Favorite Gadget Thingy- Food Storage

Now that I'm buying food in bulk (especially pantry items) I decided to invest in these rolling air tight storage containers. I'm trying to move away from plastics and so I know it looks hypocritical to then store my food in plastic but I'm finding that using dry pantry goods out of 25 pound bags can be a bit difficult, messy and well, not as sanitary as I'd like. I'm picky that way. So, I researched the different types of "food safe" plastics and then found this container that is made out of the top rated food safe plastic. This container holds a 25 pound bag perfectly and with the wheels, it makes rolling it out of your pantry a breeze. I put the food still in it's original bag into the container. It's designed for pet food but it seems companies are more concerned about pet's health when it comes to plastics rather than the health of humans. Go figure.

Where to get it?
I found it on Walmart.com. They don't carry it in my store but just online. It was $13 when I bought it. I ordered them to be shipped site-to-store so that I wouldn't have to pay shipping. I bought 3 of them to get me started and I'm super happy with them.

Gourmet Veggie Wrap

My good friend (who needs to start a cooking blog) made me lunch one day this summer and it was so good! She's a health nut like me and she always finds and makes the most amazing food! This recipe was from a magazine (one that I'd like to start getting a subscription to EatingWell) and one day I tried to make a copy-cat version using what I had on hand. Here is my take on it but below you can link to the original recipe. Now I love using the bean/avocado spread for just about any sandwich or wrap.

1 can or 1 1/2 cups cooked white northern beans
1 avocado mashed
1/4 tsp taco seasoning
dash of salt
dash of pepper
sprinkle of garlic powder
pinch of dried minced onion
2 cups shredded cabbage
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp poppyseed dressing
2 tbsp italian dressing

Mash the beans and avocado together. Spread the bean/avocado mixture on the tortilla/wrap. Mix the remaining ingredients together. Make it into a wrap using any of the following...

tomatoes, spinach, red bell pepper, olives optional.....
whole wheat tortilla or other wrap

This is SO GOOD!


link to original recipe

MIA

Is summer over already??? School has started for us and here sits my cooking blog. I guess that means my break is over and actually I sure do miss this blog. But, here's the deal, our summer has not gone as we expected.

My husband has been out of work since the end of May. We had hoped to be settled into a new job and possibly moved by August but alas, our plans are not the Lord's. Our house has been for sale and we have packed most of our home up in anticipation of a move either for a new job or to down size while he does odd jobs.

In light of that, I've also been working a little as well. I've started a house cleaning business to bring in a little income for our family to help sustain us. These are tough times and being jobless in a recession is a scary place to be. Yet our God is big and loving and has a plan for us. It may be a plan that brings blessing and ease or it may be a path with much difficulty...we don't know yet.

So, I'm coming back but lightly. I will be posting sporadically when I can. Most of my attention will be focused on schooling my children (yes, we are still homeschooling), selling our home, and working. I've been cooking in survival mode through the summer but never more dedicated to healthy/organic cooking than now! So, pop in here from time to time and watch for new posts.

In the meantime, if my husband does get a job and we get more settled and my life returns as I once knew it, I will get back to posting regularly.

Enjoy cooking, live with passion and conviction and I'll hopefully see you back here soon.

kitchen flooring is done.....

There was a question asking if our flooring was done so here are some pictures since I'm still on blogging break. =0)We put new kitchen flooring in as a temporary solution to our flooring issues. We planned on putting hardwood floors in most of our downstairs but while we were saving up for it our floors were not being very patient. The peel and stick squares that the owners before us put in were peeling up and we were tripping over the corners of them. Lovely I know. The adhesive between them all was also turning black and impossible to clean. Take my advice and steer clear of adhesive squares for your flooring. Yes, they go down quickly and with ease but in a year you'll be wishing you hadn't! Ours were about 4 years old. We also had carpet under our table area which had some serious stains on it.
I picked the cheapest vinyl I could find and had it put down in the kitchen and the dining room (where the carpet had been) and I'm thrilled to be able to sweep my floors again and mop them with ease! Sometimes, it's been thankful for the little things. I hated the flooring when it went in but it's starting to grow on me.

You must see it....

I finally went and saw this! Oh my goodness, where do I start. It's a must! I got so upset during the film that I could hardly sit still in my chair. I didn't expect it to make me mad but it did. The film was great....although I think I could have added at least another hours worth of content myself but who am I? I just wish they would have explained a little more for those that are ignorant about the health effects. They touched on it but didn't go into it enough. I don't think the general public is educated as to the health effects of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and hydrogenated oils, etc. If you want to know why our family eats organic, watch this film! And then start supporting your local farms if you can!

Stores that sell organic foods

Just had to tell you about this cool site that has listings by state of stores that sell organic foods. How cool is that!