Very Berry Lemonade

The other day I found lemons on sale at the market. I picked up about a dozen or so to make home made lemonade. I've always wanted to try home made lemonade, but I'm not a fan of plain old lemonade (unless its frozen Italian ice). So I found a awesome recipe for a pink lemonade made with strawberries. I tweaked it a little and it turned out to be heavenly! I mean...this stuff is the BEST fruity drink I've had in a while. I have a idea to freeze it in ice cube trays to make Popsicles in the summer, also it will make a killer punch for a party! So here ya go, enjoy!





Ingredients:
7 reg size lemons
1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar(or stevia if you prefer)
6 cups of cold water
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries( I used a blackberry, raspberry, blueberry mix)


Directions:

For the fruit purée-
Place frozen berries in a blender or food processor, add 1/2 cup of sugar, and the juice of 1 small lemon, and maybe a TBSP or two of water, if needed. Purée it until its smooth and pasty. Strain the purée so remove the seeds, use a spatula to help press it through the strainer.

Let the puree hang out in the fridge while you make the lemonade

For the lemonade-
Mix 1 cup of sugar, water and about 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice together in a pitcher. Add the fruit purée and give it a good stir. Drink to your hearts content!


Freezer tip: freeze your lemonade and make home made Popsicles for the kiddos (or yourself). This is also a great idea to keep the lemonade chilled at a party or event instead of watering it down with ice cubes!

Lactation cookie recipe, By sara

Here is an awesome and healthy recipe for lactation cookies. My sister sara made these and they were great! They really do help with milk production. You don't have to breastfeed to enjoy them though! My kids and my husband like them too. Thanks sara for passing on the recipe! 





 Ingredients:
1 cup coconut oil
1 & 1/2 cups brown sugar (use other options for a healthier choice)
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal (can be found at any local health food store)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups oats, thick cut if you can get them
1 cup or more chocolate chips/sultanas/almonds/macadamia nuts (whatever takes your fancy)
2-4 tablespoons of brewers yeast (be generous) 

• there are other options instead of chocolate chips:
   Coconut and banana
  Choc chip and cranberry
  Dried apricot and white chocolate

  instead of regular chocolate chips, I used fair trade organic 425 cacao chips semi-sweet. 

  
  Directions:

  Preparation time is around 15 minutes.
  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

  1) Mix together 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes.

  2) Cream (beat well) margarine and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mix well.

  3) Stir flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to the margarine mix. Beat until blended.

  4) Sift together dry ingredients, except oats and chips.

  5) Add to margarine mixture. Stir in oats then chips.

  6) Scoop or drop onto baking sheet, preferably lined with parchment. Because the dough is a little crumbly, it might be easier if you use a scoop.

  Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on size of cookies. Makes approximately 6 dozen cookies

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Enjoy!

Beef stew seasoning mix

A while back I started making my own seasoning mixes, mostly to avoid all the sodium and additives, and because I think they taste better! Here is a good, quick recipe for  beef stew mix!




Beef stew mix

1 cup all purpose white flour

2 Tablespoons sea salt

2 teaspoons oregano

1 tablespoon Basil

2 tablespoons black pepper

2 tablespoons garlic powder

2 tablespoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes(or Cheyenne pepper)

1 tablespoons celery seed

2 tablespoons onion powder

1 teaspoon thyme

Mix together with a whisk and store in a airtight container

Use 1 To 1 1/2 tablespoons per pound of meat.

Enjoy! 

Ranch steak

This is a recipe I have been making for a long time, I have changed it over the years and now I love it even more! It's not the healthiest recipe, but it sure is tasty! Ive also tweaked it a bit making it a little healthier without the canned cream of whatever's. This recipe goes great with Mash potatoes, corn on the Cobb, fresh green beans and home made biscuits. Mmmmmm, talk about a good old fashioned dinner. It goes on my list of top 10 family favorite meals for sure! The best part is how easy it is and how minimal ingredients there are. So here ya go, enjoy!


Ingredients:
2lbs lean ground beef, thawed and made into patties
(Or instead you can use ground turkey, or cube steak. They all have a different flavor but they are all yummy!)
2 TBSP Hamburger seasoning (I use my own home made, but you can use whatever you would normally season hamburgers with)
1/2 onion, chopped (optional)
1 batch of home made cream of mushroom soup(my homemade cream of chicken with chopped mushrooms added to it) or 1 batch of home made cream of chicken soup http://craftybytb.blogspot.com/2013/02/home-made-cream-of-chicken-soup.html

Directions:

Thaw your hamburger meat and press into patties, add seasoning and onions cook in a skillet until done. 
While your hamburgers are cooking make your cream of soup and set to the side.

When hamburgers are done pour your cream of soup over top and let simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes. 

Serve with whatever sides you want, but mash potatoes are a must! You can also cook this in the oven on 350  instead
Of on the stove top, just make your patties and then line them in a casserole dish and pour your cream of soup over
Top and bake! Don't forget to add the cooked onions if you choose to bake it :) 


Enjoy :) 

Crockpot salsa chicken

One of my favorite meals to cook in the crock pot is salsa chicken. It is SO easy, quick and tastes yummy! My family loves it. Here is the recipe I love!


Ingredients:
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I now use organic, but the organic is waaay more expensive so I'm looking for a alternate/cheaper chicken that is free range and chemical free, ill update when I find something!)
1 jar of mild picante sauce(I'm now using my home made salsa instead, I'll post the recipe soon!)
2 TBSP of home made taco seasoning(look in my earlier posts for recipe)
1 can of organic black beans(I'm also now using home made black beans I made in my crockpot and froze, they are better than the canned!)
1 bag frozen organic corn(OPTIONAL)This tastes good mixed in, or you can serve it on the side. I've made it both ways and we like it either way.

Directions:
Place everything in the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8hrs. Serve over rice. I use organic jasmine rice. It is gluten free and NO GMO. you can find it at homeland or the local health food store. you can also shred the chicken and serve on tortillas like a taco!

Enjoy!

Quick, not so home made pizza

My children love eating pizza, especially at lunch time. I used to buy frozen pizzas, but they aren't exactly the healthiest, with all the added ingredients I can't pronounce and what not. So one day I decided to make home made pizza. The dough turned out awful and well, it was a major pain in the "you know what". (Since then I have found a recipe that is easier and turned out better though)

So instead I buy these whole wheat flat breads in the deli section at crest. They do have some added ingredients I can't pronounce and they are not as healthy as home made, but they are quick and easy and cheap(I'm working on making a homemade flat bread, but these work in the mean time)

So here is how I make quick, semi healthy-ish pizzas for my kids, and myself. I made a taco pizza last night that was to die for!! Ill post that recipe separate 


Ingredients:
Whole wheat flat breads (as many as you want)
Shredded cheese (I use either a pizza blend or cheddar, plus Parmesan)
Pizza sauce (home made is best, but the stuff in the jar works too. I buy organic)
1 Tsp olive oil
Garlic salt, or fresh
1 Tsp Italian seasoning
Whatever toppings your heart desires (I usually do a supreme with sautéed mushrooms for myself, or a Philly cheese-steak with spicy mustard sauce instead of pizza sauce, but my kiddos, who are just like their father, like plain ol' cheese)



Pre heat your oven to 350
Lay out your flat breads on a cookie sheet.

Spread olive oil on top, then sprinkle your garlic and Italian seasoning over it.

Next goes the sauce. Use as much or little as you want. Spread it all around.

Then pile on the cheese and whatever topping you would like.

Bake at 350 for about 10 mins or until the cheese is melted and the edges are slightly brown. Enjoy with a yummy salad and dessert pizza for dessert! Recipe below...


Dessert pizza:
Take your flat bread and spread a little softened butter over top, sprinkle a little cinnamon and sugar on top and bake for about 10 mins or so. Sprinkle with powder sugar and enjoy! Sometimes I whip up a batch of cinnamon roll frosting to drizzle on top, but its good without it too :)

Home made cinnamon swirl bread

We love to eat cinnamon toast for breakfast. I have tried a few recipes for cinnamon bread, but didnt care for them, then I came across this recipe. I have made it three times now and it is wonderful! My husband almost ate the whole loaf the first day I made it! If you can be patient and give it plenty of rising time, then it turns out fluffy and delicious! Just thought I would pass along the recipe :)

(I also made French toast with this bread and it was Amazing!)

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/08/homemade-cinnamon-bread/


I made a loaf for my freezer, I just let it cool and slice it, wrap it in Reynolds wrap, then place
It in a old bread bag I keep. Freeze it and when you are ready to eat it just take a couple slices
Out and pop them in the toaster!

Enjoy!