Italian Vegetable Pasta Recipe

It is no surprise to my family that I am not a real big meat eater. Yes, I like to eat meat. No, I do not like to eat a bunch of meat. I am picky about the meats I do eat. I could go without eating any kind of meat if I wanted. I don't want to stop eating meat. 

I do limit how much meat I eat. To the point I will make meatless meals. My family is still free to eat as much meat as they want on the days I make meatless meals. 

What I do like to do is add as many vegetables I can to every meal I prepare. The more vegetables in a meal the better I like it.

Suffering from different food issues and allergies makes it difficult to come up with a food plan that works for everyone in the family.

As for me, I must eat healthy. As I treat my type 2 diabetis by what I eat. My boyfriend and I both suffer from GERD which eliminates many things from our meals. He will still eat things he shouldn't and suffer through the stomach pain and worse. I can't. I don't like the bad side effects I get. If I can't have it, I don't cook it with it.

One of my favorite meatless meals is 

'Italian Vegetable Pasta". When making this meal, I use whatever vegetables I have in my refrigerator at the moment. As I think fresh vegetables works best with this meal.

1 box of twirl multi-flavored pasta
2 cup of carrots - chopped

2 cup of mushrooms - sliced

2 cup of broccoli - diced

1 bottle of Italian dressing

Shredded cheddar cheese

Boil pasta per directions on the box. Allow to cool. while cooling. I start chopping, slicing, and dicing the vegetables. Mix together with the pasta. Pour Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetable mix.

Let chill for one hour. Take out and portion to a serving. Top by sprinkling with shredded cheddar cheese. 

*Tip - Some people do not like their pasta and vegetables drenched in Italian dressing. I always lightly coat the pasta and vegetables with Italian dressing. The rest I leave in the bottle and allow people to add more if they wish. This also helps the pasta from getting soggy.

*Tip - If you wish to make this in to a meal with meat. You can easily add in stripe or chopped up pieces of ham, turkey, chicken or beef.

*Tip - This dish is best served cold.

Etekcity Digital Pocket Scale Review

I was able to receive a product from Etekcity. It was a digital pocket scale. It is made of stainless steel. The digital part has a back light. So, you can weigh in a dim lighting area. Making it easy to read. It can weigh up to 2000 grams.

It is light weight and works to tell you the weight of your item quickly. Even when you keep adding more to it. It weighs faster than other scales I have used in the past.

It is easy to clean. It is small enough to carry in my purse when I am on the go. For those who are counting calories, having a product you can take on the go is very important.

The scale does require two triple A batteries. 

I was only able to use the scale once before I dropped it and it broke. So, I really can't give you an accurate account other than what I have stated on how it works. For what I was able to do. It worked great for me. 

If I was going to order another scale. It would be from Etekcity. They do a great job of having their products look great. Just like I like them. They answer any question and customer service is great. 

I received the Etekcity Digital Pocket Scale for free. In exchange for a honest review based on my families and my personal experiences. All opinions reflected in this post are all mine.

Cheesy Broccoli Mushroom Soup Recipe

One of the meals I make that is simple and quick is soup. When I don't feel good I like to eat soup. It is also something I can take my time making in the crock pot if I wish.

Recently I had to replace my crock pot. As my oldest son had left the last one on high. After being asked to turn it off and put the food away. He said he would. Instead the next morning we could smell something burning. He had left the crock pot on all night on high. The crock pot was ruined. The rubber around the lid was stuck to the crock pot. It could not be removed. It was glued from the heat.

Was upset? Yeah, a little. However, the crock pot was old. I knew it would eventually needing to be replaced. So, I wasn't to upset about needing to replace the crock pot. As I was about my teen son not listening to me. I was more upset that he said he would take care of something. But did not. Lying leads down the wrong path.

I wanted to believe he simply forgot. However, he is hooked on technology that is more important to him than taking responsibility. Because of that, he lost his electronics for awhile.

Yesterday I did not feel good. As I was fighting another bad migraine. So, I decided to make a Cheesy Broccoli Mushroom soup in the new crock pot. 

Cheesy Broccoli Mushroom Soup

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1 package of mushroom (diced)

1 bundle of broccoli
1 teaspoon of chicken stock
1 teaspoon of ginger
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
1/4 sea salt
1/4 cup of onions (diced)

1 block of Velveeta Cheese (melted)

4 cups of milk

I placed the Velveeta cheese in the crock pot on high to melt. Stirring as it melted. I blended the milk, chicken stock, salt, pepper, and ginger. I added the broccoli, mushrooms and onions.

Heat on high for 3 - 4 hours.

Tip : Add crackers. My family loves to add crackers to all of their soups.

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Photos taken by and belong to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty

7 Things You Can Do To Prepare Your Pet In case Of An Natural Disaster

Today, may 14th, 2016 is National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day. It was created to help spread awareness of being prepared for your pets in case of an emergency or a nature disaster happens.

Shelters during disasters are overwhelmed dealing with the animals they have in their care. They don't have time to worry about your pets to. As staff is normally understaffed during disasters and trying to stretch what resources they have available. If your pet happens to show up there, they will take your pet in as well.

For this reason you need to have a plan on what to do with pet if a disaster happens. Like in any emergency, you need a plan. Not only for your family but your pets as well.

7 Things you can do to prepare your pet in case of a natural disaster : 

1. Make sure pet is either micro chipped or has a collar with id and contact information. Such as your phone number and address.

2. Have a decal on your doors or window to others know you have pets in your house. If you can include your vets info. As that is one place your pet can end up.

3. Prepare a 'grab and go kit'. This is important to have things you would need to care for your pet already in one place. So, you can grab and go. Such as: pet medications, an extra week supply of food, extra comfort toys to keep your pet busy, extra blanket in case it is cold to keep your pet warm, bottled water, your contact information, your vets contact information, your pets age, name, behavior issues and medical information. Extra collars or harnesses and leashes. Diaper wipes, waste clean up and dog pee pads. As you never know where you will end up or what will be needed to use.You can keep these in a tub or an extra dog crate you can pick up and go.

4. Learn where your pet will hides. This way if you have to leave quick, You can locate your pet and go.

5. Carry a picture of your pet in case you get separated from your pet and need to to locate them later. 

6. Know where you can take your pet or leave them. Many hotels will not allow them. Not even in case of an emergency. See if you can locate pet friendly hotels before hand. Ask friends or relatives if they can house your pet. 

7. Most all remain calm. Pets can sense when their owners are upset. The more upset and moody you are. They more they will be. 

Do you have your pet prepared in case of a natural disaster or an emergency?

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Photos from Pixabay, a free use photo website.

Enjoying Smores Without A Campfire

Smores is a sweet treat my family and I like to indulge ourselves in when we can. 

This time I decided to make Smore's using my small fondue set. First I add the mini chocolate chips.

Next I added two candles in the bottom part of my fondue set. I light both tea light candles. 

As I wait for the mini chocolate chips to melt. I get the rest of the ingredients out.  I open a bag of mini swirl shaped marshmallows.

I take the graham crackers and crush them up. I put them on a plate. To make it easier to roll the chocolate covered marshmallows in.

I make sure I get the fondue sticks laid out. 

Once everything is set up. I place a marshmallow on the end of a fondue stick.

I dip the marshmallow in the melted chocolate chips. I allow the excess chocolate to drip off.

Than I roll the chocolate covered marshmallow in the crushed up graham cracker crumbs.

Bon appetite!! 

My boyfriend is allergic to marshmallows. So, he took a piece of graham cracker. Dipped it in the melted chocolate and dipped it in the crushed graham crackers. 

How do you like to eat your smore's?

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If you would like to purchase any of these products. You can find these products, similar ones and many more through Rusty2rusty's Chatter Amazon Store

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This post participates in a weekly challenge called Wordless Wednesday. To learn more more about Wordless Wednesday. Please click the word : HERE

Bully Sticks & Beef Tendons Dog Treat Review

One thing I do is keep my dogs in plenty of treats and toys. I like to get new treats and try them out on my dogs. On the picnic table is several kinds of treats : Biscuits and what looks like a mini piece of bacon. It is really a treat to look like bacon. 

Recently, my dogs were able to try another dog treat that is new to them. I was able to order the treat off Amazon.com. The product is Bully Sticks & Beef Tendons Combo Pack - Two Sizes Available - Premium Free Range Chews. Made in the USA by WyldLife.

The treats were wrapped in a clear bag individually. before being added to a packaged bag with the logo and information on it. I like the fact these treats are made in the USA where I live. 

My dogs have no issue sitting down or doing a  trick to earn their treats. this pet momma always has the dogs do different command before receiving their treats. 

The commands given before my dogs can receive a treat is an on going process of training I have with my dogs. I am confident my dogs will not leave my side. unless I tell them to with the treat training. 

Do you use treats to train your pets to do what you want them to do? Do you reward your pets for good behavior with treats?

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Please excuse some of the spotty photos. Both my camera and smartphone had an accident with a big pot of grease. Please, don't ask! They are both still draining the grease little by little. I was lucky to be able to save them both.

Who Says Grilling Is Only For Father's Day?

Yesterday was Mother's Day. My boyfriend decided to grill out for the special occasion. I recently ordered BBQ Grill Mats made by OxGord to review. Which is something I ordered after reading a review about BBQ Grill mats on my friend Martha blog post. Since I have Amazon Prime, I received them with in two days of ordering.

The OxGord BBQ Grill Mat came in the size 13 X 16. They are a non stick pad and easy to use. The best thing I like about this mats is that I can actually grill without dropping food off in to the fire. In the past, I lost many hamburgers that way. 

The OxGord BBQ Grill mats was great for the burgers and chicken. However, the hot dogs cooked much better not using the mats. We decided to remove one mat as we were grilling. To grill the hot dogs the old fashion way. Not everything grills so good the OxGord BBQ grill mats. 

I did notice the OxGord Grill Mats do clean up pretty good. It is easier than cleaning a grill. If you want a fast and easy clean up after grilling. These mats are a must have. 

Even my grandson couldn't wait to get food off the grill. I found the mat helped the food cook quicker. Without being black on every side. 

Who says grilling is only for Father's day? Not this Momma who loves to grill. 

Dog Quotography

For today's Quotography share, I have decided to share three  Quotography photo instead of one. I hope you enjoy them.

I think Gilda Radner got it right about dogs being amazing creatures. They give us so much love and trust. Even on our darkest days when we don't deserve it. Dogs will be there wagging their tails, accepting the pat on the head, or snuggling in our laps no matter who we are or what we did. Dogs never judge us. They choose to enjoy our company instead. 

Snuggling with dogs is something I do a lot when I am not feeling well. Or something is really bothering me. Both of my dogs will stay by my side til I start feeling better. Only leaving to eat or occasionally going outside. It feels good to know that are always there for me. It is like they know when I need comfort without me saying a word. The compassion dogs share with humans are like none other I have ever known.

Recently something happened in my personal life that shocked my family to the core. Something I can't find myself to talk about. We don't choose our human family. However, I am glad we can choose our furby family. As they have not let me down yet. They are more willing to stay by our side to help us get through any difficult situation. 

Has a dog brought you comfort?

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This blog participate in sharing a weekly post about Quotography. If you decide to join in, please drop me a line and let me know. Or simple add your link in the comments. Photos from Pixabay, a free use photo sharing website. 

It Was The Tomatoes

As I have grown older, I have had some health issues come up. One that has caused my stomach to swell to where I look like I am carrying twins. It hurt. When this started happening a few years ago. I started having issues with constipation. Which I didn't understand. I was eating a fairly healthy diet. Due to having type 2 diabetis.

I went from one doctor to another doctor to only tell me to use over the counter medications. Or to eat a diet with my vegetables and fruits. Except the ones that mess with my GERD.  I was getting confused by the minute. As to treat one health issue, it was effecting another in a negative way. All I knew is my stomach would hurt when it swelled. Til I layed down to sleep. Than I would wake up up coughing to the point of puking til my stomach was empty. By that time only thing coming up was yellow bile. Yuck! I would be exhausted by morning.

One day I was enjoying a pizza sub when my lips broke out in blisters. My stomach started to swell again. The constipation set in. I knew it was something I ate. So, the next day I ordered a cheeseburger from McDonalds that was only ketchup. Which is the ingredient I ate the night before. Guess what! It happened again.

This whole time I have been allergic to tomatoes and not had a clue. Now I can enjoy a pizza sub from Subway with no tomato base pizza sauce. Instead, I had pepperoni, spinach, olives and american cheese.  Place on a honey oat bun. It still taste delicious. No blisters on the lips, no stomach swelling, no constipation or digestive issues. Now I need to learn how to make chili without tomato sauce or V-8 juice.

Any suggestions?

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 Photo #1 thur #3 shared from Pixabay, a free use photo website. Photo #4 is owned and © by Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty.

Blogjob Suspended The Point System

The past few months I have been promoting Blogjob as a way to earn online. I can no longer do that. As of today, Blogjob has suspended the point system. If you can't earn points. You can't cash your points in for Amazon codes or paypal. You can no longer earn from your activity on the website. However, you are able to use the points that has already occurred to cash out.

This is sad news in the writing and blogging industry where people depend on these small websites to earn a little bit of money. I have seen so many of these types of websites come and go. To name a few : Gather, Boomertowne, Persona Paper, Bubblews, CP Gallery, etc.

As of last month, Blogjob claimed it was doing well in the earning department. Blogjob decided to close down for a few days to upgrade to a faster server. Eventually opening membership to new users. Ever since the server migration. The website has ran to a multitude of issues. In the last week or so, Blogjob issued a maximum point reduction per day to help fight the influx of memberships looking for a huge payday - spammers.

Blogjob is still open as a blogging website. You are free to create new blog posts and use the website freely. The only difference, you will no longer be able to earn from participating on Blogjob.  Blogjob has been honest and upfront with an issues of their website. Right now point suspension is suppose to be temporarily. I have no reason to believe otherwise.

However, in the meantime. I plan to remove a few blogs that have became inactive and leave groups that are dead. I do plan on supporting members who choose to stay on Blogjob and continue to write. Maybe with everyones help Blogjob will become a way to earn a little bit online again.

Cheers! Here is hoping to a bright future and a big thank you to Blogjob for being honest about the issues on their websites. I understand why Blogjob had to suspend the point system.

Are you a Blogjob member? If so, do you plan to stay or remove your content? What do you think of all the new changes? Do you think Blogjob will survive? Or do you think this will be the doom of Blogjob?