Book Bag

     I was sitting at our kitchen table reading the other day and I must have been making a face or something because my daughter comes up and says, "What are you reading?!!!" To which I replied, "Oh it's an awful book!" and then I turned to her and said, "And you should read it!"
     I am sure she thinks I am crazy, but it was an "awful" story and she should read it. I was reading "Winter Girls" by Laurei Halse Anderson. This is a novel about anorexia and bulimia and the toll it takes on young girls. The main thing this novel did was make me look at these diseases from the victim's perspective, much like Jodi Piccoult does in the novels she writes. I've never really known anyone with anorexia, so I never thought about the kinds of things that would make a person want to be so thin. These are the things that I thought were "awful" about the story, but also the thoughts I wanted to hear my teenage daughter's input on. What leads to those feelings of despair and how can we stop it?
     You know that I know this is a fiction book. But, I also know that this author did a lot of research and at least some of this story is based in reality. The reality of things true anorexia patients have admitted to feeling and doing. It really is an "awful" story and you all really should read it.
   

Book Trailer Madness!!

     Here's a book trailer that gives you a recipe and talks about the book it came from! Artisan bread is something I've been meaning to try...

See what you think...

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

     Jillian and I were talking about Pot pies the other day; she loves them; I've never made one. So, in browsing around the web and Pinterest, I found this recipe that looks so fun I'd like to try it for my family. I will probably use corn or carrots instead of peas, but it's the idea of the individual pies that intrigues me!

Found on.... http://www.cookingwithjax.com/2014/02/chicken-pot-pie.html

Chicken Pot Pies (In Mason Jars!)

Recipe Makes 6 individual pies

Ingredients

- The dough for a double pie crust (can use homemade or store-bought)

- 2 tbsp + 2 tsp butter, divided

- ½ medium onion, diced

- 3 medium carrots, diced

- 1 cup cooked chicken, diced (I used a rotisserie chicken)

- 2 cups milk

- 1 cup chicken broth

-  2-3 tbsp flour

- ½ cup frozen peas

- salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat a large frying pan over medium heat.  Melt 2 tsp butter and sauté carrots until lightly cooked, about 2-3 minutes.  Add onions and cook an additional 2 minutes.   Set aside.

In large saucepan set to medium heat, melt remaining 2 tbsp of butter, then add 2-3 tbsp of flour (you’re going for a paste like texture here) and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture (roux) is lightly browned.

Whisk in milk and broth 1 cup at a time, bringing each cup to boil before adding the next.

Add chicken and peas, and then simmer for 5-7 minutes until sauce has thickened.

Meanwhile, roll out pie crusts, cutting each of them into quarters.  Line jars with crust, being sure to seal all of the edges.  

Scoop filling into jars, then roll out remaining pie crust to top jars, using a fork to seal and around the edges.

Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes until crust has lightly browned.  Remove pies from oven and cover with foil and bake for another 15 minutes.

Tip: for a golden brown pie crust whisk an egg and 2 tsp cream together and brush onto tops of pie crusts before baking.

Calories - 279   Fat - 15    Carbs – 25     Protein - 11   Fibre – 2

Book Trailer Monday

An exciting conclusion to a great sci-fi dystopian!

From Our Recipe Box to Yours....

     I've been hearing people talk about the baked oatmeal they made for breakfast. I've never had it. Have any of you?
Then, the other day, a little boy that my daughter babysits told us he had oatmeal for breakfast and my daughter piped up that she didn't think she'd ever had oatmeal! What??!! She used to love it as a young child. Okay, so I need to make some oatmeal for my kids to try. I figured, why not try some baked oatmeal?? It does need to be appealing to my kids, though....

Here are two recipes I found that I am hoping are a hit!

This first one is from....
http://www.blissfullyeverafter.net/2014/02/25/chocolate-peanut-butter-banana-oatmeal/

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, sliced
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 cups milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup chocolate chips

 Directions:

Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish. Spread half of the sliced bananas over the bottom of the pan and set aside.

In a medium sized bowl mix the rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. Spread the oat mixture evenly over the bananas. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the oats.

Whisk the milk, peanut butter, brown sugar, and beaten eggs. (It may be hard to fully incorporate the peanut butter. I don’t mind little bits of peanut butter in the finished dish, but if you do your could slightly warm the peanut butter before whisking it all together.)

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats and chocolate chips. Spread the remaining sliced bananas on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until done.

And the second one comes from....

http://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2013/09/Baked-Pumpkin-Oatmeal.html

Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal:
(Makes about 10 servings)

Ingredients:

• 6 cups quick cook oats (the kind that cooks in one minute
• 1½ sticks of butter - melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 15 oz can of pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ¾ tsp. salt
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 3 tsp of vanilla
• 1.5 tsp cinnamon
• 1.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Whipping cream
• extra white sugar (optional)

Instructions:
Oatmeal:

1. Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl, stir until completely mixed.
2. Pour oatmeal into a well greased 9×13 baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for one hour or overnight. 
3. Bake at 350° for 30 to 45 minutes, until the center reaches 160.

Thickened cream:

1. Pour whipping cream into a bowl and beat with hand mixer on low until the cream starts to barely thicken, add a dash of extra sugar if you want the cream to be slightly sweetened.
2. Pour over oatmeal.

Enjoy!

Something new @ your Library....

What do "Car and Driver", "Us Weekly", "Rolling Stone", "Men's Health" and "House Beautiful" have in common? They're all available now as FREE downloadable magazines!

That's right, Waverly Public Library patrons now have access to 54 different digital magazine titles. There are no holds or check out periods, and the magazines are yours to keep. They can be read on a tablet or smart phone, or right on your computer screen.

Visit: https://www.rbdigital.com/independenceia to view the entire collection.

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

     Here's a great marinade recipe that I found years ago in my Taste of Home magazine. This has worked well for us on chicken and pork. In fact, I am using it this weekend on a pork loin.

Give it a try and see if you like it!

• HOME
 
• RECIPES
 
• CURRY GRILLED CHICKEN

Curry Grilled Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Curry Grilled Chicken Recipe

 Read Reviews (7)

"Chicken marinated in this fuss-free mixture comes out tender and tangy," informs Nancy Ode of Sherman, South Dakota. "Its mild curry flavor is equally good on pork," she assures, "but I marinate it for an hour or two longer for the best results."

 Quick

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TOTAL TIME: Prep: 5 min. + marinating Grill: 15 min.

MAKES: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup white vinegar

• 1/3 cup ketchup

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)