Denim and Fleece Dog Coat

Still belly deep in snow here! But Karma is toasty warm in her new handmade, recycled denim coat!

Following the directions given at compulsive craftiness I was able to make this cozy denim and fleece coat for Karma. Check out the pattern through this link for detailed instructions.

https://web.archive.org/web/20140924211940/http:/compulsivecraftiness.com/2012/cozy-fleece-dog-coat-tutorial/

But here's what I did.

I patchworked some recycled denim for the outer layer. 

Then lined it with plush baby blue fleece and cut off the excess

and sewed on some velcro closures.

It was the first time I'd ever sewn a collar to a garment...not bad! The instructions made it easy!

I made a strap across the front using the waistband from a pair of jeans including the brass button closure.

Perfect for walks around the block! 

Asian Ground Beef and Broccoli

This recipe is not only delicious, but it's also an easy stovetop dinner that'll be ready in less than 30 minutes!

Ingredients:

3/4 lb lean ground beef

3 tsps minced garlic

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup light soya sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp fresh grated ginger

1/4 tsp black pepper

a pinch to a 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 red pepper, sliced

1/2 red onion, sliced

2 cups broccoli florets

1/2 cup sweet chili sauce

2 tbsps water

salt and pepper to taste

sesame seeds to garnish

cooked rice

Brown ground beef in a skillet until no pink remains, then add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Whisk the brown sugar, soya sauce, sesame oil, ginger, pepper and pepper flakes together and add to the meat. Cook 2 minutes then cover and keep warm.

In a wok or large frying pan heat the vegetable oil and add the onion. Cook about 3 minutes then add the red pepper and broccoli along with the sweet chili sauce, water, salt and pepper. Cover and cook 5-6 minutes or until broccoli is tender crisp.

Serve the beef and broccoli with rice and sesame seeds to garnish. You can cook up some white rice or save even more time by using pre-cooked canned rice like Dainty Rice. I like the garlic flavoured one with this dish.

Serves 3-4

Papaya Banana Walnut Muffins

 Protein packed muffins for when you're on the go!

Ingredients:

Streusel topping:

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1 tbsp brown sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

Muffins:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup unflavoured or vanilla protein powder (optional)

1 egg

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)

1/2 cup mashed papaya

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup melted butter

zest of 1 orange

2 tbsps orange juice (optional)

First mix the streusel ingredients together, then set aside.

Combine the flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and protein powder.

In a separate bowl mix the egg, banana, papaya, walnuts, melted butter and orange zest together.

Mix the dry and wet ingredients together just until combined.

If you are using the protein powder you may need the orange juice. You're looking for a thick batter as seen in this picture, but not too thick or the muffins will be dry.

Place a heaping tablespoon of batter into each lined muffin cup and sprinkle some of the streusel, then more batter and a sprinkling of the streusel on top.

Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.

Makes 18 medium size muffins

Mango Edamame Salad

Super colourful, super healthy and super easy to make!

Great as a dinner salad or a side and you can pack it for a lunch the next day, if you have any leftovers!

Ingredients:

1 cup edamame beans (use the frozen ones, just thaw)

1 cup diced English cucumber

1 cup diced mango

1/2 cup diced red pepper

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup kernel corn, canned or frozen and thawed

1 tsp dry basil

1 1/2 - 2 tsps minced garlic

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp light olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1-2 tbsps fresh lemon juice

So, easy peasy ... place all your prepared vegetables and fruit in a large bowl. Combine the basil, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper and lemon juice. Toss together with the veggies and chill. That's it!

Warm Quinoa Salad

Served warm or at room temperature this super healthy dish can be eaten as a side or a main, maybe add some halloumi, salmon or chicken if you're not vegetarian. And when (if) the weather every warms up you can always serve this chilled.

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked quinoa (cooked in vegetable broth)

1 tbsp avocado oil

1/4 cup diced carrots

1/4 cup diced red pepper

1/4 cup diced red onion

1 tsp minced garlic

1 cup chopped spinach

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp dry parsley

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Once you've cooked the quinoa set it aside. Heat the oil in a large skillet and add the carrots, red pepper and red onion. Cook, covered, on medium heat about 10 minutes or until carrots are tender. Stir in the garlic and cook one more minute.

Lower the heat and add the quinoa and spinach.

Mix the lemon juice, cumin and parsley and toss well before serving.

Serves 2 as a main, 4 as a side.

High Protein Blueberry Lemon Muffins

Looking for a high protein snack or breakfast muffin? I adapted this recipe from one found on the Boost meal replacement website.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup oats 

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp turmeric (optional)

1 tbsp lemon zest

1 - 235 ml high protein vanilla meal replacement drink

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 eggs

2/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup avocado oil

2/3 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 

1/4 cup chopped edamame beans

Combine the flour, whole wheat flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, turmeric and lemon zest.

In another bowl whisk the Boost (or Ensure) drink, lemon juice, eggs, brown sugar and avocado oil together. Then add this to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.

Fold in the blueberries and chopped edamame. I used frozen wild blueberries as you can still see the frost on them in the picture. I used frozen edamame beans, defrosted and chopped.

Pour the batter into a lined muffin tin and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. 

Makes 12 medium size muffins 

Simple Beef Stew

Just a simple beef and veg stew, no spuds added, but you could definitely serve this over some nice and buttery mashed potatoes.

 Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs stewing beef, cut in cubes

2 tbsps vegetable oil

28 oz can diced tomatoes

1 cup beef broth or onion soup mix and water

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp smoked paprika

2 tsps worcestershire sauce

1 tsp dry thyme

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups diced carrots

1 1/2 cups diced parsnip

1 tbsp corn starch

2 tbsps cold water

Brown beef in hot oil in batches, 1-2 minutes per side, then add garlic. Stir together before adding the diced tomatoes and broth to deglaze the pan.

Add paprika, thyme, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, carrots and parsnip and pour everything into a slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low  7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

I left the juices as is, but if you want to thicken it mix the cornstarch and cold water together then stir into the stew. Cook on high for 30 minutes to an hour until thickened.

Great with these 20 minute baking powder biscuits!

https://hotandcoldrunningmom.blogspot.com/2021/02/20-minute-baking-powder-biscuits.html

 

Serves 6

20 Minute Baking Powder Biscuits

When there's almost no time left before lunch or dinner and you decide you want fresh baked buns ... then this is the recipe you need.

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1 1/2 tsps baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk, at room temperature 

2 tbsps mayonnaise 

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk in the milk and mayo. If the milk is coming right out of the fridge then just microwave it on high for 30 seconds before mixing it into the dry. 

And you know those little mayo packets you get when you order food and they sit in your fridge for ages? Well you can use three of them for this recipe!

Don't over work the dough, just combine then divide equally into 6, filling an oiled muffin tin.

Bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes

I made these plain but you could add garlic or herbs to your taste.

If you want a sweet biscuit for breakfast then add a little sugar to the dough. They are yummy with butter and jam in the morning!

Makes 6 but of course this recipe may be doubled.

Easy Slow Cooker Meatloaf Dinner

Amazingly tender meatloaf that's anything but boring! And with the potatoes and carrots cooking along side it you've got a delicious hassle-free one pot meal. Actual hands on work is only about 20 minutes!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

2 eggs

3/4 cup milk

2/3 cup bread crumbs

1/3 cup cooked brown rice

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp savory

1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp celery seed

pinch of baking soda (to keep the meatloaf moist and tender)

1 1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 - 1 1/2" chunks

1 lb carrots, thickly sliced

Glaze:

2 tbsps ketchup

2 tbsps brown sugar

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

Mix everything from the ground beef to and including the pinch of baking soda, even getting your hands into it to make sure everything is well combined.

Form the meat into a loaf and place in the crock pot of the slow cooker. I used a 7 qt pot here.

Place the potatoes and carrots on either side of the loaf and season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover and cook on high for the first 30 minutes.

Then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 hours without lifting the lid. After 5 hours mix the glaze ingredients together and spread on top of the meatloaf. 

Cover and cook on high again for another 30 minutes.

Potatoes and carrots are now tender and the meatloaf perfectly glazed!

Let rest 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Serves 6

Warm Red Cabbage Slaw

Red (or purple) cabbage is such a beauty on the plate, but did you know it has great health benefits as well! It's packed with lots of vitamins, especially vitamin C. And it could help lower your blood pressure. It's anti-inflammatory qualities may also help with digestive problems.

Maybe a heart healthy dish for Valentine's Day?

Is this the new Kale?!?

Ingredients:

2 cups thinly shredded red cabbage

3/4 cup shredded carrot

1 apple, sliced

2 green onions, thinly sliced

1-2 tbsps avocado oil

1-2 tsps balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth, apple juice or water

salt and pepper to taste

Swirl the avocado oil in a large skillet to coat the bottom then heat to medium and add the cabbage, carrot, apple and green onions. Sauté 5 minutes.

Then add your liquid of choice and balsamic vinegar. 

Cover, reduce heat to the lowest setting, and cook for 45 minutes to an hour stirring every 15 minutes. Don't rush it, keep it low and slow so it doesn't burn and the apple doesn't turn to mush.

Serves 4