foodie: a person that not only likes to consume all food in sight but is also interested in knowing everything there is to know on any and all subjects applicable. Such a person might also undertake the study of the process of food and how it becomes what it is.....aka......Shae. (if you believe this is an official definition from any other book than that from the book of bull......come sit by me. we could be great friends :) )
Well, we finally started a "small" garden! kind of... we have blueberries, a peach tree, tomatoes, and an herb garden on steroids...trust me....this is from one picking just to get some of it out and stored...
(cilantro, basil, and spearmint so far)
but i have to tell you that there is nothing like picking herbs from our backyard for dinner or even for lunch...
(this has been my summer favorite for lunch...garden tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzerella, olive oil, and balsemic vinegar.....it's tough but someone has GOT to eat it....)
Now if only i could figure out where to do a raised garden i might never need to buy produce from the store again! :)
So no secret if you know me, i am a little bit of a healthy eater....an even bigger pigger outer...and have one fierce sweet tooth....put them all together and whattya get.....a really confused foodie thats what.
I eat what i want when i want but i am ALWAYS trying to either make something myself (to get all the "extra" stuff out that you find in packaged food) or find ways to make what i want on a healthier scale. (don't get me wrong...nothing is coming between me and my pizza, and ice cream...or cake...and cheese!!! when i want it but i try to even it out as much as possible...)
(see.... I can hang with the best of 'em.....This philly cheese steak got nothin' on me!)
The latest healthy thang in our home is almond milk.
So after my surgery, coffee really hurt my stomach so i went without drinking it for about 6 months. (now i know just heard a shock of "huuuh" around the world because spend any time with me and you will find...i am never without my coffee...in my own cup....from my own thermos...brewed at home.)
Finally i came in one morning from walking duke, smelled it, and for the first time really wanted it again.
I couldn't drink it black (the usual) so i added milk. Well, the milk is still in there EVERY morning and i am trying to find something a little healthier. I've read almond milk adds some yummy flavor and healthy fat so i switched. It's actually really really good!
Of course there are all of these artificial sweetners, preservatives, etc in it when you buy from the store and i never use an entire carton before it sours so i decided to see what it takes to make it........why not???:)...and turns out its a sinch!! AND i use the almond "mush" left over to make almond flour to substitute for breading on chicken, fish, etc..!
I told you its nuts up in here! (pun intended.......hee hee)
(almonds soaking before blending...blend with fresh water not soaking water...bleck)
(strained almond "mush" from milk to dry out in oven)
(finished almond milk and almond flour!)
With all the butter making, jam brewing, almond "milkin" (so funny), flour bakin, garden growin n' stowin....I have decided to give them our own "in-house" labels. Relating it to my professional career...they are loving labeled ..."from the kitchen of the food architect."....logo pending and forthcoming... :) (yes yes i am WELL aware i am a crazy)
Our grocery list keeps getting smaller and smaller! whoo hoo! which brings me to the Soap Box....
Ooooh wait, you thought the healthy eating blurb WAS my soap box.......hahahahahaha...nope....i actually have......... a Soap.......box.
So again with all the making stuff my own....i have heard tons o'stuff about this subject so i decided to try it...
I made......Laundry detergant......(insert bad thoughts... i did too at first)
IT WAS SO EASY! i found a site where they did comparisons with mustard stains on 2 shirts etc and washed them individually with commercial grade vs homemade and the results they posted where exactly the same!!!
My first batch...... (umm batch is understatement...lets try 3 gallons...) looks identical. I'm going to experiment later on with scents if this works....
(This stuff smells amazing...i can't wait to use it..)
i'm going to do my own "tests" before i run out of my "all natural commercial stuff".. if it works i plan to switch! (so if i start stinkin' let me know...............................:) ) Plus the jar i'm putting it in is so fun....almost makes you look forward to doin some laundry.............almost.
This new found discovery led to the thought process of making my own all natural housecleaners....Chemical free.....
I have already begun the labeling and packaging / testing.................our "in house" cleaning line is called....can you guess?....... The Soap Box.......(i think i have now reached certifiable crazy........no shame....)
Now to just find the right packaging...ya know for the shelves in my house that no one ever sees.......I see glass jars in their future too.....hmmmm
Hubby continues to verify with me that i realize we don't live in a cabin in the middle of nowhere surviving off the land.......yes baby....I may be crazy but not delusional.......yet :)
oh well, its all in good fun......
Sending all our love from Texas,
crazy-lady stinson (the non-delusional kind :) )
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