Bonus Recipe : Taco Seasoning!!

One thing we use a lot of in our house is Taco Seasoning. We used to buy it in, back when we didn't know any better, but then I found out how easy it is to make, and how much better it tastes!!!!

Ingredients

2 tsp chilli powder

1 ½ tsp paprika

1 ½ tsp cumin

1 tsp onion powder

¾ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp salt

Method

·       Mix!!!!

It really is that easy!! And super tasty!! Give it a go, you will LOVE it!! 

Weekly Recipes: Mexican Lasagna

I have to admit, I'm not the biggest Lasagna fan usually. It's the moussy white Bechamel sauce that gets me. So we modified our family version to only have 1 layer of plain cheese sauce. However, I still have to really be in the mood. That was until we found this amazing Mexican version!! Now this is my fave!!!

Ingredients

1lb Beef mince
2 tbsp butter
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tins of tomatoes, or 6 fresh tomatoes, skinned and chopped, with seeds
2 carrots, diced
3 tbsp Taco Seasoning
6 lasagna sheets (to fit a large glass dish)
1 pack Organic tortilla chips
Grated cheese to top

Method

• Fry diced onion in the butter until clear and then add Garlic. Saute for 2 mins. 
• Add the mince and cook until browned.
• Add the 2 tins of tomatoes, the seasoning, and the carrots and simmer for 10 mins. 
• Transfer about half of the mixture to a glass baking dish, and layer on the lasagna sheets. Put on the other half of the mixture and layer with Tortilla chips.
• Add the grated cheese and return to oven for 15 mins, until cheese is brown, and pasta is cooked.
• Serve with green salad and optional salsa.

MMmmmmmm my new favourite!!!

Enjoy!

Mixed Blessings

Today has been a day of mixed blessings on the homemaking front.

I have been trying, over the last few days, to soak and dry some mixed seeds I have. 
I soaked them overnight in a salt mixture, and rinsed thoroughly, then set in my oven to dry them.

2 days later, and they are still not dry and they were frankly starting to smell!!

They also had a slimy coating on them!!

Yuck!!!

I hate wasting food, but they had to go.

Ok, move on, I thought. I had soaked some oats to make some oatmeal cookies that would be nourishing, so I made them, put them in the oven, and...... I ended up with a flapjack-looking goo!! It tastes scrummy, but cookies, it ain't! 

At this point, I felt a little deflated, I have to admit!

But....

I have been meaning to give Ghee a try for so long, to cook with, and found a great home tutorial here, so, I sucked in a deep breath and plunged in!!

Success!!!!



My beautiful golden jar!! Ahhhh....

I was beginning to feel a little disheartened, what with the fermenting failure last week, but this little jar of sunshine has lifted my spirits once more. 

It makes me want to try again. 

"Failure is not falling down, it's staying down"- Mary Pickford.

Great quote. 

Now to live it. :)

Burnt hand sos

Had a little mishap yesterday with my magic elixir!

After simmering my chicken broth, with a whole chicken, (as I planned to use the meat in sandwiches) I went to sieve the broth, as you do.

Only, the chicken seemed to want revenge for boiling him whole, and decided to jump from pan to sieve, making a huge splash as he went!!

I managed to stop it burning my front, as it splashed all down me, but my poor hand took the brunt!!!

I Slathered it in butter, as it was all that was filtering through my mind in the way of natural treatments, but it was still very painful. 

Once that had melted, I tried coconut oil. This was good. It took the sting right out, and it smelled lovely, (so that made me smile. A little. It really hurt!)

It was this point where I praised God for home schooled children, because Haribo was on hand to help me change into my pjs out of my soaked skirt. I told him this is the circle of life. I dressed you for years, now it's time to help your mama when she can't do it herself!!

I still love my stock, but I have a feeling a full hazmat suit may be required next time!!!

Weekly (Friday) Recipe: My spicy Tomato Stir fry Sauce

When I started down this real food journey, there were a few things that I really couldn't get my head around making from scratch. Ketchup was one, and stir fry sauce was another. 

I couldn't see how I could compete with the sticky, sugary, sour, florescent sauces that came in a jar in the supermarket, so I just avoided making stir fry.

The problem is, we LOVE stir fry. So I put it in one of my meal plans, and thought, "I'll wing it..."

And here is the result. Easy peasy, but super tasty.

Ingredients
1 can of Tinned Tomatoes
1 fresh tomato, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp mild chilli powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
splash of Worcestershire sauce

Method
Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth
Strain through a sieve, and add to meat and vegetables. 
Cook all together for 5 mins.
Serve.

So yummy, and goes well with any meat.

Enjoy!

To GAPS or not to GAPS...

Ever since starting on our real food journey, about a year ago, I have frequently come across bloggers and articles extolling the virtues of the GAPS diet. (Gut And Psychology Syndrome) 

The creator, Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, developed this diet to treat her autistic son, and has treated many thousands of patients with digestive issues. 

If you have never heard of it, the basic premise is that as 85% of our immune system is in our gut, an awful lot of the diseases and problems we have in our modern society can be directly relate to our diet. She believes that by resetting the body's natural defenses, with fresh natural food, lots of good animal fats, and pro-biotics, along with mineral rich homemade bone broths, and homemade ferments, then a great deal of these issues will resolve themselves.

Now, I don't have any digestive issues at present that would warrant NEEDING to go on the GAPS diet, I want to be as healthy as I can be, and, as I have started to notice a difference when I eat any form of processed food, (including a yummy bar of chocolate last weekend, that REALLY disagreed with me :( ) then I just get the feeling that it would benefit me to do it.

Boo has been listening to me talking to DH, who wont even entertain a grain/ starch free diet, and has shown an interest in doing it with me, so we may begin in the near future. (I need to get the book first, that always helps!!) 

Our dilemma though, is do we do the introduction diet, which is very restrictive, of just go onto the main GAPS diet?

As we have no real digestive issues, I look at the intro diet, and think we may not need it, but on the other hand, if you are going to do something like this, you might as well do it all. The intro diet, from what I understand, can be advanced at a pace to suit the individual, too, so if we went through the intro, it might be over in a few weeks. 

But it seems like we have no issues with a lot of the foods that are prohibited on the diet, like my beloved raw milk!!

I know we will have to prepare beforehand, that much advise I have seen, on things like bone broth, pro-biotics, and veggies, eggs and meat.

I have to admit, I am a bit nervous about my staying power, but with Boo by my side, and the fact that the feeling that I need to do it wont leave me, I think we can make it through.

So... Intro, or notro???

The Magic Elixir....

I have a freezer full of my magic elixir again, and I am very happy!!

No, it is not some new-fangled potion, in fact it's very old (the recipe, I mean, not my stash)

Your Granny would most definitely have made it, and I strongly believe it is a practice we should bring back: I'm talking, of course, about the health giving Homemade Chicken Stock.

There are so many health benefits to consuming a good stock, and any homemade sauce is transported to new heights with it's use. The fact that it's so EASY to make too, just seals the deal.

Lets take a look at why it's so valuable. 

1. Helps heal and seal your gut, and promotes healthy digestion: The gelatin found in bone broth is a hydrophilic colloid. It attracts and holds liquids, including digestive juices, thereby supporting proper digestion.
2. Reduces joint pain and inflammation, courtesy of chondroitin sulphates, glucosamine, and other compounds extracted from the boiled down cartilage
3. Promotes strong, healthy bones: As mentioned above, bone broth contains high amounts of calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients that play an important role in healthy bone formation
4. Promotes healthy hair and nail growth, thanks to the gelatin in the broth(from Mercola.com)
5. It's a frugal way of getting the most out of your joint, and therefore saving you money
6. And like I said, soups, stews and sauces taste AMAZING with some broth added.

Easy Chicken Stock Recipe

You can use a whole chicken and peel of the meat once cooked, or use the carcass after you have removed the cooked meat.

Place the carcass/whole chicken in a large stockpot with 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar vinegar (this help the calcium draw fully from the bones) and fill with water. Let sit on the stove top for an hour, then turn on heat and bring to the boil. Skim the scum (I love that phrase!) off the top and turn heat down to a simmer. Add 2-3 carrots, 1 medium onion, cut in half, but with skin on, and 1 large stick of celery, a pinch of salt and pepper, and let simmer gently for 6-12 hrs. 

Strain into a bowl and place slightly cooled stock into the fridge. When cooled the fat will solidify on the top. Remove this and store in clean jars in the fridge for 1-2 weeks, or do as I do, and freeze in small portions. I store mine in ice cream tubs, and defrost in a bowl of hot water before use.

SO tasty, and SO healthy. Win, win, I think!!!!

Weekly Recipe: soaked Baked Oatmeal

I feel I need to change the name of our weekly recipe, because I am posting it usually on a Saturday!!

This week, we are looking at our family favorite, (at least, the boys and mine's) : Soaked Baked Oatmeal.

This is beautifully tasty and a hearty start to a dreary winter's day.

Ingredients
the evening before combine...
3 cups organic rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil
1/3 cup honey ( preferably raw)
1 cup diluted live yogurt/ buttermilk/1 tsp lemon juice, topped up with water

Cover and leave in a warm place in your kitchen to soak.

The next morning, add
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
optional; chopped, peeled apples/ raisins /banana chips/ frozen berries

Mix in these ingredients and any optional extra you wish to add, smooth down the top a little, and bake in a medium oven, for around 45 mins, until set in the middle.

Serve with some fresh raw milk, or cream. Mmmmmmmm 

we eat this at LEAST once a week in our house, but my boys like it plain or with raisins. (every now and then I will throw in some berries for mama and tell them to pick them out if they don't want them....)

Friday Recipes (on Saturday, Sorry): Beef Chunks in Gravy

It's been a busy week, and we had friend over last night, so I opted for plain and simple.

I went with Beef in gravy, with Mashed potatoes and vegetables. 

It was a hit, so I thought I'd share my easy peasy recipe with you;

Ingredients

2 tbsp butter

1lb of stewing beef, in fairly small chunks

1 medium onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tbsp red wine

1 pint chicken stock, hot

1/2 cup peas (I used frozen)

1 tsp salt,

1 tsp pepper,

2 tsp Arrowroot or cornstarch to thicken

Method

• Melt butter in a cast iron pan, and brown the meat for about 30-45 second each side. (working in small batches makes this easier)
• Add the onions and garlic to the same pan, so they fry in the juices. let fry for 2-3 mins, and then ad the red wine to loosen any residual meat juices stuck at the bottom of the pan.
• Add peas and chicken stock, stir to combine, add salt and pepper and simmer for 20-30 mins on a medium heat.
• When ready to serve, dilute thickener of choice with water in a separate cup, and add to pan, while still on the heat. Stir for 2-3 mins to allow to thicken, and then serve with potatoes and vegetables of your choice. 

Healthy, tasty food with not a hint of MSG or nasty chemicals in sight.

Simple, but worth it.

What happened there???? (And Weekend Links)

Wow, where did this week go??

I looked up and it is Saturday! I have had a productive week though, updating my Home makers binder, trying new food, and relaxing with friends.

So I will be posting my Friday recipe on Saturday today!! 

First though, my weekend links.

Homemade Popcorn  from GNOWFGLINS (it's a crazy great acronym) looks yummy, never seen red palm oil, s might have to give it a go!

These hand warmers are a nice idea, from Little House Living, although now we don't own a microwave, they would not be as easy to warm up.

Off-Grid Alternatives to Everyday Appliances from Mom With A Prep was a nice read, some good tips, especially the root cellar idea....(pick up all the tips you can from wherever you can...)

And since I am GOING to start it this year,

the beginner vegetable garden at the Modern Homesteader has been a great starter to read for my fledgling veg patch.

Enjoy!!

Weekend Links

Read and browsed some lovely articles on some great sites this week, I feel the need to share...

• Managing Stress in a simple Life from Little House Living - definitely tip#4!!

• How to render beef tallow from Jill at The Prairie Homestead; (In view of what I was talking about this week, learning new skills for our future is a must!)
• Debunking confusion about eggs, at The Paleo Mama. As we cannot keep chickens in our current house, this is helpful.
• 17 tips for going off the grid from Off Grid World; loved these tips.
• Before words: Using Baby Sign-language - loved this, as Little Bud came to us only speaking sign language.
• My House Is Dirty, But My Conscience is clean I LOVE THIS!!!!!

Some great posts and some great encouragements.

Hope you enjoy!!

Friday Recipe: Breakfast casserole

We tried this recipe for the first time this week, modified from a great recipe on this site, and the WHOLE family loved it!!!

Ingredients

• 4-5 medium potatoes, washed, peeled, and shredded
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon corn starch or arrowroot
• 1 cup milk
• About 1/2 pound sausage
• salt

In a frying pan on the stove-top, cook up the sausage until cooked through. Place in the bottom of a non-greased 8x8 baking dish.

In the same frying pan, fry the onion with the butter. (Cooking it in the same pan will help is soak up the sausage leftovers and give it even more flavor) When the onion turns transparent, turn the burner down to low and add in the milk and starch. Make sure you are continually stirring at this post so the milk doesn't scald. Cook until the sauce starts to get thick.

In a large bowl, mix your shredded potato with the onion/milk sauce. Stir so it's all mixed together. Pour the mixture over the top of the sausage layer in the baking dish.

Finally, sprinkle your dish with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes until the Breakfast Hashbrown Casserole is bubbly and slightly brown on the top.

It could be used as a supper dish too, and is sooooo tasty! 

Enjoy!!

Weekend Links

As I mentioned yesterday, I love looking at and talking about food, so most of my recommendations are along these lines, but I found a few other gems along the way...

10 Reasons Homemade Bone Broth Should Be Part Of Your Diet by The Nourishing Gourmet

100 free printables from Red and Honey

Frozen smoothie pops for a child's fever over at the Mommypotomus. (Definitely trying these next time Little Bud is sick...or just because they are yummy...)

Strawberry Coconut Almond Smoothie Via Eat Drink Paleo (Although we are not following a Paleo diet, there are still some lovely nourishing recipes!!)

homemade protein packed peanut butter cups from The Humbled Homemaker - Being English, these are not a part of our cultural awareness, but my boy is practically BEGGING me to try them!!!

There are lots of things that I have flitted through, but these are some of the best.

Enjoy!

Friday Recipe: Fish Pie

So I was looking at the blog, and noticed that I do a lot of talking about food, but not much by way of producing the good on the recipe front, so I have decided to try and do a Friday Recipe each week. This may be some tried and tested family recipe, or something new we have done just this week.

Today, is the new variety.

This week we had some delicious white fish left over, so I decided to try a fish pie. 

Now, I have to confess, the only fish pies I have ever eaten have been the frozen sea captain variety, and I have never been keen. 

I also have to confess to never really having much luck with any dish that requires mashed potato topping!!! It ends up everywhere, and never really looks appetizing!! But this would be fine, right......??????? 

Fish Pie (feeds 6)
Ingredients

4 large fish fillets
10 medium potatoes, peeled chopped and mashed with butter and milk
1/2 cup sweetcorn (I used frozen)
400ml whole milk
1/4 cup butter
2 tbsp flour (I used white, as it was just for sauce)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp mixed herbs
Grated cheese for topping ( optional)


Method

• While your potatoes are boiling, use milk to poach the fish in a pan (watch that it doesn't boil over and lose all of your milk!! Go on, ask me how I know...)
• When fish is cooked, (about 10 mins) scoop out the cooked fish with a slotted spoon and lay in the bottom of a large oven proof dish. Break up a little.
• Reserve the milk to one side, and in the same pan, melt the butter on a medium heat.
• Still on the heat, add the flour, and whisk briskly to combine, making a paste.
• Slowly pour in the warm milk, whisking as you go, to prevent lumps. 
• Continue to whisk as you heat through, and the sauce will begin to thicken. Don't let it get too thick now, as it will thicken more in the oven. Add the salt, pepper and herbs, or to taste, and pour sauce over fish in the large dish. 
• Mash your potatoes, adding your milk and butter, (or cream, or however you prefer to make mash!!) 
• Now I used a piping bag for the first time here, and it worked so much better than the 'splat and spread' methods I have previously used!!
• Top with cheese, if using and put in the oven, at 200c for 15 mins, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
• serve with vegetables of your choice

We served with cauliflower and broccoli cheese and carrots.

As if I should have been surprised, but the whole family LOVED this dish and have requested that it go on the regular list, and even the Boy Who Hates Potatoes love the mash on the top!!!!

Win, win, I think!!!

Enjoy!!

Slowly slowly fill the pantry..

Do you ever get an urge to clear out and start again?

This is how I get every few months. I get slack with things and then need a jump start.

At the moment it's my kitchen appliances.

I REALLY need would like a stand mixer at the moment. I have a small hand mixer, but a lot of the recipes I would like to make more often are made a lot easier by having one. 

So I do my usual, I begin researching, and trawling Amazon and Ebay to find just the one I want. 

I have no means to buy one yet, that's the problem.

I have a list on my refrigerator of all the things that I would slowly like to add or replace in my kitchen, and it's just not happening quickly enough for me!

My list includes (but is not limited to...)

• The aforementioned Stand Mixer
• A Grain Mill
• A Dehydrator
• A Slow cooker
• 2 more Cast Iron Frying Pans
• A Pizza Stone
• and a new collander!

I know it's a small thing, and I know that Jesus is teaching me patience at the moment, but today, I am not being a very good student. 

I am very blessed to have a working kitchen, I know this, and I know I need to wait and add slowly, I'm just feeling impatient today.

Is there anything that you are waiting somewhat patiently for? 

Wait with me, and we can wait in joy together. 

From tomorrow morning.......

Yummy Taco Soup Recipe

We have been trying to vary our usual meals and thought we'd give taco soup a try.

Well, what a hit it's been! I thought I'd share it with you.


Taco Soup

2 tbs butter
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves of Garlic
400g beef mince
1 large pepper, diced
2 tbsp taco seasoning
1 can tinned tomatoes
300ml homemade chicken stock
1tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Garnish with grated cheese and tortilla chips

Method
1. Melt the butter in a large pan, add diced onions and fry for 2-3 mins, until clear. 
2. Ad garlic, fry for 2 mins and then add mince. 
3. Brown the mince, then add the peppers.
4. Add the taco spices, stir, and tinned tomatoes.
4. Add the chicken stock, salt and pepper, simmer for 20 mins
5. Serve with garnishes.

Mmmmmm, so yummy, we make this virtually every week!!

Enjoy!

Back on the real food wagon, please!!!

WHY is it so hard to go back to good wholesome eating after Christmas???

Is anyone else struggling with this?

We had a really steady Christmas period, only the odd one or two nights where we binged a little, but now..... I can't seem to get my sugar cravings back under control!!!

The sugar monster is well and truly back, and I am actually regretting ever putting the sweet poison back on my lips, because now I CAN'T CONTROL IT!!!!!

I am in need of a detox once more.

Nooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

One big benefit though, is that we have been continuing to eat healthy real food dinners. We have begun our Raw Milk journey (so much more tasty and healthy than store bought milk), and we have added a few new favorites to our staple meal lists (Taco soup, anyone??!)

So it is only a blip, that I need to get under control, rather than a serious detour back into the land of processed food.

I have seriously noticed the difference though. 

We all feel so much more lethargic, our skin has got worse, we are sleepy after a binge, and our appetites are getting bigger!!! AARRRGGGGHHHH!!

And as with all good changes, we are going to start on MONDAY!! Hahaha.

I am not looking forward to the headaches, and the crankiness, but next time I'm tempted to overindulge, I may have to scroll back through to this post and remind myself just what it takes to get back on, and it may just prevent me jumping off!!!

Shop til you drop....off to sleep

So It's the Friday before Christmas. 

I'm not just stating the obvious, I'm letting that sink in!! 

Today is the final shop for us, the Food Shop!!!!!

How do we beat the crowds, I hear you ask. It's mayhem, why leave it so late, you say.

Well, my hubby has developed a secret weapon over the years...... nighttime shopping!!!

We go at 11pm when the store is so much quieter, and we can get all we want, in peace and quiet, without getting pushed or shoved or screamed at, and we can get it home and put away before the children are any wiser at the goodies coming into the house!!!

Now there are downsides to this:

• If you have little ones, it may be hard to get a babysitter at that time of night, if you cannot ask a family member.
• The store usually stocks up at night, so they may be out of a few of the things you want.
• You either have to stay up late, or get up REALLY early, and I struggle with both of those options, so a nap in the afternoon will ensure I stay awake for the lesser of the two evils, late night shopping.

We have decided on a pared down Christmas this year, on the food front. For years, we have gone mad at Christmas, boxes of sweets, gallons of fizzy drinks and alcohol, and tubes of crisps. Not so this year. we are spending our money on good fats (goose fat, butter,) Nuts and seeds, and meat. My Bone broth will make it into almost every meal, and so will our good fats, so that when we do occasionally indulge in sweet things, (like at nan's on boxing day) then our bodies are equipped to handle it from the goodness we have been getting the rest of the time!!

That's my plan, now this sweet tooth junkie just needs to stick to it.

I figure, if I don't buy it, I can't eat it........right??........

It's ALIVE!!!!!!

I'm very impressed!!

I've been making a Ginger bug for my fermented Ginger Beer and I think it's now ready!!!

I found the recipe Here and have been trying it out, having never tried fermenting before.

It looked like slush for days, but the recipe says that it is ready when it starts to bubble as you stir it.

It's BUBBLY!!!! 

I'm really looking forward to making this, as it is a healthy, probiotic soda, and I do have to say, I get a little bored of drinking just water.....

So another week of fermenting in the bottles, and we will be ready to taste.

I will let you know how it all goes....

How hard can it be....?

Famous last words, eh! 

Why do I do it to myself???

If you have seen my weekend recommendations this week, you will have seen that I have been finding out about the effects of sugar on the body. 

You see, I have very soft teeth, bones and nails. I was reading a lot on the KOTH website about why soaking your grains is so important, and found that it can leech calcium and other essential nutrients from your body. 

This got me wondering......

Could this be my problem? I got to reading, through other sites, about sugar. Sugar doesn't rot ones teeth in the way we think it does. The way the body deals with too much sugar is to do very much the same thing as the un-soaked grains do. It leeches nutrients out of the bones and teeth.

Now anyone who knows me, knows that I have the BIGGEST sweet tooth EVER!!!! 

Not only has this lead to weight problems my entire life, but I am now starting to think this may be some of the reason my teeth break so very easily, despite my best oral hygiene efforts.

So....... I have tried to cut out sugar from my diet.

Yes, you heard me right, I am cutting out sugar. I had managed no sugar for 1 full week until I succumbed to a chocolate biscuit on Sunday at church, and after a very stressful day today, I have caved again and had a lolly after dinner, but I feel that is not too bad, considering I usually have something sugary sweet at every meal!!!

I have suffered a few headaches, but overall, I feel fine.

I have included fruit in my non sugar diet, as the natural sugars are dealt with slightly differently than commercial sugars, and I need the vitamins from the fruit too.

Today, as I said though, has been particularly stressful in a couple of ways, and tonight, even though I know it will only be a false high, and I will crash later, I have indulged. 
And I already feel a little ill. 

Habits are so hard to change. Anyone else struggled with sugar cravings?