Moms for the Planet

Lara's Raw Apple Crisp! SO YUMMY!

Sep 20, 2009
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We went apple picking yesterday and so I was inspired to make my friend Lara's recipe that I have adapted a bit. With no refined sugar and all the fiber and vitamins intact, it is so delicious that you'll never want to go back to your Mom's old baked recipe!

For the Topping

2 cups raw nuts (any combination of walnuts, pecans, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut flakes
1 teaspoon cinnamon & 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 pitted medjool dates

Place nuts, coconut, and spices in a food processor and process until coarsely ground. Add the raisins and dates and process until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs and begins to stick together. Store in a sealed container, crumble topping will keep for 1 month in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer.

For the apples:

2 pounds apples, thinly sliced (I use my food processor to slice the apples, the zaladaco works well too - just more time consuming and labor intensive)
2 pounds of apples, chopped
3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup pitted soaked medjool dates
1/2 cup soaked raisins
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
4 cups crumble topping

Toss the sliced apples with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and set aside. Place chopped apples, dates, raisins, spices and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in the food processor and process until smooth. Mix with sliced apples.

Spread apple mixture in a pan & top with nut mixture.Spread the apple filling on top. Serve at room temperature or warm it slightly in an oven turned to it's lowest setting with the door propped open for ventilation AND to fill your house with the warm and welcoming autumn smell of apple crisp!

Spice Rubbed Chicken Fingers with Cilantro Dip

Apr 8, 2009
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Here is a great recipe that is fast and easy and the kids gobble it up!

Chicken Fingers-- Preheat broiler

2 Tbsp chili powder

2 Tbsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt/pepper

2 lb. chicken breasts, cut into long "fingers"

Combine dry ingredients in a large dish, then toss the chicken to coat. Place on a foil lined cookie sheet, lightly sprayed with oil. Broil, turning often for around 15 min, until juices run clear.

Dip

3/4 cup cilantro sprigs

3/4 cup raw almonds

2 large garlic cloves

1 large jalepeno pepper

1/2 tsp salt/pepper

4 Tbsp lime juice

4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil/grapeseed oil

4 Tbsp water

Place cilantro, almonds, garlic, Jalepeno pepper and salt in food processor, blend until chopped. While running pour in liquids until fairly smooth.

Enjoy!

Crab Bisque

Jan 1, 2009
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3 Tbsp Butter

3 Tbsp Flour

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 small onion, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

1/4 cup chicken bouillion

3/4 cup white wine

2 cups half & half cream

3 Cans of crab, 2 drained and rinsed, one not

1 tsp pepper

salt to taste

Melt butter in pot, add flour and garlic, whisk smooth,add crab, add veggies, stalk and wine, simmer until veggies are tender add cream and seasonings. Purée in blender until smooth.

Can be made ahead of time and reheated just prior to serving.

Makes 6 small servings, perfect for a first course.

Steph's Granola

Jan 1, 2009
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Steph's Granola

Preheat oven to 300F

Place in a roasting pan:

5 c. rolled oats

1 c. coconut

1 c. wheat germ

1 c. chopped almonds

1 c. other nuts

1/2 c. sesame seeds/flax

1/2 c. sunflower seeds

1/2 c. pumpkin seeds

1/2 tsp. salt

Warm in a pot on stovetop:

1 c. vegetable oil

1/2 c. maple syrup or honey

2 tsp vanilla/coconut flavour

cinnamon to taste

Pour over dry mix, stir, bake for 40-45 min until golden.

It's snowing!

Dec 22, 2008
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IMG_2457

Being buried in snow for the past 10 days has been nice! It is so quiet, the neighbours are all out shoveling and being social, and it has been a good way to avoid the crazy shopping of this week! And it is so beautiful! Perfect for celebrating Saturday/Sunday's Winter Solstice and Christmas! Happy Holidays!

Holiday Cookie Recipes

Dec 11, 2008
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What would the holidays be without yummy goodies? Here are some recipes! Enjoy!

Cocktail Crisps

1 cup butter

8oz. package of Imperial Cheese

dash salt

1/4 tsp. tabasco

1/4 tsp. worcestershire sauce

11/2 cups flour

4 cups rice crispies

Cream butter and cheese together, add seasonings, beat in flour then add rice crispies. Mix well. Shape into balls and press down with a fork dipped in cold water. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min, until lightly brown. These freeze well.

Rosemary Nut Shortbread

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

2/3 cup granulated sugar (last time I made these I found them too sweet, might want to use less for a more savory cookie)

1 Tbsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1 egg yolk

1 3/4 cups flour

2 tsp dried rosemary, crumbled

1 cup chopped pine nuts (any nuts are good though)

cream butter, sugar, vanilla and egg together, add flour, nuts and rosemary. Refrigerate for 1 hour, form into balls, press with fork. Bake at 325 until browned, 12-14 min.

Toys R Us Returns

Dec 9, 2008
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I was told today that Toys R Us just throws away all their returns, faulty or not! I don't know if this is true, but it comes from an unnamed source who works there.... Is this not crazy?? I think back to June when I purchased a bike for my daughter which did not fit her...did they just throw that away? Just think of all the children that have so little that would be so excited for a toy despite whether its been returned or not! So be sure of your purchase before you buy from Toys R Us!

Rosemount Shiraz, my new favourite wine

Nov 24, 2008
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WineList_dia_shirazCorkOver

It is spicy, with a slight plum flavour! Just delicious! Perfect for holiday entertaining as you can drink it alone, as well as with meat and even a chocolaty dessert!

If you choose to indulge, enjoy!

Centre for Inspired Living

Nov 17, 2008
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Thanks to an aquaintence, I was introduced to The Centre for Inspired Living. Although I believe that there is a God, I have a cautious distaste for organized religion. But this organization may be worth looking into. Check out their website http://www.centreforinspiredliving.org/... I got this prayer off it:

Prayer for Success

Today is a new day, a new beginning.

It has been given to me as a new gift.

I can either use it or throw it away.

What I do today will affect me tomorrow.

I cannot blame anyone but myself if I do not succeed.

I promise to use this day to the fullest

By giving my best, realizing it can never come back again.

This is my life and I choose to make it a success!..

Pumpkin Ginger Cookies

Nov 4, 2008
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IMG_2364

Here is a yummy way to sneak pumpkin into your child's diet!

Preheat oven to 350F.

3/4 cup of butter

3/4 cup pumpkin purée

1 3/4 cups sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup molasses

4 cups flour (I use spelt or whole wheat cake and pastry flour)

4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

4 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp ground cloves

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together, add pumpkin, eggs and molasses. Add dry ingredients.

The original recipe calls for you to chill the dough for 1 hour, then shape into 1" balls and roll in sugar, but I often skip this step and they turn out great--and there is less sugar!

Bake for 8-9 minutes.