Breakfast for the family

 Looking for something to fill those tummies before everyone runs off to their daily routine in this cold weather. Try some of these recipes:

Banana Nut Waffles

Denver Sandwich

Sausage Mushroom Breakfast Casserole

Country Breakfast

Huevos Rancheros Tacos

Banana Oat Cakes

Healthy Carbs

Carbohydrates are our body's main source of energy and supports proper functioning of our organs. The list includes bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereal, fruits, vegetables and beans (just to name a few). The key is eating the ones that offer the most nutritional value for their portion. As you can see, according to Harvard School of Public Health, your full fledged carbs (pasta, rice, potatoes, grains) should only cover 1/4 of your plate. Now that doesn't mean you should go buy bigger plates to accommodate your carb habit, it means to choose your carbs carefully.

Whole grains provide more nutritional benefits than refined grains. The bran, which is a source of fiber, the germ, which is a source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and the endosperm, which is where you get the carbs, are all included in the whole grains. The only thing you get from the refined grains is the endosperm, the carbs. Whole grains are also rich in photochemicals and antioxidants which help to protect you from heart disease, some cancers and Diabetes.

Some whole grain suggestions:

Brown or wild rice
Barley
Buckwheat
Rye
Rolled Oats
Quinoa
Couscous
Bulgar
Spelt
Popcorn

Carbohydrates
Health Gains from Whole Grains

Jagerschnitzel

My husband was stationed in Germany when he was in the Army, before we met, and he has always asked if I could find a recipe for Jagerschnitzel. Well I finally found one thanks to a friend on one of my recipe sites. It is very easy to make and very very tasty.  Just serve with some french fries and you have a great meal.

When I buy a roast I cut it into 1 lb. portions, to use in different dishes, to help stretch our food budget. I use some for stir-frys, some for stews/casseroles, and some for steaks. I used some of my steaks for this recipe. All you need to do is pound it with the pointed side of a meat mallet to flatten it out and tenderize the meat before you bread it.

I used fresh mushrooms in my preperation instead of canned.

Jagerschnitzel

Just goes to show you never know what road life will take

*YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW*

Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on ground.

The man slowly looked up.

This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new and she looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.

His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.. "Leave me alone," he growled.... To his amazement, the woman continued standing.

She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows.

"Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away." The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

"This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it.."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business.."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled....... "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a godly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, maam. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this." She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.. "Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said.. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble... Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons...He's the personnel director of my company.
I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is
always opened to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus...... He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways.... "Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And.. And thank you for the coffee."

Winter Veggies

Winter is the time where we have less available in the produce department that is in season and therefore cost effective. Below is a list of what IS in season this time of year so you have a better idea of what to look for when you go to the store for fresh produce. Buying foods in season gives you the best quality and flavor. Produce that isn't grown locally is picked not fully ripened, to withstand shipping, and has not developed its full flavor.

I will also share links to recipes I find that I like using these veggies. You will find all the recipe links on my Recipe Index page.

Veggie                                                                 Benefits

Artichokes                                                         Fiber, Vitamin C, Magnesium, copper, Potassium,
                                                                               Phosphorus

Avacados                                                           Vitamins A,C, and E, Potassium, Fiber, Iron

Bok Choy                                                            Vitamins C and A, Folate

Broccoli                                                              Vitamin C, Folate, Fiber, Calcium, Iron

Broccoli Rabe                                                   Vitamin C, Iron

Brussel Sprouts                                                Vitamins C and A, Folate, Potassium

Cabbage                                                              Vitamins A and C

Cauliflower                                                         Vitamin C, Folate, Fiber

Celery Root                                                        Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron

Jerusalem Artichokes                                   Iron, Thiamin, Potassium, Phosphorus, Copper,
                                                                                Fiber, Vitamin C, Niacin

Kale                                                                       Vitamins A and C, Calcium, Iron

Lettuce                                                                 Vitamins A and C

Parsnips                                                               Vitamin C, Folate

Radishes                                                              Vitamin C

Rhubarb                                                               Fiber, Vitamin C

Rutabaga                                                             Vitamins C and A

Salisfy                                                                   Fiber, Vitamins C and B-6, Riboflavin, Potassium

Snow Peas                                                           Vitamin C

Squash (hard varieties)                                 Vitamins A and C, Potassium, Fiber, Folate, Thiamin

Potatoes                                                              Vitamins  C and B-6, Fiber, Copper, Folate,
                                                                                Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Niacin, Iron,
                                                                                Calcium. Sweet Potatoes:  also add Vitamin A

Turnips                                                                Vitamin C

Watercress                                                         Vitamins A and C

Moussaka

I prepared a dish last night that got me doing a little research. I found that it is a Greek dish with Middle Eastern roots. It is a layered dish traditionally made with eggplant and lamb topped with a Bechamel sauce. It has variations using zucchini, potatoes and sauteed mushrooms.

Greek Cuisine dates back some 4000 years. With the first cookbook being written by the ancient Greek poet Archestratus sometime in the mid 4th century B.C. It is a cuisine that is known for its frugality with wine and olive oil being at the center of it and fish being the most common source of protein. The most common ingredients in Greek cuisine are wheat, barley, tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, green beans, okra, onions, garlic, thyme, oregano, mint, dill, bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, citrus, honey, nuts, and various cheeses with meats consisting of fish, goat and sheep.

Moussaka Recipe

Bountiful Baskets

This is an organization that can help you buy produce. The cost is $15 per food basket with an option to upgrade to organics and also add bread items to your basket. You can get up to 3 baskets per visit.  It is currently operating in the states of AZ, CO, GA, ID, KS, KY, MT, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA and WY.

 Bountiful Baskets