Dec. 29: And more things to do with turkey.....

BBQ Pulled Turkey

1 serving per person of turkey breast

BBQ sauce of choice - I like the spicy/sweet ones

finely chopped onion, peppers, jalapenos (to taste)

In a microwave safe bowl, take two forks and shred the turkey breast until it's stringy.  Stir in your chopped veggies and BBQ sauce - I like to use enough sauce to cover the top layer of turkey.  Stir well and put the turkey in the microwave - heat for about two minutes per serving.

You can serve this on a bun, in a wrap or just on a plate with some salad on the side.  It's some yummy stuff and bears a strong taste similarity to something you've simmered all day long!

Tomorrow's recipe is going to be turkey noodle soup - stick around for it - so YUMMY!!!!

The holiday pounds are gathering and rejoicing on my tummy, giving me a really awesome muffin top in my work clothes.  You can imagine my delight.

The back issue is getting worse.  I've been to the doctor, who says she is as certain as can be that I have one or more herniated discs.  I declined the MRI because she said she would not be treating me any differently if I stuffed myself into that tiny claustrophobic tube.  I hate the helplessness of this - I'm starting to feel like a cripple - I hobbled around all day today and bear a rather strong resemblance to Quasimodo. 

I have some physical therapy exercises I can do to help, which is great - makes me feel like I'm actually accomplishing something. 

I'm using heat almost constantly, which relieves some of the pain.  The other options offered were heavy duty painkillers, epidural painkillers and a bunch of stuff I can't afford (massages, etc.)    I've chose to stick with ibuprofen because it dulls the pain to a tolerable level and I can still function.  No way are they shoving needles in my spine.  Just, ew.  Not gonna happen.  This isn't much of an update because there is simply nothing new to tell.

I hope all is well and you are enjoying your turkey!

Dec. 26: Tons of Turkey!

Today my kitchen has been a turkey processing plant.  (Not in the yucky chemical way, of course!)

First, I sliced the remaining turkey breast and bagged up meal sized portions for the freezer.  I took the remaining dark meat and carcass and portioned it out between my two stockpots and my crock pot.  In each pot I added fresh whole cloves of garlic, a whole onion, a handful of carrots and a handful of spinach, as well as sea salt.  Then I covered the contents with water and simmered for 8 hours.  I was left with enough flavorful stock for 3 large pots of soup and 4 one-cup servings for cooking rice.  Then I removed the dark meat from the bones (an easy task after simmering for that long) and bagged up three 1.5 cup servings of the meat to add when I make soup.

I don't usually make a whole turkey but this has been a learning experience.  Leftover queen that I am, it thrills me to have such a full freezer!  I got the 17 pound turkey from my workplace. 

So what am I going to do with all that turkey? 

Top 10 things to do with Turkey

~ turkey noodle soup ~

~ turkey sandwiches ~

~ turkey Caesar salad ~

~ BBQ pulled turkey ~

~ smoked turkey and bean soup ~

~ turkey salad sandwiches ~

~ turkey fajitas ~

~ turkey stroganoff ~

~ turkey "fried" rice ~

~ turkey tetrazzini ~

I bet you can guess the basis for this week's meal plan!

Sunday: Turkey Caesar Salad
Monday: Turkey "Fried" Rice with Steamed Broccoli
Tuesday: Broccoli Soup (I might need a break from all that turkey!)
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Grilled chicken pizza with the kiddos
Friday:  New Year's Eve party

I'm kidless today and tomorrow - the girls have gone to their grandparent's house until Thursday.  I got up and went to the early church service and then did what little grocery shopping was needed this week.  I then packaged up all that turkey and managed to shove it into my thoroughly stuffed freezer and fridge, and the rest of the day will be spent purging and organizing.  (God bless the Flylady!)

I started a new blog today chronicling my financial issues.  Don't worry, it won't be as dismal as it sounds! There may be some cross-over, but anyone that is having, or has had, financial problems may be able to relate as I try to dig myself out of the hole and hide out from bill collection terrorists.  Check me out at Life in a Pinch.

I hope everyone continues to have a wonderful holiday weekend.