Easy to prepare and is great to include in a high protein and low carbohydrate diet. Tasty and nutritious this recipe is easy to modify by changing the dressing and the veggies. The sky is the limit. with any addition like shrimp, sweet pickle relish, onions, celery, and peppers, olives, curry powder, chili powder, Tabasco sauce and horseradish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 eggs

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon paprika

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup chopped green onion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place eggs in a saucepan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover 1″ with cold water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bring to a boil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remove from heat and cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Set a timer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remove from hot water and cool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stir in the mayonnaise, mustard and green onion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Season with salt and pepper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add paprika… I used some smoked spanish paprika from Penzey’s which adds another layer of flavor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here it is with more mayo added by someone in the house being sneaky haha. You can add anything you want just use your imagination. Serve on lettuce, in a bun on toast points or in a tomato 🙂

1448 Louetta Rd
Spring, TX 77388

I should stop apologizing for reviewing chains! Some people have never had the opportunity to check out Panera Bread.

 

One of my favorite foods items is bread and bagels happen to be a terrific member of this family. Not only does Panera have bagels but other pastries as well as breads.

 

When I order bagels I usually get a dozen which includes 2 containers of cream cheese. The honey walnut cream cheese is my favorite with sweet bagels and is their best seller. The vegetable cream cheese is also really good with the savory type of bagels. I have tried all the cheeses and they are all yummy.

 

 

 

They have an in store cafe where they offer sandwiches, soups and salads. They also have a convenient drive through!

My favorite soup is the broccoli cheddar and they usually run out! I wish they would plan better how to accommodate all the people who want to eat this soup in a day. All the other soups are all good, especially the potato which has a nice bacon flavor.

I usually order a half and half which consists of your choice of a half of a cafe sandwich, a half of a cup of your choice of soup and includes a baguette. When you are in a hurry and fast food seems the only solution this is a much healthier option.

The Bible shows us that there was always a belief in ghosts. Some people think that ghosts are contrary to Christianity. I have even heard people say it is impossible for there to be ghosts because after we die we are judged. They quote Hebrews 9:27 which states “And in as much as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” I would like to point out that he does not say how long after death this will be. If you read Acts 1:7 it states “He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”

As a being created by God we are given the gift of free will that may also continue after we die. The choice to go into the light and be judged or to wander may be a God gift given as well. We learn in 1 Tim 2: 3, 4 that God desires all men to be saved. “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” How does anyone know for certain that through death and before judgment God has no other plans for any particular soul?

Old Testament

Saul had a medium conjure up the ghost of Samuel
I Samuel 28:15,
And Samuel saith to Saul, Why hast thou troubled me, to bring me up?

Job encounters a ghost
Job 4:14-17
Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

New Testament

The disciples believed Jesus was a ghost. Jesus does not say they do not exist
Matthew 14:25-27
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.

Saints manifested after the resurrection
Matthew 27:52-53
The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Jesus manifested from the invisible to the visible in the same way as an apparition and they didn’t recognise him
Mark 16:12
…to two of them, as they are going into a field, walking, he was manifested in another form.

Saints manifested as well as Jesus spoke with the dead
Mark 9:4,
and there appeared to them, Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus

The disciples believed Jesus was a ghost and he said he was not like a ghost. Again they are not told they do not exist
Luke 24:39
See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.

We must test the spirits
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God..

We do not die
1 Corinthians 15:51
Behold, I will tell you a mystery; We shall not all sleep but we shall be changed.

After we die we are still open to the word of God
1 Peter 3 19
in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison

I was on Facebook this morning and noticed several friends status that said to be very careful today. Why? Well today happens to be 11/11/11 and some people see great significance in these numbers. In the last few months I have been paying attention to the clock more and have noticed 1:11, 11:11 and 2:22. Those numbers pop up for me now all the time now even off the clock. I posted to my Facebook wall how weird that I was noticing these number combinations. I had several people message me with their theories on what it meant including that they were personal messages from angels.

Some people believe the number 11:11 is about ascension and the beginning of awareness of the code that it represents. Some believe we are in a time of a new beginning with the approaching date of December 21, 2012. I know several people getting married today perhaps because of the significance of the date marking their new beginning. I am going to use today as an opportunity for me to explain apophenia.

Apophenia is the human tendency to find meaning or patterns in randomly occurring data like the date 11/11/11. The condition feeds on itself because the more conscious you are of the pattern of something the more often you’ll notice it and believe that it means something. The patterns can be found in everything we see and hear. We are hard-wired to find meaningful patterns because it helps in our survival. As an example is that the rustle you hear in the grass which could be a dangerous predator where we need to run. There are times however, when the patterns are really meaningless. As an example we can find faces on a textured ceiling, the clouds and anything pixellated like photographs.

People can find great significance in the patterns they find. The thoughts it brings up can range from a mild suspicion to full on paranoia. Speaking of paranoia sometimes there is a thin line between sanity and insanity. Apophenia is a part of psychosis which is a loss of contact with reality. That reality includes delusions which are false beliefs about what is taking place or who one is and hallucinations. However, apophenia has been noted in mentally healthy individuals.

People can be so steadfast in their belief in the pattern they find that it is hard to try to give them a rational explanation. These patterns people believe in can even be a life changing event for them! People have sold their homes, given away most of their possessions and have even committed suicide believing that the world would end on a particular day. There was a cult known as Solar Temples where letters after a mass suicide were found stating that they believed they were moving on to Sirius because of the patterns they found. Heavens Gate cult died in a mass suicide and believed they were exiting their human vessels so that their souls could go on a journey aboard a spaceship they believed to be following comet Hale-Bopp. This is obviously not healthy behavior. These people did not know they were deluded.

Some will understand the photograph is just a series of dots while others see the face on Mars. This formation is most likely the result of erosion, winds and other natural forces. People who believe in UFO’s see it as proof of life in the universe and the explanation is a sign of a cover up by the government. I am not going to alter my life by putting tin foil all over the ceilings because of this photograph nor should you. There are people who belief that tin foil acts to shield the brain from emf fields, mind control and mind reading by alien life forms although there is no proof of this.

Conspiracy theorists believe in chemtrails where the government is deliberately spraying chemicals on us. These chemtrails are really contrails caused by airplanes exhaust systems. When the hot exhaust gases cool the surrounding air it causes a cloud of microscopic water droplets and ice crystals. The people who believe in the conspiracy will not listen to this rational explanation.

You find evidence of people genuinely believing they found religious figures in pieces of toast, the grain of cut wood or on a wall. Ebay has made some of these people famous through the sale of these objects. The Virgin Mary on toast sold for 28,000! Religious related psychosis is quite common but not treated. Who is to say what one is spiritually experiencing is real or not.

It becomes a problem when it crosses the line like it did with the Solar Temples or Heavens Gate cults. You should not blindly believe in someone who wants control of your thinking, personal assets and life like Marshall Applewhite.

Apophenia also is a huge problem in people who gamble which can be debilitating. A person who really believes in their pattern of numbers cannot stop betting and can lose everything. If you are stuck with a pattern and cannot stop unhealthy behavior it is time to seek help from a therapist.

4 FM 1960 W.
Houston, TX

Ok, I know it’s a chain but I have recently discovered that many people have not eaten here. Why? I have been told it is it intimidating to walk into a steakhouse when you are pinching penny’s. This is not one of those places folks. The food is not high priced at all! You can get a 6 oz sirloin with soup or salad and one side for 9.99 plus tax. I believe you need to live life fully which includes your taste buds. So save up if you have to!

 

I have eaten my way through the menu here and at other locations as well. The croutons on the salads are deep fried which makes them really light and crisp. The combination platters are a really good deal. Love that they bring bread and butter and will keep on bringing it to you as long as you want more.

The food has always been good for the price and the amount of food on your plate is perfect. There is no reason for me to eat anymore than a huge baked sweet potato, 6 oz steak, salad and a bunch of bread.

 

 

Most of the time the service is good. We did get a lousy waitress once who never checked on us. I am sure she didn’t work there for long unlike some other Houston area restaurants that seem to keep people they really should let go but I will rant about that in a separate post at a later time.

This is my Grandmothers recipe which was handed down from her mother and so on. This was also my fathers favorite dinner. Every time I make this I am flooded with memories of the past. My family had wonderful conversations and laughter around the table. My memories include family members who are no longer with us. Cooking is a wonderful way to remember!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 heads cabbage
1 pound ground beef
1 pound group pork
1 small onion minced
1/2 cup rice
1 egg
1 20 oz can sauerkraut
1 26 oz can tomato soup
6 cloves garlic
Salt and Pepper to taste

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will need 2 heads of cabbage. Peel off and dark or wilted leaves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core cabbage by cutting about 2″ deep around core and twist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place the head in boiling water to blanch until leaves are pliable (about 2 min)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drain and separate leaves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chop remaining cabbage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combine beef, pork, onion and rice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add an egg and season to taste with salt and pepper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place chopped cabbage on the bottom of a large sauce pot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Start to stuff the cabbage by laying out a leaf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place mixture on the leaf towards the stem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flip one side over

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flip the other side over

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roll from the top down making what my Grandma called a pig

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put some of the chopped cabbage on the bottom of the pot to make a blanket then lay the pig you just made seam side down in the pot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you have a full layer cover with chopped cabbage, some sauerkraut with the juice and a few cloves of garlic. Repeat the layering until the pot is full with the last layer being the chopped cabbage and sauerkraut. You are making pigs in a blanket 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pour tomato soup over, cover  and cook over medium heat until cooked through

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Serve the rolls with the loose cabbage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is best served with mashed potatoes and crusty french bread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what they look like cut open

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yum!!! Brings back memories of my childhood 🙂

2120 Buckthorne Pl
Woodlands, TX 77380

My mouth starts watering every time I am near this sign. Why? Three foodies with some experience in the restaurant business got together and decided to do something fresh. Use high-quality ingredients that are cooked-to-order as fast food. They use a grill with mesquite wood coals just like it used to be done. They actually grind Angus chuck roast every day to make their hamburger patties! From what I understand Boar’s Head makes a hot dog exclusively for them as well, although I have not been able to get past Bill’s burger. I have eaten here many times and get Bills burger every time I order. This is THE burger I compare every burger to. I have been on a quest for the best burger for a while now and I want you to know that I really like this place!

 

This night I decided to not to go inside to order. It is really convenient to have a drive through! Here is my goodies after I unpacked them from the bag.

 

The strawberries and cream malted milkshake is the best I have had anywhere. It is not really sweet and very refreshing.

 

 

 

Bill’s burger is a 1/2 lb certified Angus chuck patty with sautéed onions, sliced cheddar, bacon, jalapeños, prime sauce and lettuce. They do have other burgers as well but this one is really good. Yes I am gushing over this burger. They also have steaks, chicken and ahi tuna. This place pays attention to detail with special sea salt on the sweet potato fries.

 

 

 

Here it is after I cut it in half to handle it easier. Doesn’t it look good!

 

 

 

 

 

This place pays special attention to detail on everything including the sides. This is the sweet potato fries seasoned with gourmet flaked sea sal

This is an unusual combination that is out of this world!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1  1/2 cups water
4 cups pears
4 cups apples
1/4 tsp baking soda
4 cups sugar
3 tablespoons crystallized ginger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pick out some apples you will need 3 or 4 depending on the size

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You need 3-4  pears

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peel, core and chop the apples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peel, core and chop the pears

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place the fruit into a large saucepan along with the ginger and add the sugar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add the baking soda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add the water and place over high heat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stir frequently

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the sugar dissolves the fruit will start to soften

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it comes to a boil mash the fruit into smaller pieces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boil until a gel forms. See strawberry jam recipe to understand the jellying point

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can cook it a little longer to make the fruit a little darker if you like

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a good idea to use a thermometer to make sure it is 220 at sea level.  For each 1000 feet of altitude above sea level you will need to subtract 2 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ladle into sterilized jars to within 1/8 inch of the top and process in a water bath for canning. You can also use it now for a cake filling…yay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really like the consistency of this jam!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my serving suggestion when not using it between cake layers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This has really a nice flavor! Hope you enjoy!

Flying Dutchman Restaurant Oyster Bar
9 Kemah Waterfront St
Kemah, TX 7756

This is a seafood restaurant but we were told they have amazing burgers. We stopped here just to try one. This is my plate before I put it together. See the toasted bun? Look at all that cheese!

 

 

Here it the burger after I stacked it. YUM!!! This is one of the best burgers ever. The buns are chewy, soft, buttery and toasted. The meat is seasoned perfectly with something I can’t put my finger on. The cheese is plentiful and really tasty. The veggies are fresh. Put them all together and it makes one really good burger. The juices were running down my arms and all was well the world. The next time you are in the area make it a point to stop and grab one

We sat outside on the huge deck area because the weather was really nice. It would have been better for us to eat indoors though because the mosquitoes started attacking right after we got our food. It is a good idea to spray yourself with bug spray before you go if you are staying outside. As we were leaving we did notice a can of bug spray at the desk that could have been offered by our waiter. I am not sure why he never offered it because we told him we were being bit. On the news the next day there were complaints about how bad the mosquitoes were everywhere.

This is my daughter right after we embarrassed her by telling our waiter she thought he smelled really good. He laughed and said he was wearing was Unforgivable by Sean John. The rest of the night we refereed to him as Mr. Smelly Good Man where we had him laughing. The service this night was pretty good other than the lack of bug spray. I do not know if part of it was because of the compliment we threw him or not. It is a great idea to toss out compliments though!

No food blog would be complete without a recipe for macaroni and cheese. It is considered one of the ultimate comfort foods. For me, it brings back childhood memories where I want to go curl up with a blanket and a good book. This is a basic recipe where changes are not necessary to amaze your family. If you want to get creative you can change the cheeses and make some additions but keep it simple or you change it into different type of casserole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons mustard powder
nutmeg to taste
2 1/4 cups milk
16 ounces cheese (sharp cheddar, monterrey jack and gruyere)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/8 cup parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and butter a 2 quart casserole dish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bring a saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add macaroni

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cook until not quite done (approx 6 minutes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a saucepan melt the butter over medium heat for roux

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stir in the flour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stir constantly until you achieve what looks like wet sand (you do not want this brown)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will need 2 cups of milk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slowly stir in the milk and work out any lumps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add an egg by tempering first and stir

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add the cheese and stir until melted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add mustard powder, nutmeg, salt and pepper. I like to use a spatula to work the sauce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mix until the sauce is thick and smooth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stir the noodles into the cheese sauce and transfer to a prepared casserole dish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sprinkle bread crumbs and parmesan cheese over the top or you can use more grated cheese. Cover the dish and bake for 20 – 25 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is comfort food!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you hungry yet??