Sugar Cookie Frosting

Sugar Cookie Frosting

The perfect compliment to these soft sugar cookies.

Ingredients:

4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup Butter, room temperature
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
food coloring

Preparation:

In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners' sugar and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired.

Sugar Cookies

Granny B's Sugar Cookies

As much as I would love to be able to tell you that I always eat healthy, I can't-I'd be lying. I heard a quote from a documentary on Netflix called 'Cooked' by Harry Balzer, a leading researcher on food and beverage trends and the Vice President of the NPD Group, that really resonated with how I try to live my life, 

 "Eat anything you want. Enjoy all the food. Want an apple pie? Do you want cookies with that apple pie? And ice cream with those cookies and apple pie? I'll allow you to eat all the cookies, all the pie, all of the ice cream you can have tonight; I'm just going to ask you to do one thing, make all of them."

Once you make these cookies you will find yourself wanting to eat ALL OF THEM! They are soft and fluffy and paired with the buttery frosting makes them just like the Granny B's you can buy at the store. This recipe came my Mom's which she got from an old school cookbook, you know, like grandma's cookbook. You can always count on having these around at most of our family gatherings.

Something I have learned over the years of cooking & baking is letting cookie dough rest in the fridge for 24 hours, any cookie dough, is KEY! The flavors meld so nicely when they have had time to love on each other for a bit. TRUST ME! Let your dough have some foreplay before the main event!

One of the best things about cookies is they freeze beautifully. So, for someone like me who only has 2 people in their household it is convenient to make a batch, freeze them, and just thaw before you want one. We can make ourselves sick by eating a whole batch in a matter of a couple of days-we have done this more than I'd like to admit!

Make this easy Sugar Cookie Frosting for the perfect pair!

Ingredients:

4 cups All purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 cups Granulated sugar
1 cup Butter
3 Eggs beaten
1 cup Buttermilk
1 teaspoon Vanilla

Preparation:

Pre-Heat Oven: 350-375 degrees.

Cream sugar and butter, add beaten eggs-add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk. Add vanilla and chill overnight or at least 3 hours. Roll out on well floured board-1/4" thick, cut and bake on ungreased cookie sheet. About 8-10 min. Ovens vary. These are delicious plain or frosted. Can also add nuts, chocolate chips or raisins.

NOTES:

If you plan on adding sprinkles be sure to add them as soon as you frost them, otherwise, the frosting dries too quickly and they won't stick.

Spicy Sriracha Ramen Noodles

I have a confession; I love ramen noodles. Yes, the highly processed, way too salty, cheap noodles you can by for 30 cents. The thought of making homemade ramen noodles has been making me crazy lately because I truly crave them but can't eat the store bought ones without feeling incredibly disappointed and sick after I chow them down. So, I went on a recipe search and adapted one from the Baker by Nature blog that is done in 20 minutes, and combined not only my love for the convenient food but my other love of Sriracha-Ssh... don't tell Chris I am cheating on him with a spicy condiment and flavored noodles-although I think he would approve of my love affair!  This Spicy Siracha Ramen Noodle recipe hit the spot and made my taste buds sing, Chris sang praises about it as well!

As far as noodles go there are plenty of options at your regular grocery store. You can use a dry ramen noodle package and just throw the seasoning out or you can try the refrigerated noodles that are usually found by won ton wrappers-that is what I chose to use. There are also rice, whole wheat and Millet varieties so keep your options open.  If you are REALLY ambitious you can make your own!

There is just one thing I ask of you; when you make this recipe DO NOT leave off the poached egg-I almost did with regret. Not only is serving ramen noodles with an egg Japanese tradition but when mixed with the warm, flavored broth it gives it a creamy texture and the egginess is the perfect compliment to the spiciness of dish. EMBRACE THE EGG! This time the poached egg was a chicken egg but now that our ducks have started to lay I want to make this again with a duck egg-which is even more in line with the Japanese tradition.

Please, don't judge me on my picture quality. My IPhone and impatience only gets me so far, in fact this is a screenshot from the Snap chat I sent out of it, lol! Maybe one day I will retake photos to make them look more appealing but for now I just want to get the recipe out for you guys to try! Just remember, I will never claim to be a photographer!

I hope you enjoy!

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• INGREDIENTS:
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons sriracha hot sauce
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 small roma tomato, diced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (optional; only if you like tang)
• 3 packages ramen noodles
• 1/2 cup scallions, chopped
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 poached eggs (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add the sesame oil and sriracha to a large stockpot and bring to a simmer over medium-heat. Add the onion and tomato and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the ginger, garlic, and seasonings; cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Add 2 cups of water and transfer mixture to a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Return mixture to the pot and add the broth.
2. Bring to a simmer; add soy sauce and vinegar (if using), and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
3. Add the ramen noodles to the broth and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the noodles have softened. Add the scallions, stir to combine. Remove pan from heat, ladle soup into bowls, and top with cilantro and eggs. Enjoy!

NOTES:

Follow this Alton Brown recipe for the perfect poached egg

If you plan to make this ahead of time, I advise making the broth and noodles separately. Drain the noodles and pat them dry, then stir them in right before re-heating and serving. This will help avoid the noodles becoming soggy and soaking up all of the broth.

A Safer Glass Cleaner

Part of my journey to becoming more aware and Mother Earth friendly is finding safe alternatives for everyday cleaning products and actually, switching out our cleaning products has been one of the easiest, green choices we've adopted in our home. It takes no extra time for me to buy a safer alternative. What took the most time for me was finding which alternatives were best and one of the inspirations for starting Life of A Hippie Chick Blog was to pass on what I have learned and maybe help you through your journey of being more aware and environmentally friendly. It's a long  road after all, so we may as well keep each other company and share what we learn. :)

If I am being honest this road was a bit frustrating in the beginning. It has taken time for me to find  safe products that are not only really effective but are COMPLETELY  safe. It was also incredibly disappointing to learn just how big of a pain in the ass it is to find out what chemicals you're actually being exposed to when using your common everyday cleaners because the manufactures are not required to list ingredients!! Say what?! I know, it's crazy. Buying some of these products can cost more but I think you and your family's well-being is worth it. Don't you?

I don't know about you, but I do most of the cleaning in our house which means I take in most of the chemicals that are being used.  When I opened my eyes to the risk I was taking and realized that I was putting not only my health, but my family and pet's health on the line by simply cleaning the house and not being aware of what I was really spraying to make surfaces "safe" seemed to be a little counterintuitive. Isn't it? Did you know that most All-Purpose Cleaners you have to let sit on for 10 minutes before you wipe off and then make sure it's rinsed well if it's a surface you plan to eat off of? I didn't. Like most, I would spray and wipe, that is how I saw every person in my life clean a countertop, and like most, I never read the instructions! Perfect, please come over for a delicious meal with a side of cancer causing, hormone disrupting, asthma inducing, pesticides and chemicals. YUM!

I could go on and on about this subject and I definitely plan to a little bit at a time. :) But, for now here are more facts about  women's health and chemicals and other helpful Info about toxic cleaners.

Keep in mind that just because a product is biodegradable does not mean it is safe around people and pets, so read your labels and do your homework. Also don't fall for companies that are marketed to the consumer as a “non-toxic,” “biodegradable,” and “non-hazardous” alternative to presumably more toxic products and yet, the ingredients tell a radically different story. The ingredients never lie.

Window products specifically can contain Propylene Glycol, a controversial compound commonly used in glass cleaners but also in toothpaste and cosmetics. It is considered safe by the U.S. FDA and the World Health Organization. But environmentalists point to studies showing it can cause skin irritation as well as liver and kidney damage. They can also contain; Ammonia, Ethanol, Isopropyl alcohol, and Methanol.  My family and I are not willing to be a guinea pigs to find out the long term effects!

Luckily, there are good guys out there that have a similar, green vision and are formulating some kick-butt, SAFE products!

Here are a few of my favorite alternatives for glass cleaner's  that are tried and true:

 
• Try this  homemade glass cleaner that is much more cost-effective if you prefer to make your own. If you do like the idea of making your own cleaning products here's a great Video of the 8 basic DIY cleaning ingredients.
• OR try Norwex Norwex Window Cloths they rock  and all they need is water!






Honest Glass + Window Cleaner Natural & Streak Free BUY HERE or find at your local Target store.




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• Better Life's I can See Clearly, WOW! BUY HERE or find at Harmons grocery store if you're in Utah

Ducks LOVE Peas!

While discussing how to get the ducks to get more comfortable with us my husband, Chris, suggested feeding them bread. We both grew up thinking that was OK because we saw others doing it so I guess we just assumed. I read a while back about how feeding bread is bad for ducks and other birds; if Chris still thought is was OK to feed them bread others probably still do, too. So, here's the low down on what is safe to feed ducks.

What Not to Feed Ducks

The most common items fed to ducks and waterfowl are also the least nutritious and most unhealthy: bread, chips, crackers, popcorn and other similar bread-type products. Feeding ducks bread is bad because the food has little nutritional value and can harm ducklings growth, pollute waterways and attract rodents and other pests. Similarly, ducks should not be fed and products that are spoiled or moldy; different types of mold can be fatal to waterfowl. 

Good Foods for Ducks

The best food  are those that provide the nutrients, minerals and vitamins the birds need for healthy growth and development. Many of those foods are similar to the natural seeds, grains and plants birds will forage on their own. As omnivorous birds, ducks will eat a great deal of different foods, and the best foods to offer ducks include:

• Cracked corn
• Wheat, barley, or similar grains
• Oats (uncooked; rolled or quick)
• Rice (cooked or uncooked)
• Milo
• Birdseed
• Grapes (cut in half)
• Frozen peas or corn (defrosted, no need to cook)
• Earthworms
• Mealworms (fresh or dried)
• Chopped lettuce or other greens or salad mixes
• Vegetable trimmings or peels (chopped)

Tips for Feeding Ducks

• Stop feeding if the birds appear uninterested or are leaving the food uneaten
• No matter what foods you provide, only offer foods in bite-sized pieces the birds can easily consume without choking or struggling.
• Litter can hurt birds in many ways, so be sure to dispose of all trash properly, including bags, twist ties and unsuitable scraps.
• Do not allow pets or children to chase or disturb the birds, particularly young birds or families that could become stressed or injured more easily

I tested the theory of peas today and our ducks went nuts for them. I hope this helps you become better aware about what is safe to feed birds. After all, I don't think any of us have the intention to hurt the birds we are trying to feed. I certainly do not want to harm our duck friends!

Roasted Tomato Soup

There's nothing I love more then a warm bowl of soup on a rainy day. Lucky for me I just so happened to have a bushel of tomatoes my best friend since childhood gave us because they might have been a little overzealous and planted 35 tomato plants this year! So, when I saw that the weather for Northern Utah called for a dramatic drop in temperature and 100% chance of precipitation I figured this was the perfect time for a good old bowl of delicious roasted tomato soup.

I adapted this recipe from Swiss Paleo  and have made it before and have never bothered looking for another because it is so good. Don't skip the roasting of the veggies as this gives them a deeper, richer flavor. If there is one flavor I couldn't live without it would be the caramelization that happens when you roast vegetables, Yum! This recipe really is quite easy and takes about an hour to make, most of that time is down time. You can also play around with this recipe and make it a spicy version if that's your cup of tea. I serve this with what every bowl of soup should be accompanied by; grilled cheese sandwiches! I plan to make a big batch of this and freeze it for those days that I just don't feel like cooking,

Ingredients:

6 whole tomatoes
6 cloves garlic, unpeeled
2 onions
sea salt and pepper
olive oil
4 cups of bone broth or chicken stock (can also use vegetable stock to make this vegetarian)
2 tablespoons ghee
fresh basil
1 tsp dried thyme
optional:red chili flakes
optional: Parmesan cheese

What to do:

1-Chop and core the tomatoes and onions into quarters
2. Spread them out on a baking sheet and throw 6 unpeeled garlic cloves onto the sheet as well.
3. Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper and sea salt.
4. Drizzle them with olive oil and place in a 400 degree F oven and roast for 30 minutes.

5. Once your tomatoes, onions and garlic come out of the oven, squeeze the garlic out of its skin.
6. Put tomatoes, onions and garlic into a soup pot and add 4 cups of broth, bring to a boil.
7.Once it's reaches a boil, add your ghee and reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
8. Now add your fresh basil and thyme to the pot.
9 Use an immersion blender to puree your soup. You can transfer everything to a blender or food processor if you don't have an immersion blender. Blend until smooth. Taste and add additional salt to your liking.
10. If you tolerate dairy you could garnish with freshly grated Parmesan or a splash of cream.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins-Grain Free

I, like most of you, love the fall. The colors makes everything look stunning, the food is supremely comforting,  I get to break out all of my comfy knit sweaters and hoodies that have been gathering dust all summer long, sipping on a steamy beverage in the crisp fall air feels like heaven , and the sound of a crackling fire is extremely soothing. This time of year also includes my all time favorite holiday-Halloween! I just love this season! I have been trying to hold out on the pumpkin flavored goodies as long as possible as to not start the season too early but on Sunday as Chris and I drove through the canyon that was plastered in orange, red and yellow I realized, it is time.

So, yesterday I tried out a new recipe; grain free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. I found this recipe on The Ancestral Body Blog  and just so happened to have all of the ingredients on hand. This recipe was so easy and I whipped up a batch in less than 15 minutes, (not including the baking time). Boy, we were not disappointed and I don't think you will be either! I tend to have a pallet for healthier versions of food but my husband on the other hand loves his refined sugars and grains but to my surprise when I got home from work without me even asking if he had tried one he said, "those cupcakes are delicious!" Even after I told him they were a much healthier version then what he is used to he gobbled them up. The key to eating healthier is finding good recipes. As long as you have an arsenal of great recipes your family won't even know that you are feeding them REAL food! I hope y'all enjoy these as much as we did.

Grain Free-Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Yield: 1 dozen

Ingredients:

4  organic eggs 
2 TBS organic maple syrup 
3 TBS organic coconut oil melted
3/4 cup of pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin is just fine, BPA free if possible)
1/3 cup almond meal (AKA almond flour)
1/4 cup of organic coconut flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 pinch sea salt
1/3 cup chocolate chips (dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs would make these even more guilt free)
1 tsp organic cinnamon
1/4 tsp organic ginger
1/8 tsp organic  nutmeg
1/8 tsp organic all-spice
(or... in place of all spices use 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven 350 degrees F
Grease muffin tray with coconut oil or line with paper liners

1- Whisk wet ingredients together in a large mixing bowl
2- In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients together, add to wet ingredients combining
3- Fold in chocolate chips
4- bake for 20-25 minutes
5- Cool completely. Enjoy with a pat of organic butter or ghee on top!