Fennel Carrot Soup from 101cookbooks.com

I saw this online (http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/carrot-and-fennel-soup-recipe.html) and quickly rushed home to make it. If you'd like to do the same, see my adaptation here:

1 fennel bulb
1 large carrot
A few cups stock
1/2 cup brown rice

Slice the fennel into thin ribbons. Allow to soften on medium heat in a tablespoon of oil.
Chop the carrot into thick coins and add to the saucepan. Season with sea salt (I had used up the last of my fresh garlic so I used my dehydrated garlic-infused salt.)
After a few minutes, add stock and rice. Bring to a boil, then turn down and let simmer, covered.
(While you wait, take out the recycling! You know I've... uh, you've... been meaning to do so for a few weeks now!)
When rice is cooked (35 minutes?) turn off heat. Stir in a few tablespoons of freshly juiced orange.
Top with parmesan cheese.

Forgive me for the cell phone photo?

Need Gluten Free Christmas Baking?

Available Baking:

Sugar cookies, Santa's thumbprints, hazelnut sandies, buttery shortbread, coconut lemon bars, peanut butter chip squares, Skor toffee bars, chocolate or vanilla macaroons, caramel nut bars, rum balls, peanut butter marshmallow cups, christmas fudge, candy cane brownies

All baked in a GF kitchen by a GF momma

Sold by the 8X8" (20 X 20cm), about 20 - 25 pieces

$7.50 each

Now offering delivery to the Niagara region by request

DIY Maple Syrup

Be a Canadian. Make your own maple syrup.

Here's my Mom's blog from last year:
http://rosesunread.blogspot.com/2009/03/first-we-get-our-equipment-set-up-5.html

Recipe Request: Roasted Garlic Soup

This soup is funny for timing so I'll show you how I did it:

This is just a stock photo. I didn't think to
take one as I was eating dinner last night.

7:00pm: Arrive home from work and preheat the oven to 400F. Chop up one sweet potato, three white potatoes, two onions and just a small slice off the top of a garlic head. (The full bulb, not just one clove).
7:05pm: Place the sweet potato and garlic head on a cookie sheet with some oil and sea salt and begin baking. In a large saucepan, begin caramelizing the onion on the lowest heat.
7:20pm: Give the oven things a stir, check the onion. If the onion is ready, fill the saucepan halfway (4 cups?) with chicken or veggie stock. Add the cubed white potato. Boil, then leave on a simmer.
7:30 - 7:45pm: Check periodically if your potatoes and garlic are soft. When the sweet potato and garlic are ready, turn off the oven, and throw the veg in with the rest in the stock. Remember to push the roasted garlic out of the paper layer, don't just throw the whole thing in there. Continue simmering. Check for salt and pepper.
8:00pm: Calvin will be home soon. I frantically turn off the Taylor Swift Speak Now special on NBC and use the immersion blender to smooth all the chunky vegetables out. You'll be left with a yummy puree. Check salt and pepper again. Then, on very low heat, whisk in half a package of plain cream cheese.

We enjoyed this with Frank's XTra Hot Sauce but you could eat it as is, or topped with shredded cheddar. Enjoy with a most hated vampire.

GF Shortbread Recipe

Guest blogger: Rose Goertz... my mom!

So simple, yet so delicious!

1 cup butter **
2 cups gluten free flour mix (recipe to follow)
1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 300degrees.
Cream butter until soft, add in flour and sugar until smooth. Voila... that's it!

** I found this amazing Butter-Vanilla extract by Lorann Professional Kitchen. I added a splash of this in case it wasn't buttery enough already.


The gluten free flour mix that I make and use for a ton of different recipes is something I call Grandma's Flour Mix:
4 cups white rice flour
1 1/3 cup potato starch flour
2/3 cup tapioca flour
2 Tbsp xanthan gum

Angela's Even-Carnivores-Like-It Carrot Lentil Lasagna

This is a meatless and gluten-free wonder that no one can resist. I've been speed texting my sister to give me the recipe since I first heard of its praises and she finally ran me through it this afternoon. If I can understand how to pull it off via Blackberry messaging during her health sci lecture, then certainly you can follow along using this step-by-step picture guide.






First, preheat oven to 350F. Chop and saute a cornucopia of vegetables.

This must include garlic, carrot and tomatoes but could also feature - as ours did - zucchini, onion and yellow pepper.















Best to add the tomatoes last and turn the heat down to simmer. If you don't want to peel and quarter 15 roma tomatoes (ugh, but it's so fun!) then use canned, but buy Ontario Natural Food Coop brand because they don't BPA line their metal tins.

Put on a pot of tea.

At this point add 1 can or 2 cups of cooked lentils. We also added white kidney beans but for simplicity kept the recipe name the same, because who wants to say "I just had the best carrot lentil kidney bean zucchini spinach lasagna!"? Not I.

At the same time (exactly the same time and nothing less... kidding) mix a 250ml tub of ricotta with 1 egg, salt, pepper, and a few handfuls of spinach, chopped. Thin it down with some milk if you may.

Add half a carton of carrot soup to the carrot lentil mixture and take off the heat. Or if you're religiously unprocessed, just blend up some of what you've got for texture purposes. You can salt 'n pepper at this point too.

Purchase a box of oven-ready brown rice lasagna noodles. We use Rixopia but I believe Tinkyada makes them too.

In a 9x13" dish, layer: carrot-lentil mix, noodles, ricotta mix, three times, then add a final layer of carrot-lentil. Top with shredded Parmesan or whatever cheese you have handy. We had a ton extra so we fashioned a mini pan of this treat for me to take to work (go Mom!)

 
Bake covered for 30 minutes then uncover and bake for 15 more.

Thanks Angela!

"Anytime!"

Lyme Disease: Plain and Simple

Guest blogger: Alexis Pronovost

It's a beautiful summer day as you walk through the overgrown forest near your house. Long grasses brush against your exposed legs adorned with shorts; flip-flop clad feet and bare arms. You pay no mind to the path which you aren't taking, only that this short cut leads you to your destination faster. There's nothing to worry about in the wilderness apart from poison ivy and animals. You're one with nature.

That's where you're wrong. You barely glanced at the sign at the beginning of the trail: Beware, Lyme disease infected ticks. “I've never heard of Lyme disease,” you thought. “It must not be a big deal.” But Lyme disease is a lot bigger than what the misinformed society knows. What is it, how it can be treated, and how you can be protected from it are all questions that are soon to be answered.

Read more »

Eggplant Casserole

Eggplant casserole is definitely my favourite food. I say that about a lot of things. 

It is the first full meat-free meal I've made that didn't result in a unanimous "Where's the meat?" from the boys.

Here's how I make it:

In a skillet, sautee a small onion or two until cooked. If there's not much oil/butter left, add more. With the heat on medium, add in an equal amount of flour and whisk to create a roux. (Feel free to use gluten free flour mix, brown rice flour, or cornstarch). Let cook for 30 seconds then whisk in one cup of milk. It will thicken as it heats up. Grate in a cup of cheddar cheese.

To this cheese sauce add one jar of homemade tomato sauce. Stir to combine, then set aside.

Heat a decent amount of oil in a skillet. In the meantime, chop one eggplant into 1/2" thick coins. Fry each piece, both sides, until soft. As the pieces are done frying (do them in batches, don't overload the skillet) layer them in a 9x9 with the blush sauce, like a lasagna. Finish with a layer of grated cheddar cheese.

Surprise! I have terrible fridge organization skills and this photo will prove it!

Bake the casserole at 400 degrees F for 40 minutes, then broil for a minute to make the cheese bubbly. 

Black Bean Brownies

Step one: locate a group of six hungry boys who do not appreciate healthy food. 


Step two: 
Preheat oven to 350, then...


Drain a can of black beans and give them a good rinse. Put the beans back in the can and fill it, to the brim, with water. Blend the beans and water, plus 1 extra cup of water and 1 tsp vanilla, until pureed. Set aside.

Step three: Mix together, the following
1 1/2 cups flour (GF All Purpose Flour will work!)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup raw sugar
2 cups cocoa
4 tsp instant coffee powder
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans 


We also added 1/2 cup chocolate chips which had survived the wrath of Chris Medland's hunger.

Step four:
Stir the concoctions from step 2 and 3 together until well mixed. Pour batter in a greased 9 x 13" pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool and cut into squares.


Chris says: "These make a great breakfast, fresh out of the fridge. I love dessert for breakfast."
That says it all.


Three things to note: 
These are not overly sweet. They are chewy and fudgy and way too delicious, but if you're looking for something knock-your-socks-off sweet then double the sugar and cut the cocoa. 
Four tsp of instant coffee is a lot. If you like coffee, thank me later. If you don't, cut it or ditch it.
Lastly, if you omit the chocolate chips or use a dairy-free version, this recipe is vegan.

How to Make a Homemade Crocheted Slouch Hat!

I learned to knit and crochet when I was young. For some reason I always thought that knitting was much more legit so I did the majority of my projects with the double needles of death. It shouldn't have come as a surprise that everything I tried to make would take weeks and some things would never even be completed. This became evident a few nights ago when I had to call my mom on speaker phone and have her remind me how to finish your last row, because I hadn't actually completed anything I'd started knitting in so long. And that about sealed my fate to forever be a crocheter. It is quicker, easier, a breeze to transport and it is the way that I throw together the hat I'm about to explain.

You will need yarn and a crochet hook. Please learn to chain, double crochet, increase and decrease.

Hi Bethany! (Photo by: Ashley Long)

Chain on about 60 or however many it takes to loop around the circumference of your head or the head of who will be wearing this hat.

Double crochet a second row, beginning at the first chain loop, thus connecting the two ends and making a circle. You will be crocheting in a circle from now on.

Double crochet rows continuously until you've achieved a nice inch-or-so long band. At this point you could tie off and have a nice headband. Or,

Increase by adding a stitch every 10 loops. I do this by picking up the front stitch, double crocheting it, then picking up the counterpart back stitch and double crocheting it. Some people do this by adding a chain loop after the double crochet which you'll pick up next row. Either way, do this for about the same length as the band you've just completed. This will give the hat its token slouch. For a slouchier hat continue for longer, making the hat nice and large.

Double crochet, neither increasing nor decreasing, until your hat is reaching the size you'd like it at. This might translate to 30 odd rows, or more, or less.

Decrease by double crocheting two loops together, every 10 stitches. If this doesn't appear to be finishing the hat off at the rate you'd like, you can decrease every 8 stitches or even every 5, whatever appears to be creating the shape you're going for. I often begin at decreasing every 10, then end up decreasing much more often - every 4 or 5 usually. Continue until you have only 10 stitches left.

Draw string your last 10 stitches together by cutting your string off (leave half a foot for good measure) and pulling it through each loop, from top to bottom, then pulling the string tight. This will close your hat. Tie off and re-tie off just to be careful. Hat complete!

Did something go wrong? Common problems include making the original circumference too big or small. If this is the case, give the hat away as a gift and next time pay extra attention to the stretch and flexibility of your yarn of choice. Also sometimes the hat's inner volume is too small for your head, next time add many more rows and you won't have this problem. I've also run out of yarn before the hat is complete - Tie a piece of similarly coloured (or heck - totally differently coloured) yarn and continue on as usual.

Canadian winters are cold. Don't be caught without a homemade crocheted slouch hat!

Easy-Peasy Laundry Soap

Guest blogger: Ashley Long

After my sister-in-law had raved about her homemade laundry soap, she gave me the recipe she found online and told me to give it a try. I finally did and love it! It makes your clothes soft, and whites whiter. Also, I can wash my clothes in cold water as long as i dissolve the detergent in a little bit of hot water first.

So here it is...

1 cup Borax

1 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda

Some shaved up natural plain soap

Use one - two tablespoons per load. (Heavier or dirtier loads need two.)

You can also add any preferred scented oils, as long as they won't stain. Haven't tried that myself, but I've heard you can do it. Just be careful. :)

Some amazing facts I learned while working on this project.

1. The first two ingredients were found in the laundry isle in the Superstore

2. The soap I bought at the market and it smells ten times better than soaps with harsh bad stuff in them... uh you get what I'm saying I hope

3. The lady selling the soap is really nice and gave me a discount when I told her what the soap was for

4. Putting the ingredients together took 5 minutes... tops

5. I am saving money

Botanicals for Skincare

Typically my skin care routine won't make it much past scrubbing a bar of chamomile soap on my face in the shower, but once in a while talk of using plants for complexion really excites me. Here are some flowers that should make their way into your daily regime:

Cornflower
A homemade poultice* of this blue flower can soothe puffy eyes. It is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, can relieve eye strain, and is used by practitioners as an eyewash for conjunctivitis. *A poultice is a mashed up paste that is applied directly to skin.

Daffodil
An extract found in this flower can end the cycle of dry skin by slowing new cell production. If your skin doesn't have enough time to develop nice, hydrated cells it will result in dryness and quick aging. Using this hydration technique can protect against UV ray, and free radical damage.

Echinacea
It may help you avoid a cold, but its wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and bacteria killing properties are excellent for skin too. Native Americans have been using it for years and now science shows that it can be effective against many skin conditions, especially acne. One substance rich in this flower can assist fibroblasts in creating skin-smoothing collagen.

Evening Primrose
The oil from this flower can ease itching, dryness and scaliness. This comes from the high levels of essential fatty acids that the plant boasts.

Feverfew
As the name suggests, its most famous use is as a fever-reducer, but this flower can also reduce redness in sensitive or aging skin. It decreases irritation and calms skin that has been sun burned. You can even apply an infusion to prevent damage.

Rose

If you've heard of any skin applications for flowers, it's probably this one. Studies continue to prove that its use results in smooth, fresh-looking, spot-free skin. The oil, containing retinoic acid, has rejuvenatory powers. It contains vitamin C, an antioxidant, so besides decreasing fine lines, puffiness and sagging, you'll get an added free radical fighting boost.

How to Quit Smoking with DIY Flavoured Toothpicks

I have met so many people lately who have quit smoking with the use of flavoured toothpicks that I simply can't pass up the opportunity to share my method.

Procure a small, thin jar, preferably with a lid. If said jar currently contains a delicious blend of spiced rooibos tea - drink it.

Place 5 - 10 natural wood toothpicks in the jar. Fill with pure vodka, leaving a 1/4" headroom. Add 10 drops of any essential oil(s) you desire. I did tea tree-peppermint.

Leave overnight. In the morning, drain (depending on the oil you could... well, you get my drift) and let dry.

And there you have it, now toss your cigarettes and thank me later.

The friend I know who have had success with this method kept a hefty pack of toothpicks on them at all times. When the craving hits simply chew on the end of one to get you through. 

Lentil-Broccoli Rabe Salad

I was pretty sure that - with Where the Wild Things are playing on the wide screen, unoaked wine in my glass and no plans for the night - I knew exactly what was missing.  Lentil-broccoli rabe salad.

Toast a small serving of beluga lentils, quinoa and whole coriander in a metal pot, then add water to boil. When cooked, let chill.

Dice raw whole broccoli rabe, hard feta and raw beets.

Add chilled lentil mix and toss with a cider vinegar dressing.

Success.

Repeat?

How to Weave a Basket

I have no idea: I've never done it! But here's a wonderful tutorial that I plan on following in the near future:

http://www.bushcraft.ridgeonnet.com/basicbasket.htm

Yarn Slippers

Everyone loves yarn slippers. You know, the handmade looking ones your grandma offers you to wear on her hardwood floor? I recently went on a crocheting binge and realized that a pair of these take only a few hours to throw together. I had a ball of recycled grey medium wide so I went to town!
Here's how:

1. Learn to crochet.


Never been a fan of witches, but this is the best youtube I've seen: http://www.youtube.com/user/theknitwitch
For this "pattern" you'll need to master the chain & the double crochet.

2. Chain roughly an inch longer than your foot, or the foot of the friend you're gifting these slippers to. Flip back and double crochet for the full length. This would be considered row 2. Continue until you have enough rows to make a rectangular piece about an inch wider than your (/the other person's) foot. Tie off. You will have a rectangle that is slightly bigger than the base of your foot. Repeat so you have two pieces.

3. With each piece separately, fold the rectangle in half width wise, and double crochet from the base of one side all the way up, then down the longest open side 2/3 of the way, grabbing both the loop from the front piece and back, thus connecting them, then stop! Tie off. Do the same on the opposite short side.

I am fully aware that a video or even some non-laughable photos would make this tutorial one that is possible to follow.