English muffins ummmm

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.4

Honey Wheat Bread

This is my favorite bread recipe; we make it at least once a week. I modified the recipe from the Zojirushi bread maker cookbook to just use the dough setting and cook it in the oven, but its still super easy and yummy. Baking in the oven leads to a much softer crust and better bread.

1 3/8 cups water

4 1/4 cups bread flour (co op bulk or King Arthur)

1/2 cup cracked wheat (co op bulk section)

3 Tbsp honey

1 tsp sea salt

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

2 tsp active dry yeast

Put ingredients in the bread machine's recommended order. Set for the dough cycle. When complete I shape into 2 loaf pans or 1 loaf and rolls. Let rise about 20 minutes then bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes. It makes great sandwiches, toast, rolls, etc.

I am trying out an English muffin bread recipe tonight so I will let you know how it goes.

Also I picked up a home made bread bag at Apple Hill a few weeks ago. It is lined with plastic but until I get a bread box it is great for keeping the bread fresh longer.

Please send me yummy whole grain or wheat recipes, I am looking for some that my family will like!

We have bought very little bread in the last 2 months which saves a lot of money on groceries. Also the few loaves we have bought taste cardboard-ish (even the good Rudy’s Organic). It is amazing the taste of home made bread!

We've been busy and sustainable

What have we been up to lately at Sustainable family???

Garden: Well we planted our winter garden and it is doing well so far. Our summer garden is still around and has given us some November (today) tomatoes, strawberries, basil and peppers! Today I needed a bell pepper to make chili and I didn't find any in the fridge. Then I thought oh ya the garden. It is so nice to walk out to our backyard market!

Cooking: I have committed to making our own bread and have bought very few loaves since buying my bread machine about 2 months ago. I prefer to make the dough in the machine and then make rolls or loaves and bake in the oven. Oh and the pizza dough makes amazing pizzas with lots of variety! Also this weekend we made our strawberry jam with berries from farmer's market! It is so good and reminds me of when I was a kid and my parents made jam every year. We have been eating lots of home made soup, stew and chili given the fall season.

Leo and Aurora had some friends over to make their own pizza's. They had fun shaping the dough and adding their own toppings.







Food Storage: I have been saving all of my jars (apple sauce, jam, peanut butter, etc.) and have started to use these for food storage. They are great because they are free and clean up better than plastic. Also I have been storing dry goods (crackers, flower, sugar, etc.) in large glass storage containers and mason jars. This saved them from a recent ant attack, looks good and helps remind me to shop in the bulk section at the co op.

I am looking for stainless steel divided plates, cups and bowls for the kids. Let me know if anyone knows where to get them.
What sustainable changes has your family made?

Apple blackberry breakfast bars.

These look like dessert but they are supposed to be breakfast bars! Here is the recipe I modeled mine after.
http://www.farmgirlfare.com/2007/08/apple-blueberry-crumble-bars-recipe.html

"Crust"
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shelled sun flour seeds (could substitute walnuts, almonds, etc.)
1 stick butter, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup apple sauce

Fruit Layer
2 cups frozen blackberries
3 cups peeled, chopped apples
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix all ingredients and spread evenly on first layer.

Topping
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
Mix with hands (it will be crumbly) and spread on top of fruit layer.

Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a 9" x 13" pan. Mix Crust and press into 9 x13 or 9x9 & 9 x3. Spread Fruit Layer on top then crumble the topping over the fruit layer. Bake for 15 minutes at 425, reduce heat to 350 and bake for 20 more minutes (more for 9 x 13 pan). Cut or scoop and enjoy with yogurt for breakfast or Ice cream for dessert! Refrigerate leftovers or freeze in individual servings.

Okay after making and of course eating these I decided they are dessert not a breakfast bar. Even after reducing the butter and sugar they are too sweet for dessert. Yummy I am going to continue searching for a breakfast bar.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.3.1

Smartypants!

Okay, have you ever found a vitamin that your kids beg for that isn’t full of junk! Smartypants is the answer. They are the best. I love them too by the way. www.wearesmartypants.com/

Breakdown of some of the good stuff….

• Taste Great!
• Low in sugar, no high fructose corn syrup
• They contain Omega Oils with no fishy taste or after taste!
• Made in California
• They donate to Vitamin Angels

Cons…

• You have to take 4 a day but they taste so good it's not a big deal!

The cost…

If you are already buying vitamins at the health food store, co-op, etc. The price will not shock you. It costs more to get good quality products from sustainable resources. Also if you consider the cost of a Multivitamin, Vitamin D and DHA it is actually less. I currently spend about $15 a month on a high quality children's DHA supplement alone. Save 15% on your first order at Ecomom.com with the code SBBL562 (through Oct. 31).

The Conclusion…

These are great vitamins and my family will keep taking them because they are a cost effective, yummy way to stay healthy.

The Giveaway…

Comment here that you liked Smartypants on FB or follow on Twitter and I will add you to my Ecomom $15 gift certificate giveaway.

For more entries see this post: http://sustainable-family.blogspot.com/2010/10/ecomom-giveaway.html

The fine print…I was given a one month supply of Smartypants to review on this post. However, I was not compensated in anyway for writing this review. I just enjoy the product!

ECOMOM GIVEAWAY!

Ecomom is a great online store for affordable, sustainable, healthy products for your baby, kids and family. Some of my favorite products are cloth diapers, lunch boxes, cleaning products, toys and art supplies.

A gift to you from http://www.ecomom.com/!

Use the code SBBL562 for 15% off through October 31st!

Try the new EcoPass. Purchase a $99 annual membership and receive 15% off every order as well as free shipping (no minimum)! The Ecopass can pay for its self in as few as 4 orders for just $8.25 per month!

Oh and that giveaway you were waiting for! Ecomom is giving away a $15.00 gift certificate!

Here’s the rules:

Post one comment for each entry.

Entry 1: Follow Sustainable Family and comment on one post.

Other ways to enter (must complete Entry 1 first).

• Like Ecomom and Sustainable Family on Facebook
• Post about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or twitter.
• Join ecomom newsletter
• Follow EcoMomCEO on twitter

Winners will be chosen at random.org. Don’t forget to comment on this post for each entry! Winner will be announced on October 11th please be sure I have an email address to notify you. Read my post on Smartypants vitamins for more ways to enter!

Giveaway extended to Oct. 11th!

I made bagels!

I can't wait to see how they taste.

10-3-2010: The bagles were great! My husband says they are his favorite bread so far oh and easy to freeze.

Here's the rcipe: http://www.breadmachinediva.com/2010/01/cinnamon-raisin-bagels/

Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.3.1