Wednesday, January 30, 2013

A Little Music Interlude

This is a great video.  I love music, it touches deep within the soul.  It's been quite the week, music is soothing.  We can feel bad for a minute, but not for long, because when we go there it sometimes is hard to come back to reality. Sometimes we just need quiet to process, recharge and charge forward.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

My Colonoscopy Journey

Well I wasn't going to talk about the big "C".  But this week as it is drawing closer and I am online searching on you tube to see the procedure and how it is done (because I believe in being prepared, not scared) that I have decided to talk about it.  There are a lot of people that need a little help in preparing ahead.  My daughter has had one so I have got info from her also.  My biggest thing is having enough to eat the day before haha. So I like to eat!  So I researched and found some things that weren't on my list.  So my prep starts at 8 am this morning.  One thing I am not pleased about is that they like to do the scope early but of course I am one of the ones that go in at noon, so it is going to be a long day.  And my first dose isn't until 9 pm tonight and another one tomorrow morning.  So that is what being prepared is for.  So anyway here goes:  In Canada we get a wonderful product called Pico Salax.  Wow I am impressed that Canada is the leader in this one.  I have watched the preps in the US and they look a little more had, but can be done.  Anyway I picked up my pico salax a week ago at Costco, it is two packets for under $20.  I made my grocery list and have everything ready for today.  And where things are limited as to what you can have, you have to plan ahead and do this right for a good outcome.  Remember no red or orange anything.

This is just my selection:  I got some tropical pops and will eat the yellow & green ones. Water, A lot of Gatorade any flavor except red or orange, apple juice, jello anything except red or orange, clear soda (I don't usually drink pop, but may make an exception today), Clear broth (I chose chicken broth) you can chose what ever one you want.  I read you can get lipton cup a soup and drain off the liquid and drink it.  Sounds yummy, tea and coffee (no milk) lemon & lime to flavor water. Some one said on pinterest that biting into a lemon after the dose helps, that's if you mind it. and some clear candy (which if you have sugar issues you may need these).  They say Gatorade is the single best thing you can drink.  You can also drink white cranberry juice.  So there is my day.  I got a sample menu if you need ideas, so here goes:
Breakfast: 1 glass of fruit juice, 1 cup of coffee, 1 cup of broth, 1 bowl of jello.

Snack: 1 glass of fruit juice, 1 bowl of jello

Lunch: 1 glass of fruit juice, 1 glass of water, 1 cup of broth, 1 bowl of jello.

Snack: 1 ice pop, 1 coffee or tea, soft drink.

Dinner: 1 cup juice or water, 1 cup of broth, 1 bowl jello, coffee or tea.

The doctor will give you proper instructions as to what else you have to do and the times to do it.  So if you are prepared ahead of time you won't be running around at the last minute starving.  So as my day begins I hope you all have a good one and will be back for updates as the day goes on.  Later.


Sorry this is what the pico salax looks like.  With two packets of powder inside to be mixed with water at time of use.
MONDAY:  Today is the day.  Yesterday went okay, I had lots to keep me going, the chicken broth really helped to warm me up, and it was actually good.  I had my first dose at 9 last night, drinking so much liquid makes you "cold!" It didn't start to work for a couple of hours, no major cramping, good thing, but don't be to far away from the washroom.  Didn't get any good sleep until after 2 then slept.  Things weren't  running clear as they say by now, so I got up for my second dose at 6 instead of 7.  So I am sipping lemon water (2 litres of it!).  You have to drink 2 litres after each dose.  They say gaterade is the best but I had one bottle to start last night but it got really hard to do, so I chose to go with just water.  The pico salax tasted just fine, no complaints there.  I did have a slice of lemon to bite on but that was an option but not necessary. Well next is to wait, hubby will be taking me in at noon, and go from there.  Check back later.  They say you will be tired from sedation so I will see if I get back to finish this up tonight. 

Well all done, and home relaxing.  The procedure went well.  They get all of your info, admit you to day surgery.  The nurses were fantastic.  Get in the regular hospital attire. And wait, and remember everyone in the room is in there for the same thing so passing gas is a familiar sound you will here in that room.  When I first heard one, I wanted to giggle and remember that will be me in an hour. So me being me I told the (all men) in the room, "I hope you guys are all gone when I come back, I am a lady and that will be embarrassing " Got a good laugh anyway, haha.  So they came and got me and we went to "that" room, it was small with the doc and 2 nurses.  The nurse was fantastic at explaining everything. She told me there were different spots that the scope could have a little trouble getting around corners, and the biggest thing is they put air in the colon to help see things, and that air is the thing that causes the cramps afterwards and you have to expel it.  She gave me something to sedate me a little and for pain, and I didn't have any problems.  (That can be different for everyone) Being prepared is key, and relax. It wasn't long it was over, and I got to see my colon.  Then they take you back to the room to get air rolling, give you a snack and you are good to go.  Of course I was the one who couldn't pass anything, lol, but she let me leave anyway and was sure it would happen, and it did.  Anyway came home, went for some rest and wait to see the doc for results.  I hope this has helped someone who has questions or is scared.  Sometimes we need to do what is necessary for the better good, just do it.  Night All!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Crock Pot Ham

This is very simple and short to do.  I bought a ham, bone-in.  About 6 1/2 pounds maybe. I sprinkled a little brown sugar on the bottom of slow cooker.  Added the ham.  Put a can of pineapple on top, with juice also.  Sprinkle more brown sugar on top.  Cook on low 8 hrs.  It had a lot of liquid when finished cooking.  I just lifted out the ham with two forks, and it was perfect!  So simple, so good.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Dash's Donair

Well believe it or not, I have never had a donair before.  Yes that is true.  And neither has my husband.  So after I seen this recipe I figured it looked easy enough, so time to bite the bullet and give it a try.  Needless to say they were a big hit!  Our son was home for the weekend and I couldn't believe he ate them and even more, liked them!  (he is fussy).  My husband also liked them and myself also.  I sound surprised, because I am, so easy and the taste is the same (as my son says).  So here goes hope you enjoy:  The recipe comes from allrecipes.com.

For the true donair fan. this recipe is tried and tested. If you enjoy Halifax donair's then you'll love this recipe. When making this recipe use only the finest spices available, they make a huge difference." —

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Fish Cakes

Well I was craving fish cakes, so I went online and googled it and the very first one caught my eye because it was by Jamie Oliver.  I love watching him cook.  So I thought I would give it a try, and they ended up being the best ones I have eaten!  So I thought I would share, so here goes:

Ingredients:
300 g potatoes (I didn't measure, I just cooked a few potatoes)
100 g salmon (I used a can of salmon)
1 small handful of fresh parsley (didn't have so I omitted) haha I do it my way.
1 egg
1 lemon
olive oil
1 tbsp. plain flour, extra for dusting.
 
Even though Jamie's method is different, I will give you my method, or they wouldn't be the same.
First I boiled some potatoes, I did a few extra just to have on the side.  Maybe 5.  In a boil I got ready the can of salmon, I picked out the round bones, and crumbled the salmon.  When potatoes are done, drain and mash.  Add as much as you want to the salmon, 1 tbsp. flour, salt & pepper and your parsley if you have any, 1 egg & finely grate a little lemon peel.  Mash all together.  On a plate have some flour.  Make into 4 patties and sprinkle with flour as you mold them (will keep them from sticking to your hands while you work), then lay them on the plate of flour and turn over, then set on a plate and finish the other 3.  Set in fridge for an hour to firm up a little, I just set mine in the freezer for 15 or so minutes, I didn't have an hour at that point.  Put some olive oil or canola in your frypan.  I used my cast iron again!  Heat to say medium heat, add 2 fish cakes at a time, set timer for 4 minutes, then flip for another 4, done.  Watch the oil it disappears, so add more if needed.  Cook the other 2 and you have for meal.  Easy, and good!  Enjoy.  I wonder if fish cakes are a Nova Scotian thing?  Or is this a well know item, don't know.  Sounds Nova Scotian haha.
 
This is the mashing it all together part.
 
Made the patties a good size.
 
Jamie Oliver says a couple lugs of olive oil, so I guess that's not too much, lol.
 
Very simple, very quick and very good!


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Beef Lasagne

It may be just the time of year, but I love what I call "comfort food" in the colder months here in Nova Scotia.  I told my friend that and she asks "what is comfort food?"  What she never heard of comfort food!  She asked "Is it one pot dishes?"  Man I hate hard questions, haha.  I say, "well I guess you can look at it that way".  To me a comfort food is food like lasagne, stews, casseroles, things you don't normally cook in the summer.  Lasagne is so easy, so if I can do it anyone can.  I like to make something big enough once a week at least so we can have leftovers.  So here goes:

Start with lean hamburger, fry with onion, garlic (if you want), salt & pepper.  Drain fat, put back in fry pan (my cast iron one, of course), and to this add: 1 bottle of pasta sauce (flavor of choice), 1 small can of tomato paste & then fill the tomato paste can up with water and add. It says 28 oz of pasta sauce, but this bottle wasn't quite 28 oz so I just added some tomato sauce so I would have enough.  The tomato paste is 5 1/2 oz. Slowly simmer for 20 minutes.
 You know a good recipe when it looks like this.  I could rewrite it, but I like it this way.
 This is what I chose to use this time, use what ever you want, anything goes.  I prefer to cook my lasagna instead of the oven ready, I just like working with it better.  I cook between 9 and 12 noodles.
                                               This is the simmer part.
I like to boil the noodles ahead, then put in a strainer to cool enough to handle. So when the sauce is done it is ready.   
 While everything is cooking, get your things together.  1 container of cottage cheese, I get the lasagna style one.  Add 2 eggs to the cottage cheese in a bowl and stir together.  Set aside.  Grate the Mozzarella, I used about 3/4 of the big block (I like lots of cheese, as per the phrase "comfort food"), I used the last 1/4 on the garlic toast.  And finally the parmesan to sprinkle on top.


Now to start putting it together.  Put just enough sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking.
 
I ended up using 9 noodles for this one.  So lay 3 noodles on the sauce.
 
Add enough meat sauce to cover.  Remember you have to have enough for another layer and enough to cover the top.
 
Add half of the cottage cheese mixture.
 
I add a nice layer of cheese. Make sure the sauce covers the noodles, so they won't dry out. Repeat this again.  More noodles, meat sauce, cottage cheese, mozza cheese.
 
For the top, add the last 3 noodles.
 
There is lots of sauce when you only use 9 noodles.
 
I didn't put as much cheese on the top, but that is personal choice.
 
Top with parmesan, as much as you like. Put in the oven, preheated to 350 degrees.  Cook for 30 minutes, let sit for 10.
 
You could have whatever you want with it, but I chose to just enjoy the lasagna and garlic toast.  The fancy folk might say "Bonne Petite" we here in Nova Scotia would say "Supper is ready, lets eat!"
 
 


Friday, January 4, 2013

Cast Iron Chili Bake

I tried a new recipe this week and thought I would share.  Even though it isn't new by any means, it was done differently then my normal chili.  This one was done all in a cast iron frying pan in the oven.  And I don't even know the actual name for it, this is what I called it.  Now that the holidays are over and it is freezing cold here in Nova Scotia this week, like -12 c, with a wind chill that feels a lot colder.  So what better then to have some comfort food.  The with the leftovers the next day I ate it as a dip with sour cream and multi grain tortillas.  Oh yum.  So here goes:



I will break it down for you.  I fried up some lean ground beef and an onion, chopped.  Drain any fat, put back in fry pan.  Add peppers & mushrooms (which I didn't have on hand), I used 1 can of chili seasoned tomatoes (which had peppers, which I was missing).  1 can of kidney beans (chili style), I added a can of Heinz tomato soup (personal choice, I also added 2 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled.  Whatever spices you like, for me it was S&P, chili powder, garlic powder (just a sprinkle) but if you like garlic go for the real thing.  Okay now it is time to put it in the oven at 300 degrees for 2 hours.  I put a cookie sheet underneath of it to prevent any spill over.  After 2 hrs, put grated mozzarella cheese on top, I used about 3/4 of a block.  Put back in the oven until cheese melts and browns up a little.  I put my broiler on, that was quick.


Add garlic toast, which I put the remaining cheese on top, and some multigrain chips and you have a meal.  I forgot the sour cream at this point which I think would have went well.