Ways to cook an egg

Here’s a brief introduction on different ways to prepare this protein powerhouse. 

Hard-cooked eggs

Tips- to prevent cracking, remove eggs from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. 

Place eggs in a single layer in a large saucepan; add enough cold water to cover by 1-inch. Bring eggs to a oil over high heat, immediately remove pan from heat and voer. The residual heat in the water cooks the eggs, 15 minutes for extra-large eggs, 12 minutes for large œuf, and 9 minutes for medium eggs. 

Next, drain, and shake the pan gently to crack the eggshells all over. Immediately submerge eggs in ice water bath; set aside to cool. Peel the eggs from the large, rounded end under cool running water.

The cold truth:

Unpeeled, hard-cooked eggs will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If peeled, store covered in cool water in the fridge for no more than four days. 

Poached Eggs

Add 2 to 3 inches of water to a large saucepan or a deep skillet and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to the point where water barely bubbles. Break eggs, one at a time, into small coffee cups. Holding a cup close to the surface, slide egg into the water. Cook the eggs until whites are completely set and yolks are still soft, 3 to five minutes. Take care not to stir. With a slotted spoon, gently lift the eggs from the water and let drain. 

Scrambled Eggs

Crack eggs into a bowl. Whisk or beat together 1 Tablespoon of milk per egg with a pinch of salt and pepper, in a large nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Pour in egg mixture. As the eggs start to set, gently pull them across the pan with an inverted spatula or wooden spoon, forming large soft curds. Continue lifting and folding the eggs until the mixture has thickened and no visible liquid remains.

Chocolate & Wine Pairings

 Pairing your chocolate dessert to your wine is no easy task. We’ve tried to break it down for you so you know what pairs the best. 

The dark chocolate can go with any of the heavier red wines such as our Alicante Bouchet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Sangiovese. Milk chocolate can go with a  lighter red  such as: Nero D’Avola and white chocolate pairs well with many whites or our rose, such as: Grenache Rose, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Muscat. 

Gluten-FREE Coconut Macaroons

 

 Gluten-Free Easy Coconut Macaroons 

Looking for a lower in sugar coconut macaroon recipe, here it is!

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup all purpose Gluten Free Flour, such as White Gold Brand

• 14 oz package unsweetened flaked coconut (if you use sweetened coconut, you will be adding 5 grams of sugar)

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 14 oz fat free sweetened condensed milk (contains 24 grams sugar)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Optional: 6-8oz chocolate chips such as Lily’s milk chocolate style baking chips, with 32% cocoa, stevia sweetened. 

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and place cupcake liners in a cupcake pan. You may also use silicone cupcake liners. If lining  a baking sheet use parchment paper or cooking spray. 

2. In a large bowl, mix together gluten-free flour, coconut and salt until the coconut is coated in the other ingredients

3. Stir in condensed milk, vanilla extract. Keep stirring until well combined. Next, add chocolate chips. 

4. Using a cookie scoop, place in mounds of the coconut chocolate chip mixture in the cupcake tin liners or on the prepared baking sheets. 

5. For large (3 Tablespoon) cookies, bake in a preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the tops are golden. For smaller (1 1/2 tablespoons) cookies, bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown the tops.

6. Cool for five minutes and enjoy. Makes about 1 ½ dozen medium sized macaroons.

Favorite Quirky Movie, The Right Kind of Wrong

Gina's Oatmeal Peanut Butter Gluten, Dairy-Free Cookies

 

Perusing through my Mrs. Fields cookbook I came across a Peanut Butter Cream-Filled Cookie. I came up with a dairy free, gluten free version, it was a little bit crumbly but tasty nevertheless.

To purchase one of Gina's cookbooks instantly: https://ginameyers.com

Gina's Oatmeal Peanut Butter Gluten, Dairy-Free Cookies

1 1/2 cups of coconut flour

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1 cup of oats, not instant

1 cup of light brown sugar

2 tablespoons of almond milk

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 cup of brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup of softened salted butter

Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a mixer, add peanut butter, butter, egg, almond milk, vanilla extract, and light brown sugar, and oats and mix on low speed. Next, add flour, & baking soda and mix the ingredients, if needed, add a little more almond milk in teaspoonfuls. Roll each peanut butter ball and placed on a lightly greased cookie sheet. With a fork, gently criss cross the ball and flatten with cross look for the peanut butter balls. Bake for 11 minutes or until golden brown. Yields/makes 2 dozen medium sized oatmeal peanut butter balls. 

Tips for moms when their children go off to college and supplies your student will need by Gina Meyers

 

So your youngest is going off to college. Congratulations. What I have found in my 25+ years of being a married and now for the past 11 years of being a single mom is that it is essential to take care of yourself and your newly formed empty nest, fill it with exciting possibilities and adventures. For me, a month before the pandemic hit, I became a homeschool mom to my teenager who was in the second half of his Sophomore year. We didn't have time to mess around, and I also lost my full-time job in customer relationships at the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Drug and Alcohol Recovery Center. Which in all honesty was a blessing in disguise because after we went to orientation for homeschooling, we found out that a parent (usually married people homeschool) had to stay at home and oversee the homeschooling. It also was great because my son got the best of all world's whereby he got to take online live classes with a teacher, I hired tutors to assist for his classes that were textbook/workbooks. We had such an adventure thinking out of the box and being creative. Think positively about all of the new and exciting possibilities on the horizon for yourself and your young adult. This is the time to take that dance class you've always wanted to do, or to hone in on your work life balance, maybe even working on a 2nd career. It's also important to help prepare your child for college life. I'm not an expert in child psychology but I have read books, consulted with professionals, and have done my homework in a lot of areas. As an author and entrepeurner I would definitely consider myself an audiodidac. 

So here are a few essential questions that would be helpful in rebranding yourself as your children grow and emerge into their own persons.

How has my identity been set-up in my child's mind?

How has my identity been set-up in my own mind?

How has my identity been set-up in the community?

Who identifies with me?

What problems can I solve for other people?

What skills do I have that are marketable?

How am I perceived by my children?

How am I perceived in the community?

Who do I identify with?

How can you enhance or change your reputation?

Buy Dorm Room Essentials Today!

So you are headed off to college. Congratulations on your achievement. There are so many things to think about and so many new exciting experiences you will enjoy. College is happening, here's a handy list of items to help you with the transition. 

College Checklist

BEDDING

Pillows

Pillow cases

Comforter (check what size you need, dorm room beds are twin)

Sheet set

Body pillow and cover (optional)

Blanket

FURNITURE

If you are living in the dorm, chances are that the furniture will already be provided. They usually provide a bunk bed as well as a closet and a desk with chair. If you chose to live in an apartment, you may find this list helpful. 

Futon

Futon cover

Lounge chair

BATH

Shower caddy

Washcloths

Towels

Flip-flops (for the shower)

Hair wrap, body wrap (optional)

Shampoo/Conditioner

Body wash

Soap

Skin care

Razors

 Makeup

Bath accessories

Personal care items

Shower puff

Contact lenses/solution

Eyeglasses

Shower curtain/shower liner (optional)

Shower spray (such as shower to shower, or Lysol) (optional)

Hairbrush

Hairstyling products

FOR CLASS

Backpack

Calculator

Pens/pencils/highlighters

Binders/notebooks

DINING

Plates/bowls/cups/mugs

Forks/spoons/knives

Bottle opener

Water bottle/plastic pitcher

CLEANING

Cleaning supplies

Paper towels

Sponges

Disinfecting wipes

Broom and dust pan

Trash can

Laundry detergent

Dryer sheets

Laundry basket/bag

Drying rack (only if you live in an apartment and your dishwasher doesn’t have a dry cycle option)

Iron

Lint brush

Mini ironing board

Vacuum 

Swiffer

Bucket

Toilet bowl cleaner

Toilet brush

Garbage bags (plastic, paper)

KITCHEN

Microwave

Toaster/toaster oven

Mini fridge (ice trays)

Coffeemaker/espresso maker

Electric tea pot

Can opener

Pizza cutter

Pot holder

Food storage bags

Cooking utensils

Utensil tray

Kitchen gadgets

Mixing bowls

Cookware/bakeware

Shelf liners (optional)

Dish soap

Dish-cleaning wand

Dish towels

Paper towels

TRANSPORTATION

Bus Pass

Car

Skateboard

Bike

Scooter

ELECTRONICS

TV

Speakers

DVD Blu-Ray player

Tablet/IPAD

Gaming system games

Laptop case

Laptop desk

Computer

Laptop

Cords/cables/power strip

Printer/ink/paper

USB drive

STORAGE

Storage bins

Storage carts

Closet organizers

Hangers

Bed risers

Under-bed storage

Desktop organizer

3M command hooks

MISC.

Mini Barbecue

Stadium seat

Sunscreen

Address book

Notebooks

Hormone Balancing Dishes, a Toast to health and wellness--Gina's Shrimp, Shredded Zucchini, Carrots, & Bok Choy Stir Fry

 

1/2 pound of shrimp

shredded zucchini

shredded carrots

purple onion

balsamic vinegar

salt (iodine)

extra virgin olive oil

lemon juice

unsalted roasted sunflower kernels (Good & Gather Brand)

Directions, in a wok, cook all ingredients for 6 to 8 minutes and enjoy. Can add sesame seeds to top with.

Afternoon snack

Celery

Almond butter

Goji berries to top (Navitas Organics)

Staying hydrated during the day

Manuku honey, warm water, lemon juice and tumeric

Iced Dandelion with Almond Milk

Dandelion (Dandy Beverage)

Almond Milk (Silk Brand)

Chamomile, vanilla and Manuka honey tea (Pukka)