M is Coming Home Today

This time has been a long 5 weeks.  M is finally coming home today. They think they got his meds in balance.  I pray M takes them all as prescribed and doesn't add anything else.  His cat will be so happy to see him.

I left him a freezer full of home cooked food in individual portions.  He likes my lasagna so I made a batch but layered it into 3 disposable meatloaf pans.  an average person should get 3 servings out of each loaf.  He also has 5 Chicken w/ bow tie pasta, a couple bags of vegetable soup, Marinara sauce, and Alfredo sauce. The soup and sauces came from leftovers throughout the 5 weeks.

Well off to work. 

Super Full Moon & 1st Day of Spring …

Today was the 1^st day of spring and it was following last night’s “super full moon.” We often joke about getting very crazy during a full moon and spring break often has the same reputation.  We had an “interesting” day cutting fabric.  We had a lot of odd requests.

I have a couple of prayer requests…

• First, one of our managers lost her fiancé’s father last night after being in a coma about a week from a massive heart attack at 60 years old.  Please pray for comfort during their grief.
• The other is for a regular customer who had a diabetic crisis while I waited on her.  I also noticed a scar from a previous heart surgery.  This one we called the Emergency Squad.  Please pray for her quick and continued recovery.

On the way home from work today, I picked up some seeds for herbs and vegetables.  I have a small sunny area where the herbs grow great in a window box on my stoop’s wrought iron fencing.  Last year I got a few tomatoes, sweet green peppers, and couple of zucchini before the squirrels got them.  In the German Village (historical area of town) the buildings date back to the mid-late 1800’s.  They have small patios or yards so I started planting in window box or patio planters for my vegetable/herb gardening.  

The rest of my space is mostly shady where I have flowers.  Yesterday, I saw the first crocus.  This really signals spring to me more so than a date on the calendar (Oh, and the orange barrels on the highway is another sign).

This is another way to survive… planning ahead & planting edibles if you have the space (no matter how small).  If you don’t have your own space, check into some community gardens or coops in your area.

     The Beatles sang “I get by with a little help from my friends…”  Well, thanks to all my friends’ prayers and help, thanks to the temp agency, and thanks to the shop orders, all of the utilities are current. D in UK: the vultures are shot down for this month. Their young hatchlings have not flown to the mailbox… yet. 

     I am now going to ask for prayers to be sent toward the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit out in the Pacific. 

     Yesterday (at the temp job) I feasted on leftovers from a meeting.  They catered international food to fit the topic of the training. Each course was a different country’s traditional dish. The dessert tray was full of Greek delicacies. This was the best meal they’ve had so far. It is company policy that we can only consume the leftovers at the office. 

      I have to throw away so much food that doesn’t get eaten before it goes bad. That is so difficult for me. Last week they had a soup, salad, & baked potato bar… there are 2 – one gallon zippered bags of soup in the freezer along with another bag of the blanched broccoli. I’ve been telling my co-workers, “break off a chunk of soup and zap it in the microwave.” On Monday, I will mix the few strips of fajita meat with a chunk of the vegetable soup and dollop some sour cream.

On Getting Food...

Yesterday I received an e-mail from a friend who gave me information about Angel Food Ministries.  I have added the link to their site.  This brought to mind that many of the homeless and near homeless have difficulty with getting quality food and/or help getting aid to get food.

I have known people who have chosen to “dumpster dive” for food.  There a number of reasons this is not the best idea! In Ohio you can apply for “food stamps” to help you buy food at your local supermarkets.  Occasionally you do not qualify for one reason or other.  For me it was a typo on the second letter of my last name in their computers (but I’m dealing with that).

I have actually utilized food pantries, coupons, and some of the churches with sandwich lines or lunches.  Another trick is to do your grocery shopping Saturday or Sunday when they are giving out samples (you know your local store’s sample schedule).  Also meeting a friend for a happy hour that offers the appetizer buffet (though these are becoming fewer and fewer) can curb your food budget.

IF you still feel that dumpster diving is the only option, please follow your common sense along with your senses.  First be aware that many larger grocery and restaurant chains use a trash compacter or they pour bleach or ammonia over food in their dumpsters.  Their reasoning is to make the food inedible.  They are afraid of a mass of law suits if you get food poisoning from spoiled food. 

• Go to a place that does not smell like bleach, ammonia, or totally rotten food.
• Know their trash pickup schedule… that means the following day food is fresher.
• NEVER pick fish, mayonnaise or sour cream based deli items.
• Check the expiration date on any labels… this gives you a clue as to how long it has been there.
• Try for packages that are still completely sealed.
• If the item is supposed to be refrigerated feel the package to see if it is still cool.
• Fruit with a peel is best… sometimes a whole bag of oranges are tossed because of only a couple bad ones.
• ALWAYS wash everything including the outsides of meat packages.  This will get rid of any possible bacteria before further contaminating the food inside.
• Whatever the food use your senses… LOOK at it, SMELL it, FEEL for bruises or sliminess, finally if it passes all of the previous senses you may TASTE a small bite when prepared. At any of these points “When in doubt, throw it out!”

Keep in mind I do NOT advocate dumpster diving! 

Day Two …

My first day was fairly easy because of Presidents’ Day.  Today picked up with several meetings.  As Receptionist I have a multitude of tasks.   So much to learn but I seem to be adapting well.

Today we benefited from 2 lunch meetings.  I was allowed to take part in the leftovers.  God truly moves in mysterious ways.  This will hold me over until I get my first paycheck in two weeks.

Thank you.

Fs for Surviving Life

Quilters look for the 3Fs when traveling, attending quilt shows or quilt shop hops.  In that life the 3Fs stand for Fabric, Food and Facilities (Loo, WC, Potty).  In my efforts to survive life they have taken on a new meaning.  I have decided to make Friday’s on this blog a day for Fabulous Free Food Feast Fridays (or nearly free).  I guess that is 5Fs.

I know Giant Eagle changes sales on Thursdays.  Usually that means meat has the “Manager’s Special” stickers by Wednesday.  It was chicken.  10 thighs were marked just under $6 add the $1 AND $2 off stickers.  Lucky me!  I grab 3 plump mushrooms from the bulk by weight which ended up costing 23¢. I paid just under $3 for both.

I got green beans, a chicken sandwich patty (with a slice of onion) and a medium size Bundt pound cake from the sandwich line.  I had garlic, EVOO, rice and herbs at home.  I knew I had some Press N Seal in my quilting supplies.  I packaged up the other thighs individually and popped 8 into the freezer.

For lunch yesterday I prepared this feast.  Total cost per serving: less than 50¢

Chop up the slice of onion from the sandwich and the mushrooms.  Sauté in EVOO and butter to equal about a tablespoon.  Add half of the green beans when the mushrooms are almost soft and caramelized. Heat through.  Meanwhile bake 2 chicken thighs with your favorite herb sprinkled on top at 325° F for 35-40 minutes or until no pink is visible in the flesh.  I used poultry seasoning but I also like fresh thyme & rosemary from my window box in the summer.

Cook ½ cup of instant brown rice according to the package with a pinch of rosemary.  For more flavor you can combine the chicken dripping with the water or use chicken stock.  Keep all liquids as one measurement to total water amount on the package.

Makes 2 meals.  Eat one and share one with another Street Speech vendor. 

 You may note that I did not add salt. Most of the prepared items sold in vending machines (original source for the green beans) have plenty. Since I never know the dietary needs of who I cook for I use herbs for flavor.  For me salt, pepper, and hot sauce are things that can be added at the table.  I will add salt to my dish after tasting whereas Mom is on a low salt diet.  This is how I've cooked for years.

On a slightly different subject, a friend sent me this link.  I found it quite inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lfaSmDxVZQ

Today's Tally:

Friday, February 11, 2011               Time:  11:28 AM to 1:15 PM

Location:  Corner of State & 3^rd Sts. (across from the statehouse)

Temp:  29°F (21°F with wind chill factor)

Newspapers sold:   8 and someone gave me a candy for Valentines Day.

Viable job postings:   0 (that is online) received 4 leads from blog readers

Filled or baiting job posted:   6

Resumes/Job Applications            sent:   4