Seven Simple Things

Yogurt

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:17:00 +0000

I have been thinking about making my own yogurt for some time now and I've been looking for a really easy recipe.

Don't get me wrong, I don't know that recipes get easier than yogurt, but many require thermometers and whatnot, and I wanted something with no equipment required.

I found a method in which one can make yogurt in a crockpot!

I found it at A Year of Crockpotting and you can see it below.

Ingredients/Supplies:

8 cups (half-gallon) of whole milk
1/2 cup store-bought natural, live/active culture plain yogurt
thick bath towel
crockpot

Directions:

Plug in your crockpot and turn to low.
Add an entire half gallon of milk.
Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 hours.
Unplug your crockpot.
Leave the cover on, and let it sit for 3 hours.
When 3 hours have passed, scoop out 2 cups of the warmish milk and put it in a bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of store-bought live/active culture yogurt. Then dump the bowl contents back into the crockpot. Stir to combine.
Put the lid back on your crockpot. Keep it unplugged, and wrap a heavy bath towel all the way around the crock for insulation.Go to bed, or let it sit for 8 hours.
In the morning, the yogurt will have thickened---it's not as thick as store-bought yogurt, but has the consistency of low-fat plain yogurt.
Blend in batches with your favorite fruit.

Your fresh yogurt will last 7-10 days.
Save 1/2 cup as a starter to make a new batch.

Cranberry Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:50:00 +0000

I made this dish tonight for dinner. I have to be honest; I didn't love it.

BUT, everyone else did, so I think it's a winner.

It's also super simple.

Cranberry Chicken

Ingredients:

6 boneless chicken breasts
12 oz can of cranberry sauce - I used one with whole cranberries
1 cup french dressing
1 packet of dry onion soup mix

Directions:

mix the cranberries, dressing and soup together.
pour over chicken in a glass baking dish
cover and let marinate for at least 8 hours
cook at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes
eat and enjoy

This recipe comes from our friends at allrecipes.com

Power

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:22:00 +0000

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. (Nelson Mandela)

Read a Book

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 01:05:00 +0000

If you find yourself spending hours on Facebook and in need of a break, why not carve out some time for an actual book.

I don't think I need to spend time telling why books are good (knowledge, experience, they're free from the library...), but I can tell you how to find a good one.

Try out GoodReads.com. You can track what you've read, see what your friends are reading and find recommendations for something great.

Check out my profile as a place to start. I only read fantastic and fascinating books.

Grow Richer

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:42:00 +0000

If you're not already reading a personal finance blog, you should be.

Knowledge is power, as they say, and I think we can all use some additional financial power these days.

Try reading Ramit Sethi's 'I Will Teach You to be Rich.'

Practical tools and good advice. What more could you ask for?

From Hebrews 12

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:19:00 +0000

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad from Allrecipes

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:10:00 +0000

Today's Cook Something is a two-for-one; a great website and an easy recipe.

If you haven't already checked out AllRecipes.com, you should do so immediately. As it sounds, it's a recipe site. I like to use it for inspiration when I make my weekly meal plan and I like the reviews so I know what I'm getting into!

Today's recipe is Tex-Mex Quinoa Salad posted by AllRecipe.com user SnuzzleMonkey.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, drained
1 (14 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
2 avocados, cubed
1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese*

DIRECTIONS
1. Bring quinoa, water, and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, stir together the lime juice, olive oil, pepper, diced tomatoes, and garbanzo beans.

2. When the quinoa is done, stir it into the tomato mixture, then cool in refrigerator until cold, about 2 hours .

3. When the quinoa is cold, fluff with a spoon, and gently fold in the cilantro, avocados, and cheese.

I recommend serving this with tortillas or even tortilla chips. Or eat it straight. Go crazy.

*Cotija cheese is a mexican cheese similar to feta. I used a mexican farmer's cheese, but you could use a goat cheese or even feta.

Just in Time for Easter

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:56:00 +0000

Click the button below to make your own Easter bunny!

Show 'em You Can Plan a Party

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:21:00 +0000

Why not try the critically acclaimed event-planning website MyPunchbowl.com.

MyPunchbowl serves up all of the key ingredients to effortlessly plan unforgettable celebrations. The site includes unique features for picking a date for the event, sending save the dates, finding supplies, communicating with guests, sending online invitations, and sharing photos and videos after the event has passed. All of the features work together to help hosts plan events that matter with ease and confidence.MyPunchbowl offers tools for every phase of party planning in an easy-to-use, innovative user interface. Key features include:

• "Date Decider" feature uses guest input to help you find the best
date for your event
• "Save the Date" functionality to inform your guests
early in the planning process
• Ability to create customized invitations to
send to family and friends
• Personal photo upload and photo search from
Yahoo Flickr®.
• Easy import of your email addresses from all major
sources
• Stress-free RSVP to ensure a more personal interaction between you
and your guests
• A party message board to network and socialize before and
after a party
• A party store locator to find a local party store near you
• Numerous "after party" features to reminisce and share party
memories

Simple Message

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:36:00 +0000

If Jesus preached the same message ministers preach today, He would have never been crucified. (Leonard Revenhill)

Spring Cleaning

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:14:00 +0000

It's that time of year again. I am so excited for Spring that even the thought of a good Spring Cleaning can't bring me down.

I found a list of ten great tips from QuickHousecleaning-Tips.com. I've listed the ten tips below. See the website for more details.

Make a housecleaning schedule
Survey each room in your home
Get help
Gather your cleaning supplies
Use natural cleaning products
Get clutter free
Get rid of distractions
Get some housecleaning music - Try Slacker Radio!
Make a housecleaning maintenance plan
Hire a housecleaning service (don't get excited, it's only recommended once per year)

The basic point here is that a little planning will make the whole endeavor a lot easier.

I like the tip about using natural cleaning products, so you can clean without killing yourself! Check back here soon for some tips on making your own natural cleaning products.

A Small Window Garden

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:50:00 +0000

Angie and I have a desire to be small-scale farmers. We want to grow most of our own food. Unfortunately, we live in an apartment with limited space, so we had to start small.

About 6 weeks ago, we planted our first herbs in a window box. We bought the entire kit (minus soil) from Marc's for less than $5. We added soil for around $2.

That's right, we got everything we needed for less than $7 and soon we'll not have to buy sage, dill, oregano, parsley, sweet basil or chives.

The sweet basil in our window herb garden

Well, we may have to buy oregano; I can't get it to grow!

With the exception of the oregano, it's been simple. I can't believe I haven't always grown my own herbs. The only requirement is a window and all of my previous apartments have had those!

We were so successful that today I planted more. I planted peppers, cilantro, italian parsley and tomatoes. I planted in cans with a layer of rocks below the soil to assist in draining. We had tons of leftover soil from before, so the only cost to me was the rocks and the seeds - less that $5!

Make your own:

Select the cans you want to use and clean them thoroughly. I used small tomato sauce cans, but you can use whatever you have.
Use a screwdriver and a hammer to punch 5 or so small holes in the bottom of the can. This will allow water to drain out and reduce your chances for mold to grow in the soil.
Use small rocks to form a layer of about 1/2 inch on the bottom of the can. I used aquarium gravel because it was easy to find and cheap.
Fill the can with soil and water.
Plant the seeds following the package instructions.
Place the cans in a container or on a plate. We made holes for drainage, so water WILL drain out!

Today's new plants

Psalm 1

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:48:00 +0000

Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Easy Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:10:00 +0000

For our first cook something, I had to choose this recipe for peanut butter cookies from the 13Months blog.

If there's an easier cookie recipe I don't know it.

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:
Mix the sugar and peanut butter together.
Add the egg and vanilla. Mix it together.
Make balls from the dough on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press them with a
fork
Cook at 350 for 15 minutes.

I have made these twice already. The second time I made them, I substituted 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed and 3 tablespoons of water for the egg.

To do this, mix the water and flax together and beat until egg-like. I was amazed at how easy it was and it made the cookies [seem] healthier.

10 Steps to a Simple Tulip Easter Basket

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:52:00 +0000

Martha Stewart and her lackeys are homemaking gods, as we all know. As I look around our apartment right now, there is nothing that even remotely looks like something Martha might have in her sights. I looked this evening for easter decorating ideas, and stopped short at her gilded easter eggs. I'm not up for gilding anything. But, then I saw this Tulip easter basket on their site and I am going bring a little Martha to our home later this week. Here's how you can do it, too:

1. Find basket. We went to a thrift store last weekend and know that there are more baskets there than we could ever use, most for less than a dollar. If you have kids, or have a normal, non-basket-adverse husband like I do, you might even have a suitable basket tucked away in your house. Don't spend all your time searching for the PERFECT basket though. Just start somewhere, and get a basket.
2. Line it with a towel.
3. Put an old handtowel or torn up tshirt in the bottom of your basket.
4. Get a tupperware bowl, bread tin or some other shallowish container that fits into your basket. It doesn't have to fit perfectly, it just needs be of the same general shape and slightly smaller size.
5. Get out your trusty duct tape and make a grid across your bowl, with the spaces of the grid about three - four inches apart. This is to help support the flowers. I think ripping the strips in halfs or quarters is a good idea so they won't be noticed.
6. Go to Kroger, your florist or ALDI and buy some KALE, and some flowers. We bought fresh tulips at Whole Foods last week for just $8, so I KNOW Kroger has to have them for $6 or less! The kale, maybe a dollar! If you want it to look more like the picture, get wheat grass.
7. Line the area UNDER the bowl or tin with the kale (or wheat grass).
8. Cut your tulips (or whatever flower you found and loved) about two inches from the flower, and drop them into the bowl or tin (by now, you've read my mind and can see where this is going, and you figured out that you should put some water in the bowl. Good job).
9. Keep dropping the flowers in until you have filled the grid.
10. Stand back and look at your beautiful, simple basket! If you want to use it as a centerpiece, take a hint from the picture and fill a few bowls and glasses with some pretty jelly beans or M&M's!

PS. I just realized that #2, and #3 are the same - line the basket with a towel. This Make Something is even simpler than I thought!

Caring

noreply@blogger.com (rdmeeker) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:51:00 +0000

It's simple to show people you care about them, so why not do it more often.

John Mark Ministries lists 52 ways to show people you care. A few are listed below, but you can get the complete list here.

30. Remember their birthdays.
31. Believe in them.
32. Meet their friends
and family.
33. Include them in conversations.
34. Laugh at their
jokes.
35. Do things together.
36. Respect them.

Pick someone and try.

Simplicity

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:51:00 +0000

Simplicity is the only thing that can sufficiently reorient our lives so that possessions can be genuinely enjoyed without destroying us. (Richard J. Foster)