"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Reuben Dip ~ Healthy Version ~ New Recipe Tried

 I have come to realize, that trying new recipes has become a hobby without me even thinking.  I joked that I need to stay away from the computer, stop ordering cookbooks from the library and such.  Golly, I tend to try them every week.  Recipes that is.

The newest recipe to try, is a healthier version of a Rueben dip for crackers or even veggies.  My husband loves Rueben's, and I am always on the hunt for a side dish to take to any gathering of any sort. I linked the recipe above, but you never know how long the links will last.  It's just much easier to share the recipe in case you are interested.  I am not even sure how I came across the recipe.

As for the sauerkraut, you can make your own, or buy it.  When I do buy it, we prefer Eden Organic sold in a glass jar.

Well, I made it, but I had to use google conversions to the best of my searching ability.  The recipe is in "grams" so you do need to do the conversion to cups/Tbsp etc.


I made my homemade Thousand Island dressing for this recipe (I made a half batch of it).  I also can my own ketchup, which an ingredient in the recipe for this dressing.

I used Almond flour (non-gmo) crackers for the dipping choice.  It's what I had on hand.  Did we like it?  Yes!  My husband took some to work and one of his co-workers tasted it. He loved it too.

I didn't get a photo of the completely mixed up dip, but it is delicious cold or hot.  While the recipe states it's good warmed up, my husband and his co-worker liked it cold much better.

Rueben Dip ~ Healthy Version ~ New Recipe Tried © April 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Homemade Hand Lotion


 In December of 2014, I made homemade hand lotion.  I have made it a few more times since then, and then I sort of dropped out of the homemade version and started buying it.  I made the lotion for gifting for Christmas that year.  To be honest, I don't remember if anyone ever let me know if they liked it or not either.  I used orange essential oil it it at the time.

By the way, the link still works on that post (linked above).  She shares a recipe with or without a preservative.  If you want to gift it, I do suggest the preservative.   If I remember correctly, I actually made two different recipes.  

Anyway, the one linked in my older blogpost is super easy to make.  Be sure to read the instructions on her website, and to let it sit overnight.  


I made a batch the other day, and just used a recycled jar and canning jar, but with solid closing lids.  I just haven't bought lotion pump for it yet.  I chose to use lemon essential oil this time around.

Do you have a favorite homemade hand lotion recipe?  Or do you prefer to just buy an organic brand at the store?

Homemade Hand Lotion  © April 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart