Planning Block Style

I thought I would share how I am using my block planner.   I have to do hour by hour for work, but for me personally I am a more fluid person.  This planner is from In the Leafy Tree Tops, and I am in no way associated with them.  Just a happy customer.  The format they use helps me in my attempt to juggle a lot of balls at once.

Pressure Washer

Carol, over at CTonaBudget, asked about the pressure washer we decided to buy.  We knew we didn’t need a heavy jobs one because our goal is to do regular maintenance to keep jobs from getting too big.

We made a list of what we considered reasonable things to look for in one and our list went something like this:

1.  No more than around $100 in cost.

2.  Lightweight enough I could carry it around and use with no problems.

3.  Easy to operate and also “intuitive” to operate.  (Aka nothing too complicated)

4.  Wish list — soap option for outside windows and cars

5.  We also wanted something that would take up the least space for storage when not in use.

6.  I also wanted to avoid having to buy extra garden hoses and just use the ones we have.

We tried out a couple and worked with a friend, who had a much higher pressured one.  They didn’t really meet our list — they were expensive and cumbersome.  However, the one we recently borrowed did.  It was originally purchased at Lowes several years ago, but they no longer have them.  I began an online search and settled on the one that was comparable on Amazon.

This is what we decided to go with.  

It does not have a reel for hoses or things like that, which was fine with us.  

It is light weight and has the nozzles and capabilities we were looking for as well.

They do have models with higher pressure and other features, and depending on a person’s needs their prices are still good overall.

I do feel like I should say that I haven’t had mine long enough to know how well it will hold up.

However, the one we borrowed is several years old and still going wrong, so I am hopeful that we will be as fortunate.

Sometimes You Need Easy (Product Review)

I am in no way suffering under the illusion that this is a super healthy dish.

However, sometimes you need easy.

This gluten free mac/cheese mix from Lidl reminds me of Kraft Mac and Cheese.

The only difference was that unlike Kraft, this was actually not quite salty enough.

However, it wasn’t a bad substitute....if you like powdered cheese type boxed mac.

Garbage Pizza and Crust Review

This mix came from Lidl.  

It was by far the least expensive pizza crust mix I have seen, and it was the best I have tried.

It requires the addition of an egg, olive oil, and warm water.

It reminds me a little of a more biscuity type dough, but it was excellent.

Two of us wiped out the entire pizza.

On the grocery front, this was a “garbage” pizz.

I used up the last of a jar of Dollar Tree mushrooms, a lingering onion, some olives from an open jar, the remainder of some pepperoni in the fridge, and a mix of leftover cheddar and mozzarella.

GF Flour Tortillas Review

A couple of weeks ago I tried the Aldi gluten free tortillas.

I honestly wasn't overly impressed with them.

They were dry and kind of chalky.

I rarely throw away food, but I ended up tossing the remainder of the package.

When I was in the Neighborhood Market (Walmart) I found Mission Gluten Free Tortillas.

I had heard a lot of good things about them and was actually excited to see them in our local store.

I have tested these pretty thoroughly.

I've made tacos with ground beef, used them as wraps for chicken and veggies with cheese, and used them to make breakfast wraps with scrambled eggs and bacon.

The final test was to see if they would make a good cheese quesadilla.

They do!

I've been very pleased with how well these taste.

Since they lend themselves to a variety of meals I feel like they are great for me to keep on hand.

The only downside I can see (and it isn't a big enough one for me to not recommend these) is that they are thin and one or two did tear easily.

I am sure it is due to the nature of the flours.

However, the taste and texture are quite good.

Product Review — GF Garlic and Cheese Biscuits

I picked up this mix from Aldi to try.

Sometimes a quick drop biscuit takes a simple meal to another level....just something about having hot bread with a meal.

These are easy to make and you add 1/2 cup of cheese of your choice.

I went with cheddar.

I also simply mixed the garlic/herb packet into the biscuits.

As I have said previously, I have family members that aren’t crazy about butter.

These were really good and simple to make.

GF Product Review

Tuesday’s are usually a slam packed day for us.  Knowing that I try to plan something that is quick and easy.  We jokingly refer to it as our “junk food” night.  Yesterday was no exception.   However, we did try two new to us products — Live Gfree brand rice shells and cheese (from Aldi) and GF White meat chicken nuggets from Lidl.  The cucumber was, well half a cucumber I had leftover from making salad early in the week....

I decided to rank these based on 4 things.

Ease of preparation — These both recieve a “doesn’t get any easier” rating.

• The mac and cheese was a simple boil your pasta, drain, and stir in the cheese pack.  
• The nuggets simply went on a tray in the oven.

Taste — very good

• My daughter declared that the mac and cheese tastes like any boxed mac and cheese.  I pretty much agreed, which as far as I am concerned is a big plus for any gluten free product.
• The nuggets were a winner.   We have tried every brand of nuggets from Aldi in the past, and my daughter has always hated them.  I wasn’t able to eat most of them so I don’t have a comparison.  However, I really liked these enough to justify buying them again. 

Serving Size — generous. (I was unable to finish all that was on my plate and wrapped it up for a late night snack.  My daughter, on the other hand, ate all of hers.)

• Mac and cheese serving size was 1 cup prepared.  I deliberately measured the portion on my plate so that you would see an actual serving.  
• The serving size for the nuggets was 5.  I actually made myself 5 and my daughter 8. 

Cooking Time — very quick

• Once the water came to a boil, the noodles cooked in about 6 minutes.  I know the box says 10 to 12, but it did not take that long.
• Once the oven was preheated, the nuggets cooked for 14 minutes.  
• The timings were close enough to have it all pretty much finished at once.  I had time to get the plates, utensils, etc. ready.

Cost — I was actually going to give you the cost comparison until I realized when I cleaned my purse I had tossed my receipts.  Most gluten free items are automatically higher in price than their “gluten containing” counterparts.  However, both of these items were store brand and from the lowest priced stores in my area.  

Conclusion — While I don’t kid myself into thinking this is a perfectly healthful meal, I think a meal like this once in a while is kind of fun.  The taste was good.  Cost wise, per person the cost was less than one fast food meal each.  (I still have enough nuggets for one or possible two more meals without having a ton of macaroni and cheese leftover.). The speed was the biggest bonus.  And for me there was the additional bonus of each of these products not having my food allergens.  

Purchased Loaves of Gluten Free Bread (Review)

I purchased this bread from the Walmart Neighborhood Market.

It wasn't in the gluten free section, but actually with the other breads.

The breads texture reminds me a bit of sourdough bread -- not the taste, but the actual texture.

Like most gluten free loaves, it is smaller.  

However, it makes a good sandwich.

We have tried it over the course of a few days.

We tried it untoasted with tomato slices and mayo.

We tried it with jelly and sunbutter.

We tried it toasted with cheese for hot sandwiches.

The verdict was split.

I loved it as tomato sandwiches, but I have a weakness for them.

My family likes it better toasted.

We also tried these buns.

I was busy with some project research and didn't want to stop to bake buns.

We were pleasantly surprised at how good these were.

Both of these breads were a little pricey compared to the breads that aren't gluten free.

However, I found them to be right in line with the cost of other gluten free breads.

Brownie Mix Review

While I am personally trying very hard to limit my sugar to once a week, with school back in I need snacks for my daughter.  Homebaked, even with a mix, are still cheaper than buying individual servings and these are allergen free so that I can sneak a tiny one, too.

These are actually fabulous.  

The mix will make 2 8"x8" pans or one 9"x13" pan.

I had no intention of heating up the house twice, so I baked the larger pan.

The upside to these is that not only do they taste good, but they slice and wrap well, too.

Baking Bread (Product Review)

After much debate and pricing individual flours, I have decided gluten free mixes for bread are the way to go.  The individual flours (some used in tiny amounts) vary greatly in price and in how long lasting (shelf stable) they are.  I cannot find pre-baked gluten free bread other than frozen.  I can certainly use that if need be, but since I also have to watch out for allergens I decided to go with the Namaste brand mix because it is free of the major allergens.  I'm buying this in bulk from Amazon because no one locally carries them. 

 The directions are straight forward. Proof your yeast, which is included.  I did add a teaspoon of sugar because I like to see that the yeast is indeed "alive."    Add oil, eggs, and egg whites.  (Con is there are several egg yolks left over, but I think I will incorporate those into a quiche.). Mix with mixer for 3 minutes.  Let rise at least 30 (in pan) and then bake.  The baking time takes a while, but all in all the bread isn't too bad.  Like all gluten free breads you have to expect the texture to be slightly different.  

Before rising the dough looks like this.  I wasn't able to smooth it perfectly.

The bread was well received by my family.

I specifically baked it for sandwiches.

The next day we used the leftover bread for cheese toast.

The overall verdict on this bread was that it was worth taking the time to bake.

Next time I will probably try running it through the gluten free cycle on my bread machine to see what the results are.

Quiet Days (Recipe and Product Review)

Yesterday was a quiet day. 

We spent it at home doing some general work, as we get ready for fall weather.

I canned 4 quarts of vegetarian lentil soup.

I worked on another doily and starched some crosses that had been ordered.

We did some light house work.

My husband called me late in the afternoon and surprised me by saying he was coming home for the night.

In fact, he was already in route.

I hadn't officially planned a meal because my daughter had half a pizza left.

I had decided I would just pull together either a bowl of cereal or a fried egg wrap for myself.

Times like that, impromptu meals, are one of the reasons I like having canned goods on hand.

I pulled out a pint of corn, a pint of cabbage, and perused the refrigerator to see what we had open.

The corn went into gluten free corn fritters.  

These were delicious.  

My pithy un-recipe is as follows:

3/4 cup of gluten free flour mix (I used Namaste brand.)

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1 egg

2 tablespoons of oil

Milk to make  a decent batter.

1 pint of sweet corn, drained well

Add to batter.

(Oh, I added a dash of black pepper, too.)

Fry on medium heat until done in middle.

While they were cooking I simmered the cabbage.

A quick addition of some pickles rounded off the meal.

A simple, peasant supper if you will, but delicious none the less.

After we ate, we rode out and gassed up all the vehicles.

He wanted to drive across town and treat our daughter to a doughnut...a tradition they share.

Of course, there is nothing at a doughnut shop we needed.

When we got home I used an Aldi gluten free cake mix to make a batch of cupcakes.

They weren't perfect looking, but the taste and texture were pretty good.

I think if I were making them over again I would have divided into 15 to 18 muffins instead of the 12 it called for.

I did make a mental note for future reference that these would be great with pineapple and/or strawberries and whipped cream.

They would also be good with a teaspoon of jam in the middle.