{Photo Credit}

I have been making my own, raw almond milk because I don’t like that there are sweeteners in the store bought kind.  The only thing I had to buy for extra “equipment” was a milk bag (mine is actually a produce bag that has fine enough holes to use as a milk bag).  You could also just use a cheesecloth, I bet.

I soak 1 cup of almonds in water for 12-24 hours.  When I want to make the milk, I rinse the almonds and put half in the blender with 3 cups of water.  Blend.  Place the milk bag into a pitcher and pour the blended almonds and milk through the bag.  Then you can strain it into the pitcher just like you are “milking” the bag.  I repeat the process once more and I have homemade, and raw almond milk for drinking, using in lattes, or pouring over my cereal.

Enjoy!

Happy Frugal Friday!!!

I just recently got an espresso machine and these hot summer days have been great for making cold coffees.  I am loving my new Caramel Frappe Recipe (and saving money by making it at home).

Caramel Frappe Recipe

• 2 cups ice
• 1 cup espresso (or strong brewed coffee), chilled
• 2/3 cup milk of choice
• 1/4 cup caramel syrup
• 2 T. sugar

Blend in the blender.  Top with whipping.  Serve and sip.

For other Frugal Friday ideas, visit Life as Mom.

Ingredients:

• 1 7oz. bar of 60% cacao bitter sweet chocolate bar (I used chips instead)
• 1 cup soy creamer
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 t. vanilla
• 1 9″ graham cracker crust
• 1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350*.  Place chocolate into a heat-proof bowl.  Simmer soy creamer in a medium sauce pan, and then pour soy creamer over chocolate.  Whisk together until the chocolate is mixed.  Let stand 30 seconds before mixing in the egg, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.

Pour the mixture into the crust.  Cover crust edges with foil and bake for 25 minutes.  Cool 1 hour.

Preheat broiler.  Spread marshmallow creme on the pie, and broil 30 seconds to 1 minute or until the top is golden brown.

In lieu of a menu, I want to share with you this awesome and easy pizza dough recipe that I have been using the past few weeks.

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 T baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 T oil
• herbs (I used oregano and basil)

Preheat oven to 400*.  Mix together dry ingredients.  Add water and oil and mix.  Knead dough and roll to pizza crust.  Add your favorite toppings and bake for 18-20 minutes.

If you’d like menu ideas, visit The Org Junkie.

• Breakfasts: Smoothies, fresh squeezed oj, eggs, bacon, oatmeal, cereal
• Monday
• L:  Soup and sandwiches
• D: Chicken breasts, appetizers, corn
• Tuesday
• L: Leftovers
• D:  Sloppy joes, boiled potatoes, green beans
• Wednesday
• L: Leftovers, salads, or hot dogs
• D: Chili
• Thursday
• L: Tacos
• D:  Rustic pasta, cake, and raw mousse for V’s FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY
• Friday
• L: Burger and chips
• D:  Spaghetti and meatballs
• For more meal plan ideas, visit The Org Junkie.

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 t cinnamon
• 1/2 c sugar
• 2 T agave (or maple syrup)
• 1 mashed banana (or 1/4 cup applesauce)
• 1/4 c vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 c rolled oats
• 1/2 c raisins

Directions

• Heat oven to 350*
• Combine flour, salt, and cinnamon to set aside
• In another bowl combine sugar, agave, vanilla, oil, and banana
• Combine both bowls of ingredients and add oatmeal and raisins
• Form balls of dough with your hand (about a tablespoon worth) and bake 12-14 minutes.

Enjoy!

• 1/4 pound pasta – I use whole wheat spaghetti
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1/4 cup shoyu (I have also used tamari but any soy sauce would work)
• 1/2 t sea salt
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1 small head of cabbage, thinly sliced
• 5-6 T marinara sauce

Directions:Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.  Salt the water and add the pasta and cook until al dente.Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat.  Add the onions and cook for 7 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and saute for 3 minutes longer, until the onions are transparent and turning golden.Add the celery to the skillet and saute for 3-4 minutes.  Stir in the shoyu, salt, and garlic powder, then add the cabbage; saute for 4 more minutes.  Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes longer.Add the pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss together.  Cook over medium-high heat for a minute or two and then serve.Enjoy!

I was asked for some smoothie recipes, and although they are not too exciting I thought I’d share anyway. (These both make enough for my DH and I.  Adjust accordingly.)

 Strawberry Banana Smoothie

2 bananas

1/2 box of strawberries

1/4 cup water

3-4 ice cubes

2 teaspoons omega 3 fish oil

2 teaspoons wheatgrass powder

I mostly try to do raw foods in the smoothies, but I like this one too.

Tropical Smoothie

2 bananas

1/3 fresh pineapple

1/4 cup orange juice

4 T organic yogurt

4 ice cubes

We’ll be trying this Raw Vegan Apple Smoothie this morning!!

Picture courtesy of ~ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hanan/104282165/

Watermelon is my favorite summer fruit!  It just screams summer to me!  On a hot day, there is nothing better than a cold slice from the fridge.  Except maybe a tall glass of…. watermelon lemonade.

I have not tried this recipe yet, but I know I’m going to love it.  Watermelon, lemonade, in a cold glass…. hello to the perfect summer recipe!

For more ideas, visit We are that Family.

I am sitting on my couch facing the big living room window and watching the snow fly.  As the weather is changing and the temps are dropping, I think I have picked an appropriate menu for the week since there are a lot of soup-type meals.

Monday ~ Corny chili with homemade bread

Tuesday ~ Pesto tortellini with garlic bread

Wednesday ~ Cheeseburger pie (recipe below)

Thursday ~ Fried rice

Friday ~  Minestrone soup with cheesy garlic biscuits

Saturday ~ Bobby’s gulash (Paula Deen’s son’s recipe) with homemade cheesy garlic toast

Sunday ~ Cheeseburger soup with garlic muffins or crackers

Cheeseburger Pie Recipe:

Grease a 9 or 10 inch pie plate. Lightly grease or spray with cooking spray. Then you brown a pound of ground beef mixed with some chopped onion over a low heat. Drain any fat that surfaces once the beef and onion mixture are browned. Sprinkle with a bit of seasonings, such as garlic, pepper, oregano, etc.

Mix 1 1/2 cups low fat or fat free milk, 3 eggs, and 3/4 cup bisquick together.

Put beef mixture into pie dish. Pour bisquick mixture on top. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.

Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes.

For more menu ideas, visit Org Junkie.