I wanted to clean out the closet where we keep our trashcan because it gets cluttered and dirty. I’ve shared my some natural cleaning recipes that I use previously but I thought I’d share what I did today.
It’s important to note that all of our floors are tile because they can come completely clean; with my allergies, that’s extremely important. However, I wouldn’t necessarily say tile and grout are easy to clean. Some people think cleaning tile is difficult and requires a lot of scrubbing. That’s not the case.
After I cleaned out all of the crud my family had been throwing on the floor in the closet, I mixed my go-to cleaner. I sprayed white vinegar all over the tile and grout on the floor then I sprinkled baking soda onto the grout lines. On a high-energy day, I’d use a retired toothbrush to gently rub the mixture into the grout but today I couldn’t do it. I let that sit for about 30 minutes to an hour. I wiped the mixture up with a warm rag and the closet floor was cleaned and deodorized.
 
Since I was in the mood to clean, I grabbed my metal trivets (for my pots) and the metal basket I use to drain greasy foods and I found a couple containers large enough to submerse the greasy parts. I filled then about three-fourths with water then I added about a half cup of white vinegar and a fourth cup of baking soda. I let that sit for about thirty minutes to an hour. The grease was visibly loosened and I used a nonabrasive scrubbing pad to remove the grease.
 
I’m not going to say it didn’t take energy because everything does, but it was easy and I didn’t have a chemical reaction so it was a win.

​I make smoothies for my family and myself often. None of these recipes are for weight loss or control, just condensed nutrition. I only prepare what can be eaten in a single sitting because in the refrigerator it may separate or get watery and in the freezer, it’ll get too hard. I freeze most of the ingredients so that I don’t have to worry about having fresh ingredients. This also means I don’t need ice to make the smoothies cold. I know many people hate spinach and kale. Believe me; you can’t taste it. A smoothie is a great opportunity to incorporate foods you hate to eat.
When I worked, I would prepare them at home and drink them over several hours or mix them in a single sized blender at school when I got up too early and didn’t want to disturb my family. (one note about the blender I’m recommending: I totally love it! The company sells individual parts if you lose the lid, want extra lids or break the cup)
 
Suggested Ingredients:
 
Some of my favorite ingredients are
•    Spinach or kale (fresh or frozen)
•    Orange/ Cranberry juice
•    Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
•    Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
•    Grapes (fresh or frozen)
•    Bananas (I use fresh out you can freeze bananas)
* all ingredients shouldn’t be frozen, it’s harder to blend
My only caution as someone with GERD, I’d watch the acidic products. You may want to substitute water or milk for the juice.


The amount of each ingredient really depends on how many servings you’re making. I use about ¼ or less liquid (I start with as little as possible and add if the ingredients won’t mix), ½ a banana for a single serving, a whole banana for more. I add all of the other ingredients to taste.
Always start by putting a liquid ingredient into the blender first. Chop large or harder ingredients before tossing them in.
Enjoy!
 
Variations and suggestion:
Try adding vegetables you don’t like; you won’t be able to taste them- avocado, cooked carrots or broccoli or sweet potatoes, etc.
Try adding different fruit; melons, pineapples or mangos, etc.

• some people add honey for extra sweetener
• for a sweeter smoothie, let your bananas get brown (over ripened)
• for a less sweet smoothie that still has the nutrition, use a greener banana
• you can add protein powder or flaxseed/ flaxseed oil 
• consider apple cider vinegar if you are trying to incorporate that into your diet
• add greek yogurt to get probiotics

 

I previously wrote about my love for bread and gave you an easy recipe. We don't always want out bread in plain, loaf form.  There so many things you can do with that recipe.

Before you begin, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and butter a large baking sheet.

Bread Sticks I use the same recipe and I break off small pieces, roll them on a floured counter into tubular shapes, place these on a buttered or oiled baking sheet, then bake them.
The bread sticks can be served warm as is or you can rub melted butter or melted butter with herbs like garlic for extra flavor.
Dinner Rolls I break off small pieces of the bread from the recipe, roll them on a floured counter into tubular shapes then make a pretzel-like knot and then tuck the ends underneath, place these on a buttered or oiled baking sheet, then bake them.
The dinner rolls can be served warm as is or you can rub melted butter or melted butter with herbs like garlic for extra flavor.
Buns(for burgers or sandwiches) same recipe; I break off generous sized pieces, and follow the same process as I use for dinner rolls,
Hot Dog Buns same recipe; and I break off medium sized pieces, put them on a floured counter and shape them into round pieces (1" thick, 5"-6" in diameter), then fold them over. Place these on a buttered or oiled baking sheet, then bake them.

Obviously, since these are all different sizes so they require different baking times. They will need at least 10 minutes but you should watch them. After the first time, you'll know how long your oven will take to bake your desired breads.
​Enjoy finding new ways to use this bread recipe; I'll share more baking ideas with you soon!

[Oprah voice] I love bread!
I love making bread. With chronic illness, I don’t have the hand and arm strength to knead the dough and I can’t spend too much time standing. Because of this, I’ve had to adapt my bread recipes so that I can make them and not over exert myself. I use an inexpensive stand mixer so that I don’t have to mix by hand.
  *before you ask, no, I’ve never used a bread maker. I have no idea how that works.
 To make quick bread, you will need:

5 1/4 cups flour
2 – 4 Tbsp. sugar (add depending on how sweet you’d like it)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 Tbsp. instant yeast (I like Fleischmann’s and I buy the jar because I use so much)
1 1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 cups warm water 
 
Before you begin, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and butter a large baking sheet.
 
Put dry ingredients into a stand mixer on low. The low setting is important so that the dry ingredients don’t end up all over the place. Add the oil and water. Mix on medium for about a 1 minute. The dough should be very sticky. If it isn’t you may need to add more water.

Continue mixing for 5 minutes.  The dough should be a smooth even consistency. But very important: Don't mix too long.

Rub a little flour on the counter and your fingers so that the dough doesn’t stick. Remove the dough from the mixer and place it on the counter. 

Separate the dough into at least two pieces by tearing or cutting. Now shape the dough and place them on buttered baking sheets. Cover them with a large dishtowel and let them rise for 25 minutes.

After the 25 minutes, use a sharp buttered or oiled knife to make 1/4-inch deep cuts in the top. You can make one long one down the center or diagonal slashes.
 
Bake the bread for 25 minutes, or golden brown.

I let them sit and cool for a bit but I can’t help myself because I love warm, buttered bread.
Remember that this bread does not have all of the preservatives that store bought bread does and it needs to be eaten quickly. The good news is it’s so good, I don’t think that will be a problem.I have no problem freezing fresh bread. I let it cool then put it in a freezer bag. Be sure to label the bag before you fill it with what it is and the date you are bagging it.
Enjoy!

I figured I'd switch things up and give you an easy idea for protein. One of the least respected quick meals is a protein and a can of vegetables or frozen vegetables. I like to buy large packs meat and separate the meat into the amounts needed for individual meals and freeze them. My mother in law was a chef and after we got married, my husband let me in on one of her secrets; she remakes individual hamburger patties, wraps them individually and freezes them. We don't eat beef much anymore but you can steal that if you'd like.
When I need a portion to make a meal, I just pull the freezer bag out and defrost the meat. If it's chicken, I toss some olive oil and butter and spices into the bag and let it marinate for overnight or for a few hours. If it's fish, steak or pork, I usually do a dry marinate with some spices. If it's a burger, I usually season it with season salt as I'm about to cook it.
Did you know George Foreman grills are still a thing?! I don't use one anymore, it either grill in a pan or I fry or we grill on the barbecue pit. But since we're all about easy meals, why not take your meat and cook it quickly and easily on a Foreman grill?
However you cook, honestly protein can be the basis for a quick easy meal. I try to keep plenty of canned and frozen vegetables on hand at all times. Canned vegetables can be as simple as opening the can and microwaving. Frozen only requires a few minutes on the stove to warm. 
Even on the worst flare days, I'm able to take my individually wrapped fish, season it and toss it on the stove for a few minutes; bonus points to me if I make vegetables with it.
You could even make an extra portion or two of any of these proteins and put it in the refrigerator for your next meal or a quick meal a couple days later. Be sure to label the container with what it is and the date you are putting it until the refrigerator so you are wondering how long it's been in there.
Enjoy!

Each Friday or Saturday we make pizza. We have made pizzas many different ways with many different ingredients, steps and procedures. I'm going to give you some suggestions for quick, easy, inexpensive pizza that are a great alternative to frozen pizzas. It takes me about 30 minutes or less start to finish.
First, we need to chat about crust choices. I have made my own dough in the past but I just don't have the energy anymore. Here is a quick and easy pizza dough recipe if you feel like tackling it. In the past, we have also bought pre-made pizza crusts. These are usually in the same aisle as spaghetti sauce. We discovered pre-made pizza dough about two years ago and we love it! They are a few dollars cheaper than the pizza crusts and not too much more expensive than getting the ingredients to make our own and the convenience is worth the difference. We find the best price at that huge discount store slash grocery store super center that most people consider the devil; it's only $1 there. We also find them at the local grocery chain but they are a little over $3 there. In both places, the dough is in the deli section. I don't have to rank these as to how much energy they require, I'm sure you've done that already.
The ingredients will vary based on which dough/ crust choice you make and what toppings you want on your pizza so I'll explain what we do. My kids are all old enough now to prepare their own pizzas so I make my own as well; sometimes my husband does it for me. My pizza:
Ingredients
•    ½ pre-made dough (I like thin crust. Use a full dough for thick)
•    flour
•    pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce* (Italians don't judge me; look away)​
•    cheese (I use mozzarella and Italian)
•    olive oil
•    butter
•    Italian seasoning
•    garlic
•    toppings
* you likely have spaghetti sauce already and will use it for other dishes. This is just easier than dedicated pizza sauce and it tastes fine. I'd stick with traditional flavored/style sauce.

Preheat your oven to 425 or so. I gather all of my ingredients before beginning because my hands get very messy. I take a ramekin and I mix 2 parts butter to on part olive oil and melt it in the microwave. Then I add Italian seasoning and garlic to the mixture and set it aside. I put about a half cup of flour on a clean counter and spread it around bigger than my pizza will be. Then I rub the flour all over the front and back of my hands and between my fingers then pile the remaining flour out of my way. I take half of the dough from the package and begin to flatten it out with my fingers, adding flour as needed. I shape the dough as desired. (generally make a rectangular thin crust, my daughter usually makes a perfect circle with edges like at a pizza parlor, my husband and sons aren't pretty but are utilitarian.) when my pizza is almost the size I want it, I grab my baking sheet and smear my butter/ olive oil mixture on the pan so the crust doesn't stick then put the crust on the pan. Then I smear the butter/ olive oil mixture over the top of the crust; this adds flavor and makes it easier to finish spreading. I continue to spread my crust out on the baking sheet; it's much easier to spread with the oil on top and bottom. Then I wash my icky hands. I place the crust in the oven until it is very lightly browned. I do this because I want the crust cooked and it may not cook as quickly as the cheese will melt. After removing it from the oven, I add sauce and desired ingredients and put the pizza back into the oven until the cheese is melted. I don't over brown my cheese because this makes enough for two meals. I cut the pizza in half, eat half and let the other half cool. I place the remaining pizza into a bag, label it and put it into the refrigerator. When I reheat the pizza in the oven, my cheese won't burn because I didn't overcook it the first time.
Enjoy!

I make my pot pie using  my easy stew. I make them after the stew cools and freeze  them or eat them immediately. This is how.
Ingredients

• cooked stew
• deep pie crusts (frozen, in  pie pans)
• foil

* you may like to add pre-made  pie crust to cover the pot pie but it's not required

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Pour the stew into  your frozen pie crusts  until the filling is slightly below the rim.  If you choose, add a top crust by laying it over the pie and pressing the dough into the bottom dough.  If you add a top crust, slice about a 1 inch long slice in the top crust or poke holes with a fork.  This will  allow heat to escape and prevent a mess.  Whether you add a top crust or not, rip foil into half inch or so strips  and wrap around the edges of the crust so that it doesn't burn. Bake for  25-40 minutes or until  the crust is golden brown.
Enjoy!
*If you choose to freeze these for later,  be sure to label the pies beforehand  with what it is and the date.  

I made this stew yesterday. It's a great meal you can make ahead or make extra then freeze. I also use it in another recipe I'll share soon. If you are preparing this days before you want to eat it, put the pot or crock pot on low.  If it's being prepared early on the day of, put the slow cooker on high.
Ingredients

• a bag of  frozen vegetables
• 2-4 potatoes
• an envelope of brown gravy mix
• flour
• canned or container of broth or water (beef, chicken, vegetable)
• raw stew meat (if desired or substitute with cooked chicken)

* add other seasoning and ingredients to taste
First, you will need to make the stew base. Pour a small amount (about 2 cups)  of water or broth  into the crock pot.  Whisk in the envelop of brown gravy into the pot. Then  whisk in flour slowly until the mixture is slightly pasty. (gravy thickens  naturally) Now pour in more  water / broth until the pot is half full and mix.  Dump  the  meat and vegetables into your slow cooker. Add water/ broth until the pot is full and stir. 
 Cook for at least a few hours. I remove all except what I plan to eat that day from the slow cooker and I let it cool in a bowl to prepare it for bagging. Bag the food in a freezer bag the sized bags needed to feed your household. Be sure to label the bag before you fill it with what it is and the date you are bagging it.
Enjoy!
 

I use my chili recipe to make this recipe I'll share soon. You can assemble this, cook it and freeze it or eat it immediately. 
​Ingredients
•    cooked chili
•    about 3 cans of corn (may need more or less)
•    about 4 boxes of corn muffin mix
•    milk (amount required by muffin recipe)
•    eggs (amount required by muffin recipe)

Mix the corn muffin mix. Pour enough chili to cover about ½ inch into a dish. (I use these pie dishes for several recipes like this because they're easy to clean.) Then pour enough corn to cover the chili. Finally, pour about ½ inch of corn muffin mix on top; do not over fill. Bake following corn muffin instructions. Reduce bake time by about 10 minutes if you plan to freeze it to eat it later. Partially cooking it makes for better freezing and will ensure the cornbread doesn't burn when reheating. Cover the food with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze. Be sure to label what it is and the date before freezing it. Whenever you fully cook it, I enjoy rubbing butter over the top of the cornbread as soon as I pull it out of the oven.
Enjoy!