Who Has Time For a Blog, Anyway?

When I first mentioned my idea of doing this blog DH was, as always, supportive.  He did, later, mention a bit of concern that I wouldn't have time for it.  Something like, "How in the world are you going to find time to do that every day?" or maybe it was "When are you going to fit that in?" or "Don't you have enough on your plate already?" - I've heard them all over the years.  Of course, I've never listened before, you can't expect me to start NOW!  I insisted that I'd make time and that it doesn't necessarily HAVE to be something I do every day.  Love that he is, he set off to secure a domain name (www.thehillbillybride.com) in the event that someday I want to move on from Blogger into "my own" web site.  Pretty nice of him, right?  Right.  Oh...speaking of "right"...he was.  As usual.  I really don't have time for this.  (Don't tell Scott!)  If you haven't noticed, this is my first post in a WEEK!  I sat down to write several times last week.  It was a "busier than usual" week and I just couldn't get my thoughts to settle.  I worried that it had been too long and realized that this blog - the thing I am doing because I want to - was stressing me out!  So...I refuse to let it.  I'll post as I can and hope that y'all hang around to see what's going on around here.  For now, I've got to get outside - it's milking time!

Just Try the Fried Pickle Already!

The following conversation, or a similar one, has been had more times than I can count over the years.  It could be regarding food, sports, whatever:

DH:  "Try ___________."
THB: "No, I don't like it."
DH: "Have you ever tried it?"
THB: "No."
DH:  "Then how do you know you don't like it?"

It is difficult to argue with that kind of logic.  Grr.  I used to try.  Hard.  Unfortunately, DH has this way of being ridiculously rational.  He also has a way of keeping at a person until they give in and just try the fried pickle already!

In our early days I spent hours trying to talk my way out of doing things I didn't want to do.  In the end I would give in (frequently just because I knew it was the only way to get any peace about it).  What I've found time and time again, though, is that I like all sorts of things that I thought I didn't.  I've found that I'm so much more capable than I ever thought myself to be.  I've found that it is okay not to be good at everything and that sometimes things are fun even if you aren't all that good at it.  I'm frequently "not that good" at stuff, so you can trust me on that :o)

I'm still a little hesitant from time to time...but I'm much more likely these days to jump right into something new.  I'd love to hear about a time when you were surprised by something you didn't want to try...but ended up loving.  Post in comments!

Yellow Rice - Good, Better, Best

There are two ways to handle avoiding unhealthy foods:

1. Stop eating anything that is not "good for you".
2. Find a way to make the foods you like to eat with ingredients that are "better for you"!

I enjoy playing around with recipes to find  healthier ways to make the foods we enjoy.  I can't always do things the "best" way - but I can do better.  Something is better than nothing.  Baby steps are better than no steps.  When I realized that eating better didn't have to be "all or nothing", I felt liberated!  It seems so simple, so obvious!  We have just stopped buying certain things over time and I am learning to make as much as possible from raw ingredients.  When I can serve a meal and say that everything was made "from scratch" I feel a pride that I can't really explain.  (Wait until I can say we raised all the ingredients here!  WOW!)

My latest item to cross off the grocery list is yellow rice.  I've played around with some recipes and come up with my own replacement that got thumbs up all around the table last night:

The Hillbilly Bride's Yellow Rice

4 T. butter

1 medium onion, diced

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

Saute onions and garlic in butter.

 1 1/2 cups long-grain, white rice

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 tsp. turmeric

dash cayenne pepper

salt/pepper to taste

Stir in rice, spices, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover.

Simmer for 20 minutes, or until water is absorbed.

 
In the interest of full disclosure, let's talk about some of the ingredients in my recipe, shall we?  Let's start with the biggie.  Rice.  I use Uncle Ben's Long Grain White Rice.  Yes, I said white rice.  Should we be eating brown rice?  I'm sure we should!  But look, I just switched from Minute Rice about 2 months ago.  So, I feel like we are doing better.  Is there room for improvement?  Oh YES!  Concerning  chicken broth:  I usually have homemade chicken broth in the freezer.  The problem is that when I need to use it...it is still...in the freezer.  So sometimes water with chicken bouillon cubes or chicken base saves the day.  Chicken base is still kind of yucky, but better than bouillon.  Once I find msg-free bouillon we can eliminate that, but for now...I use what I have.  There is a lot of room for improvising with this recipe.  You can use dehydrated onion and garlic, just increase water to compensate.  Saffron or a saffron/turmeric mix can be used (saffron wasn't in the Hillbilly Budget on grocery day) just use what you have - or can afford.

Some good...some better...some best. 

What are some processed foods you would like to eliminate...or replace?  Remember - baby steps are better than NO steps!

Homemade Valentine

In protest of the commercialization of Valentine's Day, this year I didn't buy a single Valentine at the store.  No cards, no chocolates, no conversation hearts.  What I did buy were some cookie cutters and cupcake liners with hearts on them.  My $2 purchase (plus a little a lot of kitchen time) brought smiles to the faces of ALL my Valentines with little treats throughout the day.

Good Morning, Valentine!

 

 

 

Buttermilk Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce were a yummy way to start the day.  We're going to keep looking for the "perfect" pancake recipe, but the Strawberry Sauce is a definite keeper. 

Some of you knew I planned to make Chocolate Sugar Cookies w/ Cayenne Pepper for my spice-loving sweetheart.  I am pleased to report that they were a success!  The tiniest little tingle of spice creeps up on you when you're just finishing the cookie - pleasant and delicious!  I opted not to frost them, but they would have been even better if I had done so.

Don't these cupcakes look fantastic?  These truly are THE BEST cupcakes I have ever eaten.  If you love chocolate and cream cheese (and really, who doesn't?) you must try these.   Now that I've made these twice I'm going to start playing around with some variations - what fun!  Expect a more in-depth post on these at some point! 

SCOTT!!!

 

It was refreshing to throw off societal expectations of what Valentine's Day "should" be and lavish my family with love in my own way.  Now....I need a cupcake.

Valentine, You're Spicy Hot!

For a girl who once thought that black pepper was "spicy", I sure have come a long way in how I cook...and how I eat!  Taco Bell's MILD sauce was as spicy as I cared for and my girls were the same way - minus the mild sauce.

[Enter the hillbilly] 

My DH grew up eating "real" spicy food.  For him, the hottest hot wings are never quite hot enough.   Jalapenos are for appetizers and habaneros are required for chili.  Speaking of chili, his is SO hot the smell alone could peel the paint from the walls.  He eventually realized that he was living with a bunch of girly-girls and started making a separate (read: wussy) batch of chili for us...teasing us the whole time he ate his HOT chili.

A masterful teaser, he eventually wore the three of us down and we started trying things just a bit hotter.  We worked our way up and can handle a much more impressive array of hot and spicy things now.  (I think we just like proving we can do it.  Or we do it to shut him up.  Either way, he actually seems to win somehow...don't tell him I said that.)  Even Noah is starting to tolerate spicy food these days!  As for us girls, we eat the super spicy Big Daddy chili now.

The best part of being able to tolerate all that hot stuff?  It is GOOD FOR YOU!!!  One jalapeno pepper contains five times the Vitamin C of an orange.  If that's not enough for you, consider the benefits of capsaicin (the stuff that makes peppers hot!):

• Capsaicin has been shown to kill cancer cells in humans.
• Pain Relief - Proven to provide relief from osteoarthritis, capsaicin may also relieve pain from diabetic neuropathy.  Studies have also shown its potential in preventing migraine, cluster and sinus headaches.
• Relieves congestion and may prevent sinusitis.
• Capsaicin is a highly effective anti-inflammatory.
• A thermogenic agent, capsaicin increases metabolic activity, which in turn burns more fat and calories.  Many over the counter "weight loss" formulas list capsaicin as an ingredient.
• Capsaicin can help prevent the formation of stomach ulcers and may soothe the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD)
• Capsaicin may help protect the heart!  Linked to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, capsaicin  may also prevent the formation of blood clots. Cultures around the world that use hot peppers liberally have significantly lower rates of heart attack and stroke than cultures that do not. 

In the spirit of "heart healthiness" - and indulging my sweetheart's love of spice - I am looking forward to trying something a little out of the ordinary this Valentine's Day...

Chocolate Sugar Cookies with.....Cayenne Pepper???  That sounds just strange enough to possibly be terrific!

Join me on Valentine's Day - add some spice to your meal (or your dessert!) - it's Heart Healthy!  Remember...the hotter the better! 

Food for Thought

We're going to be talking a lot (a LOT!) about food around here.  I love learning about food.  How to grow it, how to cook it, how to preserve it.  How it grows, why it's healthy (or not!), what it does for (or against!) our bodies.  I would have described us as eating "pretty healthy" for a long time.  Lean meats, very rarely fried food, fruit/veggies on hand for snacks, "healthy" breakfast cereals, pretzels and Chex Mix instead of potato chips, string cheese and GoGurt, 100 calorie pack microwave popcorn...and low fat spread - no butter!  Then I started learning things...and the things I've learned have changed the way I will think about food forever.

Expect future posts to deal more specifically with some of these topics, but for now, here is a general idea of the things we are working toward removing from our diet:

• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), also known as Genetically Engineered (GE) Foods.  The process of altering foods at the genetic level by manipulating DNA is also referred to as biotechnology.
• The majority of corn, soybean and canola products produced in the United States are GMO.
• High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) - Research has shown this to be bad stuff in more ways than one.  
• Try to find processed foods without this little gem on the ingredient list.
• Processed Meats - the sodium nitrites used to preserve most processed meats have been linked time and time again to cancer-causing free radicals.
• Bacon, hot dogs, packaged lunch meat, sausage links, etc. 
• Nitrite-Free options for preserving meat include using celery juice, a natural preservative and is beginning to pop up in more "mainstream" brands.  We've had the Oscar Meyer Natural hot dogs and they were very good.  I've heard that OM has a Natural bacon as well, but have not seen/tried it myself.
• Soy products - this one could set off a pretty strong debate, so I'm going to say little here and save it for a future post.  Let's just say that most soy is GMO and call that reason enough to avoid it. (Or go read this)
• Soybean oil or soy lecithin can be found in almost every processed food.  If you're lucky enough to find one without HFCS you can bet you'll find one of these.
• That "vegetable" oil in your pantry?  Check the label - I was surprised to see mine said 100% soybean oil.
•  MSG - Okay, truth time:  I don't even know why this stuff is bad for you.  Everyone says it is but no one ever says why.  I'll find out.  Give me time.  To be continued...

There are lots of other things that "should" probably be on that list (white sugar!).  A wise friend recently said she refuses to live her life dictated by "should" - and I have to embrace that when it comes to food.  I can't change every single thing overnight, that is unrealistic - and expensive!  A gradual change seems to be working best for the Hillbilly Budget.

I refuse to be one of "those moms" that won't let the kids eat anything that might be bad for them.  That is unrealistic and foolish.  Grandma and Grandpa are always going to buy them cookies...or candy...or cake.  And I'm not going to say "no" to everything.  Is the corn in those Doritos GMO?  Yep!  Am I going to obsess about it?  No.  There will be times when eating wholesome food is just not an option - and this Hillbilly Bride is flexible enough to be okay with that.

Our Bovine Additions

I remember commenting once, several years ago, that I would love to have a cow out in the pasture.  I didn't know a thing about cows, but I thought they were just "the cutest" and loved hearing them moo.  Great reasons to have a cow, don't you think?  Well, maybe for a diva...

But, alas, the diva days are over and now there actually IS a cow in the pasture.  Bessie and her boy, Chuck, are the newest additions to our little ranch, arriving about 2 and a half weeks ago.  I still don't know all that much about cows, but it sure is fun learning as we go!

Bessie and Chuck, the Bovine additions

The plans are for Bessie to be a long-time resident here, while Chuck's time with us will be relatively short.  I look forward to him filling our freezer in the coming months.  On the other hand, I must admit that I feel a bit like the creepy old woman in Hansel and Gretel...fattening him up to throw him in the oven...  *shudder* 

Bessie

 

 

 

Bessie came from a dairy farm - note the tag identifying her by number.  Before her arrival here, she never had a name, never had love, never had a family.  At first, she was so nervous and scared around us.  Now she comes up to the fence and begs for attention.  Noah was thrilled that she "let" him kiss her on the nose yesterday.  I informed Scott today that the tag needs to come off her ear - she is not just a number anymore!

Bessie Milk

This is what it's all about - the milk.  Creamy and delicious, raw milk is more than just a beverage.  It is a complete food source.  The health benefits of raw milk are astounding when compared to the pasteurized milk most of us have spent our entire lives drinking.  Just a few of the benefits of raw milk (from healthy, grass fed cows):

• Raw milk contains 20 standard amino acids
• Raw milk contains proteins that bind iron and fight off cancer and various types of microorganisms.
• Raw milk contains immunoglobins, antibiotic proteins that play a role in fighting disease and controlling asthma.
• Raw milk contains both water soluble and fat soluble vitamins.
• Raw milk contains many minerals, including calcium. 
• The enzymes present in raw milk number over 60, and each of them perform vital roles in the body.

Not only is it good for you, it tastes FANTASTIC!  We have also enjoyed Bessie butter, cream and half n half.  Future plans include yogurt and cheese.  What a bunch of great, practical reasons for having a cow!  Although...my inner diva insists that Bessie IS "the cutest"...and loves hearing her "moo"...

Welcome!

Welcome!  I'm Tammy, The Hillbilly Bride.  I can only imagine the images that must have gone flitting through your mind at reading the title of this blog.  The Hillbilly Bride?  Sounds like a skit from Hee-Haw featuring a barefoot, bedraggled housewife who happens to be missing a tooth or two.  Do a Google search for "hillbilly bride" - you'll get lots of results for Halloween costumes.  I'm afraid I don't fit the stereotype (and I don't just say that because I want so badly for it to be true!) but I'll claim the title.

I never intended for it to happen...I fought it tooth and nail, kicking and screaming....but here I am.  Milking a cow, baking my own bread, tending the chickens.  I look at myself, my life - and wonder how I got to where I am today.

When I met my "Hillbilly Husband" (aka: Scott) I was a CITY GIRL.  I lived in a cute apartment (with my 2 little girls), drove my zippy little Honda Civic to the drive-up latte stand and never missed my standing mani/pedi appointments.  Artsy films, open-air summer concerts, ethnically diverse festivals, wine tastings - there was always something to see, to do.  I was happy.  I was content.  Or so I thought. 

Enter the cowboy.  The redneck.  The "hillbilly".  The man that taught me that happy and content were nothing next to head over heels...over the moon.  9 years ago we took a chance on each other, but that's another story...

As we followed our hearts we've landed on a little piece of heaven in rural Texas.  We home school our three children and are learning a lot about living off the land and eliminating chemically processed foods.  (Gone are the days of pre-packaged chicken nuggets and mac-n-cheese in the blue box.)

This blog is going to be a little bit about the old me, a lot about the new.  I'll rant about GMOs (don't know what that means?  Stick around!) I'll explore our changing lifestyle...the journey - the challenges, the learning - the triumphs, the failures.  The laughter...the joy...share it with me!