You are here: Home / Archives for Food

Using Kefir

So, today we learn how to use kefir. If you missed yesterday’s explanation of what kefir is, you can go HERE to read it. Oh, and if you’re wondering how to pronounce it, say it like this – key-fur. Yeah, I know you were puzzling over that. We’re really loving kefir in the Myers house. I am thankful that my good friend introduced me to it. I love the health benefits and the fact that it’s so much cheaper than sour cream and buttermilk. Buttermilk is so stinking expensive……must come from some kind of golden cow. Sorta like gasoline comes from some kind of golden…….uh, pump? [Read more…]

What is Kefir?

I’m sure most of you are like “huh?” You’ve never heard of kefir…..and I hadn’t either, until two of my friends told me about it. They were both using it and hailed the benefits of it. I shook it off myself, thinking, “nah, this is not for me.” I was wrong!  I was sick a little last year, and I had to take antibiotics. If you know anything about antibiotics, you know that they are hard on your stomach. I had problems with them, and my friend told me that I needed to eat lots of probiotics – she was right. Once I upped my probiotics, I got better fast. Now I’m making kefir every day…….do I have your attention now?What is kefir? Basically, it’s fermented milk. That sounds pretty nasty, right? When I was told what it was, my first thought was “Ew!” Kefir tastes somewhat like buttermilk. It can be used as a substitute for buttermilk, plain yogurt, or sour cream.  It’s chocked full of probiotics – it’s really, really good for you. It’s full of vitamins, minerals, and it is very easy to digest since it’s already partially broken down. It will keep yeast infections at bay…..sorry guys. Pretend you didn’t hear that. Some people who are lactose intolerant are able to drink kefir without a problem. There are TONS and TONS of health benefits. Go here to Dom’s Kefir Site to read them all. You can buy kefir at the store, usually in the health food section, or you can make your own. I am making my own, so let me show you how. It is very cheap to make once you get started. [Read more…]

Meatless Monday

I’ll just tell you right now, I am NOT a vegetarian. I love meat. Some days, I can’t think of anything else in the world that would taste better than a hamburger. My daddy is a cattle farmer, so it would probably break his heart if I swore off meat. Yes, I know there are some of you out there who can live without it…..but I’m not one of you. Sorry. You stand alone. You and I can meet over a piece of chocolate cake. So, you might wonder why Barry and I go meatless on Mondays. Well, we do it on Mondays partly because it’s a national movement, but I’m going to get serious here for  a minute. We do it on Monday because………….I like alliteration and I just like how it sounds. Meatless Monday. Meatless Monday. See? It totally works. Just like Fishy Friday. On Friday I used to always serve fish – until Annie came along and now most fish makes me want to be sick. Not sure why. Hope it’s a phase that passes. I still serve fish on Friday when I can stomach it.

Ya know, I don’t want you to think I’m this big environmental activist who is going meatless on Monday to save all the cows. Nope, not it at all. I do it because it’s cheaper. Big shock, right? Leaving meat out of one meal per week can save you about $20 a month. Think about how much you can do with $20! Well, me anyway – I can do a lot with 20 bucks.  Depending on what type of meat you’re cutting out, it could be more than that. I know that I use reusable bags, make my own laundry detergent, use cloth diapers, dry my diapers in the sun, and use my bread bags over again…….but it’s not the environment that’s my main concern. (God calls us to take care of His earth, so act responsible, okay? If everyone would do that, there wouldn’t be an issue.). There are two reasons for all those things: 1. It’s better for my family. 2. It’s cheaper. There ya go. [Read more…]

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

***UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits. (7/10/11)

I found myself with an overabundance of crescent rolls that I needed to get rid of. I also found myself with a craving for cinnamon rolls. How convenient! I love when stuff like that happens. These little gems are so quick you’ll be totally amazed. Your kids will think you hung the moon when you tell them you MADE cinnamon rolls instead of BAKED them. Well, you baked them too. Hmmm. Nevermind. Homemade cinnamon rolls blow these out of the water, but these are still very tasty and good for a quick breakfast. Maybe I’ll tackle homemade cinnamon rolls in another post. 🙂 [Read more…]

Pancake Mix Muffins

*UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits.(7/10/11)

If you stockpile, you MIGHT find yourself with an overabundance of pancake mix. Yes, it’s true. Sometimes you cannot eat enough pancakes to keep your stock from running over. And let me tell ya, we eat a LOT of pancakes. So, I was thinking……what can I do with all this pancake mix? Well, surely to goodness if I can make pancakes from muffin mix I can make muffins from pancake mix…….right? Yes! I am here to offer tons of options for you. I am Mommy – hear me ROAR! Wow, that sounded a little scary. Ignore that part. Let’s make muffin tops – in a GOOD way! And you might want to put your sweatpants on. [Read more…]

Muffin Mix Pancakes

*UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits.(7/10/11)

Have you made pancakes from muffin mix before? If not, you’ve really been missing out…..if so, pretend you haven’t and be amazed anyway.  Pancakes made from muffin mix are really quick and easy. And the flavor possibilities – oh my!!!! You could have Strawberry Pancakes, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Honey Bran Pancakes, or Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes, and on and on and on. Or, you could make this version – Blueberry Cheesecake Pancakes. I’m not lying when I tell you that Barry made “yum yum” noises all the way through his plate….and Annie cried when hers were gone. Yes, they are THAT good. They can make a grown man weep. Let’s make some flap jacks! [Read more…]

Pantry Salsa

It’s no big surprise to anyone that I’m in love with Trigger’s Salsa. Seriously, it’s the best salsa I’ve ever put in my mouth……but here’s the kicker – I don’t like to share. Take your hands off my salsa or I might bite you. So, sometimes I need salsa for a recipe or to serve to someone other than myself. I sure ain’t gonna give them my Trigger’s. They can get their own at Walgreens or Food City. When that’s the case, I make this – Pantry Salsa. It’s a Taste of Home recipe and I’ve been making it for years. It’s Barry’s favorite salsa…..tastes just like what they serve at restaurants – and it’s CHEAP! So, let’s make some and make our families happy…..while we hide our Trigger’s behind the pickled pigs feet so no one can find it. [Read more…]

Grape Salad

***UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits. (7/10/11)

Barry loves Grape Salad……loves it. Annie loves grapes in general. Mommy doesn’t love grapes. Nope. I think I’ll pass. Thank you anyway. I make this for Barry though because I love the man – he fixes my mess-ups (like accidentally dropping a whole potato in the garbage disposal)  and he deals with my mood swings. He deserves a medal of honor…..and Grape Salad galore.  Let’s make it! [Read more…]

Spicy Crunchy Chickpeas

I saw this recipe in All You magazine and it reminded me that I really liked these. It had been a long while since I had made them, so I decided to try again. I thought it would make a good tutorial because they’re quick and easy. I’m always looking for good, nutritious snacks for Annie so I thought this might be good – and boy, was I right! Good grief. I couldn’t feed them to her fast enough……and when I finally cut her off, she sat in her chair and cried like it was the end of the world. So, if you need a good snack for your kids, this might fit the bill. They are a little bit messy because of the spices, but I just consider it a little extra character to add to Annie’s face and my kitchen floor. [Read more…]

Black Bean Burgers – Take Two

I have a Black Bean Burger recipe on this site already…and I almost deleted it. Why? A Facebook friend posted this lovely recipe and I had to try it. Now, Barry and I don’t eat veggie burgers because they’re good for you. Yes, they are good for you….but we just like them.  We are not vegetarians. We love pigs. So, I tried this new recipe and it was DIVINE! I told Barry I was going to delete my old one because it was inferior to this masterpiece. He said no. So, I didn’t. This new burger is full of cilantro, so if you don’t care for that (weirdo!) then you’ll want to stick with my other recipe. Let’s get healthy…..or get gas…..or maybe both, who knows. [Read more…]