Friday, December 25, 2009

BODY , MIND AND SPIRIT MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2010


FOLLOW YOUR BLISS

BODY
Invest in myself
Spend time exercising
yoga & bicycling
Eat healthy
Have massages
Visit the Spa
Facials, manicures and pedicures

MIND
Live every moment to the fullest
Read a book a week
Take classes
Creative writing
Journaling

SPIRIT
Pray the Rosary
Art- Visit exhibits
Rekindle friendships
Commune with Nature
Travel
Poetry
Love

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TRADITIONS



A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned
 
 
Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath.  Today, we are a pious and exemplary community.  Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever.  ~Mark Twain

New Year's Day Dinner Menu



Guiness Pork Roast


Incredibly simple recipe, very delicious.


1 small pork roast

1 can/bottle Guiness Beer

2 tb Rosemary and garlic seasoning blend

salt & pepper



I put it in the crock pot on low.


Since I will be making it for New Year’s Day Lunch I will put it on at night before I go to bed.



It comes out so tender it just pulls apart. Leftovers great for pulled pork sandwiches.
************
Cabbage and Turnips

1 small cabbage chopped
1 onion diced
4 turnips quartered
6 whole cloves garlic
8 oz ham
salt and pepper
2 tb hot pepper vinegar

add to pot with enough water to just cover , cook til tender, about 20 mins.

******
Blackeyed Peas with Jalapeno
and
Steamed Rice
*******

Cheddar and Green Onion stuffed CornCakes
**using eberskiver pan**

1 box jiffy corn muffin mix
1/2 c grated cheddar
4 green onions sliced

Use 1 scant Tb of batter in Eberskiver well, add 1/2 tsp each cheddar and green onion. Top with another scant Tb of batter. And fry turning once.

STUFFED KOHLRABI



I trimed off the stems and cut the Kohlrabi in half. I cored out the pulp with a melon baller. Diced the pulp and sauted it til tender in butter with salt and pepper. I then mixed in the meat mixture . Heated it thru and stuffed the raw kohlrabi shells.

Meat Filling
1 large onion, chopped
1 tb garlic
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground sausage
salt and pepper

There are 2 sauces that can be used with this. A regular Spaghetti Sauce or a Cream Sauce. You may use your preference.



Cooking: Since I love my crockpot this is my prefered method. Basically place stuffed kohlrabi in crockpot and cover with a jar of purchased Spaghetti/ alfredo sauce cook on low. 4-6 hrs

also you may cook in oven at 350 for 45-60 mins til tender.

** Kohlrabi has a taste like sweet turnip. Very mild.



A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS



It's been a quiet Christmas.
I got the one thing I wanted,
which was a good job.

I have a bright outlook for the future
and the things I want to do
and accomplish in the New Year.

It's been a Merry Little Christmas.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER


A Christmas Prayer



by Robert Louis Stevenson





Loving Father,


Help us remember the birth of Jesus,


that we may share in the song of the angels,


the gladness of the shepherds,


and worship of the wise men.






Close the door of hate


and open the door of love all over the world.


Let kindness come with every gift


and good desires with every greeting.


Deliver us from evil by the blessing


which Christ brings,


and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.






May the Christmas morning


make us happy to be thy children,


and Christmas evening bring us to our beds


with grateful thoughts,


forgiving and forgiven,


for Jesus' sake.


Amen.


Sunday, December 20, 2009

CHRISTMAS PARTY AT MOODY GARDENS HOTEL


MY DEAREST FRIEND IN THE WORLD INVITED ME TO HIS COMPANIES CHRISTMAS PARTY. THE FOOD WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. THE DECORATIONS WERE EXQUISITE. THERE WAS EVEN A BABY GRAND PIANO AND A CHANTOR CROONING CHRISTMAS CAROLS.

ESTEE LAUDER CHRISTMAS



EVERY YEAR THERE IS USUALLY ONLY ONE THING I REALLY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SMITTEN BY THE CHRISTMAS ESTEE LAUDER GIFT SET. I WAS OUT OF WHITE LINEN SO I PICKED UP A BOTTLE AND GOT 2 GIFT SETS WITH MY PUCHASE THE MAKE-UP GIFT SET AND THE PARFUM GIFT SET.  VERY NICE SURPRISE!

FROBERG'S VEGETABLE BASKETS FOR CHRISTMAS


MY MOM AND DAD BROUGHT OVER THIS WONDERFUL VEGETABLE BASKET FROM FROBERG'S FARMS FOR CHRISTMAS. I LOVE GETTING THESE EVERY YEAR.
THERE IS NOTHNG LIKE FARM FRESH VEGETABLES.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

AMALTHIA ORGANIC DAIRY LCC, MONTANA



Amaltheia Dairy is nestled at the base of the Bridger Mountains near Bozeman, Montana. Goats peacefully nibble grasses and grains, while a zephyr blows through the Cottonwood trees by the stream that borders one end of the dairy, and an occasional eagle or hawk can be spotted soaring above. One is struck by how peaceful it all seems; perhaps the goats are soothed by the views of mountains and the music of the wind.

Melvyn and Sue Brown began their Grade A Amaltheia Dairy, on Thanksgiving Day 2000. They started milking with 90 goats. Initially they sold their milk to a distributor making gourmet cheese for California customers. In the spring of 2002 the Browns decided to develop and operate their own cheese facility. Through careful development and stringent standards for purity and flavor, they arrived at an exceptional product that they are now marketing. Today, they are milking about 280 goats and producing 150 gallons of goat milk each day. Making one pound of goat cheese takes 5 pounds of goat milk. It is carefully pasteurized and cultured, and the cheese making process requires a great deal of hands-on attention. The Chevre takes about three days to make, and the other cheeses vary, but all are made in small batches and shipped or delivered promptly.



Amaltheia Dairy has developed Chevre, Feta, and Ricotta cheeses, as well as a variety of flavored Chevres, such as Roasted Garlic and Chive, Spiced Pepper, and Sun-dried Tomato Chevre. Amaltheia Dairy sells 17 different products and has the capacity to produce 2,000 pounds of goat cheese a week.



The herbs used to flavor the cheeses are locally grown and organic whenever possible; the goat cheese product is entirely natural. Amaltheia Dairy uses vegetarian-friendly vegetable rennet only. The Browns are in the process of exploring organic status for their cheeses.



Amaltheia Dairy is a family run operation. Their son Nathan and their daughter Sarah, and other employees who are like family, assist in Sue and Melvyn’s endeavors. To keep up with the dairy as well as their teenagers’ schedules, their pace is unusually hectic, but on the farm there is always a feeling of serenity. Young goats wander in a grassy pens near the creek and babies are hand fed several times daily. Melvyn and Sue guide every operation with personal care, and everyone is diligent in maintaining the Grade A status of the dairy and the quality of the cheese. Sleep comes gently at Amaltheia Dairy.

The name Amaltheia comes from Greek mythology, and refers to the goat that nursed Zeus. Its horn gave us the cornucopia. Amaltheia cheese is truly the ambrosia of the gods!

****MANY THANKS TO THE WELL SEASONED COOK. BLOGSPOT.COM FOR HAVING THIS INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAY.*****

This is the wonderful box of fantastic artisanal cheeses I won from the Well Seasoned cook. I am absolutely delighted. I can hardly wait to start using them.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

LIVE....



LIVE IN THE PRESENT
FORGIVE YOUR PAST

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

ST.JUDE

ST. JUDE

MOST HOLY APOSTLE, ST. JUDE,
FAITHFUL SERVANT AND FRIEND OF JESUS,
PATRON OF HOPELESS CASES,
PRAY FOR ME I AM HELPLESS AND ALONE.
I IMPLORE YOU OF THE PARTICULAR PRIVILEGE GIVEN TO YOU TO BRING VISIBLE AND SPEEDY HELP WHERE THERE IS HOPELESSNESS.
I PROMISE TO BE EVER MINDFUL
OF THIS GREAT FAVOR.
TO ALWAYS HONOR YOU
AS MY SPECIAL AND
POWERUL PATRON.

AMEN

(MAKE YOUR PETITION)

**ST. JUDE ANSWERED MY PRAYERS DEC.2009 **
THANK YOU ST.JUDE

Monday, December 14, 2009

LEIBMAN'S FOOD AND WINE

About Leibman's Wine & Fine Foods








Ettienne Leibman opened Leibman's in partnership with her husband Ralph in 1979 after emigrating from South Africa. On December 20, 2003, this Houston specialty food store, a labor of love for 24 years, had burned to the ground just in time for the holiday rush. Ettienne Leibman had spent 24 years of blood, sweat, and tears building a business, and in a few hours, it was destroyed. Leibman immediately vowed to resurrect the store.






On December 2, 2004, Leibman came back with a bang, cutting the ribbon on a sparkling 11,300-square-foot Leibman's Wine & Fine Foods, more than double the size of the previous store. With the opportunity to build her beloved Houston specialty food store from scratch, Leibman and her team have created a stellar market.






With extra space and an ever-increasing customer count, Leibman is eager to bring in more merchandise. She concludes, "I will never forget the devastation of the fire, but it has resulted in a rebirth of our business."




Leibman's Wine & Fine Foods




Houston Restaurants Houston Specialty Food & Wine Shop & Deli


Welcome to Leibman's Wine and Fine Foods. We are a premier Houston, TX deli and specialty food store located on Memorial Drive. Here you find a wonderful selection of fine wines from all over the globe. We taste and hand-select each and every wine we offer. It is our goal to provide you not only with an ever-changing supply of eclectic wines from around the globe but also the best value within any price range.






Specialty Gift Baskets


In addition to our specialty food and wine shop, Leibman's offers a variety of flavorful gift baskets to enjoy year round. Leibman's offers a variety of gift baskets for any occasion. Contact us to learn more about our variety of gift baskets including our famous Kosher gift baskets! Whether you're looking for a corporate gift, holiday treat, or a tasty gift to say thanks, Leibman's has the perfect gift basket for every occasion.






Houston Deli & Bakery


We also have an in-store Houston deli with the very best sandwiches, soups, and even prepared foods like pasta, rice, vegetables, poultry salads, quiche, and salmon. Our bakery has a wide assortment of pies, cookies, cakes, and our incomparable bread pudding.






Houston Business & Social Catering


One of our specialties is the ability to provide Houston business and social catering to the surrounding area. If you have an upcoming special occasion, corporate event, or are simply planning a party, relax and let Leibman's fulfill your every need from food and wine to party platters and buffets to full service Houston catering.









THIS WAS A WONDERFUL STORE. I ENJOYED IT SO MUCH. THE DELI WAS REMARKABLE WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND ORIGINAL OFFERINGS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. I BOUGHT SOME PIMENTO CHEESE AND AN ORZO SALAD.

NIGELLA LAWSON AND ME



DECEMBER 8 TUESDAY 7PM
LEIBMAN'S WINE AND FOOD
WITH BLUEWILLOW BOOKSHOP
TALK AND BOOK SIGNING
14529 MEMORIAL DR.
HOUSTON, TX
281-497-8675

RON JEREMY AND ME


I WON!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS TO...

of The Garden Cat Cottage, winner of the Amaltheia Organic Dairy Goat Cheese giveaway. Kathy, please contact me at thewellseasonedcook AT yahoo DOT com with your shipping details.


Thank you to everyone who participated. As opportunities become available, I will continue to carefully select quality culinary products (comestibles, equipment, and books) which I believe my readers would enjoy the chance of winning. As always, I am delighted by your visits and comments, and look forward to discovering the new faces who have introduced themselves through this event

Monday, December 7, 2009

CHEESEBURGER VEGETABLE SOUP RECIPE




CHEESEBURGER VEGETABLE SOUP

1-1/2 lb. ground beef
2 15 oz cans veg-all
2 ribs. diced celery sliced
1  onion diced
1 jalapeno diced
2 15 oz cans vegetable broth
4 c. milk
1 lb. Velveeta cheese- cubed
I used montery jack velvetta cheese
salt & pepper








SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER- THE COOKIE CAPER


THIS MORNING WHEN I GOT UP, HALF THE BISCOTTI WAS MISSING. SOMEONE IN THIS PHOTO IS THE CULPRIT. NEVER TRUST A DOG IN ANTLERS.....LOL

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Amaretto Fig & Walnut Biscotti Recipe




AMARETTO FIG AND WALNUT BISCOTTI

1 TSP ANISE SEED
1/2 C BUTTER
3/4 C SUGAR
1 TSP VANILLA
2 TSP AMARETTO
1 TSP ANISE EXTRACT
1 LEMON ZESTED
2 1/4 C FLOUR OR BISQUICK
1 1/2 TSP BAKING POWDER *
(OMIT IF USING BISQUICK)
1/4 TSP SALT
1/2 C WALNUTS
6 OZ FIGS DICED
3 EGGS

MIX, MAKE LOAF, BAKE LOAF FOR 30 MINS AT 350. SLICE COOKIES LAY ON BAKING SHEET AND TOAST  15 MORE MINUTES AT 350.

****************
THESE CAME OUT WONDERFUL. THE FLAVOR WAS FANTASTIC!
AND THE SMELL OF THEM BAKING LIKE AN ITALIAN KITCHEN!

Friday, December 4, 2009

MEETING NIGELLA LAWSON


Nigella is my all time favorite Cookbook author and TV personality. I will finally get my chance to meet her in Houston on December 8 & 9. I am looking forward to it.

WISHING FOR A MIRACLE


I live on an island where it only snowed once when I was two years old. It has now snowed twice in the past few years and is due to snow tonight. When everything is covered in pristine white crystals it gives me the faith that miracles can happen. I have been praying for a miracle. I hope it happens for me this Holiday Season.

Kathy

Thursday, December 3, 2009

ANCIENT CHINESE SECRET----HEALING TEA'S



I had a dear friend named Edward who was a Doctor in China. He treated ailments with food not medicines and his remedies always worked.

Ginger Coke Tea
1 regular coke
1 in ginger sliced
boil ,then simmer for 20 mins
drink hot.


Lemon, Ginger and Chili Peper Tea

59 oz boiling water
5 lemons ( zest and juice)
3-7 red chili pepers sliced
1 inch ginger sliced
5 tb honey

pour boiling water over ingredients and let step
Drink hot
I keep tea in  a container and drink all day long while I have cold symptoms

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME


EVERY YEAR I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH SANTA AT THE SEASIDE TREASURES CRAFT FAIR. SANTA IS A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE NAMED MARK TILLOTSON.

ALL I AM ASKING SANTA FOR THIS YEAR IS A FULL TIME JOB. AMEN