Falling Apart / Safety 1st Press N Pivot Latches Review

It's odd. I don't know if it's the season but relationships of people around me keep falling apart. Not me and them but them and their significant others or spouses. Some are amicable falling outs and others are supremely messy. It's like an epidemic. It makes me sad. For them certainly and also for my self. Thankfully most are mature and "picking sides" isn't an issue. Unfortunately my firm stance on not picking sides has resulted in some folks picking for me. *Sigh* Anyhow I certainly wish them the best.

I figured it's about time for another review. Something I've meant to review for a while now are the drawer latches that we have been using to baby-proof the kitchen. After so much research my husband and I decided to go with the less expensive, traditional plastic latches over the newer magnet types. We ended up purchasing the Safety 1st Press and Pivot Latches. These two part screw in latches had everything we wanted. Easily operable by us and any guests, the ability to be left but "turned off" when unneeded, and simple installation. We've had them installed on the three drawers that have sharps on them for about eight months now and I have to say I'm a little disappointed. After about four months the "spring" (of which there is none, just plastic) started to fail to the point where we and out son could open the drawers without pressing down on the latch like you're supposed to do. At eight months they are pretty useless. While our son doesn't go into the drawers anymore we will be trading them in for something else when baby number two comes along. Since there are several small children among our friends and family we will be needing something that can be in for the long haul. Next time I think we may try those more expensive magnets...

Post Surgery

Well I had my surgery today. I'm not sure of the technical term but the long and the short of it is that I had my gallbladder removed. It was done via four small incisions including one through my bellybutton. The end result is that I am now home with, what I'm sure is, minimal pain in comparison to the traditional method of removal.

 Beyond feeling like the right side of my torso has been used as a punching bag and some gas pains (they inflate your abdomen so that they can see better) in my right shoulder, I'm doing well. I have been prescribed some pain meds and have been assured that by moving about I'll dissipate the gas in my body. I'm still a bit drowsy which they said was to be expected and I'm on orders to drink lots of fluids (to help flush the anesthesia and other meds they pumped into me) and stick to my low fat and high fiber diet and include dried fruit and prunes. The down side to all of this is that I can't shower until Thursday. Other no-no's include baths, swimming, picking up my son, and working.

 The baths don't bother me as we don't have one large enough for me. Not that I'm fat but I'm tall so either my top half or bottom half end up sticking out. Not comfortable for baths in my opinion. Swimming...we don't have a pool and it's easy enough for me to stay away from the lake. If we had a hot tub or a pool it might be more of a problem. Thankfully my DS is with grandma and grandpa now and will be til the end of the week. It seems I have perfect timing! Work has been put off until the doctor's say so.

 I just want to say thank you for all the well wishes and prayers I received. I'm looking forward to being back to my old self soon!

Perfect Turkey Burgers

On the quest to becoming healthier eaters my DH and I often have bought ground turkey to replace the ground beef in our recipes. Unfortunately the simplest of these has been the hardest to achieve. The elusive perfect turkey burger has been a tough thing to figure out. I was about to resign myself to a life of dull, flavourless, dry turkey burgers until I found this! It should make about 6 burgers...4-5 if you like them a little heftier.

Tools:
Mixing bowl
Grill
Spatula
Meat Thermometer
Hands...they are the best mixing tool for this job!

Ingredients: 

• 1 3/4 lbs. ground turkey - any less it will be too salty any more it won't have the deep flavor!

• 1 package dry Onion Soup mix 

• Ground black pepper to taste

• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

• 1 1/2 tablespoons of reduced sodium Soy Sauce - regular soy will be wicked salty

• 1 Egg, lightly beaten

• Hamburger buns

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix the turkey with the onion soup mix, pepper, garlic powder, soy sauce, and egg. It's going to be very squishy and you will be tempted to add bread crumbs. Don't! Refrigerate the mixture about 10 minutes, then form patties. 

2. Preheat the grill for medium-high heat.

3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the patties on the grill. Cook until well done or center has reached 155 degrees Fahrenheit. The inside of the burgers will look whitish in color when cooked through. Serve on buns.

Three Bean Salad

This three bean salad is something from my mom as well. It's fast, filling, and full of fiber. Good for you and tasty, who knew! I always keep cans of these beans in the pantry since it's a great last minute pot luck/party dish. In fact I'm making it today for my brother-in-law's birthday party. It's also a very recipe to double up on for large gatherings. Just double everything! I hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients:
2 - 14.5oz cans of Cut Green beans
1 - 19oz can Red Kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 - 19oz can Garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 - medium diced Onion
1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 cup White Vinegar
Salt
Pepper

Instructions:
1. Place all the beans into a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the diced onion.
3. Add olive oil and vinegar. (My measurements are approximations. Definately go according to your own taste. It should be slightly sour like any good vinaigrette.)
4. Salt and pepper to taste.

Quick and Dirty Chili

When I married my husband I married into his family and he into mine. For the most part this works well but I have my stepfather that loves southwestern food and my DH's stepfather who is from the south. I lived in Florida for a while however my culinary skills and knowledge usually don't venture far out of New England as far as that goes. My husband likes spicy and I like northern corn bread. I set out to find a good chili recipe that was idiot proof for myself that would appeal to both stepdads and our own palates. I'm not a fan of super spicy foods. It was going to be tricky. What I did find was a recipe that over time I've modified and moved into a crock-pot. I hope you like it! I'll post the corn bread recipe soon! This is very filling especially when served with cornbread or chips. We usually get about eight servings from a pot like this!


Tools:
- Measuring spoons
- Chopping knife/garlic press
- Large oval crock-pot (don't know the exact size!) 


Ingredients:

• 2 lb ground beef chuck (not lean)

• 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

• 1 (1-lb) bag frozen onions and peppers such as Birds Eye Pepper Stir-Fry mix (or 4 cups of fresh chopped)

• 2 (16-oz) jars roasted tomato salsa (Good quality salsa is a must: Newman's Own or Stonewall Kitchen. See Tip at bottom!)
• 1 (15-oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• Accompaniments: shredded Cheddar, sour cream, corn chips

Instructions:

1. Mix your seasonings with your meat and place it into the crock-pot. 

2. Top with the salsa, beans and veggies. 

3. Turn on low for 6 hours and done!

Super easy and something that I can throw together before going to work in the morning. Change the seasoning to suit your taste and the salsa base as well. My one tip about the salsa: Chunky is good. The salsa  is going to add a lot of flavor. It can also make it completely different. Try mango or pineapple salsa if that's your taste! There's lots of room to make it unique!