Ham Flavor

Many years ago my friend Tammy brought us dinner with some of the best tasting green beans I ever had. They tasted like she had cooked them with a ham bone all day. When I asked how she got such good flavor she shared the secret of Goya's Ham Flavored Concentrate. There are about 12 or so packets of ham flavor in the box. You can add 1 packet to your green beans, Lima beans, bean soup, etc. If you want a fast, great tasting ham flavor then you need to try this. You will find it in the ethnic aisle with the Mexican foods. One side of the box is printed in English & the other side is printed in Spanish. You never know which side will be facing out so just look for the little pig!

Groceries

I really love to cook, but I don't like making out the menu. I don't mind going to the grocery store, but I don't like unpacking the bags & putting things away. Today was grocery day.

I plan a menu for 2 weeks worth of eating (yes, that's 14 dinners). I look through cookbooks, my favorite magazine http://www.tasteofhome.com/Simple---Delicious-Magazine, and ask the family as I prepare the menu. Sometimes it is a quick process but most of the time it takes me awhile. I like to make things different so I think that is why it can take me so long. I don't like to eat the same things over & over & over again.

After I prepare the menu, I create my grocery list. I do the bulk of my grocery shopping at Super Wal-Mart. However, I don't care for their meat department so I buy my meat at Publix or Winn Dixie. It usually takes me about 1.5 hours (I can get a little sidetracked at Wal-Mart).

When I get home I dread the carrying of all those bags from the garage into the kitchen. Then I have to put everything away & I always get on a tangent of organizing or re-arranging the cupboards. Finally once everything is put away I feel like I accomplished so much. In 2 weeks I will repeat the process again!