When You Can't Choose....

LAYER!

This was posted on my page today, by someone who couldn't decide which bracelet she wanted to wear. So she didn't choose, she wore both ♥ I LOVE this look!

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"Embrace Your Inner Peace"

My latest and greatest, posted today on my Etsy shop!  https://www.etsy.com/listing/108025591/embrace-your-inner-peace-five-wrap

Tour of My Girls' New Sweet Garden Suite

Little Ms Angel painted these Craig's List finds, all by herself!  (her daddy sanded:)

my $10 Barbie House find, with lots of wood furniture! Talk about ask and you shall receive; about 4 years ago, when my girls started playing with barbies, I had the thought they needed a house...the next day I hit ebay, and there it was! $10, local pick up only...not only was this house located in the milwaukee area, but they had to be in Muskego that Saturday and delivered it to me at an Ace Hardware that was only 6 blocks from my old house:D

My old tv; circa 1992...they use this to watch dvds only and not at bedtime; as mommy and daddy are not "into" tvs in the bedroom;)

Little Angel's old bedroom; soon to be painted and redecorated, becoming our much smaller guest room.

Fairy Girl's old room...not sure what's happening with this; so far it's filled with the stuff that was filling the bonus room..but we know there's a plan....

Moon Beams and Midnight Dreams: Meditational/Mala/Prayer Beads

Meditational/Prayer Beads: Moon Beams and Midnight Dreams

This meditational bead set designed with a flow of colors to represent each full moon by name, with three repeating cycles of 12 moons: (*note: there are other optional names by different cultures as well):

January-Wolf Moon; Feb—Snow Moon; Mar—Worm Moon; Apr—Pink Moon; May—Flower Moon; June—Strawberry Moon; July—Buck Moon; Aug—Sturgeon Moon; Sept—Harvest Moon; Oct—Hunter’s Moon; Nov—Beaver Moon; Dec—Cold Moon

This Meditational Bead set is finished off with a grounding brown glass bead, clear beads for clarity, and followed by a silver toned tag which reads “Trust In Your Dreams” on one side, and “Be Free” on the other; finished with a silver toned moon, with celestial imprints of stars and a smaller moon.

The moon, especially full moons carry very powerful and beautiful energy; “Moon Beams and Midnight Dreams” is a great meditational tool to assist with recharging yourself, trusting in your dreams, going with the flow, or whatever your intentions for it may be.

Comes Charged with Reiki/Tachyon Energy.

If you are interested in this piece, please email dragonfly.inspirations@yahoo.com or visit my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DFInspirations

Hasselback Potatoes

Ingredients

6 Medium Size Potatoes
2 - 3 Cloves Garlic, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
30 g Butter
Maldon Sea Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 220˚C (425˚F). Put the potato on a chopping board, flat side down. Start from one end of the potato, cut almost all the way through, at about 3 to 4 mm intervals.

Arrange the potatoes in a baking tray and insert the garlic in between the slits. Scatter some butter on top of each potato. Then drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Bake the potatoes for about 40 minutes or until the potatoes turn crispy and the flesh is soft.

http://www.seasaltwithfood.com/2009/05/hasselback-potatoes.html 

Homemade Hand Sanitizer (from e-how)

How to Make a Natural Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer

Things You'll Need

    container

    aloe gel

    grain alcohol - vodka

    essential oils

    distilled water

·       Start your natural hand sanitizer by choosing a container of your choice. This recipe will work in plastic squeeze bottles, or mini spray bottles. Look for these in the travel accessories area of health and beauty departments.

·       Use the following recipe---

        2 parts aloe gel (NOT juice).

        1 part distilled water (NOT tap).

        1 part grain alcohol-vodka (NOT isopropyl).

        4-5 drops essential oil of choice (NOT fragrance oils). Hint: tea tree is a great antibacterial and one of the best essential oils to add to a hand sanitizer recipe.

·       Mix all ingredients in glass bowl (preferably) with a plastic spoon. I don't use metal dishes or utensils because of potential reactions with the essential oils. Pour your aromatherapy hand sanitizer into plastic containers. You can add less water if you prefer a thicker product.

Tips & Warnings

    Essential oils are nearly all anti-microbial. I use tea tree and lemon for the hand sanitizer recipe that I market in my massage office. When using both, add 4 drops each or to your own preference. Oils can be found in any natural foods store.

    Aloe gel is used as a thickening agent and moisturizer. It is found in natural food stores. Grain alcohol is a sanitizer without the smell of isopropyl alcohol. Found anywhere; hint: don't spring for the expensive stuff ! Distilled water will allow a more clear product without the mineral content of other types. Found in the grocery store.

    Lavender oil is also a good choice to blend with tea tree.

    This is a safe, effective product that I market in my massage practice. I believe the chemical constituents in store sanitizers is allowing microbes to become more resistant. Essential oils, to date, have not been shown to allow this to happen. As with all products, keep out of reach of children.

My New Logo!

I'm custom creating a rubber stamp as we speak!  My next venture, meditational/mala beads!  I posted my first set of chakra mala beads this morning, and already received two requests!  I'm very excited for this added direction.  I was also approached by a gal who's branching out into an Ayurvedic and energy healing business, and has asked me to collaborate with her on piecing together "prescribed" stone pieces!  I'm really enjoying my budding branching bracelet business!

LOVE this photo!

I stole it from Pinterest, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this yet, but I'm storing this idea away....it will resurface, somewhere in my home!

Flashback: Old World Wisconsin

James Island Splash Park

 The last time we hit this waterpark in Charleston, we had just recently relocated from Wisconsin to South Carolina, and my girls were only 4 and 6, as pictured here.

 Now my girls are 6 and 8; and what a difference two years makes!  My six year old is now tall enough to go on the tubes down the "big" slide by herself.  And my eight year old was able to somewhat walk around the park and do the rides without a parent by her side at all times (there were life guards everywhere, and this is a small enough park; she wouldn't get lost.   And it's a very safe park.)

 The next change was, even as a homeschooling family, I'm adopting a "Bento" style lunch for us.  Grab and go...fantastic!  For this trip, I actually packed 8 containers....because I knew we'd be hungry when we left the park at 6:00 closing!

1 little monkey climbing in a tree....

Here they are!!! four lunches and four dinners, Bento style...to go; using water bottles that I had stuck in the freezer the previous evening, to keep everything cold.  I was so proud of me:D

Pumpkin Poppers

Pumpkin Poppers
recipe from Domestically Speaking

• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. allspice
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup pumpkin
• 1/2 cup milk

For Coating

• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 F and spray mini muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.

Combine flour, baking soda,salt, and spices in a bowl and whisk until combine.

In another bowl, mix oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin, and milk.  Pour in flour mixture and mix until just combined.  Fill mini muffin tins until almost full and bake 10-12 minutes. 

Melt butter in small bowl.  Mix sugar and cinnamon in a separate small bowl.  After popper cool for a few minutes, dip them in the butter and roll them in the sugar mixture.  Enjoy.  :)

Homemade Carpet Shampoo

Homemade Natural Carpet Shampoo/Cleaner For Carpet Cleaning Machines

Print

Author: Rachel @ Surviving The Stores

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 quarts of hot (NOT boiling) water
• 1/4 cup of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (it’s the regular hydrogen peroxide that you can get at any store)
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons of White Vinegar
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Dish Soap (we use Seventh Generation and it worked great)
• About 1/8 of a teaspoon of your favorite essential oil(s) – either just one or a combination.  Vanilla and lavender would be a good one.  I had ginger and lavender on hand so I used those, but I’m going to get vanilla for next time.  (**we used Tea Tree Oil)

Instructions

1. Mix all of the ingredients together (be sure to add the dish soap to the water and not the water to the dish soap – you’ll see why if you do it the wrong way just once)
2. Pour into your carpet cleaning machine.
3. Clean like the directions tell you to.      (from: http://www.survivingthestores.com/homemade-carpet-cleaner-shampoo-recipe-non-toxic-machines.html

Parmesan Celery Salad Recipe

Set aside any celery leaves you might come across while prepping this salad. I always try to buy bunches of celery that are leaf-heavy on top. That said, don't despair if no leaves are visible when you're choosing cellar, there are usually some hiding out atop stalks deeper in the bundle. And for a salad hinged on so few ingredients, my recommendation would be to cook your own beans. Not essential, but well worth the effort.

8 large celery stalks, stripped of strings
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for topping
1 1/2 cups / 10 oz / 285 cooked cannellini or garbanzo beans, heated
3 tablespoons currants (or golden raisins)
1/2 cup / 1 1/2 oz / 40 g sliced almonds, deeply toasted
sea salt or homemade celery salt
freshly chopped herbs (or herb flowers), or reserved celery leaves

Slice the celery stalks quite thinly - 1/8-inch or so. Then, in a small bowl, make a paste with the olive oil, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Set aside. In a large bowl toss the heated beans with the olive-Parmesan mixture. When well combined, add the celery, currants, and most of the almonds. Toss once more. Taste and add a bit of salt if needed. Serve in a bowl or platter topped with herb flowers and/or celery leaves.

Serves 4-6.

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/print/parmesan-celery-salad-recipe.html 

Yogurt Fruit Dip

Yogurt Fruit Dip Recipe

(serves one)
2 ounces of vanilla greek nonfat yogurt
1 teaspoon peanut butter or 1 tablespoon PB2
1 apple

Mix yogurt with peanut butter and spread on apple or use as a dip. Enjoy!

With peanut butter and apple: 171 calories, 3.0 g fat, 33.4 g carbohydrates, 6.3 g protein, 4.7 g fiber, 43 mg sodium, 5 PointsPlus

With PB2 and apple: 167 calories, 1.2 g fat, 34.0 carbohydrates, 7.8 g protein, 4.6 g fiber, 57 mg sodium, 4 PointsPlus

http://www.snack-girl.com/snack/yogurt-fruit-dip/ 

No Bake Lemon Balls---Healthy Snack!!

No Bake Lemon Balls Recipe

(makes 14)

1 cup almonds, roasted (no salt added)
1 cup pitted dates
2 lemons
½ cup sweetened shredded coconut

Coarsely chop almonds in food processor. Juice the 2 lemons and add lemon juice and dates into the machine. Blend until a soft “dough” forms.

Put coconut into a small bowl. Using your hands, form little balls and roll them in the coconut. Eat now or refrigerate for later consumption.

For one ball = 85 calories, 4.0 g fat, 11.9 g carbohydrates, 9.0 g sugar, 1.9 g protein, 2.0 g fiber, 5 mg sodium, 2 PointsPlus

http://www.snack-girl.com/snack/no-bake-lemon-balls-recipe/ 

No Bake Brownie Balls---healthy snack!

No-Bake Brownie Balls

(15 balls)
15 pitted dates
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (plus extra for dusting)
1 cup roasted almonds (no salt added)
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons water
confectioner's sugar (optional)

Add almonds to food processor and pulse until ground. Add dates, cocoa powder, honey, and water. Mix until it just forms a sticky mass. Wash hands and attempt to make a ball with the dough (it may need more water to get to the perfect consistency). Put a tablespoon of cocoa or confectioner's sugar on a plate. Roll balls in your hand and then roll in sugar or cocoa (or both). Eat! These can be store in the fridge for a week.

For one brownie bite: 109 calories, 6.8 g fat, 12.2 g carbohydrates, 3.6 g protein, 3.5 g fiber, 3 PointsPlus

http://www.snack-girl.com/snack/healthy-snack-brownie-balls-recipe/ 

Homemade Vanilla Bean Extract

from my friend Brook:

I used a small bottle of rum and a small bottle of vodka. Then I cut vanilla beans in half and put them in the jars. I scraped some of the little seeds out to just to get them swirling in the jar. Get it a swirl once a week and in about 8 w

eeks you should have pure vanilla extract! Way cheaper in the long run than the store bought stuff. I ordered my madagascar vanilla beans from amazon. I am experimenting with the two flavors. I'm thinking the rum vanilla extract will be good at Christmas for cookies!

Our Anniversary---12 Years!

We had a wonderful family day celebrating our 12 year Wedding Anniversary (boy, getting married in 2000 really makes the math VERY easy:)   We have a new favorite spot that is sort of our replacement for our beloved Gingerbread House and Basse's Pumpkin Farm...both down the road from us in Wisconsin....like I said, sort of a replacement...it at least has that country farm feel.  Well, it is a farm!  Anyway, it's a farm, with a shop and a wonderful atmospheric restaurant....and we had a wonderful and atmospheric brunch.

Following we took a trip across the river over to Tybee Island in Georgia to play some mini golf (or as I'm my hubby so "cutely" calls it "putt putt" golf...isn't that cute?  Ok, fine, I took a poll and realized "putt putt" is not just an Ohio term, Wisconsin seems to be in the minority calling it "mini" golf.  sigh

So, we found this terrific (ahem) "putt putt" 18 hole golf course!!!!  And it was 1/3 the cost of the miniature (sorry, it's so hard for me to choke out "putt putt," I feel like I'm three:D) golf courses on Hilton Head...but of course we  drove 45 minutes to get there:)  And we had a blast....all three holes of it, before we got drenched (the storm came on rather unexpectedly).  But we feel like we played a full round, and they gave us four passes to come back...so, it's sort of like, buy one get one free!!!!!  sort a, if you don't count 80 miles worth of gas just to play "putt putt" golf...there, now it sounded appropriate:)

So, being rained out called for ICECREAM next door!!

And then we walked along River Street Savannah.

And then we went home.

The end:)

Grand Opening of Dragonfly Inspirations Creations is Today Folks---Live on Etsy!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DFInspirations

Known as DFInspirations.....and what better day to have a grand opening of my little shop, than on August 5, 2012....Happy Twelve Year Anniversary to the Love and Joy of my Life!!

Dragonfly Earrings

These GORGEOUS hand-crafted dragonfly earrings are on the way to me.  Found them at an adorable Etsy Shop!

More Whole Foods Snacks

http://www.snack-girl.com/snack/inexpensive-healthy-snacks/?e=KXPWDgxt

Snacking---Whole Foods

85 Snack Ideas for Kids (and Adults)!

By Lisa, on July 31st, 2012

If you’re in a rut here are some snack ideas for inspiration. Please leave any additional suggestions in the comments below…

Fruits and Vegetables…

1. Apple (good with peanut butter)
2. Banana (good with peanut butter)
3. Carrots (good with hummus or ranch dip)
4. Celery (good with peanut butter and raisins a.k.a. “Ants on a Log”)
5. Mango
6. Pear
7. Grapes
8. Strawberries (good with yogurt)
9. Blueberries (good with yogurt)
10. Raspberries (good with yogurt)
11. Oranges
12. Peaches (good with yogurt)
13. Plums
14. Kiwi
15. Grapefruit
16. Avocado (good with soy sauce and brown rice)
17. Pineapple
18. Papaya
19. Star Fruit
20. Figs (good with goat cheese)
21. Honeydew Melon
22. Cantaloupe
23. Watermelon
24. Cherries
25. Edamame (good with soy sauce)
26. Raw Sugar Snap Peas (good with hummus)
27. Cooked Green Beans
28. Mashed Sweet Potato (good with butter and cinnamon)
29. Raw Sliced Bell Peppers (good with hummus or ranch dip)
30. Cucumber Slices (good with ranch dip)
31. Jicama
32. Cherry Tomatoes (good with ranch dip)
33. Cooked Snow Peas
34. Frozen Peas (frozen…no cooking necessary!)
35. Raw Cauliflower
36. Raw Broccoli (good with ranch dip)
37. Applesauce
38. Unsweetened Raisins
39. Fruit Leathers
40. Freeze Dried Fruit (like mango, banana, blueberries or strawberries)
41. Dried Apple Rings
42. Canned Fruit like Mandarin Oranges (Native Forest brand does not use sugary syrups in their cans)
43. Olives

    Whole-Grain…

44. Whole Grain Crackers (like Triscuits, Multi-Seed, Ak-Mak, Whole-Wheat Matzos, Brown Rice Crackers/Snaps, Whole-Grain Rye Crackers topped with cheese, peanut butter, or a cream cheese and jelly combo)
45. Popcorn (make it using “The Popcorn Trick”)
46. Oatmeal (served warm in a Thermos if sending to school)
47. Shredded Wheat (look for brands that contain 1-ingredients)
48. Arrowhead Mills Puffed Whole Grain Cereal (corn, brown rice, wheat or millet variety)
49. Brown Rice Cakes
50. Whole-Wheat Pretzels
51. Whole-Grain Toast
52. Small, Cooked Whole-Grain Noodles
    

    Nuts and Seeds…

53. Larabars
54. Peanuts
55. Cashews
56. Almonds
57. Pecans
58. Walnuts
59. Pine Nuts (they are good lightly toasted)
60. Pistachios
61. Sesame Seeds
62. Pumpkin Seeds
63. Nut Trail Mix including Dried Fruit

    Other…

64. Hard-Boiled Eggs
65. Garbanzo Beans
66. Cheese (cubes or sticks…with or without crackers)
67. Plain Yogurt (flavored with a little honey or maple syrup and vanilla extract)
68. Organic and/or Local Bacon
    

    Homemade…

69. Homemade Granola Bars
70. Homemade “Larabars”
71. Whole-Wheat Toaster Pastries (a.k.a. Pop Tarts!)
72. Smoothies or Smoothie Pops
73. Whole-Wheat Banana Bread
74. Zucchini Chips
75. Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread (made into muffins)
76. Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Bread (made into muffins)
77. Whole-Grain Cornbread (made into muffins)
78. Whole-Wheat Berry Muffins
79. Pecan Maple Breakfast Cookies
80. Easy Cheesy Crackers
81. Kale Chips
82. Homemade Powerballs
83. Whole-Wheat Biscuits (good with butter and jelly) or Buttermilk Cheese Biscuits
84. Cinnamon Glazed Popcorn
85. Whole-Wheat “Baked” Donuts

 from: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/07/31/85-snacks-for-kids-and-adults/