Creamy Apple Pie Green Smoothie

1 Fiji Apple (peel, core, cut up add 1/2 cup water and cooked until tender)
1/4 cup Vanilla Yogurt (I used Dannon Lite)
1 TBS crushed Pecans
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
2 cups fresh Spinach
2 cups Water

I cooked the apple then cooled in the refrig for several hours.
Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
Enjoy

Calories 208g
Fat 8.1g
Chol -0-
Sodium 76g
Carbs 31.7g
Fiber 7.1g
Sugar 22.3
Protien 6.2g

BENEFITS:
Apple -
Strengthens bones, protects from osteoporosis; reduces symptoms of Asthma; Lowers cholesterol; shown to help prevent several types of cancer; diabetes management; helps with weight loss - many other benefits.  As I always say this is what I have learned from on line research and make no health claims regarding any of the benefits in this post.

Yogurt -
Adds healthy bacteria to your digestive tract (be sure it says live cultures on the yogurt container); helps to prevent osteoporosis; helps to lower risk of high blood pressure.

Pecans -
Most anti-oxidants (protects against cell damage in your body) of all nuts; good fat; boosts your immune system (your body's ability to fight off disease); reduces cholesterol levels; lowers blood pressure.

Cinnamon -
Regulates blood sugar levels; lowers cholesteral; resists yeast infections, arthritis relief.

Spinach -
High in fiber, maintains blood sugar levels, anti-inflammation, osteoporosis help; controls blood pressure, vision assistance, immune system help; healthy skin and helps maintain a healthy nervous system.

Plum-D-Licious Green Smoothie

PLUM-D-LICIOUS GREEN SMOOTHIE
1 1/2 cups water
4 Plums (remove pits and cut in pieces)
1 Banana
1 cup packed fresh Spinach or two lose handfuls
1/2 tsp ground Ginger
add stevia to taste (I use liquid stevia)

Put all in blender and blend until smooth - enjoy!

Calories - 236g
Fat - 1.3g
Sodium - 25g
Carbs - 58.8g
Fiber - 7.5g
Sugar 40.8g
Protien - 4.1g

BENEFITS:
Plums -
helps regulate digestive system; natural anti-oxident; helps resist infectious agents; counters inflammation; helps maintain healthy mucus membrane and skin; helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers; helps to control heart rate and blood pressure; helps body metabolize carbs, proteins and fats; helps with blood clotting; helps reduce Alzheimer in the elderly.
(These are all claims I found on line through a variety of sources. I do not make any claims, just love to pass on the possible benefits I find. This is true of all the other ingredients and benefits listed below.)

Bananas -
helps reduce depression; anemia support; normal bowl functions; eye sight protection; healthy bones and kidneys; blood pressure control; heartburn relief; morning sickness and ulcer help; regulates nerves and body water blance; stroke risk reduction.

Spinach -
High in fiber, maintains blood sugar levels, anti-inflammation, osteoporosis help; controls blood pressure, vision assistance, immune system help; healthy skin and helps maintain a healthy nervous system.

Ginger -
helps with cancer symptoms, relieves morning and motion sickness, assists with pain relief and inflammation control, heart burn relief; cold and flu prevention and migraine relief.

Baby Boy's Baby Seal Blanket

I have decided to try my hand at creating my own pattern for a baby blanket.  Living in Seal Rock what else would I create ...  so far I just have 2 panels done.  The finished blanket will be approx. 32"x32".
I will post the finished product when done!

First two panels

Close up of baby seal panel

Baby Girl Blanket

Baby Girl Blanket

Lined with soft pink flannel 32" x 32"

Ready for my next great great niece!

Healthy Homemade Condiments

Tomatoes – yep. Vinegar – seems fine. Sugar – wait, what? Even ketchup isn’t safe from the wrath of sugar.
Think you have to ditch the bottle – the condiment bottle that is – in order to avoid these hidden sugars? Not a chance, especially if you have the baseline kitchen skills necessary to whip up some of these homemade alternatives. Read on for simple Primal recipes for ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, barbeque sauce and almond butter. Enjoy!

Ketchup

There’s no need to give up ketchup if you can opt for this sugar-free (but no less delicious) 3-minute variety.
6 ounces tomato paste
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup water
2 tbsp of your preferred sugar substitute (optional)
2 tbsp onions
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp pepper
Combine ingredients in food processor and blend until the onion disappears. Spoon mixture into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

Mayonnaise

If using raw eggs in mayonnaise makes you nervous, try this recipe, which not only dramatically reduces the sugar content but also partially cooks the eggs!
2 large egg yolks
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp water
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1 cup pure olive oil
Heat the egg yolks, lemon juice, water, and sugar in a small skillet over very low heat, stirring constantly. At the first sign of thickness, remove from heat and submerge in a large pan of cold water (you should continue stirring here to avoid creating citrus-y scrambled eggs…trust us!) Scoop mixture out of pan and into a food processor. Blend for a few seconds and then let mixture sit uncovered for at least 5 minutes to cool. Add remaining dry ingredients, and blend on low speed. Drizzle oil slowly into the mixture until all ingredients are combined. Scoop into a large glass container and chill immediately. Mayonaise should keep for at least one week if stored correctly.

Mustard

Ahhh…mustard. Another childhood favorite. But did you know many varieties contain a hefty dose of brown sugar? Cut the carbs – and synthesize the taste – by following this spicy mustard recipe
1/4 cup white or brown mustard seeds
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup dry mustard
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground allspice
2 tbsp cold water
Place mustard seeds, wine vinegar and wine in a small bowl and let sit for 3 hours. Pour the contents of the bowl and the water into a food processor with a steel blade. Blend until seeds are broken up and then add the dry mustard, salt, allspice, and water, and process until smooth. Scoop into glass container and refrigerate 12 hours before serving.

Faux Honey Mustard

This is perhaps one of the most delicious (and kid-friendly) ways to sweeten the appeal of a chicken dish!
1 cup mayonnaise (extra credit if you use your own homemade version!)
1/3 cup mustard (again, there’s no harm in using your own!)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 packet sugar substitute or a bit of honey
Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix thoroughly. To store, refrigerate in airtight container.

Barbeque Sauce

Ever wonder what makes barbeque sauce so delicious? Perhaps it’s the 30 grams of sugar per 1/4 cup serving? Don’t want to give up this comfort food favorite? Then try this innovative recipe, which uses diet soda in place of the sugar!
2 strips of thick bacon, chopped fine or 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, or chipotle powder to taste (this gives the sauce its smoky flavor, so using either the bacon or the spices is fine!)
1 small onion (minced)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 6oz can tomato paste
1 tsp liquid smoke
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup ketchup (again, use your homemade version!)
3 tbsp mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch ground cloves
1 pinch cinnamon
Hot sauce to taste (any variety is fine!)
If using bacon, fry in a 2-qt pan (no oil) until cooked through. Add the onion and cook over a medium heat for 3-5 minutes (or until onion browns). Add in garlic and cook for a minute, then mix in all other ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes. Test the mixture and add other spices, more vinegar or hot sauce until you achieve the desired taste. To store, scoop into a large plastic container and keep refrigerated.

Almond Butter

Looking for a peanut butter alternative? Try this almond butter recipe – its quick, easy, and super nutritious!
3 lbs raw, unsalted almonds
Spread almonds on cookie sheets and toast in a 350 degree F. oven for about 10-15 minutes, stirring them around occasionally to ensure that they are toasting evenly. Let cool for 30-45 minutes. In a food processor, add handfuls of almonds at a time through the shoot opening and blend on high. Periodically open blender and scrape down sides to make sure that mixture is blending evenly. If you prefer a chunkier almond butter, save a handful for the end and then add in while pulsing food processor to attain desired consistency.
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/alternative-healthy-condiment-recipes/#axzz1rStuPm9Z

EASY HOMEMADE CLEANER

EASY FRESH CLEANER
Orange peels, vinegar in a quart jar,
let sit for 10 days or so...strain out the
liquid and use as an all-purpose cleaner.
Easy, cheap, natural, smells good!

Fun plant starters

What a great way to start your plants.  Then just plant the entire egg shell
and it will feed your plant! 
Sharing from Homestead Survival!