Honest Motherhood Giveaway!

I'm excited to announce that Honest Motherhood is having its first giveaway! 

If you read Honest Motherhood you know that I recently shared a post called "Am I Eating GMO's?" It had three parts to it. I promote non-GMO food and products. Without the labeling of genetically modified food and products its hard to know when you are using them. In my third post "Am I eating GMO's?" I talk about ways we can help and ways we can avoid eating genetically modified products.

I have come up with a recipe for a GMO-free grapefruit body sugar scrub. Grapefruit is known for its wonderful smell, weight loss and its ability to help the skin heal itself. Coconut oil is good for moisturizing the skin, and the sugar is a wonderful exfoliate!

Make sure to enter for your chance to win!

To Enter:
Like Honest Motherhood's Facebook page and share this post so others can enter! If you already like Honest Motherhood's Facebook you can still enter by simply sharing this post for others to enter.
https://www.facebook.com/honestmotherhood7

When Honest Motherhood's Facebook page reaches 100 likes,  three winners will randomly be chosen!

The winners will receive a GMO-Free Grapefruit Sugar Scrub made by Honest Motherhood! I will announce the winners after Honest Motherhood's Facebook reaches 100 likes.

Can't wait to announce the winners!!!!

Homemade Healthier Candy Bars (Gluten Free & Refined Sugar Free)

Once upon a time I used to eat snickers and butterfingers. It was a joyous time of ignorance. That yummy crunchy taste filled with, I had no clue!! Those were the days when I thought that the caramel was actually caramel. And then I awake from this fairy tale land, and realized it corn syrup...YUCK!

Honestly, I might have continued that eating path if I didn't have kids, get sick from eating certain foods and love cooking/baking so much. I count it a blessing to know the truth behind our food industry. I'm thankful that it has moved me to act. After I watched Food, INC. I was so grossed out and disgusted with Tyson. I went straight to my freezer after the movie and threw away the bag of Tyson frozen chicken breasts. I was that upset! And I don't regret that. They treated those animals with abuse and cruelty. And then they fed them genetically modified grain and pumped them with antibiotics to make them grow faster so they can make profit faster. How could I eat those frozen chicken breasts after knowing that?

There are times I do go out to eat and I'm not always aware of where the food is from or everything they are putting in it. I usually stick with something basic like a salad, shrimp or any gluten free options. Half of the labels on food on are so misleading anyhow. I like to shop at a store called Fresh & Natural, they strive to source there meat from sustainable farms, that do not use antibiotics or gm feed.

One thing I enjoy about cooking/baking is there is so many ways to manipulate the ingredients. Each produces a little different taste, texture or flavor so you can choose. I also like that I can substitute unhealthy choices for healthier choices. I can recreate a brownie by using whole foods, with REAL ingredients and getting in my daily dose of food groups. In this case I made homemade candy bar. i would say it tastes like a snickers mostly but I was going for a butter-finger. 

I used easy, simple ingredients that have health benefits. Here is the recipe!

Homemade Healthier Candy Bars ~Gluten Free & Refined Sugar Free~

• 4 tbsp water
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 1 tsp REAL salt or sea salt
• 3/4 cup peanut butter or any nut butter
• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts chopped
• half a package of dark chocolate 

Measure and pour water and honey in a sauce pot. Bring to a simmer for about 8-10 minutes. It should be bubbling for about 6-8 minutes straight without stirring. Only stir if you think it may burn. 

After the honey is done bubbling immediately add the vanilla, molasses and salt. Remove from heat and stir together, then add the peanut butter and stir until creamy. Set aside.

 Get a small glass baking dish and line with parchment or plastic wrap. I poured the peanut butter mixture and spread it into only half of my pan. Depending on the size of your pan, pour the mixture but allow it to be about 1 inch thick. Spread out the pecans or walnuts on top of the mixture and gently press nuts into the mixture.

Put in freezer for about 5-7 minutes, take out and cut into bars, then set in freezer again for another 8-10 minutes. During that time melt your dark chocolate. You can either melt in a pan on stove or microwave for about 45 seconds, then mix and keep heating at 30 second intervals until the chocolate is melted and creamy. 

Take the bars out of the freezer and gently separate each bar in the pan with about 1-2 inches between them. Pour just enough of the chocolate mixture on top of each bar so it covers the top of the bar. When you have finished this, place the finished candy bars in the freezer for about 20 more minutes.

Place leftover bars in freezer and enjoy as desired!

This made 8 bars for me! They were so yummy and better then eating a store bought candy bar any day. Mostly because I knew what was in them and I made them with love! But they really were a nice treat for the boys and I. The peanut butter mixture tasted much like caramel in snickers! These bars are packed with protein from the peanut nutter and nuts, vitamins from the organic fair trade molasses I used, health properties from the honey and healthy pick me ups from the dark chocolate.

From my kitchen to yours.....Enjoy!

Affirmation of Today

Easy Peasy Oversized Pizza Rolls

When I was younger pizza rolls were one of my top 3 favorite foods. I knew it was a good day if my mom made pizza rolls..lol. I was not very good at being patient though, because as soon as they were ready I was trying to pop one of those little goodies into my mouth. They were so hot I had to bite the corner and let some of the hotness out, then I would blow on it for a couple seconds and try to take a bite. After that my tongue would get burned and I'd be trying to cool it down again. Yet I can't tell you how many times I repeated this trauma to my tongue. Finally, when I was older I realized the smart thing to do was put them in the freezer for a few minutes, so I could actually enjoy eating them.

I honestly can't remember the last time I ate a pizza roll. After I started to feel sick from certain foods and taught myself to read food labels by devouring every book in the library, pizza rolls were banned in my house. I couldn't believe the ingredient list, it was horrid!

There are many foods I have given up over the years, but I also have found or created healthier variations for my of my favorite treats. Pinterest is awesome for giving ideas like this and has inspired me to think outside of the frozen freezer section. My kids have never eaten a pizza roll and I'm so happy they can enjoy one of my childhood favorites. Of course it not the exact same thing, BUT once you start making things healthier and eating it more regularly you get used to the change in texture or sauce flavor. This recipe is so quick and easy too. The time it takes to make them may be a little more then freezer section pizza rolls, but I assure you its no wasted time. Your body will thank you down the road!

Happy homemade pizza roll making!

Easy Peasy Oversized Pizza Rolls

• 24 cheese sticks
• 2 packages turkey pepperoni
• Italian Seasoning
• 24 egg roll wrappers
• olive or any cooking oil
• Jar of original spaghetti sauce OR  can of seasoned crushed tomatoes

Preheat oven to 350.

Lay out a egg roll in a diamond shape, Place 6-7 pepperoni in a line towards the corner near you. Place the cheese stick long ways on top of the pepperonis. Then sprinkle some seasoning on top of the pepperonis. Then start rolling from the corner closet to you. After you roll it just a little, take in the sides and roll. Then before you close it up spread some water at the end corner of the egg roll. The water helps it to stick and stay together. Finish rolling it up! 

Pour a bit of oil over each roll and spread it out evenly

Bake @ 350 for about 20 minutes, then flip them all over and bake about 5-7 minutes. 

Pour some pasta sauce in a little dish, and use this to dip your pizza rolls.

Enjoy! From my kitchen to yours :)

Peanut Butter, Banana, Avocado Smoothie

I was already running a few minutes behind and we still hadn't eaten breakfast yet. I knew I didn't have time to make our usual eggs breakfast. Cereal is more like a treat or snack in our house. In fact, its usually eaten after dinner for a "dessert". Well, that's what it should be I think, with all the sugar in it! I looked at my fridge and thought hmmm, peanut butter and banana is good together but I really need to use up these avocados and that's how this post came to be.

I needed enough protein to keep my energy good until my next meal, some good fat to keep my mind focused, and a natural sweetener to make it all the better. That's what you have when you mix peanut butter, banana and avocado together. Since avocado has a fairly neutral favor, it so easily mixes with just about anything.

Peanut Butter, Banana, & Avocado Smoothie (Enough for 1 person, if  you double makes enough for one and three little people)

• 2 Tbsp Peanut Butter
• 1 Banana
• 1/2 Avocado
• 2 Tbsp Yogurt (I used plain)(Optional) -yogurt adds creaminess
• 2 Tbsp flax (Optional) great fiber addition
• 1 Tbsp honey (Optional) it adds just that extra touch of sweetness
• 1 1/2 c Almond Milk or Regular Milk
• 4-5 Ice Cubes

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until all ingredients are mixed. Enjoy!

Share your favorite smoothie recipes, I'd love to try them!

Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls (Dairy-free options)

**WARNING**-Making cinnamon rolls takes time. Start the dough the night before and refrigerate the finished cut up rolls or  start about 1 1/2 hours before you need or want them done.

We really enjoy a yummy homemade treat like these cinnamon rolls! But we don't have to cheat or get off our diet to have one. Eating REAL food is about balance, and eating REAL food.

When you don't have to starve yourself, and you get to eat foods you enjoy eating it feels less tempting for me to overeat or "cheat". I think the number one benefit I love about feeding my body right, is the way I feel. I feel light, clear-minded, healthy, less gassy, I feel good about myself and I have energy to do what I need to do! Which, clearly I need lots of energy to keep with three very energetic boys, a household of responsibilities, grocery shopping, family chef, etc. You get the picture.

On the contrary, when I give in and eat something I know I wouldn't normally, I just feel yucky. I feel bloated, heavy, and it usually sets me on a lazy path. Thankfully, since I can't stand that feeling I usually push myself to get on the elliptical for at least 30 minutes to burn away some of the guilt or shame from feeling lazy and eating horrible. 

This is the best recipe that I have made for these gluten free cinnamon rolls. I think the key to making these is following the recipe. They are soft and gooey, a perfect gluten free treat. You can make dairy-free along with gluten-free, with the substitutes and options I wrote below. Happy Baking!!

Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls (Dairy free option)
                              Adapted from food-pusher.com

Dough:

• 1 cup milk or unsweetened almond milk
• 1/3 cup butter or (Healthy balance "butter" sticks for dairy-free)
• 1 large egg, room temp
• 2 1/2 cups Namaste Gluten Free Flour Blend
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup non-gmo cane sugar 
• 1 1/4 tsp yeast

Filling:

• 1/2 cup organic coconut sugar
• 1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 1/3 tbsp butter, very soft or(Healthy balance spread for dairy-free)

Topping:

• 1/2 ounces of cream cheese (optional) (Omit for dairy free)
• 2 tbsp butter, softened or (Healthy balance for dairy free)
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar or (stevia for sugar free)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 1 pinch salt

Directions:

In a microwave safe dish pour milk and butter, microwave for 50-60 seconds until butter is softened but not completely melted. If hot allow to cool to warm.

In a medium sized bowl add gf flour, salt, non-gmo sugar, and yeast. In standing mixer or bowl pour the warm milk and butter, add egg and then pour dry ingredient on top. Mix to moisten the dry ingredients scraping the sides. Then mix on high for three minutes using paddle attachment. If mixing by hand I would use your hands and mix for about 3 minutes very well. Cover using a clean dish towel and side aside in a warm place for 35-45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix the first three filling ingredients together. Set aside. Grease baking dish of 10x7 or 8x8 if only cooking some. Cut a 20 inch piece of plastic wrap and lay it out on the counter, spreading out an even, thin layer of gf flour. Shape dough into a ball and gently press down forming into a square. Use a rolling pin to shape into a 12x18 inch rectangle.

Next, spread the softened butter on the surface of the dough. Spread the filling evenly on top of the butter. Gently roll the dough into a log. You may need to spread some flour as your rolling especially if its sticking to your fingers. 

Cut the dough in about 3 inch sections or however thick you'd like your cinnamon rolls. Gently place rolls into baking dish and cover with a clean kitchen towel until about doubled, which should be about 30 minutes.

Bake the cinnamon rolls at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, until turning a golden brown on top. While rolls are baking mix up the topping by adding all ingredients together and whisking in a bowl. When your rolls are all done, let them cool for about 5 minutes and then you can began frosting.

Enjoy!!!