Eating Real Food During a Move

Hey y'all, HB here. My little crew is in the midst of moving. We are busy sorting, packing, making lists, and just generally living in chaos. The thing about having kids is that everyone has to eat no matter what life changes are happening. Totally crazy, huh? So, I've been trying to keep things real in the kitchy and simple so that my brain doesn't explode. Saturday night, I baked a chicken in the crockpot with a little white wine, fresh garlic, celery, carrots, a few lemon slices, salt, pepper, fresh basil and fresh oregano.  Believe it or not, I had all of this on hand. I served the chicken with what I like to call "Potato Cups" (recipe here), green peas, and leftover homemade biscuits. The meal was a huge hit and still fairly simple to put together. Here's the bird fresh from the freezer Saturday night:

I didn't manage to get an after picture, but I do have a list of super simple meals that should make up for my lack of picture taking and sharing.

To add to the fun of moving 3 kiddos and a house full of stuff, we are completely renovating our new house. During the renovation, we will be staying in the home of some very gracious friends. I compiled a list of dinners that are good, a cinch to prepare and won't give us stomach cancer (we hope):

• sandwiches (I have a very large batch of soaked wheat bread in the freezer and plan to keep nitrate free lunch meat on hand)
• roast in the crockpot
• rotisserie chicken from Whole Foods and veggies
• frozen pizza (my man likes Tony's Pizza, and you know what, I heard that Sally Fallon Morrell does, too! Okay, I made that up. Well, not the part about my man. He could live on Tony's.)
• organic premade soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
• black bean and cheese quesadillas, chips, salsa
• hamburgers and oven fries (I slice taters into fry shaped pieces, douse in butter, salt and pepper and bake at 425 for about 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes)
• cheese nachos (real cheese, not velveeta, I promise!! sort of. 80/20 right??)
• baked fish and baked potatoes
• baked chicken breasts and mac and cheese (my kiddos love Annie's Organic mac and cheese even though I make the yummiest homemade mac and cheese!!)
• crustless quiche (quiche don't need no crust. Try it. Trust me.)
• Fettucine Carbonara (kind of like this)

It is my hope that the above list will keep us all fed and happy over the next month or so. Well, the above list plus Chick-Fil-A and Larry's Pizza. Happy Eating!!

Watermelon Fest on Sunday

I. love. watermelon.

I mean, what's not to love? It's sweet as pure sugar, yet more refreshing in the summer than just about anything I can think of. Add some salt, which is the true Southern way, and you can't beat it! It also lends itself pretty well to party decorations. Yes?

AND?? It boasts vitamin C, lycopene, B-vitamins, potassium, and vitamin A, among other good things.
I say, eat up!

My children are fans as well.

They come by it honest.

These kiddos are, at least, fourth-generation watermelon FREAKS!

Sometimes, in fact, we get a little too excited in our anticipation.

We always get a little too messy.

But, then again, that's the FUN part.

And, speaking of fun, wouldn't you like to have some?

Then come on out to the "Watermelon FEST" at Bernice Garden Farmer's Market THIS Sunday!

Josh Hardin of Laughing Stock Farms and Hardin Farms is donating melons for the event, which will include such activities as:

--a watermelon eating contest,
--a seed-spitting contest (but, of course!), and
--a kids' scavenger hunt.

Winners will receive gift certificates to the market and to local stores. Win win! Plus, there will be plenty of locally-farmed fare to taste-test.

Check out the Facebook event page for more information. Bernice Garden Farmer's Market is located at 1401 S. Main St. and will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Sunday.

Now, go get your melon on!!

--Lori