Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what makes our life enjoyable and worth living.
Many of us get too busy in our everyday lives to stop and smell the roses. Thanksgiving reminds us to take note of what is important.
While trying to be a good parent and teach my children gratitude, I decided to ask, “What are you thankful for?” Family, friends, health and the harvest came up, but there were also dirt bikes, vacations and iPods mentioned. I still have some teaching to do.
Read Also
Stock dogs show off herding skills at Ag in Motion
Stock dogs draw a crowd at Ag in Motion. Border collies and other herding breeds are well known for the work they do on the farm.
My six-year-old daughter, Jada, had the
most to say. Her brothers quickly dispersed, trying to avoid another one of Mom’s weird conversations. She told me in her innocence that she loved all of us, but she loved her
cat and kittens more than anything in the world.
I also loved my pets as a child. I remember confiding in my puppy, Pebbles, when I was upset about something. I asked why her cat and her kittens were so important. I learned
as a person and a parent from the reply.
“They play with me and do not have jobs to do all the time. They do not fight with me like my brothers do. They just love to sit with me and cuddle.”
I realized that we need to take time to enjoy our families, friends and our pets. We can learn so much if we stop and listen to the voice of a child. Happy Thanksgiving.
Spaghettini casserole
When I asked my children about their meal of choice for Thanksgiving, the answer was pizza or chicken noodle soup. We love a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but I think we are ready to kick back and relax over some modern comfort food.
To compromise, I discovered this recipe from the Kraft Kitchen. It’s a casserole similar to lasagna but easier to make. Serve with a
garden salad or garden tomatoes.
Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Prepare spaghettini as per package directions.
Brown meat in a skillet, drain. Add chopped pepper, zucchini and onion, saute for five minutes. Stir in pasta sauce. Simmer on low while preparing other steps.
Toss drained pasta with Parmesan cheese, butter or margarine and eggs. Place in a greased 13 x 9
(22 x 33 cm) pan. Top with cottage cheese, skillet mixture and shredded cheese.
Bake in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
Serves six.
Slow cooker lentil-barley soup
This recipe is from Soup-er Sweets, a cookbook compiled by the Herschel, Sask., Quilting and Recycling Group, submitted by Marlene Wiens. I know that their cooking is just as delightful as their quilting. This soup has several of the same ingredients as the above casserole, so why not prepare the dishes at the same time and have one big mess but more spare time later. It’s perfect if you are having friends or family coming for a visit.
In a skillet, brown meat and onion until meat is no longer pink. Drain and place in the slow cooker.
Top with potatoes, celery, carrots, lentils, barley, tomatoes and beans.
Combine the water, bouillon, salt, lemon pepper and dill. Pour over the meat and vegetable mixture. Cover and cook on low for approximately eight hours.
Decadent pumpkin layer cake
Try this twist on tradition pumpkin pie.
Place dry cake mix in a large bowl, add one cup (250 mL) pumpkin, milk, eggs and one teaspoon (5 mL) of spice. Beat on low for approximately 30 seconds, then on medium for two minutes.
Place the batter in two greased and floured nine-inch (22 cm) baking pans.
Bake at 350 F (180 C) for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool.
In a mixing bowl, whip cream cheese, sugar, remaining pumpkin and pie spice until smooth. Fold in whipped cream.
After cooled, remove cake from the pans and cut in half horizontally. Place a layer of cake on a serving plate and top with icing. Repeat with the three remaining layers, ending with whipped mixture. Sprinkle with pecan if desired. (White angel food cake will also work with this recipe.)
Sweet zucchini loaf
It’s a great way to use up the abundant zucchini from the garden and the bananas lurking on the countertop.
Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C)
Combine the first seven dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg, bananas, oil and vanilla.
Stir into dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. Fold in zucchini and pecans.
Place in a greased and floured 5 x 9 inch
(13 x 22 cm) loaf pan and bake in oven for
approximately 50 to 60 minutes or until
inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Makes one loaf.
Top picks for new products
It is tough being a consumer. There are new products hitting the shelves each day. Who
has the time or the money to try all of the new additions. Here are some of my top picks that make everyday life a little easier.
* Green cleaning products
Basic H concentrate cleaner from Shaklee available at Shaklee.ca.
President’s Choice Green Cleaning, available at Superstores Shop Easy, and other affiliates.
Method Dishwasher Detergent, Go Naked, available at pharmacy and food stores.
* Personal care products
Olay Complete line contains all of the
scientifically proven ingredients like B
vitamins, vitamin E and alpha-hydroxy acids and sunscreen.
Neutrogena pure and free sunscreen lotion for days outdoors is especially good for kids, and Kiss My Face, Obsessively Natural lotions is great for the body. My personal favorite is
Arbonne’s FYI tinted moisturizer, available at Arbonne.ca.
* Food and nutrition products
Tetley cold tea drinks, available in grocery stores, are a nice change from sodas. Green
tea and pomegranate and Mediterranean
lemon on ice are so refreshing.
Also the new organic line of products from the Co-op are topnotch, especially the coffee.
Farm and Home Safety Contest
A farm is a dangerous place to
live and work and there are always things that can be done to make a
home safer. What have you done to make your farm or home safer? We
would like to hear from you. Send us your innovative ideas or a story
about how your safety precautions made a difference.
Please send them to TEAM Resources at The Western Producer,
Box
2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or team@producer.com by Oct. 15. We
will review them and present prizes for the best safety idea or steps
taken.
Top prize is a fully stocked emergency and first aid kit. Good luck.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
