Maple Flavored Meringues

I have a BIG sweet tooth. Almost obsessive kind. So much that I went to Culinary School for a focus on Pastry and Baking. And yes I graduated.

I learned to appreciate good, quality ingredients and how that can make a dish completely over the top in tastiness.

One of my favorite and easiest things to make is French Meringues. I could seriously eat them like potato chips lol. They are super easy to whip up and a good way to use up eggs before your next pickup lol. We get our eggs when we pick up our milk so when I noticed we had 4 extra eggs, I knew exactly how I wanted to use them.

I have been experimenting with a few new ingredients that I had added to our daily pantry supply. Sucanat or Rapadura is essentially raw dried cane sugar. Unrefined, it keeps the molasses content and is a purer, less processed form of sweetener. We've slowly been switching over to this sweetener adding it to our coffee and tea. I must say it tastes so yum! And I love that it is minimally processed.

These meringues have a faint maple flavor without being over the top sweet. They melt in your mouth and are so light! Some I accidently had under cooked but they were just as tasty as they had a more marshmallowy texture. SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!

Maple Flavored Meringues

You will need:

4 pastured egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter (optional)
1/2 cup Sucanat or Rapadura
1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Preparation:

1.) Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2.) Add cream of tarter to egg whites and whip in stand mixer with whisk attachment (or by hand) till stiff peaks.

3.) Slowly add sucanat. Once that is completely incorporated, slowly add maple syrup.

4.) Pipe onto parchment lined baking sheets with piping bag and tip OR you can use a freezer bag with a small cut out of the corner. 

 I have very little hands so its hard for me to fill my pastry bag, so I find if I place it in a large pint glass, its easier to fill ;-)

5.) Place in oven and once door is shut, drop the temp to 250 Degrees. Bake for 1 hour. Remove and let cool a bit before removing to a plate.

TRY not to eat them all in one sitting. There is nothing better than popping these bad boys in your mouth when you are having a serious sweet attack!

The Love of Raw Milk



Its not easy raising a family on one income. When we decided to have children 6 years ago I neverwould have pictured myself as the "Stay at home Mom" kind of person. But then my two bundles came along it became apparent that being with my children (and my home) is where I was meant to be.

So the hubs and I sat down and really crunched the numbers. It would be tight but if it meant being with our children and raising them the way we had wanted, then penny pinching was the way to be. Bottom line......we were going to make it work.

I painstakingly plan out our budget every month of food and bills. I feel this is part of my job. And yes its not a secret that we go a different route when it comes to the food that we choose to provide for our family. Some things are cheaper in the long run and others are a bit more pricey. But I feel some things you just cannot compromise when it comes to your family.

One of the foods that is top on our priority list is milk.

We go through a TON of milk in this house. While my husband and I aren't big milk drinkers ourselves, our children can put away a gallon quicker than a blink of an eye. And add the dairy foods that come from that milk and it adds up.  

So considering how much goes into our family, finding good, quality milk is of big importance. Raw milk in our house is a must in our budget. I add it on with all the other main bills because its just not something I'm willing to compromise anymore.

I know it sounds crazy that we drink Raw Milk, but I promise you, with a little research and a reputable source, its worth every penny. I can guarantee organic, hormone free, wholesome milk that I know will fill my family with healthy enzymes, vitamins, and protein that pasteurization kills in conventional milk. I'm not saying that Raw Milk is the only way to go. I know its not readily available in a lot of places. For example even here in Kentucky. It is illegal to buy or sell raw milk here. I don't "buy" raw milk. I bought shares in a herd of cows. This is the product that my herd gives in which I am entitled too. I pay a maintenance fee every week which goes towards the care of our animals and in turn we get gallons of milk from our cows. Its simple but tricky. lol. Check your local laws. We own three shares so we get three gallons every week. And yes we use up all that milk.

Its not just milk that comes with it. Its the cream as well. Liquid, healthy fats. And with that I'm able to make our butter, coffee creamer, ice cream, and whatever else we need for the week. I'm even dabbling in cheesemaking! So in the long run those shares go along way!

I also love the fact that I know exactly where this product comes from. I even know the cows names!! White face, Black face, and Red. lol. The kids named them :-). Its such a religious and wonderful feeling driving out to the homestead every week to pick up our supply. To see where our cows eat, sleep and breath. Its magical. And so rewarding! Worth the 25 miles one way every week. Of course I hope to one day raise our very own milk cow, but until then I will gladly drive out there. Its my little slice heaven every Thursday. Thursday is now my favorite day of the week. Thursday is Milk Day <3

I'm not saying that Raw Milk is the only way to go. If its not available where you live, by all means, go find yourself some good organic milk. Please make sure you are drinking organic though. The hormones and process they go through is just not good. For you and the cows. But if it is available, do yourself a favor and check it out!

For more information on: Raw Milk
Also for useful information: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/05/got-raw-milk-why-we-chose-to-go-raw.html

Maple Glazed Carrots!

Oh the battles of dinner table and children. I was blessed with two beautiful little girls who could not have more different eating styles if they tried. My Beanie will eat just about anything you put in front of her. Loves loves LOVES fruit and vegetables. Nothing stops this girl lol. My Sox.....well that's a different story. Sweet Sox refused to eat any solid food till after she turned a year old. I once spent a full day cooking and steaming and straining out homemade baby food for her. Only to have her gag every time it touched her lips. She still hates most fruit. And CAN NOT STAND Vegetables. Might I even say: She might take after her father?? lol. The one dish, it seems, they can both agree on is Maple glazed carrots.

It started as just a ploy to try and get her to eat her vegetables. I don't remember who started doing it but after cooking the carrots we would sprinkle some brown sugar on them. So tasty but sugar drenched. Then after a few years and a food overhaul, I started using real maple syrup to flavor most things that needed sweetening. HOLY HECK BATMAN! That sure did hit the nail on the head! These are super tasty, real food, AND cost effective! SOLD!!


Maple Glazed Carrots

You will need:

• Real Maple Syrup
• Fresh Carrots (I was able to get these BEAUTIFUL multicolored carrots from my farmstand store but any variety will work)
• Butter

Preparation

1.) Add a couple tablespoons of butter to a pan and turn stove to medium-medium high.

2.) Add carrots and sauté for a good 5-10 minutes or so over medium-medium high heat. Just until slight al dente and cooked.

3.) Now this is purely up to taste. Pour in your maple syrup SLOWLY. You want them to be sweet but not overly. I usually add 1-2 tablespoons depending on how many carrots I have. It will start to bubble and cook up nicely. Roll your carrots around in the sugary love for a few minutes until nice and glazed.

That is it!! So simple and SOOOO tasty! My girls fight over these things and I don't feel overly bad for letting them have as many as they want. Make sure to sneak a couple extra before loading up your kids' plates....it will probably be all you get!

Elderberry Syrup or "Medicine" to the girls

Well cold and flu season is upon us and while, I'm not completely against the flu vaccine (as of yet) I am apposed to pumping full of store-bought drugs. Most of them come with unwanted dyes and chemicals. Completely foreign to the body. And how many times are you able to buy a medicine for ONE symptom?

I prefer to try and prevent instead of over medicate. Of course that means lots of fruits and vegetables and homemade chicken and beef stock. But also that means a daily dose of Elderberry Syrup. Now Black Elderberries, (also known as sambucus nigra), used for healing properties have been around for a long long time. Studies have shown that they contain high levels of vitamins A, B and C and really give your immune system boost. Also....side note: Hershel from Walking Dead used it to help cure the deadly flu going around and if its good enough for Darryl Dixon then its good enough for my family. JUST KIDDING! But seriously....this stuff is awesome.

Most health food and vitamins supply shops carry Elderberry syrup and it is marked to a Premium! When we first started using it, I was able to find a very small bottle for close to $10. Since both kids were sick, we blew threw that stuff in 1 day. So, after doing some research, I found a recipe which I follow and has worked beautifully. The girls love the taste (BONUS!!!) and we are able to attack the when the slightest sniffle comes rearing its ugly head!

So without further adieu....

Elderberry Syrup

You will need:

• 2/3 cup of dried Black Elderberries (a lot of health food stores carry these and you can also order them online of course)
• 3 1/2 cups of filtered water
• 2 Tbls of dried or fresh Ginger (I always have fresh ginger that I keep in my freezer. Its stays fresh longer and makes it easier to grate)
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 cloves
• 1 cup of raw LOCAL honey

Preparation:

1.) Pour all ingredients EXCEPT HONEY into a pot and place on stove and bring to a boil. Once a mixture has been brought to a boil, reduce to simmer and cover. Continue to cook for 45 minutes. This will reduce the syrup down to about half.

2.) After 45 minutes, remove from heat and pour through a fine strainer into a glass bowl or jar. I usually lightly push on the berries to squeeze out as much juice as I can. Throw away used berries or you add to your compost pile. Now Let the mixture cool a bit to room temperature.  Once it has cooled you can now add your honey. ( I once did it before hand and syrup got SUPER thick....like molasses thick. Complete waste. So make sure its cooled off a bit before adding honey).

3.) Once all your honey is mixed in you may now add it to your jar. I have found that it fits perfectly into one of my larger Mason Jars.

4.) Now I always write out instructions (for the hubs) and tape it to the jar. That way I'm not getting constant questions on how much needs to be used. But its pretty simple. Kids = 1/2 - 1 tsp a day or every 2-3 hours when sick until symptoms subside. Adults = 1/2 - 1 Tbls a day or every 2-3 hours when sick until symptoms subside. Store in the fridge for up to 6 months.

That's it!! Easy peasy if you ask me and WAYYYYY cheaper than constantly buying it. I can also say this stuff has worked beautifully for our family. You should give it a try ;-)

2014 Goals

I had learned early on that New Years "Resolutions" usually don't make it past the first month before they are cast aside and forgotten about. I'm more inclined to call them goals. That way there is no pressure to have them done. More to have something to work towards. Then you feel so much more accomplished when you have completed them.

This year my goals are for both homesteading and personal. I like to stay well rounded and grounded.

 

 

2014 Goals

 

1. Build Planters - We live in a rental house so are unable to build a real garden as we have pretty strict landlords :-/
2. Plant Garden (Vegetables and Fruit) - in the planters of course
3. Start Purchasing Raw Milk  YAY COMPLETE!!!!
4. Make Dress - I'm always making things for the girls and others but I've never made anything really for myself. I've seen an idea of purchasing vintage sheets and making a dress. Really want to do this for the summer.
5. Build a Chicken Coop (for the neighbors) -  We live in a rental house but have some pretty awesome neighbors who are willing to loan us some of the back land, when needed, for chickens in exchange for as many eggs as they want. So we are going to build a coop/tractor (for our neighbors chickens).
6. Replace/Build Savings account - When we started out we owned a VERY Small house in Seattle. Then Sophie came and, shortly after, Beanie. We learned pretty quickly that not only did we need more family around but we were quickly out growing our house. Unfortunately, the economy didn't really seem to care about are situation so we ended up selling our house under short sale. We first drained our savings to move to Utah to be closer to one of my sisters but found out quickly it wasn't for us. So, again drained our account to move to Kentucky to be closer to my mother and family. This was the proper move for us but very costly in that we, again, we're stuck with no savings. So this is the year to put that back!
7. Start Christmas Presents - Last year I waited WAY too long and was left scrambling at the end of the year. I always make our presents for family so this year I would like to get a head start.
8. Make Kombucha - I've always heard this stuff is amazing for you. And I have found a flavor that I like at Kroger. So maybe this year is the year to start brewing it for myself? We'll see.
9. Purchase Bow - This is for Greg. He has really shown interested in archery and hunting. And to be honest, having a freezer full of organic, FREE Meat, is mighty appealing. 

 

So those are my goals. Again both for Homesteading and personal. Not bad for already having completed one!

 

Yay for 2014!!

The Great "Health or Taste" Debate

 

If there's one thing you know about me its that I love good food! I've always liked the way my "Papa" always said it: "I like the taste of food". Its true. Is there anything better than sitting down after a really great meal and feeling completely blown over and satisfied? no I don't think so. And I don't think that the taste of food should diminish because you want to be more conscious of food. I think if anything....it gets better.

People have this big misconception that more conscious means flax burger and soy milk. Green seaweed drinks and quinoa loafs. I'm sure those things are all nice and tasty but not something that I'm willing to subject my family too. At least not yet. ;-). It also doesn't mean you have to pay an arm and a leg for it either. We are a one income household. Penny pinching is the name of the game here. And I'm not going to let my families health decline to do so. It just takes a little bit more work. But since I'm now a SAHM...I feel that this is part of my job now.

So these are things I do to achieve both:

1.) Become a "Locavore":  No this isn't a crazy dinosaur....though my two year old would be ok with that. This means try to purchase local. Go to farmers markets. Support your local businesses. Support your local economy. I've learned that just doing a little research on the internet can go a long way. I've found great little family farm stands and shops. And a great thing about this is not only are you going to the source for your food but these farmers talk! So if you can't seem to find something just ask and a lot of times they can point you in the right direction. Multitasking!!

2.) Buy in bulk.  Most of the money you shell out when purchasing a certain product is gone towards packaging and handling. For example: Meat. Today was meat day in the homestead. Now normally we purchase 1/4 side of beef and 1/2 hog a year but being we are still pretty new to the area, we haven't gotten to really picking out a new farm. Sooooo I found a butcher shop in the mean time. Yes THEY STILL DO EXIST. And I promise you 9 times out of 10 the cuts are better and better price. So on Friday, Beanie and I went to the butcher to purchase our meat supply for the next couple months. I purchase 3 whole chickens (learn to break down a chicken. I will have a post about how this is done in the future. But really I promise its not that intimidating and you save a ton of money in the long run. Plus there is less waste), 1 GINORMOUS pork loin, and 4 steaks. And yes this means a little work involved. I roasted one of the chickens on Friday and we had leftover meat for Saturday night nachos PLUS carcass to make chicken stock. Today I broke down the other two chickens and got 2 packages of boneless breasts and 2 packages of legs and wings. That's 6 meals of chicken plus more bones for stock. The steaks were packaged into 2 packages of 2. And the Loin was made into 4 packages of chops, 1 whole pork roast which will probably last us at least 3 meals, and I ground some to make 2 packages of sausage. A little work but the meat will last us a while and I'm still supporting local economy.

3.) READ YOUR INGREDIENTS  I can't stress this enough. My rule of thumb is....If I can't pronounce it, I'm not eating it. I also follow the "5 ingredients or less rule." Chances are those two things save your money and your health.

4.) Produce what you can from home. Plant a garden for vegetables and produce. Build a chicken coop for eggs. Learn to make bread. Did you know you can make bread from just a few simple ingredients and NO KNEADING?!!? I'll do a post on this recipe soon. But YEAH! Its possible. And it tastes SOOOOO much better and costs just pennies. The more things you can produce from home, the better. They taste better and usually costs way less.

5.) Purchase whole foods. I'm not saying shop at Whole Foods (though if you can afford it or swing it than great!) but we don't have one close or the pocket book. This means vegetables, meat, nuts, grains, etc. I read somewhere that if you stick to the outer part of the grocery store than you are golden. ITS TRUE!! This is where most of the real foods are. Produce, Meat, Dairy...these are all around the edges of the store.

Obviously there are exceptions to every rule. You have to do what is best for you and your family. And I'm not saying I am all knowing. These are just some guidelines that we follow and has helped us in the end. I have been able to slowly widdle out most of our processed items in our pantry and fridge and didn't break the bank doing so. Plus I still make tasty treats for my family.

 

 

Introductions

When I had found I was pregnant with my first baby I was convinced that the "Working Mom" was the life style for me. Living in Seattle, "progressive working mothers" was the way of life.  Then that little bundle of blue eyed energy came into my life bringing a whole world of new feelings and emotions. Now I have always been a health conscience person of moderate affair and was blessed with the ability to go to culinary school to explore that……I’m getting off track. Let me start from the beginning. My name is Nikki and these are my crazy adventures of stay at home mom/homestead beginnings/complete transition for our family to local and homemade sustainable foods.

I have always been a self-described hippy at heart. Always in tune with nature and the healthy ways of sustainable lifestyle. Culinary school really solidified that for me in that I was able to taste and see the difference when incorporating local and natural ingredients. But when my two beautiful bouncing girls came into my life, first Sophia in the spring 2009 and then our early Little Bean or Lilith in the fall 2011, these principles really took on a new meaning for me. I began noticing I was reading labels more closely and asking where items came from. Now I’m not saying that I haven’t stepped foot in a grocery store since then. Times have been hard and to be honest: my babies gotta eat and I had to work. But over time and much contemplation, our family has found it best for me to be at home which affords me the time to really hone in on my skills of honest cooking and care.

I gave notice at my job and November 15 of 2013 was my last day of paperwork master. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to practice these principles I have grown to love. Teaching my children where our food comes from is so very important to me. We started our adventure, way back when, in Seattle, spent a short jaunt in Utah, and now live in Kentucky with amazing people and opportunity surrounding us. I truly think its a good fit. While we don’t have quite the food “selection”, per se, as we did in Seattle, we definitely have a different variety. And I’ve never been one to shy away from a good cooking challenge! And I hope to be able to share some these with you from time to time.