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.