Apple Raspberry Bread

Every once in awhile I get something stuck in my head that I just have to make. This bread is one of those things.  I thought about it over and over, compiling what ingredients I would use. When I actually got around to going in the kitchen and making it I of course did it completely different that what I intended.  But it came out so good!  This bread is moist with a slight spiced apple flavor, and wonderful pockets of intense raspberry flavor.  I use raspberries that I picked and froze on a cookie sheet so the raspberries are not stuck together but I think ones from the store would work.

Apple- Raspberry Bread
2 C. Flour
1/2 C. Coconut Milk
1 1/2 C. Apple Pure (about 4 small apples)
1 t. Baking Soda
3/4 C. Honey (or other sweetener)
1/4 C. Agave (or maple syrup)
1 T. Ground Cinnamon
2 T. Flax Meal
1/2 t. Salt
1 C. Frozen Raspberries

1. In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients except raspberries until combined.  Fold in raspberries.

2. Bake for one hour at 350 F in a greased loaf pan.  The bread is done when a toothpick comes out clean.  You might need to add 5-15 minutes depending on your oven.

3. Allow to cool before serving.  Enjoy!

I usually store this bread at room temp in an air tight container.  I have no idea how long it will last that way though because each time I've made this it's only lasted 2-3 days.  Obviously storing it in the fridge would help to preserve its freshness but it's not required.  I eat this bread plain, no need to any butter or spreads!

Chewy Pumpkin Cookies

Usually I am a die hard chocolate chip cookie fan but in the fall I love the flavor of pumpkin.  To me it's just an added bonus that pumpkin is also good for you.  I think it's even better for you when paired with chocolate! I adapted this from a recipe on Have Cake, Will Travel.

Chewy Pumpkin Cookies (Yields 12 large cookies)

1 C. Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 C. Ground Oats (oats ground up in a food processor)
1 1/2 t. Ground Cinnamon
2 T. Arrowroot Powder (heaping, very heaping)
1/2 t. Sea Salt
1 t. baking powder
1/2 C. Vegan Butter (or vegetable shortening)
1 C. Palm Sugar (other other vegan granulated sugar)
1/2 C. Honey (or other vegan sweetener)
3/4 C. Pumpkin Puree (be generous)
2 t. Vanilla Extract
1 C. Chocolate chips (you can put in slightly less if you don't like as much chocolate)

1. In a large bowl cream together the sweeteners and the butter or shortening with a mixer.  Add in the vanilla and pumpkin until combined. 

2. Mix together the dry ingredients in a separate bowl.  Fold them into the wet ingredients and mix until combined.  Add the chocolate chips and stir again.

3.  Using a spoon place dollops of cookie dough on a greased cookie sheet and shape them how you would like them.  They wont rise much so flatten them a little.  Put in the fridge until dough is chilled.

4. Preaheat oven to 350F and bake for 17 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.  It may be hard to tell if they are done but a good way to check is to look at the bottoms.  Nicely browned bottoms mean they are done :)

Notes: Baking these too long will cause them to dry out.  If you don't want to bake all the dough you can always freeze some in cookie shaped discs for later!  Store in a sealed container on the counter. 

Scrubby All Purpose Cleaner- Save Money, Be Green!

So I usually blog about food because I am a foodie but I am also into something else; saving money and being green all at the same time.  Having helped a lot of friends move I have inherited an impressive number of random cleaners and cleaning supplies.  After three years though the collection is significantly depleted and I've had to get more creative with what I have.  Let me give you some examples.

1. Did you know that window cleaner makes excellent toilet bowl cleaner? So does vinegar, Soft Scrub, bleach, and Simple Green.

2. Scrubby cleaners like comet work great for cleaning your kitchen sink, but filling the sink with water and adding a little bleach works better and requires no scrubbing :)

3. Newspapers, not paper towels, work best for cleaning windows.

I think you get the idea.

There was just one thing that I didnt have a cleaner for: the oven.  I had noticed that after 3 years of intense (daily) usage that my oven had developed a fine layer of ash at the bottom.  Which experiment of mine was responsible for this ash I have no idea but I thought it might be best to clean it off, given that the oven was starting to smell like smoke.  And that is what leads me to this cleaner, my gift to you.  Save money, clean things, and prosper.

Scrubby All- Purpose Cleaner
1 Part Table Salt (not iodized)
1 Part Baking Soda

Combine in a container, preferably one with a shaker top like an old spice jar.  Easy, right?

Wet the surface to be cleaned.  Sprinkle on cleaner, leave for 5 minutes.  Scrub lightly with a sponge.  Rinse.

I use this on all my sinks, the tub, the oven.  Any where there is a enameled like surface. Obviously you will want to test an area if you are not sure.  This cleaner easily cuts soap scum and somehow my tub takes longer to get dirty after using this than when I use a commercial scrubbing cleaner.  Store in a sealed container.

Helpful Hint: If you want it scented you can add a few drops of essential oil.  However the scent may not last very long if you make a big batch of this cleaner and store it. You can also add lemon, lime, or grapefruit peelings (I've had more success with this), just make sure they are in small enough pieces that its ok if they go down the drain.