A little indulgence is called for during our 

                    "shelter in place" quarantine

 

The year is 2020 and our world is in the middle of a pandemic. This is more than serious and I've been inside my home since the middle of February. 

 During that time I was rushed to the ER with breathing problems.  They did the gamut of tests followed by multiple nebulizer treatments. I also did two rounds of steroids and it's taken all this time to recover. Thank goodness it wasn't covid 19.  Could you imagine if it had been? Someone like me is high risk so I'm inside for the long hall.

I must say that people have brought out their inner creative side. People who sew have been making masks for our first responders and designer ones for anyone who needs one.  Mine has large cupcakes all over mine. Go figure!  Another very clever person has been making mini "human style" habitats for small animals.  One is a picnic table with nuts and other treats for squirrels and even included a tiny picket fence.  Another artistic person has made famous paintings (mini size) with the faces painted in that represent the little animals visiting.  Hamsters had a sign in the tiny museum that said (instead of don't touch the painting) said  "please don't chew! They chewed.

Most of all, it is a time to pause and reflect. To rid ourselves of the clutter both in our home and in our minds.  Our first responders are risking their own lives to keep others stay alive.  People are pulling together and watching out for each other like many of us haven't seen in a very long time.  

Mother Earth is also breathing a sigh of relief. She is growing, healing and making it possible for animals to return to the healing land.   It is a testiment that the earth knows what to do when it is not abused.

Now is also the time for some intense self care.  This includes a little bit of decadance. A piece of good chololate while you sit in a bubble bath. A homemade treat at the end of the day.

Stay healthy. Stay inside. Be an inspiration to yourself as well as others.

If you are able to swap out ingredients you have at home, please do so, Cooking from your pantry is a great way to save money. If you need ideas, please feel free to email me and I'll help any way I can.

ladywithaunicorn@hotmail.com

Meanwhile…..

Here are a couple of favorite treats land recipes. 

Chocolate!

Some of my personal favorite brands are:

OCHO: Lovely smooth caramel filled and peanut butter filled. They also make special chocolates for holidays.

JUSTIN'S peanut butter cups, cashew cups and almond cups.

Chocolate bars:

ALTER ECO ;      CHOCOLOVE (assorted favors);    DIVINE (assorted flavors my personal fave is dark with raspberries)

Lemon Blueberry Cornmeal Cakes (or muffins)

preheat oven to 350

1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour (I use King Arthur)

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 c magic mix   or use more of the ww or all purpose

1/4 c oatmeal

1/4 c yellow cornmeal

1/2 c sugar

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 c buttermilk or full fat yogurt

2 eggs

zest and juice of 1 lemon

1/2 c melted and cooled coconut oil (or grapeseed oil)

1 c blueberries rinsed and dried or frozen. (coat in 1 T flour)

1/2 c chopped nuts, optional 

sift and combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Wisk in the rest of ingredients except blueberries.

Fold blueberries in last.

Fill large muffin cups 2/3 full (or use mini Bundt pan if you happen to have one)

Bake 16 to 20 minutes or until done. (depends on the size of cups)

Cool and glaze with powdered sugar moistened with a little zest and juice of a lemon. Or serve with whipped or coconut cream. (ready made coconut cream at Trader Joe's...excellent)

parmesan  Crisps

Eat  alone or with soup or crumbled on Italian dishes

Preheat ove3n to 400

1 or more cups of shredded good quality Parmesan cheese 

NOTE: Never buy the stuff in the green can for any reason ever. It makes me cry.

On lightly sprayed cookie place approx. one heaping Tablespoon shredded Parmesan separated 2 inches apart.

 (A  bag of shredded Sartori is about 3.99 the same as a small bag of ready made)

Bake until browned about 6-8 minutes depending on your liking.

Cool. and store. I keep mine in a bowl on the counter for a quick snack.

 That's it! Why pay a fortune for a tiny bag when you can make a pan full?