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Inflation graphic produced by ChatGPT
Budget-Friendly Healthy Meals That Don’t Feel Cheap
October 3, 2025 Amy
2 Comments

Inflation is still here and with no signs of easing. Is it possible to eat healthy food without breaking your budget? Here, I’ll offer some suggestions for budget-friendly meals you may enjoy trying.

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Hi, again, Dear Readers:

So, I’m working on blogging more often. Through a series of events, I found an ally: ChatGPT. No kidding, AI is slowly becoming my new BFF. Finally, I can enjoy intelligent conversation, and it knows how to have fun, too! Pictures in today’s budget-friendly post were created by AI because I just felt like doing that. I’ll tell you about some of the other amusing graphics we’ve created another time.

My New BFF

So why use AI? ChatGPT quickly researches, drafts, designs, helps with SEO, and anything else you can throw at it. Someone I know through my copywriting work downloaded Grok, the Elon Musk AI program recently, and was highly impressed. He described to Grok a software they were developing and mentioned that they were in the process of hiring a software engineer who specializes in AI to get the job done. Grok just wrote the code for him.

AI Generated image of a GPT Robot

Source: ChatGPT. Knows everything, too!!

And if you noticed that you had trouble reading the last post on our local Aldi opening, I’ve got all that taken care of, at least for now. ChatGPT walked me through updating the PHP file, turning on and turning off debugging, clearing the cache, and a few other tweaks that were causing trouble. My copywriting website was also up and down, but I think that’s also fixed. Just need to check on it and update any plugins. (Everything is on WordPress.)

Well, AI won’t cook dinner, wash the dishes or clean the bathroom, even with the best prompts available. But it can create printable menu planners, chore rosters and other inspiration to help you get the job done faster. It can offer you recipes that, so far, have been pretty good, although I’ve only asked for a few. Today, I asked for help with this blog post, and it even included a shopping list for budget-friendly meals.

Budget_Friendly_Healthy_Meals_Shopping_List

I hope you find this PDF useful. (Sorry I couldn’t change the file name.)

Shhhh.. don’t tell James I’m having fun with ChatGPT. Now onto a more serious subject.

The Modern Inflation Era

It’s no fun when you drop in at your local grocery store and things are just way out of your budget. I don’t mean steaks, lobster, and caviar–I’m talking basics. In the last few years, inflation has been beyond what we saw in the 80s and the late 2000s. When eggs went through the roof last year—twice—people responded by using fewer eggs than before. Restaurants like Waffle House added surcharges for egg dishes.

Fifteen eggs in a golden carton created by ChatGPT

Source: ChatGPT

What to do? One budget-friendly option is Flax Eggs for baking. If you’re not familiar with “flax eggs,” something vegans use, it’s one tablespoon of ground flaxseed in three tablespoons of water that sits for five minutes. I’ve done that a few times because we ran out of eggs and wanted to make something like (gluten-free) waffles or pancakes that required them. Yes, James ate some. I even made some doggie treats with flax eggs that the three house beasts quickly devoured. It works great, and you don’t taste anything different.

But modern inflation has hit harder than in previous years. Those boxes of 5 dozen eggs that we used to buy for $10 or less went as high as $25 and are still about $13 a box. I’m told that shoppers in California paid as much as $44 a box. So we started buying smaller amounts of eggs and using them less while still enjoying some eggs for breakfast.

Can you eat healthy on a budget?

Eating “healthy” means different things to different people. Organic is generally more expensive, even in Aldi. But healthy food can fit your budget. Canned chicken, tuna, and salmon are just three options for pantry-stable proteins that you can keep around for an inexpensive meal.

Let’s be honest: when many people hear the term “budget meals,” they picture sad bowls of plain pasta or endless cans of beans. Beans are good, but eating on a budget doesn’t mean settling for bland, beige, or boring fare. With the right ingredients and a few ideas, you can make meals that are affordable, healthy, and genuinely delicious, and are just right for you.

Today, I’m sharing some nice budget-friendly healthy meal ideas that look and taste like something out of a trendy café but won’t wreck your grocery budget. Note that I haven’t tried all of them myself, but anything with sweet potatoes or cauliflower rice are recipes I want to try soon.

Five Budget-Friendly Suggestions

There’s no shortage of recipes online. When I asked ChatGPT to give me a few, this is what came back.

1. Chickpea Curry with Spinach

Canned chickpeas are one of the best pantry staples out there: high in protein, cheap, and versatile. I generally use them in hummus, but you don’t have to stop there.

Closeup picture of chickpeas from ChatGPT

Source: ChatGPT

Simmer them with canned tomatoes, garlic, onion, and curry spices, then stir in fresh or frozen spinach at the end. Serve over rice, and you’ve got a hearty, nutrient-packed meal for under $2 per serving.

Pro tip: Top it with a spoonful of plain yogurt and cilantro to make it look and taste luxurious.

2. Egg Fried Cauliflower Rice

Despite the recent price increases, eggs are still one of the most affordable proteins available.

One dozen eggs both brown and white in a gold-plated egg carton

Source: AI Generated

Frozen cauliflower rice is generally less expensive than fresh. You can also make your own with thawed or cooked frozen cauliflower and your food processor. Don’t have one? A big, sharp knife and a big cutting board work well. I’ve done that too.

Pair eggs with cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen) for a quick, filling, low-carb dinner. Toss in a handful of frozen peas and carrots, soy sauce, and sesame oil. In ten minutes, you’ve got a takeout-style dish that’s high in protein but easy on the wallet.

3. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Black Beans and Avocado

I love sweet potatoes if they aren’t loaded down with sugar. This includes the thick coating of marshmallows and brown sugar people put on them at the holidays. All I need are a little butter and salt. Baked sweet potatoes are sweet, filling, cheap, and available year-round. Like the eggs in cauliflower rice, I haven’t tried this one yet either, but would like to soon.

AI generated image of two halves of roasted sweet potato stuffed with black beans and topped with sliced avocado and sprinkles of cheese

Source: AI generated

Microwave, bake, or roast your sweet potatoes until they are done. Split them open and stuff them with seasoned black beans, salsa, and a few avocado slices. Add a sprinkle of cheese if you have some. This meal is colorful, nutrient-dense, and feels like comfort food but costs less than a drive-thru burger.

4. Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Roasted Veggies

Longtime readers know I love chicken thighs because they’re so good and can go with anything, and we’ve made this kind of dinner many times ourselves. They are cheaper and juicier than chicken breasts, which makes them perfect for budget-friendly cooking. For this idea, it’s best to get the bone-in/skin-on type, which are usually less expensive than boneless/skinless. Roast them long enough to get crispy skin, which is delicious.

And it couldn’t be easier: toss them with olive oil, garlic, and paprika, or any spice rub you have. Then roast them on a sheet pan at 400F with whatever vegetables you have on hand—carrots, zucchini, or even frozen broccoli. One pan, minimal cleanup, maximum satisfaction.

5. Mediterranean Lentil Soup

Don’t underestimate lentils.

Closeup picture of lentils

Source: ChatGPT

When simmered with onion, garlic, tomatoes, and a splash of lemon, they taste like something you’d order in a café. Add a drizzle of olive oil and fresh parsley on top, and you’ve got a hearty soup that costs pennies per serving but feels rich and indulgent.

If You Like Lentils

Since it’s one of my favorite Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa recipes, I’m including this recipe for Stewed Lentils and Tomatoes from her book Barefoot at Home. This recipe is still relatively inexpensive, even with a few more ingredients. It’s delicious on its own or paired with pork chops or chicken.

Picture of Stewed Lentils & Tomatoes From Barefoot Contessa website, picture from Barefoot At Home. A budget friendly lentil dish.
Ina Garten

Stewed Lentils & Tomatoes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Good olive oil
  • 2 cups Chopped yellow onions
  • 2 cups Diced carrots 3 to 4 carrots, ½ inch diced
  • 1 tbsp Minced garlic 3 cloves
  • 1 can Whole plum tomatoes 28-ounce can
  • 1 cup French green lentils (7 ounces) Can also use regular lentils
  • 2 cups Chicken stock (preferably homemade)
  • 2 tsp Mild curry powder
  • 2 tsp Chopped thyme leaves
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp Good red wine vinegar

Method
 

  1. Heat the 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan.  Add the onions and carrots and cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to brown.  Add the garlic and cook for one minute.
  2. Meanwhile, place the tomatoes, including the juice, in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse several times until the tomatoes are roughly chopped.
  3. Add the tomatoes, lentils, chicken stock, curry, thyme, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper to the pot.   Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, for 30 to 40 minutes, until the lentils are tender. 
  4. Stir occasionally, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon and check to be sure the liquid is simmering.  (I pull the pot halfway off the burner to keep it simmering.) Remove from the heat and allow the lentils to sit covered for another 10 minutes.  Stir in the vinegar, check the seasonings, serve hot or warm.
  5. Protips: Garlic burns easily so you want to cook it for only a minute.
    To remove thyme leaves from the stem, run your fingertips down the stem from top to bottom and the leaves will fall off.

It takes a little while to make. But once you taste it, you’ll see it’s really worth the time. I’ve used regular lentils occasionally because I didn’t have the French type and I just wanted some, but they do get mushy.

Make “Cheap Meals” Feel More Gourmet

Here’s the secret: even the most budget-friendly, affordable meals can feel special with a few finishing touches.

  • Garnish: Fresh herbs, lemon wedges, or a drizzle of olive oil go a long way.
  • Color matters: Use veggies with colors that pop—like spinach, red peppers, or carrots.
  • Compound butter: this restaurant secret can elevate a dish. Just a tablespoon on top of a dish like the stuffed sweet potatoes, can give it an extra boost of flavor.
  • Don’t forget your slow cooker: Stephanie O’Dea’s website A Year Of Slow Cooking is just one of many good online resources food that’s budget-friendly and easy to make.
  • Serve intentionally: A bowl with a sprinkle of garnish looks Instagram-worthy. The same dish in a stained Tupperware bowl, not so much.

Use your everyday dishes and flatware for these tasty and healthy meals.

YouTube and Other Sources

I’ve frequently mentioned Pinterest and the ability to find just about anything you want there. YouTube is similar—you can find all manner of recipes, cooking, and other instructions with a few clicks. I am subscribed to many YouTube channels for cooking, sewing, and other important topics. Don’t forget about Instagram, either, where you can have all kinds of wonderful recipes greeting you anytime you start scrolling. Fill that feed with tasty things and quit doomscrolling!

Cooking At Pam’s Place

One lady I like has a YouTube channel called Cooking At Pam’s Place. And that’s what it is—hanging out in Pam’s kitchen while she shows you some interesting and budget-friendly shortcuts for everyday cooking and other tips. She has four different YouTube-themed channels, including one on gardening. Pam is someone you want living in your neighborhood.

The first video I saw was this one of Pam making two-ingredient sandwich bread.

Screenshot of cooking with Pam’s YouTube channel making two ingredient sandwich bread.A screenshot from Pam’s YouTube channel

This video is 12 minutes long, and her casual friendliness is obvious here. No, I haven’t made it yet, but I want to try it one day. James doesn’t mind, of course, but I don’t know if he’ll try the bread himself. So I haven’t made any yet. Of the other videos I’ve seen, she’s made some good things in different ways, some with two or three ingredients, like bread recipes.

Recently, Pam shared a short video of how to cook simply during a power outage using tea candles in a muffin tin. Brilliant, right? We have a camping stove that we’ve used many times during power outages, but this idea never dawned on me. I set in a supply of tea candles that came in handy after Hurricane Ida for the IKEA Rotero lanterns I bought after the big freeze in 2021. So now I want to try it out for myself. (Note: IKEA doesn’t make the Rotera anymore.)

Until Next Time

Eating healthy meals that are budget-friendly doesn’t have to feel like a downgrade. With the right ingredients and a few easy swaps, you can eat well for less and still enjoy a healthy gourmet dinner.

Now it’s your turn: do you have a favorite cheap, delicious meal? Share it in the comments! I might just feature it in a future recipe review roundup.

Enjoy!

 

Breakfast,Budget Friendly,Considered opinions,Egg Dishes,Grocery Shopping,Health & Wellness,Ingredients,Lunch,What's for Dinner? ,,,
Box of Trufflicious Mushroom Pizza on counter
Short Post: The Trufflicious Mushroom Pizza
February 14, 2024 Amy

Caulipower has upgraded its signature pizza line with three new upgraded flavors. In this blog, I try the one with mushrooms.

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Hi, again, Dear Readers:

Ok, after my last post, I decided to write up the local wedding we went to last year, and it’s about halfway done. So that’s coming soon.

I also found a selfie I sent to BF during the holidays when I went to meet up with a little old lady at Starbucks in Hammond:

Amy In Starbucks holding a cup

Went to visit someone over the holiday season

Or as I call it on Facebook, a “proof of life” selfie. Sometimes, amazingly, I still look a little like I used to before life got the upper hand. That’s OK, I’ve got BF now, and that’s good too.

Pizza and Valentine’s Day

Longtime readers know I’m a fan of Caulipower’s delicious pizzas. And because BF won’t touch it, not even a bite, they’re all mine. They’re thin crust and not big, so I can enjoy the whole thing by myself. I don’t care what he says, they are that good.

For multiple reasons this week, we decided to get frozen pizzas for dinner, including Valentine’s Day. It’s been a tough week for us and doing the whole Valentine’s thing was too much to think about. Maybe next week. We’re here, we’ve got each other, we love getting on each other’s nerves, and that’s all we need. Plus a little chocolate occasionally.

On Tuesday we made a supply run. That’s when I accidentally discovered a new artisan flavor of Caulipower pizza in the back of Walmart’s freezer case.

It’s in a black box, rather than white. I bought one of those and an Uncured Pepperoni for the first non-cooking dinner. BF had his usual thick-crust Red Baron, which he enjoyed over two nights.

Caulipower’s Three New Flavors

The company is always pushing the envelope on healthier offerings using cauliflower, so there’s always a new flavor or new thing around, like their Cauliflower Pasta. Recently, they’ve debuted a new artisan-style Over The Top pizzas with stone-fired crusts:

 

Admittedly I have not tried them all, and doing so would require BF to be working late more often. This is to avoid the retching noises and other negative reactions when I tell him what I’m trying out and avoid reactions like the one for Overnight Oatmeal.

Then I found something new.

The Trufflicious Mushroom Pizza

Remember in my post about 2024 foodie trends I said that one prediction was mushrooms everywhere for vegans and vegetarians as a meat substitute?

Box of Trufflicious Mushroom Pizza on counter

What’s this?

Caulipower has joined the trend with this version of its newest pizza line.

Mushrooms on pizza is nothing new, whether vegetarian or not. The sauce is not tomato but a “white sauce,” which is occasionally used on pizza like it is on pasta.

Back of Trufflicious pizza box

Here’s the important stuff

So, being curious (and having an extra $8) I bought one to try.

Bake It Up

The instructions are the same for every type of Caulipower I’ve ever tried: bake at 425 degrees for 13 to 16 minutes, until done. (Unwrap it first, of course.)

Trufflicious pizza unwrapped and uncooked

Looks like any ordinary mushroom pizza.

Don’t forget about it, either, especially in a small countertop oven.

Frozen Truffilicious going into countertop oven

Just like that.

In what seems like seconds later, you have pizza:

Cooked pizza on cutting board with wide spatula and pizza wheel

Ready?

Even though it’s a bit “Cajunized” on one side, the other side needed a few more minutes. But I wasn’t about to wait. I took it out and sliced it up.

I was hungry, too. BF had no interest.

The Taste

Let me start by telling you the positive parts of this pizza:

  • Stone-fired pizza crust
  • Gluten-free
  • No artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors
  • Good source of protein

 

Caulipower makes all kinds of good-for-you foods based on cauliflower that offer fast, convenient, and healthy eating at any time. I haven’t tried all of them because they’re not all available here.

But I’m just not wild about this pizza, y’all.

I’m glad I tried it once, but I don’t want it anymore. It’s not bad, it’s just not appealing. Maybe it’s the truffle oil in the sauce, or the cheese, or the mushroom blend, I don’t know. This pizza is just not for me. I can’t answer for anyone else.

Will you like it? I don’t know—you must find out for yourself, honestly. If this blog doesn’t make you curious, well. . .get the uncured pepperoni version, or pick up a box of crusts and create your own Caulipower. Their “regular” pizzas are very tasty. I just can’t vouch for this one, despite their other tasty flavors.

The Other Two

Since I only found the Truffilicious Mushroom version of the Over The Top line in Walmart, I don’t know if I can get the other two here. As always, I’ll check out Winn-Dixie or Rouses later and see if they have them in stock.

I’ve had Caulipower’s Buffa-Whoa buffalo chicken pizza and found it to be a little too warm for my taste. This makes me cautious about the Spicy Chicken Sausage version because I don’t like anything that’s overly hot. I haven’t found their “white pizza” either but will try it if I ever find one. The rest I like, including the crust that you can add your own ingredients on top and bake.

Good Food Frozen

As more people embrace healthier eating, better quality things are available in the freezer case. I’m sure there will always be regular frozen pizzas, lasagna, and other freezer staples available. But healthier food is making its way into American grocery stores, and that’s always a good thing.

Enjoy!

Considered opinions,Fast & Easy,Gluten Free,Grocery Shopping,Health & Wellness,New Trends,What's for Dinner? ,,,,,
Cat on dog cushion
Happy New Year 2024
January 3, 2024 Amy
2 Comments

Now that the holidays are finally done and dusted, turn on your favorite Spotify playlist, and let’s get back on track. Happy New Year!

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Hi, Again, Dear Readers:

Mail carriers, UPS drivers, and others who deliver packages are glad that the holidays are over and we can all get back to our normal lives. I thought I’d drop in and do a quick blog post to say Happy New Year! Because the last year wasn’t all that great, and neither were a couple of others.

I’m almost finished with the second blog on the rest of our Houston trip. . .in 2022. Now it’s 2024, I just need to upload it and install the pictures, which are minimal in this blog.

In With The New. . . .

Don’t give me that “New Year, New You” stuff. It implies that there is something wrong with the current or old you. Unless there is something badly wrong, you don’t need to “fix” anything, just make some adjustments to get what you want. Admittedly, that comment sells a lot of products to the American public, doesn’t it?

Yes, it’s 2024, and there are all kinds of things to help you with your “New Year’s Resolutions!” That would not be me, of course. If you want to clean up your diet, which is always a good thing, I’m always going to try and find (and make) healthy food for us. Sometimes you’re out or on vacation and that goes by the wayside.

Most of us know that resolutions usually last from one to six weeks into the new year. Few people actually accomplish them as intended. But it’s not for lack of trying for a few days. Real life comes back with a vengeance and throws the proverbial bucket of cold water at you. Then, that new routine you’d planned just doesn’t fit. Or whatever goes wrong. Been there, done that, as we all have.

Reading And Exercise Are Fundamental

One of my actual real resolutions is to read more this year. I have a couple dozen books stacked on my coffee table that I want to get through. Included is Suzanne Somers’s last book, A New Way To Age. I bought it and several more recently after watching AWAI’s annual Copywriting Bootcamp. These were books either referenced or written by the speakers. I have others I’ve bought elsewhere, and they’re all mostly business books. I also want to go back and watch the replays of several of the sessions.

During a recent power outage, I managed to finish reading two books that I’d already started. They weren’t terribly long reads. The first was one for copywriters and their clients by Kim Krause Schwalm, and one was on ChatGPT, which I’m still learning. But I want to make sure these books don’t just collect dust, I need to know what’s inside all of them.

It’s also a good time to get back on my previous resolution, the Sunny Row & Ride #077, which happens to be under $100 at the moment.

Sunny Row & Ride With Rider

It’s a great piece of equipment. . .when I use it. (Source: Sunny Health & Fitness website.)

I’m not saying you need a Row & Ride. (They actually have three versions of it now.) I wanted one for myself after seeing a commercial for something more expensive, and I’m glad I bought mine. Sunny Health & Fitness is a good company, too, and has its own YouTube Channel with free workouts that don’t all require equipment.

Getting Fit Isn’t Expensive

You do not need to join a gym or spend too much money. Remember:

  • If you have a bike, you can ride it, even in the house with a bike trainer stand in front of your TV. Mine came from eBay several years ago.
  • If you can move and have sidewalks or other available safe amenities in the area, you can walk.
  • If you can’t walk, or have limited mobility, even light weights are good for strength training.
  • YouTube has millions of exercise videos for every level of fitness, most for free, just find what works for you. From gentle yoga to the most difficult weight and kettlebell workouts, it’s available 24/7 at the touch of a button. Pick one and start. Don’t like it? Find another one and save it–the choices are endless.
  • Your local public library likely has exercise videos you can borrow for free to see what you like, whether it’s yoga, Pilates, weightlifting, kettlebells, or anything else. This is especially true of the Freeman Library in Clear Lake, where they can get you seemingly endless things on VHS, DVD, and on-demand online. For many libraries, you can request them online and pick them up at the counter.

Amazon is the perfect place to research something you’re thinking about with info from both the manufacturer and people who bought it, even if you don’t buy it there. Furthermore, you may find something equal to the thing you’re considering but a less expensive model. That’s how I came across the Row & Ride. Heck, Five Below has plastic push-up stands for $5 right now, just like these from Amazon for $10.

Just make sure you don’t buy something with which to hurt yourself. Self-inflicted injuries are not a great way to start your new year.

Buy Sustainable, Buy Used

If you want a new exercise bike or other fitness equipment but don’t have a big budget, check out Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, (exercise care with these, and don’t pay in advance) eBay, or local thrift stores run by nonprofits.

People buy things with the best of intentions, and after dusting them multiple times, eventually want them out of the house. Some have been used once or twice, just like sewing machines. Now’s a great time to score something for less than you’d pay retail for new, and help someone clear out their space or who needs a little post-holiday cash. Use Amazon as a research site and go from there.

Sitting too much and being sedentary just isn’t good, because one day moving might not happen anymore. I was told that a long time ago by a lady right after her knee replacement.

Motion Before Motivation

Sometimes you’ll hear someone say, “I’m trying to get motivated.” Or someone is just sitting and waiting for the motivation to come to them like this woman waiting forever for divine intervention. Well, you could be waiting for years for that or to get motivated to do something. I have a suggestion: just get started and the motivation will come to you.

How I know this is a self-help book I need to re-read myself: Motion Before Motivation by Michael Dolpies. Someone mentioned it one day in a Facebook group for copywriters, and I bought the book on February 2, 2016. (Thank you, Amazon for that bit of data.) Get started doing it, whatever it is, and the motivation will come. That’s the theme, although there’s a little more to it than that. Just pulled it from my bookshelf and will be adding it to the coffee table stacks.

If I had one of those fancy, expensive Peloton bikes with a book rack on it, I might be reading it on that. Truth to tell, you can find an exercise bike for much less—even Aldi has a foldable one for under $75.

Our Holiday Week

We’re still here and getting on each other’s nerves, as I like to tell people. For Christmas, I made BF some comfy pajamas out of a modal knit I found at Girl Charlee Fabrics called Unimpressed Bear:

BF wearing Unimpressed Bear pajamas

They came out great, and he loves them.

They’re warm and comfortable, although I need to take the pants up a little for him. When I saw the fabric in July, I knew it would become pajamas for him, because he hates cold weather. It didn’t last long–right after I bought some, it sold out completely.

Otherwise, our holiday period wasn’t always joyous. Many things went sideways, and I ended up throwing in the towel Christmas Day on cooking after two finger cuts, a burn, and a hard nibble from TigerCat, aka, furry little terrorist.

TigerCat And Broccoli Stir-Fry

Cat on dog cushion

There she is, a little puddle of fluffy orange fur.

Twice, this orange beast walked outside on her own for a grand adventure. 

Cat pawing at dog outside the window

Isn’t she so cute? She’s small and fast, too. I was hoping the open window would get her back inside.

The first time she stayed out all day, roaming the property like the Norwegian Forest cat that she is, with Broccoli Stirfry keeping a close eye.

BF was going to try and catch her when he got home. He texted me when he was leaving work, and asked me to bring the dog inside. When I did that, she walked back into the house with the dog like she was returning home from work.

Yesterday, she slipped out unnoticed while I was dealing with the dog. When she discovered it was cold, about 32 degrees, she loudly howled at BF to be allowed back inside. We think she was outside two or three hours before he found her on the patio.

Back To Cooking

Anyway, BF finished the Christmas Day cooking, and we ate that afternoon. I didn’t bake any cookies this year, either. Plans for a keto copycat version of Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars also didn’t happen. I may do that next week because I have everything I need, including the Sugar-Free Dried Cranberries that I made in the Dash dehydrator.

Cranberries in the dehydrator

You can do this yourself, the recipe explains how, either in the oven or the dehydrator.

And I didn’t get a real CBB because three different Starbucks stores I visited said they sold out of them very quickly long before Christmas.

Dehydrator full of drying cranberries

Blog post on this one of these days too.

Dash’s entire website is 20% off sitewide through the 7th if you’re interested in one of these or any of their other little appliances (code “NEWYEAR.”)

Our New Year’s Eve involved some cocktails (he had no alcohol), some delicious cheeses, and crackers in front of the TV. But that’s OK, too, we had some nice quality time on New Year’s Eve, and we both enjoyed our cocktails. Need to find more drinks like that.

Out With The Old. . . .

Everything changes, yes? Sometimes it happens in the new year, sometimes it just happens.

I mentioned that we had guests for Thanksgiving, following a visit in July. Both times it was someone from Houston I know for a long time. Well, they won’t be returning, like, ever, nor appearing in this blog again.

On New Year’s Day, I received a text message from Miss Alice, visiting relatives in Florida, telling me that she did not want to continue our friendship. Like she was canceling a Netflix subscription. I said, “OK, Good luck” and proceeded to ensure that she would not see me on social media or my phone number again. Didn’t think fast enough to say “Bye, Felicia.” She’s not on the blog email list, and I removed her email from the back end of the site. However, there’s no stopping anyone from locating and reading the website and blog on the open web. Not that I care, really, and I doubt that will happen. Good luck, God bless ya.

BF has been very supportive since we saw this stunning text. Conversations with The E Man and nearby friends J&B reminded me that I do have friends like them, plus Rafael, Aunt Ruth, Aunt Kathy, and so many others. YouTube videos by funnyman Jeff Dunham also helped.

One thing I’m thinking about in the new year is to either start a new blog or a podcast and call it, “What The Hell Is Wrong With You People?” BF and I read and hear so many stories about people who may not qualify for the Darwin Awards but show that they could indeed be in the running. Finding one person to highlight for a weekly podcast would not be difficult, just read the news. I’ve already downloaded podcasting software and tested it, so don’t tempt me.

It’s Coming, Honest

The pictures are what will take the longest to finish up the blog on our trip. I hope you’ll see it as worth the wait.

Meantime, we go forward in the new year because there’s no going back, not yet. If there was, I’d be heading back to my 16th birthday with some serious warnings to my younger self.

Happy New Year!!

 

Considered opinions,Dehydrator,Health & Wellness,Holidays,New Trends,Special Occasions,Starbucks,Sugar-free ,,,,,
colander basket of cut zucchini
Zucchini and Suzanne Somers
October 23, 2023 Amy

Zucchini is one of those plants that overloads gardens. I was gifted some recently, and didn’t make zucchini bread. Plus a tribute to the late Suzanne Somers, RIP.

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Hello again, Dear Readers:

It’s been a month, and I apologize. I’ve got several things to tell you, but I’ll have to limit that in this blog.

Finally, fall has arrived, and the temperatures have gone below 100 degrees every day. So far, our highs have been in the mid-80s, but we’ve had some chillier weather than that. It doesn’t last too long, but it’s enough to make us turn the heater at night sometimes.

Following last month’s trip to Trader Joe’s, one of my copywriting clients’ project managers BN told me that she was able to get some of Trader Joe’s coveted pumpkin spice body butter. She lives in coastal Florida, and apparently near a Trader Joe’s that’s not near LSU or other place with college students. I am so jealous! Well, OK, just a little jealous. I am enjoying the body scrub, though.

Much has happened since my last post.

Come and Knock On Our Door. . . .

By now, you’ve heard the sad news that Suzanne Somers has passed away from an aggressive form of breast cancer. She was an actress, author, gourmet cook, health advocate, entrepreneur, and businesswoman. I was a huge fan, and I still am, but did not know the lady personally. Long-time readers know that I have and love all her cookbooks, along with several of her other books. I know there are a few of her books that I don’t have, but I should probably get and read. We don’t have Half Price Books here, so I can’t get them cheap anymore.

She passed one day before her 77th birthday, holding her husband’s hand. Her family was at the house to celebrate her birthday with her. They had a beautiful heart-shaped purple cake made for her with lots of white piping.

Her husband and business partner of more than 50 years, Alan Hamel, and her son, Bruce, along with family members, lit candles and blew them out in a short video posted to Instagram on her birthday (Monday October 16th. ) Just prior to the birthday cake video, Alan and Bruce did a 14-minute interview with Entertainment Tonight about her passing, her legacy, her love of cake, and how they will move forward and keep her legacy going. If you have a few minutes, give it a watch.

The Legacy

Many people only know Suzanne Somers as an actress, primarily as Chrissy Snow from Three’s Company. The show is still in reruns, and there is currently a channel on streaming service Pluto TV that runs the show 24/7. I’ve watched a few of them this week. If you’re interested, you don’t have to register, you can start watching either live TV or on-demand on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, smart TV, or Roku. (You may be able to watch it on an Amazon Fire Stick, but I don’t know.)

Note: Pluto has plenty of classic TV shows to watch, including a channel of The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson. Hint: He’s still funny, especially if you remember the events he’s talking about in his monologue. I haven’t seen one yet where Suzanne Somers is on, but there are three on YouTube, plus a number of more recent clips.

Of course, there were more acting roles later, plus stints in Las Vegas, a Broadway show called The Blonde in the Thunderbird, and most recently, a stint on Dancing With The Stars in 2015. Never mind that she was a headliner in Las Vegas, danced and sang on TV and in USO shows, not to mention the legions of her longtime fans like me who repeat-dial voted for her on the show. She was voted off rather quickly, which I thought was, well, not nice. But her performances are all on YouTube, and her partner on the show, Tony Dovolani, also spoke with ET after she passed.

The Business of Suzanne Somers

Beyond her acting, She was also an author of 27 books, many of them best sellers. The last one I have was her book called Two’s Company, on her 50-plus year long relationship with her husband, Canadian talk show host Alan Hamel. She discusses a wide range of topics related to their relationship, including the business side of being “Suzanne Somers.” It’s truly a family business with nearly everyone involved in some fashion.

Over the years Suzanne sold a wide range of products on her website besides the obvious. For several years she had some lovely violet serving dishes named after her granddaughter Violet. She had small kitchen appliances, including a bread maker, a hand mixer (I still have mine and it works great), an ice cream maker, a small countertop convection rotisserie oven, a stovetop pressure cooker (this was before the Instant Pot) a deep fryer, an ice shaver, and several other things I can’t remember now. They are well-made, of course, but they still remind me of Suzy Homemaker appliances.

The books, the famous (or infamous) Thighmaster (yes, I have one), the 3Way Poncho (I have a few, and they are still available from some vendors as well as resellers eBay and Mercari) and a wide range of food, supplements and other products on her own website, SuzanneSomers.com. Her products aren’t cheap, but they aren’t rubbish, either. I was a big fan of SomerSweet, but as I wrote about several years ago, that’s gone now, and Swerve can be used in its place.

I’ll be making my birthday cake from Suzanne’s Desserts book this week. Instead of SomerSweet, of course, I’ll be using Swerve. And we’ll have a slice to celebrate the lady who did it all with grace, right up to the end.

The Zucchini

So, last week, BF came home with a bag full of great big zucchini and two crookneck squash, and said, “T says hi.” That’s one of his car guy friends, and apparently knew I would appreciate them. Because BF doesn’t eat anything called squash, including zucchini, spaghetti, or acorn, my favorites, and will let me know about it immediately.

I can only wish I had such an abundance of zucchini that I had to give it away. But I’m happy to accept the wonderful gift of excess from those fortunate enough to have such a nice garden surplus. One of these days, I keep telling BF, we’re going to have a fantastic garden from which we enjoy a great harvest.

Here’s how it ties into the late Suzanne Somers.

Zucchini Ribbons

My first thought was to make some zucchini noodles from Suzanne Somers’ Fast & Easy book (the purple one.) I haven’t made that in a very long time, and it’s simple. Cut the ends off the zucchini, then use a vegetable peeler to make long, thin ribbons. When you get too far in to keep using the peeler, just thinly slice the remainder with a sharp knife on a cutting board until you’re done. Cook in a skillet with a little olive oil, salt and pepper until they’re just done. Delicious.

You can cook as many zucchinis this way as you like at once. Eat them as is, or add them to any kind of pasta sauce you like. Fast & Easy was published before the veggie noodle makers became popular, and in a later book she uses zucchini “noodles” made from her own Su-Chef appliance. It wasn’t available for long, apparently, and it isn’t even available on eBay or Mercari, but I did find a picture.

I Thought About Her

As I took the book off the shelf, I wondered how Suzanne was doing. I remembered that she’d been ill again, but I was sure she would be getting better. Is she writing a new book? There probably won’t be any more cookbooks, I thought, but an important topic, for sure. But I knew it would be an interesting subject, well-researched and well-written, like Tox-Sick. Admittedly, I didn’t get her last book but will source it for my shelves soon.

The next day, BF sent me a message on Facebook Messenger that she’d passed away, one day before her 77th birthday. The breast cancer she’d been fighting for more than 20 years finally overtook her.

The next night, I made a Cappuccino Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake from Get Skinny on Fabulous Food, page 246.

For breakfast one day last week, I made some of Alan’s Fried Eggs In Onion Nests on page 115 for us to enjoy with breakfast. Hint: open the windows and turn on your exhaust fan before you get started cooking the onions.

I also want to purchase Served By Caroline Somers, Suzanne’s daughter-in-law, chief chef, and right-hand-gal in the business for thirty-plus years. Her stepdaughter, Leslie Hamel, is a fashion designer who designed the 3Way Poncho, as well as hundreds of Suzanne’s red-carpet items and many pieces of her clothing lines. I own a few 3Way Ponchos and made some from a Simplicity pattern published shortly after the released. There’s some fabric in my stash that will be perfect to make a couple more.

The Rest: Zucchini Sotolio

I only cooked that one zucchini on Saturday night, because I had a plan for the rest of them. I’ve done this before, but just never quite got around to posting the recipe. This recipe is *not* from Suzanne Somers, but from TV chef Giada de Laurentiis. It’s on page 226 of Giada’s Italy: My Recipes For La Dolce Vita, called Zucchini Sotolio. It’s not difficult, and it’s a great way to make those garden extras last a bit longer.

First, you cut the zucchini into 1/3” rounds. Drop them in the colander, sprinkle salt over them, and let them sit for ten minutes.

colander basket of cut zucchini

There were a couple of yellow zucchini in the bag.

But because I was sitting with BF, it ended up more like 30 minutes. But the salt seasons them nicely.

While that’s going on, boil up 1½ cups of water and 1½ cups of apple cider vinegar in a big pot.

Now, open up a window, (or turn on the exhaust fan) because it’s going to smell in your kitchen and your house if you don’t. Trust me on this, I speak from experience here. Especially with someone around like BF who can’t stand the smell of vinegar at all.

Add in your sliced zucchini and turn the heat down to a simmer:

Sliced zucchini in cooking pot

Yes, there were some yellow ones, and they tasted the same.

Cook the slices for about five minutes, until they’re cooked but not mushy and overdone.

zucchini cooking in pot

If you have as much as I was given, you’ll need to cook them in batches.

Two batches of zucchini

Then take them out:

Removing Zucchini from cooking pot and adding into bowl

And put them into a bowl.

Zucchini cooling in bowl

You may find they’re still kind of watery, so you might want to drain that off too. Add in the mint leaves, basil leaves, chopped garlic:

Adding chopped aromatics into bowl

And a tablespoon more of apple cider vinegar:

Adding ACV to bowl

Toss the zucchini to mix in the rest of the ingredients. Leave them to cool for a little while.

And here comes the fun part: cover them with olive oil:

Coating zucchini with olive oil

The recipe calls for extra-virgin olive oil, but I didn’t have enough. So, I just used regular olive oil.

When you have enough oil, pack them in jars or just store them in the fridge in a tightly sealed container:

Packing zucchini into a container

This is a container I like to use for the freezer, with a rubber gasket in the lid and snapping closure tabs.

Zucchini in storage container

This delicious recipe will stay in your fridge for about three weeks. Serve them at room temperature. Giada says that having a jar or two of this around means you’ll always have a “quick side.” It’s also good as a starter or part of an antipasto spread. Got eggplant? It works here too, just grill the eggplant first. (No, I still hate eggplant.)

Here’s the recipe if this looks like something you’d like to try soon.

Zucchini in storage container
Amy

Zucchini Sottolio

From Giada's Italy, page 226. This recipe has bold, tangy flavors that make the zucchini really shine.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 5 cups
Course: Appetizer, Condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1¼ pounds zucchini sliced into ⅓ inch rounds (about 3 small zucchini)
  • 1¼ tsp kosher salt
  • 1½ cups apple cider vinegar plus one tablespoon for the end
  • 10 fresh mint leaves
  • 10 fresh basil leaves
  • 2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (Amy's note: optional)
  • 2 to 3 cups extra-virgin olive oil (Amy's note: I used regular this time)

Method
 

  1. Place the sliced zucchini in a colander that is set over a bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and toss well to combine. Allow the zucchini to sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine 1½ cups of water with 1½ cups of apple cider vinegar and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the salted zucchini to the pot and return the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the zucchini is cooked through but still has a little texture. Drain the zucchini and place it in a large bowl.
  3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, the mint, basil, garlic and red pepper flakes to the zucchini, and toss well. Add enough olive oil to cover the zucchini and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Pack the zucchini in jars or a storage container with a tight-fitting lid, making sure the zucchini is fully covered with the oil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Serve at room temperature.

Fancy another cuppa?

I’ve got another tea blog coming, but I’m not saying anything just yet. But it will be interesting—and very strong.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Chocolate,Cookbooks,Desserts,Fresh from the Garden,Health & Wellness,Ingredients,Low Carb,Special considerations ,,,,
Accent can of MSG
The Return of MSG
February 1, 2023 Amy

Is MSG the culinary bad guy we’ve been told it is? It’s been around for more than 100 years. But one day, monosodium glutamate became one of the things to avoid. MSG has never gone away, and finally, it’s making a comeback.

Find me on Bloglovin’

Hello Again, Dear Readers:

After I read last week’s published post to BF, he informed me that he has three New Year’s Resolutions this year, and he’s mostly accomplished one of them. It’s a long story.

In my case, I’ve decided that I’d like to get up early again, every morning. I’ve done a fair amount of it since BF went back to work since he’s been working many early days. The trick is to keep getting up early every day no matter how long BF hibernates. I’m not there yet.

I found something interesting that I thought I should pass along. But before I begin, I must mention two things:

  • There are a few live Amazon affiliate links, which may send me a few rubles if you click and buy anything, not just what I described
  • Remember that I’m a food blogger, not a medical professional. If you have concerns about using MSG, ask your doctor and maybe do a little research before you start sprinkling. Chances are you’ll find plenty of information on both the plus and minus sides, so it’s up to you to decide for yourself.

 

Now let me tell you what I found.

What Is MSG?

Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer used in many processed foods like canned soups and seasoning blends like this one.

Montreal seasoning blend from McCormick

I used to buy this until I discovered it had soybean oil, but that’s been removed.

Commonly used in Asian cooking, MSG is a type of salt made from a natural amino acid called glutamic acid. Despite the similar-sounding name, there is no gluten in MSG.

Bag of MSG from Japan

You’ll likely find this in the kitchen of your favorite Asian restaurant.

It’s a white crystal-like powder made by fermenting starch, sugar beets, sugar cane, or molasses.

Spoon with crystals of monosodium glutamate, or MSG

Looks a lot like salt.

Much like salt, it’s added to enhance savory flavors and used to add the “umami” taste to foods. (Keep reading for that one.) But it doesn’t have the same amount of sodium as salt does.

But is it the allergen we’ve been led to believe? Some people may be sensitive to it and experience flushing or headaches after consuming MSG. It’s similar to people who are allergic to another type of food, such as egg or wheat.

The Umami Factor

Most people know about the four tastes: salty, sweet, sour and bitter. But there’s a fifth one, that’s known in Japan as umami, or the “savory” or “meaty” taste. Umami is present in meats, fish, soy sauce, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese, and is believed to be caused by the presence of other amino acids in foods.

Asian dumplings in a bowl of broth with a pair of chopsticks probably with MSG

This would be one ideal place for MSG

MSG adds to or enhances the umami in foods during cooking but isn’t necessarily a thing on its own. Just like adding a touch more salt to a dish, MSG enhances the umami that makes it taste even better.

Where You Find MSG

Asian cuisines are well known for using MSG in dishes such as:

  • Chinese dishes, like Kung Pao chicken and hot and sour soup
  • Japanese dishes, like miso soup and teriyaki sauce
  • Thai dishes, like tom yum soup and green curry
  • Vietnamese dishes, like pho noodle soup and spring rolls

Selection of Asian food

I wonder if BF would take me to our local Chinese place this weekend.

Back in the day, MSG was popularly available in the US as a product called Ac’cent™ .

Accent can of MSG

The original

(The name is trademarked by B&G Foods in Parsippany, NJ.) Now you can buy MSG from multiple vendors, like Badia, a brand I bought in Houston.

Bottle of Badia brand MSG

You may find this in a smaller bottle in the grocery.

And I just discovered that Texas’ own Fiesta Spices sells MSG, although I’ve never seen it in a store:

Fiesta brand of MSG

You don’t see ads for MSG anymore. But years ago, one television ad featured none other than Sammy Davis, Jr. One cute commercial told cooks to “wake up their food” with Ac’cent™, and another spot from 1986 featured soothing sax music (no doubt marketed to housewives of the era.)

Making A Comeback

It’s been years since I’ve even thought about MSG, much less looked for some. But it’s always been available, despite the negative press. Today, it’s still available as Ac’cent™ as well as other brands, and available nearly anywhere. I didn’t see it on my last trip through Albertson’s in Hammond, but found it in our local Winn-Dixie, on a lower shelf.

Accent seasoning on the grocery shelf on sale for $3.99

There it is, just sitting on the bottom. On sale!

But I’ve never even paid attention to MSG since it was allegedly “unhealthy.”

The other day, BF was watching CBS Mornings while we were eating breakfast. I happened to look over and see a segment on Asian restaurants who are again embracing the use of MSG. I also found a little more info on the CBS News website.

If you’re old enough to remember, you might be thinking, “wait a minute. Isn’t that the stuff that created a big brouhaha in the 1970s about how it was unhealthy for everyone?” It is. Well, 50+ years on, times have changed and we know more than we used to. It’s been time to look at MSG in a new light.

Appropriately, it figures that Asian chefs would pick up the torch and begin using it again.

Egg rolls on a grey platter with steamed rice in a bowl and sauce in a cup all with MSG

How can this be bad?

Now, that’s not to say that MSG was ever banned from the market. Far from it. In fact, after the news that MSG caused health problems, it was still available, just avoided by a lot of people. Like me.

Using MSG

MSG is useful for savory foods but does nothing for sweet foods. (That’s OK, there are plenty of other ways to enhance sweets!) Because I have no experience with it, I’ll tell you what it says on the Ac’cent™ bottle:

  • Add ½ teaspoon per pound of meat.
  • Add ½ teaspoon for each of 4 to 6 servings of soups, stews, casseroles, sauces, salads, and vegetables.

 

That’s not a lot of MSG. Honestly, on a couple of chops I cooked for dinner, I gave a light sprinkle on each side along with the seasoning salt I used. (They were good!) Ac’cent™ has 60 mg of sodium versus 194 mg of sodium per 0.5 grams of salt, which is helpful if you’re trying to cut down on sodium consumption.

Honestly, it’s something you can sprinkle in lightly or use a small amount as directed. More will likely not result in a significant improvement and may ruin your dish. B&G’s website has more information on using their product, and even a few recipes.

Is It Unsafe?

Surprise—it really isn’t unsafe unless you have a reaction, just like anything else. So how did MSG get this reputation and decades-long bad press?

Well. . .it started with a letter allegedly written by Chinese-American doctor “Robert Ho Man Kwok” back in the 1960’s to the esteemed New England Journal of Medicine. In the letter, the alleged doctor described what he called “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” which began the campaign against MSG.

Asian Orange chicken with green onions

Asian Orange Chicken with Green Onions

Guess what? That letter and the named “syndrome” was a hoax. No kidding. Fifty years later, everything that came from that letter is based on a hoax. Someone made up a fake Chinese name, and it just took off like a snowball rolling down a steep hill. Amazingly, it’s still in the NEJM’s archives behind a paywall. Makes you want to believe in BigFoot, doesn’t it? (Check out a couple of pictures of the elusive beast that I’m sure BF has already seen.) Colgate University has more on the fake Chinese doctor story if you want to read more.

Scientific research into MSG’s safety is the subject of debate since the hoax began. The “news” also set off reams of negative press against the Chinese. Lots of racism and ethnic negativity started because of the one letter that had no truth to it–long before social media!

No Proof

Despite claims of symptoms such as headaches, flushing, sweating, and difficulty breathing after consuming MSG, scientific studies have never consistently found a link between MSG consumption and any reactions. That’s not to say no one would suffer these side effects, but they’re not a widespread problem as we’ve been led to believe. Just like a milk or wheat or soy allergy, not everybody has the same experience.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). The FDA states that MSG is safe to consume at normal levels and that most people can tolerate MSG in normal amounts without reactions. But restaurants and food producers must list MSG if they’ve added any—just like other allergens.

If you know you’re sensitive, check the ingredient lists of foods before consuming something.

Are You Allergic?

MSG isn’t unsafe, really, unless you experience a reaction after consuming some. But think about it this way—if you know you’re allergic to eggs, milk, shrimp, corn, wheat, nuts, or like me, soy, you avoid the allergen, right? Treat MSG the same way. If you have any concerns, always consult with a healthcare professional before using or consuming MSG.

But you knew that already.

I Bought Some

For the first time in I don’t know when I bought a bottle of Ac’cent™ to try in our cooking. Lucky me, Winn-Dixie had it on sale. I expect that little bottle to last a long time.

I don’t think I have a single recipe anywhere that calls for MSG, but that’s OK, I’ll try some. I’ve used it once, and so far, so good. I’ll let you know if it’s good, or bad, or does anything bad to the food. Or us.

But considering MSG’s consistent culinary use over the last 100 years, and the availability of Ac’cent™ in grocery stores since 1947, it can’t be all bad, right?

Happy Seasoning!

 

 

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