Transportation

Since I can't yet afford the deisel that I am going to buy and then convert to a recycled vegetable oil fueled machine I am thinking of alternatives.

Yep, I am thinking something along the lines of this means of transportation if gas prices keep rising . . . . .

Colorku, the Coolest Game on the Block!

Join the craze that's sweeping the nation!

ColorKu is SUDOKU in COLOR! And we have it @ The Best Nest!

Now, I have a confession to make right here and right now . . . . I've never played Sudoku. Sure, I've seen it but it just didn't look like fun to me. It reminded me (on first and only glance) of Mr. Clarke's math class and how he used to try to look down my shirt. But, I digress . . .
For whatever reason, I am a bit embarrassed to admit I had never played Sudoku.


Then I saw Colorku -- the artist in me was intrigued. The whole idea of endless, wonderful, engaging patterns emerged without the baggage of . . . (shudder) numbers.


I was instantly addicted. Finally I understood those Sudoku players out there on trains, curled up on coffee house couches with puzzle in hand, playing with their kids and playing with friends.


ColorKu also allows you to solve any SUDOKU puzzle using color!

Start with one of the 104 puzzle cards, then get one of each color in every row, in every column, and in every 3 x 3 box. Solve any SUDOKU puzzle too! In COLOR!!!

Quality wood playing board 13.5 " x 13.5 " with 81 wood marbles in 9 spectacular colors. Comes with clear high impact plastic bubbled storage tray, color conversion card, over 100 puzzle cards in four levels of difficulty, and a solutions booklet.

In Old Town Spring we are the exclusive carriers of this fabulous game. Sure you can find the game at other stores in Houston, Texas, The United States and now, internationally BUT!
I will happily ship the game to you and pay shipping for you when you buy 2 or more.


Order now! Colorku is just $29.99, plus shipping. (remember - free shipping with the purchase of 2 or more!)


Order by calling The Best Nest @ 832 766 2172
We will guide you through charging your Visa or MC card
OR
Sending a check (make sure you allow 5 days for the check to clear)
OR
using your Pay Pal Account!

Gross is in the Eye of the Beholder

Here is the scenerio: Mom and son watching a clip from Trading Spaces on YouTube

Me: Ewww gross! (in response to a VERY ugly room)

Son: No, Mom. That's not gross. GROSS is like eating a live worm!

Dr. Bill Wood's ProFlex Shake (& Diet Plan)

AM
2 scoops of Proflex drink mix with 12 oz liquid (water or skim milk)
add 1 scoop Fiberwise, if desired
add fruit (suggestions: 1 banana, 1/2 cup strawberries or 1/2 cup blueberries)
add ice, if desired, and blend

This provides 30 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber (13 grams w/ Fiberwise, 8 grams w/o)

This can be part of a healthy day!

Drink the shake in the morning.

LUNCH: An Attain shake or meal replacement bar and some fruit or raw veggies on the side

PM: 1 scoop of Fiberwise in 8oz of water about 20 minutes before the meal This helps place gel coating around the stomach so that nutrients absorbed during the meal are absorbed slowly.

Then eat a regular meal with the family (be reasonable, of course)

Dr. Woods says using this regimen may help one lose 4 - 8 pounds per month . . . a healthy weight loss plan.

Italian Wedding Soup

There are endless variations on this soup, but the main elements are meatballs and greens. In our recipe, we make meatballs of ground beef and pork, and we add plenty of fresh herbs and kale for the green component. While the name indicates that the soup might be served at an Italian wedding, it is actually a mistranslation of minestra maritata, which refers to the "marriage" of greens and meat in the soup. 1st Recipe from Cooks.com 1/2 lb. meat loaf mix (ground beef and pork) 2 tsp. dried parsley 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1 clove garlic, crushed 1/4 tsp. oregano 1/4 tsp. basil 1/4 c. milk Combine the ingredients above. Form small 1/2 inch balls. Drop into boiling salted water. Simmer for 10 minutes, remove with a straining spoon, place on paper towels to drain briefly, then refrigerate. 1 stewing chicken 1 onion, quartered 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 bay leaf 1 carrot, thickly sliced 2 stalks celery, with leaves, cut up 1/3 teaspoon oregano 4 peppercorns 2 tsp. salt 6 qts. water Simmer chicken with the reamining ingredients in the 6 quarts of water about 2 1/2 hours or until tender. Remove skin and bones, cut up and refrigerate. Strain broth and return to pot. Add 1 head escarole, torn into bite sized pieces, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, to taste. Simmer 20 minutes. Meanwhile, break spaghetti into 4 inch long pieces and cook according to package directions; drain. Add 1 1/2 cups prepared chicken and meatballs to broth. Simmer 10 minutes more. Variations: White cannelloni beans may be added; ham or proscuitto may be substituted for chicken. This freezes well and can be doubled if you have a pot large enough. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another recipe from Whole Foods Market Serves 5-6 For the Meatballs 1/2 pound ground beef 1/4 pound ground pork 1 egg 1/3 cup breadcrumbs 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan 2 tablespoons chopped garlic 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano 3 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley pinch ground nutmeg pinch paprika 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper For the Soup 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons chopped garlic 3/4 cup chopped white onion 3/4 cup chopped carrot 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 cups water 1 small can whole tomatoes, drained and halved 1 cup orzo 2 cups shredded kale Combine ground beef, pork, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, oregano, parsley, nutmeg, paprika, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Use a teaspoon to measure out meat for even sized meatballs. With damp hands, shape them into balls. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook. Melt the butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, carrot, salt and pepper and cook until translucent and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, water and tomatoes. Cover and cook 10 minutes over medium heat or until soup comes to a boil. Add meatballs and orzo to the boiling soup and stir to make sure they are fully submerged. Cover and simmer for another 15 minutes over medium heat. Stir in kale. Test a meatball and a piece of orzo to ensure that they are fully cooked. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately. Nutrition Info Per serving (About 14.5oz/409g-wt.): 320 calories (150 from fat), 17g total fat, 7g saturated fat, 20g protein, 24g total carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 3g sugar), 85mg cholesterol, 600mg sodium

Buy to Save the Environment

Baked Macaroni & Cheese

1 lb elbow macaroni
1 lb mild cheddar, grated
1/4 lb butter
6 eggs
2 13oz cans evaporated milk
salt and pepper

Cook macaroni according to directions on box, drain. Dump into large bowl. Add cheese, reserving 1/2 c. to sprinkle on top. Stir until melted.

Stir in butter and eggs. Add milk, salt and pepper. Mixture will be fairly liquid.

Pour into a 9" x 13" dish, sprinkling top w/ reserved cheese.

Bake in 350 for 45 minutes until set.

Full Credit & H/T: http://ebeth.typepad.com/kitchen_comforts/

Brussels Sprouts with Garlic and Bacon

Kosher salt

12 cups whole brussels sprouts

2 lbs bacon

Freshly ground black pepper

Fill a large pot with water, add pinch of salt, and bring to boil. Add Brussels sprouts and cook for about 8 minutes. Remove them from the heat, drain and then chill in the refrigerator for 45 minutes. Slice the sprouts in half when they have cooled.

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until it is done. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of grease from the pan. Add the garlic and cook for a few minutes until fragrant. Add the sprouts and cook until heated through. Season with salt and and black pepper to taste.

Full Credit and H/T: http://ebeth.typepad.com/kitchen_comforts/

Italian Sausage Soup

This is an Olive Garden Recipe!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients
1 lb sweet Italian sausage, ground
1 cup white rice
1 cup chopped tomatoes in puree (1-10 ¾ oz can)
1/2 lb chopped frozen spinach (1-10 oz box), thawed and drained
6 cups beef broth
1/4 tsp black pepper, ground
Pecorino Romano cheese, for garnish

Procedures

1. COOK ground sausage in a soup pot and break the meat up with a fork as it cooks. Add in rice, beef broth, tomatoes and black pepper and bring to a simmer.
2. COOK 12-15 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in chopped spinach and let simmer for a few minutes.
3. LADLE soup into soup bowls and garnish with freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese.