Garlic Oil

This is great for sickness! Garlic is a natural antifungal and antivirus.  And I think it even keeps the vampires away.  You can swallow small whole cloves if you prefer.

To make garlic oil:
Mince 4-5 garlic cloves in a small bowl.  Pour olive oil in to cover the garlic.  Let it sit for an hour or so.   Make in small batches when you need it.

To use:
Immune booster:  Mix with salt, parsley, basil, oregano and dip bread in it.  Eat!  Pour on salad, rice or quinoa.  Eat fresh parsley afterwards to counteract the garlic taste.

Cough, cold, flu, fevers: Strain the oil, then rub the oil on your feet and then put socks on.  Can also rub on chest, cover with cloth.

Ear ache - warm oil by dropping oil on spoon over burner on med heat.  (this doesn't take very long.)  Get a dropper and test warmth by dropping a drop of oil on the inside wrist - it should feel warm, not hot or cold.  Drop 2-3 drops in each ear 2-3 times a day for several days, continuing 1-2 days after the pain leaves. Put a piece of cotton ball in the ear to keep it from running out (can remove after a few minutes.)

Ginger Tea

Fresh ginger is great for soothing sore throats and respiratory infections.   It's also excellent for colds and flu, digestion, nausea, motion sickness, gas, bloating, and menstrual cramps.  I used to think it tasted like flowers, but it doesn't really.  It tastes like ginger and it's kinda spicy! 

Ginger Tea:
To peel ginger, use the edge of a spoon.  That makes it easy!
In a small pot, add 2 cups of water.  Peel 1" of ginger and then grate it into the water.  Simmer on med. low for 20 min.  Remove from heat and strain.  Add honey to taste.  Can also add lemon if desired.

If you feel like you are getting sick, make up a batch and sip it through the day.  You can also rub this on sore muscles.

You can take a ginger bath.  Add tea to bath.

Natural Pancake Toppers

What do you put on top of pancakes and waffles?  Here are some more natural options:  

Applesauce (natural kind, sugar free)

Apple butter (natural kind, sugar free)

Maple icing (1:1 ratio of maple syrup to vanilla yogurt)

Honey butter sauce (1:1 ratio of butter to honey, melt in pan)

Buttered maple syrup (2:1 ratio of butter to maple syrup, mix with stick blender)

Jam Syrup (1:1 ratio of fruit sweetened jam with water.  Mix together with stick blender.)

Cinnamon & Sugar (1:1 ratio of cinnamon and evaporated cane juice.  Spread butter on, then sprinkle.)

Berries & cream (thaw frozen berries or chop fresh strawberries.  serve with whipped cream - dairy or not)

Berry sauce (Place frozen berries in a pot, add water to about 1/2 the height of the berries.  Bring to a boil, let simmer until berries are soft.  Blend with a stick blender. Keep berry sauce simmering.  Put mix cornstarch and water in a jar at a 1:1 ratio - start with 1 TBS of each.  Shake it up.  Slowly pour into berry sauce while whisking.  Add more cornstarch to get thickness you like.  Add 1 tsp of vanilla.  Then add agave, honey or stevia to taste.)

Tips: Pinhole or put in squirt container so you don't pour too much

Baked Beans

I got this recipe from a church dinner.  Hearty enough as a meal in and of itself! 

Brown 2lbs hamburger with chopped onion

Add:
2 large cans pork & beans
2 small cans red kidney beans
2 sm cans white beans

Mix in separate bowl, then add.
1 c ketchup
1 t mustard
1 t salt
1/2 c brown sugar
1 t dry mustard
1 T vinegar
1/2 t pepper

Put in crockpot on low 4 hours or 13x9 dish at 350 degrees 40 minutes

Three Bean Salad

My daughter and I were lucky to hear one of the ladies from www.wholefoodmommies.com speak and they shared this recipe with us.  We loved it, and my daughter didn't even think she liked beans.  I have adapted it a bit for our tastes.

1 can red beans, drained & rinsed
1 can pinto beans, drained & rinsed
1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 c. frozen corn  (thawed, or add frozen and wait to eat it) (optional, buy organic for non-gmo.)
1/2 red onion, chopped
5 green onions, chopped
1/8 c cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1-2 T lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced

Combine it all and eat.  Chill in fridge before eating for better flavors.

Chocolate Strawberry shake

Toss this in your blendtec and enjoy!  Kind of funny because the littles (4 &2) didn't really like this, but everyone else thought it was fantastic.  

5 c. frozen strawberries (approx)
4T cocoa powder
1 can coconut milk
approx 1/3-1/2 sweetener (can use honey, agave, etc.  I like to do part coconut sugar with a little stevia.)
2 c. water (or so, depends on how thick you want it)

Blend.  Drink.

Massaman Curry

Massaman curry is one of my favorite dishes to get at the local Thai restaurant.  This isn't exactly the same, but it's pretty close.

5 T massaman curry paste
1 T oil
3 c. coconut milk (about two cans)
1 lb chicken, cut up into small pieces (about 1/4" x 1") - about 2 costco frozen breasts
2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed (traditional massaman curry has big chunks, I like them small - about 1/2" cubes - plus it cooks faster!)
1 onion, sliced in large pieces
2T peanuts (or cashews)
1 c. water
3 tsp coconut sugar (or other sweetener), optional
1 tsp tamarind paste, optional

Saute curry paste in oil until aromatic.  Add coconut milk and bring to boil.  Add chicken, potatoes, onion, nuts and water.  Return to boil, reduce heat and let simmer for about 15-25 minutes until potatoes are soft. The sauce should be fairly runny and plentiful.   Add coconut sugar and tamarind paste.

Serve over cooked rice.