Author: QuiltLady

KNIVES & CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL RAISIN PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES aka KITCHEN SINK COOKIES

Knives are another of those subjective items.  Especially with knives it is extremely important to go for what feels good and is easy for you to use.  I have some Cutco knives that I love, but can’t afford (mine were a gift) to add on to as a set.  I also have some of the older Pampered Chef knives that I love, but their newer ones are just not the same quality. I have a couple from the restaurant that my dad and grandfather ran when I was a baby and I also have some old Wilkinson knives from my maternal grandmother that I love!  I have a lot of knives, like cutting boards I use a clean one with the change in food and use.
I prefer a French, German or Brazilian made knife, but that too is a personal preference.
I think that there are a few essentials that will get you by in any kitchen:
  • SANTOKU – I like this over a traditional chef’s knife because it is a bit shorter with a thinner and broader blade. The indentations on the side make it easier to cut through food by creating air pockets that reduce the friction to make for a smoother cut.
  • UTILITY –  this knife will become your best friend – it’s the ALL PURPOSE knife that does everything that the specialty knives don’t.
  • PARING – great for coring, peeling and trimming vegetables especially.  I have several of these. 
  • CLEAVER – This one doesn’t get used much, but is essential if you need to cut through bones.
  • BONING – The long, narrow, thin blade of this knife works to get into tight places when you’re trimming fat and tendons away.
  • BREAD – scalloped teeth of a serrated edge is great for cutting through bread and softer foods. 
  • SLICER – a long thin bladed knife that is ideal for slicing roast beef.
  • POULTRY SHEARS – these are essential if you want to cut up your own chickens.  Many times I can save a ton of money by buying the whole bird and cutting it apart myself for fried chicken.
  • MANDOLINE – okay I know it really isn’t a knife, but it has a sharp metal edge so I include it in this category.  Don’t skimp on this, get a good quality.
I recommend that you keep your knives sharpened.  A good quality sharpener is as easy to use as your most comfortable knife.

CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL RAISIN PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES aka KITCHEN SINK COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup maple sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Jumbo eggs
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cups minced walnuts
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup golden raisins

  • Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and espresso powder.
  • Cream butter and peanut butter together.
  • Add the sugars and cream again.
  • Add the vanilla and eggs and cream until smooth.
  • Gradually add flour mixture until well blended.
  • Add oatmeal until well blended.
  • Add nuts and combine well.
  • Add chocolate chips and combine again.
  • Add raisins and mix well.
  • Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.
  • Press down slightly.
  • Bake 12-15 minutes.

Can We Motivate Others to Be Kind and Caring by being that way first?

I originally posted this at 3 Sides of Crazy October 2008, but I find it necessary to repeat more and more as time moves forward.
Have you ever noticed that many people tend to save their best manners for when there is company or are they are in the company of strangers? Have you noticed how the relationships that matter the most in their lives are manner free so to speak? Is this true of your life? Our families and close friends are some of the most important relationships and the longest and most enduring, don’t these people deserve our very best?
I recently overheard a young mother complaining that her child was not learning manners in school. Hello? Manners should be taught by parents AT HOME and begin at a very early age. There is nothing wrong with demanding our own children learn how to say please, thank you, take turns, share and be respectful of their elders in their home as well as out in the world around them. In fact, the fate of our society may well depend on it. Learning it at home first will hopefully extend into their everyday world and future business life. Children crave discipline and direction. Offer it up to them.

Some of the major categories that should be addressed while they are young are the basic please, thank you and table manners, but don’t stop there. They should be taught about privacy, and how to answer the phone and the door properly. Privacy is a two way street. Your children crave it as much as you do. As long as the lines of communication are open and there is an element of trust between you and your child this should not be an issue. Left unattended children are naturally nosy and will snoop, eavesdrop and tattletale creating even bigger issues. Learning how to greet people properly at a young age will help them to overcome shyness and social settings with strangers. Shyness is not an acceptable excuse for the lack of politeness.

No matter the fashion fad, being clean and neat shows your children to respect their own bodies and ultimately they will realize that neat, clean and polite convey a self esteem and self confidence that moves with them through their life. Giving in and letting them ‘do it’ because all the other kids are only brings their self-esteem down and creates a herd animal mentality. Now I know this makes me sound as old as my grandmother, but I do believe this whole heartedly.

All of these build to teaching older children to become young adults that learn to entertain one or more friends, date and plan events for a group. They need to learn how to make an invitation, how to RSVP and when a hostess gift is called for. They need to understand what you expect in your home so that they can not only abide by it, but learn to appreciate and live it. One day they will have their own homes and children and you would like to think that you helped give them a head start on making that life a bit easier.

In today’s world we no longer have the ‘traditional’ family with 2.2 kids and a stay at home mom. So you do need to tailor all of this around your own family life. whether it has stepparents, extended family, grown kids who have moved home, etc… It is NOT written anywhere that you must be a soccer mom gone from home 5 nights a week where no one sits down to dinner together and offers up conversation and manners. Have a family night, dinner night, game night or some such. Offer up your very best to those you love.

CELL PHONE ETIQUETTE

The Revival of Common Courtesy was something I began over at 3 Sides of Crazy a couple of years ago mainly because of a rude driver.  Unfortunately I allowed it to fall by the wayside in all the confusion of life, but lately feel like the revival needs reviving. We have all been feeling the stresses of everyday life lately and with the holidays approaching I think we need to remember what’s important in our lives.  To do that we have to put the people in our lives first.  Everything else does need to be done, but it is small stuff by comparison.  I get Dear ABBY sent to me in email everyday.  Most days I scan and delete, but this one struck a nerve with me.
Recently I have noticed an influx of people on cell phones in restaurants in particular and with all the bluetooths and ear pieces these people appear to be talking to themselves for all intents and purposes.  I was particularly annoyed with a table across the way where 2 gentlemen were having conversation, but not with each other.  They were both on their phones.  My uncle asked me what really bothered me since they would be talking to each other anyway.
Have you ever noticed in a restaurant that you hear people, but your not really listening and it’s okay as long as they are not yelling or screaming.  It is just a normal “flow” of conversation so it is background noise?  I hadn’t really given it much thought until this particular day.  One guy was obviously talking to his wife about the kids and some discipline issues in a normal tone and the other guy was talking to an employee and loudly barking orders – NOT the normal flow of a conversation hence it was disruptive.  Their food came and they ate, but also took more phone calls.  I don’t think they said a word to each other, just their phones so it was quite disjointed and not the typical conversational “background noise”.
If I go to a restaurant and spend hard earned money for a meal I want to enjoy it.  Not one of us is so important that we have to have a bluetooth hanging from our ear all the time and take every call that comes in. And before you say it might be my kids, I already know that, but teaching our kids that it is NOT all right to interrupt is our job and that includes being out with hubby or friends.   My kids would text a 911 and know that the house better be on fire or something similar in order for it to be considered an emergency.  Otherwise, it will wait until I get home.  Personally I vote for a NO CELL PHONE section in a restaurant.
So I offer you this Dear Abby and will let you draw your own conclusions.
DEAR ABBY: When I am out with my friends, they can’t keep their hands and eyes off their cell phones. They sit there and text whatever guy they’re involved with, and I feel like they would rather be with anyone else but me.  I have talked to them about it, but they say I “don’t understand” because I have never been in a relationship. Abby, I’m not jealous because they have guys to talk to. I am hurt that my friends think cyber communication is more important than spending time with friends. What do you think? — TEXTED OUT IN TEXAS

DEAR TEXTED OUT: I’m glad you asked. It is rude for people to behave the way you have described. Good manners dictate that people give their undivided attention to those they are with. To do otherwise sends the signal that their present company is less important.

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE

Several years ago I bought my mom one of those books, “What my family should know”.  She has been great about getting it all filled in though I already pretty much know where she keeps everything, but not everyone does.  It really doesn’t matter how old we are either.  If you have kids you need to be organized and prepared which brings me to my point today.  Have you seen the new Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel movie, “Life as we know it”?
I don’t think it got very good reviews, but I thought it was cute and it proves my point here.  As parents, having those ducks in a row, wills in place, insurances paid up, college funds in place, god parents chosen and prepared are essential.  OOPS, that’s kind of what this movie is about – the parents forgot to mention the plans to the god parents and get them prepared.  
In the end we can always work it out, but life moves so much smoother if we’re prepared.  So if you need a cute rental, I recommend this movie to lighten your mood and maybe it will help you get more prepared.

TWICE BAKED POTATOES

TWICE BAKED POTATOES 
4 large baking potatoes
8 slices bacon
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
8 green onions (tops and all), sliced and divided 
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour or until done through. 
  • Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. 
  • When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; saving skins. 
  • To the potato pieces add the sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon. 
  • Bake for another 15 minutes.

SOUR CREAM DUTCH APPLE PIE

SOUR CREAM DUTCH APPLE PIE
PIE
3+ cups apples, cored, peeled and chopped
lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
pinch of salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
1 small egg, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream (not light)
9 inch pastry shell, pre-baked and cooled

TOPPING
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter, sliced extremely thin

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Chop the apples and combine with just enough lemon juice to coat and prevent browning in large bowl.
  • In a small bowl sift together the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt.
  • Fold in the sour cream, egg, vanilla and maple extract until well blended.
  • Fold the sour cream mixture into the apples until well coated.
  • Carefully pour into the pie shell, mounding towards the center.
  • Toss together the topping ingredients until well blended.
  • Sprinkle topping evenly over the apple mound.
  • Lay the pieces of butter all over the top.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until apples are tender.
  • Best served with ice cream or fresh whipped cream. If you want to be really decadent try it with Caramel Sauce.

The Big “C” and perspective

Many years ago when I first met my Rhuematologist, she refused to provide me with support groups for SLE (Systemic Lupus).  I was only 25 when I was diagnosed and quite honestly scared to death by the literature I had been reading.  I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Raynuad’s Syndrome. In the blink of an eye I went from jogging 5 days a week, playing raquetball 2-3 times a week and living a carefree life to taking multiple prescriptions and cutting out most activity because of the pain it brought on and all just so I could make it from one day to the next.  This all seemed a lot to deal with and I thought wow, maybe a support a support group would help.  My doctor disagreed.  She believed my positive outlook would carry me farther than others sob stories and pity parties.  I didn’t listen to her and sought out a support group anyway.  It didn’t take me long into the meeting to realize that while it was nice to meet others with the same condition, the outcomes really depended on internal strengths and weaknesses and that my doctor was right, I needed to focus on the positives.

Shortly after my visit to the support group, I walked into her office and held out my hand.  In it was an entire day’s worth of medications, something like 30 pills.  I told her I refused to live the rest of my life like this – taking all these pills each day and enduring not only the symptoms of the disease, but also the side affects of the medication, especially because they predicted it wouldn’t be a long life.  I anticipated her telling me that it was just what it was and to learn to live with it.

I was wrong, she jumped at the chance to help me change my life, lifestyle and overall perspective!  My college training and background is medical in nature which makes for an unusual patient.  One that understands – sometimes too much or just enough to scare yourself because you anticipate what comes next.  

Ultimately, perspective and attitude travel hand in hand no matter the diagnosis.  Along with that culture, age and personality play into every attitude.  But, attitudes can be changed and updated, it’s entirely up to us.
To refresh your memory these are the 5 stages:
The 5 stages of grief or acceptance:
DENIAL – “this can’t be happening to me”. Not accepting or even acknowledging the loss.
ANGER – “why me?”, feelings of wanting to fight back or get even with spouse of divorce, for death, anger at the deceased, blaming them for leaving.
BARGAINING – bargaining often takes place before the loss. Attempting to make deals with the spouse who is leaving, or attempting to make deals with God to stop or change the loss. Begging, wishing, praying for them to come back.
DEPRESSION – overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, frustration, bitterness, self pity, mourning loss of person as well as the hopes, dreams and plans for the future. Feeling lack of control, feeling numb. Perhaps feeling suicidal.
ACCEPTANCE – there is a difference between resignation and acceptance. You have to accept the change or loss, not just try to bear it quietly. Realization that it takes two to make or break a marriage. Realization that the person is gone (in death) that it is not their fault, they didn’t leave you on purpose. (even in cases of suicide, often the deceased person, was not in their right frame of mind) Finding the good that can come out of the pain of loss, finding comfort and healing. Our goals should turn toward personal growth.

Get help. You will survive. You will heal (at least emotionally), even if you cannot believe that now, just know that it is true. To feel pain after loss (loss can also be a chronic illness or even a situation where we do not have control) is normal. It proves that we are alive, human. But we can’t stop living. We have to become stronger. Helping others through something we have experienced is a wonderful way to facilitate our healing and bring good out of something tragic.

CUCUMBER STRAWBERRY SALAD

Here’s a refreshing recipe that screams COOL.  I hope you enjoy it!  We had with a great Garlic Herb Roasted Chicken.
CUCUMBER STRAWBERRY SALAD
1-2 large cucumbers, sliced thin
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
10-12 strawberries, quartered
  • Arrange cucumbers, green onions and strawberry pieces on serving plate.
  • Generously salt and pepper.
  • Pour dressing over top.  Tonight I had extra strawberries that I pureed and added into the dressing.
  • Chill.
  • Enjoy! 

YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE ~ THE ABC’s OF HEALTHY EATING

Many of you know about the ongoing struggle I have been having after being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.  Even before the cancer, I struggled with living a clean eating and healthy lifestyle to cope with the aspects of Systemic Lupus.  Now sandwiched right before the cancer diagnosis was also a a diagnosis of Systemic Scleroderma which now labels me with a “mixed connective tissue disease” label.  Oh and by the way none of them have cures.  This makes want to find a way to live even more healthy so I’ll be around for the cures!
Without going into a long story, many years ago after the Systemic Lupus diagnosis when I was in college and after 6 months of taking Progesterone and various other drugs, I went to my Rheumatologist (a fortunate recent referral and a truly great doctor and caring woman after several other doctors who really had no clue) and said I can’t live like this!  The Progesterone had put almost 60 pounds on me, I could no longer play racquetball (something I did 3-4 times a week) or jog (something I did 5-7 times a week after being a cross country runner in high school). It took me years just to take off that weight.   LOL at least I was a 90 pound weakling prior to the steroids!
This great and caring doctor sighed with relief and asked me to sit down so we could talk!  Really, she just wanted to chat and chat we did for an hour and a half.  I truly believe that she changed my life forever!
The first thing she did was refuse me a support group – I know that sounds strange, but she truly felt I was better off with my positive attitude working through the steps with guidance.  Step 1 was to change my eating habits.  Remember I was in college, always eating on the run from whatever vending machine was close and diet everything to keep from putting on any more weight.  So, she had me write down my diet for a week and guess what?  When you see it in writing you realize how much all those “a little here” and “a little there” things add up! After that realization was Step 2 – eliminate the “non food” items from my diet.  She qualified these “non food” items as anything that didn’t have a direct receptor in the body.  This included saccharin, aspartame, splenda, anything processed with ingredients the average person can’t pronounce and preserved in a box or a can.  Below is the new food pyramid in an easy to read and follow format.

And here is an easy to follow breakdown!

It is a personal choice, but she also asked me to stay away from pork and shellfish – you know the bottom feeders of the world that will eat anything!  As she put it, garbage in, garbage out via your kidneys and liver!


Step 3 was to get regular exercise, proper rest and meditation to care for my whole being.  Oh and to avoid stress – yeah right, not easy in this world.  Sound advice for anyone, healthy or not!
.

So, the bottom line is that you were given only one body and despite popular belief, it cannot be easily replaced and does require the proper fuel and rest to work properly.  The easiest way is to start with a good diet.

Recipe for Happiness

BY THE CUPFUL
A heaping cup of happiness,
2 of love and caring,
1 of understanding,
1 of joyful sharing.

A level cup of wisdom,
1 of artful living,
1 of thoughtful insight, 
1 of selfless giving.

Mix ingredients together,
Toss in a little flair,
Serve to everyone you know
Topped with a tiny prayer.
~Author Unknown

BEEF BARLEY PASTA SOUP

3 tablespoons butter
1 pound stew meat, in 1/2 inch pieces
flour
1 large carrot, diced
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 teaspoons minced garlic
½ teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup barley
1 cup pasta
1 cup White Grenache Wine
1-28 ounce cans Contadina crushed tomatoes
4-14 ounce cans beef broth*
salt and pepper to taste

  • Over low heat melt the butter.
  • Stir in carrots and saute until soft. 
  • Add onions and garlic sauteing until fragrant.
  • Dredge beef pieces in flour.
  • Add beef to pan and saute’ until beef pieces are browned.
  • Add the wine and simmer 10-15 minutes. 
  • Add the tomatoes and broth. Stir well and simmer 1 hour or more.
  • Add the barley  during the last hour and simmer slow.
  • Add the pasta during the last 15 minutes. 
  • Enjoy with some fresh baked crusty bread.

*or make your own with 4 1/2 cups hot water and 3 teaspoons vegetable or beef bouillon.

STARTING FRESH

Most of you know that this past few years have been particularly hard for me with everything from care taking of family members with debilitating diseases, major moves and being diagnosed with cancer myself.
One of the things I like to do to feel better is have some ME time.  Now while everyone deserves some ME time, not everyone can afford to do the SPA experience regularly.  So, I thought I’d share some of my homemade recipes with you.

CUTICLE CREAM
2 tablespoons petroleum jelly
1/2 teaspoon sunflower oil
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

  • Whip until creamy.
  • Massage cream into your cuticles and nail beds.
  • It will keep 2 weeks.

FACE WASH
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons mild liquid soap

  • Mix together in a bottle with a spout.  (I use an old honey bear bottle)
  • Shake before using so mixture is well blended

BODY SCRUB
1/2 cup ground coffee
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup sunflower oil

  • Whip together until well blended.
  • Place in an air-tight jar.
  • Massage over body.
  • Rinse and pat dry.
  • Keeps for a month.

GREEN TEA MASK
1 tablespoon green tea powder
3 drops lemon juice
1/2 cup warm water

  • Whip all together to form a paste.
  • Smooth over your face and relax 10-15 minutes.
  • Rinse and dry.