Virginia Wright's Blog, page 17
February 8, 2014
Recipe | Main Dish | Vegetables |Potato Pie
Potato Pie Recipe Photo (C) 2014 Joyce VanKirk
Summary Joyce Vankirk says: This is a recipe my mother has made for all of us for so long. I can actually say I have no idea where it came from but I do know it’s been in my family for a very long time. The only thing I can say about it is you have to taste it to understand why I love this recipe.
I have never eaten “Potato Pie.” It sounds interesting Joyce! Thanks for the recipe and also for taking the extra time to shoot the photos.
-Virginia
This Author Cooks!
Ingredients: {Crust}
2 cups flour
2/3 cups of Shortening
1 pinch of salt [optional]
8 TBSP water
Ingredients: {Potato Mix}
6 to 8 Potatoes cleaned, peeled and dice
Photo (C) 2014 Joyce VanKirk
Salt and Pepper
5 to 6 slice Margarine
Directions:
In medium bowl combine flour, salt and shortening together. With fork mix thoroughly [or however you feel
(C) 2014 Red Potatoes Photo Virginia Wright
more comfortable doing it] until well blended. Add water and with hands [optional] mix it until it forms into a ball. When finished split in half. Roll out one half first using flour. Then put into pie pan. Then follow with the final half set aside.
Take the rinse dice potatoes put them in pie pan on top of dough. Salt and Pepper then put slices of margarine on potatoes. With the other rolled out dough put it on top of potatoes and seal around edges. With a fork poke holes all over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees on middle rack for 1 hour.When finished cut a slice out and put into bowl. Pour milk over it and Enjoy!
*You can check the potatoes by putting a fork into the pie to see if they are soft. Just peel a small piece of crust off……
Authors Cook
Author Joyce VanKirk
Recipe Contributor: Joyce Vankirk
Pennsylvania, USA
I write children / young adult books. My first book “The Six Forest Friends” which was published in 2009 it is a series of ten books. The characters in the book were created from my six grandchildren. I am now working on the second one. I also published another children’s book called “Sammy, the Fox Learns About Easter”. I have two young adult books called “Against Bullying Club” and “The little Brave One” I love reading books mainly romance and mysteries and I also enjoy giving reviews too.
Here is my Web Page:
http://mypublishedbooks.webs.com/
My Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJVK
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Joyce-Van-Kirk/e/B00HJAVSUU
Desserts | Cookies | Flourless Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
Recipe: Flourless Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
Summary: For those of us out there who want a chocolate chip peanut butter cookie
but want or need
to watch our wheat intake. This flourless cookie is a delicious alternative for traditional chocolate chip peanut butter cookie recipes except (without) the flour. I’m a cookie person; love a cookie hot out of the oven with a cup of coffee. This has become the cookie of choice in our home! It’s delicious and easy to make, plus flourless.
Ingredients
2 tsp. pure vanilla
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1-cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. sea salt
1-cup chocolate chips (or chocolate chunks)
1-cup walnuts or pecans, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup raw crystallized sugar to roll cookie balls in (optional)*
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in order given. Refrigerate dough for thirty minutes for easier
handling. Roll dough into balls; dip all sides in raw sugar (optional).Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place balls on cookie sheet and flatten with the tines of a fork.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Take cookies out of the oven and place whole cookie sheet on cooling rack and let cookies cool on baking sheet for ten minutes–this prevents crumbling. Then take spatula to remove cookie to wire rack. Store in airtight container.
*Cooking note: When I first started making these cookies I rolled the cookie ball 
in crystallized sugar–just like my grandmother used to do with her peanut butter cookies–however, since then, while the grandchildren prefer the extra sugar…I do not. My tastes have changed, and I have learned to cut-back on my sugar intake. In addition to this, for all those who do not know me, it is my preference to buy all ingredients “Organic” where I can. If I can’t find organic chocolate chunks, I buy organic chocolate chips. Baking powder is not an item I have found in our local organic stores, however, I do buy it aluminum free. I use sea salt as well. All other ingredients organic as well.
Photo (C) 2014 Virginia Wright
Enjoy this flourless chocolate chip peanut butter cookie recipe!
-Virginia Wright
Author, Food Writer, Recipe Developer, Foodie & Queen of Recipe Adaptation
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© 2012 The Recipe Weekly – Virginia Wright. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
January 23, 2014
Recipe | Dessert | Strawberry Sorbet
2014-01-22 23:06:41
Strawberry Sorbet Recipe
Strawberry Sorbet
Summary
This quick and easy dessert recipe is a delicious fruit sorbet – a creamy cold summer time treat, made with only one ingredient. Strawberry sorbet is not made with cream, sugar, egg, and vanilla like traditional parfaits or ice cream recipes. This sorbet recipe is a low calorie guilt-free treat and is made with only “fresh frozen strawberries.”
Ingredients
Ripe fresh strawberries, hulled, halved, and frozen.
Instructions
Hull fresh strawberries and cut in half. Place into a freezer safe container. Leave fruit until strawberries are completely frozen.
Remove from freezer, break apart any stuck together berries.
Blend in food processor until the texture is smooth like sorbet.
Serve immediately; or place in freezer proof container and save for later.
Note:
I always use organic strawberries. In addition, I make banana ice cream, using the same method of freezing the bananas as strawberries. Then I mix the strawberry and banana together layering first banana ice cream, then the strawberry sorbet, like you would with a parfait. This is definitely a guilt-free, low calorie dessert that will surely put a smile on your guests face!
Recipe Contributor: Virginia Wright
© 2014 Virginia Wright Dessert | Recipe | Strawberry Sorbet
See more at: http://virginiawright.com/blog/2014/0...
January 22, 2014
Recipe | Dessert | Quick and Easy Banana Ice Cream
2014-01-22 23:06:41
Quick and Easy Banana Ice Cream
Banana Ice Cream
Summary
It is hard to believe that this delicious ice-cream style dessert made with only one ingredient is not made with cream, sugar, and vanilla like traditional ice cream recipes. However, this guilt-free treat is made with just ripe bananas.
Ingredients
Ripe bananas, frozen
Instructions
Place whole ripe banana(s) with peel, into freezer. Leave fruit until bananas are completely frozen.
Remove from freezer, and peel.
Slice banana into several small chunks.
Blend in food processor until the texture is smooth like ice cream.
Serve immediately; or place in freezer proof container and save for later.
Note:
I always use Organic bananas. In addition, I make Strawberry Ice Cream as well, using the same method of freezing the strawberries as the bananas. Hull the strawberry, and freeze. Take out of the freezer and cut strawberries in half, put in food processor and blend until ice cream type texture. Then I mix the banana and strawberry together layering first banana, then strawberry, like you would with a parfait.
Strawberry Banana Ice Cream
*******************************************************************************
Recipe contributor: By Virginia Wright
- See more at: http://virginiawright.com/blog/?p=233...
© 2014 Virginia Wright Dessert | Recipe | Banana Ice – Cream
January 21, 2014
What Foods Help With Indigestion?
Does heartburn, gas, bloating, and burping keep you awake at night? Do you know what foods help with indigestion?
© Apples Photo Virginia Wright
For me, homeopathic remedies make me a believer in natural treatments. I would prefer to grab a fruit or vegetable rather than a synthetic manufactured concoction with various side effects.
There is good news for all of us! Do you remember your mother ever saying eat your apple as, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well mother knew what she was talking about–research shows that apples can be used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as apples help with indigestion. Curbing the painful acid back up into the esophagus from happening, will help the esophagus heal no matter what natural helpful food remedy you choose.
Organic sweet apples—eat an apple, and let the indigestion disappear.
Apple cider vinegar is another such known remedy for digestion troubles. However, for me, if my stomach were not feeling good already, why would I want to subject myself to apple cider vinegar when I could grab a sweet apple and enjoy it? Nonetheless, both options are natural remedies that are help for indigestion. As is applesauce—an easy to eat natural help for indigestion. Applesauce is also one of my favorite natural indigestion help remedies when my stomach just does not seem to be digesting properly.
© Photo Bananas Virginia Wright
Banana is another known non-acidic food that will help with indigestion. Simply slice and eat. I hope that before you know it, that the indigestion will be wiped away with this mellow yellow fruit, packed full of potassium.
Peppermint is another good belly soother and alleviates digestive discomfort. When my stomach is not up to par, I like to steep myself a cup of Organic Peppermint Tea for 10-15 min., especially after a heavy meal. If the aromatic scent is not soothing enough, the peppermint will relax digestive discomfort and bring your acid indigestion back in check.
List of foods that help indigestion:
Apples
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Sauce
Bananas
Peppermint Tea
What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux is a condition that causes the stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.
Dr. Jamie Kaufman, author of the book Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet Cookbook & Cure, has found that working with a person’s diet to eliminate acidic fruits (all citrus fruits that have a small amount of Vitamin C are acidic), sodas, canned and bottled foods received acid reflux relief.
Low Acid Foods
Apples
Watermelon
Apricots
Raisins
Source(s):
Apple cider vinegar and reflux study: http://www.sophisticatededge.com/appl...
Cure acid reflux: http://www.livestrong.com/article/300...
http://www.acidalkalinediet.com/alkal...
http://www.ehow.com/way_5316450_apple...
Warning: This information is strictly for entertainment purposes only. The author is not a physician. Do not substitute this article “What Foods Help With Indigestion” for visiting your primary care physician when feeling sick. It is always best to seek the advice of your doctor when in doubt.
January 18, 2014
Soy, Is in My Canned “Tuna In Water,” Really?
By Virginia Wright
Tuna Salad
Since as long as I can remember, I have eaten canned tuna fish. One of my favorite lunches has always been a toasted tuna sandwich. Yup! I have eaten tuna most my life…tuna sandwiches, creamed tuna, tuna patties, tuna salad, tuna noodle casserole–and tuna with a fork right out of the can. And it is safe to say, that I have eaten just about everything tuna.
However, today was a staunch reminder how extremely important it is to read product labels–to avoid eating GMOs. That is right, clearly listed along with (tuna and water) are the words, “Contains Soy!” Since this is not Certified Organic Soy, we have no way of knowing whether this is genetically modified soy and/or sprayed, dusted, or treated with systemic chemicals (herbicides or pesticides).
More information on soy:
Dangers of Soy by Dr. Joseph Mercola
What are GMOs?
GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering techniques, thereby modifying the original genetics of the material.
State of Maine second state in the USA to require GMO Labeling
In the State of Maine, Governor LePage Signs Maine’s GMO Labeling Bill. GMO foods now require labeling in Maine–Read more.
If to buy, or not to buy, (light or dark) tuna was not enough worry due to mercury contamination–now, additives to tuna packed in water, is yet another concern. I am not saying soy is necessarily bad, in fact for years soy has been touted as a healthy product. Rather, I am saying–that I personally, do not want soy that is not organic in my foods. As I do not want soy that may have been treated with systemic chemicals in (anything).
Read nutrition labels carefully!
With little research, I found a couple of canned tuna brands to buy with only (tuna and water) as ingredients.
StarKist Low Sodium Chunk Light
Very Low Sodium Chunk White Tuna in cans * (which contains only tuna and water).
Trader Joe’s
Both brands can be found for sale in bulk on Amazon.com.
*Please note, some tuna packed in pouches do contain vegetable broth. Vegetable broth may contain soy (read nutrition labels).
© 2014 Virginia Wright–Health and Nutrition Article | Tuna Fish | The Recipe Weekly
Soy, is in my canned “Tuna In Water,” really?
By Virginia Wright
Tuna Salad
Since as long as I can remember, I have eaten canned tuna fish. One of my favorite lunches has always been a toasted tuna sandwich. Yup! I have eaten tuna most my life…tuna sandwiches, creamed tuna, tuna patties, tuna salad, tuna noodle casserole–and tuna with a fork right out of the can. And it is safe to say, that I have eaten just about everything tuna.
However, today was a staunch reminder how extremely important it is to read product labels–to avoid eating GMOs. That is right, clearly listed along with (tuna and water) are the words, “Contains Soy!” Since this is not Certified Organic Soy, we have no way of knowing whether this is genetically modified soy and/or sprayed, dusted, or treated with systemic chemicals (herbicides or pesticides).
More information on soy:
Dangers of Soy by Dr. Joseph Mercola
What are GMOs?
GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering techniques, thereby modifying the original genetics of the material.
State of Maine second state in the USA to require GMO Labeling
In the State of Maine, Governor LePage Signs Maine’s GMO Labeling Bill. GMO foods now require labeling in Maine–Read more.
If to buy, or not to buy, (light or dark) tuna was not enough worry due to mercury contamination–now, additives to tuna packed in water, is yet another concern. I am not saying soy is necessarily bad, in fact for years soy has been touted as a healthy product. Rather, I am saying–that I personally, do not want soy that is not organic in my foods. As I do not want soy that may have been treated with systemic chemicals in (anything).
Read nutrition labels carefully!
With little research, I found a couple of canned tuna brands to buy with only (tuna and water) as ingredients.
StarKist Low Sodium Chunk Light
Very Low Sodium Chunk White Tuna in cans * (which contains only tuna and water).
Trader Joe’s
Both brands can be found for sale in bulk on Amazon.com.
*Please note, some tuna packed in pouches do contain vegetable broth. Vegetable broth may contain soy (read nutrition labels).
© 2014 Virginia Wright–Health and Nutrition Article | Tuna Fish | The Recipe Weekly
January 13, 2014
January Preschool & Kindergarten Activity Sheet
“January” Preschool Projects - Snowman Theme Activity Page (s) for preschool children – Count how many buttons on the snowman’s belly. Circle the correct number of buttons on the snowman’s belly, draw a snowman. Number Recognition, following instructions, plus art. This is just one of our monthly activity pages for preschool and kindergarten children…
Author Interview with Virginia Wright by Jodi Desautels
Hi Everyone! This is my first post in 2014–And I am extremely excited as I have a couple of writing projects planned for this year. One of them is a “My First Book” series, and the first book in the series is titled: Wild Animal Sounds. This will be age appropriate for toddlers 0-4. This is a book I wrote and illustrated many years ago, and like many of my writings pulled it out and gave it another look and had renewed energy with it. The illustrations I am doing for the book are coming along lovely. I’m very excited to start sharing some of them as I go along, and the cover is almost complete. And there will be more details given as I have them throughout the year about all my writing endeavors.
Today I am honored to have been interviewed by a fellow author/illustrator and educator, 
Jodi Desautels. Next week I will be giving away my educational, non-fiction book Buzzzzzzzz What Honeybees Do, to one of the commenters on her blog post.
Please visit Jodi’s blog to read the interview she did with me. Don’t forget to comment for your chance of winning my book, Buzzzzzzzz What Honeybees Do.
See you there…
-Virginia
December 30, 2013
New Year’s resolutions –Do you make them?
Happy New Year! New Year’s Resolutions…I have definitely made new year’s resolutions in the past. Lots of preparation and thought went into the list of things I “would not” do in the new year to come, with lots of things I promised myself I “would” do. Some years the list would be short, sometimes the list would be long. Resolutions never the less.
I’d happily join in with all the discussions about new year’s resolutions on the social media sites proclaiming that I was going to lose weight, eat healthier, write more…sound familiar?
Popular New Year’s Resolutions
Resolution definition:
res·o·lu·tion
noun \ˌre-zə-ˈlü-shən\
: the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. : the act of resolving something
: an answer or solution to something
: the ability of a device to show an image clearly and with a lot of detail
Do you know the history of New Year’s resolutions?
Click here to read a great article by Gary Ryan Blair.
And…
The best New Year’s resolution “I” ever made was not to make anymore New Year’s resolutions. :-) With that said, on New Year’s Eve–eat, drink, and be safe on the road. If you drink, have a designated driver. Wishing you all a happy, healthy, 2014! See you next year…
(((Hugs)))
-Virginia
