Smoothies

We've been having smoothies everyday. They are so delicious and the kids love them!

The one we had today was this:

1 cup frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries)
1 cup frozen mixed fruit (peaches, mangoes, pineapple, strawberries)
2 Yo-plus yogurts or 2 Yoplait yogurts (you can always find coupons for these online, and they make the smoothie mmm good)
1 cup orange juice
1 cup grape juice
some flax seed/wheat germ

We switch up the fruits, juices, and yogurt flavors all the time. One of these times I may just try putting in a handful of spinach or kale--might as well throw in some veggies too! Enjoy!

Week happenings

What a fun, busy week! Doug, despite starting school last week, watched the kids for me 3 nights in a row--so sweet!

On Tuesday, Becky and I went to see Emma at the Cincinnati Playhouse. Doug did the copywork for the music this past summer, so we got some free tickets. It's supposed to go on Broadway soon. I really enjoyed the show, and the great company!

Wednesday I had YW's and we visited inactives. I made these delicious peanut butter bars.

The YW helped me discover the spider hiding in my rearview mirror all month. It would make a HUGE web every morning--should've taken a picture. They tried to kill it, but long story short--Doug killed it for me 2 days later. CREEPY.

Thursday I went to a Tastefully Simple party. It's all about buying a mix and adding a few simple ingredients, but it tastes like restaurant quality food. I really want to buy their seasonings.

Saturday was the Relief Society broadcast. I especially enjoyed President Uchtdorf's talk. It was so uplifting. It made me think of you, Natasia, and all you're going through. Hope things are looking up for you.

Sunday I was SOO excited to try these Cafe Rio recipes.

I posted them HERE. I have seen a whole bunch of different recipes floating around, but the ones I tried tasted very similar to the restaurant. There were a lot of dishes to do afterward, but it was delicious and definitely worth it.

Then I made this Peach Berry Crisp for dessert with our home teachers, the Roarks.

And good news...I got my story back from my teacher, and she said I outdid myself! I'm going to make a few changes and then send it in to The Friend. Someday, perhaps, I'll get published...but whatever the case, I've come a long way and I enjoy writing.

Now it's off to the gym for me. Have to balance all that cooking somehow! Have a good week everybody.

English Muffin Pizzas

I was trying to come up with something to use our leftover english muffins. This recipe turned out to be really tasty. We accompanied it with steamed garlic carrots. A nice, quick meal. Now if only I had a camera that could take pictures like this! (and knew how to take pictures like this...)

Lehi Roller Mills Honey Wheat Bread

We found a bread recipe (thanks to Robyn!) that is comparable to Great Harvest bread. Enjoy, and let me know if you have any questions.

INGREDIENTS:
1 LOAF
Warm water: 1 2/3 c.
Honey: 1/3 c.
Yeast: 2 ½ teaspoons
Whole wheat flour (you can grind it ahead of time but you must keep it in the freezer if you do this to maintain the nutrients.): 1 ¼ c.
Germade (cream of wheat): ¼ c.
Cracked wheat: ¼ c.
Salt: 2 teaspoons
Oatmeal (optional, we added this as a variation to the recipe): 1/3 c.
White flour: Approx. 2 1/3 c. (less if you add the oatmeal)

3 LOAVES
Warm water: 5 c.
Honey: 1 c.
Yeast: 2 ½ Tablespoons
Whole wheat flour (you can grind it ahead of time but you must keep it in the freezer if you do this to maintain the nutrients.): 3 ¾ c.
Germade (cream of wheat): ¾ c.
Cracked wheat: ¾ c.
Salt: 2 Tablespoons
Oatmeal (optional, we added this as a variation to the recipe): 1 cup
White flour: Approx. 7 c. (less if you add the oatmeal)

6 LOAVES
Warm water: 8 1/3 c.
Honey: 1 2/3 c.
Yeast: 4 Tablespoons
Whole wheat flour (you can grind it ahead of time but you must keep it in the freezer if you do this to maintain the nutrients.): 6 ¼ c. (grind 4 c.)
Germade (cream of wheat): 1 ¼ c.
Cracked wheat: 1 ¼ c.
Salt: 3 1/3 Tablespoons
Oatmeal (optional, we added this as a variation to the recipe): 2 cups
White flour: Approx. 10 c. (less if you add the oatmeal)

Mix warm water and honey completely and then add the yeast. Set aside until yeast bubbles and rises. In a separate bowl mix wheat flour, germade, cracked wheat, oatmeal (optional), and salt. After yeast bubbles and rises stir and then add the wheat flour mixture. Stir vigorously. Add white flour gradually while stirring until dough reaches elastic consistency that you can knead. (The recipe says to knead for 8 min. but I only need it for 2-3.) Cover and set aside to raise for about 45 min to an hour (or until it doubles in size). Spray pans with cooking spray, bottom and sides. Divide into loaves and knead each individual loaf until all the air bubble are gone and the loaf holds shape (I only need it about 2-3 min.) If you are doing 6 loaves you will have to divide the dough in half and set aside one half. Knead 3 of the loaves and allow to raise. When you turn on the oven to heat up to cook the first three loaves, then divide and knead the other three loaves and allow to raise while the first 3 cook. Cook at 360 degrees for 35 min. Remove from pans immediately after taking out of oven and place on a rack to cool.

Notes:

-I’ve only made 3 loaves at a time. When I do 3 loaves, I increase the wheat flour to 5 ¾ c. and decrease the white flour to approx. 5 cups (maybe even less with the oatmeal). You can play around to see if you prefer more whole wheat or white flour.
-You can use your kitchen-aid mixer (if it’s big enough) to do the kneading. Use the dough hook. It saves a lot of time and clean-up.
-Cracked wheat is simply regular wheat that’s not ground as much. You don’t need to use it if you don’t have a wheat grinder—just depends on your preference for a more crunchy or soft texture.
-Halfway through cooking time, I put foil tents over the top of the loaves. It keeps the crust soft.
-The texture of this bread is yummy and it makes large loaves, the size of store bought kind, which is great for sandwiches and French toast.

Let me know how yours turns out!

Recipes

I have to catch up since I haven't had internet for so long. I have some new recipes that were a hit in our family, so here's one. More to come in the future.

An easy way to use up wheat:

Blender Wheat Pancakes

1 c. milk (or 1/3 cup dry milk and 1 cup water)
1 c. uncooked whole wheat kernels
2 eggs
1 t. baking powder
2 T. honey or sugar
1/2 t. salt

Put milk and wheat in blender. Blend on highest speed for 4-5 min. or until smooth. Add and blend on low eggs, oil, baking powder, honey and salt. Bake on hot griddle.

Makes 6-8 panckakes

These weren't as puffy as I like, but the flavor was great and they're healthy whole wheat! Those sweet potato pancakes Keri said look good too. I'll have to try those.

I will be starting an "I love" post soon. I've been thinking about what I love, and it's made me more positive in realizing how much I have.