Make your own Baby Food and NEW news!

Have I seemed absent lately?  I have a good reason,, well, actually,, a few reasons,,, but one I am most excited about,,,

I can give you a hint...

If you stop back her on Monday, you will see a "new me!"

I am more than excited about this... I cannot wait to share this on Monday... will you stop by then?

In the meantime,,, Life here in this household has been busy for sure.
It is Harvest time here in the Northeast,, and so, we have been canning, canning, and more canning..
and so today, I am going to give you a peek into another thing we do here...

Making Baby Food

There are many great reasons to make your own baby food...
Don't have time  - you say?

Honestly, if time was an issue , I wouldn't be doing this myslef.
1) It is economical - great SAVINGS!
2.) Better for your baby- you choose where you buy your food, what goes into your baby's food, and how it is preserved!
3.)Easily accessible- without a trip to the store!

So Join me,, and try this at home!
( Below are a few tips to remember)

1.) Choose the veggies/fruits you will want to feed your baby.
2.) Grab them at a local farmers market - preferably organic, but even a good source of produce from Supermarket works.
3.) Wash, skin, peel, and chop your produce.
4.) Steam until soft  - with no skins.
5.) Throw in blender, or food processor for a nice puree.
6.) Evenly scoop into Ice Cube trays and freeze over night.
7.) Remove into labeled bags- with a date of preparation.

Sweet Potatoes- You can bake these slowly until tender.  Tip for Sweet Potatoes -When mixing these,, they require a lot of water.  I used reversed osmosis water, but you can use distilled.  They will be thick otherwise.

Carrots just require water in pan, low heat, and soft tender touch.  I peeled mine and washed before.  Be careful not to burn while steaming.  These turn out amazing!

No the best or most attractive picture - but, it gives you the idea.  This is the fast part.

You might want to buy a quite a few extra ice cube trays at the store next time you are there.  I used quite a few, but they are super cheap, and super handy!

 WHALA!  The next morning - after spending the night in the freezer- Release from Trays, and put into labeled Ziploc Freezer Bags!

One Afternoon of healthy savings = Happy, Happy Baby!

Still wondering about the new news?  I will give you a hint on Friday!!

How to make Laundry Detergent ( Powder)

I knew this day would arrive... and I should have made the "leap" long before now,
but 6 loads of laundry a day, and the cost of living for a family of 12.. well... it was time.

Even if you are not from a large family, and you still would like to make small changes on savings, or know that the detergent you are using has chemicals you would prefer to avoid...

Then..
THIS IS FOR YOU...
I have to honest though,...

I put this off for a long time... thinking I didn't have time,, thinking it would be horrible, etc.
But, here's the truth friends...

It took me FIVE minutes!
FIVE!
This Recipe is the Powder, which I now prefer for a more intense washing on little stains,,
but the liquid detergent is just as easy.
So here we go,,,



Homemade Laundry Detergent ( Powder)

Ingredients:

• 1 bar Fels-Naptha
• 1 cup Borax
• 1 bar Goat's Milk Soap if desired ( various Scents- all natural)- Grated
• 2 cups Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 

To make:

1. Cut into fourths, then grate Fels Naptha soap using cheese grater or food processor.
2. Once grated, change to blade in food processor.  Swirl this around in food processor til it is as fine as you can get it.  ( Grating first is a must!)
3. Add the Borax and pulse til mixed. And the grated Goat's Milk Soap.
4. Mix thoroughly.
5. Store in an airtight jar with lid.  (Be sure to label so that your kids don’t think it’s lemonade mix!)
6. Use one to two tablespoons per load (depending on grit and grime, of course!)  I threw in an old scoop from one of the boxes of powder I had.

All of the ingredients can be found at Wal-Mart or Target.

Be sure to label your jar  as Laundry Detergent..

You don't want your family to mistake this for something else.

Next week, I will post the Liquid version of this recipe.

Recipe for your Fall Sweet Tooth

Because all of us need a smile,,, and we all have a sweet-tooth..

This post is for YOU!

This will have to be an annual post that I share in the fall....

Fall just brings out the baking, decorating, creative side in me...

Our home has been flourishing with Pumpkin Bread, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Stews, Pies, and more!

But our favorite of ALL,... is this absolutely delicious recipe for:

CARAMEL CORN!!

I am not kidding... once you take on bite of this sweet tooth snack... it is SOOO hard to stop!

I hope you have the opportunity to whip some of this delish' up soon!
Fall is in the air!!

September's Caramel Corn Recipe ( given to me over 20 years ago from a dear friend)

 6-8 Quarts Popped Corn ( Pop ahead and set aside in a deep pot or bowl)

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup BUTTER

1/2 cup Light Karo Syrup

1 teaspoon salt

~~~~~

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

In a 2quart pan, BOIL for 5 minutes.. the first FOUR ingredients

Stir constantly..

After boiling for 5 minutes... turn heat off, and quickly stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

STIR WELL.

Quickly and Carefully pour over popped corn in Deep pot or bowl, and STIR to Coat Completely.

Spread covered corn onto 2 greased cookie sheets.

Bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour.

Set timer for every 15 minutes,,, to flip caramel corn on sheets.  This helps to bake evenly.

After 1 hour... set out onto waxed paper to cool... when cool. break up into bite sized pieces.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Enjoy this fall recipe..

even if you are fighting the welcome of the new fall weather... 

try this..

it will boost your spirits!

Good for you.. Cool Summer Snacks!

Hot Hot Hot!!  It is HOT here... my grass is turning brown... my chickens are super thirsty.. my plants are pouting, and we are hibernating inside!

Keeping our foods to the closest raw state as possible,
and not cooking all of the nutrients out..
the kitchen too HOT for heating the oven...
and fresh raw veggies readily available..
WHO needs to COOK?

Here are a few SUMMER IDEAS that will keep you from heating up that you might enjoy as much as we do...

Raw Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

4 cups raw almond milk
2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
2 medium frozen bananas
1 to 2 handfuls ice cubes


Mix in blender, and adjust ice as you wish.  This recipe hails from one of my all-time favorite whole food blogs...  http://www.nourishingmeals.com/

(Virgin) Piña Colada Smoothie

• 1 1/2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
• 1 1/3 cup coconut milk (or more depending on how creamy you like it)

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth. If you use fresh pineapple instead of frozen be sure to add some ice to the mixture. Enjoy!

Popcorn Au Natural! 

Ingredients

       ¼ cup popcorn kernels, preferably organic

• Brown paper lunch bag
• Optional: Melted butter, oil, and/or salt
• Directions

1.    Pour the kernels into the brown paper bag.

2.    Tightly fold over the top three or four times. No tape or staples are necessary.

3.    Put it in the microwave and start it on high for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.

4.    Listen for the popping to slow down to 3 or 4 seconds apart at which point you will ta ke it out of the microwave. This usually happens for me around the 3 minute and 15 second mark.

5.    Pour popcorn into a bowl and drizzle with melted butter or spritz with olive oil and then sprinkle with salt. If you don’t use oil or butter the salt won’t stick.

Yield: Approximately 3 – 4 servings

I cannot even remember where I found this popcorn in the bag idea...I had copied it to my recipe folder and found it again a while ago.  

Enjoy!


HUMMUS -OUR FAVORITE!
Hummus Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 4 garlic cloves, minced and then mashed
• 2 15-oz cans of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
• 2/3 cup of tahini (roasted, not raw)
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• Pine nuts (toasted) and parsley (chopped) for garnish

METHOD

1 In a food processor, combine the mashed garlic, garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, and olive oil. Process until smooth. Add salt, starting at a half a teaspoon, to taste.

2 Spoon into serving dish and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and chopped parsley.

Serve with crackers, raw dip vegetables such as carrots or celery, or with pita bread. You can cut the pita bread into thin triangles, brush with olive oil and toast for 10 minutes in a 400°F oven to make pita chips with which to serve the hummus.

Makes about 3 cups.

So, What are YOUR favorite Summer Snacks - Healthy alternatives to the sugar packed snacks sold in stores?
Leave me a comment and share your ideas!

Recipe Time- Many requests for this recipe!

I'm into sharing. Isn't sharing fun?
I thought that it would be fun to share this particular recipe because we get so much use and enjoyment out of it, and have been for years. It is a favorite for breakfasts around here, and I have been known to make it for dinner when the "meat lovers," won't be home for dinner!

You don't have to make the entire recipe .. if you don't have a large family, then just adapt it. and if you DO have quite a number of people to feed, then you are in luck.

So, here we go:

BAKED OATMEAL

Beat together:

2 c. Oil

2 c. Sugar

8 eggs

Then Add:

12 c. Quick Oats

2 Tablespoons AND 2 teaspoons Baking Powder

4 teaspoons salt

4 c. Milk

(raisins if you like)

Pour into a sprayed 16 x 10 pan and bake for 45 min. in a 350 oven.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS OATMEAL bakes in a pan... and then sliced into squares..
Pour over with COLD milk!
Mmmmmm!

ENJOY!!!

(If you half this recipe, you can make it in a 9 x 13 pan)

We use grapeseed oil, sea salt, and organic oats, our own brown eggs, and organic milk.

Be sure to use baking powder with OUT aluminum. ( Rumford brand is the one that we use.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is so yummy,,,, and it was so much fun sharing with you.

I just popped some on the oven!

A (Large) Family Recipe

This is a regular table topper in our home,,, and it is so easy, that my 10 year old daughter makes it, with a few side dishes from heart.. from scratch to the table...


It is expandable for larger families,,


and the greatest thing.., It is quite economical.
Remember,, you don't have to use name brand food items for the best quality.. we have found this to be a big myth..
Try this recipe... your children will love it!

TATER TOT CASSEROLE:

2 #'s ground Turkey, Cooked, Seasoned, Drained

3 - 2 lb. Bags Tater Tots

2 Cans Cream Mushroom Soup

2 Cans Evaporated Milk

2 Cans Cream of Chicken Soup

Brown meat, Drain, and place in large , greased casserole dish.

Cover with frozen tater tots.  

Mix soup and Evaporated milk together in separate bowl.

Pour over top.  Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.

We serve this most generally with a Spinach Salad, and Pumpkin Bread.
You can find those recipes under our Recipe Tab.

Enjoy this simple, and delicious meal,, great for a night when there isn't a lot of time to prepare a meal!

Blessings!
OH!!  And remember.. It is just about time to get the Spring planting done.. SOON to be posted..
Easy, frugal fun with your children and seeds!

Snow Pops.. DIY Fun!

After beating away the Winter Blues with some Creative and Fun Ideas...

I had to share a few pictures of Our Snow Pops that we  made.
 ( we found over at MckMama's..)

They are super easy, and super yummy!

An easy start....  Have one of these?

Mix and Bake as directed.

Cool.

Crumble into small pieces ( I did this with my hands).. into a Mixing bowl.

Make this Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe :

8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

6 T. butter, softened

1 t. vanilla

1T. cream (or milk)

3 cups powdered sugar

Stir 1/2 cup of frosting into crumbled cake mixture.
Until moist enough to form cake balls.

Easy. Easy. Easy.

Melt white chocolate baking chips, squares, or melts.

All will work.

I melt mine in the microwave.

Separate into paper cups ( easier to throw away later.)

Choose food coloring for each cup..

Or leave white.

Roll cake balls into melted chocolate to cover.

Shake with colored sprinkles.

WHALA!!  Our Snow Pops!

So delicious, and fun!

Give them a try and let me know of your success!

UPDATED: DIY Natural Cleaner Recipes

UPDATED:

Winter here gives me more time to try some new Recipes,, and one of the areas that I am always trying to make changes is freeing our home from chemicals,, whether thru our foods, our cleaners, or our environment...

The last thing I want my children cleaning with is a chemical that is being absorbed into their skin, and going to affect their health now, and in the future...

It takes baby steps to come to a home that is full of the goodness we want it to be, and so this small change can be considered another Baby Step in that direction.

Here is a Recipe I came across for Floor and Counter Cleaner.  The use of this in a spray bottle makes it even more easy for your children to help you with the tasks at hand.

Natural Cleaner for your Home

Recipe adapted from The Naturally Clean Home Karyn Siegel-Maier

1 gallon hot water

2 tablespoons liquid castile soap

15-20 drops sweet orange essential oil

8-10 drops lemon essential oil

Pour soap and essential oils into a large container (can divide between two half gallon jars). Fill with hot water.

Pour some into a spray bottle to keep for cleaning the counter tops.

Does not need to be rinsed off.

Here is a Wonderful Natural Recipe for Air Freshener for your home.. Kitchen, Bathrooms, etc.

  Homemade Air Freshener

1 cup water

4 teaspoons baking soda

2 tablespoons white vinegar

10 drops lavender oil (or other essential oil)

Directions

1. Mix vinegar and baking soda until foaming stops. 

2. Add essential oil and then the water.

3. Shake well to combine.  

I prefer sweet Orange Oil ,, but a Lavender is a calming effect in this spray.

If it is the Holidays, or perhaps you would prefer year-round.. Cinnamon or Eucalyptus Oil is a nice change.

I purchase my Natural products for creating my cleaners, and other remedies here :

Mountain Rose Herbs | Bulk organic herbs, spices & essential oils    Click to visit there!

You will love their products~  http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

For more recipes like this, you will want to visit this fabulous blog here:   Frugal Granola

Try this... you won't regret finding new ways to eliminate toxins in your home.

NOW,,,

If there was a secret to keeping my little ones clean all the time, I might consider trying that too..

Then, I wouldn't be finding this:

Blessings!

Crockpot Oatmeal- Set and Sleep

We love Oatmeal.

I love it with a variety of special ingredients added in the morning.,.

Sometimes, I will add blueberries..

Sometimes maple syrup...

But my favorite is FRESH Strawberries!

ohhh.. the list could be endless...

Here is a Sure to please easy recipe for Busy moms, larger families, or the frugal time saver!

Crock - Pot Oatmeal

( Note: This will be creamier than oatmeal cooked over direct heat)

Amount: Makes 4 cups ( 6-8 servings)  Adjust if necessary

1.) Grease inside of crock - pot up to water level with 1 teaspoon butter

2.)Add: 4 cups water ( room temp.)

2 cups Rolled Oats ( as Old Fashioned Quaker Oats)

1 teaspoon salt

3.) Cover, turn on low, and Cook overnight  OR 8-9 hours.

4.) A few minutes before serving add desired ingredients:

Cinnamon, blueberries, strawberries, etc.

WHALA!  That was easy! 

Interesting Oatmeal Facts:

From ONE Serving of Oatmeal ( 2/3 cup)..

You will receive:

5g. Protein

100 calories

2.7 g fiber

and it costs $.07 a serving!

What is your favorite Oatmeal Stir- in?

The Yummiest Soup and Cornbread- For the weekend!

Looking for an easy meal, yet, wholesome, filling and YUMMY?

I will post the Buttery Cornbread Recipe 1st..  It is such a favorite around here and I can guarantee you will love it too!!!

Just follow the mixing ingredients instructions to ensure the fluffiest, most moist cornbread ever!

Buttery Cornbread

2/3 cup butter, softened ( Use BUTTER -no substitutes)( This is about 11 Tablespoons of butter- if using butter sticks)

1 cup Sugar

Cream the BUTTER and SUGAR together in a mixing bowl till light and fluffy.

Combine 3 eggs and 1 and 2/3 cups milk in a small bowl.

Set aside.

Combine 1 and 1/3 cups all purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

4 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Set aside.

Mix dry mixture ALTERNATELY with the EGG and milk mix into mixing bowl with butter and sugar.

Pour into a greased 9 x 13 glass pan.

Bake at 400 for 22 - 27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

Serve warm!

Yields 12-15 servings

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Soup Recipe is loved my all of my children, and we make 2 crock pot of it to feed our family- and it all disappears!

I have adapted this Soup from the back of A Quaker Barley Box

Chicken  Barley Chili

Combine all ingredients into a crock-pot or a 6 qt. pan to cook on low through out the day.

1 (14 oz.) Diced Tomatoes- undrained ( I use basil,/oregano flavored)

1 ( 16. oz. ) jar Tomato Sauce ( I use Aldi's Spag. Sauce)

1 box or Large container of Chicken Broth

1 cup of Cooked Quaker Barley ( buy this in a box)

3-4 cups water ( to desired consistency)

1 Tablespoon chili Powder

1/2 teaspoon Cumin

1 ( 15. oz.) can Black Beans, Drained

1/2 bag or more frozen corn

3 Cups of Chicken Breast, cooked and cut into bite- sized pieces

OPTIONAL - Sour Cream to top when serving

OR

Italian or Mexican Blend Cheese to Top When serving... ( this is what we use)

I triple this recipe when cooking if this helps you figure what you will need to make.

Try these recipes this weekend for an easy, hot and delicious meal!

Soup is always perfect for Saturdays or Sundays!

Enjoy your weekend!

Our Apple Pie Videos and Bloopers

  IMPORTANT:  BEFORE viewing Videos.. Scroll down to right side of Blog and click the PAUSE button on Music Player!!

Apple Pie Blooper #2~~~

TAKE 3!!!!

Here is the recipe for that yummy Apple Pie,, and some pics of the Fun Process!

Pie Crust:

(adapted from a recipe my sister-n-law gave me a few years ago)

4 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sugar

Mix.. Then Cut in:

1 3/4 cup shortening

1/2 cup cold water

1 tsp. vinegar

1 beaten egg

Mix with hands.

Makes two crusts.



Cutting strips of dough for a lattice top!



Their 1st finished pie - alone from start to finish!



The two bakers!


Apple Pie Recipe:
(Given to me from a great friend.. My favorite variation of Apple pie!)

5 Cups peeled/sliced Apples ( about 10)
1/4 water
Cook this on the stove top until just starting to get soft.  ONLY 2-3 minutes... NO LONGER!

THEN:
Mix in:
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 - 1/2 teasoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Fill Crust.  Place top crust or lattice on top.
Bake at 425 for 20 -25 minutes!

Whala!!

Your FAVORITE Apple Pie!!!