Late Christmas Shortbreads

Any simple shortbread recipe + Kids = memories
We did ours late this year, due to baking orders for Bailey's field trip fundraiser.
And an attempt to make a little more cash doing something we're good at.

Check out our efforts on facebook

playing catch up

So much goings on hello to those who are still hanging in there.
We've got alot to share so we will start with the most recent and work our way back.
Current projects, several messy bun hats. Kinda winged it after looking at several patterns.

Still adding the bow, for cuteness sake.
More to come today❤

French Fried Vegetables By Grandma Rose

I have an issue with my batter sliding off my veggies
when I try to batter fry them. I think this recipe has just
the little tweak that keeps it on. Whipped Egg Whites.
It is a basic recipe with a great flavor that will complement
all veggies and dipping sauces.

For those of you that know me I will tweak it and make it my own.
This recipe came from a 1978 cook book given to me at an estate sale
of one of my neighbors last week.
it is called:
Grandma Rose's Book of
Sinfully Delicious
Snacks, Nibbles, Noshes, & other Delights
by Rose Naftalin

ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. dill weed
3 eggs, separated
1/2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup beer
2 Tbsp. water

Directions:
In a bowl combine flour, salt, sugar & dill weed.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
Add the yolks & liquids, blend well.
Beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold into batter.

I fried up Thick slices of Ichiban Eggplant
Green Tomatoes, & a green bell pepper.

The batter worked equally well on all items and was
delicious with Catsup and a Greek cucumber sauce

Shoo Fly Strudel Muffins

Shoo Fly Strudel Muffins
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F



1/2 sick butter (soft)
3/4 c sugar (granulated)
Mix together well, until light and fluffy
2 eggs (large)
Mix in 1 at a time just blending into batter.
Then mix for about 1 min. until light and fluffy again.
1/2 c Sorghum or Molasses
Mix Well
1 1/2 c flour (All Purpose)
3/4 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix in until blended & thick
1/2 c sour cream
1/2 c milk
Mix util smooth

Fill greased muffin cups 1/2 full

for Streusel topping
mix together 1/4 c flour
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c sugar (Granulated)
1/4 c fine chopped pecans
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Sprinkle this on top of muffins BEFORE placing into oven

Bake for 10 minutes and check 1rst time
add time if needed, add no more time than 18 minutes total.
Makes 12 muffins

Adventures in Baking

This week we have had some Baking Adventure.
I wanted to make sure Bailey's cakes were AwesomeSauce.
Also this would be a trial run for my oldest daughter's
birthday in September.

We found an excellent pound cake recipe
It came from a lady's recipe box from
her mother's mother from England.
works great in a layer cake, & in cuppys.



This recipe makes 2 8" - 9" rounds
or 24 cupcakes.

6 oz Butter (soft)
13 oz Sugar (granulated)
Beat together for 5 minutes (Medium speed)
4 eggs (Lg.) room temp add 1 at a time
2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
Beat on Low speed 3 minutes (scrape bowl 3 times)
9 oz flour (All Purpose, Sifted)
3/4 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
Sift flour into bowl & wisk in B.P. & Salt
1/2 C. Sour Cream
1/2 C. Whole Milk
Add flour alternately with milk & Sour Cream (Low Speed)
1/3 flour, milk, 1/3 flour, sour cream, 1/3 flour

Mix on med for 2 minutes
Bake at 350 degrees F until done
Start checking at 15 minutes until, no crumbs come out on toothpick
& top in light golden brown.

For cupcakes we filled 3/4 full and had to remove tops.
(for uniform tops for decorating, we simply laid a bread knife on the pan edge &
sliced thru & across. Common practice when cuppy grow too far out of tin cups.)
We also will only fill 1/2 full next time to see results.



We started checking cakes at 12 minutes &
added time in 5 min intervals till done.
Different ovens cook differently.

We removed from pans & cooled completely before
decorating.

I must add that I mix all my cakes with a paddle attachment in the
Large capacity Ninja Food System Blender, it works great

TIP:
all ingredients should be room temperature
for best results. (Old Tyme Baking Tip from my Nanny)

Finished Cupcakes


Finished Cake


Marshmallow Fondant coming up next.
I will share the decorating products used in this
particular cake.

Have a great day
If you try this recipe please share in the comments
your experience, or maybe a photo at our twitter.com/HerbGir1972
~V

We're Growing Our Own

I thought I'd share a few ideas or how we planted our food garden this year.

This year we have two rows of beans planted different ways to see what works best.
Our Tri Color String Beans are planted in a double row, they were older seeds
so we had to go back after about a week & 1/2 and replanted in between with some
purple queen bush beans. We planted colored beans to make picking easier,
especially for the younger gardeners.

We also planted a row of Blue Lake Bush beans, in a single row.
Both are doing well

We planted Bush Pickler Cucumbers, at the front edge with Marigolds in between plants.
We already see the tiny cukes forming.

We planted Tomato transplants of Roma & Park's Whopper. The weather was so strange
that we lost a couple roma's and had to replace. We replaces with Black Krim
& Jubilee, tomatoes. All have caught up with one another and all are flowering
We should be picking before July 4th if we don't have another cool snap to stall growth.
We also will be tilling in some old eggs and nesting materials into the soil side
dressing the tomatoes with a dose of Calcium. We have used no additional fertilizers
on anything this year except Worm Castings.

We're looking up info on Black Krim & Jubilee to post this week, Just a little Tomato
FYI>

For peppers I backed down to only 2 varieties Sweet Bananas & Sweet Red Bells.
Due to unforeseen weather twists in the past I've had quite a loss & been
disappointed in the past. So I planted what I know everyone can eat or pickle.

I've planted the Ichiban Eggplants, because I love Eggplant and sneak it into
all sorts of dishes in the summer, and have even blended into my smoothies.
They are a beautiful plant with beautiful flowers, and with other varities
more beautiful colors even hot or fuschia pinky and white.

Detroit Red Beets, & Thumbellina Carrots as well as some Zucchini have just been
seeded in this past Thursday. As well as a variety of Sunflowers
Music Box, Valentine, Mixed Black Oil, & Alien Sunflowers. (I already see some of these
popping up out of the ground.

Here is a photo of my garden before I get to till this afternoon, if there is no more rain
and the winds keeps up to dry the garden out just a bit more.

So I've gotta get to making a quickie lunch so I can be ready to work this afternoon.

Oh wait we're going to pick up some local eggs from a neighbor too...
I'll take pics of the chickens and coop, I'd like to help him sell his eggs too
He also sold Daylilies at one point as well, Better carry my cash in case he's got a couple
earlies blooming...:)

Have a Nice Day
Here's My Garden



I'll definitely have to come back with an after picture when I get things cleaned up.

The weeds embarrass me...LOL

Biscuit Pizza

We needed a quick, satisfying, fun dinner last night
so the little one & I came up with this.
It was a suprizing winner with the whole family.
We also used up some leftovers.

Here's our Leftover Fried Chicken Biscuit Pizza



What you need
Cutting board
Knife
18-inch Pizza Pan
Oven or grill

Ingredients:
Crust: 1 roll butter flavored Grands Biscuits

Pizza toppings:
3 Roma tomatoes, sliced thinly
2 pieces of leftover chicken, we used one breast & one thigh fried, thinly sliced
about 2 ox cheddar cheese, grated
about 1 oz asiago cheese shaved thinly
1/4 cup small diced onions (Vidalia)
salt
pepper
garlic, granulated
oregano
spice to taste
about 3 large basil leaves, rough chop
about 3 stems of cilantro rough chop for garnish

Assemble:
preheat oven to 400 degreesF
open and separate biscuits (this is fun for the kids) smash or roll them flatter
and spray pan with butter flavor spray lightly, place flattened biscuits onto pan
and close what holes you can, it will cook together.
Start with placing the tomatoes on the biscuits we worked in a circular fashion.
Then sprinkle on just a little cheddar cheese.
Add onions Let the young ones help & they'll eat the onions.
Add thin sliced, chicken pieces, make sure each piece will get a little chicken.
Now sprinkle your spices on as desired.
Top with cheddar cheese then the slices of asiago, arrange so each slice gets an
even amount.
Bake in oven for 21 minutes or until edges look golden brown and top is bubbly.



Sprinkle with chopped herbs as desired, we gave the option of yea or nay, as folks
like them. the herbs give it a fresh taste and just adds that finishing touch.

I hope you try this recipe and let us know what you think in the comments
Have a Blessed Day
~V

I apologize for the lesser number of postings, we've been quite busy with the chickens,
working, end of school, as well as trying to make a go at the food gardening with back
and forth weather patterns. Oh and we've rescued a baby mallard duckling this week.
Also our computer has been on the fritz
So we've been in the weeds pretty deep.
We'll try to do better

We've startyed a new Blog - Lots of Photos (Pin Us Bunches Please)

We've started a new photography blogger
It's simple lots of pretties
little 'Chicken Mama' Blogging
just check it out if you get a minute


http://agentgreenvyk.blogspot.com/2014/04/iris-luv.html

Thanks for your time
Have A Happy Earth Day

Big Thanks for Logo Help

Gratitude & Kudos to
@vRONIs (veronica) at Twitter for helping me with a few
LogoIdeas, I though I'd share our favorites
Look for a new logo on my Facebook Page
coming soon new cover photo art that my get
featured on my next Booster.com fundraiser TShirt.

These are by @vRONIs a very cool new friend
and Zachary Levi/Chuck Addict





Again Big Thank You for your help
If you feel so inclined please choose your favorite in the comments :)

Have a Great Tuesday
~V

Tip Tuesday 4/15/2014

It's Tax Day be sure to finish your returns before Midnight.

It is a good thing to also find joy in good things you do for others.

Use reusable bottles & cups to carry your hydration in, reduce
plastic buildup in landfills.

You can reuse plastic water bottles as long as you wash them
properly in between uses.

To get children to try new food install a try me bite policy
early in life. Try twice in one sitting, the first bite may already
be decided upon in tier minds because of color or how it sits on
the plate. A second bite actually allows them to taste.

I a child doesn't like mashed potatoes because of texture issues.
Give them an opened slightly mashed baked potato. Allow them to add
salt, pepper, chives, cheese...When they prepare themselves they are more
apt to eat their creation. Do not let them go over board and waste food.

Compost and Reduce organic wastes in your household, Also brings
awareness to the reality of wastefulness to some.

Making your kids a worm bin is fun, and when you prepare fruits and
veggies they can feed their worms, Be sure not to let them overfeed their pets.

Grow your own food, get the family involved, it Saves money, Brings people
together, you're eating better quality in which you control, no chemicals,
pesticides, or growth regulators.

Grow a row for the hungry, give to your local food bank, or needy person/family
in your area.

One way to cut calories in your diet, drop a slice of bread on your sandwiches.
Open faced sandwiches cut at least 40 calories per slice of bread.
(Don't compensate with additional toppings)

Fix leaky faucets, install low pressure shower heads, and teach kids to not let
the water run to save money and conserve water.

Do something meaningful with you children. Raise money for a charity,
Volunteer, Help an elderly neighbor, even random acts of kindness. It costs
nothing to be kind, and you might just be giving a person hope at just the
moment they need it most.

Good things are not hard to find, look close to home for smaller, miracles of life.

Watch Horton Hears A Who with young ones or by yourself, it really is a good message.

I hope you all have a good day
Get your Taxes Done
Be Excellent to one another.

We're on Tumblr

Find us on Tumblr you'll find a little different group of Postings
Same me though
find me at GreenVyk nerdyvyk.tumblr.com

New Chicks Interview 4/12/2014

ESS :Hello Bailey Hope you are well this a.m.?
Bailey :Yes I am well

ESS :We Hear you're getting possible Easter Chicks this year?
Bailey :They hatched from eggs in 20 days at my School.

ESS :How do you feel about baby chicks, what do you expect to do with them?
Bailey :I feel very very happy about the baby chicks. I expect to take good
care of them.

ESS : Do you expect to make them a pet?
Bailey : Yes, but we can't keep them out in the open or cats will get them.

ESS :What do chickens do for a garden?
Bailey :They Poop to make fertilizer, and scratch the soil loose.

ESS : What do Chickens Eat?
Bailey :They can eat about anything.

ESS : Will your chicks be omnivores or vegetarians?
Bailey :I will feed them Vegetables, so they will be like me vegetarians.

ESS: Thanks for a little time this morning, see you later.
Bailey: Hugs and Kisses to all

Awesome Edibles ~ Printable Garden Group Topic

This is from one of my past Garden Discussions
I hope you find this information useful

One of my missions is to get everyone to incorporate edibles
into their garden designs. Whether full scale beds or containers, or
single plant planting in pots.

Keep It Green
~V

#IWantMyNerdHQ ~ $5 for Zachary Levi

Please support Zachary Levi in his #IWantMyNerdHQ Campaign

It's Pure Awesomness




http://iwantmynerdhq.com

That is all
your small contribution is going for something so much larger than you know
All monies raised at this event goes to Operation Smile

Here are a few links where Zac tells more from his Willy Wonka Mad Scientist Brain Guided by a higher power.
He's Mad Genuine

And so graciously gives his time and appreciation.


Z ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtEO2Oia8qE

Z ~ http://youtu.be/R52m3PahkzI

z ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RixX7263IIM

Some NerdHQSoldiers ~ youtu.be/QKnBDF5Eq4s?a

Nerds Love Zac


Have a Great Day Please Support
with a donation or by passing this information along to your friends and family

Guacamole~So Ez ~So Good Don't forget the Cilantro

Guacamole seems like quite an exotic thing when I was younger
But now that I am older and appreciate the flavor of each ingredient as well as it's origin
I have to have it & the more Cilantro the better for me at least.
It is so easy to make I do not understand why they sell an enveloped mix

Please try and tweak to your fave flavors
there are a couple substitutions here as we do like the SOur Cream version the best.

It's healthy for you eat it on everything in moderation as is with everything in life.

I hope you enjoy.

First get your ingredients together

Ingredients:
2 Avocados, ripe
Sour cream
Minced Garlic
Cilantro fresh is best
Lime Juice
salt
pepper
1 Jalapeno Minced (with seeds for spicier flavor remove and devein for milder)
Equiptment:
a bowl for mixing & a fork for mashing



You can see I'm using pantry items that a lot of folks
already have on hand

Directions:

Start by peeling your 2 Avocados, you end up using about 3 teaspoons of lime juice I simply
sprinkle on the avocados whilst I am peeling to prevent browning. Mash with a fork, it does not have to be super creamed it is better to me with small chucks on Avocado. But it is to your own taste if you want it creamy you can even blend it.





I then add 1 tablespoon of Garlic minced



2 Tablespoons of Sour Cream you can use Low fat or full fat (we've even used mayo, and greek yogurt)





Chop a bit of fresh cilantro
Curl fingers under to get a good mince and not cut your fingers







Find yourself aProfessional salt & Pepper shaker and stirring expert



And you're done



Thanks for taking a moment with my blog
You are appreciated
~v

Homemade Valentines

I had come across a very cool box of chocolates as I was scrolling through my Twitter Feed about a month ago. I was inspired to make my daughters Valentines treats this year.

I found The seller ConceptsInCandy on eBay

I'll be making the Easter & Christmas candies as well this year :)

Here is a picture of my inspiration with my own creation side by side
Do The Math



My cost was:
Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips 1 bag
3 molds $2.50 each
2 decorative boxes about $1.00 each X2
about 1 hour of time

My candies are delicious dark chocolate
The hearts are filled with Nutella
The Skull is Marshmallow filled
There are solid bones & love shrooms
And 1 large chocolate covered marshmallow.

I planned to color some white chocolate but my girls were home on a
snow day, I got these finished because if the ice storm coming tonight
is bad I'll have no power to work with it tomorrow or maybe into The next day.

Simplicity is the answer th making it a better world.



Have A Happy Valentines Day 2014 ~V

Homemade Carrot Ginger pops

Carrot Ginger pops



Vegetables in Popsicles...?
Has She Gone Mad....?
They're Delicious & Nutritious.
So much better for you than Store-Bought & cheaper too.

Ingredients:
3 carrots chopped, lightly steamed
1/4" X 1" round of ginger root, peeled, lightly steamed
1/2 c apple juice
1/2 cup almond/coconut milk
1 tsp coconut oil
2 Tbsp agave necter
2 Tbsp raw honey
1 tsp lemon zest minced very small

Directions:
The beauty of making these is you basically let a blender
do all the work for you.
We have a NINJA

First scrape & chop Carrots & ginger.
Toss into a steamer/strainer over boiling water until just
forking tender.
Into blender with coconut oil, syrups, zest, then hot carrots
(this melts the oil & releases Lemon essence),then liquids.
Whiz it all together until relatively smooth.
Pour into clean popsicle mold.
Set in freezer for at least 3 hours.



We started making these pops when our young ones started getting sick this winter.
Craft your pops to the ailment.
Just about everyone likes a popsicle, so Don't Worry, Be Appy.

Tofu Tacos

I know you all have done a Taco Night
Change it up every now and then or make a forever change

A Smart Food Swap was mentioned in an earlier Blog
So we had to try it out
It was a WINNER in our house
No Taco Flavored Tofu was left over (Big Smile)



Ingredients:
We used a prepackaged Taco Seasoning Mix
1 Package of Extra Firm Tofu, Pressed it ourselves for about 2 hours
3 Roma tomatoes, dices
1/2 white onion, diced
sharp cheese, grated
Lettuce, shredded
3 carrots, shaved into ribbons
1 avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
1 Tbsp lemon juice
Corn tortilla shells, Hard or Soft

Salsa if you like
hot sauce if you like

Directions:
Pressing Tofu: Open package discard water. We replaced plastic film
and placed a 12oz can on top and put back into the refrigerator
while we went to pick up the kids.



Prepare the other toppings when you get back leave the lettuce for last.
Chop Lettuce With A Plastic Lettuce Knife to prevent Discoloration
When preparing the avocado toss in the lemon juice to prevent browning.

Tofu crumbles: discard water from pressed tofu. Place on a cutting board
and crumble with a fork (Easy)

Then prepare Tofu in a pan with just a touch (2 tsp) of oil to sizzle
(I used bacon grease)and flavor. Then to Taco Seasoning Directions on the package.
No need to drain oil, I did add only half the water directed on the package.

We served with Cuban Style Black Beans & Rice
Cook on Med Heat
We had about 1 c leftover cooked white rice
we added 1 can refried black beans and mixed in about 1/2 c water
Watch this don't let it get away this will burn to bottom of pan.
stirred until smooth and put in 1 1/2 Tbsp Garlic powder.
Let it heat through. Fast & Easy a great side for Tacos.



This recipe and more will be in our <i>Upcoming Cookbook

Your family will love it and you'll love the fact you're Feeding Them a Healthier Meal
Look up more Tofu Exchanges it's an amazing food.

Happy 2014

Happy New Year to everyone
We Wish You Good Fortune & Good Health.

Did you become resolute about something new,
or are you making the same resolutions as New Year's Past?

We have resolved to bring Hope to the forefront in our Community.



Giving Hope to others & greening it forward
will in turn make things better for more and more folks.

I speak to people at times and the convenience of things today
have blinded and even consumed some people's lives. Even if I
reopen their eyes for just a moment, it sets a spark that maybe
can be fanned into a flame. If only one person goes forward and
makes a simple change they'll make more because it makes them
feel good too.

Gardening is a simple language, that has but one result, Pleasure.
Food & Fragrance are two of the most fulfilling senses we have.
So let's grow better food for our bodies, by ourselves.
The Earth is ours, it can feed us, house us, heal us, please us.
Let's make a conscious effort to not Kill it.
Teach what you know, if you know how to grow great tomatoes, teach someone
else to do it too. Also, why it is better to grow things the right way.
No chemicals, Feed The Soil, Use non GMO items. Why do they have to keep breeding
new hybrids??? The Heirlooms are still around, still growing, and used as
bases for hybrid plants, why...Because they are a good pure thing.
Grow things the way it is intended in their original form.

Children are our Hope, it is our responsibility to teach them.
If they are taught in a lab, they will continue the cycle of destruction.
Take them outside, put their hands in the dirt, there is a connection that
needs to ne made. Technology in different forms are stealing our children away from us.
Yes they can find out all sorts of information at just a touch, but they
are losing touch. We need a true New Generation of young people, versed in the
art of balance. Green, Sustainable practices do create balanced, caring children.

So the #GreenKids of today will be
"Greening it Back by Greening it Forward."
They are our 'New Hope' for a better future.
Let's all stick together and teach them.

I am but one person, with one voice, but I believe
my Hope will spread through my Free Seminars for the kids.
Even if it's a trickle effect, Kids influence their Parents
with each child I touch with our message I know at least 2 folks
are impacted even if just a small way. Encouraged to become
and Advocate for a Better Quality of Life in all ways.

Our goal is to get everyone to try & share (Green it Forward) to 3 people each day.
It's not a challenge it's a goal.
It's even easy if you share or retweet any of our social media messages.
Or even become affiliated as a supporter in some way.
We're only moving up come with us Please.

Have a Great Weekend
Victoria ~ EarthSource Services ~#GreenKids

SuperSeeds ~ Eat 'Em

These are a few supersedes to search out when shopping
and why they are good for you.

CHIA ~
Rich in Omega - 3
May allieviate hunger
Add whole to cereal, baking, and Smoothies

FLAX ~
Omega - 3 rich
Nutty Flavor
Always grind or buy ground seed.
Whole Seed are very hard to digest.

HEMP ~
Tastes like sunflower seeds
Contains all essential Amino Acids
Ideal Protein Source
Sprinkle on Yogurt, cereal, or salads

SESAME ~
Tasty Crunchy and slightly Sweet
High in Magnesium, Copper, and Calcium
Add into stir frys or toss with steamed vegetables