Gingerbread Cutouts

For my beautiful friend Mona....enjoy!

Gingerbread Cutouts

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup molasses
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 tbs white vinegar
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
(You can use all whole wheat or all purpose flour, up to you)

In a mixer, beat butter.  Add in the sugar, baking powder, ginger, soda, cinnamon, and cloves.  Beat until combined.  Add in molasses, egg, vanilla, and vinegar.  Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer, stir in any remaining flour.  Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge 30-60 minutes.

Roll out half you dough to 1/8 inch thickness.  Using cookie cutters, cut into desired shapes.  Place on a parchment (or greased) covered cookie sheet 1 inch apart.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 5-6 mins or until the edges are lightly browned.  Cool on a wire rack.

Chocolate - Swirl Gingerbread Cake

I found this recipe in my Everyday Food cook book (which I love).  I decided to try it out for this holiday season.  It is so yummy!  If you like gingerbread, then this cake is for you!

Chocolate - Swirl Gingerbread Cake

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/4 cup melted chocolate.

Pre heat oven to 325 and butter an 8 inch square pan.

In a bowl , combine the flour, brown sugar, ginger, baking powder, salt, pepper, and cloves.

Melt the butter with 1/2 cup of water in a small sauce pan..  Stir the mixture into the dry ingredients until smooth.  Stir in the molasses and egg.

Poor half the batter into the greased pan.  With a spoon, drizzle half the chocolate over the batter.  Poor the remaining batter on top and drizzle the remaining chocolate over the batter in a decorative pattern.

Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, about 30 mins.  Cool completely on a wire rack.

HipKids December Project

Celebrate a Birthday! (December)

This month, we are going to make a birthday kit for the women living in the YWCA’s community housing complex so that they may experience having a birthday party just for them! Your kit could be wrapped in a pan or bowl and include a cake mix, icing, candles, a birthday card and even a small gift.
The YWCA of Calgary operates an affordable housing program for women and their children in the community. Rents are based on a formula according to incomes and there is no maximum length of stay.
www.ywcaofcalgary.com

Project AmentiT's & HipKids Christmas Project a SUCCESS!

Thank you so much to everyone, and there are a lot of you, who made this project such a success!  We were able to donate well over 200 stockings/socks to the Feet Street Program this Christmas season.

I will be running Project AmeniT's all year round, so please keep those amenities and socks coming.

So many people helped and donated, but I must give a special shout out to those listed below for going above and beyond:

Michelle K

Raluca

Leslie

Shawna

DeAnne

Thank you again!

Tania

Project AmeniT's - Got Socks??

Got Socks??

I am so grateful and completely overwhelmed by the response to Project AmeniT's.  We are teaming up with HipKids this November to make as many stockings as possible.  The deadline for this year to have all donations in will be in mid November to have them ready for Christmas.  I will be collecting donations for Project AmeniT's year round, as I am making this an annual thing, so please don't stop the donations in November....keep them coming!!

We do have a slight problem, tons of amenities, NO SOCKS!!  If you are looking for a great way to give back and make someones Christmas a little bit brighter, please donate some new socks.  As we are trying to make children's stocking too, there sock are too small to put things in, so Christmas stocking will be used instead.  We will gladly accept new children's socks to place in their stockings!

Below is a list of things that we still need to make complete stockings:

New Socks (Mens/Womens/Childrens/Enfants)

Tooth Paste

Tooth Brushes

Disposable Razors

Shaving Cream

Baby & Children's Toiletries (soap/diaper cream/shampoo)

Individually Packaged Wipes

Kleenex

Tampons / Pads / Panty Liners

Chap Stick

Small Treats (candy canes/chocolate bars)

Thank you so much for all of your love and support.  Every tiny thing you do, make as huge difference.

Pumpkin Qunioa Muffins

My friend Lisa sent me a recipe for these yummy muffins.  I, of course, added my own twist to the recipe.  If you like pumpkin, this is a must try recipe.  They are so good and so moist!  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Quinoa Muffins

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup honey
1 egg
1 egg white
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1/4 vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
3/4 cup cooked quinoa

In a bowl mix together flours, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine the brown sugar, honey, egg, egg white, yogurt, oil, pumpkin, and quinoa.  Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.

Fill lined muffin tins 2/3's of the way full.  Bake at a 350 degree oven for 16 minutes.  Remove from the tin and allow to cool on a wire rack.

Pumpkin Cookies with Toffee and Chocolate Chips

This is a great cookie recipe for fall or anytime for that matter.  So so good!

Pumpkin Cookies with Toffee and Chocolate Chips

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie mix
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 ginger
1 cup *Skor Toffee Bites
1 cup chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugar.  Beat in eggs on at a time.  Add in vanilla and pumpkin.

Stir in flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.  Add to butter mixture.

Stir in your toffee and chocolate chips.

Drop by the tablespoon on to a parchment lined cookies sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 12-15 minutes or until lightly brown.

HipKids October Project!

Welcome back to HipKids!!

Below is October's Project.  If you are interested in participating, please let me know!

This month’s project is: GIVE THANKS!

INSTRUCTIONS: This month, we are going to help bring a harvest of thankfulness for the moms and their children living at Highbanks. Think of “Homecoming," harvest, autumn, gratitude. You can make a little gift basket (you could use a roasting pan or pie plate) and fill it with items such as a gratitude journal, candles, serving utensils or other table settings, music CD’s. You can also make a harvest centre piece, or package a craft the women could do with their children. You can also write out your favorite holiday recipe or a note, a poem on what you can be thankful for.

Your project needs to be completed and ready for pick up the week of October 24^th, 2011.

IT’S FOR: HIGHBANKS

Young mothers and their children are vulnerable to the cycle of poverty and homelessness. By providing housing and support, Highbanks helps young mothers to reach their full potential by providing a place to live and community support.

Website: www.highbankssociety.ca

Contact: Stephanie @ 403-521-0082

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me!

Thanks for being a part of the H!pKid program!

www.behip.ca

Qunioa for Breakfast

Someone told me how great Quinoa is for you.  To be honest, I tried it and didn't like it.  Then I heard someone made it for breakfast (like oatmeal), a gave it a go, make some tweaks, and this is what I got.  I love it!

Qunioa for Breakfast

1 cup Quinoa
1 cup water
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup raisins
2 tsp vanilla
brown sugar
skim milk
cinnamon

Add the Quinoa, water, and 1 cup skim milk to a medium sized pot.  Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes.  Lower heat and simmer, covered, for 15 mins.  Stir occasionally.

Remove from heat.  Stir in raisins, vanilla, and brown sugar to taste.  Cover and let sit 5 minutes more.

Spoon into a serving bowl.  Add milk to taste and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Makes 4 servings.

S'more Snack Mix

Being summer we have had a ton of company and have attended many BBQ's.  This snack mix is a great dessert for kids (and adults) and so quick to make.

S'more Snack Mix

Golden Graham Cereal
Mini Marshmellos
Chocolate Chips

Mix together equals parts of cereal, marshmellos and chocolate chips....poof, done!

*recipe originally found on Pintest.

Project AmeniT's...keep the donations coming!!

I have been receiving a few donations here and there, it really gets me excited to see the donations come in! 

Remember, I am collecting hotel and / or travel sized amenities for adults, teens, children, and infants (boys and girls).  I am also collecting BRAND NEW underware and socks.

Thank you so much for your support and keep the donations coming!!

S'more Bites

I have been finding a lot of really great recipes on Pintrest.  Here is a very easy, very impressive looking treat that anyone would love.  I make these for our last Park Playdate and there wasn't one left.

Enjoy!

S'more Bites

Sticks of some sort
Large Marshmallows
Chocolate Chips
Graham Cracker Crumbs

Line a cookie with parchment paper.

Simply melt your chocolate chips.  I melt them in a mug in the microwave (this way you can hold on to the handle when it gets hot).  I do about 20 intervals at a time so that I don't burn them, stirring after every interval.  Note that when you are making these, you can always reheat your chocolate if you find it is getting cool and thick.
 
Place graham cracker crumbs into  a shallow bowl.

Place your stick in the centre of the marshmallow, dip into melted chocolate, shake off excess chocolate, dip into graham cracker crumbs, and then place onto the lined cookie sheet.

I put my cookie sheet full of S'more Bites into the freezer to set.

EAT!

T's Roasted Corn Salad

I had some left over cooked corn on the cob left over, so I roasted it on the BBQ along with some other veggies.  I then tossed with some of my favorite flavors, and, voila.

T's Roasted Corn Salad

2 cobs of corn, fully cooked, roasted, and kernels removed
2 red peppers, roasted, centres removed, and chopped
1 medium sized red onion, roasted and chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 avocados, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup cilantro chopped

Toss all ingredients in a large bowl.

Dressing

1/3 cup olive oil
juice of 1 lime
1/4 tsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste

Put all the ingredients in a sealed jar and shake.  Pour over salad just before serving.

I serve this salad with shredded sharp cheddar cheese and tortilla chips.



Roasted Corn:  I usually take left over corn on the cob and roast it on the BBQ over medium  to high heat until brown.  Allow to cool slightly and then cut off the kennels.


Roasted Red Pepper:  Wash your peppers.  Roast over medium to high heat on the BBQ until charred.  Place in a paper bag or in a bowl covered in saran wrap.  Once the peppers have cooled, peel off the outer skin and chop.

Roasted Red Onion:  Cut your onion into three and grill on medium to high heat until grill marks appear.  Allow to cook slightly and chop.

Park Playdates, Potluck Style

The older my children get, the less and less time it seems I have with my friends.  You think when school is out for summer, that you could catch up, but I almost seem busier then.  With this in mind, last year, I set up a playdate at a park and asked everyone who came to bring a little something for the snack table.  This is such a great way to see your friends (and lots at one time), for your kids to see their friends, get fresh air, and have some great treats...heck you might not have to make lunch.  Below are a few tips to help you plan yours....

• Choose a date.  I don't like to do weekends because the parks seem way too busy.  You are so pre occupied watching your kids that you don't get a good visit in.

• Choose a time.  Early mornings work the best.  It is still not too hot out, people with younger children won't miss their bedtimes, and the park is usually quieter.

• Choose a park.  Choose a park that you are familiar with and know.  It should also be central for everyone.

• Send out invites. I find that creating an event on Facebook works the best.  People can post on the wall, you can post a link for a map on how to get to the park, and you can get a good idea of who is in and who is not.  Don't forget to ask everyone to bring a little something for the snack table.  Include your cell phone number so people can call you if they get lost on the way.  You probably want to send out the invitation at least a week in advance so people can plan to come.

• Send out a reminder.  A day or two before your playdate, send out a reminder email.  I know that with all that is going on, I totally would forget my head if it wasn't attached.

• What to pack.  Before you head out, you should have some essentials with you.
• Paper plates
• Napkins
• Knife
• Two garbage bags.  One for garbage and the other for recycling.
• Sunscreen and Bug Spray
• Plastic table cloth.  You never know what condition picnic tables are going to be in.
• Wet wipes
• Outside toys like soccer balls or a frisbee.
• Weights....like balloon weights or a paper weight.  Use these to hold down your plastic table cloth, plates, and napkins.

• Arrive Early.  Come early and set up.  You can also scope out the site.

• Have Fun!

Homemade-Whole Wheat Fozen Mini Pizza's

These are a quick and easy healthy meal to have on hand.

Pizza Dough

1 cup warm, not hot, water
1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs sugar
1 tsp salt
2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp yeast

When I make my pizza dough, do it all in my bread machine as I have a "pizza dough" setting.  If you do not have a bread machine follow the instructions below.

In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.   
           
Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.               

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a round until it is about 1/4 inch thick.

Take a medium sized bowl (or whatever size radius you want your pizza's to be) and turn in upside down on the dough, using a small knife trace the outside of the bowl to get a small pizza round.

Once you have cut out your rounds, place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and top with your favorite toppings.



Place the cookie sheet in the freezer until the pizza's are completely frozen.

Once frozen, alternate the pizza with the parchment paper on the cookie sheet to avoid the pizza's sticking together while being stored.

Place the pizza's in a large Ziploc bag and keep in the freezer until ready to use.

Do not unthaw the pizza's, cook frozen on a lined cookie sheet (or pizza stone) at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until brown and bubbly.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cake, with Cupcake Variation

When I was home visiting my mom last week, she made this fantastic cake with the kids.  It is so good.  We are going to a potluck play date tomorrow, so I made a cupcake variation....enjoy.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cake

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup butter
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbs cocoa powder

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease on 8x8 pan.

In a large bowl, mix together the rolled oats and butter.  Mix in boiling water.  Set aside to cool.

Beat together the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.  Add to cooled oat mixture and mix well.

Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and coca.  Add to wet ingredients and mix well.  Spread into the greased pan.

Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Remove from oven, allow to cool, and remove pan.

Cup Cake Variation:

For cupcakes, bake at 350 for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Cancun 2011 in Picture....Part 2

Cancun 2011 in Pictures....Part 1

Marinated BBQ'd Leg of Lamb

I love lamb.  Now I am not bragging (much), but I have been told that I make a mean BBQ'd lamb.  I made it yesterday for some very fabulous people and thought I would post it for you too!  Enjoy!

Marinade
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
6 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbs oregano
1 tbs salt
2 tsp pepper

Mix all the ingredients together until fully combined.

Place your lamb in a rectangle (or whatever the lamb will fit in) ceramic or glass dish.

Pour the marinade over the lamb and rub in the marinade with your hands.  Flip the lamb over and repeat.  Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in the refrigerator over night.

Now everyone BBQ's a little different so it really is up to you how you choose to cook it.  Lamb should be cooked at a nice low temperature.  BUT, when I BBQ my lamb I blast the BBQ on high until it get really hot.  The I turn off the middle burner and lower the two side burners.  Caution:  The marinade will cause a little flare up, so have a water spray bottle handy.  I let it cook, turning every 15 minutes, until the lamb reaches an eternal temperature of 140 degrees (this is for medium rare).  If you want medium 150 degrees and 160 degrees will give you well done.  Do not cook over 160 degrees!

Remove the lamb from the BBQ, place on a platter, cover with foil, and let the meat rest for 20 minutes.

So so so yummy!

Great Idea:
Divide the marinade in half for small portions of meat.  The marinade is great with chicken too!

No Bake Chocolate Mud Balls

The other day we were getting ready for a play date.  I usually like to bake cookies or something, but it was just too hot.....weird I know living in Calgary.  So I started to look through my pile of recipes and found this one of my moms.  Just eating one brought me right back to my childhood.  These are really good, require no baking, and are easy!

No Bake Chocolate Mud Balls

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
5 tbs cocoa
1/2 cream or milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 cups quick cooking oats
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 tsp salt

Combine your sugar, cocoa, and milk in a large sauce pan.  Cook on Medium heat until your reach a soft boil, lightly boil for two minutes.  Turn your heat down to a med-low and stir in the oil and oats.  Cook for two more minutes.  Remove from heat and add the coconut, vanilla, and salt.

On a lined cookie sheet, drop the mixture by rounded tablespoon.  Place the cookie sheet in the fridge or freezer to set.  Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to three days.

First Donation in for Project AmeniT's!

We have our first donation in for Project AmeniT's!  Our great friend Raluca went on a week long vacation and brought us back a bag full of hotel amenities!  Thank you so much.  Keep the donations coming!  Let's fill some socks!

You've got my Pinterest!

I was over at a friends house for a BBQ last weekend and heard about this website called Pinterest (www.pinterest.com).  They were talking about how you can "pin" these ideas to your own personal boards, look up anything thing that might interest you, or find out information you need.  The best way I can put it is that it is like your "favorites" button for your Internet, but with visuals that is shared with 1000's of people.  You can follow other people and people can follow you.  For example, you may be interested in cooking, you can follow someone who posts recipes.  For someone like me who like to plan birthdays months in advance, I can get some really great ideas or plan a meal for a bunch of people.

Things to know:

• You have to be invited to join the website by an already existing member.

• Highly addictive.

Pudding Pops

Need an easy way to keep the kids cool this summer, make these fun and easy pudding pops.

Pudding Pops

What you need:
Popsicle mold
Pudding (prepared / instant/ homemade)

Simply spoon the prepared pudding into the molds, freeze overnight, and serve.

Get Crazy:
Layer more then one type of pudding.

Key Lime Coconut Peacn Squares

If you like key limes, you are going to LOVE this recipe!

Key Lime Coconut Pecan Squares

Crust:
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup pecans, toasted
1/3 cup sweetened coconut, toasted
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt

In a food processor, pulse together all the ingredients above until it resembles course crumbs.  Pat mixture into a greased 8 inch square pan.  Bake at 325 until golden brown, 25-30 minutes.  Let cool on a wire rack.

Reduce oven to 300 degrees.

Filling:
4 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 all purpose flour
1 tbs key lime zest
2/3 cup key lime juice
1/3 cup coconut, toasted

In a bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar.  Stir in flour, lime zest, and lime juice.  Pour over prepared crust and bake in a 300 degree oven for 20 minutes or until firm.  Sprinkle with the coconut and bake 5-10 minutes more.

Cool in the pan on a wire rack.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into 2 inch squares.

Helpful Hints:

Key limes are much easier to juice at room temperature.  Roll them fairly hard between your hand and the counter top before cutting in half.

Please also keep in mind the time it takes to make 2/3's of a cup of lime juice when timing this recipe.