Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Gluten Free Product Review - Bob's Red Mill GF Pancake Mix

This morning, we gave the Bob's Red Mill GF Pancake Mix a try (thanks to my sweet Mother).  One thing I love about this product is that it requires only a few added ingredients to prepare the batter (milk, egg, oil).  I followed package instructions and ended up with a very thick batter.  So thick, that I chose to use a large spoon, rather than a 1/4 measuring cup, to pour the batter onto the griddle.  The batter didn't spread like gluten-containing pancake batter, so I used the back of the spoon to spread it a bit.  I also had to watch very closely for bubbles, the usual indicator that a pancake is ready to flip.  With these pancakes the bubbles are very large and few in number.  Once flipped, these pancakes really puffed up (1/2 - 3/4 inch) and required only about a minute more to cook.

I found the result to be quite delicious.  While the outer surface appeared to be a bit dry, inside they were light and fluffy...but more also kind of biscuit-like in texture (maybe because of their thickness).  They do contain corn flour and have a slight cornbread flavor, which I actually really like.  And the children...they really seemed to like them, too.  As with most gluten free products, fresh is always better

The verdict?  Before returning to this product, I would like to try other brands on the market for comparison sake.   I would also like to try my own gluten containing recipe, substituting the Bob's Red Mill GF flour blend for wheat flour.  But...if the price is right...I would definitely purchase this product for a tasty pancake treat.

Monday, February 6, 2012

My Goals for the Week


Last week, I wrote a bit about goal setting and even set a few of my own.  Because I set my goals midweek, I'm going to keep them for this week.


Spiritual
  1. Establish the habit of a morning devotional time.
  2. Plan a family service project to be completed this week.

Family 
  1. Cook one meal with each child, individually, this week
  2. Plan a date night to enjoy with my husband.

Educational  
  1. Establish the habit of preparing homeschool lesson plans each evening, rather than waiting until morning.
  2. Help Hannah to establish the habit of self-starting the school day.
  3. Prepare mealtime reading schedule.

Home Management 
  1. Organize the schoolroom shelves
  2. Develop a clean kitchen schedule (include the girls).

Financial 
  1. Begin using the cash envelope system
  2. Re-establish an allowance system for the girls (including saving/giving/spending jar)

Personal
  1. Complete the week gluten free.
  2. Finish reading Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter
  3. Limit Computer Time to 1 hour/day (keep log to document time)

Go here to read previous post on goal setting.

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Saturday, February 4, 2012

Freezer Cooking/Meal Prep Saturday



It's that time again.  Because today is filled with activities, I have planned a far less ambitious prep day.  Fortunately, I still have black beans, pinto beans, taco meat, spaghetti meat sauce, sugar cookies, pancakes, and veggies in the freezer (from previous prep days).  Time is short....so here we go!

********Update********

As you can see, today really can't be considered a successful prep day, but that's the way it goes sometimes.  We don't have church tomorrow evening, which gives me a little free time...so...I might try to do a little more during halftime.

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Unfortunately, many GF/LF dessert recipes require the purchase of several types of GF flour as well as other interesting ingredients. Well...these simple, yet yummy cookies require ingredients that you most likely already have in your kitchen. I had my doubts about this recipe, but I think you will agree that these cookies are fabulous!!

Incredible Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 egg

Combine ingredients. Drop scant teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Press with fork and bake at 375 degrees for 9-11 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Makes about 36 small cookies.

Optional: Add 1/4 cup Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips to batter. These chips do not contain milk, but are produced on equipment that also produces other milk containing items. There is a chance of cross-contamination.

Friday, February 3, 2012

So You Want to Start Coupon Shopping

 Coupons, when used correctly, can be useful tools when you are trying to reduce your grocery budget.  Unfortunately, many shoppers actually increase their bill by purchasing things that they might not need, or wouldn't usually buy, just because they have a coupon.  If you want to save money, using coupons, here are a few suggestions:


  • Use coupons for items that you generally buy or have been considering giving a try.  Try to avoid making a purchase just because you have a coupon for the item.
  • Avoid using a coupon for an item if the same quality item of another brand is available.
  • Be aware of coupon lingo.  If the fine print on a coupon includes "One per transaction", only one like coupon can be used per shopping trip.  "One coupon per purchase (or item)" indicates that you can use multiple coupons of the same type as long as you are purchase an equivalent number of items. 
  • Know your grocery stores' coupon policy.  Go here for the policies of Houston area grocers.
  • Try to pair coupons with store sales for maximum savings.  
  • Keep your coupons well organized.  This will be much easier if you avoid clipping coupons that you won't use.  
  • Have your coupons ready at check-out.  Double check for expired coupons, be certain that item descriptions match.
  • If in doubt about using a coupon, ask a cashier or store manager.  It has been my experience that grocery managers appreciate shoppers who are seeking to use coupons ethically. 

Where can you find coupons?
Most people are aware that the Sunday paper comes with coupon inserts, but that is just the beginning.  I no longer take the paper and have all the coupons I can use...and more.  In addition to friends bringing me coupons, I find them offered in the stores themselves, I get them in the mail, I have even emailed companies requesting coupons.  The internet is a great source for coupons.  In addition to the multitude of coupons offered at the individual manufacturer websites, there are many websites that will allow you to choose, download, and print coupons.  Here are a few of my favorites:

What is the best way to organize coupons?
This is a really tough question to answer.  I've done it all...coupon notebooks, coupon mini expandable files, coupon boxes, even leaving them in the insert.  If I had to choose...my answer would be...it depends.  What is your couponing goal?  Are you working toward being showcased in an upcoming episode of "Extreme Couponing" or are you planning on clipping only a few coupons a week?  You will need to experiment in order to determine the method that works best for you.  Because I currently use so few coupons, I have a single envelope in my purse, containing about 20 coupons.

What is the correct way to use coupons?
Once again, be aware of the store policy concerning coupons.  Some stores, like CVS, will allow you to use a manufacturer's coupon stacked with a CVS issued coupon for a single item at the same time. Other stores, like Walgreens, will allow you to use a manufacturer's coupon along with the coupons in their weekly circular.  Did you know that the order in which the cashier scans the coupons is important?  You can actually save more money by handing the cashier your coupons in a particular order.  In addition, store loyalty cards should always be scanned before coupons.  Finally, pay close attention to be certain that each coupon value is deducted from your total correctly.

Coupon usage, as it applies to specific stores, will be addressed in the near future.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Gluten Free Product Review - Hodgson Mill Brown Rice Angel Hair Pasta


One of the toughest things about living gluten free is finding products that resemble the normal foods that I miss.  Often gluten free food products have a strange texture or the taste is off.  Sometimes, they are just plain and simply bad.

Today for lunch, we tried the Angel Hair Brown Rice Pasta with Golden Milled Flax Seed by Hodgson Mill.  I prepared the pasta according to package directions and promptly rinsed it in cold water.  One thing I immediately noticed was that the angel hair didn't clump together.  I feel pretty sure that it would have if I had not rinsed it, as the water was very cloudy.  I served the pasta with a bit of meat sauce, topped with Parmesan.  It tasted wonderful.  The texture was perfect and it reminded me of gluten containing pasta.  I can't report on leftovers because there are none.

I will definitely be purchasing this brand of pasta again.  It was a gift from my mother, so I'm not absolutely sure of the price, but Wal-Mart does sell it by the case (12 - 8 oz. boxes) for about $45, or a little under $4/box.  Even better, Hodgson Mill currently has their Angel Hair, and other pasta varieties, marked down by 50% at their online store.  A case of six - 8 oz. boxes will cost you $8.25 + shipping (which starts at about $10).  UPS ground shipping costs do NOT increase proportionally as you add cases.  This is a situation, where you truly do save on shipping if you buy more...which is exactly what I plan on doing.  My days of preparing two different pasta dinners are over!!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Developing Goals


By nature, I am a planner.  I like to know what is happening, before it happens and to have it all laid out on my calendar.  Why have I never engaged in active, weekly or monthly goal setting?  I have goals, but when I examine them,  I realize that they are long term.  I want to get our family out of debt, organize our home, educate our children, eat healthier, lose weight, and much more.  The problem with these goals is that they are too broad.  While some of these can be quickly attained, most of them will take months if not years to fulfill.  


Short term goals, conversely, provide for periodic success.  This success will help me to stay on track, keep motivated, and provide a deep sense of satisfaction.  I have repeatedly come across the acronym SMART for goal setting.  According to this acronym goals should be Specific, Measurable, Adjustable, Relevent, and Time-bound.

I will be sharing my monthly and yearly goals in a future post, but for right now (even though the week is half-way over), I want to establish my goals for this week.

Spiritual
  1. Establish the habit of a morning devotional time.
  2. Plan a family service project to be completed this week.

Family 
  1. Cook one meal with each child, individually, this week
  2. Plan a date night to enjoy with my husband.

Educational  
  1. Establish the habit of preparing homeschool lesson plans each evening, rather than waiting until morning.
  2. Help Hannah to establish the habit of self-starting the school day.
  3. Prepare mealtime reading schedule.

Home Management 
  1. Organize the schoolroom shelves
  2. Develop a clean kitchen schedule (include the girls).

Financial 
  1. Begin using the cash envelope system
  2. Re-establish an allowance system for the girls (including saving/giving/spending jar)

Personal
  1. Complete the week gluten free.
  2. Finish reading Five Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter
  3. Limit Computer Time to 1 hour/day


Photo Credit
Photo Credit