Update on the food experimentations
As I posted a couple of entries ago, I've been buying most of my food at a farmer's market. It's so cool because I can take a $20 bill in there, and I walk out with enough veggies to fill my refrigerator. For example, last week, we saw a man who had garlic for sale. For one small bulb, they want 50 cents at the cheapest grocery store around. Here, he had some enormous bulbs that were $3 per handful. We got three enormous bulbs of garlic, plus, he threw in some small ones, and a few cloves of elephant garlic. We've literally got enough to last us for a long time.
We've also been limiting the amount of food we buy from a box, bag, can, etc. If I want it, even if it's junk food, I have to make it. My kids fussed about the stuffed peppers, and I was the only one that liked the gumbo, but all in all, not too bad.
In that first month, I have lost 8lbs. Most of that was from exercise, but it's been backed up by a solid eating plan. I also saved $300-400 dollars on my dining bill!!! That won't be as much in the winter months when the market is closed, but we still plan on getting our veggies then. I did break down once, and bought a box of Hamburger Helper. It tasted dead. That's really the best word to describe it. It tasted like it had sat in a box, and didn't have any natural flavors. Nasty.
My next plan is to get a little attachment for my breadmaker, get some glass jars, and make big batches of non-rising bread dough. Mix up the flour and everything but the water ahead of time. These jars go in the cabinet, and every day, I take out a jar, add the proper amount of water, and make a fresh loaf of bread right before supper, so it's still nice and hot. That way, I can also control the ingredients in it. Put lots of whole grains and no sugar, and do away with the overly processed stuff that is made to sit on a shelf for a week.
In other words, I couldn't be more pleased with the results.
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kudos to you!
that's really inspiring, IG! i have been wanting and meaning to make a change for the healthier over on this homestead but have been so undisciplined about it.....
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Eh, I have the time. Why
Eh, I have the time. Why not do something good with it? My husband started to question some of the things I want to do in the future, such as making my own bread, but I told him, "Look, I'm not going to start catching and cleaning my own fish, churning my own butter, or making my own soap. But I have time to make bread!" lol
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the smell
of freshly baked bread alone is reason enough to take up baking your own at home!! yumm....mouth watering over here!
Airing my dirty laundry at: Peacocks on Leashes
Sounds great!
And losing so much weight too, that's GREAT! I seem to be stuck - or sliding backwards - in that department.
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Brenna
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Trust me, I think it's
Trust me, I think it's because of the exercise, rather than the diet. I've been working out an hour and a half each day, plus some weights. I mean, considering all the food changes and exercise, I'm kind of surprised it isn't more. I'm not complaining, mind you. I've dropped several sizes, and because this is a lifestyle change rather than a diet, I'll be more likely to keep the weight off.
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That is awsome!
I love the bread part! Such a great idea! I used to have a breadmaker (killed by kids!) and have been meaning to buy a new one. We always loved the taste of it and this just gives me the incentive to look for a new one.
Also, there have been lots of things I've been wanting to try - like making jam. I'm sure I can come up with all kinds of other ideas at a farmers market - which we've had in Roseville for a million years!
STALKING EDGAR ON MYSPACE
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Yep.
Breadmakers are so inexpensive anymore, and if I'm baking it every day, I don't need one that does a large size.
We literally struggle sometimes with spending the whole $20. But we figure that spending the $20 there is saving us at least $40 at the grocery store, so we'd better find something. There is one that operates on Saturday, and it has ALLL kinds of cool stuff ranging from homemade root beer to ostrich eggs (in addition to the veggies). The other is geared more towards veggies with the occasional baked item or craft thrown in.
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Seems like ladies corner here
I'm a guy that likes to cook, and especially eat home cooked meals that don't rattle out of a box.
All of those preservatives hidden away inside, mostly salt it seems like, along with flavor enhancers(what are those) or soy(which my wife blames for increased hot flashes...yuck)and we now read labels and avoid.
I'm a farmers' market hound myself...great local produce, nothing else tastes as fresh or looks as good.
About home baked bread IntricateGirl have you ever tried "Beer Batter Bread"? It's really easy to make, and has a unique flavor...I'm serious here it takes 2 cups of self rising flour(whole wheat or white), one 12 ounce can of beer(domestic or imported...I go cheap). You can make it(stir the ingredients, don't over mix)right in a greased loaf pan, bake about twenty five minutes, or until the top is golden brown in a 350 degree oven. The small amount of alchol in the beer is lost in the baking process(for those who obstain).
We love it warm with creamery butter spread on it. It has a smell and taste like home made yeast bread. It goes great with pasta ,salads, or as in my case with one of those remaining beers, and a slice of cheddar.
2cat
Oooh. That sounds yummy,
Oooh. That sounds yummy, and REALLY easy! I've got to try that one. So it's just beer and flour?
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Yep that's all it takes IntricateGirl
unless you like garlic flavored bread...then you might experiment a little. I sometimes rub butter on the top and shake a small amount of garlic powder on the top(I haven't tried real garlic)...It is really good, and it's just that easy to make(that's the beauty of it). Oh yeah, it has to be "self rising" flour as far as I know.
If you try it let me know what you think, my daughter requests it now(she thinks dad is cool when he's baking...or stir frying. That badge or honor is worth it's weight in gold to me.
Best of luck 2cat. Thanks for the nice "come-back" comment IntricateGirl.
I went to the grocery store
I went to the grocery store and got some beer last night, just so I could make this. See, the weird part is, I NEVER drink beer. My husband and I bot hate the stuff. So we're walking around the beer aisle, and I tell him to humor me and pick out some beer. My son starts jumping up and down in the beer aisle yelling, "We're getting root beer, we're getting root beer!" I quickly tell him to hush, and explain the difference between the two. lol
My husband brought over the beer and told me that he almost picked out a Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, but decided to get something more standard. I explained why I wanted it, and told him he picked a good one. But now that I think of it, Guinness would have been amazing. It's one of the only beers I can tolerate, and a bread made with it would have smelled soooo good. :D Maybe next time.
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beer batter bread
my god, that sounds so delcious. i am gonna have to try it!!!! maybe with the guinness too! :-D
Airing my dirty laundry at: Peacocks on Leashes