Fudge

1 cup dates
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
1 cup almond (or another nut butter)
1/2 cup maple syrup
walnuts

1. Melt chocolate chips in a pot or in a glass bowl in the microwave on medium heat. Stir in dates and allow them to sit and soften for 5-10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile puree the nut butter and maple syrup in a food processor.
3. Add melted chocolate and dates and puree again.
4. Pour and press into a 9" or 8" square pan and press walnuts into the top.
5. Cool in the fridge and then slice into small pieces.

(adapted from Silver Hills cookbook)

Claire's Favourite Smoothie

fresh squeezed OJ
spinach leaves or 1 piece of kale (not the stalk)
1/2 banana (frozen or fresh)
1/2 cup blueberries (frozen)
Brad King's Protein Powder (vanilla)

Blend first 4 ingredients and pour into a cup. Add the protein powder and sip(-:

Pear Ice Cream

1 cup raw cashews (pieces work well and are cheaper!)
1 cup pear juice (from canned pears)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
2 x 14 oz tins canned pears

1. Place cashews and pear juice in blender and blend until creamy. Do not underblend (make sure there is no grit).
2. Add remaining ingredients and blend well again.
3. Run through your ice cream machine and freeze until ready to serve

(Silver Hills Cookbook)

Raincoast Crackers

3 cups spelt flour
1 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup honey
1 cup flax seeds
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 3/4 dried cranberries
1 3/4 cups pumpkin seeds
2 1/2 cups buttermilk

Mix dry ingredients, honey and buttermilk.

In 2 greased loaf pans pour equal amounts of mixture.

Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes (until baked, not crispy). *Note: it barely rises.
Freeze (it is much easier to cut thin when frozen). When frozen, cut into THIN slices (usually 24 slices per loaf) and re-bake at 225-250 for 40-50 minutes.
Delicious!!

(source unknown)

Cosmetics

The Environmental Working Group is the website that I research all of our cosmetic products on. Many products are listed and if they are not you can research individual ingredients. The website is http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Homemade Bubble Bath

3/4 cup boiling water
1 package gelatin
1/2 cup liquid castile soap (eg Dr. Bronner's)
a few drops of essential oils

Pour 3/4 cup of boiling water over the gelatin and stir to dissolve (apx 2 minutes). Then slowly pour in the liquid castile soap and essential oils and stir. Let sit until cooled. Store in a container and pour desired amount under running water when it's bath time!

Nutty Bok Choy Salad

Our friend Kyla made this AMAZING salad and I couldn't get enough of it! It is DELICIOUS(-: Enjoy.

Nutty Bok Choy Salad

dressing-
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp peanut butter

salad
5-6 cups thinly sliced bok choy
1 thinly spiced red pepper
2 thinly sliced green onion
1 pkg ichiban noodles- (roasted 8-10 min 350)
1/2 cup roasted peanuts

Cosmic Cookies

YUM... these are an adaptation that my friend Carrie made - DELICIOUS and NUTRITIOUS from a recipe she got from Planet Organic!

• 2 1/4 cups oats


• 2 cups flour


• 1 cup sunflower seeds


• 3/4 cup pumpkin seeds


• 1/2 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened


• 1 tablespoon cinnamon


• 1 3/4 cups dark chocolate chips or carob chips


• 1 1/4 cups  dried apricots (cut into small pieces)


• 1/4 cup water


• 1/4 cup molasses


• 1/2 cup honey


• 1/4 cup oil (I use olive or coconut)


• 1 cup milk (use whatever kind you like... skim, soy, almond, etc)

Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix all wet ingredients together in a small bowl. Mix wet into dry and stir until mixed - don't over mix.

Drop from a spoon and lightly form into small cookies. Bake at 350 for 13 minutes or until lightly browned.

These are VERY yummy and very filling. Enjoy(-:  Yield:  5 dozen (60) small cookies

They freeze beautifully!

(adapted from Planet Organic)

Recipe for Baby Wipes

My friend Stacy shared this recipe with me. It is so easy and economical plus not full of a lot of junk like commercial wipes.

1 roll of paper towel cut in half * I used the roll single use sheets as they're smaller so I use less
2 cups water
2 Tbsp baby soap (we use Dr. Bronner's unscented castile soap)

After you've cut the paper towel roll in half set 1/2 aside and use 1/2 for now.
Place the 1/2 roll in a ziplock bag.
Mix the water and liquid soap in a bowl and pour over the towels.
Let it soak in and remove the cardboard tube.
Seal (make sure to get the extra air out).
USE!

Disinfecting Cleaner

To make a kid safe and economical disinfecting cleaner, combine...

3 cups distilled* water
1/4 cup food grade* hydrogen peroxide
essential oils of your choice

*Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide can be purchased at your local health food store
* Distilled Water must be used otherwise the reaction of the chlorine in the water with the peroxide will make your bottle leak!
* We use a few drops of peppermint and lemon essential oils

Tortellini Bake

1 package of cheese tortellini (cooked as per directions)
1-2 large jars of tomatoe sauce (your fav)
cut up veggie (zucchini, red pepper, green pepper I usually use)...
optional others can be baby corn, mushrooms, etc(-:
mozzarella cheese
Optional: cut up chicken breasts or tofu for a veggie option

Directions
1). Cook tortellini as per directions. Rinse with cold water and drain.
Divide between 2 large casserole dishes.
2). Cook chicken breasts and cut into bite sized pieces or cut tofu into small cubes. Divide between the casserole dishes.
3). Cut veggies into bite sized pieces. Divided between casserole dishes.
4). Pour tomato sauce over the pasta, veggies & chicken and stir well to
combine. If you use 'regular' tom sauce you'll want to add some spices.
5). Sprinkle mozza cheese on top.
6). Bake at 350 or 375 for 30-45 minutes (until heated through and cheese
is melted).
ENJOY - this is a family fav(-: