Sufficiency

Sufficiency is a great thing. Especially when you are trying to make push yourself in a better direction. During the fall, winter and better part of the spring I like to ride my bike to work. This helps in saving gas and in scheduling. I don't like to ride during the summer do to the fact that my work does not have a shower for me. When we moved in with my older brother and his family we found that the were sufficient in many ways. We have definitely learned some of those. The one I found most interesting was making your own laundry soap. I was talking to my brother's wife while she was making the soap. She said if you think about the cost its about 50 to 75 cents a gallon. The great thing also is that it works on high efficiency machines and doesn't ruin them.


Laundry Soap

• 1/2 bar Fels Naptha Bar
• 1/2 cup Washing Soda
  
• 1/2 cup Borax Soap
  

You will also need about a 2 gallon size pot.
Fill the pot with water, about half way. Grate the Fels Naptha Bar and put it in the sauce pan. Heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour approximately 4 cups water into the pot (almost till it overflows). Mix carefully. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel.

Now then the directions are approximate. I watched her do it and recalled from recollection.

I am always hungry. I love to snack and am always eating candy or something sweet. I've been looking for something to help curb that appetite and recently found this recipe for granola bars. As a security officer a quick snack to hold you over when things are slow is important. So, here it is with no more ramblings.

Cranberry Coconut Granola Bars

(Adapted from Alton Brown)

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup (or just use 1/2 cup honey… I ran out of honey)
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon orange extract would be tasty, too)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup dry roasted sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
• 1 – 6 ounce bag orange flavored dried cranberries (Craisins)
• 1 cup sweetened coconut

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 inch by 13 inch glass baking dish and set aside.

Spread the oats and almonds out on a baking sheet (or in my case, your pizza pan because it’s close). Toast the oats and almonds in the oven for about 15 minutes, stirring once or twice. Remove from the oven and reduce the temperature to 300°F.

Meanwhile, combine the honey, corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and salt in a small sauce pan. Heat over medium-low heat until the butter and brown sugar are melted.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sunflower seeds, wheat germ, cranberries, and coconut. Add the toasted oats and almonds. Pour the honey mixture into the bowl, and stir until all of the dry ingredients are coated in the honey mixture. Transfer to the prepared baking dish, spreading the mixture evenly and pressing down with your fingers.

Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely (don’t say I didn’t warn you… If you only follow one part of the recipe, this should be it!).

Cut into squares or bars, and enjoy. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

I can not take credit for the awesome pictures. The recipe and pictures are pulled straight from this site: www.mykitchenaddiction.com .

Personally I will modify the recipe as such:

Cranberry Coconut Granola Bars

(Adapted from Alton Brown)

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup honey (or agave syrup (healthier))
  
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ( or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon raspberry extract)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
• 12 ounces dried cranberries (Craisins)
• 1 1/2 cups sliced macadamia nuts
  
• 1 cup sweetened coconut

It is something that can be altered and played with till you find what you want. Enjoy!