Happy Belated Birthday to a beloved sister!!

 Gabrielle turned 22 on September 29th!!

       

After a wonderful dinner at Shogun, we had a 2Bit special, red velvet cake.

       

       

Isn't she lovely? Definitely does not look like she just had a baby a month ago!!

    

The most proud aunt and uncle that Serenity could ask for... Seriously, I'm obsessed. 

         

The Botto White Bean Chicken Chili

     2Bit is pretty fond of chili, particularly White Bean Chili. So, when our dear friend, Wesley Botto, invited us over to watch the game and try his mom's chili he had made, 2Bit became very interested to try the recipe. So, we decided to take a stab at it....This is one of those recipes where it's so delicious that you can't believe it's so easy... and pretty flippin healthy too. 2Bit loves healthy!

White Bean Chicken Chili

2 chicken breasts

1 c water

1 16 oz. jar of salsa (med or to taste)

1 32 oz can of White Northern beans (most any white bean will do fine- navy, cannellini)

2 tsp chili powder

2-4 c shredded cheddar cheese (recipe called for 4, we did 2 and didn't miss the extra 2 cups)

2 cloves of garlic (optional)*

1/2 c onion (optional)*

1. Boil the chicken until done, then shred.

2. Mix all ingredients in crock pot

3. Cook 2.5 hours on high or 4.5 hours on low

*2Bit added the onion and garlic b/c we really can't cook without those staples and we thought for a nice kick, you could also add fresh chopped jalapenos.

This chili was truly delicious and everyone loved it. It is perfect for football season! This is definitely a 2Bit favorite. I will probably make it again this week.

Preview of What's to Come!

2Bit LOOOOOVES The Fall!!!!

 2Bit has decided to help you welcome in the fall season full force! 

We all know that fall is the best thing since sliced bread (and even before sliced bread!!). Fall is the prime time to get into the kitchen and cook, but it can be mentally exhausting trying to figure out what to do with all of that strange looking fall produce you felt compelled to buy on your recent trip to the grocery. During the next couple of months 2Bit is going to try lots of different fall recipes to do this season proud~!

Shopping Tip of the DAY (and may be for today only :)

Kroger has fall squash (featured in the pic) for $.69 / lb!! This is a great deal! Stock up on this squash because it lasts a few weeks. You can make a good meal, or side dish depending on how hungry you are, for super cheap. My acorn and butternut squash were around $2.00 each. Kroger's weekly sales usually change on Sunday; so I am not sure if they will still be 69 cents tomorrow. So hop in your car or scooter and fly to Kroger before you have to pay a whole $.30 cents more per lb. 2Bit is cheap. 2Bit is in college and newly married; so it makes sense!!

Welcome World Equestrian Games!!!!!!!!!!!

Zero days until THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES are here!!! Everyone can remember how far away it seemed, but no longer. Lexington is all a bustle. Children are frolicking about, high on cotton candy; their parents are snorting horse manure, all in an effort to dabble in the horsecraft of this city. The streets have gone wild. Horses roam freely as if they own the city.. funny thing is, they do. However, 2Bit was able to capture a few of  them in their bright and strategic trickery. So, who da tricks now? The horses thought we were selling them candy-coated carrots (recipe to follow) but indeed it was our camera....

-Spread the word. 2Bit cleaned up house and is looking to rent.... 5 Bath, 1 Bedroom -Palace on Main St w/ in-ground horse trough. We are charging $20,000 a week. Call (859)2bit-SUCKA

FHFHFHFHHHHHHH

A 2Bit favorite

A Michael favorite :)

2Bit say, "yea!!"    Egyptian horse say, "neighhehe"

Your city's dandelions are Lexington's Orchids....sorry for you. 

 

 

Lexington Appreciation Tip: Walk or ride your bike around town to discover which horse is your favorite! And let 2Bit know what you think.

***Please remain a follower of ours, despite this post. 

The Most Amazing Homemade Bread

   2Bit has a friend, Jordan Lee, whose mom is an incredible cook. When we were all visiting their lake house, she made these cinnamon rolls from this bread recipe she makes every weekend. We loved it so much that she shared her starter with us, and we have been making bread every weekend since.

    It seems confusing at first, I KNOW, but it’s not , once you give it a shot. It’s fun to give away bread to your neighbors or bring to a dinner party or to have in your kitchen regularly. And there are a variety of flavors you can make as you’ll see below.

    Just ask either of us for a starter, since the recipe requires you dump or share 1 cup each week. (You dump/share b/c the yeast expands. Sounds wasteful, I know, which is why we want to spread the word & give you a starter to make bread too.)

Or make your own starter:

1 c  hot water

1/2 c  turbinado sugar

1 package (2-1/4 tsp) dry yeast

3 tbs instant potato flakes

    Mix water, sugar, yeast, potato and  flakes. Let ferment on counter for two days. Then feed starter .

To Feed Starter:

1 c  hot water

½ c  turbinado sugar

3 tbs  potato flakes

    Once you have dumped/given a cup away & set aside 1 cup for your bread , you should have 1 cup of starter left to feed and use for the following week. Feed by adding water, sugar, and potato flakes to starter. Let stand on countertop 8 hours. Refrigerate 5 to 7 days, then  repeat process of  feeding starter and make bread. I keep mine in a tupperware.

To Make Bread:

1 c starter

6 c bread flour

1 tbs salt

½ c  turbinado sugar

½ c  oil

1¼ c hot water

1 c starter

Combine salt, sugar, oil, and water to starter. Mix well. Add all 6 cups of flour to wet ingredients. 

Stir w/ a spoon until thick enough to knead. 

Knead on a floured surface  or in  floured bowl for 5 to 10 minutes. 

                                                   

Grease bowl and put dough back to rise.

                                      

Cover with a dishtowel and let it rise in a warm place overnight or all day (10-12 hours). Supposedly a wet towel is better....supposedly.

Once the dough has risen, punch down. Knead on a floured surface to get any air bubbles out. Divide dough into 3 sections. Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thick. You can make cinnamon sugar bread...

Roll up to put into greased pan

You can make another cinnamon sugar bread or once you roll it up, you can cut it into 8-10 rolls for cinnamon rolls. 

Or grate cheese for cheesy sausage bread... which is to die for...

I use mozzarella & pepper jack cheese and turkey sausage... I got the idea from  one of my best friends & roomie freshman yr., Ashley Hardcastle. Her dad would make us a loaf & we literally consumed it within the day. 

Once all 3 loaves are in the pans, cover & let rise for another 6-8 hours. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

                                                        

Scrumptious Sassy Salsa- SO EASY

Delicious! Notice that this is bowl was made by 2Bit's potter Dad!

2Bit was preparing to go to the land between the lakes for the weekend, which is NOT 3 1/2 hours away like some people may tell you (we spent 7 1/2 hours in the car including a few stops and a scenic route).

In preparation for the trip, I remembered that I had some lettuce that would go bad soon; so I decided to make a salad with it. Soon I realized that I had cilantro and tomatoes that were going to go bad soon, as well (I get a little excited in the produce section). I recently had some conversations about homemade salsa and thought I would give it a whirl.

2Bit chopped up some tomatoes, lots of cilantro (2Bit LOVES cilantro), red onion, and green pepper. Next 2Bit minced a little BIT more than a clove of garlic (2Bit also loves garlic), and put everything in a bowl. I threw in some salt, black and cayenne peppers to taste and a dash of lime juice.

I could smell the salsa a million miles away because of all of the garlic. It traveled the entire 7 1/2 hours to the lake, and it was a big hit. I was told it was the best fresh salsa one person had ever had. Not sure exactly what that means, but I take it as a compliment.

The beauty of this recipe, besides its sheer deliciousness, is that it is not perfect. You can alter it based on what you have in the house as long as you have some tomatoes and cilantro (red pepper instead of green pepper, yellow instead of red onion, lemon instead of lime juice..)

I HIGHLY recommend this easy, healthy recipe:

 

Scrumptious Sassy Salsa

5 - 6 Medium Size Tomatoes

3/4 Cup Cilantro

1/2 Cup Green, Red and/or Yellow Bell Pepper

1/3 Cup Red Onion

1 1/2 Cloves of Garlic, Minced

1 Tbl. Lime Juice

Salt, Pepper, Cayenne Pepper (for a kick) to Taste

Throw the first 6 ingredients in a big bowl and stir. Season to taste. Serve with tortilla chips (the Tostito Scoops would be great b/c the salsa is really juicy), put it on a sandwich or quesadilla or ANYTHING and enjoy!!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 
  
• Who doesn't freaking love chocolate chip cookies? They are my favorite dessert, hands down. I have been in search of healthier choc. chip cookie recipes for quite some time now..like years. This is by far, the best. It's a combination of a few healthy recipes I've stumbled upon, plus my own tweaks. Let me just apologize to those of you who had to endure the various hearty-cardboard-biscuit-like  cookie recipes in the past. I was on a path to discovery... 
• 
  
• Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour*
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup safflower oil*
• 1/3 cup turbinado sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup crushed walnuts (optional)
• 
  

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
2. Grind oats in a blender or food processor, or I use a coffee grinder. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Beat oil, turbinado sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth and creamy. With the mixer running, add the dry ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Drop the dough by heaping teaspoonfuls, at least 1 inch apart, onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time for about 10 minutes or to desired firmness.

*If you are opposed to the taste of wheat flour, you can do 1/2 c of white and 1/2 c of wheat

*Safflower oil is a much healthier alternative to butter. Look in the healthy/organic section of the grocery.

***Also, maybe most of you knew this trick, but I first discovered it this summer at the Maple family reunion. Once you have put the cookies in tupperware, stick a slice of bread in with them and they will stay very moist.

Nutrition

Per cookie: 90 calories; 3.5 g fat; 12 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 64 mg sodium; 55 mg potassium.

Chicken & Toasted Barley Salad

          Salad                                                                                      

1 pkg uncooked barley                                                                   

8 oz asparagus spears                                                                     

3 chicken breasts or 6 strips                                                            

1/2 tsp salt                                                                                       

1/4 tsp pepper                                                                                 

1 medium peach or nectarine

1/4 c mint leaves

1-2 oranges

1/2 c toasted walnuts or pecans

        Dressing

1/2 c orange juice

1/4 c apple cider vinegar

1/4 c apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp whole grain dijon mustard

2 tbsp olive oil

First toast the barley in a skillet on med-high heat for 5-7 minutes or until fragrant. Cook the barley according to package's directions. Once cooked, drain and rinse. (Start boiling the suggested amount of water while you toast the barley so the water is boiling and ready to cook it.)

                                                        The mischievous toaster of barley

Rinse the asparagus and be sure to chop off the rough ends or you will pay for it at dinner

Sautee asparagus for 5-7 minutes with a few squirts of olive oil.

Season chicken with salt and fresh ground pepper and cook 3-5 minutes on each side or until the chicken is no longer pink.  Please no salmonella poisoning here people...

2Bit at it's finest

Thinly slice the peach and chop the walnuts as well as the fresh mint

Combine cubed size chicken,  peach slices, walnuts, chopped asparagus and mint

For the dressing,  zest the orange on a grater. Combine and whisk together the zest, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey and mustard. Then slowly add olive oil until all is well blended.

Add cooked barley and drizzle desired amount of dressing over salad.

Voila`!!

While 2Bit was preparing our excellent lunch,  the most beloved Auntie Jane pleasantly suprised me with these lovely flowers.

You may have noticed the earrings both Bits were wearing. They were purchased in support of an incredible ministry called, Light Force. The ministry reaches out to children and women sold or forced into sex slavery in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Through The Mariposa Project,  making these earrings provides a trade these women can partake in,  giving them other options while boosting their self esteem. Through prayer and the power of Jesus, these women may find self-worth and leave prostitution and exploitation. Check out lightforceintl.com to learn more about what God is doing. Please pray against human trafficking and consider partnering with them. 

Let's Keep it Local...

First and foremost, our hearts go out to all those affected by the terrorist attacks 9 years ago today. God Bless America!!




Today 2Bit took a 'lil trip to the downtown farmer's market located at the pavilion. We were on a quest to find the finest (and most local, of course) produce. And found produce we did, as well as the inspiration to experience all that is our beloved Lexington. Having lived here for years now, 2Bit realized that there is so much to this city we haven't seen or appreciated. So be prepared for many posts to come, displaying all the Lexington staples, both obscure and well known.

(Stay tuned for the recipe, Chicken & Toasted Barley Salad, we made from our finds!!!)

Firstly, the farmer's market....

  

Under the pavilion where the market starts..The rain and the vicious rumor circulating that the market has ended with summer made the crowds sparse. However the true rumor says the market will be open year round, and on December 1st moving to the Victorian Square for the winter.

  

The combination of the bright produce and colorful baskets drew 2Bit in, like moths to the flame.

  

                           Nothin like fresh basil. And below,  the most beautiful Striped eggplant. 

     

In an effort not to be so VAMP, 2Bit kept to dear garlic.... Beware Twilight...

These flowers had velvet growing on them. 2Bit found out that they are actually where velvet comes from... Who knew???....j/k... or are we??

2Bit got a good chuckle watching this hooligan ride through the fountain on his bike, only to crash into a nearby bench, sending his sunglasses flying into the air...muwaahahaha. (2Bit's so naughty sometimes)

The Amish market on the corner of Main and Ashland. Ground Dijon mustard they did not have, but Beer cheese they did. And the biggest supporter of beer cheese you shall find... and suspenders he is wearing.