Crochet

I have recently been crocheting and I really enjoy it! It took me a while to get a hang of it but, I think I am finally making use of my new hobby! My sister's birthday was this month and I decided that she inspires me to do a lot of homemade things, I would make her a scarf! I think it turned out pretty well!

Double Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

These delicious muffins are a nice fix for your sweet tooth without all the extra sugar!! Yum!!

1c. whole wheat flour

3/4c. ground flax

1/2c. wheat germ

1 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 c. cocoa powder

1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

1/2c. dark chocolate chips

1 c. lowfat buttermilk

3/4 c. pumpkin puree

1 c. honey

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Oil muffin tin. Combine flour, flax, wheat germ, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, cinnamon, and chocolate chips in a Large bowl. In another bowl, beat buttermilk, pumpkin, honey, egg and vanilla smooth. Stir wet ingredients into dry until combined. Spoon into muffin tin. Bake 20 min. Makes 1 dozen muffins.

Lentils

The health benefits of lentils!! Lentils are very rich in protein, folic acid, both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. Lentils are also very high in Vitamin C and the B vitamins, and contain 8 of the essential amino acids!

-The soluble fiber in lentils helps eliminate cholesterol. Lentils can also slow the liver's manufacture of cholesterol which helps reduce the whole body's levels!

-Studies have shown that diets high in lentils and peas (which both contain high levels of flavones) have reduced risk of breast cancer!

-The intake of dietary fiber, particularly from lentils has been known to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease!

Hearty Lentil Soup

I love this soup!! Especially on a cold day, to warm me up and fill my belly!! I was a little skeptical of lentils at first but once I tried them, they turned into one of my family's favorites!! ( and that is saying a lot because I have a picky husband and an even picky-er almost 3 year old! )

2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 carrots ,chopped
1/4 onion, chopped
1-2 stalks of celery,chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 qts. chicken broth
1/2 lb. dry lentil
2 lg. potatoes, chopped
1/2 lb. whole wheat noodles
1 box frozen, chopped spinach
salt and pepper to taste

Put olive oil in the bottom of your soup pot on the stove at med/high heat. Drop in your carrots, onion, and celery. Saute until tender. I usually add a little broth to the veggies as well. Then add the garlic and the rest of the broth. Now rinse your lentils off and put them into the pot and let them get soft. Meanwhile clean and chop your potatoes. Then place them into the pot. When potatoes and lentils are almost soft, add the noodles, usually about 10-15 minutes. When the noodles are almost soft, dethaw your spinach in the microwave about 2 minutes. Then take the spinach and place in a towel and squeeze all the liquid out. Put the spinach in the pot ( I dont always add all the spinach ). Continue to cook until all veggies, noodles, and lentils are soft and then serve!! This is a very thick soup so you may want to add more broth if you like a thinner soup. Enjoy!!

Grandmother Bread- The Remix :)

I LOVE homemade bread! I have tried making so many and my favorite by far was the original Grandmother Bread that my sister insisted that I had to try! Of course with me, no recipe ever stays the same so that is why I call it the remix! :) The recipe is sooo easy and simple and of course delicious! If you would like to try the original first you can click HERE :) Enjoy!

3 c. warm water

1 Tbsp. yeast

1 tsp. salt

1/4c. honey

1/4c. ground flax

1/8c. wheat germ

7-8c. flour ( i usually use 4c. whole wheat flour and the rest unbleached white flour)

In a large bowl combine water, yeast, honey, and salt. Let sit for 5 minutes.Stir in flax and wheat germ. Then stir in first 3c. of flour and begin mixing. Continue kneading in flour until elastic dough is formed. Rise dough in greased covered bowl until doubled.( about 1 hr. ) Uncover bowl, sprinkle with flour and knead again. Then divide in half. Shape into 2 loaves and place in greased bread pans. Cover and let rise again about 1 hr. Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Oatmeal Packets

These homemade oatmeal packets are healthy and convenient! (and not to mention super inexpensive!) They take only about 10 minutes to make and are well worth your time!! :)

1/2 of a large canister of rolled oats

1/2 of a large canister of quick oats

3 Tbsp. cinnamon

1c. wheat germ

Mix oats and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Take 2 c. of oat mixture and mix in the food processor until powdery. Fill snack size bags with 1/8 c. of ground oats, 1/8 c. of wheat germ, and 3/4c. of whole oat mixture.

To prepare:

Add 1/2-3/4c. of boiling water. Stir and serve! I usually add honey, ground flax, and sesame seeds to the cooked oatmeal! Sooo good!!!

Oats

The health benefits of oats are never-ending! I researched pages of their benefits and I summerized it for you! Reading up on these facts re-inspired me to add more oats into my daily diet! Here is why oats are worth eating :

-Complex carbs like oats not only lowers the risk of heart disease, but also reduces the risk of stroke and certain cancers and helps lower high blood pressure. Carbohydrates also contain a nonessential amino acid that improves mood!

-The type of fiber found in oats not only promotes a healthy digestive system, but also helps control blood sugar levels, which may help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Studies also show that high fiber foods help control appetite, which aids in weight loss!

-Selenium works as an antioxidant with vitamin E to help protect the body from free radical damage and protect the body against certain cancers.

-The phosphorus found in oats is just as important as calcium when it comes to strong teeth and bones!

-Oats are packed with vitamin B's which our bodies use for energy production, maintaining a healthy nervous system and reducing stress!

-The protein in oats are used to build, repair, and maintain all body tissues. Studies suggest that protein has a thermogenic effect that boosts metabolism!

I hope you found the benefits of oats as inspiring as I did!!

Crunchy Cocoa Granola

This recipe is great for a box cereal replacement! It is so easy to make and my family loves it!

(This is all the ingredients in the crockpot before cooking! Mix and cook in the same bowl! how easy!!)

Combine all of the following ingredients into the bowl of your crockpot:

4c. oats

1c. bran flakes

1c. wheat germ

2/3c. honey

1/2c. sesame seeds

1/4c. oil

2 Tbsp + 1 tsp cocoa

1 tsp cinnamon

Cook on low with the lid ajar for about 3 hours. Stir every half hour or more. Keep in storage bags. I usually serve the granola with almonds and/or dark chocolate chips and pour milk over the top!! Enjoy!

Pumpkin

This time of year I get the itch to bake up some pumpkin treats! I definately don't hesitate knowing the health benefits of this festive friend! I hope this inspires you to bake up something tasty and incorperate pumpkin into your diet all year round!!

Pumpkin is low in fat, calories and rich in disease fighting nutrients like:
-Alfa-carotene and Beta-carotene which protect our body's cells from attack and damage!
-Fiber which promotes bowel health and prevents cancer and heart disease!
-Packed with vitamins C and E!
-Potassium which, among other things, lowers your risk for hypertension :)
-Magnesium which aids in your body's absorption of calcium, is great for your heart and muscles!
-and Zinc which is great for your immune system, aids in bone density support, and prevents eye problems!

The pumpkin is quite amazing! It really doesn't get enough credit! After just a little research I quickly realized that it is much more than just a pretty face!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

These are my husbands favorite! They are super moist, eggless, and super delicious!

1c. pureed pumpkin
1/2c. water
1/4c. oil
1c. honey

2 Tbsp. ground flax
2 Tbsp. wheat germ
1 tsp. vanilla
1c. whole wheat flour
2/3c. unbleached white flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend pumpkin, water, oil, flax, wheat germ, honey and vanilla. Set aside. Mix flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg in large bowl. Add in pumpkin mixture- stir until well blended. Fold in chocolate chips. Spoon in oiled muffin tins.
Bake for 30 min. Makes 1 dozen muffins :)

Sesame Seeds

I have been adding sesame seeds to my recipes when ever I can! If you don't know much about sesame seeds you will really be amazed that such a little seed can really have so many health benefits! Here are a few things that sesame seeds bring to the table!

-They are a good source of magnesium! Magnesium aids in the body's absorption of calcium and plays a key role in the strength and formation of bones and teeth. It also helps lower your chance or helps you recover from heart attacks and stroke. And relieves stiff muscles and can benefit fibromyalgia patients!

-They are a great source of calcium! 1/2 cup of sesame seeds contains three times more calcium than 1/2 cup of whole milk!

-Full of copper! Copper is known to reduce some of the pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis.

-Contains lignins which are plant compounds that act as antioxidants!

-Last, but not least! They contain sesamin and sesamolin which are believed to prevent high blood pressure and protect liver against damage!

Now you see why I try to add these little guys in my recipes whenever possible!

Power Muffins

This is one of my favorite recipes! I make these muffins every week because it is a healthy breakfast and snack :)

1 ripe banana
2 tsp. olive oil
1 egg
1/4c. honey
1/2c. ground flax
1/4c. whole wheat flour
1/2c. oats
1/2 tsp. baking soda
(you can add or omit any of the following ingredients. I usually add all of them!)
1/2c. dark chocolate chips
3 Tbsp. wheat germ
1/4c. unsweetened shredded coconut
2 Tbsp. seseme seeds
1/4c. nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease muffin tins.
Mash banana in a medium bowl. Beat in oil, egg, and honey. In another bowl combine flax, oats, flour, and soda. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Then add chocolate chips, wheat germ, coconut, seeds and nuts if preferred. Spoon into muffin tin. Bake for 15-20 min.
Makes 6 muffins :)

Hello! This is a blog based on how, as a housewife, I care for my family! Bare with me because it will take a while to get this going because I am still learning!! Check back soon because I will be adding new recipes and ideas everyday for a while! Thank you!! :)