Showing posts with label #LMDConnector. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #LMDConnector. Show all posts

August 17, 2012

Lemon preserve and jam jar kit

Lemons are cheaper in the summer, so it is a good time to take advantage of this and make lemon preserve to use off-season.
This lemon preserve will come handy in cooking i.e. chicken or to add into other pickles.  For this basic lemon preserve recipe you will  need...

unbruised clean Meyer lemons
coarse sea salt or kosher salt (not table salt)
Trim the top and bottom of the lemon to keep it flat.  Then cut the lemons into quarters vertically up to 3/4 way (the lemon should not split so don't slice it all the way).

Stuff the lemon with salt and pack it into a clean jar.  Cover the lemons with its own juice, when you press the lemons into the jar it will produce its own juice.  You might have to add fresh juice of 1/2 lemon if need be.
Let it sit for 3 weeks or more in a cool dark place.  I usually keep them for longer before opening the container.  Over time the lemons will reduce and become soft. 

As soon as the lemons are soft it is ready to be used.  Once you open the container store in the fridge for up to 6 months or more.  
If the lemons are not fully submerged in its own juice then a white film will appear.  If this happens just remove it with a spoon or lightly wash it off and use.
If you wish when packing the lemons to preserve you can add whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon stick, peppercorns or cloves.
Disclosure:  I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and receive special perks as part of this.  All rights reserved on opinion, written content and photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First
I used the creative Jam Jar kit from Cath Kidston Ltd to decorate preserve containers.  
This kit has 20 jar toppers in 5 different patterns, 8 sticker sheets, elastic strings and 6 easy delicious recipes.  
The kit is useful in decorating our homemade preserves, before giving it as gifts to family and friends.
The Cath Kidston Jam Jar kit is available online, bookstores and amazon.


July 30, 2012

Healthy living General Mills green banner cereal


Summer is full of goodness, we find ourselves being more active without planning as we run around, go to the park, for bicycle rides and walks.  We also eat healthier as we can find fresh local produce and organic vegetables from our garden.
General Mills under their green banner is promoting healthy living.  This green banner General Mills products honey nut cheerios, regular cheerios and the new oatmeal crisp cereals have oat fibre on top of their whole grains and nutrients.  Here is a variety of ways we can use these delicious cereals.

It is important for us to eat food that has lower cholesterol levels, which will protect us from the risk of heart disease.  Heart disease is the 1 in 3 leading cause of death in Canada.  9 in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease, one of these being high cholesterol.  Eating a healthy balanced diet and having a good lifestyle is important for us to lower the risk.


Whole grain food with fibre has antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that will help lower the risk of heart disease.  3 grams of oat fibre everyday helps reduce 5% of our total cholesterol and 8 % of LDL cholesterol, which is the most important type of cholesterol that we need to reduce.
It is important we choose salmon or light tuna 2 to 3 times a week.  It is better to use olive or canola oil for cooking and dressings.
A small handful of almonds or walnuts daily will be helpful.  It is healthier for us to choose beans, chickpeas and lentils instead of meat.  And importantly 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily will benefit us, we don't have to do the exercise all at the same time rather spread it out during the day.
Check this link for more information on cholesterol.

All rights reserved on photographs and opinion of the written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

June 17, 2012

Cake pops for any occasion


I used this cake pop kit from Bakerella that came with instructions and useful tools to make these delicious treats.  The cake pop kit includes a colourful booklet with instructions, a cake pop stand, cello bags to place each cake pop, cake pop sticks, gift tags and ribbons.  The kit is available on Amazon and in bookstores.  
This creative treat is a lot of fun to make and is the new trend :)  

My kids were super excited to help me make these cake pops.  It would be a lovely treat for any day, which can be served as dessert or at a party.  It would also be a good homemade gift to take to family and friends.


We need...
1 box cake mix
1 16 oz container frosting
candy melts (I used the Wilton brand)


Follow the instruction on the cake mix and bake the cake; don't forget to get some help from the little ones to make it.
When the cake is completely cool crumble the cake with clean hands in a big bowl and add 3/4 of the frosting from the container.
Mix the cake with the frosting and then make balls about 2" diameter.  Leave the cake ball on a baking sheet that is lined with wax paper, cover with plastic wrap and place in the freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate the cake balls until it is firm.  We can also shape the cake balls into any shape we like and then place it in the fridge.
Make sure the cake pops are firm before coating with the candy melts.
Melt the candy coating in a small heatproof bowl in the microwave.  Make sure to choose a bowl that is about 3" deep, which makes it easy to dip.  Put in 30 second interval and stir in between.  Repeat this till the candy coating melts and is smooth.
Work with a few cake balls at a time and leave the rest in the fridge.  The candy melts harden pretty fast so if you want to add sprinkles or decoration do it soon :)

Dip the lollipop stick into the melted candy coating then insert into the bottom of the cake ball half way and then place it in the stand for it to dry.
Dip the entire cake pop into the candy coating.  Dip and remove in one motion without stirring.
If the coating is thick add few drops of vegetable oil to thin it, I didn't have to do this.


These cake pops can be stored in an airtight container or in the fridge.  Hope you get to try these fun cake pops with your family.

Check out Life Made Delicious for fun ideas and fun offers.  To cheer our athletes that are going to the Olympics 2012, General Mills has a lovely offer of fun Free cheer gear t-shirts and flip-flops on their specially marked packages of cereal, Nature Valley granola bars and Betty Crocker child snacks.  

All we have to do is buy one of these, find the code inside the package, visit this link, select a size and get the shirt or flip-flops for free.  Life Made Delicious covers the shipping and handling fees, so we don't have to pay anything to get the cheer gear that will arrive in 8 to 10 weeks.
Also follow their Facebook to get free coupons.

Disclosure:  I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and receive special perks as part of this.  All rights reserved on opinion, written content and photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First