Year: 2013

Homemade Vegetable Broth

Melissa King 85 Comments

I have recently started making my own homemade vegetable broth for a few reasons.  First, most commercial vegetable broths are laden with MSG and other scary additives.  The only decent brand I have found was Pacific Organic.  You can read more about my comparisons of soup broth here.  Making your own homemade vegetable broth is easier than you would think.   The best part?  Homemade vegetable broth costs nothing because you use all the veggie odds and ends that you would normally throw away.

broth 1

This is the bag I keep in the freezer.  I just throw all kinds of veggie scraps in there and wait until I get a decent amount.  The tomatoes I had in my fridge, but they were almost on their way out, so I threw them in as well.

broth 2

 Homemade Vegetable Broth

Homemade Vegetable Broth

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Cook Time 6 hr

Ingredients

  • There really isn't a recipe, per say. Just a method. You can throw in any combination of vegetables and it will work.

Instructions

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    Recipe Notes

    In this case, I had cabbage, tomatoes, celery, green onions, garlic and broccoli.  I also threw in some sea salt and a bay leaf for extra flavor.  I threw everything in a pot and filled with water.  On the stove, I brought it to a boil and then turned down to low, covered it and let it simmer for 6 hours.  Most of the veggies break down in the long cooking process.  When it’s done, strain it into a bowl.  If you like a chunky broth, you can puree what is left of the veggies and throw them back in.  I strained mine and this is what I had at the end.

    I made about 10-12 cups of broth.  About enough for 3 large soups.  I just store it in the freezer in serving size containers so I just pull out what I need.  That’s it.  Super easy.

    Apple Cinnamon Bread (Vegan)

    Melissa King 48 Comments

    Apple Cinnamon Bread.  Today it is rainy and dreary out so I spent the morning in the kitchen.  When you have young kiddos like I do, you have no choice but to get up at the crack.  I love them, but man I wish they would sleep in once and a while.  So I set out to make some apple cinnamon bread.

    I love apples and have made many dishes with them.  I have Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal and also my Healthy Apple Cobbler.  I used store bought organic applesauce for this recipe, but it would be even better made with my Crock Pot Applesauce.  My house smells fantastic right now.  Who needs air freshener filled with chemicals when you can bake something that smells fabulous!

    Apple Cinnamon Bread

    Apple Cinnamon Bread

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    Prep Time 10 min Cook Time 17 min

    Ingredients

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350.
    2. Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl.
    3. Mix wet in another.
    4. Add wet to dry.
    5. Spoon batter into mini loaf or muffin pans . I used mini loaf pans and ended up baking these for about 17 minutes.
    6. If you are doing muffins, you may want to check on them after about 12 minutes to see if your toothpick comes out dry.

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    Good and Easy Eats Ebook Review

    Melissa King 2 Comments

    I love all the great products and people I come across while blogging.  Kim Wilson, the author of Good and Easy Eats, contacted me the other day to see if I would like to review her new ebook.  She’s spent the last 12 years developing recipes and writing books so she really knows her stuff and it shows.  Kim explains wholesome eating, offers baking tips, has a section on cooking tools and even includes a section on gluten free baking.  I made the baked oats this afternoon and it was not only healthy and easy, but delicious too!  Even Meadow, my picky 3 year old, loved it. Here she is having it for breakfast.

    Meadow 1

    This book really is perfect for the beginning cook. It covers all the basics and the recipes are so simple that even the busiest cook can manage.  I wish I had a handy little manual like this around when I was learning to cook!

    With most cook books these days going for over $10, this ebook is a steal at $4.99.  Go check it out. You won’t be disappointed. Click here to visit Good and Easy Eats.

    Homemade Pecan Pie Larabars

    Melissa King 98 Comments

    Yes!  Homemade Pecan Pie Larabars is what today’s post is about.   I just can’t seem to get enough of them.  The Coconut Cream is still my fave larabar recipe, but these pecan larabars are very tasty as well.

    They are also no bake and take a few minutes to throw together.  This is my kind of recipe. Vegan, gluten free and paleo too!

    homemade pecan pie larabars

    They taste just like pecan pie with none of the guilt!  Feel free to have two, or three.  No added sugars in here.  They get their sweetness from dates.

    Nature’s candy.  Yum!  Warning….these are addictive.  These larabars are also gluten free and grain free!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

    Homemade Pecan Pie Larabars

    Pecan Pie Larabars

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    Prep Time 10 min

    Ingredients

    Instructions

    1. Blend the pecans and the almonds in a food processor until they are fine.
    2. Then mix in the dates.
    3. The nuts will release their natural oils so there is no need for water. If yours looks a bit dry, you can add a tiny amount, but I didn’t have to.
    4. Line an 8X8 pan with parchment ,
    5. leaving enough room for some paper to stick out the sides.
    6. Press the dough evenly into the pan.
    7. Once it’s spread out, use the extra paper to press the dough down with your palms so it’s packed well.
    8. Stick in the fridge to firm up. About 2 hours should be good. 
    9. Once it’s chilled, cut into squares with a pizza cutter .

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    What are some of your favorite flavors?

    Natural Child World Review and Giveaway!

    Melissa King 38 Comments

    One of the things I love about blogging is, finding out about all these great products.  This magazine is another one of those things.  Not only does Natural Child World Magazine introduce you to some modern and sustainable products, but they also donate a portion of their advertising profits to help disadvantaged children all over the world.  Awesome, right?

    The magazine features some great articles on modern parenting, choosing safe toys and healthy eating.  I learned so much about all the great eco friendly products out there.  I love the positive vibe that is expressed throughout about true happiness.  My daughter loved looking through it as well.  If you would like more information about Natural Child World Magazine, please visit their website at www.naturalchildworld.com.

    Natural Child World Magazine is giving away a free year subscription to one of you!  To enter, please go like their Facebook page here AND leave a comment below this post.  The winner will be chosen on Feb 22.  Good luck!

    Congrats Tiffani Arnold you are the winner of the giveaway!  Please message me your info!  melissa@mywholefoodlife.com

     

    Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal

    Melissa King 169 Comments

    Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal.  I made you some baked oatmeal!  I just love oats.  They are much more satisfying than a bowl of cold cereal.

    Since this healthy baked oatmeal recipe is very high in fiber, it will keep you full for a long time afterward.  Lately, I have been doing a few baked oatmeal dishes which have become my new favorite way to eat oats.

    First, I did the Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal.  Then the Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal.  Now this latest recipe.

     

    Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal

     

    This is my new favorite, because, let’s face it, almond butter makes everything better!  Throw in some chocolate chips and you have yourself a pretty heavenly little breakfast.

    High protein too.  These would be especially decadent if you topped them with my Sweet Peanut Butter Spread.

    Looking for more baked oatmeal recipes?

    Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal

    Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal

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    Prep Time 10 min Cook Time 15 min Serves 6 muffins     adjust servings

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups gluten free rolled oats
    • 1/3 cup almond butter
    • 2 ripe bananas smashed (you can also use 1/2 cup applesauce or plain yogurt)
    • 3 T maple syrup
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 2-3 T almond milk
    • 1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350F
    2. Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl.
    3. Mix wet into another.
    4. Add wet to dry and mix well.
    5. Grease a muffin tin and spoon batter into each cup until it is about 3/4 full.
    6. Bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes.

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    Recipe Notes

    I used a jumbo muffin pan and got three of them out of this batch. If you use regular size muffin cups, you will probably get about 6.