Tag: feel good

Scraps, Spirals, and the Strength of a Rolling Pin

by Mothersense, posted in Mental Health Recovery, Reclamation


**Amazon affiliate links included**

If you walked into my kitchen today, you wouldn’t find a Pinterest-perfect setup with high-end gadgets. You’d find a dusting of all-purpose flour on the counter and me with a rolling pin in hand.
I’ve never been much for the “easy way” out. Whether it’s pressing out tortillas by hand or hand-stitching a memory quilt for my son, I like to feel the work. There’s a rhythm to using a pastry blender to cut the fat into the flour—a steady, grounding pace that helps clear the “topsy-turvy” noise of the week.


The “Spiral” Songwriter
While the dough is rising, I’m usually reaching for a notebook. But you won’t find any fancy leather-bound journals here. My catalog of 180+ songs started on the back of index cards and old student spirals left over from my teaching years.


There’s something about a scrap of paper that makes the lyrics feel more honest. It doesn’t have to be pretty to be powerful. It just has to be true.


The Tech Pivot: KitchenIQ
Even with my “old school” heart, I’m still a believer in moving forward. That’s why I’m building KitchenIQ. I’m taking all those scratch-made traditions and my “Grandmama” hacks and putting them into an app that actually understands a busy household. I’m learning FlutterFlow the same way I learned to bake—one step at a time, failing until it’s right, and not being afraid to get my hands a little dirty.


Living the “Second Half”
I spent a long time throwing myself into projects as a distraction. But today, whether I’m studying for my General Lines license, coding an app, or rolling out dough, I’m doing it with intention.


Life is too darn short to wait for the “perfect” tools. You use the flour you have, the scraps you can find, and the rolling pin your mama probably used. You just start.
Julie’s “Old School” Kitchen Favorites:


The Pastry Blender:    — This is the workhorse of my kitchen. Simple, effective, and doesn’t need a plug. I had to replace my old one I found at a thrift shop, it had a wooden handle…But I do enjoy the upgrade with the biscuit cutter and dough blade for splitting tortilla dough or making rolls.

Pastry Blender set


A Solid Wood Rolling Pin:  — Sometimes the simplest tools are the ones that last a lifetime. I do enjoy a good thrift find but the best is marble for tortillas and pie crusts, but that wood for the biscuits and breads. Either one works well or if you can have both, why not?

Marble Rolling Pin
Wooden Rolling Pin


Bulk All-Purpose Flour: — Proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make something people love. You can get a great 25 lb bag on Amazon, but I also get it from HEB or Wal Mart in 10lb bags, depending on how much baking I intend to do in any given period of time.

As Cody Johnson sang so well :

“If you got a chance, take it, take it while you got a chance
If you got a dream, chase it, ’cause a dream won’t chase you back
If you’re gonna love somebody
Hold ’em as long and as strong and as close as you can
‘Til you can’t”

Go chase dreams, be the light, change the world, protect the children…..

Always Julie

Comfort foods for the cooler months

by Mothersense, posted in This Life

Heartwarming Recipes to Cozy Up With From Mothersense

As the temperature drops and the days get shorter, nothing feels quite as comforting as a warm, hearty meal. Comfort food is all about nostalgia and warmth, evoking feelings of home and togetherness. This season, let’s embrace the deliciousness of comforting dishes that nourish the soul without straying too far from healthy eating. Here are three classic recipes—Round Steak and Rice, Chicken Soup, and a Cheesy Casserole—that strike the perfect balance between indulgence and nutrition.

1. Round Steak and Rice

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs round steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, sautéing until softened.
  2. Season the round steak pieces with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet and brown on all sides.
  3. Stir in the carrots and bell pepper, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
  4. Add the brown rice and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the steak is tender.
  5. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 4):

  • Calories: 350
  • Protein: 25g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Dietary Fiber: 4g
  • Total Fat: 10g

2. Classic Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Add the chicken breasts and cook until fully cooked, about 15-20 minutes. Remove the chicken, shred it, and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are softened.
  3. Stir in the shredded chicken, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes.
  4. Remove the bay leaf and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 6):

  • Calories: 220
  • Protein: 28g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Total Fat: 8g

3. Cheesy Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 1 cup carrots, shredded
  • 1 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1 minute, then add broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. Cook until just tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables, Greek yogurt, and half of the cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and whole wheat breadcrumbs.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 6):

  • Calories: 210
  • Protein: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Dietary Fiber: 4g
  • Total Fat: 10g

Just a reminder

Comfort food doesn’t have to be an indulgent treat that derails healthy eating habits. With these recipes, you can enjoy hearty meals that are both satisfying and nourishing, perfect for those chilly evenings at home with the family and friends. Each dish brings its unique flavors and comforting qualities, making them ideal for sharing. You can even take it a step further and have everyone help prep, even in a small kitchen area, kids or friends can help with preparations. So, gather around the table and enjoy the warmth and love that comes from good food this season and help keep the blues at bay!