Hamburger Gravy/Meat balls or loaf

 Hamburger Gravy

1 pound ground beef - 1 tsp salt - 1 tsp pepper - 1/2 tsp garlic salt - 1 tsp minced onion - 4 Tbsp butter               1/4 cup flour - 2 cups milk 

Always prepare whatever your putting gravy over first. If you cook the gravy to long while waiting for your side to be done it gets to thick.

In a skillet, over medium high heat, season ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic salt and onion and cook until meat is done. 

Add butter and melt. Sprinkle flour over the top of beef and stir. Cook flour 1 to 2 minutes. 

Slowly pour in milk and whisk or stir to incorporate into the flour beef. Stir occasionally let it cook until it thickens. About 5 minutes or so. 

Serve immediately over mashed potatoes, toast, noodles or rice. It is good.

Meat loaf or Meat balls

1 pound ground beef, 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup milk, 1/4 cup onion diced, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, one egg, 1/4 cup parsley chopped, 1/4 cup Parmesan shredded, salt and pepper to taste. Mix and bake. I do 375 but it says you can do 400 18 to 20 minutes.

Meatloaf - very good too

2 1/2 pounds hamburger/venision

1 1/4 cups plain bread crumbs

1 egg

Ketchup - mustard - barbecue sauce 

My seasoning 

Real onion chopped

Drizzle with avocado oil 

Kombuca

3 qts distilled water - 12 cups. Boil. Then add 1 cup sugar (Should be cheap sugar not organic) and continue to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from burner add 4 bags black tea and steep for 10 minutes then remove and stir. Marylin told me to use more tea bags. 

Cool tea for at least 45 minutes. Then pour into a gallon jar. Cool for another 2 hours. You want it room temperature before you add the scobby. After 2 hours check it. Sometimes I let mine go a bit longer.

After its room temperature in the gallon jar add almost a cup of liquid from the scobby container and place the scobby dark side down in the jar. Cover with a coffer filter and use a rubber band to keep it on. Sit on counter out of sunlight. Let sir 7-10 days.

Make your own scooby

1 cup raw and unpasteurized store bought kombucha. 

1/3 cup sugar

1 qt water

4 tea bags

Make a tea batch with these measurements. Let sit 10 days untouched in warm place. 

Cooking Substitute

You can substitute mayo in your cake for the eggs and oil. 

Example if your just substituting the oil 1/2 of mayo = 1/2 of oil

Also substitute mayo for eggs. 1/4 cup for each egg. 

Self-rising flour is made by adding 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt to 1 cup all purpose flour.

I use healthy oils for baking. I also replace oil for butter. If you want though you can substitute oil by using: applesauce, fruit puree or yogurt. I have used applesauce. If you make brownies and add applesauce instead of oil your kids might complain, mine did.

If you don't have buttermilk you can make your own by adding 1 Tablespoon of either fresh lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk. I have made it using the vinegar.

Out of eggs? Use any of these substitutes in place of 1 egg: 1/4 cup applesauce or 1/4 cup vegetable oil or 1/4 cup mashed banana.

Cut a recipe in half: 

3/4 cup is 6 Tablespoons - 2/3 cup is 1/3 cup - 1/2 cup is 1/4 cup - 1/3 cup is 2 teaspoons plus 2 Tablespoons - 1/4 cup is 2 Tablespoons - 1 Tablespoon is 1 1/2 teaspoons - 1 teaspoon is 1/2 teaspoon - 1/2 teaspoon is 1/4 teaspoon. 

Heavy Cream Substitute 

If you need heavy cream for a recipe, make your own by combining 2/3 cup whole milk with 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter. This will give you 1 cup of heavy cream. (I normally don't use unsalted butter and recipes that call for it I just use salted butter.)

Maple syrup instead of corn syrup.

  

Carrot Cake - White Cake - Chocolate Cake & Frosting

My husband’s favorites 

Old Fashion Carrot Cake

Ingredients

4 large eggs, room temperature

2 cups sugar (I used less then 2 cups and used half white half coconut sugar. Next time will try all coconut).

1 cup canola oil (I don’t use junk oils. I used almond oil or avocado).

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 to 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 cups grated carrots

FROSTING:

1/2 cup butter, softened

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons milk

1 cup chopped walnuts, optional 

Optional: Orange and green food coloring

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar and oil. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; beat into egg mixture. Stir in carrots.

2. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. I use an oblong cake pan. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

3. For frosting, in another large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Add enough milk to achieve desired spreading consistency. Reserve 1/2 cup frosting for decorating if desired. If desired, stir walnuts into remaining frosting. 

4. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. If decorating the cake, tint 1/4 cup reserved frosting orange and 1/4 cup green. Cut a small hole in the corner of pastry or plastic bag; insert #7 round pastry tip. Fill the bag with orange frosting. Pipe 16 carrots on top of cake, so each piece will have a carrot. Using #67 leaf pastry tip and the green frosting, pipe a leaf at the top of each carrot. 

5. Store cake in the refrigerator.

Chocolate Cake

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (I use coconut sugar)
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon salt (I don't use that much)
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla (I don't use)
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda AND powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil (right now I have always used avocado oil but sometime I will try almond oil)

Oven to 350 degree's. Grease and flour two nine inch or one oblong pan.
Mix all the ingredients together. Now add 1 cup boiling water. Pour into prepared pan or pans.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes.

You can substitute mayo in your cake for the eggs and oil. 

Example if your just substituting the oil 1/2 of mayo = 1/2 of oil

Also substitute mayo for eggs. 1/4 cup for each egg. 

Frosting

Creamy Chocolate Frosting

2 3/4 cups confectioner's sugar
6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
6 Tablespoons butter softened
5 Tablespoons evaporated (I use regular milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter then add the rest of ingredients. Frost and enjoy. 

Butter Frosting

1/3 cup butter softened
4 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Beat the butter until fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups of the sugar. Beat well. Slowly beat in the milk, vanilla and remaining sugar. Beat well. Frost and eat.

White Cake 9 by 13

Cake Mix (Dry Ingredients)

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 
• 1 ½ cups (300g) organic cane sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp fine sea salt

To Make The Cake

• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (120ml) melted butter or avocado oil
• 1 cup (240ml) milk or milk alternative
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120g) sour cream or plain yogurt

Half the cake recipe 

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon corn starch

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 egg

1/4 cup melted butter or avocado oil

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 sour cream or plain yogurt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk together dry ingredients and store in a sealed jar or bag for up to 3 months (or freeze for longer).

To Make The Cake

1. Mix all the wet ingredients in the dry until just combined.
2. Bake at 350°F for:
3. 9x13 pan: 35–40 mins
4. Two 8-inch rounds: 30–35 mins
5. Cupcakes: 18–22 mins
6. Bundt: 45–55 mins

Please note that the nutritional values provided are estimates based on standard ingredients and calculations. Actual nutrients may vary depending on specific brands and measurement variations used in preparation.

Homemade Extracts

All the same basically. They all use Vodka. They all take 5-6 weeks. They all store in cool dry place. They all say tilt and turn upside down every few days. Someone told me they use bourbon instead of the vodka or half and half. I have made the vanilla. Very good. 

Vanilla Extract

3 whole vanilla beans - Vodka

Cut your vanilla beans in half, then split open each half to expose the vanilla seeds on the inside of the pod. Place cut vanilla beans inside your glass bottle. Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle. Seal tightly and store bottle in cool, dry place. Every few days, tilt the bottle upside down to gently mix the liquids inside. After 5 to 6 weeks, you have extract. If you leave the beans, when you start running low you just add more vodka and wait a little time.

Mint

1/2 cup mint leaves - Vodka

Stuff mint leaves into your glass bottle. Using a chopstick, skewer, or other poking device, lightly bruise/crush the leaves inside the bottle. Add vodka, filling to the neck of the bottle. Every few days tilt bottle. Can't save the leaves this time and you should sieve to another bottle to get remaining leave pieces out.

Orange 

1 large navel orange - Vodka

Peel thin strips of zest from 1/2 of your orange. Place zest in bottle. Add vodka, filling up to the neck. Every few days tilt and turn upside down. 5-6 weeks later. Leave orange peel in bottle if you want. I probably won't.

Lemon 

1 large lemon - Vodka

Peel thin strips of zest from your lemon. Place in bottle. Add Vodka to the neck. Tilt.

These are from Gemma. She has almond too but a bit more complicated.

Cole Slaws

Apple & Poppy seed Coleslaw

2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 1/2 cups shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 Granny Smith apple, julienne d
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, combine the green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot and apple.
In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, poppy seeds, salt and pepper, to taste.
Pour mixture over cabbage mixture and stir using a rubber spatula until well combined. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Serve cold.

Apple Cranberry Coleslaw - Favorite 

1 Large apple - any kind

1/2 cup dried cranberries

3/4 teaspoon dried ginger - I used a little less. Wasn't sure about it. 

4 green onions

6 Tablespoon honey - might use a bit less next time.

3/4 cup mayo

1 -14oz bag mixed colors coleslaw 

1/2 walnuts - any will do or none

3/4 plain yogurt - I used Strawberry (I use less now or it’s to running after it sits. Just a heaping tablespoon or so).

Very very good.

Sweet and Sour Coleslaw Dressing

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup cold water

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon mustard seed (I use ground if that's all I have)

1/2 celery seed

Coleslaw Dressing

1 cup mayo

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt  

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon celery seed  

5 cups cabbage

Shred cabbage. Mix all ingredients and pour over cabbage.

Lots of Homemade Dressings

Ranch Dressing

2 Tablespoons dried Parsley
2 Tablespoons dried Chives
2 Tablespoons Onion Powder
1 Tablespoon dried Dill Weed
1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 Tablespoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Pepper (I don't use cause I don't like)

I use Organic spices. Mix all of these together and the next time you want the best dip ever just add a Tablespoon or so to sour cream. Mix it to your liking. 

To make it a dressing combine 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayo or milk and 1 Tablespoon the Ranch spices. Chill for an hour. Just make sure it isn't to thick.

Dry Onion Soup Mix

2/3 cup dried, minced onion

3 teaspoons parsley flakes

2 teaspoons onion powder#

2 teaspoons turmeric

1 teaspoon celery salt

1 teaspoon sea salt (I always use Himalayan salt)

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon pepper (I don't normally use pepper)

Shake well. Use 4 Tablespoons a recipe in place of 1 packet of onion soup mix. 

Thousand Island Dressing

1 cup mayo
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup sweet pickle relish
pinch of salt and pepper if you want. I also don't add that much relish.

Put 1000 island on your burger and its better then a big mac.

Coleslaw Dressing

1 cup mayo
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon celery seed 
5 cups cabbage

Shred cabbage. Mix all ingredients and pour over cabbage.

Honey French Dressing:       
                                                            
1/2 cup Organic Ketchup
1 cup Organic Olive Oil  (I use grape seed oil)
1/4 cup Organic Apple Cider Vinegar                 
1/4 cup Honey
1/4 cup Organic Onion (coarsely chopped) (I use powder)
1 tsp Sea Salt (I use Himalaya salt)
1/4 tsp Organic Ground Black Pepper (Don't use)
1 small clove of Garlic (I  use powdered)
Combine everything in your blender and blend until smooth! Will keep for 2 weeks in the fridge, enjoy!

Western dressing from Dixie - Very good

1 cup ketchup 

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 

3 teaspoons honey

Cayenne pepper

Sweet and Sour Coleslaw Dressing

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon mustard seed (I use ground if that's all I have)
1/2 celery seed

Poppy Seed Dressing 

3/4 cup just mayo
1/3 cup sugar (a bit less)
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons poppy seed

Potato Salad Dressing

1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cup just mayo
1 Tablespoon mustard
1 teas salt
1/4 teas pepper (Don't use pepper)

Add some ranch dressing to spice it up. Very good.

Quick & Easy Barbecue Sauce

Makes: 1 cup

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup onion, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons molasses
2 Tablespoons spicy mustard (I use Guldens' Spicy Brown Mustard)
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder (NOT powdered chili pepper)

Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat and sauté onion & garlic for 2 minutes until golden brown.
2. Add everything else and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about
25 minutes. Sauce with thicken as it cools.

Deans Dressing

1\4 cup oil - 1/3 cup vinegar - 1/2 cup sugar or less - 1 teas celergy seed - garlice pd & salt

Boil and stir till clear. Let cool. 

Meals/Desserts in a Mug

Macaroni & Cheese in a mug

1/3 cup pasta
3/4 cup water cold
4 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon cornstarch or aka corn flour
4 tablespoons cheddar cheese, grated
salt and pepper

In a large microwavable mug or large bowl add in the macaroni and the water. You need a large mug as the water will boil up. Microwave for roughly 3 1/2 minutes. You want the pasta to be fully cooked. Again based on a 1200 watt microwave oven. Pour off the remaining water. Stir in milk, cornstarch and shredded cheese and mic for a final 60 seconds to create your sauce. Stir well, season with salt and pepper and enjoy.

Breakfast Burrito in a mug

1 large 9 inch tortilla
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cheddar cheese, grated
2 tablespoons scallions, chopped
salt and pepper
Garnish
salsa
sour cream

In a large microwaveable mug press in a fresh tortilla. It will naturally fold into shape of the mug and find its way. Crack your eggs and whisk up with a fork, taking care not to tear the tortilla. Now add in your favorite burrito mixins like cheese, beans, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper and mix together. Whatever ingredients you have on hand will work great. Microwave for 1 minute 20 seconds. Check, and if the eggs are still liquid, cook for another 15-20 seconds. Keep and eye during cooking so the eggs don't overheat. You don't want an egg-splosion in your mic. Cook time based on 1200 watt microwave. Once done, let it sit for 3 minutes to cool and serve with some sour cream and salsa on top. You could eat a bit out of the mug and then your able to pull it out of mug and roll it like a burrito.

Mug Pizza

 Serves: 1

Ingredients

4 tablespoons all purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon baking powder
1/16 teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon marinara sauce
1 generous tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese
5 mini pepperoni
½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil or oregano will work)

Instructions
Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a microwavable mug
Add in the milk and oil and mix together. There might be some lump but that is okay.

Spoon on the marinara sauce and spread it around the surface of the batter.

Sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni and dried herbs.

Microwave for 1 minute 10-20 seconds, or until it rises up and the topping are bubbling (timing is based on my 1200W microwave so your timing might vary). My microwave is only 1000 watts so my time will be just a tad more.
Enjoy straight away!

Notes
Cooking time will vary greatly depending on your microwave and the width and depth of the mug. The mugs I use are small, roughly 6oz (¾ /1 cup)

Always keep a close eye on your mug while in the microwave so it doesn’t over flow or over cook.

⅛ teaspoon is simply a ½ of a ¼ teaspoon
1/16 teaspoon is simply a ¼ of a ¼ teaspoon

Desserts in a Mug 

Brownie in a Mug 
                     
2 T butter melted in a mug
Add  2 T water, 1 t vanilla and dash of salt
Mix with fork
Add 2 T cocoa pd, stir, 2 T sugar and stir 4 T flour and stir
Microwave 1 minute and 30 seconds

The recipe calls for 4 T of sugar but its great with just the 2.

Chocolate Mug Cake

4 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
2 teaspoon flavorless oil (sunflower, coconut, canola)
4 tablespoons  milk
Mix together - 40 -50 seconds in microwave.

Chocolate Chip Mug Cookie 

1 tablespoon room temperature butter
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
Mix together, wet first then microwave 40-60 seconds.

Jelly Doughnut in a mug

2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon strawberry jelly

Place butter into a microwaveable mug and microwave until just melted. Add in the remaining ingredients; mix well with a fork until just combined. Once the batter is mixed place the spoonful of jam down into the batter to get a jammy center. Microwave for 45 seconds or until it is firm on top. This time is based on a 1200 watt microwave so time may vary. Always keep a close eye while cooking.

Homemade Products

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE. I USE A LOT OF HOMEMADE PRODUCTS WITH NO TROUBLE.

Tile and Grout cleaner
Add 1/2 cup Dr Bronner's Sal suds or Dawn ultra or other dish washing soap to 16 oz spray bottle. I used Dawn. Add 1.5 cups vinegar. Add 7 drops of each: Lavender essential oil - Lemon essential oil - eucalyptus essential oil - Tea tree essential oil.
Shake to mix ingredients. Spray on shower, tub, faucet, and glass shower doors. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (and as long as overnight, if needed) scrub if needed. Rinse with hot water.
DO NOT USE ON GRANITE OR MARBLE. THE ACID IN THE VINEGAR COULD EAT AWAY AT THE SURFACE AND CAUSE PITTING.

Cleaning your glass top stove
Drizzle some dawn (careful not to much you will have to wipe it off)
Then some peroxide - Then a good amount of baking soda. Work it in and wipe off.
I had a bad stain on mine so I actually did this procedure twice. The ring was gone.

Goo Gone
1 teaspoon vegetable oil - 2 teaspoons baking soda. Combine and try it.

How to remove water stain from you stainless steel appliances
1/4 cup vinegar to 1/2 cup baking soda. 1 Tablespoon of oil. Make it into a paste. Apply on dishwasher in circle motion with a soft cloth. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes. Wipe off with a damp cloth.
It worked very well on the dishwasher.

Blessings in a 24 ounce bottle

Kitchen Magic: 12 oz of White Vinegar - 12 oz of Dawn dish soap - 1 teaspoon laundry detergent.
Use everywhere. Kitchen as well as bath. The laundry detergent is optional.

Window Cleaner: 1 oz of White Ammonia - 4 oz of Rubbing alcohol - 1 drop of laundry detergent. Fill remaining space with water.

Air & Fabric Freshener: 1 oz of scented fabric softener - 2 Tablespoons baking soda - Fill with water. This is fake febreze. (Ann's note: I have made and used this one. I like it.)

Bleach Cleaner: 2 oz of bleach - 1 teaspoon laundry detergent - fill with water.

The Cure-All: 5 oz of rubbing alcohol - 3 oz of white vinegar - 1 teaspoon laundry detergent - 1 teaspoon of white ammonia - 2 drops essential oil - Fill with water. Use this like an all purpose cleaner.

Homemade Hand Soap: Fill your jar about 2/3 of the way to the top with white sugar. Next fill the rest of the jar with your soap. Stop when the soap is about 1/2" from the top of the jar. Stir till reaches a paste like consistency. If you let it sit the sugar will dissolve without stirring. Now the next time your hands are really dirty try it.

Mosquito bug Spray

1. 20 drops lavender - 17 drops lemon grass - 15 drops eucalyptus - 15 drops tea tree - 12 drops peppermint - 2 oz bottle add water. 

2. 1/2 cup witch hazel - 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar - 40 drops essentials oils (eucalyptus, lemon grass, citronella, tea tree or rosemary).

Homemade Weed Killer

1. 1/4 cup salt - 1 squirt dawn - Fill the rest with vinegar. 

2. Cornmeal scatter over soil to prevent crab grass.

3. Pour boiling water on growing weeds.

Plants that keep bugs away: 

Fleas & ticks is rosemary.

Spiders, mosquitoes, ants is peppermint.

Mosquitoes is catnip and basil and lavender.

To get rid of Japanese beetles: Sevin dust, or A cup of soapy water, or Neem oil spray. 

Also they love geraniums. The side affect however is they become dizzy and disoriented. This causes them to fall to the ground. I use the cup of soapy water and guide them into the container. This fall and spring I will treat the ground. 

Make your own Toweling: Cut a roll of paper toweling in half. Put the half in a closed container that fits it. Add 12 ounces of tap water, 1/4 cup of alcohol and 4 drops of dish soap.

  

Shower Scrubs

Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub

Coconut oil - Vanilla - Brown Sugar. Use for hands and feet.

Himalayan Salt Scrub

2 Tablespoons finely ground pure Himalayan Salt

1 Tablespoon Sweet Almond Oil

1 Tablespoon jojoba oil

6 drops of pure lavender or meditation synergy blend  Essential oil

Mix together and apply to your wet body in the shower. Massage and rinse. Pat yourself dry.

Vanilla Lavender Relaxing Scrub

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup almond oil

1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

15 drops lavender essential oil

Place everything in a bowl and stir until combined. Store in a jar with a lid. Maybe small mason jars.

Lemon Scented Hand Scrub

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil is optional

15-20 drops of lemon essential oil

Place everything in a bowl and stir until combined. Store in a jar with a lid. Maybe small mason jars.

Gingerbread Sugar Scrub at Christmas Time 

1/2 cup brown sugar 

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon clove

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Place everything in a bowl and stir until combined. Store in a jar with a lid. Maybe small mason jars.

Pumpkin Pie Scrub

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup almond oil

1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil

3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

2 teaspoons vanilla

Place everything in a bowl and stir until combined. Store in a jar with a lid. Maybe small mason jars.

Homemade Hand Scrub

1 Tablespoon coconut oil 

2 Tablespoons raw honey

1/4 cup sea salt (You know I will try my Himalayan salt first)

1/4 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Sugar Scrub

I make my own sugar scrubs. I don't even measure anymore. You will need sugar and coconut oil. Then add whatever you. Vitamin E, Essential oil to make it smell good and anything else you want. Take in the shower using a plastic container. 

Simple body scrub my daughter likes. I don't even measure. I put sugar in a bowl - add liquid coconut oil and she likes peppermint - so I add peppermint essential oil. I put in a plastic container with a cover.

Cookies & Cookies & more Cookies

Three ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

The  original recipe is:  

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg

My recipe is:

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

I made them adding chocolate chips. If you add chocolate chips use 1/4 cup sugar instead. 

Mix together. Roll into small balls. Dip in sugar if you want-use fork to press them down a bit and bake at 350. Watch them closely.

Ranger Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs beaten
2 1/3 cups flour
1 cup coconut
1 cup oats
1 cup rice Krispies (I might put in a different cereal one I can buy organic)
1 teaspoon salt - 1 teas baking powder - 1 teas baking soda - 1 teas vanilla

Cream butter with the sugars, add vanilla, and eggs.  Mix well. Add flour with salt, powder and soda. Add oatmeal, krispies and coconut. Make into small balls and bake 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Thin Mint Cookies

These taste just like the Girl Scout thin mint cookies only much much better

Ingredients: Ritz cracker  - Andes Mint chips (You buy them in a bag like you would buy choc chips)

Melt Andes mint chips in microwave. Doesn't take long

Dip cracker in chocolate and place on parchment paper.

Pretzel thins too dipped in the chocolate are good.

Do your like peanut butter. I bet you could take melted peanut butter chips and dip cracker in the chips too. So many different things you can make. Use your imagination.

Ann's note: The first time I made them I couldn't find the Andes Mint chips so I just bought the little individual bars and just had to open them all up separate.

Toll House Cookies

I have learned a lot about recipes over the years. The first thing is you never need all the sugar the recipe calls for. Also I don't pack brown sugar like the recipe calls for. Here is my version of the Toll House Cookies.

2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar in stead of 3/4 (I also use coconut sugar in stead sometimes)
1/2 cup brown sugar instead of 3/4 and don't pack it (I use my homemade brown sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
2 dark chocolate candy bars chopped
1 cup nuts chopped optional

Oven to 375 degree's. I mix butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Then add the flour, salt and baking soda. Mix and add chocolate and nuts. Bake on ungreased sheet 9 to 11 minutes or until done.

Most of my recipes I don't use vanilla anymore either. I also use organic products and the taste is so good.

Remember homemade brown sugar is just 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 Tablespoon molasses. Little lumps are okay. You can also blend it. I don't take time to do that. I never pack it like recipe says.

Molasses Cookies

3/4 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar (I used 3/4 cups, will try coconut sugar too)
1 egg
1/2 tsp cloves (Don't use)
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups flour
1/4 cup molasses
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt

Melt butter in a 4 qt saucepan over low heat. (I just use soften butter) Remove from heat let cool and add sugar, molasses, and egg, beat well. Add everything else and mix well. Chill. Form into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar (if you want I don't) and place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 8-10 minutes.

Strawberry Jam and Butter Cookies

1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teas salt
1/2 teas baking powder
3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
2/3 cup sugar plus more for rolling
1 egg
1 teas vanilla
1/3 cup jam

Preheat oven to 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or spray them.

Whisk together flour, salt and baking powder.

Beat butter and sugar till fluffy. Add egg and vanilla until just combined. Slowly beat in dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Roll into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar if you want, I don't. Place on your cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Press thumb gently into the center of each ball, about 1/2 inch deep. Fill each thumbprint with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam.

Bake 15 - 17 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool on baking sheet.

Pumpkin cookies 

2 & 1/2 cups flour

1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter 

1/2 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

1 cup pumpkin puree 

I large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1 & 1/2 cups chocolate chips 

Beat butter and sugars  - add pumpkin, egg and vanilla - add dry ingredients - fold in chips. Drop a tablespoon on cookie sheets. Bake 375 for 10 - 12 minutes. 

Make your own brown sugar - 1 cup sugar add 1 Tablespoon molasses’s 

Crackers

Homemade Cheez-it Crackers

1 cup flour
4 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into small squares
1 8oz bag grated extra sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper - I don't use

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients in food processor, and pulse until crumbly. Add cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together. Form into ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Place dough between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper, and roll out to 1/8 inch thickness. Transfer to parchment lined baking sheet, and, using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut into 1 inch squares. Sprinkle with salt and bake 25 minutes. Test for crispiness; cracker may take a few minutes more to finish crisping. Remove from oven when crisp and just starting to brown. Let cool and serve. They aren't as good the next day so eat them when fresh.

Artisan Crackers 

For the Dough

• 2 cups all-purpose flour This forms the base, offering structure.
• 1 teaspoon salt Enhances the flavor; don’t skip it!
• 1 teaspoon baking powder Helps create a lighter texture
• 1 tablespoon dried herbs Customize with rosemary, sesame, etc.
• ¾ cup water Use room temperature for best results.
• ¼ cup olive oil Adds richness and helps achieve a crispy texture.
• to taste flaky sea salt Enhances every bite.

1. Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and dried herbs in a large mixing bowl.
2. Combine wet ingredients with the dry mixture to form a dough.
3. Knead the dough lightly for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth.
4. Cover and let the dough rest for at least 10 minutes.
5. Divide the dough in half, keeping one piece covered.
6. Roll out the dough to about 1/16-inch thickness.
7. Cut into rectangles, approximately 3 x 1.5 inches.
8. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, placing them 1 inch apart.
9. Dock each cracker several times with a fork to prevent bubbling.
10. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
11. Bake at 425°F for 9 to 12 minutes until golden brown.
12. Cool on a baking sheet for a few minutes before enjoying.
13. Repeat with the remaining half of the dough.

SALTINE CRACKERS

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ cup unsalted butter
1 ⅓ cup milk, you can substitute non dairy milk if you need to
coarse salt, for sprinkling
1 egg white, OR egg yolk. The whites make them crisper.
1 tablespoon water

• Blend the egg white with the water to make an egg wash. Set aside.
• Mix together the flour and baking powder.
• If you are adding seasonings mix those in with the dry ingredients.
• Cut butter into flour mixture until it forms coarse crumbs.
• Add the milk and knead gently to form a ball.
• Divide in 4 parts and roll out paper thin on a floured surface. The thinner they are the crisper they will be.
• Cut the dough into squares or desired shapes. (a pizza wheel works great for that!)
• Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and prick all over with a fork.
• Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with salt (or cracked pepper ..or..)
• Bake at 325 until golden brown..about 15- 20 minutes. (check after 10 minutes)
• Let cool before serving. They crisp as they cool.

Crack-tastic Crackers

1 - 1 1/4 cup oil
1 packet ranch dressing 
2-3 Tablespoons red pepper flakes
4 sleeves of saltine crackers

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Let sit 5 - 10 minutes. Lay them out on a cookie sheet and drizzle the yummy, ranchy, peppery oil that's in the bottom of the bowl, over the top of the crackers. Bake at 250 degree's for 15-20 minutes, stirring them around about halfway through. Let them cool and store in a big old baggie. Or a few little baggies.