Very Juicy, Tender Turkey

This is the best way to cook a turkey. It's so tender and delicious! Also, this link is very helpful to know how long to cook turkeys.

This is different because you bake the turkey upside down.

Apple Pie

This is our favorite apple pie recipe:

Ingredients:
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

7 to 8 c. thinly sliced, peeled apples
1 T. lemon juice
Pastry for double-crust pie
1 Tablespoon butter
1 egg white (opt)
Additional sugar

In small bowl, combine sugar, flour and spices; set aside. In large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice. Add sugar mixture; toss well to coat. Line a 9-inch pie pan with half the pastry. Place apple filling into crust; dot with butter. Top with remaining pastry; flute edges and cut slits in top. Beat egg white until foamy; brush over pastry. Sprinkle sugar on top. Bake at 375 for 35 minutes. Increase temperature to 400 and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, or until golden.

Our Favorite Sweet Potato Casserole

I found this recipe in a Taste of Home Magazine years ago and have never tried anything else since. We (or at least those of us who like sweet potatoes) LOVE this recipe! It's one of our Thanksgiving favorites.

Sweet Potato Bake

Ingredients for a 9x13 dish:
6 cups mashed sweet potatoes (About 1 medium sized sweet potato makes 1 cup. Peel, cube and boil until tender -just like you would regular potatoes)
2 cups sugar
1 cup milk
1 stick of butter or margarine (1/2 cup), softened 
6 eggs
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla

Topping:
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
4 T. cold butter or margarine

In a mixing bowl, beat sweet potatoes, sugar, milk, butter, eggs, salt and vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish. (You can also mix this part quickly in a food processor.)
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and flour, cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over potato mixture. (You can also add chopped pecans to this mixture.)
Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.

This is very delicious hot but also good cold.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

Easy Cleaning Tips and Tools that have Canged my Life!

These are things I wish I knew about when I had young children!

I wanted to share with everyone what I've learned recently that has made cleaning my house SO much easier, quicker and healthier.

First I need to tell you of the "tools" I've discovered and then I'll do a room by room strategy of what I have so far.

First the "TOOL"- the best cleaning device that I've discovered is the E-Cloth.  Another option is a Norwex cloth but I prefer the E-cloth because of the cost and ease of getting them.  You can click on this link to see why the E-cloth works so well and how it removes over 99% of bacteria.  I seriously have rubbed butter on a glass door and cleaned it easily with my cloth with just a little water on the cloth. One thing to note with both brands of these cloths is DO NOT  wash them with any sort of fabric softener or dry with dryer sheets; it will diminish their work ability (however if it does happen I do believe you can wash it lots to get it back to it's original condition).

Now, the room strategy:  

The Bathroom: I keep one general purpose E-cloth hanging in my bathroom and after every to every other shower I just quickly wipe down the shower with the cloth. It works like a "magic eraser". You don't have to do anything with the cloth, just start wiping; the water left from the shower and the cloth cleans the shower beautifully! From there you can clean the sink and faucet (or vice versa).  This will keep your tub and sink sparkling every day.  Then, whichever day is your sheet washing day, you can use your damp cloth to wipe down the toilet and the floor (whichever order you prefer with a hot rinse in between). The cloth works well on a regular swiffer mopper, you can just push it into the little holes and mop away.  Then, when your bathroom is all done, just throw the cloth in with the sheets for a hot wash.  If you want, you can also keep a glass and polishing cloth to wipe down the faucets and keep the mirrors spotless after the general wipe down. (I just get a dab of toilet paper to make the sink faucet sparkle after using the general cloth and clean the mirrors once a week with the polishing cloth while I clean other window/glass surfaces.

The Kitchen: There are two cloths I like to use in the kitchen. The E-cloth glass and polishing cloth and a mesh cloth. (My aunt used her general purpose cloth for washing dishes and it worked very well. During the whole stay there, I never noticed a bad smell coming from the cloth.) I learned about the mesh cloth from a Norwex party and now it's a staple in my kitchen.  Here's how I get 2 mesh cloths for about 68 cents each.

 From Walmart, I purchase a "Lingerie Bag". Any bag of the sort would work though.
Then, I cut the binding and zipper off.

I don't have the final picture after cutting it, but you get the idea.  These are two cloths together so once I was done cutting, I just separate them and start cleaning with them.  They are stiff at first but after they're first washed they soften up.
These mesh cloths are great for:
-washing dishes and the cloths don't stink even after a week
-cleaning dough and other stuck on things on countertops, sinks, microwaves, refrigerator shelves...

The glass and polishing cloth with just water is great for cleaning:
-faucets
-Glass stove top even with grease splattered on it. Just get the cloth wet and wipe it off.
-Refrigerator inside and out
-Microwave inside and out
-Countertops (I like to wipe with the mesh cloth and then follow up with the e-cloth)
-Windows
-Anything that needs cleaning or polishing!

Dusting: General Purpose cleaning cloth, dry
Windows/Mirrors: Glass & Polishing (I have rubbed butter onto a glass door and wiped it right off with a wet polishing cloth.

Hard Floors: You can put a general purpose cloth on a Swiffer mopper and either sweep with it dry or mop with it wet. It will get your floors REALLY clean!

Vehicle: I tried this out earlier this month and couldn't believe how well the E-cloth cleaned the WHOLE vehicle! I started with dusting the dash board and cleaning the hard surfaces with a slightly damp cloth.  Then, I thoroughly rinsed the cloth and wiped spots on the upholstery and carpet (that I never thought would come off) and it got several spots out and lightened the others.  Then, I rinsed it out again and cleaned the outside of the vehicle (not a small vehicle either).  I used the mesh cloth from the laundering bag to clean off the bugs and hard spots and was able to get the rest off with just the E-cloth. When it got dirty, I'd take it in and rinse it off and keep going.  I couldn't believe how easy it was, how well it worked and all I used was one general purpose cloth, one mesh cloth and one glass and polishing cloth for the windows and water, no other cleaners!

Some before and afters: this was after cooking bacon.

 

Tar on the Suburban





We recently took a trip and while on the road our youngest daughter got car sick. I was able to pull over and use the e-cloth and some water to clean her, her car seat and the seat and seat belt.  I just wished I had had it with me when a milky, sticky drink got spilled on me and the driver's side floor board several weeks later! I hope this is helpful. If you have any questions or testimonials, please leave a comment.
Thanks!

14 Traveling Tips & Tricks

Found these links and wanted to share it with you all. Very helpful as we plan our upcoming trip!

diy home sweet home: 14 Traveling Tips & Tricks: Are you planning a trip this summer?  I've got you covered with these amazing travel tips and tricks to keep your sanity. ...

Click here for ideas and helps for traveling with young kids.

(I'll be adding to this list as we 3 girls find more ideas!)

Homemade Yogurt in a Cooler-Updated

This has been updated on April 27 to add another option using a crock pot as the heating method for the milk. It's my new favorite method because it's more hands off; I don't have to wait so long over the stove stirring and checking the temp. Let me know if you have questions or if something doesn't make sense!

In an earlier post, I explained how to make yogurt in a crock pot. Now I'm going to explain my new favorite method that was shared by a friend. I like this method because I can do a whole gallon of yogurt at one time and it's SO easy!

All you need is:

• a cooler,
• jars with lids- they can be plastic, canning jars, old spaghetti or other glass jars...
• a pot large enough to heat up the amount you want on the stove 
• anything the size of a jar or even a glass bowl to hold hot water
• Whole milk
• 1 Tablespoon for each 1/2 gallon of yogurt (you can use previously homemade yogurt)
• meat or candy thermometer

Here's how you make it: (I did about a gallon here. You can adjust accordingly.)

First, poor the amount of milk you want to convert into yogurt (1 for 1) into the saucepan or dutch oven. I poured the milk into the jars I wanted to use and then into the pot to insure I was getting the right amount.
OR pour the milk into a crock pot in the morning and turn on low. Recheck at lunch or a little after until the temperature reaches 180 degrees.

Turn the stove onto medium heat (if you get it too hot you'll burn the milk at the bottom).  Slowly stir milk until it reaches 180 degrees. (a side note: I have a dual burner stove so even though it looks like the temp is at medium high, it's medium for the large burner.)

      

As soon as it reaches 180, remove from heat (or if using crock pot, remove crock from heating element), stir and check the temperature occasionally until the milk cools to 120 degrees (this took a couple of hours in the crock). Meanwhile measure out yogurt (in my case 2 Tablespoons) and set out to warm it a bit. Once the milk starts getting close to 120, start boiling some water (or if you have a Keurig with a carafe, heat water for 2-3 cups). You'll need enough to fill a jar or two (see picture below-  I used a thick heavy glass and an old speghetti jar).

Once the temperature has reached 120, gently stir the yogurt into the milk.

Keep the milk in the pan or crock or you can pour it into a large glass container with a spout.

Place the container with the milk in a cooler and then place 2 jars with the very hot water on each side of your milk/yogurt mixture. (I put the hot water jars/glass on a hot pad just to make sure it wouldn't hurt the plastic).

Now you just close the lid, carefully move the cooler to a location where it won't be disturbed and wait.

I waited 5-6 hours and it came out wonderfully! Remember, the longer you wait, the tangier it will be.

Once it's at the consistency you desire,you can scoop the yogurt into your desired yogurt container, refrigerate and enjoy!

This yogurt is delicious in smoothies, in homemade granola, in pancakes and any other baked goods that call for buttermilk.

Inexpensive, easy, non-chemical way to remove makeup & Thoughts on Rosacea

After trying the blue bottled liquid eye makeup remover (expensive after a while), petroleum jelly (caused sties), and even the facial Norwex cloth (felt like I was pulling my skin, though it may have been the particular one I used), I finally discovered the perfect eye makeup remover (for me anyway): VIRGIN COCONUT OIL! Just get a corner of your cloth wet, rub a little of the oil (in its solid form) on that wet corner and gently wipe away your mascara, eye liner and eye shadow! It leaves the skin around your eyes clean and moisturized! If there is any makeup left  it easily comes off in the shower the next morning. The virgin coconut oil is expensive at first but will last a VERY long time! It also makes a great facial moisturizer!
If you're wondering about how to clean the makeup off the rest of your face... Let me give you a bit of my facial history: I'd been diagnosed with rosacea by several doctors and eczema by one. When I couldn't pay the $60 for the Metrogel, I started doing some research. My nose and cheeks were very red all the time. I didn't like wearing makeup all the time trying to cover it up and I didn't like drawing attention to my face either (which my redness was doing)! I sought the Lord and He directed me (as He is always so kind to do!) "If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God..." James. Here was the discovery: my problem was not rosacea, but rather dry skin. The cure... are you ready for this?... the cure is vegetable shortening. Yes, I really said vegetable shortening, and not even the name brand stuff. I know this goes against everything we've been taught about NO OILS on your face, but in my case that's exactly what my face needed! I've been using this for years now and my complexion continues to be 100% better.
Here's how it works: the dry skin cells' bonds are weak and so bacteria easily penetrates the skin causing irritation and redness. The vegetable shortening not only moisturizes the cells making stronger bonds, but it creates a protective layer on your skin. The result is healthy skin and a beautiful complexion.
If you're wondering if my face looks greasy all the time, it did at first but my skin got used to it and doesn't anymore. Also, the shine can be covered with powder. Does my face smell like food? Only if one's nose is right at my face but you get used to it or you can mix an essential oil in for a nice scent. Does my face burn in the summer? Nope. I do put on sunblock with the shortening and someday I'm going to make my own mixture of the 2 together. How often do I put it on? In the winter, every morning and every night before bed. In the summer I can get away with just nightly. And now back to the original thought: How do I clean my face? With a clean wash cloth and water. I just gently rub off any makeup, pat dry and apply the shortening. Honestly though, I generally only put on base, etc once a weak and that's how often I wash my full face (except maybe an occasional gentle rub in the shower). I use no soap whatsoever! So here it is; easy, inexpensive, no harsh chemicals and it works!
Just a quick side note: I'm not saying that everyone who has been diagnosed with rosacea really just has dry skin, it is a real thing, but it may just be dry skin and the cure super easy and cheap!
I know that just because this works for me that doesn't mean it will work for everyone, but I do hope it will help some! I have been extremely thankful for the discovery and easy cure and thought it good to share! Feel free to ask any questions or share any of your own experiences!

Granola Bars

We were introduced to these by a good friend and ever since my kids BEG me to make them.  They even say, "I can't wait until this afternoon when I can have a granola bar!"
Seriously, they're way better than store bought bars, they're gluten free and not to mention healthy.
Here's where they originated from:
http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/04/08/recipe-connection-soaked-granola-bars/

Here's what you need:
½ c. brown sugar or sucanat
½ c. honey  (you cannot substitute brown sugar for this- I tried and the bars wouldn't stick together)
¾ c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
4 c. rolled oats or soaked and dried oats
1 c. chopped nuts
1 c. add-ins (see FAQs at bottom of page)
       o mini chocolate chips (vanilla chips taste good as well)
       o chopped nuts
       o dried fruit
       o shredded coconut
       o ground flax seed (but I wouldn't recommend a whole cup)
       o sunflower or pumpkin seeds
       (You can also add whey powder for added protein.)

Our family's personal favorite is with almonds, coconut, chocolate chips and peanut butter.

Here's what you do:

1st- Cook the brown sugar, honey and butter in a small pot over low to medium-low heat until
slowly bubbly, stirring often. Leave on the heat for at least 10 minutes after boil.


2nd- In a large bowl, mix the oats, nuts, and any add-ins (leave chocolate chips out until the
end to try to avoid melting).


When the liquid is finished on the stove, remove from heat and add vanilla and peanut
butter (1 cup), if using. Stir until thoroughly combined.


Mix the ingredients in the pot into the oat mixture.


While waiting for granola to cool down, butter pan or cover with wax paper.


If using chocolate chips, add them once things have cooled slightly.


Press into a 9x13 pan or deep cookie sheet (or any container, even plastic) lined with wax paper or buttered. I've found it easier to press when the granola has cooled to almost firm.



Freeze 30 minutes (or refrigerate a few hours) and cut into bars. Can store at room
temperature, but holds together best when cold.
Makes about 2 dozen bars, depending on how large you slice them.

Crispier bars: After refrigerating or freezing, cut bars apart and place them spread
apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 325F. Watch closely for
overbrowning. You will think this trick didn't work when you take them out, but don't
touch! Let everything cool completely right on the cookie sheet, and you'll have a
healthy snack that truly deserves the term “to go.”
Soaked: Use soaked and dehydrated oats in this recipe with great success.
Timesaver: Bake granola just before and reuse the same bowl and pot.

 Notes from the Kitchen
 Don't be intimidated by the fact that these bars go in the fridge for a smidge. They
are definitely backpack friendly. If you find one that has fallen apart, you can
honestly smash it together in your fist and get a big old granola ball. Tasty! Also, try
the toasting method for crispier bars. They really are still quite soft and chewy, just
with more stick-together-ness than before.
© 2012 Katie Kimball | Kitchen Stewardship, LLC

Another easy recipe- Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken

Here's another recipe that is easy and very yummy!
Found this on allrecipes.com here

Here's what you need:
6 frozen, skinless boneless chicken breast halves
1 (12 ounce) bottle barbeque sauce
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Place frozen chicken in crockpot and mix remaining ingredients in bowl.
             
Pour sauce over chicken.
 
Now cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.

These taste great on buns and also on baked potatoes!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

For a while now we've been using this homemade laundry detergent because it's so easy to make and very inexpensive.
Here's how we do it:

First, you need


-1 bar Fels-Naptha, 2 bars of Ivory bar soap OR (the cheapest option) 1 bar of Zote but you'll have to double the other ingredients
-1 Cup Washing Soda
-1 Cup Borax
-a smallish air-tight container

All of these ingredients (except the Ivory- that's in the body soap isle) can be found in the laundry isle at WalMart.

The first time I made this, I used Ivory and to get it small enough to go in laundry detergent, I nuked it in the microwave.  The effects were SUPER cool to watch! (Kind of like those "snakes" you buy at the firework stand.)  The kids enjoyed being in on this.  When we ground it with our hands, there seemed to be a lot of Ivory smell that was a very overwhelming.  I managed to mix it all in and it worked great to wash with.  I was a little concerned about the strong Ivory smell making our clothes smell like that but it never did.

The rest of the times I've been using the Fels-Naptha.  Unless you want to experience the cool affects of microwaving Ivory bar soap, I would recommend preparing the Ivory the same way I've done the Fels-Naptha.

1st - You need to grate the bar of soap.  You can do this with a cheese grater or a food processor with a cheese grater.  I used a food processor but needed to cut the bar first in order to fit.

I ground some washing soda in with the grated soap in order to make it even finer.

2nd - Stir together the grated bar soap, 1 cup of  the borax and 1 cup of the washing soda.  The clear container with the flip-top blue lid is what I've been using to store mine in and though it's not technically "air-tight", it's been working fine.

3rd - To wash, place 1 heaping Tablespoon for large load in washing machine while it's filling with water (before clothes are in). Once the soap has dissolved, which doesn't take long, add clothes.

Special Notes:
-Your clothes will not smell like the detergent when it's all done.
-For a clothes deodorizer, place 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar to the fabric softener section in your washing machine.  This method seems to be VERY effective!
-For an all natural dryer experience (since I've been reading a lot about how toxic dryer sheets are), you can use wool dryer balls.  I'm hoping to post soon on how to make these out of 100% wool yarn.

Homemade Granola

 Ingredients:

-10 cups rolled oats or oatmeal of any kind

-1 cup oil

-1 cup honey (or 1/2 cup honey and 1/2 cup brown sugar)

-1 cup coconut (optional)

-1 cup nuts or peanut butter (pecans, almonds, walnuts, peanuts or cashews)

-1 cup raisins or cranberries (added after baking)

This is a great base for granola.  You can add or omit ingredients to come up with your favorite mixture!

You will need 1 large oven proof bowl or 9x13 inch pan
The granola will be softer if you cook it in a bowl and crunchier in a pan.

Instructions:

Mix all the ingredients, except raisins or cranberries, in a large bowl.

And stir.
The honey, brown sugar and oil won't mix in real well at first but as you bake they'll blend better.

Place in 9x13 pan or leave in oven safe bowl.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 min.
Remove from oven, stir well and bake for another 10 minutes.
You can stop after a total of 20 minutes or bake for another 10 minutes for a crunchier granola.
Add raisins or cranberries.

 
Remove from oven, stir and allow to cool before placing in a jar or container of choice.

Mixtures:
-Tastes great with homemade yogurt
-Also tastes good with milk like cereal

DIY shampoo and conditioner

Why do we like homemade shampoo and conditioner so much?
1- It's very cost effective!  Not only does it save money on shampoos and conditioners, but I no longer have to spend money on mousses or gels.  I just dry and curl or straighten.  The only thing I use is occassionaly hairspray to set the style.
2-I don't have to wash my hair so much.  Some who use this method choose to wash every 3 or so days but I do mine every other day.
3- Your hair retains it's natural oils creating healthier hair, less static from dryness, no need for artificial products to add back those moistures you took out with other products.
4- My daughter with naturally wavy hair that is generally very frizzy, poofy and crazy, now has controlled, sleek, nice hair!

Things you need for homemade shampoo and conditioner:
Baking soda
Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Condiment Bottles (mayo and ketchup squirt like bottles found at Dollar Tree or the kitchen isle at WalMart- $1 each)
   

Instructions:

For Shampoo:

mix 3 parts water with 1 part baking soda and shake well.

Apply at the roots of your hair and let it set for a few minutes.

Rinse it out with warm water.

For Conditioner:

Mix 4 parts water with 1 part apple cider vinegar.

Mix well.

Apply at roots and rinse with cold water.

Helpful hints:

-You can add essential oils to the apple cider vinegar to add fragrance.

 -If you have longer hair you can tip your head over and apply at the under side of your hair.

Your hair may feel yucky at first and even while you're washing it, but give it time and try it out.  Also, your hair may be oily after the first week of using this method.  Commercial shampoos contain a lot of chemicals that cause your head to react creating many oils.  It takes some time for your scalp to adjust and slow down the oil process.  Remember, some of that oil is very good for your hair!

Crock Pot Fajitas

Here is a very simple, yet very delicious meal that anyone can make!!

Serves approx. 6

What you need:
3 chicken breasts (frozen or thawed)
3 bell peppers (colored add the best flavor)
1 onion
1 packet of taco seasoning

Directions:
Cut up bell peppers and onion and place in bottom of crock pot.  Spread chicken breasts on top of onion and peppers and then sprinkle packet of taco seasoning on chicken breasts.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours and then turn down to warm until ready to serve.  Shred chicken in crock pot with fork and mix with other ingredients in crock pot.

Serve on tortillas with sour cream, cheese, rice, salsa...
Enjoy!

Notes:
-You can add black or kidney beans to the ingredients as well if you'd like. If you do add them, make sure to drain them first.
Some day I'm going to try rice cooked in as well to try to absorb all the juices.  I'll let you know how that goes when I do. :)
-To double the recipe, double everything except the taco seasoning.