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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Eat and Live Healthy

Do you like to eat and hate to diet? Try today's Hot Casserole Squash recipe. 

5 to 6 medium yellow squash
1 medium onion, chopped
8 ounces sour cream
1/4-1/2 can RO*TEL Tomatoes and Green Chilies, chopped
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 stick melted margarine
1 5-ounce package cornbread stuffing

Boil squash until tender, drain and mash. Mix margarine and stuffing mix and reserve 3/4 for topping. Mix all ingredients and place in glass baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cornbread mix on top. Bake at 350 degrees or until golden brown.
Recipe from Ron Remkus, Arlington, Texas, Snake, Rattle & RO*TEL cookbook by Crazy Sam Higgins

From one who has to "watch" her weight for a lifetime, I've come to the conclusion that diets don't help. Eating healthy helps. Exercise helps. The key is moderation. Eat what you like, but also include the right healthy foods to give you balanced nutrition. For example, I love bread and sweets. According to Naturopathyworks, certain types of food assist with curbing or limiting cravings. Maybe you're not a sweet eater but would rather have salty foods. Eat more fish or unrefined sea salt. Or drink raw goat milk. Raw goat milk may be pushing it a bit too far for you. Have you ever tried raw milk? Two summers while my husband and daughter and I were full-time RV'ing, we stayed on a Wisconsin farm and were treated to refrigerated raw cow's milk. It was the best milk we have ever tasted. Drinking store-bought milk after that was terribly disappointing. You may find that refrigerated raw goat milk to be quite satisfying. You'll never know unless you try it.


Eat naturally, and stay away from diets. I heard a man say yesterday that he lost a lot of weight when he stopped drinking sodas. Once a lady told me she never has a weight problem anymore because she does not eat any processed foods because they contain sodium. She said staying away from sodium is the key to controlling your weight. You should certainly notice a difference by refraining from sodas, regular or diet, and eating foods from the produce section of your grocery store. I say don't diet; eat naturally, and get healthy. That doesn't mean you can't ever eat sweets or salty food. In my opinion if you go on a diet then back to the old way of eating, all you did was starve yourself  temporarily.

All of us deal with cravings. There are days we feel fat, overweight, fluffy, or whichever term you like to call it. Sometimes when I'm feeling this way, I make a joke about it and laugh. Recently, I asked a friend if he and his wife are still going to Weight Watcher's. He replied that they do occasionally attend the maintenance meetings. I asked him, "Have you ever heard of Fit for Life?" I added, "Well, I think I'm going to start a fat-for-life program." We both laughed. After all, my dad told me once, "Honey, you'll have to watch your weight all of your life." It helps to be able to laugh at yourself in areas of struggle like this. You'll get through it, overcome it, and have better days if you'll keep on working at it. In the meantime, laugh at yourself. Make others laugh. Laughter is a good medicine. It's better than being in the mullygrubs, becoming depressed, and depressing everyone around you. After the conversation with my Weight Watcher's friend, I kept thinking about the Fat for Life program and actually started a website called fatfunforlife.com. It's a place for anyone to read who feels fat, though they may not be at all, or has been fat in the past, or may be fat. The purpose is to be able to laugh in spite of your struggle. There are no diets on the website, only good old-fashioned southern recipes, funny things, and more to come like healthy things to do to overcome the "fat" struggles. So laugh. That's also good for your health.

There are individuals who become addicted to food. I know a man who is and who must way over 500 pounds. He's been in the hospital for weeks due to his eating addiction that caused infection. A person with an addiction will lie to get their fix, even a person with a food addiction. If you are in this dilemma or know someone who is, get help or get help for that someone. See a physician and a nutritionist. This blog is written according to opinion and experience. Always seek your physician for food and diet advice.

Eat good food, live healthy, and laugh. 

I'm joining Comment Love Day.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Famous Ro*Tel Cheese Dip

The famous Ro*Tel Cheese Dip (recipe below) was made famous by the Knapp-Sherrill, Manufacturers of Ro*Tel Tomatoes and Green Chilies.

1 10-ounce can Ro*Tel Tomatoes and Green Chilies
1 pound pasturized American cheese

To 1 can Ro*Tel Tamatoes and Green Chilies, add 1 pound pasteurized cheese which has been melted in double boiler. Mix together. Serve warm as dip with corn chips, tortilla chips or crackers.
Other ingredients you may add:
  • Breakfast sausage
  • Smoked or Italian sausage
  • Chili
  • Evaporated or regular milk
  • Picante sauce
  • and so many more
This recipe was taken from Snake, Rattle & Ro*Tel cookbook by Crazy Sam Higgins. My dad's friend, Francis Knapp, WWII & OSS veteran, gave my mom this cookbook, and it is now in my cookbook collection. To learn more about Francis Knapp's WWII & OSS and his Ro*Tel history, pre-order my book, Phantom Seven here.

Enter my Paula Deen giveaway. Only two days left to enter giveaway. Enter giveaway here.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Ro*Tel History

Ro*Tel Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies is my favorite Ro*Tel item. I use it often and love the flavor it gives my recipes. Last Sunday I reached up on the shelf to grab a couple of cans when I noticed a large can of Ro*Tel. It must be a new thing because this was my first time to see the large can. It has more ounces than two of the smaller cans put together, so I chose the larger can.


 What I also love about Ro*Tel is its history. Ro*Tel originally was owned by a Texas family then was made famous by the Knapp family. Francis Knapp is my dad's friend from WWII and the OSS (forerunner to the CIA). To learn more about the Ro*Tel story and to read the personal WWII & OSS histories of Francis Knapp, my dad, Benny McCoy, you can now pre-order my book, Phantom Seven, at my website. To pre-order, go here.

You're also invited to join my Paula Deen cookbook giveaway. 
I'm joining Thrifty Thursday.



Friday, February 18, 2011

Cookbook Giveaway

Kitchen Hospitality has a new pink look. 
A fun food photo with a pink background. I'm celebrating my pink blog with a Paula Deen cookbook giveaway.

Once a month on Saturday mornings from 10:00 until noon I meet with my writer's group at a room at the library. Last Saturday the library was having a book sale. You would think that the cookbook section displayed a huge sign with my name on it. I love cookbooks. It just so happens that there were several very nice, like new, cookbooks on a special marked-down rack that day. One was "PAULA DEEN CELEBRATES!". 

Don't you just love Paula Deen? Her beaming smile could make anyone want to buy all of her cookbooks. My cousin went to Paula Deen's restaurant for a graduation celebration for her daughter. She had reserved a table. Otherwise, there would have been a two-hour wait. Well, you won't have to wait in line to try a special dish by Paula Deen. You can win this cookbook and make the recipe in your own kitchen!
FRONT COVER

BACK COVER
Some of my favorite recipes in this cookbook are:
  • Jambalaya
  • Corn Chowder
  • Shrimp & Lobster Bisque
  • Double Chocolate-Cream Pie
  • Elvis Peanut Butter Gooey Butter Cakes
How to enter giveaway. To enter this Paula Deen cookbook giveaway:
1.  Become a follower of Kitchen Hospitality blog (If you already follow my blog, that will count as your first entry.)
2.  Comment to let me know you're a new follower or are already following my blog.
3. Tell your funniest cooking story in a separate comment.

The winner will be chosen on March 1, 2011.

I love cooking and funny cooking stories that I've heard through the years. My funniest cooking story happened when I was newly married 32 years ago. My husband brought a friend home for dinner on their lunch break (they were working the evening shift). I had baked chicken. I set the chicken on the table and had gone out of the room when I overheard Mr. Fun ask our friend, "Shall we pray a second time over the food?" I came back in to find out that the chicken looked done, but the inside was still VERY pink. I put it back into the oven and nearly burned it!

A note on the funny stories: Mr. Fun does Improv with a group. In case you wondered, Mr. Fun and I have been married 32 years. One of the things that attracted me to him, of course, was that he was funny. So if you would be so generous, I would love to post your funny stories on this blog and/or in future publications with your permission. One thing I've learned about forever families is that laughter is a great medicine. To laugh at oneself makes others feel at ease around you and makes them laugh as well.

Thank you for your interest in my cookbook giveaway!

AND TO CELEBRATE MY NEW PINK HEADING BACKGROUND FOR MY BLOG, I'M JOINING PINK SATURDAY!
I'm joining Monday Mingle
I'm joining Giveaways Tuesday
I'm joining Friday's Favorites.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Red Robin for Valentine's Day



Last evening my fun other half and I treated ourselves to a Red Robin's Raspberry Limeade, Raspberry Tea, and chips and cheese dip. Nice evening treat for the light side. Free refills on all that we ordered, too. The cheese was quite filling, however, after eating our rather hefty breakfast of Western Scrambled Egg Omelets.

When you visit Red Robin next time, ask for the Red Royalty Bottomless Rewards card. Register your card and receive a FREE appetizer. It's a deal whether you go just for the appetizer and a drink or appetizer and a meal.

Oh, and Red Robin didn't ask me to put in a good word for them. It does make a difference, though, when a restaurant that you patronize dishes out nice treatment to the patrons!

           HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

 I'm joining Meatless Mondays.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Valentine's Day Eve Breakfast

Sunday. A day of rest. Another day to praise the One who gives life. A day to join others in church.

Sunday. A day to spend with my other half. A day to enjoy together.

Sunday. Valentine's Day Eve. A day to create fun since tomorrow is back to the grind.

Sunday morning. Breakfast.

This Sunday I slept in. As I awoke thoughts rushed in. Ah, Sunday morning. I collected my Sunday morning thoughts and cheerily went about making a Valentine's Day Eve breakfast for my husband. So fun. We love breakfast. Today it's scrambled eggs but not just scrambled eggs. Western scrambled eggs. Perfect. That's because my other half's favorite food is a burrito. If you have flour tortillas, he's happy. You can fill a tortilla with just about any food in the cupboard. This Valentine's Day Eve breakfast was lovely with two romantic candles, one red with hearts. I purchased that one on a special outing with hubby a few years back to remind me of fun, loving outings together with my love. It's all about creating loving memories together.
Western Scrambled Egg
5 eggs
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 bag frozen chopped onions 
(I prefer the onions mixed with red and green bell peppers.)
1-2 T butter
Several 1" squares of cheddar cheese

Scramble eggs on griddle with squares of cheese mixed in. Add butter. When eggs are not runny anymore, fold over eggs to make an omelet. Add onions on top. Serve with flour tortillas and hot sauce.
 
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I'm joining Full Plate Thursday.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Simply Potato Soup

If your family has been hit with the flu bug or a high fever lately, cook potato soup.
All you need is a 5-lb bag of Russet potatoes. That's it. No milk. No cheese. This is it:

1/2 5-lb bag Russet potatoes
1-2 T. butter or margarine
salt
pepper


Peel and cut potatoes. Boil in water 'til potatoes begin to thicken. Servings for two + leftovers.

Now isn't that easy?

I'm joining Foodie Friday.

Simply potato soup.

Monday, February 7, 2011

German Chocolate Cake

Chocolate! Not just chocolate but German Chocolate. Memories. Mother. Valentine's Day.

What are your Valentine's memories from when you were a child? Today I'm remembering a day I was watching my mother decorate her German chocolate cake with the best coconut icing I'd ever eaten. It was her specialty. Her icing. I watched in admiration as she smoothed the hot icing over the three-layer cake.

Mother loved to surprise me with special treats on Valentine's Day - like the German chocolate cake that she knew I loved. Once she and Dad and I went on a trip on Valentine's Day. When I opened the back door to get in the car, I noticed a surprise gift. My thoughtful mother had bought me a lilac set of stationery. I loved to write letters. I was tickled pink.


Occasionally, I make that German chocolate cake like Mother made it. It's beautiful and oh so yummy. If you'd like to try it, the easiest method is buy a German chocolate cake mix. Mother's coconut icing recipe was made with a little of this and that.The ingredients listed below are what I use as a guideline. However, I change the amounts to suit my taste and the consistency that I like. It tastes like a caramel icing.
3 c. sugar
1 can Carnation milk
3 T. flour
1 stick butter
2 T. white Karo syrup
1 T. vanilla
Coconut (1/2 to 1 bag coconut or to consistency you prefer)
Combine 3 cups sugar, milk, flour, butter and Karo in boiler and cook until sugar is melted. Cook slowly as it is easy to scorch. Add vanilla and butter flavor. Add coconut. When cold spread on cake layers.

I'm joining the Blog Hop Party at http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/
I'm joining Tuesday Tea for Two  


Saturday, February 5, 2011

My Starbucks Office

Having Internet connection problems at home? 
Go to Starbucks!
My "Home Office" since 6:00 this morning!


Cafe Mocha



The new Veggie, egg, and Monterey Jack sandwich for breakfast! Mmm...so good!

 Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Eating and Enjoying It

Do you like to eat but hate to diet? That's me. I've had to "watch" my weight all of my life. It's not because of some traumatic happening way back when, but I eat because I enjoy eating. Now that doesn't mean I don't have to slack off every now and then. Like take a ten-minute walk. Or do a quick 15-minute workout. That's about all I seem to have time for lately. I read today about a couple ladies who wanted to be thin to look good and died from anorexia. I decided I will stay healthy and eat. Anorexia is not worth the health risks. That said, I have begun another website called Fat Fun For Life. It is for laughs and for people who can laugh or need to laugh at themselves. Laughing is a good medicine. Why not laugh at ourselves in the area most of us struggle with - eating!

I would love to have you visit me at www.fatfunforlife.com. Have a wonderful day!