Yesterday I said was going to post about routines and chicken as well as Yuban coffee.
ROUTINES and CHICKEN
How on earth can you have a routine about chicken?
I was talking to my husband about KISS night. No, not THAT kind of KISS. I was talking about dinner. You know - keep it silly simple (KISS) where I serve the same thing the same day every week. I don't have to think at all, I just have to get it done. Everyone was tired of hamburgers, green beans and sweet potatoes (except for me LOL.) My husband suggested chef salads. To make this easier I'm working on a routine.
- Every Monday put a frozen chicken into the crockpot on high. It takes anywhere from 1 1/2 hours to 3 hours depending on the size of the bird. Note: The chickens we buy from the Hutterites are frozen without any giblets and are in a plastic bag. Easy to get out when they are frozen. When I bought chickens from the grocery store I had to thaw the chickens out before I could use them or they would stick to the packaging.
- When the chicken is done let it sit on the counter for 30-40 minutes because it is HOT! Peel chicken off of the bones. This takes me 5 minutes.
- Put the chicken bones back in the crock pot, cover with water and cook on high until 8:00PM.
- Strain the bones from the broth and put the broth in the fridge. Let sit overnight. I remove the fat from the chicken broth (I know a lot of people like the fat in there and it's supposed to be good for you, but I don't like the fat in there at all).
Now we have chicken for chef salads and chicken broth for a meal later in the week. I'm still working on a routine for the rest of the chef salad, but I have to add baby steps to my routine or it doesn't become a habit, it becomes overwhelming.
My son doesn't like chef salad, but he likes chicken, hard boiled eggs and carrots (basically a chef salad without spinach.) Check out GroceryCartChallenge for more recipe ideas.
Coffee Habit/Routine
Last week when I was looking at the habits in my life I realized that stopping at the coffee shop to get a cup of coffee had become a habit.
Even though I was using my own "allowance/blow money" I didn't really want to spend my time or money this way. Up until the last few months, I have never been a person to go to a coffee shop to get a cup of coffee. I'd go to a coffee shop with someone, not for the coffee, but for the company.
We really like this brand of coffee:
However, I realized that I like this coffee when it's HOT.
HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!!!
I wasn't stopping to buy coffee because it was better, I was stopping because I wanted HOT HOT HOT coffee.
I've looked at making coffee different ways, but I don't want to buy anything special like an espresso machine. Any suggestions from coffee lovers out there? Cold brewing???
{Note: I don't buy coffee from Amazon anymore since they raised their price. I'm an affiliate for amazon so if you bought coffee from them I'd receive a small portion. I don't recommend buying this coffee from Amazon though. Sorry Amazon!}
Put it in a thermos, now why didn't I think of that?! Are you still buying Yuban dark roast or did you switch to Eight O'Clock. I still haven't found a favorite.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with the whole chicken thing. I know how to cut one up and how to do the "rubber chicken" meals but find we don't follow through by actually eating it all. We can't eat many grains (so chicken noodle soup is out) due to food allergies. I'm doing better with individually frozen chicken breasts. I know they cost more but at least we actually use what I cook.
ReplyDelete@Julie - Safeway raised their price on Eight O'Clock coffee so I started buying Yuban Dark Roast again.
ReplyDeleteI realized it was the Safeway French Roast that I didn't care for - not Yuban Dark Roast. Glad you could use the thermos tip :-)
@Mary - I agree! Rubber chicken works great if you plan on using grains. Have you ever used rice flour?
I've never tried doing a chicken from frozen - but I will now. I throw a chicken in the crockpot once every two weeks to make stock, and then shred the rest for chicken and vegetable soup or quick lunches. It's been such a great (and cheap!) habit!
ReplyDelete@Samantha - does your chicken come with a bunch of papers and such in the packaging? If so, I'm not sure if frozen will work for you.
ReplyDeleteI agree about a great habit...now if I can continue! I was hoping if I post about it that I'll do it LOL!!!
I make a "Poor Man's Latte" at home, it gives me the coffee shop taste without the price. You will have to experiment with proportions and timing.
ReplyDelete1. Heat 3/4 full mug of milk in the microwave- do not boil. (time is determined by microwave and amount of milk)
2. Pour almost boiling water over coffee grounds in a coffee filter, steep for a few seconds,and add to milk in cup. (I use the funnel from an old coffee maker, and a spoon to open the valve.) I use espresso, french roast or other dark and bold coffee, experiment with proportions according to the size cup, etc, the point is to make it concentrated like espresso.
3. I buy a variety of "coffee flavors" from Sam's club or Hershey's syrup to flavor the coffee.
Latte in less time than the drive-thru and much cheaper.
Oh my goodness - I think you are my hero. Will try this soon!
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