Welcome back for part 2 of our Christmas countdown. If you are just joining us be sure to read yesterday’s post to catch up with things.

Let’s pick back up with gifts.

Gifts

Make a list of everyone you are giving to.
Know your budget. (You may need to do this other way around)
Decide on each gift, thinking about an alternate, in case it isn’t available.
Family gifts may be more practical this year.
Buy gifts as you see them.
Use cash if at all possible and keep all receipts. I write the persons name on top and items bought for easy reference.
Tape a large white envelope on the front inside cover of your notebook to keep the receipts in.
At the end of the season it helps to give me a budget for next year.
Wrap gifts as you bring them home. Little by little is stress than wrapping it all in one night.
Set up a gift wrapping station in the house.
Remember the object of retailers is to lure you into the store. The more you go in there, more you will spend.

Travel

Plan your trip out to the last detail as soon as possible.
Think about clothes and personal care items for each person; gather these together as soon as possible.
Decide on your travel clothes and what to pack. If you won’t use it between now and then put it aside and make sure it is cleaned and pressed.
Log into your notebook everything needed for the trip.
Ex. 4 pairs of socks
       1 nice dress outfit (name the outfit and accessories)
If it is a car trip, plan for the kids with books, DVD’s, snacks etc.
Print out the directions on map quest or program it into the GPS complete with your planned stops, pack the first meal and eat on the road or rest stop to save money.
If you need to bring food to the event, try to bring something that you can make ahead and freeze. That way it will travel in a cooler better and would not need as much ice.

Ideas

This is the section you write everything else down. What use to be all those scraps of paper that got lost in the bottom of your purse? Now they can have a purpose and place.
If someone shares an idea, steal it. If they want one, offer it.
Even if you can’t use it this year, tuck it away for next.

Coupons

Tape a large white envelope onto the back cover of your notebook, so that it is secure.
Use this for your coupons.
If you don’t get the Sunday paper, it might be worth it for the month of December.
Clipping coupons can mean the difference of someone getting a gift or not.
A lot of stores will double coupons up to .50.  Just think if you had a coupon for powder sugar for .25 and it was on sale for .75. Double the coupon would make that box of powder sugar only .25, now that is a bargain.
In VA Ukrops will double coupons on Wednesdays and Kroger does it everyday.
Some stores coupons can be loaded on savings cards on line or at a kiosk in the store.

Check back later this week and I will address the issue of paper products. Believe it or not there are some tricks of the trade that can save time and money.

Hold on to your sleigh bells because time is going to get away from you. Especially if you don’t plan it right. Careful planning and execution is the key to anything. Every household has their specific traditions and time line by which to do them. While it is may seem overwhelming, they get done none the less. I wanted to share some ides that might help get a jump on the holidays. Feel free to write in with your tips as well. Each week I will feature a new link full of helps and ideas.

This week I want to feature www.brightideas.com

To get things order in you must take inventory of stock on hand. I would suggest getting a small spiral notebook. Section it off into the following categories:

Food        House        Gifts        Travel        Ideas        Coupons

Keep this notebook with you for the next 24 days. That way nothing is missing, overlooked or under bought.

Food:

Take inventory of your baking supplies, canned goods, refrigerator and freezer. This even means paper products.

Note where you have extra room to accommodate sale items, ex: if butter is $2.00 on sale and you will be doing a lot of baking. Buy it up because that is a good deal and it can be stored in the freezer. But then write it in your notebook.

Gather together your recipes and get a basic list of needed ingredients. This way you can have them with you and take advantage of sales. It also saves with trying to find that recipe later.

House:

Some people like to leave their house guests a small basket of treats in their room. Go ahead and make them up. The World Market has great little treats under $2.00, perfect for this sort of thing. Baskets can be bought at the dollar store. Bottled water is also nice to leave in their room.
 
www.worldmarket.com

Instead of waiting until the night before to change the sheets, try washing them now. Place a couple of nice smelling dryer sheets in between the mattress and fitted sheet. This will keep that fresh laundry smell. Also place one in the pillow case.

Plan your sleeping arrangements as far in advance as possible.  If air mattresses are needed be sure the pump works.

Stay on top of cleaning. It might be worth a gift to yourself to hire a cleaning service. You have enough on your plate at this time of year. Think about it, most services are under 100.00 for a one time cleaning. Try asking around for private ladies who do it as a part time business. This way you can focus on the other details.

Tune in tomorrow for the conclusion of our planning for Christmas blog.

The pumpkin pie coffee is brewing and the kitchen is open.
Grab you favorite mug, pull up a chair and let's chat about the upcoming holiday season.

What do you need help with?
Do you need recipes? Tips? Maybe some shortcuts?
Maybe you can share a tip or classic recipe someone is looking for.

Take a few sips of java and let your questions flow.
(I would encourage you to email me the recipes so that I can put them in the right format to pass on.)

I am a fan of Gordon Ramsay. Like most of you, there is part of me that would like to take a bar of soap to his mouth. However his antics and language are part of the professional cooking life. It really makes you appreciate your home kitchens, doesn't it?
Of all the celebrity Chef's I have to admit he is one of my favorites. The man can cook and knows how to command a kitchen. Trying to find a video of him without bleeps is almost impossible.

So before you view this video I wanted to give you a heads up there are a few bleeps. I think it is a great recipe and very easy to follow. Let me know what you think.

 As we start the month of November it seems that our lives go into another gear. Along with the holiday seasons just around the corner, the flu bug seems to have bitten many. I don't know if it has ever been proven that Chicken Noodle Soup has healing ingredients. What I do know is that it makes people feel good, a comfort food.

There is just something about the combination of warm chicken broth, soft noodles and tender chicken bites brought together on a spoon that soothes the mind, body and soul.


This recipe does not require any knowledge of cooking.
Very little effort.
So.....
"When You Can't Stand to Cook" this is a perfect answer for what's for dinner.



Simple Chicken Noodle Soup

(This soup can be made in the “Crock Pot.")


Ingredients

1    pound         diced pre cooked chicken

4    ounces        angle hair pasta (broken into ¼’s)

2    quarts        premade chicken stock

1/2    each        fine grated carrot


Salt and pepper to taste

Add all the ingredients to a 2 ½ quart (at least) “Crock Pot’.

Stir them up and set the dial to high.

Cover and stir every hour or so.

Let cook for 6-8 hours and season to taste.

Serves 4-6 people

While talking about our blogs over coffee this week I dared to ask two friends of mine, if they had “gadgets in their kitchen.” The question was met with laughter especially when it came to the question of Rice Cookers. One of the gals said that it was instant rice all the way at her house. The other said “we don’t eat rice” then proceeded to share about those bags of rice that cook up when you add water. Did you know those things can and do explode in the microwave? (smile) I personally love my rice cooker. That is one gadget I will not part with.

On a recent trip to the local Thrift store here are some of the homeless gadgets I found.

The Wok:
A good quality sauté pan works just as well.

Bread Maker:
Although the smell of fresh bread is nice, how many times did you really use it?

Microwave Omelet Pan:
Really? 
The only way to fail at making an omelet is to end up with fried eggs. The key is to have a good quality pan and use it only for making omelets.

The Microwave Bacon Rack:
I tried this gadget once and thought I was chewing on shoe leather.
Bacon can be placed on parchment paper, laid out on a baking sheet/with and edge.
Bake at 400 degrees until crispy. (It takes off the mess off the stove top.)

Last but not least the newest gadget I saw was the Five Mini Slider Pan. Maybe you haven’t seen it on the market yet. Basically they are tiny hamburgers that are all the same size. They cleverly market them as “sliders or minis.”  I have seen them priced from $15-30.00. This particular one was $8.00. To me it is a waste of money. Get a large ice-cream scooper. Make up your favorite meatloaf recipe or burger mix and scoop away. Flatten them out a bit and grill those babies up. You can make them up and freeze them ahead for a quick meal one night.

What gadgets do you have that you simply won’t part with?

What gadgets are you ready to make homeless?

Time for a Change?

How many times have you walked into your kitchen and thought “if there was more room I would be able to cook.” Over my years as a chef, I have accumulated lots of “kitchen gadgets.”  Some are priceless and others should never have left the shelf.  But like many of you, I am intrigued with gadgets. They have this way of drawing us in, with claims to “save money, time and ease preparation.” If this was truly the case, I would be the first to stand in line for any of those items. As a new Chef, I jumped on the gadget bandwagon but when the novelty wore off, it just took up space. As I began a family, my cooking style changed.  Honestly how long was I going to make my own pasta, while tending to three small children, a full time job and run a house? It became time to put away gadgets and get back to basics.

So ladies “Are You Ready For a Change?”

Change requires action. Action can make you uncomfortable and grumpy. So I would suggest you think long and hard, maybe even solicit your childrens help.

Clean out your cabinets
As you start to clean out your cabinets, ask the following questions.
When you finish you will have a pile to keep and a pile to get rid of.

Ready, Set ………Go- You can do this

1)    What is it? If you don’t know, this should be the first clue you should not be in possession of it.

2)    When was the last time you used it? How many times a year do you use it? Is it possible to use it more often to simplify more tasks?

3)    Do you have duplicate items, if so, is it necessary? Can you get rid of one?

4)    If you come across an item that you are not sure you can part with, try putting it aside for 30 days. If after 30 days if you didn’t need it, get it out of your kitchen.

*While you separate items: try to group like things together. Like extra silverware, place them in plastic wrap as a complete setting, (knife, spoon, and fork)

*Odd sets of plates, bowls, cups and mugs:  Get rid of those you don’t use.

Keep only good plastic storage items! Trash the rest.

I think that is enough for one lesson. Don’t let this be a long drawn out process. Do it one evening or over the weekend, because it can get to be a very messy project.

Don’t get pulled back into the call of the gadgets.

Welcome back, we have been talking about the use of herbs and spices.

Feel free to print the basic guideline listed below. It will be helpful in selecting what herb or spice to use when cooking different foods.
Print an extra one to stick with your shopping list. Now that you have some "spicy" knowledge, venture out and explore this aromatic world.

Italian
Basil
Oregano
Garlic
Parsley

Mexican
Cilantro
Chipotle
Paprika
Turmeric

Asian/Chinese
Cumin
Coriander
Fennel
Ginger

Poultry
Parsley
Sage
Rosemary
Thyme
Tarragon

Seafood
Lemon pepper
Pickling Spice (spiced shrimp)
Dill

For a more in-depth guideline check out this website:
 http://www.apinchof.com/guidelines1061.html

Herbs and Spices Part 1


To put it in the simplest terms, a "spice" or an "herb" is used to change the taste of food. They have been around for a long time. Herbs were used early in history in the aide of illness and preservation of food. The easiest way I learned the difference, was to think about the origin of the product. Anything that had green leaves was an herb. Things that had fragrance, bark, root or seeds were a spice. This made it really simple in the beginning of using herbs and spices to enhance my culinary creations.
Here are some examples:

Parsley:            Herb
Sage:                 Herb
Basil:                Herb

Does it matter if you use fresh or dried?
For me it is a matter of preference and what I am preparing.
For example: if I am preparing Pesto I would not want to use dried basil, I would defiantly want fresh basil.


If had access to some fresh cilantro and was going to prepare a Pica de Gallo or Salsa, fresh would be the better choice.

If I was preparing a roasted chicken I might use a combination of fresh parsley, dried sage, rosemary and thyme.


For each person it is a personal choice combined with their knowledge of spices and herbs that will ultimately determine what they use. So let's take at look at the basic cooking spices and herbs even the novice cook should be armed with before attempting to enter the kitchen.

They are:

Onions: dried, fresh, powdered or onion salt

Garlic: fresh chopped in oil, powder or garlic salt

Paprika

Black Pepper

Red Pepper Flakes

Italian Seasoning

Thyme

Parsley

Sage

Rosemary

Salt

Oil: Sesame, Olive, Vegetable


Remember these are basics and you will build on them as you start cooking more. Start with small bottles of things and go from there.
The average shelf life of dried spices is about 6 months. This is provided they are kept out of direct sunlight and in a cool place. I find it is helpful to write the purchase date on the bottle somewhere on the label.


*Even though it may appear to be a value, buying one of those super size containers of Basil in one of those bulk warehouse clubs, it may not pay off in the long run. How long is it really going to take you to use up a pound of Basil? If it is a good buy, split it with a friend.
Spices don't "go bad" per say, they tend to lose their flavor and some might even tend to get bitter with age.
Join me later this week for a basic guideline of which spices go with which types of foods.

The words "when you can't stand to cook" have gone from having hurtful meanings, to hopeful ones in my life. In the book of Proverbs chapter 31 vs 14-15 is where I have always found my call,  to be the keeper of my home's kitchen. (taken from NIV)

14: She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15:She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

When you have restrictions that limit you with ability, time, money or physical challenges in the kitchen those verses in Proverbs can be very daunting. In verse 14, "bringing her food from afar," sometimes knowing just what to get can overwhelm you. In today's economy knowing how to get the most out of your dollar without burning yourself or your gas tank up, can be tricky. What if you aren't able to leave the house to get your food? How do you manage then?

In verse 15, "she gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." I know in my house,  it was I who was up first to prepare for the day. When the boys were babies it seemed like it was never ending. At least now that they are teens they are more self sufficient, however their food quantity has tripled.

In most homes the family looks to mom to make the meals. Therefore I am launching this new blog. Its purpose is to help make things just a bit easier along the way. I will address the basic things, how it is possible to cook from a wheelchair and everything in between. Feel free to contact me if you have a specific need or request. I invite you to take some time, look around and enjoy the new site.

A special thanks to my new friend and designer Edie at http://richgift.blogspot.com without her this blog design would not be possible. God Bless you Edie.

If you have followed my blog before, welcome back. If you are new,hello .
I have been in a revision stage and will be for the next month or so.

Those of you who attended She Speaks last weekend know the blessing of a blog.
Ladies who I had never met came and told me how much they miss mine. Wow, never did I
think of my little blog meaning something to a total stranger. I know how much others have blessed
me with their words.

This blog will be taking on a different feel to it. No longer will it go by
"Stand Still and Let God Move You" but instead "When You Can't Stand To Cook". It's purpose will be to give people a resource for cooking needs, especially in three specific areas.

1) With the inability to cook
2) with time and money issues
3) with physical or organization challenges in the kitchen

It will be interactive site and your comments are more than welcome.
There will be a place for you to share your tips and tricks. I am
always looking for ways to make something quicker, better and lighter.

Over the next couple weeks feel free to leave me comments as to what you would like some help with.
If you want to email me directly feel free.

dapple1984@yahoo.com

Chef Diane

Hello Friends,

It has been a while since I have posted. Thank you for your prayers, patience and kind words. Over the past months I have been rethinking some things and want to change the direction of my blog.

Although my body does not allow me to do a lot of hands on work in the kitchen, my heart is still there. My prayer is to use the experiences and knowledge the Lord has given me to help others. I am researching avenues on ways to do this and appreciate your prayers.

So until such time these decisions are made clear to me, my blog will be a bit silent and random. I will be doing some test posts on ideas and love your feedback.

God Bless,
Diane