Bless Your Heart and Mess Your Hair

I’ve been thinking of the profound to share, and alas, I seem only to have the mundane.

Something that we do here at home is, “Bless his heart’s.” We mean it in the nicest, most Southern way possible, even though none of us have spent any time, and don’t have any roots (to speak of) in the South!! The silent way to bless someone’s heart is to pat their hand or the top of their heads.

There was an instance, and frankly, I don’t remember what happened, but I said, “Bless her heart and mess her hair.” It certainly wasn’t to be considered a “double blessing.” We absolutely had a good laugh over it.

A friend is going in for heart surgery and he has, now, support for a healthier diet. He asked me to help him with menus and shopping lists that will encourage that commitment.

Daughter #1 is having Baby #2. (Daughter #2/child#3 - is having Baby #1) - - - I’m being promoted to Grammy Third Class!

Grandson #1 is 2-½ years old and is communicating. I’ve become “Ammy.” I’m good with that. He’s a corker. So funny and what a personality.

Back to Daughter #1. She asked me to harken back to a business I had years ago, Once a Month Cooking, and fill her freezer with meals for after the baby comes.

What that means for me (and you?) is to take yet another journey through menus, recipes and shopping lists.

Last night when I was thinking about this, and was craving macaroni and cheese, I fixed some that I think will absolutely work for the freezer and was overwhelmingly delicious. It is made in the more traditional way of mac and cheese; however, the sauce part is made in the microwave. The only time that it takes is the time it takes to boil the macaroni.

Super Simple Single Serving Mac unCheese

In a pan on the stove, bring water to a boil and add

About 1/2 - 3/4 cup macaroni pasta

About halfway through the pasta cooking

Add in a serving of frozen mixed veggies

In a cup

2 Tbsp flour

2 Tbsp plant-butter (or margarine)

2 Tbsp plant yogurt

Mix. Mix. Mix. Microwave 30 seconds. Mix. Mix. Mix. And Repeat.

Add

1 Tbsp quality mustard

2 Tbsp water

1/4 cup shredded plant cheese

Salt & Pepper to taste

Mix. Mix. Mix. Microwave 30 seconds. Mix. Mix. Mix. And Repeat. Keep mixing/whisking until the sauce is completely smooth. Add water bits at a time if necessary.

When the pasta is done, drain mostly and add the sauce to the wet, hot pasta. Mix to coat. Sprinkle parsley, chives or other pretty green things on top. Take a picture and enjoy.

If you want to feed more than just yourself. Scale up!

What is the best way to build a “bank of meals?” My sister has a Power XL Pressure Cooker/Canner. What a terrific product. She makes a meal, and then cans the leftovers to put on the shelf.

I helped get ready for a mini vacay where He needed a turkey carved and boned. “Idea” ... for next year, how about canning chicken? It will give you the sandwich meat you want, and it can be done - not at the last minute when you are trying to get everything else done.

That of course sparked the idea of putting dinners not only in the freezer, but also on the shelf.

Like me, Daughter #1 tries to eat plant based so it’s not hard to experiment with recipes.

For Friend with Heart Condition, perhaps I’ll start with prepared meals (a meal service type thing) to include cards/pages/pdfs of recipes with instructions and shopping lists.

As for making sure I regularly contribute to this blog… I just discovered (don’t hate on me for being late to this party) “Voice Typing” in Google Docs. It isn't always accurate, but it's pretty close. it does allow me to hone my editing skills!

Until next time, blessed days.

(not hearts!)

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