I used all organic ingredients. This was a very good Apple Butter. The only adjustment that I made was to add a pinch of cinnamon to it. I think it could have used a bit more than a pinch. It may have been better with about a teaspoon of cinnamon. It makes a tart and mildly sweet Apple Butter.

12 Organic Granny Smith Apples, cored,peeled, and quartered

1 1/2 Cups Organic Dark Brown sugar,packed

1/2 Cup Organic Apple Juice

1 Tbs. Lemon Juice ( organic freshly squeezed)

1tsp. Allspice,Organic

1 tsp. Cinnamon,Organic

4 1/2 pint , freezer safe,plastic containers and lids, sterilized. ( I brought a large pot of water to a boil and sterilized the containers for a couple of minutes )

Combine all ingredients into a crock pot/slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours ( mine only took about 5 hours) or until apples are very tender.

Mash apples with a potato masher or fork.  Cook for another 2 hours, uncovered, until mixture thickens.  Cool for a couple of hours.

Spoon into sterilized containers, leaving 1/2 inch head space; secure lids and freeze.  Thaw in refrigerator before using.

Makes 4 containers. ( I got smaller containers and filled 6 of them)

Enjoy!

Please leave comments if you make this. If you make any changes or if you like it…or love it. Whatever!!

Did you know that your chicken ( if buying from the average grocery food store) is processed using a chlorine wash? Ummm yes, I said CHLORINE as in CHLORINE BLEACH!  You heard right. Specifically Chlorine Dioxide.

***Update….definition of what Chlorine Dioxide is ( this is the chemical used to wash poultry during processing)

Chlorine dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula ClO₂. This yellowish-green gas crystallizes as bright orange crystals at −59 °C. As one of several oxides of chlorine, it is a potent and useful oxidizing agent used in water treatment and in bleaching.^[2]

The USDA regulates that chicken can be washed in a chlorine bath while processing to kill any diseases.  The “chill water” has the Chlorine in it.

How do we avoid this? That is assuming you want to!  Well the idea behind Organic or Free range meats and poutry is to raise them healthier in the first place, so that they do not need the chlorine wash. That does not mean the poultry will not be washed in chlorine at all, but maybe a very diluted chlorine. I plan to do some more checking, as you are encouraged to….I don’t know about you but  I do not relish the idea of my chicken being dumped into a chlorine bath before I eat it! I mean….we are attempting to get chemicals out of our house and bodies…..why would we want to eat poultry dipped into one of the very things we try to eliminate from our personal environment?

You can go to this website here to see what the regulations are for Organic meats/poultry. And decide for yourself what you need to do to help keep you and/or your family chemical free!

Earth friendly household cleaners!

I have tried Melaleuca, which are some really great products!! I love them, especially Sol-U-Mel !! Love it!! BUT…I just do not like having to be a member of their exclusive buying club….although a few of the products are good enough that I am willing to pay the “extra” amount by not being a member! And I will! I joined Melaleuca in June of 2010 and am soooooooo overstocked (YES I tried a lot of the products) that I will not need to buy laundry products, dish washing or household cleaning products for a long time to come! And when I do run out I may buy some Melaleuca….I will just pay the non-member price! It’s worth not having to spend a minimum of $70.00 per month on product that I just do not need!

Recently though my daughter tried Mrs. Meyers! I have been looking at it for a few months now and have wanted to give it a try, but remember the afore-mentioned OVERSTOCK of product! LOL so I have not bought any.  I was at her house yesterday and was able to get a review as well as smell some of the Mrs. Meyers, which I have to say smells heavenly!! My daughter reports the products work  just as good as they smell! I am very happy to hear that…..maybe I will not be paying those over inflated non-member Melaleuca prices after all?

Have you tried Mrs. Meyers? Here is a link to their website so that you can take a peek at their products and prices!

Mrs. Meyers

I have in my garden pole beans,  Heirloom Tomatoes, Zucchini, various Peppers, Butter Lettuce, Potatoes, Cabbage, Broccoli, Carrots, Popping Corn, as well as various Herbs such as Garlic, Basil, Cilantro, and Oregano. In pots on my patio I have some Cherry Tomatoes and Blueberries.

Organic Raised Garden

With the cost of vegetables at the grocery store climbing higher and higher I am really looking forward to harvesting my own vegetables this season. Every time I go to the store lately I think of my garden and wonder what took me so long to get on board with this.  Have you looked at the cost lately of  fresh veggies? I had to make some guacamole and salsa for a party over the weekend and spent over $20.00 on avocados, tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro.  4 items!  While I cannot grow Avocado trees here in the Midwest I can grow my own tomatoes,green onions, and Cilantro, cutting down on the cost of these dishes!

Organic Cabbage

Organic Herbs on the Patio….Oregano, Basil, and Sugar Herb!

I am extremely happy with my organic garden so far this year…..we will see how things progress to harvest!

I’ll be back to post some pics later today!  Good luck with your gardens!

I was browsing their site and found this about WHY ORGANIC! I wanted to share it with anyone that wants to see it!

From Organic Prairie….

1. Nutrient density.

Organic farmers nourish the soil that feeds our food. Research shows that organically-produced foods are higher in antioxidants and other nutrients than their conventional counterparts. more

2. No persistent pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.

Designed by intent to kill living organisms, persistent pesticides can be harmful to wildlife and human health, especially as they contaminate our food, air and water or accumulate in our cells. Synthetic fertilizers require large quantities of fossil fuels to produce, and contribute to soil degradation and ocean dead zones. more: pesticides fertilizers

3. No synthetic growth or breeding hormones.

Avoiding synthetic hormones (which are frequently given to conventional dairy and meat animals to alter reproductive cycles and speed up growth) means less stress for animals, and reduced human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. more

4. No antibiotics.

Overuse of antibiotics in farm animals leads to the development of dangerous antibiotic-resistant infections. Organic farmers instead rely on natural measures to promote and maintain animal health.  more

5. No GMOs.

Genetically engineered crops are a relatively recent technology with potentially devastating impacts on ecosystems and human and animal health. Organic regulations forbid the use of genetically engineered seeds or animals (including clones). more

6. Animal care.

Organic philosophy means raising animals in harmony with nature. Quality animal care keeps animals healthy and productive, naturally. As we like to say, happy cows make the best milk!

Do you eat gluten-free? Is it only people with sensitivities or allergies..intolerance’s…that eat gluten-free?   I am not sure that I have an intolerance to gluten but I do know that when I consume too many gluten based products I get…..”poochy” LOL I seem bloated….no..no…I AM bloated! When I lay off breads…grains….and dairy as a matter of fact, I slim down. So I have decided to start eating a more gluten-free diet.  Do you think people who eat organic also eat gluten-free? Do they go together?

I am just starting to gather some gluten-free recipes and in the meantime I have found a gluten-free muffin that I am in love with! I thought I would share it with you in case you too are wanting to get away from gluten products but still love your muffins and breads! Like me!

The muffin is made by Udi’s and I must say that I was so deliciously surprised when I ate it. I first tried these muffins on a road trip to Florida in Early march. I gave one to everyone in the car and everyone liked them….unanimous!  Cool!

My favorite is the Double Chocolate Muffin. You might think, as I did, that these would be dry but they are far from dry! I really thought they were very good. 2 thumbs up to Udi’s!  And they have 270 calories! I like that too! By the way….I found mine at Kroger.

So run out and buy a Udi’s muffin today! They also have cookies…but I have not tried them yet.

Later today I am attempting a gluten-free oatmeal cookie. If it is a success I will come back and share the recipe with you! I love oatmeal cookies! YUM!

Have a great Saturday!

So you want to have an organic garden but have no idea how to grow your plants without having to use toxic chemicals to keep away the weeds and the pests!

Here are a few ideas ( and trust me there are a lot more) to help us all achieve the organic chemical free gardens that we so desire!

1. To compost or not too compost, that is the question!  Well whether you make your own organic compost or buy it from a garden or home store…all soils will benefit from a good dose of organic compost before planting. Spread about an inch of it at the start of the growing season.

2. Plant flowers that attract “good” insects. Varieties with umbrella shaped clusters of small flowers , such as dill and caraway just to name a couple will attract “good” insects….as will sunflower and aster. These will attract “good” insects that will in turn control “pest” insects.

3. You can also control pests by covering seeds or  seedlings with a lightweight fabric, which you can get at a garden store.

4. WEEDS! Ahhh I hate them! LOL !!     You can control weeds by applying a layer of mulch over the soil after your plants have sprouted. A layer of mulch will block sunlight from reaching weed seeds and helps to retain moisture for the seeds you do want.

I hope at the very least this gets you thinking about how easy it can be to grow your own organic garden! I will be starting mine in a few weeks and will post pics as it progresses. The seeds are going in the soil in just a couple of days!  ( yes! I’m a little behind on starting my seedlings….but I have a daughter who has started hers a couple of weeks ago…so I will be fine! )

** Resource….USA Weekend

Backyard Brawl Baked Beans

Makes 4 servings

* 4 slices thick-sliced bacon, chopped
* 2 cups chopped onion
* 1/2 green pepper, chopped
* 2 garlic cloves, chopped
* 2 (16-oz.) cans vegetarian beans, drained and rinsed
* 1/3 cup molasses
* 1/2 cup spicy barbecue sauce
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon dark brown mustard
* 1 tablespoon dry mustard
* 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. In heavy pot, cook bacon over medium heat to render fat. Add onion, green pepper and garlic, and cook until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in beans, molasses, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, brown mustard, dry mustard and cider vinegar. Simmer, uncovered, until rich and thickly flavored, 10 to15 minutes, stirring with wooden spoon. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Note: May also place beans in baking dish and bake in preheated 350°F oven about 30 minutes.

Note: Because you are committed to organic living, OrganicAuthority.com recommends using certified organic foods, when available, in all recipes to maximize flavor and nutrition, while minimizing your risk of exposure to pesticides, chemicals and preservatives.

If you follow this link to my online quiz you can see just where you stand! Fill out the Toxin Checklist and the the results when you are finished!

TOXIN CHECKLIST

Today I have had messages from God and I did not even see it nor hear it until a few minutes ago.

So I was blogging about my non addiction to caffeine ( read previous post) where I made a play on words about “with Coffee” all things are possible…..ummmm yeah sounds like Matthew 19:26 but not…LOL so that is how I started my blog post which was primarily about whether caffeine and other mind altering or body altering chemicals can keep you from discerning Gods voice and direction for you.  After I was finished with my post I am sitting here at the computer listening to Wayne Dyer and he says ” with God all things are possible”  I do not believe in coincidence…I believe in synchronicity. There is a difference.

coincidence – an event that might have been arranged although it was really accidental

synchronicity - the experience of two or more events that are apparently causally unrelated occurring together in a meaningful manner. To count as synchronicity, the events should be unlikely to occur together by chance.

The difference, at least the way I interpret it….is that with synchronicity apparently unrelated things come together….. ALL things are meant to be.…These occurrences are meaningful…not accidental.  Coincidence=insignificant…could have been arranged. synchronicity=meaningful…life changing….deep UNLIKELY TO OCCUR TOGETHER BY CHANCE!

I love when this happens, although I am always left wondering what? At this point I think I need to offer a prayer of “letting go” to God.  I will pray that HE shows me what it is that I need to know! And that I not only discern it but that it is for the highest good of ALL. And according to HIS will not mine.

Let go and let God!