Waste Not Want Not Wednesday: Library Bag

This was a really cute polyster blend shirt that my daughter didn't find comfortable.  Apparently I was supposed to know that by her throwing it back in the laundry after I had already washed it that I was supposed to put it in the donation bag.  So after getting snapped at for re-washing it and putting it back in her laundry pile I decided I was going to play a little trick on her. 

I loved the print and the two little pockets near the hem and thought it would make a cute grocery bag.  I pinked off the sleeves and was going to sew it up into the bag and put it back in her laundry pile, then when she snapped at me I was going to reveal that it was now a bag.  The plan failed, however, when she walked in as I was sewing it up.  Kids.  They tend to do that to you.

Once I had it in the bag rotation I realized I really prefer my grocery bags to be cotton and this is not.  It is a great bag, though!  It is my favorite bag for library books and mail and is so often found on the passenger seat of my car filled with goodies coming from or going to the Post Office and Library. 

Tuesday's Tome: The Tipping Point

I found The Tipping Point very interesting, especially the concept of 'Broken Windows Theory'.  Now that could be because I lived in NYC during the time the phenomenon was occurring, but nonetheless, the book is quite a good read.  You'll learn why Blue's Clues shows the same episode five days in a row, that Sesame Street originally planned to never show the Muppets in the same scene as the humans, how Hush Puppies became a 1990's fashion trend and more.

Tasty Thursday: Zucchini Corn Fritters

A bonus item at the farm last week was a HUGE zucchini. It reminded me of the gigantic ones my grandpa used to grow. Miss you, Grandpa! Wish you could have tried our fritters with us.

So, it seems that after grating up one cup of zucchini for the zucchini bread recipe my daughter and I modded to make GF/vegan we still had three cups of zucchini left over. I searched our CSA's website and found a recipe for zucchini corn fritters. Here is our modified version:

Egg replacer to equal 3 eggs
3 cups zucchini
2 cups corn
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chopped purplette onions
1 cup all purpose GF flour mix
1 1/2 cups Daiya mozzarella (we had planned to use Daiya cheddar but when I got the bag out I saw mold. :( )
A little freshly grated pepper


We rarely fry anything so the thought of a fried treat was really appealing to my daughter. But I also wanted to try them baked in my cast iron corn bread pan.

Don't they look yummy all ready to go in the oven? Our zucchini bread was already baking at 350F so we just popped this in alongside it.

The finished product -

Baked version.

Fried version.

We had a little taste test and to my surprise, she preferred the baked ones! We plan to make another - double - batch of baked fritters today since they only lasted through dinner and the next day's lunch. She went to the farm yesterday and picked up another Grandpa sized zucchini. There was also fresh corn this week so we will have the added deliciousness of that instead of frozen corn. I can't wait to share these tasty treats with my coworkers!

What's in the Crockpot Wednesday? Mango Beans

I am not only in love with my crockpot because it lets you make something fantastic while you're not even at home, I am also in love with it because it lets you cook something yummy without further heating up the house when it is 96F outside.

Yes, we're in the middle of the toasty days of summer. So when I saw this recipe for Mango BBQ beans I knew I would not only be modifying it to what I have on hand at home, but would be putting it together in the crock pot.

My version contains:

can of organic black eyed peas

can of conventional kidney beans

can of organic black beans

a bunch of organic green beans picked by my daughter at our CSA farm yesterday, cut into pieces

two yellow CSA onions, chopped

two purple CSA onions, chopped

four cloves CSA garlic, chopped

five cloves CSA garlic, whole

can of organic tomato sauce (I know, I should have used CSA tomatoes. I realized that after I poured the can in.)

Trader Joe's frozen mango halves

a little tap water

a couple of shakes of pumpkin pie spice (we seem to have run out of Allspice and I felt that was as close as I could get)


I plan to add the liquid smoke later. Not sure if I will need any agave, will taste test later in the day.

Can't wait to try it later.

UPDATE:  Added liquid smoke and some Agave/Maple syrup.   Not too great calorie/carb wise, but the beans do taste delicious.

Tuesday's Tome: An Edible History of Humanity

I recently borrowed the audiobook An Edible History of Humanity, by Tom Standage, from my local library.  It was an interesting 'read' that shows how food is linked to power, population, politics.  I don't know that I would have made it through the book as before bed reading but as a commuting listen it went quickly.

Tasty Thursday: Farm Rainbow Chard and Scallions

A small bunch of beautiful Rainbow chard from our CSA.  I chopped up a few scallions and tossed it all in a cast iron frying pan with a little tap water. 

Yummy!

Travel Tip Tuesday: Win a Stay at Residence Inn

Saw this in Woman's Day Magazine.  Enter to win a four day, three night stay at the Residence Inn of your choice, including transportation.  Who wouldn't enjoy winning that?

Good luck!

Tasty Thursday: Organic Chinese Cabbage and Scallions

The HUGE head of Chinese Cabbage I picked up with our CSA share this week has my pot overflowing!  I combined it with a couple of CSA scallions, added a little Simply Organic dried ground ginger and a bit of tap water. 

I have to confess that I rarely use fresh ginger - I can't buy a small enough piece for it to get used before it goes to waste.  Has anyone reading here dehydrated ginger?  Can you tell me about your experience?

Wondering on Wednesday: Thyroid Scan

So, I had my yearly thyroid scan to check on the numerous cysts I have had for years.  They caused me no problems, but the doctor watched them for growth.  Today after the scan the Radiologist called me in and showed me the prior year's scan next to this year's.  There was a big surprise.

Every one of the cysts has disappeared.  At first I thought it was some of the yoga I've been doing, but one of my children pointed out what I believe is the real explanation.  I gave up my 20 year diet Coke habit in February and drink only water with a lemon slice or herbal tea if I'm looking for something warm.

Wow, is about all I can manage to say.  Thank you, God.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Recyclebank Green Your Vacation Challenge

Enter the  Recyclebank Green Your Vacation Challenge  through this link.  In the name of full disclosure, I will say that I get 10 Recyclebank points for everyone who enters through that link.  Who wouldn't  love a $14,000 Galapagos vacation?

Good luck!