Showing posts with label menu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label menu. Show all posts

Fridge Food

Well... we terminated the contract to sell the house. The buyer's mortgage-people lied about the financing being in place, and since we were already out of contract for about a week (2 deadlines not met), and since we couldn't trust this buyer's team, we killed the deal. We went back on the market as of Friday afternoon, so we're back to showing the house, sometimes at a moment's notice.

So... here's what we ate today:

Breakfast:
-yogurt (kid had goat, Hubby/I had greek)
-apples (shared with Hubby, me, kid and our bunny)

Lunch:
-rice crackers
-pears

Dinner:
-carrots (shared with Hubby, incl bunny!)
-deli turkey with gf bread for kid, bagel for me
-hubby had chicken/broc pot pie

Guess we're eating on the fly again. It's too late to do this tonight, but tomorrow after showings are done, I'll put some white navy beans, bacon, onion and later tomato sauce in the crockpot so we'll have them cooked to eat the next day. Always have them stored!

Ate Out - oh no

Yesterday we didn't spend much time at home, between the long drive to check out the new place and general crankiness from the delayed closing, so here's what we did yesterday:

Breakfast:
-goat yogurt
-handful dry gf cereal

Lunch (at Village Inn):
Kid: eggs, bacon, applesauce, milk
Me: turkey and bacon flat-bread sandwich, applesauce, chamomile tea

Well, I'm embarrassed to say that we ate out again for dinner.... met up with Hubby who we don't usually see during the week.

Dinner (at Outback Steakhouse):
Kid: baked potato, orange juice (carrots later at home)
Me: salad, sweet potato, grilled shrimp
Hubby: pork tenderloin, string beans, garlic mashed potatoes

So... I didn't do great planning meals yesterday. Barely any veggies. Hope to do better today - we still have some fresh zucchini I harvested the other day and we sure do like them raw!

On a good note... we're actually supposed to close today! Streamers! Confetti! Okay, hold on... maybe I should wait until we've actually signed the documents. I just don't trust the situation.

Quick Healthy Menu

Still being in the State of Upheaval with no real kitchen, here's what we snacked on yesterday (from either fridge or our "stored foods stash"):

Breakfast:
-dry chex cereal
-fresh pear

Lunch:
-rice crackers
-canned fruit
-pumpkin seeds
-sunflower seeds

Dinner:
-gluten-free bread with butter, garlic powder, and cheese, melted in toaster oven
-carrots
-baby spinach
-cole slaw (me, not kid!)

I'll be soooo glad when this fiasco of a house-sale is over, and we move. But this is teaching me a lot about not being able to use a microwave (sold it day because our first scheduled closing date).

It's time for a Snack Meal!

It’s so hard to eat healthy and use our stored foods while our kitchen is all packed up. Which it has been. For weeks! That’s right, we still haven’t closed on our house that we’re selling… something about the buyer’s finances aren’t in order. Hmph. So we’ve been eating a lot of “Snack Meals” lately. Here’s tonight’s menu, taken straight from the fridge and a box on the counter:

Baby carrots
Dried peas
Turkey lunchmeat
Rice crackers
Gluten-free chocolate chip cookies
Water

I’ll be glad when this house is sold! Hmmmm... wonder where my camera is?!

Cocktail Party Menu Using Stored Foods

You may have read the post title, and thought "HUH?" Think about it. If you're stuck in your home for 2-3 months (some kind of a curfew), and your neighbors want to sneak over to visit, no need to just sit around twiddling your thumbs. Have a party! Sure it might not be incredibly fancy, but it will help with boredom, and lift your mood.

Light some candles. Dress to the nines. Decorate with fancy placemats and silk flowers. Bring out all of those decorations you've stored over the years.

Serve about 4-5 savory bits, and 1-2 sweet treats towards the end (to signify that the party is wrapping up soon). Rule of thumb is 6-8 bites per person per hour of a 2-hour cocktail party where no other food will be served. Always over estimate how much to serve (you'd rather have leftovers than not enough).


SAVORY BITS:
Spicy Walnuts - good with martinis
Seafood Skewers - easy and delicious
Black Bean Salsa with Chips
Deviled Ham Spread on crackers
Velveeta Cheese Spread on crackers


SWEET TREATS:
Rum Pineapple - no cooking involved
No-Cook Peanut Butter Candy
Packaged mints or hard candies


DRINKS:
We recently discovered that our local superstore for liquor/alcohol has the little airplane-sized bottles of almost everything. Sometimes they run specials on the little ones, from 26 cents to $1.99. We bought a bunch - various kinds - and will use next time we have a party. Everyone can choose their drink: from flavored vodkas to kahlua to butter schnapps, whiskey and brandy.

Serve a Party Punch too.


FUN:
Most cocktail parties are, in our humble opinion, quite stuffy and sedate. However, the purpose of YOUR cocktail party while being enclosed or confined is to alleviate boredom, so kick it up to an actual Par-tay by having some FUN! Get out the board games, Twister, or cards, and have a tournament. Or everyone can bring an instrument so you can have a jam session. Who cares if no one can carry a tune in a bucket, or everyone plays a different song or the same song in a different key? It can be so much fun that your guests might not want to leave.

Er, sorry.

No-Cook Menu: Black Bean Salsa/Chips

Earlier, we posted a recipe for Black Bean Salsa. Try it for this menu:

-Black Bean Salsa*
-Tortilla Chips
-Dried Apples and Mangos
-Refreshing Citrus Drink*

Not much, but because it's all healthy, it's a good meal to eat and eat as much as you want.

*Recipe already on this blog

No-Cook Menu: Meat/Crackers

Here's a quick no-cook menu to provide quick nutrition from stored foods:

Crackers
-with velveeta (generic) cheese (no refrig needed)
-and summer sausage (no refrig needed)
Canned Fruit
Candy Bar
Juice Box

Well, doesn't sound extremely creative, but all is food that stores well, and doesn't require cooking or refrigeration.

No More Daily Menus for Rotation Diet

We are the type of the family that likes to decide what to eat at the last minute. This planning a day or a week before is killing us! Aargh! On top of that, my stomach is still in knots from the huge influx of whole grains. My poor IBS.

Plus, we think we've discovered that my Son has some kind of reaction when he eats wheat. This is interesting, from a behavior standpoint, a diet standpoint, and now, a storage standpoint. I guess no wheat for him means more rice, rice pasta, potatoes, chips, etc. No canned chicken noodle soup. Ah man... :(

So... this grain rotation diet will continue in this household for several more months, but most people are coming here for our stored-food recipes and cooking techniques. That's what we'll continue to give you.

Thank you for your patience as we strive to help as many people as possible. We are trying to post 2-4 times each per day.

The Williams Family

Menu: Soy

Today is SOY day in our rotation diet. Mysstomach still messed up, so here's our menus for today:

Breakfast
Yogurt

Lunch:
Soy Muffins*
canned pineapple
---Son:dried soy beans
---Hubby:defrosted cooked steak pieces
---Me:gelatin

Dinner:
Bacon-Wrapt Tofu*
Pork-n-Beans (canned)
Carrots


* Recipe posting today

Copyright (c) 2009 New View Group, LLC

Menu: Potatoes

Today is Potato Day in our Rotation Diet. My stomach is still upset, but here's a general idea of what we're eating today (keep in mind my tummy, picky-eater Son, and Hubby who eats breakfast and lunch at work):

Breakfast:
Yogurt

Lunch:
Homemade french fries (made night before)
Fruit cocktail
---Hubby: Leftover steak pieces (from freezer)
---Son: canned chicken with melted cheese
---Me: gelatin, leftover tuna salad

Dinner:
Carrots
---Hubby/Me: Baked sweet potatoes, skillet beef*
---Son: baked white potato, scrambled egg


* recipe posts today

I know, doesn't sound like much fun. I'm sure the creativity of the menus will pick up when my stomach stops hurting. Right now, my ulcer prevents my thinking clearly.

Menu: Quinoa

Today is amaranth/millet/quinoa day. As per our post a few moments ago, this diet of whole grains and high fiber is really taking my IBS to task, so there's three different menus today:

Me:
Breakfast: yogurt
Lunch: gelatin, canned pears, scrambled egg
Dinner: a TASTE of the "Almond & Fruit Quinoa", carrots, dried peas

Hubby:
Breakfast: yogurt
Lunch: leftover ribs (from freezer), applesauce,
Dinner: Almond & Fruit Quinoa*, carrots, dried peas

Son:
Breakfast: yogurt
Lunch: canned pears, scrambled egg, dried fruit
Dinner: a TASTE of the quinoa (if I can get him to eat any), chicken from a can, carrots, dried peas

*recipe posting today

Suggestions for No-Cook Foods

Earlier, we wrote a posting about using a propane camping stove indoors. We received a comment that asked ... "Any thoughts of foods that should be stocked in case you cannot cook at all? I'm thinking beef jerkey, chipped beef, tuna?"

In case people don't get around to reading our response as a posted comment, here it is:

The beef jerkey, chipped beef and tuna suggestions are good.

Dried fruits and veggies don't HAVE to be reconstituted - just be sure to drink plenty of liquids with them to avoid constipation. Vienna sausages. Nuts/seeds. Canned fruits. Rice cakes and crackers. MREs. Granola bars. Cereal (make milk from powdered OR use apple juice OR eat dry). Kippers, sardines, oysters, clams (near the tuna). Spam. Deviled ham. Protein bars. Protein drinks or powder. Juice boxes. Instant gatorade/drinks/hot cocoa.

Of course, fresh fruits and veggies - raw.

At the dollar store, we buy little tuna-kits, and chicken-salad-kits (bumble bee brand) - they come with pre-made salad and crackers. The grocery store also has bigger kits, with a serving of fruit and sometimes a mint. No refrigeration needed for these.

Son ate a spoonful of peanut butter last night because he was still hungry. Actually, he does this pretty often. Ok, we do too. Only a spoon to wash!

All of these things are good, too, for your 72-hour kit or Bug-Out-Bag. Really... anything that you can just open the packaging and eat straight. There's probably several items in your storage and/or pantry right now.


Now... what are other ideas for foods you can store that don't involve cooking and letting people know you have food?

Menu: Wheat (pancakes, pizza, pasta, bread)

Sunday: Today's grain in our rotation diet is Wheat! This is the easiest day to prepare for!


Breakfast:
Pancakes (from a mix) with chocolate chips
Honey (not syrup)


Lunch:

fresh baked bread (in the bread machine)
pears (canned)
spaghetti sauce and pasta


Dinner:
Personal Pizza Pies (experimenting using cast iron skillets & mix)
salad (from windowsill planters)
Personal Pies (pre-made pie crusts, canned pie filling)






Tomorrow's Grain is quinoa, amaranth, or millet.

Menu: Oats (oatbars, meatloaf)

Today's grain is oat. (If you are going gluten-free, make sure the oats are certified gluten-free.)

Breakfast:
no-cook oatmeal*

Lunch:
apple oatbars*
vienna sausages

Dinner:
meatloaf* (adults)
scrambled eggs (picky-kid)
carrots


*recipe posts today



Menu: Rice (crackers, muffins)

Day 2: Rice

As you know, today is the 2nd day of our Grain Rotation Diet (to discovered food allergies, and to make sure we can provide healthy varieties if we get snowed in or some other disaster prevents us from getting out and about). We're also attempting to use only foods we've stored for emergency-prep (pantry, frozen, dried), or that we've grown on our windowsill (and later, in our garden).

Yesterday's Black Eyed Pea Soup with Ham was very yummy! There was enough to put in the freezer for Hubby's lunch box on the next CORN day.

So...Today is Friday, here's our family's menu for today, which focuses on Rice:


Breakfast:
Rice cakes with peanut butter & flax/sesame seeds


Lunch:
rice crackers
dried fruit (or an apple or pear)
tuna salad


Dinner:
cooked rice with honey
...OR...
brown rice muffins*
chicken and rice-noodle soup*


Snack:
nuts and seeds

* recipe to post today

Menu: Corn (Grits, Corn-FryCakes, Black-Eyed Pea Soup)

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Day 1:

Today starts our Grain Rotation Diet (to discover food allergies, and to make sure we can provide healthy varieties if we get snowed in or some other disaster prevents us from getting out and about). We're also attempting to use only foods we've stored for emergency-prep (pantry, frozen, dried), or that we've grown on our windowsill (and later, in our garden). So...

Today is Thursday, here's our menu for today, which focuses on Corn:

Breakfast:
-Grits (instant or cook)
-Eggs (powdered or fresh)
-Bacon (jarred or frozen/cooked)
-Applesauce (jarred)

Lunch:
-Lunchmeat (from freezer)
-Peanuts
-Fruit Cocktail (canned)
-Corn Chips

Dinner:
-Corn FryCakes (from scratch, smothered in honey)
-Black-Eyed Pea and Ham Soup*
-Apple Bits*

Snack:
-Popcorn

* Recipe(s) to post today

Tomorrow is Rice day! YUM!! Meanwhile, we plan to post about 30 days worth of menus concentrating on (1) our grain rotation diet, and (2) using stored foods. 29 more days to go!

Stored Food (experiment)

We just got the January Specials 2009 catalog for Emergency Essentials - http://www.beprepared.com/ - and they do have some great specials in this catalog.

... and so on. We are definitely placing an order in January when we get paid. Meanwhile, this poses a question that begs your input...

Assuming you only have the products from Emergency Essentials (http://www.beprepared.com/), dried fruits/veggies/soybeans from Just Tomatoes (http://www.justtomatoes.com/), a few bulk items from Sam's Warehouse like olive oil, honey and salt, and water, could you prepare an entire year of menus, and not get bored?

We're working on compiling a list and have to admit, we're having fun. If you have any thoughts, be sure to post them here in the comments' section.

Thank you... The Williams Family

p.s. They are not compensating us in any way; this is just our project!


Seasons Greetings

We want to take this time to wish you a special Holiday season - no matter your beliefs - from our family to yours, enjoy a safe and happy holiday.
  • Take advantage of the great sales around this time of year: canned vegetables or pie fillings, hams and turkeys for the freezer, fresh produce like winter squash and potatoes.
  • Keep it simple. A plate of fresh vegetables or fruits or cheese with a little hummus for dipping is a great appetizer. Bake a chicken or turkey that self-bastes, or better yet, use that crockpot.
  • Be safe in the kitchen.
  • Let the kids help. At least, ask them.
  • Leave the clean-up for later, or someone else. Enjoy the presence of family and friends.
  • Simmer some apple cider and mulling spices in a crockpot or coffee urn. Makes the house smell wonderful.

Enjoy this time of year. Family and friends are nearby. If they aren't, find someone to care for. Gift the gift of friendship (yes, and food) to someone who needs you. Because you ARE special, and you ARE needed. And loved.

Blessings.


Holiday Gathering

Whether you're home alone during the Holidays, snowed-in, or having friends over, there's no reason to not celebrate this special time of year in a special way.

First, remember, that if is NOT all about the food. Sure, most people come over expecting outstanding delicious dishes but that doesn't meal expensive and intricate. Just different. Decorate a table with color placemats, pinecones tied with gold ribbon, and light candles/turn down the lights. For food, keep it simple. How about ... ...
  • a canned ham, heated with pineapple and maple syrup, OR a lentil and ham soup
  • fresh baked bread, with a dipping "sauce" of olive oil with herbs de provence
  • sweet potatoes, sliced, baked, and topped with "butter"
  • green salad
  • dessert of dates, apples, pears and other fresh and dried fruits with cheese and special crackers
Second, center the occasion around friendship, love, togetherness, and enjoying just BEing.

Third, if you plan to exchange gifts, put a dollar limit on them. This is a rough year for most people. Hubby and I aren't even exchanging gifts at all this year. We put a few dollars away each payday for Son but the adults in our family really aren't getting anything - a basket of bread mixes, a box of special coffees and assorted tea bags. Son made pictures for a few family people.

Enjoy this time of year. Don't stress - BELIEVE that life is not only worth living, but worth enjoying!

Happy Holidays

Gardening Catalogs

We're starting to get gardening catalogs, which means it's time to start planning our gardening. What can we grow that we can (1) fit in our small space (2) provide healthy food (3) provide enough variety so we don't get bored eating our harvests.

Check out our gardening blog: http://www.survival-gardening.blogspot.com/ - we'll be noting gardening catalogs over the next several days.