How to Make Bagel Chips

It's cool and cloudy today and I have to take something to the neighbor's Memorial day barbecue. Bagel chips and Hummus are always a favorite! If you make everything yourself it will not only taste better, but will also save you money.

Most bagel/coffee houses will sell their day old bagels at a discount. Buy a bag or two and freeze them. If you slice them BEFORE you put them in the freezer, you won't have to defrost them (to slice) before they go into the toaster.

TO MAKE BAGEL CHIPS YOU WILL NEED:
1-6 bagels any kind (the sweet ones aren't as good for dipping)
Cooking spray
Seasoned salt (such as garlic salt, onion salt)

my favorite- Essence of Emeril (see recipe below), or whatever sounds good!)

(Click on Photos to enlarge)

 Start by slicing the bagel 1/8-1/4" thick (you will need a sharp or large serrated edged knife). 

Lay them on a cookie sheet in a single layer (this on "an 11x16" baking sheet)

• Next, spray them with cooking spray and sprinkle on your seasoning.
• Turn each one over and repeat
• Place in the center of a 360 degree oven for 5-7 minutes (watch them carefully, depending on the thickness, they will cook sooner than later)
• Take them out of the oven and turn them over.(If some are already light golden brown on the flip side, take them off)
• Cook for a few minutes more until they are a very light golden brown (see photo)

They should be a VERY LIGHT golden brown

Let them cool and place them in a bag. They will keep at room temperature for quite awhile. They usually never last more than one sitting so don't worry about them going "bad"!!

Make some fresh Hummus to dip into.

Hummus

2 cans (15.5-oz) garbanzo beans (chickpeas) drained, with liquid reserved
2 teaspoons cumin powder
3/4 teaspoon Freshly ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh garlic ; chopped
1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)

If you want a hotter, spicier (non traditional) hummus, add 2-3 tsp. of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (the excess from the can can be frozen in a ziploc bag)

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend til smooth. Add liquid from the chickpeas for desired consistency.

Essence of Emeril 

(don't buy it when you can make it!)

Ingredients:
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Directions:
Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Genetically Modified Food-Guess who is really to blame?
Here are two great documentaries on genetically modified food:

The Future of Food free on Hulu

The World According to Monsanto on YouTube (airs on Link TV)

If you are not familiar with GE (genetically engineed)/GM (genetically modified) food here's a brief explanation. Genetically Modified foods (GM foods) were first put on the market in 1996. Typically, genetically modified foods are transgenic plant products: soybean, corn, canola, rice, and cotton seed oil. In other words, a plant (or animal) can have strands of it's DNA cut and spliced with another kind of DNA...Typically to change the way the plant behaves or grows. There is an on growing controversy about the safety of these foods and impact on the environment. Most importantly, why aren't these foods labeled? Huge corporations like Monsanto (the makers of Round Up) and Dow have genetically Modified the seeds of the plants mentioned. Monsanto calls their "new" seeds Round Up Ready. A farmer can plant this seed and spray the hell out of it with Round Up...and I DOESN'T DIE!!  Monsanto (like so many other large corporations, OWN the politicians they support. (After all, if you're a politician it's all about the money and getting re elected.) It doesn't matter what your party affiliation....One side is often times no better than the other. We vote them in and we can voter them out. So should we blame Monsanto for doing what big corps do? Let's start blaming the men and women who take their money. Click below to see if any of your congressmen or women are supporting Monsanto. The more you know about Monsanto, the more you will be appalled! DO NOT SUPPORT THEM! 

The Center For Responsible Politics

Eating Healthier Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

We have all become aware of the chemicals in our food and water supply. A website called Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a list of  foods that contain the most and least pesticides. You can download and print the list or, if you have an Apple ipad, iphone, or ipod, you can get the App called Dirty Dozen. Dirty Dozen

EWG's Dirty Dozen

Freezing Dried Beans

Someday I will have enough garden space to grow my own beans, but until then, I have to buy them in bulk. They are considerably cheaper than canned (after all, you are paying for the can which will either take up space in the land fill or have to be recycled). So buy them in a bag or in bulk (cheaper yet), cook them up and freeze them! I live alone and often times a can of something is too much for me to finish in one dish. So here's what I do. I will use pinto beans as an example:

1. Measure out the amount of dried beans for the amount you want to have COOKED (it's approximately 1 cup dried =a little more than 2 cups cooked.
2. Soak the beans for about 8 hours (or overnight) or according to package instructions. They will double in size so use a large enough pan and plenty of water
3. Cook the beans (about 1 1/2 hr.)
4. Using a one cup measure, scoop them into a large size muffin tin (they will pop out easier if you spray them with a cooking spray). 
5. Freeze them, then pop them out and put them in a Ziploc bag and back into the freezer.

You now have serving sizes of about 1 cup...take out more if you need to. NO waste!

Beer Bottles Goggles-What a great idea!!

 I found a website that I just love! http://greenupgrader.com/. It's got all kinds of craft ideas for "repurposing" as well as great articles on sustainable living. I came across it by looking for some information about New Belgium Brewery (WAY TOO MUCH FUN if you ever get to Fort Collins, CO).
So, here is a unique way to repurpose a beer bottle!

Don't ya just love it?

Beer Bottle Goggles

Building a raised garden bed

I believe that there is a little farmer in all of us. I love to grow my own food. It's  near the top of my list of Living Better. Not only do you get the satisfaction of  doing it your self, but you are also getting exercise, fresh air, and saving money. Also, you control the chemicals in your soil and the way you want to control pests NOT Monsanto!  ( I am saving my disdain for Monsanto for another day!)

When I was younger and had a family, I had a huge garden.  I didn't mind the bending and squatting  to plant and pull weeds. As I got older, and the kids left,  I realized I didn't need such a big garden so I decided to scale it down and grow my food in a raised bed. What a treat!!

My Raised Garden Bed (click to enlarge)

I discovered that there are many advantages to a raised garden bed. One of most important advantages is that it greatly reduces soil compaction. Plant roots need air. Also, plants in a raised tend to produce more and grow faster because the raised bed warms up faster in the spring. I built my raised bed out of some flagstone I got from a neighbor who had it left over from building a fireplace.
Wood is probably the material of choice. I think this one, from Sunset Magazine, is great..simple and relativily inexpensive. 
How To Build a Raised Garden Bed
So, depending on where you live, get growing!