HeatherSolos's Comments

Home Ec 101 : Grill the Griller

Wed, 8 Jun 2011 14:28:02 +0000

I like the brick idea, if there is a way to catch the fat, I see a high probability of flare ups. I would cook it over indirect heat, with the lid closed. I think the dutch oven might be overkill, and there'd be no way for the fat to drain away and if there's one thing I don't enjoy, it's a greasy meatloaf.

Home Ec 101 : Simple Radish and Egg Salad

Wed, 8 Jun 2011 14:05:30 +0000

Bobbie, this looks great. I'm thinking this might be really good in place of regular egg salad on sandwiches. I like my sandwiches with a bit of crunch -except for peanut butter, but that's a whole other addiction not to be discussed today- I'm thinking if you just ran the slices under the chef knife once in the other direction, it'd be perfect on a sandwich. I may have to test this theory. I also need to work on making better bread, I've sort of been in a rut.

Home Ec 101 : The Freezer Was Left Open, Now What?

Tue, 7 Jun 2011 18:03:28 +0000

Great advice, Jenny. The main reason I dread hurricane season around here is the potential to lose everything I store in the deep freeze. Everything else, I can deal with all the food in that freezer represents money and hard work.

Home Ec 101 : Grill the Griller

Mon, 6 Jun 2011 19:42:34 +0000

Sus, I'm the griller in this house. It does take some practice, but it's a skill worth mastering, if only to free yourself from the hot kitchen. (Yes, it's hot outside, but at least you won't be taxing your AC as much)

Home Ec 101 : Grill the Griller

Mon, 6 Jun 2011 16:55:19 +0000

Oh that's a great idea. Sounds like it's time to do a series of foil packets. Here's hoping the minions don't hate them. I have some bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms that need to be used and I think that would go well with chicken and Italian dressing... Must go marinate.

Home Ec 101 : Grill the Griller

Mon, 6 Jun 2011 14:52:37 +0000

It's been a long time since I've done a London broil on the grill, but everything for grass fed is saying 7 - 9 minutes per side for a 2" or less thick cut. Are you double checking the temp of your grill with the hand test?

Home Ec 101 : Grill the Griller

Mon, 6 Jun 2011 14:46:09 +0000

And on my propane grill the hotspot is the back which is very aggravating. We're talking about building a permanent grill set up in the backyard. I'm very excited.

Home Ec 101 : Grill the Griller

Mon, 6 Jun 2011 14:44:55 +0000

How thick are your steaks? With grilling it's not about weight it's about surface area.

Home Ec 101 : Grill the Griller

Mon, 6 Jun 2011 14:40:49 +0000

What temperature are you trying to cook it to? First, you want the meat to come to room temperature (remember you don't want it in the bacterial danger zone for too long, but you don't want to plop it straight onto the grill from the fridge). If you're direct cooking over a hot grill for a medium rare london broil that's 2" or LESS thick, you probably want to do 7 - 9 min per side. Grilling and broiling are very similar, the heat is just coming from the opposite side. Don't forget to close the lid of the grill, but stay close to watch for flare ups. Once you pull it off the grill cover it and let it sit for 10 minutes and then slice thinly across the grain.

Home Ec 101 : The Minimalist Baby, What Babies Don't Need

Sun, 5 Jun 2011 21:41:42 +0000

With my 3rd I figured I had lessened our diaper impact enough that I didn't feel guilty about using disposables at night. We all pick and choose what works for our families and lifestyles. I won't judge anyone for what they choose, to a point. If your choices make my life difficult, then I reserve the right to be human and petty. :)

Home Ec 101 : The Minimalist Baby, What Babies Don't Need

Sun, 5 Jun 2011 01:00:51 +0000

We're tall, too and usually ended up changing on our bed, the couch, or the floor (on a towel or blanket). I find it easier to get all the way on the floor than to hunch over a too short surface. I'm sure you can relate. Now that the youngest is 3 and completely potty trained, I do NOT miss all the hunching and bending.

Home Ec 101 : The Minimalist Baby, What Babies Don't Need

Sat, 4 Jun 2011 20:42:30 +0000

Like Nicki suggests I put a towel in the kitchen sink for the times when I didn't just bathe them with me. Keep in mind that if you do bathe with a baby in the tub, sometimes there will be a FUN extra surprise that involves startled shrieks and extra clean up. My oldest and and I spent a lot of time nursing in the tub, it just seemed to chill him out a bit. Then again I take long showers when I'm stressed out, so who knows.

Home Ec 101 : Easy Grilled Buffalo Wings

Sat, 4 Jun 2011 19:11:57 +0000

So glad you liked them!

Home Ec 101 : The Minimalist Baby, What Babies Don't Need

Sat, 4 Jun 2011 14:11:49 +0000

I do that kind of thing ALL the time, Danielle. I just remember on the pregnancy boards people living within walking distance of the hospital not understanding the policy.

Home Ec 101 : The Minimalist Baby, What Babies Don't Need

Sat, 4 Jun 2011 14:09:44 +0000

This comment was sent in via email from NJ: There's not a lot of equipment a clean newborn infant actually needs besides clean diapers, clean jammies, clean swaddling blankets, and a legal car seat. In house laundry facilities & plumbing make life easier. If your washcloths are rough, some softer ones are nice for baby but they can be cut up pieces of old Tshirts. Your towels are ok. Until a baby is up on their knees, rocking, you can have them sleep in a drawer placed on top of a sturdy chest or table next to the bed. This also is nice to roll over in the middle of the night & pat the baby on the back, or pick them up to nurse while still in bed (stay awake enough to put them back in their bed/drawer) and you have time to find a crib or pack-n-play. When they start to creep, you put them in the new bed. I padded the drawer with folded towels placed in a pillow case. Until a baby is mobile, you can get away with very little. Once you know what type of baby you have, add as necessary. I used a backpack constantly once they could sit up. You can't bend over with it, but everything else is possible & they are not on the floor in a small space. They can see what's going on & you can talk to them(your neck & shoulder get drooled on more, but that's life) and if the backpack has a stand it is easier to put on. No stroller. Once you start doing the baby food route, a simple grinder that purees whatever you put into it with a few cranks of the handle. Gotta have books with sturdy pages & pictures. Read to them every day from the start. A baby needs engagement. They need touch & talk & music & movement with response to their communication. They need love; not mushy feelings but active interaction that acknowledges their individual need & meets it. A mesh bag to corral all those teensy baby socks keeps them from migrating. We had a flood in our basement & had to take apart the washer & dryer AND THEY REALLY DO EAT SOCKS! Particularly the thin ones. Once they are crawlers, take a stack of newspapers or phone books & tape them into a solid box big enough for a baby to crawl on top of & sit or lay on. Maybe 6-8" high. Cover with contact paper so you can wipe it clean. Your kid will think they are King of the Mountain & you can use it as a door stop. Use a playpen from the start...it can be the pack-n-play they sleep in. They must learn to be content for periods of awake time by themselves in a safe, confined space. There will be times you need to do something & need to know they are there. We had daily "Quiet Time" where everyone had a stack of books & a place to be & they stayed there. Mom needed that. As they got older, they could make a fort for it...but that's a different article.

Home Ec 101 : The Minimalist Baby, What Babies Don't Need

Fri, 3 Jun 2011 21:03:05 +0000

Great point! I forgot. I used cut up flannel and a stack of cheap wash cloths that lasted for all 3 kids.

Home Ec 101 : Important Info for Cooking Dried Beans in a Crock Pot or Slow Cooker

Fri, 3 Jun 2011 20:54:25 +0000

Yes, the water will reach 185, it takes longer for the foods in the water to reach that temperature which is the reason for the risk. http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodborneIllne...

Home Ec 101 : The Minimalist Baby, What Babies Don't Need

Fri, 3 Jun 2011 17:18:55 +0000

The lid is also very important to keep that kiddo out once she or he is a toddler.

Home Ec 101 : The Minimalist Baby, What Babies Don't Need

Fri, 3 Jun 2011 14:57:31 +0000

Kids are weird, aren't they, you'd think they were individuals with preferences. ;) Thank you for sharing your experience!

Home Ec 101 : The Minimalist Baby, What Babies Don't Need

Fri, 3 Jun 2011 14:56:06 +0000

Thanks for sharing such a great resource. I didn't know it existed.