One Man’s Shopping cart vs MINE!

I was standing in line at King Soopers (Kroger) yesterday and looking around at other peoples shopping carts. Yes, this is what I do when I stand in line. I try to get to know them based on what’s in their cart. What their life is like, do they have pets? Children? Do they know how to cook?
I’m not judging them just…trying to see what’s 'behind THEIR books cover’…

This is his cart. He has a pet dog, lives alone and has no idea how to cook, or doesn’t have the time (I give them the benefit of doubt)…There are many working people who don’t have time. I know this, I don’t live in a bubble. (It was deflated by Joe six pack at Chipotle.)

This man asked me to give credit to Campbell's Soup…there…credit.

My cart is here on the right…———————————————————>

Gorgonzola cheese , ground beef, milk, ketchup, fresh bread, provolone cheese, celery, eggs, milk…and under the store brand, sugar laden cereal that have nutrients that amount to eating cardboard is a chicken.

Obviously I cook and have children.

Today I am making something out of this chicken, I haven’t decided yet…I’ll find out in a couple of hours. In the meantime I have started to cook the chicken though.

  <----That’s all you need….
……then put it in a pot-->





1 3Lb Chicken that I skinned (cut’s back on fat) 
3 Celery ribs 
2 Carrots
1 Onion, quartered 
Some parsley
7-10 Peppercorns
Cover with water and cook over med. heat till chicken is falling off the bone, a couple hours.

With that very simple start you can make SO many things.
Chicken Soup
Chicken and dumplings
Chicken Curry
Chicken enchiladas
..ect….

I’m trying to show you how easy cooking can be….
<—1 Can of Black Beans, drained and rinsed well, 1 can on diced tomatoes, 1 can of chicken, or veg. Broth, 1 rib of celery sliced, 1 garlic clove, crushed and chopped, 1 carrot, sliced, 1 tsp of basil (or parsley, oragano…it doesn’t matter) salt and pepper.

On a cold day this is awesome, and super fast, super good for you and CHEAP!

I also made B.A.N.A.N.A.S (sung like Gwen Stefani)-banana bread. I was watching Rachel Zoe while I made it…She says "That’s bananas", a lot!


 4 Cups of flour (a little less for sea level folks)
 4 tsp baking powder (same as above)
 1tsp Salt
 1 Cup Sugar (2 Tbs removed for high altitude)
 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
 a dash of Chai spice
(stir together)


2 Lg Eggs
4 Ripe aka "no one is gonna eat these I gotta do something with them” mashed bananas
1 Cup milk (a little more for us in the ‘high desert)
2/3 Cup veg. oil (a couple Tbs less for us;)
Mix together and add to dry ingredients …just stir till combined
Put in two loaf pans that have been lightly greased and floured.
Bake at 350 for about 30-45 min. To determine doneness insert a toothpick. If it comes out dry…it’s done.

I am now snacking on said B.A.N.A.N.A.S-banana bread.
I don’t have issues with gluten, so I can;)