Food and Drink: Low Fat, High Fiber Bacon Bean Soup

If you are looking for a quick and easy meal idea you may want to consider this soup. My husband loves it. It is high in fiber, with a whopping 8.9 g per 1 cup serving. It is also low in fat with only 4.25 grams per 1 cup serving. And, it is delicious! It is a sneaky way to get more fiber in to your husband's diet. This serves 4 - 6 people.

Bacon Bean Soup

2 14 oz cans  navy beans
2 14 oz cans chicken broth
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper
2 slices smoked bacon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon flour

Cut the bacon in half and dice it in to small pieces. In the bottom of a large pot, add the olive oil. Turn heat on medium high and cook the bacon until just nearly done. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Drain off all fat except for about 1 Tablespoon. Add in flour and whisk around until blended. Then add one can of the chicken broth, slowly, whisking gently, giving the flour time to absorb it and thicken slightly. Then add rest of broth and beans. Add back in the bacon pieces. Allow to simmer for about 15 minutes.
That's it! Each one cup serving has 235 calories.

Alas, there is some bad news, well, maybe not bad for everybody but you might need to know. Since this is made with canned products there is a lot of salt. I hate to even show the amount but in the interest of health I will. There is a huge 1171 mg of salt per serving. Any time you use canned anything...except fruit, which has it's own problems with sugar...you will get a lot of salt.

You can cut back on the salt though by using low sodium versions of beans and broth. But for those of us who don't have high blood pressure, or fluid retention problems, having this soup every now and then isn't going to hurt you.

The Lowly Navy Bean is Packed With Good Stuff: Nutritional Value Chart

Everything Else: Credit Card Insanity

I got a credit card offer in the mail today and I must say, I was stunned at the utter stupidity of it. It was one of those offers where they say they will give you X amount of credit and then in the very small print they say well, they MIGHT give you that much, but they won't give you less than $300. In this case they were offering me a "whopping" $1500 in credit. That is not even three car payments, not that I would pay my car payment by credit card but you get the picture. My credit is not all that great, but it is getting better, and one of the main reasons it was really bad in the past was credit cards. So, I always like to see what the wonderful credit card people are "offering" me when I get this stuff in the mail. Here is what I could look forward to if I were to accept this offer:

First, I get to pick a card with a really cute puppy or kitten on it. Awww..

Second, I get to be saddled with a HUGE APR of 23.90 %...at first I thought this must be for cash advances but, no, it was for everything.

Third, I have the wonderful opportunity to pay $75 annual fee (for the first year) and thereafter it will be $99. AND if I add an authorized user to the account I get to pay an extra $19 per year. So, this means that I will be paying $100 per year just to hold this credit card in my hand...make that $119 per year if I add someone else to the account.

Huh? You have got to be kidding me! So, lets say I accepted this offer and I didn't get the $1500 credit line...lets say they only gave me $300. Lets say I then add an authorized user. So, that means that I would only really have $206 credit. And, I could actually hold that card for a year and not use it at all and still have to pay $75! or $94 if I have that extra user added.

But, wait, there's more! I might just get that $1500 credit line which I would surely max out in a very short time. Then I would be paying 23.90% interest on it plus every year $100-119 would be added on top of it!

I just had a vision of a rat in a trap.

The sad part is there are people out there who would accept this offer!

WAKE UP! WAKE UP!

Federal Trade Comission Credit Education

Food And Drink: Bacon and Eggs in The Microwave

I love a good bacon and egg breakfast but I hate having to cook it. The bacon is just a pain...the grease spatters everywhere, and the smell lingers for hours and hours. Even cooking the bacon in the oven on a baking sheet isn't much better. The eggs are easy but you still have the skillet to clean. Well, I am here to tell you that you can cook your eggs and your bacon in the microwave and have a nice, hot breakfast in about 5 minutes, or thereabouts. And you don't need some special bacon rack or egg container. Here is how it is done.

Start with the bacon.

Cover a microwavable plate ( I usually use paper plates...but no styrofoam) with a paper towel or two. Place bacon on the paper towel. I usually cut the bacon strips in two so they won't hang over the edge of the plate. Then cover the bacon with another paper towel. Microwave on high power for 1 minute. Lift paper towel and check bacon, maybe flip it over. Microwave again for 1 minute. Check bacon again. Keep doing this until bacon is done to your liking. It is best to do it 1 minute at a time since microwaves vary. Adjust the time accordingly until you get it right. I can cook about 4 slices of bacon in about 3 minutes total. Total time will depend on how many slices and thickness of bacon as well as on your microwave settings.

I usually cut the bacon in half.

Place on paper towel lined plate

Perfectly cooked bacon after a total of about 3 minutes

For the Eggs.

Depending on the number of eggs you are cooking use either a microwave safe bowl or cup/mug. For one egg I use a coffe mug. Coat container with a quick spray of butter or oil, I use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray. Crack in your egg and beat it lightly. Add salt and pepper if desired. Place in microwave and cook on high for 30 seconds. Then stir the egg. It should be starting to puff up. Go another 30 seconds. One egg is usually done after a total of about 60 seconds but, again, it varies so go slow and keep your eye on it. The egg will be puffy so I just chop it up with a fork.
And there you have it. Bacon and Eggs in about 5 minutes. Because the bacon is covered with paper towels your microwave stays clean. Your kitchen will still smell like bacon but it won't be as strong as with stove top or oven methods.

An egg, a coffee mug and cooking oil spray or butter

Beat lightly with fork

After first 30 second round the egg should be beginning to puff

Scrambled eggs from the microwave after just under one minute

And there you have it. Bacon and eggs from your microwave. Easy, fast, tasty!

Household Helps: Sink is Sunk

After much frustration it has become clear that a plumber is needed. Sigh. Sink is draining but very, very slowly. There is something wrong that no amount of baking soda and vinegar can clear. We even tried the old stand by ...Drano and the plunger. Both helped somewhat but did not last for any amount of time. So, hopefully, I can move on to more interesting topics. For instance...did you know you can cook bacon and eggs in the microwave? Yep. And you don't need special dishes or racks either. Stay tuned for pictures and instructions.

Household Helps: Clogged Sink Saga

Well, I gave in and bought the hard stuff. Even though my kitchen sink's drainage had improved, a little, it was still obiviously clogged. I tried the baking soda and vinegar treatment several times, which accounts for the improvement, but decided it was time to bring in the big guns. I bought the Drano gel and snake kit. First, the snake is a joke and is extremely difficult to get down a kitchen sink drain. The gel worked a little better but evenso I ended up using the plunger...with my husband doing the plunging while I held the plug on the other side. This worked best of all and we could actually hear the water glubbing faster and faster as it drained out of the sink. Mind you, it's not 100 percent which leads me to think we have bigger problems, perhaps in the drain field since it is a septic system. But, for now, things have improved enough.

Household Helps: Clogged Sink Continues

Well, after many (probably at least 6) treatments with the Clogged Sink Recipe, my problems with my kitchen sink continue. I will say that it is draining better but still way too slowly. I think the treatments have cleaned out some of the gunk that is slowing it up but not anywhere near all of it. So, I think it is time to take the next step, a plumbers snake. I would say that this treatment recipe  probably works best on sinks and pipes that just need a good cleaning, maybe not so much on real clogs that are actually plugging up the pipes. Might be a good preventive measure once or twice a month or so. Short post, I know, but I am off to find a plumbers snake. I will let you know how it goes.

Everything Else: Commenting on Blogs

Got my first sarcastic comment on one of my blog posts. Yes, yes, I know, if I have it set to accept all comments, from anyone, I am going to get a few sarcasic, mocking and/or mean comments. People are sometimes buttheads. It shouldn't bother me, but, I confess it did...a little bit. I do, however, have my commenting feature set to not post any comments until I approve them, so I just hit the delete button and that was that. But, it makes me wonder why people are so inclined to punch perfect strangers in the nose like that? Oh, of course, they always do it anonymously. Rarely do you ever see a mean or sarcastic comment signed by the author. If you don't like a certain blog, then don't read it, if it seems silly or stupid to you, then don't read it. No one is holding a gun to your head making you read such silly, useless bunk. Go read the Washington Post instead.

What do you think about this? Any comments?

Household Helps: Clogged Sink Recipe

I have been dealing with a kitchen sink that just gets slower and slower. There is a clog somewhere I am sure but I hate dumping all that toxic stuff, like Liquid Plumber and Draino, down the sink. I have just been dealing with it hoping, wishful thinking pershaps, that it will somehow heal itself. But the other day I was browsing around on Pinterest and came across a recipe for clogged sinks using baking soda and vinegar. Here's the link. Clogged Sink Recipe

I tried this today and the results were less than great but still hopeful. I dumped one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a little more than 1/4 cup of vinegar and then put in the stopper. I waited 30 minutes and then flushed with hot water. Well, the sink just filled up with water. I was a little disappointed but then, I heard gurgles and glups and then the sink suddenly drained. Yes! it works...I thought. I continued to flush with hot water for several minutes as per the recipe then I washed a sink of dishes.

However, this time when I pulled the plug, the sink didn't drain...it bubbled and gurgled, and it did drain a little faster than before but it was still definately clogged. So, I repeated the treatment. Again, when I pulled the plug there was nothing and then a sudden glub and out went the water. So, it is better but not great. I plan on repeating the recipe several more times to see if I can, enventually, clear the clog without having to resort to Draino or a plumber. Has anyone else had success with this method?

Pets: Use a Fork. Yes, a Fork!

My cat Domino is a big, fat, sweet, ball of fluff. When I took him in as a kitten I had no idea he would grow in to such a huge mass of hair. When he lays in my lap I am engulfed in a cloud of cat hair. But, he is a sweetie and I love him. I try to keep his fur combed and neat but sometimes, because I am, afterall, a slob, I misplace his comb. It is at these times that he always seems to produce a fur mat somewhere on his body. One day, after having discovered one such mat, I became frustrated while looking for his comb. I passed by the dish drainer and spied a plastic fork. Yes, I do sometimes wash them and reuse them. Anyway, I picked it up and thought...this might just work. I used the plastic fork to gently loosen and comb out the mat in Domino's fur. It worked great and I just threw it away afterwards. A pet comb is still a better tool for this but, in a pinch, a plastic fork works just fine. Just be very gentle and be careful not to poke your pet!

What are you going to do with that fork?

Gently combing with plastic fork.

Is that from me?

Wow!

Good job Mom!

Ahhh...time for a nap!

Crafts and DIY: Frame It!

When my husband and I moved in with my father-in-law several years ago it was apparent that he was, or had been, a big fan of the velvet dog paintings of the 1970's. He had several of these old things laying around. He did not want to list them on Ebay and I did not want to hang them on the walls, so, I came up with something else. I took the largest dog painting, and wrapped it with an old quilt top I had. My great-grandmother had been working on this very quilt top when she died, so it was special to me. I had been carrying it around for years. Sometimes it was tucked away in a drawer, sometimes in a box, once it was actually tacked up on the wall over the bed. I had always thought that I would pay someone to finish it one day but never got around to it. So, as I stood there looking at this velvet catastrophe, sorry, but I am not a velvet painting sort of girl, I thought, "hey, I could wrap my quilt top around this thing and then hang it on the wall!"

And that is what I did. I simply spread the quilt top out on the bed, laid the painting, face down, on top of it and proceeded to bring the edges of the quilt up around the back where I secured them with safety pins. The painting had a twisted wire attached for hanging so I placed the edges of the quilt around it so I could use it to hang it. Of course, it was only a quilt top, in the shape, more or less, of a star so it was fairly easy to wrap and secure it, but it turned out great and looks really nice hanging on the wall over the bed.

My quilt top

Having had success with the quilt top idea I went looking for other things to frame and hang. I had an old satin pillow case that was falling apart but it was still very pretty. So, I did something similar with it, I cut the design out and wrapped it around the cardboard insert of a rectangular frame and then snapped it into place behind the glass.

Viola! Another pretty wall hanging.

Just because they are called "picture frames" doesn't mean you have to use them only for pictures. And here it is, the promised Crafts and DIY posting. Nothing fancy, nothing difficult, but something you may not have thought of before.

Day One. Off to a good start. Well, it's a start.

Been reading some really interesting blogs lately. And I thought...now, why didn't I think of that? So, I decided to create a blog full of all the good ideas I have found online, and other places. Of course, always with credit given where credit is due. And with a few of my own good ideas thrown in for good measure.

My blog has catagories so all the good ideas will be grouped where it makes the most sense for them to be. The catagories are:  Food and Drink, Crafts and DIY, Household Helps, Pets, Bath-Body-Personal Care, Things I like, and Everything Else.

So, now that you know what it is all about, I hope you will look around awhile. You might find a really good idea.

P.S. later on I will be asking for submissions of good ideas, but, for now I have a pretty good collection of my own.

Busy Day

Had a very busy day today helping out at the church, so, didn't get around to doing a real post for the blog. Tomorrow I plan on letting you in on a couple of things in the Crafts and DIY area. Nothing fancy, just a few things you may not have thought of before. But, because posts without pictures are boring, here is a picture for you.

Domino; the very fat, very spoiled cat.

Things I like: 365: A Daily Creativity Journal

Once, several years ago, my sister accused me of "not being very creative". I was highly insulted. Who? Me? NOT creative? But, alas, pershaps she was right. When I saw this book on Amazon I was intrigued. 365 A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Everyday and Change Your Life by Noah Scalin. The "change your life" part I was a bit skeptical about but I like the idea of creating, if only, pershaps to show my sister that I, by golly, was too creative! Anyway, I bought the book.

Well, I have been at it now for 10 days and , I must say, maybe I am not so creative afterall. I have done my best to fulfill the requirements of each prompt...and that is what they are...prompts. Each day you are given a prompt to make something. For instance; day one instructs to make something that will fit in your hand using only materials in your immediate environment. It was 7:30 am and I was sitting on the edge of the bed so I took my immediate environment to be just that, the bed, my night stand and whatever was on, or in my nightstand. Hmmm...what to do, what to do...aha! candy wrappers. There were a bunch of Starburst wrappers all over the nightstand and a 5th Ave. Candy Bar wrapper too. Yes, I know, I am a pig as well as a slob. So, after a little thought, I decided to make a flower using the starburst wrappers. I used the candy bar wrapper as the stem. I used a nail fail too to make holes in the Starburst wrappers. Here is the final result.

And here are some of the others. Prompts were varied.

Prompt: Make something using a collection. I used a collection of aciton figures I have been meaning to list on ebay and a smiley face figure my daughter gave me for my happy face collection. The sign reads:
Seminar Today: How To Lighten Up
Speaker: Mr. Smiley
Well, I thought it was funny.

Here are a few more. I won't tell you anymore of the prompts incase you decide to buy the book.

Personally, I think that many of the prompts in this book are just silly and a waste of time but, I have a lot of time on my hands anyway. I will say it does make you think. I intend to finish the project and do all of the 365. I will post some of the better ones along the way.

Food and Drink: Excellent and Easy Marinade for Beef and Pork

This is a combination I came up with to marinate beef and pork. It makes for very tasty meat.

1/4 Cup soy sauce
1/4 Cup beef broth
1/2 Cup chopped onion
1 t minced garlic
a pinch of dried oregano

Place meat in large zip lock bag and pour marinade in over it.  Squish it around with your hands to coat all of the meat. You might want to place the bag in a baking dish or bowl before putting it in the fridge. Allow to marinate for several hours up to 24 hours. Then drain off marinade and discard it. Cook meat as desired. Espcially good for grilled steaks and chops. Don't add salt to this...the soy sauce has all the salt you will need. I use this on chicken sometimes too but do not marinate for more than about 3 hours. It is best on beef or pork.