You know, one of my least favorite seasons is winter. Or, at least it used to be…recently I was enlightened about the seasons. That every season has its purpose, and can be appreciated for its beauty and purpose in the cycle of life. Okay, if that was too weird for you, let’s see why else you can appreciate the winter…
Activities
Nothing beats going outside in the winter, after a lot of snow has fallen, and grabbing a sled to head out to the nearest hill for an afternoon of sledding, snowball fights, and laughter. Especially if you have children. Kids want to play with you—the biggest kid on the block! And the best way to get exercise is to go outside and play with your kids in the fresh fallen snow.
Another fun activity in the winter, if you have access to it, is going to an ice rink and go ice skating. Fun exercise while enjoying the cold, yet fresh, air. This is just as good as getting on the treadmill and walking in place for a while—better actually, because you are working muscles you don’t normally work while walking. The best part? You can have fun and socialize with others…
Let’s build a snowman! Remember when you were a kid and built a snowman every time it snowed with that “packable” snow? Remember how much fun you had? Why not give that joy to your kids? Just bundle them up, take them outside, and build a huge snowman with them. You can even pretend he’s Frosty…
When you are done playing and are ready to come back inside, you all will be pretty cold. The best way to warm up is to eat and drink hot things, like hot cocoa, soup, etc. Here are some new and fun recipes that will help warm you up while giving you new taste sensations…
Warming Recipes
Minty Hot Cocoa
1 ½ cups Milk (any kind is fine)
2 cups water
½ cup cocoa mix, or to taste
Several fresh mint leaves, bruised
Using a small pot, heat up milk and water. Add in bruised mint leaves before boiling to add that fresh minty flavor to the liquid. Once boiling, take off heat, and mix in the cocoa. Serve immediately. For an added flair, add some whipped cream to the cocoa after pouring mugs, and add a sprig of mint to the cream. Yummy!
Crockpot Country Chicken Rice Soup
3 Onions; chopped
4 Stalks Celery; sliced
20 oz Peas; frozen
2 1/2 lb Chicken pieces
5 1/2 c Water
3/4 c Rice; raw converted
1/2 tsp. Sage
1/2 tsp. Thyme
1 tsp. Basil
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Place all ingredients, except rice, into slow cooker in order listed. Cover and cook 1 hour on high; reduce heat to low and cook an additional 8 to 9 hours. One hour before serving, remove chicken and cool slightly. Remove meat from bones and return to slow cooker. Add rice. Cover and cook an additional hour on high. You can set this before you go out to play, and when you return, it should be ready for you!
And for dessert…
Crockpot Pina Colada Bread Pudding
1 lb Loaf french bread
3 Large eggs
10 oz Frozen pina colada drink mix
1/4 c Light rum
6 oz Pineapple juice
1 c Raisins
12 oz Evaporated milk
8 oz Pineapple; crushed w/juice
½ cup Cream of coconut
1 ts Lemon peel; grated
2 Large bananas; sliced crosswise
With a sharp knife, peel crust from bread; discard crust or make into bread crumbs for use in another recipe. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes; set aside. In blender or food processor, fitted with a metal blade, combine 1/2 of the following ingredients; drink mix, pineapple juice, evaporated milk, cream of coconut, and banana slices.
Process until pureed; pour puree into a 6-cup bowl. Puree remaining 1/2 of liquid ingredients and banana slices as well as eggs and liqueur, if desired. Combine both purees; set aside.
Combine raisins and crushed pineapple (and the juice); set aside. Place about 2/3 of bread cubes in slow cooker, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp grated lemon peel and spread 1 cup of the raisin-pineapple mixture over bread in slow cooker. Top with remaining bread cubes, then with remaining 1/2 tsp lemon peel and raisin-pineapple mixture. Pour pureed ingredients into slow-cooker. Cover and cook on low 6 hours.
Spread pudding into 8 or 10 dessert dishes and serve hot. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.
Resources
Don’t have everything you need? Well, here is where you can go, without heading outdoors once you are in from the cold, to get the supplies you need. Now, you can go to the store on your own and buy what you need…and this works great in a pinch. But why would you want to, when Internet security has been beefed up tremendously??
Herbs and Vegetables
Online Grocers
Home Bistro (Prepared Gourmet Meals delivered to your door)
