Secret Ingredient..."RAIN WATER!"

Jay and I had a quick, kid free, overnight get away! So excited and just bursting to run around like I myself was a kid.
Jay packed the car, did the g-shopping, and drove us off to Table Rock. I was super impressed by his choice of menu items and was eagerly plotting how it would turn out. I mean the man got grass fed bison, asparagus, cherries for heavens sake..lot's of great stuff. I drooled over how I would cook with the cast iron over the open fire sipping on scrumptious beer and enjoying the hammock.

So we get there, set up camp and head to Cesar's Head for a quick warm up hike. We head down to the falls and park. Unfortunately there was a corner there. So sorry for the family.
We grabbed our gear and headed out.
It was so beautiful. The smell, the air, the lighting, all just perfect.Then it started to rain. "Ok", no big deal. We got to the falls and ooo'd and ahh'd, then some tweekers showed up! what? really? Oh dear lord.

So off we went, in the rain, a bit weird-ed out by the randomness. Back at the trail head it stops raining.Yay! Off to cook.
We arrive back at camp, get the fire started and jay heads to the shower. He get's back and I have it all prepped,. just waiting on the coals. About that time we feel a few sprinkles.  I throw the asparagus in to steam with some beer, seasoned up the meat and it's raining. Not sprinkling but now raining.

 Now, I have to improvise..one pot method in the pouring rain! Sweet pot's almost done, tossed in with onion and asparagus, and the fire is not hot...And now it is like a monsoon just came falling from the sky. Our pot was drenched, our veggies were pretty much washed ashore but thank god we has the Bison still.
So my loving husband, huddled under the tarp that covered the hammock I was supposed to sleep in, finished up our poor supper while I made a new place to sleep in the car.
Needless to say, our supper did not turn out quite like I had envisioned. It was all fun though, we laughed pretty hard at the situation.
The next day we headed out to hike Table Rock and were very great-full it was not raining and that we had some of uncle Kenneth's honey.
Tired from the night before, and kind of in a bit of shock I think, we headed up and up and up.

And this was our reward for all the rain, traitorous up hill hike, and washed out supper :)

The Land of Crazy

I often hear people say the just cannot afford to buy fresh, local or organic.  Me being me, I took that as a challenge.

Instead of my special trips around town yesterday, I decided to find out for myself if that was just another excuse to be lazy. So Daisy and I were off to Wally World.

It was quite interesting because when we pulled in there were cops everywhere, directing traffic. (It turned out to be the thing with Chick-file.) Anyway, I had a mission and we were on it.

Veggies were first since they were right there at the door, under a huge sc produce logo. I thought, “Huh! See you can get local veggies here.” Ya, no, not so much. 

Now, let me just state I looked hard and thoroughly. I read those itty bitty labels. And not one true South Carolinian veggie or fruit was found. Ahhh, depressing.

 I did find some of my staple items though at a better price. And I also found some little jewels. When I read the labels, I was pleasantly surprised to understand what I was reading. And even learned of a new veggie..woohh! I had to look it up. It’s called “ Tero”. Not positive that is the correct spelling, but it’s a root veggie.  It wasn’t a fresh item so I honestly couldn’t give a taste comparison. I will be looking for it downtown next time I go.


Onto the Meats!! Can you say way confusing? Now, I know a bit about meat, but marketing has gone bananas.  There was so much “It’s Healthy Meat” plastered all over the packaging I could barely tell what I was actually buying. So through the digging and tossing, picking up and putting back I found some humane, free range, non hormone chicken J Was it expensive you ask? Not too bad actually. I paid about $2.00 for each breast. I was also able to find some non-farm raised salmon too....happy dance.

I wondered onto the Isle section and could see all the processed, sugar riddled products with their vibrant colors just calling out to be bought. I did not go down every isle. By the time I got to the isles, I was so overwhelmed by just the pure carnage of finding my food that I could not bare anymore small type.

I grabbed my last few staples and headed for the checkout. 

Oh, the checkout. I was rejected! Told I could not use one of the three 20 items or less checkout because well, I simply had to many items. I understand that. But there was nobody else in line. So, ok, whatever. I headed down to the over 20 section, and was greeted by a nice young girl that was singing to herself and was happy enough to keep my items sectioned together as I had grouped them.

 I am watching the tally like I am an extreme couponing queen.  Bam!  There it was, I am under budget!

I will still have to hit my usual spots for my “got to have” items, but overall I shopped in Crazy Land on the 1^st of the month and found “My type of food”, under budget.

Eat real food J

Band of Easy Eats..

I just made lunch for the little one and thought some might find a few of my "go to's" helpful.
So here we go,

Scrambled eggs with a variety of add on's...today was basil, toms and some mexi cheese I had.

Hummus and pita---easy no cooking

Tortilla with cheese, or peanut butter

Bread with toms with a slice of cheese in the oven to melt

Pasta with butter and garlic sprinkled with parm cheese

Grilled hot dogs...yup even from me  ;)

PB and J

I always have fruit on hand, so that is super fun and easy add on as well as graham crackers and cheese.

Remember, we feed our kids, they will eventually eat what you give them. Good habits start early so bring them in the kitchen and have them help :}

Happy cooking,
Sherree

My Nitch

I finally got it all figured out. I have my business license, love of good food and the need to share all that I know by having small lessons with people. I don not claim to be a chef, a dietitian, or nutritionist, but I do know my way around the kitchen.
I love to show someone how to use a new ingredient as well as how to shop smarter. Shop local, shop fresh and use as much whole foods as possible

With that said, let me share some of the good eats I have had recently.
You may or may not know that we took our family vacation on the gulf this year.
It was awwwesome! We had planned on catching lots of fish, preparing great dishes, and bringing some home for later
We got Skunked! not a single fish caught. we could see them everywhere, we just couldn't get them to jump on into the boat.
Thank god we had a semi alternative plan. We brought stuff, and ate out.

                                                     This was one of my creations:
A whole wheat flax seed pita stuffed with baby spinach, and grilled chicken. It was fantastic I must add.


Later that night we headed to the eatery and I had the Salmon. it was rather delightful however I would suggest ordering the sauce on the side. It was a bit sweet.

The best Place to EAT on the island was "The Bubble Room". Off the stinking hook deli-sh and the eclectic atmosphere was fabulous!!

Daisy and I had a mommy daughter date. I ate a simple avo, chicken pita ( fresh made pita!).

I snagged a few menus from the island so i could relive some of the great food, and rebuild the not so great!

Please feel free to follow me on face book to what the recipes come to life :)

https://www.facebook.com/eatgoodsupper

The Big Bash for the Baby...or, Ok Me!

The Birthday was a hit! With all the hoopla and stress about the odds and ends I thought for sure the sun was going to come crashing down around my ears and everyone would be around me laughing. No really, this is how worked up I got. I mean the cup cakes still needed to be iced, heck I hadn't even make the icing. There was stuff all over the house let alone the back yard. And I had no cups, plated or really anything to drink..ugh.
It wasn't until my wonderful husband brought me back to reality. He simple said "Everyone would understand ".
 When he said that, I was thinking, to myself of course, right. I mean it's a party, there are expectations..
Then something beautiful happened that gave me peace. My two darling children under the age of three started giggling.  And that is when I truly started to enjoy the party. Before a guest ever got here, before a cup cake got frosted or a game got started.

I took a moment to think about why I get so, um, what's the word? Oh, I know, Crazy!
Well the truth is that it's not because I want to give Daisy a wonderful memory. I mean she is only a year old. Don't get me wrong, I would love for her to remember, but that's just not reality.
What I was doing, unconsciously of course, was giving myself the best birthday a kid could have as an adult. all the things I dreamed of as a child all wrapped up in my daughters 1st birthday.
I know that is kind of well, just wrong but at least I had been given the insight to see it early on so I don't become "that mom' again and again.

So Yes, people will and do understand. Everyone knows that having two young children is like rock climbing with monkeys hanging on your every limb, trying to make you laugh, or cry for that matter. It's tough to be a parent, but dang it is so rewarding too. Especially when you get to give yourself the best 1st birthday ever!

Birthday Party on a Dollar or two

Goody Bags

Today is my baby Daisy's first birthday and I am "That Mom" who would buy a pony and walk it down the red carpet to present it to my queen of sheba. Yes, yes, I am. And I am ok with that, however my reality is not.
Ok, so first I went overboard on the invites. Small and sweet was my intention, but I think there might.be more people at her party then there were at our wedding..  Silly me, oh well at least I know I can cook for a crowd and it will be great.
But wait! The kids, it's a kids party and half the quests are kids, what are they going to do?
Well, clever me, I'll make up a game, hand out goody bags and send them home all sugared up.
The game: a simple bean bag toss using a recycled 1/2 pallet, some cool vynal baskets fome the dollar store, and bags I already have! Nice. One down and two to go.
The goodie bags; brown bags tied with twine filled will a few "normal candy", some I can't even begin to understand and simple blowers and toys.
Woohoo, I just killed one bird with two stones...wait, two birds with one stone.
Anyway, I find myself obsessed with this birthday stuff. The party is Saturday so stay tuned for more on this ongoing crazy mom.

First few foods that pop in your head?

Black eyed peas, oranges, cake, mint(? Really?), pork butt and cheese..