Homemade Playdough recipe

I remember playing with play-doh when I was a kid and maybe even a time or two as an adult. I loved the way the dough felt between my fingers and even the way it smelled. I have always loved anything to do with art, creating and playing with items that I can sculpt in my hands. The original play-doh brand modeling compound is composed of flour, water, salt, boric acid and mineral oil and has always been non-toxic and generally safe for kids. However, I like to save money and learn to make everything from scratch in case the apocalypse goes down, there are no more tubs of play-doh and I need something to make to keep my kids busy while we are all trying to survive in the chaotic world that is an apocalypse. You get the picture.

So I went in search for some easy and safe recipes to make at home for my little ones. I usually check out Pinterest and Youtube first. I watched a lot of videos of people making there own playdough, but I only found one recipe and video tutorial that was actually simple and easy to make. All of the other recipes and videos were more complicated than they really had to be.

I followed the video and recipe from BeforeAndAfterTv on Youtube and I really liked how simple she made it. I watched a few other videos for comparison purposes and I was surprised at how difficult and messy some of them were. So, check it out for yourself and see If you can find one as easy as this. Depending on which ingredients you have at home, will depend on what kind you can make. I like that I can make this all in less than 20 minutes and choose which colors I want and store them in little baggies until my munchkins can use them. I also like that I know exactly what is in my playdough and I don't have to worry about my kids eating any boric acid or mineral oil, even though they would probably be just fine if they did. None-the-less, it is gratifying to make things with your own two hands for your children instead of going out and buying it.

I am very happy with the way these little balls of doughy fun came out and my youngest had a grand time playing with them. We spent an hour playing with the playdough and making fun shapes and throwing the balls of dough. The fact that my 18 months old sat long enough to do anything for an hour is unheard of. So I give myself a pat on the back for effort.  

I used about half the dough in each color and sealed up the rest and stuck them in the fridge til next time. I just grabbed some old cookie cutters, a rolling pin, a non-stick rolling mat and some other odds and ends that would be fun to play with and we went to town. He absolutely loved it.   

Even Mommy had fun making some cute little heart shaped creations. As much as I love to bake and play with actual dough, how could I not love playing with this. Too bad I couldn't bake them and then eat them. They actually look real yummy!

 

Check out this link for the video tutorial on how to make this fun non-toxic playdough and give it a try. Your kids will be forever grateful and you will have some extra time to whatever it is that Mommy/Daddy needs to do while the kids are having fun using their minds and creating art.

 

As always

Blessing to all

Check out my previous post

How to make easy mini quiche



 

How to make easy individual mini quiches

 I love breakfast foods. However, I tend to have a hard time waking up and eating a meal right away. I like to enjoy a couple cups of coffee before I even get hungry and I find myself eating more breakfast foods at other times of the day.  However, my one year old is ready to throw down as soon as he wakes up. Since I have no appetite when I wake up, it can be challenging to cook a meal. So, I went on the search for some easy breakfast foods that I could pre-make and even possibly easily reheat for my little one in the morning. I have seen these little quiches around and thought I would give it a try. One of the biggest appeals for me is that they can be pre-made, refrigerated, frozen and then reheated again. These are also healthy if you use fresh healthy ingredients, like free-range cage-free eggs and veggies. However, use whatever your little heart desires. I won't tell. I already know how to make a quiche and I certainly know how to make an omelet. This dish combines the two, except there is not a crust, which is a good way to cut back on even more calories. 

Here are the ingredients you will need for this recipe. It Is very simple.

 

Ingredients:

8 fresh eggs (if possible cage-free)

3 tbsp. Half&Half (you may also use heavy cream and even milk)

1/2 c diced tomatoes

1/2 c shredded cheese (I use sharp cheddar)

1/2 c fresh chopped spinach

1/4 turkey lunch meat (you may also use ham or omit meat all together)

a pinch of salt to taste

 

Utensils:

Large mixing bowl

Whisk/Fork

Measuring cups/spoons

Non-stick muffin pan

knife

cheese grater

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 F

 

Using a whisk or fork, scramble the eggs in a large bowl. Add cream and salt.

Whisk again! Now add the rest of the ingredient all at once and whisk until thoroughly combined. You want to make sure every quiche gets a little bit of everything in it. 

Once the mixture is combined, you can pour some into each individual muffin spot. I filled mine up to the top. I also used a large Pyrex glass measuring bowl, which has a spout and handle and that made it really easy to pour directly from the bowl into the muffin pan. This recipes yields 9 individual quiches. I also added a little extra cheese to the top of each quiche before I put it in the oven. This of course is optional but I noticed it makes it a little more moist and yes, a little yummier.

Bake the quiche in a 350 F oven for 25 minutes or until cooked thoroughly and cheese is melted. 25 minutes cooked my quiche perfectly and the cheese melted just right. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before eating them because they will be steaming hot.

Voila! 

A perfect little mini quiche!

You can store the left overs in an air-tight ziplock baggie or container and put them in the refrigerator. I wouldn't leave them in the fridge for more than a day or two. You may also freeze them and heat them up as you need them. If you double this recipe you can make 1.5 dozen and store a bunch in the freezer for quick breakfasts. When you are ready to use them from the fridge, you can microwave them for about 30 seconds and from the freezer about 1 minute. I made these yesterday morning and refrigerated them. I took one out to eat this morning and heated it up in the microwave and it tasted just as moist and delicious as when they came out of the oven and that is what I like about these.

 

Here are a few other ingredient ideas to use when making these quiche.

The options are endless:

Mushrooms, onions, chives, swiss cheese, bacon, ham, peppers

 

As always, have fun in the kitchen and Enjoy!

 

 

Simple chocolate cupcakes

 I love those days where you wake up and the sun is shining and the birds are singing with glorious abandon. This morning was not one of those mornings. It is cold, gloomy and drizzling outside. However, a few days ago I woke up and it was an absolutely beautiful day. I opened up the windows in the house and let the fresh air in. I did a little house cleaning and clothes washing.

All of this cleaning got me a little hungry and I was also a little inspired to bake something yummy and sweet. I am trying to consume less sugar for obvious reasons but also because I have a cute little dress and a swimsuit that I need to fit into in a few months and I have to bake less or just find ways to bake a little more healthy.

So I decided to make some cupcakes.

Chocolate Cupcakes!!!

I don't like to use box mixes because they are usually full of unnecessary crap and are not very healthy, but I happened to have one on hand.

So, I made some chocolate mix and used applesauce instead of the oil to make it a little healthier and I also used farm fresh cage-free eggs. I used these green Wilton cupcake holders and unfortunately they stuck to my cupcakes really bad, but they sure looked purdy!

Then, I sprinkled a generous coating of confectioners sugar all over them.

I think they came out great and I realized that I love chocolate cupcakes with just a touch of sugar and not a heaping layer of icing. Not that I won't still thrown down on some big ole icing covered cupcakes, but It is a nice change to enjoy a simple rich chocolate cupcake.

 

Blessings to all

 

Nature's Bounty | Fresh, Healthy, Colorful, Vibrant Ingredients

 If I would have seen all of this fresh and delicious food when I was younger, I would have been like, Nooo!!!

I never knew I could be so in love with real food.

My horizons are expanding and I learn to cook and utilize new and different vegetables every week and I love it. Some people probably think, "why would you take pictures of your food or plain fruits and veggies", and probably think it's weird. I feel like, how can I not? Look at all of the color, and on top of their simple beauty, I know how they taste and how wonderful they are for me.

Look how different and vibrant their colors are. Shiny red tomatoes, Vibrant greens, sunny yellows, deep purples and bright oranges. You can't get any better or more beautiful than that. I got the green apples to make a few small apple pies or crisps in the next couple of days. I got jalepenos and cilantro to make some fresh salsa fresca. One of my favorites. I save a lot of money by making my own in a big batch and storing it in the fridge to snack on or add to our favorite fresh dishes, like salmon and rice. Mmm mmm good!

See those little heirloom cherry tomatoes in purple, yellow, orange and red?

Heaven! They taste like heaven.

I made a small layered dip with beans, sour cream, avocados, cheese and topped it off with those superb little tomatoes and they made the dish. The purple ones are my favorite, with a robust tart and lingering sweet flavor.

How can I not get excited about real food that is so amazing for my health? This is beautiful and it makes me happy and most importantly, it makes me want to cook well and eat well.

So grateful for this food!!! Get you some!!!

 

Blessings to all

 

 

Check out my previous post on

The Benefits of Himalayan Salt

 

Benefits of Himalayan Salt | Not all salt is created equal

Let's talk about salt, the good, the bad and why all salt is not created equal. There are many different kinds of salts to choose from. Iodized salt, un-iodized salt, sea salt, Himalayan salt...
 Many people don't even realize that certain salts, like table salt, can be very harmful to our bodies. Most importantly table salt is not pure and contains chemicals like iodine, absorbents and even sugar, which our bodies don't need.
The typical table salt has no nutritional value and is lacking in minerals. The human body has a difficult time disposing of all this salt naturally and in a healthy way and in return to much consumption of  table salt can turn into a whole mess of unnecessary health issues.
You can read more about the step-by-step process of what table salt can do here.

 

Let's talk about a salt that is actually good for you when ingested properly and in the correct amounts.
Himalayan Salt also known as (pink Himalayan salt) is the Cadillac of salts not only because of the many health benefits but also the fact that it is found naturally and has been untouched by toxins and pollutants. Himalayan salt contains the same 84 natural minerals and elements found in the human body and is much easier for the human body to absorb and digest. It is another one of those little gifts that we have been blessed with and if used properly, can aid in a healthy diet. I love finding little jewels like this.  

 

There are so many benefits to using Himalayan salt over the ordinary table salt

some of them may be:

 

Controlling the water levels within the body, regulating them for proper functioning

Promoting stable pH balance in the cells, including the brain.

Encouraging excellent blood sugar health

Aiding in reducing the common signs of aging

Promoting cellular hydroelectric energy creation

Promoting the increased absorption capacities of food elements within the intestinal tract

Aiding vascular health

Supporting healthy respiratory function

Lowering incidence of sinus problems, and promoting over-all sinus health

Reducing cramps

Increasing bone strength

Naturally promoting healthy sleep patterns

Creating a healthy libido

Circulator support

Promotes kidney and gall bladder health when compared to common chemically-treated salt

For more information on Himalayan salt, you can check out the link that I shared previously here as well as this site.

These sites do a great job at explaining the science behind this amazing natural salt.

My goal is to share this in hopes of making others aware of the dangers of table salt, as well as offer education on safe salt-alternatives.

Next time you are at your local grocery store, try and find some Himalayan salt to incorporate into your next meal. If you can't find any at your grocery store, you can find it at any health foods store or at the educational link that I previously shared.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Blessings to all



The Magestic and Amazing Frio River | Nature at it's finest

I just wanted to share a couple of beautiful shots I got. This photo is one of my favorites because I know this place so well. I have been visiting this river and this spot for the past 24 years of my life. We try to make at least one family trip every Summer and my best friend and I try to make a "girls" trip as well.

This is the Frio River in Concan, Tx

Many people may know the Frio by one of George Strait's songs called
"All my exes live in Texas"

or

they most likely know it from Garner State Park.

We always stay right down stream from Garner at Magers River Camp.

Mrs. Magers has long since passed away and her kids have taken over the property, split it in half and made their own personal changes to the place, as people tend to do when that happens.

None the less, we still love to go and make new memories and we will always have our older memories and pictures like these to look back on.

If you ever get the opportunity to make it to Texas, then I hope you get to checkout the Frio River.

It is so beautiful and majestic. Full of wild animals, sometimes wild turkeys and deer make their way through the river banks. You can sit on the edge of the water or in a kayak and fish for little perch, which are abundant and may nibble on your toes a little. There is hiking and 4 hour kayak trips, which I also have embarked on a couple of times. I love nature and the great outdoors. I love kayaking and fishing, campfires and cookouts. I love crossing the river at night by the damn and going over to the Garner State Park side for the Summer dances.  The Frio River area has all of this and more. The next time you are looking for a fun new place to visit or a cool place to take the kids on a family vacation, then I hope you remember this post and you give it a shot. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

 

This next photo was taken many years ago while on a road trip in the northwest part of the country. It was so long ago that I can't remember for sure the exact location but I'm almost positive that it was Washington state. A beautiful state with gorgeous mountains and rolling hills of amber. I love traveling to the northwestern part of America.
It reminds me just how small I am in this big old world.

 

Dream on Dreamers

Blessings to all

 

The benefits of living next to a produce store

I happen to live very close to a produce store, "Straight From the Crate", and I am very grateful.

I love fresh produce. Fresh fruits, veggies and sometimes some fresh baked bread.

It was a beautiful sun-shining Valentines day and I packed up the boys and we walked to the

store and grabbed a few items.

Lemons, strawberries, cantaloupe, onions, avocados, spinach, oranges, potatoes and a loaf of fresh baked bread. Just writing those words makes my mouth water. It is truly a blessing to have access to all these fresh yummy all-natural foods, especially when you don't have a garden of your own.

Another benefit of all this fresh produce is coming home and making a delicious batch of

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I used frozen corn, black beans, shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, cilantro, topped

with avocados, cheddar cheese and crispy tortilla chips. I know I didn't get most of the ingredients from the produce store but sometimes it's just those one or two fresh items like avocados that inspire a meal like this. This is the kind of meal that reminds me of my home!

 

You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces

– just good food from fresh ingredients 

- Julia Child

 

One of the biggest and best lessons that I have learned from eating well is the effects that it has on your body. Eating well isn't just a way of life, but it is a preventative from disease and bad health. Not only does eating all natural foods right from the earth make us feel good but it helps heal the body. Natural foods are full of healing properties. I whole-heartedly believe that. The Lord has provided us with all we need to live a healthy and satisfying life, all while preventing the many diseases that plague us.

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.

- Hippocrates, father of medicine,

If you don't consume a lot of fresh foods right now, I highly suggest trying out some knew recipes that involve lots of them. When I was younger I didn't eat nearly enough veggies and now I can't imagine not eating these foods on a daily basis. I feel so much better when I consume more foods that don't have a t.v. commercial and grow naturally. I feel great!

 

I've included some famous quotes that I really enjoy about eating healthy and caring for out body

 

Eat Food. Not Too much. Mostly Plants. - Michael Pollan, renowned food expert and journalist

 

Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.  Don’t eat anything with more than five ingredients, or ingredients you can’t pronounce. - Michael Pollan

 

When we learn to eat properly we begin to rebuild our bodies and to fulfill our purpose on this planet to grow in health, creativity, wisdom, and compassion - Dr. Ann Wigmore

 

Check out my previous post on making homemade fresh Blueberry Muffins from Scratch!

Use your frozen blueberries