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Drinks and Beverages

Apricot Oat Bars (Gluten Free & Dairy Free Options)

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Need a healthy treat on the run? Try these gluten free, dairy free apricot oat bars for delicious, gluten free snacking! Healthy enough for breakfast, too!

Coming up with fun and tasty creations for your family to sample can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Making food is one way that many of us speak our family’s love language. Having an easy treat that you can make in less than 30 minutes, and will be a hit with all your family is important, right?

Made with real food ingredients, being gluten free and dairy free is a plus!

I give you these apricot oat bars.

With only 5 simple ingredients, you can be the after school snack hero. Receive accolades at your next party, gathering or school bake sale. They are that good.

My family enjoys these immensely, and they are 100% Frenchman approved. The Frenchman is rather picky about his desserts, and treats, so when he says they are “Gooo-oood”, then I know it’s a winner. You can use store bought apricot jam, home canned apricot jam or home canned apricots if you would like. This will also help you control the ingredients and added sugar even more.

To see how to can apricots, read the post here.

To make these apricot oat bars, you will need:

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Add gluten free flour, oats, baking powder and coconut sugar to a medium sized mixing bowl.
  3. Stir to combine
  4. Melt the coconut oil by placing jar into a warm water bath. Measure in liquid form.
  5. Pour coconut oil over flour and oat mixture and mix until blended and moist. Mixture may be a bit crumbly.
  6. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of an UNgreased 8×8 pan.
  7. Spoon apricot jam over the top.
  8. Crumble remaining oat and flour mixture over the top of the jam.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.
  10. Allow to cool completely.
  11. Store in an airtight covered container for 3-4 days on the counter or cut into squares and freeze individually for later.

For other great flavors of quick bars to make, try these Cranberry Oat Bars.

These are terrific for breakfast, snack or for taking on the road! Are you ready to try these? Be sure to pin this for later, too!

Need some help getting back into the kitchen and cooking from scratch? Try this delicious collection of easy to make recipes to get you started!

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Fermenting Garden Veggies

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When you consider all the ways you can preserve your garden produce, fermenting them is one of the easiest! It requires no heat in your kitchen, and just a few simple tools. Bonus is that the fermenting process adds bacteria to help heal your gut! Win-win!

Fermented foods are a traditional way of preserving homestead bounty. Cheese, sauerkraut, yogurt, sourdough, beer, wine, and kimchi are all classic examples of fermented foods we still enjoy today. Horizons have been greatly expanded and now, you can “ferment all the things.”

What does it mean to ferment foods?

It’s the process of using microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast, to convert carbohydrates to alcohol or organic acids under anaerobic conditions. Essentially, you are placing your foods in a salt water brine, and adding in a starter culture. It is then allowed to sit in either an aerobic environment or anaerobic environment until the bacteria grows. The food is preserved by the salt in the brine and the added good bacteria.

The health benefits of fermented foods are enough to make you want to get your jars and airlocks, too.

  • It adds healthy bacteria for gut health
  • Adds beneficial enzymes
  • Can increase bioavailablity of minerals
  • Fermented diary can contain higher amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).

What do you need to ferment your garden veggies properly?

  • Glass containers-perfect for brining, and sourdough starters
  • Wooden utensils-metal spoons and forks can destroy some of the good bacteria in some cultures
  • Jars (you can reuse canning jars)
  • Kitchen towels, coffee filters, or cloth napkins (for some ferements such as vinegar)
  • Air locks (available here)
  • Rubber bands or twine for holding napkins and filters in place on the jars

To find out where to get jars cheaply, read the post here.

Are you ready to try your hand at fermenting your garden veggies this year? Here’s some great recipes to get you started:

Dandelion Capers

Fermented Strawberries

Zucchini Pickles

Fermented Hot Sauce

Raspberry Vinegar

Fermented Turnips with Dill

Fermented Garlic Dill Pickles

Fermented Peppers

Homemade Vinegar

Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Spicy Carrot Sticks

Homemade Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut in Mason Jars

Kimchi

Homestead ‘Chi

White Kimchi

Fermented Cauliflower

Lacto Fermented Red Onions

Which recipe are you wanting to try first? Be sure to come back and try all of them!

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Homesteading In The Winter-Animal Care and More

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When summertime hits, most of us are outside, tending to our gardens, collecting an abundance of fresh food, eggs and even milk. There’s no piles of snow to trudge through, and no worry of animals freezing overnight. So, what does homesteading in the winter look like? Here’s some tips on animal care and more to carry you through the snowy, blustery days!

On the homestead, basic animal care does not change from season to season. Fresh food, water, and shelter from the harsh elements are always required. For many areas, your animal care may only require a few different steps in the winter.

Caring For Ducks

Give them some extra straw or dry leaves in their coop and run area. This will help keep them off the cold ground since they don’t roost like chickens. We lay a bale of straw each time, and do this about 2-3 times throughout the winter. The old straw gets collected and placed in our compost pile, then new straw is laid throughout the coop.

The ducks will settle into the straw, and build nests to lay their eggs. This makes it much easier to find their eggs instead of the daily hunt, too. If you collected dry leaves in the fall, they will make great bedding in the duck coop. They will compost down easily and give the ducks some protection from the cold ground.

You can read more about caring for ducks in wintertime here.

Caring For Chickens

Chickens need the same thing in the winter as during the summer. You can use heated waterers to keep their drinking water from freezing and make sure to provide plenty of food. When there is snow and ice on the ground, chickens can’t forage for bugs, worms and grass. They will expend a lot of energy in keeping warm so you may want to make sure they have plenty of:

  • food
  • oyster shells
  • grit

Chickens also need more “entertainment” in the winter to keep from bullying others. Adding in a flock block or chicken swing will help alleviate boredom. Boredom in chickens can lead to pecking each other and bullying.

Some will turn on a light in the coop during the shorter daylight hours of the winter months. While this is controversial among many chicken keepers, the decision is up to you. Read more about that here.

Read more about caring for chickens in wintertime here.

Caring For Rabbits

One of the first questions you may be thinking is “How can I keep my rabbit warm in winter?”

Wild rabbits live outside all year long, and simply dig a burrow to crawl into to keep warm or cool. Pet rabbits can live outside, but need to be protected from the elements. Provide a hutch, a covered cage, or a barn for them to stay warm. Pet rabbits need to be draft free all the time, but in the winter, it’s crucial.

Continual cold drafts can make an entire herd sick quick. If your rabbits are in a closed barn, make sure they can still get fresh air. Keep the door closed up to 90% of the time to keep out cold drafts, but still allow air movement.

Read more about raising rabbits in the winter here.

Caring For Your Barn Cats

Whether you have your own barn cats, or you have a heart for those strays that adopt you, taking care of the cats in the winter isn’t hard. The most important thing is to give them a warm place to sleep, especially if you don’t have a barn or coop. Not everyone has a large chicken coop or a barn on their homestead for a cat to sleep in.

If you have an outdoor cat in this situation, you’ll need to provide a warm place for them to sleep. We made a “home” for our outdoor cats on our front porch. It is made out of an old 35 gallon Rubbermaid container. You can do this too:

  1. Cut a hole in the side for the cat to get in and out
  2. Add carboard to the inside, taping securely to provide extra protection.
  3. Secure the lid on tight.
  4. When possible, add straw bales around the outside of the container, to provide extra protection against cold wind.

Read more about caring for your outdoor cats in the winter here.

What other animals do you have on the homestead? What care do you provide that is different in the winter?

What about the rest of the homestead in the winter? How does homesteading in the winter look different when it comes to your car, or your garden? Check out the posts below.

Salad Gardening Indoors

How to Grow Herbs Indoors

7 Things Your Vehicle Needs In The Winter

Sewing Projects To Do

DIY Socks

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Black Bean Brownies (no flour needed!)

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When you want a sweet treat, but are avoiding sugar and processed flour, what options do you have? Did you ever think black beans would be a good base? Try these delicious black bean brownies!

On the homestead, growing your own wheat isn’t always an option. Many of us do not have the space or equipment to grow enough wheat to make it worthwhile. So, how do you get along without wheat flour when it comes to brownies?

You make them with easy to grow black beans! Add in homegrown honey from your own bees, eggs from your own chickens, and homemade butter, and you have a sweet treat that you can grow yourself!

Want more information on bees, chickens, canning and butter making? Check out these posts:

Canning black beans

Raising Bees

Backyard chicken breeds for beginners

Homemade butter from raw cream

Black beans can be a delicious brownie base. They are also useful for so many other recipes, too!

Other ways you can use black beans:

Why would you want to use black beans for brownies? Some reasons include:

  • ability to grow and store most of, if not the entire recipe, yourself
  • gluten free
  • easily made into paleo (when you sub coconut oil for the butter)
  • no processed ingredients

A simple treat that will be a hit for your entire family, at your next meal gathering and more, black bean brownies will also provide lots of fiber and easily digestible sugars. Let’s get started making them, shall we?

Ingredients you need for Black Bean Brownies

      • 2 cans black beans, drained or 4 cups precooked black beans (get the recipe to can your own here)
      • 6 eggs
      • 2/3 cup butter, melted (you can use coconut oil, too)
      • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
      • 1/4 tsp salt
      • 2 tsp vanilla (make your own here)
      • 1 cup honey
      • 1/4 cup coconut flour (optional, but it does give a better texture)
      • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional, but will add another layer of chocolatey goodness)

Put your brownies together:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. LIghtly grease a 9×13 pan with coconut oil.
  3. Add beans and melted butter to high powered blender.
  4. Whir on high until beans start to break down and are mashed up.
  5. Add remaining gredients to the blender and whir for about 1 minute, or until the beans are all mashed up.
  6. Spread batter into pan.
  7. Sprinkle with chocolate chips, if desired
  8. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes.
  9. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Have you ever made black bean brownies? Are you ready to try these yummy treats?

The post Black Bean Brownies (no flour needed!) appeared first on The Homesteading Hippy.

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The Best Brownie Recipes

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Whether you are gluten free, paleo, wanting to eat healthier or you want BROWNIES, this is the post for you! There are old fashioned recipes, grain free, gluten free, vegan and even raw brownie recipes! Get your chocolate fix and enjoy them all!

When the brownie mood hits, you want to have that chocolatey treat NOW! Of course, you could grab a box of mix, add oil and eggs, and be done, right? However, making them from scratch is so easy to do, and most of the ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

There are so many tasty recipes around the internet, I decided that you should see the best of them!

OLD FASHIONED BROWNIE RECIPES

Ultimate Homemade Brownie Recipe
Easy Chocolate Brownie Recipe
Sourdough Brownies
Best Ever Brownie Recipe
Sauce Pan Brownies

GRAIN FREE

Zucchini Brownie Bites
Rich and Delicious Sugar Free Brownies
Chocolate Cherry Bliss Bars (with a vegan option)
Fudgy Banana Brownies
Peanut Butter and Banana Brownies
Sweet Potato Brownies
Peanut Butter Brownie Pie
Almond Flour Brownies
Chickpea and Zucchini Brownies
Healthy Brownie Recipe

RAW BROWNIE RECIPES

Raw Chocolate Almond Brownies
Raw Brownie Bites

Which ones are your favorite? BE SURE TO PIN THIS TO YOUR FAVORITE BOARD FOR LATER

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How To Make Brandied Fruit-Preserving Your Fruit Without Canning

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Brandied fruit is a delicious treat. It’s wonderful as a shortcake topping, over ice cream or even by itself in a bowl. A simple treat that is also a great hostess or holiday gift!

When fruit is in season, you can can it, dehydrate it, or freeze it to store it for later use. Some will also preserve fruit by making it into wine, juice or jelly. Have you ever tried making it into brandied fruit?

You can make nearly any fruit into brandied fruit. The best stone fruits to add to brandy are peaches, apricots, and cherries. Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries will also work, but they may become very soft and mushy. Brandied berries are still great over ice cream and cakes, or mixed into baking mixes.

The reason they are great for pantry storage is that the brandy and sugar act as a preservative. There is no need to process this fruit in a canner, as the sugar and alcohol will act as the preservative

To see how to can your cherries, read the post here.

To make your brandied fruit, simply:

  • Peel, pit and cut into slices 2 cups of fruit for every pint jar.
  • Add 2 Tablespoons honey to a medium sized stock pot for every pint jar you are filling.
  • Slid in one vanilla bean per quart jar (optional)
  • Add in 2 cups of your choice of brandy.
  • Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly to allow sugar to dissolve.
  • Pour hot brandy syrup over fruit.
  • Cap tightly.
  • Store in a cool, dark place, shaking every couple of days.

To see how to can your peaches, read the post here.

The fruit will be ready after 6 weeks. To serve, simply spoon the fruit over cakes or ice cream. Other ways to enjoy brandied fruit:

  • Baking into a brandied fruit cake
  • Adding to sangrias, or brandied fruit cordial
  • Muddling into a glass with mineral water
  • Blending into a cake frosting or topping
  • Layering on top of turkey or roasts for additional flavor
  • Blending into an adult jam for crackers and cheese plate
  • Blending into a brandied fruit compote

What are some ways you would enjoy brandied fruit? Which one would you try first?

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