Mad Me-Shell and the Great Chicago Food Truck Smackdown

I always knew Mad Me-Shell had…well...moxie would be the word to use in polite company. But picking a fight with a guy on Twitter? What was she thinking? It all resulted in some shocking, high calorie street theater. Now, in her very first guest post, the insatiable Mad dishes on what can happen when you talk to strangers. Warning! Amateurs should not attempt the

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Kittens in the Kitchen

My friend, Judy, from North Vancouver sent me this picture!  She also has a cat and her name is Lucy.  I can just imagine Miss Sugar here.  I have a chair for her in the kitchen (not this close to the counters though) and that is her place or she can't come in.  She loves to sit there while I cook.  And she likes to get her t-r-e-a-t-s from the refrigerator.  It is really just her moist cat food!

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Spring has Sprung

Spring is many things to many people.  But, for myself it is a reminder of all the bills I have to pay!  Everything big comes at this time ... car insurance, house insurance, property taxes, income tax.   EEK!!



I am used to living in the lap of luxury and now that I have retired from my 'real job' it is taking awhile to get used to the new routine!



So today I decided to create these three piggy banks as a way to save over time for some necessary things.

The maple leaf represents the jar for income tax!

The jar with blue skies and fields of poppies and sunflowers represents Italy and my vacation fund!

The jar with the house reminds me that in a few years I will need a new roof on my house.



So I will stuff money in each jar each month to be ready when the time comes.  I have written the amount on the top of the jar so I remember how much I need to allot to each.



Sounds like kindergarten money management!  But after a life of having the money to satisfy every desire, now I am retired and want to save my savings for the future.  I think it is great.

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Sprouts in a Jar

While I was shopping for seeds for the garden, I came across a few seeds for sprouting.  My favourite is alfalfa but I had to settle for broccoli and some mustard seeds.  I started with the broccoli and it took about 5 - 6 days.  Many of the seeds didn't sprout.  I have no idea if that is normal but it made for an expensive bit of sprouts.  It made about a pint and cost about $2.50.

Simply cut a piece of cheesecloth to fit the top of a jar and use the metal ring to hold it in place.  Rinse the seeds twice a day until they are the size you want.



Drain all the water and leave the jar upside down, slightly atilt so any residual water can drain.

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Garlic Parmesan Croutons

This is so easy and I know you all are already making this.  I just never use croutons...the oil...you know!



I had some leftover scraps of Italian bread and I want to practice making this for the Farmers' Market.  What a great way to use leftover bread.  I can capture a little more profit by not wasting leftover bread.



These are so good!  I am munching them up as snacks!

Garlic Parmesan Croutons

8 ounces of day old bread

1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese

4 cloves of roasted garlic

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon hot paprika

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese



Mash the roasted garlic and add the olive oil.  Let this infuse at room temperature for about 4 hours.  Then strain the olive oil and discard the garlic.



Cut the bread into 1" cubes and  put in a medium sized bowl.  Add herbs, sea salt, black pepper , 3/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese and olive oil.  Toss to coat.



Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 300F for 15 minutes.  Toss the bread cubes.  Add the additional 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese and return to the oven for 10 - 15 minutes.



Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

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I’m Old Fashioned