by jphilo | Jun 23, 2015 | Uncategorized
For some reasons, plastic garbage bags played integral and unique roles at the Cedar Falls Writers’ Workshops last week. They led to to this top ten list of ways to use the crinkly things.
10. Plastic grocery bags make wonderful trash can lines. Even better than the paper bags they replaced since they are waterproof. Unless they have holes in them.
9. Stick a couple in a packed suitcase for a dirty clothes bag.
8. Or stick shoes in them to protect clothes from dirt and pet doo-doo stuck on the soles.
7. In honor of Iowa’s senator, Joni Ernst, use them as boot liners to keep shoes dry.
6. After cutting flowers to send home with someone, wrap the stems with wet paper towels. Then wrap the paper towels in grocery bags so the car doesn’t get wet on the way home.
5. They can be used in place of bread bags to make padded hangers like the ones Grandma Josie gave her grandkids when they set up housekeeping.
4. Plastic grocery bags make highly effective asphyxiation chambers for those gross, horned tomato worms that are death to BLTs.
3. Wad them up and use them to pad packages. This use comes compliments of my mother-in-law.
2. After you mistake the trash can containing plastic grocery bags, in the cabin where you are staying during a writers’ conference, for the real garbage can and throw coffee grounds on the entire grocery bag stash and ruin them all, you have a humorous story to tell at the beginning of the teaching session you are leading. You can also bond with the audience by begging them to donate bags so you can replenish the cabin’s stash.
1. In the absence of an umbrella, a grocery bag makes a stunning rain hat. Much more tasteful than the embarrassing ones worn by grandmothers in previous generations.
What creative uses do you have for plastic grocery bags? Share them in the comment box.
by jphilo | Jun 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
For the past 3 weeks I’ve been living a double life. Outside I look like a mild-mannered Iowan going about her business. But inside I’m an intrepid, rookie country school teacher solving mysteries in the wilds of northwest South Dakota. So when I ran across this June 2010 post written after this mild-mannered Iowan, along with my dear friend and fellow Iowan, Cindy, visited the wilds of northwest South Dakota, Chicken Mint instantly became this Fantastic Friday’s flavor of the week!
Ever heard of chicken mint ice cream? I hadn’t either until last weekend when four-year-old Brennen, a cowboy in training, introduced Cindy and me to the delectable treat. The chicken mint discovery occurred after supper, which was after the four-wheeler stunt video, which was after the Uncle Shawn story, which was after the tower demolition, which was after the bike riding demonstration, so maybe I should back up a little.
Brennen and his two-year-old brother Shawn are the grandkids of Gerald and Becky, our Harding County hosts over the weekend. When we arrived Friday, they were at Grandma and Grandpa’s house to greet us, along with their mom Natalie, baby sister Alexis and Grandma Becky. Those two little boys were pretty eager to have company and had planned a plethora of activities for us.
First on the list was Brennen demonstrating his newly acquired bike riding skills. He was pretty sure his ability to ride without training wheels would leave a memorable impression, but Cindy and I were shaking with laughter before he and his tag-along little brother, Shawn headed out the door. Too excited to pay attention to details, Shawn grabbed the first pair of boots available, never mind that they were two sizes too big and came up to his knees. Brennen didn’t even look down as he put his boots on the wrong feet.
“How about you boys stand in front of the door, and I’ll take a picture of you in those fancy boots,” I suggested. The little wranglers were happy to oblige.
I have to admit, Brennen’s bike demonstration was amazing, along with Shawn’s herculean efforts at digging dirt from a pile by the driveway and collapsing dramatically from the effort. But the fun was only beginning. Back inside, the boys showed us how to build a tall tower from blocks and knock it down.
Then Grandma Becky, perhaps in need of a moment of quiet and wanting to pass on the memory of her son who died six years ago, asked me to tell them a story about being their Uncle Shawn’s teacher. They listened intently as I described Shawn at age six taking me for a ride in the pick up to show off the stock tank he’d helped install on the hill in the pasture. He also made me get out to open all the gates on the way there and close them on the way back. When we reached the last gate, he waved and his eyes twinkled as he drove off without me. Grandma Becky said Brennen’s face was deeply thoughtful throughout the story. Perhaps Uncle Shawn’s daring sets a dangerous precedent. Hmm.
Before supper, we watched a four-wheeler stunt video. From what I observed, the interest level of the viewers was in inverse proportion to their ages. It captivated Brennen and Shawn, and the only thing able to drag them away from it to the supper table was the promise of ice cream cones for dessert.
Brennen altruistically volunteered to haul the ice cream containers from the freezer to the ice cream cone box sitting on the counter. “Which kind do you want?” he asked. “We have regular, root beer which is my favorite, and chicken mint.”
“Chicken mint?” Cindy asked.
Brennen held up the box so we could see the picture of a bowl of mint green ice cream flecked with brown. “Chocolate chip mint is hard to say,” Natalie explained.
“I’ll take chicken mint,” we said in unison.
“It’s really good,” our dessert chef approved. He was right. Cindy and I agree it was the best chicken mint ice cream we ever tasted. Who could ask for anything more?
by jphilo | Jun 3, 2015 | Uncategorized
The beginnings of this week’s dish can be traced to a recipe called Healthy Veggie Noodle Bowl with Peanut Sauce. The ingredient list for the peanut sauce made my mouth water, but I knew the Man of Steel wouldn’t go for the tofu, so I used chicken instead. Also, I couldn’t find edamame and used pea pods. Then, when I went to get the broccoli from the crisper there was none (a side effect of being 59), so kale went into the dish instead.
The end product was delicious, though as the Man of Steel said, the strong flavors mean it should only be served now and then to avoid getting tired of it. So that’s what we’ll do, which should give me time to locate a produce department with edamame and to forget whether or not there’s any broccoli in the vegetable crisper .
Healthy Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut Sauce
Sauce Ingredients:
1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter stirred well (not stabilized peanut butter with additives)
2 – 2 1/2 tablespoons tamarii
2 1/2 teaspoons finely grated ginger
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 – 3 tablespoons water
2 medium garlic cloves, smashed
veggie bowl Ingredients:
1 pound chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
8 oz box pad Thai brown rice noodles noodles, prepared according to package directions
1 cup pea pods, washed and cut into thirds
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 large bell pepper cut into bite-sized pieces
2 carrots, julienned
2 cups broccoli florets or 1 bunch kale, veined and torn into pieces
1/2 cups raw peanuts
- Combine all dressing ingredients (except the garlic) in a jar or gravy shaker. Seal and shake until mixed. Add the smashed garlic, stir gently and set aside for at least 10 minutes. Remove garlic after it sits. The dressing thickens as it sits. Add more water and/or lime juice to thin it out if needed.
- Heat a large frying pan with 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Add the raw peanuts and cook until they begin to brown. Remove with slotted spoon and place on paper toweling.
- Add chicken to frying pan and cook until it’s cooked through and slightly browned. Place on a plate.
- Add remaining tablespoon of coconut oil. Add broccoli or kale and cook for 7-10 minutes for broccoli, 5-5 minutes for kale. Stir frequently until it is lightly brown. Add the peppers and pea pods. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Shake the dressing and add more water/lime juice if needed.
- Add chicken to the pan and toss with a few tablespoons of the dressing.
- Toss the noodles with about half of the dressing to coat well and then add to vegetables and chicken. Add the carrots and toss well to combine all ingredients and cook until heated through. Add more dressing as needed.
- Serve hot and top with peanuts.
by jphilo | Jun 2, 2015 | Uncategorized
Every Wednesday I spend several hours with Mom at her new home in assisted living. Here’s a peek at what’s best about Wednesdays with Dorothy.
10. The staff at the assisted living facility is friendly to me and loving towards Mom.
9. Getting to know other residents who live there has been delightful.
8. Mom treats me to supper.
7. Mom’s favorite game is Rummikub and the primary colors on the tiles make me feel so happy.
6. Mom’s second favorite game is Uno, and when she wins she gives an evil laugh because she knows it will make me laugh, too.
5. At least once a visit, she looks around and says “I can’t believe Genworth* is paying for this” with wonder and delight.
4. Mom still has a great sense of humor. (See #6)
3. She takes great joy in looking at pictures of her great-grandchildren and showing off the cards and crafts they send.
2. When we are together on Wednesdays, I know without a doubt that I am where God wants me to be, doing what he wants me to do.
1. Mom loved and cared for me in my early years and being able to reciprocate that love and care in her last years is a gift to both of us.
*Genworth is her long term care insurance company.
by jphilo | May 29, 2015 | Uncategorized
This fantastic Friday, I am pleased to announce that snake sightings are within the normal range where I live and therefore, no snake warnings are being issued by the Gravel Road Snake Warning Bureau for Spring, 2015. This state of affairs is in stark contrast to the spring of 2009, when the proliferation of snakes led to the creation of the Gravel Road Snake Warning Bureau as is explained below.
Rest assured that this SNAKE WARNING is not meant to eclipse the swine flu pandemic. But I’m worried that the media’s narrow focus on all things pig and pork-related may have blinded us to a growing menace right beneath our central Iowa feet.
Since Easter, the number of squashed snakes on my gravel road has increased alarmingly. In one month, I’ve seen more of the flattened critters than in the previous eighteen years combined. In the newsletter put out by the vegetable farmers from whom we purchased our community supported agriculture (CSA) share, mention was made of the large number of snakes crawling around their farm, too. And in a casual conversation with someone who shall remain nameless (not because he or she is an anonymous source, but because I’m having a senior moment), an abnormally large number of snake sightings was reported.
Even though my level of credibility, manpower, or technological wizardry does not match that of government agencies like the CDC or the Department of Health and Human Services, I am hereby issuing an OFFICIAL SNAKE WARNING for my small town and the surrounding countryside.
The most important thing is that you DO NOT PANIC. DON’T hide in the basement or a windowless closet or interior room in your house until the all clear siren sounds. DON’T wash your hands frequently or stay away from crowds to avoid spread of reptiles. Just AVOID sunbathing on warm rocks. CHECK your shoes for sleeping snakes before you put them on and watch where you step when wandering in the grass. WHISTLE “Dixie” real loud before kneeling in your garden. This is a little trick I learned in South Dakota to scare off rattlesnakes. It works, too. In seven years, I never saw a diamondback.
There. I’ve done my civic duty, and I’m ready to enjoy a SNAKE-FREE weekend. I hope your weekend is, too.
by jphilo | May 27, 2015 | Uncategorized
Hi and thanks for stopping by the Gravel Road. I’ve been experimenting with my tried and true honey-oatmeal muffin recipe, hoping to make it better at fighting candida, a normally harmless yeast fungus that can exacerbate allergies if not kept in check. Coconut and flax fight candida while sugar (even honey, maple syrup, agave, and the like) feeds it. So this version of the recipe substitutes coconut oil for corn oil, adds shredded unsweetened coconut and ground flax seed, while cutting down a bit on the honey. Give it a try and see what you thing!
Honey-Oatmeal Muffins
1 egg, beaten 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup honey 1 cup soured rice milk*
1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup oatmeal 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup ground flax seed
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl combine beaten egg, coconut oil, sour rice milk and honey. Stir. Mix the dry ingredients together and add to liquid mixture. Stir by hand until dry ingredients are moistened, but batter is still lumpy.
Line muffin pan with muffin papers. Spoon batter into cups until they are ¾ full. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. Do not over bake! Serve them warm. Or let them cool and store in gallon freezer bags. Makes one dozen.
*Sour rice milk by putting 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in a 1 cup measure. Fill to 1 cup mark with rice milk and let sit at least 15 minutes before using.
