Homemade Bagels

Here is the recipe for homemade bagels. They are super easy, and VERY affordable. You won't want to go back to store bought after this! 

What you need:

4 C. Bread Flour
1 T. Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Salt
1 T. Olive Oil
2 tsp. Instant Yeast
1 1/2 c. Water120-130F (HOT)

Optional : raisins and cinnamon  

1: Combine 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, yeast in your Mixer. (or with a hand mixer with dough hooks or kneading hooks)

2: Add oil to the water and pour into the mixing bowl, mixing until smooth and creamy looking.

3: Add remaining flour and continue to knead with the dough hook for several minutes until the dough is uniform and smooth.
4: Cut dough into 8 equal size balls & let set for 15-20 min.

5:Roll each of the dough balls into a long "snake" until it will wrap around your hand, forming a circle. Fuse well, then roll with the palm of your hand. Do not make your circles small. 

6:Let them rest for 20 minutes. In the meantime, bring a pot of water to a boil, grease a large sheet pan.

Preheat oven to 425

7: Boil the bagels on each side for 1 minute, let them dry for a moment then place on oiled sheet pan.

8: Bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, flip bagels, bake for additional 10 minutes.

9: Remove and let cool.

10. ENJOY! 

i found this recipe on Budget101.com  sorry for the sideways pictures !

Learn, Educate, Act

We all need to learn, we are constantly learning new things. I have been learning a lot about health. Lets start with a definition. Doctor : Teacher . yes that is the original definition . When was the last time a doctor taught YOU something? Do you go to a doctor and they tell you what the drugs do to you that they prescribe? No. Do they tell you alternative ways on how to heal your body? Do they teach you how your body works? how things work inside of you? no! It's our time to educate ourselves. I encourage you to watch a movie called "Food Matters." and "forks over Knives" I have yet to see the latter but have heard great things about it. Start educating yourself and you may be amazed on what is going on in our country when it comes to health, eating healthy and our freedom to choose to eat healthy. I will write more on this soon! (most likely after July 2 after i am Married!)

Glue in meat?

Read this article Glue in meat?! . It's amazing what they put in our food and "hide" it from us. This "glue" is also a part of MSG which is in almost all processed foods. This will make you want to switch to Organic!

another day, another time

Well projects and research have been halted. Wedding plans and Full time work have been over taking my time as of late. But i did find this article on the top 5 plants to grow, ( i found it on stumbleupon.com a great site!) http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1uz5Cs/recipes.howstuffworks.com/5-backyard-foods.htm/printable

Have fun reading!

Want a unusual chili recipe?

This Recipe is very yummy , but unusual too! I tried this last year and wanted to share the recipe with you all.

Ingredients

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
•  
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
• 2 cups tortilla chips (optional)

Directions

1. Place the diced tomatoes, water, garlic, and bay leaves into a saucepan, and bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and season with the cayenne pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Cover, and simmer 15 minutes.
2. After 15 minutes, pour in the black beans and kidney beans; return to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the peanut butter until dissolved, then remove and discard the bay leaves, and season the chili with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy with a sprinkle of Cheddar cheese, tortilla chips and smile!

recpe from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-Chili/Detail.aspx

Free Food

   Yes we all like getting "free food" , and this food is not only free, but most likely in your back yard growing! Yes you know that little pesky weed  you just can't get rid of? Well you can actually eat it! Yes i am talking about Dandelions. Those weeds with the yellow flowers . The leaves of the Dandelion are more nutritious than anything you can buy! They are packed with vitamins like B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E, P, and D, biotin, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc !! (plus calcium, iron, and a few other things i cannot pronounce) 
The root can be used to help detox your body from toxins,and cleanses the blood, and can be used in tea's and soups. But is best picked from late fall to early spring, for it is a little bitter. When gathering leaves , pick the new ones, for they are less bitter. And the flowers are edible too! (most people take the green part off for it is a little bitter) 


I have yet to try dandelion, but am excited to try it.  Here is a great site with more info on the nutrition of dandelions http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Dandelion.html and at the bottom click the link for dandelion recipes!! 

Have a sore throat ? Try this remedy!

With the cold and flu season in full swing it's always nice to find ways to kick that sore throat away. All you need is a spice most people have in their cupboard , and water.
What you need:
1/2 teaspoon - 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (powder form)
3-6 Oz Water

What to do:
Stir Cayenne pepper into amount of water you can handle
start a little at a time and work up to as much as a teaspoon.

Cayenne with help with sore throats and help with colds. The less water the quicker to get it done.
*Warning* Cayenne is "spicy" and should be taken at your own risk. Do not exceed more than 1 1/2 teaspoons a day.