AHHHHHH, Comfort Food...

So, what the heck is comfort food anyways?  If you're in the cold Midwest in the dead of winter, it's probably something different than when you're in the deep South in the midst of a heat wave...  Maybe it's food we don't think about unless it's a special occasion or Holiday...  Why Turkey and Stuffing at Thanksgiving?  Why Fudge and Cookie overload at Christmas?  A big box of chocolates in a Giant Heart Shaped box on Valentines Day??  You get the Idea...  Here's the thing, Every day can be Thanksgiving and WHY NOT is the real question???

Stuffing -- The forgotten food...  Lately my Mom has taken to sending me pictures of the food that she makes.  Probably because of my new venture...  Possibly because I keep sending pictures of all the delicious things I make to her...  Quite likely in an effort to be supportive and show what she is making with all the great products she is investing in from Do You Bake?  For whatever reason, I got a picture of a nicely stuffed boneless chicken breast.  YUM!  Who thinks to make stuffing in January, right?  I soon remembered that I happened to have a bottle of Do You Bake? stuffing seasoning left in my stock that I didn't sell over the Holidays.  And so it's decided, not just stuffing; but, homemade stuffing!  One caveat, DYB? Stuffing Seasoning is on the retired list; however, you can use a combination of other DYB? seasonings to make a great stuffing!  "For the Love of Garlic" "Chive and Onion" "Mediterranean" "Roasted Red Potato" to name a few...

• Just Saute some Onions, Celery, and Carrots in Oil Olive
• Season Liberally!
• Add Some broth
• Mix in Cubed Crusty bread or unseasoned stuffing cubes

You are ready to start STUFFING!!  

• Pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Thin
• Cover with Stuffing
• Roll and Place Seam Side Down
• Brush with Olive Oil and sprinkle with DYB? Simply Season All
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until cooked through.  

The moral of the story is, whatever comfort food is to you... Enjoy it!  Embrace it!  Make it no matter what day of the year it is!  Thanks Mom for reminding me of that!  And thanks to my Husband for coming home and saying "God, I just LOVE stuffing!"  Three cheers for SPICING it up!!  

Courtney   --  Email Me!

Take Some Time to Get "Snowed In"

Northern Indiana in January.  That's it.  That pretty much says it all.  Sub freezing temperatures, snow falling outside, weather casters causing widespread panic on the news that we are all going to be snowed in for the next several days...  Ahhh yes, Northern Indiana in January.  Here's the thing, being snowed in isn't always a bad thing.  Being snowed in means a fire in the fireplace with the ones you love.  Being snowed in means curling up with your husband on the couch watching movies.  It means a pot of soup simmering on the stove.  It can mean something that sounds as mundane as a game of Scrabble that you wouldn't take the time to play if you weren't "snowed in"...  It's talking and laughing and enjoying each others company...

At this Indiana girl's house, it also meant cooking on a Friday night.  Yes, I will admit, Friday night is the one night that I don't generally cook.  This Friday it was Pork Chops and Roasted Potatoes.  As promised, I will be sharing how food and Do You Bake? fit into my life on a daily basis.  This Friday, it was with our easy, fun to use Do You Bake? French Fries Seasoning...  

Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes with French Fries Seasonings by Do You Bake?

In the past, I would have grabbed a bag of Frozen Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans with Roasted Garlic Sauce I still had in my Freezer.  I looked at the label and as I often am lately, was shocked by the ingredients...

Chop your own fresh potatoes and

eliminate the need for all those preservatives.  You will taste

the FRESHNESS!

Drizzle with a bit of Olive Oil, Toss and Bake at 450 degrees for about 20-25 minutes

Heat up Two Tablespoons of Olive Oil in the Microwave for a Few Seconds, Add a couple Tablespoons of French Fries Seasoning, and toss with the potatoes.  Finish cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes until nice and crispy!  

And Voila!  Healthy, Delicious, All Natural Roasted Potatoes right from your Oven...  They are crispy, tasty, and fresh! No chemicals or preservatives here.  Just good creamy Yukon Gold Potatoes and the perfect blend or herbs and seasonings!  This seasoning does work great with frozen potatoes or fries in a pinch too...  I always recommend getting the All Natural variety in those if they are available!  

100% Natural and Ohh So Yummy...

Even if the sun might be shining where you are, take the time to be "snowed in" for a day or a weekend... Stop to appreciate the small things and spend times with friends and family.  You don't have to wait until nature steps in...  You can choose to find yourself "snowed in" anytime you want to spend a little time with the ones you love.  And yeah, sometimes that involves a nice dinner or some good snacks.  I would love for you to let Me and Do You Bake? cater your next "snow day".  Keep your cupboards stocked with great food, keep enjoying others company and remember that Life is SWEET! 


Courtney 

A Metaphor for Life...

Let's be honest, I set out to write this blog purely as a business tool...  I hadn't blogged before...  I didn't subscribe to blogs...  I wasn't sure how to use them...  I have a friend's blog I read from time to time; but, that's about where it ends...  As I was fumbling my way through the process of choosing a web hosting service, attempting to design the page and figuring out what I had to say and who on earth would care, I realized that this page can be about so much more!  While the title phrase at the top of the page may have started as a cute, quirky "play on words" for my business, over the next 24 hours, it quickly evolved into a metaphor for life...  A reflection of what happened, what brought me here, and what I hope for the future.

Always Remember Life is SWEET -- As I get older, I begin to realize the importance of remaining in the moment and appreciating it for exactly what it is right now.  Today I have gratitude for what I have and realize I am fortunate for all of it.  I take none of it for granted and savor every moment...

Never Be Afraid to SPICE it up -- I guess as far as metaphors go, I can apply this one to my life in a couple different ways...  I want to try to strive to not live in fear of taking the occasional chance...  Of putting myself out there...  Of following my own best instincts...  Most importantly, today I can firmly say that I am not afraid to stand behind my beliefs and fight for my family and what I believe in.

It has been a real journey that has brought me to where I am right here... right now... at this very moment...  I feel like the path that I have been led down over the past several years has taught me a lot and there is a reason I am here writing this right now.  Maybe it's for me...  Maybe it's for you...  Maybe it's to change another woman's life...  I really don't know; but, I'm looking forward to finding out!

Sooooo, what started as a cute title for a blog designed to draw people into my business has evolved into what I hope can be an adventure we can all experience together of laughter, life, tears, baking, and so much more!  Sure, there will be plenty of posts about cooking and baking; but, I hope to share the ways that I pause to take notice of what makes life SWEET and how I choose to SPICE it up!