About Being Meatless....

So, I started reading this blog.  It will remain nameless - but the author is a vegan.  She makes all kind of vegan treats - baked goods, savory dishes, and juices (hence my inspiration for this juice).  Her views made me curious.  I wanted to see what would happen if I lived a mostly meat-free existence. 

The kids have been good sports - and only our evening meals for them are meat-free.  The girls still eat turkey sandwiches for lunch and Josh eats whatever it is the school cafeteria calls nourishment. 

Like any lifestyle, there are pros and cons to a vegetarian lifestyle.  First, let's start with some qualifiers : I'm eating fish, and I've only been meat-free for a week or so.  Also, I used a ham bone to make our soup last night.  Rob thinks I've gone bonkers, but really my motivations for doing this included simple curiosity and trying to pass the time [while he left on a skiing vacation for ten days]. 

Our meals - well, I'll be honest - they're nothing special.  Tuna-noodle casserole, anyone?  I still remember the first time I tasted tuna noodle casserole - it was at Emily Anderson's house in fifth grade and her mom put potato chips on top.  I remember it tasting way better when I was ten. 

Then there was this - some sort of orzo and broccoli-cauliflower mix with cheese. 

 

It was okay - it would have tasted a little better with chicken, maybe?  Here's the thing about a meat-free existence - you eat a lot of carbs. 

Last night's meal was a little better - but not any more impressive.

 

I made pizza and bean and swiss chard soup.  The soup would have tasted like nothing without the ham bone, though.  I think that's what has become evident to me.  Meat flavors things.  I know - you're saying in your head, "duh".  We went out for dinner with my parents on Friday night - I had veggie stromboli (more carbs).  It tasted like nothing.  I like vegetables as much as the next guy - but sometimes I think they need a little help. 

I'm not giving up, though - I promised you a full ten days and that's what I'll give you!  Tonight is veggie enchiladas.  I'm cautiously optimistic. 

Lest you think that there is no upside to a meat-free existence......my skin and hair look amazing.  I don't really need to wear deodorant.  Isn't that weird?  I feel more energetic.  Okay, Rob I know you're rolling your eyes right now and I don't care - you're in Vail and you had baby-back ribs last night - you stink. 

I'm not finished with my challenge yet - but I will go back to eating meat.  I don't know if I feel like I want to eat large slabs of it - but it is about the best flavoring around.  And, my family would have to somehow like beans [a lot more] to adopt this kind of lifestyle on a permanent basis. 

Guess What I'm Making?

I'll give you a hint - I live in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country and Fat Tuesday is in three days.....

Favourite Thing Friday

After reading Shay's post about being a grandmother, I thought about the special times spent with grandparents.  Our kids have been very blessed to have known many grandparents - when Josh was born, all of Rob's grandparents were still with us and both of my grandmothers as well.  I am so thankful that our kids have had the opportunity to have such special relationships with great-grandparents!

Do you have special memories of visiting your grandparents?  I do!  I thought, since this was a cooking blog, I would share some of the special treats I associate with my grandparents (and Rob's) - and finally, to share some special things our kids enjoy when they visit our grandmother's. 

My paternal grandmother was a generous and kind person.  I am thankful to possess pictures of her holding and looking lovingly at each of our babies.  Sadly, she passed about five years ago.  This is kind of hilarious, but my fondest memories are of toasted crackers (that she kept in an orange tupperware container - my sister preferred saltines) and mint tea that she always kept in her refrigerator. 

I also remember her love for singing (even though she was seriously tone-deaf).  I would sit next to her in church (always the 6th row on the right) and she would belt out the hymns.  She loved to praise her Creator, and I'd like to think that now she probably has perfect pitch!

When Josh was about two years old and she was in her eighties, I had her babysit for a short time while I ran to the store.  When I came home, I found her playing guns with Josh - she crawled out from under the dining room table and had about six guns stuck in her belt!
 

this is my grandmother with Emma - about ten days old

yes, that's me with the long white shorts - cute, huh?  

My maternal grandmother - we call her Nanny - is still spunky as ever!  Our kids love going to her house and she has a very special relationship with our girls.  She spoils our kids with cookies and milk, lollipops, and pretty much anything they want.  When I was younger, we would visit her in Florida (where she and my Pappy went for the winter) - and she would make me strawberry shortcake.  I would eat it for every meal - no kidding. 

this is my aunt Connie, my Nanny and the kids at a bank opening

Kate and Nanny at her 8th birthday party

Rob's paternal grandparents lived with his family.  His grandmother has moved to Iowa since she lost Rob's grandfather - so we only see her once a year.  Rob's grandmother is an exceptional cook and baker - her rhubarb custard pie is one of my favorite foods of all time.  He enjoyed special treats from her all of the time - and all he had to do was walk down to the basement!  She spoils the kids with treats when we go to visit, and she even lets them pick out something special from her house to take home with them.  She loves to spoil us with books and I've never met anyone who rivals her wisdom in raising a family or knowing the Bible. 

isn't she beautiful? 

Rob's maternal grandmother has always lived in Iowa - she is the wife of an Iowa farmer!  They moved to "town" once they became a little older and we lost Rob's grandfather a few years ago.  She, like Rob's other granny, is ageless.  Rob and his sister's were only able to visit once a year, but they have many fond memories of summers on the farm.  One of their favorites (and ours, when we visit) are her famous waffles with homemade rhubarb jam. The kids love visiting and we usually enjoy many games of Take One.  Her quiet wisdom and unflappable nature are inspiring. 

Granny is on the left, with the sunglasses!

most of Rob's family here, minus one sister and a couple of babies!

We have been blessed with grandparents - I'd love to hear your special memories.  Did you have a special snack or a special trip you took with your grandparents?  Did they spoil you rotten?  Please share! 

Randomness....

1.  I am convinced that: Christmas tree needles, Easter grass, and fake fingernails are able to reproduce.  I find each of these things for months (!) after they supposedly exit our house.  Here I am finding a fake fingernail in my sock.

see how happy I am?  

2.  Our girls current obsession: rollerblading.  Okay, Kate is more into it than Emma - but it's pretty cute!  Kate wanted Emma to be out rollerblading with her Tuesday morning at 7:30 (outside temperature was 28 degrees).  Emma said no.

 

3.  My current obsession -

 

4.  Thus begins our ten days of meatless dinners.  The kids are not thrilled.  I have my menus planned - I'll keep you posted!


5.  Of the last seven weeks of school - we have had two five-day weeks. 


6.  Rob bought a new car last Friday - on Tuesday he was side-swiped - on purpose.  A little case of what we call "road rage". 

thankfully, the "perpetrators"  insurance is paying for everything - Rob will hopefully get his "new" car back in two weeks!  

7.  We recycled for the first time last week - it's kind of sad how excited the kids are.

the new container totally sucked me in

8.  I bought a new comforter - unlike my blogging friends, I can not sew.  This marks the first time I've ever had pillow shams - is it wrong that I"m terribly excited?  I feel so grown up!

So, what exciting things are going on at your house?  Comment with your randomness - I'd love to hear all about it!

Breakfast For Dinner...

Do you ever make breakfast for dinner?  We did last Saturday night - I think we all felt a little rebellious, or something.

We drove down to our favorite park looking for a little outdoor fun (and actually seeing if we could spot the beaver turned muskrat) - and realized it was maple sugaring weekend.  We arrived a little late to the event, but some of the displays were still set up.

they had some kids' activities - this was "what lives in a maple tree"

the tour we arrived too late for

the maple sap reducing

And, luckily, the merchandise was still for sale - we bought maple cotton candy and maple syrup.

$30 for 64 oz - I thought that was pretty reasonable

Kate "shoveling it in"

Rob was supposed to take a pic of my hands, not my huge forehead!

We kind of snuck up on the tour just in time for them to announce that it was time for the pancakes.  So, on the way home I asked if anyone wanted pancakes for dinner - someone asked, "can we do that"?  I responded with, "we can do anything we want to do"!  (isn't it great being an adult?)

I was torn - I had promised to make Shay's cinnamon bun pancakes - but I was also dying to make the recipe in the Pioneer Woman Cookbook.  I'm sorry, Shay, I'll make yours next time!

Okay, so anyway - the name of the recipe is Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes.  Kind of has a nostalgic feel, doesn't it?  I wasn't sure what to expect, and when I started reading through the recipe I thought, "this seems weird".

Step 1: Place an iron skillet on medium-low heat

 
Step 2: Place 1 cup sour cream into mixing bowl.  Add 7T flour, 1T sugar, 1t baking soda and 1/2 t salt.  Mix gently until barely combined.

Step 3: Add 2 beaten eggs and 1/2t vanilla extract.  Stir together gently until just combined.  

Step 4: Melt 1T of butter into skillet.  Pour the batter into the skillet about 1/4 cup at a time.

Step 5: Flip after approximately 2 minutes.  

we also had some fresh fruit with our meal

I was skeptical - come on,  1 cup of sour cream to 7 tablespoons of flour? The batter was very thin at first, but it kind of thickened as it cooked [on the first side].  Our verdict - some of the best pancakes we've ever had!  I will be keeping sour cream in my refrigerator at all times (I usually do, but now I will, no matter what!).  These pancakes were light, fluffy, flavorful, and a perfect platform for our maple syrup.  We demolished all of the pancakes - I'll be doubling the recipe from now on! 

We Love Our Parks

Our county includes eleven local parks which offer special activities, biking trails, horse trails, hiking trails, dog parks, and mostly free educational activities for families. 
 
 We try to take advantage of our local parks on weekends.  One of our favorites is located about ten minutes south and is named after President Richard Nixon.  The park contains trails within the 170 acres - including a pond, a creek, meadows, and an environmental education center. The park was donated by the Bob Hoffman family (the previous founders of York Barbell) in 1968.  They host a maple sugaring weekend, reptile week, and week-long educational camps for kids. 

We love hiking the trails along the creek and have spotted turtles, water snakes, deer, and what we thought was a baby beaver (turned out to be a muskrat). 

One of our favorite parts of the park is the environmental educational center.  Included are over 180 specimens of wildlife donated by William Koller - collected during his lifelong hunting career of 75 years.  This collection includes: a Kodiak bear, polar bear, cheetah, leopard, moose, deer, black bear, foxes, warthog, and many more.  The collection is stunning - valued in the millions and incapable of being replicated today (due to conservation efforts). 

the pond where our muskrat friend lives

the environmental education center

Emma and Kate with some of the wildlife

isn't this beautiful?

a Pennsylvania black bear

their bee-hive behind plexiglass - so interesting to watch!

an Eastern box turtle

a copperhead who recently shed his skin

some of the smaller specimens

We are quite thankful to live in an area where we have access to outdoor and educational space for our kids to enjoy. 

The World's Driest Pork

I usually love "country style" spare ribs.  They have just enough bone on the end to add flavor but provide the best of the white/dark meat combination.  Last week I threw the pork in the oven like I normally do, but maybe it just didn't have long enough to become tender.  It was really awful - dry, saliva-sucking, tastelessly awful.  Rob declared it, "the driest pork in the world".

The only problem: I didn't want to throw it away.  I took it on as a personal challenge to use that pork.  Just to see if I could.  Have you ever made chili with pork?  It was fabulous.  I covered the pork and stuck it back in the oven for another hour and a half - and somehow it looked even drier when it came out. But, throw something in a pot with beans, tomato paste and some spices - it's a winner every time. 

On the side, my go-to quiche recipe.  Roasted red peppers, asparagus, and swiss cheese.  If you "know" me in real life - you've eaten this quiche.  I make it for showers, cocktail parties, brunches, and dinner, apparently. 

Asparagus and Roasted Red Pepper Quiche with Swiss Cheese
1 prepared pie crust, unbaked (I made mine in my tart pan)
1 large bunch asparagus, cut into pieces and blanched
1 small jar roasted red peppers, chopped
2 cups shredded swiss cheese
3 eggs
3 T cornstarch
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup shredded parmesan
freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp kosher salt

1. Layer asparagus and roasted red pepper on top of unbaked crust. Top with shredded cheese.
2. In a small jar, shake milk and cornstarch until no lumps remain.
3. Add milk mixture to eggs (in large bowl).
4. Mix in additional ingredients.
5. Bake at 370 degrees for 45 minutes or until quiche is set and browned on top.