Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Kale Chips



I loved these and so did Dieter! They were a great little snack!

1 bunch Kale
2 TBsp Coconut Oil
Salt to taste

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees
-Carefully remove the kale leaves from the stem (I ripped them).
-Wash and thoroughly dry kale.
-Place leaves on a cookie sheet and drizzle with oil. Salt to taste.
-Bake for 7 minutes, flip chips and bake for 5 more minutes. Watch edges so they do not burn.

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Monday, January 30, 2012

Someday...Monday

Well, it's Monday again. We had a great weekend. It's always nice to have Kimball home on the weekends. Dieter is sad in the mornings when Kimball has to go to work.

And for another Someday...Monday.




I thought this lamp was very cute. It looks really easy to make!



Find it Here

Friday, January 27, 2012

A little to familiar...

I would like to say that my children don't sleep in my bed, but then I wouldn't be honest. :) These pictures gave me a good laugh!








This was mine and Kimball's favorite. We know it too well!




Enjoy your weekend everyone! See you Monday!

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Pecan Tarts


{Recipe from Family Fun}


Okay, I don't have a picture of the finished project. I filled them too full...they exploded all over the tin...and I burned them. Yep, not my best cooking job. However, if they weren't burned, these would be delicious. I wouldn't cook them as long as it says. Maybe 10 minutes, then lower to temperature and cook for 5-10 more minutes? You will have to watch them!

And sorry, not very allergy friendly. I am trying to have a variety of recipes on my blog. Recipes from scratch...

Crust:

1/2 cup Butter, at room temperature
3-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup Unbleached Flour
1 tsp Cornmeal
1/4 tsp Sea Salt

Pecan Filling:

1/2 cup Pecans
1 Egg
3/4 cup Brown Sugar (I used Rapunzel)
1 TBsp Butter, melted
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/8 tsp Sea Salt
1/8 tsp Grated Nutmeg
Pinch of Cinnamon

-Generously grease a 24-cup mini-muffin tin with butter.
-Heat oven to 350 degrees.
-Cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the flour, cornmeal, and salt. Beat until a dough forms (I ended up using my hands).
-Divide the dough into quarters, then divide each quarter into six equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
-Dust your hands with flour, then drop a ball of dough into each muffin cup. Using your thumb, flatten the dough and press it around the sides of the cup to form a shell.
-Chop the pecans and sprinkle 1 tsp of nuts into each pastry shell.
-In a large bowl, whisk the egg, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
-Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the egg mixture to each cup. *Do not fill them too full. I did and it made a huge mess*
-Bake the tarts for 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 325 degrees and bake for 10-15 more minutes. * I wouldn't bake them that long. See my opinion above*
-Set the pan on a rack to cool.

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Soft Gingersnap Cookies



I used Rapunzel sugar for these (in place of brown sugar). It is raw and unrefined.



I didn't roll my cookies in white sugar. They were still delicious. I think this might be my new favorite cookie!

3/4 cup Butter, softened
1 cup packed Brown Sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup Molasses
2 1/4 cups unbleached Flour
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Ginger
1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
1/4 tsp Salt
Granulated Sugar

-Cream together butter, brown sugar, egg, and molasses.
-In a separate bowl, combine all remaining ingredients except granulated sugar; add to cream mixture and beat together.
-Cover bowl and chill for at least 1 hour.
-Using 1 TBsp as a measure, roll dough into balls, making about 24 balls.
-Dip tops in granulated sugar.
-Place balls, sugared side up, on greased baking sheets about 3 inches apart.
-Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
-Cool on a wire rack.

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Gluten Free Pizza



This is the first time Dieter has had pizza. He loved it! I made Dieter's pizza without cheese. The toppings I added were sausage and mushrooms. I cooked the sausage and sauted the mushrooms before adding them. You can add any topping you like! I loved the sauce. I will definately make it again!

*I didn't think this was enough food for my small family. I would double the recipe for my family*


{Pizza Crust Recipe from The Healthy Home Economist}


Pizza Crust

4 Eggs
1/4 cup Coconut Flour
1/4 cup Plain Yogurt (I used Milk Kefir. If you can't have that, try Coconut Milk Kefir)
1 tsp Onion powder
1 tsp Oregano
1 tsp Basil
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1/4 tsp Sea salt

-Whip the eggs in a large bowl with the yogurt and sea salt.
-Add the coconut flour and whip until very smooth with no lumps.
-Blend in the onion powder, oregano, basil, and garlic.
-Line a pizza pan with parchment paper. Gently pour about 1/2 the batter onto the paper lined pan. Use a spatula or other kitchen utensil to spread the batter into an 8-9″ circle that is quite thin (the thinner the better).
-Bake at 400F for 10 minutes.
-Remove pan from oven, add homemade pizza sauce, cheese and other toppings as desired.
-Place back in the oven for 5-8 more minutes.
-Repeat this process with the remaining half of the coconut flour batter.

Roasted Tomato Sauce

2 1/2 pounds Tomatoes, quartered
1 Onion, diced
1 Green Bell Pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 Red Bell Pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
1 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
1-2 TBsp Basil
1-2 TBsp Oregano

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
-In a 9x13 baking pan, toss together tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, oil, salt, and crushed red pepper. Roast for 1 hour.
-Remove pan, fold in basil and oregano. Cook for 30 minutes more.
-In a food processor, blend vegetables until pureed. Use immediately, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze.

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Monday, January 23, 2012

Someday...Monday

Hello, Hello! Happy Monday! It's time for another Someday...Monday.



Okay, I realize it is winter. We had both snow and rain over the weekend. But I saw this swimsuit and loved it! Of course it looks so cute on this teeny-tiny model...



Swimsuit Here


I'm sure you don't want to put a swimsuit on yet! (I know I don't) I read a fabulous book over the weekend... Lose your Mummy Tummy by Julie Tupler and Jodie Gould



The “mummy tummy” is another term for “diastasis recti”. It is a condition where the abdominal muscles get stretched out and separate. It happens during pregnancy because of the strain of carrying the baby. It causes the belly to pooch out (Yes, I have a pooch). It can also occur with excessive exercise or improper lifting of heavy objects. And do you know what else? Sit-ups make it worse!

I loved this book, and I have already started doing some of the exercises. I want to be ready to put on a cute new swimsuit this summer!

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Link Up Here:
Moms Crazy CookingToday's Creative BlogThe Thrifty HomeAsk AnnaKeeping it SimpleC.R.A.F.T.Skip to my LouThe Girl CreativeNourishing TreasuresEverything Under the MoonAn Original BelleThe Healthy Home EconomistTodays Creative BlogChef in TrainingTip JunkieCoastal CharmA Bowl Full of LemonsHope StudiosSimply Sugar and Gluten FreeRuth's Real FoodRecipe RoundupSweet and SavoryLearning the Frugal LifeGrowing HomeNot Just a House WifeReal Food ForagerCreative ChaosCooking Traditional FoodsFrugally SustainableRuby JeanCrazy for CrustCrystal and CoSomeday CraftsDomestically SpeakingBlue Cricket DesignSew Much AdoWe Are That FamilyRaising HomemakersBeyond the Picket FenceHandyman Crafty WomanLil LunaMomnivoresGluten Free HomemakerThat Stuff of SuccessKelly the Kitchen KopDay 2 Day JoysLinda's LunacyBeyond the PeelSomewhat SimpleBeyond the Picket FenceThe Shabby Creek CottageHouse of HepworthsThe Diaper Diaries Thrifty 101Delightful OrderWhile He was Napping
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Easy Natural FoodLiving WellLiving Life Intentionally

Friday, January 20, 2012

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Honey-Glazed Carrots



We still have carrots in our garden so I was glad to find this recipe. And, I love recipes that use chicken stock! This was so sweet. It will fix anybody's sugar cravings at dinner.

1 1/2 cups Carrots, sliced
2 TBsp Butter or Coconut Oil
1/4 cup Chicken Broth
1/4 cup Honey
1/4 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Pepper

-Place carrots, butter, and broth in a medium saucepan and cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes.
-Remove lid from pan. Stir in honey, salt, and pepper. Cook another 15 minutes or until carrots are tender
-Makes 2 servings.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Breakfast Sausage


{Recipe from Internal Bliss}

We raised our own pigs over the summer. We had never given Dieter pork until we had our own in the freezer. Store boughten sausage is loaded with things Dieter can't have. So we made our own sausage patties.

* Next time I make them I won't put in any honey. I didn't like it so sweet.*

1 lb ground Pork
1/4 cup Honey
3 cloves of Garlic, crushed
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Onion, chopped or grated
2 tsp Ginger, freshly grated
1/4 tsp dried Sage
1/4 tsp dried Thyme
Ghee or other cooking fat as needed

-Mix ingredients together. A stand mixer works well, but you can also use your hands and mix in a large bowl.
-With your hands, from the mixture into patties of equal size.
-Fry patties in cooking fat until done.

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Link Up Here:
Moms Crazy CookingToday's Creative BlogThe Thrifty HomeAsk AnnaKeeping it SimpleC.R.A.F.T.Skip to my LouThe Girl CreativeNourishing TreasuresEverything Under the MoonAn Original BelleThe Healthy Home EconomistTodays Creative BlogChef in TrainingTip JunkieCoastal CharmA Bowl Full of LemonsHope StudiosSimply Sugar and Gluten FreeRuth's Real FoodRecipe RoundupSweet and SavoryLearning the Frugal LifeGrowing HomeNot Just a House WifeReal Food ForagerCreative ChaosCooking Traditional FoodsFrugally SustainableRuby JeanCrazy for CrustCrystal and CoSomeday CraftsDomestically SpeakingBlue Cricket DesignSew Much AdoWe Are That FamilyRaising HomemakersBeyond the Picket FenceHandyman Crafty WomanLil LunaMomnivoresGluten Free HomemakerThat Stuff of SuccessKelly the Kitchen KopDay 2 Day JoysLinda's LunacyBeyond the PeelSomewhat SimpleBeyond the Picket FenceThe Shabby Creek CottageHouse of HepworthsThe Diaper Diaries Thrifty 101Delightful OrderWhile He was Napping
Chic on a Shoestring DecoratingFingerprints on the FridgeTomorrow FarmShabby NestFun to CraftFinding FabulousMy Romantic HouseLovely Crafty HomeNot Your Ordinary RecipesAllergy Free CookeryCooking at Cafe DMom TrendsOne Artsy MamaBe Different Act Normal
Easy Natural Food

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Cheese Soup



This soup was delicious...but next time I make it, I will add potatoes or cauliflower to it. And do you know what would be so yummy to dip in it? The rich, buttery crackers! Everyone will love this soup!

1 cup Butter
1 cup Flour
3 1/2 cups Chicken Stock
1 1/2- 2 cups Cheese, shredded
4 cups Milk
2 tsp Salt
3 Carrots, sliced
3 stalks Celery, sliced
1 Onion, chopped
1/2 cup Water


-Melt butter over medium heat in a large soup pot.
-Add flour and stir until smooth
-Add chicken broth and milk and stir over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Continue stirring until thickened. Remove from heat.
-Add salt and cheese and stir until cheese is melted: set aside.
-In another saucepan, place carrots, celery, and onion in 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
-Stir vegetables into cheese mixture.
-Makes about 10 cups.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Someday...Monday

Did everyone have a good weekend? We enjoyed it!



Welome to today's Someday...Monday



I found this skirt. I love the ruffles. It is so girly! I want to attempt to make it for Samantha!


Find it here

Friday, January 13, 2012

These boots are made for walking...

I noticed when I walked in my house the other day, that we had so many boots piled up!

So...I lined them up and took a picture.



These boots work the hardest...



These boots are just plain cute!



Here are my favorite people in the whole world! It is so hard to get Dieter to smile for the camera these days.



Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Rich, Buttery Crackers...Yum



I love these! I haven't made them for a while and I forgot how good they are! I used unbleached flour (due to my laziness...I didn't want find the wheat, and then grind it) You could use Spelt or Kamut as well. I'm not very picky when I'm rolling out the dough...You can probably tell from the variety of sizes of the crackers.

* You can make the crackers any thickness. Roll them out as thin or thick as you like *

1 cup Plain Yogurt, Kefir, or Buttermilk
1 cup Butter, softened
3 1/2 cups Flour
2 tsp Sea Salt
1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded (optional)

-The night before, cream yogurt with butter in a large bowl.
-Mix in flour, salt, and cheese. Add flour to reach a consistency that holds together well but is not stiff.
-Cover and leave in a warm place for 12-24 hours.
-Use flour to dust your surface and dough, roll dough out thin (about 1/4 inch).
-Cut into strips and then squars (a pizza cutter works great.)
-Place your squares on a ungreased cookie sheet and prick with a fork.
-Bake for about 8 minutes at 400 degrees. After 6 minutes, check ever two minutes or so until done. They should be browning slightly on the edges when done.

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Link Up Here:
Moms Crazy CookingToday's Creative BlogThe Thrifty HomeAsk AnnaKeeping it SimpleC.R.A.F.T.Skip to my LouThe Girl CreativeNourishing TreasuresEverything Under the MoonAn Original BelleThe Healthy Home EconomistTodays Creative BlogChef in TrainingTip JunkieCoastal CharmA Bowl Full of LemonsHope StudiosSimply Sugar and Gluten FreeRuth's Real FoodRecipe RoundupSweet and SavoryLearning the Frugal LifeGrowing HomeNot Just a House WifeReal Food ForagerCreative ChaosCooking Traditional FoodsFrugally SustainableRuby JeanCrazy for CrustCrystal and CoSomeday CraftsDomestically SpeakingBlue Cricket DesignSew Much AdoWe Are That FamilyRaising HomemakersBeyond the Picket FenceHandyman Crafty WomanLil LunaMomnivoresGluten Free HomemakerThat Stuff of SuccessKelly the Kitchen KopDay 2 Day JoysLinda's LunacyBeyond the PeelSomewhat SimpleBeyond the Picket FenceThe Shabby Creek CottageHouse of HepworthsThe Diaper Diaries Thrifty 101Delightful OrderWhile He was Napping
Chic on a Shoestring DecoratingFingerprints on the FridgeTomorrow FarmShabby NestFun to CraftFinding FabulousMy Romantic HouseLovely Crafty HomeNot Your Ordinary RecipesAllergy Free CookeryCooking at Cafe DMom TrendsOne Artsy MamaBe Different Act Normal
Easy Natural Food

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Golden Squash Soup



Sweet...a little spice....I loved this! Kimball, not so much. I left some with the cream out for Dieter, he liked plain squash better. Because of the curry, Kimball thought if you added some chicken and had it over rice...a delicious Indian dinner. I think his idea if worth trying!

2 Apples
2 1/2 pounds Banana Squash (1 large piece)
1 cup Chicken Broth
2 TBsp butter (I used coconut oil)
1 1/2 cups Onion, chopped
2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
2 tsp Curry Powder (optional)
1 cup Apple Juice
1 cup Cream
Salt to taste

-Peel, core, and cut apples in half. Place apples and squash face-down on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. (I put my squash in whole. You will have to bake it longer that way)
-Scoop out squash. Place apples, squash, and chicken broth in a blender and mix until well blended. Set aside
-In large cooking pot, saute onions in the butter, until soft.
-Add salt, pepper, and the curry powder.
-Add apple juice, cream, and squash mixture.
-Stir and heat through. Do not boil.
-Salt to taste.

Makes 8 cups

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Make you own Barbecue Sauce




I cooked a pork roast one night in my oven. I had leftovers that I needed to do something with. I found a recipe for barbecue sauce. Luckily, I still have some ketchup that I made over the summer (it was easy to make). I added the sauce to the pork and reheated it in the oven. Kimball loved it! He said it was one of his favorite meals!

1 1/2 cups Ketchup, homemade
2 TBsp Honey
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Cayenne Pepper, to taste

-Mix ingredients together.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Someday...Monday

Hi Everyone! I don't get on Pinterest very often...because when I do, I spend WAY to much time on it. I explored a little on Saturday (when I say little, I mean hours!) There are so many great ideas on there! So, I decided I would start Someday...Monday.



Every Monday I will post a craft, recipe, sewing projects...anything I find that I love and want to do, or create, or it inspires me... I have an endless list!

One of my goals is to learn to sew this year. I want to be able to follow a pattern and create something. I found these and I thought they were adorable. I think my kiddos would love them!



Find Bowling Buddies Here




Find Tally and Tripp Here


If you click over to the website, you can find retailers that sell the patterns.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Samantha's New Trick



She claps! I love it! I can't help but say, "yay" everytime she does it. Have a good weekend everyone! Kimball and I are going on a date. Very excited for that! See you Monday :)

Thursday, January 5, 2012

I'm sorry buddy...

Dieter is starting to notice that he gets different food. Almost always it is when we are at someone else's house. He'll ask for something and Kimball and I will have to say, "I'm sorry buddy. It's makes your skin itch." or, "It gives you diarrhea."

While I am glad that he is not eating certain things (sugar, refined flours, candy, all of that processed garbage with additives...) it still makes me sad to have to have to tell him no. I realize I don't do things mainstream but everyone wants to feel "normal" (whatever that may be).

Anyway, Dieter was thrilled when I asked him if he wanted some "candy". He is going to be the healthiest little boy ever! I don't know what you would call these...Dieter thinks they are "cinnamon candy".


{Recipe from Internal Bliss}


1/2 cup Ghee (You could use butter)
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
2-3 TBsp Honey
1/2 TBsp Cinnamon
Dash of Vanilla Extract (optional)

-Bring the ghee and oil to room temperature.
-Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
-Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
-Scoop up about 1-2 tsp worth of cinnamon mixture and drop it onto the baking sheet, forming the shape of a "kiss". If the mixture is to runny, refrigerate it until it thickens up to a workable consistency.
-Refrigerate 20 minutes or until the kisses have hardened.
-Store in refrigerator.


*You can also pour the mixture into a candy mold. It can also be chilled in the refrigerator and rolled my hand to make truffles (this is a little difficult because the mixture will start to melt in your hands). Truffles can be rolled in ground nuts or shredded coconut mixed with cinnamon. Store in refrigerator.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

My First Award!!

I have been given the Liebster Blog award and I am so excited!


It was given to my by Leigh Ann at Sew Blessed. Thanks Leigh Ann!


I get to give the award to 5 up and coming bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers! If you are a recipient, it is your responsibility to give it to 5 blogs and share the blog love!


Here are the rules:


1. Choose 5 up and coming blogs to award the Liebster award to.
2. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
3. Post the award on your blog. Show the bloggers you gave the award to and add links to their blogs.


And the winners are -



Victoria and Veronica at Bella Jean Boutique


Deana at Country Momma Cooks


Jennifer at Blissfully Ever After


Kimberly at Simply Living


Athena at The Stuff of Success


Be sure to visit these blogs! They are all wonderful and have great ideas!

He makes a good argument...

Can I tell you how much I love this book Nourishing Traditions? It's a whole foods cookbook but each page is loaded with facts, studies, and good information. I think every household should own this (if your into whole foods.)



I want to share a quote from it. I think it is so true...

"Doctor, is my baby all right?" is the first question of almost every woman asks when her child is born. I myself have heard the question thousands of times. If every mother's greastest wish is to have a truly healthy baby, why (in most cases) does she take such poor care of herself before the baby is born? And why does she feed her child from infancy the adulthood so improperly that illness inevitably results?

This century has been called "The Century of the Child" because of the tremendous interest in the physical and psychological growth of children. But as we look around us, where are these radiantly healthy children? Certainly their parents are anxious to rear healthy youngsters. Some eight thousand books on child care have been published in the last twenty-five years. Why then are the offices of the country's thousands of pediatricians and general practitioners filled with runny-nosed, tired, allergic, feverish, rundown, anemic, bespectacled, acne-ridden, to thin or obese children? The answer is simple:

(1) The mother's body was no fit environment for the child because her system was filled with wast products from improper food, drug residues, coffee acids, the poisons fo cigarettes and alcohol.

(2) The growing child is improperly fed, spends too much time watching television, is driven everywhere instead of walking and devotes too little time to exercising in fresh air.

Henry Bieler, MD Food Is Your Best Medicine

Momma's Farmhouse Apron Winner

Thanks to everyone for participating! This is such a beautiful apron!



I used a random number generator but I can't figure out how to get it on my screen :)

And the winner is...

Shabby and Frills. Congrats! I will contact you via email. Thanks again everyone! Be sure to visit Ruby Jean Shop. It's one of my favorites! :)

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Vegetarian (or not) Minestrone



I loved this soup! And I think it kept getting better each day for leftovers. I had it vegetarian, but it would be so good with meat. I would have thrown in sausage if I had some. Also, I left out the noodles because I wanted Dieter to eat it. You could add any vegetables to this. I didn't have zucchini but I added broccoli.

7 cups Broth or Water
2 15 oz cans of Tomato Sauce
4 Tomatoes, cut up
1 Onion, chopped
2 cups shredded Cabbage
1 cup thinly sliced Zucchini
1 cup thinly sliced Carrots
1/2 cup Celery, chopped
2 TBsp. dried Parsley Flakes
1 clove of Garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp. Oregano
1 tsp. Basil
1/4 tsp. dried Thyme
1/4 tsp. Pepper
1 cup small Whole Wheat Macaroni
2 cups Beans, cooked (Your choice. I used white)
Salt to taste
Opt: 1 pound Stew Beef, cut into cubes
Opt: Parmesan Cheese

-In a large pot over medium heat combine the broth, tomato sauce, tomatoes, onion, garlic, celery, cabbage, zucchini, carrots, meat, and spices.
-When water is boiling add macaroni and beans. Simmer.
-Ladle soup into bowls and add parmesan.