The Furrer Family

Healthy Vegetarian Chili

2008-09-11T17:26:00.002-04:00

Ok - first of all, I know it's been a while since I've posted - sorry, I've been so busy lately! Time is FLYING!

Here is the best chili recipe I've ever had!

1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup textured vegetable protein (can be found on baking isle or left out)
1 onion, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 yellow pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup water or vegetable stock
1 can kidney beans
1 can white beans (or mixed beans if you like)
2 cans diced tomatoes, sliced juice included (or 3 large fresh tomatoes, diced with 1 cup water & 3 Tablespoons tomato paste)
1 cup corn (fresh, frozen or canned with no salt added)
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced (optional)
2 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
salt
pepper
red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Pour the boiling water over the TVP and let stand until softened.
Braise the onion, bell peppers and garlic in water until onion is clear, then add remaining ingredients, including TVP.
Simmer for at least 30 minutes.

FYI - you can just use whatever peppers you have on hand, that's what I do, it tastes just as good too.

Also, anything that notes optional in the ingredients I DID include in my recipe.

You will love it!

Sell Used

2008-09-03T11:58:00.002-04:00

I've already mentioned the bonuses of buying used items. But how about selling them too?

I've sold several items on craigslist for a good dollar. I like it better than ebay because I don't have to worry about shipping anything. And once it's out of my hands, I don't have to worry about it anymore.

If you have anything you aren't using and don't plan on using, try consigning or selling it. Just make sure that you won't need it later!

Check and Check Again

2008-09-02T10:26:00.002-04:00

When you get your bill for any services you are receiving, check it and then, check it again for inaccuracies. I can't tell you the amount of extra charges I've received on many bills that have no right being there.

The companies who you subscribe to for your services are made up of humans who are bound to make errors at some point, and others are downright shady, so make sure you aren't paying for someone else's silly mistakes.

It takes just a minute or two and it is well worth the time.

Buy Used

2008-09-01T09:07:00.001-04:00

Instead of looking for a brand new item, why not buy used?

As soon as you buy an item the shelf price depreciates anyway. Check out Craigslist and Ebay or other action sites (there's plenty of them!) and see if the item you want is available there. Just be a cautious buyer.

Need to Paint?

2008-08-29T09:49:00.002-04:00

Home Depot is offering a $5 rebate on 1 gallon cans of Behr paint until 9/1/08.

Check out their website for the rebate form.

Happy Painting!

Summer Penne Pasta

2008-08-29T09:24:00.004-04:00

We had this yesterday for dinner - I just threw what I had in the fridge together and it was especially delicious!

2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
4-6 oz mushrooms, sliced
2 medium zucchini, finely chopped
2 medium yellow squash, finely chopped
8-10 cloves garlic, finely chopped
8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1-2 tablespoons Italian seasonings
1 lb whole wheat or whole grain penne pasta
salt & pepper to taste
grated Parmesan cheese to taste
crushed red pepper (optional)

1. Follow package directions on cooking pasta.

2. Meanwhile, heat up nonstick skillet to medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add carrots, onion, mushrooms, zucchini, and squash, salt & pepper the vegetables and cook until firm-tender.

3. In a small skillet heat olive oil up, add garlic and Italian seasonings. At this time you may add the crushed red pepper if you want to spice it up. Saute on low-medium heat until garlic is soft. Do not overcook the garlic or it will be bitter!

4. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl & top with grated Parmesan cheese & serve.

Learning About Nutrition

2008-08-28T13:46:00.006-04:00

So I was lurking around Amazon's website checking out their books on nutrition. I want to eat right, be fit, lose weight, do it the healthy way - not the fad diet way - you know the kind - lose 10 lbs quick, but gain 15 lbs even faster when you stop. Yup, I've done that before.

And along the way, I really want to be a healthy person. I have fears that one day I won't be around to see my kid's grow because of my genealogy. There are many diseases/health issues that run rampant in my family, and if I can help it, I really don't want any of them!

I came across this book called "The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted, and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long Term Health" By T. Colin Campbell. Someone had suggested it was a good read a while back, and since I came across it I checked out the reviews. Great reviews. So when I had the cash, I got the book (through Mr. Rebates of course!)

The book is very scientific, so if you choose to read it, do it when you are fully awake. But thankfully, the author puts it in very easy to understand terms for those of us who are not scientists. It basically goes over a century's worth of scientific studies and combines them along with studies done personally by this author and many of his colleagues.

When I decided to buy the book to read all I knew was it was a book about nutrition. I had no idea that the gist of the book is: whole foods and plant-based proteins good. Animal products not so good. Actually animal products bad, very bad. In fact, all of the studies compiled in this book (there are references to each and every tidbit of information in this book for you to verify for yourself) point to a plant based diet as more beneficial for combating and even reversing diseases and illnesses such as but not limited to Breast Cancer, Alzheimer's, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Heart Disease and Bowel Cancers.

The author does not tell you that you must adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet, but instead he lets the research and studies point to what they will and simply points out the facts shown through the studies that a diet with 20% or more animal products in it is very likely to accelerate and promote diseases listed above and many more. And shows that the more beneath the 20% margin of a daily calorie intake of animal protein was, the healthier each test study subject was. Much healthier in fact.

To each his own, really. However, when I see several decades worth of studies from hundreds of different references not from just one or two, I have tendency to believe it is entirely possible that it is true.

This book reinforced my decision to become a vegetarian. But even if that is something that you feel is totally off limits for you, I still encourage you to look into this book, especially if you or someone you know has health problems. I wish I would have had this in my hands about 9 years ago, maybe it could have helped my Dad.

Shop Around for Gas

2008-08-28T08:41:00.002-04:00

Shop around for gas prices before you buy without even leaving your house.

Visit Gas Buddy and type in your zip code. Then it'll show you the cheapest gas in your area.

This site runs because people are kind enough to enter in a bit of information when they see cheap gas. So if you see some cheap gas too, try to be as kind.

Cheese Tortellini Soup

2008-08-27T10:51:00.003-04:00

This is a feel-good on a crappy day soup. It always makes me feel better if I'm sick or if it's wet & rainy outside.

Anyone I give it to loves it and asks for the recipe and then they make their own modifications to make it right for them.

Tortellini Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 zucchini, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
2 yellow squash chopped
3 ribs celery, chopped
4 tablespoons (or more to taste) of Better Than Bullion Low Sodium Vegetable Paste (You can use whichever you prefer, this is my preference, but before I was a veggie I used chicken stock)
1 can red kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 large package refrigerated tortellini
Shredded Parmesan Cheese

1. Heat oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Add zucchini, carrots, onion, garlic, squash and celery. Saute until vegetables are tender but still crunchy.
2. Add water to the pot until it is about 3 inches from the top. Turn heat up and bring to a boil.
3. Add the bullion paste once the water is boiling and stir. Taste to ensure flavor is there, add more if necessary.
4. Add the kidney beans & the tortellini. Cook tortellini in the soup according to time on package directions.
5. Serve with shredded Parmesan cheese over the top.

Eat and then eat some more!

Maximize Fuel Economy

2008-08-27T10:45:00.002-04:00

1. Make sure your tires are inflated properly. Tires that are under inflated can reduce your car's fuel economy by over 2%

2. Get a tune-up! An engine properly tuned can increase your MPG by over 4%

3. Don't go over the speed limit! The faster you go, the lower fuel economy you get. When you go anywhere over 55 MPH you can lose over 30% fuel economy.

4. Use hills to your advantage, don't hit the gas pedal going down - just let gravity take over. It's FREE gas mileage!

5. When you are on the expressway, hit the cruise button.

6. Don't open your windows for fresh air when on the expressway, it will minimize your fuel economy by causing drag. Use your a/c instead.

7. Don't hang out in your car with it idling. If you are stopping for more than a minute shut the car off, unless you are stopped at a traffic light or in traffic at all for that matter!

Stick to the List

2008-08-25T10:32:00.002-04:00

If you are on your way to the store, here are a few good tips:

Plan ahead first - check out what's on sale and plan your meals around the sale items and what you already have at home so that you don't spend extra $$ on ingredients.

Make your list and stick to it. Get what you need and don't deviate. If you don't need to go down the ice cream isle - DON'T!

Here's A Tip

2008-08-23T23:06:00.002-04:00

When you spend 16 hours at the hospital waiting for your first nephew to come - you should go to sleep when you get home instead of posting on your blog!

Goodnight.

A New Addition

2008-08-23T23:05:00.004-04:00

I've become an Auntie!

Braxton Benjamin Olmstead
Born 8/23/08 at 4:09 p.m.
7lbs 1oz
20 inches long

The mommy & daddy are doing great!

If you want pictures e-mail me & I will try to send them out when I can...

Need Clothes for Your Kids?

2008-08-22T21:47:00.002-04:00

Try the local resale or consignment shop. Growing up, the resale shop by me only had clothes that I considered 'old people-ish', and no, not vintage, cause vintage is cool.

Anyway, now consignment shops are great if you can find the right ones. There are all sorts of choices for kids now-a-days, even at resale/consignment shop. I find all sorts of brand named clothing for my kids and pay a fraction of the price for them.

Keep in mind that your brand named stores can have great deals too. We just hit Children's Place today & I got $260-some worth of clothes for my kids for the next 3 years for $70. Nothing was over $2.99 - That was a shoppers-high!

Happy Shopping!

Need more tips

2008-08-21T14:49:00.002-04:00

Can't get enough tips for saving $$$? Pick up a copy of the Tightwad Gazette from your local library. It is a compilation of money saving newsletters with tons of tips. Some of the tips are a little outdated, but for the most part it is very helpful and assists you in thinking on your toes if you need some creative ways to save.

Save on Printer Ink

2008-08-20T07:32:00.008-04:00

Visit 123inkjets and place your ink order through them. They use refurbished cartridges. I've ordered from them twice now and have never had a problem with my cartridges. And they are CHEAP! And when I say CHEAP, I mean

CHEAP

It's even worth it to purchase them if you can't get free shipping because they are so cost effective.

To sweeten the deal even more, use Mr. Rebates and get cash back on your purchase. Don't forget to mark me as your referral!

Need to Decorate?

2008-08-19T14:12:00.001-04:00

Check out flea markets and garage sales. Even if you are looking for a particular item, you may be pleasantly surprised because it just might be there!

More Cooking With Vinegar Tips

2008-08-18T11:54:00.003-04:00

If you sometimes have a problem with your pasta sticking, try dropping a dab of vinegar in the boiling water before the pasta goes in.

When boiling vegetables add 1-2 teaspoons of vinegar to the water to help the vegetables retain their beautiful color.

Making a fruit salad? Add a dash of vinegar, preferably balsamic, to the fruit to tang it up. (Don't add the vinegar unless you are eating it right away!)

My favorite vinegar tip? drizzle it over fresh french fries! MMMMMMMmmm....tasty.

Ethiopian Chickpea Wat

2008-08-18T08:11:00.003-04:00

All I can say is: mmmmmmm...so yes, this was a great dish.

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large red onion (I used a Spanish onion), finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled & finely chopped
1 potato, peeled & chopped
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup chickpeas, drained & rinsed
1 1/2 cups water or broth
1 cup frozen peas (I omitted b/c I was being lazy)

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, add the onions and cook about 5 minutes or until soft. Add the carrots and potato and cook about 10 minutes.
2. Remove the cover and stir in cayenne, paprika, ginger, salt, pepper, cumin, cardamom and tomato paste. Add chickpeas and water/broth and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered until vegetables are tender and flavor is fully developed (approximately 30 minutes) adding water as needed. Stir in the peas, let them warm & then serve.

I pureed this dish and ate with the Injera bread.

Enjoy!

Vinegar in the Kitchen

2008-08-16T16:09:00.002-04:00

Did you add too much salt to your dinner? Add a bit of distilled white vinegar and a pinch of sugar & it should balance the dish out.

Want your rice even better? Add a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar to the boiling water.

Do your eggs crack when you try to hard boil them? Add white distilled vinegar to the boiling water.

Stay tuned for more....

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

2008-08-15T22:57:00.001-04:00

If I drive past a sign that says

'Do Not Pass'

Am I breaking the law?

A Hair Cut A Day....

2008-08-15T22:23:00.005-04:00

I cut Dominic's hair on Wednesday. He was such a good boy for me. He sat there like a little trooper while I buzzed away with the clippers. And he is so adorable, but of course, I'm partial.

The same night I cut Dave's hair after the kids went to bed. Every time I cut his hair he mentions how he has a receding hairline. I always thought he was full of it and would argue with him about it. His hairline has always been set back a little, but it was always longer which hid that fact. I attribute the reason that I've been cutting his hair shorter lately to the fact that he's noticed his hairline is set back.

Weeeeeeell...I think he might be right. As I was cutting his hair on Wednesday I was thinking to myself, "Hmm..it is looking slightly thin here, and here, and here....oh. Hey Babe? I think you were right about your hair."

David: "I told you I was losing it, it's been thinning for a while."

I must have been in denial because I failed to notice even though I come within 6 inches of his scalp to cut his hair every 4-6 weeks.

I mention it to Deb, that I did notice it and she goes, "Yeah, I'm glad you cut it shorter because I could see through the longer hair to his scalp, it's not as noticeable now." Ha! That gave me a good laugh.

OK, how many people noticed that my husbands hair was thinning before I did?

So anyhow, I tell Dave what his Sis says and he rolls his eyes.

Then I joke, "Maybe we should invest in some Rogaine."

Being the frugal bunch that we are, his response: "Do you have any idea how much that stuff costs?!"

I was laughing and talking to a friend about it and she tells me that when she was looking for a mate, she made sure to look at all the older men in the prospective mans family to make sure that his elders had a full head of hair. LOL - that had me rolling. Dave would have miserably failed that test.

Fortunately, I married for love, not for hair, because eventually, he won't have any (smirk).

Week IV Already

2008-08-15T22:01:00.006-04:00

I'm having fun with this. I'm enjoying new foods that I previously was too........I don't even know the word(s)...well maybe just too stuck in my ways to even try. It's not even that I wouldn't have tried these foods if someone else made them or if I was at a restaurant, but maybe I thought they were beyond my grasp? I'm not quite sure.

Either way, I've never made Ethiopian food before, or Indian for that matter, and I've been delving into it quite passionately lately. Curry, I love you. My house smells like it today. I made a great red lentil dish for lunch that I'll have to post sometime.

Another plus side? I've lost weight. No, it's not been much but I was sort of at a plateau. I hadn't lost anything worthy of mentioning for a few weeks before I began this journey. And now? Almost 7 lbs - I'd say that's pretty good. No in fact it's great. And I can actually fit into some jeans comfortably now with out dying to go home and unbutton them so that I can actually breath!

I have more energy too. It can't be my imagination because I'm actually getting more accomplished on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a little lethargic, I always have been come mid-afternoon, but it's getting much better. 3 days out of the 5 during the week this week, I haven't taken a nap while the kids were napping. And no - that's not because Mia was awake when Dominic was sleeping - it's because I put the kids to bed for nappy time and I thought to myself, I have too much energy to sleep. Productivity here I come!

Ethiopian Cabbage & Potatoes

2008-08-15T09:37:00.002-04:00

This dish was to die for. We all enjoyed it with Injera (Ethiopian sponge bread). You use the bread as your eating utensils for the cabbage & potatoes.

4 tablespoons Olive Oil
4 carrots, peeled & thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (I used regular table salt)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 head of cabbage, chopped into bite size pieces
5 potatoes (I used red skins) peeled & chopped into bite size pieces

1. In a large skillet or pot heat half the olive oil over medium heat. Add the carrots & the onions and cook for about 5 minutes.
2. Add one more tablespoon of oil. Then add the salt, pepper, cumin, turmeric and cabbage and cook about 15-20 minutes
3. Add the rest of the oil then stir in the potatoes; Cover and reduce heat to medium/low and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are soft.

Here is a linky to the Injera recipe

Save on Groceries

2008-08-15T09:35:00.004-04:00

The Grocery Game

Follow the linky, if you sign up put my e-mail in as your referral (bellaboodaisy@yahoo.com).

If you have questions, e-mail me.

Enough said.