of the challenges their parents face/schools face in providing nutritious meals and snacks that kids will eat.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">This Blog will contain real life stories about the days in a life of precious preschoolers and will contain learnings and creative ideas on how to change the eating habits of kids, one child at a time/one bite at a time.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">So lets begin this journey together. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you, and hearing about yours.</div></span></div></div>Miss Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02199984091962112934noreply@blogger.com1