Yummy!

 I have a problem.  I love good food.  But I also want to cook healthy food.

Quite often I have been able to find a happy medium.

But not with brownies, one of my favorite food groups.

I like them moist and fudgey.  I DO NOT like them to resemble cake. At. All.

When black bean brownies first came on the scene I was hoping they would be my bridge between good for me food and yummy I want to eat these food.

My bridge collapsed.  The brownies tasted like bitter cocoa flavored cardboard.  And that is an insult to the cardboard.   There was no talking yourself into eating them.

But recently I read a blog written by a famous healthy cook (whose name is unfortunately escaping me).  She said she had perfected a black bean brownie that was not related to cardboard.

Oh, how much I wanted to believe her.  So I succumbed.  I made them.  They were wonderful.  No taste of black beans.  No bitterness. Just ooey, gooey chocolate goodness.  I promise.

Black Bean Brownies You Can Enjoy

1 1/2 c. Rinsed and drained black beans
2Tbs Cocoa powder
1/2 to 3/4 c. Oatmeal (I used 1/2 but will use 3/4 the next time)
1/3 plus 2 Tbs language syrup or honey
1/4 c oil
2 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. Baking powder
1/2 c chocolate chips

Mix in order given and put into a greased 8 by 8 pan for 15-20 minutes at 375.

Enjoy their rich, chocolatey, yumminess.

Doesn't Everyone?

Since I have been back on the boat I have made a baby afghan, two shrugs, and I am now working on a sweater.

Nothing much else to do when walking hurts.

But, the odd thing, at least according to Mike, is that I still have a suitcase of yarn to use.

Is that odd?
Is it too much?
Doesn't everyone have a stash like this?

They probably just hide it better. Right?

Eating From The Pantry

Aldi is three miles away.

 It is the closest grocery store.

 No way can I walk there and back right now.

So, we are eating out of the pantry.

No eggs.

 No cheese.

No butter.

No fresh fruit or vegetables.

Almost no peanut butter.

Such first world problems.

We have beans, rice, pasta, tomatoes, flour and yeast for bread, dry milk, oil, etc.

Plenty to go on with.

Two nights ago I made corned beef hash, fried green beans and pineapple.
Last night was homemade chili and crackers.
Tonight is bean and rice burgers with fresh homemade bread.

In the pipeline:
Pasta with sauce
Black bean soup
Tuna fish sandwich with tomato soup
Chili spaghetti
Bean and rice burrito
Baked beans with hot dogs



See, it's a good thing that I have a stockpile.

The Not So Graceful Klutz

Last night I barreled full tilt into an obstruction and broke the little toe on my left foot.

It was completely at right angles to the rest of my toes.  Weird.

I was all for just taping it up afterwards, since I know from previous klutzyness (yep, I think I just made up a word) that is all that can be done.

I lost that skirmish with Mike and off to the care facility we went.

I was x-rayed and it was determined that I had done such a fine job of it that I need to see an orthopaedic to see if it needs pinned.  Who knew.

Temporarily, I am taped, wearing a boot and walk along like a mixture of Festus from Gunsmoke and Frankenstein.  Cute.

I am always good for some comic relief.

Paying Homage to an Accomplishment of My Mother's

Back in the '60s my mom crocheted throw rugs in the shape of a hexagon. As far as I know those were the only things she ever crocheted.  I had one by the side of my bed for years.  Lovely to step on those cold winter mornings

Recently, I have been paying homage to my mother by crocheting some small area rugs for a friend and her daughter.

The daughter's rug was a brightly coloured circle. It was made to go with the pillow and afghan I had previously made her.

I just finished my second area rug for her mother. Both are rectangles, although of different sizes.  Both are made of darker neutral colors.

All three rugs are washable and should wear for years.  (Although the daughter may outgrow those colors long before the rug wears out :-)

Thanks mom for the idea and the example.

July's Simple Savings

Total: $1107.81 this month, for an average of $1224.61 per month over the last seven months

This month the savings came from:
 taking advantage of military discounts,
salvage food savings,
rebates on alcohol purchased,
Goodwill colored tag reductions,
Senior discount on hair cuts,
Starbucks free coffee,
Negotiated hotel rate,
Free Ebooks,
Found change on the ground,
Free breakfasts at the hotel,
B1/G1 dinner,
Free Milkshake coupon,
Price comparison on new lenses for my classes,
Gas Buddy gasoline purchases,
Self catering at the motel,
Negotiating with the airline 're our return fares

We saved a lot of money without changing our lifestyle. Win-win!