Tracy's Sharebook 

Did you know that if you have a water leak that is one (1) drop per second that it equals 60 gallons per month in wasted water?

We are in an extreme situation. Farmers are using a MINIMUM of 50% of their budgets to pay their water bills. If they go out of business, we go without food. So do not complain if prices rise. If pecan or apple or other trees die, it's years before a new one can provide precious harvests. So... 

Servings: 6-8          Prep Time: 30 Minutes                Cooking Time: 35-45 Minutes

Ingredients:

rosemary – 1+1/2 tsp. dried

cumin – 1 tsp. dried

pepper, black (or white) – 1/2  tsp.

rice, brown – 3 C. cooked (or white if desired)

egg whites – 5, divided 2 + 3

turkey, ground – 2 lbs.

mushrooms, chopped – 1 C.

tomatoes, chopped – 3 med. fresh w/ juice (or 1 can, 12 oz. w/juice)

cheddar cheese, sharp – 1 pkg. (2 C.) shredded

milk, half & half – 1/2 C.

Directions:

Cook some rice to make 3 cups, let cool.

In a small bowl mix the spices together.

In a large bowl place the ground turkey, mushrooms, tomatoes, 3 egg whites & half the herb mix,

mixing all together w/large spoon or hands. I will be thick now, thinner later. (save for later step)

In a medium sized bowl mix the cooled rice, 2 egg whites & the remaining herb mix.

In a shallow microwave safe dish, press the rice mix to form a pie shell shape.

Cook in microwave for 4 - 6 min. or till eggs are set but not hard.

Remove from micro. to cool.

In a sauce pan pour in the half and half, heating on low till just warm.

Slowly add cheese to milk, stirring often, till cheese is just melted.

Remove from heat and let cool a bit.

Pour over turkey mixture and stir till nicely distributed but not too much or turkey will become mushy.

Pour turkey mixture into egg/rice pie crust.

Cook in micro. for 20 – 30 min. or until center of filling is firmly set.

If you would like to bake it in a conventional oven: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake 35-45 minutes. or until filling is set.

From: svgardenclub.org
 When to Start Seeds Indoors: To determine the best time to start seeds indoors, first find the date that you expect to experience the last spring frost in your area. In our High desert elevations, from 3500-6000, this can range from late March to mid-May. To get more specific information contact the Cochise County Extension Office. Then count backward from that date to the number of weeks indicated below to determine when to start your seeds indoors:
12-14 weeks: onions, leeks, chives, pansies, impatiens, and coleus.
8-12 weeks: peppers, lettuce, cole crops (brassicas), petunias, snapdragons, alyssum and other hardy annuals.
6-8 weeks: eggplant and tomatoes.
5-6 weeks: zinnias, cockscombs, marigolds and other tender annuals.
2-4 weeks: cucumbers, melons, okra, pumpkins, squash. You may plan to grow your onions from purchased sets or plants, but if you’d like more options in the varieties you grow, consider starting them from seed.

Squash those bad bugs (works on melons too) : If you are having problems raising squash because bugs are interfering, plant 2-3 onion bulbs by each hill of squash or melon. As an extra precaution, take a handful of onion tops, cut them into small pieces and drop them around the plants. This should prevent any squash bug damage.

onestopplus.com

This recipe is: Simple. Jerry & I made this together. Chilies are mild but become more intense over time. Cooking the sauce to thicken it will make the chili flavor more intense, but do not leave them out! That is the zippy part! Yield: 2 to 3 servings. If you like it less intense, thicken the sauce without the chilies, mix them in then pour over meat.

Ingredients:

Pork loin chops, thin cut, 6 boneless (or any other meat or firm tofu)

Onion - 1 lrg., sliced, and cut matchstick length

Honey B-B-Q, sauce - 1 C.

Green Chilies, MILD - 4 oz. can, diced (use ½ can)

Lime juice - 3 Tbls. (NOT lemon please)

Cooking Spray

Directions:

Place pork chops in an microwave-safe dish coated with cooking spray; top with onion.

In a bowl, combine the B-B-Q sauce, 1/2 can of mild green chilies and lime juice; pour over chops.

(Note: The sauce becomes thin with the lime juice. If you prefer thicker sauce, first place it in a small sauce pan over very low heat. When warm sprinkle a light, thin dusting of corn starch or flour over the surface. Stir in completely, then add it again once more. Cook till slightly bubbly for 1-2 min. Pour over chops & continue.)

Cover meat and microwave on high for 11 min. or until a meat thermometer reads 160°.

This recipe was made in an older 500 watt oven.  You can add bell peppers, and or mushrooms to this also. Serve over rice or pasta. 

Have you ever read the back of a toothpaste tube? Well I did. I was curious as to what that teeny tiny itsy bitsy lettering on the back said! ^_^ I had to use a magnifying glass! Anyway, it turns out that one is supposed to use an amount of toothpaste equal to a large pea! NOT that great big fancy dollop shown on television ads. This can save you a lot of money on tooth paste. I tried it and found that I had plenty of foam to clean my teeth with. How long does one tube of toothpaste last this way? Over 6 MONTHS! Wow! As for WATER, I put the paste on first, from side to side my dad said (rather than lengthwise), then dampen the brush, turn off the water, brush then rince it all later in hot water. Saves lots of water and toothpaste.