Yesterday was a great day. We went to Crosby ND for the Thresherman's
Day's celebration. They had a parade. We figured small town, maybe
20minues or so. Wrong. It was mainly a parade of the old farm
equipment. We're talking really REALLY old. Like the first tractors
that were out there. And they just kept starting them up and parading
down the route. 2 hours worth of tractors. Wow. It was amazing.
I forgot my camera. Believe me, I won't do that again.
We all got a little too much sun, and ended up coming home right after
and resting. No one is red today, but we sure were yesterday.
This morning, I got up and got out the door for my run. I'm sitting out
on the deck cooling off. Lee is steam cleaning the carpet in the
livingroom. As soon as he's done, I'm going to bath and we are going to
go for brunch. It's been months since we did that. I'm sure hoping
it's not a complete let down again.
Other than that, I think I've got lots to do inside today.
Reorganization of stuff. Laundry. And generally getting ready for my
first day at work tomorrow. I can't wait.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Blackberry and Raspberry Dessert Toppings - recipe links and pictures
I found a great deal at the co-op tonight, and cooked up a big batch of each of these. The recipes can be found at:
Blackberry Dessert Topping
recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detai
l.asp?recipe=2179661&ff=1
Raspberry Dessert Topping
recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detai
l.asp?recipe=2179668&ff=1
The Blackberries made up 4.7 - 500ml jars, and the raspberries made up 4 - 500ml jars. The blackberry sauce is so nice, but the raspberry sauce is a little too sweet. I didn't want to add molasses to it, as it will make it so dark, but maybe I should have.
Anyhow, just thought I'd share the recipes. I was just in the kitchen tossing them together, and they came out great.
Blackberry Dessert Topping
recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detai
l.asp?recipe=2179661&ff=1
Raspberry Dessert Topping
recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detai
l.asp?recipe=2179668&ff=1
The Blackberries made up 4.7 - 500ml jars, and the raspberries made up 4 - 500ml jars. The blackberry sauce is so nice, but the raspberry sauce is a little too sweet. I didn't want to add molasses to it, as it will make it so dark, but maybe I should have.
Anyhow, just thought I'd share the recipes. I was just in the kitchen tossing them together, and they came out great.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
I'm a little concerned tonight. I haven't been able to go running in the last two days - pulled muscles in my legs - and tonight I just can't stand this town. This isn't good.
Lee got home from work too tired to do anything tonight. I'm beyond sick of staying in. I'm even willing to go out for supper alone if I have to, but I don't even know where to go. The so called steaks in town suck - I'd rather chew on my shoe. I don't need the calories from a gluten free pizza. Heck, I don't need the expense either.
So what am I gonna do? Sitting here is just pissing me off. Don't know where to go or what to do. Maybe it's time for me to just give in n go running tonight. It's still do brutally hot though. I just don't know what to do, but this isn't working.
I know. I need to eat. No garbage. Actual food. I haven't eaten today. Well, I had breakfast. Then I munched on raisin bread and popcorn. Funny how my mind goes wonky when I don't eat right. But what am I gonna eat?
*********UPDATE************
Lee came outside to see what was wrong with me not long after I posted that. I told him I was having stress issues. Mostly from not eating well today. And the heat. He suggested we go get groceries. We needed to anyway.
It was a nice short trip. On the way home we picked up iced coffees. I know. I've been on this cleanse for so long now. Well, I only got in 4-5 mouthfuls and I got dizzy. The room was spinning, and I felt nauseated. So much for being able to enjoy that treat.
I guess that sugar cleanse really had some major effects on me after all. wow.
Lee got home from work too tired to do anything tonight. I'm beyond sick of staying in. I'm even willing to go out for supper alone if I have to, but I don't even know where to go. The so called steaks in town suck - I'd rather chew on my shoe. I don't need the calories from a gluten free pizza. Heck, I don't need the expense either.
So what am I gonna do? Sitting here is just pissing me off. Don't know where to go or what to do. Maybe it's time for me to just give in n go running tonight. It's still do brutally hot though. I just don't know what to do, but this isn't working.
I know. I need to eat. No garbage. Actual food. I haven't eaten today. Well, I had breakfast. Then I munched on raisin bread and popcorn. Funny how my mind goes wonky when I don't eat right. But what am I gonna eat?
*********UPDATE************
Lee came outside to see what was wrong with me not long after I posted that. I told him I was having stress issues. Mostly from not eating well today. And the heat. He suggested we go get groceries. We needed to anyway.
It was a nice short trip. On the way home we picked up iced coffees. I know. I've been on this cleanse for so long now. Well, I only got in 4-5 mouthfuls and I got dizzy. The room was spinning, and I felt nauseated. So much for being able to enjoy that treat.
I guess that sugar cleanse really had some major effects on me after all. wow.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Yesterday I did the drug/alcohol/fitness testing for my new job. I knew
it wouldn't be a problem. My one leg has a sore muscle today - some of
the stuff they are doing really didn't make any sense. Anyhow, it's
done. They told me it will take about 2-3 hours to get the information
back to my employer. Since it took so long yesterday, I'm assuming
they'll know by noon today. It took so long because I am drinking so
much water. I had to wait 2 hours for the water to flush out of my
system.
Anyhow, I'm expecting a call today with a start date fairly soon.
Other than that, I lost another pound. It was down yesterday, and still down this morning. So I recorded it today. I'm down to 225lbs. It's not showing up on my feed, so I contacted tech support to find out why. Hopefully they can fix that.
Even though my leg is a little sore, I am still considering a run this morning. I'm trying to decide if it'll help or hurt. I don't do hurt. Mind you, I can always try. If it hurts, stop. If not, I can keep going.
Maybe that's what I'll do. Seeing as once I start my new job, I won't have the opportunity to go after waking up, relaxing, eating, and taking some me time.
That's another thing. I'll have to figure out how to do this. How to get my fitness in with the new work hours. I'm kind of leaning towards a lunch time run, but the heat, and no shower available ....
I have also discovered something else about me in the last few days. I have another mountain to climb. Not just weight loss. Financial. I HATE being stuck where I am now. No money. No savings. No credit. I need to fix this. I need to sit down and define exactly what I want in the end. Then a plan to get there.
So that's my day I guess. Running. Then looking at my financial mountain I should start to climb. I should also clean the kitchen. It's still a bit of a mess from making the cherry pie last night.
Anyhow, I'm expecting a call today with a start date fairly soon.
Other than that, I lost another pound. It was down yesterday, and still down this morning. So I recorded it today. I'm down to 225lbs. It's not showing up on my feed, so I contacted tech support to find out why. Hopefully they can fix that.
Even though my leg is a little sore, I am still considering a run this morning. I'm trying to decide if it'll help or hurt. I don't do hurt. Mind you, I can always try. If it hurts, stop. If not, I can keep going.
Maybe that's what I'll do. Seeing as once I start my new job, I won't have the opportunity to go after waking up, relaxing, eating, and taking some me time.
That's another thing. I'll have to figure out how to do this. How to get my fitness in with the new work hours. I'm kind of leaning towards a lunch time run, but the heat, and no shower available ....
I have also discovered something else about me in the last few days. I have another mountain to climb. Not just weight loss. Financial. I HATE being stuck where I am now. No money. No savings. No credit. I need to fix this. I need to sit down and define exactly what I want in the end. Then a plan to get there.
So that's my day I guess. Running. Then looking at my financial mountain I should start to climb. I should also clean the kitchen. It's still a bit of a mess from making the cherry pie last night.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Home Made Gluten Free Cherry Pie - with Pics and recipes
Tried my hand at making a home made cherry pie. I pitted the fresh
cherries myself. Used Brown Rice syrup instead sugar. And a Gluten
Free Pie crust. I hope the crust holds up when I try to serve it.
Gluten free flours are so difficult to work with.
But it sure looks good.
Gluten-Free Pie and Tart Crust Recipe for Sweet or Savory Fillings
This buttery, tender gluten-free pie crust is akin to shortbread. It can be used for all types of pies or for savory tart and quiche fillings. A tart pan with a removable bottom makes shaping the pie crust and cutting pies much easier.
Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
• 1 cup superfine brown rice flour (see tips)
• 1/2 cup arrowroot starch OR cornstarch
• 1/4 cup amaranth flour
• 1/4 cup white rice flour
• 1 tablespoon cane sugar (OMIT sugar if making a savory filling) I left this out
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum OR guar gum
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ice water
• 1 large, lightly beaten egg
• 12 tablespoons cold, cubed butter
• Correction - 12 tablespoons of butter equal 1 and 1/2 sticks of butter OR 3/4 cup of butter
Preparation:
Food Processor Method:
1. Measure dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Use a large whisk to thoroughly blend ingredients.
2. Pour the dry ingredients into a food processor bowl, fitted with a metal blade.
3. Add the cold butter cubes and pulse until the butter cubes are reduced to the size of peas and the mixture looks like coarse, dry crumbs.
4. Add the lightly beaten egg and pulse just until egg is incorporated into the flour-butter mix.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of ice water and pulse several times. Remove the processor lid and squeeze a small amount of the dough in your hand. If it holds together don't add more water. If the dough is too crumbly and dry, add 1/4 teaspoon additional ice water and pulse several more times. Check the consistency of the dough again. If the dough holds together and you can form a ball don't add more water. Adding too much water will make the dough sticky and harder to roll out and shape.
6. Scrape the dough, which will look crumbly, on a clean, gluten free work surface covered with waxed paper. Gather the crumbly dough into a ball. Flatten to a large disk shape. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate for at least one hour before rolling out the dough. At this stage, the dough can be frozen. Place wax paper wrapped dough in a freezer bag, label and freeze for future use.
7. To Roll Dough: Remove dough from refrigerator and place dough between two sheets of waxed paper. Let dough sit just until it's soft enough to roll. When workable, roll lighlty from the center outward, working to make a circle about 10-inches in diameter and about 1/8-inch thick. If the dough should get too warm and sticky, place it in the freezer for several minutes and then continue rolling it.
8. Peel top sheet of wax paper from the dough and carefully flip the dough, on the remaining sheet of waxed paper, over pie plate. Gently peel the waxed paper from the dough.
9. Gently press the dough into the pie plate.
10. Trim edges with knife and crimp edge with a fork or using your favorite method.
11. Pie crust is ready to fill or parbake (partially bake) as desired.
12. To parbake the crust, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a fork to pierce the crust- this will prevent the crust from bubbling up while baking. Or, line the dough with parchment paper and fill the plate with dry beans or pie weights. Bake the crust for about 15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Tips:
Superfine brown rice flour is powdery, unlike some brown rice flours which are more coarsely ground and gritty. If you can't find superfine brown rice flour, try grinding regular brown rice flour in a coffee bean grinder just until it is a finer consistency.
Roll out leftover dough scraps, butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar for an old-fashioned treat.
Yield: 1- 10" pie crust with leftover dough for cinnamon sugar strips or 2- 8" pie crusts.
Cherry Pie Filling
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes Ready In: 40 Minutes
Servings: 6
"When sour cherries are in season, why not whip up your own fresh cherry pie filling? It's easy and takes just 3 ingredients."
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups pitted tart red cherries
1 cup brown rice syrup
1/4 cup cornstarch
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place cherries into a saucepan over medium heat, and cover the pan; heat cherries until they release their juice and come to a simmer, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir often.
2. In a bowl, whisk the sugar with cornstarch until smooth; pour the mixture into the hot cherries and juice, and thoroughly combine. Return to low heat, bring to a simmer, and cook until the filling has thickened, about 2 minutes; remove from heat, let cool, and use as pie filling.
But it sure looks good.
Gluten-Free Pie and Tart Crust Recipe for Sweet or Savory Fillings
This buttery, tender gluten-free pie crust is akin to shortbread. It can be used for all types of pies or for savory tart and quiche fillings. A tart pan with a removable bottom makes shaping the pie crust and cutting pies much easier.
Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
• 1 cup superfine brown rice flour (see tips)
• 1/2 cup arrowroot starch OR cornstarch
• 1/4 cup amaranth flour
• 1/4 cup white rice flour
• 1 tablespoon cane sugar (OMIT sugar if making a savory filling) I left this out
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum OR guar gum
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ice water
• 1 large, lightly beaten egg
• 12 tablespoons cold, cubed butter
• Correction - 12 tablespoons of butter equal 1 and 1/2 sticks of butter OR 3/4 cup of butter
Preparation:
Food Processor Method:
1. Measure dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Use a large whisk to thoroughly blend ingredients.
2. Pour the dry ingredients into a food processor bowl, fitted with a metal blade.
3. Add the cold butter cubes and pulse until the butter cubes are reduced to the size of peas and the mixture looks like coarse, dry crumbs.
4. Add the lightly beaten egg and pulse just until egg is incorporated into the flour-butter mix.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of ice water and pulse several times. Remove the processor lid and squeeze a small amount of the dough in your hand. If it holds together don't add more water. If the dough is too crumbly and dry, add 1/4 teaspoon additional ice water and pulse several more times. Check the consistency of the dough again. If the dough holds together and you can form a ball don't add more water. Adding too much water will make the dough sticky and harder to roll out and shape.
6. Scrape the dough, which will look crumbly, on a clean, gluten free work surface covered with waxed paper. Gather the crumbly dough into a ball. Flatten to a large disk shape. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate for at least one hour before rolling out the dough. At this stage, the dough can be frozen. Place wax paper wrapped dough in a freezer bag, label and freeze for future use.
7. To Roll Dough: Remove dough from refrigerator and place dough between two sheets of waxed paper. Let dough sit just until it's soft enough to roll. When workable, roll lighlty from the center outward, working to make a circle about 10-inches in diameter and about 1/8-inch thick. If the dough should get too warm and sticky, place it in the freezer for several minutes and then continue rolling it.
8. Peel top sheet of wax paper from the dough and carefully flip the dough, on the remaining sheet of waxed paper, over pie plate. Gently peel the waxed paper from the dough.
9. Gently press the dough into the pie plate.
10. Trim edges with knife and crimp edge with a fork or using your favorite method.
11. Pie crust is ready to fill or parbake (partially bake) as desired.
12. To parbake the crust, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a fork to pierce the crust- this will prevent the crust from bubbling up while baking. Or, line the dough with parchment paper and fill the plate with dry beans or pie weights. Bake the crust for about 15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Tips:
Superfine brown rice flour is powdery, unlike some brown rice flours which are more coarsely ground and gritty. If you can't find superfine brown rice flour, try grinding regular brown rice flour in a coffee bean grinder just until it is a finer consistency.
Roll out leftover dough scraps, butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar for an old-fashioned treat.
Yield: 1- 10" pie crust with leftover dough for cinnamon sugar strips or 2- 8" pie crusts.
Cherry Pie Filling
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes Ready In: 40 Minutes
Servings: 6
"When sour cherries are in season, why not whip up your own fresh cherry pie filling? It's easy and takes just 3 ingredients."
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups pitted tart red cherries
1 cup brown rice syrup
1/4 cup cornstarch
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place cherries into a saucepan over medium heat, and cover the pan; heat cherries until they release their juice and come to a simmer, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir often.
2. In a bowl, whisk the sugar with cornstarch until smooth; pour the mixture into the hot cherries and juice, and thoroughly combine. Return to low heat, bring to a simmer, and cook until the filling has thickened, about 2 minutes; remove from heat, let cool, and use as pie filling.
It's been a pretty uneventful weekend. Lee had to work overtime both Saturday and Sunday, so I was left to my own devices. Adrienne was working too, so it was just me. Saturday seemed to be a go go go day. Just lots of little running around things to do. Sunday I was busy canning.
I made lots of stuff yesterday. Four more jars of tomato sauce, and four jars of a cherry dessert topping. You have no IDEA how long it took me to pit all those cherries. I had 5lbs plus 5 cups of cherries when all was said and done. After the almost 2 hours of pitting cherries, I thought I'd likely never do that again. But then I tasted some of it. YUMMY! It was so worth the effort.
Oh, the 5 cups of cherries? I made a second smaller batch. It was cherry pie filling. Later today I'm going to try my hand at making a gluten free pie crust, and make a home made cherry pie too. I'll be sure to post a picture of it when I'm done - success or failure.
So yeah, yesterday was a full day in the kitchen again. The tomato sauce cooks for 4 hours, that doesn't include the chopping, blanching tomatoes, cooking up the onions, etc. Just a full 4 hours after all is mixed and it's come to a boil. So I'd say between 5 and 6 hours. Then canning takes time too.
So I try to make two big pots every time I do this. It takes so long that I want to make it worth my while to do it.
Later this week, I'll be going to the u-pick farms to get some more fruit and berries. I mostly want to make dessert topping's. I don't eat much jam, so there's no use doing that for now. Lee wants to come berry picking with me, so I guess I'll be waiting for a weekend day off.
I made lots of stuff yesterday. Four more jars of tomato sauce, and four jars of a cherry dessert topping. You have no IDEA how long it took me to pit all those cherries. I had 5lbs plus 5 cups of cherries when all was said and done. After the almost 2 hours of pitting cherries, I thought I'd likely never do that again. But then I tasted some of it. YUMMY! It was so worth the effort.
Oh, the 5 cups of cherries? I made a second smaller batch. It was cherry pie filling. Later today I'm going to try my hand at making a gluten free pie crust, and make a home made cherry pie too. I'll be sure to post a picture of it when I'm done - success or failure.
So yeah, yesterday was a full day in the kitchen again. The tomato sauce cooks for 4 hours, that doesn't include the chopping, blanching tomatoes, cooking up the onions, etc. Just a full 4 hours after all is mixed and it's come to a boil. So I'd say between 5 and 6 hours. Then canning takes time too.
So I try to make two big pots every time I do this. It takes so long that I want to make it worth my while to do it.
Later this week, I'll be going to the u-pick farms to get some more fruit and berries. I mostly want to make dessert topping's. I don't eat much jam, so there's no use doing that for now. Lee wants to come berry picking with me, so I guess I'll be waiting for a weekend day off.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Yesterday was a great day. No, I didn't get my manicure/pedicure done. Instead, my daughter and I went to Regina for a day trip. Shopping. We got my niece and two nephews some gifts. My niece will be 1, and my younger nephew will be 2. The party is on July 22 for both of them. I got them mostly clothes. Mom and dad are on a very limited income, and the kids have plenty of toys. I did get them each a little toy to go in the gift bag. I also got some for my older nephew too. They never get a chance to get into the larger cities and pick up osh kosh for the kids, so I got them all something from there. Good thing it was on sale. Two pairs of jeans, two hoodies, a denim jumper skirt, 10 snap up undershirts, and three t-shirts all came to about $90.
I called my mom to make sure I got the right sizes. My niece is a tiny peanut, only in size 12-18months. My younger nephew (the 2 year old) is already in size 4. His older brother is in 5-6 so I got him size 6. I got the two boys carpenter jeans. They have been helping their dad with renovations to the farmhouse, so I figured why not.
My daughter was looking for art supplies, so we took a chance on a craft store I remembered from years ago. Luckily, it was still there, and they had a great art section. She got all sorts of stuff. And now she knows what the prices are, so if we go into town when she's working, she can let us know what she wants us to pick up. The canvases there are about 1/3 the price she's ever been able to find them at in Calgary, so she's really happy about that.
So all in all it was a great day. Nice drive. A chance for us to visit. She got some supplies. I got the kids gifts done. I got a couple of skirts. It was a good day.
Today I went running. I finished my training day strong. Really pushed myself. Now I'm feeling great.
Lee on the other hand is not. He is so hung over. He can't get up off the couch. He was drunk before we got home. I think he drove his truck home like that. He told me he didn't. That he came home and started drinking.
The sad part is I know he's lying to me. I know he was drinking earlier. I know he'd had too much to drive home. I am sick n tired of that server allowing him to drive home like that. What the HELL is wrong with her? This is the same lady who's son has behavioral issues linked to food allergies. So what does she do? She brings him home a treat - McDonalds. THE KID IS ALLERGIC TO EVERYTHING IN THEIR MENU. WHEAT AND SUGAR BEING THE TWO MAIN THINGS SHES FEEDING HIM. And then she has the nerve to try to buddy up to me to complain about how hard it is on her and her son and she can't deal with it and it's only a few treats, and and and.
GIVE ME A BREAK. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT KIDS HEALTH. YES IT'S HARD TO CHANGE, BUT IS HE NOT WORTH IT???
Mind you, I guess it's none of my business. It's her life. Her kid. I'm walking away. She'd just better never ask me for advice/help on the subject again. Or complain about it to me ever again. I've got better ways to waste my time. Like bitching in my blog about how much it all pisses me off ;)
Time to get my day started. I was going to wait for Lee, but it's looking like he's not going to get moving anytime soon. I've gotta get to Sasktel and look into changing my cell phone over. I need to look into a cell phone booster - I think they are on sale. All stuff to get ready to start my new job soon. I go for pre-employment testing on Monday. I'm not worried about that. I'm fit, I don't drink, and I've never done drugs. So it's all good.
Hope you all have a great day, who ever is reading this.
I called my mom to make sure I got the right sizes. My niece is a tiny peanut, only in size 12-18months. My younger nephew (the 2 year old) is already in size 4. His older brother is in 5-6 so I got him size 6. I got the two boys carpenter jeans. They have been helping their dad with renovations to the farmhouse, so I figured why not.
My daughter was looking for art supplies, so we took a chance on a craft store I remembered from years ago. Luckily, it was still there, and they had a great art section. She got all sorts of stuff. And now she knows what the prices are, so if we go into town when she's working, she can let us know what she wants us to pick up. The canvases there are about 1/3 the price she's ever been able to find them at in Calgary, so she's really happy about that.
So all in all it was a great day. Nice drive. A chance for us to visit. She got some supplies. I got the kids gifts done. I got a couple of skirts. It was a good day.
Today I went running. I finished my training day strong. Really pushed myself. Now I'm feeling great.
Lee on the other hand is not. He is so hung over. He can't get up off the couch. He was drunk before we got home. I think he drove his truck home like that. He told me he didn't. That he came home and started drinking.
The sad part is I know he's lying to me. I know he was drinking earlier. I know he'd had too much to drive home. I am sick n tired of that server allowing him to drive home like that. What the HELL is wrong with her? This is the same lady who's son has behavioral issues linked to food allergies. So what does she do? She brings him home a treat - McDonalds. THE KID IS ALLERGIC TO EVERYTHING IN THEIR MENU. WHEAT AND SUGAR BEING THE TWO MAIN THINGS SHES FEEDING HIM. And then she has the nerve to try to buddy up to me to complain about how hard it is on her and her son and she can't deal with it and it's only a few treats, and and and.
GIVE ME A BREAK. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT KIDS HEALTH. YES IT'S HARD TO CHANGE, BUT IS HE NOT WORTH IT???
Mind you, I guess it's none of my business. It's her life. Her kid. I'm walking away. She'd just better never ask me for advice/help on the subject again. Or complain about it to me ever again. I've got better ways to waste my time. Like bitching in my blog about how much it all pisses me off ;)
Time to get my day started. I was going to wait for Lee, but it's looking like he's not going to get moving anytime soon. I've gotta get to Sasktel and look into changing my cell phone over. I need to look into a cell phone booster - I think they are on sale. All stuff to get ready to start my new job soon. I go for pre-employment testing on Monday. I'm not worried about that. I'm fit, I don't drink, and I've never done drugs. So it's all good.
Hope you all have a great day, who ever is reading this.
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