Adventures in the Kitchen with Michelle, VitaCost Dark Choco Almond Drop Cookies

July 16, 2014 by KTgreen

I’ve been trying to keep myself on a more healthy track. Not always easy. This afternoon I put in an order for some goodies from my favorite online health food company, Vitacost. I was reminded about a pic I took of a box from their last shipment.

They print funny little things on their boxes. Like, ‘5 Ways to Reuse This Box:’, and this time there was an intriguing recipe for an almond butter cookie, with chocolate chips. OK, you had me at ‘chocolate…’ !! On top of it, it was gluten and dairy free…hmm. I might have to try that one. As you know, not all of these ‘healthy’ cookies are much like a treat at all. I’m always skeptical, as I’ve made, and tossed, a lot of glorified dog biscuits. I only share the winners with you – the ones that get a thumbs up not only from me, but my non-health-food eaters.

VitaCost Dark Choco Almond Drop Cookies

Step 1:

Gather the goods

1 Cup Almond Butter – see photo – I use ‘No-Stir Almond Butter’ because after 15 min of stirring the other was still nothing like any kind of ‘butter’.

3/4 Cup Natural Sweetener (I used Whey-Low, but I’ll bet organic cane sugar would be good)

1 Large Egg (you can go egg-free*, but I didn’t)

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/4 tsp Salt

3 oz. Dark Chocolate Chips (I used Ghiradelli 60%, about 1/3 cup)

Step 2:

Preheat the oven to 350deg. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a bowl and mix until smooth. Then add in the chips.

Step 3:

Scoop by the tablespoon onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake for about 12 min. I let mine go a minute more and they were really brown, but they held up better. Let them cool on the pan.

Finale:

Look how yummy !! Gluten free, dairy free, and could’ve even been egg-free (by substituting 1 Tbl. Flax mixed with 3 Tbl water). So good! Now even though that super healthy organic almond butter was super runny, and nothing I’d buy again, I’d certainly make these cookies again. Maybe next time, I’ll add in a touch of gluten free flour and maybe some chopped almonds, to give it some body.

But, until then – Enjoy!!

Michelle Beal

http://badzoot.com

Frozen Costumes

July 10, 2014July 10, 2014 by KTgreen

I was planning on posting about some options for the DIY Easy Tote bag from last week but it was pandemonium around here. That’s a kind way of saying that three energetic grandkids were here for three crazy busy days.

So, instead, I’ll tell you about the Frozen costumes that I’m working on.

This all started when Piper skyped me from ND to ask me to make her an Elsa dress. Not a problem. So I told Addy and Kendall that I’d make them dresses, too. They were all very excited! Everyone wanted to be Elsa, of course. And I want to add that these three girls are all fashionistas. They are not going to wear anything that doesn’t fit exactly right, rubs in the wrong way, or is the slightest bit off in style or color!

I had the pattern for the Frozen costumes but wasn’t too sure of the size for Piper. So, rather than just making the dress out of all that shiny material and finding out that it doesn’t fit, I made a test dress in the 2-3 size for her and was planning on sending it off to ND for Piper to try on.

When I finished it, I thought this really looks big. So, since Kendall was here, I tried it on her. She’s a size 5. And she said, “Grandma, this is way too big, I’d have to wear a shirt under this.” And she was right, the armholes were very large.

So I tried it on Addy, a size 7, and it just fit. A little short in the length but perfect around the chest and armholes.

And where’s Kendall?

Kendall Kids Kids

And that’s why I didn’t get the tutorial for the tote options finished!

We did accomplish something. Kendall now wants to be Anna! Yeah! Two Elsa’s and an Anna. Couldn’t convince Jack to be Olaf, though!

And we went to the fabric store and these two fashionistas picked out the perfect shiny material for two Elsa’s and an Anna. And I was told exactly how each cape had to be attached and that the dresses had to go ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, and they had to have long sleeves. Glad I got straightened out on all that before I made those dresses! Now I just have to figure out how to make the dress small enough for Piper!

Fabric

I’ll be back next Thursday with the update for the tote!

The Easiest DIY Tote Ever

July 3, 2014 by KTgreen

Jes asked me to make a tote. She had bought one that she absolutely loved and it was worn out. Could I make one just like it?

Of course!

Based on the tote she sent home with me, I made a denim one just for practice. And when Jes came to visit, she wanted that one. I offered to use a different fabric, put pockets, appliques, etc. on it. Nope. She just wanted a plain old denim tote. And she immediately started using it.

Jessica's tote

So I decided if it was that great, I probably needed one, too. I could carry my music and stuff in it to the acoustic meetup. And then I had to overthink it. And I started putting appliques and pockets and….. And it’s just supposed to be an easy-peasy tote! So after I finished my complicated one, I made this one.

And it took less than an hour and very little fabric.

And then I made Maggie model for me…

Okay, one more pic then I’ll show you how easy this tote really is!

EASIEST DIY TOTE EVER INSTRUCTIONS

You need two 19″ squares of sturdy fabric for the tote–like denim or canvas. Plus 36″ of cotton webbing for the strap.

I was trying to use up some old fabric so pieced together the back to get the 19″ square.

Put the rights sides together and sew the sides and bottom with 1/2″ seam allowance. I did a zigzag stitch along the edges, too, since I don’t have a serger.

Sides are Sewn — Three sides are sewn. Make sure you get the correct bottom if you are using a one-directional fabric like me.

Next is the pleated bottom. Fold the fabric in on both sides at the bottom 2 1/2″.

Pleats on the bottom Then stitch across the bottom with a 1/2″ seam allowance. I stitched twice just in case I decide to carry a watermelon home in that bag. If that fell through, that would be a disaster!

Turn the top edge under 1/2″ then another 1/2″ and stitch 3/8″ from the top along the edge.

For the handle, turn the cotton webbing under 1/2″ on both ends. Stitch. (I also zigzag stitched it.) Put the bottom of the webbing on either side seam at 1 1/2″ from the top . Stitch a box, then an X in the middle of the box. Or you could do the X first, or some variation. That will make the handles a bit more sturdy if you decide to carry a watermelon.

Easiest DIY Tote Ever! Easy Peasy Done! Seriously, less than an hour. And quite cute and useful. I could even carry Maggie in it! (All I need is a biscuit!)

And next week I’ll show you how to change up that basic pattern with French seams, facing, pockets, appliques….. it just goes on and on and on.

Not the easiest DIY tote ever! — This one takes way more than an hour!