Make your own nursing bra

After a grueling search for a nursing bra that is comfortable and padded (reducing 'headlight' infractions) I found this site to make your own. I am now off to go buy a few bras. I plan to cut the clasps out of the bras I used while nursing Killian and re-sew them into the new bras.
I can't even begin to relay how excited I am at the thought of being able to wear a push-up and have some oomph while being a milkmaid!
Who knew you could put those giant things to good use in more than one way at a time?

Homemade Bread, all vegan friendly and everything

As usual I found this on Allrecipes and changed it drastically. The result was super-duper yummy fresh baked bread. I am still experimenting with other changes but I've listed the two recipes that have so far turned into the best baked loaves.

Light & Fluffy Bread

• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
  
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoons, or 1 packet, active dry yeast

Using the order listed above, place all ingredients into the bread machine.
Set to dough cycle.
Once mixing is complete you can remove your dough from the machine.
Knead into a ball, then stretch to resemble a thick rectangle, approximately the same size as your loaf pan.
Punch dough into greased loaf pan
Set on counter and allow to rise again
Once dough is over the top of your pan place in oven
Bake 375' for 25 minutes

Seasoned Bread

• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
  
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tsp season salt
  
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  
• 1/2 tsp oregano
  
• 1/2 tsp basil
  
• 1 tsp dried onion
  
• 2 1/4 teaspoons, or 1 packet, active dry yeast

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Rice Pudding Recipe

A Year of CrockPotting: CrockPot Rice Pudding Recipe

Anyone up tp make this vegan or allergy friendly? I'll let you know if I do. It sure sounds yummy, but I would need to use only soy milk and cut out the eggs somehow....

Pumpkin Pancakes (Veganized for your pleasure)

Adapted from allrecipes and thoroughly changed by Katy

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 1 & 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup whole wheat flour
  
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups vanilla soymilk
• 1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup applesauce
  
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons vinegar

DIRECTIONS

1. In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, applesauce, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.
2. Heat a frying pan over low-medium heat and add a bit of Parkay Squeeze (vegan!) margarine. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
3. Cook all batter and freeze leftovers. Microwave for about 30 seconds for a quick breakfast with hidden fruits & veggies!
   

Breakfast Cookies for Killian

Killian and I (and Preston, but that's a different post) started attending play group. It's very "feel good" and crunchy, focusing on non-violent parenting and establishing independence in your toddler. I hate it. Not because of what they teach but because Killian is forced to change activities every 15 minutes or so and he hates to sit still for story time. He will at home, where he can touch the book and help turn pages, but not in a group setting with so many other things to do.
In addition they serve snack which seems to consist of stupid Goldfish crackers! The playgroup is sponsored by the Idaho Healthy Families Initiative. How, exactly, do Goldfish crackers fit into that? Killian can't have Goldfish crackers, as I remind them almost every week, so he gets whatever I brought as a replacement and I am wracked with nameless bad feelings and guilt over my son's allergies. I hate separating his food like he's some little freak and I get so annoyed that they continue to serve these rainbow colored demons within arm's reach of him.
Last week I left Killian's graham crackers there so I wouldn't have to remember them every week. But someone stole them! Of course this week they were serving breakfast cookies with egg listed in the ingredients and I had no replacement. Granted Killian's allergies are mild enough that baked cookies with egg as an ingredient don't bother him but they don't know that and I try to keep the egg and milk intake to a minimum. He does get an upset tummy and we both pay the price if he overdoes it. The very, very kind lady that ran the group took the orange out of her lunch and served that for snack instead. I was extremely appreciative!
So this whole long vent leads to a great outcome. I modified a No Bake Cookie recipe from Allrecipes.com to come up with healthy, delicious Vegan Breakfast Cookies. They contain loads of anti-oxidants, oats, not too much sugar and protein in the form of peanut butter. Recipe follows:

Vegan Breakfast Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. In a saucepan over medium heat combine the maple syrup, oil, & cocoa. Boil for three minutes or until thickened and smooth, stirring constantly.
   
2. In separate bowl combine peanut butter and vanilla until well blended.
3. Add oats and stir as much as possible into peanut mixture.
   
4. Remove chocolate mixture from heat and stir in the oat mix. Stir until well blended.
   
5. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper and chill to set, about 30 minutes.

Never Know It's Healthy Chili

An easy and delicious slow cooker chili. It is allergy-friendly for most allergens. It has tons of hidden veggies and enough seasoning that you'd never guess it was low fat! I always make this large recipe and freeze individual servings for quick re-heats.

Ingredients

2lbs Ground beef, turkey or game

1/4 Onion, chopped

2 cans Black beans

2 Small cans tomato sauce

2 cans Diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon Chili powder

1 Red bell pepper, chopped finely

1 Yellow bell pepper, chopped finely

2 cups Baby carrots (about 20) chopped finely

1 teaspoon Paprika

Pinch of oregano

1/2 tablespoon Garlic powder

1 teaspoon Cumin

Salt and pepper

1/2 tablespoon Season salt

Preparation

Cook both meats through then add onion and cook until soft. Drain off grease and place meat and onion mix in a colander over your sink. Open both cans of beans and empty into colander over meat. Rinse everything thoroughly under hot water. Add to Crockpot.

Add all remaining ingredients to Crockpot and cook on low for at least 3 hours and a maximum of 10. Enjoy!

Sites to Ease the Pain of Domesticity

Visit Geezeo
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SpringPadit
This is a site for all of those who love a To-Do list! Instead of trying to find that crumpled piece of paper wadded up in your purse just keep it online. Make grocery lists, keep recipes, even plan ahead a week of meals, all just a click away.

ConsumerSay
You know when you think, "A mom/woman/person could not have invented this or it would work so much better?" Well, make them listen here!

Visit Venus Smile Makeover
And once you've gotten all your bills paid, added to your savings, planned all your meals, gone grocery shopping and made the world a slightly better place you can visit this site and give yourself a virtual makeover! C'mon, you deserve a laugh and a break.