Cinnamon Bread

This recipe is one that Melissa created.  It's so good you can count on people being so impressed with it they'll want the recipe.

Follow the basic bread recipe found HERE. 

Once the bread is mixed you have a few options.  Option 1 - Add 2-3 cups of mini cinnamon chips or Option 2- add 1 1/2 cups of cinnamon chips and 2 tablespoons of cinnamon.

I have gotten my water to hot so the dough was over 93 degrees.  This will cause the chips to melt. The bread taste better if they are not melted so be and sure to not have your water to hot.

We prefer Prepared Pantry's cinnamon chips found HERE.

White Dress Shirts

I have tried every brand of little boys white shirts in town. The Tom Sawyer is hands down the best one. My friend Kerry Blad Dorius told me about these awesome shirts and I was able to find them on Amazon. They run a little small so I had to order up a size. They clean better and come out of the dryer without wrinkles. I LOVE THESE THINGS.

Remember to SIZE UP if you get your little man one.                                  

  

 Both these shirts are straight out of the dryer.  The one on the left is going in the trash, the one on the right is the Tom Sawyer brand we love.

Tart Cherry Pie Filling

When canning season comes I am always excited for those gadgets and recipes that make it easier.  This pie filling is one of the fastest pie fillings I have ever made.  My kids pitted all the cherries because they were all excited to use the NEW pitter.    I have seen these for sale at other places and this is the best price.

                                                                    

We have an Evans Bali Cherry Tree and this is it's 3rd year of fruit.  Birds ate every single cherry the 1st year.  We netted it the 2nd year, HUGE pain.  This year we decided to give scare tape a shot.  Just look at how many juicy cherries there are and the birds have left them alone.  I still can't believe that I have been able to get all my cherries.

 There has been up to 30 bird in the tree next to it, with a dozen underneath the tree.  The scare tape worked because they left the cherries alone.  After my search on the internet I learned that this tape works the best because it makes noise in the wind and the red color frightens the birds.


                                                                      



I have seen dozens cherry pie filling recipes out there.   Due to my limited time the day we were picking cherries I decided to do this and it's a home run!


Tart Cherry Pie Filling

12 Cups of Pie Cherries
3 Cups of Sugar
3/4 Cup of Cornstarch

Heat cherries in a pan till their juices start to run.  While the cherries are heating mix your sugar and cornstarch together in a bowl.  Once the cherries natural juices start to emerge add the sugar and stir.  Continue to stir on medium heat.  Stir for about 2 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved and it's thickened like pie filling.  Now you are done!  I told you it was easy.
*Cornstarch doesn't reheat well.  It turns watery and sorta separates so this is not an acceptable canning recipe.

Sugar has many names

Sugar is in everything now days. You can find it in pizza, salad dressing, crackers, bread, Soups etc.  
In 2009, the American Heart Association released a statement on how much sugar to eat (rest assured, a little bit of sugar is OK.)
 Most women should eat, or drink, no more than 100 calories per day from added sugar, about 6 teaspoons. For men the cutoff is 150 calories from added sugars, or about 9 teaspoons. As a point of reference, a 12-ounce can of cola contains approximately 130 calories or about 8 teaspoons of added sugar.  This  only applies to sugars that are added to food by consumers or added during manufacturing (that means the sugar added to your crackers, cereal and other packaged foods counts). The naturally occurring sugar in fruit, vegetables, whole grains and dairy doesn’t count.  

I hope it makes you evaluate your sugar intake as a whole. Men should only be getting around 36 grams and women about 24 grams of sugar total per day.

 Here's a list of different names for sugar:

 1. Anhydrous dextrose
2. Agave
3. Agave nectar
4. Beet sugar
5. Brown sugar (light and dark brown)
6. Cane juice
7. Cane juice solids
8. Cane sugar
9. Cane syrup
10. Carob syrup
11. Caster sugar
12. Coconut sugar
13. Confectioners’ sugar
14. Corn syrup
15. Corn syrup solids
16. Crystalline fructose
17. Date sugar
18. Demerara sugar
19. Dextran
20. Dextrose
21. Dehydrated cane juice
22. Evaporated cane juice
23. Evaporated cane syrup
24. Evaporated sugar cane
25. Fructose
26. Fructose crystals
27. Fruit juice crystals
28. Fruit juice concentrate
29. Glazing sugar
30. Glucose
31. Glucose syrup
32. Golden sugar
33. Golden syrup
34. Granulated sugar
35. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
36. Honey
37. Icing sugar
38. Invert sugar
39. Invert syrup
40. King’s syrup
41. Lactose
42. Maple syrup
43. Maple sugar
44. Maltose
45. Malt sugar
46. Malt syrup
47. Molasses
48. Muscovado
49. Nectar
50. Pancake syrup
51. Panocha
52. Powdered sugar
53. Raw sugar
54. Refiners’ syrup
55. Sorghum
56. Sorghum syrup
57. Sucanat
58. Sucrose
59. Sugar
60. Superfine sugar
61. Table sugar
62. Treacle
63. Turbinado sugar
64. White sugar
65. Yellow sugar

*I got this list from Eatingwell.com

Turkey Meat Loaf

Body Beast  Turkey Meatloaf I got this recipe from the Body Beast Workout Program.  I didn't have high hopes.  It surprised us.  This is our favorite meatloaf recipe now.  With turkey low in saturated fat it's also good for you and cheaper then beef right now.  I wanted to keep eating this and skip all the veggies at dinner.  You won't be disappointed.
Ingredients: 2 pounds of lean ground turkey meat 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (I used panko) 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped ground black pepper to taste  1 cup of all-natural mild or medium salsa 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1 teaspoon sea salt fresh chopped parsley(optional, garnish)
Instructions: Preheat the oven to 375° F. Combine the ground turkey, salsa, whole wheat bread crumbs, eggs, garlic, sea salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Form into the shape of a loaf and place in a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan. Bake on the center rake of the oven for 60-70 minutes until no longer pink in the middle. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Cut into 8 equal pieces.  This can be cooked in a crock pot for four hours on low.

Easy Homemade Larabars

 Who doesn't like saving $$$$.  It's much more cost effective to make your own.  I buy most of my ingredients from Winco in the bulk section.  There is no magic amounts to this recipe.  Be brave and play around with the ingredients till you find your favorites.


LARABARS
Ingredients:
1 cup Pitted Dates
1 cup Unsalted Almonds
2 tbsp. Almond Butter
1 tbsp. Chia Seeds
2 tbsp. Cocoa
a pinch of salt

CHANGING the flavor- 
- unsweetened coconut
- replace almond butter for peanut butter or cashew butter.
- You can use pecans, cashews, I add 1/2 cup of almonds and 1/2 walnuts sometimes
- Cacao Nibs, or dark chocolate
- 1tsp Vanilla,
- Lemon or lime juice
- Spices {Cinnamon}
- Banans
- Dried fruit Blueberries, cherries, apricots, craisins
 {play around with it}

If your Dates are old you can either soak them or add water till the ingredients stick together.  

HOW TO MAKE THEM:
- In a food processor chop up almonds until smooth {but not too much to where it beings to start making actual almond butter}, set aside in a bowl
- In a food processor chop together the dates, cocoa powder, chia seeds, almond butter, and pinch of salt. It will want to clump together in a ball while doing so, so just continue to break it up with a spoon and mix more.
- Add back in the almonds and mix up all is smooth together.
- Line an 8×8 dish with parchment {or wax} paper, and press the mix in until even. Set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, take out and cut in to desired size pieces. I make mine a little smaller than the actual Larabars sold, since I don’t feel like I ever need the whole thing. Wrap in press-n-seal, wax paper, whatever you have on hand.
I refrigerator about half my batch and freeze the other half. They will last about 4 days in the fridge, but much longer if frozen. Simply let then thaw out in the fridge before eating the frozen ones!

{{{{Honest truth---Somedays I have zero energy so I put everything in the food processor and mix it, You will get some big chunks of nuts rather then an even chopped batch of them.  BUT I don't mind}}}}

Here are the official LARA Bar flavors

• Apple Pie
• Banana Bread
• Blueberry Muffin
• Carrot Cake
• Cashew Cookie
• Cherry Pie
• Chocolate Chip Brownie
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
• Chocolate Coconut Chew
• Cinnamon Roll
• Coconut Cream Pie
• Ginger Snap
• Key Lime Pie
• Lemon Bar
• Peanut Butter & Jelly
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
• Peanut Butter Cookie
• Pecan Pie
• Tropical Fruit Tart

 

Oven Roasted Asparagus

This is the best Oven Roasted Asparagus I have ever had.  Oven roasting the asparagus kills the natural bitterness.  This is also good on fresh green beans.

Prep time: 5 min.
Cook time: 12-15


1 Bunch of Asparagus
3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 1/2 Tabelspoons grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Clove Garlic, Minced
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

Preheat Oven to 425 Degrees (220 degrees C).
Wash asparagus, place everything in a bowl and mix till asparagus are coated. Arrange in a single layer on baking sheet.
Cook 12-15 minutes.
Eat while they are still warm.

Pico de Gillo

Pico de Gallo:
- 6 Roma Tomatoes (buy 12 incase your onion is strong)
- 1 Red Onion
- 1 Bunch of Cilantro
- 2 Limes
- 1.5 Tbsp of Salt  (I have used half this amount and it is still good)
- 1 Jalapeño (optional)

Dice the tomatoes and red onion into small cubes (make sure to cut the red onion small to minimize its spicy characteristics!). Rinse your cilantro then finely mince just the leaves. If you want to heat things up, add a jalapeno. Combine all the ingredients into a bowl. Squeeze 2 limes on top and stir in  the salt. Mix well and refrigerate salsa.
Enjoy with chips or atop your favorite taco!

Oat Muffins

If you are looking for a healthy muffin recipe, that actually taste good, then look no further.  These are gluten free, clean eating approved, and fast to make. 

Banana Blueberry Oat Muffins
 165-170 calories per muffin

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

1 cup plain low fat greek yogurt
2 eggs
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. ground flax seeds
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ripe bananas
1 1/2 blueberries (you can always add chocolate chips or raspberries instead)


Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375° F.  Blend all ingredients together except the blueberries in a blender or food processor.
Stir in blueberries by hand.
Bake for 10-14 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

3 ingredient Clean Eating Chocolate

These little nuggets are like Doves dark chocolates.  I like these better.  I have been playing around with chocolate recipes on the web and have found a few things out: 
-If you are trying to make candy without white sugar, then Pure Maple Syrup makes a good replacement.  Honey sinks to the middle to fast and so the edges of the candy tasted BLAH. Agave wasn't sweet enough for it or maybe I should say for me.

-The type of cocoa powder you use makes or breaks this recipe.  If you don't like these the first time you make it try a different cocoa powder.  I use the stuff from the bulk bins at Winco.  Simple and it works well in this recipe.
-They have to be stored in the fridge. Coconut oil turns into a liquid at 76 °.  These are not M&M's, they will melt in your hand.
-Don't be fooled into thinking you can eat a lot of these since they are not made with white sugar.  Coconut oil and Pure Maple syrup are high in Calories so these are about 50-56 calories per chocolate.  It depends on how much you put into your mold.  My silicone molds are mini ice cube trays.  Each square is 1 ¼ inch by 1 ¼ inch,  I fill them ½ full.
-I bought my molds at the Outlet Malls in Park City.  I don't know the name of the kitchen store but it's right next to Mrs. Fields.  Don't ask how I know that, ☺  okay I LOVE cookies.   Ikea also has some molds that would work. 


3 Ingredient Clean Eating Chocolate
 by: Homerunrecipes.blogspot.com

1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
1/4 Cup Coconut oil
3- Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup


Put coconut oil in a microwave proof bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or till melted.  Stir in cocoa powder and syrup. Stir till it's all blended well.  (I stir for a good 2-3 minutes).
Next put into silicone ice cube trays or silicone muffin cups.
Put into freezer until they have set up, about 30 min.  Pop them out into a contain and store in fridge or freezer.
****I prefer to eat them from the freezer.  Try dipping it, or use manners and spread with a knife, almond butter or peanut butter on it, right before you eat one.  It's a little piece of heaven. 

Success and Failure

Is it becoming a rare thing to find people HAPPY for their acquaintances, friends, or family who've succeed or accomplished something?  

Something to think about ............ the last time you accomplished something.
-Did you hesitate to tell people for fear you'd make them feel bad?
-Did you hesitate to share your news because it wouldn't be celebrated?
-Did you share your great news to only have people respond with an excuse why they didn't do it too?

In college I took an interpersonal communication class and felt like a light bulb went off in my head when I learned this.  I still don't remember it all the time.  I feel like I should apologize to all those amazing people who shared their stories of success and I didn't make a BIG DEAL about it.  It is human nature to feel distress when others do amazing things and we feel like all our attempts turn into failures.  Just because we may have failed at something Does not mean we are failures.  Shut off that voice in your head that says you can't do it, or that should've been you, or why not me.


While I was thinking about this post I went to help in Art class at my children's school.  The teacher told a story that illustrates this perfectly.  Leonardo da Vinci was helping on a painting with his art teacher and other students.  Back then they could make more money by working together on paintings.  In the picture just below they can see signs of Leonardo's work through out the painting, but the story goes with the angel on the right.  When he finished painting the angel his teacher NEVER painted again.  He declared that Leonardo da Vinci was a much better painter.  HOW SAD to quit.  Think of all the other students he could have taught or paintings he didn't create. 

Let's be rare and practice our interpersonal communication skills by..........celebrating the success of others. 

Bottled Vegetable Soup or Stew

Canning does take Time and it does make your kitchen a Mess.  BUT my love for having a jar of soup that we can just crack open and add anything to for a quick dinner or lunch out ways 1 busy day.  Plus it uses ingredients we almost always have around the house.  Another reason to make it - you know what went into this soup.  My #1 tip is to have a frozen pizza on hand for dinner.  That way when you are tired and don't want to spend anymore time in the kitchen you already have something easy for your family for dinner. #2 tip is to put your kids to work.  Having your family help makes it go so much faster. 

This soup once you open a jar can be turned into so many options.  Have fun experimenting.  We add tomato soup, Rotel tomatoes, or canned tomatoes.  Cooked noodles, or even a little leftover rice.  You can add cooked hamburger or this canned chicken,or stew meat.  We have added just about ever creamed soup they make and it's all been great.  Milk or evaporated milk is also great in it.  Cheddar Cheese Soup is one of my kids favorite. 




This is for QUART size jars.

Carrots - Sliced
Potatoes - Diced
Celery - Chopped
Onions - Diced
Beef Boullion - 1 cube per jar
Salt -1/2 tsp per jar
Pepper - 1/4 Tsp per jar
Accent - 1/2 tsp per jar
Pearl Barley - 1 Tbsp per jar
Parsley - 1 Tabsp per jar
Water - HOT to fill jars

1- Prep all your veggies.

2- Place the following in bottom of quart jars:  Each jar gets - 1 Beff Boullion Cube, 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/4 tsp of pepper, 1/2 tsp of accent.


3- Fill jar 1/4 of the way with Carrots, add Potatoes to 1/2 full.
Layer in 1/3 cup Celery, 1/4 cup Onions.

4- Spinkle 1 Tbsp Parsely, & 1 Tbsp Pearl Barley over veggies to prevent clumping.

5- Fill rest of jar with carrots and potatoes.

6- Fill jar with HOT water to cover the spuds, BUT remember to leave a 1 inch head space at the top.

7- Boil your lids, place on jars with rings

8- Pressure Cook at 12 lbs for 30 minutes.  (ALWAYS check with your county extension office on the right pressure for your elevation.  I have to do 15 lbs her in Idaho Falls, Idaho)

* Can added cooked hamburger, stew meat, chicken, noodles, any cream of soup you want, milk, tomatoes,  Lipton soup mix, etc. 

7 Steps to Canned Chicken

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH CANNED CHICKEN?  This is the #1 question I get asked.   We put it in  Dijon Chicken pitas, lime chicken sandwich, caesar pitas, soups, fast enchiladas, chicken salad, pretty much anything that calls for shredded chicken.

This recipes doesn't have you put any liquid in with the chicken.  In the photo above of the jar you'll see there is some broth.  This is the chickens natural juices.  SAVE THE BROTH.  I dump the broth into a freezer container and save it for soups. 

 I can get 40 pounds of chicken cut up and ready to pressure in 60 minutes with help.
I usually buy the 40 pound box of boneless and skinless chicken breast from Zaycon.
I also watch for it on sale at Albertsons.  I prefer buying the chicken from Albertsons if I just need chicken to freeze.  They'll wrap it up for you.  Just call ahead and tell them how many chicken breast you want in each package.  The Zaycon chicken comes in a giant box so if I need frozen chicken, I have to wrap it and pay for the materials to wrap and freeze it. 


Let's get started-

I usually lay down a piece of plastic on my counter that can be tossed when I am done.  

I feel like I get less chicken juice everywhere when I do this.

 

Step 1-Gather all supplies.

 Step 2. Cut Chicken into Chunks

Step 3. Place chicken in PINT Jars

Step 4. Add 1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder and 1/2 tsp. Chicken Bouillon to each jar.

 

 Step. 5 Boil new canning lids for a good minute, (wipe down jar lip while lids boil).
Step 6. Next place lids on jars and tighten the rings.

Step 7. - Pressure Cook at 10 pounds of pressure.  If you live in higher elevation this will change.  Check with your county extension office.  I have to do 15 pounds of pressure.   Follow your user manual on how to use the Pressure Cooker

 Pints are pressured for 1 hour 5 minutes.
Quarts are pressured for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Canned Chicken

Chicken (preferable skinless and boneless, goes faster)

Chicken Bouillion

Garlic Powder

Step 1. Gather all supplies.

 Step 2. Cut Chicken into Chunks

Step 3. Place chicken in PINT Jars

Step 4. Add 1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder and 1/2 tsp. Chicken Boulin to each jar.
Step 5. Boil new canning lids for a good minute, (wipe down jar lip while lids boil).
Step 6. Next place lids on jars and tighten the rings.

Step 7. Pressure Cook at 10 pounds of pressure.  If you live in higher elevation this will change.  Check with your county extension office.  I have to do 15 pounds of pressure.   Follow your user manual on how to use the Pressure Cooker

** Pints are pressured for 1 hour 5 minutes.
 **Quarts are pressured for 1 hour 15 minutes.