Too Hot To Cook

It's a sweltering 90 degrees here in Aroostook County today!! That's hot! This heat wave is killing me. I know it's not as bad as parts of the country but when you live with no air conditioning it's hot no matter what you do. I think my sister and I have run out a full tank of gas just trying to stay cool. In the south most homes come with a nice air conditioning unit and I miss that the most at the moment.

I am currently working on making a sauce for my Cole slaw. Well see how it turns out.

I made a steak salad for dinner tonight. Nothing fancy. I had lettuce, tomatoes, cukes, and black olives. Add steak cooked to taste and Hidden Valley Ranch Light. Delish!!

I can't wait until it gets a little cooler then I want to experiment with some "Traditional County" foods. These foods are usually high in fat and carbs. I want to keep the taste but make it healthy. I think that's where the problem is going to be keeping the flavor of the food.

Turkey Meatballs

It's too hot for cooking tonight. If I turn on the oven it will heat up the whole house. Cooking in the summers up here in Northern Maine can be challenging. I decided to try cooking in the crockpot. I don't know if this will be any good or not. It doesn't heat up the house like the oven or stove. I just am not used to cooking like this. I usually cook when I get hungry and don't think about things in advance. More like right here and now. Cooking in the crockpot usually takes 3-4 hours or even longer. I am trying Turkey Meatballs in tomato sauce.
 
 
Crock Pot Italian Turkey Meatballs
Servings: 6 • Size: 4 meatballs with sauce 

Ingredients:

• 20 oz (1.3 lb) ground turkey breast 93% lean
• 1 cup whole wheat seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup Italian Seasoning*
• 1 egg
• 1 large clove garlic, diced
•  salt + fresh pepper

For the sauce:

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 8 oz cans tomatoes sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and fresh pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup Italian Seasoning *

* I used a store bought Italian Seasoning. I'd much rather use fresh herbs when I can but they are currently in my garden growing.


Make the meatballs in a large bowl. Combine the Turkey, bread crumbs, grated parmesan cheese, garlic, egg, salt and pepper. Put the meatballs in the sauce after you roll them. I did small ones, about 1/8 cup for each meatball.

Sauce is garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomatoes sauce, bay leaf, Italian Seasoning and to taste salt and pepper. Put these ingredients straight into the crockpot. Turn the crockpot to low and let it cook for 3-4 hours. (Note: Garlic can be browned on top of the stove, its really your choice.)

Tonight, I was going to go to Circuit Training but it has been cancelled due to 4th of July events. So, I have to think of something else to do instead. I probably will do my warm-up for my Karate class.

Karate Class Warm-up
 
The distance is basically a basketball court.
It's jogging the length of a basketball court, walk or jog backwards on the side of the court, run down other side and then do air kicks to finish the rectangle. I use my front yard for this, I have a short side that's directly in front of my house and a long side that's where our yard and garden is. I repeat this 3 times.

40 Jumping Jacks

I go inside for the rest of this because I am laying down and I don't like black flies....


2 sets of 20 Split Leg Supine Trunk Rotator Stretch

Lay with back on floor or mat facing the ceiling. Arms out like your making a T.  Keep 1 leg straight and crossing the other leg over trying to touch the outstretched hand. Your left leg should be crossing over to touch your right hand. Come back to starting position and cross your right leg over to your leg hand. Rotate between left and right legs for a count of 20. Rest and repeat.

2 sets of 20 Straight Leg Raises with a Scissor

Lie on your back on the floor or mat facing the ceiling. Extend your legs, keeping them parallel to the floor. Keeping your hands at your sides near your hips raise your legs as straight as possible, in a scissor position open then close your legs. Unfold your body slowly, lowering your legs back to the start position . Your head and shoulders shouldn’t move. Make sure your abs do all the work!! Breath out as you raise your legs up each time!!

2 Sets of 20 Top of Knee Crunches

Lie on your back on the floor or mat facing the ceiling, knees bent and hands are on the thighs. Slowly move hands up to touch the top of your knees. If you can't touch the top of your knees it's ok just do the best you can. 

2 Sets of 20 Crunches

Laying flat on the ground, knees bent, hands behind head, push lower back into the ground, and lift upper back off the ground and slightly forward. Find a point on the ceiling over your head as your laying down. Look at the point every time you come up. This helps with keeping up your form. Remember to exhale as you come up!!!!

20 Push Ups