Cupcake Apothecary

Red Velvet Fudge

2012-02-28T21:13:00.001-08:00

This is mostly a review of I am Baker's Red Velvet Fudge.

I know I have said his before, but I'll say it again. I NEVER read instructions. Except for this recipe.

I read how she couldn't find a good recipe and finally found one on allrecipes.com and read it 17 times. I read the fine details on how to make it, over and over again. It sounded so tedious and like a lot of work. But I wanted to do it still, so I went out and got everything I needed:

1/2 cup Buttermilk

1/2 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 cups White Sugar

1/4 cup Cocoa

3 tablespoons butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp red gel food coloring

What you need to do:

Using a 5×9 pan (ifyou want thinner pieces, use 8×8) line pan with wax parchment paper or waxpaper. Make sure you have some extra onall four sides.

Combine sugar, cocoa, buttermilk, sweet condensed milk, and food coloring in a non stick pan.

Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, but donot scrape down the sides. (to avoid getting crystallized sugar in fudge)

Using a well calibrated thermometer, make sure the fudgegets up to 238 degrees. (My thermometer doesn't go up that high, so I had to assume)

Reduce heat and allow fudge to simmer. Quoted from I Am Baker "DO NOT STIR. At all. Like seriously dont even touch the pan." I actually let it simmer for a while but then after like 30 min I turned off the heat but let it sit.

Allow fudge to cool to 110 degrees.

At this point I put the mixture in my mixer and add butter andvanilla.

Beat by hand or use electric mixer until fudge loses itssheen. I am Baker said it took her 20 minutes but I left mine on for like an hour... I swear!

Place in prepared pan and allow to cool, usually 1-2 hours. (Mine still didn't stiffen so I placed it in the freezer for a while longer.

All in all, it came out tasty.

I think I would use powdered sugar next time because it came out somewhat grainy.

It was time consuming, as well, and I'm not sure if I will bake it again because it took so long. I'll do more research into it.

Linked to THESE awesome linky parties.

A Themed Baker's Sunday #25

2012-02-25T23:10:00.000-08:00

WOO HOO!!!

25 linky parties already?!?!??!

Time flies!

Quick interruption:

Our last theme was cakes because it was my hubby's birthday yesterday

Here it is: Blue Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Blueberries

Ok, ok, I'll stop being proud and go back to our winner.

This one was tough!

There were a lot of good and pretty cakes! It was a close one, but it was Joe's decision in honor of his birthday.

Chocolate Cake with Fluffy White Frosting by: The Wednesday Baker

Sounds ordinary but she used King Arthur Flour Black Cocoa and strong coffee in this cake.

Joe and I thought this has a certain classic with a twist because of it. Congrats!

Grab your I was Featured button on the right side here --->

NEW THEME!

Let's just go with random this week.

Any fruit, cakes, rolls, candies, pies, bars, cookies, muffins, breads, etc.

PLEASE ONLY LINK BAKING AND PASTRIES!!! NOT COOKING RECIPES!

Thank you! :)

Blue Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Blueberries

2012-02-25T22:43:00.000-08:00

Well, here it is! The BLUE VELVET CAKE for Joe's Birthday!

I'm not a huge cake maker, but I love to decorate. I don't know why I get cupcakes so much but I can't get cakes. I got this recipe from Adventures in Cooking and if I have not told you before, I am HORRIBLE at following directions. HORRIBLE, I say! I feel like the instructions to this cake were crazy, first off, not in order and just all out confusing. But that could just be me; like I said, I'm horrible at following directions. I never have butter or eggs at room temp, because I don't plan me baking, it just happens! I don't do all this mixing the dry ingredients and wet separately (unless I'm hand mixing) because I have an amazing mixer which mixes everything rather exceptionally! Anyways, moral of the story... horrible at reading instructions.

Review of the cake: It came out REALLLLLLLY spongy, it needed a lot more cocoa powder, after velvet cake is basically a chocolate-y cake with tons of dye and needs to be smooth! It's called a VELVET cake not sponge cake! Other than that, it came out really good! Especially the frosting and blueberry syrup! SO I have made some corrections to the ingredients. If you have anymore suggestions or corrections, I'd love to hear them!

Ok onto the cake!

What you'll need for Blue Vevlet Cake:

1 1/4 Cups Cake Flour, sifted

1/2 Cup and 3/4 Cups Granulated Sugar

1/3 cup Cocoa Powder (This is my addition, regular says 1Tbsp)

11 Egg Whites, room temperature (NOTE: this equals roughly 6 eggs, with yolk. ***If you only do egg whites, add in vegetable oil to make it more tender and moist, not tough and spongy***)

3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

1 1/2 Teaspoons Cream of Tartar

2 oz. Blue Food Coloring

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Fresh Blueberries

What you need to do for Blue Velvet Cake:

-Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

-In amedium-sized bowl, or your mixer, sift together the flour, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and the cocoapowder.

-In a large bowl, beat together the egg whites, vanilla extract, creamof tartar and salt until they begin to hold soft peaks.

-Beat in theremaining 3/4 cups sugar and the blue food coloring until the mixture begins tohold stiff peaks, about 4 minutes or so.

-Slowly fold in 1/4 cup of the flour mixture at a time. Make sure to fold, not to stir.

-Grease very well two 9 inch Spring Form cake pans. Pour batter into pans.

-Bake in the oven forabout 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of the middle clean

Meanwhile, make the Cream Cheese Frosting that I love oh so much and the blueberry syrup.

Cream Cheese Frosting is HERE

What you need for the Blueberry Syrup:

1 Cup Blueberries, fresh or frozen (but not frost bitten), pureed

1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar

1/4 Cup Water

1 Cup Blueberry Jam, good quality

1 tbsp cornstarch

3-4 tbsp blueberry syrup, cooled

What you need to do for the Blueberry Syrup:

-In a small saucepan, cook the blueberries, sugar and waterover low heat for about 8 minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved. (I boiled my blueberries since they were frozen, then pureed them)

-Add in jam, make sure to thoroughly mix in. From here, make it to your taste, add in more sugar or maybe more water. Up to you!

-Cool your blueberry syrup (I added ice cubes in it)

-Get your cornstarch and mix in with the cooled blueberry syrup (image below)

-Stir in with the rest of the blueberry syrup to help thicken.

-Pour into a serving bowl and place in the refrigeratorto chill until serving time.

Cake, Continued...

-Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and allow to coolfor about 15 minutes.

-Unclasp the hook on the spring form pan, let cool completely.

- Did your cake come out with an ugly 'hill' on top? Carefully and evenly slice it off! If it's not that even, its ok! Use it as your bottom instead!

-Get the Cake Stand, or if you don't have one, use a flat plate, wide enough to hold the cake plus frosting on the sides, that you can serve it off of.

- Place one cake evenly in the middle of cake stand.

-FROSTING TIME! YAY!

- Place a HEAPING scoop on top of cake. Spread evenly on top of the cake, not on the sides yet.

Here is how to spread frosting, just FYI:

Start with a heaping scoop

Spread to one side, in a slow, smooth motion.

Without stopping, spread in the opposite direction in the same slow, smooth motion.

Keep going back and forth, slowly, smoothly, whilst moving your motions north or south, side to side.

This is how it should start looking.

Smoothed out dip in the middle, swaying side to side.

Once you get the middle evenly spread, spread out the edges.

Here you can omit extra frosting if this is the middle layer.

Place evenly, so that they're are aligned perfectly the other cake on top of the frosting.

Place other heaping scoopful on top of the cake and spread evenly, the same way I showed you earlier.

On the top layer, spread it out to the edges. keep your hand still as you move your cake stand in a spinning motion. Spread it all out evenly. Don't worry about the edges of the cake, because we're going to have more frosting put on it to hide it!

Here's a helpful tip for smoothness:

Dip your spatula into hot water, whip off excess water, then spread out the frosting thinly, one more time. This will give it a smoother look!

I don't know if you can see it well, but the middle 'swipe' is from the hot spatula; you can compare and contrast the difference.

Frosting gun time!

Here's a tip to help keep the frosting in the baggy, if you use them.

A lot of people, including me for the longest time, don't know that you can twist the top and it won't squeeze out! Very effective!

Remember:

Wipe off the extra frosting smudges on the side!

Make decor however you'd like.

I chose to make a cute and simple beaded outlining.

So, once you have outlined it (Make sure for the top/cake edge don't make the outlining somewhat diagonal, but flat on the surface but on the edge, if that make sense.)

Spread your syrup on the surface with a spoon. It's ok if the syrup falls to the edge, unless you don't want it to, but I did :)

Then add blueberries! You can spread them, but I had to leave room for 26 candles!

Serve at room temperaturewith a drizzle of blueberry syrup over each individual cake slice, if you'd like!

Enjoy!

This recipe is linked up to THESE awesome blog hops!

Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa

2012-02-24T15:01:00.003-08:00

Yum, yum, yum!
Who can resist a good salsa??

You would think me living so close to Mexico, that there would be a good Mexican Restaurant around here. No. There's Not.

Well, there is but it's 13 miles north of town and we're 10 miles south of town. And that's not including how many miles the town is! So, we go there on special occasions. :)

BUT! We love great salsa. I love this one because I know it's homemade and I know exactly what's in it.

So, let's get on with it!
What you need:

1 can Whole tomatoes (The big can, can't remember the oz on it, sorry)

2 cans Rotel (I used hot)

1/2 an onion

1 Jalapeno

1 small lime or 1/2 a lime

some Cilantro

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp sugar

DON'T FORGET THE GARLIC!
Now, you should know, if you don't already, this house lives, breathes, and runs off of garlic. We put it in everything and we put a lot of it. We'll put huge whole chunks and we like it that way. -- just a side note.
So, when I say to add 2 tbsp of minced garlic, that is just for me and the hubs. But to tone it down, add 1 tbsp.

You will need either a blender or food processor for this next part.

What you need to do:

Pulse the whole tomatoes. Juices and all

(You want them little, otherwise you'll just have Pico de Gallo, and that's not what we want here.)

Once tomatoes are tiny, pulse in the rotel, juices and all.

Next, chop up your Jalapeno and onion to medium sized pieces. Just so that it'll fit in the food processor.

You can take out the seeds if you'd like, since I hear that's where all the spice is at. But I included it.

Pulse up your Jalapeno and Onion.

Pulse in everything else! (except for lime)

Now, squeeze the life out of that lime into your salsa! (I asked my big strong hubby to do it *wink*wink* You know they love being masculine for you)

Presto, you. are. done.

Now, go enjoy your salsa with your family!!!
Source:
The Pioneer Woman

Limeade

2012-02-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

I'm in New Mexico and its already starting to get nice and warm out. Joe and I have even grilled a couple times! Well, I thought it would be nice to make a delicious, fresh drink of some sort. My husband is obsessed with Lemonade, but I always choke on it (I don't know why) so I made Limeade! I LOVE Limeade! And for some reason I don't choke on limeade. So:

What you need:

6-7 Limes, squeezed to make 1 cup

8 cups of Water (2 Quarts)

1 1/2 - 2 cups Sugar

What you need to do:

1. Squeeze the living daylights out of those limes

2. Mix in the juice with water

3. Stir in sugar

I recommend drinking this the day of making it, because it gets more and more sour the longer its in the fridge. But I suppose you can add more sugar!
You could even make a cherry limeade by adding a few artificial cherries and a little of the juice in the jar.
Source:
Lick the Bowl Good

A Themed Baker's Sunday #24

2012-02-19T11:44:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! Hope every one is having a great Sunday!

Quick note - My Bosch is broken :(

Not to worry! I have ordered the part that is broken and it'll come in this sometime this week, til then I can only bake bread. So, sorry that I haven't posted anything new.

Ok, Onto the winners - There is a 3 way tie!

Musical Cupcakes by: DJ's Sugar Shack

The little musical notes are so cute and I bet had to take a lot of patience.
Thanks for sharing DJ's Sugar Shack!

Neapolitan Cupcakes by: Dulce Fresa Key's

I thought these were so creative! I would have never thought to make Neapolitan cupcakes before.

Thanks for sharing Dulce Fresa!

Key Lime Cupcakes by: What About Second Breakfast?

I am a sucker for cute and a sucker for lime. These are adorable and I bet they were incredibly delicious.
Thanks for sharing What About Second Breakfast!

Congrats to all and make sure to grab a I was Featured button to the right side here --->

Onto our next theme.

Short Story: My husband's 26th birthday is coming up on Saturday. He LOVES red velvet cake for his birthday. Every year I make one for him. Not this year. I'm making him something different: A Blue Velvet cake with a homemade buttercream frosting surrounded by his favorite fruit: blueberries.

I'm uber excited!
So, this is an homage to him.

So, our theme is

CAKES!
Please, no cake pops or cupcakes. Just cakes. I will include cake rolls though.

I'm addicted to Pinterest!

2012-02-16T11:54:00.000-08:00

I really, really am! I could spend HOURS pinning. If you don't know what pinning is, I'll tell you. Pinterest is an online pin board. I personally have so many websites bookmarked so that I can later do/cook/ refer back to them, but I always forget about them. Out of sight, out of mind! BUT with pinterest you can take any photo on a website and pin it into one of your 'folders'. For example, on my pinterest board (you can follow my boards by clicking the pinterest sign on the right hand column) I have 26 boards, all different categories. I have my photos that I pin from this blog, called Cupcake Apothecary, I have foods I want to cook and bake, Awesome ideas and tips, Christmas ideas, etc, etc, etc.
So do I sit around and just pin? Hell no! I actually do the things I see on pinterest; here are some things I have done:

Beach-y Salt Hair Spray

Where I live the water is SO HARD! As I have naturally curly hair (Yes, thats me in the photo) and the water here was deteriorating it! But with a few tips, I brought my hair back to life, including the salt spray.

1. Lanza Sun and Swim Shampoo and Conditioner.

It is for people who swim a lot or have hard water.

2. Vinegar rinse.

After I shampoo my hair, I rinse it out with half a glass of water and half a glass of vinegar mixed in. It helps to take out all the crap in your hair, previous hair spray and junk and it helps with the hard water.

3. Lanza Noni Fruit Detangler and Leave in Conditioner

Once my hair is lightly damp I spray this in my hair, mostly where I have highlights and parts I've bleached.

4. Salt Spray

1 tsp Epsom salt, Few drops olive oil (or Jojoba oil), and 1/4 water (I use distilled water) in a spritzer bottle.

Afterwords my hair comes out nice and curly, as if I was washing my hair in regular water. I know it seems like a lot of work, but this is actually a lot easier than my usual routine of putting 14 different products in it! And if you have curly hair, you know that it takes a lot to keep it nice!

Source: All Natural Annie

Grow Green Onions

Don't throw those away!

I always have 1 or 2 recipes that call for like 2 tbsp at most and then I have to throw the rest away.

Well, place your green onion ends into a glass with water and in a sunny window and they will keep growing! It's amazing! I've already have had to cut them down and freeze some. Every few days I empty out the water and place new water.

Source: Home Made Serenity

Memory Jar

I know I don't have many memories in it yet, but it's only the beginning of the year! And there's nothing around to do, but we're trying. Anyways, after the year is up, on New Years Eve, You read them out loud!

Source: Inchmark

Homemade Dish Washer Detergent

This one I am most proud of! I've recently gotten into a saving money/coupon clipping kick and I noticed how expensive dishwasher detergent can be especially when that detergent doesn't last that long!

So, I tried this and you can compare how amazing it is on my silverware. Like I said, I have hard water and nothing makes them clean-clean. Until now!

I swear I did not tamper with the left knife. I pulled it right out of my silverware drawer. I didn't even know there was some kind of writing on them because they'd come out so foggy! Ok, here is the 'recipe'

1 cup Borax

1 cup Washing Soda

1/2 cup Kosher Salt (I used regular table salt and so did the original resource, and it still worked great)

1/2 cup Citric Acid (double this if you have hard water, which I did, I also used Lemishine)

Basically, mix it all together in a bucket or container.

Use 1 tbsp each load.

I use 2, 1 in the open compartment in the dishwasher and 1 in the one that locks and releases during the cycle.

You can find all of these in the detergent aisle.

I also like to use Vinegar in the rinse aid compartment, it works so much better with the hard water and its so much more inexpensive!

Source: Lady with the Red Rocker

Organizing

Sorry, I have no clue what those things are called... Filing racks perhaps? Anyway, if you don't have a lot of room in your kitchen like me, then you'll love this!
Take some mounting tape and stick it to a cabinet, like so.

So amazing! I have another one on the other side holding sandwich baggies as well.

I don't know where I got this idea from, but I know it was on pinterest.

Homemade White Bread

2012-02-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

Great for sandwiches!

What you need:

5 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour

2 1/2 tsp Salt

2 tsp Sugar

5 tbsp Butter

2 1/2 tsp (1 Envelope) Active Dry Yeast

2 /2 cup Warm Water

What you need to do:

1. Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a bowl and mix well.

2. Cut butter into 8 slices and add each piece and mix until clumpy.

3. Whisk yeast into water and add into mixture until dough-y. Let sit and cover for 10 minutes.

4. Mix once more and cover again for 30 minutes to an hour until it has doubled.

5. Lightly flour a surface on a counter, and place ball of dough on surface.

6. Split dough in half. Form both balls of dough into ovals and place into lightly greased and floured loaf pan.

7. You can make slits on top, if desired.

8. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until crispy and golden on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.

9. Let cool for about an hour.

10. Cut into sandwich size slices and eat with your favorite fillings!!

Linked to THESE awesome linky parties!

Homemade Tortillas

2012-02-12T16:39:00.000-08:00

My husband and I were home one lazy day and we wanted something fresh with chicken and veggies, nothing too heavy. We decided we wanted wraps, we had black beans, corn, peppers, onions, chicken, sour cream and some homemade Honey-Chipotle sauce I had made earlier, but only one tortilla. So I decided to whip some up. (Plus, I would like to make all my breads, tortillas, etc.)

Yes! That's it!

That's it!!!

Layer between pieces of waxed paper or paper towels; keep warm.

A Themed Baker's Sunday #23

2012-02-12T14:04:00.000-08:00

Saint Valentine's Day, is a holiday observed on February 14 honoring one or more early Christianmartyrs named Saint Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which loversexpress their love for each other by presenting flowers, offeringconfectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as"valentines"). The day first became associated with romanticlove in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when thetradition of courtly love flourished.

Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shapedoutline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century,handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. Taken from HERE

Our theme last week was Valentine's Day related; I chose from those who participated who I thought had the most spirited and creative treat! So here is the winner:

Valentines Heart Lollipops By: Pint Sized Baker

Congrats and please grab the I was Featured button on the right! :)

I hope everyone has a great valentines day!

If you don't have any plans yet, or if you're just looking on staying in, here are some ideas you can look at!

Martha Stewart's Last Minute V-Day Ideas

DIY Popcorn Invite from Eat Drink Chic

14 Day's of Valentine's + Free Printable's from Mommy By Day Crafter By Night

Over 50 Great Valentine's Day Ideas from How Does She?

Here are some Valentines treats from me!

Homemade Conversation Hearts

Life is like a Box of Cupcakes

Sorry there are so few, I'll be making more treats soon. :)

Our next theme:

CUPCAKES!

Lime Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting

2012-02-06T12:34:00.001-08:00

So, few things:
1. Strawberries are not in season and are $5 for a box that is squishy, So I used little Strawberry Shaped Marshmallows for the Topping, but you don't have to have anything on top at all.
2. My strawberry frosting would not stiffen because
a. my electric mixer broke
b. I had to do everything by hand, which took forever, and apparently was not enough force for it
so I kept adding more and more powdered sugar until I was out and then by the end, still was not stiff and was incredibly and overly sweet! So I just used my backup supply of store bought frosting. If you have an electric mixer, I'm sure you'll be much better off with this frosting!

So what you need:
2 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour
3 tsp Baking Powder
1/3 tsp Salt
1 cup Shortening
1 2/3 cup Granulated Sugar
5 Egg Whites
3 tbsp Lime Juice (Fresh)

For the Frosting:
1 pkg Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup Butter, softened
3 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
1/2 cup minced Strawberries, well drained
Small Strawberries, for topping

What you need to do:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Place cupcake liners into each cup of a 24 cup muffin pan.

For the Frosting:

Makes 48 cupcakes

Linked to THESE Awesome blog parties!

Fruit N Cheese Kabobs

2012-02-06T12:08:00.000-08:00

If it were up to my husband, on Super Bowl Sunday he'd love nothing more than some chili, buffalo chicken, pulled barbecue beef sandwiches, and I don't know more meat. But I can't handle that much meat. So I decided to make a nice Fruit and Cheese Kabob with some fruit dip.

So what you need:

1 block Colby-Monterrey Jack Cheese

1 block Cheddar Cheese

1 black Pepper Jack

1 Fresh Pineapple, peeled and cut into 2 in. chunks

2 Green or Red Apples

1-2 lbs seedless red, green or concord grapes

3 pints Strawberries

(Basically any fruit you want and that's in season)

Cut cheese into chunks or slices. If desired, cut into shapes with small cutters. Alternately thread cheese and fruit into wooden skewers.

Serve Immediately.

Super Bowl Sunday: Buffalo Chicken Dip

2012-02-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

What you need:
8 oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese (please spend the extra .08 cents and get it!)
1/4 Ranch Dressing
1/4 Blue Cheese Dressing
1/2 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce
1/4 cup Crumbled Blue Cheese
2 cups chopped or shredded chicken

Place cream cheese in the middle of baking dish and surround it with all other ingredients. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Stir it all together, mixing in the cream cheese with the rest of the ingredients.
-OR-
What I also do is if you have a fondue pot, toss your cream cheese and chicken in there to melt. Then add in all your stuff! It's faster, it can easily be moved and easy to clean!

A Themed Baker's Sunday #22

2012-02-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

Ok, since it seems like every week's T.B.S. are the same people being circulated, I'm going to start only featuring one person from now on. Unless there are yummies that I can't decide on, but other than that, just one. :)

So here's the one I picked!

Heart on a Stick Cookies By: Mrs. Fox's Sweets

This must have taken FOREVER! But they are beautiful. So beautiful in fact, I don't think I could eat them cause they're so pretty!

Check out Mrs. Fox's Sweets Blog. She's always making some creative yumminess, like today she posted Girly Cookies. I'm amazed on how beautiful they turned out! How did you get those lips on that cookie so perfect?? Well, anyway, congrats!

Onto our new A.T.B.S. The theme this week is Valentines day!

Link up anything and everything that has to do with this romantic 'holiday'

EXTRAORDINARY Fruit Dip

2012-02-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

This is one of my Superbowl regulars. My husband is all about pulled beef sandwiches, buffalo wings, Mini Sliders, meat, meat, meat! I don't about all you ladies, but that's too much for me! So I make this along with my fruit kabobs and a veggie platter.
I also used this dip as a "sauce" for my Fruit Pizza, but it's SO delicious and could really go with any fruit.
You can also dip pretzels or graham crackers in it along with fruit!

What you need:

1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/4 cup Lime Juice

1 tbsp. grated Lime Peel

1 1/2 cups Cool Whip

What you need to do:

Basically... mix it all up!

Shared at THESE Awesome Linky Parties!

Homemade Conversation Hearts!

2012-02-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

I wanted be clever this year and make conversation heart cookies, but I saw them everywhere! So I found a recipe to make your own conversation heart candy! These aren't difficult but a bit messy. I would recommend this if you have kids, something easy and fun so they can join you!
Got this recipe from HERE

This recipe was featured on Miz Helen's Country Cottage!

What you need:
1 packet (1/4 oz, or 2 tsp) unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup water
2 tsp light corn syrup
2 lbs powdered sugar, plus additional for dusting
Assorted flavoring extracts of your choice
Assorted food colors of your choice
Heart-shaped cutters
Food coloring markers

What you need to do:
1. Place the corn syrup, gelatin, and water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Stir until the gelatin is well-distributed. Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, so the gelatin dissolves, and stir well.

Pour the gelatin mixture into the bowl of a large stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Alternately, if you are using a hand mixer, pour the gelatin mixture into a large bowl. Slowly add one cup at a time until it's all mixed in.

At first it'll look like Elmer's Glue

Once mixed it should look something like this! (This is a forth of it)

Cut it into quarters.

Dye each quarter their own color.

Fold in, Fold in, Fold in.

Flatten out and cut with a cookie cutter.

Scoop up and place on wax paper.

Allow your hearts to air-dry for at least 24 hours before you write on them.

This step is VERY important, because the extra moisture in the hearts will cause the ink to run if you do not let them dry properly.

Write with either a marker or a toothpick.

Store your conversation hearts in an airtight container at room temperature.

Linked to THESE awesome blog hops!

130 Uses for Vinegar

2012-02-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

IN THE GARDEN:

1. Grow beautiful azaleas: Occasionally waterplants with a mixture of two tablespoons vinegar to one quart water. Azaleaslove acidic soil.

2. Kill grass on walks and driveways. Pour fullstrength on unwanted grass.

3. Kill weeds. Spray full strength on growth until plantshave starved.

4. Increase soil acidity. In hard water areas, add acup of vinegar to a gallon of tap water for watering acid loving plants like rhododendrons,gardenias, or azaleas. The vinegar will release iron in the soil for the plantsto use.

5. Freshen cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugarfor each quart of water.

6. Prolong the life of flowers in a vase. Add two tablespoonsof vinegar plus three tablespoons of sugar per quart of warm water. Stemsshould be in three to four inches of water.

7. Neutralize garden lime. Rinse your handsliberally with vinegar after working with garden lime to avoid rough andflaking skin. Clean pots before repotting, rinse with vinegar to remove excesslime.

BUGS & ANIMALS:

8. Fish bowl cleaner Eliminate that ugly deposit inthe gold fish tank by rubbing it with a cloth dipped in vinegar and rinsingwell.

9. Eliminate animal urine stains from carpet. Blot upurine with a soft cloth, flush several times with lukewarm water, and thenapply a mixture of equal parts vinegar and cool water. Blot up, rinse, and letdry.

10. Deter ants. Spray vinegar around door and windowframes, under appliances, and along other known ant trails.

11. Remove skunk odor from a dog. Rub fur with fullstrength vinegar; rinse.

12. Keep cats away. Sprinkle vinegar on an area to discouragecats from walking, sleeping, or scratching on it.

13. Keep dogs from scratching ears. Clean the insideof the ears with a soft cloth dipped in diluted vinegar.

14. Keep away fleas and mange. Add a little vinegarto your pet's drinking water.

15. Keep chickens from pecking each other. Add cidervinegar to their drinking water.

16. Clean milking equipment. Rinse with vinegar to leavesystem clean, odorless, and bacteria free without harmful chemical residue.

CARS & TOOLS:

17. Polish car chrome. Apply full strength.

18. Clean rust from tools, bolts, and spigots. Soak therusted tool, bolt, or spigot in undiluted vinegar overnight.

19. Keep car windows frost free. Coat the windows thenight before with a solution of three parts vinegar to one part water.

HEALTH & BEAUTY:

20. Dampen your appetite. Sprinkle a little vinegaron prepared food to take the edge off your appetite.

21. Soothe a bee or jellyfish sting. Dot the irritatedarea with vinegar and relieve itching.

22. Relieve itching by using a cotton ball to dab mosquitoand other bug bites with Vinegar straight from the bottle.

23. Relieve sunburn by lightly rubbing it with vinegar.You may have to reapply.

24. Take 1 cup of vinegar and warm water into a largeglass and use to rinse your hair after you shampoo. Vinegar adds highlights tobrunette hair, restores the acid mantel, and removes soap film and sebum oil.

25. You take 1 tablespoon full and swallow when you havethe hiccups. It stops them instantly.

26. Relieve dry and itchy skin. Add 2 tablespoons tobath water.

27. Fight dandruff, by rinsing with vinegar and 2cups of warm water, after shampooing.

28. Soothe a sore throat. Put a teaspoon of vinegar ina glass of water. Gargle, and then swallow.

29. Cure for colds. Mix one-quarter cup Apple Cider Vinegarwith one-quarter cup honey. Take one tablespoon six to eight times daily.

30. Treat sinus infections and chest colds. Add 1/4cup or more vinegar to the vaporizer.

31. Feel good recipe. A teaspoon of apple cidervinegar in a glass of water, with a bit of honey added for flavor, will takethe edge off your appetite and give you an overall healthy feeling.

32. Remove fruit stains from hands. Rub withvinegar.

33. Remove warts by applying a lotion of half cider vinegarand half glycerin. Apply daily to warts until they dissolve.

34. Relieve arthritis. Before each meal, drink a glassof water containing two teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar. Give it at least threeweeks to start working.

35. Remove corns by making a poultice of onecrumbled piece of bread soaked in one-quarter cup Vinegar. Let poultice sit forone-half hour, then apply to the corn and tape in place overnight. If corn doesnot peel off by morning, reapply the poultice for several consecutive nights.

36. Cure an upset stomach by drinking two teaspoons AppleCider Vinegar in one cup water.

37. Prevent yeast infections. Douche with one tablespoonvinegar to one quart warm water, to adjust the pH balance in the vagina.

38. Clean dentures by soaking them overnight in vinegar,then brush away tartar with a toothbrush.

39. Relieve cough by mixing one-half cup Apple CiderVinegar, one-half cup water, one teaspoon cayenne pepper, and four teaspoonshoney. Take one tablespoon when cough acts up. Take another tablespoon atbedtime.

LAUNDRY & OTHER CLOTHES CARE:

40. Use in laundry to cut soap.

41. Get rid of lint in clothes. Add 1/2 cup ofvinegar to the rinse cycle.

42. Prevent lint from clinging to clothes: Add onecup vinegar to each wash load.

43. Keep bright colors from running. Immerse clothesin full strength vinegar for 10 minutes before washing.

44. Freshen up the washing machine. Clean the hoses andunclog soap scum. Once a month pour one cup of vinegar into the washing machineand run the machine through a normal cycle, without clothes.

45. Brighten fabric colors. Add 1/2 cup vinegar tothe rinse cycle.

46. Take grease off suede. Dip a toothbrush invinegar and gently brush over grease spot.

47. Remove tough stains. Gently rub on fruit, jam, mustard,coffee, tea. Then wash as usual.

48. Get smoke smell out of clothes by adding a cupof vinegar to a bath tub of hot water. Hang clothes above the steam.

49. Remove perspiration stains from clothes by applyingone part vinegar to four parts water, then rinse.

50. Deodorant and anti-perspirants stains may be removedfrom clothing by lightly rubbing with distilled vinegar and laundering asusual.

51. Cottonand wool blankets become soft, fluffy and free of soap odor if 2 cups ofdistilled vinegar are added to the rinse cycle of the wash.

52. Clothes will rinse better if a cup of vinegar isadded to the last rinse water. The acid in vinegar is too mild to harm fabricsbut strong enough to dissolve the alkalis in soaps and detergents.

53. When dyeing fabric, add a cup full of distilled vinegarto the last rinse to set the color.

54. Nylon hose will look better and last longer if 1tablespoon of vinegar is added to the rinse water when washing.

55. To obtain a sharper crease in your knit fabrics,dampen them with a cloth wrung out from a solution of 1/3 distilled vinegar and2/3 water. Place a brown paper bag over the crease and iron.

56. Excess laundry suds that develop during hand laundrymay be eliminated by splashing a little vinegar into the second rinse. Followthis with another rinse in plain water.

57. Deodorize a wool sweater: Wash sweater, thenrinse in equal parts vinegar and water to remove odor.

58. After a hem or seam is removed, there are often unsightlyholes left in the fabric. These holes can be removed by placing a cloth,moistened with distilled vinegar, under the fabric and ironing.

59. Unclog steam iron by pouring equal amounts of vinegarand water into the iron's water chamber. Turn to steam and leave the iron onfor 5 minutes in an upright position. Then unplug and allow cooling. Any looseparticles should come out when you empty the water.

60. Clean a scorched iron plate by heating equalparts vinegar and salt in a small pan. Then rub the solution on the cooled ironsurface to remove dark or burned stains.

CLEANING IN THE KITCHEN:

61. A mixture of salt and vinegar will clean coffee andtea stains from chinaware.

62. Put vinegar on a cloth and let sit on the back ofyour kitchen faucet and it removes hard water stains.

63. Vinegar can help to dissolve mineral depositsthat collect in automatic drip coffee makers. Fill the reservoir with vinegarand run it through a brewing cycle. Rinse thoroughly with water when the cycleis finished. (Be sure to check the owner’s manual for specific instructions).

64. Brass, copper and pewter will shine if cleaned withthe following mixture. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of distilledvinegar.

65. Clean the dishwasher by running a cup of vinegarthrough the whole cycle once a month to reduce soap build up on the innermechanisms and on glassware.

66. Deodorize the kitchen drain. Pour a cup down thedrain once a week. Let stand 30 minutes and then flush with cold water.

67. Unclog a drain. Pour a handful of baking sodadown the drain and add 1/2 cup of vinegar. Rinse with hot water.

68. Eliminate onion odor by rubbing vinegar on your fingersbefore and after slicing.

69. Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards bywiping with full strength vinegar.

70. Cut grease and odor on dishes by adding a tablespoonof vinegar to hot soapy water.

71. Clean a teapot by boiling a mixture of water andvinegar in it. Wipe away the grime.

72. Clean and deodorize the garbage disposal bymaking vinegar ice cubes and feed them down the disposal. After grinding, runcold water through.

73. Clean and deodorize jars. Rinse mayonnaise,peanut butter, and mustard jars with vinegar when empty.

74. Get rid of cooking smells by letting a small potof vinegar and water simmer on the stove.

75. Freshen a lunchbox by soaking a piece of breadin vinegar and let it sit in the lunchbox over night.

76. Clean the refrigerator by washing with asolution of equal parts water and vinegar.

77. Clean stainless steel by wiping with vinegar dampenedcloth.

78. Clean china and fine glassware by adding a cupof vinegar to a sink of warm water. Gently dip the glass or china in thesolution and let dry. Get stains out of pots by filling the pots with asolution of 3 tablespoons of vinegar to a pint of water. Boil until stainloosens and can be washed away.

79. Clean food-stained pots and pans by filling the potsand pans with vinegar and let stand for thirty minutes. Then rinse in hot,soapy water.

80. Clean the microwave by boiling a solution of 1/4cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. Will loosen splattered onfood and deodorize.

81. Prevent soapy film on glassware by placing a cupof vinegar on the bottom rack of your dishwasher, run for five minutes, thenrun though the full cycle.

82. The minerals found in foods and water will oftenleave a dark stain on aluminum utensils. This stain can be easily removed byboiling a solution of 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar per cup of water in theutensil. Utensils may also be boiled in the solution.

83. Unsightly film in small-necked bottles and othercontainers can be cleaned by pouring vinegar into the bottle and shaking. Fortougher stains, add a few tablespoons of rice or sand and shake vigorously.Rinse thoroughly and repeat until clean or determined hopeless.

84. After cleaning the bread box, keep it smelling sweetby wiping it down with a cloth moistened in distilled vinegar.

85. To eliminate fruit stains from your hands, rub yourhands with a little distilled vinegar and wipe them with a cloth.

86. Grease buildup in an oven can be prevented by wipingwith a cleaning rag that has been moistened in distilled vinegar and water.

87. Formica tops and counters will shine if cleaned witha cloth soaked in distilled vinegar.

88. No-wax linoleum will shine better if wiped with asolution of 1/2 cup of white vinegar in 1/2 gallon of water.

89. Stains on hard-to-clean glass, aluminum, or porcelainutensils may be loosened by boiling in a solution of one part vinegar to eightparts water. The utensils should then be washed in hot soapy water.

COOKING IN THE KITCHEN:

90. Prepare fluffier rice by adding a teaspoon of vinegarto the water when it boils.

91. Make wine vinegar by mixing 2 tablespoons of vinegarwith 1 teaspoon of dry red wine.

92. Make buttermilk. Add a tablespoon of vinegar toa cup of milk and let it stand 5 minutes to thicken.

93. Replace a lemon by substituting 1/4 teaspoon of vinegarfor 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.

94. Firm up gelatin by adding a teaspoon of vinegar forevery box of gelatin used. To keep those molded desserts from sagging in thesummer heat.

95. Debug fresh vegetables by washing them in water withvinegar and salt. Bugs float off.

96. Scale fish more easily by rubbing with vinegar 5minutes before scaling.

97. Freshen vegetables. Soak wilted vegetables in 2cups of water and a tablespoon of vinegar.

98. Boil better eggs by adding 2 tablespoons water beforeboiling. This keeps them from cracking.

99. Marinating meat in vinegar kills bacteria and tenderizesthe meat. Use one-quarter cup vinegar for a two to three pound roast, marinate overnight,and then cook without draining or rinsing the meat. Add herbs to the vinegarwhen marinating as desired.

IN THE BATHROOM:

100. Kill germs on bathroom fixtures by using onepart vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle. Spray the bathroom fixturesand floor, then wipe clean.

101. Soap and stain build up can be removed fromchrome and plastic fixtures if they are cleaned with a mixture of 1 teaspoon ofsalt and 2 tablespoons of distilled vinegar.

102. Clean soap scum, mildew, and grime from bathtub,tile, and shower curtains. Simply wipe the surface with Vinegar and rinse withwater.

103. Stubborn stains can be removed from the toilet byspraying them with vinegar and brushing vigorously. The bowl may be deodorizedby adding 3 cups of distilled vinegar. Allow it to remain for a half hour, thenflush.

104. Unclog a shower head by unscrewing it, removethe rubber washer, place the head in a pot filled with equal parts Vinegar andwater, bring to a boil, then simmer for five minutes.

105. Corrosion may be removed from showerheads or faucetsby soaking them in diluted distilled vinegar overnight. This may be easilyaccomplished by saturating a terry cloth towel in vinegar and wrapping itaround the showerhead or faucet.

106. Bath tub film can be removed by wiping with vinegarand then with baking soda. Rinse clean with water.

MISCELLANEOUS:

107. Use vinegar in the steam cleaner to reduce soap bubbles.

108. Mix vinegar with linseed oil and use it to cleanyour wood.

109. Clean eyeglasses by wiping each lens with a dropof vinegar.

110. Soak new propane lantern wicks in vinegar for severalhours. Let dry before using. Will burn longer and brighter.

111. Deodorize the air. Vinegar is a natural air freshenerwhen sprayed in a room.

112. Turn a chicken bone into rubber by soaking it ina glass of vinegar for three days. It will bend like rubber.

113. Deodorize a room filled with cigarette smoke or paintfumes. Place a small bowl of vinegar in the room.

114. Remove decals or bumper stickers by soaking a clothin Vinegar and cover the decal or bumper sticker for several minutes until thevinegar soaks in. The decals and bumper stickers should peel off easily.

115. Cleaning windows by using undiluted Vinegar in aspray bottle. Dry off with newspaper.

116. Prevent patching plaster from drying by addingone tablespoon vinegar to the water when mixing to slow the drying time.

117. Plastic can be cleaned and made anti-static by wipingdown with a solution of 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar to 1 gallon of water.This will cut down on the plastics' tendency to attract dust.

118. The colors in carpets and rugs will often look likethey have taken a new lease on life if they are brushed with a mixture of 1 cupof vinegar in a gallon of water.

119. A mixture of one teaspoon of liquid detergentand 1 teaspoon of distilled vinegar in a pint of lukewarm water will removenon-oily stains from carpets. Apply it to the stain with a soft brush or toweland rub gently. Rinse with a towel moistened with clean water and blot dry.Repeat this procedure until the stain is gone. Then dry quickly, using a fan orhair dryer. This should be done as soon as the stain is discovered.

120. Spots caused by cola-based soft drinks can be removedfrom 100 percent cotton, cotton polyester and permanent press fabrics if doneso within 24 hours. To do it, sponge distilled vinegar directly onto the stainand rub away the spots. Then clean according to the directions on themanufacturer's care tag.

121. Sponging away grease and dirt with a spongedipped in distilled vinegar will keep exhaust fan grills, air-conditionerblades and grills dust free.

122. Leather articles can be cleaned with a mixtureof distilled vinegar and linseed oil. Rub the mixture into the leather and thenpolish with a soft cloth.

123. To loosen old glue around rungs and joints of tablesand chairs under repair, apply distilled vinegar with a small oil can.

124. Soak a paint brush in hot vinegar, then wash outwith warm, sudsy water to soften it up.

125. Patent leather will shine better if wiped with asoft cloth which has been moistening with distilled vinegar.

126. To add a pleasant scent to a room while at the sametime removing an unpleasant odor, add cardamom or other fragrant spice to abowl of distilled vinegar and place in the warmest corner of the room.

127. Varnished wood often takes on a cloudyappearance. If the cloudiness hasn't gone through to the wood, the cloudinesscan be removed by rubbing the wood with soft lint less cloth wrung out from a solutionof 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar in a quart of lukewarm water. Complete thejob by wiping the surface with a soft dry cloth.

128. Dirt and grime can be easily removed fromwoodwork with a solution of 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar, and1/4 cup of baking soda in a cup of warm water. This solution will not dull the finishor leave streaks.

129. Stubborn rings resulting from wet glasses being placedon wood furniture may be removed by rubbing with a mixture of equal parts ofdistilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain and polish for the bestresults.

130. Wood paneling may be cleaned with a mixture of 1ounce of olive oil and 2 ounces of distilled vinegar in 1 quart of warm water.Moisten a soft cloth with the solution and wipe the paneling. The yellowing isthen removed by wiping with a soft, dry cloth.

Source:
Angel Fire
Vinegar Tips

43 Uses for Baking Soda

2012-02-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

I've come to realize that there are a lot of uses for baking soda. So I did some research!

Personal Care

1. Make toothpaste

A paste made from baking soda and a 3 percent hydrogenperoxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoridetoothpastes. I personally just dip my toothbrush with toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.

2. Freshen your mouth

Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit, andrinse. Odors are neutralized, not just covered up.

3. Soak oral appliance

Soak oral appliances (like retainers, mouthpieces, anddentures) in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in a glass orsmall bowl of warm water. The baking soda loosens food particles andneutralizes odors to keep appliances fresh. You can also brush appliances cleanusing baking soda.

4. Use as a facial scrub and body exfoliant

Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub. Make apaste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motionto exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use.

5. Skip harsh deodorant

My husband is actually allergic to metals and the active ingredient in deodorant is aluminum. So what he does is just pats some baking soda onto his underarms to neutralize body odor.

6. Use as an antacid

Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieveheartburn, sour stomach, and/or acid indigestion. Refer to baking soda packagefor instructions.
I have actually used this countless of times. I have had food poisoning, harsh heartburn/ acid reflux, etc and it has lessened symptoms if not get rid of them completely!

7. Treat insect bites and itchy skin

Make a paste out of baking soda and water,and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some bakingsoda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.

8. Make a hand cleanser and softener

Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt andneutralize odors on hands with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part wateror 3 parts baking soda with gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean.

9. Help your hair

Baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palmalong with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly.

10. Clean brushes and combs

Did you know that if you keep your brushes and combs clean, your hair can be more lustrous and have more shine? Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combsand brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warmwater. Rinse and allow to dry.

11. Make a bath soak

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acidson the skin and help wash away oil and perspiration. It also makes your skinfeel very soft. Or just focus on s

12. Pamper those feet

Want to save a bit of cash? Stop getting pedi's! Soothe and clean your feet by dissolving 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water or foot soaker and soak feet. Gently scrub.

Cleaning

13. Make a surface soft scrub

For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile, andsinks — even fiberglass and glossy tiles — sprinkle baking soda lightly on aclean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extracleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt, and liquid dishsoap — let it sit then scour off.

14. Hand-wash dishes and pots and pans

Add 2 heaping tablespoons baking soda (along with yourregular dish detergent) to the dish water to help cut grease and foods left ondishes, pots, and pans.

For cooked-on foods, let them soak in the baking sodaand detergent with water first, then use dry baking soda on a clean damp spongeor cloth as a scratch-less scouring powder.

15. Freshen sponges

Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solutionto get rid of the mess (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart ofwarm water). For more thorough disinfecting, use the microwave.

16. Clean the microwave

Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside andoutside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well withwater.

17. Polish silver flatware

Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughlyand dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving pieces.

18. Cleaning/Polishing Silver Jewelry

Place jewelry in dish with aluminum foilshinny side up. Put 2 tbsp baking soda & 1 tsp. salt. Pour hot water overand let soak 30 min. Then wipe clean.

19. Clean coffee and tea pots

Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastesby washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1quart of warm water.

For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in the bakingsoda solution and detergent or scrubbing with baking soda on a clean dampsponge.

20. Clean the oven

Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Spray withwater to dampen the baking soda. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub,scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.

21. Clean stove top and burners

Before I do the dishes, I sprinkle baking soda on my stove top and spray with warm water then let sit as I do the dishes about 30 minutes. This will lift up the grease, spots, gunked on food, etc. then wipe!

22. Clean floors

Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) fromno-wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water —mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda ona clean damp sponge, then rinse.

23. Clean furniture

Clean and remove marks (even crayon) from walls and paintedfurniture by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipeoff with a clean, dry cloth.

24. Clean shower curtains

Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinklingbaking soda directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtainand rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.

25. Boost your liquid laundry detergent

Give your laundry a boost by adding 1 cup of baking sodato your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH inthe wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher, and brighter. Or you can add 1/2 cup ofbaking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels or to neutralizegym clothes and odoriferous clothing.

26. Clean and freshen sports gear

Use a baking soda solution (4 tablespoons baking soda in 1quart warm water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinklebaking soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize and clean golf irons(without scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda to 1part water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.

27. Remove oil and grease stains

Use baking soda to clean up light-duty oil and grease spillson your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot andscrub with a wet brush.

28. Clean batteries

Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosionon cars, mowers, etc., because its a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect thebattery terminals before cleaning. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1part water and apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the batteryterminal. After cleaning and reconnecting the terminals, wipe them withpetroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when workingaround a battery — they contain a strong acid.

29. Clean cars

Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows,tires, vinyl seats, and floor mats without worrying about unwanted scratchmarks. Use a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warmwater. Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, bugs,and tar. For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge or softbrush. Eliminate odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seatsand carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up thebaking soda.

Deodorizing

30. Deodorize your refrigerator

Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralizeodors.

31. Deodorize trashcans and recyclables

Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keepstinky trash smells at bay. Clean your recyclables container periodically bysprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge. Wipe clean and rinse. Also, sprinklebaking soda on top as you add recyclables to the bin.

32. Deodorize drains and garbage disposals

To deodorize your sink and tub drains and garbage disposaland keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down thedrain while running warm tap water — it will neutralize both acid and basicodors for a fresh drain. (This a good way to dispose of baking soda that isbeing retired from your refrigerator.)

33.. Deodorize and clean dishwashers

Use baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasherand then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.

34. Deodorize lunch boxes

Between uses, place a spill-proof box of baking soda ineveryone’s lunch box to absorb lingering odors.

35. Remove odor from carpets

Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let setovernight or as long as possible (the longer it sets the better it works).Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note thatyour vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.) An added bonus: You'll alsodeodorize your vacuum cleaner.

36. Freshen closets

Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh.

37. Deodorize pet items

Cover the bottom of your cat box with baking soda, then fillas usual with litter. To freshen between changes, sprinkle baking soda on topof the litter after a thorough cleaning. Eliminate odors from your pet'sbedding by sprinkling liberally with baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or longerfor stronger odors), then vacuum up.

38. Deodorize sneakers

Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shakingbaking soda into them when not in use. Shake out before wearing.

39. Freshen stuffed animals

Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of bakingsoda. Sprinkle baking soda on and let it sit for 15 minutes before brushingoff.

Miscellaneous

40. Cure all camping needs

Baking soda is a must-have for your next camping trip. It'sa dish-washer, pot-scrubber, hand-cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, and fireextinguisher, and has many other uses.

41. Extinguish fires

Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor greaseor electrical kitchen fires, because when baking soda is heated, it gives offcarbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires(frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if youcan safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base ofthe flame to help put out the fire — and call the fire department just to besafe.

42. Care for the septic system

Regular use of baking soda in your drains can help keep yourseptic system flowing freely. One cup of baking soda per week will helpmaintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.

43. Scrub fruits and vegetables

Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residueoff fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge,scrub and rinse. Here’s another way to clean your vegetables as well.

Sources:

Care2

Arm & Hammer

Garlic Knots (Garlic Lover's Version)

2012-01-30T15:18:00.000-08:00

This recipe was inspired by Zoom Yummy

What you need:

3 cups Bread Flour

1 tbsp Granulated Sugar

2 tsp Instant Yeast

1 1/4 tsp Salt

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Basil

1 tbsp Granulated Garlic

2 tbsp Olive Oil

1/4 cup Milk

1 cup + 2 tbsp lukewarm Water

1 tbsp Minced Garlic

Topping:

1/4 cup Butter

1 tsp Granulated Garlic

1 tsp Minced Garlic

1 tsp Italian Seasonings

What you need to do:

To start, place the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, yeast, salt, garlic and herbs) into a bowl and stir them to combine.

2. Then add the wet ingredients (olive oil, milk, water and garlic) and stir again just to combine.

3. Now, using the dough attachment of your electric mixer, mix the dough for about 8 minutes.

4. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turn once to coat and cover with a plastic wrap.

5. Allow to rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.

6. Turn the dough onto a very lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces.

To do that I used a knife. I first divided the dough into halves. Then I cut each half into halves again so I had 4 pieces. And finally I cut each piece into halves again which resulted in 8 equal pieces.
(I personally think that they can be cut once more each ball, because these rolls turned out pretty big)

7. Use the palms of your hands to roll each ball into a 10-inch (26 cm) long rope.

If the dough is too sticky then use a little flour to dust it with. The ropes can’t be sticky because you wouldn’t be able to form the knots.

8. Now tie the rope into a knot.

9. Take the end lying underneath the knot and bring it over the top, tucking it into the center and take the end lying over the knot and tuck it underneath and into the center.

10. Transfer the knots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cover with a clean kitchen towel.

11. Let the knots rise for another 45 minutes.

12. In the meantime you can prepare the glaze.
Melt the butter and press the garlic into it.
Instead of pressing the garlic through the press you can just mince it finely.

13. When your knots are nice and puffy…

…brush the glaze onto them.

16. Place the knots into a preheated oven (350 °F – 175 °C) and bake for about 15-18 minutes.

You can make these to escort just about anything, but I made it to go with my Minestrone.
Enjoy!

Minestrone

2012-01-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

(From Wikipedia) Minestrone (Italian: minestra [soup] + -one hence "the big soup," the one with many ingredients) is thename for a variety of thick Italian soups made with vegetables, often with theaddition of pasta or rice. Common ingredients include beans, onions, celery,carrots, stock, and tomatoes.

Minestrone is one of the cornerstones of Italian cuisine,and is almost as common as pasta on Italian tables.

Note from me.

I'm not huge into Minestrone. Maybe because no one seems to make it right, lol, I don't know, but my husband loves it and so I decided to make him some and surprise him for lunch and it came out soooooo good! I plan on making this over and over again throughout winters to come!

What you need:

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 onions, chopped

2 cups chopped celery

5 carrots, sliced

2 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

4 cups tomato sauce (or 2 cans tomato paste, fill with water twice, each can)

1/2 cup red wine or red wine vinegar

1 can Pinto beans, drained

1 can Black beans, drained

1 can Navy beans, drained

2 cups baby spinach, rinsed

3 zucchinis, quartered and sliced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup seashell pasta

Salt and pepper to taste

What you need to do:

1. In alarge stock pot, over medium-low heat, heat olive oil and saute garlic for 2 to3 minutes. Add onion and saute for 4 to 5 minutes. Add celery and carrots,saute for 1 to 2 minutes.

2. Addchicken broth, water and tomato sauce, bring to boil, stirring frequently. Add red wine vinegar. Reduce heat to low and add all beans, spinach leaves, zucchini, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Simmerfor 30 to 40 minutes, the longer the better.

3. Add in pasta. Some people like to boil it separately then add it once al dante, if you'd like to do it that way.

Baked Egg Boats

2012-01-30T14:38:00.000-08:00

Makes 4

What you need:

4 demi sourdough baguettes

5 eggs

1/3 cup heavy cream

4 ounces pancetta, finely chopped and fried until crisp

3 ounces gruyere cheese, grated

2 green onions, thinly sliced

salt and pepper to taste
(I added broccoli and red peppers.)

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Cut a deep “V” through the tops of each baguette untilabout a 1/2 inch to the bottom. Partially unstuff the baguettes. Set aside.

3. Place the eggs and cream into a mixing bowl and lightlybeat together. Whisk in the remaining ingredients and lightly season with saltand pepper.

4. Divide and pour the mixture into each baguette boat andplace onto a baking sheet.

5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown, puffedand set in the center. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes, cut and serve.

A Themed Baker's Sunday #21

2012-01-30T12:07:00.000-08:00

Let's just dive right in!

Number 6

Earthquake Cake By: Life's Simple Measures

Number 5

Aogynas - Jumbo Cookies with Chocolate Ganache Filling By: Something Sweet

Number 4

Over the Top Reese's Peanut Butter Cookies By: Picture Perfect Cooking

Number 3

Chocolate Bundt Cake By: Cupcakes with Sprinkles

Number 2

Kahlua Cake Trifles By: Just Putzing Around the Kitchen

Number 1

White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Cheesecake By: The Kitchen Cookie

Congrats to everyone and thank you for participating!

Please grab the I was featured button if you'd please --->

Unto our next theme,

COOKIES!

Menu Idea

2012-01-23T21:30:00.000-08:00

Why have this?

When you can have this??

What you need:

Picture Frame

Sticky Letters

Cute Scrap Book Paper

Dark Erase marker (or even those new chalk markers)

What you need to do:

Cut your scrap paper to the size of frame.

Stick your letters, how ever you'd like, on the paper.

Frame it.

Write out your menu for the week!

Fun, quick, easy, inexpensive project that's super cute! :)

Cream Cheese Filled Snickerdoodles... Yum!

2012-01-23T19:03:00.000-08:00

This was featured on:

So I came across this recipe from Cookies and Cups, as soon I read the title I knew I was in love!

The only thing that I would add/change is to cut the filling ingredients in half because I have a lot of cream cheese filling leftover.

What You Need:

1 1/2 cups Sugar

1 cup Butter, Room Temp

2 eggs

1 tsp Vanilla

2 3/4 cups all purpose Flour

2 tsp Cream of Tartar

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/4 tsp Salt

1/4 cup Sugar

2 tsp Cinnamon

FOR THE FILLING:

8 oz Cream Cheese, softened

1/4 cup Sugar

2 tsp Vanilla

What you need to do:

Make the cream cheese filling by mixing the cream cheese,1/4 cup sugar and 2 tsp vanilla.

Cover the cream cheese mixture and refrigerate for at least30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400°

Cream butter and 1 1/2 cup sugar until fluffy.

Add eggs and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix until combined.

On low speed mix in your flour, cream of tartar, baking sodaand salt. Set dough to the side.

In a small bowl combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tspcinnamon, set that aside as well.

Remove the cream cheese mixture from the refrigerator.

For each cookie you will need 2 flattened balls of dough, 1Tbsp each. (The flattened disk will be approx 2″ in diameter)

Place 1 tsp of the cream cheese mixture on top of one of theflattened dough disks. Then place the other flattened dough on top of the creamcheese. Pinch the edges together to seal.

Carefully form into a ball and roll in the cinnamon sugarmixture.

Place on a plate as you finish making each and refrigerate. Beforebaking the cookies they should chill for 15 minutes.

When the dough is chilled bake on a parchment lined bakingsheet 2″ apart for 8 minutes.

Transfer to wire rack to cool.

YUM!

I even wrapped some up for my new neighbors!

Makes approx 24 cookies

Linked to THESE awesome blog parties!

Greek Nachos

2012-01-23T01:36:00.000-08:00

What you need:
Pita shells
1 lb Ground beef or lamb, seasoned
Spinach, chopped
Crumbled Feta Cheese
Olives, if you'd like... we hate them.
Chives, chopped
Avocado, Chopped
Diced Roma tomatoes
Diced Onion
Squash Mix (Optional)
Tzatziki Sauce

What you need to do:
Firstly, the beef. Start cooking it on a pan with a little olive oil. Add in whatever seasonings you'd like. I added salt, pepper, garlic, cumin, and thyme. Brown the beef and keep on low heat.

Secondly, mostly everything else. Chop up your spinach, olives, chives, tomatoes and onion. Set to the side.

You'll need to make the tzatziki sauce at some point as well.

Next, The pita shell. Place them, WHOLE, in the oven at 250-300 depending on how crunchy you want them and if you're going to make my squash mix. Check on them frequently. I like them a little crunchy, personally. Once you get them to the desired crunchiness, I like to cut them into small triangles, big enough to hold the meat and veggies.

You're done unless you want the squash mix.

SQUASH MIX:
You'll need some Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Red Pepper, and Onion. This would be great to grill, but it's winter so I cooked them on a skillet, with just a pinch of olive oil. JUST A PINCH!
Dice them all to about bite size pieces. Once your oil is hot, add your veggies to the pan. From here you can choose to season them how ever you'd like. But I used salt, little bit of rosemary, thyme, cayenne pepper, chipotle seasonings and a little mrs. Dash.

You're done! Dish up!

How to make Tzatziki sauce

2012-01-23T00:45:00.000-08:00

I am not Greek, I do not know some secret ancient recipe or anything, I just happen to like the sauce and tried to get as close as I could to it!

What you will need:

2 English Cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and chopped

1 cup Sour Cream

1 cup Plain Yogurt (or Greek)

2 tbsp. Olive Oil

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Dill

3 tbsp. Minced Garlic

What you need to do:

If you have a tiny food processor, like me, it'll be a slower process, but not too slow!

Puree your cucumbers and add in some sour cream and/or yogurt and puree together.

Bring to a bowl and mix all ingredients together.

I, personally, use this sauce on my Greek Nachos, which I will have the recipe posted soon.

New Year - New Way of Life Part II

2012-01-23T00:30:00.000-08:00

Eat to burn fat!

I'm trying to incorporate some good for you foods into good eatin' foods.

Eating healthy can be a hard task, especially if you throw in working out.

Well, here are a few things, along with a delicious smoothie I make before a workout, to help burn some fat.

1. Walnuts

All nuts contain some amount of the omega-3 fatalpha-linolenic acid, but most only contain trace amounts.

The real fat hero in most nuts is mono-unsaturated fats.Walnuts are actually a rich source of omega-3s.

One ounce provides almost 3g of alpha-linolenic acid. Try adding a side of this to your lunch or as a mid-day snack.

2. Ginger

Ginger has been used for centuries to help relieve digestiveupset/disturbances, it can also help reduce inflammation, boost blood flowto muscles and aid muscle recovery.

I shred about a teaspoon into my morning smoothie because it has shown to boost calorie burn when eaten.

3. Oatmeal

This very slow-digesting carb keeps blood sugar and insulinlevels low, so fat burning can stay high.

In fact, research has shown that athletes who consumeslow-digesting carbs in the morning burn more fat throughout the entire day andduring workouts than those consuming fast-digesting carbs. Some other slow digesting carbs are sweet potatoes, black beans and brown rice.

4. Avocado

The mono-unsaturated fats found in avocados are burnedreadily for fuel during exercise and actually encourage fat burning. Avocados also contain a very interesting carb calledmannoheptulose, a sugar that actually blunts insulin release and enhancescalcium absorption, both of which are critical for encouraging fat loss.

5. Salmon

This fish is one of the richest sources of the omega-3essential fats EPA and DHA. Unlike flaxseeds, which provide a type of omega-3that has to be converted into EPA and DHA, salmon provides your body a directsupply of them with no conversion required. This way you know you're getting a direct supply of the fatsthat turn on fat burning and block fat storage.

6. Soybeans

Soybeans are the direct origin of soy protein, which hasbeen shown to build muscle as efficiently as other forms of protein like wheyand beef. Soy has also been shown to aid fat loss, possibly bydecreasing appetite and calorie intake.

7. Water

Everyone knows you need water, but this just may be your best ally in fighting bodyfat. Studieshave shown that drinking 2 cups of cold water can boost metabolic rate by 30%.

It has been estimated that drinking about 2 cups of coldwater before breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for a year can burn 17,400extra calories, which translates into a little more than 5 pounds of bodyfat!

Water just may be your best ally in fighting bodyfat.

8. Flaxseeds

They contain the essential omega-3 fatty acid alphalinolenic acid. These omega-3 fats have been found to turn on genes thatstimulate fat burning and turn off genes that increase fat storage.

9. Grapefruit

A study from the Scripps Clinic (San Diego, California)reported that subjects eating half of a grapefruit or drinking 8 oz ofgrapefruit juice three times a day while maintaining their normal diet lost anaverage of 4 pounds over 12 weeks - and some lost more than 10 pounds withouteven dieting!

Results were likely due to grapefruit's ability to reduceinsulin levels and to a chemical in grapefruit known as naringin, whichprevents fat from being stored in the body.

10. Honey

Yes, it's a sugar, but it's fairly low on the glycemicindex. Keeping insulin levels low and steady is critical for maintaining afat-burning environment in your body.

Honey is also a rich source of nitric oxide (NO)metabolites; ultimately, that means it actually encourages fat release from thebody's fat cells

11. Peanut Butter

Another source of helpful mono-unsaturated fat that canactually aid fat loss. What's funny is that many food manufacturers makelow-fat peanut butters!

Of course, they replace these healthy mono-unsaturated fatswith carbs, namely sugar. Avoid these and stick with natural peanut buttersthat don't add the type of fat you surely want to avoid - trans fats.

12. Eggs

Research supports the notion that those who start their daywith eggs not only eat fewer calories throughout the day, but also losesignificantly more bodyfat.

13. Chili Pepper Flakes

Hot peppers contain the active ingredient capsaicin, achemical that can enhance calorie burning at rest as well as reduce hunger andfood intake.

The boost in calorie burn is particularly enhanced whencapsaicin is used with caffeine.

14. Broccoli

This fibrous carb doesn't provide many net carbs orcalories, broccoli can make you feel full - one reason why it's agreat food for getting lean.

Broccoli also contains phytochemicals that can help enhancefat loss. So, instead of corn as a side with your pasta, throw in some lightly steamed broccoli with some garlic. Tasty and good for you!

15. Olive Oil

Like avocados, olive oil is a great source ofmonounsaturated fats.

Not only do they lower levels of the "bad" type ofcholesterol and improve cardiovascular health, but they're also more likely tobe burned as fuel, which means they're less likely to be sticking around yourmidsection.

Ok... Onto my smoothie! I call it.... THE GREEN MONSTER!!!

So what you need, and what I have pictured up here:

Banana

Apple

Orange

Carrots

Pineapple (and juice, if canned)

Yogurt - any flavor you'd like

Ginger

Whey Protein

And a lot of fresh raw Spinach

Ice

What you need to do:

Basically... take as much as you want of each ingredient... and blend it.

Literally, take a handful of spinach and blend it in.

This is the whey protein that I use, I don't use a whole scoop just cause its very vanilla-y.

And Voila! THE GREEN MONSTER!!!

A Themed Baker's Sunday #20

2012-01-22T17:33:00.000-08:00

Let's just dive right into it, shall we?

NUMBER 6

Apple Pie Cake By: The Sweet Swiper

NUMBER 5

Pumpkin Graham & Caramel Swirl Ice Cream By: The Sweet Cupcaker

NUMBER 4

Apple Cake with Vanilla Caramel Sauce By: Mandy's Recipe Box

NUMBER 3

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars By: Itsy Bitsy Paper

NUMBER 2

Hot Spiced Caramel Cider and Baked Apples By: Joy in the Jumble

NUMBER 1

Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes By: Just Putzing Around in the Kitchen

Congrats everyone! Please take a I was featured button for your blog! --->

Now onto our next Themed Baker's Sunday!

The theme issss.....

CHOCOLATE!!!!

White, dark, milk, etc!

Happy Baking!

New Year - New Way of Life

2012-01-17T03:28:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

It is, of course, a new year (crazy... we're over half way through the month already!) and everyone's number one resolution is losing weight. Well, mine isn't so much losing weight as it is changing my life style.

I want to incorporate new and healthy things into my life!

Here are a few things that are good for your face, body, and weight loss!

GREEN TEA

Green Tea

Green Tea is full of antioxidants. It's also helpful for reducing redness. Rinse your face in cool green tea; It's is a great way to gently soothe skin.
Also, Green tea contains theanine, which calms you and helps you maintain clear concentration and focus

AVOCADO

Avocado -Avocado is a bit spendy but if you get it at a great season and price it's great for all sorts of things

Excellent moisturizer
Great as a face mask
Mashed up in hair for some extra hydration
Avocado supports reproductive health as well. Avocados are a good source of folic acid. Folate has been found to reduce the risk for cervical dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition.

CHERRIES

Cherries

TONS of antioxidants. Great for evening out skin tone.

OATMEAL

Oatmeal

For a fast-acting soother, has major anti-inflammatory properties.
You can drop it in the bath, slather it on your face, or even use it as a gentle scrub.
Oatmeal can soothe Eczema, as oats have anti-inflammatory properties. You can use it as a paste or poured into a bath. Soaking the affected area for at least 15 minutes.
Oats are also thought to have an antihistamine effect by lowering levels of histamine, which triggers inflammation as part of the immune system’s recovery response.
Great for priming your muscles for a workout. They provide glucose, the fuel your muscles run on
It’s rich in beta-glucan, a fiber that slows digestion and keeps blood sugar on an even keel. For maximum results, choose whole oats. They’re digested more slowly than quick cooking or instant oatmeal.

PAPAYA

Papaya

makes the best enzyme masks for decongesting your skin.

LEMONS

Lemon

The acid can whiten nails
gives your hair natural-looking highlights
help slough off dry, flaky skin.

EGG WHITES

Egg White

Egg white masks is a nice way to improve tone and texture.
Egg whites pack a protein-rich punch for your hair
Including egg whites in your diet can help boost your hair's shine and body, egg whites can also play a starring role in your next homemade protein hair mask.

OLIVE OIL

Olive Oil

I personally use olive oil as a make up remover at the end of the day before I do my nightly regime.
Great for hydrating hair and smooth dry spots on skin
This healthy fat contains essential fatty acids that help skin resist UV damage.
EFAs are also part of the cell membranes that help hold in moisture. The body can't synthesize EFAs, so consume about 1 tablespoon of olive oil daily to keep skin supple.

HONEY

Honey

This natural antimicrobial also soothes and draws moisture into skin. Use it in masks or as a spot treatment.
I also hear that if you put a dab of honey on your fingertip and apply it to a pimple with a band aid to cover, that it will remove it!

References:
Women's Day
BellaSugar
Cooking Light
Live Strong

A Themed Baker's Sunday #19

2012-01-15T16:55:00.000-08:00

Here are the top 6 from last week's Themed Baker's Sunday, which theme was Citrus!

NUMBER 6

Lemon Oatmeal Muffins By: Sweet Mornings

NUMBER 5

Clementine Meringue Pie By: Eat. Enjoy. Live.

NUMBER 4

Orange Cookies By: Aunt Nubby's Kitchen

NUMBER 3

Gluten Free Coconut Lime Scones By: Allergy-Free Vintage Cookery

NUMBER 2

Individual Meringues with Lime Cream and Blueberries By: What Would Martha Do?

NUMBER 1

Strawberry Lemon Tart By: That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Congrats! Please pick up a I was Featured Button --->

Now our next theme for this week is

CARAMEL

Went thrifting...

2012-01-15T16:26:00.000-08:00

So I found this lamp at half off at goodwill (so $5.00)

I immediately loved it! But I'm not sure about the color.

So... help me out guys...

Should I paint it Bright crimson Red?

or leave it?

... or any other colors?

Crayons aren't just for kids!

2012-01-13T19:40:00.000-08:00

Melted Crayon Art

This is something fun I saw on stumble upon that you can do with kids or even as a couple.

It's easy to make, inexpensive and super cute!

So what you need:

Canvas

Crayons

Hot glue gun

Glue sticks

and a blow dryer

What you need to do:

Canvas.

Crayons (I had to use more than 24).

Take Crayon.

Line some glue on the back of a crayon.

Line 'em up!

Let it dry! (Doesn't take that long)

Blow dry on low.

I did a layering pattern, but you can do it however you want!

You can even do different patterns with the crayons!

Have fun!

My Famous Beef Stew

2012-01-13T18:50:00.000-08:00

I have waited a long while to post this recipe, to make it perfect! I made it recently and someone dubbed it MY FAMOUS beef stew! which made me uber excited. So I guess this is the time to share it!

MY FAMOUS BEEF STEW

What you need:

- 1-2 lbs of beef chunks for stew

- 5 cups of veggies (Potatoes, carrots, onions, celery and garlic)

- 1 can diced tomatoes, I like to use fire roasted tomatoes

- 3 packets of beef stew seasonings

- 4 cups of water

What you need to do:

I like to soak the beef in water and a little bit of vinegar because it takes out all the excess blood from inside the meat.

The beef chunks are pretty big, so I like to cut them into little bites size pieces.

Bring all your beef into a roasting pan (preheat your oven to 450) I like to sprinkle garlic chunks and/or minced garlic all over the beef and mix it around with some salt and pepper.

I mince the celery, because I do like the flavor of celery in soup/stews, but I don't like biting into them.

Add all your veggies together into the roasting pan.

This is the trick and why my beef stew is so yummy. :)

Each beef stew packet calls for 2 cups of water. I don't do that.

I put 3 packets to 4 cups of water.

This adds a lot of flavoring into the beef and veggies.

Add into your veggies and stir it all up!

Bake for 1.5 hours to 2 hours.

TA DAAAAAA!

In my family, we eat beef stew over a bed of rice.

Enjoy!

Chili's Honey Chipotle Quesadillas

2012-01-13T18:07:00.000-08:00

This is a copy cat of Chili's promotional Honey Chipotle Quesadillas. This goes great with a side of Avocado Ranch to dip into!

What you need:
-4 Flour Tortillas
-2-3 Chicken Breasts
-1 Onion
-1 Red Pepper

For the Marinade: (Inspired from HERE)
-1 cup Light Corn Syrup
-1/4 cup Barbecue Sauce
-3 tbsp Orange Juice
-1/2 tsp Salt
-1/4 cup Honey
-1/2 tsp ground Cayenne Pepper
-Chipotle Pepper, website said a pinch (which I think is ridiculously under doing it, considering it is a CHIPOTLE Quesadilla) but I put 1 tsp, if not more.
-2 drops lemon juice

What you need to do:

Marinade your chicken for max 6 hours and min 30 min. Saute in a big skillet with your peppers and onions.
(This marinade makes a lot, so I boiled the chicken in the marinade for a while, until chicken is done. Then poured out excess into a container and saved it for another time)

Spray your skillet or place some butter down and crisp the tortilla. Sprinkle some Monterrey Jack Cheese, Pepper Jack, or Cheddar on the tortilla and add chicken mix. Add more cheese on top and fold tortilla in half. Cut your tortilla in pieces and Enjoy!!

How to make Avocado Ranch

2012-01-13T17:21:00.000-08:00

Got this recipe from HERE
What you need:
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
2 avocados, peeled and pitted

What you need to do:

In a food processor, mix the sour cream, Neufchatel cheese, ranch dressing mix, hot sauce, garlic salt, and celery salt.

In a bowl, mash the avocados, and mix in the sour cream mixture until well blended. Cover, and chill until serving.

Cinnamon Pizza

2012-01-13T17:11:00.000-08:00

OOOOOOkkkkk.... So I have been at home (Spokane, Washington) since early November so I haven't been baking and I got home on the 3rd of January and I've been cooking up a storm! I will be baking as well, but I'm out of powdered sugar so I have to get some.

AND (sad story) I was going to use my flour and I saw bug legs in it..... soooo I decided to throw it all away. I'm a paranoid person when it comes to bugs and for all I knew there were eggs in it!!!

So my husband and I decided to order some pizza from Papa Johns (Yum) and we got a cinni-pie from them and it was DELICIOUS!!!

And, of course, I had to try to make my own.

What you need:

For the dough:

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons white sugar

For the Streusel:

1 Cup Oats

1 C. Flour

1/2 C. Brown sugar- packed

2 T. Cinnamon
1 stick of Butter or margarine

Sugar Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar mixed

1-2 tablespoons milk.

What to do:

For the Dough:

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups bread flour, olive oil, salt, white sugar and the yeast mixture; stir well to combine. Beat well until a stiff dough has formed. Cover and rise until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Turn dough out onto a well floured surface. Form dough into a round and roll out into a pizza crust shape.

For the Streusel:

Mix flour, sugar and cinnamon in bowl. Dice up CHILLED butter/margarine and add to dry mix. Mix with hands until you can form a sort of "snow-ball" with mixture. Try to leave crumbles big and spread over pizza dough. Spread on top of dough.

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes until dough bottom is golden.

For the Sugar Glaze (Not in the picture, like I said, I'm out of powdered sugar):
Drizzle glaze on cooked pie when it is fresh out of the oven.
Let sit for 5 minutes, cut and serve warm.

Enjoy!

Themed Bakers Sunday #18 and Top Ten Recipes from 2011

2012-01-08T02:11:00.000-08:00

First off, lets do the top ten of 2011!!

Number 10

Meyer Lemon Cupcakes By: Indulge

Number 9

Chocolate Cake Cheesecake By: Teacher by Day, Chef by Night

Number 8

Grapefruit, Honey and Lavender Cupcakes By: Baking for the Boys

Number 7

Chocolate Mousse Dark Chocolate Cups By: That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Number 6

Mini Cheesecake's By: Lady Behind the Curtain

Number 5

Oreo Cheesecake By: Bites of Sweetness

Number 4

Mocha Tiramisu Cupcakes By: u Try.it

Number 3

Cheesecake Filled Strawberries By: Meg's Everyday Indulgence

Number 2

Lemon Strawberry Crepe Cake By: Delia Creates

Number 1

Croquembouche (Piece Montee) By: Catalina Bakes

There you have it! Congrats!!

Here is a button you can take for being featured!

Now, onto A Themed Baker's Sunday.

Here are your top 6 from Christmas!

Number 6 (TIE)

Candy Cane Mint Milano's By: Crumbs and Chaos

Number 6 (TIE)

Italian Christmas Cookies By: Meg's Everyday Indulgence

Number 5

Candy Cane Parfaits By: Allergy-Free Vintage Cookery

Number 4

Salted Double Peppermint Bark By: The Outlaw Mom

Number 3

Holly Jolly Cupcakes By: The Seven Year Cottage

Number 2

Candy Cane Ice Cream By: The Way to His Heart

Number 1

Eggnog Truffles By: Shugary Sweets

Congrats to everyone!

Grab a button on the right hand side, saying you were featured.

This next week's theme is Citrus!

Orange, Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes, Kumquats, etc!

Cinnamon Pie

2012-01-07T23:56:00.000-08:00

My husband and I love watching Psych

and there was an episode where Shawn and Gus went to this little town where they served the best pie, according to them, and they ate a Cinnamon Pie. I have never heard of a cinnamon pie, so I searched for a recipe online and it didn't take me that long until I found it online on allrecipes.com

What you need:

1 cup Sugar

1 1/2 tbsp all purpose Flour

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 Pinch Salt

1 Egg, Beaten

2 tbsp Butter, Mixed

1 tsp Vanilla

1 1/2 Cups Milk

1 (10 inch) Unbaked Pie Crust

What you need to do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour cinnamon and salt. In another bowl, mix together egg, butter, vanilla. mix well and add milk. Mix together the dry mix slowly with the wet mix.

Pour mixture into unbaked crust.

Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, then reduce to 350 and bake for an additional 45 minutes.

It'll be a little runny, but let cool and it will set.

Refrigerate leftovers.

Once set, it'll look like so.

(My husband had to steal a couple of pieces before I could get a photo of course.)

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

2012-01-07T21:23:00.000-08:00

This is supposed to be a copy cat of Olive Garden's Chicken and Gnocchi Soup and I got it from HERE. But, personally it tasted bland and I added a bit more to it and again, "made it my own", which I encourage all of you to do so as well! :)

What you need:

1 tablespoons extra virgin oil
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 quart half and half
1/2 cup celery, finely diced
1 cup onion, finely diced
2 minced garlic cloves
1 14 ounces can of chicken broth
1 cup carrots, finely shredded
1 cup chicken breasts, cooked and diced
1 package gnocchi, cooked (you can find these in gourmet/pasta section of the grocery store, or make these home made, which HERE is a recipe)
1 cup of spinach coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp Italian seasonings
1/2 tsp parsley
1 tbsp granulated garlic
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, but from the reviews, a lot of people said it gave it a nice flavor.)
2 Boullian Cubes, Chicken Flavored.

What you need to do:

Saute the onion, celery, and garlic in the butter and olive oil over medium heat until the onion becomes translucent.

Add the flour and make a roux.

Let the butter and flour mixture cook for about a minute before adding 1 quart of half and half.

Cook gnocchi according to package directions.

Into the roux, add in the carrots and chicken. Once the mixture becomes thick, add the chicken broth. Once the mixture thickens again, add the cooked gnocchi, and seasonings; simmer until soup is heated through.

Once everything is cooked, add in the spinach and let warm.

(I added just a pinch of Mozzarella/Provolone cheese)

Enjoy!

How to Make Home Made Gnocchi

2012-01-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

I LOVE gnocchi and NEEDED to find a great recipe for some homemade Chicken and Gnocchi soup. I found this recipe from HERE and it's pretty good!

What you need:

5-6 Medium potatoes, NOT PEELED

1 1/2 cups of All Purpose Flour

2 Egg Yolks

1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

What you need to do:

Boil your potatoes whole and not peeled. Make sure there are no piercings or tears in them because water is gnocchi's 'enemy'. Too much water and your gnocchi is gummy, too little and then they are dense.

I boiled my potatoes about 45 min. To check them I lifted them gently with a slotted spoon and poked them with my finger to see if they were squishy. Other than that, you have to wing it.

I learned this nifty trick a while back.

When your potatoes are done, IMMEDIATELY dunk them in icey water and let sit for a little while.

After about a minute or so, you should be able to grab them and not only will they be able to handle, but you can peel them really fast! Usually you can peel off chunks! Plus, this is a lot faster than letting them sit and cool.

Mash your potatoes, making sure there are no lumps.

Here, I added the rest of the ingredients, but it didn't seem like it was stiffening enough to me, so I did it by hand there after.

If you do it by hand, make sure there is a lot of flour on your CLEAN surface.

Knead, Knead, Knead.

Until its a perfectly, non sticky, ball.

Cut a slice from your ball into a strip and roll it out to make a long log about 1/2'' thick.

Cut your log into little pieces.

You have a few options from here

1. Leave them like this

2. Shape them with a Gnocchi board

3. Shape them with a Fork

Here is a video on how to shape them with a fork (same concept with a Gnocchi board, but I don't have one)

When done cutting and/or shaping them, line them, making sure they don't touch.

These are best used within 2-3 hours of making them, at room temp.

Or freeze them:

Freeze them on a baking sheet, again, not touching until they are frozen, then place them all in a zip lock gallon bag, so that they do not stick together. They keep for 2 months.

Cooking your Gnocchi:

Bring 12-15 into salted boiling water and let them rise to the top, about 2 minutes.

I added them at the end of making a soup about 2-5 minutes and they were delicious!

Uses:

Make in soup/stew

Sautee them with a little olive oil and Parmesan cheese

add into a sauce like tomato or meat sauce

Mix together in an Alfredo or other white sauce and broil them

Enjoy!

My Baking New Year's Resolution

2011-12-30T19:36:00.000-08:00

I have a collection of cookies, pies, cakes, cobblers, cupcakes, etc that I want to do, but they always get thrown to the side and pushed back.
Sooo.. Throughout the year I want to make them! I'm making a list here with the original 'makers' as a link and am going to come back and make them!

Let's start!
Banana Split Mini Bites
White Chocolate Amaretto Cheesecake
Infamous Jacques Torres Chocolate Chip Cookie
White Bean and Chicken Soup
Chocolate Cupcakes with Flaming Strawberries
Creamy Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Chip Cookie Crust
What to do with Leftover Halloween Candy
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Mini Santa Hat Brownies
Peanut Butter M&M Pretzel Kisses
Oreo Cookies and Cream No Bake Cheesecakes
Graham Cracker S'mores Cookies
Twix Cheesecakes
Tiramisu Pancakes
Lemon Cheesecake with fresh berry topping
Banana Split Cheesecake
Salted Caramel cheesecake
Red Velvet Cheesecake
Philadelphia Oreo Cheesecake
Lemon-White Chocolate Cheesecake Bites
Brown sugar Bundt Cake
Rhu-Berry Snack Cake
Raspberry Crumb Cake
Lemon Buttercream Cake with Blueberries
Chocolate-Covered Oreo Cookie Cake
Mini Key Lime Cupcakes
Dark Chocolate Cupcakes
Chocolate Cupcakes with White Truffle Frosting
Cookies n Cream Cupcakes
Lime Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
Raspberry-Filled Lemon Cupcakes
Mimosa Cupcakes Oreo Muffins Blueberry Streusal Muffins
Philadelphia Sugar Cookies
Decadent Triple Layer Mud Pie
Double Layer Pumpkin Pie
Soft and Chewy Chocolate Bites
Easy Jam Filled Cookies
No Bake Cereal Bars
Baklava
Triple Chocolate Fudge Truffles
Banana Split Cake Parfaits

And many more to come!

Lemon Brownies

2011-12-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

Borrowed from: Newlyweds

What you need:

1 1/2 cup Flour

1 1/2 cup Sugar

1 tsp salt

2 sticks of butter

4 Eggs

1 Lemon (you'll need all the juice and all the zest)

1 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

1 Lemon (Juice and zest, again)

What to do:

Mix in flour, sugar and salt to let lose any lumps

Add in butter and lemon juice.

Add in your eggs, lastly.

Start zesting away and add what you can.

You can make this in a pan or cupcake pan.

Grease your pan and place wax paper and grease that as well. Then place your mix.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Let cool.

Meanwhile, Make your glaze.

Mix together powdered sugar and lemon juice and zest again. If you feel like it's still to thick, and you're out of lemons you can add in some store bought Lemon Juice, it'll make it a bit more tart I think, which adds a lot to the brownies!

Enjoy!

Linked to all of THESE awesome blogs!

A Themed Baker's Sunday #17

2011-12-11T15:44:00.000-08:00

There were so many awesome recipes and ideas! Thank you all for participating. You're making me SUPER excited for Christmas!

Ok, so there are no winners, no losers. But here were some pretty awesome ideas for Christmas!

Peppermint Stick Sandwich Cookies By: Hun...What's For Dinner?

Chocolate Peppermint Truffle Tart By: The Way To His Heart

Candy Cane Blossoms By: Making Memories

Candy Cane Frosting By: Pint Sized Baker

Oreo Snowman Pops By: The Sweet Swiper

Christmas Cake Truffles By: Life's Simple Measures

Stained Glass Ornament Cookies By: Olla Podrida

Reindeer Nose Cookies By: Munchkin Munchies

Polka Dot Christmas Tree Cupcakes By: Mrs. Fox's Sweets

Homemade Oreos By: The Crafty Conundrum

If you've been featured, Please take my button! ---->

WHEW! Lots of ideas! Bring me back some more!!

Keep those Christmas yummy's coming!

Honey Infused Corn Bread

2011-12-11T15:15:00.000-08:00

I got this recipe from HERE and made my own version!

What You Need:

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup sugar

3 eggs

1 2/3 cups milk

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 Small Container of Honey (preferably one that has a long tip)

What to do:

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.

Combine the eggs and milk.

Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt.

Add to dry mixture alternately with egg mixture.

Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan.

This is the most important part (and of course I forgot to take photos):

Before putting this in the oven, take your container of honey and insert the long pointed tip into random places in the corn bread. I put just a squeeze every 2 inches from each other.

Bake at 400 degrees F for 22-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cut into squares; serve warm.

Linked to all of THESE awesome blogs!

A Themed Baker's Sunday #16

2011-12-04T00:39:00.000-08:00

So there was a lot to choose from, not as much as usual, but there were still a lot of great recipes, things that were especially unique!

Ok! Here are my top 6 picks:

Number 6

Blueberry Crumb Bars By: No Empty Chairs

Number 5

Blueberry Salsa By: The Kitchen is Playground

Number 4

Raspberry Ribbons By: Meg's Everyday Indulgence

Number 3

Blackberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake By: Life's Simple Measures

Number 2

Mini Fruit Tarts By: Crazy for Crust

AND A TIE FOR NUMBER 1!!!!
Mixed Berry Sorbet with Meyer Lemon and Basil By: uTry.it

Tie for Number 1

Chocolate Mousse in Dark Chocolate Cups By: That Skinny Chick Can Bake

CONGRATS!
If you've been featured take a button ---->

Ok, so the votes are in and from here until Christmas weekend will be NONSTOP CHRISTMAS THEMED BAKER'S SUNDAYS! YAY!

Very excited!!!
Enter in your cookies, pies, cakes, etc etc etc that are Christmas related!!!!

Oh So Chocolate-y Cake

2011-12-03T23:04:00.000-08:00

Oh So Chocolate-y Cake!

So this is what you need:

-1 box (18.25oz) Devil's Food Cake Mix (but I used Swiss Chocolate mix)

- 1 (5.9 oz) Pack Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix

- 1 cup Sour Cream

-1 cup Vegetable Oil

- 4 Eggs

-1/2 cup warm water

-1 pack of Semi Sweet Chocolate Morsels

For Cream Cheese Topping:

-1(8oz) Cream Cheese

-1 tsp Vanilla

-1/4 cup Powdered Sugar

-1/4 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk

What you need to do!

Preheat oven to 350.

Bring together all the wet ingredients (here is the oil, water and eggs)

Add in Sour Cream and mix very well.

Slowly add in the pudding mix and the cake mix.

Add in the Morsels

Don't forget to spray your pan!!

(This would be a great Bundt cake, but I don't have a pan!

Which is a huge shocker to myself)

Pour evenly into pan. Bake for about 30-40 min.

Cool completely.

While that is cooling, make your cream cheese mix!

Basically, add in everything together!

Place in a pipe bag or in a zip lock bag with a small hole cut in the corner.

Drizzle!

Go Crazy! It doesn't have to look perfect, especially since sloppy-organized looks good!

This is roughly what it should look like!

TA DAAA!

Enjoy!

Linked to:
Sweet Tooth Friday

Sweets for a Saturday
Sweet Indulgences Sunday
Mangia Mondays
Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays
Tuesdays at the Table

2 Maids a Baking

YUM!

A Themed Baker's Sunday #15

2011-11-30T19:11:00.000-08:00

Whew! It took me a while to go through all of those LOVELY recipes! Thank you all so much for participating! This last Themed Baker's Sunday, I didn't want to make it about winning, so here are a few unique recipes that really popped!

White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies By: Life's Simple Measures

This is so different! I LOVE it! Cranberry's have had a bad rep, but they're coming back in 'style'.

Butternut Squash Bake By: The Better Baker

You always see sweet potatoes on the table but never squash! I'm defiantly making this for next year!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies By: Cook with Sara

OOO This is a great right before Thanksgiving teaser or a great treat in between Thanksgiving and CHRISTMAS!

Turkey Cake Pops By: The Sweet Swiper

You know I am a bit biased when it comes to cake pops, they're just so darn cute!!

Mini Pumpkin Bundt Cakes with Cream Cheese Drizzle By: That Skinny Chick Can Bake!

Tell me that these are not adorable and delicious looking!! These are a must make!

Cabernet Cranberry Sauce By: The Kitchen is My Playground

I'm not big into cranberry sauce, but this recipe makes me want to try it! I'm going to be making this next year as well!!

For our next Themed Baker's Sunday, the votes are in and its................

........

BERRIES!

Any berry you can think of can be involved!!!

Link up, make sure you put my button on your recipe, and go comment on other blogger's yummy deliciousness!!!

A Themed Baker's Sunday #14

2011-11-20T20:13:00.000-08:00

A Themed Baker's Sunday Continues!!!

A Themed Baker's Sunday is back and just in time for the holidays!

This week's theme is simple!

THANKSGIVING!

Anything you want: cookies, pies, turkey marinades, stuffing, yams, rolls, etc. etc. etc. Whatever you got going on the table this year, bring it to A Themed Baker's Sunday!

Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

2011-11-20T19:34:00.000-08:00

I saw this recipe over at Sweet Pea's Kitchen and I had to 'steal' it from her!

What you need:

For Red Velvet mix:

1/2 cup butter
2-oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp red food coloring
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

For Cheesecake mix:

8-oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 8 inch metal baking pan. Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, letting the parchment extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. (This will make it easy to remove the bars from the pan after they have baked.) Butter the parchment.

2. In a small, heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together. Stir until combined and very smooth. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and red food coloring. Add chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Add flour and salt and stir until just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain.

4. Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.

5. To prepare cheesecake mixture, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth.

6. Distribute the cheesecake mixture in 8 dollops over batter in the pan

7. Swirl in with a knife or spatula.

8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until brownies and cheesecake are set. A knife inserted into the cheesecake mixture should come out clean and the edges will be lightly browned.

9. Let cool completely in pan on a cooling rack before lifting out the parchment paper to remove the brownies.

Linked to:
Sweets For A Saturday
Savory Sunday
Sweet Indulgences Sunday
Tuesdays at the Table

Chicken Bundles

2011-09-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

Hey followers! Thank you so much for you support from last post :) I really appreciate it!

I'm going to try to bake more and bring back THEMED BAKER'S SUNDAY!!

Ok, I'm making a post for this simple, but awesome looking dinner idea!

Chicken Bundles

What you need:

1/2 Julienne Carrots

2 cups Cooked Chicken, diced

1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

4 medium Green Onion, diced

1/2 cup Red Pepper

1 package (6.5 oz) Garlic & Herb Spreadable Cheese, softened

1 box Phyllo Dough, thawed

Cooking Spray

What you need to do:

Preheat oven to 375.

Pan fry carrots, to slightly tender and add chicken.

In a separate bowl, while chicken is cooking, stir together all ingredients.

When chicken is done cooking, add in carrots and chicken to your veggie/cheese mix.

Here is how you make your bundle:

I'm sorry for the background noise, I like to listen to music and my husband was putting dishes away (How sweet of him!)

Bake for 20 to 30 min until they are browned.

Enjoy!