All you need to know about coconut oil

 For the past year we've been using plenty of coconut oil in this house. Many people don't know much about it, so I thought I'd give you the basics.
Coconut oil basics:
* Yes it's high in fat, but guess what? It's good fat (the kind you get in avacados, olive oil, etc) and can actually lower your bad colestorol.
* High smoke point makes it ideal for use in certain dishes and excellent for popcorn
* Great for uses besides cooking
* A natural oil. Unlike many other oils, which use hydrogenation to manipulate and create an "oil"
* Half it's fat is from lauric acid which has antibacterial, and antiviral properties
* A middle-chain fatty acid makes it easier for your body to break down, which some believe can increase your metabolism
How to use- in the kitchen:
* use in baking as a one for one replacement for butter
    CLICK HERE FOR GINGERBREAD cookie recipe
* use anywhere else oil is called for in cooking. Many health professionals say coconut oil and olive oil should be the only oils in your kitchen!
- Outside the kitchen:
* apply to lips for a natural lip balm re-placer
* some people say that they use as a deodorant....I still prefer baking soda, but everyone's different
* eye makeup remover
* luxurious body butter or night cream for face (and it smells like you're in the tropics)
* help for dry scalp- put on scalp in eve then wash in am-this really helps!
What/Where to buy?
It seems pricey, but when you compare the cost to what you would spend on organic butter, it's about the same. I usually purchase the NUTIVA brand online at vitacost.   You can also find it at Trader Joes, and most co-ops or Natural Food stores. It is important to make sure you get cold pressed, so that the oil still contains its beneficial properties.

Whole Wheat Gingerbread Cookies

   I really like this recipe featured on the Tropical Traditions website for whole wheat gingerbread cookies that just so happen to be vegan friendly too. Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Gingerbread Cookies

---

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• Dash of nutmeg
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2/3 cup black strap molasses, generous
• 1/3 cup coconut oil

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease cookie sheets with additional coconut oil and set aside.

Mix all dry ingredients together and add molasses and oil together and slowly. Blend into dry ingredients well. If it is too dry add a tablespoon or two of water. Cookie dough should be of rolling consistency. You can roll and cut with cookie cutters or roll into a ball and use fork to press the cookie out.

Bake for 8-10 minutes for cookie cutter cookies and about 15 minutes for rolled and fork mashed cookies.

Bring Nature to the Table-Acorn Top Napkin Rings

my acorn tops..waiting to be used

This easy project is a great way to get your kids outdoors to hunt for acorns. Then come back inside and create something festive for your Thanksgiving place settings.

What you'll need:
* Old napkin rings (however many you want)
* About ten acorn tops per ring 
* Krazy Glue (i like the brush on kind)


What to do:
* Put glue on napkin ring
* Border entire ring with acorn tops (i did one at a time and held it and blew on it a few seconds)
That's It!
Super easy, festive, and fun.

Birch Christmas Tree Ornaments/Gift Tags

   
   When I saw these at a local boutique I thought "hey those would be so easy to make!" You could use almost any material you like if you don't have access to birch bark. I cannot emphasize enough just how free form this project really is. Sizes don't have to match, the bark doesn't have to look uniform, etc. Just HAVE FUN! This is a great craft to do with toddler age children as well (just make sure to use non-toxic materials)

Before you begin:
* In the interest of tree health, it's best not to peel the bark off of a living tree. I was thrilled to find some old hollowed out birch logs in the back of our lot for this project.
* Depending on how dirty your bark is, you may want to wipe it down with a damp cloth.

What you'll need:
Birch bark
scissors
mod podge
super glue
elmers glue
yarn, ribbon, hemp, etc for ornament hanging
What to do:
1. Cut your bark into 3 triangles similar in size (photo of my triangle. pre-tree below)

2. Cut a "stump" for your tree
3. superglue the tips of your triangles to each other, slightly overlapping to make a christmas tree shape. Also, glue the stump onto the bottom triangle (backview photo below)

backview 

4. Cover entire tree in thin layer of MOD Podge glaze
5. While glaze is drying, tie your yarn into a circle of desired length (refer to backview photo to see mine)
6. Use elmers glue to attach knot to back of the ornament
   Now sit back and enjoy your beautiful creation on the tree, or as a gift tag on your holiday presents.

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Kale and white beans

   I normally only post my own creations, but this recipe, adapted from eatingwell magazine, has been one of our favorites this fall, so I decided to post it for you all. It goes great with a apple/mixed green/goat cheese salad. Hope you all enjoy as much as I did!


Ingredients:

• 2 medium acorn squash, halved and seeded
• 1 teaspoon plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 8 cups chopped kale (may sub chard)
• 1 1/2 cups cooked great northern beans (or one can)
• 1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Directions:
• 1. preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut squash in half and remove flesh/seeds. Rub inside of squash with salt, pepper, and tablespoon EVOO. Place cut side down in baking dish and bake about 45 min, until squash is tender.
• 2. Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring, until starting to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in water, tomato paste and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir in kale and cook until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in white beans and olives; cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat.
• 3. Position rack in center of oven; preheat broiler.
• 4. Fill each squash half with about 1 cup of the chard mixture. Place in a baking pan or on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with parmesean. Broil in the center of the oven about 3-5 min.

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread

   What's fall without some pumpkiny goodness? Try my fiber filled whole wheat pumpkin/cream cheese muffins and savor the flavors of the seasons.

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup oat bran or wheat germ
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 T flaxmeal
3 tablespoons cane sugar
1/3 cup canola or sunflower oil
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup milk
1 1/4 cups fresh or canned pumpkin puree- CLICK HERE for DIY puree
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ Cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Icing
4 oz Organic Low Fat cream cheese (I used Trader Joe’s- $2.99 for 8 oz)
1 T Pure Vanilla Extract
3 T Honey
mix all ingredi ents together. If desired you can thin the icing with water or milk.

Directions

preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch loaf pan with canola oil cooking spray and set aside. 

* In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients (except the nuts). In a second large bowl, combine wet ingredients. Add this mixture to flour mixture and stir until just combined.

* Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake until cooked through and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack then remove from pan and set aside to let cool completely.
Once cooled spread icing and top with chopped nuts.

Free Bumper sticker

Want to express your feelings on the organic food movement? Get yourself one of these free bumper stickers from Annies
Theyre super cute and a great price!

	Be Green Bumper Sticker BE GREEN, Help the Earth Live is a campaign we started in 1989. It's not about any particular organization or corporation or trying to get anyone elected. Be Green simply lets people know that you’re an Earth advocate, and that you care about what happens to our wondrous, blue and green planet. Get your BE GREEN bumper (or skateboard or bike or notebook) sticker today!
	Recycle Sticker Annie's is happy to offer a "Recycle" sticker to help promote reduction of waste. Recycling is an easy way to help our environment. Why should you recycle? Here are Four Good Reasons: 1. Recycling conserves our valuable natural resources. 2. Recycling saves energy. 3. Recycling saves clean air and clean water. 4. Recycling saves landfill space.
	Stand for Peace Bumper Sticker STAND FOR PEACE lets people know that you are committed to creating a peaceful planet. It’s not about any particular organization or corporation or trying to get anyone elected. It’s just a simple way to express that you want peace on earth. Creating a peaceful planet begins with believing that it can happen. Within each of us lies the capacity to bring a little more love, a little more compassion, and a little more acceptance into the world. We are all interconnected. We all share the same home.
	Think Organic Decal THINK ORGANIC lets people know that you support the organic movement. It encourages others to buy organic products and to support local farmers whenever possible. Organic farmers keep alive a shrinking, but sacred way of life. They are committed to a sustainable future and need our support.

Heartland Hippie is not affiliated with Annies Homegrown. All sticker photos taken from Annies.com