Regret; and then, a bounce back

Remember my encounter with laughing gas at the beginning of the month? Well: it wasn't worth it. We just got a bill for 80 dollars because nitrous oxide isn't covered under our insurance. Doh! That was a pretty expensive new experience, especially since when they asked in passing if I wanted the gas, I so flippantly responded, "Oh, sure...what the heck!"

What the heck, indeed. It is especially unfortunate since Squeeze and I each work only part-time and we are trying to save vast amounts of cash for our potential move. Bummer, but what can I do - the deed is done.

Onwards and forwards...

I have been learning a lot about cooking the past couple of years. One of the most important skills I have learned is prepping ahead of time. This include keeping chicken stock around, cooking beans or chickpeas the day before, and generally thinking a couple of days in advance. It is challenging, and I like it.

Tonight I made re-fried beans (dark red kidney beans, canola oil, onions, cumin, and cayenne pepper) for a few different days of burritos. I made hummus, too, which Starbeans adores. Just yesterday we finished off the shredded chicken from the chicken stock I made last weekend; the stock sits in the freezer waiting to be used in White Bean with Vegetables, Garlic, & Rosemary soup and used for flavor in a dish of sauteed tofu with onions and celery.

It is so fun!!

I know what you're thinking...just think what I could do with a root cellar!