Protien and fruit smoothies

I was inspired by my friend Britney and seeing all her healthy smoothies she has been drinking. So I had to start also. I have been making some really delicious ones also. I use strawberry whey protien powder, 1 banana, 1 tbl of peanutbutter, 3/4 cup of skim milk, (sometimes 1/2 cup of blueberries or 1/2 cup of raspberries) 2 tbl of flaxseed, and some ice cubes. Then i use my Ninja pulse and drink up. These are delish...

My pie crust

You can make this pie crust in under 10 minutes. It is easy, fast, perfect and flaky, and you will feel like Betty Crocker when you’re through. You will be excited and you will feel like a baking genius!

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups shortening
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 egg
1/2 cup very cold water

Directions
Add flour, shortening, sugar, and salt to a large bowl.

Mix flour and shortening with a pastry cutter until it looks nice and crumbly. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, egg, and water. Add to the flour mixture, stirring in till well-moistened. Knead lightly to mix in all the flour then shape it into a great, big, wonderful ball of pastry dough. (Don’t overhandle.)

Then divide the dough into four equal portions.

Shape each portion into a ball; wrap with plastic and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before using. Or, if you want to use it faster, stick it in the freezer for 5 minutes. (You can keep this pie crust dough in the refrigerator for a week before using, or in the freezer for a couple of months. It freezes well–place dough balls in sealed freezer bags for storage.)

To use, sprinkle some flour on waxed paper. Sprinkle some more flour on top of the pastry dough then roll out, adding more flour if necessary to keep it from sticking to your rolling pin. Place in a greased pie pan. I like to just up-end the rolled crust right off the waxed paper on top of the pie pan. Peel off the paper then crimp the edges.

Pie is a beautiful thing.

My bite size Pie's (My Mini Apple Pies)

Who doesn't Love Pie? I mean really... It is so amazing and tasty. But how about a bite size pie... One you can just grab and eat on the run. We here is my Bite Size Apple pies. (but you can make what ever filling you want)

Ingredients:
1 Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust (from 15-oz box), softened as directed on box (Or see my recipe for my Homemade Pie crust)
2 apples, cored, finely chopped (about 1/4-inch pieces)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla (See my homemade vanilla recipe)
*crushed walnuts
*Kraft Caramel Bits
***is as desired***

Step 1:
Heat oven to 425°F. Remove crust from pouch; unroll on work surface. Using large round cookie cutter (i actually have a 4 set biscut cutter that i used), cut out rounds. Gather up any scraps; reroll with rolling pin and cut out more rounds. Press each crust round into ungreased regular-size muffin cup in muffin pan. (leave enough crust for tops)

Step 2:
In medium bowl, stir together apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon and vanilla (also walnuts and caramel bits). Divide mixture evenly among crust-lined muffin cups.

Step 3:
Then take smaller round cutter to cut circles for the top of the pies. place them on top, use a fork to cinch sides. Take a knife to do a plus sign cut on top. I also then used and egg wash** that I brushed on the top then sprinkled some sugar on top.) **an egg beaten with a tablespoon of water or milk**

Step 4:
Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until crusts are golden brown and mixture is bubbly. Cool completely in pan, about 30 minutes. With knife, loosen edges; remove mini pies from muffin cups.

Baking for my furbabies...

Yes... you read this right, I bake for my bunnies. They are very spoiled. I grind up fresh veggies, one fruit, a cup of their pellets, hay, and some organic baby food all in my Ninja. Then I put this batter mix in a a mini muffin pan and bake for about an hour and let sit.
They absolutly love them.. They get 2 little cakes for dinner each night.

In this recipe (in case anyone wants to bake for their buns)
I used 8 strawberries, mustard greens, red leaf lettuce, radishes, pellets, Timothy hay, and carrot/squash organic babyfood. All mixed together in my Ninja pulse.

cupcake craze

My baking partner Heather came over tonight and we baked 2 different kinds of cupcakes. A chocolate covered strawberry cupcake. It is a chocolate cupcake where part of the center is cut out and pieces of strawberries are placed in and then chocolate is drizzled on top. Then we put a homemade chocolate frosting on top and in the center of that a dollop of cream cheese frosting and strawberries on top and a drizzle of strawberry glaze. THe second is a Cinnamon Roll cupcake with a cream cheese frosting and a drizzle of a coffee glaze atop of that. Sprinkled with cinnamon. Both are very yummy.
Heather and I are going to be very great baking buddies.

Little miss do what I want

Well Rukia and Remy are still not completely together in the room, the have a fence seperating them. Well Rukia has decided last night that she wanted to have more space and she wanted to try and dig her way out. I clapped my hands and said, "No dig Ru" she stopped looked at me with her big ears up and then thumped at me. Then went back to digging, I again clapped my hands and she stopped and looked at me again... came up to the fence and THUMPED, then went back to her dig spot. Like she was saying I dont care what you say... I was so surprised. I then just said, "No DIG Ru" (and did not clap) she stopped and looked at me walked away, and then thumped twice. Then I put my hands up to clap but did not even get to clap and she did a lil thump. I could not believe the display she was putting on. So i picked her up and gave her som attention and she calmed down a bit. I thought maybe it was time to give her some more space, but not until the next day. Because she was so stubborn and bad. So today I opened up her area in the room a little more, and we did the whole No dig and then a thumb thing again... ARE you kidding me, i just gave you a bunch more room. She finally stopped and started running and hopping all over. so she is finally happy with her space.
For now.

bedtime games

So my bunnies have their own bedroom. Yes, they are very spoiled... well my hubby works night 3 nights a week and when he is at work, I sleep in the bed in their room. Well one night I woke up at around 2 am to a protective Mr Remy sitting on my tummy. Just sitting there minding his own business. It was so cute I didnt want to move. Then the heat kicked on and Remy stood gaurd on my tummy like he meant business. Then a few minutes later he realized I was awake and wanted to play and started running around the bed and hopping, it was so cute, but it was 2 am. I had to pick him up and put him down by Rukia. He was back up in bed by 5am. He loves his momma...

Making your own Vanilla Extract..

Vanilla is one of the most ubiquitous flavors in baking. It is one of the most things people buy from mexico, because it has a better flavor. Well I am here to tell you how to make your own amazing vanilla extract...

There are many different types of vanilla beans – Madagascar vanilla, Tahitian vanilla – and they can all be used to make vanilla extract. Labels will often note the specific type of vanilla bean used, and different extracts will have slightly different flavor profiles depending on the variety of bean used. Homemade extracts can be made with other types of alcohol, such as vodka, by submerging split vanilla beans in the alcohol and allowing them to infuse for several months. Vanilla extract can be stored indefinitely if kept in a cool, dark environment or when stored in a bottle that does not allow much light through.

First you will need a bottle of Vodka, 6-10 vanilla beans, and Dark rum.
I take the bottle of vodka and pour (mix with oj and drink) out 1-1 1/2cup of it out, then add 1 cup of Dark Rum. Split the vanilla beans almost to the end leaving a little bit (kinda to make a V), then place them in the Vodka bottle. Close cap tightly and shake. Place in a cool, dark cabinet. Leave in there for 2 months and shake every week or so. Leaving it in for this long lets the beans infuse and release their amazing flavor witht he alcohol. When the 2 months is done you will have the most amazing extract. Also when you get low, you can just add more vodka and rum...

Old Fashioned Chocolate cake- with strawberries

This is a heavenly chocolate cake and it has not failed me yet. This cake is so moist and delish, that it is perfect naked. It is said that a bite is like a warm hug, a sweet kiss, and a trip to grandma’s all rolled into one. Bake it in cake rounds and frost it–and you might as well stick some candles in it and call it your birthday. You know a sweet 16 or that 21 party all night cause your amazing.

Your Bake Time: 30-35 minutes
Ingredients for cake
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla (see my post to make your own vanilla)
1 2/3 cups milk


Directions for cake
Heat oven to 350-degrees. Grease and flour two round cake pans. In a medium-size bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another, larger bowl, combine butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat well. Add flour mixture and milk; beat again. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. These are tall layers and may take a bit longer to bake than you are accustomed to. However, ovens are different. For me and my oven and my cake pans, it takes the full 35 minutes. Please watch your cake carefully. Do not open the oven during the first 15 minutes of baking–it may make your cake fall. At 25-30 minutes, check your cake with the toothpick test until done. Do not overbake! Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes then invert to cool completely.

If baking as cupcakes, cupcakes will be done in about 15-20 minutes. In a large rectangular baking pan, cake will be done in approximately 30 minutes.

“Perfectly Chocolate” Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2/3 cup cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting Directions:Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

Frost cake and top with strawberries. I even added strawberries inbetween the two layers. ENJOY!

Yes, you can litter-train your bunny!

Well I have had Remy for a year and Rukia for about 2 months. It only took my about a week and half to train Remy to use his litter box, Rukia it took a little long.

There are alot of things to know when trying to train your little bun bun. Also there are special litters to get. I have found that ground recycled newspaper works the best, Remy is very particular about his litter if it is not that kind he will get in the box and dig it out of the box. Start with around one inch of litter, and cover that with Timothy Hay.

any hop... Do NOT choose:No clay litter! This can cause serious respiratory problems.
No Cat Works litter! This can cause zinc poisoning and death.& No Pine or Cedar litters! These can also kill your rabbit.

Nobun's perfect. Your bun will probably have a few accidents as they are learning to use their box.

Always remember that rabbits do not respond well to physical discipline. They have been designed to be easily frightened.I have found that if you clap your hands and say no potty if they urinate in other places other than the box, then i put them in the box gently. I used the clap of my hands and words as my discipline. My rabbits respond very well to this method.

The most effective cleaning solution for bunny pee accidents is white vinegar. It's a good idea to get a spray bottle and fill it with white vinegar or vinegar and water.

You will want to find the corner they go in the most and add in some of the bun's poops and urine-soaked paper or hay.

Giving them praise when they have gone is good and also letting it stay soiled a little longer till they grasp the concept will help.

They also will think the box is a bed and often will just lay in it. Which is kinda cute.

How can you not love Bunnies!

Apple Streusel Cheesecake

So I not only love my bunnies, but I love to bake. I have a little side bakery where i sell my cupcakes, cuplettes (mini cupcakes), pies, mini pies, and much more... This time I found a recipe for boxed and canned apple streusel cheesecake and evolved it into a HOMEMADE from scratch tasty delish. It turned out amazing. I also have made my own homemade vanilla that I use in all my recipes.

I will include the Easy Recipe... Then my Homemade recipe...

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® oatmeal cookie mix
I used instant oats with sugar and cinnamon.
1/2 cup firm butter or margarine
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 can (21 oz) apple pie filling
I don't like canned apples so I used 5 apples
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
(caramel)

Step 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
Step 2 Place cookie mix/oats in large bowl. With pastry blender or fork, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly and coarse. Reserve 1 1/2 cups crumb mixture; press remaining crumbs in bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes.
Step 3 Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
Step 4 Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over partially baked crust. In medium bowl, mix pie filling and cinnamon (SEE MY APPLE STEP). Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle reserved crumbs over top. Sprinkle with walnuts.
MY Apple stepI don't like canned apples so I used 5 apples which I put in a skillet with 2 tbls. of real butter and 1/4 cup of brown sugar with 1 tlsp. of flour and cooked the apples for approximately 5 minutes. I also drizzled carmel topping across the top before baking.
Step 5 Bake 35 to 40 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Cool about 30 minutes. Refrigerate to chill, about 2 hours. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Then Enjoy. This is a favorite, for friends and family and for myself. DELISH.

Naps and Bunnies

There is nothing better than to come home from a crazy stressful day at work and then lay down with one of my snuggly bunnys for some bunny therapy. So relaxing. Remy and I snuggled up on the couch for about 2 hours and napped. He just nuzzled up next to me, under our fuzzy blanket (which is his favorite). I woke up and I felt so rested and he was just as happy. I love my fur baby. Everyone should have at least one Bunny (or a fur baby)