Hearty Split Pea Soup And Cornbread For Meatless Mondays

Photo by EatMoreBalance.com

Recently I stopped buying canned soups.  As I said in previous posts, either my tastes have changed, or canned soups have changed.  I used to like them; now not so much.  These days I make a batch of homemade soup, eat a meal, then freeze the rest in 16 ounce containers to be nuked (i.e. microwaved) later for quick meals.  One of my favorite soups to prepare is hearty split pea.  Sometimes I make it with smoked ham, and sometimes I make it vegetarian.  Even without meat, you have a complete protein by pairing the soup with corn bread or Irish soda bread.  It's definitely a stick-to-your-ribs-square-meal.  Below are my recipes: 

Split Pea Soup

Ingredients:
16 ounce bag of dried split peas

8 cups water

1 large onion, diced

3 large carrots, diced

2 stalks celery, diced

1 small tomato, diced (if you have one, if not omit)

1 bay leaf

1 ½ double bouillon cubes, or 3 small cubes (contains salt, so don't add salt, separately)

1 tablespoon dried garlic

12 turns of the black pepper mill

a sprinkle of dried celery

a tiny sprinkle of red pepper flakes

a dash of Worcestershire sauce
a sprinkle of nutmeg
a sprinkle of parlsey flakes

Directions:
Throw all the ingredients into a stock pot on a stovetop, bringing it to a boil, cover with a lid, then lower the heat and simmer for about one hour, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.

Golden Yellow Corn Bread

Ingredients:
1 cup yellow corn meal

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon sea salt (or smoked salt)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 eggs, beaten

1 ½ cups buttermilk  You can substitute milk, Russian kefir, plain yogurt, or sour milk, whatever you have on hand will work.

Optional spice: 

12 turns of the black pepper mill

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

A sprinkle of garlic powder

A sprinkle of onion powder

Directions:
1. Put all the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl; follow with the wet ingredients.
2. Mix with a folk.
3. Pour into an oiled cast iron skillet and cover with a lid.
4. Cook on the stove top until golden brown. Flip over and cook the 2nd side until golden brown. (Or you can bake in the oven about 30 minutes until golden brown.)  When done in the center, remove, let cool slightly. Cut and eat.

I like the idea of meatless Mondays for several reasons.  Many of us grew up eating too much meat. Several studies suggest eating less meat can reduce your risks of preventive illnesses like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Meatless Mondays also help reduce your carbon footprint.  It takes a lot more water and fossil fuel to raise livestock than to grow vegetables and grains. So going meatless one day a week is good for your health and the environment.  With so much hunger in the world, it's a painless and delicious way to make a tiny difference.

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Papyrus Greeting Cards

Greeting cards by Papyrus

Recently my mom said, "Now that everyone carries a phone everywhere, you can't get ahold of anyone!!!  Years ago when you called someone at home, a child ... or someone answered the phone and it lead to a conversation!"  

Imagine that.  You didn't need to text, email, or tweet a "friend," nor wait for a typed reply.  No peck, peck, pecking ever.Goodness, I know we can't live in the past, but let's keep it simple ... and meaningful.

Personally, I'd rather have one telephone call in lieu of 50 text messages, a face-to-face chat over 100 emails and a handwritten card instead of a column of electronic greetings.  To tell you the truth, sometimes I don't even open electronic greetings.  But I would never leave a handwritten card unopened, plus I save cards with heartfelt notes.  They become memories.

Several years ago, an elderly neighbor sent me an Easter card that I still have.  She said, when my parents first moved next door to her, she watched my dad carry me outside in a snowsuit to show me the falling snow.  She wished me a Happy Easter and told me to enjoy the Spring ... then passed away a short time later.  I'm glad she took the time to write and reminisce, and she inspired me by her example.  It's quite nice getting an Easter card.

Papyrus has unique and beautiful selections of stationery and greeting cards for all occasions. Expect to find rich paper with glitter and foil at reasonable prices. If you hit a sale, you can get a box of expensive cards for under $5.  It's always a good time to let someone know you care. (My Papyus Christmas cards are bought and on hold.)

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Irish Soda Bread: Sweet Or Savory?

Photo by All About Food

I can't claim much Irish ancestry, but aren't we all Irish on St. Patrick's Day?  I do love meat and potatoes, Irish stew, cabbage, root vegetables and Irish soda bread.  I started making soda bread because it tastes similar to buttermilk biscuits, but you can substitute healthier ingredients: like butter instead of lard and whole grain flour in lieu of all white flour.  Soda bread is delicious served warm.  Here is my recipe:

Irish Soda Bread

For Savory

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 extra large egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons cold butter, cubed

1 ¼ cups buttermilk (Regular milk with a teaspoon vinegar works if you don't have buttermilk. Let it sit before pouring it in).

optional: 1/3 cup caraway seeds

For Sweet

You will add 1/3 cup sugar, 1 cup raisins. (= Irish American soda bread, and it tastes more like a pastry.)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Stir the first 5 dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

3. Mix in the beaten eggs.

4. Next incorporate the cubes of butter until you get a coarse mixture.

5. Here is where you add the sugar and raisins, if you want to sweeten your soda bread. I always opt for savory, skipping the sugar and raisins.  Does that make me a salty girl?

6. Pour in the buttermilk and mix until a dough forms.

7. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it a little bit, then shape it into a round, slightly flattened loaf.  Be careful not to over-knead, or the bread will turn out tough.  Aim for a sticky dough.

8. Place the round dough on an olive oiled baking dish.  I use a cast iron skillet.

9. Cut a cross [like this +] about 1 inch deep into the dough with a sharp knife. By scoring the top, the bread bakes evenly and is easy to slice. 

10. Bake about 55 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and done in the center.  Cool, cut and eat.

Extra tips:  The soda bread for this 3 cups of flour recipe will last about a week. Sometimes I make a smaller loaf, using 1 cup whole heat flour to 1 cup of all purpose flour (also reducing the other ingredients); or make a bigger loaf, using 2 cups of whole wheat to 2 cups of all purpose flour (and increasing the remaining ingredients proportionally).  

Usually I sprinkle the top with raw oatmeal (and a sprinkle of salt) before baking. Brush the top with butter or milk to give the oatmeal a wet surface so it sticks. Sometimes I toss 1/3 cup of caraway seeds into the batter -- provided my guests like caraway seeds (Delish!).  

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

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Are You A Downton Abbey Fan?

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Are You A Downton Abbey Fan?

Photo: itv

I am spending far too much of my leisure time re-watching seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Downton Abbey.  It's so well written and cast that I catch little details with each viewing.  Isn't it the best series to air in a long time?  Unlike so many other shows, Downton's twists and turns make perfect sense while being totally unpredictable.  Worth the price of the Blu-ray or DVD.

Each season the cast has grown, both in numbers and as a result of their experiences.  There are 24+ characters featured-in-detail, and I love the ensemble acting.  Even the bad characters are layered and gain your sympathy as plots thicken.  I truly appreciate how neither the series, nor the characters are black and white.  The creator, Jullian Fellowes, writes about times and a class system he knows very well.  Mr. Fellowes' wife is the daughter of an earl.

Downton Abbey is a series in which you invest in the characters.  As complicated as events get  -- and whether you agree or disagree with how characters behave -- you understand and root for them.

Watching Downton Abbey makes me think about a bygone era and the evolution of mores.  My God, were times harsh for everyone both upstairs and downstairs. The days were long, while the years were short, and if you were a servant, the work was endless.

After watching a Downton episode, certain thoughts run through my mind. Far from being original thoughts; they are clichés, but they are nonethess true.  Life is over in a heatbeat.  The world doesn't begin nor end with our present age.  Nothing and I mean, nothing ... people, places or things last forever.   Time changes things.  People can change with time and be changed by the times, but the more times change, the more people stay the same.  As Mr. Carson notes, "Human nature is a funny business."

Downton Abbey gets human nature right, and I can't wait for seaon 4.  Although the show would survive it, I hope none of the remaining characters want to leave.  I'd like to see a season 5 also. Just saying.

The cast on a press junket in New York City. Photo by just jared.

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Remembering Patsy Cline 9/8/32 – 3/5/63

It's been 50 years since the world lost one of its most iconic singers.  Because there will never be another talent like Patsy Cline, let's take a moment to remember her.

Patsy began singing on a radio show in Winchester, Virginia as a teenager to help support her family.  She had perfect pitch, and through determination and hard work went on to become one of the most respected and influencial female singers of the 20th century.  She was a pioneer, crossing over from the country charts into pop music and leading the way for female artists to headline music concerts ... which was unheard of for women in her day.

Patsy's lively personality, emotionally expressive voice and pivotal role in the music industry will never be forgotten by anyone who listens to her songs.

Photo: Patsy Cline website here

Aside from Cline's remarkable contralto voice, people who knew her always mention what a geniune and likeable person Patsy was.  Often described as generous and big hearted, she accomplished so much in just 31 years.  Not only did she reach the top of her profession, she was a devoted wife, mother and daughter and much loved by friends and Nashiville's music community.

Why not remember her spirit, as well as, her talent?

To understand what I'm saying, take another moment to read The Dash, a poem written in 1996.

R.I.P. the one and only Patsy Cline.  In every way, you used your dash well.

Patsy Cline's remastered albums are a must-have for anyone who loves a gorgeous voice. Click here and here to listen to two of her signiture songs. 

As musician Roy Clark, Jr. points out: Faded Love was forever a Bob Wills song -- Bob wrote it, recorded it and had a hit with it, but as soon as Patsy sang it, it became a Patsy Cline song.

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Happy 4th Birthday To THE SAVVY SHOPPER

Photo courtesy of  pinkcakebox.com

THE SAVVY SHOPPER turns 4 years old today.  Where does the time go?  This site started because I wanted to see what all this blogging business entailed. 

My least favorite part of blogging is futzing with photos and the layout.

In the print world, it takes a team.  Either you work on the editorial, or the business side.  On the editorial side, staffers work as reporters, writers and editors.  There are separate art, photo and copy departments within the editorial side.  All these separate, but linked departments worry about different aspects of a magazine (or newspaper), with all their roles and efforts coming together to close (i.e. publish) an issue (or edition).

Until I began this blog I didn't worry about pictures, layouts or copy editing.  I don't think fussing with layouts and spotting misspelled words are my forte, but I like trying ... and stretching myself, as well as, succeeding.

And, I love how direct and democratic blogging is.  I don't have to pitch nothin'.  Anybody with a computer and a voice can do it.  If you enjoy learning, coming up with story ideas, have the skills to do some digging (research) ... use good judgment ... then have the ability to make it understantable for readers, you can be a blogger.  No capital required, but you will have to invest your time.  Oh ... and you should enjoy fiddling with words.  In fact, that's my favorite part, the writing.  On this blog, it starts and ends with the words.

THE SAVVY SHOPPER now gets a few hundred savvy readers a day, and YOU are awesome! Thank you for stopping by.  Here's to another year of fun facts and entertainment.  Please let me know if there are topics you want to explore.  Let's learn stuff.  Share your thoughts under comments.  Click here for free birthday gifts.

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Oscar Dresses 2013: What Did You Think?

All photos are courtesy of  IN STYLE. Click to enlarge. 1) Jennifer Hudson is wearing a glittering dark blue Roberto Cavalli dress; 2) Kristen Stewart selected a cream Reem Acra gown. It doesn't photograph well, but cute details; 3) Jennifer Aniston's red dress is by Valentino; and 4) Sandra Bullock is wearing Elle Saab.

Some years you see lots of wow at the  Academy Awards.  Standouts, both good and bad.  Not so much this year.  What you saw on the red carpet this time was tasteful dressing and pretty packages.  Tame, but elegant and smart.  Here are a few of my favorite Oscar gowns.  What about you?

(Another gorgeous dress was worn by best actress winner, Jennifer Lawrence, to Vanity Fair's Oscar after party.  She changed from the earlier Dior Couture one.  I like the second dress better and posted it on our facebook page: here.)

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Cheap Botanical Beauty For Body And Hair

Lavender Photo courtesy of  Flower Picture Gallery

Your skin, measuring 20 square feet, is your largest organ and the first line of defense, keeping all kinds of wicked microbes from entering your system. At the same time, everything you rub on your skin can penetrate it and get absorbed into your blood stream. As winter sets in many of us slather on moisturizers from head to toe to counter the dryness. Some of us wonder: Are the chemicals in the beauty products we use every day harmful?

Although I haven't given up commercial products (I still love my corner drugstore); when all things are equal, such as performance, price and convenience, I prefer products with certified organic, or 99% all natural ingredients. Patricia, writer of the Red Cardinal blog, asked me to feature a few paraben-free products from time to time, and I'm happy to oblige.

If you live in the US, UK or Australia, you can order many certified organic lotions, potions and creams, as well as, vitamins and supplements from Puritan's Pride, an online manufacturer of vitamins. The natural e-company offers low prices and super sales, but more importantly, they guarantee that their products are of the highest quality.  I placed several orders with them at different times ... all positive experiences. Once I had to cancel an order, and customer service was very helpful.  And finally, I find their website easy to navigate. (Some aren't.)

Here are a few botanical beauty products I like ordering from Puritan's Pride:

1. Perfectly Pure Argan oil  - It has only one ingredient, argan oil. I use it on skin and the ends of my hair right after a shower. 2 oz./various deals - 5 for $55.
2. Organic Health Emollient Lavender Lotion with Antioxidants - This smells lavender-amazing; it's non-greasy and moisturizes skin with essential oils. 12 oz./various deals - 5 for $20.
3. Organic Health Invigorating Tea Tree Oil Shampoo - Tingles your scalp; great for oily, dry, fine, limp and most hair types. 12 oz./2 for 1 and other deals - 5 for $19.98.
4. Organic Health Invigorating Tea Tree Oil Conditioner - Leaves your hair tangle free, shiny and silky smooth. 12 oz./2 for 1 and other deals - 5 for $19.98.

And one from Amazon:

5. Everyday Shea Moisturizing Body Lotion Lavender (also available in vanilla and unscented) - The ingredients include shea butter, lemongrass extract and vitamin C.  In winter I mix in olive oil, argan oil, or Burt's Bees Diaper Ointment (or Boudreaux's Butt Paste) to make a heavier hand cream. By itself, the Everyday Shea lotion is light and completely absorbes into your skin. It is formulated for sensitive skin. 32 oz. for $10.

These five personal care products, made with the finest botanical ingredients, are generously sized, so you can afford to use them every day.

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A Deep Dark Chocolate Cheesecake For Valentine's Day

In celebration of Valentine's Day ... a deep dark chocolate cheesecake straight from the gourmet food magazine, Bon Appetit.  As this blog credits sources whenever possible, the recipe was created by Jeanne Thiel Kelley.  My habit is to tweak recipes a little bit, but not this time.  (Oh, no, I can't help myself -- I always cut the sugar in cakes by ½ cup.)  Here are the easy steps:

Ingredients:

♥Crust

24 chocolate wafer cookies (9 ounces)

1 tablespoon sugar

¼ cup (½ stick) butter, melted

Use a high quality 70% Cocoa Bittersweet Chocolate in the following steps. The magazine recommends Scharffen Berger.

♥Filling

1 9.7-ounce bar 70% Cocoa Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped

4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature

1 ¼ cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

4 large eggs

♥Topping

¾ cup whipping cream 

70% Cocoa Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped

1 tablespoon sugar

♥Bittersweet chocolate curls

Directions:

♥Crust

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 3-inch-high sides. Blend cookies in processor until finely ground; blend in sugar. Add melted butter and process until well blended. Press crumbs evenly onto bottom of oiled pan. Bake just until set, about 5 minutes. Cool while preparing filling. Maintain oven temperature.

♥Filling

Stir chopped chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water; cool chocolate until lukewarm but still pourable. Blend cream cheese, sugar, and cocoa powder in processor until smooth. Blend in eggs 1 at a time. Mix in lukewarm chocolate. Pour filling over crust; smooth top. Bake until center is just set and just appears dry, about 1 hour. Cool 5 minutes. Run knife around sides of cake to loosen. Chill overnight.

♥Topping

Stir cream, 6 ounces chocolate, and sugar in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until smooth. Cool slightly. Pour over center of cheesecake, spreading to within 1/2 inch of edge and filling any cracks. Chill until topping is set, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover with foil and keep refrigerated.  Release pan sides. Transfer cheesecake to platter. Top with chocolate curls. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.

I say, go out to dinner and have this decadence waiting for you at home.  Pair it with good coffee, or a fine tea like those from Teavana.  Some restaurants charge more on Valentine's Day and may be crowded, so many couples prefer to eat at home.  You can always order in.

Warm, good wishes for glitter and gold and tender loving care.  Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

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Snow Boots Fit For A Fashionista

Patagonia Lugano Waterproof

Trust me, I have looked.  The right snow boots are a challenge to find.  If you want style, comfort and function, as opposed to, sacraficing one for the other ... good luck.  And how much must you shell out for lightweight boots that are durable enough to track through ice, snow and slush?  One week's salary?  Two weeks ... or more?!?

I think Canadian companies have mastered making the perfect snow boots, giving fashionistas a lot of bang for a buck: flair, comfort and toughness. Unwittingly, I bought a great pair of Canadian snow boots a few years ago -- designed by Cougar, a company I hear cut back on their production of boots.  So I'd love for Canadians to weigh in with their favorite winter boot picks.  Please, if you are Canadian, we need you!

Meanwhile, my quest leads to two brands sold in the U.S.:

Patagonia Lugano Waterproof - A beautiful suede, the upper boot is a soft waterproof pigskin.  Inside, they have a 200-gram Polartec lining. They keep your feet warm and dry.  They are cute, that is to say, not bulky or chunky, but fashionable like regular boots.  They are lightweight and provide arch support, so are comfortable for city dwellers to walk 20-30 blocks on concrete pavement.  Another plus, your feet can breathe, so you will not have to change your footwear once you reach indoors.  Nonetheless be aware, the boots do not have a zipper and seem impossible to slip on the first few times.  You seriously think about returning them.  But soon they loosen up, and it gets easier.  Once on your feet, you love them. $195/without a sale.

LL Bean Women's Storm Chasers, Side-Zip Boot - These slender, lightweight snow boots keep your feet ultra warm and dry.  Recently re-designed, they provide comfort and support, as well as, the same protection as rubber boots.  They are stiffer than the Patagonia boots, so they will last much longer, but are not as soft nor as suitable for long walks on city pavement.  These boots are perfect for shoveling snow, walking through ice and slush to get to your car, or several blocks to reach a neighborhood store.  If you live in the suburbs and walk to the corner to catch a bus, these offer comfort and excellent protection at an unbeatable price.  And you will probably get a decade or more of wear out of them. LL Bean provides exceptional customer service.  They will resole boots that wear out. $99/on sale

Extra tip: Many snow boots run small because of padding, so consider ordering up from your regular shoe size. This also gives you room to wear insoles and thicker socks.

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Cosmeceutical Skin Care ... Say What?

Photo by Osmosis skin care

Cosmeceuticals is a new vocabulary word I leaned by picking up a street copy of a magazine called Image.  The free monthly is published by plastic surgeons, and according to them cosmeceuticals are the new wave in skin care.

 Let me sum up the article for you.  Our new word is a hybrid of the words cosmetic and pharmaceutical.  Cosmeceuticals are key ingredients with anti-aging benefits that can be bought without a prescription.  Common over the counter cosmeceuticals include glycolic cleansers, anti-aging moisturizers, skin lightening serums and skin tightening creams. 

Skin ages due to oxidation and free radical damage.  Sun exposure is a major cause of free radical damage.  Free radicals breakdown the skin's molecular structure leading to wrinkles and the loss of elasticity and resilience.

According to the article, studies show that antioxidants slow down free radical damage and can improve the skin's appearance.  Cosmeceuticals contain high doses of antioxidants, plus complementary ingredients like phytochemicals, enzymes and essential oils so that your skin can absorb the anti-aging ingredients.

Here is a list of cosmeceuticals -- 10 Active Ingredients -- to look for in high tech youth serums:

1. Retinoids (such as Retinol, a vitamin A treatment) speeds up the skin's natural exfoliation process, lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by thinning and flattening the top layer of the skin.

2. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) – Exfoliates the skin.  Encourages cell turnover.

3. Alpha Lipoic Acid – Erases fine lines and wrinkles, shrinks pores and reduces under-eye puffiness, improves circulation; brightens your complexion.

4. Glycolic Acid – A fruit acid that exfoliates the skin and speeds up the growth of new skin.  Promotes a smoother, fresher looking complexion.

5. Antioxidants – Look for vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid), vitamin E, green tea, Q-10, Vitamin B Complex. They have anti-inflammatory properties and help build collagen.

6. Peptides – Are tiny protein molecules used to slowdown the loss of collagen, as well as, stimulate skin repair.

7. DMAE – This ingredient may or may not be effective in lifting and firming sagging skin.  There is no consensus on whether it works.

8. Epidermal Growth Factors (EPG) – Fights the loss of skin elasticity and discoloration.

9. Hyaluronic Acid – is a protein that keeps the connective tissues of the skin moist; makes your skin look soft, supple and smooth.

10. Enzymes – remove dead skin cells.

To zero in on specific anti-aging skin care products to try, click the links below.  The first link explains face serums.  You can also peruse THE SAVVY SHOPPER's many posts on good skin care by using the "Search This Blog" box.  It's located at the bottom right-hand corner.

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