I love eBates. Just wanted to post my link so everyone can sign up.
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=PqgMaY6VMxDFQsggsnAIeg%3D%3D
Just this past quarter, I earned $69.63 for shopping online. I am waiting to get my money in the next week or so.
It is so easy. You just go to eBates.com every time you want to shop online and click to the site you want to go to through the eBates site. It keeps track of where you shop and you get cash back every quarter. I have elected for the cash to go into my Paypal account to so I get it quicker than getting a check in the mail. Not every store is available but there are a lot so always check!!
FYI: I think you can also earn a gift card if you sign up & make a qualifying purchase (I think you have to spend at least $25 at one of the participating retailers). I received a $10 Target gift card when I signed up.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday (better late than never)
I did not really do much of anything new on Monday, oh well! I am in the process of trying to organize my "home" (aka apartment) so that when it comes time to move AGAIN (at some point) I will be ready.
Organizing is not NEW for me but I seriously suck at it. Yes, I said SUCK!! I buy baskets, bins, crates, etc. and just stare at them. I have shelves, plastic storage, OXO pop top containers and I never no how to use them to the best of their ability. I do have a very logical mind and I can pack and stuff more crap in a place with the best of them but when it comes to making it look pretty that is another story!!
I would love to learn how to organize and make my life so much easier. I look at all these pretty blogs online and see these EXTREMELY organized houses - sorry, have to write this, but WTF!!! Those pictures cannot be real- like seriously-labels, a place for everything AHHHH??? I am so jealous!!! I really try but as soon as the hubby walks in the door, the tornado of a mess starts. I can't even leave my daughter alone with him because my house looks like Baghdad. I follow her around all day so I clean up ALL DAY!!
I am really on a mission to organize and do it right. SOOOOO I guess I can so that my something NEW would be trying to get it right.
Let's see how this goes, um yeah....
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday's something new
Nothing major today...watched a "new" movie with my daughter today. It's a lazy Sunday for us so this is as good as it gets.
We watched Mr. Popper's Penguins. Loved it!! Sometimes I like Jim Carrey and sometimes not, but this was a cute movie. I love penguins and so does my 20 month old!! My attention span lasted a lot longer than hers but she did seem to enjoy the movie which has a lot of action.
Best part - Carrey was wearing a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey at one point in the movie :-)
Also...Forgot to add...I tried a new pasta product today. Barilla Piccolini Mini Rotelle Wheels (Zucchini & Spinach Flavor)...actually really good. I made homemade mac & cheese with them and so far its a hit. Supposedly there is a serving of veggies per 100g portion so I feel a little bit better ;-) The ingredients do show spinach & zucchini puree listed so who knows. These are green and do have a spinach flavor to them but in the cheese sauce you really can't tell. So far, so good!
We watched Mr. Popper's Penguins. Loved it!! Sometimes I like Jim Carrey and sometimes not, but this was a cute movie. I love penguins and so does my 20 month old!! My attention span lasted a lot longer than hers but she did seem to enjoy the movie which has a lot of action.
Best part - Carrey was wearing a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey at one point in the movie :-)
Also...Forgot to add...I tried a new pasta product today. Barilla Piccolini Mini Rotelle Wheels (Zucchini & Spinach Flavor)...actually really good. I made homemade mac & cheese with them and so far its a hit. Supposedly there is a serving of veggies per 100g portion so I feel a little bit better ;-) The ingredients do show spinach & zucchini puree listed so who knows. These are green and do have a spinach flavor to them but in the cheese sauce you really can't tell. So far, so good!
Simple Tip - Easy Way to Clean Your Coffee Carafe
Here is a simple way to clean out your coffee carafe - without having to wait on the dishwasher.
I "deep" clean my carafe out weekly and this is what I do - This helps get rid of the stubborn coffee stains.
I soak my carafe in 1 - 2 tbsp of OxyClean and 1 tsp (or a few foaming pumps - see my earlier post on how to stretch a buck) of dish soap. I allow it to soak for 10-15 minutes and then I rinse. It comes sparkling clean.
If you do not have OxyClean around, you can use 1/4 cup baking soda instead. I haven't tried this yet but might next time to see how it works. Baking soda is so much cheaper (possibly safer/more eco friendly) but I do love OxyClean.
I wonder if you use some vinegar and baking soda how it would clean (instead of the soap & soda)? Remember making lava for science projects in school - I love the foaming action. I mix OxyClean & bleach sometimes when I launder whites just because it foams up like crazy. Love it!! :-)
Saturday's Something New...Made a Chocolate Pantry Cake
I tried a new recipe for chocolate cake yesterday (Saturday) - this is a busy day chocolate cake or a pantry cake. You make this with things you already have on hand in your pantry - you don't even use eggs!! The recipe is from Lucinda Scala Quinn's show Mad Hungry (on the Hallmark Channel).
This was really good. The frosting recipe is the simple buttercream frosting from Martha Stewart. I cut the recipe in half for the cake. If you double the cake recipe, you can keep the full icing recipe as is. The cake makes only an 8 x 8 size (I used a 9 x 7 pan because that is all I have) so if you double you could probably use a 13 x 9 pan and the full icing recipe.
http://www.marthastewart.com/334278/busy-day-chocolate-cake
My only variation was that I used a little bit more vanilla extract. Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of chocolate so I thought I would use just a touch more. As I wrote above, I also cut the icing recipe in half because you do not need almost three cups of icing for such a small cake. FYI - the icing recipe calls for unsalted butter and then you add salt. I used salted butter and did not add anymore salt. Up to you, but I never buy unsalted butter just because I do not like it. Even though the claim is to always bake with unsalted, I never do.
Verdict: This was my piece. Yum!! I refrigerated the cake for fear that the icing would melt/separate. I recommend pulling the cake out ahead of time to allow the icing to soften back up before serving but it stores fine in the fridge.
This was really good. The frosting recipe is the simple buttercream frosting from Martha Stewart. I cut the recipe in half for the cake. If you double the cake recipe, you can keep the full icing recipe as is. The cake makes only an 8 x 8 size (I used a 9 x 7 pan because that is all I have) so if you double you could probably use a 13 x 9 pan and the full icing recipe.
http://www.marthastewart.com/334278/busy-day-chocolate-cake
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 cup cold water
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In an 8-inch square baking pan, whisk together all-purpose flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and coarse salt.
- Make a well in center of flour mixture and add vegetable oil, pure vanilla extract, white vinegar, and cold water. Whisk until well combined. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
Variations
To make this recipe as prepared on "Mad Hungry" TV, top your chocolate cake with this Simple Buttercream frosting.
My only variation was that I used a little bit more vanilla extract. Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of chocolate so I thought I would use just a touch more. As I wrote above, I also cut the icing recipe in half because you do not need almost three cups of icing for such a small cake. FYI - the icing recipe calls for unsalted butter and then you add salt. I used salted butter and did not add anymore salt. Up to you, but I never buy unsalted butter just because I do not like it. Even though the claim is to always bake with unsalted, I never do.
Verdict: This was my piece. Yum!! I refrigerated the cake for fear that the icing would melt/separate. I recommend pulling the cake out ahead of time to allow the icing to soften back up before serving but it stores fine in the fridge.
barilla whole grain coupon
Barilla has a coupon for $1 off two boxes of Barilla Whole Grain Pasta on their Facebook site.
Just thought I would share - we eat a lot of this. In fact, I had to get a rain check at our local grocery store because it was on sale 10 for $10 and they had none left!!
https://www.facebook.com/BarillaUS
Just thought I would share - we eat a lot of this. In fact, I had to get a rain check at our local grocery store because it was on sale 10 for $10 and they had none left!!
https://www.facebook.com/BarillaUS
Found this interesting...15 Scariest Food Additives
Read this article on Men's Health Online about the 15 Scariest Food Additives:
http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/15-scariest-food-additives?cm_mmc=mh.com-_-editorial_contextual-_-newsletter_module-_-eat_this_not_that_2012&keycode=179239?cm_mmc=ETNTNL-_-780112-_-01292012-_-hed
I take some of it with a grain of salt but I also like to know what is in the food I am eating. I am fascinated by this stuff!! Take it for what it is worth but I thought I would share - as a mom, I especially want to know what is in the food I am giving my daughter.
Here is the list but read the article for further information.
1. Olestra
2. Caramel Coloring (I always wondered what this was)
3. Saccharin
4. Potassium Bromate
5. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) & Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
6. Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (trans fats)
7. Sulfites (I've seen this in dried fruit)
8. Azodicarbonamide
9. Carrageenan
10. Ammonium Sulfate
11. Aspartame
12. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
13. Nitrates & Nitrites
14. Blue #2
15. Paraben (yuck - I try to avoid this is beauty products, why would we want to eat this?)
David Zinczenko who writes the Eat This, Not That books is the Editor in Chief of Men's Health Magazine and always has really good information. I like to hear the science behind things and am fascinated by food chemistry - yes I am a big dork. I think I get this obsession of reading labels from my dad - no he didn't read food labels - but he died from colon cancer. He liked his junk food but he was also very smart about food science/chemistry, especially in baking, so I think I am learning from his situation.
Believe me, I am not perfect. I own Stove Top Stuffing and I have pepperoni that is preserved with BHA & BHT. I also have baking products with trans fats - Bisquick is one of them. I also have canned soups with MSG. Pepsi with caramel coloring is also in my fridge. I am not going to throw the food out but I think if we are more watchful of what we eat and don't eat it all of the time, then we are safer.
I guess the point that I take from this is to stick to whole foods (and organic when available and what I can afford)- fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. I try to do that as much as I can but sometimes these additives and foods are hard to avoid. We don't eat out much but sometimes quick meals are made with processed foods. I say be wary and read labels but I am not going to throw out food. I will watch what we eat but I hate waste. I am already and will be more cautious what I buy in the future.
http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/15-scariest-food-additives?cm_mmc=mh.com-_-editorial_contextual-_-newsletter_module-_-eat_this_not_that_2012&keycode=179239?cm_mmc=ETNTNL-_-780112-_-01292012-_-hed
I take some of it with a grain of salt but I also like to know what is in the food I am eating. I am fascinated by this stuff!! Take it for what it is worth but I thought I would share - as a mom, I especially want to know what is in the food I am giving my daughter.
Here is the list but read the article for further information.
1. Olestra
2. Caramel Coloring (I always wondered what this was)
3. Saccharin
4. Potassium Bromate
5. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) & Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
6. Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (trans fats)
7. Sulfites (I've seen this in dried fruit)
8. Azodicarbonamide
9. Carrageenan
10. Ammonium Sulfate
11. Aspartame
12. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
13. Nitrates & Nitrites
14. Blue #2
15. Paraben (yuck - I try to avoid this is beauty products, why would we want to eat this?)
David Zinczenko who writes the Eat This, Not That books is the Editor in Chief of Men's Health Magazine and always has really good information. I like to hear the science behind things and am fascinated by food chemistry - yes I am a big dork. I think I get this obsession of reading labels from my dad - no he didn't read food labels - but he died from colon cancer. He liked his junk food but he was also very smart about food science/chemistry, especially in baking, so I think I am learning from his situation.
Believe me, I am not perfect. I own Stove Top Stuffing and I have pepperoni that is preserved with BHA & BHT. I also have baking products with trans fats - Bisquick is one of them. I also have canned soups with MSG. Pepsi with caramel coloring is also in my fridge. I am not going to throw the food out but I think if we are more watchful of what we eat and don't eat it all of the time, then we are safer.
I guess the point that I take from this is to stick to whole foods (and organic when available and what I can afford)- fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. I try to do that as much as I can but sometimes these additives and foods are hard to avoid. We don't eat out much but sometimes quick meals are made with processed foods. I say be wary and read labels but I am not going to throw out food. I will watch what we eat but I hate waste. I am already and will be more cautious what I buy in the future.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tried Making a Scarf
My something NEW today was trying to make a scarf out of an old t-shirt. I saw this technique on the Rachael Ray Show yesterday. The author of P.S. - I Made This, Erica Domesek, was on and showed how to make an old t-shirt turn into a scarf with only using scissors.
I want to make sure I personally don't take credit for the idea - the Rachael Ray Show website has the clip from the show where the author made this but I will give the basic idea of what I did. Here is the link from RR show site: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/ps-i-made/
I laid the t-shirt down flat and cut straight across right below the armpits.
Start cutting strips along the bottom edge about 1/2 inch wide and approx. 6 inches long. Cut the entire length of the t-shirt. Do this on both sides.
Basically you will have a rectangle, with a strip in the middle that looks like a "scarf" and the edges are cut/fringed. Once you have the strips cut, tug on them a bit to make them kind of roll up and look more like fringe.
If you watch the clip, it is so much easier to understand and see what I am talking about. Mine did not come out as pretty as I had liked so I didn't take step by step pictures. I will probably try this again and see if I can make it look better.
My verdict: This is an awesome idea and the scarf is really cute BUT I highly recommend using really sharp scissors that have only been used for sewing and cutting fabric. My scissors are really crappy so the strips came out very messy. When you tug on the strips, it hides the messiness a bit but I am kind of a perfectionist so I want to try this again with better scissors. I think I was so excited to see the outcome that I rushed.
I love recycling/repurposing things and this is a great way to do so. Glad I watched the RR show yesterday - nice break from Nick Jr and Disney.
I want to make sure I personally don't take credit for the idea - the Rachael Ray Show website has the clip from the show where the author made this but I will give the basic idea of what I did. Here is the link from RR show site: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/ps-i-made/
I laid the t-shirt down flat and cut straight across right below the armpits.
Start cutting strips along the bottom edge about 1/2 inch wide and approx. 6 inches long. Cut the entire length of the t-shirt. Do this on both sides.
Basically you will have a rectangle, with a strip in the middle that looks like a "scarf" and the edges are cut/fringed. Once you have the strips cut, tug on them a bit to make them kind of roll up and look more like fringe.
If you watch the clip, it is so much easier to understand and see what I am talking about. Mine did not come out as pretty as I had liked so I didn't take step by step pictures. I will probably try this again and see if I can make it look better.
My verdict: This is an awesome idea and the scarf is really cute BUT I highly recommend using really sharp scissors that have only been used for sewing and cutting fabric. My scissors are really crappy so the strips came out very messy. When you tug on the strips, it hides the messiness a bit but I am kind of a perfectionist so I want to try this again with better scissors. I think I was so excited to see the outcome that I rushed.
I love recycling/repurposing things and this is a great way to do so. Glad I watched the RR show yesterday - nice break from Nick Jr and Disney.
Stretch a Buck on Dish Soap
My picture here is not exactly pretty but I wanted to share how I stretch a buck on dish soap (such as Dawn, Palmolive, and MY FAVORITE Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day). I also feel that dish soap is so SOAPY that you really don't need that much anyways so this extends the life of the soap.
I re-purpose those foaming hand soap containers - this one is either from Bath & Body Works or Softsoap (I can't remember). Just make sure it is the foaming soap container.
Mine bottle isn't pretty but you could always make a pretty label or make it look as nice as you want.
Basically I fill the container about a quarter of the way full with whatever dish soap you choose. I think I have Dawn Hand Renewal with Olay in mine (it is a pink color). I have also done this with Mrs. Meyer's dish soap as well. Because I am using the Dawn Hand Renewal, it may also work as hand soap - double duty.
Once I fill with dish soap, I add warm water. Not too full because the cap takes up some room when you place it back in - I would say fill about 3/4 of the way full with water.
Put the cap back on and shake a bit to dilute the soap.
You now have foaming dish soap. Very easy, cheap, and helps save a few bucks.
I've seen containers from kitchen supply companies that do the same thing but I like the idea of re-purposing what I already have. You could also do this with hand soap as well. I would probably try to make the bottle prettier. This could probably work with any kind of soap - even shower gel & shampoo. I haven't tried that yet but might give it a try. I think most of us probably waste more soap than we think. We don't really need as much as we pour out. Good luck and I would love to hear how you make your bottles pretty.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Easy Pepperoni Bread
just decided to post this "recipe" for the heck of it...we make this all the time...SO easy and yummy!
Here in the 'Burgh we love our pepperoni bread
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
You need:
1 tube of Pillsbury Pizza Crust or Italian Bread (in the refrigerated section of the grocery store)
2-3 oz of sliced pepperoni (approx 1/4 to 1/3 of a package of pre-sliced pepperoni such as Hormel)
4 oz (approx 1 cup, maybe less) of shredded mozzarella cheese & I also use a little bit of cheddar or you can use "pizza cheese" which is mozzarella & provolone...parmesan can also be sprinkled in as well.
Unroll the pizza crust and slightly roll out w/ a rolling pin to make it more uniform. Don't make it too thin but just enough to make it uniform (approx. the size of a legal envelope)
Top the dough w/ cheese and then a single layer of pepperoni.
Roll up long ways - you don't want to use too much cheese or pepperoni b/c it can "explode" a bit in the oven.
Pinch the seam to keep everything from coming out when you back it and tuck the ends of the roll under.
Place on a baking sheet and coat the top w/ a little bit of olive oil (or vegetable oil).
Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees until the top starts to brown.
Allow to cool slightly before slicing. This is best eaten warm or room temperature. You can also reheat slices in the microwave.
I usually double the recipe and bake two loaves at a time.
You can also make these up and freeze. Just allow to cool and do not slice. Wrap in aluminum foil and freeze. Thaw and reheat!!
Enjoy - nothing fancy but so easy and we all love this!
Here in the 'Burgh we love our pepperoni bread
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
You need:
1 tube of Pillsbury Pizza Crust or Italian Bread (in the refrigerated section of the grocery store)
2-3 oz of sliced pepperoni (approx 1/4 to 1/3 of a package of pre-sliced pepperoni such as Hormel)
4 oz (approx 1 cup, maybe less) of shredded mozzarella cheese & I also use a little bit of cheddar or you can use "pizza cheese" which is mozzarella & provolone...parmesan can also be sprinkled in as well.
Unroll the pizza crust and slightly roll out w/ a rolling pin to make it more uniform. Don't make it too thin but just enough to make it uniform (approx. the size of a legal envelope)
Top the dough w/ cheese and then a single layer of pepperoni.
Roll up long ways - you don't want to use too much cheese or pepperoni b/c it can "explode" a bit in the oven.
Pinch the seam to keep everything from coming out when you back it and tuck the ends of the roll under.
Place on a baking sheet and coat the top w/ a little bit of olive oil (or vegetable oil).
Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees until the top starts to brown.
Allow to cool slightly before slicing. This is best eaten warm or room temperature. You can also reheat slices in the microwave.
I usually double the recipe and bake two loaves at a time.
You can also make these up and freeze. Just allow to cool and do not slice. Wrap in aluminum foil and freeze. Thaw and reheat!!
Enjoy - nothing fancy but so easy and we all love this!
Trying more natural products
I've been working on trying different (NEW), more natural body & face products. I feel like I have much more sensitive skin since I had my daughter so I am looking for products that don't have harsh chemicals that irritate my skin. Right now, I am trying a bunch of different/NEW stuff and so far am liking pretty much everything I have tried/see.
Started using the new lotion from Good Fortune Soap. The scent I chose is Lavender and Lemon. It smells really good - very therapeutic and relaxing scent. I like the texture because it is not really greasy so it works nicely for a hand lotion too. I hate greasy hand lotion. I end up washing it off and this sinks into the skin really quickly.
Good Fortune's products are natural and made with out all the harsh ingredients: sulfates, phosphates, parabens, phthalates, artificial colors/ingredients, and no petroleum products.
I am also trying out some of the soaps as well. I like the scents and so far so good. Sometimes soaps can be drying on my skin and these work pretty well.
I first heard about this company through the spa that I used to go to (before we moved) and I purchased the Edible Brown Sugar Lip Scrub at the spa. It is sooo yummy and I highly recommend it. I saw that the company had a website on the package and of course was intrigued. Had to try more of the products.
I'm liking what I have tried so far and would like to keep trying more. Love suggestions for these types of products.
Started using the new lotion from Good Fortune Soap. The scent I chose is Lavender and Lemon. It smells really good - very therapeutic and relaxing scent. I like the texture because it is not really greasy so it works nicely for a hand lotion too. I hate greasy hand lotion. I end up washing it off and this sinks into the skin really quickly.
Good Fortune's products are natural and made with out all the harsh ingredients: sulfates, phosphates, parabens, phthalates, artificial colors/ingredients, and no petroleum products.
I am also trying out some of the soaps as well. I like the scents and so far so good. Sometimes soaps can be drying on my skin and these work pretty well.
I first heard about this company through the spa that I used to go to (before we moved) and I purchased the Edible Brown Sugar Lip Scrub at the spa. It is sooo yummy and I highly recommend it. I saw that the company had a website on the package and of course was intrigued. Had to try more of the products.
I'm liking what I have tried so far and would like to keep trying more. Love suggestions for these types of products.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tried a NEW Scent Today
We went out to breakfast this morning and went shopping afterwards - none of this is new for me - I love to shop!! Nothing much out of the ordinary but I happened to stumble upon a NEW scent that I really like.
The scent itself isn't NEW but for me, it is a NEW scent.
Of course I just had to go into Juicy to shop for my daughter - like HELLO who doesn't love a little Juicy Couture - and as I was checking out, I was sniffing their scents.
I am now in love with Viva La Juicy. I did not want to buy the big bottle of the perfume so I bought the rollerball version that is only $19. It smells so good - slightly sweet - and the rollerball is a more intense scent.
Okay so you are saying, why does this count as something NEW? Well I guess I am going to encompass anything that falls into the category of new - whether it be a product, recipe, or task.
All of this may not be very exciting but I do love to try NEW products and it is especially nice when I really like the new product - well worth the money spent.
Hopefully sharing the info helps someone else make a decision - because decision making is not always my strong suit (usually I know what I want but when I don't forget it).
I also bought myself my first pair of TOMS shoes today. I like the message behind the TOMS company - One for One. If you buy a pair, the company also donates a pair to someone less fortunate who needs shoes. I feel good about being able to get new shoes but also knowing that someone else will as well!! Kind of sad, but I guess this is kind of my good deed for the day.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Something NEW: Sharing a favorite recipe
I made one of my favorite go to meals tonight for dinner in the crockpot...pot roast with potatoes and carrots. Ok, so you are thinking, if this is a go to meal, then this is definitely not something NEW.
Well the NEW part for me would be to share the recipe. It is definitely nothing fancy AT ALL but it is SO GOOD and I make it all the time. My mom is the one that showed me how to make this (she used to make it on the stove in a dutch oven but I adapted it for the crockpot and now she does the same) and I don't know where the "recipe" even came from but I am willing to share. Not sure why it is a big deal to give this recipe because even as I write this I share recipes all the time and I don't even think about it. Maybe I am starting to learn something already about myself - writing my thoughts down can make the task seem a lot easier.
Crockpot Pot Roast:
Sirloin Tip Roast or English Chuck Roast (both are really tender) - I like the meat to start to fall apart once it is cooked - I don't slice the meat
Baby carrots (I usually use around half a bag of the 1 pound baby carrots)
2-3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large cubes or quartered
Seasoning:
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried basil
I spray the crockpot w/ cooking spray - makes for a MUCH easier cleanup.
Place the meat into the crockpot and add a little bit of water (maybe 1/4 cup).
Season the meat w/ the seasonings above in the order listed. I usually like to make a nice coating of the basil.
I don't measure, I'm sorry. What I usually do is take a few pinches of salt and sprinkle on the top and same with pepper. I use more salt than pepper but nothing too crazy. Maybe to guess I would say 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. I would do less first and then add more if you think it needs it.
I sprinkle the garlic powder overtop - maybe like 1/8 tsp or 1/4 tsp - not too much.
The basil I use is dried and I probably use about 2 tsp to 1 tablespoon. I take it in the palm of my hand and kind of crush it a bit to release more of the flavor and coat the top of the meat.
Cover & turn the crockpot on low for 6-8 hours.
I usually add the carrots and potatoes about half way through so they do not get mushy. For example, if I start the roast at 8 am, I put the carrots and potatoes in around noon or one and we usually can eat around 5. I usually scatter them around the roast and whatever doesn't fit, I put on top of the roast. I usually add some more seasoning so that the potatoes are flavored but that is up to you. They soak up the flavor of the meat so they taste great either way.
If you are away all day and aren't able to add the potatoes and carrots, I usually opt for making mashed potatoes. You might be able to put everything in all at once but I fear that vegetables would get mushy being cooked that long.
Best part about this meal is that it is a one pot meal. I usually serve with a salad and rolls or crusty bread.
I like the meat to be fall apart tender - I don't shred it (like pulled pork or anything) but I don't like it sliced. It usually just falls apart on its own. The potatoes are nice and tender as well as the carrots. The flavor of everything together with the spices is the best part. You can also use the juices at the bottom of the crockpot as an au jus and pour it over the meat and vegetables - so good!
This meal is also AWESOME left over.
I am using the leftovers to make hot roast beef sandwiches with french fries and gravy.
The great part is - I got the roasts buy one get one free (froze them) and I usually have everything else on hand for both meals. I buy frozen french fries and bake them and I use either packet or jar gravy.
Well I shared and now I feel better...well sort of...still have to find more NEW things to think of doing/trying....lots more!!!
Well the NEW part for me would be to share the recipe. It is definitely nothing fancy AT ALL but it is SO GOOD and I make it all the time. My mom is the one that showed me how to make this (she used to make it on the stove in a dutch oven but I adapted it for the crockpot and now she does the same) and I don't know where the "recipe" even came from but I am willing to share. Not sure why it is a big deal to give this recipe because even as I write this I share recipes all the time and I don't even think about it. Maybe I am starting to learn something already about myself - writing my thoughts down can make the task seem a lot easier.
Crockpot Pot Roast:
Sirloin Tip Roast or English Chuck Roast (both are really tender) - I like the meat to start to fall apart once it is cooked - I don't slice the meat
Baby carrots (I usually use around half a bag of the 1 pound baby carrots)
2-3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large cubes or quartered
Seasoning:
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried basil
I spray the crockpot w/ cooking spray - makes for a MUCH easier cleanup.
Place the meat into the crockpot and add a little bit of water (maybe 1/4 cup).
Season the meat w/ the seasonings above in the order listed. I usually like to make a nice coating of the basil.
I don't measure, I'm sorry. What I usually do is take a few pinches of salt and sprinkle on the top and same with pepper. I use more salt than pepper but nothing too crazy. Maybe to guess I would say 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. I would do less first and then add more if you think it needs it.
I sprinkle the garlic powder overtop - maybe like 1/8 tsp or 1/4 tsp - not too much.
The basil I use is dried and I probably use about 2 tsp to 1 tablespoon. I take it in the palm of my hand and kind of crush it a bit to release more of the flavor and coat the top of the meat.
Cover & turn the crockpot on low for 6-8 hours.
I usually add the carrots and potatoes about half way through so they do not get mushy. For example, if I start the roast at 8 am, I put the carrots and potatoes in around noon or one and we usually can eat around 5. I usually scatter them around the roast and whatever doesn't fit, I put on top of the roast. I usually add some more seasoning so that the potatoes are flavored but that is up to you. They soak up the flavor of the meat so they taste great either way.
If you are away all day and aren't able to add the potatoes and carrots, I usually opt for making mashed potatoes. You might be able to put everything in all at once but I fear that vegetables would get mushy being cooked that long.
Best part about this meal is that it is a one pot meal. I usually serve with a salad and rolls or crusty bread.
I like the meat to be fall apart tender - I don't shred it (like pulled pork or anything) but I don't like it sliced. It usually just falls apart on its own. The potatoes are nice and tender as well as the carrots. The flavor of everything together with the spices is the best part. You can also use the juices at the bottom of the crockpot as an au jus and pour it over the meat and vegetables - so good!
This meal is also AWESOME left over.
I am using the leftovers to make hot roast beef sandwiches with french fries and gravy.
The great part is - I got the roasts buy one get one free (froze them) and I usually have everything else on hand for both meals. I buy frozen french fries and bake them and I use either packet or jar gravy.
Well I shared and now I feel better...well sort of...still have to find more NEW things to think of doing/trying....lots more!!!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
New Recipe
So I made a NEW recipe tonight...this might count as my "new thing" for tomorrow because I am the only one who has tried it so far...but we'll see!!
I made a cinnamon roll cake - found the recipe on Pinterest from this blog: http://cookinupnorth.blogspot.com/2011/07/cinnamon-roll-cake.html
My Verdict:
I was going to post a picture but I don't know if the cake came out as pretty as I had planned. It tasted pretty good but I think the amount of cinnamon topping could probably have been cut in half - It uses two sticks of butter. I am going to reheat a piece in the morning and see how I like it.
This did taste like a cinnamon roll - but more like a cinnamon roll/coffee cake - I guess that is why it is a cinnamon roll cake.
The reviews said AMAZING and BEST CAKE EVER - I am not sure I am sold on it being THE BEST CAKE EVER but going to try another piece - my first piece was still a little hot right out of the oven AND it was a corner piece (which I hate) but it was the first piece.
I love trying new recipes but as I said before, I hate when I make (or do) something and feel like I failed, so this blog is going to be my attempt to get out of that rut. I don't think I failed at this recipe BUT would have liked the results to be the kind of cake that I can't keep my fork out of - come on, you know what I am talking about.
I will update in the morning, once I've had my next piece (and of course, my coffee). I am going to see what my husband and baby girl think as well. My 19 months old gives me a very honest MMMMMM when she likes something - my husband says everything is good (such a nice guy).
Sidenote: This is also my first recipe to make from Pinterest. I recently became a Pinterest fanatic so I guess pinning is also something NEW that I am trying.
Well....reheated the cake in the morning and it was good - I made sure I had a gooey middle piece, which is my favorite part of a cinnamon roll. I still think I might try to make an easy cinnamon roll recipe and see what I like better. My husband liked the cake though. I guess I am just too hard on myself and can be very critical, especially when I am trying something NEW! Basically the reason that I wanted to start this blog again, so I can force myself to try something new and learn and move on.
I made a cinnamon roll cake - found the recipe on Pinterest from this blog: http://cookinupnorth.blogspot.com/2011/07/cinnamon-roll-cake.html
My Verdict:
I was going to post a picture but I don't know if the cake came out as pretty as I had planned. It tasted pretty good but I think the amount of cinnamon topping could probably have been cut in half - It uses two sticks of butter. I am going to reheat a piece in the morning and see how I like it.
This did taste like a cinnamon roll - but more like a cinnamon roll/coffee cake - I guess that is why it is a cinnamon roll cake.
The reviews said AMAZING and BEST CAKE EVER - I am not sure I am sold on it being THE BEST CAKE EVER but going to try another piece - my first piece was still a little hot right out of the oven AND it was a corner piece (which I hate) but it was the first piece.
I love trying new recipes but as I said before, I hate when I make (or do) something and feel like I failed, so this blog is going to be my attempt to get out of that rut. I don't think I failed at this recipe BUT would have liked the results to be the kind of cake that I can't keep my fork out of - come on, you know what I am talking about.
I will update in the morning, once I've had my next piece (and of course, my coffee). I am going to see what my husband and baby girl think as well. My 19 months old gives me a very honest MMMMMM when she likes something - my husband says everything is good (such a nice guy).
Sidenote: This is also my first recipe to make from Pinterest. I recently became a Pinterest fanatic so I guess pinning is also something NEW that I am trying.
Well....reheated the cake in the morning and it was good - I made sure I had a gooey middle piece, which is my favorite part of a cinnamon roll. I still think I might try to make an easy cinnamon roll recipe and see what I like better. My husband liked the cake though. I guess I am just too hard on myself and can be very critical, especially when I am trying something NEW! Basically the reason that I wanted to start this blog again, so I can force myself to try something new and learn and move on.
I'm back...
So another year later and I am deciding to start up my blog again...
I think I am going to head in the direction of making this blog about trying something new everyday.
Don't worry...I'm not adventurous so I'm not going to be bungee jumping or anything like that. It took me an entire year to start back up writing on here again - that is a task in itself. I would like to force myself to try something new everyday - some tasks may be "larger" than others - and to some people, these tasks me be no big deal but to someone who is a very routine, boring person - trying something new, no matter what it is, is a big deal!! I have a fear of failure and the unknown so if I don't know the outcome, I avoid doing it (whatever IT may be). I am trying to force myself to change a little.
Today's something NEW - is getting back on this blog and writing. Ok, so it is not NEW, NEW but forcing myself to write is a big deal for me. I am going to try a bunch of new things - recipes, tasks, ideas, etc. I might bore some (maybe all) people but hey, I am going to try and not care (also something new for me).
Now to start thinking up about 365 other missions...YIKES!!!
I think I am going to head in the direction of making this blog about trying something new everyday.
Don't worry...I'm not adventurous so I'm not going to be bungee jumping or anything like that. It took me an entire year to start back up writing on here again - that is a task in itself. I would like to force myself to try something new everyday - some tasks may be "larger" than others - and to some people, these tasks me be no big deal but to someone who is a very routine, boring person - trying something new, no matter what it is, is a big deal!! I have a fear of failure and the unknown so if I don't know the outcome, I avoid doing it (whatever IT may be). I am trying to force myself to change a little.
Today's something NEW - is getting back on this blog and writing. Ok, so it is not NEW, NEW but forcing myself to write is a big deal for me. I am going to try a bunch of new things - recipes, tasks, ideas, etc. I might bore some (maybe all) people but hey, I am going to try and not care (also something new for me).
Now to start thinking up about 365 other missions...YIKES!!!
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