Breakfast in a Cup

These are tasty and simple. I like to make extra and freeze them to be reheated later for a quick snack/breakfast. In the microwave they reheat in just 1 min.

Breakfast in a Cup

recipe adapted from Kids Cooking ISBN 1-4127-2469-4

3 cups cooked quinoa (or rice)

4 oz (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 can diced green chilies

1/3 cup milk

3 eggs, beaten (2 also work, but I prefer 3)

1/2 t ground cumin

1/2 t salt

1/2 t black pepper

Combine 1/2 the cheese with everything else in a bowl. Evenly divide mixture into 12 greased muffin cups. (Can use paper muffin cups, but make sure to spray with cooking spray when using chilies.) Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 400 for 15 min. or until set.

Variation: Leave out chilies, cumin, salt and pepper and add 1 cup crumbled, cooked breakfast sausage.

Note: Quinoa has the highest protein values of any grain. It has a bit of a nutty taste and is delicious. You can use it as a substitute for rice in many recipes. It cooks quickly. You cook it like rice; 1 part grain - 2 parts water. Soak your quinoa for 12 hours before cooking. (Start it in water before bed if you are cooking ti in the morning, start in the morning if you are going to cook at dinner.) It will sprout the grain and all of the nutrients will sky rock. The protein levels even go up.

Hello Breakfast

I am a big fan of mixes that cut down on prep time in the kitchen. I however do not want to give up on deliciousness or nutrition. I also value REAL food. Here are 2 of my favorite mixes:

Wheat Germ Buttermilk Waffles

3/4 cup wheat germ

1 TB milled flax

4 1/2 TB buttermilk powder

2 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 cup whole wheat flour

Beat 3 eggs, add 1 cube melted butter and 1 1/2 cup water. Cook waffles in hot greased waffle iron.

Variation: Leave out the buttermilk powder and the water and add 1 1/2 cups buttermilk.

Note: I like to fill up several bags at the same time and shake them a bit to combine. The buttermilk powder can lump if you don't mix it in well. This mix also looks lovely in a pint jar as a gift. (If you do, make sure to include the instructions to wisk the dry ingredients together BEFORE adding the liquids.)

Whole Grain Pancake Mix

(inspired by Great Harvest pancakes)

1 1/2 cup dry milk

4 cup whole wheat flour

2 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup brown sugar

4 t baking powder

1 t salt

3/4 cup milled flax (optional)

Mix together and store in an airtight container. Measure out 1 1/2 cup dry mix and add it to 1 beaten egg, 1 cup water and 1 T oil. Cook on med/high heat buttered skillet. I love these so much that I eat the cold leftovers plain.

VARIATION:
Banana Pancakes
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1 cup water
1 banana mashed
2 cups mix

Mix 1st 3 ingredients, then gently mix in the pancake mix just until combined. Cook on med/hot heated buttered skillet.

Pencil Roll Tutorial

My dear friend Tracy's been called to bless some dear Ugandan children by making Colored Pencil Rolls. Her goal is 500 by November 30. You can find out more wetoatmealkisses.com .

You will need: 1 large button, 1 thin no damage elastic (ponytail holder), 2 pieces of cotton fabric 18" x 12", and a piece of flannel (or interfacing) 13.5" x 12".
Measure 9" up the side to place elastic. You can put a pin through all the layers of fabric in the space between the elastic (the "hole"). If you click on the next picture, you might be able to see the elastic sticking out of the side. When you sew around the outside with 1/2 in seam allowance, you will catch the elastic. You might need to hold it as you feed it through the machine. If you'd like, you can backstitch it for added strength, though I don't know that it's necessary as you stitch it once more when you topstitch.
Pin right side of outside fabric to right side of inside fabric, then the flannel on top of the outside fabric.
Measure in 1.25" and down 5", cut from point to point. Then stitch around the with 1/2 inch seam allowance, pivoting at corners and leaving a 3-4 inch opening to turn.

Trim all 6 corners.
Turn. Making sure to pull out the corners to make nice points. Press. Topstitch close to the edge around the whole thing sewing over your beginning stitches 1/2-1" (this is called trace stitching and is prettier than backstitching.)

Fold down angled edge 5 inches. Press and topstitch close to edge (1/8 in) to define the flap.

Fold bottom up 4 inches. Press. Pin matching edges. Topstitch (over your previous topstitching) the sides to create a pocket. Mark the middle. Then mark every 7/8" either way, to divid into 12 pockets. Stitch the marked lines, making sure to backstitch at each end.



Place the pencils in the roll and roll it up to mark the button placement, and sew on the button.

Feel free to ask any questions, and I will do my best to answer them.

Business of Being Born

The Business of Being Born is a moving documentary about maternity care in the United States.
watch the trailer

"Should most births be viewed as a natural life process or should every delivery be treated as a potential medical emergency?" ~Caroline Torem Craig

Come and decide for yourself.

Public Viewing
September 16, 2008
6:30 pm
Eastern Idaho Technical College
Health Care building room 6164
brought to you by BirthNetwork of Idaho Falls
birthnetwork.if@gmail.com

door prizes, raffle and refreshments
donations welcome

to reserve FREE tickets call
Katherine 390-7465 or Katy 251-4189

What Princess Are You?

lentils

this is one of my favorites. it's super inexpensive, usually everything is on hand, healthy (if you don't fry the tortillas ; ) ) and good enough to entertain with.

lentils

1 onion chopped (if you have time to saute on the stove first, it's worth it)
1 lb bag aprox. 2 1/2 cups lentils (ideally sorted and rinsed, but usually I don't)
5 cups water
2 t cumin
1 t garlic salt
1/2 t pepper
mix together in crockpot. cook at least 7 hrs, 9 is GREAT on low (3-4 hrs on high).

1/2 hour-1 hour before eating, (if you add these too soon, the lentils will take ages to soften) add:
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz can green chilies

right before eating stir in
1 bunch cilantro chopped

serve on tortillas (freshly fried are yum, but also totally unnecessary)
with
fresh limes (a must)
sour cream (optional)
grated monterey or colby jack cheese (optional)
salsa (optional)

recycling in IF

There are recycling bins scattered around town. (They are this style, but blue.) Bins that accept aluminum cans, metal cans, newspaper and plastics (that's ALL plastics with the little recycle triangle numbers 1-7 not just milk jugs). More info: http://www.ifearthday.com/HHW/Resources.htm Yeah for recycling!