FORKS OVER KNIVES

PAREMESAN RISOTTO WITH MUSHROOMS AND SPRING ASPARAGUS

This was our Meatless Monday dish this week. Risotto is such a delicious  meal. It's heartier than a regular rice dish so it's perfect for MM because it's filling. Richard wanted something more than the risotto so he also had a couple of bean burritos from the left-overs in the fridge.  I was so afraid to give risotto a try the first time, but once you try it you will wonder why? I guess the only drawback is that it does take some attention. While it's cooking you do need to stir it to keep it from sticking, but if you have everything else ready to go and do the risotto last, the time goes by quickly.  You'll want to serve it as soon as it's done. It takes about 20 minutes or so.

You may be wondering what the title of this blog refers to?? Well, I just heard about another 'foodie' type movie coming out. It's called Forks Over Knives and will be featured on the Dr. Oz show today. I found out about it on FB through one of my groups. I normally don't watch Dr. Oz but I may try to today.  The title refers to  the choice of 'plant protein' vs. 'animal protein' in our diets.  There are several clips on you tube about the subject along with a few trailers of the movie if you are interested. 

I can easily be a vegetarian, but I'm not sure I could go to a vegan diet. I like eggs! I think that we sometimes forget to take baby steps. It's easy to fall off the wagon when  making DRAMATIC choices, but it's much easier to make small changes that can last a lifetime. We've cut back dramatically in our meat consumption, but this new information drives me to include meatless meals as many days of the week as possible. 

I say that, but also think about the big ol HAM in my freezer that I purchased last week because it was on sale and we like ham!!! Once again, I think moderation is as important as anything. My family is not ready to become vegetarians (my daughter already is) even though I might be. Grilling season is upon us and already my 'guys' are talking burgers and brats!

Just thought I'd mention that movie and see if anyone else has heard any 'buzz' about it and what your thoughts are?

Here is my latest fun craft project! I made it last night while watching TV. It cost me a total of $0! I had a large box of butcher paper on hand from when my parents closed down their home. I knew that someday I'd find a use for it. I have so much of it I think I'll make a few more of these to give away!! The white is a nice 'springtime' touch!

STEP 1: TEAR OFF A LONG PIECE OF PAPER AND SCRUNCH IT UP INTO A WREATH FORM

CUT OUT MANY CIRCLES. THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE EXACT. MAKE THREE SIZES.

AFTER SCRUNCHING UP ALL THE PIECES, USE YOUR GLUE GUN TO LAYER SM/MD/LG. TEAR OFF A SMALL PIECE OF PAPER AND FORM INTO A BALL AND GLUE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE BLOSSOM.

GLUE THEM TO THE WREATH AND ADD LEAVES EVERY SO OFTEN. CUT OUT A LEAF FORM, SCRUNCH PAPER, THEN PINCH ONE END TOGETHER BEFORE GLUING.

MEATLESS MONDAY - ZITI

One of our favorite meatless dishes is baked ziti.  Once in a while I make this dish and add 1/4 pound of proscuitto.  I chop it up and stir it into the dish. It's delicious either way!  This is a very easy dish to prepare. In fact, I think it would be possible for a child to make this with a little supervision!



BAKED ZITI

In a 9x13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking oil, combine the following ingredients:

8 oz. ricotta

1 tsp. salt

2 c. ziti ( I sometimes use mini ziti)

1  jar of your favorite marinara sauce

(I use my own homemade sauce - 1 quart)

3 c. water

Stir all ingredients to combine and top with 2 c. mozarella cheese.

Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes.

Adjust your baking time according to how hot your over is.

The casserole is done when the liquid is absorbed.

Remember: if you want to add a little meat flavor,

add 1/4 lb. chopped proscuitto.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS AND GARDENING!!

What I am looking forward to! This is one of my favorite garden photos.

Sorry I have been quiet the past couple of weeks. We are in the middle of a big remodel or redo of our living/dining room and once that is done, we will start on the kitchen. We're getting all new floors, new painted walls, window treatments, and new cupboards and counters in the kitchen.  We've lived here for 20+ years now with very few improvements so it is past due! 

We've lived in apartments, duplexes, huge farmhouses, and this little 'cottage'. It's a small unassuming house, but we like it here. The size suits us, especially now that the kids are grown. We have one tiny bathroom and it was quite a challenge when we had 2 teens in the house, but we managed.  Contentment is a way of life for us. Living simply and being happy have always been our pursuits. It was not uncommon for visitors to comment that our home felt peaceful. 

There were certainly times when we had stress and peace seemed far off, but for the most part, we have been happy here, raising our family and enjoying country life! Gardening has always been a part of our lives. Richard was an avid gardener when I met him. He owned a garden tiller...when other 20 year olds own hot rods! We've been married almost 37 years and only a few years ago he had to replace that garden tiller with a new one! It served us well.

Once again, we are nearing planting and tilling time. Hopefully the painting and flooring will be in the living room before that happens. We are planning to wait to start the kitchen until the weather gets warm enough for us to do our cooking on the deck. All the appliances will have to be removed from the kitchen and it won't be an overnight project! Richard is building the cabinets himself. He did that years ago in a house we lived in and they were beautiful. He's talented like that!

I'm looking forward to the challenge of no stove and cooking on the grill! It should provide lots of opportunity for creative cooking! I can't wait to show you the kitchen when it's done. I'll post pictures to update on our progress as we go along. OOPS...I posted the 'after' pic and then the 'before'!

After tearing out the old, stained, cruddy carpet and painting over the red walls. The door has not been painted. I'm not sure what color I'm going to piant it yet! The paint is called 'shell flower'. When the sun shines in the room it's pretty yellow...will take some getting used to!!

Before: living/ dining room. RED walls...We used tinted primer and it only took one coat to cover after the primer! Behr paint from Home Depot!!

All winter we don't buy tomatoes for salad. We keep eating salad but I just can't stand those winter tomatoes that taste like cardboard! This weekend there were Florida tomatoes at the grocery and they taste so good! I broke down and bought some and will have them for dinner tomorrwo in a taco salad. I wish I could only eat local food, but living in NW Ohio just doesn't provide that oppportunity. So, we just do the best we can to eat in a consciuos way, and will soon be enjoying our own lettuce, spinach, arugala, scallions, kohlrabi, asparagus, and pea pods...straight from the garden! Those are the first things we will harvest.  I can't wait!

Are you gardening??