Chip Clips

I must admit it.  I am addicted to Pinterest.  The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.  Only, I don't plan to do anything about it.  I guess that kicks me out of a Pinterest recovery program.  As Doris Day always said, "Que Sera Sera.  What will be will be."  If you're my age, you sung that in your head, didn't you?  Yeah, I thought so.  Well, one day while enjoying the posts on Pinterest, I ran across one where you could turn the hangers with clips on the ends into chip clips!  BRILLIANT!  I had a bunch of those hangers and would use them sometimes, but I knew I wouldn't miss a few for this project.  I gave the hangers to hubby, shared my plan, and he cut the clips off with one of his saws and then smoothed the edges for me.  He loves my simple projects!  Now I have plenty of clips and they didn't cost me a dime!  WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!  Try this project yourself.  The clips are strong and work great!

Asparagus and Mushrooms

In my last post, I told you about all the food I bought at a local Farmer's Market.  I started cooking last night and will finish up today.  Getting all the veggies cooked help me when I come home tired and I also don't have to think too much about what to prepare.  I make a wide variety of foods on the weekends.  In my refrigerator today I will have sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, salad mix, asparagus, mushrooms, green beans, and cabbage.  When I come home from work, all I have to fix is the meat!  If I cook the meat on the grill or in the oven, there is less clean up!  As you know, I'm all about easy!

I have also been on a diet since mid May, so I have changed the way I prepare some foods.  Sadly, I have not been able to eat sweets, but I'm hoping I'll be able to have a treat now and then soon.  Instead of using margarine in the tub or stick, I now use spray butter.  I add a little salt (if any) to my food AFTER it is cooked.  Instead of using salad dressing on my salads at lunch, I use spritzers.  I can have 2 tablespoons of low fat dressing on a salad at night.  The only oil I use is olive oil and I use it sparingly.  There have been lots of little changes to my food lifestyle that have made a big difference.

Here are 2 recipes I now fix the lighter way.

Asparagus

Fresh asparagus  (cut the hard part of the stem off)
Spray butter

Lay the asparagus on a foil lined pan.  Spray butter on the asparagus.  Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.  Add seasonings after you remove it from the oven.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms
Garlic powder
Spray butter

Wash the mushrooms and cut the bottom of the stems off.  Slice or quarter the mushrooms.  Place them in a bowl and sprinkle garlic powder on mushrooms.  Spray several squirts of butter on the mushrooms.  Place in the microwave and cover with wax paper.  Cook for 4 minutes.  Stir and cover.  Cook for 4 more minutes.  Stir and cover.  Cook for 3 more minutes.

 

Happiness

Different things make different people happy.  Sometimes it doesn't take a lot.  That was me today.  I always like to stop by the Farmer's Market near my job.  It makes me happy when I can buy fresh fruits and vegetables for my family.  I actually get excited to find some of my favorite healthy food for less than what I can buy them for in the grocery stores.  Today I came home with many treasures. I bought 2 packs of raspberries, 4 bananas, pineapple, 3 lb. of asparagus, okra, brussel sprouts, 2 1/2 lb. of mushrooms, grape tomatoes, organic salad mix, a head of cabbage, and green beans.  The best part is that I only had to pay $23 for all of that!  It would have cost me twice that at Kroger!  I wish I could post a picture of my valuables, but I took a picture with my phone and can't figure out how to put it on here.  I have to get busy cooking now.  I'll cook all the veggies so they are ready to eat throughout the week for lunch and dinner.  Mmmmmmmm!