No Eggs? No Problem

I adapted the recipe for Eggless Peanut Butter Cookies, by using natural peanut butter, and lard (vs. shortening).  Once we have goat's milk again, I will bake these again, using organic butter and goat's milk (vs. the buttermilk).

These were pretty good, and I got about 6 1/2 dozen cookies, by using my smaller pampered chef cookie scoop.  

I think these would make a wonderful addition to our Christmas cookies next season too.  And I am betting they would freeze well.
 

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.  
 

Restful Weekend

We woke up today with all of the snow melted.  The weather was still chilly over the past weekend, but today it said to be as warm as 43°F. 

Here is my oldest daughter's birthday "cake."  She wanted cupcakes, so she frosted them so you can see the number 19 (white).  She topped them with candy canes, and crushed peppermints and blue sprinkles.  She was originally due on Valentine's day the year she was born, hence the hearts made with candy canes.

I'm reading yet another home remedy book, and have been surprised at a few things I have learned (if they are indeed true).

~if you take too much zinc (more than 30 mg a day, according to the book) you can actually ruin your immune system.  I found this interesting and plan to do more research.

~you can soak your feet in a warm tub of water and dry mustard to help your circulation.  It is said to help remove head congestion, by causing the blood to go to your feet.  I actually tried this once last night, so I'll let you now how I feel in a few days.  Not sure if this is hokey, but I have also read where these types of soaks, help remove toxins in the body.

~Red Zinger tea was said to be excellent for when you feel sinus issues coming on.  Can't hurt to try this one either.  Red Zinger (Celestial Tea) contains rose hips, which are loaded with vitamin A and C.

I feel sort of like a guinea pig in trying all these, but I will never know if I don't try them.   We really don't have the extra cash to buy a cool-mist humidifier, so I am filling a pot with vapo-rub and boiling water and inhaling with a towel over my head.  I do need to invest in eucalyptus oil for this reason, and for soap making.

We had a restful weekend, aside from van trouble.  That van is bad news.  However, at the very end of the day, hubby was back home with a brand new battery for it.  We found out that it was under warranty and now have a new one.  Now...if we can just get it started so we can put the "for sale" sign on it. 

I plan on taking it easy today - a bit of laundry, and some handiwork. 

From the Gratitude Journal . . .

Today I am thankful for the continuous, beautiful sunrises.

...for hot water.

...for God's guidance.

...for natural remedies.

...for once again, honest friends.

...for organic peppermint oil

 

 

Interesting book ~ Oldest Daughter Turns 19 ~ Lymph Node Update

Dirt-Cheap Survival Retreat, One Man's Solution, written by M.D. Creekmore.

This book is not written as a "how-to" for readers, but more about sharing one man's experience and tips on what worked for him, and what didn't.  He shares his tips (and suggestions) on smart storage, stocking up, preparedness, and self-sufficiency.


Today, is my oldest daughter's birthday - 19 years ago, she was born, and weighed 10 lbs. All but one of my kiddos weighed 10 lbs. or more.  The doctor's nurses used to joke to me, and ask if I knew the difference between eating a pumpkin and an apple.  For some reason, God gave me big babies.

Anyway, she's still sleeping, so I hope to share some photos of her birthday, later tomorrow.   Her horse's birthday is this month too. 

I am slowly recovering from this "crud" that I caught.  The good news is, that my lymph node in the back of my neck, has returned to normal.  It only took 6 months, but thank goodness it is normal again.  I noticed that when I was drinking the homemade ginger ale, that it was shrinking faster than with anything else I was doing.  Then when I started drinking the hot ginger tea (also homemade), it started to shrink even faster.  I'm not a doctor, but for me, this experience worked.   

Today, hubby is not working.  Yay!  He's been working so many overtime hours, I haven't seen him much.  Today he has plans to work on the van that we need to sell, repair a door knob, and other things around here. 

Peanut (goat) seems to be feeling better thankfully, but now Blondie's (horse) foot is swelling up again.