Stained glass window craft

   After a spring-like day yesterday, winter is back with a vengeance. We took some time to turn our glass front door into a "stained glass window." It's fun and easy and unlike many other stained glass crafts it doesn't involve glue!
Here's what you need for this project:
-Random cut shapes of multi colored contact paper (can be found at craft stores)
- a solution of 1/3 dish soap and 2/3 water
- a window
What to do:
- smear the window with the wet mix
- have kids place contact paper up and enjoy when the sun shines through

New slate for the New Year

    Start 2012 with a clean new magnetic slate! I've had this project half finished for a few months and figured it was time to complete and put it out as the Christmas decor came down.
What You'll Need:

* Chalkboard paint 
* cookie sheet or vintage metal TV tray (I got my sheet at the dollar tree)
* wine corks (Feel free to get creative with your border on this project. I've done some with bottle caps, pretty ribbon, buttons, etc.)
* hot glue
TIP: if you don't have enough wine corks, and don't feel like imbibing that frequently, ask your local spirits shop. They usually have extras from tastings. 
What to do:
1. paint chalkboard paint onto your sheet. let dry and add another coat
2. glue your corks onto border of tray
3. pick a inspirational quote to admire and write it on your board
That's it! Super simple and fun. You can also do one for each family member and use as your "message/note" center using magnets to hang papers on it.

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.