Colds...

Ugh...I forgot how much I dislike colds and sore throats! This time, though, I'm trying my very best to take good care of myself....so that the cough doesn't hang on for a month...as it so often does!

You'd be so proud of me.....lots of rest, hot tea, hot meals, and a good scarf go a long way. I'm so thankful for my nice warm scarves! Of couse, yesterday was beautiful - sunny, warm- and here I was wandering around in sandals, sunglasses....and a winter scarf!

I've taken that scarf with me everywhere this week....wearing it on Sunday, outdoors, indoors, in bed.... I even took it with me to work yesterady, to wear at my desk. Worked great until I forgot I was wearing it and left my desk to do my rounds....classy, Emily, real classy...ha! But hey, my neck was warm!

So other than feeling stuffy/fuzzy and moving pretty slow, I guess I can still get stuff done. In fact, I guess it's not a whole lot different than normal!

In celebration of cold season, here are some fun things to try your hand at, though I hope you don't catch cold:

• Making Scarves and Hat patterns
• Doctor Tips
• Make some Chai Tea
• Check out this Tea Party Web Page
• Make some Chinese Egg Soup
• Read a good book

My Masterpiece

Last night I made a Blueberry Pie.

And my own supper creation...Biscuits & Rice.

Both turned out just fine, I was so pleased!

I had to try the pie crust twice. The first time it just fell apart everytime I rolled it out. Not sure why.

The Supper dish was quite tasty too. I will share my "recipe" with you, but be assured, it's made up, so feel free (if you try it) to add or subtract stuff.

Chicken & Rice Bake

• 2 cups leftover cooked Rice Soup (Rice, Chicken broth, veggies, salt)
• 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
• 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 cup leftover chicken, cut in chunks
• 4 biscuits (dough)

Place in baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 425 for 1/2 hour (until bubbly). Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes until biscuits are done.

Note: Biscuits are made with 2 cups flour, 1 cup shortening, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tsp baking soda with water or milk to make sticky dough.

I had made the rice soup (or Kunie, as they call it in India) for when we were not feeling well. The chicken was sauted in some Italian dressing and rosemary seasoning. I made the biscuits as I was making the pie dough, as it's a similar recipe.

How to Find a Bike?

So, I'm on the lookout for a men's bike.....but I don't really know where to look!

Any suggestions? (good bike brands, places to find used bikes etc)

Sichuan Broccoli

Here is a fun and easy recipe I tried last night. It had a different step in it that was unique and fun to try...."plunging vegetables." The whole cooking time took me about 1/2 hour. Works for me!

Sichuan Broccoli and Cauliflower

(Dietitian's tip: Equal measures of green beans, bell peppers (capsicums) or other favorite vegetables can be substituted in this quick and easy recipe)

Serves:6
Ingredients

• 3 cups cauliflower florets (medium pieces)
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 3 Tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 Tablespoon water
• 1/4 teaspoon chili paste or red pepper flakes
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 Tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced diagonally
• 1 green (spring) oinon, green top only, thinly sliced

Directions

Bring a large saucepan 3/4 full of water to a boil. Add the vegetables (broccoli and cauiliflower) and return to a boil. Cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 1 minute. Drain the vegeatbles and then plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside. In a small bowl, stir together the oyster sauce, water and chili paste. Set aside.

In a large, heavy non-stick frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Don't let the garlic brown. Add the carrot and saute for 1 minute. Add the reserved vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower) and stir until just tender, about 2 minutes. Add the oyster sauce mixture and toss until the sauce is evenly distributed and the mixture is heated through, about 1 minute. Transfer to a warmed serving dish and garnish with the green onion. Serve immediately.

Of Note:

• I didn't have much cauliflower, so I used the little bit of that, some broccoli, and some green pepper instead
• I cooked up some rice to serve it over
• I garnished it with the green onions and also some almond slices....VERY good
• I didn't have ginger root, so used powder instead

Sick Days

Well.....it's been a long time since I've caught up on blogging. We had a wonderful week last week and then came down with a pretty bad cold/flu that knocked us off our feet for 2 days. Although being sick is never fun, there is lots I am thankful for in these past two days!
One of the neat blessings from us both being sick, was we had some extra time to spend together. Tuesday morning we got up late, had a warm breakfast, and then sat in the living room in the sun and read our Bibles. It's been a while since we've had the time to visit after our morning devotions, and so after reading, we had a wonderful time talking about the things we read or were thinking about recently.
I read the first chapter of Colossians that day. I really enjoy reading that book, and it has a lot for me to apply and think about. My favorite verse that day was Colossians 1:21-23:

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.

I thought about all I try and do as a Christian, and how I get down sometimes because of the same mistakes I make over and over. It was encouraging to read verse 22- that I am free of even accusation because of Christ. Also, all He asks of me is to continue to grow in my faith in Him.....with that faith growing, I will know more of His will and what He wants me to do every day. He also wants me to hold on to hope - the hope of what is to come.

I also like the verses in Colossians 1:9-12

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

I thought this was an excellent example of how I can pray for friends and family!

So, I hope your week has been encouraging too! I will try and post-date some posts on what happened last week!

Take care,

Emily

Veggie Menu

Since learning about the need to lower our cholesterol, I've been trying to make more vegetarian meals and less red meat. Here is what we ate last night and it was good!

• Vegetarian Chilli
• Cornbread

Here is how I made the cornbread:

Cornbread - adapted from Quaker Corn Meal box
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup corn meal
1/8 cup sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt (optional)
1/2 cup skim milk
2 Tbl. oil + 1/2 cup applesauce
1 egg, beaten

Heat oven to 400F. Grease 8 or 9-inch baking pan. Combine dry ingredients. Stir in milk, oil and egg, mixing just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown and wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Serve warm. 9 servings

Here is how I made the chilli:

Vegetarian Chilli

• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tsp oil
• 1 Tbl dried oregano
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried bay leaves (or 1 whole bay leaf)
• 1 tsp chili powder (I added a bit too much!)
• 14 oz can chopped tomatoes with juice
• 1 cup frozen, shredded zucchini
• 1 can chili beans

Saute the spices and onion, garlic. Add the tomatoes, zucchini, and beans. Boil for about 20 minutes, until all is hot and well mixed. Serve with cornbread.

(Other ingredients you could add.... chopped carrots, green peppers, mushrooms, celery and kidney beans)

Happy National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day!!!

Today, November 7th, is National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day! So, what shall we do to celebrate? My suggestion, is make a lovely pan of warm, chocolate brownies with almonds & ice cream..... :)


Recently, I've been trying to learn about healthy cholesterol cooking. (I know, I know, what does that have to do with brownies and ice cream?! ...not much!)
Here is a list of foods that are recommended for high cholesterol levels...

• almonds
• walnuts
• fish (esp trout and salmon)
• apples (fruit in general)
• flax seed
• and obviously, less fatty foods

In an attempt at healthier cooking, I have modified my grochery list to include some brans and seeds, more fruits and vegetables, and less meats. I've also checked out a few interesting books from the library, including my favorite, "Meals for Good Health" by Karen Graham. I love the simplicity of the meal plans, and the pictures that are included! :)

Hungry?

Breakfasts:

• French Toast (make sure you grease the pan or it will burn....how do you think I know!)
• Omlettes
• Cold Cereal
• Scrambled Eggs
• Rice tortilla Wraps
• Broccoli Casserole
• Fluff Pankcakes (like popovers....delicious with fruit sauce!!!)
• Muffins
• Chunky Potatoes with creole seasoning
• Hash Browns and Eggs
• Pancakes
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Noodles....can use Raman Noodles and add fresh or frozen vegetables
• Toast and fried eggs
• Mixed Fruit
• Potato Pancakes & Sausage

Lunches:

• BLT's make a really nice and filling lunch
• I like to make enough supper that I can use the leftovers for lunch the next day
• One of my personal favorites is a bowl of granola in cold milk

Suppers:

• Meatballs & Mashed Potatoes
• Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Fruit Salad
• Broccoli Soup, French Bread
• Homemade Rolls, Corn on the Cobb, Stew
• Fried Fish, Rice, Salad
• Egg Curry & Chapati (look up Indian recipies online)
• Taco Hotdish, Strawberry Shakes
• Chili & Cornbread
• Stir Fries and rice or noodles
• Tereaki Chicken and vegetable rice
• Shish-Kababs (if you don't have a grill, just put them in the oven on broil for about 15 minutes)
• BLTs, Home-made tomatoe soup, fried Zucchini