A few of my favorite things...from my kitchen.

To go along with my new hobby this last year COOKING!  Jeff has been presenting me with some pretty cool appliances for Christmas and birthdays.   While investing in quality small appliances might not be recommended for someone that doesn't cook very much, as they will most likely collect dust.  Mine did for a few years when I just didn't have the time to cook. I feel it is worth it for those that cook a lot! And especially if you are a bulk cooker and baker like me.

My mom to this day has the same Kitchen Aid Stand mixer she had when I was growing up.  I saw how much she used it and a stand mixer was one of the first thing I purchased when I married.  Unfortunately I didn't buy a good quality one and it just didn't last....along with most of the other appliances I had purchased or been given in the early years of our marriage.  Let's see....how many blenders and coffee pots have we gone through. LOTS.

Here are a few things I love to make with my appliances.

Stand Mixer....6quart  Kitchen Aid
- I can make 7 loafs of banana bread at once or a X4 batch of cookies. Then I freeze them in individual serving(snack size zip-lock ) for the kids school lunches.

Blender...Architect Series - Kitchen Aid
- about once a week I make smoothies.  Yogart, frozen fruit and juice. A quick way to get some fruit into breakfast.

Food Processor....12 cup  Architect Series - Kitchen Aid
- last weekend I diced 37 onions in about 4 minutes. 
- Cole Slaw is also a favorite here. Done in no time.
- and of coarse pie crust!

My advice, save up and go for a good one!  Years later you will see the savings...but it will be well worth it!

Just for fun... a few of my non Kitchen Aid small appliances.

 Black & Decker GRP106QPGR Foreman 360 Round Grill Red

 (thanks Faye and Sue – Christmas last year)

In our family we love quesadilla’s.  This is the ultimate appliance for that.  No flipping involved! And it even leaves creates cut marks.

Black and Decker Grill

This is my favorite for breakfast.  Enough pancakes or french toast or bacon in minutes!  I have gone through several of these!  So I need to buy a better one at some point. 

Happy Cooking!

Who Made this Mess in the Microwave!

Just a quick tip that I have found works well for me.   Place a glass bowl in the microwave with approx. 2 cups of water.  Cook for 10 minutes.  It will steam the inside and everything will wipe away easily.  I also add an old lemon or orange if I have one hanging around.  Or even just the rind.  It makes it smell heavenly!

Another tip is use a coffee filter to put on top of bowls or small plates to keep the splatters contained. It cheaper than a paper towel and often fits perfectly.

Happy Nukking!

Once A Month Mom....Freezer Cooking

60 meals in one day!  Could it be possible.  I am living proof that it can happen....(however we did it in two days).  14hrs. total with a friend.

I am always on the hunt for a quicker, easier way to do things.  I have always been a bulk baker and cooker. Here and there I have heard of actual websites and books dedicated to this theory as well. Recently I came across this website and had to give it a try! 

Thanks Pam for doing this with me...even though you thought I was insane!

http://www.onceamonthmom.com/

- This site gives you a complete grocery list for 15 recipes x 4

- Printable receips that have the ingredients listed x4

- Step by Step instructions. Right down to the containers you'll need.

- Printable labels that make all your hard work look so professional .


We did OCTOBER 2010.  Here is the list of the recipes. 

Breakfasts

• Bacon Quiche
• Cinnamon Apple Pull Apart Rolls
• Apple Cinnamon Waffles

Lunches

• Tex Mex Pumpkin Patties
• Baked Eggrolls
• Chicken Ranch Quesadillas
• Taco Soup

Dinners

• Chicken Broccoli Casserole
• Cider Stew

• Chicken Pomodoro

• Better For You Orange Chicken
• Cheese and Onion Enchiladas
• Cold Weather Chili
• Smoked Pork
• Apple Pie Pork Chops

A word of warning you will need lots of freezer space.  I will definitely be doing this again if anyone wants to join me! 

We ended up making 66 meals. At a cost of $290 per person that was average $8 a meal. Add aside and easily have a meal for 4 at under $10.

Sources
- We bought all our meat at Meridian Meats.  They gave us bulk discount. I also like knowing it is free range meat etc.
- We bought all the dairy in the states
- There is a produce store next to the Meat market - Kin's. We bought all the produce there.
- The rest various places.

Skiing 101

The long wait is finally over - 8+ years since Jeff or I have skied due to the arrival of our children!  When Jeff and I first met we spent a week-end together at Lake Placid, NY on a singles ski retreat and have enjoyed many ski trips/days since then.  (Wow…that trip was 18 yrs ago) Our kids are now old enough to join us on the many ski Mts. that surround us here in Vancouver.  There are 6 with-in 2 hours.  One of which was home to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics - Whistler/Blackcomb.

For the first two days of lessons we choose Hemlock.  A quiet, gentle Mt. We were lucky to end up with 2 hr. private lessons (1-on-1) both days….that made an amazing difference!  Looking back I would have spent the extra money for private seeing how the other children faired in group lessons.

Thanks to lessons and a few hours skiing with Dad, both of the kids can now ski any green.  Looking forward to hopefully a few more ski days this season.  Maybe Mt. Baker next.