Wanna Be a Steader!

What is Margarine?

A new Homesteadblogger ~ Promisedland ~ posted this information and I thought it was VERY good info to know. 

By the way...she is a nw blogger but I've enjoyed all of her posts.  Do yourself a favor and take a look!  http://www.homesteadblogger.com/promisedland.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Did you ever wonder how margarine is made?  You know, the stuff that’s supposed to taste like butter and be healthier for you?  I couldn’t help wondering because if it’s not butter, then what is it?  This is what I found:

First, margarine is made from vegetable oil.  Along with using high pressure and high temperature to remove the oil, hexane is used to remove the last bit.  Hexane is a carcinogen (causes cancer), and is mostly removed later on, but trace amounts remain.

Second, the oils are steam cleaned.  This kills any bacteria, but also destroys any vitamins and anti-oxidants that were in the oils.

Third, the oils are then mixed with finely ground nickel, which acts as a catalyst for the hydrogenation process.  Nickel is also a carcinogen.

Fourth, the oils are again put under high temperature and pressure, and hydrogen gas is introduced.  The hydrogen atoms are forced into the oils.  This turns the oils from a liquid into a semi-solid.  This semi-solid pretty much takes the form of a grey greasy substance.  Emulsifiers are added to remove any lumps.

Fifth, the grey grease is steam cleaned again, and bleached to turn it white (after all, who wants to eat grey margarine?). 

Because you now have a lump of stuff that has practically no nutritional value or taste, synthetic vitamins and artificial flavors are added.  A natural yellow color is added to make it look like butter.  Until the 1950s, margarine had to be white so people wouldn’t mix them up.  Now people don’t know the difference.

So which would you choose…a bleached, colored, artificially flavored greasy lump…or….nice fresh, lightly salted butter right from the cow?  I know what I’d choose.  In fact, I don’t know if I can ever eat margarine again.  Yuck!

Flax Seed Bread & Rolls

I have made my family's bread for quite a while...I can't imagine going back to store-bought bread on a regular basis.  It just isn't the same.  About 2 years ago I started reading up on women's health...both as a benefit for myself and my 2 daughters.  One of the things that I discovered is that Omega 3's and lignans are vital to a woman's health...monthlies, skin, hair, nails, mood, etc.  Some of the best places to find these are in fish and olive oil.  We are not huge "fish fans" but I DO use olive oil in just about everything execpt baking sweets.

I take a tablespoon of Flaxseed oil everyday.  It's not a problem for me, but my daughters don't really like it.  Since I wanted a way to fit more Flax into my family's diet I came up (by Devine inspiration, I'm sure) with putting Flaxseed Meal in my bread!!  I also put it in my dinner roll recipe. 

I used to mix and knead my bread dough by hand, but now I let my bread machine do it , then I let it rise and then bake in a bread pan in my oven.

Here are my recipes that I have tweaked over the years...I hope you enjoy...KW<><

FLAXSEED BREAD

2 lb. laof

1-1/3 c. hot (the hotter, the better) water

2 ts. butter (or margarine)

4 c. bread flour

1/4 c. flaxseed meal

1 TB. dough enhancer

5 ts. sugar or Sucanat (depends on your sweet-tooth)

1-1/2 ts. sea salt (or Real Salt)

1 TB. (heaping) yeast (cold - kept in frig)

1)  Add ingredients into your bread machine in order as listed above.

2)  Use your finger or a measuring spoon to form a well (hole) in the mixture to pour the yeast into.  NEVER let your yeast come into contact w/a liquid before baking.

3)  Set machine on "Dough."  Mine will knead and rise for about 1-1/2 hours.  Once this cylce is complete, let dough rise in maker for 30-45 minutes.

4)  Before first rising is complete, set oven on "warm."  While oven is warming, spray or grease your loaf pan.  After about 10 minutes, turn oven OFF.  Take bread out of machine, punch down, shape into loaf and put in loaf pan, set bread in oven and let rise for 45 minutes.  You may cover w/a clean, light-weight dish towel if you wish.

5)  REMOVE TOWEL, if used.  Set oven at 375 degrees and bake bread for 30 minutes.

6)  ENJOY!!!

FLAXSEEK ROLLS

Same recipe ingredients as above.

Follow 1), 2) and 3) above.

4)  Before first rising is complete, set oven on "warm" for 5-10 minutes.  Then turn oven OFF.  On a floured board, punch down and knead dough for about 5 minutes, shape into a ball and place on lightly floured cookie sheet, cover and let rise in warmed oven for 30 minutes.

5)  Divid dough by placing 3 small rolled balls into each cup of a GREASED or SPRAYED muffin pan.

6)  Cover w/clean, light-weight dish towel, if you wish. Let rise in warm oven for 30-45 minutes.

7)  REMOVED TOWEL, if used.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

8)  ENJOY!!

Carpet Freshener

Grandma Rosie (http://www.homesteadblogger.com/GrandmaRosie) posted about using Baking Soda as a scouring powder.  Great idea!

I also have another use for Baking Soda...

Fill an clean, empty Parmesan cheese shaker w/Baking Soda.  Add 5 - 7 drops of Lavender essential oil.  Shake well to mix.  Shake out onto your carpets, wait about 20 - 30 minutes, then vacuum.

Fresh carpets and a freshly scented room!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Making Butter

I noticed, on the Homesteadblogger Home Page, the Front Porch section, that there was an entry today about making butter.  Granted this was for making butter w/goat's milk, completely from scratch and sounds YUMMY in my tummy - as my girls used to say when they were little.  But I, too, make my own butter, only in a much easier way.

My mother used to do this as a child on a VERY RURAL (to put is MILDLY) Kentucky farm during the Depression.  Only she used what she refers to a "curdled milk." 

The way I do it is also a great project to do w/your own kids!

Here's my way...

You will need:

~ 2 small cartons of heavy whipping cream

~ pinch of salt

~ an air-tight GLASS jar

~ a WOODEN spoon (NO METTLE!!)

Pour the 2 cartons of cream into the glass jar.  Shake (shake...shake...SHAKE) for around 45 minutes.  You will notice several stages while you are shaking....it will become creamy, then like whipped cream, then a little watery.  ALL OF A SUDDEN, at around 45 minutes of shaking, you will notice that a complete ball has actually shaken loose from buttermilk!!

THAT'S YOUR BUTTER!!

Take your wooden spoon and, while holding back the butterball, drain the buttermilk either down the drain or into a glass for your own drinking pleasure.  Press and drain, press and drain, press and drain until hardly a trickle of milk is left. 

Add a pinch of salt (or to taste), stir salt completely into butter and then store your butter in a crock or air-tight container.

I like soft butter so I leave mine on the counter in a crock.  This will make just less than a pound, so it won't last long! 

ENJOY!!

Blessings from Ohio,  Kim Wolf<><

Endless Cookie Recipes!!

Amazing!  Just click on ANY of these Cookie names and the recipe will pop up!  Enjoy!  Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Just click on the name of the cookie and bam the recipe is there. Good to keep handy  
 1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies 

Bob's Red Mill Speicals

A Few of my Favorite Things...

I just love the feeling of community on this blog-site.  What a delightful, helpful bunch of folks!  I would like to return the favor and list a few of my favorite things...some are of my own concoctions or handed down from my family...and some I found from some of YOU right here on homestead blogger.  So, knowing that there are newbies finding various blogs everyday and knowing that we can't always read someone's blog (like mine!) everyday, I thought I would post some of my favorite recipes ... both for food and for cleaning.  I hope you enjoy and I hope this helps you and your family.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Kim's Absolute Favorite Herb Mix

I use this on SO much!  I spinkle it on chicken breasts (in olive oil w/a little Spike Seasoning), hamburgers, pork chops; any Italian dishes or sauces, I use it in dips, soups, stews, oil & vinegar dressings, herb butter, herb bread...it's an all-around awesome mix!

1 c. dried parsley

1/2 c. dried dill weed

1/4 c. dried chives

1/2 c. dried oregano

1/4 c. dried thyme

1/4 c. dried basil ~ optional

~ Mix together in a bowl w/a whisk & put into your favorite container.  Makes 2-1/2 c.  This amount fits perfectly in a Kraft parmesan cheese shaker.

Italian Seasoning

1/4 c. dried basil

2 TB. dried sage

1/4 c. dried thyme

1/4 c. dried rosemary

1/4 c. dried oregano

~ Mix together in a bowl w/a whisk & put into your favorite container.  Makes 1-1/8 c.

Zesty Zucchini Seasoning

8 TB. dried parsley

4 TB. dried chives

1 ts. dried marjoram

1 ts, dried oregano

1 ts. dried thyme

1 ts. dried basil

1/2 ts. celery seed

~ Mix together in a bowl w/a whisk & put into your favorite container.  Makes 3/4 c.

~ Flavor any zucchini/summer squash/tomato dish.

~ Add to salad greens & tomato wedges served w/a vinaigrette dressing.

Kim's Pico De Gallo

THIS IS IT!!  We used to go to a little whole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant that had THE best pico de gallo/salsa - I'm telling you, the chips were only used as a mere instrument to get the stuff into your mouth!  :-P  Unfortunately, it was little too whole-in-the-wall, the Mexicans apparently didn't get very good marketing advice and it closed.  OH, WOE IS ME!!  So, I set out to concoct the next best thing and, through trial and error and advice, I DO believe that I have it!  I hope that you will try this and let me know what YOU think...

4-6 Roma tomatoes, chopped

1/2 lg. onion, chopped

4-6 jalapeno peppers (depending on your taste and stomach lining), chopped

1 LARGE bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped

lime juice - to taste

sea salt or real salt - several large shakes, to taste

~ Mix together, break out the tortilla chips or Mexican food and ENJOY!!

Kim's Pasta Sauce

This came out of necessity.  One snowy night I already had the pasta in the water and found I had no sauce!  EEEKKK!!!  After scrounging through my cupboards I threw this mix together & my family - even my pickiest dd - LOVED it!  It has been modified a time or two, so play with it yourself.

2 cans Red Gold crushed tomatoes OR one 29oz. can of tomato sauce

1   6 oz. can Red Gold tomato paste

Several fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 small can of black olives, sliced

2 TB. onion flakes

Several liberal shakes of garlic powder

Several liberal shakes of my Favorite Herb Mix

~ Serve over pasta or as a dip for Italian bread.

Texas BBQ Sauce

This came from a Homesteadblogger, sorry I don't remember who or I would give them credit.  But my family LOVES this sauce!  Use it on burgers, steaks, chicken, hot dogs & brats...

1/2 c. Ketsup

1 TB. Worcestershire Sauce

3 TB. Sucanat (or brown sugar)

2 TB. Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 ts. sea salt OR real salt

1 ts. Dijon Mustard

1/2 ts. Spike Seasoning [my addition]

1/4 c. chopped onion

1/4 ts. garlic powder

~ Combine all ingredients in a bowl & stir well.  **Use immediately OR refrigerate for use w/in 3 days.

Taco Soup

This came from a friend of mine - THANKS ELLEN!  This soup is AWESOME!!

1 lb. ground beef or chuck

1 med. onion, chopped

1  15-16 oz. can kidney beans, undrained

1  14-15 oz. can corn, undrained

1  15 oz. can tomato sauce

1 pkg. taco seasoning

16 oz. of water

**I also add LOTS of cilantro & jalepeno peppers, chopped [KW]

shredded colby/jack cheese

sour cream

tortilla chips

~ Brown beef, onion, cilantro & peppers, drain.  Save back some of the cilantro to add to soup portion.

~ Mix everything together, including extra cilantro, in a dutch oven OR a crockpot.

~ Heat through in dutch oven for 45-60 minutes OR in crockpot for 2-3 hours on low.

~ Top w/tortilla chips (crumbled like crackers), shredded cheese & sour cream.

PERSONAL CARE

Natural Tootpaste

3 ts. baking powder (NOT soda!)

1-1/2 ts. hydorgen peroxide

1 drop of peppermint or spearmint or wintergreen essential oil

~ Mix together in a small sealable container.  Leave lid off until fizzing stops.

Natural Deodorant

1/2 c. baking soda

1/2 c. corn starch

2-4 drops of an antibacterial oil; I use lavender

HOME CARE

Automatic Dishwashing Detergent

1 c. Borax

1 c. Baking soda

~ Use 2 TB. each load.

I'll be honest with you here, it CAN leave spots of certain dishes/pots.  Make sure you have some white vinegar in the rinse container.

Mamma C's All-Purpose Cleaner

My mamma's handy-dandy clearner! 

3 c. water

3 TB. white vinegar

3TB. ammonia

2 ts. rubbing alcohol

~ Mix together in a clean spray bottle, shake well before using.

Carpet Cleaners

~ Deodorizing:  Sprinkle baking soda OR cornstarch on carpet, using about 1 c. per med-sized room.  Vacuum after 30 minutes.

~ Deodorizing:  mix 2-pts. cornmeal w/1-pt Borax; sprinkle liberally, leave for 1 hour, vacuum.

~ Disinfectant:  2 c. water, 3 TB. liquid soap, 20-30 drops of Tea Tree Oil.  Mix well in a spray bottle & squirt on everything from baby's bottom to the cutting board.

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW...

~ Removing candle wax:  from inside a holder, place it in the freezer for about 5-15 minutes.  When you remove it, the wax will be brittle & literally fall off the candleholder.

~ Fruit Fly Trap:  fill a small bowl w/red wine vinegar & a few drops of dish soap.  Sit on windowsill near fruit; the fruit flies are attracted to it & drown.

~ Oven & Microwave Cleaning:  Microwaves can be cleaned easily by putting a sponge soaked in white vinegar in the microwave & cooking it for 2 minutes.  Don't open the microwave for about 5 minutes.  The stuck on food should slide right off.

For ovens use a shallow pan w/a couple of cups of white vinegar and NO SPONGE.  Cook for 5-10 minutes & leave in the oven to cool for about 30 minutes.  Food will slide right off.

~ Squeeze lemon juice onto the sponge to keep it fresh - but to control germs, bleach it or run it through the dishwasher on a regular basis.       

Easter Story Cookies ~ Recipe

 A friend of mine sent this to me.  Thought your families would enjoy it.

Blessings, Kim<><

Urban Homemaker Newsletter

Marilyn Moll - The Urban Homemaker - has one of my favorite e-newsletters.  She is a constant encouragement to try new things and further the homemaking skills of myself and my teen daughters.  Below is a VERY helpful issue dealing with bread baking problems and solutions - since we have been baking all of our family's bread (unless there is a time emergency) for the last 2 years, these ideas have been good to know.

Enjoy!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

From the Heart of
The Urban Homemaker
www.urbanhomemaker.com
1-800-552-7323