Natural Homemade Living

Here is a quick easy recipe that can be eaten the same day or frozen and reheated for another day. What you need: 1 can black beans 1 c cooked rice (I have used brown or white rice) 1 lb. ground beef or turkey (cooked) 1-2 c salsa 1 c frozen or 1 can drained corn shredded cheese and olives (if you like them) for the topping Cook the beef or turkey and rice then combine with the other ingredients (except cheese and olives) in a 2qt covered casserole dish. Bake 350 about 30-45 min.  Uncover the last 10 min. and add the cheese and olives, bake until topping is melted.   If we  have left overs, I freeze them in single serve containers and they reheat well, or you could skip the baking step if you freeze the whole thing and then bake later. This can also be served in a tortilla (like a burrito- I have to give my husband credit for that suggestion- the kids loved it!)  ~Simply Angie

I heard we could be getting ready for some more snow. Snow reminds of me cold and cold reminds me of soup and soup reminds me of my Dad. He loved to make homemade soup and it was always delicious! I have been working on some exact measurements for his chicken soup recipe; not sure they are perfect but they are close. Just keep tasting and you will end up with some great soup! Feel free to add, delete the stuff you don't like! I use either a Dutch oven or 7 quart pot when I make this, it freezes well.  Ingredients : 2 smoked ham hocks or smoked ham shanks 3 large chicken breasts with bone and skin on (flavor) 4 medium to large carrots, cut into bite size 4 stalks celery, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 1 shallot, chopped 2-3 medium potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces 1-2  cups green beans 4-5 garlic cloves 1-2 tsp basil (I don't have measurements for fresh herbs because I just grab some and chop - just keep tasting!) 1 T parsley 1 tsp...

Cinnamon Chip Scones I have been on a scone kick lately.  These are from the latest recipe, and like my sister I am always shocked when it turns out the first time! What you need: 1-2/3 c all-purpose flour 1/4 c packed brown sugar 2 t baking powder 1 t ground cinnamon 1/8 t salt 1 c heavy whipping cream 1/2 c chocolate chips (the original recipe called for miniature semisweet, but I used regular size milk chocolate because that's what I had) 1/4 c chopped toasted  pecans (I omitted them) 1/4 c milk choc. English toffee bits (I had left over toffee in my freezer) In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt. Stir in cream just until moistened. Stir in chips, pecans and toffee bits.  Turn onto floured surface; knead 10 times. Pat into one 8-in circle;cut into 6-8 wedges. Put on lightly misted or greased baking sheet, brush tops with melted butter.  They do get a little bigger as they bake so make sure they have room between...

I stopped buying English muffins at the store about a year ago, the prices were rising to $4.00 for 6 muffins, are you kidding me? I can also taste the preservatives used in them and that taste is just not appealing to me, so I decided to make homemade English muffins! These are simple to make and very budget friendly, I made 24 of them for $1.49!  Ingredients : 1 cup milk 2 T sugar * optional - 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast or 1 package (.25 size) 1 cup warm water (110F-115F) 1/4 cup butter, melted 5 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp salt Directions: Heat milk (I use a small saucepan over the stove) but don't let it boil. Remove from heat and mix in sugar (and cinnamon if you want). Let cool until lukewarm.  Pour warm water and yeast in a small bowl for 10 minutes until the yeast is foamy.  In a large bowl, combine milk mixture, yeast mixture, melted butter and half of the flour.  Beat until smooth then add the rest of the...

Today is bread making day! I had a request from my family for sweet, white bread. I always know I'm going to like a recipe when it turns out the first time I make it! I read the reviews on this recipe (from allrecipes.com) and thought about changing some things but I decided to try it the way it was written. I did not experience the things that the crabby people reviewers were not happy about. This is our favorite bread recipe and perfect results every time! Ingredients : 2 cups warm water (110F degrees) 2/3 cup white sugar 1 1/2 T active dry yeast 1 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/4 cup oil (I have used canola oil but even melted butter works great) 5 1/2 - 6 cups bread flour (I think you could use all purpose white flour) In a large bowl (I used my stand mixer bowl but I let some warm water sit in it first so that my water wouldn't cool off when I put the yeast and the water in it) dissolve sugar in warm water and stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a cr...

Staples Cupboard After I decided to start using more natural ingredients, my first project was to give my kitchen cupboards an overhaul and organize them to see exactly what I had. I got rid of all the packages and boxes and outdated food. Just a hint - if you still have McCormick metal spice tins, except for pepper...they haven't made them for 15 years - you should replace them now! (you know who you are - ha!)                               I now have my dry staples in half gallon and quart size canning jars. I try to reuse other containers if I can. I picked up a few new ones and found some at the thrift store. I bought the plastic storage lids instead of the metal lids and bands. I think they are more convenient for things that I use almost everyday. I had to label my jars - I love my label maker! Now I can look in my cupboard and see what I actually need to buy. I used to just go to the ...

Here is a recipe you can use for vanilla bean pudding or coconut pudding. It seems like coconut is one of those texture things - you either love it or you don't eat it at all. I have a slight texture issue with coconut so I always use coconut flakes and chop them in very small pieces. It helps! Ingredients : 1/2 cup white or organic sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch pinch of salt 3 cups white milk (skim, 1%, 2%, whole) You can also substitute some of the milk with cream or half and half 1/2 cup coconut flakes or shredded coconut (optional) 1 vanilla bean 2 tsp vanilla extract In a medium saucepan, whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk in the milk and bring to boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and keep stirring for about 4 minutes until thick. If you are adding vanilla bean make sure you cut your bean in half and slice down the middle. Then scrape the insides onto a plate or cutting board and put in your pan. Remove from the stove and stir in the vanilla extra...