Eat Like a Rabbit

Times are tough. Many people are in need. We're blessed to both still have our jobs. However, in an effort to keep us both from being exceptionally stressed over money while I'm out on matrnity leave, I've tried to be as cheap as possible--especially looking for diapers on sale.

One day, Paul forwarded me an email from the chaplain at the college about the needs of some of the students. I learned there is actually a pantry set up at the college for students--including single parents--who are trying desperately to better themselves so they can have enough money to put food on the table. But, sometimes during that quest is a struggle to actually get food on the table. Hence the request from the chaplain to help fill the pantry. He also requested toiletries, and I know that chap stick is important for medical professionals to look more. . .professional.

I"m not perfect. I never said I was. . .even if I try. Naturally, there are things about myself I'd like to improve on. However, I try my hardest to start being a better person when I learn of a fault of mine instead of waiting for a new year to make the change my ways. Still, I make New Years Kitchen Resolutions because it encourages me to "think outseide of the box". . .to be creative in what I want in regard to my hobby of cooking. It's not something I'll beat myself up about if I don't succeed. It's just an opportunity to create a wishlist for the betterment of my family and possibly for my sanity.

So, here are my thoughts for my 2010 Kitchen Resolutions. Some will need immediate consideration. Others apply to after the baby gets here. Either way, they're in the cards.

Good for Publix! They significantly lowered their prices on Sweet Potatoes this year in comparison to last year. They're on sale this week through Wednesday night (Dec. 23) for $0.29/lb. I know Walmart can beat this price at $0.25 and has already done so this season, but since we don't live near a Super Walmart, I'm grateful for the drop in Publix's prices. Paul came with me to the grocery store to assist in the purchasing process as we had lots to buy for the upcoming family visit. I told him to pick as many sweet potatoes as he wanted. We'd eat on 'em all week if we needed to. Well, he did. The little plastic bag you put produce in was overflowing and it busted on the poor bag lady at checkout. Just a warning if you plan on buying 11 sweet potatoes at once, split them up between bags or put them in a stronger plastic bag like what your groceries get bagged in at checkout. I was positively stunned that we paid only $2.08 for those 'taters. (No tax.)

So, what do you do with all those sweet potatoes? I have numerous ideas. However, since my on-your-feet time is limited, I'll be going for the easiest methods saving the more challenging work for my mother- and sister-in-law.

One day during a whirl-wind trip to Publix when I still couldn't look at food without running the other direction, I picked up some vegetarian sushi for Paul. I had really been wanting just rice and vegetables, and since Paul likes Publix vegetarian sushi and hadn't been being fed very well I thought he'd appreciate the gesture. I also picked up Chung's vegetable spring rolls to accompany them. I knew I was capable of brushing them with oil and throwing them in the oven. Paul was happy with the sushi, as always, but the egg rolls were very depressing. In fact, we cooked the entire package, but threw away half of them. Paul didn't even finish eating them off his plate, which is so rare for him.

I can move a bit slower through the grocery store these days, but I don't stop or slow down by the Chung's. And since I'm not into the sushi and some of it goes to waste, I don't pick up any more of it either. I'll let Paul save it for the days when he goes to pick up a lunch during work.

Summer is a great time to enjoy treats from the freezer. In Florida, cold items are more of a necessity when the heat is ramping up. We had my parents and grandmother over for Memorial Day dinner. I surprised Paul with new gelato by Talenti that is sold at Publix. I allowed my guests to have their choice of chocolate, vanilla, and coconut gelato and raspberry sorbetto. I also served some very festive raspberries and blackberries on a plate at the table to accompany the dessert.

Here are my thoughts about the dessrt: Granted, I know gelato will never taste the same in America that it does in Italy, but I've known it to come close. This just doesn't work for me. When I want gelato, it's cause I want it to be a little better than regular ice cream. Mostly, this just tastes like regular ice cream. The raspberry and coconut almost taste like they have too much extra flavoring. And I have never seen a good fresh raspberry gelato that dark/bright of a color. Usually, it is a bit paler and creamier. My favorite combination of gelato is chocolate and raspberry; so believe me, I've seen my share of light, smooth raspberry gelato. I could never figure out why the vanilla was always softer than the rest and why the chocolate was always harder than the rest. The vanilla melts too quickly, and and the chocolate is too stiff to get out of the container.

The heat has been draining; so, I really dreaded making a trek into Publix today. I felt too tired to move, a little like the Polar Bears at the zoo right now. All I needed to get through the next week was bananas and milk, and considering no one is burning many calories, I almost thought I could do without that. But, I'm glad I got inside where it was cooler and had a look around because I now have some exciting juiciness to share. Keep in mind that the sales are only through 9 pm Wednesday night (June 24), so get going. I'll likely make another stop if I pass one close by.

Firstly, the MorningStar Farms "entrees" on BOGO are any dinner product except the bites and the starters--which means all patties and chick n' nuggets or buffalo wings. There are some great coupons out there, plus the free box (which you can use a coupon on, too) makes these an equal to or better deal than the ones I got at Target.

MorningStar "entrees" (whatever those are) are on sale BOGO this week at Publix for about $3.79 for two.

My Publix will accept Target printable coupons, which until Saturday can be acquired here. This coupon is $2 off 2 items, which works fine if you are getting a BOGO. Other printable coupons from MorningStar Farms are below.

Mark, my local store manager, returned my phone call a bit ago, and was very kind--even asking me to stop in and see him with an example coupon on my next visit. I took notes during the conversation and have some interesting items to share.

Firstly, a BOGO is considered a "deal." There should be no issue with coupons when the "deal" is something completely different. Secondly, he says it is OK to "stack" a Publix coupon with a vendor/manufacturer coupon (which I was surprised about because the Publix coupons say "Cannot be combined with any other coupon." You just can't accept two of the same coupon for one product (naturally, this is the situation and all stores). Thirdly, he says he will accept Walmart and Target coupons. (Never really thought of that.)

On the down side, Mark says there is no number to call should I get into a jam at the checkout and there is no coupon policy printed anywhere to reference. A manager should accommodate the patron or make their own reason why a coupon is not acceptable.

Mark apologized for the difficulty at the Michigan Ave. store and said that part of the mission statement for Publix is to be a "good steward of Publix" and sometimes staff get a little "overzealous" regarding couponing.

I had a small problem today and just need to vent more than anything. I do have a call in to the district manager at Publix and have been asked to patiently await a call within the next couple business days.

Paul had been reading up on the quality of Stonyfield Organic yogurt, and he wanted to buy some plain kind at Publix this week. Ironically, I got to taste a flavored sample at Costco yesterday, and we decided the yogurt is a good deal like European yogurt, which is often thinner than American yogurt, generally due to less additives. Paul left the cover of the big container on the counter this morning, and it had a fabulous advertisement about how cooking with yogurt (instead of mayo, sour cream, and not-useful-for-the-body oils) decreases total calories and fat while raising protein and calcium intake. So then, I go to StonyfieldFarms.com and see a replacement calculator for cooking to help make substituting yogurt for less healthy items easier. I'm all over it.

In addition, by using the coupons on the website and the Publix sale that ends this coming Wednesday night, you can get the 6 oz. containers of flavored yogurt for $0.43 each.

Sign up on the Uncle Ben's website to get $1 off of two packages coupons. Use them at Publix where the Country Inn versions are on sale (Buy one, get one free) until Wednesday night of this week. You can use one coupon and pay just $0.25 per box.

Personally, I would save them to get the microwaveable rice at a discount. I buy the Wild Rice packs that warm in the microwave in 90 seconds. They are a fabulous source of protein (5g), fiber (2g), Folate (20%), Thiamin, and Niacin. That's a really healthy investment at a great price!

Until Wednesday evening of this week (Sale ends May 27), Publix is running a sale for Buy One, Get One Free of Wheat Thins or Triscuits. Plus, there are two printable coupons--one for Triscuits, one for Wheat Thins. You can print two of each coupon per computer, which is a great deal because you can use a coupon on the purchased box of crackers and on the free box because the promotion is from Publix and the coupons are from the manufacturer.

I figured this deal out late last night. If you're a big user of olive oil, especially for cooking, this is a good deal. Publix has 16 oz. bottles of Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil on sale buy one, get one free this week. The Pompeian website has coupons for any size and any variety. I printed four coupons, but expect I could have printed more. The coupons are for $1, and a coupon can be used on the "buy one" product as well as the "free" product. I expect to pay about $4.99 for 32 oz. of olive oil.

Remember, Publix sales run Thursday to Wednesday. This deal will end at 9:00 Wednesday night.

I heard on the radio this morning that Mueller's has a coupon for $1 off three products on it's website. It's printable and likely yields two coupons. Although I prefer Barilla, we have used Mueller's on occasion, especially their Tri-color Rotini, which I love, but Barilla doesn't make.

Every Thursday morning, I sit down at my desk and spend five minutes or so searching for the week's great buys at Publix. Publix's weekly sales go from Thursday morning to Wednesday night. So, I learned to plan my weekly shopping trips accordingly. This week, I almost missed the message that said Morningstar Farms frozen vegetarian products were on sale for 50% off. I was excited and called my father as soon as he was off work to tell him to stop by Publix. (I also called my mother who is visiting my grandmother and she said she hoped my dad could find enough room in the freezer for all the products he planned to buy.)

Eat Like a Rabbit is home from a fabulous field trip to study food across the Atlantic. The experience was incredible, and I invite you to stay tuned to the entire story of the trip with specific reviews of restaurants. Unfortunately, we are suffering from jet lag and are trying to get back into the swing of things both at home and at work. ELAR prides itself on sharing pictures of food and other experiences and therefore will delay in posting stories about the trip until the photos and/or videos have been edited. Please forgive the delay.

A topic has come up on more than one occasion recently, and I think perhaps it warrants a blog post. These are simply my thoughts on the subject.

Firstly, I am a speedy shopper. I have my list and know at which grocery store I want to purchase which items. I have little time for true "shopping" and do most of my price comparing quickly in my head as I walk or before I even leave the house. For this reason, I have a hard time when Paul shops with me. I always find twice as many items in my grocery cart when he is tagging along. But, I have to smile because sometimes he must struggle with my frugality as a woman and as a cook. So, I allow him the release once in a while.

We had a fantastic and enjoyable Christmas Eve Dinner.

December 19, in a minor flood of holiday cooking articles, the New York Times writes an article about Martha Stewart's call on the popular cooking Reality-TV television show, Top Chef. She was present on the December 18 showing of the program. The big take-aways from the episode were that Ms. Stewart recommended simplicity ("but not too simple") and that the winning dish was vegetarian. The one-pot creation by Top Chef contestant, Ariane Duarte was made of cauliflower, potatoes, cream, and seasonings.

This just might be my favorite ice cream concoction ever. Too bad for Marble Slab. I'll be eating my ice cream at home during the right seasons. We sprinkled pomegranate seeds over Publix Premium Vanilla Ice Cream and spread a ribbon of peanut butter on top. Since we've discovered this recipe, I've had this dessert three nights out of four. Lucky I go to the gym occasionally. It's not so bad without the peanut butter either.

We once came across Haagen Daz's special Pomegranate Dark Chocolate Ice Cream. The color was not inviting and the flavor wasn't fresh, but the concept was good. When my in-laws were in town, I purchased a nice selection of pomegranates from Costco and watched as my husband and his father took it apart. I'm sure they will both remember to wear an apron, but not to wear a white shirt, in the future. Meanwhile, my mother shaved some fine European Dark Chocolates that my in-laws had brought as a gift. A regular cheese grater works well. The key is choosing exceptional chocolates. And dark chocolates in this case are highly recommended over milk chocolates.

This was a very simple dessert made at peak season for fresh peaches. I always try to make such things when the oven is always hot from another baking experience. My guests had no complaints about the peaches being unsweetened. The ice cream made up for it. If I had had more time, I think I would have liked to serve the dish with mint ice cream (the mint chocolate chip ice cream recipe without the chocolate chips).