It Happens Quickly

I'm not talking about meeting milestones or my babies growing up. I'm talking about the sudden desire to get the F away from them.

I'm having a perfectly decent day. Getting caught up on laundry, cooking dinner in the crockpot, nothing spectacular, just a regular day.  

All I wanted to do was blow dry my hair--a regular task for a regular day. See, I recently got a part time job, and I actually have to work for an hour this evening (I realize that may sound suspicious, but no, I'm not a "lady of the night"). 

But instead of five minutes of quiet play whilst I made myself decent for the outside world, I had the baby next to me dumping my makeout out and the 3-year-old brushing my hair with Legos. 

Suddenly, I thought to myself, "Wow, I can't wait to go to work." 

And that's how quickly the switch flips. 

Today's Homemade: Taco Tuesday

So I don't necessarily make something homemade everyday.  But when I do, I'll make a point to write a post about it.  One of the ways we keep our grocery budget under control is by meal planning.  At the beginning of the month, I write out a meal plan for the next four weeks and then we grocery shop at our local mega-everything-is-gigantic store.  Then I go to Whole Foods for meat...where only the prices are gigantic.

Anyway, this post isn't about menu planning...that will come later.  This post is about Taco Tuesday, which happens almost every Tuesday around these parts.

For a while, I was buying name brand taco kits at the local Gigantic-mart, but I was feeling more and more put off by the unspeakable ingredients in the seasoning, so I started buying tortillas at Whole Foods (only $20 for 2 shells!) and making my own seasoning.  At least the cheapness of homemade seasoning balances the extraordinary expense of GMO-free taco shells.

Anyhoo, homemade seasoning offers many benefits.  First, you control the flavor and spice level.  Hubster and I don't like spicy, so a nice mild blend works well for us.  Second, you avoid MSG and other nasties in your seasoning.  Third, I hear it's super cheap.  I haven't priced it out, but seeing as I have all the necessary spices already, it seems cheaper than buying a packet.

So the cast of characters is pretty straightforward and can be changed according to taste, whim or current level of stocking of the spice rack.  We have chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper and cinnamon.

The Recipe: 

All measurements are approximations

2.5 tbsp chili powder

1.5 tsp cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper (not pictured as I am out of pepper)

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp oregano

Dash of cinnamon

Mix and store in an airtight container.  You'll use between 2-4 tablespoons per pound of meat, depending on how much flavor you like.  I used the whole shebang on one pound of ground turkey tonight.  

Here's how I made my tacos...just for good measure.

Taco Recipe:

Sautee half an onion and one clove of garlic in olive oil until translucent or you're tired of waiting around.  Throw in a pound of ground turkey, beef or chicken.  Or beans if that's how you roll.  Stir while contemplating whether to have a drink right then or wait til dinner.  When meat is cooked through, drain if it's particularly fatty.  If you've decided on immediate drink, pop that baby open and drink.  Add 2-4 tbsps of above mix and about 2/3 cup of water to pan.  

Meanwhile you should have warmed the oven to 350ish and put the taco shells or tortillas in to warm.  

When most of the water is absorbed into the meat or beans, you're good to go.  

Serve with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes or salsa, sour cream, guacamole...basically whatever accoutrements float your taco-lovin' boat.

Third Time's the Charm!

Wow, my very first post...on my very first blog!  Not quite.  This is my third attempt at starting a blog.  Fourth, if you count the webpage that my husband started for me and has subsequently died.  What does that tell you about me?  I lack follow through for one.  My children will be pleased about that in the future, I'm sure.

Anyhoo...a new day, a new blog, right?  Let's start fresh.

Here's a little something about me.  I'm 36 (ouch).  I'm married, have been for 5 years, though we were together for 13 years before we got married.  That's 18 years or half our lives, and we got a whole lotta forever left.  It's cool, though.  I kinda love him.

We made two little people together, both boy people.  That was a surprise to me.  I always thought I'd have daughters, but you get what you get and you don't get upset.  The boy children are 3 years old and 10 months old.  They are essentially in charge around here, and the 3 year old won't let anyone forget it.

So why mostly homemade? Well, I like to do things from scratch.  Currently I have a loaf of bread going in my bread-maker, homemade yogurt in the fridge, granola I made in the cabinet...you get the idea. But I made that bread while eating leftover restaurant pizza, and that seems about right to me.

Here's the thing, some people may be able to achieve 100% homemade, from scratch status, I can't and I don't want to.  Ordering a pizza or Chinese, grabbing a bag of chips, or even stopping at a fast food place has its time and place.  I can't do it all.  If I know that me and my children (and my husband, I guess) are eating well most of the time, I can live with the rest.

This blog will follow my attempts at making our life from scratch (please note, there will be no sewing).  Along the way, there will be successes and failures...like the first time I tried to make yogurt and essentially ended up with rancid milk.

Check back soon for a post on making bread!