Self Help | Dinner With Joy

May 10

Happy Mothers’ Day

Boy! This holiday would have snuck up on me, had it not been for my neighbor’s kids, Mark 12, and Mia 14, who asked my help. Traditionally, their Mother never worked in the kitchen on this day. They made breakfast with their Father, went to the Garden Center, got the outside of the house ready for summer and opened the grilling season with a cook out. This year, their Father is deployed with the Air Force and they want to try to keep things normal, which includes making a “really special” breakfast and dinner for their Mother. Of course I would help them, but it wouldn’t be easy with their limited resources ($20.00) ages and lack of kitchen experience. Their condition to me was that they had to pay for the food and make the meals, and no chicken or hamburger. Mine to them was that I had to do the shopping, not a cousin who had offered. My condition to myself was to keep them safe. Read more

Apr 26

Super Market Amenities

The Courtesy Counter isn’t the only place in a supermarket to offer amenities. In fact, every department in the store is there to help you, just for the asking, if you want to use it, and you should. It’s for you. Getting to know “vendors”, in this case the supermarket personnel should not be limited to farm markets and neighborhood grocery stores. In my book, Dinners With Joy, and in The Plan section of this blog, I suggest focusing on one supermarket, not just for economic reasons, but for the opportunity to get to know people in the different departments. Their advice can be invaluable, and if they get to know your preferences, they will let you phone in an order and have it ready for a later pick-up. A big time saver for the busy person. Read more

Apr 12

Let’s Get Seasonal

Probably the greatest amount of food knowledge we absorb growing up is when regionally or locally grown products become available, and when to anticipate produce from other places. I really believe that recognition of these seasonal changes is part of our survival instincts. We seem born with the understanding that there is a time of re-growth, a time to enjoy the bounty and a time to store provisions for a difficult season to come. Now, thanks to modern technology, preservation and transportation methods, the time lines have blurred. Foods from all over the world are readily available. Moreover, many produce items have been introduced in climates similar to their indigenous ones, making them obtainable throughout the year. Read more

Apr 5

Easter Favorites Recipes for Hams – Glaze – Sauce – Hash and Soup

It seems just last week I was talking about putting aside a ham for Easter, and here we are! Time to start getting it ready to star at the holiday dinner, and to consider the supporting cast. Don’t forget, for those on restrictive diets, Smoked Turkey can be substituted for the ham in any of these recipes. Read more

Mar 28

Tips to Stay Within Your Grocery Budget – Diet for the Food Dollar

As I mentioned last post, many people who freely state they can’t cook, are confusing ineptitude with lack of experience, interest and/or desire. On the other hand, most people, who are confident they can handle the marketing, are confusing grocery shopping with buying food. Shopping for a family’s weekly groceries is Provisioning on a domestic scale. Read more

Mar 22

Some Tips and Tricks for Those Who Say They Can’t Cook

The other day, a friend told me; “It’s easy for you. You can cook. I can’t.” What she really said was; “You cook a lot and want to, I don’t.” Because anyone can cook. I firmly believe ten minutes after Man learned to make fire to keep warm, he was holding something over it on a stick, hoping he never had to eat another cold dinner. Read more

Mar 8

Shoppers Beware of Experts on Food Cooking and Food Shopping TV Shows

Surprise! I like to watch food shows. I always have. Julia Child is part of my earliest T.V. memories. At the time, I couldn’t begin to comprehend the tremendous amount of effort and dedication that went into her translations, not only of the ingredients, measurements, and directions, but also of the spirit of the recipes themselves. Read more

Mar 1

Tips and Information on Buying Meats at the Grocery Store

I want to thank you all for your comments. I really appreciate the feedback and am happy if I can help save on food bills and keep meals interesting. Read more

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