Happy Halloween

We have beautiful weather today for all the little trick or treaters.  We don't usually have many, but because the weather is so nice, I better go buy some more candy.

Speaking of candy, I have sworn off eating sugar today.  I started my morning with a Green Juice.  I also made enough for the entire day.  Today, I am fasting from food and drinking just this juice.  Why?  Because it will help set me up for a good week of eating healthy and keep me committed, and keep me from eating sugar. 

Don't let the color fool you, it tastes great.

Green Juice Recipe

12 red, yellow, and green apples, organic and not peeled

1 meyer lemon peeled

a dozen fresh dug carrots from my garden, unpeeled

1 chunk of ginger root, 1 1/2 inch cube

1 bunch of kale

Juice in a juice extractor and enjoy at room temperature

Here are a collection of decorating photos.

Happy Halloween!

My Daughter, Liz grew this pumpkin then carved it like this!  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I will leave you with this Fall Casserole that is quick easy, and very yummy.

Polenta Chili Casserole

6 cups water

2 cups corn grit, (or meal - not flour)

1 tsp of salt as desired

Bring water to a boil and slowly stir in corn grit.  Stir frequently to keep from burning as it cooks.  Lower heat and cook till tender.  Grit will take up to 30 minutes, Meal is quicker.  When corn is thick and tender remove from heat and pour into a baking dish, (spray with pam).  Let cool while you prepare the veggies.

1 cup of green  bell pepper, diced

1 cup of sweet onions, diced

1 cup of fresh tomato, diced

2 package of Madras Lentils, or your favorite chili

Shredded cheese to taste

You can use a larger casserole for this recipe.  Here is the polenta grits in a smaller casserole (half)

I added two packages of the Madras lentils on top (Vegan) but you can use any chili or bean from a can.

Add the chopped peppers and onions

Top with the tomatoes and put in the microwave for 25-30 minutes depending on the size of the casserole.

Top with shredded cheese if desired and return to microwave to melt.  Serve with a little cilantro and sour cream to garnish.  Yummmmm

Absentee

Sorry for the lack of posts.  I have been busy gardening the last possible harvest of my garden, and planning a baby shower for my daughter-in-law.  Oh, and working hard on fall cleaning. 

I know you don't want to hear the boring report on fall cleaning, but I did discover a tip to remove yucky grout grime.  I bought liquid Oxy Clean for the laundry, but I used it on my tile and grout.  It worked wonders.

My report on the garden:  Dug up all the potatoes, some red, white and blue.  Started pulling out all the old plants.  Still picking kale and chard (the never ending plants).  Rescued the last of my tomatoes.  Oh and did I mention the gopher?  Well he is no more!   (too bad you cannot see the happy dance)

Now to the Baby Shower.  You know how they always say it takes a village to raise a child.  Well, I want to thank my village for coming to the baby shower for Janae.  I have immense gratitude for the support of wonderful friends and neighbors.  Your gifts will help make the new baby warm, comfortable and just amazingly cute!  Thank you all so much for your support and friendship.  I appreciate each of you for taking time from your busy and hectic schedule to spend a little time and lots of love with us.

To my family I want to add, that you are amazing and wonderful.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family.  I love you all.

I promise to do a better jog posting, so hang in there with me.

So Corny

The weather is going to change this week and temperatures will drop.  Fruits and Veggies will quit growing soon and that makes me a little sad.  One thing is for sure, I have been preserving lots of food for the winter.  I almost feel like a squirrel.

I didn't get any cobs on my corn in my garden this year.  My corn didn't develop the kernels properly.  I have had this happen before, and I think I will just give up on the corn.  There are so many farms around me that have wonderful corn, it seems silly for me to try to grow it anymore.  So in honor of this new found knowledge, I had my hubby Craig buy me a case of corn.

I shucked the corn and then froze it so it will be  ready to eat all winter.  If you have never frozen corn before, here are some easy directions for freezing corn -off the cob.

Shuck the corn and take as much silk as possible off each cob.  Set it next to the stove, and have a pot of boiling water ready.  (a large pot works great for a large batch)

Blanch the corn in boiling water for 6-8 minutes. 

Then remove quickly and plunge into Ice Cold Water.

I use a screw in a piece of wood to hold the corn cob while I cut it off.  There are other implements to help get the corn off the husk, but this is my favorite. (I use a little piece of rubber shelf mat to keep it from sliding)

This is another tool you can buy to remove the kernels, but it really smashes them, not my favorite way.

I place a large piece of wax paper over the screw so when the corn is cut off, it is easier to gather.  Using an electric knife, I slice down the corn in strips.  Turn the cob and cut another strip all around till all the corn is removed.  Remember to be careful of your fingers if you hold the top of the cob.  You can use a regular sharp knife, but the electric knife makes quick work.

You will have this when you are done. 

If you like creamy corn, then take a butter knife and scrape down the cob to remove all the remaining juice and kernels.

That's all there is to it.  You will have a bowl of corn kernels that you can freeze any way you like.  You can purchase plastic containers, or ziplock freezer bags, or use a foodsaver to vacuum pack your corn.  

If you like, you can spread the corn out on a cookie sheet and freeze it then after it is frozen you can pack it into your chosen container.  This makes it separate into smaller pieces rather than a frozen block.

It's not much work, and think of all that yummy fresh corn this winter.