597. Meals in a Mug! Great idea from Meridian Magazine, especially when cooking for one person. And update on my husband Wayne D Eckman

Eating alone?  These are great ideas for quick meals for one person!  I am looking at these kinds of ideas more now, as I eat alone often now.  My dear husband Wayne, whom I have mentioned often, is now on a feeding tube and can't eat anything more by mouth.  His esophageal cancer is progressing, and he recently had a touch of pneumonia at the bottom of his right lung.  That indicated aspirating from the esophagus, and if he were to continue eating even small amounts, it could cause pneumonia often.  For the last few weeks he had been able to eat only food pureed, or liquified, and only a few bites of each food.  I even had to put Cream of Wheat with milk into a blender, and tapioca with milk into a blender. 
   

This was taken with Wayne, our daughter Angie (Angela) and me, in September 2014, at my 80th birthday party.

     Yesterday we took him to the hospital with severe intestinal bleeding, and he will be there a few days.  He will have dialysis there today, and perhaps more this week, as he has dialysis Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  I go and put the protein drink into his feeding tube 4 times each day -- I will go soon to do the 3rd, and stay until the 4th about 8 or 9 p.m.  He is getting more weak, and needs oxygen now.  He can read the newspaper, and watch TV, and that is about it.  Just one year ago today, Feb. 15th, 2015, we took him to the hospital in an ambulance, and during the next 2 months he would be in the hospital 3 times for 4 days, and 1 time for 6 days, culminating with his being started on dialysis.  He was in a rehabilitation center in between those times, rarely a few days at home before the next hospitalization.  

He has had asthma and high blood pressure for many years.  He also had prostate cancer about 8 years ago, and has had a triple bypass heart operation, a hip replacement, and last September they discovered esophageal cancer, after which he had radiation.  Through it all he has been cheerful, faithful -- loving to read the scriptures with me, and loves to play table games with the family, and has gone to Church as often as he could.  And he keeps up on many sports, and enjoys watching them.  

This was taken the same day as above, with me on left, our daughter Tacy, and Wayne.  He had just been in the hospital with pneumonia, and I had recently had my rotater cuff operation.

And indexing ! !  He did over 3,000 last month!  He has hit the total of 684,898 names up to today.and 73,006 names arbitrated!  He has a goal of 1,000,000, and he loves to do it. 

We have made the decision to stop cumedin, the blood thinner (warfarin) and not have the doctors or hospital apply extreme measures to prolong his life.  He loves the Gospel, and believes in the beautiful Plan of Salvation!  I do believe he will come home from this episode, and hopefully feel better awhile. 

Meals In A Mug

By Alice Osborne · February 14, 2016

The familiar theme? Cooking and baking in traditional cook- and bake-ware using a stovetop or oven. The new twist? Cooking some very tasty and fun foods in a typical coffee mug using your microwave! Here are just five ideas which we think you’ll love.

First up—quiche in a mug. Breakfast couldn’t be easier. Whisk an egg and 2 teaspoons of milk together in your mug; add salt and pepper to taste. Then tear about 1/2 cup of your favorite crusty bread (artisan or French are good choices) into dime-size pieces; stir into egg mixture. Stir in 4 teaspoons cream cheese. Leftover ham, country sausage, or cooked bacon are nice additions as well—perhaps 1/4 cup diced.

Sprinkle it all with freshly chopped green onion (1 teaspoon) or finely chopped bell pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon). Then microwave on high until done, about 1 minute 10 seconds. Top it with about 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese while it is still hot.

Next—French toast in a mug. Butter the inside of your mug well and fill with 2 slices of bread, cubed. In a separate bowl whisk 1 egg, 4 tablespoons of cream, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla (or coconut flavoring), and a sprinkle of cinnamon if you like.

Pour this mixture over the bread cubes in your mug. Microwave for 1 minute, then add 10 seconds at a time until it’s cooked to your liking (like no runny egg). Finish it off with a generous addition of syrup.

How about a quick dinner of chilaquiles in a mug? Just beat 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of milk, and salt and pepper to taste in a mug. Stir in 3 tablespoons of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Break 4 tortilla chips into small pieces and stir those into the mixture. Top with 2 tablespoons of salsa. Microwave on high until done, about 1 minute, 10 seconds. Garnish with sour cream, chopped green onion, chopped black olives, and a little more shredded cheese.

And for dessert, why not cheesecake in a mug? In a large mug, mix 4 ounces cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sour cream, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 to 3 tablespoons of raw honey. Cook on high for 90 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds or so. After 60 seconds, consider adding either 2 tablespoons canned pie filling (cherry is divine) or fresh fruit, such as blueberries. You can garnish with crush cookie crumbs for a delightful flavor punch. This is best refrigerated before eating—cheesecake is usually served at room temperature or on the cool side. But honestly, it’s great right out of the microwave topped with gobs of whipped cream (actually, what isn’t great topped with gobs of whipped cream?).

Finally, chocolate chip cookie in a mug. Here’s what you do: When you have your usual batch of chocolate chip cookie dough all mixed up, put 1/3 cup in a coffee mug and cook in your microwave 40-60 seconds; start checking for doneness at 40 seconds.

Depending on your microwave, it can take up to 50 seconds. Do not cook past one minute; just like a regular cookie, this will continue cooking as it cools (if the cookie is dry or cake like, try less time). Then top this warm cookie with lots of vanilla ice cream and eat it while baking the rest of the cookie dough!

Get more like this! This article and recipes were taken from our Country Home Kitchen Magazine. For a FREE subscription,please click here.