First Time Cleaner Confession

I mopped the floor today for the very first time!!

pause


silence


crickets chirrup

No, it's not as bad as you think.  I used a natural cleaner on my floor for the first time today rather than dragging out the pine cleaner I would normally use.  So far, so good.  The kids are all commenting on how good the house smells and how the smell is making them hungry (? white vinegar makes my kids hungry?) and I am very pleased with my clean floor.

See, what happened is this.  My Curly Girl used the honey to make a sandwich last night which is all good and fine in itself except she used the giant honkin' size honey rather than little squeezy honey bear.  And she didn't put the lid on all the way.  And then she shoved it in the back of the cupboard where it promptly fell over and spilled.  Everywhere.

I made her clean it but she's a flighty individual and didn't do the best job.  She rushed through it as she did through the sandwich making process (hence no lid on the honey) and the way she does through her school work (hence all the repeat work she ends up doing) and the way she generally does through life.

This morning there was still all the contents of the cupboard (bread, tortillas, peanut butter jar, my tea bags box, a big bag of almonds for homemade almond milk, a jar of marshmallows for krispie treats) slightly sticky icky.  My arms are still slightly sticky from cleaning it up this morning AFTER the kid cleaned it up twice last night.

And the floor.  Oh. My. Gosh! the floor.  I could not walk in there without loosing my mind.  And my shoes.  They wouldn't pick up when I stepped somewhere else.  Yeah, ick.

I had read an article several weeks ago about using natural cleaners in the house instead of all the chemicals we would normally use and I've been wending my way that direction slowly.  I figured I would use up what I had of the chemicals and then move on.

This morning, I didn't want to run downstairs and find the pine cleaner (I do love that smell) but I knew where not one but 2 bottles of white vinegar was so that's what I grabbed.

I already use vinegar for cleaning hard water out of the coffee pot and I add about 1/2 cup to my rinse cycle in the washer to remove irritants, but the floors?  Hmmm.

To my surprise, it worked great!  The smell is dissipating now that the floor is drying and the smell, as I mentioned before, is bringing nothing but good comments from the kids.  I may have to adjust the very unscientific amount I used for the mix, though, to pamper my pregnant nose a little more.  But the results on the floors?  Amazing!!

A bottle of my favorite pine cleaner costs about $4.  A bottle of white vinegar, easily twice the size of the cleaner at least, costs about $2.  Bonus!!  I love me some money savin'.  I'm not only being green, but saving green.

You can search the internets and easily come up with hundreds of easy home "recipes" for natural cleaners.  Got a great one?  Share it with me.

Bob's Red Mill! Gluten Free Oats

Earlier this week I posted about Gluten Free recipes.  I'm trying this for my hubby, who is insisting that he's a non-grain kind of guy.  But I still feel the need for more than just veg and beef on the plate.  Plus dessert!  It's not a full meal without dessert, as my waistline attests...

I can't wait to try  Bob's Gluten Free Oats in my favorite Oatmeal Raisin cookie recipe. (The secret is to boil the raisins with baking soda and then use the water in the recipe. Thanks Great Gramma Sara.)

Regardless, Bob's is hosting a chance to win WIN a copy of Carol Fenster's book, 1000 Gluten Free Recipes.  She has an awesome site and a newsletter, too, but that's just a bonus for me. Yay!  Be sure to visit Bob's Red Mill and learn more about this giveaway and enter to win!

Via The Prepared Pantry

Welcome to this special edition of "What's for Dinner!" Saint Patrick's Day is Tuesday. If you haven't decided what to fix, look at these suggestions.

Salmon run the rivers of Ireland making it a traditional Irish food. We think Salmon in dill sauce or lemon butter is perfect for Tuesday. You can grill or bake your fillets.

• Salmon in dill sauce >>
• Salmon in lemon butter >>

• See how to bake salmon fillets including Maple Glazed Salmon >>

For bread, make either Irish soda bread or Irish potato bread. Soda bread is a quick bread made with baking soda while potato bread is a yeast bread. Green Pistachio Muffins are fun and delicious.

• See how to make Green Pistachio Muffins >>

Colcannon is an authentic Irish potato dish and a great accompaniment to your meal. Any green vegetables will work.

• See how to make colcannon >>
• Make garlic greens with cheese >>

Make something green for dessert. Consider this leprechaun pie. It's easy to make--like a cheesecake in a springform pan.

• Make leprechaun pie for Saint Patrick's Day >>

Cracked Wheat Bread Craving

I'm craving some cracked wheat bread. And it just so happens that I am in possession of all the ingredients!!

Did you know that Cracked Wheat is also called Bulgar? You might know it better from Indian dishes or Tabouli. Regardless, it's yummy and makes a great bread.

Here's a recipe that you might just find you want to make yourself...

From Diana's Kitchen Makes 2 loaves

• 1/2 cup cracked wheat -- fine
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup warm water -- 100-110 deg.
• 1/4 cup butter -- softened
• 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

Cook the cracked wheat in the boiling water about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking until all the water is absorbed. Dissolve the yeast in the 1/3 cup lukewarm water in a large mixing bowl and let proof. Stir the butter, salt, molasses, honey, and milk into the cooked cracked wheat. Cool to lukewarm, then add to the yeast mixture. With a large spoon or with one hand, start stirring in the flours, 1 cup at a time.

When the dough is stiff enough to work, turn out on a floured board and knead a good 10 to 12 minutes, working in a little of the remaining flour as necessary. When smooth and elastic, shape into a ball and put in a buttered bowl, turning to coat with butter. Cover, place in a warm, draft-free spot, and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.

Punch down and shape into two loaves. Put in well-buttered 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans, cover, and let rise again until doubled in bulk, or until the dough reaches the tops of the pans.

Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until the loaves sound hollow when tapped on top and bottom. Cool on racks. From "Beard on Bread" by James Beard.

While I'm at it, I'm going to make some Banana Bread with a bit of 8 ball zucchini thrown in for moisture. I had some in my freezer, so all the better!!

You Did Know...

It's apple season, right? A friend of our family, Uncle Smidge, purchased a box of delicious honey crisp apples. Turns out he and auntie Jan can't eat all of them before they turn, so we've got two large bags of apples to do SOMETHING with. Here's my recipe for freezing an apple pie filling, courtesy of cooks.com.

Enjoy some homemade apple pie on Thanksgiving with apple filling you froze yourself - no can involved...

Freeze-able Apple Pie Filling
10 c. water
4 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. cornstarch
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. real lemon juice

Put on stove and stir and let come to a boil and thicken some. Set off and cool some. Peel, core and slice 5 1/2 pounds apples. Drop these in juice. Measure out in boxes to freeze. Add butter when you bake pies.

Oooey Gooey Chocolate Goodness for Fried Okra

Megan at Fried Okra hosted a chocolate recipe exchange-a-roonie thing a few weeks ago and since I'm chronically late, behind, slow, (fill in your favorite adjective), I'm just now getting to it. So, here it be. [Stolen] Borrowed from a La Leche League friend from Poland. Sooooooooooooooooooo yummy!

Chocolate Salami - with notes from Leida

1/2 lb. crushed cookies (animal crackers, vanilla wafers, or any kind of cookie you would like...as long as it is not overly sweet)

1 egg yolk

approx. 1/2 cup sugar (or condensed milk, or honey or practically anything that sweetens it)

4-5 TBS cocoa (you can put as much cocoa as you would like; it really depends on how cocoa-y you want it)

1/4 c. milk

1 stick of butter, melted


I have inherited my cooking style from my mom, who doesn't cook with measurements (neither do I), so I will try to do my best and explain how I cook the chocolate salami, but it may not be as precise as other recipes are.

Well, I normally crush the cookies with a blender (the blender has the ice breaker option which works well for crushing cookies). Don't worry too much about crushing the cookies finely, as some chunks make it taste better.

Then add 4-5 tbs of cocoa, and 1/2 cup sugar, and mix it well.

In a separate bowl melt butter, add milk and an egg yolk. Mix it well and add it to the cookie mix.

Now here is the approximation: if the mixture is too wet, add cookie crumbs. If it is too dry add butter or milk.

When you get it to a good consistency (where it clumps together easily), wrap part of it in plastic wrap and roll it in the shape of a salami. Repeat for the remaining mixture. Then, freeze them for several hours.

Slice it and serve cold. That was easy, right... or would you say confusing!

It's good to slice them thick - so yummy. Not gooey, I guess, but enough chocolate to satisfy even the best of us choc-o-holics. Make sure you visit Fried Okra for more chocolate-y yummies.

And don't forget Dad!!

Breastfeeding Friday

No, you don't have to actually be breastfeeding to participate, but here's a recipe that is reputed to help boost milk production in lactating moms. Oatmeal does it for me and this "Lactation Bar" is awesome!

Oatmeal Lactation Breakfast Bars

2 c. butter, Crisco, or margarine (can mix and match to equal 2 c.)
1 c. granulated sugar
2 c. packed brown sugar
4 eggs
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. wheat germ
1/4 c. brewer's yeast or nutritional yeast powder
1/4 c. flax meal (or whole flaxseed milled fine in a coffee grinder)
4 c. oatmeal (old fashioned, or as thick-cut as you can find)
1 bag mini semi sweet chocolate chips
1 c. nuts (optional)


Cream butter and sugars well, then add eggs and vanilla and beat until well incorporated.

Mix all dry ingredients except for oats in separate bowl, then add all at once and stir in as well as possible by hand before mixing with beaters until smooth. Add oats and chips (and nuts, if desired), and stir until well blended.

Divide dough into five parts and line a 10 x 7 cookie sheet (with shallow sides, like a jellyroll pan) with foil, then spray foil with nonstick spray. Spread 1/5 of the dough into the foil-lined pan and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

When done, simply lift out the bars by the foil and place another piece of foil into the pan and spray for the next batch. Allow to cool at least slightly before cutting each pan of bars into eighths.

Makes 40 bars.

Do you have any tried and true ideas for helping a breastfeeding mom? As a La Leche League Leader, I'm always interested in the experiences of new moms. So come on, open up, break it out, share with ME!

Eating For Less $$

We're all about trying to be frugal here, and food is a big expense! I found this article in The Dollar Stretcher and found it enlightening. Since meat doesn't taste good right now, tip #2 is especially interesting!

We all need to eat, but we don't need to spend as much money
as we do on food. Saving money at the grocery store can be
done very easily. All you need to do is make a few changes in
the ingredients you use. As a bonus, you may also find that
you don't get hungry as quickly and have more energy than you
used to.

1. Choose hot cereal instead of cold cereal.

Besides being cheaper, we have found that we don't get hungry as quickly as when we eat cold cereal. It only takes three to five minutes to prepare, and it is healthier because it doesn't have the artificial colorings or flavorings nor the preservatives that cold cereal has.

2. Use less meat and more beans.

I use 1/2 to 1/3 of the amount of meat called for in a recipe. Using less meat is healthier and still provides the good flavor. By changing to more recipes with beans, we eat better for less money and it keeps us full longer because beans are rich in fiber. Try substituting rice and refried beans instead of beef or chicken in your Mexican recipes.

3. Use store brands.

There is not a big taste difference between the store brand and the name brand of most staples. Try store brands. Some stores have an unconditional guarantee on their store brand products. If you like the store brand, you can save money. If you don't, then return it for a refund. Substitute powdered milk while cooking to save money.

4. Cook from scratch.

Most foods cost less if you make them yourself. We save hundreds of dollars by making our own bread, muffins, pancakes, waffles, pita bread, tortillas and biscuits. It doesn't take very much time to mix them up, and they taste so much better hot out of the oven or hot off the griddle. Stay away from processed foods. Even though they may be on sale, it may still be cheaper to make it yourself. Use recipes with less expensive ingredients. For example, make banana muffins instead of blueberry muffins, spaghetti instead of lasagna, or sugar cookies or snicker doodles instead of chocolate chip cookies.

6. Plan your menu around produce that is in season.

It is at its peak in freshness and is less expensive than other times of the year. Onions, carrots, potatoes and garlic are very inexpensive and are great to use in soups and stews. Take time to look at store ads and buy their bargains or loss leaders to save money.

7. Eat proper portions.

Many of us eat a banana or grapefruit without realizing that both are two servings of fruit. Find out what proper portions are and serve them. By doing so, it is easy to get all the proper portions in the different food groups each day without spending a lot of money. Start drinking water if you are not already. It is much better for you and is much cheaper than drinking juice or soda.

Food doesn't have to cost a lot to be nutritious and taste good. You don't have to compromise your health to save money. By using inexpensive ingredients, you can eat well and save at the same time.
____________________

By:
Marianne Giullian

Take the Next Step:
Like to cook more with beans as in Tip #2 but don't know how to start? Visit eHow at <http://www.ehow.com/how_5225_cook-beans.html> for a step-by-step guide on preparing dried beans.

Homemade Corn Nuts

My dad (Grampa on the Farm) sent this to me in an email and I thought it would make good postin'. I did some research on the internet and found that Kurt Saxon has a website! Click the name below to see his site.


by Kurt Saxon

You must be familiar with corn nuts. They are put up in plastic snack bags and are sold in most gas station markets. They cost about 25 cents an ounce and are made from Hickory King Corn, a larger type than feed corn.

The only difference between Hickory King and other varieties is the size. There is no difference in taste. So you can make all the corn nuts you like and be assured they are just as good as the commercial kind and cost next to nothing.

Corn nuts are a variation of parched corn. Indians and pioneers ate parched corn almost as a staple while traveling. It -was very nutritious and took up little space so was considered an excellent trail food.

Parched corn was made by Indians by putting dried corn on hot rocks or in hot coals. You can make parched corn by simply covering the bottom of a greaseless frying pan with corn and stirring until the kernels are uniformly brown.

Corn nuts are a little more refined. As a sample batch, use one cup of whole corn, bought from any feed or health food store. Soak the kernels in two cups of water for three days, in the refrigerator .

Pour off the water and dry the kernels in a towel. Heat up about four cups of grease; bacon, lard, vegetable oil; it doesn't matter. When it is so hot a drop of water sputters on its top, lower a heaping tablespoon of kernels into the middle of the grease. The grease will then begin to boil violently. You have to know how it will react so you won't be tempted to just dump the whole cup in and watch the grease erupt all over the stove.

Make sure any handle to the container is turned toward the back of the stove, especially if you have a child standing by. Also, stand back as an occasional kernel will pop like popcorn.

At first the kernels will sink to the bottom and most will rise to the surface as their moisture departs. When they float to the surface watch until they turn copper brown.

Take out a kernel occasionally, let it cool a minute and chew it. If it's chewey it's not done. When it crunches and shatters it is. Then scoop the browned kernels out onto a piece of newspaper to absorb the grease.

Now you can continue a heaping tablespoonfull at a time and cook them about three minutes or, cautiously and slowly pour the rest of the cup in. After the boiling stops the kernels will rise and simmer on top. But the whole cupful will cause the grease to cool some so the real cooking will take about fifteen minutes.

All you're doing is deep frying them. You can experiment with a shallow frying pan or a deep fat cooker. The result will be the same. With salt, they will be delicious.

Don't use the same grease for more than three or more batches. The heat breaks down its molecules in time -and it can be unhealthful.

You might also try deep fat frying soybeans. They are tasty but not so much as corn nuts. Soybeans need only be soaked overnight. Also, they cook in a shorter time and are lighter than copper brown and do not become exactly crunchy; something between chewy and crunchy. Munchy. Tasty with salt.

Both corn nuts and deep fried soybeans can be mixed for party snack bowls or while watching TV.

Several Links To Some Online Sources Of "Hominy Sized" Seed Corn

www.RareSeeds.com ~ Hickory King Dent Corn ~ 150 seed pack - $2.25 ~ Buy This Corn

www.rhshumway.com ~ Field Corn Hickory King ~ 1 lb. bulk seed - $6.95 ~ Buy This Corn

Chocolate Cake, No Box!

had never made chocolate cake without using the mix from a box. But when it was Hubbers' birthday a few months ago, we made a cake from scratch, since I was too lazy to go to the store for a box.

Imagine my surprise when this recipe turned out so easy, so simple, so yummy! Give it a try - you'll be pleasantly pleased.

My Home Cooking


The site is a good reference and includes pictures for every step. While this site is dedicated mostly to desserts, it won't steer you wrong!

It's Just NOT. RIGHT.

Drive thru Chinese food? Uhhhh, no thanks.

For all the time that it takes me to make lucious Chinese food at home, just zipping through and picking up some Kung Pao chicken is far too easy.

It's just wrong.

Also, check THIS out on etsy: Nature over Nurture
...Shudder...

Secret Family Recipe: The YUMMIEST!!

I have a secret. I make the world's best whole wheat cinnamon rolls. Hubbers is constantly having me make a batch or two to take to work. The kiddlettes complain if there is none left for home.

Give this a try and then share YOUR secret family recipe with me.


Secret family Recipe:

Basic Bread Recipe
Makes 2 loaves

5 c whole wheat flour
1/3 c vital gluten flour
1/3 c honey
1/3 c oil
2 tsp salt
1 T yeast
2 c water, very warm

Combine all ingredients, water last. Mix well. Add more flour until the dough does not stick to the sides of the bowl and does not feel sticky to the touch. Knead for 6 minutes in the bread mixer (Bosch, KitchenAid, etc) Sometimes I add flax, sesame seed, oatmeal - whatever catches my fancy. Let rise until double in size.

For Cinnamon Rolls:

Roll half the dough out into a flat rectangle. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll up and cut into desired size. Place the rolls into a greased, cinnamon/sugar sprinkled pan, leaving space for rising. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise to desired size. Bake 350 degrees for about 20 minutes - will depend upon the oven used.

Frosting:

Double Batch

1 cup butter, softened
4 c powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 T milk, more as needed

Mix all together until well blended and smooth. Spread on cooled rolls.




This recipe is made at high altitude. Your mileage may vary.

My Favorite Treat!

My (step)mom gave me this recipe a few years ago and it makes a WONDERFUL SUPERB SUBLIME WOW loaf of zucchini bread. Seriously NOT ENOUGH superlatives to say how yummy this bread is! So, here's my own personal copy for you to try out, straight from my computer recipe file:

Iowa Zucchini Bread

Category: Bread

Servings: 10

Rating: Superb!

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 60 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 egg
  
• 2 cup sugar
  
• 1 cup oil
  
• 3 cup flour
  
• 2 cup zucchini
  
• 2 tsp. vanilla
  
• 1 tsp. soda
  
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
  
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  
• 1/2 tsp. salt
  
• 1 cup pecans, chopped (optional)
  

Instructions

Reserve a few handfuls of pecans for topping the loaf. Mix all ingredients together well. Put into pan(s) and top with reserved nuts. Cook until toothpick comes out clean: 45-60 minutes or longer in stoneware pan.

Notes

Any nut acceptable: pecans best!
Works well as mini loaves.
Try muffin cups?

Don't give God instructions........just report for duty.

February is Heart Health Month

February is Heart Health Month. Celebrate by working on your heart. Here are 10 ideas to get you started.

1. Go with more Grains - More whole grains like whole wheat pasta, brown rice and oatmeal make your diet happy.
   
2. Fruits and Veggies ROCK! - Using these for snacks and dinner are the keys to winning with this combo.
   
3. Hold the Salt - Use herbs for flavor instead and keep sodium under 2400 milligrams/day.
4. Use Those Stairs! - Walk whenever you can. Every mini-session throughout the day helps add up to the recommended 30-minutes.
5. Portion Control - Pasta = 1/2 cup. Ice cream = 1 scoop.
   Small is good. Small is trendy. Small is the new... well, small.
   
6. Counting Calories - Yeah, we all hate this part, but know your limit and stick with it as much as possible.
7. Remember your Omega 3's - These essential fatty acids, found in salmon, trout, herring, sardines and walnuts, can really lower your risk. Try for two times a week.
8. Time for an Oil Change - No, not the car. Switch from butter, margarine, corn and coconut oil to olive oil and canola oil or trans-fat free spreads.
9. Extinguish Your Ciggy - Cigarettes = bad. Duh.
10. Get "Sexy" - Making "whoopie" three times a week can cut your risk of heart attack in half. (!-Hubbies everywhere will rejoice-!)
    

Thank you to The Menu Mom for this wonderful list and reminder. They also have GREAT menus, recipes and articles over there. Check it out.

Silly, Silly Boy!!

Cooking dinner one night, look what caught my eye:





He told me it was a car and made the appropriate VROOM, VROOM noises. He has quite an imagination, that boy, and this simple laundry basket entertained my munchkin for nigh on 1/2 hour!

Meanwhile, this is what I made, inspired by his silliness:




For this wonderful Homemade Chicken Pot Pie recipe, check this link on Mommy's Life. Making food fun, one pot pie at a time...

Make your own colored sugar for holiday baking

Why buy it when you can make it for less?

INGREDIENTS:

• granulated sugar
• food coloring

PREPARATION:

To make the colored sugar, put a drop or two of food coloring in a container with a tight lid and add a couple of tablespoons of sugar and shake hard! Spread on a plate or wax paper to dry, and shake again if it clumps. You can sift if you have problems. Store in an airtight container.

-about.com