Pinterest My Hero

If you read my other blog you may have gotten the notice yesterday that we're having a baby. Exciting stuff!

Today's going to be busy with grocery shopping, recycling, and a Dr's. appointment for me. I'm just now in the past week or so getting over my morning sickness and full body pregnancy exhaustion and let me tell you that shit is no joke. So for the past two months we've been living off a lot of convenience meals, i.e. anything that can be made in a crock pot, or heated through with little effort. That being said it's left me in a little bit of a cooking rut. I'm ready and willing to get back in the kitchen and do my magic but after the past weeks of everything from peanut butter to poultry turning my stomach I'm a little short on inspiration.

Then like a White Knight sweeping in from my computer (and the handy little app on my phone) Pinterest has come to save the day. With offerings like Italian Drunken Noodles and Raspberry Swirl Sweet Rolls how could someone not be inspired to get into the kitchen and whip up a little food magic? You can make boards for just about anything (the psychotic perfectionist that I am I find myself organizing and editing mine constantly) and it definitely makes menu planning a little easier. So if you've been avoiding the Internet and have yet to find Pinterest.. you poor poor souls.. get into it. You can give my boards a follow to get you started and I promise you won't be disappointed.

Canned Tomatoes

Picture courtesy of Allyou.com

This is going to be a relatively short post, and is mostly a question. Canned tomatoes are pretty much a staple in my pantry. Crushed or diced, sauce or paste. I LOVE tomato products. Like most people I try to be an informed consumer. One way I do this is by keeping track of the ingredients in my food.

Every can of tomatoes I buy seems to have Calcium Chloride, a food additive that is meant to help the canned tomatoes keep their shape and also prevents tomatoes on the vine from rotting. From the bit of research I've done this additive seems to be a natural salt however I'm not entirely sure I think it belongs in my food. I've heard that Tomatoes canned for overseas markets don't seem to have the additive and it's mostly for the USA market.

What do you Kitchen Witches out there think? Who buys with and who buys without? Has anyone bought both and noticed a difference? Does anyone know if the addition has any type of health side effects?

Leave a comment and let me know.

Fall Produce

I'm feeling like a very forgetful blogger indeed. It's been far to long since I've posted, checked in, or really done much on line at all besides haunt facebook and my email. Being as this is a season of much change I really feel like I've rediscovered my creativity and voice and while it's here I'm sure as hell going to use it. So to kick us off I thought I'd fill you in on the lovely produce that is available this time of year. As always if I've left anything out, please let me know!

 

A

Acorn Squash

Apples

Arugula

Asian Pear

Avocado

 

B

Bananas

Barbados Cherries

Beets

Bell Peppers

Black Crowberries

Black Salsify

Belgian Endive

Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts

Butter Lettuce

Buttercup Squash

Butternut Squash

 

C

Cabbage

Cactus Pear

Cape Gooseberries

Cardoon

Carrots

Cauliflower

Celery

Chayote Squash

Chinese Long beans

Crab Apples

Cranberries

 

D

Date Plum

Delicata Squash

Diakon Radish

 

E

Endive

 

F

Feijoa

Fennel

 

G

Garlic

Ginger

Grapefruit

Grapes

Green Beans

Guava

 

H

Hearts of Palm

Huckleberries

 

J

Jalapeno Peppers

Jerusalem Artichokes

Jujube

 

K

Kale

Key Limes

Kohlrabi

Kumquats

 

L

Leeks

Lemons

Limes

 

M

Muscadine Grapes

Mushrooms

 

O

Ong Choy Spinach

Onions

 

P

Papayas

Passion Fruit

Pear

Persimmons

Pomegranate

Potatoes (Sweet, and White)

Pumpkin

 

Q

Quince

 

R

Radicchio

 

S

Sapote

Sharon Fruit

Sugar Apple

Sweet Dumpling Squash

Swiss Chard

 

T

Turnips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Magickal Housekeeping for a Green Witch Pt.2

Yesterday I posted about the House cleaning aids of a Kitchen Witch. So to round out the list I'd like to post about the magickal/ mundane tools used when cooking. Enjoy!

Hearth- The floor of a fireplace, usually extending into a room and paved with brick, flagstone, or cement.

What? You don't have one? Don't worry neither do I, only in my witchy fantasies do I possess something this lovely. Or stoves whether they be gas or electric are just as effective and perfect representations of the element of fire. Personally I love a gas stove with the actual flame, but that's just a preference.

Cauldron- A large vessel, such as a kettle or vat, used for boiling.

No Witch's kitchen is complete without one. Don't let the picture fool you, you don't need to have one of these cast iron beauties in order to have a cauldron. Our modern day pots and pans work just fine. 

I do have one of these but it's a micro version that I use primarily for lighting indoor fires. The rest of the time a big sturdy pot takes it's place, and don't forget about our friend the tea kettle, the cauldrons little sister. Heating a cup of tea in the microwave just doesn't have the same effect.

Cooking Utensils- Wooden spoons, whisks, ladels and measuring spoons.

I always think of these as the wand of the kitchen witch. You can make anything you cook a little more magickal by stirring in the shape of a pentacle, deosil, or widdershins depending on your intent. Etsy has these wood burned spoons that I absolutely drool over.

Blade- In most pagan practices there are two well known types of blades Athames and Bolines. Athames are black handled double edged ceremonial blades used to represent masculinity and air in ritual. Bolines are crescent shaped white handled blades used for cutting herbs.

A lot of people who just start out in paganism get themselves into a tizzy trying to buy all of the tools they need for their practice. Stop, just stop, as long as the intent is there any knife will do. Kitchen witches are resourcful, we use what we have. If however you have the finances and choose to aquire some of these lovelies there's nothing wrong with that.

Bowls- A common vessel used to serve food.

Let's not forget preparing and combining as well and what the heck we'll include cups i.e. measuring cups, after all they're essentially the same thing.

Bowls and cups are representatives of the divine feminine and are associated with water. Not only are they handy when mixing a cake batter they make top-notch skrying dishes.

Herbs- An herb is a plant that is valued for flavor, scent, medicinal, or other quantities, other than its food value. Herbs are used in cooking, as medicines and for spiritual purposes.

Herbs are deffinately a kitchen witch's most indispensable aid. Let's face it culinary or magickal when you're a Witch it's all the same. Toss a little Rosemary onto that roast for rememberance, want to spice things up in the bedroom why not a hot choclate nightcap with a cinnamon stick stirrer.

These are just six of the several tools and aids of a kitchen witch. If you'd like to see something added or have something you'd like to add contact me!

Waste Not Want Not

One concern of a modern day Kitchen Witch is keeping things economical. A popular way of keeping our budgets under control is to reuse items, not only is it economical but it has the added benefit of helping mother earth. Less waste equals less trash at the dump. If you've got a freezer or cabinet full of odds and ends but simply don't know where to start here are some tips to get you motivated.

1. Instead of throwing away all of those bread ends that no one wants store them in your freezer. Whenever you need bread crumbs simply pull them out, toast them in a low oven and pop them in your food processor. You can add Parmesan, herbs, or other seasonings to tailor them to your own taste without all of the extra sodium found in the pre-made store bought kind.
2. Vegetable peels and the cut off ends of heartier veggies can be bagged and stored. Once you have a full bag add fresh onions, garlic, and whatever seasonings you like. Add everything to a pot of water and bring to a boil then reduce the heat. Allow it to simmer until it reaches the concentration you're looking for. Remove from heat and strain all the yucky bits out. What you're left with is a rich and delicious vegetable broth, much cheaper than buying one pre-made. Note: The same can be done to make chicken, beef, or any kind of other broth/ stock. Simply save the carcasses of roasts and boil with fresh aromatics and veggies.
3. If you have leftover stuffing combine with beaten eggs, veggies, and cheese for an amazing breakfast casserole.
4. Leftover rice can be turned into a tasty and healthy Asian stir fry.
5. If you've got veggies that need to get used right away but their doesn't seem to be enough for a meal add them to a quiche or fritatta for a filling protein packed breakfast.

It's like magick turnings something everyone thought was useless into a delicious meal. The possibilities are endless, and cost effective! Don't ever doubt your own creativity.

Learning About Lemons

Lemons are the perfect summertime fruit with their tart scent and flavor. The bright yellow color and rounded shape liken them to tiny suns caught up in fresh scented glossy leaves. This highly acidic fruit has a mysterious history and a variety of uses making them a witches favorite summertime tool.

History
The exact historical origins of where lemons come from is as far as I've seen unknown (please correct me if you have knowledge otherwise). It would seem however that they most probably come from northwestern India. Like all citrus fruits lemons flourish in warmer climate and when grown in America mostly come from California or Florida.

Nutrition
Lemons are loaded with Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, and Vitamin A. They are also low in natural sugars, fat and calories. Lemons help the body absorb iron and contain individual amino acids considered to be the building blocks of protein.

Medicinal Uses

• A combination of lemon juice, honey, and hot water is a wonderful natural remedy for sore throats
• The same mixture as above as well as adding lemon wedges to ice water and tea are all thought to help promote weight loss.
• As a natural laxative when mixed with warm water
• When used on minor cuts and abrasions it can help to stop bleeding and disinfect the wound.
• Can reduce the swelling of bug bites.

Cosmetic Uses

• Gargling a combination of lemon juice and water helps to reduce bad breath
• A powerful astringent the juice can be applied to acne to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.
• Give yourself natural highlights by spritzing your hair with lemon juice before going out in the sun.
• Rinse hair in the shower with lemon juice for a healthy shine.
• Helps reduce cooking odors from your hands.

House Cleaning Uses

• Equal parts of water and lemon juice poured into a spray bottle makes for an effective all purpose cleaner. It can also be used to help deter ants.
• Rub a cut lemon over a cutting board to help remove stains and to deodorize.
• Run lemon wedges through a garbage disposal to deodorize.
• Warm a sliced lemon in the microwave to reduce grease build up from inside the microwave.
• Add a 1/2 cup of lemon juice to a load of whites before drying in the sun to brighten clothing.
• Combine 1 cup of olive oil with 1/2 cup of lemon juice for homemade furniture polish.
• Clean brass or copper with a paste made of baking soda and lemon juice.
• 4 Tbsp of lemon juice blended with a half gallon of water makes for an effective glass cleaner
• Hot lemon juice combined with baking soda can be used as an all natural drain cleaner
• Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to dish liquid to help cut grease

Magickal Uses
Lemons are associated with friendship and platonic love. Use lemon peel, seeds, and juice in spells and charms to help preserve friendships and make them last.

Introduction Of A Kitchen Witch

I love being in the kitchen. I love every little thing about it. It's such a versatile room for working magick since it incorporates all of the elements. Let me elaborate on that a little bit.

Earth How can someone not find earth in the kitchen. There are herbs, food, stone wear, wooden utensils, and who doesn't have  the occasional potted plant kicking around. When I envision my perfect kitchen I see vibrant greens, dark woods, and gleaming metals. The ultimate place to get in and get my hands dirty.

Air Air is directly related to problem solving, intellect and conversation. Whenever people come to our house they inevitably end up chatting in the kitchen. The living room is nice of course but something about the kitchen (probably the likelihood of finding munchies) always draws them in. Let's not ignore all of the figuring out of measurements and judging what we need to balance out a recipe for just the right flavor. Last but not least the kitchen is filled with glorious smells wafting in the air.

Fire Can you say obvious. Our present day stoves represent the hearths of old. The kitchen is filled with heat. From the actual physical heat of our cook source to the spiciness of seasonings. What's a well stocked kitchen without cinnamon or chili powder.. or a little liquor (fire water anyone?)

Water What is the most common thing to do in a kitchen? Boil water! Beverages, broth, the sink, water is everywhere. Whenever we lose power the last first inconvenience that hits us is "Shit! There's no water." How are we supposed to wash dishes, make tea or cook pasta without water? Water is a necessity in the kitchen.

Spirit Spirit is everywhere but to me always seems the most present in the kitchen. Turn up the radio, get out your pots and pans and let your spirit sing. There's something very ancient about the art of cooking. Old recipes passed down through the ages (in my family it's meat stuffing), secrets shared over a warmed beverage, inherited utensils, and the fact that we are doing the very thing that has kept all of us alive for too many years to count. Oh yeah, spirit is in the kitchen.

The very act of cooking is magickal, transforming basic raw elements into innumerable delicacies. It's alchemy at its finest. All of our senses are engaged in the kitchen, it is an experience like no other.

By the way did I mention how much you can do in the kitchen? In case you didn't know, it's not just for cooking. Sure we need to eat but there's more to life and kitchens than food (hmm did I really just say that?) Got a bad case of poison ivy? Soak in a nice oatmeal bath. Need to polish your furniture? Mix some lemon juice with olive oil. Want to make a craft with the kids? Homemade play-dough should do the trick. Understand now why I love the kitchen?

That's why I'm starting this blog. A couple years back I started a cooking blog, and every now and then I visit it but I really don't have the same fun with it as I do with Witchy Woman. So I decided to retool it into an entirely new blog, one with a fun witchy spin that deals with more than just food and cooking. I'm letting the kitchen be the star that it is. So come on in, fix yourself a drink and let the kitchen witchery begin.