What's grillin' this week?

It is SO hot here. I actually have no idea of how hot it is as I never keep up with the weather but it feels like 100 degrees and it doesn't help that all the kids want to go outside to play while I'm bundled up for the artic inside my office. I don't know maybe I getting old because in the past I never really was bothered with the temperature and would cook elaborate meals despite the 100 degree heat but now I cannot stand the thought of cooking and I love cooking but it's just too hot. So, you may notice but this week my theme is "avoid turning the oven on" (except of course Monday which is my cooking extravaganza.) It's my personal mission to use the grill, crock pot, or microwave all week long. And that's just what I'm going to do.

What's in the box this week? Peaches, blueberries, blackberries, October beans, tomatoes, eggplants, squash, onion, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, potatoes

Sunday: Hot dogs with mac 'n cheese and grilled tequila peaches.
Monday: Green tomato pie (I never made it last week) with green beans. This is my one exception to using the oven.
Tuesday- Scrounge. I am going to yoritas (yoga + margaritas) at one of my work friend's house. I'm sure neither of us will starve.
Wednesday: october beans (in the crockpot) and cornbread (in the bread maker)
Thursday: Grown up Grilled Cheese (eggplant and shrimp, feta, spinach, tomatoes, homemade bread, grilled onions) with fruit salad
Friday: squash quesadillas
Saturday- Grilled pizza, maybe. I have put it on the list many times but never made it. Well, since it's grill week I've got to include it. But, Mr. C is going to poker with the men from his work. I might go too depending on my mood. If I don't go I get bored without him here. If I go I get antzy and get to a point where I just give up. There's really no pleasing me.

I'm linking this post up to Ultimate Recipe Swap BBQ edition!

Lotsa Cookin'

I am in the middle of a super long weekend. Because I work 4 days a week I got Friday off to celebrate the 4th of July. I celebrated by cleaning the house, my mom will be proud, I'm not the best cleaner in the world but anyway. As part of my super long week I will be doing a semi big cooking day on Monday. I've blogged before about how I really like to take a day a month and do a LOT of cooking. I do this so that I can have some quick foods here that I can grab at. Normally I cook a whole chicken and shred it up but we still have plenty from 2 weeks ago. Ditto on beans. I normally cook dried beans in the crockpot and freeze them for the month but right now we are a ok. I also normally make breakfast items for the month. I will be doing this. I have some mango and kiwi in the fridge that i'll be flash freezing and making smoothies. We have some fresh blueberries so, I'm thinking of making breakfast cookies. I'll also be making home made pizza sauce. Trying my hand at hamburger and hot dog buns and sandwich bread again. I have really been craving granola bars so I might try some from Heavenly Homemakers that i saw. I'll make ice cream like i do every week. Also, we have a good supply of potatoes. I'll make fries and freeze them for later. I would like to make more spaghetti sauce if i can get a hold of some inexpensive tomatoes. Finally, I'll flash freeze some veggies.

Coffee Creamer Ice Cream

I've had a revelation! Just now and it's amazing. I've been wondering if this is possible for a while now. It made sense to me. I looked all over the internet to trying to find a recipe but with no luck. I was unsure about it but decided to try anyway. Basically, I took a whole bottle of Bailey's Coffee Creamer and dumped it in my ice cream bowl for the kitchenaid mixer. I set it to churn for 25 min and tadaa! See it's that easy. I'm sure if you want to get fancy you can add other ingredients but you don't have to. See, it's the easiest homemade ice cream ever!

Growin' on up

Look at my watermelon. How it's grown! I'm happy to report that my oregano, mint, and basil are doing well, too. My tomato (that's one tomato off of 4 vines) is hanging in there but pathetically. My pumpkin vines are surviving but not doing much growing. I guess I need to fertilize them. I was trying to avoid using chemicals but i guess I'll have to break down. My watermelons are growing with just water, sun, and love.

Pick Me Up Wednesday

 

I promise not to only put animal pics on pick me up Wednesday but I just couldn't resist! Last year Mr. C and I went to Birmingham for one of his friend's wedding. Since I have an obsession with zoos we went to the zoo down there. Here is a mama and baby beaver that we saw and look they are "kissing." So cute!

Eating Locally

I have 2 best friends from high school. I love these ladies like they are my sisters. Heck, we've known each other so long I feel like we practically are. Well, one of my BFFs is a blogger too! She's just not a food and running blogger, she's an environmentalist. She's a scientist and likes to really analyze everything out there. Well, recently she wrote a review about local food. Now, I'm not entirely on the same page. I am a big fan of local food but she poses some interesting points. Check it out HERE and let me know what you think!

Saving $$$ 7/7/10

Here's what is on sale starting tomorrow (Wednesday) at Publix that has printable coupons and I'll be buying!

Nature's Own Bread, 100% Whole Wheat, 20 oz loaf, BOGO $2.85=$.67 after cpn
-$.75/1 Nature's Own (zip 23322)

Glass Plus Glass & Multi-Surface Cleaner, 32 oz bot, BOGO $2.49= $.25 after cpn
-$1/1 Glass Plus Cleaner ($.25 after coupon)

Cascadian Farm Frozen Vegetables or Potatoes 7.4 to 16 oz pkg, 2/$4= $1 after cpn
-$1/1 Cascadian Farms Product

Athenos Crumbled Feta Cheese, Traditional , Garlic & Herb, or Basil & Tomato, 6 oz cup, BOGO $4.59= $2.30

*no coupon but I NEVER see Feta on sale. 

Propel Water Beverage Mix, or Powder Packets, or Gatorade Thirst Quencher or G2 Gatorade Powder Packs, 8 or 10 ct box, BOGO $2.99= Free after cpns. You can use both coupons on one item b/c the target one is a store coupon and the other is manufacturer (publix takes target as a competitor)
-$2/1 G Series Pro Gatorade Product
-$1/1 Gatorade G2 8pk/20oz TARGET coupon