Jessica

12-12-12 Project Wrap Up

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A year has gone by and the 12-12-12 project is complete. I may be short by one project but sometimes that’s just how it goes. I have started a number of projects that were originally sparked by this challenge that I’m hoping to post soon. I just can’t seem to get them all done in the allotted time. I suppose that’s what happens when you take on a challenge like this the same year that you get married, and buy a house.

For this challenge I re-taught myself to knit and crochet, built a wooden back drop, put together a photo book, learned to wood burn, made soap with my sister, made a dream catcher, designed and created a print that still resides in my kitchen, made a ribbon belt for my wedding (also saving a bunch of money on it), glued and cut felt to make a garland, carved and hand stamped my own napkins, and played with rocks.

As far as challenges go I’m pretty pleased with this one. I was forced to thing outside the box and push my comfort zone and do a number of things I don’t think I would have otherwise. Of course I’m disappointed that I didn’t complete all 12 projects, but I’m letting it get to me. I finish way more than 12 projects this year, but many could not be counted toward this project because they were too similar to others. For example I completed a number of hats, scarves and blankets either knitting or crocheting, which was also the first project I completed with this challenge.

The challenge was able to spark a slew of creative ideas and projects for me, which was the whole goal anyway. With that I am happy, and I’m also happy to release the pressure of coming up with and completing a project each month. For someone with a full time job, and a blogging side hustle it was a lot more work than I anticipated.

For 2016 there will be no more craft projects, since we have a number of house projects and travel plans in the works. That’s not to say that craft projects won’t still appear here on the blog, but they won’t be in the restricted fashion that’s required of a challenge.

Meal Plan 2.14.16

By Jessica

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This is a meal plan based on the the typical meals that I actually cook on a regular basis. It is not an exact diary of what we eat, but it’s pretty darn close. Enjoy!

Monday – Barbecue Grilled Chicken Salad with black beans

Tuesday – Sausage, Tomato & Bean Stew

Wednesday – Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Thursday – Lamb Shepard’s Pie

Friday – Herb Roasted Tomatoes over Chicken with salad and lentils

Weekend Links

By Jessica

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I have been internet happy lately, reading tons of articles and blog posts about saving money and eating healthy. Here’s some of the most interesting stuff that I have run across lately. Happy Friday!!

This video is an eye opener. It’s amazing what just walking can do. Cutting Arthritis symptoms by 47%, reducing major brain diseases by 50%, diabetes by 58%, not to mention anxiety, depression, fatigue and increased lifespan. Just by walking 30 minutes a day. Seriously watch it.

Proof that Redheads do it better.

10 Things to lose 160 lbs without Ever Dieting

Chuck has said forever that the whole BPA free thing is kind of a sham, it takes a ridiculous amount of exposure to cause any problems at all, and we know nothing about the stuff they are using in it’s place. Well now we know it’s just as bad for us.

Resting Bitch Face – scientifically proven to exist.

Why Chicken Broth packs more flavor than beef broth.

The Health Benefits of Knitting, I’m going to assume they are the same for crocheting, I’m currently working on 2 blankets, so I’m obviously super healthy.

Big Eggs are going Cage Free and it’s super complicated. Who knew?

Diet foods are tanking. Now they are trying to sell health, right along with all their crappy additives.

Gram’s Slow Cooked Vegetable Beef Stew with Lentils

By Jessica

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Something I love about going to grandma’s house is that everyone is greeted with a cup of tea, and offered mounds of food. We spend most of our time there gathered around the kitchen table, and that’s how it’s always been. I love that on any given day, you might never know who is stopping by. It’s like a comfortable adventure there.

Sometime last year I had been one ofthose random guests to stop by and gram offered me a vegetable soup she had made. It was one of the best soups I had eaten in a long time, so of course I turned the conversation to how she made it exactly, and in a few short instructions she told me the jist of it, and gave me a soup bone she had in the freezer to make me own with. Grandmas are always good and generous like that.

It took me a try or two to get it right, and then I added my own twist, since we are avoiding wheat products right now. Gram’s original recipe uses short pasta, or couscous, where I used lentils, but that’s the only real change.

Keep in mind this is a slow cooked soup, meaning it takes a long time, but that’s what makes it so good. All the caramelization, and concentrated flavor are necessary, trust me. Take the time and try it. You won’t be sorry.

Gram’s Slow Cooked Vegetable Beef Stew with Lentils

Author: JC

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 3 hours

Total time: 3 hours 20 mins

Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1lb meaty soup bones
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon of sugar
1 large onion, peeled and diced
2 carrots, peeled, and chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
½ cup dry wine
4 cups beef broth
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup French green lentils
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large soup pan over medium heat. Sprinkle the soup bone with salt, pepper, paprika, and sugar. Add it to the pot and sauté until it is well browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the onion, carrot and celery and cook until softened, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Add the wine, broth and tomatoes. Cover and cook over low heat for 2 hours, at which point the meat should be tender.
Remove the meat from the pan to a rimmed sheet and let cool. When you can easily handle the bones remove the remaining meat from the bone, cut into bite size pieces and return the meat to the pan.
Add the lentils, tomato paste, and parsley to the pan and stir until well blended. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
Stir in the veggies and cook for 2 more minutes.
Adjust seasonings and serve.

Basic Kitchen Tools Every Home Cook Needs

By Jessica

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Now that we have run down the list of cooking terms that are important for understanding recipes and cooking , I thought it would be good to give an overview of the tools necessary for a basic kitchen.

There is a lot of variance in this list because not everyone cooks the same or has the same environmental outlook. For example where I would use a spoon as a juicer you might really love a hand juicer. How you set up your kitchen is totally and completely up to you, but this list in my opinion covers the basics.

Small tools & Utensils: Wooden Spoons, Metal Spatula, Ladle, Slotted spoon, Tongs, Whisk, Rubber Spatula, Basic Knife Set(all you really need is a chefs knife, a paring knife, and some kitchen scissors to get by), Mandoline Slicer (you could probably do without one, but they are awesome), Can Opener, Vegetable Peeler, Simple Grater, Measuring Spoons & Cups Set, Colander, Fine Mesh Strainer, Cutting Board Set (you’ll need more than one)

Cook & Bake ware: Sauce Pan Set, Dutch Oven, a Skillet (2 set, I like cast iron, but stainless is cool too), Rolling Pin (only if you like to bake but a wine bottle works in a pinch), Baking Sheets(at least 2), Mixing Bowls, Cooling Rack, Baking Dishes, Round baking pan (even if you don’t bake, they are good for fritatas, gratans and the like), Muffin Pan

Appliances: Toaster, microwave (if that’s your thing, I know not everyone needs a microwave, I am one of those people), blender, Coffee machine (again if that’s your thing, I don’t use one), electric mixer (if you like to bake this makes all the difference), Food processor (though I did without one for years, I love it now)

Obviously eating utensils, plates, bowls and cups are also necessary, but that’s not really the focus of this post or series. We are all about setting up a proper kitchen to cook with. Obviously this is a pretty big list of stuff, but it’s pretty easy to find just about everything on this list for cheap at garage sales, good wills and even dollar stores. Start with some good pans and some utensils and work your way up, sometimes whipping the cream yourself instead of using the electric mixer can feel good.

Jessica

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