FAB 5 - July

Bread Machine

This isn't just my July Fav - it is one of my favorites over the past 3 years!  I LOVE my bread machine.  It is one of those things I thought I would never use, but I use it all the time!  When it is cool outside I use it at least twice a week! The above pic is the model that I own.  My mom bought it for me several years ago.  I usually make her delicious Whole Wheat Flax Seed Buns (recipe coming someday).  They are my favorite buns EVER!   I just found my favorite bread recipe, Ancient Multigrain Bread.  This loaf of bread tastes so much heartier and healthier than something you buy at the store - probably because it is!!

Toaster Oven

Like the bread machine I thought the toaster oven would be something that was going to be just a big space-sucker-upper (fancy word, eh?)  Again, it was a gift!  This time from my mother-in-law (Thanks Mara!).  Anyway, we got this for Christmas and I LOVE it!  I make bread, lasagna, chicken nuggets (homemade from chicken breasts),  asparagus fries, eggplant fries, toast, quesadillas, cookies...the list goes on and on....and on.... I love that it doesn't heat up my entire kitchen...plus it preheats FAST!

Ok, if you don't know me then it is time that I tell you that I am super  cheap frugal cautious with money.  I always have been and don't really see any big change coming soon (sorry hubbs)!  I see no reason to spend money on things that you can find for FREE!  (Hence my love of couponing!)  I started climbing up on my soapbox, but lucky for you I quickly stepped down and deleted it.  Whoop! Whoop!  Right? 

Anydandy, I LOVE freecycle.  I have received the following FREE:  2 nightstands, table, 2 barstools and an air hockey table.  Also, I have given away a lot of clothes, movies, stuffed animals and toys.  Isn't it great that you can pass along things that you no longer need and people can receive them without having to buy them from goodwill? 

WARNINGS: 
Be prepared to get emails from people giving away cans of sardines, half used body lotion and even opened creamer.  Look past that craziness and you can find some gems!

Things go very quickly on my local freecycle site!!

Sun Tea

 Seriously, there is nothing more refreshing than ice cold sun tea on a hot Texas day!  I like mine simple - nothin' fancy.  It is one of those things that is just supposed to be...simple...and...delicious!  I add 8 Lipton Tea bags to cool water in this fancy container.  Leave it out in the sun for a few hours.  TA DA!  Don't ruin this awesomeness with sweetener.  BLECH!  Put in the fridge and enjoy!

My Garden....is growing?!

Well...some of it is growing.  The rest of it got fried from the heat (rethinking my location - tons of hot sun!) or devoured by bugs/rabbits.  The fact that there is green stuff in it amazes me.  The combination of my black thumb (I killed a cactus) and the +100 degree days for as long as I can remember plus no rain have made things a little tricky!  We have enjoyed some tomatoes and lettuce though.  My jalapenos and watermelons are looking good too!  I had a BEAUTIFUL red bell pepper, but the day it turned ripe the bugs went nuts on it.  There are more growing though!  Reminder:  pick a tad early next time.  Also, I do need to do some sort of bug deterrent/spray.  The bugs even enjoyed one of my jalapenos, which surprised me! 

Any suggestions for the varmints?  (Any/all welcome!  I have tried some options - but no luck.)

noise with dirt on it....

Boy, n.: a noise with dirt on it. ~Not Your Average Dictionary

God has blessed me with two healthy, energetic, vibrant, hilarious, mischievous and exhausting little boys!  Did I mention exhausting?? :)  I am so grateful for them and even their shenanigans!  There is not a single dull moment around this place, that is for sure!

Now, I realize that little girls do not sit around their house in their petty coats and white gloves.  Girls can be just as energetic and curious as little boys - some even more so!  However, I believe that if the post below was written without mentioning the gender, you too, would assume they were boys! 

**When a 4yo tells his brother that nothing hurts him, his 3yo brother will test his theory (for accuracy sake).  It turns out that punching hurts.

**Peeing outside is way more fun than inside.  Even in public.  Even in the middle of a birthday party.  Especially from the top of a slide.

**They love and miss one another.  What starts out as a hug will turn into a headlock and end in a wrestling match.  This will happen anywhere - even church.

**Naked is fun!

**Jokes about bodily functions are funny.  Actually making the noises makes it over-the-top-hilarious!

**Nothing is indestructable.  Nothing!

**Accidents happen.  A lot.  This is how I know that nothing is indestructable.

**They have two modes:  busy and busier!

**They have two volumes:  loud and louder!

**If you ask a 3yo at bedtime if he wants to wear boxers he will spend the next 30 min obsessed with boxing.  This includes but is not limited to his brother, pillow and stuffed animals.

**Playdough isn't too difficult to get out of a garlic press; modeling clay is impossible.

Check out the video below to enjoy just a glimpse into my world.....

Ancient Multigrain Bread (bread machine - or not!)

When it is a gazillion degrees outside who doesn't think,
"I want to bake bread!" 




No?




Oh, I'm the only one?




 No worries, you can make this yummy and healthy bread without heating up your entire house!

Why should you make this bread?  It is hearty, chewy, moist and my kids LOVED it! 

Also, have you ever heard of Quinoa? 

 

There are numerous health benefits of incorporating Quinoa into your diet.  Read more HERE and HERE. 

You can find it on amazon (click on pic above for pricing), Whole Foods, Central Market, Sprouts and even your local grocery store!  I found it recently at Kroger!  Another option would be to buy it in bulk through Alison's Pantry and divide it amongst friends!

Ancient Multigrain Bread (melonbelly version)
1 3/4 cups milk
2 tsp salt
2 1/2 TBSP butter
3 TBSP brown sugar
3 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
3 TBSP Quinoa
1 TBSP flax seed
1 1/2 tsp dry yeast

Place ingredients in your bread machine in the order listed.

Option 1: 

Bake in bread machine using your multigrain cycle (mine doesn't have one) or whole wheat cycle.

Option 2:  (my preference)

Use dough cycle.  Mine takes 1.5hrs.  Then take out.  Place in greased loaf pan.  Cover with towel.  Let rise for an hour.  Then bake at 375 degrees for 45 min.

Note:  I have made this both ways.  I do not care for the texture and moisture of bread machine baked bread (maybe it is just mine) so I will continue to bake it in the oven or toaster oven! 

I found this recipe on the site, Like a Bubbling Brook, which I just love.  When I discovered her recipe index was called Frugal Healthy Recipes then I knew I had hit the mother load!  I encourage you to click on the links above and enjoy her wholesome-real-food recipes!  HERE is her exact recipe for Ancient Multigrain Bread.

mommy pedicure

Note re: weigh-in Wed

Weigh-In Wed has been moved over to the melonbelly facebook page!  This way we can keep it more interactive.  Join the FB page to join in the fun!