Pinewood Castle

The Lent of Reckoning

I feel as though my jaw has been dropping more often in recent weeks, with "Really?" resounding in my beguiled brain. Little things, little crosses to carry. Opportunities to pray and practice patience.

The Holy Father abdicated? Has this news sunk in yet? Of course I offer my prayers of thanksgiving for his eight years of service, as well as the upcoming conclave. I trust in Pope Benedict's wisdom, and the beautiful  example he is setting of accepting one's limitations. It just seems like there are some lines here to read between, and I am obviously not qualified to read between those lines. I have read a few articles that offer insight and plausible explanations, but I do not wish to get into that here. What else can we the faithful do but pray, hope, and trust?

(Source: Joe Heller)

Dan Stevens gave up Downton Abbey? His role as Matthew Crawley was monopolizing his career and that was a bad thing? I must not understand the acting profession - one would think he would be grateful, humbled. All I know is that Downton fans cheered this couple on through three seasons, were thrilled to see the leading couple finally married with a male heir and the future of the estate secured. Broody Matthew was elated to be a father, china doll Mary was basking in her maternal glow, the Crawley family had returned from Duneagle with a renewed appreciation of their secure estate and familial relationships, and the next thing we see is Matthew trapped under his roadster oozing blood.

I love this show, but because it's not literature, we don't know where it's going from season to season (unless we read the spoilers). I cried when Ethel gave up her son, but I am too put off to cry about Matthew. And this tragedy would have been averted if he had let himself be chauffeured. And since Season 4 picks up six months later, we won't even get to see how well Michelle Dockery's acting skills can portray a genuine broken heart. Humph.

 Don't like this either? Sign the petition at the White House.gov website to protest!

Did I really give up meat for Lent? How I ever lived as a vegetarian for the better part of my 20's I'll never know. I don't remember feeling this hungry. Everything on our lenten menu seems like a variation of bread and cheese. At least thick, meaty, halibut fillets on the menu for Monday, but . . .

A pound of halibut costs how much? Our local supermarket had several packages of halibut steaks, but with only one little 3 ounce hunk for $9.99 in each tray. So, $70 to feed our family halibut? Really? We went with cod.

Speaking of the cost of food these days,

Cream of tartar costs how much? This bottle set us back $7.03 . Really? Evidently the spice trade is still lucrative. Spices and tea as well . . .

A pound of tea at Teavana costs how much? A few weeks ago I set foot in a suburban shop and unknowingly asked for one bag of coco-caramel sea salt and a bag of youthberry.  My jaw dropped when my $95 bill was announced over the cash register. {heart attack} No, I explained, my husband would kill me if I spent nearly $100 on tea. I left the store with 4 ounces instead of 24 oz, and resolved to buy from Adagio next time. Speaking of hot beverages . . .

A grande caffe mocha at Starbucks costs way too much. I don't even know how much ($4?), because I usually reload my card $20 at a time and use that so I don't have to think about how much it costs to splurge on a mocha. It also comes with 260 calories, and 8 grams of fat. I'm thinking that Lent would be a great time to forgo this once-a-week-or-so habit. These bottled teas are a bit of a splurge, but way less than a mocha and only 40 calories.

I stocked up and plan to grab one from the fridge to enjoy while chauffeuring. And speaking of driving . . .

Have I really gained that much weight? I did not quite recognize myself in the mirror at the hair salon Monday. I was relieved when our consultation was over and she covered me with the big black cape. Fifteen pounds since September (really?), and yes my thyroid checks out ok. Must be the extra mochas and all the driving . . . 

Our family uses an average of 132 gallons of gasoline a month? According to our fuel bill and average mileage, we drive about 97 miles a day between the two of us. Makes me wish we could move a little closer to the places we go, but . . .

Did he really say that? It's been nearly ten years, but I still hear the words of our (former) financial planner like it was yesterday, "No, I really don't believe the housing bubble will burst." And speaking of bursting . . .

There's really nothing serious causing the pain where my gallbladder used to be? It feels like a balloon is being blown up in my upper right abdomen and is about to pop.  After six months of sucking it up I went to the doctor and endured a battery of tests. So far, everything is normal and I am being told this discomfort could be merely from scar tissue. Here I thought I was dying or something. Nope, just have to die to myself and the discomforts of an aging and out-of-shape body.

Is that man is out jogging in the freezing cold again? Seriously, I see the same gentleman in a Nike jacket with an orange hood out running pretty much every time I drive in or out of town. That's dedication! Reminds me of a news segment I saw (that I can't seem to find on the web to share) featuring a couple who walks around Lake Harriet every day. They have a custom made mitten-built-for-two and their eyebrows and eyelashes were all frosted over and hanging with icicles. Really? People do that?

I admire their stamina, but personally I would rather exercise indoors during the winter months. After my haircut, I did pay a visit to the YMCA, gathered info, and submitted my plea to The Chief for consideration. Ultimatum, really - everyone helps clean the basement (and keep it clean) so I can use my treadmill or I fork over time and money to go to the Y.

Is winter is not over yet? But I hear the birds singing in the morning! I see ice fishing houses being hauled off lakes! These are signs of spring in Minnesota - but the forecast is definitely not looking like spring!

 

Little things, little crosses to carry. Opportunities to pray and practice patience.

Plans for an (almost) Meatless Lent

Have you ever wondered why we abstain from meat during Lent? To save money on the  grocery bill and give the difference in alms? To practice self control when hungry from lack of protein? To offer the inconvenience as a sacrifice? Because fish was a staple food in Jesus' day?

Our family normally abstains on Fridays throughout the year, and additional days in the season of Lent. Quite honestly, I get a little frustrated with the hassle. My husband typically takes leftovers to work for lunch, so this makes Thursday night's meal meatless as well. So many of our lunches at home are meatless anyway (cheese quesadillas, English muffin pizzas, PB&J, cottage cheese and fruit, cheese & crackers, fish sticks) it seems like that should count for something if leftovers with meat need to be consumed on a Friday before they go bad.

But, is it really a sacrifice to have salmon and white wine on Fridays if hamburgers are less expensive? Making something other than pasta or cheese pizza takes more effort or extra money. With ballet on Friday nights, I don't often have the time to make anything more complicated. Plus, leftover pizza makes a great lunch after Saturday morning music lessons.

My kids don't really care for beans (though I serve them anyway), soy messes with your estrogen, seafood is expensive, and my lab tests show I really need the iron meat provides. Given that I feel better (more patient, less hungry) when I eat more protein, all the abstinence rules start sounding superstitious, legalistic, and counter intuitive. I admit - I am struggling to make sense of this.

Because the teachings of the Church usually make sense after actually looking them up and learn about the WHYS, I did a little googling and found this article. If you don't want to click over, or are reading this on your phone, I will quote the author (a priest), but do click over eventually and read the whole thing and the role of zinc in the diet:

The Angelic Doctor tells us that meat, milk, and eggs incite lust in the soul. In order to quite the passions and to help the Christian faithful grow in the virtue of chastity, the Church required that such foods be abandoned during the whole of the season of Lent.

This view changes my perspective, but honestly, I not sure that I agree with St. Thomas. Let's just say this does not ring true with my own personal experience during my vegetarian years. Maybe a meatless diet makes a difference for those who are trying to live virtuously? If this is true, it makes perfect sense that so monastic communities and peace activists follow a vegetarian diet.

For me, at my current stage in life, I can't say that lustful temptations are something with which I struggle. As for anger, I have room for improvement. Lack of sleep, cloudy days, wacky hormones, and too much sugar seem to be more likely culprits than the consumption of flesh meat. I feel the most stable when I eat a diet high in meat protein and low in sugar and carbs.

Could it be that the practice of abstaining from meat is geared more for men than women? And does abstaining from meat just once a week make a difference in zinc levels to curb the passions?

I don't know, but I am willing to test this out by planning a meatless (almost) Lent. Our menu plan includes fish, a few eggs when needed, and meat only on Saturday or Sunday (or feast days), depending on our schedule. I will have to give more thought to the milk, cheese, lentils, and shell fish.

February 11 - 16

M - Fillet of Sole, salad, potatoes

T - Creamy Red Beans and Rice

Ash Wednesday - Crock Pot Mac & Cheese, salad

St. Valentine's - King Crab Legs and Lobster Tails, rice, veggies, and cherry chocolate cake (have you tried the jarred cherries from Trader Joe's? No red #40!)

F - homemade pizza

S - Orange Chicken & Rice

February 17 - 23

S - TBA

M - Arabian Baked Halibut, veggies, rice

T - Cheesy Black Bean and Corn Bake

W - Pasta with Tuna and Black Olives

TH - Salmon Loaf, veggies, chips

F - homemade pizza

S - Pork Roast and sides

February 24 - March 2

S - Tomato Basil Risotto

M - Crunchy Salmon with spinach

T - Minestrone Soup and bread

W - Pasta with Cream Sauce, Peas, and Chives

TH - Split Pea Soup and bread

F - fast food fish sandwiches

S - TBA, might stay in the city

March 3 - 9

S - Chuck Roast, veggies, and popovers

M - Salsa Shrimp Soup and tortilla chips

T - Black Bean Soup and tortilla chips

W - Linguini with Clam Sauce, salad

TH - Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

F - Pizza

S - TBA

March 10 - 16

S - Roast Chicken and sides

M - Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp, salad

T - Pasta and Spinach Sauce

W - Risotto Milanese with Scallops

TH - Broccoli Cheese Soup

F - Pizza

S - TBA

March 17 - 23

S - St. Patrick's Day - Irish Beef Stew and soda bread

M - Salmon Croquettes, chips, veggies

T - St. Joseph's Day - Sloppy Joe's or Italian pasta

W - Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta, veggies

TH - Fish Sticks

F - Pizza

S - Corn Chowder and bread

March 24 - 30

Palm Sunday - Roast Pork and artichokes, figs and cheese

M - Roast Cod and Crispy Potatoes

T - Lentils with Cumin and Coriander

W - Potato Soup and Oatmeal Bread

Holy Thursday - Lamb Chops, spinach pie, grapes, matzo/Seder type of meal

Good Friday - Hot Cross Buns, Salmon Burgers

Holy Saturday -TBA

Easter Sunday -Resurrection Rolls, Ham, New Potatoes, Asparagus, lamb cake

{I am always challenged to prepare special foods and get to church over the Triduum, so I like building in flexibility here.}

Also, we hardly ever eat out, like in a sit-down restaurant. We do drive-through in a pinch, but we have some very busy weekends coming up, hence the TBA status.

Planning your menu too? Be sure to check out Catholic Cuisine, A Continual Feast, A Book of Feasts and Seasons, and Cooking with the Saints.

And let me know what you think, what your experience has been with abstaining from meat?

Whatever your approach, have a blessed Lent!

 

Thanksgiving Pie Makers

Too Good Not to Share

Paleo on a Budget

 

Taming That Grocery Bill

Can you sense by the use of the word "that" in the title that I am at odds with our grocery bill? Are you? Can anyone really believe that a grocery bill can be as high as a mortgage payment? Personally, I think it's a crime to have to pay so much, especially for organic food. Some advocates of organic food claim that it is simply "honestly priced" food after factoring in government subsidies and eventual health care costs of conventionally grown food. But still. I think something is wrong with our food system when a bag of grapes (even non-organic) costs exponentially more than a fast-food hamburger.

I tackle the grocery budget from time to time, especially after reading message boards where I see that other mothers of many somehow spend half of what we do, even with twice the number children. I really don't know how they find food at the prices they claim to have found. I'm still figuring that out!

Some moms save big by using coupons and matching them with store sales and double coupon days. To me this sounds like hours of work and running from store to store beyond the already time-consuming task of menu planning and list making. What I hear from several friends is that while some coupon deals can't be beat, other discounts still total a price higher than the store brand. I just have not felt called to play the coupon game. Lazy me.

After doing some price comparisons, I am about ready to give up certain organic items since they cost twice as much as the non-organic versions. We have been in the habit of buying organic milk, yogurt, eggs,and butter, as well as some fresh and frozen produce on the "dirty dozen" list. For beef we buy locally raised grass-fed meat and whole chickens are also from a local organic farm.

My biggest accomplishment of late is overcoming my Fear of Aldi. Their prices are less than half of the grocery store across the street. If I shop there first, our grocery bill is easily lowered several hundreds dollars.

However, I was surprised to find that Costco's prices are often lower per ounce than Aldi's. The problem, of course, is quantity. Purchasing a three month's supply of pantry items quickly runs up the tab. It is difficult to check out with less than $300 worth of provisions at Costco. At Aldi I rarely spend over $100 - usually closer to $50 a visit. 

Here are the few items at Aldi I have found priced less than Costco:

• pasta sauce .075/oz
• rice .56/lb
• crackers .14/lb
• canned tomatoes .55/can
• sour cream 1.29/lb
• parmesan .40/oz
• canned salmon .13/oz
• ice cream .052/oz

These items are priced about the same:

• chicken broth cartons 1.40/32oz
• white sugar .57/lb
• brown sugar .75/lb
• chocolate chips /15/oz
• honey .18/oz
• milk (non-organic) 2.63/gallon
• eggs (non-organic) 1.55/dozen
• cottage cheese 1.32/lb
• cereal .10/oz
• tuna .21/can

Costco beats Aldi's prices on most everything else from nuts to tortilla chips to disposable items.

Aldi, on the other hand, carries wonderful European dark chocolate. I am not aware that any of their other products are from Europe. I wish they were - Europe has stricter standards when it comes to GMO's and pesticides.

I am putting together lists for comparison shopping. One with Costco's prices, one for Aldi, one for Azure, one for Trader Joe's and another for other local stores. Someday when they are more complete maybe I will post a pdf link. Photos will have to do for now!

Fortunately, my husband does the shopping at Costco and Trader Joe's since it is on his commute home. I am in charge of the local shopping. We don't buy much at Trader Joe's, but their price on 32 oz. organic yogurt and whole bean French roast is the best we can find. And the wine - definitely budget friendly!

What are your favorite secrets for eating well on a budget?

Love to All

Our Valentine's breakfast this morning was lovely.

I can't believe I got flowers and jewelry this year. I must be doing something right these days. I have no idea what - I think I must be rather difficult to live with when I'm pregnant. Especially for a guy. Maybe my suffering has garnered me some TLC points.

I gave my husband a CD set of Focus on the Family: Best of 2009. I hope he likes it. I also hope he gets through it fast so I can listen to them too!

This evening we are getting cozy by the fire, watching a fresh coat of snow fall as well as an annual viewing of The Song of Bernadette. We meant to watch it Thursday but were busy making Valentine's. There's a great blessing before meals in that movie - have you kids picked up on it?

"In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Ghost, whoever eats the fastest gets the most!"

This scene will most likely be re-enacted for the next week, complete with a chiding sibling warning the blasphemer of the fires of hell.

My husband just went outside with his boots on.

What, might you ask, is he doing shoveling snow in the yard?

Shoveling a path to the grill, of course - to grill steaks for our Valentine's dinner! I am oven roasting some potatoes just how he likes them. The kids are looking forward to the jam-filled shortbread cookies.

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Food on the Brain

You know where my husband is? He's gone to buy a 2nd freezer. I am nesting and have baby-moon food on my mind. As in easy dinners to pull out of the freezer when the baby has fussy time.

Because Saturdays in March are filling up I am using February to prepare. Last night we took a family outing to Costco. After polishing off one of their large (and delicious) $10 cheese pizzas we did our shopping and quickly filled up two carts, all the time wondering how much extra space we had in our basement freezer. I have bags and bags of frozen fruit, lots of beef from our annual quarter-of-a-cow, and other assorted items from buying club.

While I put the kids to bed, DH unloaded our groceries and determined our freezer was already filled to the brim. Some items had to spend the night in the garage. Yes, you can do that in Minnesota - use your garage as an extra ice box. But not forever. Spring will come. Eventually.

As I wait for his return I am agonizing over what to make for this new freezer in which to store our goods because all my nursing babies have been a bit fussy and sensitive to foods in my diet. This first was colicky for ever and ever. Numbers two and three were not bad until they got thrush and were crabby for a good three months. The fourth - she was pretty good until her temper came out, then she just got mad about certain things. All have seemed sensitive to dairy and acidic foods. I really do love babies, but I will admit that my own newborns make me a little nervous.

Looking through my freezer meal cookbook I see mostly recipes that rely on tomato (acid), pineapple (acid), or cream of mushroom soup (dairy). In spite of the inclusion of some of these ingredients I am planning today to make several bags of meatloaf mix, marinate lots of chicken tenders before freezing, and do something with 18 pork chops. 

So I have two questions for you if you have a minute today:

• What foods do or do not give your new nursing babies trouble?
• Can I take out frozen beef, transfer it to a zip-loc bag with marinade and put it back in the freezer? Would this thaw the meat too much?

Happy Saturday to you - off the the kitchen. I think I will start with a double batch of pumpkin cake!

Movie Night

I apologize ahead of time for not posting pics or links about this movie but I don't want to attract  visitors (not regular readers) that might be looking for blog posts or links on this topic with the intent of leaving harassing comments.

The movie is Food, Inc. Have you seen it? Heard of it? It is now available through Netflix and I am so glad to have finally seen it. Last year I read The Omnivore's Delimma by Michael Pollan and had my eyes opened pretty wide about the food industry. Even though I have been convicted about organic food for years, this book provided so more more information about what really goes on in factory farms than I ever wanted to know. Food Inc. brought it all to life. 

Here are a few things I learned:

• The role of corn and oil in our food production.
• All Cows Eat Grass - why the mnemonic device we learned for bass clef space notes is no longer true.
• What e.coli has to do with feeding cows corn.
• The politics of industrial farming.
• How the seed company really works (Monsanto).
• How animals are treated in meat packing plants as well as why so many illegals are employed by them.
• Why chickens are grown in crowded windowless barns and can walk only a few steps before falling.
• Why most food is not honestly priced.
• Why organic food might cost more, but is honestly priced.

And much more.

Before you tune out please know that I know that you are doing your best to provide food for your family within your budget. I am too. I still buy the majority of our food from the regular grocery store and from Costco. I know you shop at Sam's and I am not recommending that you quit any time soon. Trying to buy all our food locally would require more time and gasoline than most moms have.

Even if you have no intention of changing your shopping habits, I would still recommend this movie to anyone who buys food, just so you know where the food comes from and how it is produced. It is temping to bury your head in the sand and resist learning things that might disturb you as you shop, but I truly believe in making informed decisions. Stores do cater to customer's buying habits and this DVD shows that our grocery dollars still count as votes.

If you are inspired to do something different after watching this DVD, here are a few easy ways to begin:

• If you have an extra freezer, buy a 1/4  or 1/2 of a grass fed cow from a local farmer.
• Take a drive on some county roads and find a place to buy fresh eggs, preferably eggs from hens who spend time in the pasture. Or look for better eggs in the natural section of the grocery store. Even $4 a dozen is a good price considering all the protein and nutrients you get.
• Check around for local farmers with non-enclosed. non-antibiotic chickens.
• Schedule time to visit a Farmer's Market when they start up again.
• Find other places to buy local food. This is easier in some states than others. Here in MN we have  Minnesota Grown directory and website. 
• Patronize locally owned restaurants that use fresh, local ingredients.
• Join a food buying club like Azure Standard for discounts on organic food. Buying items like grains, beans, canned goods and frozen fruit in bulk can result in big savings.

Last year I began by just asking around and ended up with a two page list of local food sources to share with the members of my book club and buying club. A little effort can go a long way!

For Tomorrow

Feast of St. Martin de Porres - Peanut Butter Mice!

Tasty Autumn Treats

Have you enjoyed Sarah's fall finds? Here are a few we have enjoyed in the last week:

• Archer Farms Caramel Apple Pancake Mix
• Archer Farms Pumpkin Spice Pancake Mix
• Archer Farms Fall Yogurt flavors (don't like the aspartame, though!)
  
• Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Tracy's Favorite Bread Recipe

Multi-Grain Bread
I think this came from the New Basics cookbook

4 ^1/2 tsp. active dry yeast (great price at Costco)
1 C warm water
1/2 tsp. sugar
3 C white flour
1 C wheat flour
1 ^1/2 C granola (no raisins!)
1/2 C seven grain cereal (I like Bob's)
2 tsp. salt (I like Real Salt)

2/3 C warm water
1/4 C canola oil
1/4 C honey
1 ^1/3 C cooked grain (barley, rice, wheat berries)

Measure warm water and stir in yeast and sugar. Let mixture stand until the yeast starts to foam, 5-10 minutes.

In a large bowl combine the flours, granola, cereal and salt. Stir well then add the yeast mixture, other water, oil and honey.

Turn dough out onto a floured board and knead 10 minutes.

Lightly oil bowl and turn dough to coat. Cover and let rise 1 hour. (I put it in the oven with only the light on)

While the dough is rising, grease the loaf pans and cook the grain. Let cool.

Punch dough down (my kids' favorite part). Knead once or twice and sprinkle with cooked grain. Knead grain into dough added more flour to prevent stickiness.

Shape into two loaves. Put in pans, cover and let rise one hour.

Remove pans and preheat oven to 375. Bake 30 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Tracy's Favorite Smoothie Concoction

Basic:

• unsweetened Almond Breeze (or rice or soy)
• some plain kefir if you have it (plain = less sugar)
• some frozen strawberries (great price on a big bag at Costco)
• some frozen blueberries (great price on a big bag at Costco)
• frozen sliced banana, about a half (peel and slice before freezing)

Power:

• 2-3 scoops of GNC Wheybolic protein powder - vanilla (2 scoops = 40 grams of protein)
• scoop of psyllium husk
• generous squirt of flax oil

Use "ice crush" feature first, if you have one. Add more liquid if needed to blend. Pour a tall glass for yourself and give the extra to your husband and children. Enjoy!

Sore Throat Smoothie

Place in blender:

• frozen sliced banana
• frozen blueberries
• frozen strawberries
• slippery elm powder (I empty a few capsules into it)
• juice from half a lemon
• some flax oil if you have it

Pour in rice or almond or soy milk to cover.
Press the "ice crush" button and add more milk if needed.
Press blend and add more milk if needed.
Add honey while the blender is going.

Hopefully this concoction along with Zicam and Oscillococcinum will ward off what I am feeling this morning!

First Communion Celebration Fair

Catholic Cuisine is hosting a First Communion Celebration Fair - stop by for a visit!

1st Holy Communion Breakfast

Have you checked out Catholic Cuisine? This is my entry for their upcoming fair.

It's a quick and easy breakfast for a busy 1st Communion morning:

For the host: save some white frosting from the cake you just decorated, put it in a sandwich bag and clip the corner and pipe a cross onto frozen (toaster) waffles.

For the chalice: fill a goblet with juice. We used OJ, only because I thought of this idea while lying awake at 11pm the night before, but grape juice or raspberry might be a better choice!

Food

So, could you guess what we had for breakfast from the photos?

• Green eggs and ham
• Green almond milk, warmed
• Doughnuts

On the dinner menu:

• This recipe for Irish Stew
• This Irish Brown Bread
• Homemade Shamrock Shakes
• Girl Scout's Thin Mint Cookies

Outing after tomorrow's Palm Sunday Mass:
Day of Irish Dance