A Lodge Cast Iron update for you...

I was making these grilled cheese sandwiches at lunch (that’s 1 carb bread ladies, and it’s awesome).  I’m now using cast iron almost exclusively and loving it.  It gives food such wonderful flavor and I took a deep breath and listened to my sons, I don’t use soap on my skillets, I  soak them a bit in hot water and use my trusty Lodge scrubber on them.  This was really hard for me to do, but I’ve done it for a few months and hubby and I haven’t had food poisoning, so it must be okay.  And the best part, my skillets are now as smooth as a babies bottom, I can even fry eggs in them with no sticking.

So, I have a few favorite things to show you.   The first is a Lodge Scrub Brush.  John had one of these, I told Ryan about them, he looked them up on Amazon and we both ordered.

\What a great brush this is, I use it exclusively on my cast iron and it does a fine job.  $9.97 Prime, it’s a great price, too! 

Here’s the link

Then I bought the Lodge Silicone handle.  It fits all sizes of Lodge skillets, and keeps your hands cool when you use them.  It’s only $6.00 Prime.

You can buy it here

And for only $4.62 you can get these great pot scrapers.  Perfect for getting all of the residue off your skillets when you’re washing them.  It’s not Prime, but it is an add-on.  Here’s the click

And finally, this grill scraper.  You all know how hard it is to get between the ridges of a grill pan, well this little gadget will fix that problem for only $4.43 or $9.99 for a four pack, all Prime.

Here’s the link

I bought this 9” preseasoned skillet back in September specifically to make this Trisha Yearwood’s appe recipe that I posted on Jan CAN Cook.  This pie is a winner, and just as good, if not better with peach pie filling.  Want the recipe?  Grab it here!

But back to this 9” skillet.  It’s fantastic, my grab it every day, go to skillet of choice.  It’s on Amazon for $23.22 Prime and worth every penny.  A must have if you want to make that pie, a larger skillet won’t work.  Here’s the link to the skillet

These Lodge accessories would make great stocking stuffers, that pie would be amazing during the holidays, but you really do need to treat yourself to this skillet.  I’m telling you, it’s the perfect size!  

And I also have a great blog entry on how to make old cast iron new again, hubby is working on that little project for you.  It’s coming in a week or so… ~ Jan

Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks

 

Oh how we older people struggle with movies.  There is seldom anything at the movies that interests me.  I do want to see Reese Witherspoon’s new movie, Wild, it’s been getting excellent reviews, but it’s in limited release and not out yet.

So I was looking to see what’s coming out this month and found this Gena Rolands movie, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks.  It looks really cute, and I just bet our local theaters won’t show it, but we shall see.   

Jan's Favorite Things 2014

My list this year has several repeats, things that I’ve blogged about this past year, but are so good that I need to tell you about them again.

 First on my list is the loveliest, best illustrated cookbook I’ve ever owned and I’ve had countless ones.  My daughter-in-law Lindsay is a fan of The Forest Feast blog.  It’s a wonderful site with fantastic recipes and the author, Erin Gleeson now has a cookbook.  She bought it for me for my birthday last month, and it’s hands down my favorite cookbook of all time.  It’s beautifully illustrated, the recipes are fresh and innovative, if you have a foodie in your family, this would be a wonderful gift.  The video above showcases Erin and her cookbook.  

Here’s a link to Amazon if you want to purchase it. 

If you’re an iPhone girl, this is wonderful.  It’s a HiRise charger for iPad Mini and iPhone, works with all of the newer iPhones.  I have it on my desk and it charges really quickly and you can talk hands free easily.   It’s only $27.99 from Amazon, they have a brand new model with more color choices, but it’s lots more money.  

Here’s the link

Loreal Visible Lift CC Concealer - it rolls on, very cooling, firms your skin, conceals those dark circles, just does a great job and the price is right.  Need I say more...

You can buy it here

Not only does Amazon Prime continue to be the best thing ever for me, the number of free albums you can stream on your computer when you subscribe to Amazon Prime are mind boggling.  Wonderful selection, just the best!  And, do you know that if you buy a music dvd from Amazon that they also allow you to download the same album for free on your computer?  I love technology!  Amazon Instant Stream movies, good but it could never replace Netflix for me.

I bought these Ugg Cardy boots earlier this fall and they’re a winner.  I sprayed them with waterproof protectant, and just love them.  Not for rain or snow, but great any other time.  I’m an Uggs fan, they’re easy wear for me.  Free shipping from Nordstroms, too.

MAC Copperplate Eyeshadow - I’m a drugstore makeup junkie, except for eye shadow.  MAC is just the best, always good pigmentation, smooth application, not that pricey and it lasts forever.  I found Copperplate a few weeks ago when I was looking for a grey/taupe color and this is perfect., no blue cast at all, like a lot of grey shadows, this is such a good color.  

We don’t have a MAC store or counter in Heavensville, so I order mine from Nordstroms, $16 and free ship.  

Here’s a direct link 

I bought this red Vitamin 750 Pro this summer, and oh my did it ever create controversy.  My family and friends thought I had lost my ever-lovin’ mind paying this much money for a “blender.”  

Well, let me tell you how wrong they were.  It’s the most wonderful piece of kitchen equipment, and I use it almost daily.  Love, love, love this and would buy it again in a heartbeat. It was a wonderful investment!   

Here’s the click

If I could come to each and every one of your homes with hubby in tow and have him install this jar opener under your cabinet, I would do it.  That’s how much I love it.  Oh how I struggle with jar lids, but no more.  This is the best jar opener you will ever find at the best price, too.  Only $16.95.  Rock star status with this one.

You can buy it here

I’m such a fan of Torani’s Sugar Free Syrups.  I have several varieties, Chocolate, S’Mores, Pineapple, Cherry, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon and they’re all excellent.  I buy mine thru Netrition, which, by the way is the best online seller for Low Carb and Nutrition products.  It’s always flat rate shipping $4.99 regardless of how much you buy.  I could write a whole blog about the wonderful products I buy from Netrition.  They sell other brands as well, but I’ve had the best luck with Torani.

Link to Netrition here

Oh BookBook, how do I love you, let me count the ways.  It’s the best iPhone case ever, looks like you’re carrying around a book, and it has slots for driver’s license and credit cards.  It’s just amazing.  I just upgraded to iPhone 6, and I’m awaiting the new release of BookBook for this phone.

I also have BookBook for my iPad and Mini.  These are just the best products, vintage looking, classy, long wearing,  I’m such a fan.

You can view all the BookBooks at Twelve South

And that’s my list for 2014.  Hope I gave you all some possibilities for your Christmas list this year. 

Happy Holidays!!!

~ Jan ~

Christmas Teas

 

 

I’ve been reading online about Christmas Teas from Bigelow and Celestial Seasonings.  I picked this Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride up at the market today and it’s excellent.

"This cheerful holiday blend will warm your heart with the inviting aroma and delightfully simple taste of freshly baked sugar cookies straight from the oven. Like all of our teas, Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride has no refined sweeteners or added sugars — giving you a guilt-free way to partake freely in the pleasures of the season."

—Charlie Baden, Celestial Seasonings Blendmaster

Deanna had Bigelow Eggogg’n last weekend and it’s really good, too.  Which one was best, oh the Sugar Cookie for sure.  It’s a wonderful tea, very smooth and it does taste like a sugar cookie.  It’s also Caffeine Free, so you can drink it at bedtime.

 

This “Eggceptional” winter tea is a smooth and delicious blend of black and green teas with the creamy flavor of Eggnog. Indulge in this all natural seasonal classic that is perfect to sip on a cold winter’s day. Add a splash of milk and your favorite sweetener for a taste that will melt away the winter blues.

I'm pedaling as fast as I can...

 

I have a list of my favorite things this year, just running behind.  And the leaves on the header are going, too.  Egads it’s a zoo!  Check back, I’ll post soon...