Natural Homemade Living

For years I have been eating instant oatmeal in the packets. I have wanted to make my own packets but haven't gotten around to it. My last trip to the grocery store (forgot my list at home) ended with many forgotten items. Instant oatmeal, my breakfast every morning was missing. Then it happened that I saw the idea on Pinterest and decided to finally make my own. You really don't need a recipe because it only requires measuring and adding to baggies. I used my favorite items, quick-cooking organic oats, demerara sugar, and cinnamon. I measured 1/3 cup of oats, 1 T sugar, and a little more than a pinch of cinnamon per bag. I measured each of the ingredients and poured them into snack size baggies. I added sliced almonds to a separate bag because I want to add them after the oatmeal has cooked. When you are ready to make your oatmeal, add 2/3-3/4 cups water or milk (I like coconut milk), and microwave for 1-2 minutes. For me, oatmeal is one of those...

I'm always trying new recipes for Granola, I like putting it in my yogurt for breakfast, or just grabbing a handful as a mid-afternoon snack.  I don't like to add anything to it but sliced almonds, then depending what I'm eating with it, I add fruit or other nuts later.  I have made it several times and change it up a little each time, but this is one of my favorites. I adapted this recipe from Blackberry Farms. You can find the original recipe here. What you need: 5 c oats, I used the Old Fashioned but Quick probably works too 1/2 c ground flax seed 3/4 c brown sugar 3/4 c Maple syrup or honey (I used 1/2 c honey and 1/4 c Apple Cinnamon Syrup)* 1/2 c almonds, I used sliced 1/2 c oil, I used Canola for this recipe 1 tsp cinnamon (optional) Pour into a large bowl and mix together then spread onto a cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so. Check after 35-40 minutes, mine took longer, ...

So once again I was back in my kitchen trying to figure out why I couldn't get it organized "just right". Every time I think I have it organized, I start cooking or baking and realize that I'm still going back and forth in my kitchen getting things! I have already de-cluttered by putting "like" things together, getting rid of duplicate items and only keeping what I use. So this time, instead of just jumping in and moving everything around, I actually took the time to figure out what was wrong with the way my kitchen cupboards were organized! You're probably thinking "duh!" but really, this was a "light bulb" moment for me. To really get the most out of any space you need to step back and look at how you use it and where you do things. The counter space I wanted to use for my baking was not the counter I actually would use every time I starting baking.  Sooo, I moved it all around! (did you hear my family just grumble?!?...

I have always loved burning candles but haven't bought any for quite a while, partly because the candles I like have gotten so expensive and also because people in my home-who will remain nameless, have allergies and it made them stuffy and sneezy. I used to make my own simmering potpourri but forgot about it until recently when I saw it on Pinterest, there are several sites that have similar recipes. I adapted mine from marcicoombs.blogspot.com, she has cute ideas for Christmas Scent jars to give as gifts.  I changed the recipe a bit just because I didn't have all of the ingredients, but it still smells great...and no one is sneezing from it! Here's what you need: a pint jar 3 cinnamon sticks, I broke mine in half 2-3 bay leaves cloves, I didn't have whole so I used ground, about a teaspoon a couple orange slices and peel (you can also just use the peel) 2-3 lemon slices and peel  lime wedge, I didn't have one so I didn't add it Add all your in...

                                      I don't know about you, but in the Midwest it has been chilly and rainy lately which always puts me in some kind of "gotta get ready for winter so I need get organized and start a project...or something to that effect!"  I have been trying to get rid of things and repurpose or recycle others. The other day I was cleaning out yet another closet and found a rooster candle stick that my mom had given me a few years ago, I liked it but recently updated my kitchen so it no longer went with my decor. So like everything else I suddenly get inspired, this is why there aren't many "before" pictures...I don't know exactly what happens to me but suddenly I'm in the middle of a project.  I went for my antique white paint and painted over the rooster candle stick...

I thought my garden was officially done for the summer but last week I realized that I had not picked my carrots yet! I froze most of them so I could have sweet, delicious garden carrots this winter. Freezing Carrots: Wash your carrots. Cut them in pieces, I sliced mine so I can use them for soups. Start a pan of boiling water, slice the carrots and boil them (blanche) them for 3 minutes. Drain the hot water. Pour the carrots into a bowl with ice cubes and cold water for 3 minutes. I measured mine 1 cup per bag and used my handy dandy ziploc vacuum gadget. Place them in the freezer until you're ready to use them for soup, casseroles, carrot cake, steam them or use them in your favorite carrot dish! Love and peace, ~ Simply Tammi

I decided with the kids back in school and activities going on that I needed some type of memo board to keep track of daily things to do, grocery lists, school reminders etc. I have a fabric memo board and a calendar but this is handy when I just need to write a quick note or need to start a grocery list. I used a picture frame I hadn't been using(probably because it's very plain and boring), which is fine for my memo board, but for a cute snapshot of my kids or family..not so much! Then cut poster board to fit. You could also use some fun scrapbook paper. I bought some liquid chalk pens on Amazon-this was my splurge, I can use them to leave funny notes on mirrors label my chalkboard jars in my kitchen. They are fun to write with and wipe off easily. This is a simple and inexpensive project that can be easily changed with the seasons or holidays. ~Simply Angie

I picked my last basket of tomatoes from the garden last week and decided with cold weather on the way, I would make homemade creamy tomato soup. I don't usually measure my ingredients for this recipe but I thought you might appreciate an ingredient list and measurements if you are a lover of tomato soup! My secret for this wonderful soup is to cook it slowly. This soup is also gluten-free. Ingredients: 2 T olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 shallot, diced 1 tsp sugar salt and pepper to taste 4 c. peeled, chopped fresh tomatoes (including any juice from the tomatoes).  I used a combination of beefsteak and roma tomatoes, about 12-14 total. (You could use canned, diced tomatoes instead of fresh). 2 c. chicken stock or chicken broth (you want to use flavorful stock or broth) 1/2 c. heavy cream (you can use milk or half-n-half). I start with 1/2 c. but add more if needed. * If you like your soup slightly thick, add 2 T cornstarch...

I found this idea on Pinterest and unlike some of the other ideas I find there-this one worked the first time I did it! Its a great inexpensive way to give a new look to pillows without sewing new covers...and took me all off 2 minutes to do! I used a yard of fabric for a 12 inch square pillow. lay pillow in middle fold ends like a present tie together and tuck in the ends -Simply Angie

I do not buy pumpkin in a can, because I'm pretty sure I can taste the can, but I do enjoy the occasional pumpkin treats! So finally this year I decided I would make my own pumpkin puree - no cans! It is simple and so healthy for you. These are sweeter than the larger carving pumpkins. I started with 2 pie pumpkins. They are smaller pumpkins and they usually say specifically "pie pumpkins".  Mine cost $1.99 each. So throw away your cans and make your own pumpkin puree! It's worth the time and the cost! These are the best for everyone's favorite bars Simply Homemade Pumpkin Bars ! Pumpkin Puree : I washed my pumpkins in warm water first, then cut them in half. I started at the top next to the stem and used a serrated knife to cut it in half. Scoop out the seeds and the stringy stuff part. Place the pumpkin halves upside down on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Using a spoon, ...

I think I have finally found a recipe for laundry detergent that I really like! I liked the powder detergent but I am really loving the liquid version. I gave some to my family members to try and they really like it too.  I have seen a lot of these recipes and they are all pretty similar. I used a combination of The Duggar's Family, www.duggarfamily.com and one from my March 2012, Country Sampler Magazine.  The basic recipe is the same, it's how you get to the finished product that I really wanted to simplify. So hopefully this works for you and you love it too! Here's what you need: a 5 gallon bucket (you can pick them up at lots of places either free or cheap) 1 bar of Fels Naptha  1 c Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda 1 c Borax Very Hot Water I made this batch in my 5 gallon bucket from start to finish. I grated the bar of soap and then heated up about 2 quarts of boiling water and carefully poured into my bucket with the grated soap...

I've been waiting and it finally happened! Pears went on sale! I love pears but I don't really like to eat them whole because I never know exactly how to keep my fingers my getting sticky. Then I saw a recipe on www.nourishedkitchen.com for pear sauce and I jumped for joy was very happy! It's simply awesome and easy to make! Directions : 6-8 ripe pears (Bartlett or D'Anjou) peeled, cored, and chopped 2 vanilla beans (whole) 2 cinnamon sticks Place the chopped pears in a pan and add water but not to the top of the pears, you want enough water so they can cook but not too much so that your sauce will be runny. Simmer over medium heat until they are soft, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat, if you have too much water you can spoon some of it off the top. Remove the cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans. Mash with a potato masher until the consistency is smooth (or cool your sauce and use a blender or food processor). Pour into glass jars and refrigerate. I used 8 pear...

 Pretty Pumpkin  If you haven't been in the first grade for awhile, you may have forgotten how the paper mache process works! It's still a messy project, but I must admit I had fun! You remember my fake pumpkin search from last week? Well, the saga continued and I was still searching for one more pumpkin but I finally gave up! I couldn't find exactly the pumpkin I was looking for so I decided to make my own! My paper mache pumpkin steps : Make the paste first using 5 cups of water and 1 cups of flour, you might have to add more flour (consistency of cooked pudding)  Many paper strips (I used white printer paper because I didn't have newspaper) cut 1 inch wide One medium size balloon (from the dollar store) Thin ribbon (or you could use string) Pour 5 cups water into a pan and add flour. Whisk flour and water and cook for 3 minutes over low-medium heat. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl (I used m...