Works For Me Wednesday--Muffin Mania

I have been trying to make use of all my zucchini's from my garden and also all the apples from my mom's trees.

Muffins it is. And they are healthy!

I have made a few batches to replace the processed Cascadian Farms granola bars that I buy on a regular basis. Even though I am sure they are healthier than other brands, they are still processed and contain a few ingredients I would rather leave out of my diet.

My kids and even my hubby love 'em!


Nutty Apple Muffins

1 1/4 cup honey (I use raw--taste is so worth it!)
1/2 cup oil (I use cold pressed olive, safflower or coconut oil)
2 eggs
3 cups grated apples
7 cups whole wheat flour
1 3/4 cup water
2 TBS plus 2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 TBS cinnamon
1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cup raisins ( I omitted these)

Mix oil, eggs, honey,and apples in a large mixing bowl. Add dry ingredients and stir to moisten. Add in nuts and raisins. Do not over mix. Spoon into greased muffin tins. Bake about 20 min. at 400 degrees. Makes 3 dozen large muffins.


Zucchini Muffins

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp of each: baking soda, salt, nutmeg
1/4 tsp tsp baking powder
1/2 cup honey (raw)
1 1/4 cup grated, unpeeled zucchini
1 egg
1/2 cup water
2 TBS softened butter
1/8 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 tsp finely shredded lemon peel
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients well. Make a hole in center of flour mixture in the bowl and add wet ingredients. Stir with wooden spoon just until all mixed together. Spoon batter into greased muffin tins. Bake at 375 degree for 15 min. or until a toothpick stuck in center of muffin comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 12 muffins.


Banana Muffins

1 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
1/4 cup butter milk or sour milk (If you don't have raw milk just use vinegar or lemon juice to "sour" your milk)
1 egg
1/3 cup honey (raw)
3 TBS oil
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup walnuts

Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well blended. Add wet ingredients and mix until smooth. Bake in greased muffin tins for 15-20 min. at 375 degrees.


**For a little something extra I made some cream cheese frosting for the apple muffins. I used cream cheese, whole apple juice, and a little powdered sugar. Delicious!!!!

**All recipes come from Hopkins' Healthy Home Cooking


Visit Rocks in my Dryer for hundreds of other helpful tips!

Home Made Dishwashing Detergent

I have been searching high and low for a recipe like this. Found it, I believe, here. Lots of great tips on that blog!



This detergent is so easy to make, and only calls for 3 ingredients!!!



Here's what you need:



*1 cup baking soda



*1 cup borax



*2-3 TBSP unsweetened lemonade or citric acid. (My slightly obsessed friend said she saw just plain citric acid at Sprouts, our local health food store.)



**Just mix and use about 2 TBSP per load.





I have used it now for about 4 loads of dishes, and it seems to be working just fine. I've got one of those "wash before you wash" dishwashers, so my dishes don't go in with big chunks of food left on them. Don't know how this home made detergent would do on unrinsed dishes. Anyway, I like it--it's a keeper!

Works For Me Wednesday: Soaking Your Oats

I think I have heard a saying about "sowing your oats" or something like that, but that is not what I am talking about today. :)


Oats, like other gluten-containing grains are not easily digested by us humans because they contain phytic acid. This acid is located in the outer layer of the bran, which binds minerals and can block their absorption. This is possibly why so many people have an allergy to whole wheat since it is the highest in phytic acid. (Good grief, aren't they telling us to eat more whole wheat for our health's sake?)

Soaking oatmeal, and all other grains for that matter, will make them easier to digest because one, it neutralizes the phytic acid, especially if the water is acidic,and two, lactobacilli break down the gluten and other proteins that are difficult to digest. These 2 components combined make the nutrients in the oatmeal available to us. The acidic water also encourages the production of many beneficial enzymes, which enhances the vitamin content, especially the B vitamins.


**So here's a very simple thing you can do to up the nutritional value of your oatmeal:

Mix 2 cups rolled oats and 2 cups warm water and let it soak overnight. (adding 4T. plain yogurt, sour milk, or buttermilk helps.)

The next morning you will need to add your soaked oats to boiling water (recipe says 2 cups but I use less), reduce heat and simmer until hot.

I love to eat mine with chopped nuts, chopped banana, brown sugar and milk!



Visit Rocksinmydryer for more handy hints.


*Sorry no WFMW label or other photos--Hubby took the laptop to work.

Christmas Recipe Exchange

Scroll down to see new posts. I will leave this one at the top for a while.

It is almost Christmas baking time again!

Although spending countless hours in the kitchen isn't exactly my favorite thing to do, I absolutely love baking up lots of holiday goodies. There are a few favorites that stay on the menu no matter what, but I try to make a few new things, too. So, I am asking all of you to submit your very favorite Christmas recipe by either leaving it in my comments section or by using Mr. Linky at the end of this post. I am really looking forward to getting some new recipes to try, so don't let me down!!



Every Christmas, my siblings and I would look forward to decorating my mom's sugar cookie cut outs. I now know from experience that making these cookies is no easy task, but I am glad she put forth the effort year after year. It was a tradition passed down from her mom, and ever since I have been on my own, I have made these cookies every December as well. I even use the very same cookie cutters my grandmother used. Lots of great memories! Now my kids look forward to making these very same cookies.

Prize Sugar Cookies
1-1/2 c. sugar
1 cup butter
1 TBS vanilla
1 tsp salt
3 eggs
1/2 c. milk
4 c. all purpose flour
1 heaping tsp. baking powder
1 level tsp. baking soda, dissolved in a little water

Mix in large bowl, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, vanilla and baking soda. In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add flour mixture to large bowl, stirring thoroughly until all flour mixture is added. Refrigerate at least 1 hour, overnight is better. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake @ 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. ( I do not like mine very brown.) *When rolling out dough, you will need to add flour as needed to keep dough from sticking.*
Frost and decorate. Taste best with home made frosting, not store bought. We just use powdered sugar,butter, milk and vanilla.


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Several years ago a friend gave me a Christmas goodie bag filled with Oreo Cookie Balls. I was totally hooked just after one bite! They are so delicious, and I have made them every year since then. Everyone who tastes these delectable truffles just has to have the recipe--oh, and it's soooo easy! (The photo in upper left corner shows the Oreo Cookie Balls happily resting in a bowl of Christmas M&Ms) I bet Paula Deen's mouth would even say, "WOW!" to this recipe.

Oreo Cookie Balls
1 package regular oreo cookies, crushed
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 lb. white bark candy coating, found in baking isle
chocolate jimmies, optional

Mix crushed cookies and softened cream cheese to form a stiff dough. Form into balls. With a fork, dip oreo balls into melted, white candy coating covering completely. Place on waxed paper and sprinkle with chocolate jimmies. Let dry at room temp.

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Another favorite I have enjoyed since I was a little girl! This is the best fudge ever!!


Fantasy Fudge
3 cups sugar
1-1/2 sticks butter
1 5 oz can evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup)
1 package chocolate chips or 12 squares semi sweet baking chocolate chopped
1-1/2 cups marshmallow crème
1 tsp vanilla
1cup walnuts chopped if desired

Heat sugar, butter and evap. milk to full rolling boil in heavy saucepan on med. Heat, stirring constantly. Boil on med. Heat until candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees, stirring constantly to prevent scorching, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
Stir in chocolate and marshmallow crème until melted, stir in vanilla and walnuts.
Spread immediately in foil-lined 9 inch square pan. Cool at room temp. at least 4 hours, cut into squares. Store in airtight container. (Fudge can even be stored in freezer.)

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Now it is time for you to send me your yummy Christmas recipes. If you're not familiar with using Mr. Linky, here's how it works. Post your recipe on your own blog. After that click on the time at the end of your post to get the exact URL of your recipe post. Copy that URL by right clicking. Come back to my blog, type in your name and include the name of your recipe, then type your URL in the correct box by right clicking your mouse and choosing paste. Then press enter. That should do it! Thanks!! This feature will enable lots of folks to read and hopefully make your recipe!!

**Make sure you link back to my post :)

Gingerbread Cutouts

My sister asked me for my gingerbread cookie recipe, so I decided to share with all of you.

Gingerbread Cutouts

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup dark corn syrup

1 tsp. each--ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vinegar

5 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

Red-hot candies

White icing if desired

*In a large saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, corn syrup and spices; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and cool to lukewarm. Stir in eggs and vinegar. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into sugar mixture to form a soft dough. Chill for several hours. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2in. gingerbread man cookie cutter and place on greased baking sheets. Use red hots for eyes and buttons. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 min. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: about 6 dozen.

* I also like to use the tiny 1-1/2 in. gingerbread man cookie cutter. Every year My kids and I like to make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and frosting. These little guys are the perfect size to use with these edible homes!

A couple of years ago we had a little gingerbread house-making party. Hard to see, but in one of those green bowls are a bunch of those tiny, homemade, gingerbread men. They are so cute!!

I hope they turn out for you, Brooke!

Green is Good!

Why is it always so difficult to get kids to eat green stuff??

Mullin has been the least picky of all our dear children. Goodness, Lincoln and Shiloh have been so picky about what goes into their bellies. I used to stir vegetable powder into Lincoln's yogurt when he was a toddler. Recently I "hid" smashed avocado in Shiloh's turkey and cheese sandwich, and she ate it!! I know technically avocadoes aren't vegetables, but at least they are GREEN!

Speaking of avocadoes, here is a delicious recipe for some dip.

Amazing Avocado Dip
*1 avocado
*2 tsp. fresh lime juice
*1/2 c. fresh, chopped cilantro
*1/4 c. chopped, red onion
*2 tsp. minced garlic cloves
*1/4 tsp. salt

I use Garden of Eatin' Black Bean chips and Garden of Eatin' Blue Corn chips to go with this sensational dip.
This stuff is so yummy, and healthy, too!!

**For a plentiful amount, you will probably want to triple or even quadruple this recipe.

Thanks to Staci for sharing this recipe with me!

Poppy Seed Chicken and Cheesy Zucchini Saute

The following non-spicy, pepper free recipes are dedicated to my friend back home. Glad you liked them!!


Poppy Seed Chicken
6 Chicken breasts--boil and piece
1 Onion chopped
Salt & pepper to taste
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
8 0z. sour cream
3 TBS poppy seeds
*Mix all of the above ingredients together and spread in casserole dish.

Topping:
2 rows Ritz crackers--coarsely crushed
1 stick butter melted
*Mix above ingredients together and spread on top of chicken mix.

**Bake @ 350 degrees for about 20-30 min.

I love this recipe and hate it when the leftovers are gone!!!



Cheesy Zucchini Saute
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. butter
3 c. coarsely shredded zucchini
2 tsp.minced fresh basil or 1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. diced fresh tomato
2 TBS sliced ripe black olives (I rarely ever do--don't like olives, blah.)

**In a large skillet, saute onion in butter until crisp-tender. Stir in zucchini, basil, salt, and garlic powder. Cook and stir for 4-5 min. or until zucchini is crisp-tender. Sprinkle with cheese, tomato and olives. Cover and cook for 4-5 min. or until cheese is melted.

So good! Wish you could see the picture of it--so pretty!

Oh, The Tastes and Smells of Autumn

Every Fall our family looks forward to all of the delicious pumpkin recipes we make. We started it off bright and early this morning with Pumpkin Pancakes!! Oh, so good!






Pumpkin Pancakes
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup quick cooking oats
2 TBS wheat germ
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Pinch of ground cinnamon
1 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
2 TBS vegetable oil ( I use safflower)

*Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Combine liquid ingredients, then stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. (It is supposed to be a thick batter, but sometimes I add a tad more milk) Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased griddle and cook until done. We choose to garnish with butter, syrup and whipped cream!!









Lincoln and Shiloh are thoroughly enjoying this autumn treat!















Oh, goodness! Mullin has already cleaned his plate!

Desperate

I like sweets, and the other day I got desperate. Looking in my fridge and in my pantry (didn't take long) I found a few items that I thought might work together. Here's what I found: Caramel Apple Dip, finely chopped walnuts, bag of coconut, and a few chocolate chips.
I melted the Caramel Apple dip, then stirred in the nuts and coconut, and finally, I topped it off with a handful of the chocolate chips. Ahhh, my tongue and tummy were pleasantly satisfied!! Oh, and it would make a great Breyer's Vanilla Bean ice-cream topping, too!

Also, I found a great alternative to eating M&M's while I read! ( I like to eat candy when I read--bad habit, since I read a lot!) Flat Earth Fruit Crisps are incredibly tasty!!! The Peach Mango and Berry are the best. I think I went through 3 bags while reading The Deathly Hallows.
I don't know if I would go as far as to say they are extremely healthy because I think they do contain hydrogenated oils. It's got to be better than chocolate, Milk Duds, Twizzlers, etc....
Anyway, give them a try-- I found them at Wal-Mart in the chip isle. The website has a coupon offer, too.

My Recipe for Homemade Sanity

Here is my personal recipe for keeping my sanity as a stay-at-home, home school mom:

*2 cups of prayer in the morning

*handful of chocolate mid-morning

*1TBSP of sunshine and and cup of complete quiet in the afternoon

*handful of chocolate in the evening

*1 gallon of confession at night

Autumn

I always anticipate the changing of the seasons with much excitement! In our household it is tradition to make all kinds of pumpkin recipes during the fall. The first one I usually whip up is a very tasty Pumpkin Smoothie, which we now lightheartedly call Pumpkin Juice! (Our fellow Harry Potter nuts will know what I am referring to.)



Pumpkin Juice (Smoothie)

15 oz. can pumpkin
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup pineapple orange juice
1/2-3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 banana

Mix all ingredients in blender. Pour over ice. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Even more tasty--top with whipped cream then sprinkle with cinnamon!

I recently had Starbuck's Pumpkin Frap. and it was just okay. My smoothies are loads better!! And probably more healthy, too.
Sit back and enjoy this pumpkin treat while it is still warm outside!

Delicious Middle Eastern Dish

A couple of weeks ago I was introduced to Falafel at Kabob International while on a date with my husband. My tastebuds were pleasantly surprised, and I was even more surprised that Mark liked it since it is a meatless dish made with chickpeas.

Anyway, I spotted a box of Falafel mix while shopping in the organic section at Kroger, and decided to try it. It was really very good, in fact we are eating it for leftovers tonight! Here is a warning, though, for anyone who wants to try it: Don't make the Sesame Tahini sauce recipe on the back of the box. It was gross and tasted nothing like the sauce at the restaurant. We substituted with Ranch dressing.

A very special thanks goes to Brandon for broadening our horizons!

If anyone does try Falafel, let me know what you think!

Recipe: Chicken Italian Skillet

This dish smells sooooo delicious while cooking!!

1 tbs olive oil (I use cold pressed)
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken cut into chunks
dried basil
garlic powder
3 small yellow squash, thinly sliced
2-4 cups cooked brown rice
1 tsp salt
shredded parmesan cheese (not grated)
2-4 chopped fresh roma tomatoes (any tomato will work really)

Put olive oil in skillet and add chicken. Sprinkle chicken very generously until well covered with garlic and dried basil. Cook covered over med-low heat, turning once and sprinkling again with basil and garlic. Put sliced squash on top of chicken. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until squash is tender. (for this recipe I like the squash pretty tender) Add cooked brown rice (I use Lundberg California Brown Basmati--the kind that takes an hour to cook--not that minute stuff) and salt, stirring in. Sprinkle lots of shredded parmesan on top of the skillet full. Cover and cook just until cheese is melted, then spread tomatoes over the top. I like to leave on heat for just a few minutes so the tomatoes will be warm.

I love this healthy dish, and my boys will eat it after picking out the tomatoes and squash. Shiloh loved it too!!!

Veggie Muffin Meatloaves

**kid friendly recipe!!

*2 lbs. Hamburger or ground turkey (hamburger is better in this particular recipe)
*4 cups oatmeal
*2 eggs
*2 TBS. dried parsley
*1 small onion
*1 clove garlic
*1 zucchini
*6 mushrooms ( I have made with and without)
*1 carrot
*1 green bell pepper
*Salt and pepper
*Tomato sauce 8oz. can
*Ketchup

**Beat eggs lightly in large bowl. Process veggies in a food processor until finely chopped. (I use a hand powered food chopper) Add to bowl with oatmeal, meat, salt and pepper. Mix well with hands. Fill muffin cups to top with mixture. Open tomato sauce can just enough to pour from it. Top each muffin with tomato sauce. Squirt on a swirl of ketchup on top to make it sweet and shiny. Bake in 350 degree oven 30 min. or until cooked through. (30 min. is always plenty of time for me.)

**Makes 24 "muffins". I just freeze what's left and heat in microwave as needed.

Carrot Casserole

*Dedicated to my sister

* Ground turkey (approx. 1 lb.)
* Salt and pepper
* Garlic salt
* Potatoes (approx. 3 med.-large)
* Carrots (I use packaged matchstick carrots usually found near salad bags)
* 1 8oz. can tomato sauce
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1 small onion

Pat ground meat into bottom of large glass casserole dish. Sprinkle meat with seasonings. Top with carrots, sliced onion, and potatoes cut into 1/2 in. thick matchsticks. (I steam the vegetables until a bit tender before putting them into the dish to cut down on cooking time in the oven.) Mix tomato sauce with cream and pour over the vegetables in the dish. Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for approx. 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

*This recipe doesn't sound like it would be very tasty, but it is and my husband even likes it. :)