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

2 minute, Frozen Banana, Ninja Ice Cream

I know some are rolling their eyes saying
You Can't Make Ice Cream in 2 Minutes...

Ah... but I say yes you can make something even better for you
and maybe better than any of the homemade churn ice cream we
have ever made.



What You'll Need:
Old bananas halved and frozen about 3
about 8 - 10 ox of half & half
about 2 tbsp. chocolate syrup (to taste some may need more)
Ninja Blender
and about 5 folks needing a cool snack.

How to do it:
Put it all in the Ninja Blender
Blend just until it is broken down and has a nice color
do not over blend or you will have ice cream soup.



Scoop out about 1/2 cup for each person and see what they say.
It is softer ice cream not sof-serve you do not need the scoop.
Kids could do this. (I guess you could put it in the freezer for a few minutes
to firm it up)

Two Minute Ice Cream with a Ca + K punch :)
This was an accidental discovery one day when I was out of milk
and my after workout smoothie (which also contained Garden of life
Pure Protein) & instead I had a frosty...LOL
I have also done this with strawberries & cream,
Just freeze your strawberries.



Have a nice day
Desire is the Mother of Invention
& this mother is doing her best to twist some of the
snacks her family loves into something better.

Marshmallow Fondant

I may never frost a cake again



Marshmallow Fondant

Ingredients
16 oz mini marshmallows
2 lb powdered sugar
4 Tbsp. Water
Shortening for greasing bowl & hook (Hands)


Directions
1.) Microwave marshmallows & water on high 1 min
2.) Grease dough hook & Bowl with shortening
3.) Put 3/4 of the sugar into mixer & add marshmallow
4.) Mix on low speed the check consistency (It will still be a little sticky at this point. If it is real sticky add some of the remaining sugar & mix a minute or so. #Repeat until fondant is firm & neither dry or sticky)
5.) turn out onto a clean & firm work surface. Knead by hand just a minutes until there are no flecks of dry powdered sugar remaining, Wrap in cling wrap or waxed paper & let fondant set for about 30 minutes.

to add color, add to marshmallows before mixing with sugar
to make it chocolate, add about 1/2 c cocoa powder be sure to sift it first.

This recipe makes 3 lbs. of Fondant


Compare the cost of $9 + per box from the store to just $3.77 homemade.

Incorporate Edibles ~ Harvest Health

Incorporating edibles into your existing plantings is not
Rocket Science.
You can easily find something that will work with what
you annually plant.

I harvested this from a commercial planting bed
where it was my intentions for the employees to
take part and enjoy the benefits of having fresh
Swiss Chard at their disposal.

I believe a little leaf harvesting would have encouraged
more top growth and there in a larger show in the beds.
Alas they didn't take to the idea.

Thanks for the Chard, My family loved it, cooked the first night
and the rest will be in my vitamin packed Green Smoothies
& Saladworks.

This is Rhubarb Swiss Chard
(Harvested)


Cooking Chard is as easy at any other Greens

I washed the chard 3X to remove any grit, creatures, etc.
then put it straight from the wash water into the cooking pot, don't shake the excess.
add about 2 teaspoons oil of choice (I use Olive, you can use Bacon Grease)
1 tablespoon sweetener of choice
Then let set for starting 20 mins on med high heat covered.
Flip the greens in the pot after the first time is up. Set for another 20 mins. covered.
then taste, everyone has a different preference to how done they like their greens,
just test a little along, cooking in 20 minute intervals until done to your liking.

Serve as a side to most any dish.

I also let about half drain in a colander flipping a few times until mostly dry.
Then I put into a plastic zip bag for storage for raw use.
(Tip: exhale a small breath into the bag before closing for greens to stay fresh longer)


Lettuce 'Valerie' in containers
(25 Gal)


Jerusalem Artichokes/Sunchokes in containers
(25 gal, very invasive in ground)


Herbs work excellently in containers
Here's our Sweet Basil getting started last month
we've used off it 3 times already


We're featuring #Cilantro this week on our #TwitterFeed so check it out
@HerbGir1972


Have a Great day
~V

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

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.

Island Rice ~Version #1

Island Rice (Bog)

Ingredients:
1 can Coconut Milk, 13.5oz
1 can pineapple tidbits, 8oz, drained reserve juice
1 can Black Beans, 15oz, drained & rinsed
water
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. whole fennel seeds
1/2 red pepper, small diced
1 carrot, small diced
1/2 sweet white onion, small diced
1 cup whole kernel yellow corn
1 cup white rice
3/4 lb. meat, ground turkey/chicken/pork sausage
salt & pepper to taste
1 small/medium tomato, small diced

Directions:
1.) Prepare vegetables. Having everything ready makes this dish take no time.

2.)Cook Rice: (You are using a basic rice recipe just using a different cooking liquid, it does make a difference in a dish)
Measure out 1 cup white rice, set aside
Measure coconut milk you have to add water enough to make 2 cups.
Cook in small pot in medium/high heat until the coconut/water mix just boils. Add nutmeg & about 1 tsp salt.
Add rice and stir gently, bring back to a boil and cook for approximately 10 minutes. (You MUST watch the rice since you are using a milk mixture, Watch it or you will Scorch/Burn it).
Check after 10 minutes stir gently just to check the rice on the bottom is not sticking too much, a little resistance in expected.
turn the rice onto a low/medium heat and cook for about 5 more minutes covered, then turn off and let set until you are finished with the rest of the dish.

3.) In a larger frying type pan heat on almost high heat. Heating your oil(s). toss in a pinch of onion when it starts to sizzle, throw in the Peppers, Carrots, & Onions. Salt to facilitate the softening process, draw out the flavors and marry them in the oils. Add your Fennel Seeds
Get a good sautee going it take about 5 mins for small diced items. Add your meat in pinches to the top of your vegetables, Stir fry until the meat is just done.
Add Beans & Corn and stir. Turn down your heat to Medium. Add Pineapple and 2 Tbsp of the juice. Stir just to mix.
Add rice, it may look sticky on the top but it will be fine inside. Even add the few lightly brown pieces in the bottom.Gently, Fold the vegetables into the rice until just mixed, add tomatoes on top let set just 1 min more, remove from heat and serve.

I plan to experiment with this and a habanero pepper added to the rice cooking.
Serve with Sweet Potato Chips and hot sauce. This could be made Meatless as well to suit your diet.

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.

Secret Recipe ~ Chick Fil A

I have had a lot of request for the "Chick-Fil-A" recipe so here it is

Ingredients
1 boneless chicken breast \
jar of dill pickle slices
1/2 C flour
1 T powdered sugar
1/2 tsp each of paprika and salt
1/4 tsp each of black pepper, garlic powder, celery salt, and dried basil
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper(optional)

1/4C pickle juice
1 egg
1/4 C milk


Directions
Flatten chicken between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Cut into 2 pieces and soak in pickle juice for at least 30 min.
mix egg and milk together. mix all the dry together.
dip chicken in egg mixture on both sides then in dry mix on both sides.
fry in oil (they use peanut oil but any will do) at about 350degrees.
serve on a buttered (lightly toasted) bun with 2 pickle slices.

I have made this as sandwiches and nuggets and both are delish

Carrots "Fantastique"

This came from our Oldies Recipe Box.
I'm sure it's from the 1970's or early 1980's
(Due to the specificity of the Sweet'n'Low product use)

Carrots "Fantastique"

Ingredients:

2 sm. cans tomato sauce
1 Tbsp. mustard
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
salt
pepper
8 pkgs. sweet 'n' low
1 lb. can of sliced carrots
2 Tbsp. dry onion flakes


Directions:

MIX all ingredients.
Refrigerate.
Eat in reasonable amounts, with food, or as a snack.

Potato Pone

Although it's not the prettiest gal on the block
She sure is a sweet, tasty treat.

This recipe has variations from Africa, West India, Jamaica, Belize, & Europe
It is worth a research to taste them all.

This is our families' favorite Sweet Potato Pone recipe


Ingredients:
2 cans sweet potatoes (29 oz.)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 stick of butter
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 1/4 cups of flour
1/2 cup of raisins



Directions:
Drain potatoes.
Put in mixer bowl and add butter, sugar, egg vanilla.
Gradually add flour. When mixed, stir in the raisins.
Put into a 9 X 13 greased baking dish.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees until the edges are light brown and is set.

Lavender Mint Tea

Holiday Stress working on ya?
This is a nice soothing recipe, that's tasty and medicinal too.

Lavender Mint Tea

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers or 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves or 2 teaspoons dried mint
1 cup boiling water


Directions:
In a tea or coffee pot combine the lavender flowers and mint.
Pour boiling water over the mixture; steep 5 minutes.
Sweeten with local hive honey.
Makes 1 cup

You can use this recipe for most any mint or herbal tea.

Enjoy and Have a Blessed Holiday Season

Christmas Crack ~ Crazy Good Candy

Christmas Crack

Ingredients
1 sleeve saltine crackers
1 cup butter
1/2 cup light brown sug
12 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 - 3/4 cup chopped nuts - depending on how many you like

Directions
Put sleeve of saltines in a single layer on parchment paper on a large rimmed cookie sheet.
Melt the butter and brown sugar in medium saucepan. Cook for 3 minutes, stir constantly.
Pour hot mixture over crackers and spread evenly. Bake 10 - 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. When they start to melt, spread evenly over crackers.
Sprinkle chopped nuts on top before cooled.
Refrigerate 1 hour, then break into pieces and serve.
I use a 17.5" x 12" rimmed pan.
And you can also mix butterscotch chips with the chocolate and it is really good too! Enjoy!!

We had to use Toasted Salted Pecans this year and it's AWESOME

Tastes ALOT like a SKOR CANDY BAR

Tomato Cage Topiary

This thought came to me all of a sudden this week as I was looking over the prices of live trees to put into my pots.
I had some extra greenery cut so I put my mind to work how to use it up
Repurpose your Tomato cages from the garden

This is a daytime and a nighttime view of my finished trees, They are large enough to make a statement in daylight or nighttime and the design can be more elaborate if you wish adding ornaments or garlands. I was simply using what I had around (the least expensive options)

Materials Needed:
Tomato Cages
Floral wire
Fresh Cut Greenery (16" pieces are optimal)
Embellishments (lights, Ornaments, Toppers)
one wire hanger cut into 6" pieces and bent into a U-shape to hold down tree into soil)

I started with an assortment of Tomato cages, and chose the least damaged of what I had.
I wired the tops to make a sort of teepee form

Then I started adding my greenery it was already cut into about 16" pieces since I was putting together wreaths and garland(Check out past blog posts from 2012). More pieces can be put into a bucket and cut into to make those. (it takes about 1/2 -3/4 a five gallon bucket to make each tree)
I used Sea Green Junipers for the ones pictured.

Wrapping once across the branch, under the first rung in the cage and back around is enough to hold on your branches.
If it seems thin push branches to one side and add a couple more.
You are really just creating an illusion, so unless you're going to have a professional checking out your work, the imperfections are what actually give this project its charm.
I topped off my Tree Creations with what ever red flowers I had around (they were inexpensive Dollar Store finds)
I also topped the very top with just a little fraiser fir branches. Just because.
We added a strand of solar led lights to each tree.

I'm thinking you could make a thin taller tree if you wired two cages together, and smaller one with cones of chicken wire. (Or even other topiary shapes it's only limited by the imagination)

Christmas decoration don't have to be costly or fancy to make the season special. Family & Friends and never forgetting the True Meaning of Christmas makes for a much more memorable & fulfilling Time.

Living Simpler is goof for you and good for the planet.


Here is a Sneak Peek of the next installation of our Christmas Decorating with the Kids.
Tiny Trees on a Tray