Donate Rice

I was excited to get the new issue of All You Magazine, partly because, a tip of mine is in it. (To check out how to keep magazines organized, purchase the magazine). However, it was an editor’s tip that caught my eye. Apparently, she stumbled upon a site that allows people to play trivia- like games and for each correct answer 20 grains of rice is donated to the hungry for free. In addition to the free rice donation, players receive a free education. You can enrich your vocabulary, learn proper grammar, and familiarize yourself with artists and famous paintings plus much more. Tonight, I donated 2160 grains of rice, which I am sure someone somewhere will appreciate.

Something we consider small can be big to others. I might not have millions or even thousands to donate to charities but surely, I could play a game or two. You can make a difference as well. Take the time to check out this great site and go to bed knowing that because of a small effort on your end someone has a little more to eat.

God Bless!

 

Gravy Meatball Pasta

I noticed that my recipe blogs get a lot of hits and since I am working on several writing projects and developing my own company (stay tuned!) I have not had extra time to devote to my blog. I thought I could manage to post a great recipe that my family loves. You will be happy to know it takes no time at all.

If you have read any of my recipe posts, you know that I am a little bit of this and a little bit of that type of gal. When trying to cook for six-you have to learn to be quick and that I am.

Gravy Meatball Pasta

2 jars of beef gravy 

1 or 2 bags of frozen meatballs (we prefer turkey meatballs)

Handfull of Parmesan Cheese

Egg Noodles (you can use whatever you like)

Toss meatballs into gravy, dash salt and pepper and a handfull of parmesan cheese

Boil noodles, once done, spoon the meatballs and gravy over top and serve.

The last time I made this my family couldn’t get enough and my children said I was the best cook in the world. I still laugh at their words because none of it was homemade but it was sure tasty.

THURSDAY THIRTEEN/HONEY AND CINNAMON

Thirteen Things about Maribeth Yesterday, I received an e-mail about honey and cinnamon. I’m a sucker for remedies, so immediately the e-mail caught my attention. This week I will list thirteen remedies you can try at home with honey and cinnamon to alleviate common health problems. Hope they help. If you have tried any of these, and were happy with the results, let us know. Facts on honey and cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a “Ram Ban” medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the Right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, on its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases That can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western Scientists: 1…HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins. 2…ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning, and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of ar thritis started walking without pain. 3…TOOTHACHE: Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied three times a day until the tooth stops aching. 4…CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient were found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol. (By the way. If you’re taking cholesterol medicine STOP! They all contain satin which weaken your muscles…including YOUR HEART and none has been shown to stop heart attacks or strokes!!!! 5…COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses. 6…UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root. 7…IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases. 8…INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient, which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu. 9…LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old. 10…PIMPLES and Skin Infections Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root. SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections. 11…WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet. 12…CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day. 13…FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week. BONUS 14…BAD BREATH: People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Thursday Thirteen Candy Bars

Thirteen Things about MaribethI gave up chocolate for lent. This is a big deal for a chocoholic. I am used to waking up and having a small piece of chocolate, it’s how I welcome a new day. So, for the next month or so I will be living free of my chocolate addiction, which makes me think about all of the chocolate candy bars I have loved or tried in the past. This week I am writing about thirteen candy bars. What’s your favorite?1…Heath Bar- Yum-love this chocolate covered toffee. It’s a great candy bar to mix into ice cream for a special summer treat. 2…Kit Kat- Who doesn’t love a Kit Kat. To save calories, I buy the mini ones and only eat one of the sticks. 3…Snickers- Chocolate, caramel, peanuts, sinful. 4…Chunky- Ooh, a great combination of lots of good things. I have to say though, Cadbury makes a Fruit and Nut bar that is similar to the Chunky and I think I like it more. 5… Whatchamacalit – This bar was hugely popular when I was a little girl and was definitely yummelicious. 6… Mr. Goodbar- I’m a sucker for anything chocolate with nuts and this one definitely satisfies by sweet and salty tooth. 7… Nutrageous- Chocolate, Peanuts and Peanut butter-scrumptious. 8… Mars Bar- another one that was popular when I was younger, very good but not my favorite. 9… Twix- Satisfies a sweet tooth. 10… Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups- So good. 11… Bar None- I loved this bar, I don’t know why it was nixed. 12… 100 Grand Bar- I remember as a young girl I actually thought these bars cost a lot of money. 13… Hershey’s with almonds- I am a PA resident, I have to include this famous bar.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Thirteen Things about Maribeth/strong> I gave up chocolate for lent. This is a big deal for a chocoholic. I am used to waking up and having a small piece of chocolate, it’s how I welcome a new day. So, for the next month or so I will be living free of my chocolate addiction, which makes me think about all of the chocolate candy bars I have loved or tried in the past. This week I am writing about thirteen candy bars. What’s your favorite? 1…Heath Bar- Yum-love this chocolate covered toffee. It’s a great candy bar to mix into ice cream for a special summer treat. 2…Kit Kat- Who doesn’t love a Kit Kat. To save calories, I buy the mini ones and only eat one of the sticks. 3…Snickers- Chocolate, caramel, peanuts, sinful. 4…Chunky- Ooh, a great combination of lots of good things. I have to say though, Cadbury makes a Fruit and Nut bar that is similar to the Chunky and I think I like it more. 5… Whatchamacalit – This bar was hugely popular when I was a little girl and was definitely yummelicious. 6… Mr. Goodbar- I’m a sucker for anything chocolate with nuts and this one definitely satisfies by sweet and salty tooth. 7… Nutrageous- Chocolate, Peanuts and Peanut butter-scrumptious. 8… Mars Bar- another one that was popular when I was younger, very good but not my favorite. 9… Twix- Satisfies a sweet tooth. 10… Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups- So good. 11… Bar None- I loved this bar, I don’t know why it was nixed. 12… 100 Grand Bar- I remember as a young girl I actually thought these bars cost a lot of money. 13… Hershey’s with almonds- I am a PA resident, I have to include this famous bar.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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RAVIOLI GATHERING

We have a tradition in our family for Christmas. Every Christmas day we have a big Italian dinner with homemade meat and cheese ravioli’s. From as far back as I could remember, my mother and father would set up their stations at the kitchen table and neatly wrap the ravioli’s. My siblings and I would gather around them and help fork the edges so they closed tightly. Festive music played in the background, smiles swept across our faces and anticipation stirred in our bellies. No store could come close to the greatness of our ravioli’s. My father would say, “No one would pack them like we do and hope for a profit,” it just would not make sense. At the end of the ravioli making fest we collect the scraps and boil them to make homemade noodles.

This year was almost the year without ravioli’s. My parents are older now and the process is a bit too much. It takes a long time to make the fillings not to mention all of the dough. “I think this year we will just buy ravioli’s,” my mother declared. It was as if someone announced there would be no more ravioli’s forever. None of us could fathom not tasting our ravioli’s. “Well then we will just have to make them ourselves,” my older sister called out. “Yeah, I agreed, we can’t eat someone else’s ravioli’s, we have to have our own,” It is not because we are spoiled and will not accept anything less; we couldn’t imagine breaking the tradition. Even though, we were all saying we would make them, in some subconscious way we were hoping my mother would change her mind. Then it dawned on us, she really is older and it is too hard for her. It is difficult to accept that our parents have slowed down and we need to step up to the plate if we want to keep traditions alive. Watching someone else do all of the hard work is always easier. We put a plan in motion and shared the responsibilities, instead of one person making everything.

We gathered at my parents’ house and sat around the table. They were there with us, but it was their turn, to sit on the sidelines and observe. I looked around for a moment and snapped a mental picture that I hope stays with me forever. It was never about the ravioli’s. It was about family. Making the ravioli’s was just the excuse for our family to sit around a table for hours, laughing, singing, and occasionally arguing. Deciding not to make them would have ended a chapter too soon. Our ravioli’s are still the best tasting in my book but I realize now it’s because I know first hand just how much love went into making them.

THURSDAY THIRTEEN CHOCOLATE COVERED…

Thirteen Things about MARIBETH Happy Thanksgiving I have stated before that I am a chocoholic. I loooooooove chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate and occasionally white chocolate. This Thursday I have decided to list 13 foods that taste great covered in chocolate. 1…Chocolate covered nuts-Yum, my favorite- love them all, cashews and hazelnuts are especially good dipped in chocolate 2…Raisins. A movie must-raisinettes 3…Chocolate covered Crackers- Awesome! The Candy Kitchen Shops at the beach sell these delicious treats 4…Strawberries- A favorite treat of mine is chocolate covered strawberries with a glass of red wine. 5…Potato Chips- The first time I saw these I thought, “how disgusting”, but then I tried one. There is something about the combination of salt and chocolate that make them addicting. Probably the only time I would be tempted to eat a whole back of chips would be if they were chocolate covered. 6…Oreo Cookies-Great for parties and easy to make-dip oreos in melted chocolate and voila you have a yummy dessert 7…Ritz Cracker with Peanut Butter-Another great treat to bring to a party. Spread Peanut butter atop a Ritz cracker cover with another and dip in chocolate. If you love chocolate and peanut butter together these are for you. 8…Pretzels-Who doesn’t like chocolate covered pretzels? This also makes a great addition to a gift. Dip Pretzel rods in chocolate, roll in sprinkles, put in a crinkled plastic bag and use a ribbon to tie shut. Looks very creative but doesn’t take too much time. 9…Apples-I love the gourmet chocolate covered apples. My favorites are the ones that are covered in chocolate and peanuts, so fattening but worth the calories. 10…Coconut-Mmm Mmm Mmm-Emeril has a great recipe for chocolate covered coconut balls. They are fairly easy to make and taste just like almond joys. 11…Toffee-Score Bars and Heath bars are two of my favorite candy bars. 12…Cherries- I didn’t like these so much at a younger age but I think they have grown on me. 13…Popcorn-The best! Again, it is something about the salt and chocolate that makes this so tasteful. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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THURSDAY THIRTEEN CHEESES

Thirteen Things about MARIBETH I LOVE CHEESE. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE CHEESE. IT’S SATISFYING AND GOES WELL WITH SO MANY THINGS. YOU COULD HAVE CHEESE AND CRACKERS, CHEESE AND FRUIT OR CHEESE ON A SANDWICH. CHEESE MAKES EVERYTHING ELSE A BIT TASTIER. TODAY’S THURSDAY THIRTEEN ARE THIRTEEN CHEESES. BON APETIT! 1…CHEDDAR CHEESE- LOVE CHEDDAR CHEESE- I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE CREAMY TEXTURE 2…COOPER CHEESE- COOPER CHEESE IS FANTASTIC- I’D PREFER COOPER WHEN GETTING CHEESE AT THE DELI 3… BLUE CHEESE- MMMM- VERY FATTENING BUT VERY GOOD. GOES GREAT WITH CELERY OR CHICKEN WINGS. I ESPECIALLY LIKE CRUMBLED BLUE CHEESE WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR ON MY SALADS 4…FETA CHEESE- I LOVE THIS SWEET CHEESE, IT GOES AWESOME WITH TOQUITO’S OR GIVES A NICE TOUCH TO A PASTA SALAD WHEN SPRINKLED RIGHT ON TOP 5… PARMESAN CHEESE- I’M ITALIAN, SO NO PASTA DINNER IS PERFECT UNTIL THERE IS PARMESAN CHEESE COVERING THE TOP 6… MOZZARELLA CHEESE- PIZZA WOULDN’T BE PIZZA WITHOUT MOZZARELLA. SUMMER TIME IS THE PERFECT TIME FOR A FRESH TOMATOE/MOZZARELLA/RED ONION/BASIL SALAD-YUM 7…ASIAGO CHEESE- THIS CHEESE IS DRY BUT VERY ENJOYABLE. A SLICE OR TWO IS ALL YOU NEED TO BE CONTENT. BREADS ARE AWESOME WHEN MADE WITH ASIAGO CHEESE 8…MUNSTER CHEESE- IN MY FAMILY EASTER WOULD NOT BE EASTER WITHOUT EASTER PIZZA- MUNSTER CHEESE IS PART OF WHAT MAKES THE PIZZA UNIQUE. MUNSTER CHEESE IS ALSO KNOWN FOR ITS ORANGE TOP COLOR. 9… PROVOLONE- I THINK YOU EITHER LOVE PROVOLONE OR HATE IT. I LOVE IT OF COURSE. I THINK THIS MAKES A GREAT MELTING CHEESE. GOES GREAT ON HOAGIES 10…AMERICAN CHEESE- BELIEVE IT OR NOT- THIS IS MY LEAST FAVORITE. I DO NOT LIKE PACKAGED AMERICAN CHEESE BUT I COULD EAT SLICED AMERICAN CHEESE FROM THE DELI 11…MONTEREY JACK-ANOTHER SMOOTHE CHEESE- GREAT ON CHICKEN SANDWICHES 12…RICOTTA CHEESE- YOU CANNOT HAVE LASAGNA OR STUFFED SHELLS WITHOUT RICOTTA CHEESE. CANOLI’S ARE GREAT WHEN STUFFED WITH RICOTTA 13…SWISS CHEESE- AN AQUIRED TASTE, IT IS A GREAT CHEESE TO MIX WITH MUSHROOMS AND EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT ITS TRADEMARK IS…THE HOLES. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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THURSDAY THIRTEEN MOM FOODS

Thirteen Things about Maribeth This week my mother celebrated her birthday. Everyone loves their mother’s cooking (I think). My mother is top notch when it comes to cooking and baking. For this Thursday Thirteen I have decided to list thirteen of my favorite dishes I love- compliments of my mother. I have learned to cook from her and hope one day my children will be just as excited by my cooking as I have been by hers. Bon Appetit! 1…. Meat Loaf, mashed potatoes and butter beans. She has a knack for Meatloaf – I love the ends the best, but we always had to leave them for my father. Once in a while I would sneak one. 2…Risotto- This is an Italian dish, It’s rice in a spaghetti sauce. Very delicious and goes great with her homemade meatballs. Yum 3…Oyster Stuffing-A Thanksgiving tradition in our household. I wait all year long to stuff myself with oysters-It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without this dish 4…Fresh Brewed Iced Tea-Since I was a little girl my mother has been making this, she used to make it in summer’s only but now it’s an everyday thing. She brews the tea bags on the stove and then makes a pitcher of sugar iced tea and a pitcher of unsweetened(my favorite, she knows exactly how much lemon juice to add to make it perfect) 5… Potato Salad-Summer cookouts are especially nice when mom’s potato salad is part of the smorgasbord. 6…Stew and Dumplings-The best stew ever, she drops bisquick dumplings on top of the stew which make this stick to your rib’s dinner the best on a cold winter’s night 7…Chili- Not everyone can make the perfect chili but my mother can (I learned from her so I have to say I make a mean chili too) Perfect with buttered bread and parmesan cheese. You can’t just eat one bowl 8…Rice Pudding-She makes the best rice pudding ever. The consistency is always perfect and it is especially good when still a little warm 9…Pies galore-Every pie she makes is to die for, Apple, Coconut Custard, Pumpkin, she makes a great Apple Dumpling too. I don’t know if I will ever inherit her knack for pie crust. As long as we are talking about baking-I better mention how much I love her bread pudding. 10…Pasties- I am a crust girl, anything with crust I love, so Pasties is definitely one of my favorites. She makes the traditional meat along with broccoli and cheese which are definitely my favorite. 11…Dough Ball Soup-I guess by now it is obvious I love dough (I’m Italian what can I say) this is not the correct name of the soup but it is what our family calls it. It is a tomato based soup filled with yummy dough balls. Again, you wouldn’t be able to eat just one bowl of this 12…Chicken Divan- I think this might be my FAVORITE- Broccoli, Cheese, Chicken and Bread Crumbs, scoop this dish over white rice and add lots of pepper, it is amazing. 13…Ravioli- Hands down the best cheese and meat ravioli ever. Another tradition we have, Christmas time is ravioli making time. I feel sorry for all of the people that never will get to taste one of my mother’s ravioli’s. They cannot be duplicated. 11… Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Mmm Mmm Mushrooms

I got some positive feedback from my crab-ravioli recipe so I thought what the heck I would throw another one out there. I am busy writing for a class I just started and only have a few minutes to spare for blog time. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to introduce another yummy recipe. Once again it’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I am sure you could make it work.

Mmm Mmm Mushrooms

6 Portabella mushroom caps

1 bag of frozen spinach

-clove of garlic

-roasted red pepper from the bottle

-tablespoon or so of olive oil

-pinch or more of parmesan cheese

-2 or three slices of cheddar cheese per mushroom

Defrost spinach in microwave to save time. Once done fill cap of mushroom with spinach.

Place sliced roasted red pepper on top of spinach 

Top with fresh garlic(as much or little as you like)

Place slices of cheese on top and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and a small shake of salt and pepper to top it off.

Wrap mushrooms individually in foil and heat for about ten to fifteen minutes.

You can use a conventional oven, a toaster oven or the grill (my favorite) to make these.

I have received many compliments on these and you will too.

Enjoy-Let me know how they turn out.