Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Strawberry Mango Pineapple Jalapeno Jelly



I decided to make some Jam while I was at the store so I picked up the stuff thinking I would do that some day soon. Well I got home and started making the jam, which, turned into jelly as I wasn't thinking and processed it for a full minute in my blender. I used the start of an older recipe I created and tweaked it from there. Seems I can never keep with a recipe and today was no different. As you can see below It made  (9) 8 oz jars which left my scrambling for jars as the  recipe I tweaked only made (7) 8 oz jars

In a blender put
3-5 jalapeños cut in half, scraped of seeds (I used 3)
1 1/4 cup large chopped strawberries (was about 6 food sized ones)
1 mango seeded and skinned
1 small can pineapple chunks with liquid
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar

Course for a few seconds for jam and up to a minute for jelly. Then pour into a large pot with

6 1/2 cups sugar
1 box sure jel

Bring to a boil and boil ten minutes. put into hot washed and sterilized jars with hot lids. Seal tightly and put into a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

Take out let cool and check to see if tops sealed. If not reheat, use new tops and try again.


Low sugar Apple Pie Jam


From Ball web page
6 cups peeled, chopped Granny Smith apples or other tart apples (about 6 medium)
Juice and grated zest of 1 medium lemon
2 cups unsweetened apple juice
3/4 cup raisins
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3 Tbsp Ball® RealFruit™ Low or No-sugar Needed Pectin
1-1/2 cups sugar or SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granular
6 (8 oz) half pint glass preserving jars with lids and band.

 1.) PREPARE boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside.
2.) COMBINE apples, lemon peel and juice in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until apples begin to soften. Remove from heat and whisk in pectin. Add raisins and cinnamon. Return mixture to a boil. Boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Skim off foam, if necessary.
3.) LADLE hot jam into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band until fit is fingertip tight.
4.) PROCESS in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

BBQ Sauce- (Sweet Baby Ray's) Copy Cat


Created By Missy Holeman-Logan  03-29-14

1 and 1/2 cups ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup water
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire
2 teaspoons liquid smoke
1/4 cup pineapple juice or cider vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)
1 Tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon ground mustard
1 teaspoon each of salt and ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or your favorite pepper sauce

Just heat it all together making sure the sugar is dissolved, but don't hard boil it. I doubled the recipe and canned it in jelly jars. Water bath for about 20 minutes.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

May Wine


from "Dancing with the Sun" by Jasmine Yalenorn



1 cup sweet woodruff
2 bottles rose' wine
4 dozen rose petal ice cubes
1 quart strawberries
1 quart chopped peaches
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup white rum
2 bottles champagne
1 bottle white wine
1 liter lemon-lime soda


Two weeks before serving: clean woodruff and pack into one bottle of wine. Cork and let sit.

The day before serving: make four dozen ice cubes by placing rose petals in the compartments before adding water. Freeze until solid.
Hull and wash the strawberries. Slice. Mix peaches and strawberries. Add sugar and rum. Marinate overnight.

An hour before serving: Strain woodruff out of wine and discard leaves. Mix champagne, all remaining wine, lemon-lime soda, and fruit in a large bowl. Stir.
Add ice cubes 15 minutes before serving.

Serves 20

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake



I love creating stuff in the kitchen. This recipe was a creation for using up the remaining cream cheese and cherry pie filling from a biscuit danish  experiment two days prior. Note I darkened the ingredients because they were separated by steps. That way you know everything you will need to recreate this delectable creation.

I call it Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake or the five C's

In a bowl mix together

1 large egg
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons softened butter
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 dashes salt

After you have mixed that well, add

1 cup flour

Beat until smooth and pour into a sprayed large bread pan.

 Then on top of that add

2 oz sliced cream cheese
1/4 a can of cherry pie filling.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the batter is done.

Note alternative for larger crowds:

Make four times the batter recipe and use 8 oz cream cheese and the entire can of cherry pie filling and out in a 12x9 inch cake pan and cook for 30-35 minutes .



Aurora Borealis Cocktail

This drink was just too cook not to pass on. To make it simply go to this link. Wouldn't it be cool at a bonfire.

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/aurora-borealis-cocktail

Friday, April 25, 2014

Dehydrator Taco chips

these easy chips will be a new family favorite as soon as you try them
Cook time: 10 Hr  Prep time: 10 Min

1 c whole kernel or creamed corn
1 c sharp cheese, grated
1/2 c red or green pepper, diced
1 Tbsp onion, chopped
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp chili pepper
salt and pepper to taste

 In a blender or food processor, blend together all ingredients at high speed. Spread mixture thinly onto Fruit Roll Sheets. Dry in your dehydrator at 130° for approximately 10 hours or until dry on one side. Lift entire corn ring off of Fruit Roll Sheet, turn over and dry in your dehydrator for two hours longer or until crisp. Break into pieces.

dehydrator Fruit bites

Serves: 3 dozen


2 c coconut
2 c dried apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
2/3 c peanut butter
1 1/2 Tbsp vanilla

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Shape into 1/2-1" balls. Dry in your dehydrator at 135º for 4 to 5 hours, or until firm and crisp on the outside. Makes about 3 dozen.

Dehydrator Orange Julius fruit roll up



A family favorite spot to stop while shopping has been removed from many shopping malls. Now here is an alternative that is easy to take along and will now spill in your car. A sure to be kids favorite, young and old
  Serves: 4

1 1/2 c apple sauce
1 small apple pealed, cored and diced
2 tsp dried oranges, ground ( from dehydrator)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp corn syrup, light

In a blender mix all ingredients until puréed. Pour onto solid fruit leather sheets; dry at 135º for 4 to 8 hours, or until leathery. Remove from sheets while still warm. Let cool slightly. Roll in plastic wrap and store in dark , dry cool place or in the freezer.

dehydrator strawberries

 
These are a sweet treat you entire family will be raving about
 
Cook time: 6 Hr  Prep time: 15 Min  Serves: depends on amount you make

strawberries, fresh
1 pkg strawberry jello

1. Slice into 3/8 inch slices. Optional: sprinkle lightly with dry strawberry jell-o, powdered sugar, or dip in honey/lemon juice mix (1/4 cup honey mixed with 1/4 cup lemon juice).
2. Place on tray and dry 4-10 hours at 135° until crisp.

dehydrator cookies

Here is a recipe for your food dehydrator. Move over jerky it's cookie time This is a tasty treat that just may make you loose your favorite trail mix
 
Cook time: 6 Hr  Prep time: 2 Hr

2 c sunflower seeds, soaked 4 hours and rinsed.
2 fuji apples, grated
2 large bananas
1/2 c dates
1 c raisins
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp flaxseed oil
1 c walnuts, soaked 2 hours, chopped

1. Process sunflower seeds and bananas through a juicer with no plate (grate). NOTE:If you do not have one then crush the seeds before putting in to the water, and mash bananas.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Spoon dough on a dehydrator tray with a teflex sheet and form into small round cookie. Place cookies close together on the sheets. Dehydrate at 105 degrees for 4 hours, turn cookies over and remove teflex sheet. Continue dehydrating until desired moisture is obtained, approximately 3-5 hours.

Starbucks burning a hole in your pocket? Make your own seasonal favorites

On average, Americans consume 3.1 cups of coffee a day and if Starbucks is your brewery of choice, that's $33 per work week for a grande-sized pick-me-up.
And now the coffee company is offering their seasonal holiday drinks, but at roughly $5.00 a cup, those sugary lattes will quickly burn a hole in your pocket.

So why not make them at home? With the right recipe you can enjoy your favorite Starbucks drink without putting a dent in your wallet.
Enjoy!

Gingerbread Latte
Starbucks' Price: $4.75 for grande
Recipe:
First prepare the Gingerbread Syrup
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Combine all ingredients into a medium saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce heat and allow for syrup to simmer. Leave uncovered for 15 minutes and then remove from fire.
1/2 cup fresh espresso
8 ounces milk, steamed
Prepare a double shot of espresso and steam 8 ounces of milk. Pour 1/2 cup of espresso into mug, add 1/4 cup of gingerbread syrup followed by the milk. Stir and serve hot.

Caramel Brulée Latte
Starbucks' Price: $4.75 for grande
Recipe:
2 oz. espresso or strong coffee
8 oz. steamed milk
1 oz. vanilla bean syrup
2 tbsp. caramel ice cream topping
Brew coffee or espresso. Line mug with caramel topping, add syrup and then espresso. Steam milk and pour into cup.

Pumpkin Spice Latte
Starbucks' Price: $4.75 for grande
Recipe:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee)
Combine milk, pumpkin and sugar in a saucepan and stir over medium heat until steamed. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and pumpkin spice. Transfer the mixture into a blender and process for 10 seconds or until foamy. Or you can simply whisk the mixture until foam appears.
Pour into mug, add espresso and enjoy.

Peppermint Mocha Latte
Starbucks' Price: $4.75 for grande
Recipe:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 tablespoons powdered cocoa
3 tablespoons warm water
1/2 cup hot espresso
1 1/2 cups hot milk
Stir the water and sugar in a saucepan until sugar dissolves and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer and add peppermint extract. Allow mixture to simmer for 20 minutes.
Mix cocoa and water in a mag until paste forms. Add espresso and 1 1/2 teaspoon of the peppermint syrup. Finally, add the milk and serve hot.

Eggnog Latte
Starbucks' price: $4.75 for grande
Recipe:
1/2 cup eggnog
1/4 cup whole milk
1-2 shots espresso
Sprinkle of nutmeg for garnish
Combine cold eggnog with cold milk and steam. Add espresso shots to steamed eggnog mixture and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Chai Tea Latte
Starbucks' Price: $4.10 for grande
Recipe:
3 cups water
3 cups milk
6-8 black tea bags
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger

Bring water and milk to a boil. Add remaining ingredients, return to boil. Remove from heat and let steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove tea bags then filter. Serve hot or iced.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Beltane Saffron Crescent Cakes for Ashtoreth (fertility goddess, identified with Astarte and Ishtar)





Saffron Crescent Cakes for Ashtoreth
(fertility goddess, identified with Astarte and Ishtar)

These are traditionally baked in honor of Ashtoreth, but they are
appropriate for any Goddess associated with the Moon. To honor those harvest deities not
associated with the Moon, simply cut into round or other shapes, and bake as directed.
Saffron expensive, so you may prefer to substitute yellow food coloring, an
additional 1/4 cup honey, or 1/3 cup chopped nuts instead. But for a night of love making indulge yourself.


1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 honey
2 cups all purpose flour
3 T.. baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4-1/2 tsp. saffron


Mix egg, milk, oil, and honey in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and
stir until just mixed. Cut into wedges and roll up, starting at the rounded edge.


Place on greased cookie sheet with points down and shape into crescents.
Bake for 20 minutes at 400F.



Beltane Love Tea






This is the time of year where if you have a partner you're expected to grab them and drag them into the bushes (in the nicest possible way of course!). If your significant over isn't feeling in the mood this Beltane, wake up their senses with this herbal tea.


2 tablespoons dried damiana
2 teaspoons sugar
Pinch of cinnamon
A candle
What to do:


Put the sugar, damiana and cinnamon into a small bowl and poor over 2 cups of boiling water.


Light the candle and carefully hold the bowl over it. Be careful not to burn yourself (both with water and candle). Slowly move the bowl in a clockwise circular motion above the flame and recite the following 9 times:


As I move and stir this tea,
So passion and lust stir in my partner and me


Then leave the tea to steep for 10 minutes or so. Strain, pour into 2 cups and enjoy with your partner.



Monday, April 21, 2014

Breakfast Potato muffins


For 12 muffins (6 muffins simply half the recipe)

1 package simply hash browns (dairy section)
2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese (divided)
6 eggs
6 pieces bacon (or sausage)
3 slices deli black forest ham (or 1/4 cup diced ham)
dash garlic powder
3 tablespoons butter melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a bowl mix the potatoes, butter and garlic powder together and divide evenly into 12 sprayed muffin tins. Press up the sides and into the bottom. Place in the oven on 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes start to brown. Take out.

Cook the bacon or sausage and break up the bacon or cut the sausage into small pieces. Also cut up the ham into small pieces. Mix the bacon and ham together.

In a bowl combine the beaten eggs and 1 1/2 cups cheese (save back 1/2 cup).

In the lightly browned muffin tins evenly add the bacon and ham and pour the egg mixture evenly into the 12 muffin tins.  Top with the leftover cheese.

Place back into the oven and cook another 15-20 minutes. take out of the muffin tin and serve. 2-3 per person makes a great breakfast by their selves.

You can freeze the finished muffins and microwave 2 minutes for a in a hurry breakfast during the week. Or keep in the fridge and microwave for 1 minute before eating.

Shielding (I believe by Crystal Moonrayne)






Shielding

Begin drawing energy into your body. Let it begin to build in your abdominal area. This is where your energy and strength begin to build.

Form a ball of pure light, energy and strength at the core of your body.

Slowly let the ball expand.
As the ball expands, begin to see it as a bubble or hollow sphere with you on the inside.

Let the energy from the earth flow through you and into the shield as it expands.
Let the sphere penetrate the ground beneath you, cover the air above and to all sides of you. You are protected in the center of this bubble. The bubble is incredibly strong. Your roots should either be growing through or from the shield.

The energy and strength you felt when you Grounded and Centered can now be used as an inexhaustible source of power for your shield. You can keep your shield up as long as you like without much effort. You are protected and safe.

If your roots grow through the shield, you must allow the energies of your shield to constantly flow.
Energies should flow around the shield and down the outside of the roots.
The roots should disperse the negative energy outward from the lower edges of the roots into the Earth
Positive energy should flow up from the earth into the tip of the root, away from where the negative energy is being dispersed
The positive energy will rise up into your body to replace the energies you are putting into your shield.

Make your shield personal.

Make the bubble any material or color you want.
Your shield can be as thick or thin as you desire.
It can be solid like a wall, or it can constantly flow like water.
With practice, when you feel the need to raise your shields, you will be able to do so almost instantly.
Your shield should seldom be static. A well balanced shield will be in constant motion, taking negativity to your roots and guiding it into the earth.
While shielding is a good measure to use whenever it feels you are likely to be in a threatening or negative situation, it is not always necessary or desirable to keep shielded at all times. In order to interact intimately with another, it is sometimes necessary to drop your shields in part (or completely). The important thing is to know that you can raise your shields in an instant if you feel the need. The power and control are yours.

Certain stones and symbols have the ability to enhance your personal energies. You should not use these items if they don't "speak" to you; the power of magic has as much to do with you as with the items you use. When choosing stones, symbols, or other magical enhancements, you should always trust your own intuition about whether or not it will work.

The Goddess Ostara




 This was done by Haly Liesa JensenHof‎


The Goddess Ostara and the Easter Bunny

Feeling guilty about arriving late one spring, the Goddess Ostara saved the life of a poor bird whose wings had been frozen by the snow. She made him her pet or, as some versions have it, her lover. Filled with compassion for him since he could no longer fly (in some versions, it was because she wished to amuse a group of young children), Ostara turned him into a snow hare and gave him the gift of being able to run with incredible speed so he could protect himself from hunters.

In remembrance of his earlier form as a bird, she also gave him the ability to lay eggs (in all the colors of the rainbow, no less), but only on one day out of each year.

Eventually the hare managed to anger the goddess Ostara, and she cast him into the skies where he would remain as the constellation Lepus (The Hare) forever positioned under the feet of the constellation Orion (the Hunter). He was allowed to return to earth once each year, but only to give away his eggs to the children attending the Ostara festivals that were held each spring. The tradition of the Easter Bunny had begun.

And, finally, there is a sweet Christian legend about a young rabbit who, for three days, waited anxiously for his friend, Jesus, to return to the Garden of Gethsemane, not knowing what had become of him. Early on Easter morning, Jesus returned to His favorite garden and was welcomed the little rabbit. That evening when the disciples came into the garden to pray, still unaware of the resurrection, they found a clump of beautiful larkspurs, each blossom bearing the image of a rabbit in its center as a remembrance of the little creature's hope and faith.

Retrieved from the website http://goddessgift.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harvest breakfast bars

These are great bar for breakfast or as a mid day snack. Kids will love them. I usually use nuts like pine nuts or in the late fall I use acorns. Another favorite is sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. It is a wonderful way to use up bits and pieces of nuts by mixing your nuts and seeds.


Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

In a bowl mix together

3/4 stick softened butter (3/4 cup)
3 tablespoons real Maple syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon allspice or pumpkin pie spice

Then add
3/4 cup flour
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup peanut butter flavored baking chips
1/2 cup any nuts or seeds

Mix well and put into a sprayed 8x8 baking dish.
Bake for 20 minutes.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Banana Pine Nut Bread



Banana Pine Nut Bread

In a large mixing bowl beat together

½ cup butter
½ cup brown sugar
2 eggs
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla or banana flavoring
1 cup mashed bananas (2 bananas)

Then add

1 ¼ cups flour
1/3 cup pine nuts

Preheat oven to350 degrees and grease a 9x5x3 loaf pan.
Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 50 minutes.
Remove from pan and cool on rack.
Mine never made it that long.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

SHAVING CREAM EGG DYE


Have not tried this but looks fun!
 
SHAVING CREAM EGG DYE
1. Spread cheap white shaving cream in a cookie sheet
2. Apply drops of neon food coloring across surface
3. Use toothpicks to swirl colors around
4. Roll the dried, cooled hardboiled eggs in the colorful cream (use disposable kitchen gloves to reduce the tattoo effect)
5. Allow to set for 3-4 minutes on a paper plate
6. Wipe off shaving cream with paper toweling
7. Rinse! Voila! Beautiful marbleized eggs, done quickly!

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Snow Blanket Banishment (from your life)





This is used for when you want someone out of your life without causing harm.
Make 2 small snow men, a few inches tall, each facing different directions.
The one which represents you should face your home, the one representing
the person you wish to go away should face away from your home.
Invest as much energy in the creation of these snowmen as you can.
In between the snow men, build a wall tall enough that the wall is taller than the snowmen.
Say

Out of sight, out of mind,
Knot my thoughts are not unkind,
Our paths must take us separate ways,
So we may live in happiness all our days.
I let you go with blessings true,
Hoping you find the best for you,
I wish you love and wish you peace,
As of now our relationship does cease.

Take the snowman representing you,
pick it up and hide it from the other snow man.
Return to the snowman who is someone you wish to go away,
build a large snow wall around the snowman, leave a small door
way in the wall leading in the opposite direction from the snow man representing you.

written by Lori

The dangers of sun screen

According to Wikipedia

Sunscreen is widely acknowledged to protect against sunburn and two common forms of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, there is some evidence that sunscreen use can contribute to negative health outcomes. The major claims include:
  • Some sunscreens only protect against UVB radiation, and not against the more dangerous UVA component of the spectrum. Incomplete protection against the full ultraviolet spectrum, combined with increased time spent in the sun, can lead to an increase in the risks of developing malignant melanoma, a rarer but more deadly form of skin cancer.
  • Some sunscreen ingredients (including oxybenzone, benzophenone, octocrylene, octyl methoxycinnamate, diisopropyl adipate, retinoic acid, and retinyl palmitate) may be potentially carcinogenic or have other health risks.
  • Reduced exposure to ultraviolet light in sunlight can contribute to Vitamin D deficiency.

Studies of melanoma rates

Malignant melanoma has been found more frequently in sunscreen users compared to non-users in some studies. Other studies found fair skinned people used more suncreen and had more skin cancer, but did not address cause and effect. A meta-analysis of 9067 patients from 11 case–control studies found no association between sunscreen use and development of malignant melanoma. It was suggested that sunscreens block the natural warnings and adaptations mediated by UVB, but allow damage from UVA to go unchecked.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potential_health_risks_of_sunscreen

Dr Oz has this video on the subject

http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/breaking-news-sunscreen-dangerous

and some others as well
http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/

and do not forget Web MD

http://www.webmd.com/beauty/sun/sunscreen-safety-labels-ingredients

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Full Moon Spell



Need River rock or sea shell
sea salt
a mason jar


Charge an object with full moon energy to create a magical amulet. The ebb and flow of ocean and river tides are directly affected by the moon, so select an object found in a natural body of water such as a seashell or river rock. Bury the object in sea salt while the moon is waning to cleanse it of existing energies. On the night of the full moon, rest the object outdoors and allow it to bask in the moonlight. Visualize your heart's desire. Bring the stone indoors at dawn and carry it on your person daily to attract your wish. Repeat every full moon.
Concoct an herbal tincture. Select one or more herbs that correspond with your intent. For example, lavender is an herb symbolic of romance and should be used to attract love. Crush your herbs lightly with a morter and pestle and place them in a mason jar when the moon begins waxing. Fill the jar two thirds full of vegetable oil, seal the lid and shake vigorously. Set the jar outdoors so that it intercepts the moon's rays. Repeat this process every night up to the night of the full moon. Use the tincture for spells or anoint yourself with it daily to attract your desire.
Create a full moon drink. Pour distilled water into a clean mason jar and insert a quartz crystal. The quartz crystal is an energy conductor that will amplify the energy of the moon. Seal the jar and place it outdoors under the light of the full moon. As you retire   to bed, meditate on the jar. Visualize the moon's rays soaking into the water and turning it into a magical good luck potion. Bring the jar indoors at dawn and remove the crystal. Drink a glass of moon water each morning to attract positive things.


Tips & Warnings

  • Midnight is the best time to perform full moon magic.
  • When visualizing your desires, refrain from imagining predetermined outcomes, especially those that involve specific people.

From about,com

Full Moon ~ A time for Cleansing Crystals

Remember the full moon is the perfect time for cleaning your crystals. Almost all crystals benefit from the energy of the full moon. You can either leave your crystals out overnight in the moonlight. Or you can leave a jug of water out overnight and bathe your crystals in the water the next day.

Blood moon Ritual By Cath Green

Blood Moon Ritual

Here’s a nice little ritual to do for the upcoming Blood Moon. You will need:
•A special glass or chalice - something pretty
•Rose water - or spring water
•White cotton cloth
•Red wine
•Ripe pomegranate
•Honey
•Silver spoon

For this ritual it will be nice to dress up a little. Wear white or silver, and if you have it, silver jewelry with carnelian, or moonstone. Use a special glass or chalice.

Rinse the chalice with rose water and dry it with a clean white cotton cloth. Pour the cup of red wine into the chalice, slice the pomegranate in half and squeeze the juice into the wine. Add a teaspoon of honey, and stir with the silver spoon.

Go outside. If you are doing this with friends, form a circle. Lift the chalice in the direction of the moon and say a few words of praise, thanks, appreciation, whatever feels appropriate and right. Then take a sip of the wine and pass the chalice clockwise around the circle (if there is one). Each person “toasts” the Blood Moon and drinks.

When the circle is complete, pour the rest of the wine on the ground as a “libation” or offering to the earth.

Full Moon Bath Ritual by Cath Green



The Full Moon is a great time to purify and cleanse your energy.
Or to just relax and cleanse into the Lunar qualities, take a nice bath. Light candles, set the mood with music, light some incense - get in touch with your inner Venus. While in the bath, imagine all the negative energy leaving your body absorbing into the water.
Blend:
3/4 Organic sea salt
A handful of pink Himalayan salt
Handful dried rose petals
Handful dried lavender buds
4-5 petals of dry pink hibiscus
6 drops Ylang Ylang oil
6 drops Geranium oil
1-2 drops vanilla essential oil
And mix altogether!

As it settles, the aroma is just divine. The Hibiscus makes the water pink too! So add however much you want to increase the color! You can even add rose quartz, or whatever stones you want to soak with (just be careful they don't dissolve in water!).
***TIP~ There are two ways to take your glorious FULL MOON bath:
One just drop the whole thing into your bath. It will look enchanting with flowers and herbs and you will feel like a goddess indeed! If you do it this way, mark this tip: Let the bath drain out and leave it! Do not attempt to try and clean the bathtub afterwards to remove all the flowers, herbs etc. This will not only spoil your mood but it’s harder to clean when it’s wet. Just let it be! The next morning it will have dried and you can easily dust it off and sweep it out of your bath with a dust pan. Otherwise, put your salts in a cheese cloth and that way it can be contained with no mess! Enjoy!

The Ceremony of Chanting

Ceremony is going into sacred space; our church, our temples. We pray, drum, hold sacred lodge, sing, dance and chant. It is a time for reflection, prayer, blessings and to be still: listening.

CHANTING

 When you chant, you take the energy of the earth in through your body, magnify it, and send it out to all your relations on the planet. This means you should feel the chant throughout your who...le body, not just your throat. It should cause a vibration that touches all your energy centers.

It does not matter if you think you can not sing. Chanting is a way of centering and sending energy. If you are going to sing a chant, you should show respect for it by learning it before you sing. Listen to the person leading it until you are sure you know the words and the tune. Some chants change words and tune unexpectedly, so don't be too quick to join in. When you are sure of the chant, sing it with gusto. Most chants are repeated in sets of four, with the person who began the chant determining when to end it and signifying this by saying "Ho!

As the day ends, a chant offered to the Sacred Directions, Creator or as an offering for blessings can be quite powerful. May our chants be joined in Spirit as our voices travel to the Celestial Gourd.

Many blessings,
Kalpulli Teocalli Ollin

Friday, April 11, 2014

Beefy peanut butter Dog biscuits from oat pulp

They may not look like much but my dog sure loves them!


The pulp from making 6 cups oat milk
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon beef base or granulated beef broth
1 tablespoon peanut butter (we like crunchy)
1 cup flour

This is what it will look like when you are ready to bake it. Spray a small cookie sheet and pour the mixture out onto the sheet. Spray lightly with oil and with the back of a spoon push it out towards the sides until it is about 1/8th of an inch thick and bake in a preheated oven 300 degrees for 15 minutes and take off the pan and with kitchen sheers cut into biscuits. then return to oven upside down and continue to cook 20-40 minutes until hard.  Let cool and serve as desired.

Raisin Bread from Oat pulp


The top two are the bread after it is baked. The bottom one is before it goes into the oven.

Leftover Oat pulp approx 3/4 cup (from making 6 cups oat milk Recipe to follow)
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons oil
1/2 cup raisins
1 3/4 cup flour

Mix all together and put in a sprayed bread pan and cook in a pre heated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until done.

* oat pulp must be very dry and look like this when you start. If there is milk seeping from it you haven't got enough water out and restrain.


Making Oat milk

It is very simple. In a large bowl add 1 cup oats and 6 cups water. let sit 2-6 hours. Then create an assembly line. blender, pitcher with strainer over, a bowl for the leftover pulp, and a spoon.

Blend 2-3 cups at a time of soaked oats and water for 1 minute in blender. then pout into strainer until it reaches the top. Then with the spoon stir until it becomes a ball of pulp and press that against the bottom to get out the last of the milk. Repeat until all is done.

Into that oat milk add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 cup sugar. Mix well and refrigerate until cool. Stir before serving. If you want it sediment free you can run the milk through a coffee filter after you get the pulp out.We like the heartiness of the leftover residue remaining with the milk.

Step 1


Step 2


Step 3
Step 4





This recipe creates both the oat milk and the raisin bread