From the Homesteading Journal . . .

. . . made homemade chewy granola bars. These, although buttery, were absolutely amazing.  The flavor is incredible.  This was the first time we used almond flour and ground mace.  I found the almond flour less expensive at the health store, vs. at the grocery store.  If I find more recipes to use the flour in, I will make my own almond flour, using my dehydrator.  The store brand we were buying contained High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Chewy Granola Bars
(from The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook, by Cheryl Day and Griffith Day)

1 1/3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup almond flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I used organic)
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
1 cup salted cashew pieces, roughly chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1/2 cup dried prunes, finely chopped
1/2 cup dried blueberries
12 tablespoons, unsalted butter, melted (I used organic)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup (Grade B) Maple syrup (I used Grade A)
2 Tbsp. water

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.  Line the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on the two opposite sides.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, almond flour, spices, cashews, and dried fruit.  Mix well.

In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, vanilla, maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons of water.  Add to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Press the granola mixture evenly into the prepared pan.  Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning the pan around after 15 minutes for even baking, until the edges and top turn golden.  Lift the sides of the parchment and transfer the slab of granola to a wire rack to cool.

When it is completely cooled, remove the slab of granola from the parchment to a cutting board and cut into 24 squares with a heavy knife.  Wrap the individual squares in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Note:  I did bake mine a bit past 30 minutes.  It could just be my old oven, but letting you know.

                

. . . made 5 1/2 pints of homemade vanilla extract.  

  

Artificial Flavorings ~ What's Really in Them ~ Nurse Jesse and Doctor Tig

The next time you go to the store to buy any artificial flavoring in any food, consider what it's made from.  According to Snopes.com, the FDA considers Castoreum (part of it is beaver urine) as safe, and can be found listed as "natural" on the food label today.

Read about it here:  Snopes.com:  Casotreum

You'll think twice before buying a Raspberry or Strawberry flavored Iced Tea at the check out again.  

I wonder what else the government is adding to our foods? It's bad enough to search out stores that don't have antibiotic/hormone free foods, let alone genetically modified foods/ingredients.

And some folks think I'm crazy for growing my own food/meat and making things homemade.  


Sickness remains in my home.  I'm not sure what it is, but three of us are down for the count.  My 19 year-old daughter missed her college classes today, and my 20 year-old son stayed in bed almost all of yesterday.  My 11 year-old has been complaining of headaches, and I have been hearing another one cough.  

As for myself, I did not have the energy to see the girls off this morning.  My congestion seems to be a bit better, but the fatique is in full force, despite everything we are doing.  I am calling hubby at work and telling him to bring home probiotics for all of us.  And another can of Lysol.  Thankfully, no vomiting. 

Last night I brewed up more ginger ale, and it seems to really help. No one really has an appetite.  I am still determined to kill off this sickness, and quick.

 Doctor Tig (Tiger)

 Nurse Jesse

I have to share one last tidbit.  Yesterday, I was resting my eyes in bed, and Jesse (aka Nurse Jesse, youngest dog) was at my feet.  I started having a coughing spell, and he immediately crawled up the bed, put his nose in my face and lowered down right there next to me, until I stopped coughing. He did this all day while Nurse Hilda was in school.  Then later at night, Nurse Hilda's cat was sleeping with his head on my chest.  When I coughed, he would let out a meow, every single time.  He will do the same when I sneeze too.  We call him Doctor Tig now.  I am sure Nurse Sadie will be watching over my daughter today, as she always does.  Nurse Jesse is already snuggled up with my son, keeping an eye on him.