BABY FEVER! and sewing

via No not for me! I'm past that stage in my life although I do miss those days. My DDIL is expecting our first grandchild and it's a girl! Her name is Grace Elizabeth and she will be making her debut in this world in about 6 weeks! You see I raised 3 boys so this is a lovely gift! My parents owned a fabric store for many years and I've sewn since I was 9. For many years now about the only things I sew are patches on the boys clothes. They're grown men now but I'm still patching. I have sewn a few things but due to my RA I can't do much. A few years ago I did sew a little for Threads of Love but it was just too painful physically for me. Last week friends of my DIL Michele gave her a baby shower. I did manage to sew her a nursing cover, burp cloth, and bib. They turned out nice although I wished I would have embellished them a bit. It was a last minute idea. When I say last minute I mean LAST MINUTE! At ten minutes til closing on Friday night I ran into Hobby Lobby and bought $56 worth of fabric, notions, and lord only knows what all I grabbed but how did I spend that much that quickly? I sewed all night and made the cover, burp cloth, and bib. In the old days of my sewing I could have done that in less that 2 hours. At least I still have enough supplies left to make more baby things out of that $56. Here is the fabric I used: via I've gone crazy pinning on my Pinterest everything baby. I'm pinning under babies, baby showers, sewing, for Gracie, etc. It's sometimes hard to know where the exact spot to pin under. I did realize I won't be saving much by sewing the regular items of clothing but I'll be able to sew her fancy outfits much cheaper than buying. I also plan to make her at least one quilt and sign it from meemaw. :D You'll appreciate that more if you watch Big Bang Theory on CBS Thursday nights. I think she'll probably be calling me maw maw per my son's request. That's what I called my grandma. This pinning addiction I have lately may be part of the reason I don't blog a lot. It reminds me of the days when the new Sears catalog would arrive and I would spend days wishing and circling my favorite wants for Santa and later in life just for me. Oh I can't wait for Santa to visit Miss Grace! Grace look at those cheeks at the 6 month ultrasound!

Make your own Baking Powder

Using simple ingredients



The advantages to making your own baking power is that it’s always fresh because the ingredients you use last indefinitely. Store bought baking powder has a shelf life of about 6 months, cost twice the price, and usually is made with aluminum (sodium aluminum sulfate). Most important your biscuits will taste so much better!

If you want to make it as you need it you can just use 1 part baking soda to 2 parts cream of tartar. Mix and measure the amount your recipe called for baking powder.
Example:
Homemade Baking Powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Mix together measure for the amount of baking powder your recipe calls for.

Here are several other versions you can try:

Do It Yourself – Aluminum and Corn-Free Baking Powder

Makes 1 cup
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cream of tartar
1/4 cup arrowroot (if you are not avoiding corn, cornstarch may be substituted)

Blend all ingredients with a whisk to mix well. Use as you would regular baking powder
from whole new mom

another version

Homemade Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon corn starch (optional)
Preparation:
Mix the baking soda and cream of tartar together until well combined. Use immediately.
Yield: One tablespoon of baking powder.
To store baking powder: Add a teaspoon of corn starch to the mixture, and stir. This will absorb any moisture from the air, and prevent the baking powder from reacting before you need it. Store in an air-tight container. from about.com

Another site with several versions and ideas.
BAKING POWDER – There are three ways you can substitute for baking powder, depending on the recipe:
1 teaspoon baking powder equals 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar; or, 1 teaspoon baking powder equals 1/2 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt: and 1 teaspoon baking powder also equals 1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/3 cup molasses. When using the substitutions that include liquid, reduce other liquid in recipe accordingly. From That’s My Home. This site has a list of food substitutions.

Another site with a downloadable Substitution Chart AmericKim

via





Cute baking powder containers found at the farm chicks blog. Such a cute idea. Have your friends save their baking powder containers and make these for gifts with homemade baking powder!

Cold Pack Canning Made Simple

Canner with Jar Rack






Cold Pack Canning Made Simple

5 Foods to Reduce the Risk of Stroke

 Magnesium rich foods

Dr. Weil's Daily Tip
• Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and collard greens, as well as broccoli
• Nuts and seeds. Pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of magnesium, and peanuts, almonds and cashews are good nut choices
• Whole grain products such as brown rice, oat bran cereal and whole grain breads
• Beans. Black beans are a particularly good source, providing 120 mg in one cup
• Fish. Halibut, oysters and scallops are all good sources of magnesium. Choose sustainably raised when possible

5 Foods to Reduce the Risk of Stroke - Dr. Weil's Daily Tip

A Yoga Pose for Your Body, Mind and Spirit

The Bridge Pose is a powerful tonic for body and mind. It provides an invigorating stretch for the chest, neck and spine

A Yoga Pose for Your Body, Mind and Spirit - Dr. Weil's Weekend Tip

Cold Vegetable Pasta Primavera

 A perfect potluck dish!
Cold Vegetable Pasta Primavera - Dr. Weil's Healthy Kitchen

10 Veggies to Keep Stocked Up On, Part 2

10 Veggies to Keep Stocked Up On, Part 2
Beets: The deep red color of these root vegetables comes from anthocyanins, phytonutrients that protect against damage from carcinogens and may help prevent heart disease. Beets are delicious hot or cold, versatile and inexpensive.
Squash. With a wide variety of types, flavors, shapes, and sizes, squash is readily adaptable to any occasion - it can even be used in pie! It provides beta carotene, potassium, and fiber, nutrients that are necessary for good overall health.
Tomatoes: This red fruit (often considered a vegetable) contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and possibly some types of cancer, particularly prostate cancer. Use tomatoes in everything from salads to sauces, but know that lycopene is most easily absorbed when the tomatoes are cooked and eaten with a little fat, such as extra virgin olive oil.
Broccoli. This vegetable-platter classic and other cruciferous vegetables offer cancer-protective benefits. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamin K and calcium - both of which help keep bones strong. It is tasty both raw and cooked, and can be a stand out in soups, casseroles, and salads.
Mushrooms. Prized for their tonic effects, mushrooms can help address a host of illnesses. Maitake mushrooms (known as "hen of the woods" for their resemblance to the fluffed tail feathers of a nesting hen) are particularly valued in Asian cooking, as they have anti-cancer, anti-viral and immune-enhancing properties, and may also reduce blood pressure and blood sugar. Shiitake, enokidake and oyster mushrooms also have immune-boosting qualities, and are easily included in many main courses.

10 Veggies to Keep Stocked Up On, Part 1 - Dr. Weil's Daily Tip

10 Veggies to Keep Stocked Up On, Part 1 - Dr. Weil's Daily Tip

Onions: This classic, pungent vegetable adds depth and richness to any meal. Sulfur compounds found in most varieties of onions may be responsible for its health benefits, including the possible lowering of cholesterol and blood pressure.
Garlic: This fragrant bulb contains many of the same phytonutrients as onions, as well as antibiotic and antiviral compounds. It may help boost the immune system, prevent colds, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and fight fungal infections.
Spinach: This dark leafy green (and others like it, such as kale and collards) contains lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidant carotenoids that may help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration. Spinach is also a source of calcium and folate, a B vitamin that helps to prevent birth defects. Buy organic spinach, since pesticides are commonly used on conventionally grown varieties.
Cabbage: This low-cost yet highly nutritious cruciferous vegetable contains nutrients called indoles, which may protect against both breast and prostate cancer. It also provides significant amounts of fiber and vitamin C.
Sweet potatoes: Rich in beta carotene, these vegetables may help boost the immune system, deliver vitamin C and folate (which may reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent certain birth defects), and are low on the glycemic index and glycemic load charts.

A Clear Reason to Eat Fruit - Dr. Weil's Daily Tip

A Clear Reason to Eat Fruit - Dr. Weil's Daily Tip

The best Pasta Dough ever!

The best Pasta Dough ever! <---click here to see video
This dough can be used for any type of filled pasta such as Ravioli, Tortellini, etc etc as well as fresh pasta such as pappardelle, linguine etc etc.
It's worth buying scales to get the correct amount of ingredients for baking and pasta.
320 grams of double 00 flour
160 grams of semolina
6 egg yolks
2 whole eggs
Drop of Olive oil
Pinch of salt