Still in the spirit of 'simplify', it has been a month since I've stopped hoarding pantry items. I've been cooking a lot more now that the weather is cooler and I am spurred on by the challenge of using only what is in my pantry. Naturally I still have to buy dairy, meat, and produce, but NO pantry items. It wouldn't be so challenging if we didn't have a 6 and a 7 year old. Our 7 year old has just recently begun wanting to try new flavours, yay! Our 6 year old who would eat whatever we gave her the first 5 years of life, has developed a penchant for finickiness. Granted, it is a very refined finickiness. Our 6 year old prefers uncomplicated fresh flavours prepared simply. Sounds like our 6 year old has suddenly become a snooty chef! Truth be told, I have a marked preference for uncomplicated, good quality, fresh food prepared simply too.

Pantry Marinara

1 can of good Italian tomatoes. I buy them whole and crush them with my hands not to impart a metallic flavour from food processor/blender blades.
4 tbsp of good olive oil
1 level tbsp of freeze-dried basil (half a teaspoon if I use the basil sold in the spices aisle)

Simmer over a low heat for about 90 minutes if you don't need it right away or, cook it on medium for 20-30 minutes when you need it quick, but you have to watch it the whole time. I season to taste once cooked because if I add the salt at the beginning, the reduction process results in a salty sauce.

Use it on anything.

I'm thinking and blogging about simplifying and ridding myself (and my family) of all are superfluous stuff. Procrastinators by nature my husband and I -and it appears we've bred the trait true in our offspring. Chances were pretty good the weekend would roll around and come to an end, without getting anything done. Unless... we should have a flood in our basement due to silly human error, and now we are motivated to empty out the basement as much as possible. LOL. ~R

Flu season is gearing up here in the northern hemisphere. Here are Nurse Rue's* simple rules to staying healthy:

1)Wash your hands.
2)Shopping carts: never touch your face when pushing a shopping cart. Wash your hands as soon as you get home.
3)Wipe down your work station at the start of your day/shift.
4)Wipe down your steering wheel daily. You drove home from the store after using the shopping cart, remember?
5)Double up on vitamin C and remember to take your multi-vitamin tablet daily.
6)Eat garlic (raw if you can digest it) daily.
7)Ingest acidophilus capsules or products daily. Make sure to keep them refrigerated.
8)Flavour your foods with cinnamon, cayenne, oregano.
9)Drink green tea daily.
10)Take oregano oil. (I rather eat oregano than take the oil.)
11)Get enough rest.
12)Get enough exercise.
13)Avoid sick people. If you can't avoid them, see numbers 1-12.

This list isn't exhaustive, but it's pretty close.

Good luck and stay healthy!
~R

*The author of this blog is both a registered nurse and natural health practitioner as well as a member of the AHNA.