Hungry Blogger

Learning to Love The Slow Cooker

Using a slow cooker couldn't be easier. Just add all the ingredients, then let it sit and quietly do its thing, usually for at least 6-8 hours or even

I'm trying to move away from the cheaper and overly-processed meats that tend to creep into my diet. It's so much cheaper to buy some Buddig packets or a pound of ground mystery beef on sale, versus a whole cut of real meat. But I don't always have the time or wherewithal to do "real cooking." Thus: the slow cooker.

The slow cooker (a.k.a. Crockpot, although that's a specific brand name) lets you easily prepare larger cuts of meat. Larger cuts of meat are frequently cheaper than the smaller portions, not just because you're buying in bulk, but because this is how you get some of the less desirable cuts. But the slow cooker can really make magic with this kind of meat, and it's so easy and delicious and so much better for you than a pile of ground beef!

McDonald's Will Stop Using "Pink Slime"

Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution" probably played a big part in the decision - but McDonald's won't admit it

Jamie Oliver's short American television series "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" continues to have wide-ranging effects for the better on the American food supply. Although McDonald's denies that Oliver's show had any influence on their decision, they have recently decided to stop using ground beef treated with ammonium hydroxide - what Oliver aptly named "pink slime" on his show.

Oliver has also referred to this ammonia/beef concoction as "dog food." Virtually all of the ammonia-treated beef comes from a single massive source: Beef Products, Inc, which happens to be McDonalds' largest supplier. Beef Products, Inc claims that ammonium hydroxide is a naturally-occurring antibacterial chemical which is found normally in meat. They simply, you know… amp it up a little.

Raw Vegan Chocolate

As a practicing vegan/vegetarian, I subscribe to this email alert called Vegan Cuts, to subscribe click here. This is similar to the Groupon coupons promotion, but features weekly vegan deals.

Recently, while checking my email, one of these deals popped up in my inbox. Vegan cuts had sent me a coupon for a case of discounted raw vegan chocolate. That is, chocolate that has been uncooked and therefore left in its highest enzymatic rich state.

This raw vegan chocolate bargain included 12 bars for less than 30 bucks. This may seem a bit pricey, but when consider that all bars are organic, vegan ingredients (which are sometimes hard to source from given lack of supply in demand). Organic food is a niche market. Therefore prices are more expensive than conventionally produced food. Read more about Raw Vegan Chocolate

Doritos: Throwback "Taco" Flavor

The Doritos of my youth

When Doritos were created, there was only one flavor. Doritos flavor. Which is to say, Taco Flavor. It wasn't until 1972 that Doritos released a second flavor, Nacho Cheese, which became their most popular product. Doritos released new flavors about once a decade, until the sudden explosion of Doritos flavors in the 1990s and beyond.

But back in the day, life was simple, and there was only one Doritos flavor. And it was good.

I had forgotten this until I tried a bag of the new throwback style Doritos. The bag features the original look from the 1960s and 1970s. I never would have thought I would feel nostalgic about tortilla chips. But when I opened the bag and tried a chip, my first thought was, "THIS IS WHAT DORITOS TASTE LIKE."

Valentine’s Day Pancakes

Valentine’s Day is not just for romance. You can celebrate it with the entire family. What better way to start off the morning than with some homemade Valentine’s Day pancakes. You can surprise your kids, or have them help you in the kitchen.

You will need the following items to make your Valentine’s Day pancakes:

Heart-shaped cookie cutter
Medium-sized bowl
2 cups flour
3 ½ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
½ tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 ½ cups milk
3 Tbsp. melted butter
15 drops red food coloring
Whipped cream
10 sliced strawberries

How Much Blame Does Paula Deen Deserve?

She learned she had Type 2 diabetes several years ago, but didn't admit it until now - and she's marketing insulin

The media and blog world wolf packs are practically baying for blood over Paula Deen's sheepish recent announcement that she has Type 2 diabetes. But how much of this vitriol does she really deserve?

A lot of the poop being flung is basically just a half step from your all-purpose "fat shaming." Paula Deen is fat, and eats unhealthy foods, and therefore OF COURSE she has Type 2 diabetes. Why, she practically deserves it, with the way she eats, amirite folks?

Combine Ground Beef with Vegetables for a Tasty Meal

I love to make meatloaf, but my kids prefer I take a different approach with my ground beef. They love a dish I threw together one night out of desperation because I had used up most of our weekly groceries. The meal was a hit and now I find myself being asked to prepare it quite often.
Read more about Combine Ground Beef with Vegetables for a Tasty Meal

Mountain Dew: The Mouse-Melter

Refreshingly corrosive!

Pepsi Co recently defended itself against accusations that a guy found a mouse in his Mountain Dew. Their argument: no, you didn't, because Mountain Dew will turn a mouse body into goo. Therefore, you cannot have found a mouse in your can.

When your lawyer decides that the right thing to do is admit that your soda melts dead mice, you know you're really in a bind.

According to Pepsi's documents, if the man had really found a mouse in his can, it would have long since been dissolved into "a jelly-like substance." The can had been bottled fifteen months earlier - long enough, experts agree, for all the citric acid in Mountain Dew to have wreaked havoc.

Easy Zucchini Soup Recipe

My daughter and I were trying to think up a healthy recipe with the vegetables we had on hand. That is how we came up with this zucchini soup recipe. It was so delicious that I had to write down what we did so that I could do it again another day. I figured if I published the recipe here, I could come back and view it anytime I got the urge to make it again.

You will need the following ingredients to make this zucchini soup: Read more about Easy Zucchini Soup Recipe

Healthy Comfort Food

I don’t know about you, but this is the time of year when I crave comfort foods. Images of creamy mashed potatoes, hot, yet filling soups and the tastiest staple: good old Macaroni and Cheese.

I love coming home after a long day and curling up with a good book and a hot bowl of fork twirling, cheesy noodles. I love topping this dish with breadcrumbs to give it body.