Home Made deodorant and a cake blog to drool over!

Home Made Coconut Deodorant From Antika Moda

Ingredients:
5-6 tablespoons of pure coconut oil (found at any health food store)
¼ cup baking soda
¼ cup corn starch

Instructions:
1. Mix all 3 ingredients well until it’s the consistency of a soft deodorant bar
2. I put this mixture into an old deodorant container for easy use, but you can store it however you choose
3. Rub a small amount onto (clean!) underarms

It lasts all day, smells fresh (faintly of coconut), and keeps you dry!
The cool thing about this mixture is that each ingredient has a purpose:
Coconut oil kills bacteria
Baking soda is a deodorizer
Corn starch absorbs wetness
(For Men and Women)

For those out there like me that search strenuously for good natural aluminum free deodorant this is amazing!
I have left my Toms of Maine (a good product) and will make my own  - especially since Coconut is my favorite smell right now.

Next up I have a link from Texas Monkey, titled Dress up Cakes!
I will find a way to dress up some cakes for Thanksgiving! Don't worry I will blog photos of my attempts!

Turkey Italian Spaghetti and composting tips

Italian Turkey Sausage Spaghetti

One package sweet lean Italian turkey sausage
One package angel hair pasta
One can of spaghetti sauce (my favorite is the four cheese but garlic is great as well!) Wheat or veggie is nice.

See how simple? Of course you do! Almost everyone I know can cook this meal without a recipe, what is great about it is how versatile it is. You can make it healthy by getting wheat or veggie noodles instead of the normal gluten loaded white. I also opted for a healthier sausage and was not disappointed by the taste or texture. It was even a easy win with the kids!

Cook all ingredients according to packaging

This is perfectly acceptable for the mid cooking stage - even if the sausage doesn't look as great as the normal high calorie cheese filled red meat varieties - never fear it looks great when its done!

Now on to composting tips and how to reduce waste in the kitchen.

Tips to reduce waste.
How to make your own compost bin - I am keeping this on file for next summer!

Things to compost:

• Animal ( cow or horse) manure
• Cardboard rolls
• Clean paper
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Cotton rags
• Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
• Eggshells
• Fireplace ashes
• Fruits and vegetables
• Grass clippings
• Hair and fur
• Hay and straw
• Houseplants
• Leaves
• Nut shells
• Sawdust
• Shredded newspaper
• Tea bags
• Wood chips
• Wool rags
• Yard trimmings

Things not to compost and why:

• Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
• Releases substances that might be harmful to plants
• Coal or charcoal ash
• Might contain substances harmful to plants
• Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs
• Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
• Diseased or insect-ridden plants
• Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants
• Fats, grease, lard, or oils
• Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
• Meat or fish bones and scraps
• Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
• Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)
• Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
• Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
• Might kill beneficial composting organisms

I have only been in my home for three weeks so I focusing on repairs and will start my compost pile hopefully next spring.
Never fear I have started a different type of compost project that I am blogging on another blog
To follow please click the link.

Thanksgiving Meal Plan #1

Sorry I have not been posting, but right now my meals are frozen or turkey sandwiches. We are still unpacking and fixing up the house for our house guests for Thanksgiving.


Now for those that haven't heard on Thanksgiving day I will be serving 11 people!
We had to go out and buy extra dishes to handle the load and are begging chairs from dad and diane!

Menu (Subject to change)

3 Turkey breasts - cooked and then covered with Mango Chutney

Yams - cooked with light butter and cinnamon

Green beans with butter

Squash, Zucchini, peppers cooked with basil

Served with a side salad and side butter wheat rolls

Diane will be bringing somethings... maybe a sausage stuffing, cranberry relish and of course chairs!
We are trying to have a more friendly pcos as well as a frienludly diet for my other sister who is taking meds for blood clots - this is the type of flavor challenge that I love!

Addicted to Tea

Yes I know another product review, but hey I don't have a kitchen right now so cooking is a little hard.

Arizona green tea with ginseng and honey, even my BFF has the cover of this bottle memorized.
Why? Because if this one isn't in the store I don't buy.

Normally... which is where, of course the story starts.

This week my BFF saw my disappointment for my store being out of stock again and helped me decide to try the store knock off brand.

YEW! YUCK! GROSS!!!

Alright the Arizona Tea group has created a delicate blend of the three flavors, its smooth, sweet, light and best of all the tea is tasty.
I can say this with all sincerity as I am a tea connoisseur, re ally I even have my favorite tea shipped to me as its only made one place in the world.

The big blue store chain that will remain nameless, although, most people can guess who, must not drink the item before selling it. They sell a Green tea with honey and ginseng, the tea tastes between old and burnt, and the ginseng is too heavy so it leaves a sharp after taste that they try to cover by adding to much honey.

Seriously?

I dumped the offending product down the drain and replaced it with two bottles of Arizona. Reaffirming that some things can be duplicated (mac and cheese, cleaners, and cheap frozen pizza), but not everything. Some products can not be replaced and are not worth the thirty cents you might save.

Tuna Fish over Rice

Tuna Fish Over Rice

1/4 C. Butter (can not be substituted)
1/4 C. Flour
2 C milk  (if using skim or whole read note at bottom)
1 can of Tuna
salt and pepper to taste
2 Cups cooked white rice

Melt butter, slowly add in flour. Add milk slowly, mixing it in well until nice and creamy. Once it thickens and bubbles add drained tuna stir and add in salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over cooked rice.
Can easily be doubled to serve 6-8 people.
Taste great with peas added in.

Note:
If using skim milk add in 1-2 extra tsp flour. If using whole milk subtract 1-2 tsp of flour.
This addition and subtraction is to keep the correct amount on thickness.

Naborhood Bakery and Quiche Recipe

I promise I will not often review restaurants here on this food blog I will reserve this for my favorite places and will try to always share a recipe from the restaurant mentioned.
I love this little bakery they make incredible sandwiches! The Naborhood Bakery is a tradition among family and friends. We will go spend the day out shopping and walking around Gardener Village and will always make time for food from this cute little cottage.

I have never been served a tiny portion (even when ordering a half sandwich), it is always clean, the staff friendly and the food amazing! I have been eating at this restaurant for over ten years, closer to fifteen and I have loved every bite!
Ironically the recipe I am going to share for you I have never tried yet - when you find your favorites you tend to stick with them, but this is on my list.


Naborhood's Quiche
from Naborhood Bakery, Gardner Village, 1100 W. 7800 S., West Jordan

Crust:
1 cup vegetable shortening (do not use butter or lard)
¾ tsp. salt
2 cups flour
¼ cup cold water

• Put shortening into bowl and add salt and half of flour.
• Stir with a spoon until ingredients cream together and mixture is smooth and satiny.
• Add water and remaining flour.
• Stir until mixture clings together in a ball.
• Do not be afraid to handle.
• Roll out as desired (should make 2 shells).
• Line a 9" pie plate with crust.

Filling:
12 eggs
¼ cup heavy cream
½ cup water

• Beat eggs, cream and water together.
• Place any or all of the following in the crust:
  • ¼ cup chopped tomatoes
  • ¼ cup chopped olives
  • ¼ cup chopped mushrooms
  • ¼ cup chopped red onions
  • ¼ cup chopped spinach
  • ½ cup shredded cheese
• Pour egg mixture over vegetables.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Bake in preheated oven @ 350 for 35-40 minutes            

Asian Yums!

Thai Chicken Stir-Fry
cook time: 35 mins
servings: 4
This light chicken stir-fry recipe definitely has the look and taste of Thai cuisine with its colorful assortment of vegetables and bold flavorings of fish sauce, crushed red pepper, garlic, ginger, and peanuts. Knowing the proper method for mincing garlic is beneficial when preparing this tasty stir-fry.

ingredients

* 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
* 1/4 cup rice wine
* 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
* 2 tablespoons water
* 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
* 1-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
* 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
* 1 tablespoon cooking oil
* 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1-1/2 cups bias-sliced carrots (3 medium)
* 2 cups fresh pea pods, tips and strings removed, or one 6-ounce package frozen pea pods, thawed
* 4 green onions, bias-sliced into 1-inch pieces
* 1/3 cup dry roasted peanuts
* 2 cups hot cooked rice
* Chopped peanuts (optional)

directions

1. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces; set aside.
2. For sauce, stir together rice wine, soy sauce, water, fish sauce (if using), cornstarch, and red pepper. Set aside.
3. Pour oil into a wok or large skillet. (If necessary, add more oil during cooking.) Heat over medium-high heat. Add ginger and garlic to wok; cook and stir for 15 seconds. Add carrot; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add pea pods and green onion; cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes more or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove vegetables from wok.
4. Add half the chicken to hot wok. Cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from wok. Repeat with remaining chicken. Return all chicken to wok. Push chicken from center of wok. Stir sauce; add to center of wok. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Return vegetables to wok. Stir in 1/3 cup peanuts. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes more or until heated through. Serve with rice. If desired, sprinkle with additional chopped peanuts.
Makes 4 servings.

Peanut-Chicken Bowl 

• 2 3-oz. pkg. Oriental-flavored ramen noodles
• 3 cups cut-up vegetables, such as broccoli florets, red sweet pepper strips, halved pea pods, and/or thinly sliced carrots
• 1-1/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 1 8-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 8-oz. can bamboo shoots, drained
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions

directions

1. Set aside 1 seasoning packet from noodles to use in recipe; store remaining packet for another use. In a large saucepan bring 2 quarts water to boiling. Break up noodles slightly and add to water along with cut-up vegetables. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, for 3 minutes. Drain and return to saucepan.
2. Meanwhile, for sauce, in a medium saucepan whisk together the 1-1/4 cups water, peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, crushed red pepper, and seasoning packet. Whisk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Add chicken, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots to sauce; heat through. Add to noodle mixture in saucepan. Toss to combine. Top with peanuts and green onions. Serve immediately. Makes 4 (1-1/2-cup) servings.

I have not had a chance to try either of these but they look and sound incredible so I am blogging them as a future try. If you try them this week please let me now what you think of them!