tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post8931533735167923235..comments2024-03-19T19:33:25.643+10:00Comments on A Tray of Bliss: Insourcing....Food Porn and Rewards...Mimihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-25086426413448666322017-10-12T06:56:31.002+10:002017-10-12T06:56:31.002+10:00Now, Mimi & Jane, I must ask if Pumpkin flavor...Now, Mimi & Jane, I must ask if Pumpkin flavored things are as popular there as here. Mostly sweets, of course. Many years ago, Starbucks started selling a Pumpkin Spice Latte...PSL for short. Then, EVERYONE started selling pumpkin flavors. Cheerios & other cereals did it. Ground coffee. Cream cheese. Yogurt. Milk. Pudding. Cookies. Cake treats. Hot tea. Iced tea. Snack chips. M & M's and various candies. Oatmeal. Ice cream. Even beer! <br />However, I just read today that Maple-Pecan flavored items are making a surge! I'll keep you posted... <br />Debby in Kansashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09545875556174022019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-37263471762660391542017-10-11T10:39:51.419+10:002017-10-11T10:39:51.419+10:00How lovely to hear from you. Yes your produce is q...How lovely to hear from you. Yes your produce is quite often much less expensive than ours, so we do tend to try to make the most of what is available seasonally, and grow a bit too. I'd love to hear some of your ideas on stretching the pre-retirement budget :) Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-58990053853069108432017-10-11T10:38:27.999+10:002017-10-11T10:38:27.999+10:00Dear Jane, yes I thought that was an interesting d...Dear Jane, yes I thought that was an interesting difference too. Thanks Debbie for mentioning it! These subtle differences in our otherwise similar diets are fascinating to me. I laughed at your interpretation of your salads. I'm quite sure they're not that bad...lol! The mulberries amaze me at how quickly they ripen. Every day, I think I've got all the ripe ones, and every day, there's new ones there. As for the Broms...well, that garden has a full time staff nurturing their prizes. You should see their Cycads! Incredible! Thankyou...Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-16203171967414681792017-10-11T10:36:07.699+10:002017-10-11T10:36:07.699+10:00Dear Debby, now isn't this an interesting obse...Dear Debby, now isn't this an interesting observation. We mainly eat pumpkin as a savoury vegetable, only rarely using it in baking. Simply roasted pumpkin is delicious and much like a Sweet Potato/Kumera, and an easily grown back yard vegetable too! You are so right...the food at the hospitals, whilst convenient, is soooo expensive. Pity the poor people who think they have no choice! You're very clever to be having your own iced coffee 'station' in the waiting room. I bet you felt quite smug and accomplished. Hospitals just make me tired. And yes, using that time productively makes a difference too. The worrying is a real problem, isn't it. Love, Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-82717972910301905662017-10-11T10:32:34.068+10:002017-10-11T10:32:34.068+10:00Thankyou Maria! Mimi xxxThankyou Maria! Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-28679415931150978952017-10-10T14:56:01.266+10:002017-10-10T14:56:01.266+10:00I am with you girl. I do think that food is cheap...I am with you girl. I do think that food is cheaper in this part of the country (states) But going out is so expensive. I do many of the the things that you do to save money. I am trying to get out of debt and I have learned to stretch the pennies so to speak. What an inspiring blog post.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-89407805434233870502017-10-10T08:47:38.742+10:002017-10-10T08:47:38.742+10:00Mimi how interesting that Debbie has never had pum...Mimi how interesting that Debbie has never had pumpkin other than in baked goodies. I on the other hand have never had it other than as a vegetable. I had two butternut pumpkins in the slow cooker yesterday. We use the cooked puree in a number of ways. We use it to make a delicious creamy soup, instead of white sauce in lasagne, as part of the gravy in casseroles and as a delicious mash to nest meat onto the plate.<br />You salads really are food porn. Mine taste great but look like the ingredients have just been thrown together on a plate or in a bowl.<br />Our mulberries are still quite green but the two little blueberry bushes are loaded with fruit that is beginning to ripen. <br />Given the climate here, my broms will never look as lush as those by the water source. Mine are lovely and thick and do look good, just not lush. Oh well they still enjoy biting me everytime I walk past them.<br />Your insourcing has been most productive this month.Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964345893499561504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-66459259258638811222017-10-10T06:45:33.255+10:002017-10-10T06:45:33.255+10:00I'm intrigued by the pumpkin! That is not som...I'm intrigued by the pumpkin! That is not something I've ever seen anyone eat except in baked goodies! Do you grow them? I was just at the market today and there were two types of pumpkins for sale. One said, "Pie pumpkins" and they were smallish. And the huge ones outside for carving. Actually, I don't ever cook any kind of squash. I think I may have to borrow a sure-fire recipe from a friend and start simply! I greatly expanded my soup abilities some years ago so I think I can do better with squash expertise, as well.<br />Is pumpkin soup hot or cold?<br /><br />It looks like you've done a wonderful job of keeping expenses down with so much going on. There's nothing like creating a financial crisis while dealing with other things- eek! Before my mom died several years ago, she was in the hospital/rehab/hospital for over a month. I was there most of the time and I can't imagine what eating out daily would have done to our budget. I didn't do much cooking unless I coached my husband through the crockpot lol, but I sure did a lot of throwing odd things together. Yogurt, nuts, an apple, half a peanut butter sandwich, cold pasta salad, etc. I put all types of combos together, but it worked. I survived and I don't recall ever being hungry. I even figured out how to make iced coffee in their waiting rooms with their complimentary refreshments to give me much-needed energy from time to time. <br />I also made several Christmas gifts during the times my mom slept.<br />That was my therapy and kept my mind from worrying too much.<br /><br />Debby in Kansashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09545875556174022019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-73912820148639538942017-10-09T19:03:56.366+10:002017-10-09T19:03:56.366+10:00My goodness! Your food photos had me salivating! L...My goodness! Your food photos had me salivating! LolMariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12594244181463706442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-76388578414894090212017-10-09T14:24:34.514+10:002017-10-09T14:24:34.514+10:00Jen you may like to google Jessica Sepel salad bas...Jen you may like to google Jessica Sepel salad basics - basic & stuff I 'knew'but the step 1 step 2 approach has really helped me shake up my approach - sometimes I just need someone to tell me what to do lol Riahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16077960608911347466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-29196749647130288852017-10-09T11:34:34.392+10:002017-10-09T11:34:34.392+10:00Dear Jen, you are always so sweet! I just spray th...Dear Jen, you are always so sweet! I just spray the veges with olive oil spray, and season with things like cumin and ground coriander, or basil and thyme and toss well. A little salt and pepper is good too. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how sweet the roasting makes things, and you really don't need any other flavours. The roasted walnuts are divine! Just think of flavour contrasts for salads, and add a bit of crunch and a bit of soft, a bit of sweet and a bit of salty and you can't go wrong. Remember things like little Cornichons (pickled cucumbers), capers and olives add a flavour boost too. Feta, olive and roasted veg is unbeatable. Thanks for your encouragement. The last two months have actually been really tough. But we got there. We always do, I guess. Love, Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7492903313028603031.post-33722286487286211532017-10-09T11:28:27.654+10:002017-10-09T11:28:27.654+10:00Hi Mimi! Your food always looks so good, I'm t...Hi Mimi! Your food always looks so good, I'm trying to add more salads to my lunch options. Do you just drizzle it all with a little olive oil before roasting? And to serve do you dress it or serve as is? I know these seem like really basic questions, but I really don't feel like I've nailed the art of a good salad beyond coleslaw and a basic green salad yet lol. I want to add some cafe-worthy variety to my menu! Some people seem to have the ability to throw a whole bunch of random things into a bowl and create a delicious salad, I have a friend who always makes something amazing. I, on the other hand seem to just create a bowl of a whole bunch of random things!! <br /><br />What a great month you had given all the hurdles you faced, and congratulations to your daughter for getting her first job!<br /><br />Have a lovely week<br />Jen in NZJennoreply@blogger.com