Wholesome Wednesday: Strawberry Blueberry Kiwi Green Tea Smoothie

The past couple of weeks I've been really interested in raw foods.  I actually found this book recently at the library called Ani's 15 Day Fat Blast which basically promotes a raw foods diet for about 15 days to lose about 10 pounds.  While everyone typically has a few pounds they'd like to lose I was more interested in adding more fruits and veggies to my diet.  If I lost a few pounds along the way that would be okay too.  But that wasn't my goal.

I did try to follow the diet for the first three days, but the veggie shakes were just gaggingly awful.  Blended romaine just has an unbelievable texture that makes you gag.  Total yuck.  But I found I quite like the fruit smoothies.  And after having them for 3 days straight, I also found that you don't need the spices and fats the author recommended to make them tastes great.  So I decided to try my own take on raw smoothies.  I'm pretty casual in what I throw in them.  Pretty much any fruit combos I happen to have on hand.  This morning it was blueberries, red grapes, strawberries and green tea.  The taste was good but the grape skins weren't good.

And I figure anyway I can get more fruit in my diet the better off I'll be.  These smoothies are surprisingly filling for only containing fruit and green tea.  I typically make a two cup size serving.  And its more than enough for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Strawberry Blueberry Kiwi Green Tea Smoothie
1/2 lb strawberries, cleaned and sliced
2 handfuls blueberries, rinsed
2 kiwis, peeled and halved
1/4-1/2 cup brewed green tea, cooled
4-6 ice cubes


Place all fruit in blender, top with ice and pour tea over all ingredients.  Blend on high till smooth.  Pour into cup and serve.

SFU: Photography with Sears #grillingishappiness #SoFabU

I have exciting news to share with you.  I'm taking an online photography class through Social Fabric U sponsored by Sears Grilling.  I'm sure that it's making you as excited as I am, cause lets face it food photos really do make or break a blog post.  Not all of my food photos are so great.  They're definitely hit or miss.

For the next six weeks, I'll be learning how to take better photos.  Which is great because even though I love my Sony cyber shot I don't really know how to use it.  I bought it because it had all these features that were meant to help me take better photos.  For example, Monday I was at the Shedd Aquarium when I was flabbergasted to learn it had an aquarium setting.  It did make my sister's fish photos better.  See the examples:  the first photo without the aquarium setting you can see a reflection in the aquarium glass, in the second photo you just see the gorgeous jellyfish inside the aquarium with no awkward reflection.  Neither photo as been edited in anyway.



In this class I'm going to learn about photography which will include photo editing and hopefully photo composition along with other things.  If I'm lucky you will see some improvement in my photos as I progress through the course.

I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and Sears #CBias #GrillingIsHappiness.  All photos and opinions are my own.

Wholesome Wednesday: Strawberry Curd

I cannot tell you how much I love anything with strawberries in it.  I'm not sure if I've shared my strawberry story with y'all yet.  When I was under 4 (I know I was that young because we still lived here in Illinois) we used to go strawberry picking with family.  Both my mom's dad and I absolutely loved strawberries.  And he'd be the one to watch me while everyone else went off to pick berries.  We'd start off picking one, then eating one.  Then we'd pick one and eat two.  Then pick one and eat three.  And it just went on from there.  My family always joked that they should have weighed me on the way in and on the way out from picking berries.  The two of us definitely ate more than we picked.  :)

This story comes up a lot when strawberries are in season.  But I love them anyway I can get them.  And that's true with all berries, but strawberries are special.

Recently I saw a recipe for blackberry curd in one of my really, really old cookbooks.  I'd only ever heard of lemon curd and hadn't ever tried it.  Can't say it sounded appealing.  But berry curds are something that is right up my alley.  And I don't know why I've never come across them before because the strawberry one I made is absolutely mind blowing.  I can easily imagine using it on cupcakes, as a cake filling and on cookies.  We've been using it on English muffins, bagels and toast mostly.  Haven't been doing a lot of baking due to the hot hot weather Chicago has been seeing lately.  :(

Strawberry Curd
2 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
1/4-1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces

In a food processor or blender pulse the strawberries till smooth.  Use a food mill to strain out the seeds.  (Food mills are my new fave thing.  It takes no time at all to get the seeds out of berries.  If you do a lot berry purees you should definitely pick one of these up.)

In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch.  Add strawberry puree, lemon juice and egg yolks.  Whisk well.  Cook over medium heat for 7-8 minutes or until very thick, whisking constantly.

Remove from heat.  Gradually add butter, whisking until melted.  Let cool.  Place in jar and refrigerate.

See I told you it was incredibly easy.  And the taste is to die for.  It has a consistency of a cream cheese almost but such a bright strawberry flavor.  It's just yummy, take my word for it.  :)

That said I may possibly have to take a break in my Wholesome Wednesday posts till the weather is more agreeable.  I have an idea for next week that I've been working on that doesn't require using heat.  Past that we'll have to see.  I love posting these but can't see heating up the whole house to do them.  I tend to eat more simply in the summer with a lot of fresh fruit and veggies and grill a lot.  If y'all are interested in grill recipes I could move that way till the weather is less sweltering.  Just let me know?

Mariano's Match-ups June 21 - July 4th 2012

Here are the best deals June 21 - July 4, 2012

Double Daze

Every Wednesday you can save 100% more on manufacturers’ coupons.  The manufacturer gives you a deal, and we double it.  Redeem up to 5 manufacturers' coupons worth up to $1 each and spend a minimum $25 in a single transaction, and we make those 5 coupons worth $10. That’s 100% more savings.

Mariano's Fresh Market Coupon Policy

Play Monopoly at Mariano’s Fresh Market now through August 29th.  Receive a single game piece every time you shop at Mariano’s.  When you buy specially marked items, you’ll get bonus game pieces.  Until the game is over I’ll put a star before those items in the list.  Good Luck!!

Best Deals

• Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner 13 oz $2.50 6/24 RP  Final Price as low as $.50 during Double Daze
• *Johnsonville Smoked or Cooked Sausage 12-14 oz 2/$6 5/13 SS, 6/17 SS, 6/24 SS  Final Price as low as $1 during Double Daze
• Land O Lakes American Cheese $2.98 lb 5/13 SS, Print $1 here  Final Price as low as $.98 during Double Daze
• Sabra Hummus 10 oz 2/$5 Print $1 here  Final Price as low as $.50 during Double Daze
• Pepsi, Diet Pepsi or Mountain Dew 12 pk 4/$10 limit 4 Print $1 here Diet  Final Price as low as $2 for 4 packs Diet Pepsi

Produce

• *Fresh Express Salad Kits 6-13.9 oz 2/$5
• Sugar Tree Tree Ripe Peaches or Nectarines $1.88 lb
• Premium Strawberries 1 lb 2/$3
• Organic 1 lb Strawberries or 6 oz blueberries $2.49
• Jumbo Cherries $2.99 lb
• Organic Cherries $4.99 lb
• Black, Red or Dinosaur Egg Pluots $1.88 lb
• Bushel Boy Bubba Boy Tomatoes $1.49 lb
• Large Artichokes $.99 lb
• Organic Artichokes $1.99
• Whole Seedless Watermelon Lg 15 lb $3.99
• Kale $.99 lb
• Organic Kale $1.99 lb
• Eggplant $.89 lb
• Bi-Color Sweet Corn 3/$.99
• Baking Potatoes $.49 lb
• US No 1 Sweet Potatoes $.69 lb
• Vidalia Sweet Onions $.69 lb Print $.50 off 5 lbs
• Zucchini $.79 lb
• Organic Zucchini $1.49 lb
• Roundy’s Baby-Cut Carrots 2 lb 2/$3
• Roundy’s Whole White Mushrooms 8 oz $.98
• Organic Green Bell Peppers $1.99 lb
• Organic Red, Orange or Yellow Peppers $2.99 lb
• Organic Green, Red or Rainbow Chard $2.29 lb
• Organic Pink Lady Apples $1.89 lb
• Organic Red or Gold Bunch Beets $1.99 lb

Meats

• *Johnsonville Smoked or Cooked Sausage 12-14 oz 2/$6 5/13 SS, 6/17 SS, 6/24 SS  Final Price as low as $1 during Double Daze
• USDA Choice Strauss Lamb Loin Chops $8.99 lb
• Fresh Marinated Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $2.99 lb
• Fresh Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillets $9.99 lb limit 3
• Mariano’s Own Spinach and Feta Cheese Chicken Sausage $3.99 lb
• All Natural Fresh 90% Lean Ground Sirloin $3.99 lb
• Fresh Beef or Chicken Fajitas $3.99 lb
• USDA Choice Black Angus Beef Boneless Top Sirloin Steak $5.99 lb
• Fresh Harvestland Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenders $4.99 lb
• All Natural Bone-In Pork Loin Chops or Roasts $3.29 lb
• Fresh Dry Sea Scallops 8/10 ct $17.99 lb
• Fresh Live Mussels 2 lb bag $4.98
• All Natural 26-30 ct Cooked Shrimp $9.99 lb
• Raw 8-12 ct Tiger Grilling Shrimp $14.99 lb
• Fresh Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Steaks $19.99 lb
• Wild Salmon Burgers 4 oz 2/$5
• *Johnsonville Smoked Dinner Links 13.5 oz 2/$6 5/13 SS, 6/17 SS, 6/24 SS  Final Price as low as $1 during Double Daze
• *Roundy’s Hot Dogs 16 oz (Excludes Beef) 2/$5
• Fresh Chicken Kabobs $4.99 lb
• Fully Cooked Jumbo Snow Crab Clusters $8.99 lb

Deli

• Imported Krakus Polish Ham $2.98 lb
• Dietz & Watson Gourmet Lite Turkey Breast $4.99 lb
• Eckrich Hard Salami $2.99 lb
• Land O Lakes American Cheese $2.98 lb 5/13 SS, Print $1 here  Final Price as low as $.98 during Double Daze
• Fully Cooked  Baby Back Ribs $8.99 lb
• Spinach Pine Nut Salad $6.99 lb
• Summer Cole Slaw $2.99 lb
• Grilled Italian Chicken Breast 2/$5
• Steakhouse Potato Salad $2.99 lb
• Vero Gelato 6 oz $1.99
• Sabra Hummus 10 oz 2/$5 Print $1 here  Final Price as low as $.50 during Double Daze

Bakery

• Deluxe Apple, Blackberry or Raspberry Pie 8 inch $3 ea
• *Fresh Baked Blueberry Muffins 4 ct $3
• Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns 8 ct $2
• Fresh Baked Cookies 10 ct $4.50
• Sweet Steakhouse Rolls 12 ct $2.49
• Uncle Sam’s Hat Cake 5 inch $9.95
• Brownie Tray 12 oz $11.99

Cheese

• Martin-Collet Brie Cheese $9.99 lb
• Black River Crumbles 4 oz $3.69
• President Cheese Crumbles 6 oz $2.99
• Kissel’s Spiced Jam 10 oz $5.99
• Prairie Breeze Cheese $10.99 lb
• Stella Deli Cups 5 oz 2/$5

Natural and Organic

• Truvia Natural Sweetener 40 ct $3.49 6/17 RP (if 40 ct included)
• Garden of Eatin’ Party Size Tortilla Chips 16 oz $4.99 Print $1/2 here
• Spectrum Cooking Oil 12.7-33.8 oz 20% off
• Kashi Cereal or Bars 6.5-17.5 oz $2.69
• Roundy’s Organic Coffee 10 oz $5.99
• Honest Tea 16.9 oz $.99

Grocery

• Baresi D.O.P. San Marzano Tomatoes 28 oz $3.59
• Bonelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 ltr $5.99
• Academia Barilla Balsamic Vinegar 17 oz $6.89
• Naleczowianka Water 6 pk $4.99
• El Milagro Flour Tortillas 12 ct $.79
• Granoro Pasta 16-17.6 oz $.99
• Brownberry Wide Pan Bread 24 oz $1.99
• Creamette Pasta 12-16 oz $.99
• Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie, Cookie, Muffin or Bar Mix 15.2-19.5 oz $1.99 5/20 SS
• Bush’s Baked Beans or Grilling Beans 21-28 oz $1.49
• Brownberry Buns, Rolls or Sandwich Thins 6-8 oz $1.99
• Pepsi, Diet Pepsi or Mountain Dew 12 pk 4/$10 limit 4 Print $1 here Diet  Final Price as low as $2 for 4 packs Diet Pepsi
• LaCroix Sparkling Water 12 pk $3.29 Print $1 here, Print $1 here  Final Price as low as $1.29 during Double Daze
• Kraft Salad Dressing or Sizzling Salad Kits 12-16 oz $1.99 6/17 SS Final Price as low as $.89 during Double Daze
• Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise 22-30 oz $2.89 6/17 SS
• Mrs. Renfro’s Salsa or Jalapeno Peppers 16 oz $2.99
• Rold Gold Pretzels 10-16 oz $2.49 Print $1/2 here
• Cheetos, Fritos, Tostitos Tortilla Chips 9-13 oz $2.49
• Kraft Mac & Cheese 5.5-7.25 oz $.89
• *Gatorade Thirst Quencher 8 pk $4.99
• *General Mills Cereal 10-7-14.25 oz $2.89 Print Various here
• *Ice Mountain Natural Spring Water 24 pk $3.99
• *Kellogg’s Special K or Fiber Plus Bars 5-6 ct $2.49
• *Hershey’s Packaged Candy 9.4-17.25 oz 2/$7 5/20 SS
• *Skittles or Starburst Bag Candy 13-14 oz 2/$5 6/3 RP
• *Wrigley’s Orbit White, Eclipse or Juicy Fruit Big-E-Pak Gum 60 ct $2.99
• *Hershey’s 6 pk Candy Bars 2/$7 6/24 SS
• *Hershey’s XL Bars 4-4.5 oz 4/$5
• *Folgers or Millstone K-cups 12 ct $5.99
• *Fisher Peanuts 12-14 oz $1.99
• *Pepsi, Diet Pepsi or Mountain Dew 8 pk $3.89
• *Frito Lay Baked Chips 9-11.5 oz $3.29
• *Hershey’s Bliss 8.6-9.6 oz 2/$7 5-6 SS, Print $1 here  Final Price as low as $1.50 during Double Daze
• *Krunchers! Potato Chips or Grande Tortilla Chips 8-10 oz $2.49 6/17 SS, 4/15 SS (exp 6/24)  Final Price as low as $.49 during Double Daze
• *Folger’s Coffee 22.6-33.9 oz $8.49 6/10 RP
• *Angel Soft 12 Double Roll Tissue $5.99 5/20 RP
• *Sparkle 6-8 Roll Paper Towels $5.99 March AY
• *Dixie or Vanity Fair Plates, Cups, Bowls or Napkins or Mardi Gras Napkins or Plates 14-250 ct $1.99 4/1 RP, 5/20 RP, 6/24 RP, 3/18 RP
• Roundy’s Soda 12 pk $1.99 Limit 4
• Roundy’s Root Beer 4 pk $2.49
• Roundy’s Dessert Sauce 10-11 oz $2.99
• Roundy’s Sugar Cones 12 ct $1.29
• Roundy’s Purified Water 35 pk $3.49
• Roundy’s Pie Filling 20-21 oz $1.99
• Roundy’s Graham Crackers 14.4 oz $1.99
• Roundy’s Marshmallows 16 oz $1.19
• Roundy’s 6 pk Candy Bars 2/$5
• Heinz Ketchup 40 oz $1.99
• Lay’s or Wavy Lay’s Potato Chips 10-10.5 oz $1.99 Limit 2  Print $.55 here  Final Price as low as $.89 during Double Daze
• Roundy’s Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns 8 ct $.79
• Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ or Dipping Sauce 12-18 oz $.89 5/20 SS  Final Price $.39 each wyb 2
• Jell-O Gelatin 3.3 oz $.59

Dairy

• Roundy’s Sweet Cream Butter 16 oz $1.99
• Simply Juice or Minute Maid Pure Juice 59 oz $2.99
• Daisy Cottage Cheese 24 oz $2.39 4/29 S, 6/3 RP  Final Price as low as $1.29 during Double Daze
• Newman’s Own Lemonade 64 oz $1.49 6/10 RP Final Price as low as $.49 during Double Daze
• Sargento String Cheese or Cheese Sticks 9-12 oz $3.99 5/20 SS
• Philadelphia Cooking Creme 10 oz $2.89 5/20 SS (exp 6/23)
• Kraft Shredded, Chunk, Crumbles or Big Slice 5-8 oz $1.99 5-6 SS (exp 6/30
• Roundy’s Chunk Cheese 8 oz $1.79
• Yoplait Original Yogurt 6 oz $.49 6/10 SS, Print $.40/6 here
• Breakstone’s Sour Cream 16 oz $1.79
• Philadelphia Cream Cheese 8 oz $1.49 Print $1/2 here  Final Price as low as $.49 during Double Daze
• Clear Value Milk $1.99
• Jell-O Pudding or Gelatin Snacks 13.8-24 oz $2.69  6/10 SS  Final Price as low as $1.49 during Double Daze
• Chobani Greek Yogurt 6 oz $.99 Print $.30 here
• *Yoplait Greek Yogurt 4 pk $1.99 6/10 SS
• Roundy’s European Butter 8 oz $1.99
• Roundy’s Pie Crust 15 oz $1.99
• Roundy’s Whipped Cream 6.5 oz Aerosol $1.49
• Kraft American Singles 12 oz $1.99

Frozen

• Breyer’s Ice Cream or Dairy Dessert 48 oz $2.99
• Jack’s Pizza 5.3-18.9 oz $2.99 5/13 SS, May Woman’s Mags Final Price $1.49 during Double Daze
• Farm Rich Appetizers 20-30 oz $3.99
• *Healthy Choice Steaming Entrees 8-9.9 oz $1.49
• Roundy’s Steam and Serve Veggies 12 oz $.89
• Roundy’s Waffles 10 ct $1.29
• Klondike Ice Cream Bars 4-6 ct $2.49 Print $1/2 here
• Graeter’s Ice Cream 16 oz $3.79
• Jimmy Dean Quesadillas 2 ct  $2.29 Print $1 here (19057) Final Price as low as $.29 during Double Daze
• Dianna’s Babies 5 ct $1.99
• *DiGiorno, CPK or Tombstone Minis 6.2-34.2 oz $5.99 Print $1 here
• Home Run Inn or Gino’s East Pizza 27-33 oz $5.49
• Lindy’s Italian Ice 6 ct $2.29
• Magnum Bars 3 ct $2.69 Print $1.50/2 here
• Roundy’s Ice Cream 48 oz $2.88
• Roundy’s Frozen Fruit 10-40 oz 33% off
• Roundy’s Whipped Topping 8 oz $.89
• *Roma Original Pizza 12.1-14.1 oz $1.88
• *Eggo Pancakes, Waffles or French Toast 6-40 ct $1.79

Misc.

• Gerber 2nd Foods Baby Foods 2 pk 3.5 oz 20/$22 $5 OYNO wyb 20 Print $1.35/8 here  Final Price $19.30 w/ $5 OYNO = $14.30 for 20
• Enfamil Premium Powdered Baby Formula 22.2-23.4 oz 2/$47.98 $5 OYNO wyb 2 6/3 SS
• Huggies Soft Pack Wipes 56-64 ct $2 6/17 SS Final Price as low as $1 during Double Daze
• Colgate Cavity Protection Toothpaste 8.2 oz $2 6/3 PG
• Aveeno Shampoo/Conditioner or Skincare products 3.5-12 oz $4.99 5/13 SS, 6/03 SS, 6/17 SS
• Dial, Tone or Right Guard Body Wash 13.5-18 oz $3 6/17 RP
• Dial 8 pk Bar Soap $4.99 6/17 RP
• Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner 13 oz $2.50 6/24 RP  Final Price as low as $.50 during Double Daze
• Hawaiian Tropic, Ocean Potion, Banana Boat, Coppertone, Bullfrog, Aveeno or Neutrogena Suncare Products 20% off 3/25 SS, 6/10 SS, 6/24 SS
• TRESemme Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling Products 4.2-32 oz $3.50
• Zyrtec Adult Allergy 25 ct Liqui-Caps or 30 ct Tabs 2/$30 5/20 RP
• Top Care Vitamins 30-500 ct B1G1
• Top Care Mouth Rinse 1ltr 50% off
• Roundy’s Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium 50 ct 50% off
• Roundy’s Allergy Relief 24 ct 50% off

Wholesome Wednesday: French Apple Coffee Cake

Original

I found a pretty beat up old copy the Antoinette Pope School Cook Book published in 1955 at an estate sale.  The covers were falling off and it looked pretty bad.  I'd never heard of the Antoinette Pope School, but there was a location in downtown Chicago at 316 N Michigan Ave.  There was also a file folder with recipe lessons in it.  Total score for me!!  The estate sale just threw in the folder which was even better.  :)

Original

Alternate

I decided to make this French Apple Coffee Cake.  At my house we tend to have a lot of apples in the fruit drawer at any given time.  I love apples, but once they go into the drawer, its like they've disappeared in the fridge never to be seen again.  I think its due to out of sight, out of mind.  I don't even think about them till I want a yummy apple dessert, just like tonight.

Alternate

The reason I've listed an alternate apple filling is because the first one left the pastry kinda dry and bread like.  I've since made this recipe again and changed the filling and its amazing.  You could even actually increase the amount of apples and it would still be great.  I'll make sure to label the pics original and alternate so you can see the difference.  :)

Alternate

French Apple Coffee Cake
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 cup flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold milk
2 egg yolks, beaten with a fork
1 oz compressed yeast (combined with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar) or 1 pkg dry yeast with 1/4 cup       water.  If using dry yeast reduce amount of milk by 1/4 cupful.

1/4 cup unsalted butter to roll in dough (soft)

Cut 1/4 cup of butter through dry ingredients until it looks like a coarse meal.  Add the milk and eggs, yeast, and beat well until smooth. Turn out onto a pastry cloth and knead gently several minutes, keeping dough soft as possible, adding a little more flour if necessary.  When dough is smooth, roll it to measure about 12x18 inches.  Spread 1/4 cup soft butter over 2/3 of the dough.  Fold into three, cover, and let rest in refrigerator for about one hour.  After one hour remove from refrigerator, cut through center into two pieces.   Roll each piece to measure about 8x14 inch rectangle.  Spread center of dough with about 1/2 cup of filling. Tun over to enclose filling.  Cut as desired or leave plain. Lift up carefully and place on lightly grased baking sheet.  Cover and let rest in refrigerator for about 20 minutes, not more than 30 minutes.  Bake in oven preheated at 400 degrees, for about 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove, let stand until cool, brush with lukewarm corn syrup, drizzle with Coffee Cake Icing and sprinkle with nuts if desired.

Apple Filling
1 cup apples peeled,cored and cut in small thin slices
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
1/4 cup water combined with 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Cook all ingredients together until thick and glazy.  Let simmer 2 or 3 minutes.  When cool add 1 teaspoon lemon juice.  Will fill 1 coffee cake.

Alternate Apple Filling

5-6 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored and coarsely diced
5 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice

 In a large skillet, combine the apples, sugar and cinnamon.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, until apples are tender, but still firm.  In a small cup, whisk together cornstarch and lemon juice.  Add to apple mixture and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until juices are thickened.  Removed from heat and let cool a few minutes.


Coffee Cake Icing
Combine 1 tablespoon hot milk or cream, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and about 3/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar.  If it is too thin, add more sugar.  If too thick, add more liquid.

Groupon: Chicago Tribune 2 yr Sunday Delivery for $20 or $.19 a paper!!

Today on Groupon, you can purchase $20 for Two-Year Sunday-Only Home-Delivery Subscription from the Chicago Tribune (Up to $207 Value)  If you use coupons at all you know this is an amazing deal.  I just picked up an extra subscription for my house.  That's 104 sunday papers for $20 or $.19 a paper.  You truly can't get one that cheap anywhere.

So hurry and pick one up.

Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I recently got to try some Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil via bzzagent.  It truly has a much better taste than other olive oils.  I used mine on some oven roasted red potatoes with garlic.  I followed a recipe from America's Test Kitchen and parboiled the potatoes first with some salt and baking soda.  I'd never tried this before, but it gave them an amazing crust when baked in the oven.  I'll definitely be trying it again.  And the Filippo Berio Olive Oil was the perfect thing to drizzle and toss them with.

*I'm a bzzagent.  I received this sample for review.  All opinions are my own.*

Wholesome Wednesday: Blueberry Blitz Kuchen

A Blitz Kuchen is basically a quick coffee cake.  And who doesn't like coffee cake??  So I thought I'd share this.  If you've noticed I'm all for quick yummy baked things.  :)  And that's all I need say.

Blueberry Blitz Kuchen

1 cup flour

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup butter

1 egg, beaten

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup blueberries (I used frozen)

Cut the butter into the brown sugar and 1 cup flour.  Reserve 1/2 cup for topping.  Then add egg, vanilla and buttermilk and mix lightly.  Then add 1/4 cup flour, baking powder and baking soda and mix well.  Then fold in blueberries.  Pour into a well greased and floured 9" round or 8" square baking pan.  Sprinkle with topping adding 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 cup chopped nuts.  Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.  Toothpick test.

Earth Balance Product Review + Giveaway!

Recently Earth Balance sent us some free coupons to try out their products.  We decided to try their Almond Butter, Coconut Butter (refrigerated) and Vanilla Soy Milk.  All items that we don't usually buy.  Not surprising since our family has been quite traditional in terms of food.  Until recently we didn't tend to venture out into new flavors. I remember countless PB&J sandwiches but never before have I had almond butter.

We have always been supporters of organic foods, just not necessarily completely vegan products like Earth Balance offers. I couldn't tell you how many hours we spent picking our own fruits at various farms and orchards.  At the age of five, I had my own little garden patch.  It was only a few tomato plants, but none the less I know food tastes better when you put care into it.  Earth Balance does that with their products offering items that the average person won't or can't make in their own homes.

The Creamy Natural Almond Butter is quite wholesome.  Creamy as the label suggests but the flavor left something to be desired.  I think we all agree that we prefer our almonds in their original form.  Although, we put that good source of protein to good use in these Nutty Blueberry Smoothies.

The Organic Coconut spread is delicious.  Probably a product, I would never have thought to try.  A healthy replacement for butter that may be an even better choice.  We've been using it to make eggs every morning. Yes, it does give them a slight coconut flavor but it doesn't detract from the eggs at all.

Vanilla Soy Milk seems the same as most other brands.  Only the flavor is better.  My Mom raves about it.  She drinks soy milk because she is partly lactose intolerant.  Pestering her to eat and drink more dairy or calcium isn't effective, but she'll drink soy milk.  Finding a brand that she loves is a relief.  She's picky about adding new foods to her diet and I don't need to worry about her calcium levels.

Earth Balance sent 2 free product coupons to giveaway.  Open to the US.  Contest runs from June 12-26th.      Use the rafflecopter form to enter below.  Good Luck!

Instant Win
All thoughts and opinions are my own.  We were given these products to review.  Earth Balance supplied the giveaway prize.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ready Player One By Ernest Cline

Rarely do I feel the need to stay up all night reading.  This happens only with a few favorites, but this has become one of them.  Ready Player One is just the insider attitude and geek out that I needed.  I consider myself a gamer and nerd, but I stray more to the books and movies.  However, this is one alternate reality that I can support.

This book is for you if you enjoy gaming culture, the eighties, quests, or questioning reality.  You will learn eighties trivia and about relics of pop culture (although I call them that because I was born too late to be an eighties kid).

The main character lives in a dystopian world where virtual reality takes precedence over real life.  Most people spend their time in the OASIS which is like a vastly improved version of Second Life or the entire genre of MMOs.  Of course, the creator of this vast virtual empire is a true geek himself.  Obsessing over a particular decade in time, the eighties, the time of his teenage years.

So, what is a gamer to do when he has a vast fortune (billions) and no biological heir?  Why he makes the ultimate gaming quest of course!  From the start, we are sure that Parzival (in the real world Wade Watts) will be our hero.  He shall be the one seeking to finish this quest.  Of course, the entire world also has the same chance to inherit a fortune and gaming empire.

That sets off everyone to study the eighties as he leaves a video clue. All the music and games and television and movies and clothes become vastly popular again.  Only it seems like no one can solve the ultimate easter egg hunt.  Even though you have a good idea of the ending of this particular book; the journey is captivating.  I checked this out on a whim, and spent the whole day to finish it.  I couldn't put it down.  I was pulling for Parzival the whole way through.

This story mixes video game danger with real world threats.  There are people who would do anything for such a fortune in and out of the game.  With the built in competition, I found myself reading page after page rooting for Parzival to earn more points and level up.

Not only did the book recognize some of my own favorite games and books and movies, but also changed the way I think of interacting with them.  I'm rooting for certain things in the book to become reality, but I'm holding my tongue to not ruin the experience.  I may have dark circles today, but a stronger sense of why I love embracing my nerd obsessions with others.  Plus quite a few new things that I want to learn about.  Right now, I think I want to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail one more time.