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Look at these cute bunny bodies. I am well on my way to finishing them for the girls. It is going to be a fun Easter. I am so happy that things are finally starting to warm up.
Speaking of cute little bunnies, take a look at this sweet little rabbit. We enjoyed some nice weather last weekend and took full advantage of it to play and work outside. I love sunny 60 degree weather. My sweet little bunny even took time out from playing to help her Mommy in the yard.
Look who chose SEWING as her first 4-H project.
Solana is in "Exploring-H" which is for 1st and 2nd graders. I am so excited for my girls and their future as 4-H members. I can't wait to get started on all of the projects. Solana is talking about joining the rifle club when she is of age. We shall see!
Easter is several weeks away, but I thought I would get a head start on the girls bunnies. I am using the "Big Footed Bunny " pattern from Wee Wonderfuls. I decided this year that I was going to make as many gifts from my fabric stash as I could. That includes things for the girls. I can tell they are going to be really cute already.
What are you making for Easter?
This week I lost another 1.4 pounds. I love how they add the .4. It is so much better don't you think? I am still plugging away. The weather is getting better and I am able to get outside and do some walking and running. can now run for 40 minutes without stopping. I will easily be ready to run a 5K race some time this spring or summer.
I really enjoy going to Weight Watchers. I like the program, the meetings and how it teachers you to make good food choices. One of my favorite things, is potatoes! I love them, but they get a bad rap. Here's some good information on potatoes that I found on the WW web site.
From blue to red to white to yellow, we’ve got the lowdown on potatoes. Here’s how to buy, store, cook and enjoy this healthy, delicious and versatile vegetable.
The United Nations made 2008 the International Year of the Potato, part of its millennial goals to address world hunger.
And no wonder. The fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free potato is incredibly nutritious. A medium-size potato (5.3 ounces, about the size of a computer mouse) has half your day’s vitamin C requirement.
If eaten with its skin, a potato has more potassium than a banana and is one of the best fiber options in the produce section.
Basic varieties
There are five basic types: yellow-fleshed, red-skinned, white, blue and Russet. They are categorized by color and by starch: less starch yields a firmer potato. Here’s the complete run-down:
Nutrition
Contrary to popular myth, most of the potato’s vitamins and minerals are not found in the skin. Instead, they cluster in a layer a little less than an inch under the skin. Therefore, removing the skin will not affect the spud’s nutrition. However, it will reduce its fiber and potassium content.
Best-ever mashed potatoes
Here’s a shock: the microwave actually makes the best mashed potatoes.
1. Wash (but do not dry) 4 or 5 medium Russet or yellow-fleshed potatoes. Do not prick or peel them. Place them in a large, microwave-safe bowl with a lid that has an open vent hole — or cover the microwave-safe bowl with plastic wrap and then poke a small hole in the wrap.
2. Microwave on high for 8 minutes (total) without disturbing.
3. Remove from microwave — be careful of hot steam — take off the lid or plastic wrap, and mash with an electric mixer at medium speed or a hand-held potato masher adding some skim milk, fat-free chicken or vegetable broth, a little butter or olive oil and/or some Dijon mustard and herbs.
| The Potato Rainbow |
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| Yellow-fleshed These dense, creamy potatoes, typified by the Yukon Gold variety, are moderately starchy, and so make excellent mashed potatoes and au gratins. They are flavorful, slightly sweet and perfect for steaming, boiling, stir-frying and pan-frying (as in hashed browns or hash). |
| Red-skinned Often called “new potatoes,” these spuds have a vibrant red skin—and some, a mottled red skin. They have a mild, earthy taste and are the least starchy of any variety, so they’re best roasted with olive oil and herbs. Because they hold up well, they’re also great in potato salads. |
| White potatoes Perhaps the most versatile potato, these are available in round little balls or long fingerlings (not named for fingers but for little German fish). They should not be confused with larger Russets; white potatoes, like Irish creamers, are always small with a creamy white or pale beige skin. Use them for salads, mashed potatoes, oven fries and any dish that requires boiled or steamed potatoes. |
| Blue potatoes Closely related to the original potatoes from South America, blues are actually available in a range of colors: blue, violet, purple or lavender. These fairly starchy potatoes have a nutty, earthy taste. They are good roasted or mixed into doughs (bread, muffin or even tamale). |
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Russets Top Storage TipsPotato perfection Potatoes must be stored in a cool, dark place — preferably the back of a pantry or a basement storage room. Exposure to any light, even lamp or fluorescent light, will compromise their freshness and produce green spots. Thus, some supermarkets put them under nets or tarps as the day progresses. Seeing green? Those green spots are actually a chlorophyll-like chemical called solanine. Its development is a natural process—but not good for humans. Too much of it will give you a stomach ache. Any green bits should be cut out before cooking. Avoid the cold Don’t store potatoes below 45ºF. When cooked, they can then turn black or gray. If you do store them in the refrigerator, let them come back to room temperature before cooking to avoid this color shift. Onions Are enemies Never store potatoes next to onions. The chemical exchange in the fumes will lead to eye sprouts, which are actually just root growth, part of the potato’s cycle underground. Cut the spouts out before cooking. Too many and the potato will turn quite mushy. |
For the past week, I have been working on a top for the Bushfire Quilt Project being led by Tia of Camp Follwer Bags. She asked everyone to consider making a couple of quilt blocks so the people of Victoria who lost so much in the fires would have something. Tia said...
"I want to help these wonderful people build new memories, I want to wrap them up in a big quilty embrace, and what better way (beside sending stacks of money, which I don't have) than to wrap them in a blanket of our love."
Tia decided to use the "Wonky Star" block. At first I was only going to make a few blocks to send, but they were so much fun and they went together so quickly, that I decided to make an entire top. Ella "helped" me quite a bit during the process. She sat on my lap while I was piecing the blocks putting her hands on top of mine to push the fabric through. Here she is helping me to decide the placement of the blocks.
She walked back and forth studying the placement of the blocks and moving them around like such a big girl. Everytime she didn't like where she placed one, she said "Hmmm...That's NOT cute!" I just laughed and laughed. Where did she come up with that? I love being at home with my girlie and watching her grow.
I can't begin to imagine how those who lost loved ones and their homes in the fire feel, but I hope that this quilt will bring them a little comfort. We'll be keeping our Australian brothers and sisters in our thoughts and prayers.
Hello everyone! I know I am late with my weigh in news from last week, but I have been a little busy with making blocks for the "Bushfire Project" and I was enjoying a couple of days of warm weather with my girlies. I'm glad I did because we are bak to cool weather and rain today.
Last week I lost one additional pound! I am quite proud of myself. I am going to take every single pound as a victory. In the past, once I have lost 20+ pounds, I begin to become bored with the process. My clothing fits a bit better and I begin to think that I should just be happy with the way that I am and I get lazy and gain the weight back. I won't let myself do that this time though. I need to be healthy!!
This time, I am taking my weight loss a little at a time and this past week have been taking time to reevaluate what am doing and taking a look to see if it is working. I added one day of a step class at the local YMCA and I am taking Caliente dancing classes and Hip-Hop Abs as well. The classes are a lot of fun and the instructors and other students are great! I must say though that it is quite embarrassing to be so out of shape that you can't keep up in step class with one of your former classmates Mom. But, I really like seeing her there and she keeps me inspired. Oh well, I am there to burn fat at all costs after all right? I've also been making sure I drink more water. It is so easy to drink a lot during exercising and then to get home and get busy and forget to drink your water. I have decided that all I need to do is keep my water in a separate container in the frig and then make sure I drink all that it contains by the end of the day. Smart huh?
Soon, I will be able to work outside in the yard. Receiving these catalogs is really making me long for spring!
I think I have seen enough snow and frost this year!
Pretty though isn't it?!
