The Urban Homemaker Blog

Category: General

  • Real Food and Nutrition Preview

    Food not Nutrients , Kristen Michaelis explores the concept of nutritionism in depth with some help from Michael Pollan.
    Food not Nutrients, Kristen Michaelis explores the concept of nutritionism in depth with some help from Michael Pollan.

    Real Food and Nutrition

    Kristen Michaelis’ class Real Food and Nutrition is designed for those aged 12 and up  who desire to understand what the Real Food and Sustainable Living movement is all about.  In the 10 week ecourse you will:

    • Read first-hand accounts from inside the Real Food Revolution,

    • Watch video footage of the leading thinkers behind the sustainable food movement,

    • Engage the course materials in a critical, thoughtful way

    • Participate in an online community learning experience.

    • Do experiments at the grocery store, in your kitchen, and (if possible) local farms.

    • Watch informative yet entertaining videos

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    I make a small commission from any class sales.

  • Dinner: Savory Chicken Tacos

    Savory Chicken TacosI love it when I find an EASY and yummy recipe everyone likes especially when most of the ingredients are already stocked in my freezer.

    This recipe is courtesy of my local grocery store!  The original version is all convenience products, but I have changed it to using only canned items that I don’t do from scratch, but you could.

    The total preparation time if you have everything on hand is about five minutes, longer if you need to prepare the ingredients.  It’s yummy and kids will love it.

    Savory Chicken Tacos

    3 Cups shredded chicken (Straight from the freezer or Use Rotisserie chicken if in a hurry)

    2 Cups brown rice (straight from the freezer)

    1 Cup frozen sweet corn  (straight from my freezer or canned would be OK)

    1/2 tsp Real salt

    1 cup shredded Pepper Jack or Quesadilla Cheese

    1 can diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes (These tomatoes have fantastic flavor, never had tried them before)

    1 – 16 oz Jar Green Enchilada Sauce  – You could substitute canned green chili’s whirled in the blender with some water)

    1 pkg Crisp Taco Shells, corn or flour tortillas (for soft shell) or Corn Tortilla Chips

    Chopped cilantro and Sour Cream, optional

    Instructions:

    Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.  Lightly grease a 13 X 9 baking dish.

    Mix all the ingredients except the taco shells in a large bowl, spread into the baking dish.

    Bake at 450 degrees or until bubbling.  Let stand 5 minutes.

    Spoon into crispy  taco shells or soft tortillas.

  • Bottled Water Scorecard

    nobottledH20My friend Kelly, from Kellythekitchenkop.com, had a reader send in a link to the EWG scorecard on bottled water I thought you might like to check out.

    Why No More Bottled Water?

    It has been my opinion, often expressed in this blog, that bottled water is unnecessarily expensive, inconvenient, and not as high a quality as Multi-Pure filtered water and other home filtered water systems.

    It takes a lot of energy and resources to bottle and transport the treated water and most of the bottles end up in land fills.

    The AquaDome model has been designated Consumer’s Digest Best Buy!

    Save even more and consider Filtermania – buy 10 filters and get your system FREE!  Save $59.95 on your total purchase by using coupon code:  Instant Discount.

    If you want some facts on bottled water that has been tested by EWG, check out this link:  http://breakingnews.ewg.org/bottled-water-2011-search

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  • Follow-up Stories to Encourage Your Heart:

    If you missed my heart-warming, encouraging story about The Bosch Miracle last week you can read it here:

    Bosch Miracle Story

    My in box was filled with lots of follow-up comments I thought would continue to encourage you to keep on keeping on in the high calling of homemaking.  Sometimes we just get stuck in our ruts, or get discouraged, so read on if you need to be encouraged today.

    Follow-up Stories from the Bosch Miracle Story:

    • My mom really needed a vehicle as she had to retire hers because it would no longer pass smog here in Ca.  My husband had done some remodeling for a lady he works with and she mentioned getting rid of their van.  Long story short he did a days worth of work at her house in exchange for a van for my mom. We surprised her on Christmas. She said it was the best present she’d ever received. God is good!  Lisa W.

    • Hi Marilyn, I haven’t bought anything from you but have loved your site and learned how to sprout wheat and love your Whole wheat bread recipe.

      I bought a new Bosch mixer with attachments in 1981-82  when my daughter was 7 in So. Calif. At that time I bought a grain mill that lasted until 2 years ago when I bought a Magic Mill I bought here in Colorado Springs.  I have had it repaired, cleaned out one time about 25 years ago.  and it still works great.

      I make 5 loaves of sprouted wheat.  I am disabled from Polio as a child and in an Electric Wheelchair, but with my husband’s help I can still make my bread and bag and freeze it for the month.    Just wanted to let you know that these old Bosch’s are still going strong.  Linda T.

    • I wanted to thank you for sharing the Bosch Miracle story with your readers.  We are still doing OK, as we are savers and have reserve  It is encouraging to hear stories like this.Blessings, Bev W.

    • Here’s my story…About 10 years ago, my husband was out of work too and we weren’t able to afford a mill AND a Bosch. I bought the mill and decided I could make the bread by hand until we could afford a Bosch. After attending a class on how to use grinders and mills, the teacher and owner of the business called me one day and said the Lord had told her to give me her demonstrator Bosch.

    • She was getting a new one to demonstrate with. Needless to say, I was thrilled and thankful!! I remember the first day making the bread with my new Bosch, I was so excited! I’m still using the same Bosch 10 years later. Every time I use it, I try to remember to say a prayer for the dear woman who gave it to me.  I have been blessed so many times over the years through a woman who responded to God’s prompting.

    • I have been wanting a Bosch for several years now.  I was able to get my grain mill and love it. It has been a blessing especially with dealing with my son’s food allergies to wheat.  I have tried to save up for my Bosch several times, but wouldn’t you know every time I get a little saved, we need the money somewhere else. There are many good christian wives and mothers getting on without one as we speak and many times in worse circumstances than my own.  If they can do it with the Lord’s gracious help then so can I.  Again I want to thank you for such an encouraging story.  I do hope one day to have my very own Bosch, but if the Lord’s answer for me is “no”, I also hope to have a sweet attitude/spirit about it. Stephanie M


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  • Pesto Salmon – Easy, Tasty and Nutritious

    Pesto Salmon
    Pesto Salmon

    Even though we live here in Colorado, I try to,as often as possible, get some good cold water fish into our menus. This Pesto Salmon recipe was hit at our house last week and has the added benefits that it is colorful, easy, tasty and nutritious.

    First some background on Salmon, in case you didn’t know:

    • Atlantic Salmon, or farmed salmon, does not compare favorably to the more expensive Wild Caught Salmon.

    • Farmed Atlantic Salmon is dyed to give it that pink shade.

    • In general farmed salmon is fed a lower quality diet which is often associated with higher levels of PCB’s a banned substance since 1976.

    • USDA testing demonstrated that the fat of farmed salmon does not contain has high a percentage of beneficial Omega 3’s.

    • Omega -3 fatty acids are fatty acids are associated with benefits to fetal brain development, reduction in arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, heart disease, etc.

    • The quality of the Omega 3’s in wild caught salmon is superior to farmed

    • Lots more nutritional information on the importance of Omega 3 fatty acids is available at westonaprice.org.

    • More information about wild caught salmon: http://www.northwest-seafood.com/wild_salmon_news.htm

    Pesto Salmon Recipe:

    For each salmon fillet drizzle a little olive oil and sprinkle some pepper.

    Place 2 tbsp pesto over each fillet.

    Bake for about 20 minutes or until flaky at 375 degrees F. Remove from oven, sprinkle some Parmesan Cheese over the fillet.

    Serve with green veggies, rice or potatoes as desired.

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  • Radical Homemaking – A Bosch Universal Plus Miracle


    Bosch Universal Plus with Blender- 800 watts
    Bosch Universal Plus with Blender- 800 watts

    Frequently I am contacted about the availability of used mills and mixers by homemakers on extremely limited incomes.

    Surprisingly, I almost never have used mills and mixers because people like them so much.

    But I always try to encourage these resourceful ladies by saying,  “I have heard many stories over the years from ladies who committed their desire for a  mill and/or mixer to the Lord, and shortly thereafter found the ‘desire of their heart’ for a small fraction of retail prices at thrift stores, yard sales, and even by gifting.”

    Today, I want to tell you about another real life example of a successful barter by a needy homemaker of soon-to-be eight children, for an almost new Bosch Universal Plus. Tina O’s answer came in just a week or so after contacting me.  She has agreed for me to share her story.

    Background

    Tina wrote to me about a week ago saying her husband had been unemployed for nearly two years and she had been faithfully making her family’s bread by hand about twice a week, and she had been praying for a way to barter some of her lotions, soaps, and other homemade products for a Bosch.

    I wrote back to her saying that my experience is that I have heard from many homemaker’s that “delighted themselves in the Lord and He gave them the desire of their heart” (Psalm 37:4) usually through alternative means.

    Sure enough, just a week later, Tina sent me her version of  her Bosch miracle and how the Lord answered her prayer.  Tina writes:

    Tina’s Answered Prayer

    “Dear Marilyn,

    I wanted to share a MIRACLE with you!!  I was able to obtain a Bosch Universal Plus Mixer, with the help of my two eldest sons, from a lady locally.  She had bought one but didn’t use it and needed firewood cut, stacked, chores around her house, etc. and my boys offered to help her. She couldn’t pay, but just happened to have this mixer . . . . they are trading work for the mixer!  I cried, not just at the thought of being able to obtain an item that I so needed, but because God has answered my prayer and my boys were so willing to help to keep mama “making bread”.”

    Follow-up Comment from Tina

    After I asked Tina for permission to reprint her “Bosch Miracle” story, she writes:

    “You have no idea what a blessing this is to my family and a treasure to me. You are right, the future will be bartering.  Perhaps you could be the first to set up a “network” on your site, giving mothers a way to obtain what they might need from other mothers that are willing to barter? Everyone has a talent and something to offer, many are living on one income and some are like us, no income, so there must be another way to obtain the goods we need for daily living. ”

    Your Testimonials

    I hope Tina’s experience will encourage anyone who has a deep desire for goods or services they can’t pay for to pray and commit the matter to the Lord.  I would also like to hear from homemakers who are already successfully bartering their goods or services for something their family needs or have something of value they would like to barter with others.

    Or if you have had a similar experience as Tina or when your prayer is answered, would you please share your testimonials with me so I can share your experience in my blog or newsletter to encourage others?

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  • Get Those Dirty Dishes out of the Sink!

    Kitchen Cabinet Installation is Completed
    Kitchen Cabinet Installation is Completed

    Ed Note: I’ll confess up front, I’m not always diligent about keeping up with the dishes and there are only two of us living here right now.  But I so love a tidy kitchen, especially my beautiful remodeled kitchen with its beautiful cabinets and count tops.  I assure you, my kitchen now has a lived in look but this picture is a good reminder of what I need to aspire to daily.

    Dirty Dishes Cause Debt! by Jill Cooper (guest post)
    www.livingonadime.com

    The other day I was asked one of the most common questions that people ask me: “Where do I start if I want to get out of debt?” After telling me of her huge credit card debt and how they eat out almost every night, the lady took a deep breath and said, “How do I save on laundry detergent and cleaning supplies?” Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees.

    Even though saving money on cleaning supplies does help and should be part of your plan, that usually isn’t where the biggest problem with the debt lies. This woman never once thought to ask me how to stop eating out so much. Most people don’t want to face the real causes of their debt because their biggest problems are the things they like the most. Going out to eat is one of the top five causes of debt.

    Get those dirty dishes out of the sink!!

    We go out to eat because we can’t face a dirty kitchen. Keeping your kitchen empty of dirty dishes is the key to saving money. This is probably the #1 way to start getting out of debt. Most people are so overwhelmed with piled counter tops and dirty dishes that they would rather go out to eat than face a dirty kitchen.

    Do the dishes after every meal and keep hot soapy water in the sink while you are baking or cooking. Clean as you go. If your sink is empty and the dishes are washed, your kitchen always looks good. This helps you save money because you have the time and space to cook.

    To get in and out of the kitchen quickly, try these easy steps:

    1. Put all dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Fill the sink with hot soapy water and put the hand washables in it to soak.
    2. Wipe off counter tops and tables with hot soapy water. (This way, if you have unexpected company, at least your table and counters will be clean.)
    3. Sweep the floor and shake throw rugs if needed.
    4. Wash the dishes that have been soaking.
    5. Wipe down the faucets and dry with a towel. (Be sure to wipe any sticky appliances, too.)
    6. Put out a clean dish rag and towel.
    7. Take out the trash.

    These simple steps can help you start climbing your way out of debt. You will be amazed how much better you will feel just having the kitchen clean.

    Right now the smart folks at Living on a Dime are having their New Year’s Ebook Extravaganza.  13 ebooks for $13.00. Check it out.

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  • Living on a Dime – How one family does it.

    13 ebooks for $13.00
    13 ebooks for $13.00

    I hope you all had a wonderful New Year’s celebration and feel ready to face the New Year with optimism and purpose. I , personally, have struggled to face the last few New Years since my husband and father-in-laws deaths.

    But, the constant media barrage of negative reports about our national economy, unemployment, and ever increasing national debt have not helped my frame of mind either.

    I want 2011 to be different!  Are you determined to get-0ut-0f debt, make healthier, home cooked meals, and get organized?

    While I certainly don’t have all the answers and solutions I came across a new book entitled Radical Homemakers – Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture. One of the premises of this book according to author Shannon Hayes, is to build a “life-serving economy” while reducing our “reliance on the extractive economy.” (p. 59)

    In other words, if we can find ways to reduce our expenses then the less dependent we are on the corporate paycheck and the better our family finances will become.

    To me, Tawra Kellam and her mother Jill Cooper, are very inspirational and authoritative writers on learning to live more with less cash. Jill raised her two children as a single parent on $500 a month. Tawra and her husband paid off a $20,000 debt in five years on a low income while raising their young children.

    From today through next Monday, the Living on a Dime ebooks have been discounted a whopping 85% off of the regular price. This once-a-year sale is a great deal because you can buy their 13 ebooks for $13.00. The 13 E-books include 445 pages of money saving tips, great recipes and plenty of inspiration to make life easier and more frugal!

    For example the Money Management ebook is a 72 page e-book designed to help you say goodbye to debt! Packed with lots of stories and advice, this e-book is an essential tool for your Debt Elimination Kit.

    Money Management includes the story of how Michael and Tawra paid off $20,000 debt on $22,000 per year income.

    • Do you find the idea of budgeting daunting? You’ll find information about how to make a budget and how to make budgeting simpler and easier.
    • Learn how to reduce your financial stress.
    • You don’t have to be a slave to debt!
    • Testimonial:
    “We’ve learned so much from Tawra… As of last week, our regular bills are finally all paid up! We’re no longer behind on any of them and can start working on our debt instead of playing catch-up with the utility companies. This was due in very large part to Tawra and her mom’s wonderful advice, ideas and guidance.”-Karen from Ontario, Canada

    “I was the most wasteful profligate spendaholic, I earned a lot, and thought I was entitled to spend every penny on myself. Now I have a savings, a growing IRA and have come to my senses.”  -Kathy from California

    Their other ebooks show how to save money in the kitchen, put together delicious and easy dinners, get and keep your home organized, save money on kids activities, move on a budget, save money on creative gifts and much more.

    I know you can will come up with enough practical tips, and money saving recipes to more than justify the $1.00 a book price. Besides, there is always a money back guarantee.

    Check out the complete offer here.

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  • Colorado Chili Recipes

    white-chili-recipe-5-17-07-1With all the cold and snowy weather, this Colorado Chili Recipe (white chili) is a winner.  I’m going to make this tomorrow to serve on New Year’ Day.

    Colorado White Chili
    A healthy, mouth-watering meal sure to bring raves; a great alternative to traditional chili from Don’t Panic Dinner’s in the Freezer by my friends Suzie Martinez, Vanda Howell, and Bonnie Garcia from Denver, Colorado.  I love that it is white with chicken, lots of green chili  and no tomatoes.

    1 Tbsp cooking oil
    1 medium onion (1/2 cup), chopped
    4 large cloves garlic, minced
    1-4.5 oz. can diced green chilis (mild or hot)
    1 Tbsp cumin (powder or seed)
    2 tsp oregano
    1/2 tsp ground red pepper
    1/4 tsp ground cloves
    1-15.5 oz. can great northern beans (don’t drain)
    1-15.5 oz. can sweet corn (or frozen)
    2 cups cooked chicken
    5 cups chicken broth

    Serving day ingredients
    shredded Monterey Jack cheese
    sour cream
    tortilla chips
    Cooking day instructions:
    In a large pan or Dutch Oven, combine oil, onion, garlic, and green chilis. Saute until tender, but do not brown. Stir in spices, beans, corn, chopped chicken, and chicken broth. Cook and stir until heated through. Adjust seasonings to taste. Cool chili completely. Freeze, using freezer bag method.
    Serving day instructions
    Thaw completely. Simmer until heated through. Serve in bowls with cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips. For extra “kick”, garnish with jalapeno slices.
    (yields 6-8 servings)

    From Don’t Panic – Dinner’s In The Freezer by Martinez, Howell, Garcia used by permission Fleming H. Revell, a division of Baker House Books,

    Copyright 2005

    If you don’t try  the Colorado Chili Recipe, try my friend Kim’s Chili Recipe.  It is awesome for a big crowd.  Kim, a mom of six, really knows how to make the best Chili.
    MAMA KIM’S AWARD-WINNING WHITE & GREEN CHILI
    My friend Kim won the contest she entered this Chili recipe into.  I made it and loved it!

    3-4 pounds pork roast or Chicken, cooked and shredded, with broth

    8+ c. chicken broth

    1 large onion, diced in 1/2? pieces

    4 cloves garlic, minced

    3 small cans chopped green chiles

    4-6 potatoes, peeled and diced

    1/2 # diced baby carrots

    1 pkg. taco seasoning

    1-2 T. chili powder

    1-2 t. cumin

    1/2 t. oregano

    Salt and pepper to taste

    2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed

    3 limes

    1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped fine

    In a large pot, heat 1 c. chicken broth.  Add all veggies, cook till tender.  Add chicken and pork broths, and shredded pork. Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer, add the seasonings and beans.  Simmer 30 min. – 1 hour, till tender.  Add the juice of the limes and cilantro leaves.  Can be cooked all day on low in a slow cooker.    Enjoy with sour cream, salsa and chips!  This chile is especially good cooked the day before, to let the flavors blend.

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  • My Favorite Cranberry Recipes

    ChristmasDinnerMixed Greens With Cranberry Dressing
    This recipe is my favorite for Christmas.  I love the blue cheese as a special treat and the pink, sweet/sour cranberry dressing.


    Ingredients:
    5 cups mixed greens, herbs and lettuce
    1/4 pound blue cheese, crumbled
    1 red onion, very thinly sliced
    1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

    Dressing:
    1 cup fresh cranberries
    1 seedless navel orange, peeled and sectioned or use mandarin orange pieces
    2/3 cup granulated sugar or 1/3 Cup honey
    1/2 cup wine vinegar
    1 tsp salt
    1 tsp. ground mustard
    1 cup olive or vegetable oil

    In a blender, combine the cranberries, orange sections, sugar,
    vinegar, salt, and ground mustard. Process till combined. Then
    remove the blender cover and gradually add oil in a steady stream. Set aside.

    Rip all of the greens into bite size pieces. I like using an assortment of spring or baby greens along with romaine lettuce, spinach and herbs if available.

    To assemble the salad, place a handful of the greens on a plate or in a bowl, and top with some of the onion slices, cheese and the walnuts. Arrange the greens, red onions, cheese and nuts attractively. Pass the dressing to guests to drizzle over the salad. It is really great and will be a great accompaniment to any kind of roasted meat that you serve for Christmas dinner.

    CranberrySaladCRANBERRY RELISH JELLO MOLD
    This is a traditional Cranberry Jello Mold my children expect each year:
    I have served this jello mold at Thanksgiving and Christmas for nearly 30 years! This recipe can be prepared several days ahead.
    Yields 8-10 servings

    1. Assemble and prepare the following ingredients:

    20 oz. can crushed pineapple unsweetened (drain, reserving the juice)
    2 pkg (3 oz each) cherry, raspberry, or strawberry gelatin
    1 Cup boiling water
    1 Cup fresh, whole cranberries
    1 – 11 oz can mandarin oranges
    1 cup chopped celery
    1/2 cup chopped pecans
    1 TB lemon juice

    2. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add lemon juice and reserved pineapple juice.

    3. Chill until gelatin begins to set-up about one hour. Meanwhile, coarsely chop cranberries in blender or food processor.

    4. Stir in cranberries, oranges, pineapple, celery, and pecans to the thickened gelatin. Place this mixture in holiday jello mold or attractive glass serving bowl. Chill until firm.

    CRANBERRY NUT BREAD
    This recipe has been adapted from the Ocean Spray package.  My mother and our family have been making this for our families for over 50 years.

    1 egg
    1/2 cup honey
    3/4 cup orange juice
    1 T. grated orange rind (opt.)
    1/4 cup oil
    2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
    2 tsp. baking powder
    1/2 tsp. soda
    1`/2 tsp. salt
    1/2 cup nuts, chopped
    1 cup cranberries, chopped  (I use my blender on pulse)

    Whisk together the honey, egg, orange juice, orange rind and oil in a medium size mixing bowl.  Combine dry ingredients except nuts and berries into a small bowl and then whisk lightly into wet ingredients.  Mix just enough to dampen.  Carefully fold in chopped nuts and cranberries.   Spoon batter into greased loaf pan or greased muffin tins.  spread corners in loaf pan so they are slightly higher than in the center.  Bake at 375°F for one hour for a loaf, or 15-20 minutes for muffins.  Bake until the crust is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Remove from pan and cool.  Store overnight for easy slicing and for the flavors to blend.

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