Work to Live, Earn to Multiply

Cooking Outside the Box

What is a bargain these days? Thrift stores and garage sales, bakery outlet stores, coupon clipping, rebates, farmer's markets, and store markdowns. Nothing I've seen beats what you save by getting off of the sofa and getting busy in the household with your own hands. Every now and then, I succumb to clever television commercials or fancy packaging gimmicks, and foolishly try to grab a ready made food product at the grocery store.  "Heat and serve foods" that claim to be a complete meal, dinner in a box, or a miraculous seasoning rub, or some such utter nonsense. The ticket on these quick meal items is not cheap either, so what exactly are we doing?

The delicious exception to this madness could very well be the rotisserie  herbed roasted  chicken in the deli section. As the warmer Spring weather begins to tease us, transition your daily diet to a heavier portion of fresh vegetables and salads with entrees, while reducing the intake of carbs at each meal. Make your own seasoning blends, or use fresh herbs whenever possible. 
Baby butter lettuce leaves, and fresh arugula as a combo when tossed with daikon and red radishes is a tasty side note, or  salad mixed with finely chopped kalamata olives, bella mushrooms, and pickled carrots. Grilled polenta wedges topped with smoky Gouda cheese add texture to this meal. Be on the lookout for red ripe plums to pair with nectarines. Slice fruit evenly; apply sugar or maple sugar to taste. Let stand in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and then transfer fruit into large shot glasses. Splash in peach or apricot brandy, top with a wicked dollop of almond flavored whipped crèam, and serve.  This meal won't break the bank, just the boredom!

Living Outside the Box 

So, have you been sightseeing in your own hometown lately?  What a treat!  In the frenzy of keeping up with day to day responsibilities, we neglect the opportunity to see renovations and improvements at major attractions like museums, art galleries, repertory theaters, landmark architectural sites, and the historic house tours in our own backyard.  Botanical gardens nowadays host awesome concerts for free or a nominal admission price. Depending on where you live, some farms allow the public to pick fruit off the trees at their orchards or pumpkins from the patch and charge by the pound. An added bonus may include a country store that sells yummy apple cider and assorted jellies and preserves. Take a camera on these excursions and snap pictures; have them enlarged and frame them to hang around the house to relive your favorite moments on the outing. Scrounge around for a bicycle and hit the nearest bike trail with a buddy. Turn off the technology and regain some stamina.  Great entertainment value for pennies on the dollar.  

Loving Outside the Box 

Volunteering at a local charity is a hidden treasure and a privilege.  Choices  tied to worthy causes are limitless when it comes to finding a niche. The investment of positive energy into simple tasks that uplift the human condition will bring immeasurable benefits to the recipient and the giver. It is a great cure for depression or restlessness.  Donating time opens your world to tons of adventures, especially working with seniors or children. Volunteering is also a resume builder or a way to explore the idea of a career change.  Political and community activism are authentic proving grounds for enhancing leadership and teamwork (voter registration, fundraising, speech writing, media relations, public speaking, project organization and management, etc.). Networking with eager political candidates and seasoned incumbents will also establish character references for college or jobs. New acquaintances, new skills sets acquired, the addictive satisfaction of making something special happen through your commitment, and humbling, light bulb moments about how blessed you truly are...priceless.

Stirring things up,

Chef Carmen