For us in Maine, winter means hot chocolate. I admit, when we were first married, I bought the powdered hot chocolate mix that you add to hot water. Never again...
Heat on stove or in microwave
1 cup milk
Add
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon stevia (or 2 tablespoons sugar)
I haven't done a price comparison of this to store bought. Store bought might be cheaper, but this is far yummier and made from real ingredients, so we'll go with this.
Baking Powder
In a quest to clear my home of all genetically modified foods, I discovered my baking powder has cornstarch as it's leading ingredient. I remembered the Tightwad Gazette
had discussed baking powder alternatives. Amy Dacyczyn's baking soda and cream of tartar recipe will save a fraction of a penny each time you use it, as well as being a natural, non-GMO alternative.The formula is a little tricky, but it works perfectly. I made this chart that I taped to my old box of baking powder, which now holds my cream of tarter. For each part of baking powder called for, use 1/4 part baking soda and 1/2 part cream of tartar.
Spaghetti squash
Spaghetti squash is my version of fast food. Dan has been home for more meals while he is on Christmas vacation from school. To save me some time in the kitchen, I have turned to spaghetti squash, which is cheap right now.
I cut the squash into quarters and use one quarter in the place of pasta in recipes. It cost roughly the same as my pasta recipe, depending on how large the squash is. It saves me about fifteen minutes of hands on prep time in making and fermenting dough, rolling it out and cutting it. I just boil the squash for 20 minutes, peel off the skin, and mix it in with the rest of my dish.
I get most of my produce from a local market that gets shipments from Boston to Maine three times a week, sorry locavores. I have no idea where they came from before they got to Boston. I don't imagine they are grown there. This small market has the best produce prices I have ever seen, and it almost always beats my 10% discount on Walmart produce. They are the reason for my $1 per pound produce rule, because they have an amazing variety of produce that fits into that category.
204 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 204 of 204Wow, people. Get A Life. Some of the commenters here are astoundingly bossy, patronizing, hateful and MEAN. It's a BLOG, and you are CHOOSING to read it. Cripes. Take what you like and leave the rest. From my corner: get on with your bad self, Emily. Do what you need to do. I don't know everything about your life or your eating patterns and I DON'T CARE. I think you're a good writer and your blog is interesting... and, unlike some folks here, I don't believe you are trying to tell me how to live MY life. So I won't tell you how to live YOURS. Seriously, people. You are big old meanies.
Emily, I just wanted to make a comment about you not wanting to take iron supplements. All my doctors and even my midwife have always recommended prenatal supplements during pregnancy and while I breastfeed, even though I have never had low levels. I am still breastfeeding my 20 month old and take the prenatals when I remember. You can get a bottle at Walmart for around $4.50 and even if you just take one every other day I bet you it would help sort out your iron levels. And, with the fact that you will probably become pregnant someday in the future, the folic acid is a must!
I just read this in a health magazine and thought I would repeat it: Research has found that certain birth defects can occur if there is not enough folic acid in the diet. Because these birth defects occur in the first days of pregnancy-before a woman even knows she is pregnant - it is recommended that she always take a folic acid supplement.
The other important nutrient for women in their childbearing years is iron. Iron is lost in the menses each month. Also, during pregnancy, the need increases from 18mg to 27mg per day. These levels are difficult to get from food, so it is recommended to take a supplement.
Emily~
If you want to maintain your long-term fertility, as well as living your values, I recommend that you stop eating factory-farmed meat and dairy. Conventionally-raised animals have been fed antibiotics that increase antibiotic-resistance in humans, as well as growth hormones that act as xenoestrogens in humans and mess up our hormone levels and fertility. I can send you some links if you wish, but I can't seem to copy the urls here for you. I haven't checked prices, but here is a source of grass-fed meat/dairy for you! www.eatwild.com/products/maine.html
Sondra Rose, if you could email me any other links, I would be intereseted. Price is my biggest hurdle, but shopping around can often overcome that. (:
emilykate84@yahoo.com
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