My BIG boy started soccer this week and he LOVES it
xoxo,
Ronita
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
I'm on a Collecting Frenzy.... Cast Iron Pots!!!
That's right. CAST IRON POTS!!! I knew there was something to my recent obsession with cast iron cookware. I stumbled across this article on another blog and had to share it with my lovely readers!!
Cast Iron Cookware
Article taken from E Rose's Blog
After being around for centuries, the cast iron skillet is still the best to use. Yes the teflon is light weight, but it is toxic and ends up wearing out to the point where you can’t use it because it is peeling. And did you know that if birds are exposed to teflon pans when they are heated, they can actually die from the unseen toxins that are released? So if this can happen to a bird, what does it do to us?
With cast iron, it …
…will last forever ~ Because cast iron is a solid piece of iron, it won’t peel over time and is indestructible!
…has its own non-stick surface ~ To “season” a cast iron skillet is to give it its own long-lasting non-stick surface! See below for the “recipe”.
…can be upcycled ~ If you stumble upon one at a garage sale or thrift store and it looks rusty and dirty, don’t let that fool you! It can be cleaned and you can continue to cook with it! Two out of my three cast iron cookware pieces were bought from thrift stores! See below for cleaning tips.
…is easy to clean ~ Once you get it seasoned, all you will need is hot water and a good scrub brush! Or sometimes nothing at all!
…heats and cooks evenly ~ Because of the way iron is the heat will be distributed easily throughout the pan so say “Good-Bye” to hot spots! (I can’t stand those hot spots when it comes to cooking pancakes…)
…is good for you ~ Because the pan is pure iron, when you cook food in it, it will steep a little iron into the food for you! This is especially good for expectant mothers and those with low iron levels.
…is totally eco-friendly ~ The cleaning procedure doesn’t require using any soaps or detergents so this is great for the environment! And like I said before, it can definitely be upcycled!
…multifunctional ~ Cast iron can be used on the bbq, in the oven, to the broiler, and even the camp fire! It won’t get any better than this!
Cleaning a cast iron piece the first time is the only time you will need to use soap! If you’ve purchased it new, then keep in mind there is a wax coating on it to protect it from rust before purchase or seasoning. But otherwise, if it is upcycled, then be sure to get all the dirt and rust off of it. I like using those metal bristled brushes on the cast iron, they always make them feel super clean!
If you’ve just finished cooking with your pan, you can clean it with hot water and a scrub brush, but I only do that if I’ve made a messy dish. But for my light cooking, like eggs, I just use my spatula and scrape out all the left over remnants, reheat the pan, and spread some light olive oil over the surface again. The seasonings that I used in the eggs will leave a good flavor when mixed with the oil and give your next dish a little more dimension. Don’t be afraid with this wonderful creation!
Seasoning cast iron is really easy and takes hardly any work. The writer of the attached post seasons her pans differently and keep in mind that it is personal preference. I don’t like Crisco because of how fattening it is and I’m more of an olive oil person.
Once the pan is cleaned I put it on the stove on a low heat and allow the pan to heat up a little before I spread olive oil sparingly over the whole cooking surface. Sometimes I get fancy and add a light spread of garlic oil or sesame seed oil!
So collect your own collection of cast iron skillets and share its benefits with your family and friends! Watch those closest to you wake up everyday with the conscious knowledge that you are caring for them in all ways, even those unseen.
Cast Iron Cookware
Article taken from E Rose's Blog
After being around for centuries, the cast iron skillet is still the best to use. Yes the teflon is light weight, but it is toxic and ends up wearing out to the point where you can’t use it because it is peeling. And did you know that if birds are exposed to teflon pans when they are heated, they can actually die from the unseen toxins that are released? So if this can happen to a bird, what does it do to us?
With cast iron, it …
…will last forever ~ Because cast iron is a solid piece of iron, it won’t peel over time and is indestructible!
…has its own non-stick surface ~ To “season” a cast iron skillet is to give it its own long-lasting non-stick surface! See below for the “recipe”.
…can be upcycled ~ If you stumble upon one at a garage sale or thrift store and it looks rusty and dirty, don’t let that fool you! It can be cleaned and you can continue to cook with it! Two out of my three cast iron cookware pieces were bought from thrift stores! See below for cleaning tips.
…is easy to clean ~ Once you get it seasoned, all you will need is hot water and a good scrub brush! Or sometimes nothing at all!
…heats and cooks evenly ~ Because of the way iron is the heat will be distributed easily throughout the pan so say “Good-Bye” to hot spots! (I can’t stand those hot spots when it comes to cooking pancakes…)
…is good for you ~ Because the pan is pure iron, when you cook food in it, it will steep a little iron into the food for you! This is especially good for expectant mothers and those with low iron levels.
…is totally eco-friendly ~ The cleaning procedure doesn’t require using any soaps or detergents so this is great for the environment! And like I said before, it can definitely be upcycled!
…multifunctional ~ Cast iron can be used on the bbq, in the oven, to the broiler, and even the camp fire! It won’t get any better than this!
Cleaning a cast iron piece the first time is the only time you will need to use soap! If you’ve purchased it new, then keep in mind there is a wax coating on it to protect it from rust before purchase or seasoning. But otherwise, if it is upcycled, then be sure to get all the dirt and rust off of it. I like using those metal bristled brushes on the cast iron, they always make them feel super clean!
If you’ve just finished cooking with your pan, you can clean it with hot water and a scrub brush, but I only do that if I’ve made a messy dish. But for my light cooking, like eggs, I just use my spatula and scrape out all the left over remnants, reheat the pan, and spread some light olive oil over the surface again. The seasonings that I used in the eggs will leave a good flavor when mixed with the oil and give your next dish a little more dimension. Don’t be afraid with this wonderful creation!
Seasoning cast iron is really easy and takes hardly any work. The writer of the attached post seasons her pans differently and keep in mind that it is personal preference. I don’t like Crisco because of how fattening it is and I’m more of an olive oil person.
Once the pan is cleaned I put it on the stove on a low heat and allow the pan to heat up a little before I spread olive oil sparingly over the whole cooking surface. Sometimes I get fancy and add a light spread of garlic oil or sesame seed oil!
So collect your own collection of cast iron skillets and share its benefits with your family and friends! Watch those closest to you wake up everyday with the conscious knowledge that you are caring for them in all ways, even those unseen.
I recently purchased a couple of really nice ones each less than $5.00 from yard sales around Cincy. A large, medium and small skillet and I have my eye on this dutch oven, that I may pick up soon. My mom scored an awesome muffin pan that I just LOVE!!!
Go out and collect some!!!
xoxo,
Ronita
Sunday, September 5, 2010
I HEART JAZZ: What I'm Playng Now...Satchmo...music to my ears...
Setting the scene. Both boys asleep (at the same time none the less).
All windows open...with a cool breeze blowing through. A glass of wine. Husband gone with his dad for the rest of the afternoon and alas I have my record player spinning that good old vinyl. And no MP3, IPOD...could ever replace the sound of music coming from vinyl....EVER
A little R&R...my way.
This one truly reminds me of New Orleans...
He said himself when asked to define jazz: “Man, if you have to ask what it is, you’ll never know.”
xoxo,
Ronita
Cool Weather Defense
As the weather begins to cool down my skin begins to get dry. Here is one of my cool weather treats to keep my skin hydrated and soft!!!
xoxo,
Ronita
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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