Toasty Delicious Pepitos

• raw pumpkin seeds
• 2-3 Tbsp butter, melted
• 1/2 - 2/3 cup brown sugar, not packed!
• cinnamon to taste (I love cinnamon and used like 1 1/2 Tbsp

When you pull your seeds from your pumpkin, clean them thoroughly and let them dry completely (3 or 4 days, usually). This is always the hardest part for me, finding the patience while they dry, I want to enjoy them NOW, dammit! Stir the seeds around a few times a day so they can all dry. Once they're dry, the seeds will no longer stick together, and if you've never handled raw pumpkin seeds before, you'll notice they feel a bit soft compared to the toasted ones you're used to.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place seeds on a cookie sheet or sheet pan. Pour melted butter over the seeds, stir until coated and spread into a thin layer. Sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar and stir a bit.

Place in oven for approximately 15 minutes or until seeds are just starting to darken in color. The brown sugar-butter mixture should be bubbly and gooey looking. Stir the seeds until well coated with the melted sugar.

Enjoy warm, or let them cool and enjoy them later. If any seeds survive long enough to cool, make sure you stir them occasionally as the cool to keep them from becoming one solid brick of pumpkin seeds.

My Review of Bob's Red Mill Creamy Brown Rice Farina

Originally submitted at Bob's Red Mill

Brown Rice Farina Cereal is freshly milled from the finest California whole grain brown rice. Rice is non-allergenic and therefore an excellent cereal for youngsters. Bob's creamy rice farina cereal has a very special flavor and quality of its own. Try some today!

Bob's Red Mill Creamy Brown Rice Farina

Great Morning, Noon and Night.

By the Tilghman Street Hippy from Allentown, PA on 11/3/2010

 

5out of 5

Pros: Easy To Make, Flavorful, Tasty, Unique, Healthy

Cons: Cooks over in microwave

Best Uses: breakfast, Snack, Cooking

Describe Yourself: Simple Tastes, Likes to personalize dish

I love this cereal. I first bought it for a fast, hot breakfast option for fall and winter. It's great, because you can change it to suit your mood. I like it best with pumpkin butter, apricot butter or cinnamon and agave syrup. The only trouble I have with it is that it tends to cook over in my microwave, but I'm not convinced it isn't the shape of the bowl I use.

(legalese)

Taco Soup

This is a quickie recipe with lots of canned ingredients, but it turned out great. We'll be making it again soon.

• 1 lb. (roughly) ground beef, browned, seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
• 2 - 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
• 1 - 6 oz can tomato paste
• 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, chopped finely
• 1 small can black olives, drained
• 1 packet Taco seasoning of your choice
• Chili Powder and hot pepper(s) to taste (I also used Ancho and Chipotle)
  
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Shredded Cheddar
• Sour Cream (optional)

Combine all ingredients, except cheese and sour cream in a 6 quart stock pot. Add water until broth is desired thickness. Boil until flavors are well blended and peppers and tomatoes are cooked.

Serve topped with cheese and sour cream. Enjoy the hell out of it!

This soup would also be very nice with fried tortilla strips floated in it, and would adapt nicely to a vegetarian dish by substituting something like Boca Ground Crumbles for the ground beef.

Um, wow.

I signed on tonight because I wanted to brag about my awesome homemade pumpkin butter I made on Halloween and the super good taco soup I made yesterday, I'm seeing that a few posts seem to have gone missing.

I've very confused by this, although, honestly not all that concerned, because I don't really remember them having been anything important. It's more that the two month gaps between posts makes me look like I'm an ass who doesn't bother to update.

Well anyway, the pumpkin butter was made from an actual pumpkin, not the canned crap. We steamed/baked it and then boiled the crap out of it. (Sarah helped keep an eye on this part.) Then I split it in half and made one half into a "No Sugar Added" with some Splenda and the other half got Dark Brown Sugar.

I borrowed Lisa's boat motor (immersion blender) to break up the pieces that I was too impatient to wait for. You know, the one's that were done but hadn't fallen apart yet. Then we added Saigon Cinnamon, Cloves, Allspice and Grated Ginger.

Awesome stuff. I'm actually eating some now mixed into Bob's Red Mill Brown Rice Farina.

Then there was the Taco Soup, which I'm going to post separately as a recipe.

The Hippy's Energy Bark

I love this stuff. It's an amped up, salty-sweet, crunchy-chewy, kick in the pants version of Almond Bark!

Here's what you need, but I'm warn you, some of the measurements are kinda fast and loose.

• 16 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate (I use Baker's - it's cheap and good quality)
• 2 oz Whole Almonds (46 almonds or a handful)
• 1 hand-full of 3 out of 4 Dried Cherries, Dried Cranberries, Dried Currants or Raisins. (remember, you only need 3 of these)
• 1 hand-full plus some Roasted Salted Sunflower kernels
• 2 Tbsp Chia Seeds
• 2 Tbsp Poppy Seeds
• 2 Tbsp Teff (I use brown, I don't think Ivory would make a different in this recipe)
• 2 Tbsp Hulled Hemp Seed
• 2 Tbsp Hawaiian Spirulina Powder (if you can't find a jar of Powder, get the capsules and open them up.

Melt the chocolate by you preferred method (microwave at 1/2 power or double boiler). Add the larger ingredients plus the Spirulina, stir until coated. Add the little stuff, stir until coated. Press flat in a wax paper lined cookie sheet or right on the table. The almonds will prevent you from pressing too thin.

Refrigerate until chocolate is set up. Break into smaller pieces. Enjoy. Store in the refrigerator because Hemp Seed can go rancid pretty easily at warmer temperatures.

About this stuff.
Because of the abundance of seeds and the spirulina, this bark has well over 100 different nutrients including Omega 3 and 6. The chia helps your body hold on to hydration. Almonds are great for you. The darker the chocolate, the more anti-oxidants it has and the more capabilities it has as a natural anti-inflammatory. The spirulina gives a natural energy boost. It's got lots of protein to help keep you full.

Plus, it's chocolate!

Another Awesome Popcorn Sprinkle

So, I found another awesome popcorn sprinkle. And this one isn't a recipe. McCormick has a line of spice blends called Perfect Pinch and the Parmesan Herb is amazing on fresh popcorn. Trust me. It's also good (with a little olive oil) for tossing with pasta!

Firecracker Popcorn Sprinkle

So, one of my favorite spices, no question, is Hungarian Hot Paprika. It's got a great heat, and a really good pepper flavor. It's good in Mexican, on popcorn, in place of regular paprika, anywhere that you want a little kick.

Firecracker Popcorn Sprinkle

3 tsp Himalayan Pink Salt or Fine Sea Salt
3 tsp Garlic Powder
3 Tbsp. Hungarian Hot Paprika

Combine all ingredients in either a spice shaker or a small bowl. Mix or shake until evenly distributed. Use with caution until you're used to the heat of the paprika.

Chile Lime Popcorn Sprinkle.

I love popcorn. I mean, LOVE popcorn. But I'm finding I'm not a huge fan of movie theater butter microwave popcorn anymore. Not like when I was in college. I don't know if it has something to do with have a Dale & Thomas shop over at the mall or what, but I'm getting more and more interested in unusual popcorn seasonings/toppings. There's a couple more popcorn recipes coming down the pike, but for now, enjoy this one!

Chile Lime Popcorn Sprinkle

12 packets of True Lime or equivalent measure of True Lime Shaker
3 tsp. Himalayan Pink Salt or Fine Sea Salt
2 Tbsp. Chili Powder

Combine in small storage container or spice jar. Shake well. Sprinkle liberally on your popcorn and enjoy.

Notes:

• If you can't find/don't have/won't buy Pink Salt, use the Sea Salt. For things like this, I prefer the Pink Salt because it doesn't actually have a distinctive flavor different from other salts.
• Bed, Bath and Beyond carries glass spice jars with a shaker disc for $ .99 which work great for storing this.
• If you want to make this for one batch of popcorn at a time, use 1 True Lime Packet, 1/4 tsp of Salt and 1/2 tsp of Chili Powder (roughly). Not everyone's "batch" of popcorn is that same size as mine.
  

Wasabi Mustard!!!!

So, those of you who know me personally might find this hard to believe, but today when I made wasabi mustard, I actually MEASURED the ingredients.

Wasabi Mustard

1 3/4 - 2 oz Ground Mustard
3 Tbsp White Vinegar
3 Tbsp Water
1/4 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp powdered wasabi
salt and pepper to taste

Stir all ingredients in a small bowl until well blended. Cover tightly and keep refrigerated.

Use with Caution.

Totally Loving This Stuff!

Just wanted to note a couple of things we're totally loving at our house.

Living Intentions Salad Booster, The Original - seeds, spouted grains, seasonings and super foods - including spirulina. Oh, yeah, and it tastes great. It comes is a cheesy vegan flavor, too.

Twinings Cold Brew Tea - we're loving the mixed berry and the mint green tea. It brews in cold water in a minute or two, so there's no need to boil water and then wait for things to cool off before you enjoy your tea. Plus one box will do two 3-qt. pitchers of tea.

Lipton's Larger Sizes of Tea Bags - Lipton makes their tea bags in Family and Gallon sizes. They're awesome for the Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Pot. It makes brewing a cinch, and the gallon size ones are big enough that you can use the tea bag itself as a filter if you're adding things like Fresh Mint or dried herbs.

I also love my new bathtub, my Super Sharpie, and Ricky - because he's fixing my hardwood floor!

Seventh Generation

Just wanted to make a quick comment. The other day we picked up Seventh Generation's Free and Clear Dish Soap. It's non-toxic, and has no dye or frangrance. Also, it's hypoallergenic and biodegradable. Oh, and it works really well, and costs essentially the same as the major brands.

We're taking baby steps but we're getting there.

Super Citrus Vinagrette

1 Good Seasons Italian Dressing Packet
1 packet True Lime
2 packets True Orange
Vegetable Oil
White Balsamic Vinegar
Water

Prepare according to package directions with vegetable oil and white balsamic vinegar. Shake well, add the True Orange and Lime and shake again.

Enjoy!

Your Favorite Hippy is Back Online

So after all this time, we're finally getting settled back into the house. We've been living in it for almost 3 weeks, but it's only now starting to feel like ours again. All the damage from the fire has been repaired at this point but we haven't started to unpack yet because the bathroom remodel isn't done yet and repairing the living room floor and redoing the kitchen come after that, as well as the touch up painting in the whole house. When things are finished up, I'll post some pictures.

I haven't been totally lazy while I haven't been online, although admittedly, my dislocated kneecap is slowing me down quite a bit. But... I do have a few recipes to get posted, including two for awesome salads, both using variations on Good Seasons dressing mix packets.

I have my follow up with the orthopedic on Thursday, wish me luck.

Thoughts, Prayers, Vibes

Please keep our neighbors in your thoughts and prayers tonight. An arsonist struck our neighborhood early this morning. If you don't know, we live in row homes, so the whole thing was pretty scary for us, since it was the house next door to ours that burned.

We're fine, just temporarily displaced. Everybody next door got out, some with the help of the fire department some on their own. The house that burned was converted into 2 apartments. The family downstairs got out pretty safely, although their little guy was taken to the hospital just to make sure he was ok.

The upstairs family was not as lucky, the fire department had to force entry and all four of them were taken to the hospital. Their 5 year old daughter is in critical condition, but from what I've heard they think she'll be ok.

Please keep these to families in your thoughts, send vibes, add them to your prayer list, whatever it is that you do. Also, please think of the family on the other side who only closed on their house last week.

Progress Report.

Well, let's see. I've pretty much completely given up soda in favor of Polar, Naturally flavored seltzer - no carbs, no calories, no sodium. I was drinking strictly water, water with True Lemon, Lime or Orange, or tea (unsweetened or sweetened with either agave syrup or Sun Crystals-half stevia, half sugar) but I realized I really missed having something fizzy.

At any rate, that's a huge source of sugar totally gone from my diet and Polar's Vanilla Seltzer is kinda like Vanilla Cream Soda for grown-ups.

Even Hubby is loving the soap nuts and is taking a handful to his parents tomorrow, we managed to talk them into trying them.

We're both packing lunch nearly everyday and I'm even having breakfast more often than not.

We're getting there.

This past weekend we did a ton of planting in the garden(s). Pansies and Daffodils out front - which gives the added bonus that we can add the pansy petals to salads if we want. And we put in Asparagus roots and Onion sets out back. Not sure what other veggies we're planting yet, but we're thinking of hanging strawberries on the fence.

It's been almost a year, and I'm still loving the Diva Cup although I did pick up a Glad Rag the other day for "those" days.

I've always had a hard time making myself eat yogurt, but StonyField Organics seems to be the answer to that one. They have awesome flavors like Strawberry-Pomegranate and a French Vanilla that's so creamy even I love it plain (although it's good with Cinnamon graham crackers) and my personal favorite and every chocolate lovers dream yogurt Chocolate Underground. It's their same awesome Vanilla yogurt, but with a layer of chocolate hidden under it. Not chocolate yogurt, CHOCOLATE.

I still haven't needed to replace my Crystal Deodorant, although I did buy a second one because Hubby started using it too, and I got tired of sharing. I like to put it one when I'm wet, but since he showers at night, but likes to put on deodorant right before leaving in the morning, he was wetting the deodorant crystal. Totally valid option, but I got tired of freezing cold water dribbling down my side in the morning.

I'm totally natural for treating my allergies for almost a year now also. Stinging Nettle daily and sinus rinses as needed are taking care of me better the traditional prescriptions ever did.

All in all, so far, I'm still kinda fat, but I'm happy. We're living better, eating better and saving lots of money in wacky little ways. I haven't bought new deodorant in almost a year and couldn't tell you the last time that I bought pads. We're off to a good start. If only I could actually remember to take my reusable shopping when I leave the house, we'd be awesome.

Soap Nuts.

Yes, I said Soap Nuts. Actually, they're the dried berry of the Chinese Soapberry Tree.

Anyway, had to go to King of Prussia the other day and while we were that far, we decided to pop over to West Chester to go to Senora's Authentic Mexican (I don't how to do the thingy on the 'N') for lunch. Then we thought, while we're here, let's see if the Great Pumpkin Market is still open.

I had heard about Soap Nuts before, but I hadn't seen them in a store, at least not that I can remember. The best part, they had them in a trial size. Which meant I didn't have to buy the 80 load huge box, just to try them. So we've got the first load in the wash right now. Wish me luck.

Here's the deal about Soap Nuts. First thing, if you want all the info go to Maggie's Pure Land Products website. But I'll summarize it here. Basically, they're a natural source of Saponin which is a natural cleanser. It's been used for something like 2500 years and is low sudsing and safe for high efficiency machines.

You take like 5 of them and put them in a cotton pouch and toss it in the washer (use less for hot water). It's fragrance free and works naturally as a fabric softener, which is great for me because I'm allergic to fabric softener. And you get to reuse them. Once the saponin's gone you toss them in the compost pile or turn them under in the garden.



I'll let you know how it turns out, but everything I can find online says that everyone who uses them loves them.

This Hippy Has a Plan

So, things have got to change at this hippy's house. We're disorganized at best and it shows almost more than anywhere else in our eating habits. And we both ought to get it under control, because we need to get our weight maintained better for our health. I have arthritis in my spine and really bad knees and he has acid reflux and apnea. It's all aggravated by excess weight, which let me tell you, we have plenty of at this house.

So, we have a dear friend who also needs to make some major changes for health reasons, and she has a diabetic son. So, our family is going to support her family and vice versa. We have some similar hurdles, like a tendency to skip breakfast, and not eat as regularly as we should. We all need to get our portions under control, especially for snacks.

Our plan is not the same as hers, but they're similar enough that we can help each other a lot. As steps of the plan become habit, we're gonna add new things, until we're doing what we need to do.

So here's the plan:
No more high fructose corn syrup.

No "regular" pasta where it's avoidable. We're gonna use whole wheat and high protein whenever it's possible. (Try finding whole wheat Acini de Pepe in this area.)

Eat breakfast everyday.

Smaller snacks more often. (Not one huge snack late at night.)

Pack a lunch.

Plan out a whole week's meals at a time so we can shop more effectively.



Wish us luck.