Dandelion Pesto

Yield: 3-1/2 cups

• 2 cups tightly packed dandelion leaves, well-rinsed and dried
• 1 dozen large basil leaves
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 cup lightly toasted hazelnuts (skins removed), or toasted almonds, pine nuts, or walnuts
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (optional)
• Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

In the bowl of a food processor or blender, pulse together dandelion leaves, basil, garlic, and nuts. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. With the motor running, add olive oil and process until a smooth paste forms. Pulse in cheese if you like. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Xylitol bar fudge:

In a double boiler: melt 5 bars of NSP chocolate candy made with xylitol and one square unsweetened chocolate (I like to get the organic kind) – add one teaspoon coconut oil. Stir until well melted over medium high heat (if water starts to bubble too vigorously, lower temp). After all is melted you can add whatever ingredients you want—

make a chunky bar by adding raisins and chopped walnuts.

Make an Almond Joy buy adding coconut (unsweetened) flakes and slivered almonds. (I add a thin layer of slivered almonds to the bottom of a shallow baking dish and then spread the mixture over it—makes for easy removal of squares).

Healthy snickers use peanuts (slightly roasted)—haven’t figured out the nougat part yet. Adding a small amount of peanut butter makes this a cross between a snickers and a Reese’s cup. Add this just before you are going to put it into your shallow dish—just swirl it in, don’t mix it up.

After you have spread the mixture into your shallow baking dish, bake for 15-20 minutes at 300 degrees. Let cool to room temperature and put in refrigerator to set up. It is ready after an hour in the refrigerator to cut into pieces and serve.

The above method can also be used to coat pretzels or dip apples. It makes a fun fondue for all kinds of fruit!

Cinnamon Candied Nuts

2 cups Raw Organic Pecans, Almonds, and Walnuts
1 large Egg white
3/4 cup Xylitol
1 1/2 tsp Water
1/2 tsp ground Cinnamon
Vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and brush with oil heavily.
Whisk egg white until frothy. Add water, Xylitol, cinnamon. Whisk to combine. Add nuts and toss to coat.
Spread nut mixture evenly over cookie sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes. Cool prior to breaking apart.

12 servings @ 1 1/2 oz per serving.

Making jam with honey!

If you have a peach tree, too many blackberries or pears—here is a way to preserve them that is absolutely delicious and good for you too. I love Herb Mentor for the ideas and knowledge of ways to use herbs and food that are healthy. Here is the website for the complete directions on making healthy jams with honey: http://www.learningherbs.com/news_issue_19.html

Abundance quiche

(a no-crust variety)

• 5 eggs
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 Tablespoon minced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 Tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese (small curd)
• 3 cups spinach, cut then steam
• 1/2 yellow,red or green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup broccoli, chopped
• 3-4 scallions, chopped fine (or 1 small leek)
• 6 ounces Swiss cheese, or your favorite melting cheese, grated

You can place into your favorite pie crust or go without and serve with a crusty bread.

Natural Insect Repellant

Summer cleaning ideas for

Cleaning Outdoor Furniture and Grills and decks!

posted by Annie B. Bond May 26, 2008 11:00 am

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/cleaning-outdoor-furniture-grills.html

Here are some fabulous old-fashioned (and not so old-fashioned) formulas for cleaning outdoor furniture and grills. Washing soda can be found in the detergent area of your local grocery store--Most times it says Arm and Hammer. Nature's Sunshine's Nature's Fresh and NSP concentrate can be purchased online: www.mynsp.com/Born

Plastic Lawn Furniture Cleaner
1/2 cup washing soda

1 Tablespoon Nature’s Fresh enzyme solution
1 gallon hot water add a few drops of NSP concentrate

Dissolve the washing soda in a bucket of hot water add rest of ingredients. Wearing gloves and using a sponge, slather the water onto the furniture, and let it set for 10 minutes or so before rinsing. For stubborn stains, redo and leave the water on the plastic for an extra 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

Mildew and Mold Cushion Cleaner

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that is a broad spectrum fungicide.

20-30 drops tea tree oil
2 cups water

1 Tablespoon Nature’s Fresh

1 teaspoon NSP concentrate

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Spot test on cushions to make sure there is no discoloration. Spray on the cushions. Don’t rinse. In a few days, both the strong smell of the tea tree oil and the mold will dissipate.

(This actually works well as a deck cleaner as well--just double the recipe and put in a bucket)

—use a stiff broom, dip in solution spread on a small area at a time, let sit for about 10 minutes, scrub with broom, then rinse with hose)

Cushion Cleaner
Assuming you can rinse your cushions, after you have killed the mold and mildew, spot clean cushions using the Plastic Lawn Furniture Cleaner, above. Rinse.

Note: Spot test the washing soda mixture on wood furniture first. It is a powerful cleanser, and you don’t want to peel off any existing wood finish.

Grill Soak
1-2 cups washing soda
Enough hot water to cover the grills

1 teaspoon NSP Concentrate

In a pan big enough to hold the grill (the kitchen sink might also work), soak the grills overnight in the washing soda and soapy water. In the morning, the grime on the grill will come off easily. Wash with NSP concentrate and water, and rinse.