Field Trip Friday

Umm...somethings just can't be explained. My friend shared this link with a bunch of us and it is highly amusing. Enjoy!


http://craftastrophe.net/

Overnight Oatmeal (AKA Sweet & Creamy Steel Cut Oats)

A few weeks ago I wanted to attempt this overnight oatmeal I had heard so much about. I couldn't find the recipe my friends had talked about but I found a different one and started working on that...and just as I had dumped a LOT of ingredients in the crock pot someone found the recipe I was supposed to be using. Opps. The recipe I was working on was about 3 times the amount I needed.

It was too late to take out the brown sugar and spices to I decided to try my own version of Overnight Oatmeal. I added to the ingredients I already had to make a base, measured out a more reasonable amount of oats and let the crock pot do the work. The results were super yummy but I needed to try it a few more times just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Now that it's been taste tested and approved by multiple sources I can now post it here. Enjoy!

Cranberry Rhubarb Chutney

I posted a similar recipe in June. I had gotten it from a mom at Mom's Night Out and it was to die for good. I figured I'd post it in the height of rhubarb season so people could enjoy it. I didn't get the chance to try it myself until today and I didn't like the recipe as much as I thought I would. I also realized that the other mom must have played with it too...because what I made didn't taste like what she served.

So I played around a bit and finally came up with something really yummy. I took it to our neighborhood swap and it was a huge hit. I served it to my family, my dad and my friend Colleen when they stopped by today and they loved it too. So I think we have a winner. Enjoy!

And the winner is...

DieselMonkey!

Congrats and check your e-mail for more details!

Semi-break from blogging...kinda

I miss my kitchen. I miss cooking. But until I can stand on my feet for more then a few minutes at a time there will be very little fun in the kitchen for me. My poor Eco-Friendly heart is broken with the need for paper plates and bowls for a bit. :(

I will try to post recipes and tips that I have stored away...but I don't think I'll be coming up with any brilliant new ideas any time soon. Sorry. Hopefully the cake will make up for it.

And speaking of the cake...one more day to write a review, link the contest to someone/somewhere else or to add the Pay It Forward (PIF) listing on Etsy to your favorites. I'll be drawing a lucky winner tomorrow evening.

The Many Faces of Chocolate Cake

And a GIVE A WAY!

So my Ultimate Fast Chocolate Fix (aka The Better Chocolate Cake In A Mug) seems to be a hit. And the best part is that I keep hearing about different variations that people are trying. So many cool ideas that I can't even keep them all straight.

So please respond here. Review the cake and let me know if you tried any different variation. And for every review/variation you will get entered into a drawing for a FREE GIFT! The winner will get to pick from a bag of Diaper Dust, Diva Dust or Clean Freak from my Etsy Shop.

You will receive one entry for each of the following:
1. Posting a review in this entry.
2. Posting a variation that you have tried.
3. Sharing the recipe with someone else (they need to say in a comment that you referred them)
4. Linking the contest somewhere else (message board, blog, Face Book, Twitter ~ you just need to give me the link in a message on this thread)
5. Go to hippy.etsy.com and add the Pay It Forward Recipe to your favorite items and then leave a note here.

Thanks and Enjoy!

Meatless Mondays are back! (Walnut Wheat Crumbles)

Another goodie from my friend Robin. I haven't made them in awhile...partially because I'm lazy and partially because we have so much 'real' hamburger from our Meat CSA. But these are a great source of protein and came in really handy when I couldn't eat meat while pregnant with Kate. Enjoy!

Not cooking related at all...

My friend Christie recently signed up to be an Usborne Book Consultant and I wanted to host her first On-Line show. Please browse the selection and see if there is anything you like. It's also a great way to get a head start on your holiday shopping. Thanks!

You are invited to an Usborne Books eShow to explore the world of Usborne Books. A child's interest in reading and learning is stimulated by the lavish illustrations and informative content. There are over 1300 bright, colorful and fun titles covering activities, puzzles and a wide range of subjects for children of all ages.s
Usborne Books - the books kids love to read!

Hosted by: Amy Gooder
Place: www.ubah.com/HOS149190
When: Today thru 8/20/2009 11:59:00 PM
Chat Scheduled: -

Everyone is welcome, so invite a friend.

It's a rewarding experience when a child opens a book and discovers the magic of reading.

Homemade Fresh Caramels

I pulled this recipe out of the archives for Tina. I haven't made these in awhile...I usually save them to make as gifts around the holidays. But I might need to make a batch and add some extra liquid to make caramel sauce for the Ultimate Fast Chocolate Fix.

This is fool proof - you just have to watch the temperature. I've never made candy before and my 2nd batch turned out perfect. They are really rich, creamy and yummy - they'll keep for up to 3 weeks and then the sugar starts to crystallize. Enjoy!

Do not try to make these low in fat - I did and they are not the same.

The Ultimate Fast Chocolate Fix

I know, I know. The 5 minute chocolate cake in a mug recipe has been going around the internet for awhile. I tried it. It sucked. Blech. I was never so let down by chocolate in my life. I *knew* there had to be a better way.

So I played. I will admit that the first try wasn't so great. It was better then the original but it wasn't what I wanted. Tonight's try did it. I even fooled my husband and taste tester. He got mad at me and told me I was supposed to be resting. I told him I whipped it up in the commercial break. He is now sold on the cake and might be requesting it every night.

With out any more delay...here it is! ENJOY!