Granny Square Crochet Slippers

I searched the Internet for granny square slipper patterns and I didn't like what I found.  I created my own pattern and it turned out great!  I didn't want them to look like I just stitched granny squares together, but that's what I did!  I made the triangle banner below and discovered the triangle works perfect for the slipper toe pieces. There are easier crochet granny-triangles than these, but I was used to this pattern, so I used it. I posted links to the instructions below and here!

The basic pattern for each slipper is two triangles for the toe piece and two 4 row granny squares for the heel cup.

It's amazing what you can do with different yarns!

I used double-yarn for the heel cup and toe bottom pieces for these camo slippers.  By doubling up the yarn, it made the pieces less flexible and smaller. I had to add three granny-rows to the end of the heal piece to make these slippers a Men's size 9.

Basic Pieces:

If you're experienced, you may not need much more than this to figure out how to piece these slippers.  Others have blogged about this, so I'm not going to recreate the basic here.  But here are some great links to show you how to make the pieces.  Then see below for how to stitch them together. 

Two Granny Triangles - This is how I made mine: 

Detailed Instructions Here!

Instructions for a Different Granny Triangle Pattern Here!

Two Four-Row Granny Squares - Great Granny Square Tutorial Here!

Single crochet the two squares together.

The lighting is horrible on this, but you get the idea... 

Add granny-rows to the end if more length is needed.  If you need a lot larger shoe size or a wider shoe size, start with a 5 or 6 row granny square instead of a four row granny square.  If it just needs to be longer, add granny rows to either end like I did above. You can fit the heel cup and toe piece on your foot (or the foot of the person you're making them for to see how much larger and how many more rows you need to add.

This is the heel cup with only one extra rows added and single crochet (on the outside) to stitch it together.  I later added two more granny-rows to the other edge.

With right-sides together, single crochet the two triangle pieces together, then turn inside out.

You can see that the bottom triangle is double-thick (and I used just black and green yarn).

After squares and triangles are sewn together, single crochet the toe piece to the heel piece.  I centered the heel seem with the center of the triangle, then single crochet it to the toe piece.  I'll have to make one with the colored pieces to show this better...

You are now finished, unless you want to make the sides higher.  I added fringe to the multicolored slippers and extra rows to the top edge of the camo slippers.

You can't really see the extra granny-row I added to the top of the camo slippers.  You can go even higher and make them into more of a boot if you'd like.

Lucy had to get in the picture again. ;)

Gummy Bear Grave Cupcakes

Gummy Bear Grave Cupcakes

My nieces came over to help make a few Gummy Bear Grave Cupcakes.  They didn't turn out as planned (remember, kids made these!), but you'll get the basic idea and you can make them yourself.  With a little time and the right frosting, you can make these a work of art!
We didn't want a huge production with lots of leftovers (and messy hot kitchen), so we only made 2 batches of Chocolate Mug-Cupcakes (See Recipe Here).  It worked great and clean-up was a breeze!  It made 6 small cupcakes.

Spray the sides of the mug with cooking spray, 

then insert a paper cupcake cup into each mug.

Fill 1/2 full with cake batter,  (See Recipe Here) cook in the microwave 

on high for 30 seconds, rotate, then cook another 30 seconds.

We cooked 2 cakes at a time in the microwave so we were done within 5 minutes!

Make the chocolate cupcakes and allow them to cool.  Carve "RIP" in chocolate squares with a toothpick.

 

Cut a square hole in the center of the cupcake, remove the 'plug',

insert a gummy bear (or piece of a gummy worm), then replace the plug.

It's hard to see in this picture, but the plugs are a little higher than the rest of the cake.

Mound up Chocolate Frosting or Chocolate Sauce (we used chocolate chips melted in the microwave) 

over each Gummy Grave

Add green frosting to the outside (this is the grass).

Insert headstones, then place flower sprinkles on the top of each grave. 

Our cakes were still a little warm when we decorated them.  The gummy worms melted as did the bottom of the chocolate headstones.  They tasted awesome!  

If you want to make a large batch of these, use a whole package of cake-mix and make "regular size" cupcakes.  As my sister pointed out, "regulation" size cupcakes might have been easier for the kids to work with.  You can also just buy chocolate and white canned frosting.  We didn't need the whole can, so we made our own vanilla glaze (1 cup powdered sugar, 1 1/2 Tbsp milk and 1/2 tsp vanilla) and melted chocolate chips for the grave area.  We had to be careful with these small cupcakes because they were not very deep.

Eat and Enjoy!

Pineapple Upside-Down Mug-Cake For Two

Pineapple Upside-Down Mug-Cake For Two

I made another recipe for little cakes!

4 Tbsp All purpose flour 
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar  (White sugar or maple syrup will work too) 
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
Salt a pinch 
Mix wet ingredients
Oil 2 Tbsp (Any flavorless oil will do)
2 Tbsp Soy Milk
2 Tbsp Crushed Pineapple
2 Tbsp Pineapple Juice
1 tsp White Vinegar

Topping (goes in bottom of mug):
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp vegan margarine
Pineapple slices, save the liquid

For the topping: Spray two mugs or ramekins with non-stick cooking spray.  Put 1 Tbsp brown sugar into each mug.  Add 1 tsp of margarine to each mug.  

Cook in the microwave until melted and bubbly.  Add a few pineapple slices to each mug.

For cake batter: 

In a small bowl, add in flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.  

In another bowl mix together, oil, soy milk, crushed pineapple, 

pineapple juice, and white vinegar.   

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix with a fork until smooth.

Pour batter into mugs.  

Cook in the microwave on high power for  30 seconds at a time 
(for a total of 2 1/2 minutes). 

Insert a toothpick into the center.  

If it comes out clean, it's done.  

If not, add another 30 seconds.   

 Loosen sides with a knife and invert onto a saucer.  

Let the sauce drain down the sides of the cakes.

Serve Warm or Cold and Enjoy!

Easy Pumpkin Curry Coconut Stew

Easy Pumpkin Curry Coconut Stew

What do you do with leftover pumpkin and coconut milk?  Make Soup!  You can change this recipe up to match your own tastes.  Add veggies, or any kind of milk.  I like the Coconut-Curry combination and it has to have some salt or soy sauce, because it's too bland otherwise.  Modify away!

Solid Pack Pumpkin

Light Coconut Milk (or soymilk, non-fat creamer, cow's milk, etc.)

1/2 Cup Chopped Onion

2 Cups Chopped Cabbage Mix, thin sliced Carrots, chopped Spinach, or any Veggies you like (Optional)

No-Salt, Salt or Soy Sauce

Curry Powder

Granulated Garlic

Black Pepper and/or Cayenne Pepper (love cayenne!)

Water or soup stock

Saute onion in the bottom of the sauce pan with cooking spray, few teaspoons of curry powder, and granulated garlic. When the onion is cooked, add the cabbage mix and coconut milk.  Cook for a few minutes until the veggies starts to wilt.   Mix in the pumpkin and a cup or more of water.  If you like it more 'soup-like' add about 3 cups of water.  If you want if more 'stew-like' add one cup of water.  Add the no-salt and black pepper to taste.  Serve with whole grain French bread or ciabatta bread.

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake For Two!

Argh!  Another day and I want something sweet!  We've been doing great not eating sweets and we're both still dropping weight.  But, sometimes you just gotta splurge and have fun!

I've been wanting to try another 'Mug Cake' (something that I can make that won't leave us with cake for 3 or 4 days.  I didn't want to blow our calorie count for the week, so I created this 'Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake for Two' recipe!  Hmm, what do you do with the left-over pumpkin and coconut milk?  Make soup!  See my Easy Pumpkin Curry Soup Recipe for directions!

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake For Two!

3 Tbsp Flour

1/8 tsp Baking Soda

1/8 tsp Ground Ginger

1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/8 tsp Ground Cloves

2 Tbsp Sugar

Mix together dry ingredients.

3 Tbsp Pumpkin Puree (I used canned)
2 Tbsp Light Coconut Milk (or Soy Milk)
1 T Oil
1/4 tsp Cider Vinegar
Mix together then add to dry ingredients.

This was the dry and wet ingredients for the double batch (see below)

This was for the Double Batch (see below)

Spray mugs or ramekins with cooking spray and divide into even servings.

Cook in the microwave for 1 minute.  Turn 1/4 turn, then cook another 30 seconds. Add another 30 seconds if there is still wet mixture on a tooth pick or if you make a Double Recipe. Done!

Top with this awesome topping if you want it sweet and can afford the calories. ;)

1 Tbsp Light Corn Syrup

1 Tbsp White Sugar

1 tsp veggie margarine

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 Tbsp Chopped Walnuts

Put in the microwave for 20 seconds to melt margarine.  Stir and spoon on top of warm cakes.

Serves 2!

I managed to make a double batch of this recipe too.  You can see from this picture that a single batch does not make for a very thick piece of cake!   I thought the cakes were too much of a tease. LOL  I'm sure the calorie count is way over what I needed for the day, but it's a splurge and we enjoyed it!  I also did two workouts today. ;)

Awesome Chocolate Mug-Cake

We checked out the Bakery Section at the Grocery Store this morning to see what they had for dessert.  We didn't buy anything, because we didn't want to have enough cake left over for four days.  

Plus, it would blow our calorie count for the week.

I remembered that I had seen some Mug-Cakes on Pinterest so I looked up the recipe.  

I made this one (http://goo.gl/T9XJO) to "test it out" before a special occasion. It's awesome!  I would have this any-day over a store bought cake.  It's moist and very chocolaty!  

Hmmm, I think I might have to make 8 or 9 of them for my birthday next month! LOL 

Awesome Chocolate Mug Cake 

(For Two!)

3 Tbsp All purpose flour

3 Tbsp White sugar 

2 Tbsp Cocoa powder 

1/4 tsp Baking Soda 

Pinch of Salt

3 Tbsp Oil 

3 Tbsp Soy Milk 

1/4 tsp Vanilla extract 

2 tsp Chocolate chips (optional)

In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda.
Add oil, soy milk, vanilla extract and mix well with a fork until there are no lumps and the batter is smooth.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Divided the batter into 2 small mugs or ramekins. (It's called Mug Cake, but I used ramekins.)

Microwave on high for 1 minute.  Insert a toothpick in the center to see if it comes out clean.  Cook an additional 20 to 30 seconds if needed.  If you like it gooey, pull it out now.
Serve warm - No Frosting Needed!

Cakes before cooking: 

After Cooking 1 minute 20 seconds in the Microwave:

Falafel Salad with Sesame/Lime Tahini Dressing

We just had a salad this evening with:
Coleslaw mix
Chopped Baby Spinach
Halved Cherub Tomatoes
Lime Tahini Dressing (You can use lemon or lime to make the dressing.)
and Falafel Balls
The dressing was the same used in this recipe: http://slowmyroll.blogspot.com/2012/05/chickpea-tahini-stirfry.html

In a small bowl, add:

2 Tablespoons Sesame Tahini

2 or 3 small cloves garlic

Juice from 1 small lime

Mix together.  It will become very thick.  

Slowly add water until it gets thin like salad dressing.

White Bean and Veggie Salad with Creamy Cashew-Mustard-Italian Dressing

White Bean and Veggie Salad with Creamy Cashew-Mustard-Italian Dressing

Creamy Cashew Nut Butter Dressing with Garlic, Lime and Italian Seasoning

2 Tablespoons Cashew Nut Butter

1 Large Clove Garlic, crushed

Juice squeezed from 2 Key-limes

1 or 2 Teaspoons dry Italian Seasoning

2-4 Teaspoons Spicy Brown Mustard (depends on how spicy/'mustardy' you want it)

Stir with a fork, then start adding cold water little by little, until you reach the desired thickness for your dressing.

Chop your favorite crunchy veggie into a bowl and mix.  I started with:

1 Cucumber

1 Red Bell Pepper

2 or 3 Cups Packaged Coleslaw Mix

2 or 3 Cups Chopped Baby Spinach

Add Chopped Snap Peas, Halved Cherub Tomatoes and one can of drained, Great White Northern Beans.

Mix and put in pretty serving bowls.  Cover with Dressing and enjoy!

Eggless Whole Wheat Fluffy Waffles - Vegan!

No eggs, no dairy, higher in protein than some waffles and the calories are not that bad if you just have two squares.  This is a Sunday morning treat for me!

1 C Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 cup Flax Meal (I grind my own in a coffee grinder).
1/2 C Oatmeal
1 Scoop EAS Soy Protein Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
2 1/2 Cup Soy Milk

Mix all dry ingredients in a medium size bowl.  Add soy milk and mix to remove any lumps.  Cook immediately in a waffle iron sprayed with cooking spray.  
The batter will thicken as it sits.  Thin with a little bit of water if needed.  
Makes 10 squares (2 each per serving).
Note: My container of Soy Protein measures 3 tablespoons per scoop (the scooper that comes in the container).  But, the calorie count is the same as added here (170 calories per scoop).  Our family traditionally enjoys pancakes and waffles with peanut butter and syrup.  We normally use 100% maple syrup.  Yummy!
Whole-Grain Goodness!

Leftover waffles will keep in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.  You can also freeze them and toast them later for a quick snack!

I entered this recipe into my SparkPeople Recipe Box and this is what it shows for nutrients (197 calories for two squares):

  

My crappy little waffle iron.  It works great!  You would never know that one-day earlier it was a goopy-gummy mess after one of my recipes refused to let me open the lid! Note: Don't use too much protein powder! LOL

Gazing Ball Stand Being Tested

Well, I placed my Gazing Ball out in the yard today.  We're having high temperatures and high winds, so it's being tested!  So far so good!  It's pretty heavy and it's a spear on a cone, so I think it will handle the wind just fine.  I put some glass balls under the punch bowl base before I placed it.

See my Gazing Ball Stand Instructions Here