P.S. on last post...

So I went through a Woods Coffee drive through in Bellingham last week, and the lady saw my very green juice in the cup holder. You should have SEEN her face!

Nice Barista: (horrified expression) "UGH! Are you drinking that?!"

Me: (Laughs out loud) "Yes, I call it my swamp water!"

Nice Barista" (Nervous laugh) "ok, uh, here's your coffee. Have a, um, nice day." (Slides window shut)

Me: ROFL!!!

Can't you totally picture her after shutting the window, like, 'girls, you won't believe what just went through the drive up....'

I wonder what she thought I meant. Maybe I should have clarified a bit and told what it actually was, but she seemed to be in such a hurry....

Juicing for the Faint of Stomach.

(Yeah Caroline, I know. It's been longer than a week since I posted. So sorry Dear!)

So. As the title of this post might have suggested, I have been juicing. What is juicing?

Glad you asked.

Basically it's a (don't say diet. It's not a diet. Diet is a bad word.) fast, or cleanse for health reasons. You may have heard of/seen the documentary, Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, which exposes the dangerous habits of eating our society has fallen into.

Fast food, processed foods, and the general degeneration of the things we are putting into our bodies. The documentary recommends a "juice fast" as a way to get yourself back on track, to rid your body of any thing (and everything) labeled as "toxic". (i.e. processed foods, chemicals that food industries are putting in our food etc.) These juice cleanses are different for everyone. Some people go strictly juice, some go mostly juice, some go 1/2

and 1/2. As for me, I fall under the mostly juice category. I'm an active little bugger, and if I strictly juice (I did for 4 days) I end up with massive headaches, and simply couldn't function

Juicing also goes for different lengths of time. Some are 3 days, 10 days or even 30 days.

(The man the documentary was about was really, "fat, sick and nearly dead" and did his fast for 60 DAYS!)

I'm going for 30 days of mostly juicing. By "mostly" I mean all but one meal a day. Usually dinner, and that meal is wheat free. (i.e. no pasta, no bread, no grains etc.)

Is it hard? Uh, YES! Especially since I do the cooking 3 days a week! Grrr. So hard to make some of my favorite meals and not eat them. But, for your enjoyment and my records, I've

photo documented, a step by step juicing so you can see what's what.

So first... Arm yourself with fresh veggies and fruit. I have 3 large stalks of kale, 2 big handfuls of spinach, 2 apples, (one tart, one sweet. ) a cucumber and a handful of strawberries.

Start choppin'.

Apples...

Kale...

Cukes...

All ready!

This is my juicer. His name is Slim. (Yeah, I know I said it's not a diet, whatever.)

Start crammin' veggies.

The juice comes out the bottom, and the..."leftovers" come out the end.

After it's done, pour into a container of your choice. I like a tall quart jar.

Ahhh....Look at that layer of foam on top!

Everything is better with foam on top. Lattes, mattresses, bubble baths....anyways.

I always put mine in the fridge for an hour or so. I think it's kinda gross at room-temperature.

Wash your juicer thoroughly, and right after you're done! Believe me, it's worth it.

(Haha, hi Samantha!)

So whaddaya think? Have you ever tried juicing? For long time, a short time? Or maybe just once?

Should we have a juicing party? (I vote yes!) =)

Cheers!

Concerning Cabbage

So I've always wondered, 'what can do you do with cabbage other than coleslaw, and have it turn out something that looks and smells edible?'

A valid question right? Well when some friends of ours had us over for dinner their daughter had cooked this delicious, I mean, really, really delicious braised cabbage. I found a link to the recipe on her blog, and tonight, finally tried it out.

And it's easy! Chop up carrots, onions, add seasonings, oil, chicken stock and some balsamic vinegar. Then pair with a family favorite, in our case chicken stroganoff...

Results? A nutritious and yummy dinner.

Link to the cabbage recipe here: http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/

It's a really neat website full of delicious and nutritious recipes.A new favorite for me!

Breakfast for Dinner

At least twice a month we like to have breakfast for dinner, and tonight was one of those nights!

Eggs A La Supreme (eggs w/ cream of mushroom soup, milk and cheese)

And pancakes and sausage.

To change the subject.... While we were at Pet Co. getting some more food the Guinea PIG, the guy asked if I wanted to hold a ferret. Of course I said yes, I love all of God's critters (except most bugs and spiders. Oh, and leeches. bleh) and welcome opportunities to get to know them better. And wow, are they cute! No I don't want one, but I sure loved the chance to hold one of these mischievous little critters. Their eyes sparkle with fun and mischief, and I was just waiting for him to wink at me. Too cute.

And none of this 'rat' buisness Laura, even you must admit...The little critter's purty darn cute. :)

Blessings on your week Everyone!

If you could gain weight just by looking at something...

This would probably be it! This cake is so yummy, but so rich, I only make 2-3 times a year. It's simply entitled: Chocolate Cake. But, looks can be deceiving. It's ingredients include dark cocoa powder, more cocoa powder, milk, eggs (those of us on diets insert groan here) sugar and... the unexpected but truly secret ingredient, 1 cup of brewed coffee.

MmmMMmm. Chocolate 'n coffee. That's all we're going to eat in heaven you know. :)

Oh, did I forget to mention the frosting?? Oh yes, more cocoa powder, milk, a little butter,

(ok alot, but my conscience and the number on the scale are already bothering me...) vanilla and "some" powdered sugar.

Put it all together and..Voila! A cake you can call..well... I asked each female family member (except Eloise and Elsie ;P) to describe it with one word, and here's what they said. Scroll down, scroll down.

Mom: Luscious

Samantha: Scrumpcious

Ali: Divine

I only asked the girls because everyone knows that women are the true authority on chocolate :)

Hope you're all lovin' summer!

I'd give up chocolate, but I'm no quitter!! ~Unkown

Banana Cream Chocolate Trifle Recipe

18 whole graham crackers (5 x 2 in.), divided.
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 container (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed,
1 pkg (3.4 oz) banana cream instant pudding and pie filling
1 cup milk
1 lemon
4 large bananas

Finely chop half of a graham cracker using Food Chopper; set aside. Coarsely crumble remaining crackers into Mixing Bowl.
For ganache, place chocolate morsels and 1 1/2 cups of the whipped topping into Bowl. Microwave on HIGH 45-60 seconds or until melted and smooth, stirring every 15 seconds.

Combine pudding mix and milk in Mixing Bowl; whisk until mixture begins to thicken. Fold in remaining whipped topping, and set aside.

Juice lemon using Juicer to measure 2 tbsp juice.

Peel bananas and cut into 1 1/2-in. pieces and mix lemon juice and toss gently in small bowl. Set aside 12 slices for garnish.

To assemble trifle, place half of the crumbled graham crackers over bottom of Trifle Bowl. Place half of the bananas over the crackers, arranging some of the bananas against sides of bowl and top with one-third of the ganache (see Cook's Tip). Spread half of the banana filling over ganache, spreading to edges. Repeat layers one time. Decorate with remaining ganache. Sprinkle top of trifle with chopped graham cracker. Arrange reserved banana slices around edges of trifle.

Dinner

This week my mom and I have been trying to work out a system so that I cook dinner a certain amount of times a week on a regular basis. And knowing this week was going to be a bit hectic and busy, I offered to do the cooking aaallll week. I thought "Hey why not? I LOVE to cook, and I'm going to have to come up with dinners every day of the week when I get married, so this will be good practice!"

So last SaturdayI sat down with our two favorite cook books, the recipe box, a pen, and my notebook, And planned out dinners for the coming Monday through Saturday. And all of the meals have turned out wonderfully.

Monday I did Chinese food, egg drop soup, fried rice, and cashew chicken. Yumm-O! The reviews on that were good, after I re-assured Samantha and Bradley (our pickiest eaters) the egg drop soup did NOT contain raw eggs. Tuesday is very busy for my mom and I, I am gone all morning, so I have to catch up on school in the afternooons, and mom teaches piano all afternoon. So that night is pizza or sandwiches night, and of course everyone chose pizza. So I ordered it, and cut up a bunch of fruit and made a dip for it. That counts. Right?? So then Wednesday I made a big pot of beef and barley soup, and some rolls. It's a reliable favorite.

Thursday was the BIG night. We had invited a family friend to join us for dinner, so I planned a large meal. Probably the biggest meal I've ever made going solo.

I made a pot roast that simmered in the oven all day long, giving off the most delicious aroma, sauteed broccoli with lemon and garlic, mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, (actually mom did the gravy) and rolls. And for dessert I made an apple pie, and we had apple slices with a cream cheese dip. (daddy's favorite) It was alot to attempt for one person, but the kitchen was clean with help from Samantha and Ali, and dinner was on the table on time. I was very happy with the way every thing turned, even though I saw Bradley make a funny face when he tasted the broccoli! :)

And tonight I made sausage and potatoe omlets, and a cottage cheese fruit salad. Every time I scramble eggs I think of my dad. He was the one who taught me so many years ago, how to cook and scramble eggs as my very first culinary accomplishment. He showed me how to make big circles with the whisk to get air into the eggs so they'd nice and fluffy. And to make sure the skillet was hot before you pour on the eggs, so they don't spread out and get to thin and papery. Everybody said the were very good, and I know it was thanks to that lesson from dad on scrambling eggs. :)

Perfect.... Empty dishes are a good sign! (we did a paper plate night;)
Tomorrow is a busy day, so we're having cold sandwitches with ham, smoked gouda cheese and pickles. I still need to come up with a side dish for that one. But all in all, the meals have turned out well, and I'm looking forward to having a day or two on a regular basis to try my hand in the kitchen! :)

A favorite recipe.

Last night mom asked me to make a side dish to have with dinner last night, so I opened my cook book, and found a favorite newer recipe that I've only made once, and everybody really like it. It's called skillet braised Brussels sprouts with bacon and shallots. This recipe is so good, I just have to post it. But be warned it is so very easy to burn the bottom of the skillet while the Brussels are cooking, unless you use non-stick, so don't turn the heat up to high, or you'll get results like these! :

oops...

4 oz bacon (about 4 slices)

2 shallots, sliced thin.

1 LB, Brussels sprouts stemed and halved.

1/2 cup water

pinch of salt and pepper

1 TBS, butter

1 TBS, red wine vinegar

cook bacon and shallots together over medium heat till bacon is cooked and shallots are browned. transfer mixture to paper towels to drain. Add Brussels, water and salt to skillet, cover and simmer for ten minutes. Uncover pan and cook until liquid has evaporated and sprouts are tender. Off the heat add bacon mix, butter and vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste before serving.

This recipe is so yummy. Hope you enjoy it! My family did!

A Stir-Fry Dinner

Tonight was my night to make dinner, and as always, I thought I'd try and make something new.
Outta my kitchen!!!! :)

So I thought I'd making stir-fry. Onions, bell peppers, carrotts, sprouts, noodles and rice. I thought it sounded delicious, as did mom and dad. But when I told my plan to my curious siblings, I recieved dubious glances. I was never the less, encouraged by them in my efforts, and started chopping away in the kitchen.
My fancy cooking slippers.


And chopping.. and chopping... and CHOPPING! To feed six hungry people, you need alot of veggies. By the time dinner was ready, the kitchen was filled with wonderful aromas, and it looked delicious!
We sat down to eat, and to my suprise even Samantha the pickiest eater said it was really yummy. And almost the entire pan dissapeared!
So it was another success in the kitchen. Can't wait till it it's my turn to cook again. (Hopefully my siblings are thinking the same thing!)