HAPPY THANKGIVING!

There was SUPPOSED to be a nice Thanksgiving blog post... However, the iPad ate it - around midnight. I just didn't have it in me to pour out my heart and soul TWICE early this morning. SO, I am sharing my wonderful Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes instead!

Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes   serves 6

(This recipe is such a crowd pleaser, that I always double the recipe so I will have leftovers!)
Ingredients
    1/4 cup vegetable oil (I've use rice bran oil, & this year, I'm using coconut oil)
    2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
    2 tablespoons brown sugar (I use coconut palm sugar)
    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    3/4 teaspoon salt (I use pink Himalayan sea salt for the flavor)    

    1 pinch freshly ground pepper
    1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (optional)
Directions
1.    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Pour the oil into a 9x13 inch baking dish, and place in the oven until hot, about 5 minutes.
2.    Add potatoes to the oiled dish, and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, turning after 10 minutes. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
3.    After the 20 minutes is up, remove the potatoes from the oven, and sprinkle with the brown sugar mixture. Stir to coat. Return to the oven, and roast for another 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and golden brown. Stir potatoes as necessary to allow them to brown evenly.
4.    Remove potatoes to paper towels to drain, then transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle with lime juice. 

Enjoy! And have a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving!

'TIS THE SEASON FOR PUMPKIN PUDDING - Mums' Perfect Pumpkin (or Squash) Pudding Recipe

'TIS THE SEASON FOR PUMPKIN PUDDING

OR SQUASH... 

OR WHATEVER YOU HAVE OUT OF THE GARDEN OR IN A CAN!

 

Our family LOVES Mums' Pumpkin/Squash Pudding. It is a recipe that becomes all your own with each pudding. I will give you the basic recipe AND all of Mums' alterations.

BASIC PUMPKIN PUDDING RECIPE

Mix 3 eggs in a large bowl.

Mix in:

2 jars pumpkin

1 can milk

1 cup sugar

pumpkin pie spice

 

Cook in microwave on high for 20 minutes or until set up around the edges and firm in the middle.

Mum says:

Using your own pumpkin or squash (and you can use any kind of pumpkin or squash):

• Use about 6 cups of your own cooked, mashed or blended pumpkin/squash.
• Blending the meat of the pumpkin/squash will make a smoother pudding.
• Add more eggs (4) / less liquid for a more moist pumpkin/squash. Use less eggs (3) / more liquid for a dryer pumpkin/squash.

Everything that she adds is more to taste and 'feel' of the uncooked pudding than what is according to the recipe. Our favorite sweetening is maple syrup. Again - that's more liquid, so add less milk and more eggs.

She usually just adds cinnamon for spice, instead of the pumpkin pie spice.

We don't do regular dairy, so 'milk' is whatever we have readily available - almond/nut milk, coconut milk, rice milk, etc.

ENJOY!

 DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE FALL RECIPE? 

PLEASE SHARE IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

AND, AS ALWAYS,

BE SAVVY, BE SERENE, BE SUCCESSFUL! 

NOVEMBER HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL DAYS, & JUST WACKY DAYS!

DID YOU KNOW...

November is:

• Aviation History Month
• Child Safety Protection Month
• International Drum Month
• National Adoption Awareness Month
• National Epilepsy Month
• National Model Railroad Month
• National Novel Writing Month
• Native American Heritage Month
• Peanut Butter Lovers Month
• Real Jewelry Month
• National Sleep Comfort Month

November Week Celebrations:

• Week 1 Chemistry Week
• Week 3 Game and Puzzle Week

November, 2013 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days:

1 All Saint's Day
2 All Soul's Day
2 Book Lovers Day - This means that I get to read ALL DAY, right?
2 Deviled Egg Day
2 Look for Circles Day
3 Housewife's Day
3 Sandwich Day
4 King Tut Day
5 Gunpowder Day
5 Guy Fawkes Day
6 Marooned without a Compass Day
6 Saxophone Day
7 Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
8 Cook Something Bold Day
8 Dunce Day
9 Chaos Never Dies Day
10 Forget-Me-Not Day
10 USMC Day
11 Veteran's Day
12 Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
12 Young Readers Day
13 National Indian Pudding Day
13 Sadie Hawkins Day
13 World Kindness Day
14 Operating Room Nurse Day
15 Clean Your Refrigerator Day
15 America Recycles Day
15 National Philanthropy Day
16 Button Day
16 Have a Party With Your Bear Day
17 Electronic Greeting Card Day
17 Homemade Bread Day
17 Take A Hike Day
17 World Peace Day
18 Occult Day
19 Have a Bad Day Day
20 Absurdity Day
20 Beautiful Day
20 Universal Children's Day
21 False Confession Day
21 Great American Smoke-out  - third Thursday in November
21 World Hello Day
22 Go For a Ride Day
23 Eat a Cranberry Day
23 National Cashew Day
23 National Adoption Day - Saturday before Thanksgiving
25 National Parfait Day 
26 Shopping Reminder Day
27 Pins and Needles Day
28 Make Your Own Head Day
28 Red Planet Day
28 Thanksgiving
29 Black Friday
29 Square Dance Day
29 You're Welcome Day - the day after Thanksgiving
30 Stay At Home Because You Are Well Day 

MAY YOU HAVE A SAVVY, SERENE, 

& SUCCESSFUL NOVEMBER!

ARE WE THERE YET? ORGANIZATION 101

SO! What started out as a 'I AM SERIOUSLY SLEEP DEPRIVED', and 'let's see what might help with that' quest, has taken on a bit of a life of its' own. This QUEST started with Feng Shui-ing my bedroom. After moving furniture, cleaning said DUSTY furniture, rearranging everything so that my bed was in the optimal position for the room, and going on an all out quest of everything having a place AND living in that place... Not dumping clothes on the chair is KILLING me, but WHO KNEW - it's a great spot to SIT! Since creating great energy flow in the room while I am SLEEPING, limiting stimulants (namely chocolate and tea, as well as night use of the computer), changing evening bedroom lighting (candles and soft light lamps), and getting to bed AT A DECENT TIME has ALL contributed to relieving the ZOMBIE BRAIN state, I suddenly realized what life in a fog had bestowed upon me - A HUGE, UGLY, OVERWHELMING MESS!

 

That's when I started attacking the rest of the house, going into 'I CAN'T STAND ALL THIS CRUD' organizing and REMOVING CRUD mode! And it didn't all happen in Octobers' 'GET ORGANIZED' week. It has taken WEEKS. But now that everything has a home, and I have counter space in the kitchen, the bookshelves in the living room are once again accessible (WOO HOO! Got more books than you have space? Stack creatively!), my stress level is once again manageable, I find myself wanting to get rid of excess.  

If it doesn't serve me, then bye-bye!

 

And that leads me up to my HUGE-A-MONSTROUS closet. I turned all of the hangers BACKWARDS. As I wear things, I will rehang them RIGHT. Next October everything that doesn't get worn, GOES. I'm not exactly sure what I will do for everything on the shelves... Clear out a shelf and put things on it as I wear them???  

ANY IDEAS? PLEASE POST!

What do you do to keep organized? Please share in the comments, and as always, 

Be Savvy, Be Serene, and Be Successful!

SIMPLE, SIMPLY SCRUMPTIOUS GRAIN-FREE SCONES

I've been reading Christina Li's A Little Bit of Coffee, Flowers, and Romance books. Great books! Humorous, good mystery, great characters, British tea FOOD descriptions... Needless to say, I found myself DYING for scones! For someone who doesn't eat grain, this presented a challenge. But don't worry, I got my delectable scones!

I used my basic scone recipe (measurements for a large batch are in ( ) ). 4 bags of Chocolate Coconut tea in 2 cups of water, made a nice strong flavor to my liquid for a perfect, light flavor to the actual scones. This light chocolate flavor married well with strawberry preserves. To make it grain-free, for flour I used 1/3 amount each of coconut flour, tapioca flour, and quinoa flour. I also made them a little thinner so that they wouldn't need to be cut open.

Basic Scones (Large batch) 
1. 2 (2 ½) c. flour / 1 Tbs. baking powder / ½ tsp. salt / 2 Tbs. sweetener (opt.) - mix
2. 6 (8) Tbs. butter - cut in
3. ½ (2/3) c. buttermilk, tea, or other liquid - make well in center, pour & mix. My scones used a good cup of liquid. Mix and add until a moist biscuit consistency.
4. Spread out on waxed paper, parchment paper, silpat and baking sheet and make into nice 1/2" - 1" thick circle. 
5. Cut into pie shape and move shapes out so that the sides aren't touching.
 
Bake 425* 10 - 20 minutes, or until light brown. 7 - 10 minutes in a 400* Convection oven if you are in a hurry!

Serve with complementing tea and toppings. ENJOY!

Please share you favorite scones and tea ideas!

BE SAVVY, BE SERENE, BE SUCCESSFUL 

OCTOBER WILD, WONDERFUL, & WACKY DAYS

OCTOBER IS:

• Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
• American Pharmacist Month
• Apple Jack Month
• Awareness Month
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Clergy Appreciation Month
• Computer Learning Month
• Cookie Month
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• Eat Country Ham Month
• International Drum Month
• Lupus Awareness Month
• National Diabetes Month
• National Pizza Month
• National Vegetarian Month
• National Popcorn Popping Month
• Sarcastic Month
• Seafood Month

A VIEW OF OCTOBER WEEKS:

• Week 1 Get Organized Week
• Week 1 Customer Service Week
• Week 2 Fire Prevention Week
• Week 2 Pet Peeve Week
• Week 3 Pastoral Care Week

WILD, WONDERFUL, & WACKY OCTOBER DAYS:

1 World Vegetarian Day
2 National Custodial Worker Day
2 Name Your Car Day
3 Techies Day
3 Virus Appreciation Day
4 National Golf Day
4 National Frappe Day
5 Do Something Nice Day
5 International Frugal Fun Day - first Saturday of the month
5 Oktoberfest in Germany, date varies
5 World Teacher's Day
6 Come and Take it Day
6 Mad Hatter Day
6 Physician Assistant Day
7 Bald and Free Day
7 World Smile Day
8 American Touch Tag Day
9 Curious Events Day
9 Emergency Nurses Day- date varies
9 Fire Prevention Day
9 Leif Erikson Day
9 Moldy Cheese Day
10 National Angel Food Cake Day
11 It's My Party Day
11 Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day
11 World Egg Day  - second Friday of month
12 Cookbook Launch Day
12 Old Farmer's Day
12 Moment of Frustration Day
14 Columbus Day - second Monday of month
13 International Skeptics Day
14 Be Bald and Free Day
14 National Dessert Day
15 White Cane Safety Day
16 Bosses Day
16 Dictionary Day
17 Wear Something Gaudy Day
18 No Beard Day 
19 Evaluate Your Life Day
19 International Newspaper Carrier Day -date varies each year
19 Sweetest Day - Third Saturday of month
20 Brandied Fruit Day   
21 Babbling Day
21 Count Your Buttons Day
21 National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day 
22 National Nut Day
23 National Mole Day
23 Tv Talk Show Host Day
24 National Bologna Day
24 United Nations Day 
19 Sweetest Day - Third Saturday of month 
25 Punk for a Day Day
25 World Pasta Day
25 Frankenstein Friday - last Friday in October
26 Make a Difference Day-  fourth Saturday of the month, neighbors helping neighbors.
26 National Mincemeat Day
27 National Tell a Story Day - in Scotland and the U.K.
27  Mother-In-Law Day - fourth Sunday in October
27 Navy Day
28 Plush Animal Lover's Day   
29 Hermit Day
29 National Frankenstein Day
30 National Candy Corn Day
30 Mischief Night
31 Carve a Pumpkin Day - no surprise here
31 Halloween
31 Increase Your Psychic Powers Day

Since this is the 1st week of October, I'm off to get organized! I'm also thinking up names for my car AND trying to decide what cookies to make. So, which days are you going to celebrate?

Have a wild, wonderful, and wacky October!

SEPTEMBER DAZE

DID YOU KNOW THAT SEPTEMBER IS:
    Classical Music Month
    Hispanic Heritage Month
    Fall Hat Month
    International Square Dancing Month
    National Blueberry Popsicle Month
    National Courtesy Month
    National Piano Month
    Chicken Month
    Baby Safety Month
    Little League Month
    Honey Month
    Self Improvement Month
    Better Breakfast Month

OR THAT SEPTEMBER HAS SO MANY DAILY HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL AND/OR WACKY DAYS? 
Here are September 2013 DAZE at a glance:

1 Emma M. Nutt Day, the first woman telephone operator
2 Labor Day First Monday of month
2 National Beheading Day (this should just be for France, right?)
3 Skyscraper Day
4 Newspaper Carrier Day
5 Be Late for Something Day
5 Cheese Pizza Day
6 Fight Procrastination Day
6 Read a Book Day (REALLY!! Read a book & Fight Procrastination - all on the same day? Either someone has a great sense of humor or wires got crossed somewhere!)
7 Neither Rain nor Snow Day
8 Grandparent's Day - first Sunday after Labor Day
8 International Literacy Day
8 National Date Nut Bread Day 
8 Pardon Day
8 National Pet Memorial Day -second Sunday in September
9 Teddy Bear Day
10 Sewing Machine Day
10 Swap Ideas Day
11 911 Remembrance
11 Make Your Bed Day
11 No News is Good News Day
12 Chocolate Milk Shake Day
12 National Video Games Day 
13 Blame Someone Else Day - first  Friday the 13th of the year.
13 Defy Superstition Day
13 Fortune Cookie Day
13 National Peanut Day
13 Positive Thinking Day
13 Uncle Sam Day - his image was first used in 1813
14 National Cream-Filled Donut Day
15 Make a Hat Day
15 Felt Hat Day - On this day, men traditionally put away their felt hats.
15 National Women's Friendship Day - third Sunday in September
16 Collect Rocks Day
16 Step Family Day
16 Mayflower Day
16 Mexican Independence Day
16 National Play Doh Day
16 Working Parents Day
17 National Apple Dumpling Day
17 Citizenship Day
17 Constitution Day
18 National Cheeseburger Day
19 International Talk Like A Pirate Day
19  National Butterscotch Pudding Day
20 National Punch Day
20 POW/MIA Recognition Day - Third Friday of September
21 International Peace Day
21 International Rabbit Day - Fourth Saturday in September
21 Miniature Golf Day
21 Oktoberfest, begins, date varies
21 World Gratitude Day
22 Business Women's Day
22 Elephant Appreciation Day
23 Checkers Day
23 Dog in Politics Day
24 National Cherries Jubilee Day
25 National Comic Book Day
26 Johnny Appleseed Day
27 Crush a Can Day
27 Native American Day - fourth Friday of the month
28 Ask a Stupid Question Day
28 National Good Neighbor Day - Always September 28, previously the 4th Sunday in month
27 Native American Day - fourth Friday of the month
29 Confucius Day - Try your luck. Get a Fortune Cookie.
30 National Mud Pack Day

Yes, there's a lot of fun to be had in September!

So, be Savvy, Be Serene, and be Successful!

SIMPLE & SCRUMPTIOUS HOMEMADE KETCHUP

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE TOMATOES COMING OUT OF YOUR EARS???

When the freezer is full and the neighbors are begging, "ENOUGH!" ???

What do you do?

Why, you make KETCHUP, of course!

This is a WONDERFUL recipe. Mum has made 3 or 4 batches so far - the tomatoes are still producing... The kitchen smells AMAZING when the ketchup is cooking!

KETCHUP

2 1/2 quarts sliced tomatoes (15 - 17 medium sized)

3/4 cup chopped onion

3" piece of cinnamon

1 large garlic clove, chopped

1 tsp. whole cloves (or powdered and added when the vinegar is added to the tomatoes)

1 cup vinegar

1 teaspoon paprika

Dash cayenne pepper

Simmer together tomatoes and onion for about 20 - 30 minutes; press through a sieve. Put the cinnamon, garlic, and cloves loosely in a clean, thin, white cloth or tall tea ball; tie top tightly; add to vinegar and simmer 30 minutes. Remove spices. Boil sieved tomatoes rapidly until one-half original volume. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Add spiced vinegar, salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper to tomato mixture. Boil rapidly for at least 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until thickened to desired consistency. Pour into clean, hot sterilized jars. Seal. The catsup will also freeze well in small containers.

Process for 10 minutes in boiling-water bath. Remove from canner. Complete seals if necessary. Cool on a wire rack.

If you want a somewhat sweeter ketchup, you can add honey just before you seal. Your taste is your best guide here, so add and stir in honey until the taste pleases you.

Daddy and I aren't huge ketchup eaters, but we LOVE our barbeque sauce! Mum just goes a little heavy handed on the spices and this is the BEST barbeque sauce ever!!!

ENJOY! 

AND BE SAVVY, BE SERENE, BE SUCCESSFUL

6 TIPS FOR ATTAINING PEACE

Here are some tips for attaining PEACE through unconditional love. 

1. Each time you perform an act of love you refresh yourself with positive energy. Make it a part of your life to do something loving every single day. 1 Corinthians 13 says that WHATEVER you do, if it is without love (Amplified says, "God's love in me") I am only noisy..., I am nothing, and that I gain, or have, nothing.

2. Work to attain oneness in soul and spirit by practicing unconditional love. I tend to agree with the Bible scholars who say that the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) is love and that the following list is a list of the attributes of love: joy, peace, longsuffering/patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control. How often do we, or do we not, react to those nearest and dearest in love?
 

3. Set aside some quiet time each week to meditate on your life, your intentions, and thoughts. Consider each area of your life and decide what will bring you  peace. Reflect on how you can change aspects of your life by filling your days with unconditional love.
 
4. Set aside daily quiet time to renew your spirit in God's Word. Speak to the Prince of Peace and leave your burdens at the Throne of Grace.

5. Keep in mind that you do not have to love the personality or the actions of others. Try seeing those around you as God sees them, and loving them as He loves them. I love both versions of Amy Carmichael's poem, 'Love Though Me, Love of God'. This is from her book, 'IF'. 

Love through me, Love of God;

Make me like thy clear air

Through which, unhindered, colors pass

As though it were not there.

Powers of the love of God,

Depths of the heart Divine,

O love that faileth not, break forth,

And flood this world of Thine.

6. Thinking one way and acting another creates discord in your heart and your mind. Be true and congruent within yourself. Your thoughts and actions need to agree. In other words, practice what you preach -- even to yourself.

What do you do to bring peace in your life? How do you handle chaos? Please share below!

BE SAVVY, BE SUCCESSFUL, 

AND BE SERENE

JUST PEDAL-A LESSON OF LIFE

JUST PEDAL

    At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the President. I know He was out there, but I did not really know Him.

    But later on when I recognized God, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in the back helping me pedal.

    I do not know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. Life without my God, that is. God makes life exciting!

    When I had control I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, through rocky places, and at breakneck speeds! It was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, “Pedal!”

    I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer. I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. An when I’d say “I am scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand.

    He took me to people with gifts that I needed - the gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey - our journey, God’s and mine. And we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away. They’re extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

    I did not trust Him in control of my life at first. I thought He’d wreck it. But He knows bike secrets. He knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages.

    And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I am beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, my God.

    And when I am sure I just cannot do any more, He smiles and says, “Pedal.”                                                                                   -SOURCE UNKNOWN

BE SAVVY, BE SERENE, BE SUCCESSFUL, 

BUT MOST OF ALL, BE SWEET!

AN EXCELLENT HEALTH RESOURCE

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Sanoviv Medical Institute is a state of the art facility that offers alternative, holistic and integrative health programs to treat a wide range of diseases. Their approach is hand tailored to suit your biochemical individuality, using a customized protocol made for you.

Sign up for their free emails for LOTS of health information. 

Be Savvy, Be Serene, Be Successful

 

THE JOYS OF GINGER - 10 BENEFITS & 3 DELICIOUS COOKIES

10 Terrific Benefits of Ginger & 3 Thrillingly Delicious Recipes

1. Haven’t been feeling hungry? Eat fresh ginger just before lunch (when your digestive energy is naturally at its peak) to stoke a dull appetite and fire up the digestive juices.

2. Ginger improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body.

3. Ginger clears the ‘microcirculatory channels’ of the body, including the pesky sinuses that tend to flare up from time to time.

4. Feeling airsick or nauseous? Chew on ginger, preferably tossed in a little honey.

5. Can’t stop the toot-a-thon? Gas—oops—guess what?! Ginger helps reduce flatulence!

6. Tummy moaning and groaning under cramps? Munch on ginger.

7. Reeling under joint pain? Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory properties—can bring relief. Float some ginger essential oil into your bath to help aching muscles and joints.

8. Planning surgery? Plan ahead! Chewing ginger post-operation can help overcome nausea.

9. Stir up some ginger tea to get rid of throat and nose congestion. And when there’s a nip in the air, the warming benefits of this tasty tea are even greater!

10. Got the blues? Try one of my Ginger Cookie recipes!

Triple-Ginger Cookies  From Country Living

Fresh, ground, and candied gingers give these dense cookies a real kick.
Ingredients
2 cup(s) whole-wheat flour (I used 1 c. buckwheat / 2/3 c. quinoa / 1/4 c. tapioca flours)
1 tablespoon(s) ground ginger
1 teaspoon(s) baking soda
Salt
1 stick(s) butter
1/4 cup(s) molasses
2/3 cup(s) light brown sugar (used slightly less coconut palm sugar)
2 tablespoon(s) finely grated fresh ginger
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup(s) dried apricots, finely chopped
1/2 cup(s) finely chopped crystallized ginger
1 cup(s) turbinado sugar
Directions:
1.    In a large bowl, stir together flour, ground ginger, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
2.    In a small pan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Remove from heat and stir in molasses, brown sugar, and fresh ginger. Let cool.
3.    Add egg to cooled molasses mixture and stir to combine. Slowly stir into reserved dry ingredients, then stir in apricots and crystallized ginger. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
4.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Meanwhile, place turbinado sugar in a shallow bowl. Shape dough into half-inch balls, then roll in turbinado sugar. Place cookies on two parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between cookies. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Gramma Jessie Sarber’s Molasses Cookies

This recipe is very close to the The Taste of Home Cookie Jar Gingersnaps and Starbuck's Molasses Cookies. I have included the differences.  

Makes about 4 dozen regular sized cookies or 1 dozen large.
¾ cup Butter (shortening - Cookie Jar Gingersnaps)
1 cup Brown Sugar
1 Egg
¼ c. Molasses
2 ¼ cup Flour
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
¼ teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
½ teaspoon Cloves (leave out for Starbuck's Molasses Cookies)
1 teaspoon Ginger (1-1/2 tsp - Cookie Jar Gingersnaps)

Mix; Roll into balls; Dip balls into Granulated Sugar & place sugar side up, on a Baking Sheet; Sprinkle with water.  Bake at 375* (350* - Cookie Jar Gingersnaps) degrees for 10-12 minutes or 325* Convection 8 min., until set, but not hard.

Double Ginger Cookies

Makes: 5 dozen Cookies
Preheat 375* (350* Convection)
Cream: 3/4 (1 ½ sticks) Challenge Unsalted Butter   *   2 tsp. grated ginger   *   ½ tsp. Salt   *   1 1/4 c. sugar
Blend in: 1/4 c. molasses   *   1 large Egg  
Combine & blend in mix: 2 ½ c. flour   *   1 ½ tsp. Baking Powder   *   1 tsp. Baking Soda
Stir in: 3 TBS finely minced fresh ginger root
Form into 1" balls - roll in sugar to coat (or not), arrange approx. 2" apart on silpat. 

Bake 10 min. (7 min. convection). Let cool 2-3 min. before transferring to racks

I have used every different kind of flour, combinations of flours that you can imagine - from all purpose white wheat to grain-free - and the cookies have always been delicious. Use whatever you prefer for your personal dietary needs.

ENJOY! HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS!

UNBELIEVABLY, UNDENIABLY, INCREDIBLY, EDIBLY DELICIOUS PARMESAN KALE CRISPS

I have a kale plant that just keeps kaling! 

A friend shared a few kale plants with me a couple of years ago. They were in a small pot. They got put in a BIGGER pot and brought inside for the winter. This last winter the plants looked like they had pretty much given up the ghost. I was ready to let them go, but Mum planted them in the garden. OH MY GOODNESS! They don't quit producing - LOTS!!! 

SO, the BIG question is...  

WHAT ON EARTH do I do with all of this kale?!?!  

 

And while I do enjoy kale chips (or crisps, ;o) if you prefer), even I was getting tired of them. Then I came across this recipe - YOWZA! They are unbelievably, undeniably, incredibly, edibly GOOD!

Cheesy Kale Chips                                                  

Sarah’s 16 servings version

• 8 cups Kale ripped into bite size pieces
• 4 tbsp rice bran oil 
• 3-4 turns of Himalayan salt grinder
• 2/3 cup Parmesan Cheese

Original 4 servings recipe

• 2 cups Kale ripped into bite size pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil 
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of fresh ground pepper

• 3 tbsp Parmesan Cheese

 

Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl (I put it all in the HUGE tupperware bowl with the lid and shake it). Spread out on your Silpat and baking sheet(s) or whatever you use for non-stick and baking sheet(s). Bake about 15 min. at 350*. ENJOY!

BE SAVVY, BE SERENE, BE SUCCESSFUL, 

AND DON'T FORGET - BE SWEET!

Please share all of your delicious kale recipes!

VERY VANILLA CRANILLA COOKIES

 When my aunt gave me this recipe, I SWORE she hated me! It is IMPOSSIBLE to eat just one. Well, actually, it is POSSIBLE. To eat just one BATCH at a time! 

By the way, this cookie pairs beautifully with Tazo Passion tea. ;o) If you find another great pairing, please share in the comments below.

 

CRANILLA COOKIES 

(Makes about 36 or 6 1/2 doz. small cookies)
 

Mix until smooth:

1 c. butter * 3/4 c. sugar * 2 TBS vanilla extract * 1 tsp cranberry extract (Watkins) opt.
 

Add and mix: 2 c. flour * 1 tsp baking powder * 1 tsp salt * 2 c. coarsely chopped cranberries: whole, fresh or dry * 1 c. chopped walnuts &/or combined w/ ground /crushed almonds * 1 egg * 1 c. white chocolate chips

Drop by spoonful and bake: 350* about 13 min. or Convection 325* about 8 min.

I've used just about every kind of flour you can think of to make these cookies - wheat, spelt, millet, barley, sorghum, etc., so on, & so forth - and they ALWAYS turn out delicious! The original recipe only called for 1 measly teaspoon of vanilla extract. They are craNILLA cookies, for goodness sake! You should be able to taste the vanilla. So I added MORE vanilla and white chocolate chips. 

ENJOY! BE SWEET!

SIMPLE & DELICIOUS GRAIN-FREE WAFFLES

Confession time: I am a recovering carbohydrate addict. The only reason I am 'recovering' is that my body has decided it just can't handle grain or legumes. Pain and nausea have a way of getting your attention! However, there are times that I just really crave my comfort foods. Another confession... I am a lazy cook! A good many of the gluten-free, grain-free recipes are SO involved with a MILLION ingredients. HA! Like that's happening in my kitchen!!! So, when I had a desperate craving for waffles, I searched for a grain-free recipe. This is the one that I found, and what I ended up creating. =o)

 

WEB RECIPE FOR ALMOND FLOUR WAFFLES

This makes about 7 batches with the Five of Hearts Waffle Maker. Any leftovers freeze well.

2 Large eggs

1/2 cup cream, milk, coconut, milk, or water

1-2 TBS honey
1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup almond flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender.

2. Pour batter in the waffle maker (check the directions of your waffle maker for the specified amount).

SARAH'S GRAIN-FREE WAFFLES

3 Large eggs

2 cups plain almond milk

2 TBS coconut sugar

1/2 cup each: coconut flour & teff flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup oil

1. Blend all ingredients.

2. Pour batter in the waffle maker (check the directions of your waffle maker for the specified amount). For our Cuisinart Waffle Maker I used a 1/2 cup measure.

I also sprayed the waffle maker with coconut oil spray. (Trader Joe's has aerosol coconut oil spray - happy dance!)

Since I was using coconut flour, the batter needed more liquid. (Coconut flour expands in liquid!) Now I know that teff is controversial - whether it is a grass or a gluten free grain. My stomach doesn't react to it, so I place it firmly in the grass family!

ENJOY! AND BE SWEET! ;o)

SCRUMPTIOUS GRAIN-FREE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE RECIPE

 

Maybe this post should have been titled "DANGEROUS" instead of "SCRUMPTIOUS". I am eating ANOTHER cookie as I am writing this. ;o) They are DANGEROUSLY DELICIOUS. Cookies aren't usually much of a temptation for me, even before the wheat allergy and sensitivity to grains, but I do have a few recipes that are TOTALLY addicting. I will be sharing them over the next few weeks. ENJOY!

 

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies 

with Peanut Butter Chips

Makes 30 Cookies

Mix in medium bowl: 

1 cup brown sugar * 1 cup crunchy Peanut-butter

 

Stir in: 1 large egg * 1 tsp. baking soda * 1 tsp. vanilla

Stir in: 1 cup Peanut-butter Chips

1. Preheat oven to 350*. 

2. Drop by spoonfuls onto Silpat or lined baking sheets.

3. Bake 10 minutes or until puffed. Do not over-bake!

4. Cool on sheets. Store in covered container.

 

 

THE TEST KITCHEN:

Just in case you don't think it makes any difference using creamy or crunchy PB - like I did on my 1st batch of cookies... It does! The creamy PB cookies stayed 'puffed' and were quite dry and crumbly. They were still tasty, you just NEEDED that glass of milk, tea, WATER! The crunchy PB cookies are soft, moist and IRRESISTIBLY delicious.

 

I also used less sugar (closer to 3/4 cup than the 1 cup that the recipe calls for) and the cookies were plenty sweet and turned out beautifully.

 

 

BE HEALTHY AND BE SWEET!

 

 

PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAVORITE COOKIE RECIPE WITH ALL OF US!