Office Lunch Heated sans Microwaving

Leftover roasted carrots & garlic
with Greek lamb burger

Do you worry about the effects of heating your lunch in the microwave oven?  Is the texture of your food less than desirable after it is heated in the microwave oven?  Is your lunch cool by the time you get back to your desk/table to eat?  Are you tired of looking for something other than plastic to cover your food with when you re-heat it in the microwave oven?  Do you want the convenience of heating your lunch at your location without the cost and bulk of a microwave oven?   If you answered yes to any of these questions, I've got the fix for you!  A mini slow-cooker.
     I received one with a slow-cooker I purchased a few years ago and can't believe it took me this long to think of using it to heat my leftovers for lunch.  I purchased another one at a thrift store for around three dollars because I wanted one at each of the two locations I work at. What a bargain!
     Sure, you have to plan ahead a bit, but most meals take no more than an hour to heat up.  If you eat your lunch in the manner I frequently do – take a few bites, do something, take a few bites, do something – you will appreciate the cooker's ability to keep your food warm.

My Favorite New Utensil

My son gave me this hand-held mandoline fruit and vegetable slicer for Christmas and I love the simplicity of it.
~ It can be adjusted for three different slice thicknesses.
~ I can slice directly on a board or plate or hook the non-slip foot over a bowl to ensure the slices drop directly into the bowl.
~ The food holder pokes just enough into the food to secure it firmly and is molded to fit so that it slides easily along the sides of the slicer.
~ Stainless steel blade.

~ It's easy to use and doesn't take up much space.  I keep it stored in it's original wrapping with a rubber band around it so no one slices their hand while rummaging around in the utensil drawer.

I have a much more sophisticated mandoline slicer with many more options.  Unfortunately, I rarely us it because it's sort of an ordeal to set up and clean up.  The tines (is that what they're called?) of the food holder are too long for most foods, although it is supposed to be adjustable, it seems too technically difficult for me.  I don't have enough space to store it in my kitchen so it lives in it's box in the basement.  That being said, this smaller slicer is perfect for most of my needs.

Hazelnut Coffee Creamer - Dairy Free

Over the Holiday Season I purchased some hazelnuts at Costco, intending to use them for making various things.  I never did make all those things.  So, I soaked (for easy digestion) and toasted a bunch of them.  I snack on them while eating 70% - 90% dark chocolate for dessert (think: antioxidants).  Today I had an AH HA moment and created this coffee creamer.  This is every bit as good as that commercial crap that contains PHVO and so much better for us!

Please click the link to view the Snap Guide how to make this.
Link to Hazelnut Coffee Creamer Snap Guide

I tried to embed the guide on this page but haven't been successful yet.