Spring Time Garden

Every year since Kyle and I got married I have attempted a garden. I've never been very good about reading a lot about it, I just jump right in. I have tried and failed many times, but last year we seemed to have success with a few things and it was very encouraging!

Here is what we grew...

This year we plan to grow zucchini again as well as a few types of tomatoes, potatoes, green onions (from kitchen cuttings), jalapenos, and maybe a few other odds and ends we see at the store. I love being able to grow my own produce, even if it's just a few things!

Here are some things I've learned over the years.

-Plant early! We live in Northwest Florida and most people say to plant around Good Friday, well that is WAAAAAY to late for me. The years I have had the most success I planted around mid to late February.

-If you are starting from seeds, start even earlier (indoors).

-Compost!!!

-Worm castings!!! (I got some from a friend that has worm beds and I was shocked at how well my plants grew. I will definitely be getting more this year.)

-If your soil isn't all that great, use raised beds or containers. (This is what I do.)

-Don't overload yourself the first year, or second, or third. Just pick a few things and grow them well before adding more to your plate.

-Don't get discouraged if a crop doesn't produce like you want. Learn from your mistakes and keep trying.

-Do your research first so you know what to be looking for as your garden grows.

-Have fun with it! If you aren't having fun, then you probably shouldn't do it, because there are times when gardens require a bit of attention and the right attitude goes a long way. I can't to get this year's started and show Raylen how it's done. I'll keep you posted and Happy gardening!

What are you growing in your garden this year?

Garlic Knots

These easy and tasty garlic knots are so much better than store bought or frozen. They are easy to make to go alongside any pasta or Italian dish. PLUS, you can freeze the leftovers and just warm them up as you need them!

The Homemade Kitchen Garlic Knots Recipe

(makes 16)

Ingredients

Knots

-1 1/2 c. warm water (105-110 F)

-1 Tbsp. honey

-2 1/4 tsp (1 envelope) active dry yeast

-2 Tbsp. olive oil (or avocado or grapeseed oil)

-3 1/2- 4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

Garlic Butter

-1/2 c. (1 stick) butter

-2 Tbsp. Italian seasoning with garlic

(For this, you can use any combination you want.)

Instructions

-Combine water, honey and yeast in your mixer bowl or measuring glass and let it sit for 10 minutes, or until it's foamy.

-Add the oil and stir in.

-Add flour, 1/2 c at a time and stir until incorporated. (you can do this part on the mixer using the paddle attachment.)

-Replace you paddle attachment wit your dough hook and knead for 5 minutes, or turn your dough out on a floured surface and hand knead for 5-8 minutes until smooth.

-Check the window pane test for developed gluten.

-Grease a bowl and place kneaded bowl in it, cover and put in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.

-Preheat Oven to 400 F

-Turn dough out of bowl and divide into 16 equal pieces.

-roll into a dough rope about 10 inches long and 1/2 thick.

-Shape into a knot.

-Place knots on a cookie sheet lined with a baking mat.

-Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until light golden brown.

-To make garlic butter, melt butter in a small saucepan and add seasoning.

-As soon as the knots come out of the oven, put them in a bowl and toss with butter sauce.

-Enjoy warm, or allow to cool completely and put in freezer.

These freeze very well! Just wait until they are completely cool and then put them in a freezer safe storage container or bag and put the date on it. Use within 3 months for the best results.

Grocery Haul 2/10/18 Breakdown & Meal Plan for the Week

This is what grocery shopping looks like for me right now. It is my couple hours by myself on Saturdays and I cherish it.

For the past couple of years, Kyle and I have made an effort to be intentional about the food that we eat. We might stray here and there, but we do our best to have lots of fruits and veggies in the house and eat at home as much as possible. Right now our monthly grocery budget is $450. Our goal is to knock that down by at least $50 to put toward paying Kyle's car down faster. This means, I have $100 a week to buy all of our breakfast, lunch and dinner food.

Now this may seem like a lot, but it would be easy to spend way more than this. We are selective on what we can and cannot afford to buy organic right now but a non-negotiable for us right now is milk. It just tastes better. I only buy Kerrygold butter (or the Publix Greenwise version. Again a taste thing.). We eat a lot of real foods. I don't buy boxed anything anymore except for maybe crackers. (I haven't learned how to make those homemade yet.) We buy the staples and then make things from scratch. We don't eat a huge amount of meat and it is mostly chicken. I do buy eggs, but I get those from someone local who has chickens. One day I will have my own. :)

With all of the groceries that I got today and the items I already have in my fridge, freezer, and pantry, I am planning on the following meals for dinner. (Breakfast is usually fruit and oatmeal and lunch is sandwich meat, baked potatoes, sandwich wraps, salad, or leftovers. Snacks are fruit, hard boiled eggs, nuts, crackers and whatever goodies I make from scratch.)

S- Zucchini Lasagna, Garlic Knots, Broccoli

M- White Fish, Grilled Pineapple, Rice, Spiraled Zucchini and Carrots

Tu- Swedish Meatballs with Quinoa, Broccoli, Radishes, and Sweet Potatoes

W- Fried Rice

Th- Chicken Alfredo with Homemade Pasta, Garlic Knots, and Asparagus

F- DATE NIGHT!!! (Raylen can have leftovers.)

S- Cranberry Chicken Salad on Kale Salad

What are you having for dinner this week?