J.T.’s Brownies

     I have been on a brief hiatus from my blog, but I am trying to get back into the swing of things.  It dawned on me earlier today that I don’t have to take a picture of every single step of a recipe.  Editing pictures, styling food, and trying to make your blog look halfway decent for readers (or reader...thanks Mama!) is time consuming.  A picture of the finished product should suffice as a blog post, so that is my new strategy.  

     My latest obsession is the farmers market.  For months I have been talking about doing a new experiment, where we only eat the vegetables that come from the market.  This forces us to eat local, try new things, and live by the seasons.  For example, right now greens are in season - collards, mustard greens, bok choy, swiss chard, and on and on.  J.T. and I are eating vegetables we have never tasted.  I am sick of washing greens, but the summer crops will be in soon.  Vegetables really do have more flavor when they are eaten in season.  We still do our weekly trip to Publix for milk, oats, cereal, bananas, and a few other pantry staples, but meat, pork, eggs, and vegetables are all purchased at the market.  Now, a little bit about these brownies.

     It is no secret that my husband loves desserts - especially anything topped with ice cream.  These brownies have been a regular staple in our freezer over the last year.  I originally stumbled across this recipe while looking for a dessert that required very few ingredients and was inexpensive to make.  Over the years, I have adapted it to better fit our real food diet. I am in no way proclaiming that these brownies are healthy - they do have over a cup of sugar in them.  I was able to swap all-purpose flour for white whole wheat flour, which does qualify for making them a bit more nutritional.  Butter or coconut oil can be used interchangeably in this recipe, so if you do not have coconut oil, use butter.  Once again, I love that these brownies can be frozen.  Simply individually wrap them in saran wrap and place in a freezer safe Ziploc bag.  I like a fully stocked freezer, see...

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cocoa powder plus 1 ½ tablespoons
• ½ cup coconut oil plus 3 ½ tablespoons
• 1 ⅓ cups pure cane sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ⅔ cup whole white wheat flour

Directions

1. Grease a 9 x 9 inch square baking pan with coconut oil and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  
2. In a medium sized bowl, stir together the cocoa powder and coconut oil.  Stir in the sugar, eggs, kosher salt, and vanilla.  Very slowly stir in the flour until all the ingredients are incorporated together.  The batter will be fairly thick.  Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan.  Bake for 22 to 25 minutes.  I always err on the side of under baked brownies.  Let the brownies cool slightly in the pan before cutting into squares and removing to a wire rack to cool completely.  Yields 9 large brownies or 16 small (for J.T. it makes 9).  These brownies can be individually wrapped and frozen.  Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds.  

Quiche

     If you keep up with my blog, you know that I normally have my parents over for lunch after church on Sundays.  Today was a little different and it was just J.T., Otis, and I.  Since I wasn’t serving a crowd, I decided to keep things simple with a brunch inspired meal.  We ate quiche, fresh asparagus, which I picked up from the farmer’s market yesterday morning, and sweet potato banana muffins.  It was delicious and a nice break from our regular Sunday meal.  We have had a much needed, lazy weekend after a very busy week at work.  Yesterday we only ventured out twice, hitting the farmer’s market and Publix in the morning and Manna grocery during the afternoon.  We went to Manna to purchase local honey from Duncanville and left with three pounds of it!   J.T. and I both suffer from allergies, although J.T.’s allergies are normal and mine are just plain weird.  Let me first state that I have been to two different doctors about this issue and both are clueless.  When it is humid outside or about to rain my skin becomes very itchy, generally only my forearms, neck, ears, face, and scalp.  It is awful but I do not scratch because I have been told by my dermatologist that this could cause a rash.  When the itching becomes unbearable I take a prescription antihistamine, which allows me to sleep and puts me out of my misery.  I am not convinced that the antihistamine actually does anything to calm my allergic reaction.  I also have a prescription steroid cream, but this only helps temporarily.  While I am uncertain of my allergy, it is either an airborne allergy or some form of an allergic reaction to a chemical in one of my cleaning products or cosmetic items.  To make a long story short, I am in the process of eliminating as many possible culprits of my allergy from our house.  It is actually very similar to when we started our “real food” journey nine months ago.  This morning I ordered this cleaning solution for our household needs.   Many customer reviews of Branch Basics claimed that it helped with seasonal allergies and eczema (which J.T. struggles with).  Several weeks ago, I changed our laundry detergent to Molly’s Suds and we absolutely love this product, especially the smell.  My next big hurdle is tackling my cosmetic items, which is a giant headache.  Yesterday at Manna I picked up Everyday Coconut body lotion, a product my mother told me about a while ago.  After slathering myself in this lotion, my itching has decreased.  I am learning and just like I changed our food, I too can do this.  In the words of my brother, I have gone hippie. 

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil, plus additional for greasing the pie plate
• 2 eggs, preferably local
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup coconut flour

Filling:

• 5 eggs, preferably local
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 1 bunch scallions, chopped

Directions

1. Grease a 9-inch pie plate with coconut oil.  In a medium bowl whisk together the coconut oil, eggs, and kosher salt.  Stir in the coconut flour.  Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pie plate. Set aside.
2. In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.  Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust.  Sprinkle the scallions on top.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.  Serves 4. 

Publix – February 14, 2013

     I am a few days late posting my grocery blog for the week.  Over the weekend, J.T. and I, along with my parents, my brother, and his fiancée, traveled to South Carolina.  We helped my grandfather, Granddaddy Ed, celebrate his 96^th birthday.  It was a short trip and J.T. and I were exhausted after returning home last night, but it was worth the lack of sleep to be able to see Granddaddy and other family members.  Of course, Otis was in tow for our road trip.  That dog loves riding in the car and going places.  I think he was happy to be coming home yesterday since he is very routine oriented, just like his Mama.  We returned home around 5:00 and this gave me enough time to unpack, wash a load of laundry, bake a batch of brownies, and line a few other things up for the week.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the new items I ordered from UKonserve waiting at my doorstep.  I ordered a lunch box, 2 sweat proof icepacks, and a stainless steel water container.  One of the ice packs is for J.T.’s lunch box, but everything else is for me.  I needed something to pack my lunch in for my new full-time job, which I begin next Monday!  I am looking forward to having a job with daily, consistent hours and am excited to begin something new J

·         Dairy

o   ½ gallon Organic Valley milk @ $4.29

o   Publix Greenwise Eggs @ $4.29

·         Grocery

o   (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Toasted Oats Cereal @ $3.79

o   (2) Publix Greenwise Organic Oats @ $3.98

o   Publix Greenwise Organic  Coffee @ $5.99

o   (2) 28 oz. cans Muir Glen Whole Tomatoes - $4.00

§  $1.00/2 Publix coupon - $3.00

o   (1) 8 oz. can Muir Glen Tomato Sauce @ $0.89

o    (1) Crisco extra virgin olive oil @ $3.00

·         Meat

o   1 ¾ lbs. ground chuck @ $7.00 (farmer’s market)

o   1 ¾ lbs. ground pork @ $7.00 (farmer’s market)

o   1 ½ lbs. pork chops @ $6.00 (farmer’s market)

·         Produce

o   Organic Bananas @ $0.99/lb. - $2.51

o   Organic Celery @ $1.99

o   2 lbs. Publix Greenwise Organic Carrots @ $2.58

o   1 garlic bulb @ $0.32

Total before coupons              $60.79

Less: coupons used                   (1.00)

Total with Tax                        $59.79

Publix & Farmer’s Market – December 22, 2012

      Yesterday morning in the freezing cold, J.T. and I headed off to the farmer’s market and Publix.  I was still too sick on Friday to brave going to the grocery store alone.  With J.T.’s help, I got all of our grocery shopping done before 8:30 on Saturday morning.  This worked out great because my brother and sister-in-law-to-be were in town.  Shortly after returning home from our outing, J.T., Otis, and I headed over to my parents house to spend the day.  I love when people come to town, because it gives me an opportunity to cook for a crowd.  I spent a large majority of the day in the kitchen.  With my husband’s help (and Ina Garten!), together, we created some very delicious meals.  Lunch consisted of Pappa al Pomodoro and grilled cheese sandwiches smothered in butter and oozing with cheese.  For supper we had grilled steaks and roasted salmon, Paris inspired olive oil mashed potatoes, and my brother’s favorite sautéed green beans.  I was able to do most of the prep work for today’s lunch yesterday as well.  We will have Ina Garten’s Company Pot Roast, Rice Pilaf with Gravy, Roasted Carrots with thyme, and last but not least an Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp.  I always look forward to time spent with family gathered around great food. 

·         Dairy

o   ½ gallon Organic Valley milk @ $4.39

§  $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $3.39

o   ½ lb. Kerry Gold Irish Unsalted Butter @ $4.09

§  $2.00/1 WYB Publix Greenwise Organic Eggs - $2.09

o   Publix Greenwise Organic Eggs @ $4.29

·         Grocery

o   (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Coffee @ $5.99

o   (2) Publix Greenwise Organic Toasted Oats cereal @ $7.58

o   (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Oats @ $1.99

o   (1) 32 oz. Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive oil @ $5.88

§  $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $4.88

o   (2) Gourmet House Organic Brown Rice @ $2.70

o   (4) 28 oz. cans Muir Glen Organic tomatoes @ $7.67

§  (2) $1.00/2 manufacturer coupon  - $5.67

·         Meat

o   3 ½ lbs. ground chuck - $13.00 (farmer’s market)

o   ¾ lb. ground pork - $3.00 (farmer’s market)

·         Produce

o   Organic Bananas @ $0.99/lb. - $2.58

o    4 medium sweet potatoes @ $0.49/lb. - $0.85

o   1 garlic bulb - $0.36

Total before coupons              $68.39

Less: coupons used                 (11.00)

Total with Tax                        $57.39

Publix & Farmer’s Market – November 10, 2012

     J.T. and I haven’t been to the farmer’s market in quite a few weeks.  Different things have gotten in the way each Saturday morning.  I am making Swedish meatballs for lunch this Sunday, and I knew I needed ground beef and ground pork.  The prices on ground beef at the market are half of what you would pay for the Publix Greenwise brand.  I bought a chuck roast and served pot roast a few weeks ago for Sunday lunch.  With a mouth full of roast, my father looked at me in fear as I told him where the roast was purchased.  I reassured him that the meat from the farmer's market is USDA inspected, antibiotic free, and grass feed.  I have purchased it twice before and been very pleased with the quality and taste.  Up until a few weeks ago, we were going to the Home Grown Alabama Farmer’s market, which takes place on Thursday.  They have closed for the winter, so the Saturday market is now our only option. Luckily, J.T. and I are both morning people.  We were down at the market shortly after 7:30 this morning buying pork and beef.  The things I do for food!  (The beef and pork didn't make it into my picture from Publix).

·         Dairy

o   1 gallon Publix Greenwise Organic Milk @ $5.99

o   (2) ½ gallon Silk almond milk @ $5.00

§  (2) $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $3.00

o   Publix Greenwise Organic Eggs @ $4.29

·         Grocery

o   (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Oats @ $1.99

o   (2) Publix Greenwise Organic toasted oats cereal @ $7.58

o   (1) 14 oz. pkg. Gourmet House Organic Brown rice @ $1.35

o   (1) 16 oz. Pompeian Olive Oil @ $2.99

§  $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $1.99

o   (1) 8 oz. can Blue Diamond Almonds @ $3.00

o   (1) 8 oz. can Muir Glen organic tomato sauce @ $0.89

§  $0.60/1 manufacturer coupon - $0.19

·         Meat

o   1 ¾ lbs. ground beef @ $6.00 (farmer’s market) not pictured

o   1¾ lb. ground pork @ $6.46 (farmer’s market) not pictured

·         Frozen

o   (2) Green giant Steamer Sugar Snap peas @ 50% off - $2.68

§  $1.00/2 manufacturer coupon - $1.68 or $0.84 each

o   (3) Green giant boxed frozen peas @ 50% off - $3.00

§  $1.00/3 manufacturer coupon - $2.00 or $0.67 each

·         Produce

o   Organic bananas @ $0.99/lb. - $2.25

o   1 head green cabbage @ $1.50

o   1 lbs. Publix Greenwise Organic carrots @ $1.29

o   1 Del-Monte Pineapple @ $2.99

§  $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $1.99

o   1 garlic bulb @ $0.30

o   2 lbs. onions @$1.99

·         Other

o   Publix Coffee filters @ $1.00

Total before coupons              $66.22

Less: coupons used                 (11.60)

Total with Tax                        $54.62

Publix & Home Grown Alabama Farmer’s Market – September 28, 2012

     Two days ago J.T. and I ventured out to our first farmer's market.  My mother would argue that this was technically not my first farmer's market experience.  I, unfortunately, have no memory of going to the market as a child.  I bought three different food items at the market, including ½ dozen eggs, sweet potatoes, and turnip greens.  Although the prices are not cheaper than the grocery store, I would argue that they are no more expensive.  I would consider not paying 9% sales tax on groceries as a huge incentive to head to the farmer's market.  Doing research beforehand allowed me to make purchases from vendors that used organic and hormone/antibiotic-free practices.  I was disappointed with the small amount of vendors at Home Grown Alabama.  One of the main reasons I wanted to attend was to get prices on local beef, pork, and eggs.  The eggs, along with a variety of produce, were the only items present on Thursday.  I am not sure if the Farmer's market will be a weekly occurrence for J.T. and I, but  I hope to eventually incorporate it into my shopping routine. 
     
     My shopping trip to Publix seemed small, at least in quantity, not price.  Many of my purchases ranged from $5.00 to $6.00 an item.  I am still building my "real food" pantry.  Since I cannot stay within my budget and replenish everything at once, I have been gradually adding an item or two each week – hence the maple syrup and quinoa. If you go back and look at my first Publix blog posts, you will notice a big change in the foods I am purchasing now. I am most definitely not buying anything with GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Please watch this short video and get informed.

 

I was in the dark just a few months ago and now this is a subject that is dear to my heart.  You have the right to know what is in your food.  You will probably hear me speak more about this issue later, but that is an entirely different blog post.  I spent $57.99 on groceries for the week (this total includes the $8.00 spent at the farmer's market).  I only had $7.75 in coupons to put toward food items L. Although I used $5.55 in other coupons for toiletry items and dog treats, I have decided that since this is a food blog, I will only post my food purchases.  Pictured below are my groceries from Publix and the Farmer's market (the large Ziploc bags are holding my clean turnip greens which I wrapped in paper towels).

• Dairy
  • Publix Greenwise Organic Milk @ $5.99
  • Silk Almond milk @ $3.49
    • $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $2.49
  • ½ dozen eggs @ $2.00 (Farmer's Market)
• Grocery
  • (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Oats @ $1.99
  • (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Coffee @ $5.99
  • (1) Heinz Organic Ketchup @ $3.19
    • $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $2.19
  • (1) Spring Tree Grade B Maple Syrup @ $5.29
  • (1) Arrowhead Mills Organic Quinoa @ $5.99
• Meat
  • 2 lbs. Publix Greenwise Ground Chuck @ $5.49/lb. - $11.25 
• Frozen
  • (3) Birds Eye frozen peas @ 50% off - $3.00
  • Cascadian Farm Organic Spinach @ $2.69
    • $0.75/1 manufacturer coupon - $1.94
• Produce
  • Organic bananas @ $0.99/lb. - $2.23
  • 12 oz. Publix White Mushrooms @ $1.99
  • 2 lbs. Sweet Potatoes @ $1.50/lb. - $3.00 (Farmer's market)
  • 1 bunch Turnip Greens @ $3.00 (Farmer's market)

      $5.00 off $30.00 purchase Winn-Dixie competitor coupon

 

Total before coupons    $65.74

Less: coupons used          (7.75)

Total with Tax              $57.99