Dry Hands Beware!

The last couple of days my hands have been getting SO DRY because of the cold weather and lack of moisture in the air. Not to mention the added hand washings because of the flu thats been going around.

Needless to say I was just about to give up on my hands for the winter and donate them to a velcro testing facility when I remebered this recipe that I used last winter

IT'S WONDERFUL!!!!!

Sugar Scrub

1C Sugar
1/3 Oil (any cooking oil will work)
1-2 T lemon Juice

mix together

to use: wet hands, use a small amount of sugar scrub (I usually just use a plastic "camping" spoon and get a scoop) scrub hands all over and rinse off (do not use soap after ) if you actually needed to wash your hands do that before using the sugar scrub. Think of the scrub as the lotion you put on after  you wash your hands :)
Enjoy

Nutty Cheese Ball

This is a Holiday must-have at my house growing up.

Saute'
1/3 c pecans (chopped)
1 T Butter

once Saute'ed to a nice buttery perfection remove from heat and add 1/4 t season salt (any flavor you like) stir to coat and set aside

Cheese Ball
3-4 oz Cream Cheese
1/2  lb Cheddar Cheese (grated)
2 T Milk
1 T yellow Mustard
1T Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 t Hot Sauce

mix all except cheddar cheese. until well blended then add cheese about 1/2 cup at a time until it is all incorperated. it looks like a lot but just keep mixing.
@;-- there is no heat from the hot sauce because of the large amount of dairy to small amount of hot sauce  but if you don't like hotsauce or don't have it  you can omit it. It tastes a little different but it's still good.

roll into ball and roll in cooled nuts @;-- or if your lazy like me just add the nuts and mix in and put in a tuperware

refrigerate :)

Homemade Egg Noodles

These are so easy to make but they do take some time :) I made 2 batches todayand I learned some things. @;--

2 eggs
2 tsp Salt
2 C flour (approximately)

whip eggs and salt together
slowly add flour about 1/4 c at a time till the dough looks and feels about like bread dough
if it's still sticky add some more flour
dump it out onto a floured surface and flour well

now if you have a pasta roller like me this is when you cut it into fourths and start on one and roll it till you get it as thin as you want. cover with flour after each roll and fold when needed.

if you don't have a roller then kneed till it's nice and smoth then roll it out with a rolling pin to the desired thickness and 1/16th of an inch

then cut into 1/4 inch strips and let dry for a min then freeze

to cook get liquid (broth or water) boiling and add noodles 10-15 min should do it just taste one and check it :)

@;--

Carmel Apple Cupcakes

As if we needed another eason to buy as any spice cake mixes as we could :)

1 Box Spice cake mix
2 eggs
2t Vanilla
1t Cinnamon
1/2c oil
2 granny smith apples cut into 1/2 inch peices
      @;-- I just cut my apples into wedges as if I was going to eat them and then slices them with the food processer ..... if they ed up too long it's not a big deal because the mixer chops them up
      @;-- the larger the apples the runnier the batter so if you have really large apples use 1 & 1/2 instead of the 2

mix together cake mix, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and oil
mix together and scrape down the sides to make sure these are well combined....
@;-- at this stage it will look like suger cookie dough
add the apples
mix untill the oven is preheated
@;-- I don't start preheating my oven till I get to this stage so that my apples have plenty of time to mix in
scoop into cupcake cups and bake at 350 for 18-20 min.
@;-- you want these to cook a little longer than you think because they will sink in the middle if they are not quite done.  I'm the kind of person that always cooks her cookies and things for the shortes time given...I cooked these for 20 min.
@;-- made 16 cupcakes :)

Don't forget the frosting!!!!

Carmel Cream Frosting

4T Butter
1/2 c Brown sugar
2-3 T whole milk
1 c Powdered Sugar
1t Vanilla

place butter and brown sugar in a sauce pan over medium heat
stir and cook till it comes to a boil
add milk and bring to a boil again... stir constantly
remove from heat
add powdered sugar and vanilla
beat mixture with wodden spoon until smooth
@;-- make sure cupcakes are cool
dip cupcakes in frosting and place on a cooling rack with a cookie sheet under to cool
frosting will harden when cooled

@;-- I put this in the muffin catagory because I like them without the frosting for breakfast :)

Pumpkin cookies

I actually found this recipe a couple of years ago in the Friend :)

1 small can (15oz) pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
1 spice cake mix
1 bag chocolate chips

@;-- mix pumpkin and cake mix
add chocolate chips
scoop onto ungreesed cookie sheet and bake 350 for 20 min
@;-- that time is for "regular" cookie size if you want bigger ones be prepared to cook them a  little longer

Hot Cocoa

I decided to post my Hot cocoa Recipe in honor of the Snow.

Makes 3 cups of Cocoa

1 1/2 c Water
12 T cocoa mix
15 milk chocolate chips
1-2 mini candy canes crushed (optional)
1 1/2 c Milk

Put water, cocoa mix, and chocolate chips in cups (split evenly) or I have a Cocomotion so I just make it all in one big batch. Heat till chocolate chips melt.
Add milk and qiuckly stir to mix (this will cool the cocoa down enough so that it's warm but won't burn)
Enjoy :)

Scoops

Use scoops like the kind used for icecream (the one with the button on the side) to help get the same size every time... this is great for cookies, cupcakes or anything else that needs to be the same size for all.... I even use a little one for truffles at Christmas time :)

they come on lots of sizes so you can always find the perfect size :)

Eddible Cookie Dough

Make any Cookie Dough safe to eat..... it's very easy.... Use Powdered Eggs like the ones used in food storage...They are pasturized :)

No more worries :)

@;-- this would work for any baking that you want to lick you fingers over :P

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today is the long awaited day of the Humanitarian Project.

I am taking Cookies for everyone to munch on and this is them :)

@;--

1c Butter
2 Eggs
1/2 t Vanilla
1c Sugar
1c Brown Sugar
3c Flour
1t Baking Soda
1t Baking Powder
2t Cinnamon
3/4 t Salt
1 (12 oz) bag Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter, eggs, vanilla, and sugars together. Blend dry ingredients. Drop by tablespoonful onto greased cookiesheet. Bake 8-10 min

This recipe was originally on Studio 5

White Chili with Rice

I got the original of this recipe from a food storage class that I went to (thanks Tara :))

this recipe can be changed many different ways depending in what you like... here is the original and then I'll add a few changes :P

1 can Great Northern Beans
1 can Corn
1 can Chicken
6 c Chicken Broth
1 T Oregano
1 T Chili Powder
1/2 T Cumin

combine all ingredients in a pot and let simmer 20 min. Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream :)

@;-- this makes a very thin chili so if you like more of a "normal" chili cosistancy (I call it normal because I'm used to very thick stew type chilis)cut the Chicken broth down to about 2 cups or double the beans and chicken (don't double the corn...thats alot of corn :P)

@;-- I like to use a crockpot instead of the stove top about 2 hours :)

@;-- I have used rotisserie chicken instead of the canned chicken and really liked it :)

@;-- last time I made this I put 2 cups of instant rice in it... SO GOOD!

Browning Bananas

The other day I had bananas that were going brown 6 to be exact and I thought to me self how can I use these before they are gone.....Banana bread is the first thing that comes to mind (but that is ALOT of banana bread) I decided to make one batch anyway and I make muffins instead of bread

@;-- preheat oven 350 degrees

2 Bananas
1/2 c Butter
1 1/2 c Flour
3/4 c Sugar
2 Eggs
1/4 c Milk
2 t Lemon Juice
1 t Baking Soda
1/2 t Salt
1 c Chocolate chips and/or nuts

this recipe can be make in the mixer or the food processor

mix bananas and butter until well mixed (fp:20 sec)
add flour, sugar, eggs, milk, lemon juice, baking soda, and salt
mix (fp:10 sec.) scrape down and add chocolate chips (do not add the chocolate if you are making muffins)
pour in greased and sugared loaf pan.
Bake 50-55 Min. (toothpick test)
cool 15 min. turn out on cooling rack

when making muffins add the chocolate chip to the individual cups :) cook 20 min :)

@;-- ok I still have 4 bananas left 2 are yuck and had to be thrown away so that leaves 2 more... time for ... Cookies :)

Banana Cookies

3/4 c Shortning, butter , or margarine :)
1 c Sugar
2-3 Bananas
1 Egg
1 t Salt
1 1/4 c Oatmeal
3/4 t cinnamon
1 1/2 c Flour
1/2 t Soda
1 c Chocolate chips
1/2 c chopped nuts
1 t Vanilla

Mix together butter, sugar, bananas, eggs, and vanilla
add salt, oatmeal, cinnamon, flour and soda
mix well scraping several times
add chocolate and nuts

scoop on to a ungreased cookie sheet and bake 12 min @ 350 degrees

@;-- enjoy :) thanks Jenny for the cookie recipe!

Fruit Dip

As promissed here is my fruit dip recipe :)

1 block Cream cheese (8oz)
1/4 suger
1 individual serving size crystal light
1 32 oz yougut (any flavor) I like Vanilla

beat cream cheese and sugar untill well mixed
add Crystal light beat some more :)
add yogurt 1 scoop at a time and combine well before adding the next one (I scrape the bowl after every scoop for about the first half) by then the cream cheese is thinned out enough that it doesn't stick as bad

take out and enjoy :) for thicker (sticks to fruit better) let sit over night in the fridge

@;-- I like to use vanilla yogurt so I can taste the flavor of crystal light I put in. Vanilla always adds a little something

@;-- I have yet to find a kind of fruit that isn't good with this but my favorites so far are Cantalope (sorry I am a terrible speller) and Bananas :)

Other Cleaning products :)

So first of all I have to tell you guys that I couldn't find my book with all the recipes for my cleaning supplies so picture me running around the house gathering up all the bottles (because I write the recipes on the outsides of the bottles.) and now they are all sitting here by my feet waiting their turn.

@;-- first of all the one I use the most is liquid dish soap and water in a spray bottle. I know it doesn't sound like much but it will take care of most grease type messes
* water
*about 1-2 Tb of liquid dish soap

Spray it on the surface and give it time to break down the grease.
My favorite use for this to clean my stove top I sprinkle baking soda on the stove top and then spray it with my dishsoap spray untill it's all wet... then I leave it over night :) the next morning I spray it somemore because it hardens like plaster and then wipe it off. It's amazing!

I also use the dish soap spray to clean the bath tub... grease is grease

@;-- Vinager Water

1 part Vinager
1 parts water

I use this when I don't want to worry about soap suds and making sure all the soap is gone. Vinager also removes bio-type matter although not as well but it is also a disinfectant I use this for quick clean ups int he Kitchen
I also use it as an air deoderizer....I know I know your thinking "right like the smell of vinager is better than whatever I'm trying to get rid of" but it's amazing how fast the smell disapates (sp?) and the other smell (the one yoor trying to cover up) goes with it :)

@;-- Window Cleaner

1 1/2 tsp Cornstarch
1/4 c Vinager
2C water
2-3 drops Lemon Juice

I will never go back to store bought cleaners again!!! this stuff is awesome!! just one thing to remember...Shake before each use the cornstarch settles in the bottom.

@;-- All purpose cleaner

ok this one is good for that deep cleaning. it is alot harsher then the others and does have a slight smell but it will remove Sharpie marker so I keep it around :P

1t Borax
1/2 t Washing Soda
2Tb Lemon Juice
1 C Hot water

I usually mix this in a jar and then pour it in the spray bottle. It turns a dark yellow color this is normal.  It can be used on any hard surface.

@;--hope I have covered everything... please don't be shy about questions :) @;--

Dish Soap

I also make my own dish soap and it's so easy you will never imagine!!!

Equal parts
@;-- Washing Soda
@;--- Borax
and 1-2 packages of unsweetened Lemon Kool-aid

I mix these together in large amounts at a time because the container I use is pretty big... I put 2 packages of Kool-aid in mine but and I make almost a gallon at a time :)

needless to say you don't need very mush of the Kool-aid but for some reason it doesn't work quite right without it.

Homemade Laundry Soap

@;-- ok so I have been making my own laundry soap for about a year now and I think I have finally found what works best for me.  I found a recipe on the Duggars web page for home made laundry soap they have a liquid version and a dry. First I made the liquid and it's wonderful the only problem is the space it takes up. it requires a 5 gal bucket plus something else to dispence/dilute it in. so about 2 months ago I tried the powdered version and I love it! it's the same ingredients as the liquid minus the water and it fits in a quart jar on the dryer!

1   Fels-Naptha soap bar
1  Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½  Cup Borax

grate the Fels-naptha into small chunks/fine pwoder (think b-bs or smaller) then add the other ingredients and mix together :) small loads 1 Tbs for large loads 2-3Tbs

@;-- another thing I have started making is pretreater

equal parts Cascade compleat and Clorox2 this is great for all Biological stains :) about 1-2 Cups per load and let it set overnight to soak. it's wonderful

@;-- you can also use White vinager instead of fabric softener in the washer.  I have not had static in my laundry since I've started doing this.

@;-- I have started mixing 1/2 c of the finished pretreater and 1/2 c oxyclean in when I make my laundry soap. I'm really liking the mix...I do double the amount I put in the washer to make sure there is enough soap though

Cream Cheese Cupcakes

here is another recipe that I get asked for alot so I'll just post it :P

http://www.mindikamoments.com/2009/09/rainbow-bright.html

It can also be make into a cake but it is really soft and the one time I tried it it fell appart :(
Definantly better for cupcakes :)

I think I'm in Heaven!!!!

I just (ok not Just about 2 days ago) tried a new recipe that I got off justapinch.com (it's one of my favorite sites) anyway here is the recipe Please try it!

http://www.justapinch.com/recipe/kristin-miller/pecan-pie-stuffed-french-toast/other-breakfast?

ok so I'm lazy and don't want to post the whole thing :) if theres problems viewing let me know and I will....

I did make a few changes to this recipe... first I soaked the bread longer and it only made 7 not 8 (I had to make another half batch of the egg for 2 peices of toast :S)

also you can half the pecan mixture and still have enough so if you only have 1/4 c pecans you can still make this no sweat.

another change I made I like my French Toast Crunchy so I fried the finished peices in the frying pan after they cooked in the oven :)

they can also be frozen and 2 min in Microwave makes them just like new :)

oh the lady that originally posted this recipe has alot of others that look good too so make sure you check them out too :)

ok so this is for all the things that I think are cool that I forget to tell people, mostly recipes :) but other stuff too