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Peach Pie Recipe

August 31, 2011 By 2 Comments

During hurricane Irene we decided that we should do some cooking, baking and of course… eating.  Because of all of the flooding, we had to use what we had in the house.  This can sometimes be a challenge.  With 4 kids, the fridge never has what I need, when I need it.  I often have to run out and buy one thing for a recipe, if not more.  So it was a miracle that we were able to pull anything together.  We researched a lot trying to find a great recipe that we had all of the ingredients for.  We discovered a recipe for, “Simple Peach Pie” which was just that!

History of the recipe:

As we all know each recipe has a history.  I was lucky enough to find this peach pie recipe on food.com.  The history does not stop there though.  I found it interesting that the person who posted this recipe found it at their local far.  When buying peaches at Lynd’s farm they were given this recipe for simple peach pie.  I would love to know where the Lynd’s got the recipe but we may never know!  Either way this is a simple, delicious peach pie… so thank you to Lynd’s Farm and thank you to whom ever posted this post on food.com

Recipe:

Serves: 8

Prep time: 15-20 minutes

Baking time: 35-45 minutes

 

I ngredients:

Pastry for a double-crust pie *need a pie crust recipe?  Click here

5 C. Fresh Farm Peaches, sliced ( this was about 6 average sized peaches)

1 C. Sugar (you can substitute Splenda for dietary purposes)

1/3-1/2 C. all-purpose flour (we used 1/3 C. but I would suggest more if you are looking for your peach pie to be less runny)

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

2 TBSP. Butter

2 TBSP. Sugar

Instructions for Peach Pie:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Remember Preheating takes about 10 min.
  2. Stir together flour, 1 C sugar and the cinnamon and set to the side.
  3. Wash, peel, and slice your peaches.
  4. Mix peaches with dry ingredients for an even distribution.
  5. Turn mixture into pasty lined pie plate
  6. Cut up butter and evenly place over pie filling mixture.
  7. Cover with top pie crust, cut slits and seal the edges with either your fingers or a fork.
  8. Place foil over pie edges to assure that they do not over brown.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes
  10. remove foil from edges and bake for an additional 15-25 minutes.
  11. Pie is cooked when crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through the slits in the crust.

I hope that you enjoy this peach pie as much as we did.  Rob was happy that it was not “slimy” as other peach pies can be.  It was fresh, delicious and best of all… easy to make.  This pie can be frozen for future use after it is cooks.  We are thinking about making another one and freezing it until late fall when you want a taste of

summer back!  One more great thing about this peach pie is that it is only 191 calories per serving.  So you can have a slice of peach pie with minimal guilt with most weight loss plans!

Becca

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Perfect Pie Crust

August 29, 2011 By 1 Comment

This pie crust recipe is out of, “Baking at Home with the Culinary Institute of America“.  Each time we make it it turns out perfect.  This pie crust is easy to work with and comes out delicious.  You can make a Single-Crust Pie or a Double-Crust Pie.  The choice is yours!  Either way you are going to be happy with how this crust comes out.  We have changed the recipe a little by using 1/2 butter and 1/2 Crisco.  It makes for a better crust that is easier to work with.  I hope that you enjoy this crust as much as we do!

Single-Crust Pie Ingredients:

1 1/3 C. all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 C. Unsalted Butter

1/4 C. Crisco

1/4 C. ice water, as needed

Double-Crust Pie Ingredients:

2 2/3 C. all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

1 tsp salt

1/2 C. Unsalted Butter

1/2 C. Crisco

1/2 Cup ice water as needed

Stir together flour and salt.  Use a fork to blend.  Cut the fat into the flour using a food processor, pastry blender or 2 knives.  Drizzle a few tablespoons of the ice water over the surface of the flour mixture and quickly rub the water into the four.  Continue to add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until it holds together when you press a handful into a ball.  The dough should be evenly moist, not wet.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Press the dough into a ball.  If you are making a double-crust pie, divide dough into 2 balls of equal size.  Pat each ball into an even disk.  Wrap dough and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Working with one disk at a time, unwrap the dough, place it on a lightly floured surface, and scatter a little bit of flour over the top.  Evenly roll out the dough to a 13 inch round circle. Dough should be 1/8 thick.

Next, fold the dough in half or loosely around the rolling pin.  Gently lift and position the dough over the pan.  Ease the dough into the pan without stretching, assuring the pan sides and rim are evenly covered.  Press the dough gently against the sides and bottom.  Trim the overhand to 1 inch.

For a double-crust pie, roll out the second piece of dough the same as the first.  Roll into an 11 inch round and cut vents into crust.  Then fill the pie and place dough on top according to pie instructions.

I would love for you to post your favorite pie recipes.  I know that people make many interesting pie fillings and I would love it if you were to share one of your best and most loved filling.

Becca

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Hurricane Irene Peach Pie

August 28, 2011 By 2 Comments

Hurricane Irene has torn NY apart.  We are currently under a state of emergency and unable to leave our homes.  All major and most of the minor roads in and out of town are flooded and the lights keep flickering.  People in nearby towns are being evacuated and we are worried that we will soon have to boil our water. For Rob this means that we are having a baking and cooking afternoon.  First on the list was to make homemade peach pie.  The funny thing about it is that we are not huge peach lovers but in a hurricane such as Irene you make due with what you have in the house.

So, after a bunch of prodding and guilt trips, I got roped into baking.  At first I was not all that into it, but once Rob made the homemade pie crust and cut everything up I was more receptive.  After all he made all of the hard stuff.  If I am going to be able claim some credit I have to help.  So I dug the cookbook out for him.  We have a wonderful cookbook that we got the pie crust recipe out of.  It is put out by CIA (Cullinary Institute of America) and is called Baking at home with The Culinary Institute of America.  It is a wonderful cookbook.  Everything we make out of it turns out perfect.

From there we were in search of the easiest, yummiest peach pie recipe we could fine.  At Food.com we were able to find just that.  A recipe with the title Simple Peach Pie could not be all that bad.  The recipe has 39 reviews great reviews so how bad can it be.  We checked to assure that we had all of the ingredients in the house and made a few minor adjustments and mixed up what we are hoping will be a perfect peach pie.

Now we are off to making a Mexican feast.  Please Hurricane Irene get out already.  You are completely ruining my weight loss efforts!  between last nights Thyme and sun dried tomato bread with basil oil to today’s peach pie; I am scared to hop on the scale tomorrow.  I have a feeling it will not be good.  I just keep telling myself; everything in moderation.

Becca

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How to Become a Real Detective: 5 Tips from a Pro

August 2, 2011 By 1 Comment

Ever want to catch bad guys for a living? Ever want to blast away criminals with a tommy gun, like Dick Tracy, or spring from building to building, like batman? Ever want to race down the street, sirens blazing, jump out the car, wave your gun in the air and scream, “Everybody freeze!”?

If so, you’ve come to the right place. As a semi-professional detective, I can assure that I’ve done all these things–and more.   Best of all, I’m about to give you the top 5 tips so you can too.  You’re welcome America. [Read more...]

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Blue Bunny Ice Cream Mini Treats: Review

August 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I was lucky enough to be included in a Blue Bunny Ice Cream Trial through Mom Select.  I was able to try their Champ mini swirls birthday party ice cream cone, their Champ mini swirls vanilla ice cream cones, and the Blue Bunny Mini Variety Ice Cream Sandwich and all I can say is YUMMY!  These treats were small but they packed a ton of wonderful flavor.  Just as they arrived I of course went into labor so my treat sharing party had to wait a little while until Colin and I got home from the hospital.  I think that it was well worth the wait.  The kids were impressed as well!

The Blue Bunny Champs mini swirl birthday party ice cream cones were perfect.  They were a nice size for a perfect little treat.  They were also a great size for little hands.  The cone was small but was stuffed all of the way to the bottom with ice cream.  I am sure that you know that the best part was that it was birthday cake ice cream.  A favorite of not only kids but adults as well.  The size was enough that I felt satisfied but did not go into sugar shock.  Out of the three varieties sent to me by Blue Bunny Ice Cream I would say that this was the second best although the kids ranked it as number one!

My personal favorite was the Champs Mini Swirls vanilla ice cream cones.  There is nothing better than a chocolate dipped ice cream cone.  To top it off there was even a ton of chocolate fudge in the bottom of the cone as well.  I felt that it was a perfect size, less calories and sugar than a full size and again I was completely satisfied.  I loved them so much that I hid one on the fridge for a later date… shhh… do not tell the girls.

The girls also loved the Blue Bunny Mini Variety ice cream sandwiches.  As far as ice cream sandwiches go I was quite pleased as well.  These treats were again in the mini size which was the perfect end to a perfect summer day.  The cookie sandwich was fresh and not mushy like some other ice cream sandwiches I have tried.  The ice cream was yummy to boot which made was a nice surprise for this ice cream sandwich skeptic.

All in all I loved the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Mini treats.  They were wonderful for little hands and diets to boot.  We of course shared our treats with friends both large and small and there were no unhappy customers.  There were review comments like, “oh birthday cake ice cream in a cone?  My favorite.” and ” I am so excited that they are a small treat to end the day.”  Some even figured out the weight watchers points per cone and said that it was not that bad.  Sorry they did not disclose.  Each ice cream has a link above with the nutritional information.  I know that I will be eating more of these mini treats this summer!  You should join me!

Becca

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Great Insights from Dr. Shawn Garber on Dr. Oz

May 16, 2011 By 3 Comments

On April 4th I watched Dr. Oz with wide eyes.  I have been struggling with weight for most of my life.  Although I am currently expecting, I am sure that weight will once again be a concern come July.  Dr. Oz did a show all about Bariatric Surgery.  Dr. Oz began the show having a slightly negative view toward Lap Band Surgery but by the end I think he could see the benefits that so many people have seen in the past.  Dr. Garber was a guest on the show on April 4th.  Dr.Shawn Garber has performed 2,000 surgeries which is what I consider to be an expert in his field.

On the Dr. Oz show Dr. Garber explained a lot about how the gastric band is now inserted.  They now go through your belly button with minimal scaring.  No more cutting a huge incisions in your stomach.  Now it is a quick 30 minute procedure that can change your life forever.

As Dr. Oz and Dr. Garber stressed, gastric banding is not a quick fix.  It is also not a miracle.  You still have to follow a VERY rigid diet, exercise and work on the emotional void that food fills.  Hard work will still be a driving force but the odds of that hard work paying off are higher.  85% of all diets fail.  On the other hand gastric banding has an 85% success rate.  These are numbers that are hard to deny and certainly hard to argue.

 

The trouble is that you really have to be in for a life long change.  Eating will never be the same.  There will never be another diet coke in my hand.  There will never be a full meal.  It will all be different, forever.  On the other hand, it is important to look at what there is to gain.  Confidence, being able to run and play with my kids again and being comfortable in my own skin should be priceless… Shouldn’t they?

I researched Dr. Shawn Garber and was able to find his website.  It seems as if he is only a little more than an hour from here.  I am seriously considering calling for an appointment once I have this baby.  Imagine how my life could change with losing 100 or more pounds!  It could be worth it.  Either way it seems as if lap band surgery is certainly worth looking into.

Becca

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Great Local Gastroenterologist Dr. Robin Baradarian

May 16, 2011 By 1 Comment

Gastroenterology is an interesting field.  So many things can effect your GI tract and it is important that you have a good doctor by your side to identify the real cause for GI pain and discomfort.  As many of you may know already, my daughters both suffer from a rare disease called Mastocytosis.  Although Mastocytosis is found mainly in the skin it can spread and has a great impact on the GI tract.  In trying to find a good Gastroenterologist, I have time and time again stumbled upon Dr. Robin Baradarian.  There is a great deal of information not only on Dr. Baradarian but also a great deal of publications, videos and so on.  I believe that he may have some GI answers in relation to Mastocytosis.  There are many things that intrigued me.  Here is a list of some of what I personally find to be impressive about Dr. Robin Baradarian;

As you can see Dr. Robin Baradarian has extensive knowledge, experience and most importantly patient support.  Although it would be a little over an hour to get to his office, it may be a trip worth taking with the girls.  Oh and I even found Dr. Baradarian on YouTube!  Check out that great video on heartburn that we can all benefit from!

 

Becca

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Vintage Superhero’s by nopooh

May 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We all know that comic books have made a huge come back.  Even if you are no into the comic book reading you had to have noticed that they are everywhere from the movies to books and now also available on T-Shirts.  With Rob’s birthday coming I have been looking for an interesting gift that is also unique and I think that I have found just the thing.

Nopooh is a company that has examined an interesting time in comics.  The time before WWII in the 1930s and 1940s.  None of the Superhero t-shirts features made it past this era.  This is especially important because we know all men and boys alike enjoy their Superman shirts, but how many men do you know with a Spacehawk shirt from Target Comics?  I am sure that you cannot think of anyone.

Even better, I have discovered that nopooh is well known for its quality and attention to detail.  The nopooh Superhero series of tees is no exception.  The shirts are made in the USA.  Nopooh starts with quality tees from American Apparel.   These shirts are 100% cotton which makes them not only top quality, but also easy to wear.  Each Superhero Series tee from nopooh is then hand screened in New York City.  This means that for each color a new screen is used, lining the color lines exactly.  This assures that the artist’s design is perfectly executed.

Speaking of the artist… It is important to mention that these shirts are all individually designed by nopooh’s graphic artist, Rob Tanner.  Mr. Tanner assures that each design uses a collage of work from the comics of the past.  This is just another thing that makes these Superhero Series tees from nopooh unique.

So everyone do me a favor.  Check out the Superhero Series tees that nopooh is providing.  I would love to know which one you think that Rob would enjoy for his birthday this year.  The best part is that they are all unique, high quality tees with a fair price tag attached!  I will let you be the judge!

Becca

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Granite Transformations

May 13, 2011 By 1 Comment

Granite Transformations, the subject of this week’s review, is a kitchen and bath remodeling company that first opened a decade ago in Perth, Australia, and today has over 100 showrooms across the US. While Granite Transformations has experienced healthy growth since then, their business received a considerable boost in early 2011 when they rolled out several green initiatives. We don’t think that’s a coincidence, and we’d like to recognize their environmentally-conscious efforts.Granite Transformations
Granite Transformations offers granite countertops, glass countertops, mosaic tiles, cabinet refacing, and acrylic bath surfaces, and now they’re offering alternatives to the traditional materials these products are made out of.
For example, Trend Glass is one product in Granite Transformations new line of home remodeling products that are both eco-sustainable and stylish, and it’s made with transparent-tempered glass and post-consumer recycled glass. Up to 72% of Trend Glass is made with recycled content. Granite Transformations also uses recycled glass containers and bottles in its “Feel” collection of mosaic tiles that combine shades of brown tan and red glass. In its main manufacturing plant in Sebring, the latest technologies are used to reduce waste, increase the use of recycled materials, and save resources like water and energy.
We commend Granite transformations for their dedication to environmental responsibility, and their initiatives have also earned them membership in the United States Green Building Council.
One final note – if you have used Granite Transformations for your home remodeling needs in the past or plan to before September 2011, you’ll have the opportunity to enter a contest in honor of Granite Transformation’s 10 year anniversary to win a ten day trip to Italy with flight, hotel accommodations and rental car included.
For more information, visit Granite Transformations, and happy remodeling!

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How to avoid bullying in school

April 15, 2011 By 4 Comments

7 Year Old Has Plastic Surgery to Avoid Bullying

OK, I think that I have heard it all.  How to avoid bullying in school a 7 year old just had plastic surgery because her parents were concerned about an increase in bullying! Now at first I was thinking, “are you kidding me.” Luckily for this family ABC did a great job reporting the story and now I am waffling on where I stand.

This particular girl had plastic surgery for what is called cupped ears. Now after some investigation I discovered an important point. Cupped ears do not impact the way this girl hears. She can hear fine and her ears are functioning as they should be. The 7 year old girls ears made a cup shape and were fairly large. So off too New York this family went to fix the problem and the bullying.

Now I have to start this by saying that one of my own children has pretty large ears. As a girl I was never concerned about it. If she did not grow into them I figured that her hair would cover them. Over time I have discovered that she has grown into her ears. By the age of 6 your ears are grown to 90% of the size they will be as an adult. We all know that our heads have more growing from that point. So why not wait for plastic surgery?

I think that there is one other major thing to consider here. The girl said that she is not really bullied about her ears. Her mother seemed more upset over explaining why her ears were so big. So was there a need at the age of 7 to put a child through any unnecessary surgery? There are risks with any surgery and personally I would rather have a daughter with large, cupped ears than lose my daughter during surgery.

In this case it seems as if the ending was happy. The girl felt great about her new ears and mom is relieved that no one will ask questions any more. I just wonder what the rush was? Why not wait until she is old enough to say that her ears bother her? Shouldn’t we all be teaching our children that they should respect differences? Shouldn’t we be teaching our daughters to love who they are? To me, plastic surgery on a 7 year old seems to teach this child that if there is anything she does not like she should change it.

How do you feel about this issue? Should a child have plastic surgery just because they have large ears or a large nose? What does plastic surgery solutions for minor imperfections teach our daughters?

How to avoid bullying in school

What tips do you have let me know…

Becca

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