Easy Homemade Pizza

I think one of the things we have missed the most is pizza in this house!  I was for awhile using wraps for them and in a pinch I will do that but this crust is worth planning ahead (and I'm only taking 1 hr ahead).  I first found the recipe when I was searching for a good spelt bread recipe to make garlic bread with spaghetti.  We can no longer buy the garlic bread so I wanted a substitute and this one was amazing!  I figured why not give it a try as pizza crust and we will never go back.  Everyone loves it!  The best thing is you aren't slaving over the oven for hours but it sure tastes like it :)   Here is what you need to get started.  Xylitol is the sugar we use but whatever sugar you have is fine.  Also you do not need sea salt, any salt will work.  I also use sprouted spelt flour but whole wheat flour would work and also if your family is GF and can't do spelt I would definitely give it a try with an all purpose flour like Better Batter.

So after you let the yeast, warm water and sugar sit for 10 min on the preheating stove, you will add the salt and flour.  The recipe calls for 4C but I did have to add close to 4.5-5 to get it to a non-sticky consistency.  

You then put it in the shape (for bread) or spread it out on the pan in the shape you want your pizza crust.  It then sits on the stove to rise for 30 min.

Then you add your ingredients for your pizza.  We do pizza sauce, then cooked Italian sausage, red onions, peppers and lots of cheese.  You could also add baby spinach, mushrooms, artichokes or anything that sounds good on pizza.  Then you place it in the oven for 15-18 min.  I do use one of those pamper chefs stones so it always seems to take an extra 10 min for mine.  The trick to keep the crust from drying out is to put a pan full of ice cubes on the bottom rack while cooking!

So here is the finished product.  Sorry it is a slice on my plate.  Everyone was starving and I meant to take a picture before we all devoured into it like we haven't eaten in days but I forgot.  So this is what you get!

Just try it!  It will never compare to a store bought pizza......Enjoy!

RECIPE 

Here are some tips: The amount of flour varies greatly depending on many things so don't be afraid to keep adding flour until it doesn't stick any more but stop as soon as you get to that point. If your yeast doesn't rise (get really nice and foamy), then it's bad. Don't waste your time and flour making it in to bread. Don't be afraid to knead it for a while - you'll get some good muscles and it will make it taste better.

Ingredients

• 2 cups very warm water
• 1 packet yeast (2¼ tsp.)
• 2 tablespoons sugar (or substitute of your choice)
• 1½ teaspoon Real Salt
• 4 cups flour (regular or spelt flour - give or take a cup)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Set the bowl on top of your preheating oven for ten minutes. Stir in the salt and add the flour a half-cup at a time, until the dough becomes soft but not sticky. Knead the dough until elastic.
2. Cut the dough into four even pieces. Roll each of them into four long, thin ropes. Twist together two of the ropes to form one loaf. Twist the other two ropes together to form a second loaf. Transfer both onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Let rise for 30 minutes on top of your warm oven.
4. Now for the SECRET: Fill a large cookie sheet or baking dish with 3-4 cups of ice. Open your hot oven and place the baking sheet with the baguettes inside, then put the ice on the b
5. ottom rack. Do NOT open your oven for 15 minutes. Bake until golden brown, about 15-18 minutes.
6. Serve fresh and hot with your favorite olive oil for dipping. Try olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Yummy.

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Now I will say my yeast does not get nice and foamy ever.....not sure what I am doing wrong but my bread and pizza crust turn out just fine.  

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So I haven't posted the kids lately at all so here is some fun Ana and I have had while the kids are at school!

Ana is my worm girl.  She hates seeing them on the road or driveways where they will be killed so we have been doing many rescue assignments after the rain stops to relocate the worms to a safe spot in the grass!

Well no other pictures will download for me so this is all I have.  Have a great day!

“We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are.”
― Bill Watterson

GF Peppermint Brownies (using Young Living Peppermint EO)

Yesterday we had a meet and greet at church were asked to bring a dessert.  Since the kids rarely have a choice on snacks I decided to try a new recipe for gluten free brownies.  I also was dying to try some peppermint essential oil in brownies since I love mint brownies.  I couldn't find one that I had all the ingredients to or one that didn't look too overwhelming to make so I mixed and matched recipes and came up with this one.  Definitely not healthy but once in awhile you have to just go for it.  It was a hit!  Hope you enjoy!

Gluten Free Peppermint EO Brownies
1/2 C all purpose gluten free flour
1/2 C sweet white rice flour
1C 100% Cacao (dark choc.) cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2C sugar
1C semi sweet choc. chips
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1C butter (2 sticks)
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
10 drops YL peppermint oil

Preheat the oven to 350.
Combine the first 7 ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
Beat your butter, eggs, vanilla and YL peppermint oil together.  Then slowly add the dry mix and combine completely.
Pour into a greased 9x13 glass pan and sprinkle some extra choc chips on top (optional but so yummy!)
Cook for 25-30 min or until done.  Test with a toothpick.
Cool before cutting and Enjoy!

Note:  I am speaking of using Young Living Essential Oils in the brownies, which is ok to ingest.  Many oils are not pure and not ok to ingest.  Please do your research before using any essential oil orally.  

Vegan/GF Banana-Walnut Muffin

I am always on the look out for muffin and bread recipes that are gluten free.  Ben's aunt sent me some she found in a magazine and they all look so yummy.  I decided that this one would be the first I tried since I had everything already and I'm so glad I did.  We love them and they are very easy to make.  I am also going to mix it up a bit next time and try blueberries or add choc. chips.

Makes 9 muffins:

3/4 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour (Bob's Red Mill)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp xantham gum

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp kosher salt

3/4 cup mashed banana (from 1 lrg banana)

1/4 C unsweetened applesauce

1/2 C light brown sugar

2.5 Tablespoons canola oil

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon light agave nectar

3/4 C chopped walnuts.

1. Preheat the oven to 350.  Line 9 muffin cups with paper liners.

2. In a small bowl, whisk the flour with the baking soda, baking powder, xanthan gum, cinnamon and salt.  In a medium bowl, whisk the mashed banana and applesauce with the brown sugar, oil, vanilla and agave.  Stir in the dry ingredients just until incorporated, then stir in half the walnuts.

3. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each one 3/4 full.  Top with the remaining walnuts.  Bake for 30 to 35 min, until the muffins are golden and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.  Transfer the muffins to a rack to cool slightly before serving.

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So I guess I shouldn't say I had all the ingredients but I what I did not have I had something to substitute for it.  I used vegetable oil instead of canola oil since I was out and I used raw honey instead of agave nectar.  I also did leave out the walnuts.  This is definitely one we will be making more of!  Hope you enjoy.

Another DIY Laundry detergent with Thieves and DIY spot remover!

So let's go over some facts that Debra Raybern, young living Royal Crown Diamonds, educated us on.

"The EPA has estimated that there are over 80,000 chemicals present in our environment today and only 2% of those have been tested for human safety. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics report 127 janitors died nationwide between 1993 and 2001 as a result of cleaning products they were using. It is estimated that 37% of the population suffer from allergies and rashes due to chemicals. In 2000, the poison control centers reported i18,863 injuries to children from chlorine products. Chlorine ranks first in industrial injuries and deaths in the US. Autistic spectrum disorders now effect 1 in 166 children, up from 1 in 10,000 ten years ago. Chemicals are neurotoxic (cause brain and neurologic damage), carcinogenic (cause cancer) , mutagenic (cause permanent genetic changes to cells), endocrine disruptors (disrupt normal hormonal function) and teratogens (cause birth defects).
The National Cancer Institute estimates childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and brain tumors (effecting about 16,000 adults and children) will continue to rise at the rate of 1% per year AND researchers have found a direct link to childhood leukemia and parents exposed to pesticides and chemicals. The WHO says indoor air pollution is responsible for over one million deaths per year. The EPA has rated indoor air pollution one of the top five risks to human health linked to SIDS, reduced birth weight, miscarriage, infertility, reduced lung function, asthma, cancer, and neurocognitive function.
Heard enough? Had enough? Ready to make a clean sweep and get these toxins out of your home? Great, then here are some additional safe ways to get things clean around the house. **Any mention of an essential oil means an oil from Young Living Essential Oil.  Only 2% of the worlds supply of essential oils sold in the marketplace are considered therapeutic grade. All others are graded using fragrance and flavoring standards and maybe synthetically derived, leaving them potentially hazardous!"

So one of the easiest ways to remove some of the toxins and hazards out of our house is to get rid of laundry detergents and especially bleach out of your house.  Making your own allows you the blessing of knowing exactly what you are putting into it.  One of the best essential oils out there for cleaning is Thieves and lucky for us Young Living made it is easy and made a cleaner.....

Laundry Soap
1 cup finely grated pure soap or soap flakes
1 cup of washing soda
½ cup borax
1 Capful of THC - Thieves Household Cleaner stirred in
Combine is a plastic tub container, use ½ cup to the wash cycle.
Rinse
2 cups vinegar
10 drops lemon oil (whitens) (this is oil is included in the premium starter kit)
Combine in a glass jar, use ½ cup in the rinse cycle.
Either recipe maybe doubled, tripled, etc.

Pretreat

Especially good around collars and for underarm stains.
Combine ¼ white vinegar, 4 drops lemon oil, 1 teaspoon baking soda and using a
toothbrush scrub on area, then launder as usual.

Spot Remover

As soon as the stain happens, combine 2 tablespoons cream of tarter, 2 drops eucalyptus
oil or lemon oil and some water to make a paste. Spread the paste over the stain and let
completely dry before washing.

Fabric Softner

1 gallon white vinegar, 30 drops essential oil your choice for smell and disinfectant -
lavender (this oil is included in the premium starter kit), rosewood, cedarwood, Thieves oil
Use ½ cup of the mixture in the rinse cycle

go HERE to print your own recipe card

How stinkin' easy are these!!!!  Very simple ingredients, all safe and they still smell amazing with your favorite essential oil scent.

DIY laundry soap

About two years ago I decided I was done with purchasing laundry soap and began my mission to find a good homemade one.  One that smelled good, cleaned well and wasn't hard to make.  I knew right away I would never keep up with one I had to boil or cook or whatever you need to do to make it liquid.  Too much work equals me not continuing my master plans in life :)

Well I hit the jackpot with this recipe.  We absolutely love it!

Recipe source 

Ingredients

• 1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax- Found in the detergent aisle
• 1 (3 lb 7 oz) Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda- Found in the detergent aisle
• 1 (3 lb) Container of Oxyclean- Found in the detergent aisle
• 2 (14.1 oz) Bars of Zote Soap- Found in the detergent aisle (You can also use Fels Naptha)
• 1 (4 lb) Box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda- Found in the cooking aisle 
• 2 Bottles of Purex Crystals Fabric Enhancer- Found in the detergent aisle

Instructions

1. Grate zote soap with cheese grater or food processor.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bucket.
3. Use 2 -4 Tablespoons per laundry load.

This past week I have been using vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser with a drop or two of essential oils.  I use purification for work out clothes, lemon to help whiten my whites and lavender on the rest!  Vinegar is awesome as a fabric softener as it not only softens but also helps with odors.

All three of these oils are in the premium starter kit

If you don't want to use the essential oils in the washer you can mix them in a spray bottle with vinegar or water and mist the clothes before drying.  You could also get a washcloth or piece of fabric wet and put some drops of your favorite essential oil on it and toss it in the dryer with the clothes.  Or one more option would be to put some drops on the wool Norwex dryer balls and toss them in the dryer.

So my next batch I will be leaving out the purex crystals. I also looked further into oxiclean and will instead try oxy boost.  I feel better about the product and what is in it.

Ok so this recipe fills about 2 ice cream pails 3/4 filled each.  I do 2-3 loads of laundry a day and this lasts me a couple months!  I love knowing exactly what I am using and knowing it is safe for my family.   I hope you give this a try.  It is super easy to make and the kids love help.

Never ending task....

I am one of those that goes crazy when things are not organized 

but

I have the hardest time also finding a system that works for us.

I seem to find something and then after a couple months/weeks/days 

I decide either I can't keep up with it or it is working absolutely nothing like that

mom who posted the grand idea.....

Am I the only one who looks at pinterest or a blog and thinks

WOW....the answer to my problem

Yet after I am done putting sweat and tears into it, it either looks like

my 3 yr old put it together, nothing at all like it was suppose to or

Ben comes home and asks why I would ever think that would work ;-0

Oh I don't know because this mom who has it completely together and has a home cooked meal

on the table every night, has a fully organized system in every room of her house, makes

everything from scratch, sews, crafts, has an amazing new idea weekly that turns out 

and yet still posts about taking her kids to the park and doing crafts with them made it work!

Well people I think I found a system for the kids unending papers and art work that I want 

to keep for them because you know when they are 30 yrs old they are going to treasure

it beyond words.....they will be so grateful to me for my dedication to preserving their hard work :-0

So I started with a bin for each kid.  Well after that being filled by the end of 1st grade and doing the math times 4 kids I was thinking I'll be needing Ben to build a storage building for the bins alone!

I started by dumping out each year into separate piles.

Then went through and just kept a few things.  I will still have 1 small bin

per child  for the clay pieces, large art pieces and trophies.

Then get some type of file container/bin.  Right now I have all the kids in one but in the end there

will be one per child.

I then added these to the front.....I know my cute little patterns I paid extra for are gone!!  arrrgghhhh...

You can get free printouts for this here.  That is also where I got this solution!

Finally fill the folders with the projects from the different years.....done!

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We are also trying very hard to keep the kids on task and give them some responsibilities.  Well Caleb started his this past week and he loves it.  His "job" is to help set the table...

He is doing a great job!  

We also have a little bug slowly hitting one kid at a time :-(

Hope you all are staying healthy!!

Packing........

So the packing is underway!!!  Oh the fun.  Last time I did this we only had 2 kids and I feel like a lot less.

I am doing my best to go through everything as I pack it up so I'm not bring anything with that we don't need which is making this process take forever!  But I'm hoping in the end that it will be worth it.

I am also trying my best to keep the boxes next to me so I can pack them fast and seal them.  We are having some issues in the house of things going missing (believe that would be culprit Caleb trying to "help" and tossing things in boxes) and issues of later in the day seeing items I know I put in boxes (that would be little miss Ana pulling out toys or items when I am not looking).  So we take 2 steps forward and 1 back but we are getting somewhere or at least I like to tell myself that :-)

I am also dying to get into the house and get some projects going for the kids playroom/sensory room!

Like this treehouse

Ok tried forever to turn it...lol 

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Or this fun market

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these fun seats....

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And what would a playroom be with a table to do those messy art projects on!

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Ok now time to stop day dreaming and get back to the world of packing.....I did find a great way though to store special papers from your kids.  I'll post that next time!