Easy Refrigerator Jam

I stopped buying jelly and jam years ago because of the ingredients that I didn't care for. I didn't want to home can it either because of the sugar content but this easy refrigerator jam is only sweetened with honey or maple syrup. My kids love this on their toast in the mornings or slather it on when I make homemade muffins. 

Asian Salad

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I love this recipe for several reasons. It's fairly quick to pull together and it's very healthy as well. It's a favorite in my home and both kids and adults like it. When I make it, I always double the amounts that I will give you below. We have a large family but I also think it makes for great leftovers for my husband to take to work and for the kids and I to have an easy, healthy lunch over the next day or two. 

I make this recipe pretty regularly because it's easy for me as a busy homeschool mom to pull together last minute and it's a great way to get raw vegetables into our diet. To make things easier, I do buy the coleslaw precut and if you want to save even more time, buy your almonds already chopped or sliced. ;) Or, if you're on a budget like me, you buy them whole and generally don't take the time to do anything with the almonds except to add them to the salad!!

Asian Salad

Salad:

1 package organic shredded cabbage and carrots (cole slaw)

1 c. sunflower seeds

1 c. almonds (chop or slice)

5 stalks green onions, chopped

2 T sesame seeds

Dressing:

3/4 c. Avocado oil (or Olive)

1/3 c. Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 c. raw, local honey

1/4 t. ground ginger

1 1/2 T Braggs Liquid Aminos

1 t. garlic powder

In a large bowl, combine cole slaw, sunflower seeds, almonds, sesame seeds and green onions.

In a separate bowl, combine oil, vinegar, honey, ginger, liquid aminos and garlic powder. Stir well and pour over salad. Toss salad to incorporate dressing. The flavors will combine better if you let it sit before serving but if you're always making dinner last minute like me just get it on the table. ;)

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Sweet Potato and Rice Soup

This soup recipe is pretty basic and the reason why is because one night is was born out of necessity. It was one of those nights when I didn't have much to fix for dinner and was trying to come up with something and this is what the result was. Turns out, I loved the recipe so much I actually make it on purpose now. 💙

I will give you a heads up that this recipe will serve a crowd. If you have leftovers, you will need to add some more broth to the pot the next day because the rice will absorb all of the liquid.

Sweet Potato and Rice Soup

4 c. uncooked rice

(5) 32 oz. cartons of chicken broth (or make your own bone broth!)

3 large onions, chopped

8-10 small/medium sweet potatoes peeled and cut into bite size pieces

1 stick butter

2 whole bunches of celery chopped (not 2 individual stalks)

1/3 c. Nutritional Yeast (optional)

Salt/Pepper to taste

Add all of the ingredients to the pot except for the rice. Bring to a boil. Add rice and reduce heat to low. Keep the lid on your pot and cook for 20 minutes. Enjoy!

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Dairy Free Creamy Potato and Cauliflower Soup

I don't remember where I found the original recipe for this soup, but regardless, the original was way too complicated for this girl who likes to keep things simple in the kitchen. So, as usual, I tweeked it and now I'm much happier with this version. And, even the kids love it. In fact, I served it for lunch today and had everyone asking for seconds. You know it's a good day when your kids want more cauliflower. 😊

It's funny because I've been hearing them ask for seconds more and more lately when it comes to vegetables. Even raw ones. Must be the Juice Plus+ they get ever day because, guess what? I've noticed that my taste buds have changed too and I will even eat raw bell peppers on my salad now. Gasp!  

Regardless, we're lovin' this soup. It's perfect for a cold, rainy day like today. In February. In the North. Say what??

Anyways, here's the skinny on this creamy, dairy-free bowl of yum.

Creamy Potato Cauliflower Soup

3-4 medium potatoes, chopped into a mouth friendly size 😏
1 head of cauliflower, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
4 c. almond milk
2 c. water
1 1/4 t. sea salt (we love Redmond's)
1/2 t. dry mustard
1 t. dried parsley
5 T Bragg's Nutritional Yeast


Directions:

Add the chopped onions, cauliflower, garlic cloves, salt, dry mustard, parsley, nutritional yeast, almond milk and water to a large soup pot. Cook over low heat for about 45 minutes or until your potatoes are soft.

I double this batch for my large crew and if we have some leftover it's great reheated the next day. Enjoy!

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Natural Immune Booster: Pumpkin

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***Archived Post

Recently I opened up our deep freezer and saw numerous bright orange bags of pumpkin puree staring at me. :) As you might know, my husband recently wrote a post on some uses for pumpkin and how he got 40 cups of puree from 10 pie pumpkins!

Needless to say, we are well-stocked and I need to make good use of it. Since we are in the midst of winter, I know it's important to incorporate pumpkin into our diet in order to help naturally boost our immune system.

Typically, I love to make some amazing pumpkin bread for a healthy snack or breakfast treat. Unfortunately, my kefir grains have been acting up when using it with our raw milk (still troubleshooting that) so I didn't have any kefir available to use for my bread recipe.

I thought it would be a good opportunity to try something new anyways. I found this recipe in my Grandma's old Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book (it is definitely not new anymore...).

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour (I did 2 batches with AP flour and 2 batches with Whole Wheat)
1/3 c. sugar
2 t. baking powder
1 beaten egg
1/4 t. salt
3/4 c. milk (raw)
1/4 c. cooking oil (I do not use vegetable oil anymore, but rather, organic canola)
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground nutmeg
1/8 t. ground cloves
1/2 c. pumpkin puree
1/4 c. chopped nuts (we can't do nuts in our house so I used chocolate chips)

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, other seasonings and chocolate chips. Make a well in the center. Combine egg, milk, oil and pumpkin puree. Add the liquid mixture all at once to the flour mixture and stir just until moistened. Pour batter into lightly greased muffin cups (2/3 full) and bake at 400 for about 20 minutes. Yield: 12 muffins.

The health benefits of pumpkins are substantial enough that they've been dubbed one of the Super Foods.They are loaded with Beta Carotene (great cancer fighter), Potassium (great for easing anxiety and for lowering your risk of hypertension), Zinc (great for preventing or fighting colds/flu as well as increasing bone density) and are high in fiber. Additionally, the vitamins found within pumpkin are great for reducing signs of aging. source

Pumpkin really is one of God's wonderful gifts to us! Even if you don't have your own pumpkin puree, try to pick up some this winter. Maybe next fall you can try your hand at pureeing your own pumpkins. I think you'll be glad you did!

Teachable Moments-character training tools

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Chocolate Power Bites

I needed to make a dessert to take to a friend's house not that long ago and I wanted something that was both yummy and healthy so I took a twist on a basic power bite recipe and was thrilled with how it turned out (and so was my friend).

No Bake Protein Balls

These protein balls are amazing and are sure to be a hit with anyone who tries one. Super simple and easy to make, I like making a double batch to hide some away in the freezer. (Shhh...don't tell the kids!) ;)

These supercharged snacks are great because they are high in fiber thanks to the dry oats, flaxseed and Juice Plus+ Complete Shake. (The Juice Plus+ Complete Shake has 13 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber and is non-dairy and vegan.)

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Smoothie

I mentioned last week when I shared my newest Immune Boosting Smoothie recipe that I'm on a bit of a smoothie creating kick. I've been reading tons and tons of information on nutrition lately and am starting to incorporate a lot of that knowledge into our daily meals.

Immune Boosting Smoothie

I'm on a smoothie kick these days because I'm trying to find healthy breakfast options that are fairly quick to make. I love the flavor combination of this one and since it helps boost your immune system it's a great smoothie to work into your wintertime meal plan.