Freezing and buying in bulk

     I'm pretty sure one small blog post will not cover all of this, but I wanted to touch on it a little sense it is Memorial Day weekend. There will be lots of cook outs and plenty of sales to stock up on some things.

     I full on support buying things in bulk when they come on a good sale or within a "buy price". Corn for 10/$1, why wouldn't I stock up! You will never find it at those prices again (unless maybe late harvest season). Corn on the cob also freezes pretty well. Do it if it's something your family enjoys. Even if it only lasts the summer, it will sure save some money. Now a days, a dollar is a dollar, they add up. Heck even if it was just one dollar a week for the summer you would have about $10! More than enough for a package of "extra meat".

     Another few things that normally go on sales around this time of the year are hamburger and hot dog buns, ground beef, hot dogs and condiments. Things like condiments can last generally a good while. Most for at least a year shelf life. Stock up on enough to get you through until next year and I'm sure you can save a good amount.

     Meat doesn't last quiet as long, even when frozen, but again those dollars save up pretty fast in the current economic times. Personally, I like to buy in bulk and get home and repackage all of my stuff into portion sized packages. It might take some extra time but it sure cuts out some stress. Dinner for two, take out one package, for six no problem take out three.

     Buns don't normally last quite as long either, but guess what, they can be frozen as well! Just make sure to get what moisture out of the bag and double bag them before freezing. (Put the bread in it's original bag into another bag, I generally use the bags it comes home in for this!) They thaw out just fine and I've never had it taste any different. This is also a good tip for if you have a discount bakery near you.

     Make sure to watch those sale papers and get some good deals this summer!

~Skadia, the corn hogging panther

Calico's wishlist

     Real quick sense she will be getting out of the hospital soon, she's been making a list of food she's been craving. So I might as well get you guys all excited for what's to come! I'm going to post a bunch of things she wants here and if you want to see it done, make sure you comment and tell me. I might even do some youtube videos for some of them.

• Spaghetti - This simple meal was a take on one that my mother made when I was little. Basic pasta and a red sauce that has both savory and sweet notes accented with fresh herbs. 
• Creeps -  A netted pancake like creep that's filled with a fruit and cream filling, smothered with more fruit on top. 
• Ramen - Not your everyday packaged stuff. I use the noodles for added speed to the meal. I fill it with chicken, and veggies and a rich broth.
• Loaded Mashed Potatoes - A low fat version of the original. Turkey bacon, lowfat cheese and lowfat evaporated milk make this just as good as the original but a lot healthier. 
• Nutella pancakes - Thick and fluffy pancakes topped with the famous hazelnut spread all over it and a bit of fresh fruit to brighten it up.

     That's just the start of what I'll be doing after she gets home. Like I said, let me know what you are excited to see!

Breakfast, is the hardest meal of my day

     Most people say breakfast is the most important meal. I'm one of those people. It's a useful weight loss tool. Get up and jump start your metabolism. It gives you energy to get you moving. This however, is the hardest meal of the day for me. Not because I don't like breakfast food. In fact just the opposite, I love it. I'll happily eat it for dinner or lunch or just have some turkey bacon for a snack. But I just can't bring myself to make and/or eat first thing in the morning.

     I've tried everything from just some fruit, or a yogurt. I just can't even get in a habit like that. Some days I can do it, but not as often as I should. I tried making myself smoothies for breakfast, something I can sip on. Well sense the move I have no idea where any of our travel mugs are. Soooo I can't even take them with. I'm also really good for leaving drinks laying around the house. My wife can attest to half finished can's of soda (when we have them in the house).

     So the real question is how to break this habit that I have had for years. It started when I was in high school. I chose sleep over breakfast. I've not found a solution yet. However, I do have an idea on how to start.

     Coffee!

     The most important thing about my morning (day even) is my cup (or 3) of coffee. I get up and make a pot before I do anything else. My hope is to find things that pair well with coffee, like scones or muffins. Even a cookie might be better than nothing at all to just get me going. Something just a little sweet to offset that bitter coffee.

     Make sure though if you try something like this you don't eat the same thing every day. It will get boring and you will give it up. We are creatures of habit, it's how we work.

     What foods make your morning great? Leave me a comment so we can work on a list of awesome "get going" breakfast foods.

~Skadia, the coffee loving panther.

Back and cooking again!

After many more medical issues with my wife, life seems to finally be falling back into place. That means I can get back into blogging. I can get back into making food and working with things I loved doing again.

I'm going to be getting a lot more recipes and even more food pics as well. Also more meal deals and what not.