Double Chocolate Walnut Brownies

No supper post tonight since we attended a wedding reception.  Earlier today I made these double chocolate walnut brownies.  My hubby & I just polished off half the pan, sooooooo I'd say they get the stamp of approval.  I will let you know what the kiddos think if they get a chance to try them.  :)



I used about 3oz of a 90% cacao chocolate bar in the batter and Dagoba chocolate chips on top.  These were very sweet!  I would probably cut back on the honey next time, but they were a great alternative to wedding cake.

Clean Out the Fridge Salad

So, I seriously just threw some things on a bed of mixed greens for lunch today.  Roasted chicken, grilled asparagus, carrots, peppers, cucumbers, pine nuts, V&O.

I also ate a couple of these cookies.

Another Waffle Recipe

I tried another waffle recipe this morning.  This one was light, crispy and the kids loved them.  These have more ingredients then some, so I will only make these when I have a little extra time. 
  
I will be sure to make this one again!!!

Spaghetti Squash Casserole

This is a quick thing I make ahead and then bake later in the day.  We also had some green beans and peaches & blueberries.



Ingredients:
1 spaghetti squash
1 lb ground beef
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 onion, optional
 salt
dried basil

Cook squash and scoop out into "noodles."  Place in a greased 9x13 pan.  Brown ground beef and onions.  Season with salt and spread out on top of squash.  Pour spaghetti sauce over the top.  Sprinkle with dried basil.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. 

Chai Tea Concentrate

Yesterday I made this chai tea concentrate.  I used Newman's Own organic black tea.  I omitted fennel seed, since I didn't have any & used 1/2 tsp of ground cardamom since I didn't have the pods.  Otherwise, I followed this recipe.  This morning I picked a friend up early to go garden seed shopping (it's that time of year, yeah!)  I decided to heat one of these up for each of us.  I made hers with whole milk and mine with half coconut/half almond milk.  It was yummy, but I wished mine was a bit sweeter, so I added about 6 drops of vanilla stevia to both our canisters.  Such a yummy treat to sip on while dreaming about all we can grow this summer.  I have lots of mix left, so I will definitely be using this as the temperature drops next week.


****Here's something I came up with to make an iced version****
 Iced Chai Tea Latte
1 cup chai tea concentrate
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup ice
6 drops vanilla stevia
 

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Today I made laundry detergent.  Why am I making laundry detergent on such a beautiful day?  Well, I ran out today.  We average about 3 loads of wash a day and it really makes a difference in our household.  I was lazy a couple months ago and quit making it.  I was buying the "free & clear" "contains no phosphates" brand and figured it was fine.  After a few weeks my kiddo with very sensitive skin was having breakouts in hives and eczema again.  I have now rewashed all of kiddo's clothes and their skin is much better!  I have included this since many people think making laundry detergent all comes down to price.

Anyway, I have made my own for years.  I've done the liquid kind that you use 1 cup, I've done the dry, powered kind, recently I've been making the sauce that you use 1 Tbsp per load.  I think the sauce kind is my favorite.  The liquid takes a lot more room to store and is messier to make, the powdered did not always dissolve in my HE machine on cold wash loads.

Here's the recipe I made today:  Laundry Detergent Sauce.  Here's what I do different.  I grate my soap in my Vitamix on Variable 4.  I also put the finished product in an 8 cup glass container overnight, then dump it all in my Vitamix to whip since my blade does not fit on a mason jar.    

How to Make Almond Milk

You only need 2 ingredients to make almond milk.  Why would you want to make your own instead of buying it?  The reasons are the same as I stated in my how to make coconut milk post.
  
You need just 2 ingredients:  
3 cups of filtered water
1 cup raw almonds

 
Place in Vitamix (I do not know if this will work in other blender.  My guess is it will, but it will need more time) and gradually increase power to 10, then run on high for a minute.


  
Run liquid through a nut-milk bag or I use a paint strainer.  Be sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.




Store in glass jars in the fridge.

Then discard pulp or make it into unblanched almond flour.

To make flour:
Dry out pulp.  I put mine in the toaster oven for about 1/2 hour at 250 degrees. 



After pulp is completely dry, place in blender or coffee grinder.  I think this flat blade fro my Magic Bullet grinds the finest flour.


Store in the freezer and use next time you want to make something have the "whole grain" look.