Margarita Stewart

Margaritas Luscious Chocolate Body Scrub ♥

2012-02-10T07:42:00.000-08:00

Margaritas Luscious Chocolate Body Scrub

I love sugar scrubs. Salt scrubs seem to dry my skin and hurt too much. I know Hershey has its own chocolate spa, but I don't have the time or money to get there, so here is what I came up with. I washed my face with this and licked my lips...omg LUSCIOUS!

1 C sugar

1½ T Cocoa Powder (not hot chocolate mix, real cocoa)

½ C coconut oil (warm so its liquid to be able to mix it easier)

2 T honey

Mix the sugar and cocoa first with a whisk, in another measuring cup or small bowl, mix the honey and coconut oil...than add the dry to wet.

I'd store this in the fridge but its not necessary if you are going to use it up in a day or two

You can also use an oil if you prefer, olive, grapeseed, but I am a coconut oil lover for body products.

This will harden when its above 76° but its easy to melt it back down if you prefer to have it liquid, your warm bathroom will bring it right back to liquid or put it in the hot shower a min or two.

Disclaimer: I use brown wash rags and towels (I live with all men and brown is my fav masculine color so its what we have) so I can't say what this will do to your pretty wash rags. Use a dark one. It did rinse right off of my cloth shower curtain.

Homemade Cheese-its

2012-01-28T03:49:00.000-08:00

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I came across this awesome homemade cheese-its recipe. They are so cute, and if you are going to eat junk food, making it yourself is one sure what to make sure you are not getting awful ingredients you can't even pronounce.
The ingredient list is so short and simple....Here is all you need.

Cheese-its

(adapted from “Ready Made” and a few other sources)

8 oz extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely shredded

½ stick unsalted butter, room temperature

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 c flour

2 T water, iced

See the full recipe with picture details on A Golden Afternoon.

Recycled Wine Bottle Torch.

2012-01-28T03:46:00.000-08:00

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I am always in search of ways to reuse all of the wine bottles that appear in my recycling container (must be my darn wino neighbors hehe)
Here is a really cool garden use for them.
For the website I found this on, with full directions, click here
Here are some pics from the site to give you an idea of how easy it is...

Click on the picture to take you to the details and sizes of the parts.

Homemade Modge Podge

2012-01-25T06:40:00.000-08:00

Homemade Modge Podge

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Modge Podge is simple to make, and the homemade version costs a fraction of the cost of the store bought stuff.

All it is, is 50-50 white elmers type glue and water. This will give you a modge podge with a matte finish...If you want a shiny finish, add a T of clear Varnish to your jar.

Fill a jar halfway with Elmers type glue and the other half with water. Add your varnish (optional) and you are ready to go.

Here are some ideas to use your modge podge

Modge Podge Rocks

Homemade Nutella !

2012-01-23T05:33:00.000-08:00

Okay Nutella fanatics..I know there are tons of you out there...I personally do not care for it, but my kids and sisters are huge fans. Here is a healthier version of it, you can make at home...There are a few variations to this recipe, so if you don't have the ingredients for this one, see links below.

Homemade Nutella

The original recipe instructs to strain the spread at the very end, but I don’t mind a little nut texture in mine. Adapted from the Encyclopédie du Chocolat, by way of David Lebovitz.

1 1/2 cup whole hazelnuts
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup powdered milk
1 Tbsp. mild-flavored honey
pinch salt
1 heaping cup chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, or chips
1 scant cup chopped milk chocolate, or chips

See the rest of the recipe on Babble

Another version...

Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Homemade Nutella)

adapted from the LA Times

2 cups raw hazelnuts

1/2 cup unsweetened good quality cocoa powder

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons hazelnut oil, more as needed

Full Recipe

And one more version..this one looks the best, but not real healthy....but then again, ya can't always eat healthy.
The Eccentric Cook

Homemade Nutella

makes for 3 jars

200 g Hazelnuts

1 can Condensed Milk

255 g Chocolate - the darker the better

1/2 cup hot Milk

Full Recipe with detailed pics

And while you are at it...make some Nutella Pudding.

How To Cut A Glass Bottle Using A String

2012-01-23T04:55:00.000-08:00

This is really cool. Great for if you are recycling your wine bottles...to make candle holders out of them for the garden.

great idea from smashgamr

String Ball Ornament Tutorial from Wild Olive

2012-01-23T04:30:00.000-08:00

You are probably thinking..Christmas? Who wants to think about that already, but if you are into handmade gifts, its never too early to start thinking about your next project. I came across this and had to post, for you, and for myself..sort of a bookmark to myself for next years project.

I love this idea! So simple, yet elegant. I remember making stuff like this as a child. Thanks to Wild Olive for the step by step directions.

Bean Soup Basics: How to make the best bean soup you ever had

2012-01-14T02:47:00.000-08:00

You can make almost any bean soup the same way. Having a pressure cooker not only saves time, but saves you from having to do much work..you can throw it in and leave! It will still be warm when you come home.

Really there isn't much to it, and you want to make it your own. Following someone else's exact recipe is not going to give you the results you will get by adding YOUR favorite beans, meats and herbs/spices.

Pressure Cookers on Amazon

1. Pressure cook the dried beans in water (see your pressure cooker book or here is an online guide,most take from 15-20 mins) I NEVER soak my beans. Honestly, I see no difference in any form when they are soaked overnight. I skip the soaking process altogether and just dump from the bag into the water and hit cook.

2. Drain and rinse.

3. Add a meat if you want meat (chicken, pork, beef) If not adding meat, skip to step five.

4. If adding meat, pressure cook the meat now in water or broth (time depends on what you are cooking) ...if its cooked, skip this step and move on.

5. Add vegetables (this can by anything, onions, celery, peppers, potatoes, kale, collard greens, tomatoes, etc etc, whatever veggies your family likes) You can also add cooked and crumbled bacon here if you wish.

6. Add the beans back in to the pressure cooker.

7. Add water to pressure cooker (you can use chicken broth also, but this adds sodium...and the vegetables WILL flavor the water very well, so there is no need to waste chicken broth here, but do what ya like)

8. Season (salt, pepper, herbs of your liking)

9. Cook for about five minutes in the pressure cooker.

Its done!

This is one kitchen gadget that I can honestly say for at least the last three years I have used twice a week, if not more often and has saved many nights of calling for food delivery. You can cook healthy too and the vegetable soup (just veggies and water and herbs) you can make in this is the best you ever had...and so healthy! (add some garbanzos too for protein).

Here is a search of the pressure cookers on amazon, great prices, and cheap if not free shipping!
Pressure Cookers on Amazon

Organize your life...easily!

2012-01-14T02:21:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this iPhone app. (Its available for Android too).

First of all, let me start by saying...IT'S FREE!!!

Cozi let's you type your lists up on the computer, and when out and about, pull them up on your phone. No more forgetting your list. Also, calanders and journals too..and you can sych to your whole family's phones easily so that when you make an appt, they can view it, or you can alert their phone's that it was made.

If you have a smart phone, I know you will love this app as much as I do.

http://www.cozi.com/

Family calendar Centralized online calendar the whole family can access. Send appointment reminders by text or email and get an agenda for the upcoming week sent direct to your inbox.	Shopping lists Cozi remembers your grocery lists and shopping lists so you don't have to. Send a list by text message or email. Never be without your list again.
To do lists Track and manage the things that need to get done. Assign a member of the family to a list, or keep a shared to do list everyone can access. You can even send a list by email or text to anyone in the family.	Mobile Get your family calendar and lists on the go with the CoziiPhone app, Android app, orBlackBerry app. From any mobile browser visit m.cozi.com.
Family journal Keep memories you don’t want to forget in a journal made especially for busy families. It’s kinda like a family blog but without features you don't need.	Meals Plan dinners for the week, store recipes and easily add ingredients to your shopping list. We even have Cozi Picks – family-friendly dinner ideas to jumpstart your meal plan.
Reminders and messages Set up appointment reminders by text or email. Get a weekly agenda email sent direct to your inbox. Or send a quick email or text right from your Cozi family homepage.	Use with other calendars Sync Cozi with Microsoft Outlook, import an Internet calendar, or export a read-only view of a family member's calendar.
Photo screensaver The no-work way to enjoy all those digital photos piling up on your PC. Also displays your appointments for the day.

Another great fun food blog...check it out.

2012-01-13T12:22:00.000-08:00

I have no had much chance to post lately, as my husband is always on the computer..just last year, he was complaining how dumb it was..I created him a page and showed him the ropes and well..now I can't seem tog et on my PC to post recipes.
I promise to drug him once a week and try to post more..if you are bored waiting around..my friend has a fun food blog..check it out.
Waste Not, Why not?

I hope you will support her and follow her. She is a great gal and a great cook!

I will be posting recipes this weekend of some things I have been cooking while my computer hog husband has been on the pc.

Love you all and thanks for being patient. Hope you enjoy my friend's blog!

Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

2011-11-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

In a pressure cooker bowl, or a sauce pan will do:

2 oil

2 lbs. cubed butternut squash

1 medium onion, chopped

Sauté butternut squash and onion until butternut squash is golden, about 8 minutes.

Add:

2 butter

2 T sugar

1 tsp minced garlic, fresh or dry

Saute another 6-8 minutes.

Add:

1½ tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

½ tsp ground cloves

dash of cardamom (this is optional, I am a cardamom lover)

Add 3 cups chicken broth and simmer for 10 minutes.

If you are using a pressure cooker, place lid on and set timer for 5 minutes. This is the most flavorful way to make it. A pan on the stove works in a pinch.

Puree in a food processor, or using an immersion blender (or a blender with the lid hole removed so it doesn't explode lol).

Add 1 C Cream. This is optional..we like it with and without the cream. You can always add cream on a per bowl basis.

Roman Fava Beans ~pressure cooker alert! ♥

2011-11-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

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Roman Fava Beans

These are so yummy! If you like Victor Emmanuals fava beans, you will love these.(for you Berks County, PA residents who know what Victor's is)

In your pressure cooker:

1½ c fava beans (dried)

Water

Cook fava beans on high setting (meat if you have it) for 25 mins.

Drain.

In pressure cooker or pot on stove:

¼ c olive or grapeseed oil (I prefer grapeseed)

1 C finely chopped onions

2 slices chopped bacon (this is optional, I don't add these)

1 T parsley

Cook in your pressure cooker until onions are done.

Add beans back in along with:

3/4 c chicken stock

2 T minced garlic (dry or jarred)

1 tsp salt

Pepper

Simmer uncovered 15-20 mins.

Cranberry Relish...no cook raw foods recipe

2011-11-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

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This is a super-fast recipe to make for your Thanksgiving table

Cranberry Relish

No cook method

2½ Cups

In a food processor:

1 bag (12 oz) fresh cranberries

1 orange peel off, can be cut up

1 cup sugar

Pulse until chopped but not pureed.

Put in refrigerator for at least two days or up to two weeks.

(you can taste it now if you want, I love it freshly made but it gets better with age)

Cranberries are so good for you...don't limit them to holidays. The more natural a state you eat them in, the better. Yes, we are adding sugar to them...that's a bad thing, but if the sugar gets you to eat the cranberries more, then so be it.

The cranberry institute

I am such a carb freak so I am going to make some biscotti later today...here's my recipe with cranberries.

My Favorite Biscotti Recipe

Super Fast, Delicious Fried Rice

2011-09-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

My Father in Law bought us a wok that he fell in love with and wanted us to try. I came home from a Penn State football game late last night very tired from the long day, and decided to give it a whirl. I had leftover rice in the frige, used some frozen peppers, bean sprouts from a can, and some of my chicken's eggs so I whipped up a fried rice in five minutes that tasted as good, if not better than any I ever got from a chinese restaurant.

I heated the wok to the 10 heat setting (there are 14, this thing gets as hot as the professional woks used with gas in chinese restaurants so it stir fry's like the pros).

I added a T of oil, even though you can cook without oil, I like using oil. Cracked two eggs into the wok, and scrambled them. Added some frozen sliced bell peppers, a can of bean sprouts, stirred it up a min, and dumped in the leftover rice from my Wolfgang Puck Rice cooker, some Sriracha Chili Sauce and a bit of soy sauce. The Sriracha Chili Sauce is available in the international food section in most grocery stores and Rachel Ray featured it in her magazine this month as one of the secret ingredients chef's use in marinades, wings and meatballs.

In n two mins, this dish was ready to eat. Add some shrimp or whatever you like for your favorite fried rice. I'm a bean curd (tofu) lover but my boys prefer shrimp so I can whip up theirs, then, in five mins be eating my favorite.

I could have added more and plan to play with this thing all week..hope my family is ready to eat stir fry non-stop for awhile, I love this new kitchen toy! Good thing I bought that 40 pound bag of jasmine rice.

This wok is totally submersible in water (minus the plug) and dishwasher safe..the whole thing!

Customers gave this a five star rating, and it has great reviews.

This thing heated up in one minute and was ready to use. The instruction booklet came with some recipes I will try, and I have some great recipes of my own I cant' wait to make. I am definitely going to make a trip to the grocery store international section today for more fun ingredients.

Thanks again to my Father-in-Law, George Dillman for the fun new toy!!!

Saying Goodbye to a Classic :The Easy Bake Oven (as we know it)

2011-08-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

Incandescent light bulbs are no longer going to be sold after Jan 2012...That's this January!
Sadly, this is what the Easy Bake Oven uses to cook the batters. The CLF bulbs don't give off enough heat to cook the baked goods. Stock up on those bulbs if you have one.

Kenner came out with this cutie in 1963 and it is currently marketed by Hasbro. They have sold more than 16 million of these ovens, and almost every woman I know had their hands on one of these as a child.

It won't be totally gone....The company is bringing out a new improved model, it will cost a bit more, and it will include a heating element, but what parent can leave their child unsupervised with a heating element? I don't have mine anymore but am tempted to run out and get one for my future grandchildren and a lifetime supply of incandescent light bulbs.

If you have an easy bake oven, here are some recipes for your kids to make, you won't have to run out and get the mixes.
Easy Bake Oven Recipes

Cowboy Stew : My version of Tortilla Soup

2011-08-12T08:30:00.000-07:00

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We have a huge Halloween Party almost every year and soup is one of the things I always make for the party. It's chilly at night and soup warms the soul. I threw this together one year, and everyone raved about it. I still get requests for it all of the time. My daughter just came to town and said she missed it, so I sent her home with a jar of it. It's super easy to make, and you can modify this with using either canned beans or pressure cook your own. Canned are faster and they don't change the taste just remember to rinse them of that slimy stuff they get from being in the can.
I also add pork to this at times. A piece of a pork shoulder,cooked and shredded makes a nice addition. Really, you can omit or submit almost anything into this. I have made a small batch in my pressure cooker and its great but normally this is a gigantic stock pot recipe because it goes fast.

My Cowboy Stew

3 (32 oz)  boxes chicken broth 
4 chicken quarters ( or really any meat, pork leftovers etc)

2 cans garbanzo beans
2 cans kidney beans
2 cans black beans
2 cans corn
mushrooms
1 large onion
celery
jalapeno pepper or two (if you like)
 water (you want it soupy, add it early so you get the flavors) 
2 packs George Washington seasoning (chicken bullion)
2 t chili spice
4 T garlic garlic (freeze dried garlic)
2 packs taco seasoning
2 T Cajun spice
1 t cinnamon
1 t curry powder
4 oz crumbles gorgonzola cheese or feta
few turns of the peppermill
Tortilla chips
Sour cream
Avocado (add it near serving time diced up)

You can add more or less ingredients, pretty much things I have in my pantry is all I use. Potatoes etc.  

Put chicken broth in a big pot and turn burner on medium.  Add water and George Washington Seasoning (bullion).  Add all spices and taco packets, onion and celery.

Put chicken in the water and bring to low boil and cook until done.  Remove, debone and cut up small, and throw it back in.  Add mushrooms, beans (drained and rinsed) and corn (drained) and cheese.

Serve in a bowl with broken up tortilla chips and if you like, a dollop of sour cream.
Can also serve over rice if you wish.

Gourmet Cupcakes

2011-08-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have ranted about these new gourmet cupcake places that are popping up everywhere. I have never been much of a cake fan to begin with, but 3.50 a cupcake? Really? That's highway robbery! I can make a batch of cupcakes for that price and make a bunch of teenagers at my house very happy.

Last night at the fair, it was so cold, I got coffee. I decided to try one of the gourmet cupcakes they had, because when I am cold, I love comfort food. The gourmet cupcakes at the fair were only 1.75. I got a chocolate cherry and hub got a pineapple right side up cupcake. They were good, but really, its a cupcake...its not rocket science.

I have always purchased cupcakes for my kids birthday parties, because I know when I have a houseful or patio full of people over, the last thing I want to do is cut a cake (or dish out ice cream for that matter, the good old portable ice creams work with cupcakes just fine, things like dixie cups, ice cream sammiches, popcicles etc)

This morning my book club book came from The Book of The Month 2 Club . I ordered the Southern Living Big Book of Cupcakes because every Southern Living cookbook I ever bought has amazing recipes in it. No kidding, pretty much every one of them I made, my family or friends requested the recipe. This book has 150 cupcake recipes in it. Tiramisu, Caramel Apple, Pina Colada, Pecan Pie, The Don Vito Italian Cream cupcake ...all cupcakes that look amazing. My son is taking Culinary Arts in Vocational School this fall, so he will have fun with this book too. He loves to cook.

There is a merry cherry mushroom cupcake that looks like The Smurf's houses, would be adorable for a Smurf themed Party. Due to copy right reasons, I won't share their recipes, the book is cheap and you will have all of the recipes in one spot. My favorite cupcake to date is the ever classic Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcake. Click the link to go to my post of this recipe. Nothing fancy, just joyful indulgence. I can't say I won't have a new favorite after making some of the recipes in this new cookbook I got, but I can guarantee, I will never get tired of this recipe.

While I am on the subject of cakes....there is a cute little cafe near us that I love to eat it called Good Eatz. They make the best carrot cake I have ever tasted in my life...and its gluten free... I am not on a gluten free diet, but I order this every time I am there.

Anyone have an amazing gluten free carrot cake recipe they wanna share? I am dying to make this. I see tons of recipes online but really dislike trial and erroring recipes that don't measure up. I only have time to make the best so please share your tried and true recipe with me.
margaritastewart@aol.com

Here is another favorite cookbook The Professional Chef by the Culinary Institute of America. . I got this for my son whose culinary arts book from his school is just beginner basic...this is really detailed. Also the grilling book is neat, lost of rub recipes and sauces too. Dessert and pizza etc on the grill.

Creamy Mac and Cheese in the Rice Cooker

2011-07-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

I'm hungry for some macaroni and cheese. I have tweaked my mac and cheese recipe over time and ended up with this yummy version that we love!

I love my pressure cookers and use them to death, but I also love my rice cooker for fast meals too. These are great for college students who are allowed to cook in their dorms or have their own place. Fast meals, cheap. You can make ziti and all sorts of things in this little machine. It does all of the work for you and only one easy to clean bowl.

Creamy Mac and Cheese in the Rice Cooker

Serves four

1½ c water

2 cups macaroni or small shells pasta

a dash of salt

Hit cook and walk away (this takes about 10-15 mins)

Then, when it goes into keep warm mode, open the lid, add:

1½ cups shredded cheese

1 cup milk, half and half or cream

¼ cup cream cheese cubed

¼ c sour cream

¼ c parmesan cheese

(note: I don't really measure, just eye it, its not a big deal, its all good)

Put the lid back on and let the cheese melt or to make it go faster, hit cook but stir w a wooden spoon so not to over cook the cheeses.

You can add hot sauce with the cheese if you want it buffalo style, or let everyone add their own to their bowl of it, if some don't like it hot. I love to add finely diced jalapenos to mine too when adding the cheese but again, some aren't into hot.

You can also add chopped broccoli about halfway thru the cooking cycle to add some green veggies to it.

Some people hate cream cheese, just sub in the same amount of sour cream (basically double the sour cream)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2011-07-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

Okay this is going to be short and sweet. My mom made this for my boys a few years ago and they loved it. It's so fast to make, especially if you use store bought Rotisserie Chicken or even canned chicken works.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

1 package cream cheese (8 oz)
1 cup sour cream
½ C Louisiana Hot Sauce
3 cups cooked chicken

Beat the cream cheese, sour cream and hot sauce until smooth, stir in chicken.

Pour into an 8 inch baking dish (baking stones will keep it hot longer). Bake at 350° for 18-22 mins. Serve with crackers and celery.

Basil Pasta Dough

2011-07-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

I LOVE basil..it is by far my very favorite herb. It's a rainy day so I decided to make my homemade linguini with clam sauce and add some of the delicious basil that is in my herb garden to the pasta dough.

I cut the big stems out of the basil.

Oh there's the crackle blue polish some of you asked for a pic of. The pink undercoat was too loud. Light blue undercoat and dark blue crackle now.

It's one cut if you fold it in half.

Then throw it in the food processor and hit the spin button.

Then I just follow my pasta dough recipe

3 C flour

1 T salt

(give it a whirl)

In a measure cup, fork whisk 4 eggs and some oil (olive if you like, I have really grown to hate olive oil, I use grapeseed or avocado)

Pour into food processor and whirl for a min or two.

It's gonna look grainy. Like cornmeal. Dump it on the wooden cutting board or whatever ya knead on.

Knead together (I do half at a time, my hands are small)

If it seems dry, just run your hands under the water and continue to knead.

Than put it into plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours before getting out the rolling machine.

I prefer the manual pasta machine, just because I can control the spin of it, and back up if I need to. It's easy to do once you use it one time. Cheaper too and you don't have to lug out your kitchen aid stand mixer to power the electric one.

You can roll this out to any desired pasta...keep it flat and uncut out of the pasta roller and make lasagna or manicotti. I have a homemade ricotta recipe I make often that is super easy! You must try it, its so much better than store bought ricotta.

This cookbook is really cool. Giada even has a fried ravioli in it! YUM I will have to make that next!. I love anything fried!

When you put it through the pasta machine, cut each half batch into about three or four and flatten it out slightly with the palms of your hand. Then, on setting 2 (or the wide setting) roll it through, tugging upward slightly to lengthen it (that's what she said).

Fold in half and run it through on the same setting four times. Then move the setting to the next smallest, 3 in my case. Run it through twice, tugging upwards without tearing it, to lengthen it. Do this twice at each setting up to setting five or six, whatever you prefer for thickness. I like mine a little thicker so I keep it on five.

You can lay it out and dry it out, I usually let mine dry a tad before I boil it.

Boil about 4-5 mins.

This recipe makes the equivlent to one box of pasta.

YUM I love to eat it raw....

Super Foods: Chia Seeds.. Ch-ch-ch-chia

2011-06-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

Everyone's heard of them. They aren't just a novelty gimmick to be found growing on dinosaurs, Barack Obama and Scooby Doo. These seeds are one of the healthiest super foods. These seeds are virtually tasteless so you can add them to your diet quite easily. Sprinkle it over your salad, eat them plain, but make sure you eat them.

Chia means "Strength" in Mayan and is nicknamed the Indian Running Food. It contains 2 X the protein of any other grain, 5 X the calcium of milk, 2 X the potassium of bananas, 3 X the iron of spinach. It has a high Omega 3 concentration and is a complete protein

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Chia is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, even more so than flax seeds. And it has another advantage over flax: chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds don't deteriorate and can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid. And, unlike flax, they do not have to be ground to make their nutrients available to the body. Chia seeds also provide fiber (25 grams give you 6.9 grams of fiber) as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, niacin, and zinc.

Chia has a nutlike flavor. You can mix seeds in water and add lime or lemon juice and sugar to make a drink known in Mexico and Central America as "chia fresca." As with ground flax seeds, you can sprinkle ground or whole chia seeds on cereal, in yogurt or salads, eat them as a snack, or grind them and mix them with flour when making muffins or other baked goods. I find them tasty and an interesting addition to my diet.

Read more about Chia on Dr. Weil's page..

7 GOOD REASONS TO START EATING CHIA SEEDS

Help weight loss. Chia seeds are popular for weight loss. They reduce food cravings by preventing some of the food that you eat from getting absorbed into your system. This blockage of calorie absorption makes them a great diet helper.
Feel fuller faster: They can also help your diet by making you feel full. This is because they absorb 10 times their weight in water, forming a bulky gel.
Hydration for athletes: They are also great for athletes because the "chia gel" can hydrate the body.
Reduce your blood pressure: There's evidence to suggest they can reduce blood pressure.
Omega-3: They are the richest plant source of Omega-3 (the vital fats that protect againstinflammation—such as arthritis—and heart disease). In fact, they contain more Omega-3 than salmon!
Benefits for diabetes: Because chia seeds slow down how fast our bodies convert carbohydrates into simple sugars, studies indicate they can control blood sugar. This leads scientists to believe chia seeds may have great benefits for diabetics.
They are easier to digest than flax seeds, and don't need to be ground up.

Runner Friendly Recipe: Chia Fresca

Raw Chocolate Chia Energy Bars Recipe

Chia is referenced in the following books.

Homeopathy

2011-06-12T06:24:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of meeting a gal named Ashley two weeks ago at my fav little cafe, Good Eatz. She has taught me a lot about Homeopathy and guided me on what books are good to follow. I enjoy our Wednesday sessions at Good Eatz every week. She is filled with great info. If you live in the area, come to Good Eatz in West Reading on Wed nights at 6:30, she has about four sessions left, don't miss it.

Homeopathy: An A to Z Home Handbook is an amazing place to start if you are interested in learning how to cure your own ailments. It has info for the beginner as well as remedies to use for survival during natural disasters, when medical care may not be available.

Effective, safe, affordable, and free of chemical side effects-the benefits of homeopathy are endless! Already established in the national health care systems of England, France, and the Netherlands, homeopathic treatments are used by over 500 million people worldwide. Alan Schmukler's Homeopathy discusses the history and science of this alternative medicine and provides a comprehensive list of proven remedies-safe for people and animals.

Packed with homeopathic treatments for arthritis, colds, food poisoning, insomnia, Lyme disease, morning sickness, wounds, and a host of other ailments and injuries, this handy reference guide also includes information on homeopathic immunization and first aid. Schmukler gives helpful instructions for matching remedies with symptoms, ingesting them correctly, making remedies at home, and stretching your supply.

Exerpt from the book.

What Is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a medical science that uses natural substances to mimic
illness and stimulate healing. It is based on the idea of "like cures like."
Any substance that can produce symptoms in a healthy person can cure
those same symptoms in a sick person.

Here are several examples of this principle:
a. An onion is a substance that makes your eyes water and your
nose burn. So if you are having an attack of hay fever with watering
eyes and a burning nose, a few doses of homeopathic onion
can relieve it.

b. Poison ivy causes redness, small blisters, intense itching, and
stiff muscles. Homeopathically it has been used for everything
from herpes and burns to eczema and arthritis.

c. Coffee can overstimulate the mind and trigger insomnia. Homeopathic
coffee can help restore sleep disturbed by an overactive
mind.

d. When you are stung by a bee you feel a burning, stinging pain,
and the tissues surrounding the area swell up. Some relief is
obtained from applying cold to the area. If you had swollen tonsils
with burning and stinging pain relieved by cold, homeopathic
bee sting could cure.

Over two thousand substances are now used as remedies to treat everything
from colds and cough to arthritis and cancer.

Why Turn to Homeopathy?
1. When antibiotics fail, homeopathic remedies will still work.
Germs can never develop a resistance to homeopathic remedies.

The remedies do not kill the germs directly, but rather,
they stimulate the immune system to do the healing. For the
last two hundred years, homeopaths have cured meningitis,
endocarditis, pneumonia, nephritis, tuberculosis, plague, and
venereal diseases using homeopathic remedies alone.

Homeopathic remedies are effective against viruses, but
antibiotics are not. In 1918, the worldwide influenza epidemic
killed over twenty million people, and over five hundred
thousand in the United States. At a time when survival rates
were 70% with conventional medicine, they were 98% with
homeopathy.

Here is a great podcast from Lotus Health
http://lotushealthinstitute.podomatic.com/entry/2010-04-29T12_34_23-07_00

Sashimi Wraps are Good Eatz!

2011-06-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

We go to a local healthy eating cafe that serves up these tasty wraps.

Sashimi Wraps

One veggie wrap of your choice
sushi grade tuna or salmon (I prefer tuna)
seaweed salad
pickled ginger
Wasabi Mayo

Put it all together, dabbing the wasabi on as much as you like.

Serve it with Soy Sauce on the side for dipping.

I snagged this cute idea from Good Eatz.

If you are ever in the Berks County area, be sure to try out this little cafe. It's our favorite place to eat! Everything is organic and healthy. They even have a listing of gluten free meals for those with allergies.

Good Eatz Green Cafe

You probably can buy wasabi mayo, but making it yourself you can control how much wasabi is in it, and we love a lot of wasabi!

Walking Tacos

2011-04-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

My work does a lot of Harvest for Hunger fundraisers and they did one last month called Walking Tacos. What a cute idea for a picnic or just when you have a slew of teenagers over at your house, like I do.

You make the taco meat and have the fixins....lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, taco sauce, sour cream, onions etc.....and have them all ready.

Then you pop open a small bag of fritos and give it a crush and put the stuff in the bag with the fritos. Give them a fork and they can walk off with their taco in a bag.

You can use other chips too, sun chips, doritos etc.

Praline Graham Cracker Treats

2011-03-18T03:28:00.000-07:00

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I found this recipe in Belleman's Church Cookbook about 15 years ago. Been making them ever since. Fast and easy and little clean up.

Pralilne Graham Cracker Treats

¼ lb butter

½ c brown sugar

graham crackers

½ c chopped pecans (or walnuts are yummy too)

Line cookie tray with aluminum foil. Cover with graham crackers. Place butter and brown sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil for two minutes. Pour over graham crackers, covering entire surface and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Bake 8 min in preheated 350° oven. Remove and cut into squares immediately. Cool 2 hours and store in airtight container.

My kids eat them warm because they won't wait.

Margarita Stewart

Margaritas Luscious Chocolate Body Scrub ♥

Homemade Cheese-its

Recycled Wine Bottle Torch.

Homemade Modge Podge

Homemade Nutella !

How To Cut A Glass Bottle Using A String

String Ball Ornament Tutorial from Wild Olive

Bean Soup Basics: How to make the best bean soup you ever had

Organize your life...easily!

Family calendar

Shopping lists

To do lists

Mobile

Family journal

Meals

Reminders and messages

Use with other calendars

Photo screensaver

Another great fun food blog...check it out.

Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

Roman Fava Beans ~pressure cooker alert! ♥

Cranberry Relish...no cook raw foods recipe

Super Fast, Delicious Fried Rice

Saying Goodbye to a Classic :The Easy Bake Oven (as we know it)

Cowboy Stew : My version of Tortilla Soup

Gourmet Cupcakes

Creamy Mac and Cheese in the Rice Cooker

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Basil Pasta Dough

Super Foods: Chia Seeds.. Ch-ch-ch-chia

7 GOOD REASONS TO START EATING CHIA SEEDS

Homeopathy

Sashimi Wraps are Good Eatz!

Walking Tacos

Praline Graham Cracker Treats