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How to Make Chocolate Vessels

From: www.sprinklebakes.com

I've been waxing philosophical chocoholical lately, as you can tell.  It may be cliché, and it may be expected, but when Valentine's day rolls around I'm in a complete chocolate state of mind. And why not? Chocolate supposedly mimics the feeling of falling in love via some crazy stimulant that gets released into our bloodstream after eating it.

I always like to plan ahead and prepare early, but this recipe requires little of that.  It's great for those of you who have little time to bake or fuss over a special occasion dessert. 

First, I'd like to talk about making the chocolate vessel.  It is SO easy and fun.  You'll need to buy a pack of water bomb balloons (some of you may know where I'm going with this) or if you can't find this small variety, any balloon 5" or less with do nicely.



To prepare, you should have a few balloons blown up and resting on a clean surface. Balloons can be full of static, and are prone to pick up any stray fiber, hair, or particle on a seemingly dust-free surface. I gave both my table and platter a good wipe-down with a damp cloth.  Lay out a large piece of parchment for the dipped balloons.  

I used a small bag of Ghiradelli semi-sweet baking chips, melted in the microwave at 30 second intervals. You'll want to be careful to not overheat your chocolate, or the completed cups will develop a chalky white film in the drying process. My advice would be to stir very well between heating intervals. 
You can also melt your chocolate in a saucepan on top of the stove on the lowest heat possible.  This takes a bit longer, but your chocolate is less likely to develop the chalky white film.


Transfer chocolate to a small bowl. Your chocolate should not be hot. If you find that it is hot, let it cool slightly.  Dip bottom of balloon into the melted chocolate and transfer to a piece of parchment paper.  Continue to dip balloons until all chocolate is used. 


Allow to dry for approximately 20 minutes.  You'll know it's ready when the previously glossy chocolate coating has taken on a matte finish.  

Now for the fun part.  After the chocolate has set, carefully cut the balloon at the top just below the knot.  Allow the air to escape slowly.  The balloon will pull away from the chocolate and leave a beautiful cup!

pimp myspace

Occasionally you may experience a sticky balloon that doesn't want to let go of the chocolate.  If this happens, then imagine your vessel as a clock, and gently pull the balloon away at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00. Pull from the knot upward.  Your balloon should release. 


Now you can fill them with anything your heart desires.  My heart desired some Chai Latte whipped creme.  This is very simple to make.  All you need is some heavy whipping cream, dry, instant Chai mix and a little sugar.

I made some of the vessels into teacups (see above).  For the handle, just pipe some melted chocolate into a small candy-cane shape and allow to dry.  The handle can be adhered with additional melted chocolate.

I don't think I've ever had so much fun playing with chocolate.  I think this would be a great recipe to make with the kiddos, especially since the chocolate doesn't get too hot.  It's almost magical when the balloon pops and you are left with a perfect chocolate bowl.  I think  I may use my leftover bowls for ice cream, or perhaps a fruit and cream parfait.

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MASON JAR TINY PIES

mini apple pie in a jar diy thanksgiving baking favor mason jar

Instructions @ camillestyles.com

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Homemade Liquid Soap / Body Wash


Recipe @ http://www.thefarmersnest.com

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Easy Homemade Citrus Scrub

Ah, I love the smell of citrus in the morning.  It makes me feel like I can actually start my day with the few hours of sleep I got.  That’s why I love this homemade citrus scrub.  It smells so yummy and makes me feel energized, plus it exfoliates and softens my skin at the same time.  And it’s really simple and fast to make – gotta love that!

What You Will Need:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup sea salt
  • 1-2 slices of lemon
  • 1-2 slices of orange

Directions:

  1. Put the oil and salt in a bowl or blender.
  2. Chop up the orange and lemon slices and put them in your bowl or blender.  If you’re using a bowl, chop them as finely as you can or omit them entirely.
  3. Blend everything together and put in your container.  That’s it!

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Dryer Sheets

From: http://searching4hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2011/02/home-made-laundry-detergent.html


DRYER SHEETS:

Ingredients:

1 container of your favorite fabric softener  (or better still, click here to learn how to make your own!)
a bucket
water 
2 sponges

Directions:

Pour fabric softener in bucket.  Add 2 parts water.  (Fill your fabric softner container with water twice and add to bucket.)  Mix well.  Throw in your sponges.  Ring your sponge out and add it to dryer with your clean, wet clothes.  Return sponge to mixture when clothes are dry.  

There you have it!!  Life is easier already!  =)

  My "dryer sheets".  
I really have issues when it comes to doing laundry, so I made my bucket as pretty and colorful as possible and believe it or not, it helps me out.  ;)

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Homemade Fabric Softener


You need:

  • 8 cups white vinegar 
  • 1 1/4 cups warm water
  •  1 cup baking soda 
  • Essentials oils of your choice (like lavender, lemon, orange...)
Directions:

In a big bucket (this will be fizzy) mix vinegar and water.  Slowly add baking soda; stirring constantly.  Use a funnel to pour this mixture into a gallon size container.  Add 1/3 teaspoon of essential oil to the gallon container.  For a stronger smell you can add more.  Shake before each use.  Add about a half a cup to a whole cup to the fabric softener dispenser depending on the size and content of your load.

You can add 3-5 drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil to the dispenser along with the fabric softener to kill bacteria, mold, and viruses.  

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Dish Washing Detergent

From: http://searching4hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2011/06/dish-washing-detergent.html


All you need:
1 cup Borax  (found in the laundry detergent aisle)
1 cup Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda - not baking soda.  It's better than baking soda at breaking through grease and grime.  (also found in the laundry detergent aisle)

Sift through any clumps.  Store in a jar or storage container.  keep lid sealed tightly while stored.  Put 1-2 tablespoons in soap dispenser per load.  
                                                                                                                 
For a rinse aid, you can use distilled white vinegar in the rinse compartment.  White vinegar is really good at cleaning glass and cutting through water spots.

And there you have it...free Dish Washing Detergent! (if you already had the borax and washing soda)  You can't beat that!!  I love saving money!!!!  

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Homemade Liquid Dish Soap

From: http://searching4hiddentreasures.blogspot.com/2011/07/homemade-liquid-dish-soap.html
 See how nice and thick it looks! 

Ingredients:
  • 1 quart (8 cups) of water
  • 1/2 bar of your favorite soap  (I use Ivory, but you can use castle or whatever you like best.)
  • 2 cups of vinegar to cut the grease  (I suppose lemon juice would do the trick too, but citrus takes the shine out of your silver ware too, so I use vinegar.)
Directions:

Boil water on stove top.  Grate your bar of soap (I use my food processor) and add it to the boiling water.  Mix well.  Let simmer.  Remove from heat and mix with electric mixer.  Be sure the soap and water is mixed well so that it doesn't separate.  Return to stove and simmer a little longer.  Remove from stove and add vinegar (or lemon juice).  Mix with mixer again.  Let cool a bit.  Pour into whatever container you want to keep it in and let it sit for a while to thicken. (Be careful not to pour HOT liquid into a plastic container as it could melt the container and/or burn you.)  Mine fit into a 14 ounce bottle with a tiny bit left over.

(You probably don't need to mix as much as I did, but I didn't want it to seperate and I already had the mixer out - so why not??  You can play with it and do your own thing.)

There will not be any bubbles.  We have grown so accustomed to seeing bubbles that we don't feel we've cleaned anything without them, but we must remember bubbles don't clean things.  Soap does! 

Also ~ If your soap ends up a little too thick, you can simply dilute it with a little water until you like it.

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Apple Dumpling Goodness


Recipe @ http://realhousewivesofbc.blogspot.com

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Diary Of A Coupon Addict


I started a new blog dedicated to couponing. Deals and ad matches are for local deals and stores in the Kansas, Wichita area.

Visit it HERE

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Powder Homemade Laundry Soap


Recipe @ http://beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html
Found in the comments that you are suppose to use 1 tablespoon a load but some do 2 tablespoons.
Going to try this since i have quite a lot of laundry soap supplies built up. They say it’s cheaper then the wet laundry soap.

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Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes

Recipe @ http://www.wearenotmartha.com/

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My modified version of the chicken salad wraps found here: Santa Fe Chicken Salad Wrap, Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad

 

For the Chicken Salad
2/3 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 – 3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 - 2 tablespoon minced cilantro
2 – 3 green onions, sliced thin
2 cups poached, diced or shredded chicken (or grilled is great)
¼ cup tomatoes, diced

¼ cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup corn kernels

 

I just throw everything in a bowl and mix… and slop it on a shell and your ready!

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Spinach Salad Wrap

I usually pass by recipes that are in a magazine but this one i decided to try. It was AWESOME! One of our new found favorites. Of course i change the recipe to make it my own (and better).
Super simple! Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 5 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
I used only 1 Tbsp. and i used white vinegar… i don’t like vinegar very much
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar
  • 2 tsp. snipped fresh parsley
I didn’t have this
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
I used plain o’mustard from the bottle… but i used the same amount as above.
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • 1 5-oz. pkg. fresh baby spinach (about 5 cups)
We didn’t use near 5 cups! I just put it in the as if it was lettuce or something… not piles of it!
  • 6 10-inch flour tortillas
  • 6 slices mozzarella cheese, torn in half
Shredded works fine too…. once again no measuring needed just sprinkle on your shell. Think taco!
  • 8 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • 12 slices bacon, crisp cooked and drained
Could add:
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 3 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
Bacon is the main ingredient! As far as the toppings, do your own thing if you don’t like mushrooms or eggs. I had it with mushrooms, tomatoes and green pepper…. were as my Husband only had tomatoes and loved it! I would suggest tomatoes!

Directions:

1.For dressing, in a small bowl whisk together vinegar, sour cream, sugar, parsley, salt, garlic, and dry mustard until combined. Whisk in the olive oil; set dressing aside.
2.Divide spinach among flour tortillas. Top with cheese, mushrooms, bacon, red onion, and sliced eggs. Drizzle with dressing.
3.Roll up tortillas. If necessary, secure with toothpicks. If desired, wrap in waxed paper and cut in half to serve.

Nutrition Facts

  • Servings Per Recipe 6 servings
  • Calories481
  • Total Fat (g)23
  • Saturated Fat (g)10,
  • Monounsaturated Fat (g)7,
  • Polyunsaturated Fat (g)2,
  • Cholesterol (mg)150,
  • Sodium (mg)1454,
  • Carbohydrate (g)45,
  • Total Sugar (g)7,
  • Fiber (g)4,
  • Protein (g)23,
  • Vitamin C (DV%)15,
  • Calcium (DV%)35,
  • Iron (DV%)25,
  • Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

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Homemade Chocolate Syrup Recipe and a Hot Chocolate How To

I was craving some hot chocolate and i had used the last of my store bought chocolate syrup the other day. I got the bright idea ‘why don’t i make some? i bet i can find a recipe online!’

So i searched and easily found it!

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(My Homemade Chocolate Syrup)

The recipe:

From The Complete Tightwad Gazette.

½ cup cocoa powder
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon vanilla

Mix the cocoa powder and the water in a saucepan. Heat and stir to dissolve the cocoa. Add the sugar, and stir to dissolve. Boil for 3 minutes over medium heat. Be careful not to let it get too hot and boil over! Add the salt and the vanilla. Let cool. Pour into a clean glass jar, and store in the refrigerator. Keeps for several months, but trust me it will be gone before then. Yields two cups.

The result is very rich and yummy!

These would make cute hostess gifts or party favors!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So then i went on to make my hot chocolate.

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What I used: Homemade syrup and stove top frother for that ‘coffee shop’ quality.

208694-F_frontiercoop

Purchasable @ http://www.organic-vida.com

 

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Measure out your milk using your mug. Keep in mind to leave some room for your syrup plus room for the milk to expand when frothed.

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Pour milk into frother and put on stove on medium heat without lid. Heat until desired warmth. Can test with your finger. Take off heat and put lid on.

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Froth by pumping the handle on the lid. You don’t have to pump very fast to make great thick foam. Pour your desired chocolate syrup into bottom of the mug. Pour a little of the frothed milk in, using a spoon to hold back the foam. Stir the chocolate into the milk, the pour the rest of the frothed milk in.

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Yum! Even better if you can top with some whipped cream and drizzle with more chocolate!

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Inside Out Apple Pies

Recipe & Instructions @ http://www.tinyurbankitchen.com

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Bacon Potatoes

Now, this is how I want my potatoes from now on! Do you really need a recipe? All you do is peel whole potatoes, cut them all across, not too thin, and not all the way through, sprinkle with some salt, but not too much, the bacon is salty. Then fill with small bacon slices in between. Bake in a pan with some oil until potatoes are fully cooked, and serve!
In the original recipe, the potatoes are first cooked half way, and I guess this is done to cut the baking time, which I didn’t do, and they took a while to be completely baked, but I didn’t mind waiting.

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Homemade Drumsticks

Instructions @ http://www.instructables.com

I made vanilla bean ice cream and followed these instructions for assembling my own that turned out to be far superior to the already near-perfect originals.

http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/homemade-drumsticks/

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CREAMY AVOCADO CHICKEN SALAD

CREAMY AVOCADO CHICKEN SALAD

The flavors of this chicken salad are reminiscent of summer grilling. If you've got a bit of leftover chicken from the night before, this is a great way to use it up for lunch. Otherwise, feel free to boil a breast of chicken or zap one in the microwave for a super-speedy meal. Enjoy!

ingredients:

1 cup chicken breast, cooked and shredded
¼ cup corn
¼ cup black beans, rinsed and drained
¼ cup green onions, chopped
¼ cup tomatoes, diced
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
¼ cup corn chips, crushed
2 tablespoons white vinegar
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
Salt to taste
2-4 avocados, sliced in half with pits discarded

directions:

In a medium bowl, toss the chicken breast, corn, black beans, green onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and corn chips together. Add the vinegar and mayonnaise to mixture and toss to coat. Salt to taste. Spoon salad into halved avocados. Serve immediately with a spoon and fork. Enjoy!

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Santa Fe Chicken Salad Wrap

Santa Fe Chicken Salad Wraps

goodLife{eats} creation

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Salad
2/3 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 – 3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 - 2 tablespoon minced cilantro
2 – 3 green onions, sliced thin
1 stalk celery, diced
2 cups poached, diced or shredded chicken
2/3 cup black beans, I like Bush's brand best
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup corn kernels

For the Wraps
Santa Fe Chicken Salad
Burrito Sized Tortillas
Salad Greens or Baby Spinach
Avocado Slices

Directions:

For the Chicken Salad:

In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, lime juice, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and cilantro. Whisk to combine.

Add the chicken, green onion, and celery to the sour cream mixture. Stir until the chicken is well coated.

Fold in the black beans, bell pepper, and corn. Cover and chill until serving.

To Prepare the Wraps:
Layer chicken salad, salad greens or baby spinach and avocado slices inside burrito sized tortillas. Fold up the ends and roll the wrap to seal it. Slice in half. Serve with salsa on the side, if desired.