this look sooooo good, and looks to be halfway healthy for you! I am looking forward to trying it when the berries are fresh. Thanks for the recipe Vocalpoint!
Berry Good Cake
1 lg egg white
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 lg egg, separated
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup nonfat milk
2 cups mixed berries, such as raspberries, strawberries, and/or blueberries
1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
Heat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9" × 9" baking pan with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat egg white until stiff. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and beat until smooth.
In another bowl, with the mixer on medium speed, beat butter, vanilla extract, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar until creamy. Add egg yolk and beat to incorporate. Add 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, milk, and egg white. Beat until thoroughly combined.
Coat berries with 1 tablespoon flour and gently fold into the batter. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Makes 12 servings
Per serving: 176 calories, 3 g protein, 29 g carbohydrate, 6 g fat, 18 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 163 mg sodium
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
cute fleece hats!
I think I'm going to make some of these for the kids!! As always.. pictures will come when the projects done.
Developed in the 1970s as a synthetic alternative to wool, Polarfleece is an excellent winter fabric because it's soft, lightweight, durable, and machine-washable. And although it traps heat just as efficiently as wool, its stretchy fibers don't shrink or absorb water. These Polarfleece hats are relatively easy to construct and make wonderful holiday gifts.
Tools and Materials
Soft tape measure
Polarfleece fabric
Scissors
Pins
Tailor's chalk
Strong matching thread
Thread
Small pom-poms (optional)
Average Head-Size Chart
Newborn (6 Months and Younger)
Circumference: 14 to 17 inches
Crown: 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 Months)
Circumference: 16 to 19 inches
Crown: 11 to 12 inches
Child (1 to 3 Years)
Circumference: 18 to 20 inches
Crown: 11 to 12 inches
Child (3 Years and Older)
Circumference: 20 to 22 inches
Crown: 13 to 14 inches
Adult Woman
Circumference: 21 to 23 1/2 inches
Crown: 13 to 15 inches
Adult Man
Circumference: 22 to 24 1/2 inches
Crown: 14 to 16 inches
Solid-Color Hat How-To
1. You'll need one panel of fabric to make this hat. To determine the width of the fabric, measure the circumference of your head (including your ears), or use our size chart, adding a 1/4 inch on each side for seam allowance. The length for an adult hat should be about 13 inches; for a child's hat, about 10 inches. Cut out the panel of fabric.
2. With right sides facing in, sew the long ends, forming a tube. Trim seam allowance closely. If you wish to press open any remaining seam, use your fingers; do not use an iron because the fabric could melt.
3. To make a cuff, fold up bottom edge of fabric about 3 inches, then fold in another 1/4 inch for seam. Sew hem close to the turned edge.
4. Sew along the top of the hat, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Trim seam. Turn hat right-side out.
5. You can finish off the top of the hat with or without ears. For a hat with ears: Pinch corners into a fold, with the opening of each fold, facing front. Using matching thread, tightly tie off each folded corner about 1 1/2 inches down. Secure with 3 or 4 hand stitches through each ear. For a hat without ears: Join the two corners of the top of the hat together with a single stitch. Using strong thread, bring the needle through the inside of the hat at one corner and through the top of the other corner. Pull thread tight so the corners meet at the center. Tie off the thread inside hat.
Horizontal-Stripe Hat How-To
Follow the instructions for the solid-color hat, but combine horizontal bands of different-colored fleece to equal the correct height of your hat. Use as many bands as you like in any width; allow a 1/4-inch seam allowance on the top and bottom of each band, and 3 inches to the bottom band for the hat's cuff.
Vertical-Stripe Hat How-To
Follow the instructions for the solid-color hat, but in this case you'll need four fabric panels, two of each color. To determine the width of the panels, divide the head circumference by four, and add 1/4 inch on each side for seam allowance, then flatten the hat, right sides together, so that two panels lay directly on top of the other two panels. Match up the center seams.
Crown Hat How-To
1. Follow steps 1 through 4 for the solid-color hat, but keep hat right sides facing in.
2. Lay the hat flat and measure the crown of your head (ear to ear as if for earmuffs) or use our chart. Place one end of a soft tape measure at the bottom left corner of the hat, extend tape measure to the right corner of the hat, the distance equal to your crown measurement (for example, extend tape measure 14 inches if that is the length of your crown measurement). Hold both points of the tape measure in place, and arch the excess in between. Center a pin, 3 inches above the highest point of the arc; this is now your low point.
3. Using tailor's chalk, draw a horizontal line across the low-point mark and then draw a line parallel to it 3 inches higher. Mark the center of this top line. Find the points midway between the left and right sides of the center point, but mark them on the low-point line, then mark the left and right side seams 1 inch below the top line. Connect the dots in a zigzag, crown pattern. Sew along the zigzag line.
4. Trim seam, turn right side out, and shape the three points. If you'd like, attach a small pom-pom to each point.
Pom-Pom How-To
1. For a large pom-pom, cut a strip of fleece 24 inches in length (or 9 to 12 inches for a smaller pom-pom) and as wide as you would like the pom-pom (4 inches is a good width for an adult hat). Fold the strip in half widthwise.
2. Lightly draw a line down the center of the fabric lengthwise. Cut fringes to the left and right of the line, leaving about 1/4 inch uncut in the center. The fringes can be as narrow or as wide as you like. Roll up strip of fabric.
3. Using upholstery thread, bring the needle through the core of the pom-pom, and wrap the thread tightly around the center a few times. Bring needle through the core again, and tie a tight knot. Use the excess thread to sew the pom-pom to the top, or the edges, of the hat.
Resources
Polarfleece can be purchased at Malden Mills; it is also available at sewing and fabric stores.
From Martha Stewart Living Television, February 2000
Developed in the 1970s as a synthetic alternative to wool, Polarfleece is an excellent winter fabric because it's soft, lightweight, durable, and machine-washable. And although it traps heat just as efficiently as wool, its stretchy fibers don't shrink or absorb water. These Polarfleece hats are relatively easy to construct and make wonderful holiday gifts.
Tools and Materials
Soft tape measure
Polarfleece fabric
Scissors
Pins
Tailor's chalk
Strong matching thread
Thread
Small pom-poms (optional)
Average Head-Size Chart
Newborn (6 Months and Younger)
Circumference: 14 to 17 inches
Crown: 8 to 10 inches
Infant (6 to 12 Months)
Circumference: 16 to 19 inches
Crown: 11 to 12 inches
Child (1 to 3 Years)
Circumference: 18 to 20 inches
Crown: 11 to 12 inches
Child (3 Years and Older)
Circumference: 20 to 22 inches
Crown: 13 to 14 inches
Adult Woman
Circumference: 21 to 23 1/2 inches
Crown: 13 to 15 inches
Adult Man
Circumference: 22 to 24 1/2 inches
Crown: 14 to 16 inches
Solid-Color Hat How-To
1. You'll need one panel of fabric to make this hat. To determine the width of the fabric, measure the circumference of your head (including your ears), or use our size chart, adding a 1/4 inch on each side for seam allowance. The length for an adult hat should be about 13 inches; for a child's hat, about 10 inches. Cut out the panel of fabric.
2. With right sides facing in, sew the long ends, forming a tube. Trim seam allowance closely. If you wish to press open any remaining seam, use your fingers; do not use an iron because the fabric could melt.
3. To make a cuff, fold up bottom edge of fabric about 3 inches, then fold in another 1/4 inch for seam. Sew hem close to the turned edge.
4. Sew along the top of the hat, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Trim seam. Turn hat right-side out.
5. You can finish off the top of the hat with or without ears. For a hat with ears: Pinch corners into a fold, with the opening of each fold, facing front. Using matching thread, tightly tie off each folded corner about 1 1/2 inches down. Secure with 3 or 4 hand stitches through each ear. For a hat without ears: Join the two corners of the top of the hat together with a single stitch. Using strong thread, bring the needle through the inside of the hat at one corner and through the top of the other corner. Pull thread tight so the corners meet at the center. Tie off the thread inside hat.
Horizontal-Stripe Hat How-To
Follow the instructions for the solid-color hat, but combine horizontal bands of different-colored fleece to equal the correct height of your hat. Use as many bands as you like in any width; allow a 1/4-inch seam allowance on the top and bottom of each band, and 3 inches to the bottom band for the hat's cuff.
Vertical-Stripe Hat How-To
Follow the instructions for the solid-color hat, but in this case you'll need four fabric panels, two of each color. To determine the width of the panels, divide the head circumference by four, and add 1/4 inch on each side for seam allowance, then flatten the hat, right sides together, so that two panels lay directly on top of the other two panels. Match up the center seams.
Crown Hat How-To
1. Follow steps 1 through 4 for the solid-color hat, but keep hat right sides facing in.
2. Lay the hat flat and measure the crown of your head (ear to ear as if for earmuffs) or use our chart. Place one end of a soft tape measure at the bottom left corner of the hat, extend tape measure to the right corner of the hat, the distance equal to your crown measurement (for example, extend tape measure 14 inches if that is the length of your crown measurement). Hold both points of the tape measure in place, and arch the excess in between. Center a pin, 3 inches above the highest point of the arc; this is now your low point.
3. Using tailor's chalk, draw a horizontal line across the low-point mark and then draw a line parallel to it 3 inches higher. Mark the center of this top line. Find the points midway between the left and right sides of the center point, but mark them on the low-point line, then mark the left and right side seams 1 inch below the top line. Connect the dots in a zigzag, crown pattern. Sew along the zigzag line.
4. Trim seam, turn right side out, and shape the three points. If you'd like, attach a small pom-pom to each point.
Pom-Pom How-To
1. For a large pom-pom, cut a strip of fleece 24 inches in length (or 9 to 12 inches for a smaller pom-pom) and as wide as you would like the pom-pom (4 inches is a good width for an adult hat). Fold the strip in half widthwise.
2. Lightly draw a line down the center of the fabric lengthwise. Cut fringes to the left and right of the line, leaving about 1/4 inch uncut in the center. The fringes can be as narrow or as wide as you like. Roll up strip of fabric.
3. Using upholstery thread, bring the needle through the core of the pom-pom, and wrap the thread tightly around the center a few times. Bring needle through the core again, and tie a tight knot. Use the excess thread to sew the pom-pom to the top, or the edges, of the hat.
Resources
Polarfleece can be purchased at Malden Mills; it is also available at sewing and fabric stores.
From Martha Stewart Living Television, February 2000
thinking about Fleece!
I have been scouring books and websites looking for hats and mittens for my kids. I just don't like the normal run of the mill hat, so fleece tends to be my choice. :) Here is a page all about fleece!
http://www.sewingfreebies.com/fleecehatpatterns.html
http://www.sewingfreebies.com/fleecehatpatterns.html
baby slings
I've wanted to get a baby sling for my son for quite a while, especially since teh one I was given as a baby shower present was recalled. I was quite happy to find this pattern!
http://www.ida.net/users/stace/sling.html
http://www.ida.net/users/stace/sling.html
free sewing patterns
I am always on the lookout for free sewing and craft patterns that I can use. I think I found teh mother load today!!
this is for a ball for infants. I will definetely be trying this one!
http://sewing.about.com/od/babyshowergiftsewing/ss/babyball.htm
I will post pictures when I make it.
the main list of free patterns can be found here:
http://www.craftfreebies.com/babysewing.html
those are all for infants. I really havent been looking at anything beyond infants and toddlers at the moment.
this is for a ball for infants. I will definetely be trying this one!
http://sewing.about.com/od/babyshowergiftsewing/ss/babyball.htm
I will post pictures when I make it.
the main list of free patterns can be found here:
http://www.craftfreebies.com/babysewing.html
those are all for infants. I really havent been looking at anything beyond infants and toddlers at the moment.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
great article about homemade vs couponing
http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/05/homemade-vs-couponing-household-supplies/
there is the actual article. but I will post the recipes they offer, and their synopsis about what's cheaper/better, just in case the article decides to disapear.
homemade laundry soap (note...these are NOT the one's I use)
Homemade Recipe 1:
Mix 1 cup Ivory soap,
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads = $0.05-0.10/load
Homemade Recipe 2:
1 cup castile liquid soap (Dr. Bronner’s or Mountain Rose Herbs are good choices)
2 cups water
1/3 cup salt
1 cup, baking soda or washing soda
1 cup vinegar
Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads = $0.05-0.10/load
fabric softener
Homemade Recipe:
1 cup baking soda
6 cups distilled white vinegar
8 cups water
10-15 drops orange essential oils (optional) or lemon essential oils (optional)
Use 1 cup per load in final rinse cycle.
(I may have to try this one, just because it has a scent to it with essential oils)
all purpose cleaning wipes
Mix into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water:
1/2 cup vinegar and
1/4 cup baking soda
Cost for Homemade: $0.12-0.19/half gallon
(definetely gonna give these a try!)
glass cleaner
Homemade Recipe:
1 cup Rubbing Alcohol,
1 cup water
1 tbsp vinegar
Cost for Homemade: ~$0.50/32 oz. of cleaner
paper products
Alternatives:
microfiber cloths ($19.99 for 36 cloths on Amazon)
old cloth diapers (the oldschool kind) - Prefolds fit perfectly on the end of a Swiffer sweeper and work great wet or dry!
old towels, t-shirts, etc.
Cost: FREE to $0.55 each
Additional Considerations: re-purposes fabrics that you might throw away, keeps a lot of paper out of landfills, saves tons of money; can be washed and reused, but if it really gets so dirty that you don’t want to use it again, just chuck it like a paper towel
love the idea ..and have at least one other alternative for swiffer sweepers that I will post eventually
their conclusions
•Homemade laundry products are basically the same price.
•Homemade all purpose cleaner is a savings, especially when you consider the batch size to the size of the store bought bottle.
•If you are comparing prices for the new natural/organic products (even on sale), you are definitely saving a few dollars by making it at home.
•Of course if you can get it for free and not waste too much time or effort doing so, you should probably take advantage of the deal!
•Some of the best savings are on specialty products, for example oven cleaner, mildew/shower cleaners, carpet stain removers, metal cleaner or polish, mineral deposit removers, furniture or floor polish, drain cleaners, and even air fresheners. These items are harder to find at rock bottom prices and are typically expensive. You also have the added bonus of removing potentially harmful chemicals from your house.
addittional websites for recipes
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/homecleaning1.html
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/housecleaning-on-budget.html
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/housecleaning-on-a-budget-part-2.html
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/06/homemade-all-natural-dishwasher-detergent.html
http://www.vinegartips.com/Scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=12
http://hiporganicmama.blogspot.com/2009/03/green-spring-cleaning-come-clean-now.html
there is the actual article. but I will post the recipes they offer, and their synopsis about what's cheaper/better, just in case the article decides to disapear.
homemade laundry soap (note...these are NOT the one's I use)
Homemade Recipe 1:
Mix 1 cup Ivory soap,
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax
Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads = $0.05-0.10/load
Homemade Recipe 2:
1 cup castile liquid soap (Dr. Bronner’s or Mountain Rose Herbs are good choices)
2 cups water
1/3 cup salt
1 cup, baking soda or washing soda
1 cup vinegar
Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads = $0.05-0.10/load
fabric softener
Homemade Recipe:
1 cup baking soda
6 cups distilled white vinegar
8 cups water
10-15 drops orange essential oils (optional) or lemon essential oils (optional)
Use 1 cup per load in final rinse cycle.
(I may have to try this one, just because it has a scent to it with essential oils)
all purpose cleaning wipes
Mix into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water:
1/2 cup vinegar and
1/4 cup baking soda
Cost for Homemade: $0.12-0.19/half gallon
(definetely gonna give these a try!)
glass cleaner
Homemade Recipe:
1 cup Rubbing Alcohol,
1 cup water
1 tbsp vinegar
Cost for Homemade: ~$0.50/32 oz. of cleaner
paper products
Alternatives:
microfiber cloths ($19.99 for 36 cloths on Amazon)
old cloth diapers (the oldschool kind) - Prefolds fit perfectly on the end of a Swiffer sweeper and work great wet or dry!
old towels, t-shirts, etc.
Cost: FREE to $0.55 each
Additional Considerations: re-purposes fabrics that you might throw away, keeps a lot of paper out of landfills, saves tons of money; can be washed and reused, but if it really gets so dirty that you don’t want to use it again, just chuck it like a paper towel
love the idea ..and have at least one other alternative for swiffer sweepers that I will post eventually
their conclusions
•Homemade laundry products are basically the same price.
•Homemade all purpose cleaner is a savings, especially when you consider the batch size to the size of the store bought bottle.
•If you are comparing prices for the new natural/organic products (even on sale), you are definitely saving a few dollars by making it at home.
•Of course if you can get it for free and not waste too much time or effort doing so, you should probably take advantage of the deal!
•Some of the best savings are on specialty products, for example oven cleaner, mildew/shower cleaners, carpet stain removers, metal cleaner or polish, mineral deposit removers, furniture or floor polish, drain cleaners, and even air fresheners. These items are harder to find at rock bottom prices and are typically expensive. You also have the added bonus of removing potentially harmful chemicals from your house.
addittional websites for recipes
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/homecleaning1.html
http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/housecleaning-on-budget.html
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2007/12/housecleaning-on-a-budget-part-2.html
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/06/homemade-all-natural-dishwasher-detergent.html
http://www.vinegartips.com/Scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=12
http://hiporganicmama.blogspot.com/2009/03/green-spring-cleaning-come-clean-now.html
Monday, May 24, 2010
homemade fabric softener
I stumbled across this recipe in the Billings Gazette. It's the first time I have bought their paper, and I was pleasantly surprised to find this as well as a great site for couponing. good deal!! I have to admit though.. I'm not sure if we are making fabric softener or a science fair volcano haha. :) I still have a bunch of dryer sheets, so it will be some time before I try the homemade version.. ut you can bet when I do, I will be posting the results :)
recipe Number 1
2 cups of white vinegar
2 cups baking soda
4 cups water
set mixing bowl in sink and combine ingredients slowly. Using a whisk, mix together. It will fizz. Pour in old fabric softener bottle. Use 1/4 cup per load.
recipe 2
6 cups water
3 cups vinegar
2 cups (16 ounces) cheap conditioner (whatever scent you like)
Mix and store in 1 gallon container. It may seperate, shake each time you use it.
These came from "frugalvillage.com) via the billings gazette. I may have to check that website out as well :)
recipe Number 1
2 cups of white vinegar
2 cups baking soda
4 cups water
set mixing bowl in sink and combine ingredients slowly. Using a whisk, mix together. It will fizz. Pour in old fabric softener bottle. Use 1/4 cup per load.
recipe 2
6 cups water
3 cups vinegar
2 cups (16 ounces) cheap conditioner (whatever scent you like)
Mix and store in 1 gallon container. It may seperate, shake each time you use it.
These came from "frugalvillage.com) via the billings gazette. I may have to check that website out as well :)
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