Site Changes

Heather says: Over the next few weeks I will be working to update our indexing system. Home Ec 101 started out as a blog, but unlike some blogs, our older content is still valuable to those who are just discovering the site. Our goal is to improve readability for both our regular and new readers. …

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Ask The Audience: What Are You Weird About?

Ivy says: Mr. Ivy thinks it’s hilarious, but to me it’s just an annoyance. I cannot touch wooden spoons, and I can’t use electric can openers. Wooden spoons set my teeth immediately on edge, even thinking about them. Touching them is a nightmare. Electric can openers? They scare me, and I cannot say why. So …

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Doughnuts, Simple

Heather says: I feel almost dirty for posting this. Do you ever get a craving for funnel cakes and the fair is months away? Or do you ever break all your own advice and wander through the grocery store while your belly rumbles? Well, that’s what happened tonight. Apparently I’m in denial that I’m running …

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The Great Beef it’s What’s for Dinner Giveaway Winner Announcement

Heather says: First of all, let’s thank the fine folks at www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com for providing the loot. Without a great sponsor there is no way Ivy and I could hold giveaways. We love you, Home Eccers, but our rug monkeys never stop eating except when they are complaining that their pants are too short and their …

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Guest Post: Home Ec Minus 101

Ivy says: My good pal Hutchmo wrote a post on Facebook that had me rolling in the aisles. I got his permission to post this here. It gives you very good perspective into what our husbands (or wives, in some cases) may be thinking when they wad a sheet into the linen closet! Here’s a …

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Six Ways to Start Saving on Groceries Today!

Heather says: Long time commenter Angela asked: This might be a silly question, but, do you stick to a budget also when doing these list? Besides the pantry staples, do you try to get everything else under a curtain amount? The menu and coordinating grocery lists I post on Home Ec 101 are written for …

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Menu and Grocery List: Week One

Heather says: This menu is designed to fit the average needs of a family. The recipes here at Home Ec 101 feed a family of 4 – 6 with leftovers being consumed for lunch and one night a week. The shopping list is a pdf file. Simply download and print. Cross off the items already …

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Beef it’s What’s for Dinner: The Giveaway

Heather says: It’s time for a giveaway. Today*, thanks to the fine folks at BeefitsWhatsforDinner.com we have a $100 American Express gift card and three copies of  The Healthy Beef Cookbook to giveaway.    Entering is simple and you can have a total of three entries. Leave a comment telling us which of the three recipes we shared this …

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Herb Crusted Steaks

Heather says: It has been unusually cool here near Charleston, SC, but our summer is just around the corner. Summer, in my world means grilling and not just steaks, but vegetables, too. Our third and final installment of recipes from BeefItsWhatsforDinner.com take us out onto the porch where I fired up the grill to prepare …

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Walnut Crusted Roast: Beef it’s What’s for Dinner

Heather says:

Walnut roast with bleu cheese mashed potatoes, wilted walnut spinach, drizzled with a worcestshire sauce
Walnut roast with bleu cheese mashed potatoes, wilted walnut spinach, drizzled with a worcestershire sauce

I have to get this off my chest. Yum, yum, get your fork away from my plate, yum.

My husband’s grandmother recently celebrated her 75th birthday (Happy Birthday Nana!). His mother is planning a nice dinner after they return to Minnesota and she is on the lookout for a company worthy meal with low effort. Listen to me, this is it. Sure, it sounds all fancy schmancy, but the techniques are not complicated. With a good thermometer and the ability to resist the temptation to open the oven, anyone can make a good roast. The mashed potatoes could easily be switched with instant, it’s the blue cheese that makes them special. The wilted spinach? Can you heat oil in a pan? Then you can handle this. The Worcestershire sauce? If you can boil water, you’ve got it in the bag.

The recipes and nutrition information for the roast are after the jump.

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