Menu Monday

Here's this week's menu.

hamburger hash
taquitos/rice/beans/toppings
hot dogs/fruit/smoothies
grilled chicken/purple potatoes/green beans
soup

French Fries

Here's an easy recipe. It just takes a little time. But worth it!

French Fries

potatoes
oil
salt


cut potatoes into desired shape.
soak 1/2 hour in cold water.
heat oil in sauce pan to 325 degrees. oil should be 1" - 1 1/2" deep.
dry potatoes and place into oil for 5-7 minutes. don't overcrowd. can be done in batches.
remove to paper towel-lined tray.
Once all potatoes are fried, heat oil to 350 degrees.
re-fry fries for an additional 2 minutes until golden brown.
remove to paper towel-lined tray and season with salt.
Enjoy!

Menu Monday

Here's what is on the Cooper menu:

chicken tikka masala/rice/veggie
steak on the grill/cheesy hashbrowns/veggie
nachos with the fixings
fish/potato/fruit
mandarin orange chicken/rice/veggie

Mom Judy's Granola Bars

Mom Judy has done it again. Another awesome recipe, this time in the form of a yummy, healthy granola bar.


You start by toasting all sorts of nuts and grains.
Then you melt the sticky stuff and mix it all together. Add some dried fruit or some chocolate chips.
Then wrap them up and throw them in the freezer and you've got yourself a great snack!
Thanks Mom! These are great!

Mom Judy's Granola Bars

2 cups old-fashioned oats

1/2 c flax seed, milled

1/4 c quinoa

3/4 c shelled sunflower seeds

1 c chopped nuts (any variety)

1 c shredded coconut

1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c agave nectar (or brown sugar)

1/2 c honey

2 tsp molasses

4 T almond butter (or butter)

2 tsp vanilla

4 T peanut butter

1 c dried, chopped fruit (optional)

1. mix first 8 ingredients together and place on a rimmed baking sheet. toast in a 400 degree oven for 12 minutes. stir and let cool at least 15 minutes.

2. bring next 4 ingredients to a simmer, stirring continuously. stir in the vanilla and peanut butter and cool for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. put the toasted ingredients and dried fruit in a large bowl and pour the liquid ingredients over it. mix very well.

4. place parchment or wax paper in the rimmed baking sheet and butter the top side, then place the granola bar mixture in the pan. put another butter sheet of paper, buttered side down, on top of the mixture and press down. roll with a rolling pin to make it very tight, smooth, and even.

5. let set for 2-3 hours and cut into desired bar size. makes about 20-24 bars. package in snack size bags or an airtight container. if not using within next few days, store in freezer. they keep very well, and thaw quickly.

Deodorant Update

After using the homemade deodorant for a whole week, I wanted to give you a product review. This is the best deodorant I have ever used! I apply it once in the morning and it has kept the stinks away! I did a smell check after sweating, at the end of the day, even the next morning....no smell! None! I've never had a deodorant work this well! I have even made a man's version for the men in my life. Same recipe, but added pine essential oil instead of grapefruit. And once it was mixed I put it in an old deodorant tube so it was easier to apply for my little guy (that would be Evan....not Tony). I hope you have tried making your own. If not, why not this week?! Let me know if you love it as much as I do.

Menu

This week's menu


leftover Easter dinner
tilapia/mango chutney/potatoes
chinese orange chicken/rice/green beans
steak/potatoes/fruit
potstickers/rice

Homemade Deodorant

Yep, you read that right.

But, why would....? I know!
And how come....? I know!
Why wouldn't you just....? I know!

And the answer is because I can't find a decent deodorant that doesn't contain aluminum. Even those crystal deodorants that say they don't contain aluminum actually do (it's labeled as potassium alum) Or if it doesn't contain aluminum, it is super expensive.

So, I was excited to find out an old friend from high school was making some homemade deodorant this weekend with her mom and she posted the recipe on her blog. Yeah! (Thanks Jess and Grandma G!)
I already had all the ingredients on hand, so I just whipped up a batch.

Homemade Deodorant
from How about Orange

1/4 c baking soda
1/4 c arrowroot powder or corn starch
4 T coconut oil
10 drops grapefruit essential oil
a tin or jar with a lid

In a bowl, stir together dry ingredients, then add oils gradually until you like the consistency, mixing with a fork.
Store in a closed container at room temp. (If the mixture seems too soft, try refrigerating it for a bit to firm up.)

To apply, scoop up a bit with your finger, hold it against your skin for a couple seconds so it melts, then rub around.