2.28.2010
2.24.2010
Pre-soaked Wheat Blender Pancakes
1 cup wheat
1 1/2 T. Honey
1/2 t. Salt
1 cup Milk
3 eggs
1/2 t. baking powder
Cover wheat with about one cup water and soak in the refrigerator overnight. the next morning, drain the water and blend softened wheat with milk in a blender for 4 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend 3 more minutes. Cook on hot griddle.
1 1/2 T. Honey
1/2 t. Salt
1 cup Milk
3 eggs
1/2 t. baking powder
Cover wheat with about one cup water and soak in the refrigerator overnight. the next morning, drain the water and blend softened wheat with milk in a blender for 4 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend 3 more minutes. Cook on hot griddle.
For a healthy diet, your meals should contain the following portions...
For a healthy diet, according to Dr. Oz, your meals should contain the following portions:
1/2 of your meal should contain fruits and vegetables
1/4 of your meal should contain lean proteins (meats, legumes, dairy and/or whole grains make complete proteins so you don't have to eat any type of meat.)
1/4 of your meal should contain whole grains
1/2 of your meal should contain fruits and vegetables
1/4 of your meal should contain lean proteins (meats, legumes, dairy and/or whole grains make complete proteins so you don't have to eat any type of meat.)
1/4 of your meal should contain whole grains
2.15.2010
Join our Garden Group! We are 3 months ahead of last years Garden!
Our Garden Group this year is shaping up to be one of our best Garden years EVER! We are already a head of last years work by THREE months!! Due to a mild January, we started working outside in our Gardens by January 24. By Feb. 13, we have "transplanted" our little seedlings into our Greenhouses, which are growing very nicely. Also, by Feb. 13, we have planted peas, carrots, fava beans and beets outside our Greenhouses AND inside our greenhouses we have spinach, kale, swiss chard, romaine lettuce and a few other kinds of lettuce, broccoli and cabbage.
Our first Garden (Sheryl's garden) is nearly planted so we are currently working on planting in #2 and #3 Gardens in Holladay.
Last year at this time, we were still trying to clear the land and prepare the plots. This year, on Feb. 13, our plots have been already been cleaned up, tilled and planted!
It's not too late to get in on a VERY great HARVEST starting in APRIL and running through NOVEMBER!
Our first Garden (Sheryl's garden) is nearly planted so we are currently working on planting in #2 and #3 Gardens in Holladay.
Last year at this time, we were still trying to clear the land and prepare the plots. This year, on Feb. 13, our plots have been already been cleaned up, tilled and planted!
It's not too late to get in on a VERY great HARVEST starting in APRIL and running through NOVEMBER!
2.09.2010
Susan's Soaked Whole Wheat Bread - from our Feb. Pot Luck Dinner and Workshop
Susan’s Soaked Bread
Makes 4 (4 x 8 inch) or 3 (4 x 12 inch) loaves
Note: Soaking whole grains in an acidic medium makes whole grains easier to digest and neutralizes phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that binds minerals and takes them out of your body as you digest the whole grains. It also makes whole-grain baked goods softer and lighter. It takes a little planning ahead, but the end result is so worth it.
Mix in mixer bowl until blended:
5 cups warm water
1/3 cup lemon juice or white vinegar
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup melted coconut oil (you can use veg. oil instead of butter and coconut oil if you prefer)
½ cup honey
14 cups freshly ground whole wheat flour
½ cup ground flax seed (if you don’t have this, just add another ½ cup of flour)
Let sit in bowl, covered, for 18-24 hours. After soaking period, sprinkle on dough:
2 tablespoons dry yeast
2 tablespoons salt
Mix in; let dough sit for 10 minutes to soften yeast.
Start kneading dough on high speed. After 4-5 minutes of kneading, stop the machine and check the dough. If it is a bit too wet and runny, add another ½ cup of flour (I usually don’t need this.). Dough should be about the consistency of cookie dough. Continue kneading until the total kneading time is 7-8 minutes, until gluten is fully developed, but not over-developed.
Gluten test: A golf-ball size piece of dough should stretch 4-5 inches without tearing when you pull it between your two hands.
Let rise in bowl until doubled in bulk, about 45-60 minutes. Punch down, then let rise again until doubled.
Shape dough into loaves, place in greased bread pans. Let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
Finger test: Gently poke your finger into the corner of the loaf. If it springs back immediately without leaving a slight indentation your bread needs more rising time. If it leaves just a slight indentation, it's ready to go into the oven.
Bake at 350 for 32-35 minutes.
Makes 4 (4 x 8 inch) or 3 (4 x 12 inch) loaves
Note: Soaking whole grains in an acidic medium makes whole grains easier to digest and neutralizes phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that binds minerals and takes them out of your body as you digest the whole grains. It also makes whole-grain baked goods softer and lighter. It takes a little planning ahead, but the end result is so worth it.
Mix in mixer bowl until blended:
5 cups warm water
1/3 cup lemon juice or white vinegar
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup melted coconut oil (you can use veg. oil instead of butter and coconut oil if you prefer)
½ cup honey
14 cups freshly ground whole wheat flour
½ cup ground flax seed (if you don’t have this, just add another ½ cup of flour)
Let sit in bowl, covered, for 18-24 hours. After soaking period, sprinkle on dough:
2 tablespoons dry yeast
2 tablespoons salt
Mix in; let dough sit for 10 minutes to soften yeast.
Start kneading dough on high speed. After 4-5 minutes of kneading, stop the machine and check the dough. If it is a bit too wet and runny, add another ½ cup of flour (I usually don’t need this.). Dough should be about the consistency of cookie dough. Continue kneading until the total kneading time is 7-8 minutes, until gluten is fully developed, but not over-developed.
Gluten test: A golf-ball size piece of dough should stretch 4-5 inches without tearing when you pull it between your two hands.
Let rise in bowl until doubled in bulk, about 45-60 minutes. Punch down, then let rise again until doubled.
Shape dough into loaves, place in greased bread pans. Let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
Finger test: Gently poke your finger into the corner of the loaf. If it springs back immediately without leaving a slight indentation your bread needs more rising time. If it leaves just a slight indentation, it's ready to go into the oven.
Bake at 350 for 32-35 minutes.
2.08.2010
Breakfast - Why is it so important?
Breakfast - Often called the most important meal of the day, breakfast replenishes energy and nutrients depleted overnight. Grains, especially the wholegrain variety, are complex carbohydrates and provide plenty of long-term energy, and adding fruit, milk, eggs, or even meat or fish, makes up a nutrient-filled start to the day.
Excellent Resources that I displayed at our February Workshop
Just in case: How to be self-Sufficient When the Unexpected Happens, by Kathy Harrison. Prepare for an emergency, Assess your family's needs, Pack an evacuation Kit, Evaluate Your Food Supply, Develop a Communications System, Do without Electricity.
It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark, Family Preparedness Hints, by Tami Girsberger
Month-to-Month Gardening: Tips for Designing, Growing, and Maintaining Your Utah Garden
Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times, by Steve Solomon
Growing your Own Vegetables: an Enclyclopedia of Country Living Guide, by Carla Emery and Lorene Edwards Forkner
The Compost Specialist/The essential guide to creating and using garden compost, and using potting and seed composts by David Squire
Newspaper, Pennies, Cardboard and Eggs for Growing a Better Garden, by Roger Yepsen and the Editors of Organic Gardening, More than 400 new, fun, and ingenious ideas to keep your garden growing great all season long
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Preserving Food, Karen K Brees, Ph.D. Can it. Freeze it. Pickle it. Preserve it. Here's how.
The ABC's of Home Food Dehydration, by Barbara Densley
A Cook's Guide to Grains: Delicious Recipes, Culinary Advice and Nutritional Facts, by Jenni Muir
The Solar Food Dryer: How to make and Use Your Own High Performance, Sun Powered Food Dehydrator, by Eben Fodor
Wonderful Wheat, Hearty Grains for Healthy Homes by Anne Casbeer
Pantry Cooking: Quick and Easy Food Storage Recipes, by Laura Robins
Wheat Cookin' Made Easy, by Pam Crockett
Whole Grains: Easy Everyday Recipes, by Betty Crocker
Bob's Red Mill Baking Book: More than 400 Recipes, Featuring Whole and Healthy Grains
Rice and Grains: The best-ever step-by-step Recipe Book, 80 Sensational High-Fiber, low-GI recipes shown in 400 colorful photographs. Supercharge your diet w/ nutritious rice, oats, wheat, barley, rye, corn and quinoa. Editor: Rosie Gordon
The Essential Food Storage Cookbook, by Tami Girsberger and Carol Peterson. Combining Food Storage with Everyday Ingredients for Delicious Food.
The Big Book of Preserving the Harvest, by Carol W. Costenbader
Veggie Lovers Cook Book - Animal-Free Vegetarian Recipes (Utah State Ext.)
Cooking with Food Storage, Made Easy, by Debbie G. Harman, Hundreds of tasty, money-saving recipes your family will love!
Bean Lovers Cookbook, A Bounty of Bean Recipes (Utah State Ext.)
Slow Cooker Recipe Collection, 3 cookbooks in 1,
Essentials of Home Production and Storage, $1.50 LDS Church Publication
"Bee Prepared", A Provident Living Resource (available through Sheryl, Cost $15)
It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark, Family Preparedness Hints, by Tami Girsberger
Month-to-Month Gardening: Tips for Designing, Growing, and Maintaining Your Utah Garden
Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times, by Steve Solomon
Growing your Own Vegetables: an Enclyclopedia of Country Living Guide, by Carla Emery and Lorene Edwards Forkner
The Compost Specialist/The essential guide to creating and using garden compost, and using potting and seed composts by David Squire
Newspaper, Pennies, Cardboard and Eggs for Growing a Better Garden, by Roger Yepsen and the Editors of Organic Gardening, More than 400 new, fun, and ingenious ideas to keep your garden growing great all season long
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Preserving Food, Karen K Brees, Ph.D. Can it. Freeze it. Pickle it. Preserve it. Here's how.
The ABC's of Home Food Dehydration, by Barbara Densley
A Cook's Guide to Grains: Delicious Recipes, Culinary Advice and Nutritional Facts, by Jenni Muir
The Solar Food Dryer: How to make and Use Your Own High Performance, Sun Powered Food Dehydrator, by Eben Fodor
Wonderful Wheat, Hearty Grains for Healthy Homes by Anne Casbeer
Pantry Cooking: Quick and Easy Food Storage Recipes, by Laura Robins
Wheat Cookin' Made Easy, by Pam Crockett
Whole Grains: Easy Everyday Recipes, by Betty Crocker
Bob's Red Mill Baking Book: More than 400 Recipes, Featuring Whole and Healthy Grains
Rice and Grains: The best-ever step-by-step Recipe Book, 80 Sensational High-Fiber, low-GI recipes shown in 400 colorful photographs. Supercharge your diet w/ nutritious rice, oats, wheat, barley, rye, corn and quinoa. Editor: Rosie Gordon
The Essential Food Storage Cookbook, by Tami Girsberger and Carol Peterson. Combining Food Storage with Everyday Ingredients for Delicious Food.
The Big Book of Preserving the Harvest, by Carol W. Costenbader
Veggie Lovers Cook Book - Animal-Free Vegetarian Recipes (Utah State Ext.)
Cooking with Food Storage, Made Easy, by Debbie G. Harman, Hundreds of tasty, money-saving recipes your family will love!
Bean Lovers Cookbook, A Bounty of Bean Recipes (Utah State Ext.)
Slow Cooker Recipe Collection, 3 cookbooks in 1,
Essentials of Home Production and Storage, $1.50 LDS Church Publication
"Bee Prepared", A Provident Living Resource (available through Sheryl, Cost $15)
2.07.2010
Appliance of the Month - Coffee Grinder
Each month I feature an "appliance of the month" that will save you time and money while giving you GREAT health benefits IF it's used often.
In January, the "Slow Cooker" or "Crock Pot" was the appliance of the month. I have 2 Slow Cookers and use them often. They save me a TON of time in the kitchen which turns into a big money savings. Cost: $30
In February, the "Coffee Grinder" was the appliance of the month. While I don't drink coffee, it is a fantastic little appliance!! Cost: $20. I use it to make Freshly Ground Flax Seed, Freshly Ground Whole Wheat Cracked Cereal and Freshly Ground Oat Flour! The more you can make "freshly ground" whole grains, the better your food will taste and the more nutritious your meals will be! Invest in the great little appliance.
In January, the "Slow Cooker" or "Crock Pot" was the appliance of the month. I have 2 Slow Cookers and use them often. They save me a TON of time in the kitchen which turns into a big money savings. Cost: $30
In February, the "Coffee Grinder" was the appliance of the month. While I don't drink coffee, it is a fantastic little appliance!! Cost: $20. I use it to make Freshly Ground Flax Seed, Freshly Ground Whole Wheat Cracked Cereal and Freshly Ground Oat Flour! The more you can make "freshly ground" whole grains, the better your food will taste and the more nutritious your meals will be! Invest in the great little appliance.
2.05.2010
Creative Dates and Creative Dating Questions for February
In sharing these dating ideas I hope to encourage you to get away from the “dinner and movie” rut… or inspire you to start dating your significant other again. It’s exciting to try something new, which always leads to new conversation, perspective and insights.
· Find a place where there is an echo and have an instrumental and/or vocal jam session. The instruments may be improvised.
· Create a scavenger hunt date for cookie and cake ingredients. Then go home and make them together.
· Plan a tape-recording date. See who can come up with the most unusual sounds.
· Hula-hoop date. See how many things the two of you can come up with by using a hula hoop.
· Have a limbo contest for a date.
· Go for a bike ride on a bicycle built for two.
· Build a tree house together.
· Have a grass fight.
· Have a knot-tying contest. (If you don’t remember how to tie knots, consult a Boy Scout or a Boy Scout handbook.)
· Build a dam in the gutter on a rainy day and go wading in it.
· Run or walk through the sprinklers like you did when you were a kid.
· Find a large refrigerator box and have dinner in it.
· Have mini car races and competitions down a racecourse made of rain cutter for the track. Make the track as long as you like.
· Skip pebbles in a lake or pond. See who can make it bounce the farthest.
· Get on a raft or a big floatation devise on a lake and have lunch.
· Go swimming in a hot springs.
· Fill an entire room full of balloons – get an air pump ($3) and/or a helium tank. You can also do half with helium and half with air. For some of the non-helium balloons, write love notes and stuff in the balloon before they are blown up or fill with candy and goodies. See how many balloons it takes to fill a room.
· Be a kid again and play with dough. Pick one of many recipes to make from the "Kid Concoctions" collections. Examples include Peanut Play Dough, Woody Wood Dough, Plastic Dough, Java Dough, Salt Map Dough, Applesauce Cinnamon Dough, Fruity Play Dough. Have your own little contests in different categories such as: the craziest, tallest, most clever, most scientific, most realistic, most elaborate, etc. (From Kid Concoctions: ISBN: 0-9661088-0-9)
· Plan an Ooey-Gooey date! From the "Kid Concoctions" collections pick a paste, putty, clay such as: Gooey Gunk, Funny Putty, Magic Muck, Paper Clay, Oatmeal Play Clay, Paper Mache Paste, Cotton Clay, Jewel & Gem Goop, Crafty Clay, Sand Castle Clay, Super School Glue, Flower Petal Clay. Have contests and competitions complete with a certificate, ribbon or prize. (From Kid Concoctions: ISBN: 0-9661088-0-9)
· Buy birdseed to feed the birds in the park.
· Roast marshmallows or hot dogs over an open fire.
· Plan a THEME Date. A few ideas include BBQ Western, Hawaiian or Tropical, Sports, Carnival, Garden, Pirate, Wizard, Princess, Safari, Outer Space/Alien, Any Holiday such as; Christmas, Easter, Valentine, Patriotic, Thanksgiving, New Years Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, etc. Any era such as the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, turn of the century, or futuristic, etc. Or plan any culture or international date i.e. Italian, Mexican, Greek, Brazilian, Southern, Canadian, African, Asian, Alaskan, etc.
· Photography Date. Pick the backdrop and scenery at a number of great locations – Parks, Mountains, Lakes, Historic Buildings, Tourist Attractions, etc.
----------------------------------------
Find a quiet, secluded area with no cell phones, Internet, TV, or any other electronic distractions and ask your date these questions. If you've known each other for a long time, see if you can complete your dates answer correctly. Since some of these answers may change as we get older, try to think of how your date would answer these questions today.
· Where is your family heritage from?
· Where is your favorite vacation spot?
· What is your favorite color?
· What is your favorite book?
· What kind of trees would you love to have on your property?
· If you could build your house out of any kind of building materials, what would they be?
· What is the age you have enjoyed the most, so far, in your life?
· What is your favorite breakfast meal? Dinner meal? Snack?
· Who is your favorite basketball team?
· Who is your favorite football team?
· Who is your favorite baseball team?
· Who is your favorite singer or group of singers?
· Name a favorite teacher you have had in your life? What impact did they have on you?
· Throughout your life, name someone famous that has influenced you in your life.
· Name something you would like to receive for Christmas, Halloween, your Birthday, Easter, 4th of July, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Graduation Day, your Anniversary, when school ends, etc?
· Name one thing you would like to do for Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, Easter, 4th of July, Valentines Day, when school ends, etc?
· Name one place you would like to go for Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, Easter, 4th of July, Valentines Day, when school ends, etc?
· What was the best thing you ever did on Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, Easter, 4th of July, Valentines Day, when school was out, over Labor Day, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day, on your anniversary, in the winter, summer, spring, fall, etc.?
· Name the scariest, most unusual or most exciting thing you have ever done? Or a trip that you’ve been on?
· Name a time when you were locked out of your car or your house. What did you do and how long did it take you until you finally got in?
· What do or did you like most about…. your favorite animal, favorite relative, favorite teacher, favorite friend?
· What do YOU think is one of your BEST talents, sports, hobbies, skills?
· What is one of your favorite things to do when you are alone?
· Find a place where there is an echo and have an instrumental and/or vocal jam session. The instruments may be improvised.
· Create a scavenger hunt date for cookie and cake ingredients. Then go home and make them together.
· Plan a tape-recording date. See who can come up with the most unusual sounds.
· Hula-hoop date. See how many things the two of you can come up with by using a hula hoop.
· Have a limbo contest for a date.
· Go for a bike ride on a bicycle built for two.
· Build a tree house together.
· Have a grass fight.
· Have a knot-tying contest. (If you don’t remember how to tie knots, consult a Boy Scout or a Boy Scout handbook.)
· Build a dam in the gutter on a rainy day and go wading in it.
· Run or walk through the sprinklers like you did when you were a kid.
· Find a large refrigerator box and have dinner in it.
· Have mini car races and competitions down a racecourse made of rain cutter for the track. Make the track as long as you like.
· Skip pebbles in a lake or pond. See who can make it bounce the farthest.
· Get on a raft or a big floatation devise on a lake and have lunch.
· Go swimming in a hot springs.
· Fill an entire room full of balloons – get an air pump ($3) and/or a helium tank. You can also do half with helium and half with air. For some of the non-helium balloons, write love notes and stuff in the balloon before they are blown up or fill with candy and goodies. See how many balloons it takes to fill a room.
· Be a kid again and play with dough. Pick one of many recipes to make from the "Kid Concoctions" collections. Examples include Peanut Play Dough, Woody Wood Dough, Plastic Dough, Java Dough, Salt Map Dough, Applesauce Cinnamon Dough, Fruity Play Dough. Have your own little contests in different categories such as: the craziest, tallest, most clever, most scientific, most realistic, most elaborate, etc. (From Kid Concoctions: ISBN: 0-9661088-0-9)
· Plan an Ooey-Gooey date! From the "Kid Concoctions" collections pick a paste, putty, clay such as: Gooey Gunk, Funny Putty, Magic Muck, Paper Clay, Oatmeal Play Clay, Paper Mache Paste, Cotton Clay, Jewel & Gem Goop, Crafty Clay, Sand Castle Clay, Super School Glue, Flower Petal Clay. Have contests and competitions complete with a certificate, ribbon or prize. (From Kid Concoctions: ISBN: 0-9661088-0-9)
· Buy birdseed to feed the birds in the park.
· Roast marshmallows or hot dogs over an open fire.
· Plan a THEME Date. A few ideas include BBQ Western, Hawaiian or Tropical, Sports, Carnival, Garden, Pirate, Wizard, Princess, Safari, Outer Space/Alien, Any Holiday such as; Christmas, Easter, Valentine, Patriotic, Thanksgiving, New Years Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, etc. Any era such as the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, turn of the century, or futuristic, etc. Or plan any culture or international date i.e. Italian, Mexican, Greek, Brazilian, Southern, Canadian, African, Asian, Alaskan, etc.
· Photography Date. Pick the backdrop and scenery at a number of great locations – Parks, Mountains, Lakes, Historic Buildings, Tourist Attractions, etc.
----------------------------------------
Find a quiet, secluded area with no cell phones, Internet, TV, or any other electronic distractions and ask your date these questions. If you've known each other for a long time, see if you can complete your dates answer correctly. Since some of these answers may change as we get older, try to think of how your date would answer these questions today.
· Where is your family heritage from?
· Where is your favorite vacation spot?
· What is your favorite color?
· What is your favorite book?
· What kind of trees would you love to have on your property?
· If you could build your house out of any kind of building materials, what would they be?
· What is the age you have enjoyed the most, so far, in your life?
· What is your favorite breakfast meal? Dinner meal? Snack?
· Who is your favorite basketball team?
· Who is your favorite football team?
· Who is your favorite baseball team?
· Who is your favorite singer or group of singers?
· Name a favorite teacher you have had in your life? What impact did they have on you?
· Throughout your life, name someone famous that has influenced you in your life.
· Name something you would like to receive for Christmas, Halloween, your Birthday, Easter, 4th of July, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Graduation Day, your Anniversary, when school ends, etc?
· Name one thing you would like to do for Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, Easter, 4th of July, Valentines Day, when school ends, etc?
· Name one place you would like to go for Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, Easter, 4th of July, Valentines Day, when school ends, etc?
· What was the best thing you ever did on Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, Easter, 4th of July, Valentines Day, when school was out, over Labor Day, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day, on your anniversary, in the winter, summer, spring, fall, etc.?
· Name the scariest, most unusual or most exciting thing you have ever done? Or a trip that you’ve been on?
· Name a time when you were locked out of your car or your house. What did you do and how long did it take you until you finally got in?
· What do or did you like most about…. your favorite animal, favorite relative, favorite teacher, favorite friend?
· What do YOU think is one of your BEST talents, sports, hobbies, skills?
· What is one of your favorite things to do when you are alone?
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