New Cookie Recipe Tried ~ Homemade Body Wash

 

I know there is one more holiday approaching, but I hope you all had a very nice Christmas.  Our Christmas week is typically full of celebrations - our youngest's birthday, Christmas Day, and our Wedding Anniversary.  A lot to celebrate in one week for sure.

My husband only got Christmas day off of work this year.  It seems the kids also had to work the same days. 

Our weather is taking a turn for warmer temperatures, and tomorrow they expect it to be around 60°F here.  Crazy for sure.  However, it is the perfect weather to take down all of the outside Christmas lights.  I would love to keep them up for New Year's Eve, but the weather will turn right back to very cold temperatures by next weekend.

It's the perfect weather to work on outdoor projects, but the best weather days are during the week.  The home repair list is dwindling, but it's still lingering ha ha! 

Two of the kids are house shopping, and we are trying to help, but it's not a great time to buy right now.

I have been seeing a lot of cardinals here lately.  I do need to clean my windows ha ha!  Next time I will go outside to snap a photo.

We made one batch of our traditional butter cut out cookies (gave most of them to others), and one batch of a new einkorn recipe from Jovial recipes - Peanut Butter Blossoms.  They contain einkorn flour (no white flour), but they do contain granulated sugar and brown sugar.  I used the Hershey kisses, but these went to work with my husband for a treat.  We kept just a few for us.  They are very good.  Next time I will try breaking up an organic white chocolate or dark chocolate bar, and use those in place of the kiss candy.  I got 43 cookies using my small pampered chef scoop.

We also baked a healthier version of "chex mix" and have already given half of it away (one kiddo loves it).  We all love it, so I'll have a post on that soon.  It's a treat only at Christmas and New Year's Eve for us.

I'm still staying on track with my fitness, and otherwise healthy meals despite the holidays and cookies.  I have a few new salad recipes to try soon, and we are focusing on the freezer and pantry for the next month.  Other than buying  fresh vegetables and fruits, it should be a fun monthly meal plan.

I mixed up a new recipe to try - homemade body wash.  Winter brings dry skin, and I wanted to give it a try.  We do typically only use goat's milk soap, but this may help a bit more.   I'm only making a small amount to make sure I am not allergic to any of the ingredients.  I'll update on it after using it for a while.

In other news . . .

I was washing dishes, and saw something jumping around out in the yard.  It was this cat, and he/she (most likely a he by the coloring), was pouncing on something.  I had to laugh.  It was out hunting for food, and caught it.  I've see it hanging around before, but it's been weeks since I've seen it.  I could not get a close enough photo to see if it was a catch and release (tipped ear) cat.

I have not been watching he morning or evening news, so I really don't know what's going on in the "real" world lately.  I have spent more time sipping herbal tea and reading, and a few minutes of easy crochet work.  Once the weather turns cold again, I will check my yarn stash and start a new lap afghan.  I may have enough to donate by next winter (not enough time this year with home repairs/purging/cleaning, and re-organizing (but so worth it).

I have finally opened my new planner and started filling it in already.  Which reminded me about how people spend their entire day looking forward to the end of the day, or end of the week, instead of embracing the moments as they are in real time.  Don't forget to find joy in the present moments, as you can't get that time back.

Do you do anything "fun" to embrace a moment or moments in your day?  Sit outside and watch the birds?  Watch the sunrise or sunset?  Plant a new plant indoors?  I would love to hear your winter activities or plans.  

I was gifted a new planter container last May (gulp), and have yet to fill it.  I had planned to try and bring in Thai basil, but that failed.  Rosemary is very difficult for me to winterize indoors, so I'm looking into maybe another herbal plant.

I have not yet found any local line dancing, but we are continuously seeking out activities for us this winter.  If anything, we'll get some evening walks in.

New Cookie Recipe Tried ~ Homemade Body Wash © December 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Homemade "Velveeta" Review

 

We tried the homemade "Velveeta" in my traditional Christmas dinner Cheesy Potato Casserole.  It was pretty good, but we have a review on the taste.  Overall, it made the potato dish turn out a creamy texture and gooey goodness.

The original recipe (potato dish), that was given to me so many years ago, actually does not require "Velveeta" in the recipe.  Over the years, it was added for more creamy potatoes, as well as sour cream.

The original recipe for the homemade "Velveeta" called for mild cheddar cheese.  We both tasted it before using it, and we both felt there was not enough "cheese" flavor with using the mild cheese.  I will be making this again, but with medium cheddar.  Not sure if sharp would be too much, considering we use sharp cheddar in our potato dish as well.  We only bake this potato dish at Christmas time.

Results:  It's a heathier version of a creamy addition to a recipe.  First, the Velveeta spread sold in stores is not real cheese (and it's expensive for not even being real cheese).  The homemade version is very delicious, and you can rest knowing it's real cheese.  In my opinion, it's basically used to add a creamier cheese texture in whatever cheese dish you are cooking.

I would only be using this homemade version to make the traditional cheesy potato dish, or to make a stove top version of homemade Macaroni and Cheese (we have yet to try it in this).  I don't think I have any other uses for it in my recipes.  It may be a good substitution for a crockpot cheese based dip as well.

There are many recipes for homemade "Velveeta" online, but for ours, I used 1/3 cup powdered milk (organic is available), one packet of unflavored gelatin (you can also find this organic if you prefer), and one cup of boiling water.  Mix the ingredients in a food processor, and add 16 ounces of mild cheddar cheese (or cheddar of your choice) that has been grated (do this first, so it's ready to add right away).  The cheese mixture will thicken quickly.

Mix everything until it is creamy, and spread into a lined mold of your choosing (we just used a food container).  Place in the refrigerator until it's firm and use in any recipe.  I'm told it will last 2 weeks in the refrigerator, but I'm also reading you can freeze it.  I have not had the chance to try the freezer for this yet, but it may change your final texture of whatever you are using it in.

Homemade "Velveeta" Review © December 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart