Sunday's Musings on Monday

Since it really is Monday, first let me say Happy Birthday to One of the Most Wonderful Kids in the World!!! Teenage monster is now over half way through her teenage years! Man o man, where has the time gone.

Yesterday, Grim took her to the show. With them gone, me and Mouthy got started on planting seeds for the garden. Here is a list of what is planted.

13 Tomato Cherry Rainbow blend
7 Roma paste
14 Polish Linguisa paste
7 nasturtium
7 calundula
7 chamomile
13 Mammoth sunflowers
6 black bean dry
7 scarlet runner dry
14 bush beans
7 Italian rose bean dry
5 sugar snap peas
5 dragon tongue dry
5 trionfo violetto fresh
5 bright lights Swiss chard
5 ford hook Swiss chard
5 spinach
5 jack o lantern pumpkins
5 white pumpkins
5 jack be little pumpkins
3 sugar baby watermelon
7 warty French pumpkins (my seeds)
7 Boston marrow winter squash

Once the soil can be worked I still have to plan shell peas, carrots, beets & onions... Oh, and potatoes, too!

Last year I stated late and my plants never really got going. So I had to purchase most of what I planted. So this year with the help of the grow lights and an early start I should be really good shape. Oh, but I will be buying lettuce to plant. I know it is so easy.... every time I've tried to grow from seed it just never works for me. So what's a couple dollars for a summer full of lettuce.

Now if only my apple and pear tree, blueberry bushes and grapes produce this year, I will be ecstatic!

Man, I almost forgot. I started another batch of sprouts for the family and sourdough.

Grim and I had to go to our fruit market tonight. I was shocked to see that green peppers were $1.99 each. Most of the shelves of produce were empty. I can say thou that there was still a big supply of cabbage, sweet potatoes, beets, parsnips, turnips and carrots. Thank the gods, that I know how to cook. I can cook these things even thou my family isn't very fond of them. I am a firm believer that it is going to get a lot worse before long. I'm blessed that my family trusts me enough to go along with what I think we need to do.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Wishful thinking

Yesterday I said Spring is in the air.... what I meant to say is that I've had enough of Winter and Spring can make an appearance any time now. We still have snow on the ground. Every time we think that it's gone, more shows up.... The time to rest is coming to a quick end in my book. I need to get out to the yard. I need to figure out what I'm going to do with the garden this year. Wether or not I'm going to keep the 4x4 boxes or make 3 12x4's  for right down the middle. Decisions, decisions. If we make the new boxes then the old ones are going to my mom's house. I am going to do a garden over there also.

Oh, speaking of the garden. I found non-gmo sugar beet seeds! So I bought a pound. I'm going to try my hand at sugar extraction this year. How kewl is that! Your suppose to get 1oz from every pound of beet. Each beet is suppose to weigh 3-5lbs. Pretty Kewl, huh! I'm going to start planting my seeds this week. I have all my little peat pots ready to go. Grim set up the grow lights for me. This year I might actually have plants to put out in the garden, instead of having to buy them.

Since we are eating healthier, I made an excutive decision. I bought doughnut pans and a whoopie pie pan. I figure that baked cake type doughnuts are way healthier then the store bought oil fried ones. We don't eat them often, but Grim has had a hankerin for them as of late and what's a gal to do. Make chocolate glazed. chocolate doughnuts! Even Picky monster loved them and she can't stand regular ones.

Well, I won't keep you any longer, since I'm just rambling any ways!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Just a quick note

I just wanted to let you all know what I accomplished today. I was finally able to get in touch with the LDS center. Grim and I have an appointment for next Thursday night. I can't wait. We are going to do bulk this time. As the man that I spoke with said that since we were unfirmiliar with the way of the pouches it would take a considerable amount of time for the amount I want to get. Lets just say that it will be quite a bit.... LOL! That really is an understatement....

Grim, was nice enough to order me a hand grinder. It is on its way. Should be here early next week. When we went to see the Amish a couple months ago, I got wheat berries. So as soon as it shows up, I plan on tring it out. Yeah!!! It is coming from Emergency Essentials.

I also wanted to let you know that if your looking for wheat berries and need them now. Try looking at Walmart. They had both red and white wheat berries. $13.xx for a 25lb bag. Kind of expensive, considering what the price is at the LDS. But if your in a pinch and need it now, then that may be an option for you.

Oh, I got tired of looking at the box with my sewing projects in it. So I got out the machine. I fixed Mouthy's jammies and I sewed the back to the patchwork that has been pinned for months. I even sewed up the baby fleece blanket. Really pretty pinks and purple. If any one is interested in the fleece baby blanket let me know and we can work something out.

I also have 3 copies of Mary Jane Farms Outpost. These are brand new books. I fell into a deal and am willing to pass on the savings to you. If you interested let me know.

Gotta Run,
Yart

Getting into a Routine

I have great news... The doctor has said that Grim can go back to work on March 21st. Nine days from one year, since the accident. Can you believe that it has already been that long. Where has the time really gone. I know, doctors, therapy and recouperation! Which hasn't left a ton of time for much else.

But since I haven't been blogging my life away, I have gotten some things done. The shawl is now finally done. I also was able to get Mouthy monsters scarf done. But I also started on two more projects. One is a cowl and the other is another hat. I still have all my sewing to do. That is a story for another day... LOL!

I have been eating really well. Except for the whole small pizza that I ate. Oh, well. That was only one time. And it didn't hurt my weight at all. I am down 12 pounds since my scare in January. I work out every day. Either at the gym or here at home. I am really using Spark People. The site is a godsend. I can easily keep track of all the exercise I'm doing. I did 45 minutes on the eliptical today!

As far as the food goes I even tried my hand at homemade veggie burgers... Yuck! But I will try a different combination. The one that I had just didn't get hot and it was soggy with raw onion.... BLECK!! Salad is now a main stay at the dinner table. As is the measuring cup. The family is still really taken aback. But whether they like it or not this is a family issue. Grim, Teenage Monster and I are all carring around more weight then we need. Picky monster needs to learn how to eat so that when her metabolism slows she doesn't end up 300lbs. And Mouthy is just growing... LOL!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Do you homestead in an Urban area?

Well, if you do please don't post the words homestead and Urban together.... it will be a trademark infingement. Yep, you got that right! The Path to Freedom group, has trademarked it because they set up an Urban Homesteading Church?!? If your like me and scratching your head and saying WTF?!? Then please understand that your not alone in your thinking.... So since this is the case.

Come one come all! Hear the words that are typed out of my fingers.... I, Yart the first ruler of my own universe have now layed claim to all words and phrases.....That have not already been trademarked. Now you all have to stop writing... Hahahahaha@ No really this isn't a joke. If you don't then you owe me something... Maybe your first born.... Maybe not?!? Ohhhhhh, chocolate.... Yes, you may use my words and phrases if you pay me in chocolate! Now I will not only be the ruler of my universe I will be rich in chocolate.... Organic chocolate... What did you think I want my universe destroyed by regular chocolate!

Really, isn't this just plain stupid!!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Recipe day!

I picked up a new to me magazine the other day... It is called Clean Eating! All I can say is where has this been all my life... I could have been eating better years ago. So since they have a website I thought I would share some of the recipes that I found there. I've only tried one so far, but trust me I plan on trying more. Plus, I don't want to lose the ones I found so far. Yummmm!

The first is for:
Guiltless Chicken Parmesan (the family really seemed to like this one)
Mexican 5-Layer Dip
Roasted Potato & Cauliflower Perogi
Apple Drop Biscuits (no cholesterol)

Clean Eating is also on Facebook! Go check them out.... 

Well, just finished lunch... Got tons to do before tomorrow!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Mission Statement

I know this should have been done at the begining of the year... Just like I never did do a year in review.... ah, well..... I guess that will have to be another post!

Me:
I will lose the weight that I need to lose to be healthy. I will lower my cholesterol. I will enroll into enrichment classes. I will be happier, more often. I will try and stop procrastinating. I will try and take better care of my spirit and mind.

Gardener:
I will have more edible plants in my yard this year. I will plant more flowers. I will plant more herbs. And I will plant more vegetables. I will get my rain barrel set back up. I will get a rabbit hutch and rabbits.

Reader:
I will read at least 1 book a month!

Yarn-er:
I will get at least one project done each month!


Cooker:
I will continue cooking meals that we have never tried before. Even if some of them don't succeed in making the grade! We will be healthier for it! And get back to making bread!!!!


Sew-er:
I will learn to make clothes and use up all the fabric that I bought over the last couple of years.


Gotta Run,
Yart

Waiting on Spring

Ok, I am so done with winter... It can go away and not come back till later in the year! I want spring.... This cold is for the birds. Well, not even them.... the poor things aren't even anywhere to be seen. The squirrels are still really fat. This is not a good sign. We are in the middle of Feb and the squirrels are still fat! They should be getting skinny in anticipation for the warmer weather. And with this not happening, that means that we are going to be in winter for a lot longer!!! GRRRRRRRRRRR!

I have been back and forth to the gym. My treadmill here at the house is also getting a ton of use. Grim, has had the flu most of last week. He is feeling better but hasn't got back to the gym yet. Maybe tomorrow. I have been losing weight. I'm not going to weigh myself this week though. You ladies all understand about water gain! So next week we will see how much I have lost.

Today I made it to 60 minutes on the treadmill. Last night the monsters did some cleaning. They found workout videos that I didn't remember buying. One of them is the Biggest Loser Workout. And guess what I did last night. You betcha, I did 50 minutes of video. I was so tired, I barely kept my eyes open to watch the new Hawaii 5 0. There was also a yoga and belly dancing video. Will definately, be doing them in the near future.


I made oven baked chicken strips with panko crumbs and oven baked sweet potato medallions. Let me say that everyone gave me that look of you got to be kidding me. But they ate and were full. So my mission was successful! I paired it with a salad. Most meals are paired with salad now. I have stopped using dressing. I figure that if I am eating 2 cups of salad...... 2 tbsp of dressing (that I can't taste because of the size of the salad) isn't worth the calories. Really, it isn't so bad.


Gotta Run
Yart

Ups and Downs

I am up to 45 minutes on the treadmill and down 3 pounds. I made sure by a couple days that my weight didn't fluctuate before I posted. Very happy!!! Now only 54 pounds to go. The doctor wants 12 pounds by the end of April. So only 9 more to go for her!!!

I have been trying lots of new things to eat.... One thing I love is the Kraft Mayo with Olive oil. It tastes good and with no cholesterol! So I still get to eat tuna, since fresh fish in this area is almost non-existent. I mean there is fish... just yucky fish.... most of it is imported... and it looks bad. Here is another recipe that I tried.

Country Dijon Beef Stew

Makes: 6

Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 1 hour 12 minutes

 

Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 6

---

• Amount Per Serving
• Calories 307
• Total Fat (g) 13
• Saturated Fat (g) 4
• Cholesterol (mg) 69
• Sodium (mg) 396
• Carbohydrate (g) 11
• Fiber (g) 2
• Protein (g) 34

---

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon  unsalted butter
• 1    small onion, chopped
• 8  ounces (about 2 cups)  mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed and quartered
• 2  pounds  boneless beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 4  tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 2  tablespoons  olive oil
• 1  can (14.5 ounces)  low-sodium beef broth
• 1  tablespoon  Worcestershire sauce
• 1  tablespoon  countrystyle grainy Dijon mustard
• 3    carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch coins
• 1  teaspoon  chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  black pepper
•   cooked noodle eggs (optional)

Directions

Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms and cook 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
Meanwhile, toss beef with 3 tablespoons of the flour. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to the pot and increase heat to mediumhigh. Add half the beef and cook 2 minutes, browning on all sides. Transfer to bowl with onions and mushrooms. Add remaining tablespoon oil and second half of beef to pot. Cook 2 minutes, browning on all sides. Transfer to bowl; reduce heat to medium.
Add 3/4 cup of the beef broth to the pot. Whisk in Worcestershire and mustard, scraping up any brown bits on bottom of the pan. Add mixture from bowl back to the pot along with the remaining beef broth. Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes.
Uncover and stir in carrots. Cover and cook an additional 45 minutes.
In small bowl, stir together 2 tablespoons water, the remaining tablespoon flour, rosemary, salt and pepper. Stir into stew and cook 3 minutes, until thickened. Serve with
noodles, if desired.

Everyone loved it. So it will go into the recipe box. The next recipe got mixed reviews.... But that will have to wait till next time... Picky monster has a half day!

Gotta Run,
Yart