Lifestyle

Fun Picnic Ideas

When I was young it was always so fun and exciting to pack up a picnic and take it to the park.  I grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and my Grandma and my Mom would take us kids to the park and we would just love hanging out and enjoying the breeze by the lake.  My Grandma was an expert at making the best picnics.  She would always make sure we had a “wet wash cloth” to clean ourselves before and after our meal.  I always thought she was so smart!  This was of course beforehand sanitizers were discovered or Wet Ones.  We would always pack a sandy-which (she would call them that) and a pickle and then I can’t quite remember what we did for drinks, considering bottled water wasn’t available.  Maybe we did a canteen?  Anyway, it was always a great time together which is why I am sharing some of my fun ideas for your next picnic.  I think the way our culture is today we don’t enjoy a good old fashion picnic enough.  I hope this post inspires you to have a picnic if it has been a long time!

One of the things I like to take along is a salad however it can be a little tough making this happen. My current favorite on the go salad is my fresh apple salad with honey cider dressing.  To make it simple I like to pack my salads individually into a disposable cup with a lid and then pop a fork in the straw slit!  It’s a super cute way to encourage your family to eat their greens!

Fresh Apple Salad for Picnic

Another thing I love to pack is a sandwich with some hearty bread.  It is important to have that French bread or something of that nature so your food doesn’t get soggy!  It’s the worst when that happens.  It holds up so much longer and tastes better than your typical bread.

Picnic SandwichI also like to bring along some cookies and I got mine from my favorite place, Crust!  They have the best ginger molasses cookies around!  And if you can fit it in, pack up some of my DIY bug spray!  This time of year, they are everywhere and nothing ruins a picnic more than ants and bugs!!! Lastly, a good blanket is a must.  I love this blanket I got from Amazon.  It is plastic on the bottom and it keeps away any morning dew from getting my clothes wet.  I hate getting up and having a wet bottom!

I am looking forward to my next picnic.  I may do something different next time and have a picnic breakfast!  What a way to start the day!  I hope your inspired to take a walk, enjoy this beautiful weather and have a relaxing picnic!  It will do your soul some good!

July 3, 2018 by
Shredded Beef Brisket Tacos
Lifestyle, Recipes

Shredded Beef Brisket Tacos

Don’t you just love Taco Tuesdays?  They are simple and a great staple for your family dinner planning.  I know one thing, I love eating them but sometimes I need to change things up a bit and try something new.  This shredded beef brisket taco recipe is so yummy.  I would probably put it at my top five favorite recipes I have shared with my followers.  The ingredients are easy simple and most likely you already have all of the ingredients except maybe the liquid smoke that is used.  Have you ever cooked with liquid smoke before?  It is so good and make the best “cheater” for smoking meats.  I do not have my own smoker and I have never smoked anything before but this little liquid gives this recipe big taste while still being easy to prepare.   I also think the cilantro, in large quantities, also gives this recipe that extra boost in flavor.

This recipe is great if you double or triple it and use it for a large group.  It is a step up from the usual taco but also very simple and not a lot of fuss.   I know your family will start requesting this recipe instead of the old one you have been doing for years.  Enjoy!

 

 

Beef Brisket Tacos

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Shredded Beef Brisket Tacos

Ingredients

  • 3 pound beef brisket
  • 1 cup Liquid Smoke
  • 12 ounces Beer
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 20 corn tortillas

Instructions

  1. Combine liquid smoke, beer, bay leaves, salt and pepper in a large resealable bag to make marinade.

  2. Add brisket and refrigerate overnight.

  3. Cook brisket and marinade in a Crock Pot on low for 8 hours. 

  4. Take out bay leaves and shred brisket.

  5. Add brisket to tortillas shells and add your favorite toppings, avocado, shredded cheese, cilantro, green onions, avocado, sour cream, salsa and lime wedges. 

June 26, 2018 by
DIY Bug Spray
Healthy Living

DIY Bug Spray

There are so many chemicals in our environment these days and it’s so scary.  Through the last 12-15 years I have been very interested in my overall health and what is going into my body.  I try to cook as often as possible and make healthy and clean choices.  This DIY bug spray recipe is an extension of my pursuit in being healthier.  I hate the thought of all of the harmful chemicals in our food and environment and if I can make small changes daily to keep them at bay I will do my best.

I am excited to share this DIY bug spray recipe, I recently received it from a follower of mine and I love it.  My daughter gets bug bites like crazy.  They just love her!  She helps out in the garden and needs something to combat those “buggers” and I really don’t want her spraying more chemicals than she needs.  I was happy to get this recipe and try it.   So far it is working fantastic.  The mosquitoes are staying their distance.  And she is happy with the results. There are several essential oils in this recipe and it can add up.  However the trade is knowing your skin is not absorbing more toxins and I absolutely love the scent.  It doesn’t have that strong gagging smell.  It’s actually quite pleasant.

I am sharing a printable version of this DIY bug spray recipe so you can keep it on file.  It’s super easy, just mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Make sure to share with your friends and family and help them keep not only the mosquitoes away but also those pesky toxins!

 

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DIY Bug Spray

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Witch Hazel
  • 1 cup Distilled Water
  • Citronella
  • Lemon
  • Purification
  • Peppermint
  • Lavender
  • Lemongrass
  • Eucalyptus

Instructions

  1. In a 16oz spray bottle, mix distilled water and witch hazel and add 10 - 15 drops of each oil.

 

June 22, 2018 by
Jumbo Jenga
Home + Entertaining

DIY Jumbo Jenga

Everyone who knows the game Jenga, loves it.  I love how it can be played with all age groups.  I am always looking for things for us to do together as a family with multi generations.  This is one of those “things”.  I came across the Jumbo Jenga sets online and decided it was time for us to make our own set.  I love having summer games to play with friends and family and get some competition going!

To make this set you need (8) 2 by 4’s.  I used cedar because we are keeping ours outside on the porch this summer and it holds up better.  Additionally, it’s lighter to carry from place to place.  Then cut seven of the 2 by 4’s in 10 1/2 inch long pieces for a total of 54 pieces.  Make sure to round all the corners with a belt sander at a 45 degree angle.  This is a monotonous job but worth it because you do not want the hard edges.  Also, the more you use the pieces the smoother they get when playing the game.  Next use the last 2 by 4 to make the box to carry it in, we used plywood for the bottom.  Lastly, I would use a lint seed oil on the wood.  It shows off the grains and protects the wood.

After all is done and it drys, set it up and get ready to play some JUMBO JENGA!  In my case no one was available so I had to play with Winnie.  Who do you think won???

Winnie plays Jenga

June 18, 2018 by
Moroccan lamb tagine with fennel and dates
Recipes

Tagine Recipe

I was in Charleston a month ago with my sister and my mom.  We were shopping and came across the Le Creuset store and I had to take a peek inside.  I’ve had one of their Dutch Ovens for about 5 years and I enjoy using it.  I love going to cooking stores but I had never been in a Le Creuset store before.  It was fun walking around and seeing all of the fun colors of cookware.  I ended up seeing the Tagine and asked the clerk what it was.  She said it is an Moroccan way of cooking.  A Tagine is used to slowly simmer and using a heavy amount of spices for a variety of meats.  I was intrigued and then decided I had to buy two!  One for me to try and one for my dad for Father’s Day.

The tagine recipe that I am sharing today is from Le Creuset.  The only thing I switched out was the olive oil for avocado oil because it’s what I’ve been using the last few months, you can find out about some health benefits on my blog post here.  I don’t have a lot of experience cooking with lamb but it turned out great and I can’t even describe the wonderful smell the spices from this tagine recipe filled my house with, yum!

Tagine recipe with lamb

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Moroccan lamb tagine with fennel and dates

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 fennel bulb trimmed, thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 pounds lamb fillet cut into thick pieces
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground cilantro (coriander)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup pitted chopped dates
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat one tablespoon of oil in the tagine base on a medium setting.  Fry the onion, fennel and garlic until all are just beginning to brown. Transfer to plate.

  2. Add the remaining oil and fry the pieces of lamb until they are evenly browned.

  3. Add all the spices (ginger, cumin, cilantro, cayenne pepper and salt) to meat and stir well, continue to cook for one minute.

  4. Return the onion, fennel and garlic to the Tagine.  Add the dates and 3/4 cup of water. Stir well.

  5. Cover and cook very gently, stirring occasionally for 3 - 3 1/2 hours.  The spices will thicken the liquid as the dish cooks, so check after 1 1/2 hours and add the remaining water little by little.

June 15, 2018 by