Baked Pumpkins

This year my garden decided to bloom and set fruit in late September. Fortunately it was warm enough for pumpkins, cucumbers and tomatoes to keep growing. That's how we got all those tomatoes for the green tomato fritters. Finally this week the pumpkins have all turned orange. Initially, I was going to post on cooking them in the microwave, crock pot, and oven. However, after I cooked the first one in the microwave with fabulous success, there was no turning else where. I cooked two pumpkins. Both turned out great.

These pumpkins were harvested before the frost, though I hear they may have lasted. They are larger than the pie variety, but small still.

Place in microwave for 15 minutes or until the skin is soft.

Pumpkin split at bottom - maybe pierce next time.

Slice open while hot - steaming!

Remove seeds and the stringy stuff inside.

Serve with butter, salt and pepper - Yum!

Extending Holiday Bargains

Turnips and cheese

During the fall/winter season there are great bargains to be had. Far better than most other times of year. For instance, here in the US there are certain foods that are attached to Thanksgiving so that grocers stock up and use those items to bring customers into the store. Rather than shopping for only one meal, occasion or season, stock up on the items you will use and enjoy throughout the year.

In my area, sales change on Wednesday, so Tuesday will be the last (theoretical) day I can get those bargains. There are some foods I love but save for only special events. But on sale I can collect a couple to save for later. Yes, I know, I'm shopping. But consider this, frozen green beans, $0.69/#, organic half and half $2.29/32oz (can be frozen), apples and pears from $1.00 - 1.99/# - even organic, and of course butter! The staples I use didn't change, but why would they? I have found a new grocer for organic oats, dried cherries, and some lentils. The rest I get online.

More chia seed cookies

It's your dollar, you may as well be as savvy spending as the marketers are working to get it. Consider the gift of consumable goods to friends and family. Who doesn't appreciate a treat now and then, or perhaps a meal? Check out recipes for easy spinach dip and simply delicious green beans.

To life! Abundantly!

A beautiful day to enjoy living

Shadow Marching

I've skipped Black Friday for a couple of years now. The main reason is that by the time I actually got to the store the deals are gone, captured by the shoppers who camped out overnight and took the store by storm in the wee hours. Since I was coming after work (you'd think 8 AM was early enough to go shopping) I was already six to eight hours behind the crowd. I just wanted some small thing, say a flash drive for $4 or a DVD for $5. No way. None left. "Those were gone by 5 AM." That did it. No point. By the way, I did find a 4 GB flash drive for $4, no shipping, online, in the comfort of my home. So, rather than braving the onslaught of those desperate for a bargain, I would rather decide exactly what I desire and need and do the research to find it.

Swing backwards from the top

Today, we went to the park, played on the "monkey bars" and walked on the trail. My granddaughter, DA, was scared to climb to the top, but eventually she made it and we learned the words, "Brave" and "Courageous." She ran off and left me repeatedly as she explored the creek looking for fish. And when we came home, she found a bamboo stick and we had a stick fight for she is Warrior Ballerina Princess.

The sun was bright, temperatures warm, and breeze soft. "I want to play, GG. Let's play." What better invitation is there?

Oatmeal Chia Seed Bars

Oatmeal Chia Seed Bars

1/2 cup nut butter 

1/4 cup honey

1/3 cup chia seeds

2 cups oatmeal - ground

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon spices - ginger, cinnamon

1/2 cup chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit - as preferred 

1) Soak chia seed in 1/2 cup water, tea, or juice

2) Place nut butter in a large sauce pan over very low heat.

3) Mix honey and nut butter until blended. Remove from heat.

4) Add salt and spices to ground oatmeal. Sprinkle dry ingredients over honey butter.

5) Add chia gel to mix. (That's what happens when chia seeds are mixed with liquid. Chia seeds can absorb up to 9x their weight.) The dough will be sticky.

6) Mix in any additives you have chosen - chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts or seeds.

7) Evenly spread dough in a baking dish.

8) Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes. If baking in a dark pan, check early and frequently to avoid burning. Baking is merely to set and firm the bar rather than "cook." When dough is firm and dry to touch, remove from over and allow to cook.

9) Cut into 12 servings. The bars may be wrapped and stored for easy use and transport.  

Enjoy with plenty of your favorite beverage for health and lasting energy.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia

Chia Seeds

Remember the commercial with the terracotta animals? You were to soak them in water and them apply the chia seed and watch them grow “hair.” Did they ever tell us what to do with the “hair” after it was long?  That “hair” is sprouted seed, like any other sprouts we might enjoy and can be added to salads or sandwiches. They can also be eaten as micro-greens. Raw food at their best.

Chia is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, even more so than flax seeds. Another advantage over flax is that chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds don't deteriorate and can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid. Unlike flax, chia seeds do not have to be ground to make their nutrients available to the body.

Chia seeds also provide fiber (25 grams give you 6.9 grams of fiber) as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc. One ounce of Chia Seeds has 4915mg of Omega 3. Omega 3 fatty acids are loaded with protein which is great for healthy skin, hair, and nails. Chia Seeds are high in calcium and naturally have Boron in them which transfer the calcium into your bones.

When added to water and allowed to sit for 30 minutes, Chia forms a gel. Researchers suggest that this reaction also takes place in the stomach, slowing the process by which digestive enzymes break down carbohydrates and convert them into sugar. They grow to 9x their size and they slow down the absorption of carbohydrates to control the appetite. This effect in itself has many health implications and applications.

Oatmeal walnut chia seed cookies (with chocolate chips)

Chia has a nutlike flavor. You can mix seeds in water and add lime or lemon juice and sugar to make a drink known in Mexico and Central America as "Chia fresca." As with ground flax seeds, you can sprinkle ground or whole Chia seeds on cereal, in yogurt or salads, eat them as a snack, or grind them and mix them with flour when making muffins or other baked goods. Chia can also be added to commercially prepared infant formulas, baby foods, juices, drinks, yogurt, and other foods.

Chia seeds can be used to extend servings without compromising flavor and while decreasing fat. The Chia gel (seeds soaked in water) can be used as a substitute for fat in recipes. Sound like a miracle food? Well it was for the Aztecs who are said to have survived for twenty four hours on a single ounce. Want to learn even more? Enjoy.

To your health!

Green Tomato Fritters

Bountiful Fall Harvest meal

As we close the harvest season there remain plenty of green tomatoes on the vine. As I helped my neighbor clear her yard, I noticed she had pulled the tomato vines and left them on the ground, loaded with fruit. She had no intention of using the produce, and was gathering yard waste for trash collection.  I asked if I could take the tomatoes. Bagged up and sitting first on the porch, then in the kitchen, I began searching for recipes. Turns out there are plenty, but they required way more effort than I was interested in investing and utensils I do not have. There were the usual breaded, fried green tomato recipes, and salsa, and chow chow/relish. Lots for canning, including pickles and dips. Again, I have neither the space, time or interest; and I don’t have that many tomatoes. 

This is an adapted recipe which I just made and taste wonderful. It was still a bit of work, but I had the time and other things to do.

Green Tomato Fritters

Slice green tomatoes ( I used twenty small).  Sprinkle with salt and pepper; leave to set for a bit.

Grind tomatoes in food processor (I used my Magic Bullet – pulse); leave to drain over a strainer

Squeeze out excess juice and toss (or compost). This left about two cups of tomatoes.

Add onion, garlic, peppers (as desired – for seasoning)

Mix one egg, 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese, 1/3 cup baking mix (I used buckwheat pancake mix)

Fry in hot skillet with oil or butter. Low to medium heat works best to cook thoroughly. I enjoyed mine plain, but served with Greek yogurt would be an idea treat.

Enjoy!