Homemade Vapour Rub

I came across this recipe for homemade vapour rub from CrunchyBetty's website.
As a Mum to a little one, I didn't feel comfortable even using the baby brand vapour rub on her little chest when she got the coughs or sniffles.
This recipe seemed straight forward enough and true enough I soon had a natural vapour rub that seemed identical in texture and smell.

Homemade Vapour Rub

• 2 tsp beeswax (grated)
• 1/4 cup EVOO
• 35 drops peppermint essential oil
• 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 15 drops rosemary essential oil

Melt the beeswax and olive oil together until smooth (I used a glass bowl in the microwave, stopping and stirring a couple of times until it was completely melted). Stir well with a whisk. Continue whisking while adding the essential oils drop by drop. Transfer to a small lidded container. Store in a cool, dry place for up to  a year (or more).

Both baby and hubs loved it, not to mention it left the skin on the bottom of my feet nice and soft!

Enjoy!

Peace,

Breadmaker 100% Whole Wheat Coconut Oil Bread

Breadmaker Whole-Wheat Coconut Oil Bread

1 c. plus 1 T warm water
1 T coconut oil
1 T other oil (olive, sunflower, etc.)
2 T honey
1 tsp salt
3 c whole wheat flour
1 scant T yeast
Put ingredients in bread machine in order listed, or in the order recommended by your bread machine model. Run the dough cycle.

Remove dough and place in greased loaf pan. Let rise in warm place for 30 to 40 minutes.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. To prevent over browning, cover in foil after 15 minutes. 

I loved this recipe, the loaf is fluffy and delicious - and you can't taste the coconut oil at all! (though I personally really enjoy the taste.)
A great healthy alternative to the normal white. 

Enjoy!

Curry Leek Soup and Knitted Lovelies

I tried a new recipe the other day, and both Jeremie and I loved it!

It was amazingly easy and deliciously healthy.

Curry Leek Soup



 3 Medium Leeks, white portion only, thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, minced

2 T. Butter

1 (14.5 ounce) can Chicken broth

3/4 c. Water

1 1/2 cups thinly sliced Carrots

2 Celery ribs, thinly sliced

2 t. chicken bouillon granules

1/2 t. Curry powder

1/8 t. Pepper

1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk.

In a 3-qt. saucepan, saute leeks and garlic in butter over medium heat until tender.

Add the broth, water, carrots, celery, bouillon, curry powder and pepper.

Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until veg is tender.

Cool slightly.

Place 1 cup soup in a blender or food processor; cover and process until smooth.

Return to pan.

Add milk; heat through.

Do not boil.

Here is Mum with Eloise, and her new cardigan and bonnet she knit for her.

It's so soft and warm, and looks just adorable on Eloise.

Perfect for those cold Fall days!

Look at those cheeks!!



I love the back of the bonnet almost as much as I do the front!

Thank you so much Mum.

Peace,

Staying Warm and Chocolate Chewies

It has been very cold here lately, and all of us have been pulling sweaters, coats and fuzzy socks from our drawers.

The heat has been turned on, and baby Eloise was gifted this lovely sleeper from Grandma and Grandpa.

I adore the colours and I can't help but feel that she enjoys the fuzziness of it.
She's like a fuzzy little doll in her sleeper and I love picking her up and cuddling her.

  

All of the lovely knitted  blankets are coming in very handy during these cold evenings.
Mum made this one for Eloise, and I just adore it.
The colours are so vibrant and beautiful - I'm sure it helps create happy dreams.

 

Eloise is just getting so big, and those "chipmunk cheeks" are really starting to show now.
Here she is hanging out with Daddy, watching a movie.
I'm starting to notice that she really does 'watch' movies - I just the colours and lights are enough to keep her interested at just two months old.

I guess we should start keeping better tabs on what we watch in the evening!

I've also been on a bit of a baking binge.
I've been making lots of cakes and cookies; normally ones with lots of chocolate in them.
Not the healthiest, but certainly delicious!
Pictured below are:
"Mocha Chocolate Chewies"
A delicious soft, cake-like cookie that is horribly addictive!

So here's the recipe - it'll make me feel less guilty if I cause others to fall into the same chocolate temptation I have! :)

Jen's Mocha Chocolate Chewies

• 1 box Devil's Food Cake mix
• 1/3 of a Cup brewed coffee at room temp.
• 4 Tablespoons (1/2 stick) Butter, melted.
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 Cup Milk Chocolate Chips

Place rack in center of oven and preheat to 350'F.

Grease two cookie sheets, set aside.

Place cake mix, coffee, melted butter, and egg in large mixing bowl.

Blend with electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute.

Scrape sides, and beat on Medium for 1 minute more.

The cookie dough will be thick.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Drop heaping teaspoons two inches apart on cookie sheets.

Bake until they have set, but are still a little soft in the center.

Approx 10-12 minutes.

Remove pans, let cookies rest 1 minute before placing cookies on wire racks.

Enjoy!

Peace,

~ Jenny

Cold Day & Home-made Skor Bars

The weather has suddenly decide to turn into Fall!
Trees are changing colour and I'm finding myself bundling up in warm sweaters.
I decided that I wanted to make something in the kitchen; since having the baby I haven't been doing much cooking or baking.

I guess the cold weather inspired me and made me feel all cozy.

I decided to make my homemade Skor bars!
Amazingly easy and totally delicious!

Homemade Skor Bars
In a 9x13 greased pan, place 24 Saltine crackers.
On Stove bring 1/2 c. Butter
1/2 c. Brown Sugar to a boil.
Boil for three minutes.
Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon Vanilla.
Pour over crackers.
Bake at 350 for 5 minutes.

Put 3/4 c. Chocolate chips over top; when melted carefully spread.
Let harden in fridge.
When cool, use knife to lift corner out then break into pieces.

Enjoy!

Peace,
Jenny