I love this picture.
I like how it truly illustrates how our goals feel sometimes: there's no way we can succeed, but we've got to try. We've got to start somewhere, because before you know it, each little bite has resulted in an entire beast of a task. It's amazing!!
Anyway...
I feel invigorated.
I like how it truly illustrates how our goals feel sometimes: there's no way we can succeed, but we've got to try. We've got to start somewhere, because before you know it, each little bite has resulted in an entire beast of a task. It's amazing!!
Anyway...
I feel invigorated.
I mean, I've got a lot to do, and I don't have any more time, but I feel renewed intensity to make the best of things. Most of all, I want to learn and better myself; progress really is a blessing!!
Anyway, it's been hard living with in-laws sometimes. It's not our space, it's not my kitchen; I don't do the grocery shopping which means I don't plan the menus. That's tough. I often feel very confined...I can't spread out...
BUT I keep having renewed desires and commitments to make the best of this situation because we are blessed to have a roof over our heads. I keep having to remind myself ot really make the best of what we have. That can be tough.
My current initiative is to learn to cook more with beans. I decided on this through a number of events.
I want to be like that. I want to be "that" Mom who make things at home, who is frugal, who can make a meal out of nothing in the house. Most of all,
I want to be prepared.
I remember growing up, when my dad lost his job (a few times) my mother always seemed to be able to pull food out of the cupboards. Granted, this sometimes consisted of cracked wheat, wheat meat, and other not-so-yummy foods...but we had food. I want to be that creative, sufficient...whatever you want to call it.
So, I'm going to start experimenting with different bean recipes.
If you have any recipes, any ideas, I'd love to hear about them. I don't want to make JUST soups, and I don't want the meals to be boring...I'd like them to be made with other staples that I have around the house...I want to see what I can do.
It's a small start, but just like the kitty, I've gotta start somewhere. Wish me luck!
Anyway, it's been hard living with in-laws sometimes. It's not our space, it's not my kitchen; I don't do the grocery shopping which means I don't plan the menus. That's tough. I often feel very confined...I can't spread out...
BUT I keep having renewed desires and commitments to make the best of this situation because we are blessed to have a roof over our heads. I keep having to remind myself ot really make the best of what we have. That can be tough.
My current initiative is to learn to cook more with beans. I decided on this through a number of events.
- A few months ago we had a Relief Society activity all about cooking with beans: dried beans, bean soup, even bean pie. I was blown away, a little overwhelmed, but mostly curious.
- Making a successful bean pie at Thanksgiving.
- Realizing that we don't have much money, that meat is expensive, and beans actually have great nutrition.
- After having a major success with one bean meal, I gained more confidence to continue experimenting.
- I read my sister's blog post about Budget, and one of the comments from one of her friends described how they save money: they supplement their shopping with homemade food items: jams, jellies, breads, tortillas, etc. (Elisa, feel free to let her know...I don't remember her name, though...just read your comments!)
- I played with the food dehydrator we found in the attic.
I want to be like that. I want to be "that" Mom who make things at home, who is frugal, who can make a meal out of nothing in the house. Most of all,
I want to be prepared.
I remember growing up, when my dad lost his job (a few times) my mother always seemed to be able to pull food out of the cupboards. Granted, this sometimes consisted of cracked wheat, wheat meat, and other not-so-yummy foods...but we had food. I want to be that creative, sufficient...whatever you want to call it.
So, I'm going to start experimenting with different bean recipes.
If you have any recipes, any ideas, I'd love to hear about them. I don't want to make JUST soups, and I don't want the meals to be boring...I'd like them to be made with other staples that I have around the house...I want to see what I can do.It's a small start, but just like the kitty, I've gotta start somewhere. Wish me luck!
6 comments:
great idea, Ambie! I mostly use beans for soups (if you aren't tired of them yet, I've got 3 amazing recipes: 1- lotsa bean chili, 2- Tuscan Navy Bean Soup, and 3- Amazing Split pea soup which I really love!) and sides (hummus, black beans for Spanish meals, Brazilian Fejoada (sp?) etc) and even some Korean bean desserts (which I'm told are an acquired taste. I, however, am really a fan. But I'd love to hear what your favorites end up being. I love beans... it is too bad they give me such gas... :P
We're working on whole grains right now. I checked out some whole grain cookbooks and just made granola bars yesterday. Very tasty. You might look for tasty bean cookbooks (with lots of pictures to whet your appetite!) at the library. :)
Great ideas, Elisa!! I was thinking a bean cookbook might just do the trick! And as far as gas goes...the most you incorporate them into your diet, the easier they get on your digestive system. So I'm told. Haven't made it that far yet! LoL.
Yeah, I eventually wanna branch out into the other types of "food storage" ingredients...you're an inspiration!
There are also tons of crock pot recipes with beans!! And it is so easy to just stick it in and leave and then come back to yumminess hours later!
We eat a crock pot of beans every week, pinto, or black, or a mix, or lentils in something. But it makes it easy to have burritos, or beans and rice, or nachos... :)yummy.
I just make Brazilian beans like crazy. it's so easy and so versatile. You can use any kind of bean and really, the only essential ingredient is salt (which you don't add until the beans are cooked).
A few things that I almost always have to make it better:
beef bullion
diced onions
and one item, if you've got it, that makes the beans wonderful:
pork or bacon
so easy! If you've got onions or bell peppers, saute them in oil until soft. Add several spoonfuls of your beans, mashing them in with the vegetables. Return to your pot, flavor as needed (I usually use 4 bullion cubes for 1 pound of beans).
If you've got 2 slices of bacon (that's all you need to flavor the beans), cook them first. save the fat for sauteing the vegetables. break the bacon up and add it to the beans. This makes the *best* beans.
Add cooked rice, and you've got a meal! We eat this about once a week. (When things were really tight, we ate this about 5 times a week.) You can always cook up chicken or something to eat with it. In the summer, when tomatoes and cucumbers are plentiful, make a topping of diced cucumbers, tomatoes, salt, vinegar, and olive oil. Put on top of the beans, this adds so much contrast and flavor.
Even my husband loves these meals!
I didn't mention how to cook the beans themselves...I assume you know how?
and the thing about beans that usually gives gas is the water they soak in. So give them a good rinse before putting them to boil, and that should eliminate most of the gas.
Post a Comment