12 Foods That are Worth the Organic Splurge, by Sarah McColl

As compelling as it may be to only buy free-range beef and fair trade coffee, who can afford it? You want to do the right thing for your health and the planet, but your budget begs otherwise. In terms of long-term costs to your health, though, there are some fruits and veggies that are always worth the organic splurge. The dirty dozen below have the highest levels of pesticides when grown conventionally. The thin skins on many of them make it easy for pesticides to penetrate to the food and impossible for us to wash away the chemicals. Opt for USDA certified organics of these foods and you're ensuring your salad wasn't raised using man-made chemical pesticides, fossil fuel- or sewage-based fertilizers or genetically-modified seeds.

apples
sweet bell peppers
carrots
celery
cherries
grapes (imported)
kale
lettuce
nectarines
peaches
pears
strawberries

Let's say you're looking at this list feeling totally daunted because these are the only fruits and vegetables you buy. A good compromise is to hit up your local farmer's market where the prices are often lower than the grocery store, and the farmers raise their crops using organic methods but don't opt to go through the costly and lengthy organic certification process. Ask them how they raise their apples. No spray? Then ask for their best apple pie recipe.And whether you buy organic or not, always remember to give your food a good wash before eating or cooking with it!

Rice Rice Baby.... Kimche and Rice Rice Baby

Last night I found out that Kim Yu Na became the first Korean to win gold at the Olympics for women's figure skating! Woo Hoo!!! I finally saw her free skate this morning and it was extraordinary. She made the hardest program in the history of women's figure skating look so very easy and absolutely beautiful! Then she set a record for highest marks ever. It was so awesome!!!

Go Korea!

No More Soup for You!

I love making and eating soup. Why???... because it's easy, it's inexpensive and it makes you feel good deep down inside! Here's one of our favorites that comes out of Scott's old West Point cookbook called, "Potato Corn Chowder". It's always a crowd pleaser!

6 slices of bacon cooked until crisp

2 large onions, diced

4 large potatoes, diced

2-3 carrots, diced

1 can of creamed corn

1 can of corn, drained

2, 13 oz. cans chicken broth

2 cans of evaporated milk

1 C water

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp curry powder

4 Tbsp fresh parsley

After cooking the bacon, place on paper towels to drain a bit. Then add the onions to the bacon grease and cook until tender. Add potatoes, corn, carrots, broth, water, salt, and curry powder. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes are done. Mash all with masher. Add evaporated milk, parsley, and bacon.

I think serving this in a gorgeous artisin bread bowl like Suzanne's from "Just Another Hang Up" http://justanotherhangup.blogspot.com/2010/02/artisan-bread.html, would be the most beautiful and perfect dinner on a cold winter's night. Ahhhhhh, enjoy and be sure to check out Suzanne's bread... seriously, it looks so good and easy!

I LOVE...

....Amy Atlas.

Someday I'm going to throw a party and the dessert table will look like one of these.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for opportunities to serve.... using my sewing machine. I went from months of having zero projects to having 5, and I'm so glad! It seems half of our ward is pregnant at once and I am the lucky gal who gets to make fun things for them. Love it!

I am thankful for a nonstick pan. I've wanted one forever, and I got one for Valentine's Day. Does he know me or what?

I am thankful for spring. I feel it coming.

Aaaah, the Romance

Yesterday,while grocery shopping in Target, I was becoming increasingly frustrated, trying to find a Valentine gift for Scott, and ended up telling him so on the phone, "OK, I got your Valentine gift, but it's not that great. You're so hard to shop for!" He of course, didn't care.

Later, however, something must have clicked, because he asked me nervously when he got home, "Um, how much did you spend on my gift, because I uh, didn't know we were doing gifts and uh...."

I interrupted, "50 dollars. I spent $50 dollars on your gift."

"Oh, OK..."

SILENCE

"Just kidding, it was 8 bucks.... and lame. I just wanted to score a cool gift."

BIG SMILE on his face and a silent, "Phew". "Ha ha ha, that's funny, Renee,that's funny."

That's amore folks. Happy Valentine's weekend.

Anyone Seen The Bridge / Why I Am Dave Matthews Band cover by OLI

This is a few minutes of Oliver's band "OLI"'s session they had yesterday. They've only practiced 3 times prior to this, but they sound awesome live! The sound quality here isn't great since it's taped on a home camera up in my rec room, but still.... they're awesome. So, if you like me, or Dave Matthews, or Oliver, listen for the entire time.

ps. Oliver's the drummer.

This week

This week has been really nice.

With the kids being out of school, and all of us "stuck" here at home, we've spent so much more time together. We've done fun things like sledding and playing games, but we've also worked together and talked.... a lot. I love having my kids home.

Oliver is making a huge effort to improve his standard of living. As frustrated as I get, I feel so much compassion for him and every teen really, struggling through school and all the social pressures they're faced with today. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was in school, facing the same kind of issues, and would NEVER want to relive those years. Oh, the drama!!! Having to deal with hormones, friends, school work, standards, self image, pimples and of course the big question, "What am I going to do for the rest of my life?" looming over head. He has been such a joy and is well on his way to getting his cell phone back.

Spencer was very nervous this week because he had his first project in drama class due. Along with the rest of the class, he was grouped together with a couple of other kids and asked to lip sing a song of their choice. He normally doesn't get stage fright, but I think this took performance anxiety up a notch. They chose the classic Wierd Al song, "White and Nerdy". Well, at the last minute one of boys decided he didn't want to cooperate and was kicked out, so they ended up having to rework the routine, but things went just fine anyway.

Grace hand sewed a little blanket for Sophia during our little blizzard, and is looking forward to getting her sewing machine up and running. We call her our "little mommy". She's also excited about a Chinese New Year party she's going to today. In school she's been working on a project about Anna Pavlova, and is still very enthusiastic about her dancing. Grace is an angel in our home.

Sophia told me this week she doesn't like school and was very happy to be home with me. I asked her if she likes her teacher, she said, "Oh yes, she's really nice.... but she makes us do a lot school work and I don't like that." So I told her that her teacher loves her and doesn't want her to be dumb, so she gives her school work so she can learn as much as possible. She thought that was funny and changed the subject. I think Sophia is going to be an interesting cookie, and quite possibly a little smarter than the rest of us.

Homemade Valentines

I love this Valentine, and am going to put a bunch together for my girls this weekend. It's quick, cheap, and easy. The only problem is, I can't remember where I found it, so here are some basic instructions off the top of my head. *Simply take a photo of your little one holding their fist out, toward you. Then print out the picture, make a little slit on the top and bottom of their hand and slip a lollipop in. I'm skipping the "Happy Valentine's Day" on the bottom though, and just having the girls sign on the back.

I made these Valentine flowers a few years ago and they were way easy. Just cut out two hearts with their bottoms still connected and fold in half. Do the same again, and then overlap. Poke a hole in the center of both, and slide the two through a lollipop stick. Put a piece of tape around the base of the petals to keep them from sliding down, and sign. If you need a template, do a search on Marthastewart.com, under crafts.

These two felt projects are also from Martha. I've made the fortune cookie Valentines and they're really simple, but a little time consuming. Tip: Make your kids do all the prep work. http://www.marthastewart.com/article/felt-fortune-cookies-from-the-martha-stewart-show

I've never made the heart bags, but they look pretty easy. This would make a fantastic VT gift for February! http://www.marthastewart.com/article/heart-felt-bag

Then when all your hard work is done, relax with this delicious looking raspberry swizzle. I found it on Lori's blog and she found it here: http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/2010/01/raspberry-rickey.html

LOST, LOST, LOST, LOST....

The last season of LOST starts tonight on ABC, 8/7 central. Be there or be square.

PS. Calico posted a most helpful tutorial for people, like me, who can't remember details of last season, since it's been so very long!!!

http://cally-cruze.blogspot.com/2010/02/and-rose-knows-something-shes-smart.html

Home Cures

I'm a huge fan of home remedies, partly because I HATE going to the doctor and inevitably catching some other unrelated funk, but mostly because I don't like taking unnecessary medications or having invasive procedures performed on my body. Plus, growing up with an Asian mom, I've learned to be suspicious of Western medicine and try everything I can to avoid having to see an actual trained physician.

Ginger, Tangerine tea with Honey: Use it when you feel a cold coming on. *Peel fresh ginger and boil it up with tangerine peels for 5 minutes or so. Serve it with a liberal amount of honey. The ginger and tangerine will open up your sinuses and sooth your throat as well as honey aka the "original throat lozenge". My mother also had me eat a spoonful of honey when I had a bump on my tongue.

Heating pads: LOVE MINE! Use for sore muscles, sleep issues or mild stomach aches. *Keep it on a low heat and try to avoid your lower back. You don't want to aggravate your kidneys! (PS. Years ago some of my Kentucky friends shared a secret to falling asleep quicker called "The Head Blanket"! Wrap a small blanket around your head and you'll be sleeping like a baby in no time. It's so weird, but it works.)

Seaweed: I know, I know, most of us Americans would gag, but seaweed is rich in iodine and iron and quite high in protein. It is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, magnesium and riboflavin (B2). It's also good for your hair and skin! My mom used to make a delicious chicken soup with seaweed when we were really sick or later, after we had our babies because it's so iron rich. * http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/miyuk-guk

Tiger Balm: Use it for headaches and migraines, stomach ache caused by trapped wind, stuffy nose, muscle aches and pain, and especially itching and pain caused by insect bites. *I believe it cures everything.... maybe even cancer and acne.

Here a few others I thought were interesting:

Home cure: Sugar
Use it for: Hiccups
A teaspoon of sugar swallowed dry can stop hiccups in minutes, says Andre Dubois, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine in the emerging infectious diseases graduate program at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. The sugar is believed to modify the nerve muscles that would otherwise tell the muscles in the diaphragm to contract spasmodically and contribute to hiccups.

Home cure: Duct tape
Use it for: Warts
Yes, this really does work! Covering warts with duct tape eliminates them better than freezing them off, according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. In the study, the duct tape eliminated 85% of the warts after 2 months, compared with 60% with the freezing method.
To use duct tape safely, clean the area. Then cut a piece of duct tape to a size slightly bigger than the wart. Apply the duct tape to the site and rub into place. Every 3 days, remove the tape and file down dead skin with a pumice stone or nail file. Repeat until the wart disappears. Chemicals in the tape suffocate and kill the wart.

Home cure: Baking soda
Use it for: Urinary tract infections
At the first sign of symptoms, drink a solution made with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda mixed in 8 ounces of water. Continue this once a day until you can get a culture done at a doctor’s office and start antibiotics. Baking soda makes the bladder environment more alkaline, which reduces bacteria’s ability to multiply, says Larrian Gillespie, MD, a retired assistant clinical professor of urology and urogynecology in Los Angeles.

Home cure: Apple
Use it for: Whiter teeth and bad breath
Crunchy fruits and vegetables act as little toothbrushes when you chew them; they have a natural cleansing action that works on tooth enamel to remove stains. In particular, “apples have a gentle malic acid that also helps dissolve stains,” says Jennifer Jabow, DDS, of Park 56 Dental in New York City.

...and last but not least, "Vicks on the soles of your feet to stop a nighttime cough". Does it work, does it not??? YES, I have tried this, and it works. Put Vicks Vapo rub on the soles of your feet and cover with socks when you go to bed to stop a persistent cough. It worked for me, seriously, and I have no idea why.

What are some home remedies you've tried?!!!

Sew Boring

OK, I think it's safe to say I've hit a blog time low and I don't see things changing anytime soon. Honestly, there's just not much to share, just piddling and cleaning. I might, however, start a new quilt today since it's snowing like crazy, and I suppose I could finish one of my numerous unfinished home improvement projects.... or not. I don't know. Sew boring. tee hee hee

Here's something kind of fun and kind of not, that I've been doing these last couple of weeks. I've been experimenting with pizza doughs, and have come across a great recipe and tweaked it a bit. It's super easy and versatile.

FAST AND EASY, THICK AND CHEWY PIZZA DOUGH:

1/2 – 3/4 c. warm water

1 T. dry active yeast

1 t. sugar

2 c. bread flour (add a couple of tsp of gluten if you have it)

1 T. olive oil

1/2 t. salt

A handful of cornmeal

1. Combine 1/4 c. water with yeast and sugar. Stir to dissolve the yeast, set aside until bubbly about 5 minutes.
2. Mix flour and salt, then add the oil.
3. Stir the yeast mixture into the flour mixture, adding water until it forms a ball you can work with. I start with a wooden spoon and then switch to using my fingers to squish and mix. Knead for a few minutes (I just knead it in the bowl). Cover with plastic wrap or another bowl and let stand for 5-10 minutes.
4. Spread the dough out on a surface sprinkled with cornmeal and shape into a round crust. Here's a tip from the original recipe (While messing around with the toppings–chopping things up, the dough rises enough. I don’t preheat the oven. Instead, I stick the pizza(s) in the oven with it cold, and let the crusts rise a little more as the oven heats up.) I use that tip for cinnamon rolls as well.
5. Put all the toppings on, brush the exposed crust with olive oil and bake at 400 or 425˚ 15 or 20 minutes or until done–I lift with a spatula to see if it’s brown on the bottom as well as watch the cheese).

This is the BEST pizza dough I've come across and it's seriously no fail. I made some last night in no time and topped mine with onions, olives, artichokes, peppers, feta and mozzarella cheeses. I didn't have mushrooms or fish however... bummer. There's nothing better than stinky, salty anchovies on pizza. YUMMMM!!! You could also roast garlic and knead it into the crust. I'll try that next time!

Boppy

For all you expecting or new moms out there-or better yet, friends of expecting or new moms out there, here is a tutorial I found on a sewing blog called, "Pressure Foot". I can't remember how I found this blog, but they have different sewing projects showcased monthly, with simple instructions and clear pictures. This one looks really easy. http://presserfoot.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-your-own-boppy.html

Coconut Cupcakes

Here's one of my most favorite recipes from one of my most favorite cooks and TV personalities, Ina Garten, aka "The Barefoot Contessa". Her recipes are typically simple and fresh, very delicious and somewhat old fashioned with a twist! This cupcake recipe, however, is a little difficult to make the first time, but don't let that discourage you!!! They are absolutely delicious and unique because of the almond extract she uses in both the batter and frosting.

COCONUT CUPCAKES

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk
14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

For the frosting:
1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.
Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.
Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

The Martha Show, and a Few More Good Blogs

I'm sitting here watching the Martha Stewart Show and cheering on Andrew Richie, who I told you about in my last post. He is a guest today, showcasing his blog, "Martha Moments" (the link is on my previous post) and is doing a great job! Hands down, he's the biggest Martha fan. I'm loving the other guests as well and added their blogs to my sidebar. Here they are for you to check out if you're interested:





The first is Jeff Blumenkrantz, who was inspired by the book, "Julie and Julia". His blog, "Jeff and Martha" http://jeffandmartha.blogspot.com/ chronicles his experiences cooking all of her recipes in her, "Martha Stewart's Cooking School" cookbook:

"Over the next year, I will take every "lesson" and cook every recipe in this gorgeous book, documenting my progress on this blog. I'm not going to go in any kind of logical order, like Julie did. It's going to be random, but I will be thorough and complete. And it is my hope that at the end of the twelve months, I will have achieved a new level of comfort, sophistication, and expertise in the kitchen, I will have fed the people in my life some beautiful food, and I will have, in some small way, incorporated into my own life Martha's amazing commitment to excellence."

____________________________________________

The next is a cooking blog called "Chez Pim". It is written by a very talented lady, Pim Techamuanvivit who is also the author of a wonderful book titled, "The Foodie Handbook". Her blog is full of beautiful pictures and lots of yummy recipes.

"Chez Pim chronicles her globetrotting adventures –and misadventures- in the world of all things edible, from vibrant street-side fares in Asia to the refined world of Three Michelin Star restaurants in Europe. Pim also cooks a mean pot of curry."

I can't wait to try her fig tart recipe!!! http://www.chezpim.com/blogs/


____________________________________

Alexis Stewart and Jennifer Koppelman-Hutt have a blog literally split down the middle, much like their radio and television shows. This is a fun blog as well for people who like to cook and decorate. I LOVE watching people go through the process of creating and sort of living vicariously! There are really good recipes on this blog as well. http://www.whateverradio.com/website/blogs.php

Happy blogging!!!

Blogs of Interest

Here are a few good blogs that I have enjoyed over the past couple of weeks. So much so, I don't really care about posting anything new on mine.

The first is a fantastic wood working blog I found through Lori's "Be Different Act Normal" blog. It's called http://knockoffwood.blogspot.com/. This girl has a passion for building and shares her talent by posting plans for various projects she finds in catalogues such as, Pottery Barn, Land of Nod, Restoration Hardware, etc.... Her plans are super easy to follow and are a fraction of the cost of the original! Check it out, you'll LOVE it!!!

The next is a relatively new blog started by Martha Stewart's friend and Senior Vice President/Executive Editorial Director/Executive Creative Director/ Merchandising for MSLO. His blog takes us through the moving in and remodeling process he's going through in his new, very beautiful apartment in New York City. It's just a fun blog for anyone interested in decorating and classic contemporary style. http://homedesign.marthastewart.com/

Last but not least, http://marthamoments.blogspot.com/. Andrew Richie is one hard core Martha fan.... way more informed and dedicated than I am! He keeps me updated on all the new Martha products, and has a fantastic archive of everything Martha. This is how he describes his blog. "Martha Stewart news, resources and events with original essays on lifestyle topics. Have your Martha moment right here!" AND, this Thursday morning, he will be making cards with Martha Kostyra Stewart, on her show! I can't wait to watch.

The More Things Change...

I can't help but get a little nostalgic around the holidays. Watching the kids open presents and play with their new toys and gadgets brings back so many fun memories of doing the same things with, many of the very same toys and gadgets.... well, modified a bit! Maybe things haven't changed much after all.

Two of the toys I remember most when I was really little are of course, "Easy Bake Oven" and "Sew Easy". These are both available today, again, slightly modified, but still just as fun for kids and just as annoying for parents, because they require constant supervision. Not that I mind playing with my kids, I just think it's more fun for kids to play with other kids, learning together, with other kids.

Underoos were an AWESOME gift, and I especially loved the hard to find "Super girl" ones. The "Wonder woman" underoos were pretty cool too, but came with a bunchy undershirt instead of a bra-like top. Unfortunately they aren't available today, but there are many other cartoon/toy themed underpants for kids to enjoy.... it's just too bad they're not as cool as underoos.

I also loved playing with little dolls and figures. I was obsessed with Barbie, but when I was feeling a little more granola, "The Sunshine Family" was just the ticket. I loved their Walton's-like clothing and creepy round eyes. Today my girls love Barbie as well, but I don't think there's anything like "The Sunshine Family"on the market. Now the stores carry other dolls like those "Bratz" dolls that look like little prostitutes.

-Another one of my all-time favorites were "The Little People" play sets. Most of mine were hand-me-downs, so I had the super vintage cool sets like the barn with the sliding loft doors, but I do remember getting a new set of the Sesame Street figures in the early 80's and loving them! "Little People" dolls are still sold today.

Barbie was probably my most favorite toy ever, but along with the dolls, I LOVED the "Barbie Fashion Maker". Using the embossed plastic plates, carbon paper, and hand crank, you could design a limitless number of high fashion sketches and then color them however you pleased. This toy is still being made, but much improved. You don't need the carbon paper anymore, so there isn't a big mess, with black fingerprints and smudges everywhere.

Most of us at one time or another, ended up with a "Cabbage Patch Doll". These were not my favorites, but I begged my mom for one anyway because, well, everyone else had them. Much like those ridiculous "Silly Bands" or "Web kins" of today.

When I was around 12 years old, we got a Nintendo for Christmas. I vividly remember that morning, opening up the package with my sister and screaming in delight. We then spent the rest of the day playing "Super Mario Bro." and trying like heck to rescue the princess after a couple bowls of "Nut & Honey Crunch" cereal for breakfast. We didn't make much progress, but after several hundred hours of practice, we not only saved the princess, but became hands down, the "Super Mario Bro." champions of the world. Unbelievably, my parents still have this Nintendo and it still works. Once in a while, Candice and I show off our mad "Mario" skills for the family, but most of the time our kids play with it. Funny too, considering with all the high speed gaming systems of today, "Super Mario Bro." on the original Nintendo still rocks the house!

Later during our teen years, I wanted more sophisticated and mature things, like "Jelly Shoes", "Multiples" (that line of versatile clothing that could be a skirt... or a top... or a tube scarf... or a hat... or a belt... or a spaghetti strainer) and cool hair accessories/gadgets. Clairol's "Benders" worked really well on dry permed hair like mine and made it much easier keep my banana clips in. I don't think much has changed. Teens today are still wearing really cool clothes and sensible shoes.

Christmas 2009

Christmas Hats...

Christmas Smiles...

Christmas Coal...

Oh Christmas Tree...

Christmas Nativities...

Christmas Wonder