food pics

1. my deviled eggs
2. mark bittman's preserved lemons
3. eggplant, pepper, onion, tomato stew
4. tomato-basil
5. fennel and onion w/ pickling brine
6. brine
7. Baucom's Best BEST sirloin
8. roasted heirloom pumpkin
9. bean, beef, corn.....chili
10. fab lunch....arugula salad and roasted veggies

welcome

wow...i've been gone way long....don't know why...i will try to do better! thanks patti...for missing me....my wonderful sister-n-law (she's really like my sister i never had) and her hubby came to visit recently....we had a great time (way too short) we had a little girls night fun moroccan dinner party....good food

food and kids....GRANNY'S 84 BD

hi everyone.....it's been awhile....now it's my favorite time of year....FALL....cool weather, pumpkins, and lot's of wonderful comfort food...stews, soups, roasts (i have chicken noodle soup on the stove now)

i had the grandsons w/ me this weekend....we made a rustic apple tart...turned out incredible....also the boys were very involved in 'tech deck' skateboard....check out their ramps....we had fun...

A REMINDER:::::

SATURDAY, OCT. 16.....1-3PM......FALL FESTIVAL...HILLBILLY PRODUCE MARKET

704-535-1468

FOOD DEMOS....FOOD SAMPLES.....LOT'S MORE

WE WILL POST RECIPES ON THIS SITE LATER

Finished 10 days of Real Food!

We actually finished last week but I'm a little behind writing!  It was great.  I absolutely loved it - I felt awesome!  The 2 hardest parts were packing my kids lunches and going to someone else's house for dinner.  I have girl's night every Tuesday night - sometimes we go out and sometimes we go to someone's house.  During the 10 days, I had it twice, both at someone's house.  To me that was very stressful to ask someone what they are having and try to figure out how I can eat it and not be a pain and not make a big deal about it.  Luckily, the girls are my best friends and I've known them since 10th grade so they were very supportive although they do kinda laugh and I'm sure think "here she goes again on her soapbox"  It worked out fine.  We had mediterranean shrimp pasta one night.  I just brought my own whole wheat pasta.  She had cheese and triscuits for appetizer (without me asking for it) so that was perfect!  The pasta was delicious and I ate what everyone else was eating!  The second girl's night, we had butternut squash soup, salad and baguette slices with cheddar, walnuts and sliced apple.  I just brought my own bread and again ate what everyone else was having and it was also delicious.  

I only went out to eat once in the 10 days and that was for sushi - I had yellowtail rolls with brown rice and some edamame.  It was good - would not want to eat out anywhere else - it would be too hard and I am not good about asking lots of questions.  It embarrasses me!

On the 11th day I still ate all real food because I loved what I had been eating so much!  On the 12th day, I was working and lunch was catered in.  I had a turkey sandwich and had a bad stomach ache and indigestion all afternoon! 

My 8 yr. old was a trooper.  The only "cheats" he had was a pack of goldfish and popsicle after his football game.  He looked so sad when they were handing them out, I told him it was ok.  And, he had some organic ketchup on his roasted potatoes.  He said he didn't want any potatoes without ketchup and I thought if he is eating roasted chicken, roasted potatoes and brocolli and likes it, I'm giving the kid some ketchup.  Those are the only things he ate off the plan!  Remember, they did not take the pledge so I allowed them a little more lenience.  I was strict with myself.  My 10 yr. old and husband did well but had many more cheats.  Hubby cannot give up diet coke and both ate pizza on Panther's game day.  Overall I am still very proud of everyone!!

Day 7

Starting the soup

Last night we had tomato & chicken soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.  I made a really delicious and easy soup (idea courtesy of my friend Gretchen)  Just saute some onion, garlic and other veggies if you want - I put carrots and peppers.  Add a couple of large cans of tomatoes - any kind - and a few cups of broth or water and simmer for awhile.  Then puree the whole thing.  I used an immersion blender.  Then I added leftover shredded chicken and blended a tiny bit more so the chicken was small but still a little chunky.  Add a little cream if you want at the end.  That is it - of course you can leave out the chicken if you want - I needed to use some that I had in the fridge.  Would be even better in the winter!

For breakfast this morning, I made eggs with soldiers - soft boiled eggs with toast strips.  (I only served runny yolks because they were fresh, local eggs.  I personally would be afraid to do it with regular grocery store eggs)  My kids loved it.  My 8 yr. old said it was the best breakfast he has ever had in his life!

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Quesadillas

                        

I made egg salad (made homemade mayo - 1st time - I thought it was pretty quick and easy) and kids had egg salad sandwiches, watermelon and grapes.  David had cheese quesadilla (with pimento cheese) and I had egg salad in a tortilla.  I also found some Baked Kettle Chips that are potatoes, oil and salt only.  Kids and hubby were thrilled to have chips!

Only a few more days!

We are half way through our 10 days!

Thursday breakfast - kids had pancakes again.  They LOVE the banana pancakes!  I had granola with fruit - yummy.

Lunchboxes - one had whole wheat spaghetti with butter and parmesan in a thermos, one had peanut butter, banana, honey, granola rolled up in tortillas.  They both said great lunch!  My 3rd grader had someone bring in cupcakes yesterday for a b-day and he declined it!  Way to go.  He also started his Wednesday night kid's church program this week which includes dinner.  I think dinner is their favorite part and they were having nachos.  I told him he could eat it if he wanted - he said no, he wanted me to pick him up before dinner.  He is taking it very seriously.  My older son and husband not so much.  They are doing great but my husband has had a few diet cokes and my older son did not decline birthday treat at school.  (side note:  I am not making my kids do this - they wanted to do it and I am not being as strict with them)  I knew they may have a few "cheats"  I am being very strict for me because I took the pledge!

Thursday night dinner - sausage pizza on whole wheat crust (recipe also from Food Illusion blog) It was great!!  I used the leftover sauce I made from lasagna earlier in the week.  The crust was the easiest pizza crust I've ever made and rolled out perfectly and was delicious.  Family loved it of course!  Packed leftover pizza in lunch boxes today.  What a treat!

Made mini quiches yesterday for breakfast / snack / or lunch - whatever I need it for.  Hubby likes, older son likes, younger son does not like.  Some things are hit or miss...