Even though I am busy, with graduate school (btw I got in :), I picked up some books at the library that I am excited to read. Most of you know that I love to cook and learning how to cook new things, so I picked up some books on Gluten-free cooking and am really excited to give it a try, especially the baking.
My mother is always calling me for ideas on what to cook for her friend that is allergic to wheat and now just found out she is also allergic to corn, rice, oats and a multitude of other things. The poor girl is eating mostly protein, fruit, and vegetables. Now those are all fine and all, but if you are used to all of your baked goods being made with brown rice it can be a shock to your body to stop eating carbs, not to mention it is unhealthy for brain function. So I thought I would look into it and try some different recipes to help her find a variety of foods that she can eat.
I never knew how many different kinds of flour there are, it makes me so happy and excited to try them all. Here are a few that I already knew about and a few I didn't:
Bean Flour - Garbanzo beans or lentils work nicely.
Buckwheat Flour - Common misconception that this is related to wheat, it is not. It comes from the rhubarb family.
Quinoa Flour
Almond Meal Flour - Made from blanched almonds.
Tapioca Flour - Same thing as Tapioca Starch.
Amaranth Flour - Very strong taste, suggested to mix with other flours.
Potato Flour - Made from cooked potatoes, unlike potato starch which is made from uncooked potatoes.
Sorghum Flour - Taste similar to wheat; you have to add arrowroot or cornstarch and xanthan gum to help it bind.
Soy Flour - Has a strong smell and doesn't store well.
I didn't list White Rice Flour, Brown Rice Flour, and Oat Flour because she is allergic and I only want to work with flour she can eat.
I am very excited to try some recipes, I think I would like to try the Gingerbread and Blueberry Muffins first. Each recipe calls for Sorghum Flour so my first stop is to find some at Henry's, Windmill Farms, or Whole Foods.
I will let you know how it goes.
Take care,
Kristina
*Books:
Gluten-free, Sugar-free Cooking By Susan O'Brien
Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day By Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois (Gluten-free section)
Gluten-free girl by Shauna James Ahern
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Update:
So I tried to be good and blog more but it never happened. Ok so what is new in my life:
- I graduated!! Woohoo! My diploma is hanging on my wall. :)
- Since November I have been working as a TA for the Juvenile Community Court Schools and I love it. Our students range from 7th to 12th grade! They are a handle but I love seeing them grow and learn. All children deserve and education no matter what!
- I am applying to Azusa Pacific University for grad school and have an interview today with them. I am hoping to get into their M.A. in Physical Education and
Single-Subject Teaching Credential 18 month program.
Well I think that is it for now, short and sweet.
- I graduated!! Woohoo! My diploma is hanging on my wall. :)
- Since November I have been working as a TA for the Juvenile Community Court Schools and I love it. Our students range from 7th to 12th grade! They are a handle but I love seeing them grow and learn. All children deserve and education no matter what!
- I am applying to Azusa Pacific University for grad school and have an interview today with them. I am hoping to get into their M.A. in Physical Education and
Single-Subject Teaching Credential 18 month program.
Well I think that is it for now, short and sweet.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sorry
I have been meaning to be a better blogger but time has seemed to pass by without me blogging. So from now on I will try harder.(I guess we will see, huh) ;)
Some things going on in my life:
1. School = crazy: who would have thought that my last semester would be the hardest. One of my classes we actually go and tech 9th Graders and boy is that an experience. That is right folks I am almost done, well at lest with my BS, I will be graduating December 2010 with my BS in Kinesiology. Took me long enough. After December I plan to either get a job or try to get into a teacher credential program. Robert will be done with his schooling sometime in June 2011 with a BS in Structural Engineering.
2. Adoption = crazy, also: So Robert and I are currently in the process of getting our license with San Diego County Adoptions. It is A LOT of work but so worth it. We have completed our house inspection but now were are doing the class requirements, so far the last 3 Saturdays we have been in class all day long and we have 2 more Saturdays to go plus 3 additional classes of our choice. Even though there are a lot of hoops to jump through we are really excited. (For those of you that are wondering, we didn't have any luck with LDS Adoption Services, so we no longer are going through them)
3. Job: Robert was working two jobs but has recently dropped down to one job, which he enjoys immensely. He is currently working for the City of La Mesa's Engineering department as a paid intern. I am currently looking for a part-time job but with no luck so far.
4. Puppies: Oh and for those of you that don't know we have two of the cutest pug puppies. Chewee is 10 months and Lando is a little over 3 months. I will have to post their picture soon.
5. Primary: I am the 1st counselor in primary and I love it. Our kids are so cute! Robert just got a new calling but I can't say anything till he is set apart. :)
6. Soccer: Oh ya I almost forgot, I joined a beginner woman's soccer team. We practice once a week and have a game once a week. It is fun but I really don't know what I am doing. :)
Ok so I think that is it for now. Talk again soon. :)
Be well,
-Kristina
Some things going on in my life:
1. School = crazy: who would have thought that my last semester would be the hardest. One of my classes we actually go and tech 9th Graders and boy is that an experience. That is right folks I am almost done, well at lest with my BS, I will be graduating December 2010 with my BS in Kinesiology. Took me long enough. After December I plan to either get a job or try to get into a teacher credential program. Robert will be done with his schooling sometime in June 2011 with a BS in Structural Engineering.
2. Adoption = crazy, also: So Robert and I are currently in the process of getting our license with San Diego County Adoptions. It is A LOT of work but so worth it. We have completed our house inspection but now were are doing the class requirements, so far the last 3 Saturdays we have been in class all day long and we have 2 more Saturdays to go plus 3 additional classes of our choice. Even though there are a lot of hoops to jump through we are really excited. (For those of you that are wondering, we didn't have any luck with LDS Adoption Services, so we no longer are going through them)
3. Job: Robert was working two jobs but has recently dropped down to one job, which he enjoys immensely. He is currently working for the City of La Mesa's Engineering department as a paid intern. I am currently looking for a part-time job but with no luck so far.
4. Puppies: Oh and for those of you that don't know we have two of the cutest pug puppies. Chewee is 10 months and Lando is a little over 3 months. I will have to post their picture soon.
5. Primary: I am the 1st counselor in primary and I love it. Our kids are so cute! Robert just got a new calling but I can't say anything till he is set apart. :)
6. Soccer: Oh ya I almost forgot, I joined a beginner woman's soccer team. We practice once a week and have a game once a week. It is fun but I really don't know what I am doing. :)
Ok so I think that is it for now. Talk again soon. :)
Be well,
-Kristina
Friday, July 24, 2009
Mom and Dad's Visit
7/24/2009 When mom and dad came to visit :) Our visit to sea port village.
Star of India
Submarine
Star of India
Star of India
Star of India
Mom and Dad
Mom and Dad
Robert
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes
In the spirit of trying to cut the cost I have found this wonderful article on making your own laundry detergent. I am going to give it a try and thought I would share the article with you.
Enjoy!
10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes
Tipnuts Homemade Laundry Detergent
http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
Here is a nice stack of different homemade laundry detergent recipes I’ve collected over the years. Do they work? Yes, I’ve had good luck with them.
At the time I was using homemade detergent, we had a relative who was in trade school living with us. Every day he was mechanic grease from head to toe–the clothes cleaned up nice!
Making your own laundry detergent is a discipline and it’s not for everyone, but it definitely saves money–sometimes just costing pennies a load!
First Some Tips:
* For the bar soaps required in the recipes, you could try Fels-Naptha, Ivory soap, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Don’t use heavily perfumed soaps.
* Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found in the laundry and cleaning aisles.
* Some people with really hard water or well water may have to adjust the recipes if the clothes look dingy.
* Although several of the recipes have the same ingredients, the measurements are different–some contain a higher soap to water ratio. Test and see which works best for your laundry needs.
* You can make huge pails of this at once, or smaller quantities. Also if you can get your hands on a few empty liquid laundry detergent bottles they work great for storing the detergent. Just make a big batch and pour in bottles, cap then use as needed–shake before use.
* Some of the recipes call for large amounts of water. Check with a local restaurant to see if they have any empty large pails from deep fryer oil–that’s how many restaurants buy the oil. See if you can have one or two of the pails after they’ve emptied it–just wash them out really well before using. They’re big, heavy plastic and very sturdy when stirring the soap and hot water.
10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes
Recipe #1
1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
* Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
* Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
* Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
* Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).
Recipe #2
Hot water
1 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1 Soap bar
* Grate the bar soap and add to a large saucepan with hot water. Stir over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
* Fill a 10 gallon pail half full of hot water. Add the melted soap, Borax and Washing soda, stir well until all powder is dissolved. Top the pail up with more hot water.
* Use 1 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).
Recipe #3
Hot water
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1/3 bar Soap (grated)
* In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar soap and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
* In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated soap mixture. Top pail with cold water and stir well.
* Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).
Powdered Laundry Detergent – Recipe #4
Picture of Cup Of Powdered Laundry Detergent - Tipnut.com2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated – you could also try the other bar soaps listed at the top)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
* Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
* Use 2 tablespoons per full load.
Recipe #5
Hot water
1 bar (4.5 oz) Ivory Soap – grated
1 cup Washing Soda
* In a large saucepan add grated soap and enough hot water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is melted.
* Fill a large pail with 2.5 gallons of hot water, add hot soap mixture. Stir until well mixed.
* Then add the washing soda, again stirring until well mixed.
* Set aside to cool.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load, stirring well before each use (will gel)
Recipe #6
2.5 gallons Water (hot)
1 Bar soap (grated)
3/4 cup Washing Soda
3/4 cup Borax
2 TBS Glycerin
* Melt bar soap over medium-low heat topped with water, stir until soap is melted.
* In a large pail, pour 2.5 gallons of hot water, add melted soap mixture, washing soda, borax and glycerin. Mix well.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load.
Recipe #7
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Washing Soda
2 – 2.5 gallons hot water
* Melt grated soap in saucepan with water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is dissolved.
* Pour hot water in large pail, add hot soap and washing soda. Stir very well.
* Use 1 cup per full load.
Recipe #8
2 gallons Water (hot)
1 bar Soap (grated)
2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda)
* Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
* In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
* Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.
Powdered Laundry Detergent – Recipe #9
Picture of Cup Of Powdered Laundry Detergent - Tipnut.com12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups Bar soap (grated)
* Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
* Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.
Recipe #10 – (Powdered)
Picture of Cup Of Powdered Laundry Detergent - Tipnut.com1 cup Vinegar (white)
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Washing Soda
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
* Mix well and store in sealed container.
* I find it easiest to pour the liquid soap into the bowl first, stirred in the washing soda, then baking soda, then added the vinegar in small batches at a time (the recipe foams up at first). The mixture is a thick paste at first that will break down into a heavy powdered detergent, just keep stirring. There may be some hard lumps, try to break them down when stirring (it really helps to make sure the baking soda isn’t clumpy when first adding). I used 1/2 cup per full load with great results.
Liquid Detergents Note
Soap will be lumpy, goopy and gel-like. This is normal. Just give it a good stir before using. Make sure soap is covered with a lid when not in use. You could also pour the homemade soap in old (and cleaned) laundry detergent bottles and shake well before each use.
*If you can’t find Fels-Naptha locally, you can buy it online (check Amazon).
Optional
You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade laundry detergent. Add once the soap has cooled to room temperature. Stir well and cover.
Essential oil ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil
Enjoy!
10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes
Tipnuts Homemade Laundry Detergent
http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
Here is a nice stack of different homemade laundry detergent recipes I’ve collected over the years. Do they work? Yes, I’ve had good luck with them.
At the time I was using homemade detergent, we had a relative who was in trade school living with us. Every day he was mechanic grease from head to toe–the clothes cleaned up nice!
Making your own laundry detergent is a discipline and it’s not for everyone, but it definitely saves money–sometimes just costing pennies a load!
First Some Tips:
* For the bar soaps required in the recipes, you could try Fels-Naptha, Ivory soap, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Don’t use heavily perfumed soaps.
* Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found in the laundry and cleaning aisles.
* Some people with really hard water or well water may have to adjust the recipes if the clothes look dingy.
* Although several of the recipes have the same ingredients, the measurements are different–some contain a higher soap to water ratio. Test and see which works best for your laundry needs.
* You can make huge pails of this at once, or smaller quantities. Also if you can get your hands on a few empty liquid laundry detergent bottles they work great for storing the detergent. Just make a big batch and pour in bottles, cap then use as needed–shake before use.
* Some of the recipes call for large amounts of water. Check with a local restaurant to see if they have any empty large pails from deep fryer oil–that’s how many restaurants buy the oil. See if you can have one or two of the pails after they’ve emptied it–just wash them out really well before using. They’re big, heavy plastic and very sturdy when stirring the soap and hot water.
10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes
Recipe #1
1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
* Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
* Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
* Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
* Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it (will gel).
Recipe #2
Hot water
1 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1 Soap bar
* Grate the bar soap and add to a large saucepan with hot water. Stir over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
* Fill a 10 gallon pail half full of hot water. Add the melted soap, Borax and Washing soda, stir well until all powder is dissolved. Top the pail up with more hot water.
* Use 1 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).
Recipe #3
Hot water
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1/3 bar Soap (grated)
* In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar soap and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
* In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated soap mixture. Top pail with cold water and stir well.
* Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring soap before each use (will gel).
Powdered Laundry Detergent – Recipe #4
Picture of Cup Of Powdered Laundry Detergent - Tipnut.com2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated – you could also try the other bar soaps listed at the top)
1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
* Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.
* Use 2 tablespoons per full load.
Recipe #5
Hot water
1 bar (4.5 oz) Ivory Soap – grated
1 cup Washing Soda
* In a large saucepan add grated soap and enough hot water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is melted.
* Fill a large pail with 2.5 gallons of hot water, add hot soap mixture. Stir until well mixed.
* Then add the washing soda, again stirring until well mixed.
* Set aside to cool.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load, stirring well before each use (will gel)
Recipe #6
2.5 gallons Water (hot)
1 Bar soap (grated)
3/4 cup Washing Soda
3/4 cup Borax
2 TBS Glycerin
* Melt bar soap over medium-low heat topped with water, stir until soap is melted.
* In a large pail, pour 2.5 gallons of hot water, add melted soap mixture, washing soda, borax and glycerin. Mix well.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load.
Recipe #7
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Washing Soda
2 – 2.5 gallons hot water
* Melt grated soap in saucepan with water to cover. Heat over medium-low heat and stir until soap is dissolved.
* Pour hot water in large pail, add hot soap and washing soda. Stir very well.
* Use 1 cup per full load.
Recipe #8
2 gallons Water (hot)
1 bar Soap (grated)
2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda)
* Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
* In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
* Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
* Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.
Powdered Laundry Detergent – Recipe #9
Picture of Cup Of Powdered Laundry Detergent - Tipnut.com12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups Bar soap (grated)
* Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
* Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.
Recipe #10 – (Powdered)
Picture of Cup Of Powdered Laundry Detergent - Tipnut.com1 cup Vinegar (white)
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Washing Soda
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
* Mix well and store in sealed container.
* I find it easiest to pour the liquid soap into the bowl first, stirred in the washing soda, then baking soda, then added the vinegar in small batches at a time (the recipe foams up at first). The mixture is a thick paste at first that will break down into a heavy powdered detergent, just keep stirring. There may be some hard lumps, try to break them down when stirring (it really helps to make sure the baking soda isn’t clumpy when first adding). I used 1/2 cup per full load with great results.
Liquid Detergents Note
Soap will be lumpy, goopy and gel-like. This is normal. Just give it a good stir before using. Make sure soap is covered with a lid when not in use. You could also pour the homemade soap in old (and cleaned) laundry detergent bottles and shake well before each use.
*If you can’t find Fels-Naptha locally, you can buy it online (check Amazon).
Optional
You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade laundry detergent. Add once the soap has cooled to room temperature. Stir well and cover.
Essential oil ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil
Monday, June 8, 2009
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