Category Archives: instant pot recipes

Simple Sunday

Posted in California, cooking, Flylady, Halloween, instant pot recipes, Myeloma, simplicity, swimming, Walking by

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

A nice homemaking day.

I have an Instant pot of Potato leek soup cooking, and I made a pork roast in my Staub. I added potatoes and carrots and onions from the farm. I don’t usually do this with pork and usually just do pulled pork but I wanted to use the Staub so I looked for recipes online. It looks good. I guess the test will be later on how tasty is it.

Then I did my morning reset around the house. The Flylady zone this week is the entryways and my office. I don’t need to do much in either area, but I’ll wash the windows and tidy up some.

I went into Micheals to get some worsted yarn to make socks with my new little sock loom. I bought 2 different types of wool and can’t quite tell which is the right one to use. I plan on using the thinner wool first. This is a little wood contraption( loom) that you knit on. My hands can’t do the repetitive knitting action or they cramp up so this is what this loom is for. I guess we’ll see how it goes.

It’s all clouded over now whereas this morning we could see stars and Orion’s belt clearly. Rain is forecast for tomorrow.

This week I have my mammogram and my appointment with Dr. L on Wednesday in Sacramento. I plan on swimming Tuesday and Saturday if I can. The new Trader Joe’s just opened in Rocklin so I want to stop and check it out. I’m excited that it’s that much closer to us and the exit is where Target and Walmart are. ( well, Walmart is on the opposite side of the freeway). Everyone has wanted TJ’s to come into Auburn but I think the demographics weren’t there.

We’ve been having nice evening fires on the patio. The weather has been perfect for sitting out for just a bit after sunset.

Velcade, Round 6, shot #3.

Posted in cancer, cooking, decluttering, instant pot recipes, minimalism, Multiple myeloma, Myeloma by

Done!! 6 months of Velcade. 3 weeks on one week off.

I get labs Friday and then see Dr. L next week. Where it goes, who knows.

Tonight I have leftover vegetarian chili and IP polenta.

Tomorrow is Dex Thursday and I don’t walk. I’ll tidy the house and continue to do this next layer of decluttering. This round is sponsored by Ann Patchett whose New Yorker article really hit home. I’m getting rid of all my Fiesta Ware except the red. I like the red and we use it at Christmas and Valentines day. I plan on giving it all to Cancer Thrift Store not Goodwill. I just feel better giving it to them as the money stays local. Anyway, it’s a lot. The other thing is all my kids Waldorf toys( ok, not all of them:), but quite a bit. If they don’t sell on our local facebook they will go too. We have the Live oak Waldorf school here in Applegate( about 3 miles away). So far no one is interested. It’s interesting to go to another level when I’ve decluttered so much and so much was valuable. navajo rugs, vintage fans, dishes, books etc, antique silver( yes, silver).

But this is what I want:

I want our small home to be a true reflection of minimalism and where we are at this point in our life. Even though what I’m getting rid of was only on 3 different shelves,that’s 3 too many. I’m not interested in making a buck off Fiesta Ware. So what?? It’s nice but that’s it.

What about you??? Are you deciding who you are in your life right now?? And what you have reflects that.!!!

Frugal Friday

Posted in cooking, frugalism, instant pot recipes, Myeloma, Uncategorized, Walking by

I don’t think there’s much frugal this week except the normal.

We ate all meals at home. I went to Trade Joes on Sunday and spent $200 including wine. So mostly salad stuff, breads( to freeze, like pita and bagels), cheeses, some frozen stir fry veggies, snacks etc. So expensive but lots of stuff to get thru the next week.

Today, I’m making and IP broccoli cheddar soup as I needed to use up a head of broccoli. I may just freeze it or we could have some for lunch with the Tartine Sourdough. I also in the process of making a quiche(trying to use up as many eggs as I can) with mushrooms and gruyere. It’s a recipe from ‘Magnolia Table’. It looks like a good one. So using up some stuff instead of just giving to the chickens or composting.

My son made a delicious chicken parmesan in the cast iron pan last night and also made a tofu parmesan in one of my 6 inch cast iron pans. Both were delicious. It also used things from the freezer so that was a frugal thing.

Friday’s are a more normal day after low Thursdays but it’s also a bit hyper but I feel good so I try and do some extra things.

Barclay is finishing up the front room. I’ve moved some Cathrineholm to the teak bookcase and put most of the red fiesta ware on another shelf or in the cabinet.( closed doors). I’ll have to see whether I like it there as some of the green tones match my Needles and Pine Tepco.

We will start the kitchen next week and again do a wall at a time since there’s so much to move. We’re doing that in a semi gloss. I plan on ordering a new stove hood sometime in the next few months. Nothing too fancy but hopefully one that works a bit better.

We had a good walk this morning even though it was quite cold. I had some shortness of breath but it was impeding as long as I wasn’t trying to talk and walk then I would start huffing some.

We’re not planning on a pizza tonight. Nobody seems to be in the mood so we’ll just eat leftovers or what I made today.

Velcade, Round 2, shot #2.

Posted in cancer, cooking, covid-19, instant pot recipes, Myeloma, Uncategorized by

Today is my next shot and it should go quickly. I still have bruised areas from the other shot but eventually it will fade. Also there is still some foot neuropathy going on but it’s not too bad. That just doesn’t go away quickly. It can take months after treatment has ended but I’m ok with it at this point.

Yesterday my daughter got her first Covid vaccine. so hurray!! Just a sore arm so that’s good. It actually went really quickly so these health care workers and those coordinating are doing a phenomenal job.

My son got back from Tahoe and went and had a rapid covid test and it was negative. But he’s still only coming in the house for food and bathroom breaks. Tomorrow he goes for the 24 hr test so then he’s in the clear, I hope.

I made the other Seville orange marmalade and I think the recipe is better. It came out properly jelled so maybe it was using the candy thermometer that did it. You want the temperature at 220 or 218 about and then it jells. It definitely did that.

I’m making a mediterranean white bean soup for dinner. I soaked the beans yesterday and put in the IP this morning. So far when I tasted it,it is delicious! I had B pick up a Truckee Sourdough baguette to have with it and I will grill up some sausage if the meat eaters want that too. Actually my daughter will do the rest as after I take dex this afternoon I’m not good for much.

Round 1 over, Velcade, shot #3

Posted in Blood test, cancer, cooking, instant pot recipes, Multiple myeloma, Myeloma, Walking by

It was a brutal drive down to Sacramento yesterday.

We had wind and rain here overnight and it didn’t let up driving down. Sacramento looked liked a war zone. It was hit very hard by wind and rain. I saw debis all over and many trees snapped in two. There was no power in the C street area but Mercy did have power. Off the exit onto J street, the homeless encampments looked like they took a huge hit with stuff ALL over the place. Why we can’t provide some kind of motel/hotel rooms for these people is beyond me. I know Gov Newsom is trying his best to come up with solutions. Why the nutsos want to recall him is all so beyond me. What was he supposed to do during a pandemic, just say ok, keep businesses open and spread Covid-19?? Honestly?? Some People are really stupid.

Anyway, I got down there just fine and saw Dr. Laptalo. He said the soft lump that was on my front temple area probably was a plasmacytoma so fortunately with 24 hours of my first shot it was gone and he said that’s good. But there’s not much we can do with the bone area right now. sigh… why is it always something?. But the important thing is when my numbers started to double in early November, that’s when this soft lump appeared so clearly the abnormal plasma cells were working overtime. I’ll be more aggressive next time saying we need to start treatment when we reach this 500 point.

So then when I left, the sun was out but still very strong winds. I headed up to Rocklin for my shot. I was 1/2 hour early but the nurse told me just to come in since the shot doesn’t require IV hook up or anything and they had done my vitals in Sacramento. The shot went well and I was on my way.

I need to do labs before my next round starts in February and I have off next week.

There wasn’t any rain when I left but the winds were still very strong and it was hard to even walk back to the car.

I got home by 12 having left by 8am. So not too bad. I ate some lunch and took Dex.

I guess it’s all a waiting game to see what my blood work shows, but after only one round, you can’t expect too much. Maybe by Round 3 in March.

My daughter made a nice comfort food dinner of Mac and Cheese, wedge salad and a few breaded Costco shrimp in the air fryer.

We are watching Brooklyn 99 with my son and it you want a funny show this is definitely it. Great writing and characters. We’re taking a break from the ‘Money Heist’ since we just finished Part 3. Then we browsed and started ‘Lupin” . French and quite good so far. We also paused Cobra Kai. It’s a good show, I’m just not sure if I’m into the story line although it is good and it’s fun they are the original characters from the “Karate Kid”.

Tonight my son will cook and is planning an IP chicken teriyaki dish. I’m going to make a tofu curry for the veggies. Plus I’ll put some arborio rice in the Zojirushi. An easy meal to put together.

It’s still raining and we didn’t walk. I just ordered this morning a set of Frogg Toggs since I don’t mind walking in the rain if I have the right gear. If I feel up to it, I’ll get on the treadmill and do at least something, maybe:)

Simple Sunday

Posted in camping, cooking, covid-19, Flylady, home improvement, instant pot recipes, minimalism, Multiple myeloma, prepper pantry, travel, Uncategorized, Walking by

A simple day to start the new year.

My daily chores are done and the FL zone this week is the kitchen. The entry way was only 2 days so I missed that. But, I think I’ll sweep the patios and tidy up the fir boughs.(my daughter already did all this so it’s done!!) I’m going to leave them thru january as it seems wintery. My door wreath is bay laurel so that can stay up too. I also have some nice pinecones we collected up in Tahoe on the bench outside the front door.

One thing I’ve learned with being more minimal is to use natural things for decor or seasonal decorations. It makes it easier for me to not have think about the decorations in bins. I definitely used to keep bins with seasonal stuff but not so much any more. Now I only have my vintage Halloween, and some Easter stuff and Christmas in some Ikea boxes. Works for me.

I used my Staub again for a braised short rib recipe. It cooked beautifully but we ( the meat eaters) were not too into the dish. It was good but not great. It will not go into rotation even though it really is an easy one pot meal. This pot though has cooked everything I’ve done to perfection. If you’re looking for an all around pot this is it. Staub should sponsor me as I cannot say enough good things about this pot. And that’s coming from a die hard fan of Le Creuset.

I am doing a Walmart pickup so that should get us thru till we get to Costco about mid month. I’m planning on trying to use the Instant Pot to make yogurt. It seems easy enough so on the Walmart order I have some whole milk yogurt to use as a starter. We’ll see. I’ll post how it goes.

My rib feels pretty good. Maybe still a little tender where I probably pulled the muscle around the rib. I’ll be sure to mention it to my doctor. He did ask whether I wanted to do PET scans and a bone marrow biopsy to see it there were any hot spots and/or if the myeloma has morphed. I declined since it is what it is regardless. I think if I had more symptoms I might but at this point I’m fairly asymptomatic except for blood work that show the increases.

This week I see the eye doctor for my 6 month macular pucker scan. I’m hoping to not have to get my eyes dilated as they stay dilated for hours. I’m also thinking of getting the surgery when the pandemic is over and things are back to normal so probably a year from now.

I added some more ” things I hope to accomplish” list. :

find 3 new hikes to try

paint the living room and kitchen( this was supposed to be done last year)

find 2 new places to camp( I was thinking either private or maybe just Forest Service campgrounds)

keep up with the prepper pantry but streamline what I stock( and know we will use).

Friday things

Posted in bread, camping, cooking, instant pot recipes, Uncategorized by

Well, let’s see. The week was dark and stormy( kidding … a reference to “Throw Momma from the Train”)! Actually it was pretty dark and stormy yesterday for the morning and then it lightened up by afternoon. Today it’s freezing this morning but sunny and should be a nice day with highs in the mid 50’s.

It was an okay week. I really felt depressed most of it but today I feel brighter.

I didn’t make bread this week so this morning I’m baking a couple of Tartine boules so that will give us some bread for toast or grilled cheese.

I only went to our Holiday market this week for a few things and I think I spent $45. I needed a gift card for our garbage guy and a holder and I bought an inexpensive bottle of Cabernet for him.

I also started writing out a list of projects for 2021 and where we could possibly go camping. Capitola for sure if the SB is open, Nevada Beach also. I’d like to get to Bodega to camp too. That’s usually booked way in advance since it’s right on the beach and all the big RVer’s want the spots. I might check that out today.

Last night I made a polenta lasagna and it was really good. I used the IP to make the polenta and then Rao’s sauce( which is in my opinion the best on the market.) Costco has the best deals on a 2 pack for about $10 something. Then I used grated mozzarella on top. We all liked it and I think because it was so easy, I’ll add to my menu rotation.

When I menu plan, I write up a menu for the whole month and then check off what I made. I also add in space for a new recipe so I can try something new. I also add in 2 nights of takeout. We already had the pizza this month so that leaves one left. Some months, especially with the pandemic, we didn’t do any take out at all.

Tonight is supposed to be pizza night but since we had that Italian polenta last night I’m going to bake the frozen nut loaf. I made some cranberry sauce from frozen cranberries and I’ll do some mashed potatoes and a veggie. that should do it.

Finally!!!!

Posted in Blood test, instant pot recipes, MDS, Uncategorized by

After almost 8 months of bureaucratic bullshit, I got my NYC birth certificate yesterday.

I actually ordered 3 when I sent in the final documents. unadjustednonraw_thumb_354.jpg

So there it is finally done. What an ordeal. I should write an ebook about how to get a certified birth certificate from NYC.

So, unfortunately ( i sincerely hope not) they didn’t return in the same envelope my certified marriage certificate. I’m not panicking yet because they didn’t mail the other in the envelope I provided, so I’m going to wait a few days and then try and email the corrections department.  Hopefully, it’s just in process on someone’s desk:(

Well, now I can dance in the streets, get a passport and get the real ID from California when I go to renew my license. Geez…..

Today is a doctor appt for B before he starts cycle 4 of Dacogen on Thursday.  If after this cycle, everything seems a- go I think he’ll start the transplant process which is a number of tests.  We haven’t heard about the brother’s donor match yet, but maybe she will know something.

We are in for more rain today thru Thursday but then it looks like we may be heading for ‘normal ‘ weather. Sunny, and in the ’60s.

I made IP polenta cacao de pepe, and wow it was superb. If you like polenta but not stirring for 40 minutes this is a deal breaker. It was creamy and just delicious.

Then I made tilapia with a parmesan crust and it was also delicious. Because I’m trying to eat fewer carbs, it’s a good recipe. I still drink wine so the carbs are still there, but hey, you got to do what you gotta do:) So this is not Keto, just fewer carbs like bread( my weakness) bagels, pasta, etc. I do love carbs, but I’m curious if I’ll notice a difference. We’ll see.

 

 

the week ahead…

Posted in cooking, instant pot recipes, simple foods, Uncategorized by

This is going to be another busy appt week. B has his oncology appt and starts cycle 4 of Dacogen. That runs 5 days straight.  So We’ll be out and about a lot.

Since I don’t have any grocery needs except perhaps the cat food, I’ll probably go to the gym or sit at the coffee shop. Dacogen infusion takes about an hour but total time runs about 2.

I don’t have any appts although I still need to get into the dentist for them to scan for my retainer. Every time I call, there’s a reason the dentist is unavailable. (Last time was he was out of the office on Friday).

It’s supposed to be just cloudy today but rain/snow the rest of the week, I hope my daughter can get up to Truckee.  What a winter this has been. One for the record books.

Next week is daylight savings which I dislike as I like the light as it is now in both the morning and afternoon. California has legislation to eliminate it but I don’t know whatever came of it.  And Spring is only a few weeks away. Although with all this rainy weather, it may be delayed or maybe we’ll have SUNSHINE !!

Today is the Kitchen zone if you are following along with Flylady.  If so, try and declutter something while you’re at it. Yesterday I put my crockpot in a box and dated it. If I don’t use it or need it in 3 months I ‘ll give it to the thrift store. Since I’m using the IP exclusively, there’s no need for 2 things.

The kitchen zone is my biggest area mostly because of the deeper clean it needs. Overall it takes me 1-2 hours.

The other day I made the IP pork chops and they were delicious. I don’t like pork chops in the crockpot as they seem to shred but these were intact and cut lovely. I was quite pleased. Yesterday I did some meal prep for the week. I made IP brown rice and grilled some chicken. My daughter also steamed asparagus and somehow they were so good there were none left over for lunches.  That’s okay, I still have some broccoli to cook.

I’ve learned a few things about the IP. One is for a whole chicken, I’d much rather roast in the oven. I like the look and taste better. Also, I grilled chicken breasts last night in the cast iron pan and that too I prefer over the IP.  So it is a learning curve with it. If you’re starting out I’d say, just try recipes and see what ones make your life easier or the food simpler to prepare. I’ve only made beans once but am planning on doing black beans this week too for burrito bowls. Hardboiled eggs are a breeze to do.

Well, off to start the kitchen zone.

 

Five on Friday or more…

Posted in Blood test, budgets, instant pot recipes, Uncategorized by

It’s been a busy week. The snow and weather have been a PITA, but we got thru. Yesterday morning there was ice snow on the ground and in the trees. It must have been like freezing rain in the early morning. The roads were a little scary.

We did recycle this week, and we went to Harbor Freight in Roseville to get a car canopy thing. This last week the Santa Fe has been iced over every morning and taken forever to defrost. So we will put that up over the weekend.

I had my labs this week and haven’t heard what the results are. I’ll probably call later if I don hear.  Usually, my doctor is really good about that but sometimes it slips thru his radar.  I go to Sacramento to see him next week.

I’ve used the instant pot daily and I am really enjoying it. I made pinto beans( which turned out great), a butter chicken, rice again and hardboiled eggs.  I really like that it is quiet and the flavors are pretty impressive. Oh, yeah, I made minestrone soup that was excellent.

Because of 2 trips to Costco, I’ve gone over our food budget but I’m just chalking it up to whatever as some of the stuff was the Orgain for B which was pricey. We bought 2 of them, plus coconut waters and nuts to help him add on calories to gain weight.  So, I’m just letting it go instead of obsessing about it. ( which I probably will do anyway)…

B has labs tomorrow and infusion on Sunday.  He will need platelets and probably blood but the blood has been 14 days so that’s an improvement. But honestly, it needs to be better.

I have finally have figured out Medicare to a point. I still need to call the insurance company and ask a few questions but I have the basics figured out so I feel good about switching by June. B’s insurance stuff gets re-upped in June so I will consider that (May 31) as the last day and Medicare to start June 1st. I’m a little nervous about it but it’s going to have to happen sooner or later.

Well, I’m off to town to do some errands.

 

Quick update:

just saw my labs and my kappa light chains went up 4 points( bad) to 19.4 which is the borderline for high. So there it is I’m at the high normal range but at least not out of it.

Lambda went to 13. 6 which is in the normal range, high is 26.5

the ratio went to 1.43 high normal is 1.65 so that’s still below.

Well, I’m somewhat dismayed but heck it’s still a long way off till it would be back on treatment.