Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Just a recipe or two..........

We eat a lot of yogurt at our house. Really. A lot. A scary amount of yogurt that keeps me running from the big box store, to the health food store and then to the local market. Several times a week. 

Our yogurt choices are as different as our personalities. We each have our favorites.  Only Greek. Only non-fat. Only this brand or only that brand. It is comical and maddening all at once. 

OIKOS, is my brand of choice. Non-fat. Plain. I love it. I add it to my morning smoothies, simple hummus and to most of my baking.

Most often, I add yogurt in place of oil in our favorite cornbread and muffin recipes.

 I will also add plain Greek yogurt to our mashed cauliflower or potatoes and sometimes I lighten up a pancake batter with just a bit of yogurt folded in at the last. Whenever I can replace sour cream, butter or oil I try Greek yogurt.

In my search of more inspiration I often refer to the OIKOS site and have found some real family favorites. Here are a few that we make and they are always a hit. Like you, I may adjust seasonings, sugar (if any) or other needs to fit our family.

Next time you are searching for a new recipe or an updated version of a family favorite visit the OIKOS site. I think you will find a tasty addition to your recipe repertoire. 


                                                   Oven-Baked Crunchy Sesame Chicken Strips
                                                             source: oikos recipe site
                    
                       PARTY MAC AND CHEESE
                                                   Party Mac and Cheese
                                                                                 source: oikos recipe site

                                           CREAMY YOGURT CHEESE CAKE*

                                                    Creamy Yogurt Cheese Cake
*I really cut the sugar in this recipe. I just use a tablespoon in the crust mixture and then cut it by 1/2 in the batter mixture.  Plan according to your tastes.  We use all plain non-fat yogurt and a bit of lemon zest and vanilla to our liking. Plate with some fresh berries.  We have made this several times for guests and they have loved it too.

Enjoy!


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Just ....

...Because I can.

There are really very few things we can do in this life, just because.
I most often feel like life hands me an overfilled, crumpled brown bag of cannots.
The big bag.

I cannot spend the Kroger money at Pottery Barn. Or Nordys.
I  cannot have that cute two seater sports car. (You know, the white one.)
I cannot seem to lose that extra 7 pounds.
I cannot not walk my pups.

But...
I can eat dessert first, (probably why those 7 pounds keep hanging on.)
I can buy the blooms at Trader Joes.
I can talk by family into take-out once in a while.
I can enjoy the looooooooooong walk with the pups and discover a new trail with a new vista.

So, today in the spirit of "I can", I deleted all of  the past posts from this blog and am ready to start fresh.

I love fresh starts.
New pages.
Clean and crisp.
New finds.
New hearts.
New traditions.

Lots of new and fresh are in my little world right now. Lots more on the horizon.

New paint. (always.)
New friends. (again, always.)
New finds.
New adventures.
New ideas.

I needed a bit of new right now. New time (not a fan). New season (love spring!). New possibilities.
Just because.
 eye candy: from pb teen,just because i love this clock