Ok, so summer has officially started, and while peaches aren't my favorite fruit, I've got a craving for them lately. I actually have a healthy craving for all sorts of summer fruits. I've got frozen peaches and berries for smoothies, canned peaches for a quick desert, and I recently had a summer fruit salad. mmmm.......
So, while pineapple upside down cake is my new current favorite dessert, I decided to apply an upgrade to the favorite and I've come up with Peach Upside Down Cake instead.
Before I share the recipe, I must admit, that while I'm trying hard to rid my cabinets of processed foods, when the Commissary has box cakes on sale for about 80 cents, and I have a coupon, I can't resist. So, I picked up a French Vanilla Flavor, and stored it in the pantry for a few weeks before I decided what to do with it. With a jar of Dole canned peaches (in the plastic jar), butter, brown sugar, and about cinnamon, I created a nice dessert. You could, and I recommend, use fresh peaches, and any homemade recipe of vanilla cake, but this was quick and easy to put together in about 5 minutes. So, here's how:
Preheat Oven to 350.
Ingredients:
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of brown sugar
4 Tbs of cinnamon
1 jar Dole peaches (drained)
1 Vanilla Cake Mix
3 eggs
1 1/3 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
In a 12" cast iron skillet, melt butter. Add brown sugar and 2 Tbs cinnamon. Stir over medium heat until well blended. Remove from heat, set aside. On drained peaches, toss with 1 Tbs cinnamon. Arrange in skillet. In bowl, combine cake mix, remaining cinnamon, eggs, water and oil. Pour into pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
This can be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, or cooled with whip cream. (My mixer finally died in the process, so we will just enjoy it plain.)
Enjoy this dessert and may it become one of your summertime favorites!
So, after searching the Google, Pinterest and AllRecipes.com high and low, I could not find an pumpkin pancake recipe that would either use all of my remaining pumpkin from last fall, or be compatible with ingredients that I have on hand, so I decided to make up my own. And, for the first time, I came up with a quick bread recipe all on my own. Now, for everyone that knows me, my homemade from scratch dishes normally include sauces, soups, and skillet dishes. But, this one time only, I created my very own pancake....and not only a regular pancake, but pumpkin pancakes at that. So, let's get started, shall we?
Here's what you'll need:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salta
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pumpkin puree (I used fresh.)
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cup milk (I used skim.)
In large bowl, combine all dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine all wet ingredients, then combine with dry ingredients. Cook on a non-stick griddle, pre-heated to a medium heat. Serve if you like, with a pat of butter, and syrup of your choice. I prefer butter pecan syrup, but I didn't have any, so I used maple syrup, and it was just as yummy!
Now, keep in mind, this is perfect for a family of 6 or larger, since I got more than 18 3-4" pancakes, so if your family is small, I suggest freezing leftovers as individual serving sizes (with wax paper in-between pancakes) so that you can microwave them later for a quick breakfast, or cooking them whenever you have guests.
I wish I had pictures to share with ya'll, but they were gone so fast, there was no time to stop and take a picture.
So, feel free to save this recipe, modify it as your own, and share it with your friends and family. And as always, continue to Live Well!
So, here at Living Well, we scored free tickets to see Bon Jovi in Munich. It was by far, the best concert that I've ever been too!
So, what's my advice to you: Take advantage of free concerts provided by the Army. You may or may not like the artist, but there is nothing like live music! And who knows, you may even hear a song or two that you'll like.
Every concert that I've been to I've gone to for free. I've either been a guest, scored free tickets, or it was a USO tour (Toby Keith).
Now, if you haven't been as lucky as me, there are many places that you can score tickets for a fairly cheap price. If we would have purchased the tickets, it would have been 67.50 Euro per seat, which isn't too bad. You can check your USO or SATO or if you are in the states TicketMaster. And if you are lucky, you can always try to win tickets from your radio station.
The idea is, shop around for that performer that you really, really want to see, and then shop around for tickets. Most performers list their tour dates and cities online, and you can plan in advance on who you want to see, and where you want to go to see them. Unless you really want to pay for center stage, you get the same experience a few rows back, and sometimes an even better experience simply because you can see the entire stage.
Once you have your tickets, plan your trip wisely. Plan on the closest parking areas to be full within 2 hours or so before the show is due to start. We arrived in Munich a little more than an hour before show time, drove around an hour before we eventually found parking. Lucky us, the cover band didn't start until an hour later, and Bon Jovi came on an hour after that, so we still had two hours to spare.
Go to the bathroom as soon as you get there. Believe me, when I say this, but the line to the women's restroom must have been a mile long. To be prepared, bring along a to-go Charmin, and hand sanitizer. Both these things I wish I had with me.
If the venue allows, bring your own drinks and snacks. I've found out that I could have brought snacks with me. Also, bring a camera. You'll want to remember this, especially if it's a dream concert. And if budget allows, bring money for souvenirs. My budget did not allow; however, I did do my own research the morning after, and I can purchase a 5 x 7 photograph taken by the band's personal photographer for only $10.
The main thing to remember is: go and have fun. Going to a concert is a fun experience. You are there to have fun. So, go, pick a performer that you want to see, save money, plan well in advance, and have a great time! I know I did!
Have you ever gotten a taco salad from Taco Bell and thought: "There has to be healthier option." Many people who are trying to eat healthier often times find themselves in a fast food restaurant thinking, "Hey, if I get myself a salad, it'll be a healthier option, right?" WRONG. In most cases, the salads are not a healthier option. In fact, a Taco Bell Taco Salad is over 700 calories! And you are thinking, "What?" Yep. Well my friends, I have a recipe that will make a yummy taco salad for under 500 calories per serving, and it's easy on the wallet too!
And, if I had my memory stick for my camera (which suddenly disappeared one day), I would add a pic, but I'm just gonna share the recipe here. So, grab your cast iron skillet, your spouse, and get in the kitchen.
Here's what you'll need:
1 lb 93% ground sirloin
4 slices bacon
romaine lettuce (either 1 head, or 1 package romaine hearts)
roma tomatoes
1 english cucumber
1 can summer crisp corn, rinsed
1 can bush's black beens, rinsed
1/2 block monterey jack cheese, shredded
1 med red onion
3 garlic cloves
Santitas Chips (5-6 per serving)
Seasonings:
Taco Seasoning, or the following:
cumin
cilantro
oregano
chili powder
smoked paprika
salt and pepper
(all seasonings are to taste)
red pepper flakes (optional)
Hot Sauce (optional)
Ranch Dressing (I used Wishbone brand, but you can use whatever brand you like.)
Salsa (Optional)
Ok, so before you do anything, you want to heat your cast iron skillet before adding any ingredients. While heating pan, also heat the pan that you are gonna cook the bacon in. You'll want to cook the bacon extra crispy, so that when it cools, you can crumble it easily. So, cook and crumble bacon and set aside.
So, to make this go a lot quicker, grab your spouse and have him/her put together the vegetable salad. You'll need the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, beans & corn. The chunkier the vegetables, the better.
Now, while the vegetable salad is getting prepped, you are gonna brown your onion, garlic and meat. You can then add your taco seasoning and cook as per directions, or use a combination of the remaining spices to create a unique taco taste of your own.
Once meat is brown, and vegetable salad is put together, you are gonna layer the salad as follows:
5-6 Chips
Meat Mixture
A heaping serving of salad greens
A drizzle of ranch dressing
a small handful of cheese
a very small handful of bacon crumbles
That's it! I opted for the Ranch dressing instead of sour cream and salsa to cut on calories. Trust me, you have plenty of taste without it, and I really didn't miss it at all. With everything added, you have a very tasty Taco Salad for under 500 calories. It was 476 calories to be exact, and that is WAY better than over 700 calories from Taco Bell. This recipe serves 6-8 people depending if you are serving a household of kids like I do, or a mixture of kids and adults.
So, the next time you are at Taco Bell, and you are trying to watch what you eat, then opt for the chicken soft tacos. No more than two. If you eat more than that, then you might as well get the Taco Salad.
Do your body, and your wallet a favor, and cook something you love at home. You'll be surprise how many calories you cut, and how fat your wallet gets to be. Not to mention, it's fun cooking with your spouse. You are spending quality time with your significant other, and creating a masterpiece that you'll both love to eat.
Next week at LW: Finishing the series of What Every Kitchen Should Have. I apologize for not completing it earlier, but I'm back in full swing, and should be back here every week.
Good Evening Followers. It's been awhile, but I've been really busy. I'm back now, and that's all that matters.
So, summer is among us, which also means PCS season. For all of you civilians out there, PCS is military for Permanent Change of Station. More PCS moves happen during the summer, basically because school is out, and because it's already vacation season. Whether you are moving inter-state (Benning-Stewart), across country (Lewis-Bragg) or trans-Atlantic (Riley to Korea), it's a very stressful time, and can be very costly. There are some costs that you will have to undoubtedly pay on your own, while other costs will be reimbursed. The first thing you need to understand is what's the difference, and how you can make the most of your money, your move, and your time.
Ok, so let's start with what the military will pay for. They will pay for your direct transportation from post A to post B. For example, if you are PCS'ing from Ft. Drum to Ft. Lewis (either with or without dependents) the military will pay either for mileage or the plane ticket from Drum to Lewis, whichever is cheaper. For instance, mileage is about .55 cents a mile. If it is cheaper to fly you and your family from Drum to Lewis, then that is what you are going to get reimbursed, even if you opt to drive your own car.
They government will pay you a number of allowances.
DLA is Dislocation Allowance, and this is a flat allowance paid while your family has moved out of housing and are living in a hotel at your departing station.
TLA is Temporary Lodging Allowance, which is reimbursed at your incoming station for hotel expenses.
If you receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) or OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance), this will end on the day that you sign out of your old installation, and will start again upon arrival to your new duty station.
Per Diem is paid to cover the costs accrued during the travel time. For example, if it takes you 2 days to get from your last duty station to your new duty station, you will receive Per Diem for each actual day you are in travel status. If you are married, then you will get a lower amount for your spouse and/or children.
That pretty much sums up the pay, and if you still have questions, you should contact your installation finance office. Now, let's talk about leave.
If you are moving within the continental United States, you are authorized 10 days of PCS leave. This allows you time to travel from your old installation to your new. If you plan on traveling to see your family during this time, you must plan your time wisely, and this is done at your own expense.
If you are moving from the continental United States to Europe, Korea, Hawaii or Alaska, you are authorized to take up to 30 days of leave. This allows you extra time to plan and prepare for your move, and if you are moving with your family and/or pets, you'll need the extra time to plan and prepare for your move.
And, that takes care of leave. You may be wondering: How do I get my furniture moved? Well, the military will come and pack it up and move it for you. However, if you are staying within the continental U.S. you have the option of moving yourself, with the Army reimbursing you for the cost of what they would pay a contractor. If you choose this option, you should know that if an item gets broken, it is up to you to replace it. If the military contractors break your prized 50" TV, then they are obligated to pay to replace it. If you are moving overseas, then you have no choice but to let the movers move you.
Now, if you are moving overseas, you are authorized to ship one car at government expense, IF you are not going to Korea or Kuwait. If you are moving stateside, and you have more than one car, then you can ship one, and drive the other if you like, but that is at your expense. If you have a motorcycle, then you can ship that in your household goods (except Kuwait and Korea.) Before you decide to ship a vehicle, make sure you understand the laws and driving habits of the country you are moving too. If you are moving to Europe, you should start studying for your license as soon as you know you are going. The driver's test for Germany is 150 questions. Be aware though, your USAREUR driver's license does not allow you to drive in countries other than the country you are stationed (i.e. Germany, Italy, Belgium).
There is a lot to planning your PCS move, and it will be a lot less stressful if you prepare and plan. Research as much as possible your new duty station and the surrounding communities before your move. Know beforehand what you can expect to pay for rent, utilities, and other expenses. Additionally, research the laws, schools, shopping, and everything else you can think of before you move. The more your know, the better off you'll be. The best resource: people who have been where you are going. More than likely, they will have the best advice to give you. They've been where you are going, and have experiences to share.
I hope this blog helps all you PCS'ers out there. If you have any questions, or want to share your own experiences, feel free to do so.
And as always, continue to Live Well.
So, I just don't want this to be another just about cooking blog, but also ways of Living Well. Here at LW, we've taken plenty of nice vacations, even on my income. I've never had a vacation as a kid, but I try my best to take my kids to nice vacations at least for a few days a year. And here's how:
Save Money: Yes, it is important to save money. For our very first family vacation to Walt Disney World, I saved money. I knew what I wanted, how much it was going to cost (minus food) and saved as much as I could before hand for food and toys. For $1500 (yes, our family was much smaller back then, who would have guessed), I stayed at a WDW Value Resort, and have 7 day park hopper passes for 3 of us! We were able to eat for $500 more, even though my husband paid for it later because he ate a lot of hotdogs. Because we were at the resort, we didn't have to pay for parking, or gas to get to the parks, and it was the very first year that WDW introduced the Fast Pass. Also, by being resort guests, 3 days a week, there were Disney Character meet and greet breakfasts that we were able to attend. A full 7 day vacation for about $2000! Of course, that was 11+ years ago.
Travel During the Off Season: Early Spring or late Fall are awesome times to travel, although not always a good time to travel because of school, but great for hotel rates. However, there are those 3 day weekends that your kids get from school that you can use to travel on. Mini-vacays are just as fun, and so much more affordable for school aged kids.
Research Vacation Homes: This is the best yet! Since I have been stationed in Germany, I've had the luxury of renting vacation apartments in both Paris and Berlin! And, it was awesome. We'd normally eat lunch out, and I'd cook a small breakfast and/or dinner if we weren't dining out. It is absolutely the best way to vacation in the most wanted vacation spots for such a large family. We did get a week in Paris for $1200 overlooking the city!
Use your Tax Refund: Yes, every year Uncle Sam pays us back some of the money that we over pay in Taxes. We've used it to pay our credit cards, and a few times, pay for our vacation. With any money left over, you can invest, or start a savings account just for vacations.
Plan, Plan, and Plan some more: I can't stress this enough. A dream vacation just doesn't happen, you have to plan it! The best way to give your family the vacation of their dreams is to plan, way in advance. Sometimes, you'll snag deals. By planning in advance, you can create a dream itinerary that'll suit everyone in the family. Also, by early planning, you'll know which days has the best prices for the attractions that you want to visit. You'll also need to know when the attractions are closed. For instance, the Louvre Museum (in Paris) is closed on Tuesdays, but most Museums in Paris allows visitors under 18 in free. Some restaurants (like Applebees) give a military discount only on certain days. And some restaurants are booked months in advance. My husband has done a great job at planning our vacations for my R&R leave to Cocoa Beach, FL and Berlin. But, he's done it months in advance.
Beware of Discount Ticket Vendors! Many discount ticket sites sell tickets that can't be used by any other person that who purchased them. For example, WDW uses a thumbprint machine to verify that the person who is using the ticket is the same person who purchased it...so if you go to a street vendor, you may get a discount ticket, but it will be invalid. However, you can always find deals online, special group rates, and military discounts. Also, for WDW, Sea World, and many other theme parks; military members, retirees and their families get a free day at the park, or very discounted tickets. For non-military, look around for discounts, but be careful where you purchase the tickets.
I'm including some links to vacation rentals so that you can plan your Dream Vacation for your family this summer, all on a Military Budget.
Orlando Vacation Homes (w/pets)
Berlin Vacation Homes
Paris Vacation Homes
Vacation Homes in San Francisco
Asheville, NC Vacation Homes
New York Vacation Homes
These are just a few. Have fun planning your dream vacation for your family!
Many people do not know the history of Saint Patrick, the story behind this great man, but to make a long story short, Saint Patrick is credited for spreading Christianity throughout Ireland. When he was 16, he was captured and was forced to live as a Pagan and as a slave. He escaped, returned to his family, became a Christian, and later returned to Ireland to preach Christianity. Historians believe that he died on March 17th.
Saint Patrick used the shamrock as a way to teach the Trinity. People believed that the green shamrock stood for rebirth and eternal life. So, while we are wearing green, and wishing each other to have the luck of the Irish, we are really celebrating how Christianity spread through Ireland....not much to do with luck.
In honor, I made a cake, in the colors of the Irish flag: orange, green & white. Here's how I did it.
(Yeah, I cheated a bit, but time was short.)
Instructions:
White box cake - mixed using egg whites instead of whole eggs. Add 1 tsp of mint extract to the cake, and divide in half. Color 1/2 the cake mix orange, and 1/2 green.
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| Layered cake batter. |
Using a tablespoon, (or 1/2 measuring cup) spoon each color on top of each other in the cake pan. The spoonfuls of batter will spread out, covering the bottom of the pan.
Tip: Do not rush the layering. Allow the cake time to spread to cover the pan, or you'll have once nice layer, and a very thin layer like I did. It was my first time using this method, and, why not. It was a perfect day to try the bi-color cake.
Bake cake according to instructions.
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Finished cake.
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While the cake is cooling, mix up a butter cream icing but use a teaspoon of mint extract instead of vanilla. You may want to try 1/2 teaspoon, and then add the flavor to your taste. I didn't follow a recipe, and added too much milk, and created a glaze instead of an icing, but it was good anyway.
Layer, and ice the cake as normal. When you cut into the cake, you get a really neat visual effect.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day Everyone! Erin Go Brach!
