Healthy No Bake Choco-Peanut Butter-Oatmeal Cookies....Yum!

Last week we had temps in the 100's.  One day 106...crazy for Springtime!   Wanted to make some healthy cookies, but, didn't want to heat up the house.  I googled no bake cookies and found some, but, didn't want to use the refined sugar and processed oats.  I adjusted the recipe by using unprocessed old fashioned oats which I put in the blender to make a coarse oat flour.  Still had lots of texture to it.   Was careful not to blend it too long or it would turn into oat flour.  I also replaced the 2 cups of sugar the recipe called for with 3/4 to 1 cup of honey, and instead of butter,  used about 1/4 cup of oil that had formed on the top of my peanut butter instead of butter.  They turned out to be quite yummy!  Here's the recipe if you would like to try them!

NO BAKE CHOCO-PEANUT-OATMEAL COOKIES

Ingredients:

1 cup honey

4 tablespoons cocoa

1/4 cup oil (from peanut butter or coconut)

1/2 cup milk

1 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups old fashioned oats blended (not super fine…still a little chunky)

Waxed paper

In a heavy saucepan bring to a boil, the honey, cocoa, oil and milk. Let boil for 1 minute then add peanut butter, vanilla and oatmeal. On a sheet of waxed paper, drop mixture by the teaspoonfuls, or roll into balls after mixture has cooled a bit.  You can leave them round or smoosh them down a bit.  Let cool and enjoy!

Lovely Shabby Chic, Beach Cottage and Rustic Decor...Created by Joe and Michelle of Shabbyshores.

Today I would like to share 

Shabbyshores...the lovely work of my dear friends Michelle and Joe Endicot.   

They create beautiful upscale shabby-chic, beach cottage and rustic decor.  Lovely mirrors, chalkboards, jewelry boxes, shelves and even have a "man cave" section in their shop.

Here is an excerpt from their about page in their Etsy shop:  

"We are husband and wife team who live in sunny Southern California, we have two teenage boys. We find previously owned home decor items like mirrors, jewelry boxes, furniture, wooden boxes, framed chalkboards and so much more and turn them into upscale rustic, beach cottage, shabby chic home furnishings, giving them a brand new life. Come and browse through our little shop and maybe you will find that special piece to add a splash of Southern California to your home."

http://www.shabbyshores.etsy.com

Here some examples of their work and what some of their customers are saying about Shabbyshores:

"This mirror truly is fabulous. It is the perfect addition to my little girl's nursery! The piece is beautiful and incredibly sturdy, and I can't say enough about the care with which it was packed for shipping. I'd highly recommend this seller."

"Love love love these guys! The vintage chalkboard looks gorgeous in my kitchen! Michelle was very communicative, my package arrived well in time. I couldn't be happier! :) Thank you again for this lovely addition to my home."

"High quality item as promised and discussed on email. Before it was even shipped, they provided multiple images on email & communicated the whole time. Highly recommended and I plan to have them make me more items!"

I have known Joe and Michelle for over 20 years and am so honored to call them my friends.  Michelle is also a talented singer/songwriter and ministers to the kiddos at Cottonwood church in Los Alamitos.  She is so gifted and blesses the lives of so many....including mine.  You can find her music on iTunes!

www.shabbyshores.com

What to do with Carrot Pulp! Healty Chia Seed Brownies and Carrot Fruit Bars

I've been juicing and really loving it!  There's one thing that bothers me... throwing away all that pulp!  I decided to do a little investigating and found you could bake and cook with the pulp.  Carrot works best.  I adapted this recipe from a carrot cake recipe I had.  It took a bit of trial and error, but, I have Hubb's approval of this recipe and  believe me, he's a picky eater. 

A little bit of work making my own brown rice flour and chia seed gel, but, it was worth it!

HEALTHY BROWNIES:
Mix together:
2 cups brown rice flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/3 cup stevia powder (or sweetener to equal 1 cup sugar)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt

In blender combine:
6 eggs

1 cup chia seed gel (made w/ 1 cup almond milk & 1/4 cup Chia seeds. Combine and let them set for a couple of hours stirring occasionally.
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup water
Blend until the chia seeds are dissolved

Add blended ingredients to the dry ingredients.
Add 2 cups carrot pulp from juicing. I pack the carrots into the measuring cup.
Optional, but, yummy...
1 cup chopped walnuts.
Mix it all up real well. I use clean hands. It will have the texture of meatloaf.

Add to a 9 x 13 inch pan you have sprayed with pam.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until firm when you press it in the center.

CARROT FRUIT BARS:
Same as above but, Instead of cocoa, add 2 tablespoons Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, and a pinch of ground clove into the brown rice flour, baking soda, sweetener and salt mixture.
Add 1 cup raisins and 1 cup chopped walnuts. They turn out like a dense fruit bar. Really good. I made these first!  Richard even liked them!

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until firm when you press in the center.
Cool and cut in brownie sized squares.

Please visit my facebook page and "like" to be included in upcoming giveaways

www.facebook.com/buttonwilloe

What's a Wombat??? Special Cake Topper for a Special Friend

My dear physical therapist is getting married and she once told me that her fiance calls her a wombat and she calls him a kangaroo...

I took a mental note because I wanted to make a special gift for her.  "What in the world is a Wombat?"  I thought.  Got home, googled it,  and to my surprise, it's a very cute creature from Australia!   I was so happy to make this for her and her sweetheart.  The smile on her face when I gave it to her blessed my heart.
If you'd like to see some of my other creations you may click on the following link:  
www.buttonwilloe.com 

Welcome to Buttonwilloe Designs by Linda for Personalized Ornaments, Wedding Cake Toppers, Minatures and Holiday Jewelry ~

Ever since I was just a little girl I loved playing with clay. I began sculpting little bears and other animals to give to friends and family. It made me so happy to see the smiles on their faces.

With their encouragement, I started doing local craft shows with my husband in the early 1980's and have been online since 2009.

Whether you collect them yourself, or give them as gifts, it's my hope my designs will bless your heart and make you smile.

Designs are original and copyrighted...all rights reserved

www.buttonwilloe.etsy.com

RECIPE OF THE WEEK : HUNGARIAN COMFORT FOOD ~ CHICKEN PAPRICASH

This is a very special recipe. It brings back sweet memories of my Daddy. He used to make it often and taught me how. I miss you Daddy...

Now for the recipe...

CHICKEN PAPRICASH

1 whole chicken cut cut up or thighs or all white meat pieces

1 medium onion diced

2 tablespoons veg. oil

2 tablespoons paprika

1 teaspoon salt (you can add salt to taste after)

Water (or chicken stock if you use all white meat)

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup flour

In a large pot saute onion in oil until translucent. Add Paprika and salt and mix.

Add chicken and stir around and coat the chicken with the mixture.

Add water just to cover the chicken and simmer until the chicken is done. All white meat doesn't take as long. I simmer the whole chicken parts about one hour. White meat only, about 30 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the pot. Remove the skin and bones. (this is why I like to use chicken tenders... so much easier) Set chicken aside.

Put sour cream in a bowl with the flour. Add a little cold water or chicken stock to it and mix well. Gradually add this to the pot to thicken the sauce stirring constantly while it is on medium heat. You may have to add more flour and water if it isn't thick enough and repeat the process. Don't add more sour cream though.

That's it! Serve with noodles, rice or spetzel. Delicious!

Homemade Photography Light Box

We all know how important good photographs are for listings of our handmade items for online sales. I have heard that light boxes are the answer to many of the problems that can occur when photographing at home. They can be costly, but, I was able to make one for free!!!

This light box didn't cost me a thing! I made it with found objects from around the house. If you don't have some of these items at home, you can buy them very inexpensively. Be very careful using the razor blades...we don't want any injuries. Obviously not a project for unsupervised children.

1. You'll need a cardboard box. Mine is 12 x 12 x 12...If you don't have one, you can find one behind most retail establishments...or ask a neighbor!

2. A ruler.

3. Razor blade or matt knife.

4. Sharpie or pen.

5. Scotch tape.

6. Tracing or tissue paper.

7. white copy paper.

Mark out the lines with the ruler and sharpie where you will need to cut out a square on three sides of the box. I measued in 1 1/2 inches all the way around. Then cut carefully with your razor blade or box cutter.

Cut tracing paper or tissue paper to cover the holes and tape in place with scotch tape.

Put a piece of copy paper in the back and bottom of the box.

I had these telescoping hallogen lamps I use at craft shows. Caution! Hallogen lamps get very hot! Do not leave them un attended. You should not leave any lamp unattended when used this close to paper!!!They worked very well. You can use any desk lamps you may have. Daylight bulbs are best. You can buy them at hardware store.

This next photo is the result! Pretty good just as it is, but, it could easily be a little better!

I went to www.picnik.com . It's a free online photo editing site! I simply used the quick fix feature (far left tab) and saved it to my computer! What do you think?

You can do it, too!