Jimmy Carter Cake

Don't know where the name comes from, always assumed it was because of the peanut butter... but the peanut butter is the smaller equation compared to the pudding and whip cream.  Chocolate Peanut Butter Dessert or Reese's Dessert seems more fitting... but this is what I've always known it as.  You call it what you like.

Jimmy Carter Cake

First Layer:  Mix
1 cup flour
½ cup melted margarine/1 stick of butter (your choice)

Pat into 9x13x2 glass dish. Bake 20 minutes @ 325°.  Cool.
This is a fairly thin crust so just push and pat with your fingers until bottom of pan is covered.

Second Layer:  Mix
1 cup Cool Whip
1 brick (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup Peanut Butter

Spread onto cooled crust layer.


Third Layer:  Beat
(2 pkgs) 3.4 oz. instant Vanilla Pudding
(1 pkg) 3.4 oz. instant Chocolate Pudding
2 ½ cups milk

Pour over second layer.

Top with remaining Cool Whip and garnish with chopped nuts or chocolate shavings (or both).  Refrigerate.

Look What I Made!

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

(Here's a close-up)

Cornish Hen Half & Veggie Pasta

Pasta & Italian Sausage w/ Spinach, Onion, Garlic Sauce

I made this tonight for dinner.  I was expecting to use whole wheat pasta, but when I opened the cupboard, I noticed I had some leftover tri-color pasta (plain/tomato/spinach) that was taking up space and decided to rid myself of it instead.

It's pasta and Italian sausage with a sauce/not sauce of EVOO, spinach, garlic & onion.  **I say sauce/not sauce because it's not something you want to ladle on... just enough to toss and coat the pasta.**

I cooked some Italian sausage earlier, and had it resting. I also had the pasta boiling. 

Then I put some olive oil down in a small saute pan (this time I used Red Pepper flavored EVOO), added diced onions, frozen chopped spinach, fresh chopped garlic, and a couple of shakes of rosemary, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic salt and pepper.  When it was ready, I took half the saute mixture and put it in my Magic Bullet with a splash or two of fresh olive oil and puréed it.  Added that back into the pan.  I wanted to maintain some chunkiness to the sauce with the the onions and spinach.

I sliced one of the sausages in half lengthwise and cut it up into bite-sized pieces.  Put that back into the pan I had cooked it in, added a few spoons of the sauce, then threw in a couple spoons of pasta.  Mixed thoroughly, plated, and added a couple shakes of shredded parmesan cheese.  Waa-laa!  Dinner is served.

Deee-licious!

...and you know the leftovers are going to be just as good!

Eclair Cake

Eclair Cake

1 Lb. (box) Graham Crackers
2 - 4 Oz. (instant) French Vanilla Pudding
3½ C. Milk
9 Oz. Cool Whip

Butter bottom of 9"x13"x2" baking pan. Line pan bottom with graham crackers. Mix pudding and milk until thickened, fold cool whip into mixture. Pour 1/2 of mixture over cracker layer, smooth, then add second layer of graham crackers, then pour remaining pudding and smooth, cover with third layer of crackers. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Frost.


Frosting:
6 Tbsp. Powdered Cocoa
2 Tsp. Light Karo Syrup
2 Tbsp. Soft Margarine
3 Tbsp. Milk
2 Tbsp. Oil
2 Tsp. Vanilla
1½ C. Powdered Sugar

Mix well, spread over top layer of graham crackers. Refrigerate finished product for 24 hours.

Easter BBQ

For some reason it was decided that we would have the family Easter dinner on Saturday instead of Sunday... okay, I'm flexible. That's why I was doing the lawn on Easter Sunday.

I only took a couple of pictures... I did get some video, but the software to convert it doesn't work on my new computer.  I've been saving the files to my computer until I can afford to buy something.

 

My Food Creations

 I've been getting into creating my own things in the kitchen... discovering and using herbs and foods in new/different ways. I don't buy processed foods, pre-packaged meals, or canned soups.  I make my own soups, spaghetti sauce, and various creative dishes.  I use to go through mayonnaise and ranch dressing fairly rapid... now I barely touch the stuff.  I don't buy that pre-sliced processed bread either.  I either make it or buy Artisan or hearty fresh baked loaves.

I use to have some basic herbs and spices that I kept around... each had it's purpose.

Herb's/Spices:

• Sage and Thyme for meats and soups.
• Dill for tunafish sandwiches.
• Paprika for deviled eggs.
• Cinnamon for toast or cinnamon rolls.
• Then the standard salt, pepper, garlic salt and seasoning salt.

 Then I discovered Rosemary, Basil, Parsley, Mediterranean Oregano, Crushed Red Pepper, Ginger, Ground Mustard, Celery Flakes, Cloves, and Fennel Seed.  Olive oil is just about the only oil I use anymore.

I discovered that cabbage could be used for more than cole slaw, stuffed cabbage, and boiled dinner.  I can go through a head or two in a week.  I eat beans now, and I'm not talkin' green beans, I've always eaten them.  The only time I ate beans was when I ate kidney beans in chili or baked beans at a bar-b-cue.  My favorites are black beans and cannellini beans.  I love romaine and spinach salads, but I started keeping frozen chopped spinach in the freezer to throw into omelets, soups, pasta dishes, sauces... whatever I desire. 

Here's a pasta dish I made.  I put fresh garlic, garlic salt, pepper, basil and extra virgin olive oil in my Magic Bullet and blended it well.  I used that to sautee some cubed pork (added some crushed red pepper), when that was well cooked I tossed in some pasta and dried parsley. Sprinkled shredded parmesan cheese, tossed, and a served with brussel sprouts.

I also made some rosemary/garlic bread.  Made a small 'oops', but it worked out well.  When I laid the dough out on the pan to raise, the two loaves puffed out into each other.  I moved one to another pan and centered the other.  When I moved them they fell (deflated).  I figured they would puff back up while cooking... wrong!  They came out about an inch or so high.  I'm thinking, "Oh great, what a waste."  I hate waste so I was trying to figure some way to use them.  I thought I could use them in a savory bread pudding, but when I sliced it... it was fine, it wasn't all hard and dense.  It looked like the shape of biscotti... so I brushed some slices with EVOO and stuck them in the oven.  Made FANTASTIC breadsticks.

So I'll be adding my recipes and pics of my creations to my blog.  If you try any of them, let me know what you think... or any changes you've made.

Cherry Cola Bar-B-Cue Sauce

I got this recipe from my cousin... it's very good.  Spicey-sweet!  I just made another batch and made a few minor changes.  The recipe is very good as is... I just like playing with recipes.

4 (12 oz) cans Cherry Cola (flat)
2 cups Cherry Jam or Preserves
2/3 cup Dijon mustard w/horseradish (I used French's Horseradish Mustard, not fond of Dijon)
3 Tbls Soy Sauce
2 Tbls Malt Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar  (I used 1 Tbls. Worcestershire & 1 Tbls. Balsamic Vinegar)
1 Tbls Hot Pepper Sauce
7 to 7-1/2 lbs. Spareribs (or any Pork, Chicken, Beef)

• Boil cherry cola in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 1-1/2 cups, about 45 minutes.

• Stir in next 5 ingredients. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until mixture is reduced to 2-1/2 cups, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes.

• Transfer glaze to large bowl.

• Position racks in top and bottom thirds of oven and preheat to 325°.

• Sprinkle ribs w/salt and pepper. Wrap each rib rack w/aluminum foil tightly, enclosing completely.

• Divide foil packets between 2 rimmed baking sheets. Bake until ribs are very tender, switching positions of baking sheets halfway through baking, about 2 hours total. Cool ribs slightly in foil; pour off any fat from foil packets.

• Prepare barbeque (medium-low heat)

• Cut each rib rack between bones into individual ribs. Set aside 1 cup glaze. Add ribs to bowl w/remaining glaze and toss to coat. Grill ribs until brown and glazed, turning to prevent burning, about 5 minutes total.

• Serve, passing reserved glaze separately.

 
Try the recipe either way and let me know what you think.

Migraines

I had a friend who suffered with migraines. For reasons still unknown to me, she decided to cut me out her life a few months ago; but, when I saw this article it caused me to pause since it had become a bit of habit to keep my eye out for migraine help. So I decided to post it here in hope that others may find it helpful.


Foods that could trigger a nasty headache

My friend Charlene pinged me. She had a miserable headache over the weekend. It wasn't just any miserable headache -- it was a miserable headache caused by citrus.

After retracing her day, Charlene realized that the three delicious tangerines were the culprit. She thought she was just enjoying a very tasty, healthy snack, but she was also triggering pain.

Some experts say that citrus and other foods may trigger headaches because the people consuming them may have an enzyme deficiency. The enzyme they are lacking is necessary for neutralizing amines in foods. Some foods have large quantities of amines, and without the enzyme, headaches (and even migraines) can be stimulated.

Still, gobbling up an orange (or three) might seem harmless. If you are one of the 28 million Americans who suffer from migraines, taking note of how foods affect your body could be critical in preventing future headaches. One new theory is that craving certain foods could also signal a coming migraine. These kinds of migraines are also made more unpredictable because eating the food may not trigger pain every single time, and because food could team up with other triggers (like bright lights or stress) to induce a migraine.

Some other foods and beverages thought to trigger headaches include:

• Aged cheese and those cheeses containing tyramine, a natural substance that builds up as food ages. Tyramine in high levels has been shown to cause hypertension, which is a particular concern for people who take MAO inhibitor medication to treat migraines. Blue cheese, brie, cheddar, Stilton, feta, gorgonzola, mozzarella, muenster, Parmesan, Swiss, and processed cheeses often contain high levels of tyramine.
  
• Other salted, cured, processed, and canned foods that are high in tyramine. Take note of how your body reacts when you eat pickles, olives, and canned soups. Beans can also contain headache-triggering tyramine, especially fava, pinto, garbanzo, and lima beans.
  
• Alcohol, which could prompt headaches as it is metabolized in the body. Pay particular attention when you drink red wine, beer, whiskey, and champagne, which have been identified as triggers.

There is a long list of foods that headache and migraine sufferers say cause their pain. Some of them might surprise you, including:

• Peanuts and peanut butter
• Potato chips
• Pizza
• Fresh fruits like kiwi, plums, and raspberries
• Bread and crackers

Have you had a miserable headache or migraine that you thought was caused by food? What was the culprit?

Do you avoid common foods like these that could prompt pain?


Read more:
Surprising cures for migraines
5 things you didn't know about headaches
One more reason to lay off the caffeine

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Foods that trigger migraines

Migraine headaches are a disease that affects a lot of people and it is not yet known what are the exact causes of migraine headaches. A lot of research institutes identified a number of migraine headache causes and among those causes they include food as a major factor. Food can certainly play an important role for the existence of migraine headaches. This article is about foods that trigger migraines and what you can do to prevent the crisis.

The food seems to affect the frequency and intensity of migraines in some people. Often, people with migraines are sensitive to some foods. However, the exclusion of specific foods is not a formally accepted treatment for migraines.

Why do some foods trigger migraines?

One theory is that some foods may release certain chemicals, which can lead to migraines. The tyramine (found in cheese), the fainylaithylamini (found in chocolate), the tyrosine, glutamic mononatrio (used in Chinese food), aspartame, caffeine, sulphites – nitrites (found in processed meat) appears to be involved in causing migraines.

Also, different types of food cause varying degrees of vasodilatation or vasoconstriction, which can cause headaches. Another theory argues that some foods stimulate specific regions of the brain, leading to migraines. Nevertheless, the scientific literature does not lead to the formulation of clear conclusion.

What foods can trigger migraines?

A study of 577 people suffering from migraines showed that the foods more closely associated with their headaches was cheese, chocolate, red wine and beer. Another research found that the headache was common in patients with no resistance to gluten, with or without histological findings of intestinal lesions. Also other foods that trigger migraines are all nuts, the peanut butter, vinegar, prepared sauces (mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise), the avocado and animal intestines.

Second, the interruption of use of caffeine may cause headaches in some people, so consumption should not be exaggerated. The interruption of even a cup of coffee (or 2 cups of tea or 3 soft drink of type cola) can cause muscle pain, fatigue, fainting and headache.

Other established research about foods that trigger migraines showed that the following foods types are suspects for a migraine headaches crisis.

The chocolate
Cheese
Spirits
Coffee
Seafood
Citrus

Many experts also believe that those who manifest migraine after consumption of these foods may have an enzyme deficiency in fainolsoulfotransferasi (PST).

This enzyme has the capacity to neutralize a group of substances called amines that exist in large quantities in the above foods. But when the enzyme is missing from the body, then the levels of amines increase, stimulating the platelet agglutination (blood) in the brain, giving a mandate to initiate migraine.

The rates with which different foods trigger migraines are:
74% chocolate
47% cheese
30% citrus
18% fat and fried
15% tea and coffee
14% meat, especially pork
10% of seafood


Supplements to help reverse the effects of foods on migraine headaches

In the treatment of migraines a lot of supplements has been used including riboflavin, magnesium, and Tanacetum parthenium. The large doses of riboflavin (400 mg / daily) were well tolerated with minimal side effects and were quite effective, since their headaches decreased significantly. The effect is maximized after taking the supplement for at least 3 months. High dose of magnesium (600 mg / daily) can reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of migraine by 40% after 12 weeks. The most secure form of the supplement is considered the magnesium citrate. Finally, the investigations so far do not lead to a safe conclusion about the effectiveness of Tanacetum parthenium in the treatment of migraine.

Furthermore, it is believed that omega-3 fatty acids of fish and ginger can help those who suffer from migraines because of antihistamines and anti-inflammatory properties.

How to do to identify which foods help trigger migraines

The first step is to keep a food diary. Record what you eat and drink, but all your natural symptoms. It is very important to note the time you eat. After a month, read your calendar and look for recurring patterns. If you believe that you have discovered a link between eating and headaches, try to restrict the food for a month and watch the progress of symptoms. Keep in mind however that the various food manufacturers add different materials e.g. chocolate, explaining why a brand can cause you headache, and another not.

Foods that help prevent migraine headaches

The salmon, spinach, the ginger, mushrooms, according to several established research could help prevent migraine headaches crisis.

Other factors that can trigger a migraine headache crisis are:

Alcohol and red wine in particular.
Smoking.
Stress and fatigue.
Abnormal vision, misapplication of eye glasses.
Physical and sexual activity. (The headache after orgasm is usually harmless, but if it is intense and persists may indicate bleeding)
Changes in sleeping and eating hours.
Changes of time, weather, long journeys.
Hormonal changes. Menopause. Replacement therapy with estrogen.
Strong lights, strong noise, strong perfumes, and polluted air.

There are a lot of types of foods that trigger migraines. It is important to keep a dairy and log what you eat and drink before the emerge of a migraine headache crisis. You can then remove temporarily those foods from your diet and see if the problem still exists. In any case you need to get consultation from a professional doctor to help you find the right treatment for migraine headaches.

Week Update

Let's see... went back to work Monday. Dead tired! About 2 AM Sunday night/actually Monday morning, I guess Jackie Cat (Jackson) attempted to jump from the counter to the top of the refrigerator to get on top of the cupboards to hide or get away from Missy Bug. What exactly happened and why... who knows for sure! All I do know that I was in bed and heard a horrendous crash. Not something where you roll over saying, "I'll see what it was in the morning." Kind of like when I hear Jack throwing up in the middle of the night, I'm not jumping out of bed to clean it up, it'll be there in the morning. Just make a mental note to watch where I walk when I do get up!

This was big-crash-need-to-check-out-NOW noise! I didn't see anything in the livingroom, or the spare bedrooms, but as I come back out through the little hall... I see stuff all over the kitchen floor. And Jack barely able to walk. I whisked him up and and laid him on the bed; gently started pressing around his leg and foot. He was making alot of noise, I knew he was in some pain. Jack has had bad injuries before but never growled at me. I was afraid he may have broken something. His leg felt like knotted muscles or something. I thought maybe torn muscle or charlie horse... you know, panicky thoughts when an animal gets injured in the middle of the night. No one to call, unless of course, you feel it is a very real medical emergency and call the vet for an outrageously high-priced emergency room visit.

Well, I attempted to put ice on it... but my ice bag was old and sprung a pretty big leak. I tried draining the water out and just put the bag of ice on it - lightly. He was having nothing to do with that. So I gave him half a diazepam then just held and petted him. Gave him a back and shoulder rub. I heard that purring causes some chemical stuff to release in their brains helping to soothe them and dull pain or discomfort. (Never assume that a purring cat is happy, he may be injured, nervous, or scared.) After about an hour and a half, we finally got to sleep.

In the morning he seemed a little better. He was limping pretty good but was walking. When I got home he was sleeping on my bed, which is pretty much where he's stayed for several days. He's much better now, slightly limping if he over exerts.

Now Missy Bug... when I came home Monday night, she was back to her rip-tearing self.

Tuesday afternoon I received a call from my radiation doctor's office. I had an appointment for this coming Monday. They needed to reschedule it because my doctor was in an accident over the holidays. He was hit buy a transit bus. I guess they were unsure about his condition there for awhile. He is doing better now, out of the woods, but he will not be able to come back to work for a few months. They had to reschedule me with another doctor. Totally blew me away. How awful for him... and his family.

On Wednesday the office had, much to my surprise, a belated birthday lunch for me. Wanda ran around getting everything. She stopped at Olive Garden and picked up a big salad, dressing, and garlic breadsticks; Food Lion, I believe, for one of those roasted chickens and some drinks. She picked up plates, silverware, cups, a tray of dessert cakes. My oh my! It was really nice.

Last night... really funny. Ever have a burp pop out, literally out of nowhere, leaving you thinking, "Where the heck did that come from? Excuuuse me!" Well I had an explosive loud one burst out last night... Missy hit the floor, honest-to-God, she's laying flat, hugging the floor, ears back, looking around for the attacker. It was hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing.

While I was sorting dirty laundry, she was diving, jumping, and snagging everything I threw. I toss a sock over to the white pile and she would come flying through the air arms flailing to snag it. Pants, shirts, bath towels... she goes after it all. I even have to fight her off to get dressed. Do you know how hard it is to get your pants on when you have a cat hanging onto the other end of them? I now sit down to put them on so I don't lose my balance and fall. She is definitely entertainment. I told my mom she's like having a puppy.

This morning I saw something laying on the floor at the foot of my bed. I'm thinking, "What the heck is that?" When I pick it up... it's a chunk of ceiling! My heart jumps, I start running around to see where my ceiling was falling in. We just had some bad storms go through the area. Then I realize, the flat edge has popcorn stuff on it. I had my ceilings scraped before I bought it. It was a chunk from when they did the repairs. She must have found it somewhere... probably on top of the cupboards. A good-morning jump start for the heart! LOL

And Simon is finally letting me pick him up freely. I even turned him over on his back to inspect the bottom of his paws. Whoohoo! Breakthrough.

Happy Birthday... to me!

Yes, today is my 41st birthday.

I have been off work since the day before Christmas... took Missy Bug to get spayed and shots last Tuesday. She's been quiet, sleeping all the time, and wanting me to constantly hold her since.

Have recently made contact with an old friend. She just got hooked up online again. A big shout out to ya... "Hey Sharon!"

Gotta pay some bills and go get a shower... heading to mom's for a family birthday dinner tonight. Having boiled dinner. My sister is making her bread pudding. We'll also have cake and ice cream.

It Figures...

Right now I'm eating lunch at work...

Yesterday was my boss's (and owner of the company) birthday, he took the day off, but, as he was going out the door Monday, said he was going to be back in Wednesday. So the birthday lunch party we were planning would be postponed 'til then.

I had my nephew's birthday party last night and didn't get out of there until after 8 pm. I had to stop at the store to pick a few things up, then get things ready for the lunch. I had to get the meatballs & sausage done, doctor the tomato sauce, put together a salad, and make the dressing, and get it all packaged for travel. It was a late night, needless to say.

The Menu:
- Meatballs & Italian Sausage in tomato sauce (w/my home grown & dried basil)
- Ceasar/Spinach Salad (w/homemade ceasar dressing)
- Italian Bread
- Baked Potato Salad (compliments of my mom & sister)
- Cake

I got to work today and got the crockpot of meat heating up, was waiting until just before lunch to put the salad together (it's sooo much better fresh). Then I got a call from Ron, the Sales Manager, he was calling off sick. Good grief!

It was nearing lunch and still no David... I had an excuse to call him, so I thought I'd casually ask when he thought he'd be in. Got voicemail. I left him a message asking him a work question and then bluntly asked if he was going to be in anytime soon because I had brought lunch in, had expected him to be in by now, and lunch is ready. I soon received a call back... He had told Ron yesterday that he probably wouldn't be in today, if he did make it in, it wouldn't be until late afternoon. He was currently on his way to a lunch meeting. Ron never told me. It figures... so I told him there should be leftovers for tomorrow! We three girls ate without them!

It is terrific, if I do say so myself!

We did save the cake for tomorrow, we aren't heartless.

My Red Peppers

Earlier this year, Mom bought me two tomato plants, two basil plants, and a pepper plant. Over the summer I had an abundance of tomatos and basil... which I absolutely loved. Just one of the plants had 44 tomatos on it at one time. I wish I would have thought to take pictures.

Anyways, my pepper plant was slow going but started to produce peppers late. I had a bunch of peppers growing, they just hadn't started turning red yet when it begin to get real cold at night. I decided to bring the planter indoors. I figured, with all the sunlight I get through my many large kitchen windows, they should continue to grow and ripen. So far so good!

My most recent picks...

these were ready last Wednesday.

But.... with this great idea, there is a downfall.

~ Enter Little Missy Bug ~

She gets up there digging and throwing dirt around, then she chases what's on the floor... spreading it from one side of the kitchen to the other. What a mess! I can't keep up with it. She must be having a hayday while I'm at work!

Chicken Hearts & Gizzards

Thank you for the chicken hearts & gizzards, Laura… I thoroughly enjoyed them last night; prepared with garlic, olive oil and herbs (thyme, sage & rosemary) with a side of Hungry Jack boxed mashed potatoes (flavored w/chicken stock). Mmm, mmm, good! I guess I should ultimately thank Mary (I believe you said Mary sent them). The baby, Lil’ Missy Bug, ate two little hearts… the rest was MINE.