Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars Recipe

It's National Cheesecake Day - let's celebrate!

I'm hungry - let's eat!

SPH Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
inspired by a recipe in Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine
August 2011 issue

2 packages Glutino chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed into fine crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
1 package unflavored Knox gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup boiling water
8 oz. room temperature cream cheese
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup peanut butter, melted
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 8-oz. container frozen whipped topping, defrosted

Combine cookie crumbs with melted butter.  Press evenly onto bottom and up the sides of a 9 x 13 pan.  Set pan in fridge and allow to chill while making the filling.

Stir gelatin into cold water and let stand one minute.  Add boiling water, stir til dissolved,  and allow to set while preparing cream cheese mixture.

Beat cream cheese, condensed milk and melted peanut butter together in a large mixing bowl.  Beat in the gelatin mixture.  Stir in chocolate chips.  CAREFULLY fold in whipped topping, only until everything is well combined.  Pour this mixture into prepared crust, and allow to chill overnight in the refrigerator several hours or overnight.  Cut into bars and serve.

'Nuff said - enjoy!




This recipe linked to Very Good Recipes.

Our Own Personal Olympics

I hope this post finds you all well.  I know I've missed being here with you every day, but summer for us is fair season.  We've reached the final week of preparation, and I thought I'd share with you where we all are...

If you listen to the Olympic athletes that will be interviewed over the next two weeks, they'll tell you that a HUGE part of the games is mental.  They all know they have the skills to compete at such a high level.  They all have a great deal of confidence in these skills - some of them training for many, many years.  The hardest part is conquering the nerves, not letting the Olympic spotlight blind them from seeing their goals.

In our house, we have a competitor who has all the skills.  And she knows she does.  She has practiced for years, and has taken her fair share of blue ribbons and personal bests to give her confidence.  But this year is somehow different.  Princess enrolled in 4H this year to open up some new learning and competitive opportunities.  For the first time, she'll have to actually answer to a judge face to face during an interview process.  And for the first time, she's battling not only the deadline of having all the projects done to be submitted for judging, but she's also battling the nerves that go with a higher level of competition.

If you know her personally, you know she's a rock star in her own right.  She started crocheting at an age when most kids are just getting the hang of coloring with crayons.  She's been taking amazing photos for many years, and a few years ago taught herself to embroider.  Which of course she nailed the first time she gave it a go.

But this time it's different.  She doesn't just have to answer to herself and just be judged anonymously.  It's going to be up close and personal.  And the possibility of competing at the state level is on the line.  And that's what's giving her the case of nerves.  This is a big, new, scary world, and despite her maturity, grace and confidence, it's a little daunting.

By this time next week, we'll know for sure if any of her 4H projects will qualify for competition at the Illinois State Fair, and which one she'll take if any of them do qualify.  It'll be time to finalize our plans to go to Springfield for the day.  Or not.  And then it will be on to the Sandwich Fair, the second largest fair in the state.  It's kind of like Nationals, Worlds and the Olympics for a figure skater.

If you have a competitor in your house, whether it's an Olympian or a kid in the Chess Club at school, I pray that they find the grace to trust in their own abilities, to ignore any outside distractions, to be confident, and to enjoy the moment.  And I ask that you pray the same for our competitor.

Have a great weekend, everyone, and I'll be sure to post our fair results next week!

Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Almost Fudge Recipe

Quick and simple.  Easy and delicious.  And no heat required!

This is easy enough the kids can help you make it.  It comes out very soft, and is best eaten with a spoon. It's really a method more than a recipe, but it's still ooey gooey good!

SPH Chocolate Peanut Butter Almost Fudge
Peanut Butter
Cocoa Powder
Honey or Agave Nectar

When I make this, I use about 1/2 cup of peanut butter.  I eyeball it - one really big blop.  Then I add about a couple tablespoons of cocoa powder, and stir well to combine.  Squeeze in honey or nectar, stir and taste. Start with a little, then add more as desired.

This can now be spread on a well-buttered plate and refrigerated to make actual fudge, or just eaten straight from the mixing bowl.  Let's just say, mine rarely makes it to the fridge.

Use this to add to a smoothie made with yogurt and bananas.  Make it with a different nut butter, add water and blend for a nondairy milkshake.  This is especially tasty with almond butter.

Enjoy!

Homeschool Book Shelf

It's already THAT time of year!  Where did the summer go?!

The main expense of homeschooling is definitely books.  Art supplies are a close second, but books definitely hold that number one position.  So I thought I'd share with you how we've managed to save a few bucks on books over the years.

First, use your public library.  Check out at the 'brare instead of checking out at the store or online.  Your taxes already cover the cost of this service, so take advantage when you can.

Then, realize that the library may not carry every book you need.  Interlibrary loan may be an option, but the title you seek may not be available or may not come in for several weeks or even months.  There may also be a fee associated with getting a book from another library.  So, in this instance, think about a purchase.

Never buy new when used will do - check thrift stores, garage sales, Craigslist, eBay, Half.com, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  Look high.  Look low.  You'll be surprised what you can find if you only look hard enough.

Another option:  have a book swap with other homeschoolers.  If you are in a group or co-op, this can be especially helpful for all involved.  We are not, but I know of a few different groups that have exchanges quite successfully.

When all else fails, buy new.  If possible, only purchase when you have a cartful, and can take advantage of free shipping.  Don't be afraid to compare several online sites to find the best price.  Sadly, sometimes, you'll only be able to find what you want in one location, and have to pay full price and shipping.  When this happens, take solace in the fact that you literally did EVERYTHING possible to reduce your costs.

What to do with all those books when you are done?  Save the ones you like for younger siblings if possible (I have our favorites packed away for future grandchildren).  Sell the rest.  If you fail to find a buyer, donate the books to a local charity.  Get a receipt for your donation, and deduct your donation from your taxes.

Here's an example of the full circle:
Several years ago, my kids were using Saxon Math quite successfully.  I had previously ordered Saxon 6/5, 7/6, 8/7 and Algebra 1/2 used on eBay.  I think the least expensive of these was the Saxon 7/6.  It wasn't in the best of shape, but it was certainly usable.  If memory serves, I believe I got it for about $7.  Total.  Including shipping.

When I was offered free shipping on any order over $35 from one of my favorite vendors, I knew I had to take a serious look through their catalog and their website.  This same company was also the only place I could find the entire homeschool kit for Algebra, Algebra 2, and Geometry.  So I ordered these materials.  Well, it turns out that Saxon Geometry was not a good fit for us.  The book has barely been used, the solutions manual and test book never opened.  So, these were perfectly sell-able.  And the successor - Algebra 2?  Still in the shrink wrap it came in. I sold these 2 programs to Amazon today, and will be popping them in the mail tomorrow.  Amazon is paying for the shipping, and will be adding a tidy sum to my gift certificate account (to be used for future school book purchases).  I listed a few other books on my seller's account on Amazon, and put the rest on eBay.  Whatever doesn't sell will go to a local charity.

So you see, you don't have to spend a small fortune to educate your kids at home!  Happy Book Shopping!

Garden Party - UPDATE

Sorry, folks.  No photos today, but I wanted to update you on the progress of our garden.

The heat and drought are taking a terrible toll on all the plants.  Everything from the grass up to the trees is stressed.  We lost a beautiful sand cherry bush to fire blight.  Of all the beet seeds I planted, only about a third of them even germinated, and of those few, only 3 have formed bulbs.  We planted some hot pepper seeds for Bubba - nothing germinated.  Princess' flowers are struggling, too.  All this is in spite of adding compost to good soil and watering.  And I mean watering every other day for a half hour with a lawn sprinkler.

If you are a first time gardener this year, and you are experiencing similar results, please stay encouraged.  We are currently experiencing the hottest, driest summer on record where we live, and apparently, the whole eastern portion of the US is the same.  Don't think you have a "black thumb" because Mother Nature is being uncooperative.

So let me give you some good news.  Now is a great time to start planning what to do with your garden in the fall.  Do some research into drought tolerant varieties of plants for next year.  Build a compost bin for the leaves that will be falling in a few months.  Get your worm bins started for indoor composting over the winter.  Keep watering and adding compost to those plants that are toughing it out.  In other words, don't give up and walk away - it's just a really bad season, and those things happen despite our best efforts.

Have a great day!

Happy Birthday America!

Wishing everyone a blessed, safe and Happy 4th of July!  Please remember freedom isn't free, so keep our military in your thoughts and prayers today and every day.  Enjoy the video!

Tea for Tuesday - Gluten Free Coffee Floats Recipe

A grown-up treat for a hot summer day...

Ok, the whipped cream got a little tipped, but doesn't it look ooooooh. soooooo. goooood.

Quick and easy.  Simple and delicious.  And gluten free.

SPH Coffee Floats
Ice cream
Coffee
Cream/milk/non-dairy creamer
Whipped cream

Put a couple scoops of ice cream into good sized mugs.  Fill mug 1/2 way with HOT coffee, and add creamy stuff til mug is almost completely full.  Top with whipped cream and serve.

Just a quick note about the ice cream here.  Most flavors of most brands of ice cream, by my own research, are generally gluten free.  That being said, I know for a fact that Edy's and Great Value brands are safe for every flavor that doesn't involve a baked item (like brownies, cookies, etc.) stirred in.  For the photo above, I used Edy's Chocolate-Vanilla.

Make these for the grown-ups with a shot of Kahlua, or for the kiddos with hot chocolate instead of the coffee.

What a fun and unusual dessert to trot out after a cook out this summer!  Enjoy!

Six Ways to Take Advantage of the Hot Sunny Days

Been doing a few of these in my house lately, and thought I'd share...

Let's face it - it's ugly hot outside these days.  Use the summer sun and heat to your advantage!

These are all things we do at my house or have done over the years when the teenagers were smaller.  Here's my list - give them a try!

1. Clean the burners, burner plates and knob of your stove with ammonia.  Simply place them into a large zip top bag with about a cup of ammonia.  Set outside in the sun.  I put mine out early in the morning, and brought them in the next morning.  Rinse well with warm soapy water.  You'd be amazed at how much grease, grime, and other yucky stuff will come off!  Because I actually cook, I've had stuff boil over onto the stove that I thought had actually fused itself into the enamel on my burner plates.  My stove looks like new!  By the way, when you dump out your ammonia, keep it away from tender plants.  I poured mine on the wood mulch in one of our flower beds that seems to attract the neighborhood cats, racoons and possums.  You can also put used paper towels into the liquid in the bag, and throw it away.
2. Fry an egg.  This is a great one to do with kids.  Prove that it is actually hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement.  All you need is an egg and some nonstick cooking spray.  Wait until about 3 in the afternoon, find a really hot spot on your driveway or sidewalk, and hit it with some cooking spray.  Drop your egg on the hot spot, and watch and wait.  This is a great exercise in scientific observation.  If you really want to get technical, do two eggs - one as a control, and one with a clear glass lid over it (like a greenhouse).  Which one cooks faster?  By the way, don't eat the eggs - just throw them away.
3. Make sun tea.  Another great science observation project, and this one you can drink.  I have a large, gallon-size jar, and to this jar I add 16 tea bags and one gallon of water.   Place on the porch or patio, and wait for a few hours.   I especially like chai tea, then drink it iced with milk and honey.   One year, I actually made homemade root beer syrup with herbal tea I had made as sun tea.  This is a delicious way to stay hydrated!  
4. Make sun prints.  You don't even need the expensive paper - just use dark construction paper, like black or blue.  Just a note here - since this is not the fancy photo-sensitive paper, use objects that have simple shapes.  The details won't show up as well, but it's quick, easy and inexpensive.  Simply place your paper in a very sunny area, set an object on your paper, and then wait for about an hour.  Not happy with your results?  Vary the amount of time - another fun science project!
5. Make a pie plate crayon.  Start with a small aluminum pie pan, add some old crayons, then set them in the hot sun all day.  Allow your crayon to cool, and color to your hearts content.  Feel free to mix and match or sort by color (a great preschooler activity).  If you buy the shaped tins (baking aisle), you can get a head start on Christmas ornaments by inserting a straw near the top of your shape.  Be sure to place the straw far enough down that the crayon won't break if hung on a tree.  You can also do hearts to set away for Valentine's day fun next year, and make stars on the 4th of July.
6. Stay in and learn some card games.  We all complain that our kids spend way too much time plugged in, and this is a great way to get them unplugged.  Card games teach math and logic skills, such as counting, sequences and strategy.  Card games teach social skills, such as good manners like dealing cards to others before yourself.  Oh yeah, and they're fun.  Crazy Eights and Old Maid are perennial favorites.  Feel free to move up to something simple like UNO for the younger ones, and then work up to rummy-type games, where the players have to make books (all one number) and runs (sequential numbers in one suit).  A favorite in our house is Five Crowns.  It's a rummy-type game with five suits and wild cards that change each round.  Buy it on Amazon.  When teaching a new game to players of all ages, we've found that it's best to play the first few hands/rounds with everyone's cards showing.  Then, Parent/Adult can help.  Also, don't be afraid to play and NOT keep score.  Just play for fun.  You'll make all kinds of fun memories.