Thin Mint Puppy Chow - And the mystery of Real Chocolate

Thin Mint Puppy Chow
by ShugarySweets

So, there is not much healty, or natural about this recipe. But I have always had a weak spot for Puppy Chow and I love chocolate mint. This just happened to be a perfect combination, in my humble opinion. And since it was my 25th birthday when I made it [nearly two months ago now], I decided to go ahead and splurge.

 

Ghirardelli large chips, Andes Mint Pieces

 

But the recipe called for chocolate flavored Candiquik as the 'chocolate' base. Which, in case you don't know, is NOT chocolate. [shock]

 

It's just, like, sugar, wax, butter, and 'natural and artificial flavors'. This is not chocolate.

 

Instead, I used Ghirardelli baking chocolate [or any kind of chocolate chips; just check the ingredients, cause the "Chocolate flavored morsels" are not usually chocolate either, you have to be discerning these days to know if your really getting chocolate or some ones cheap idea of chocolate.

 

The recipe also called for Green's & Black's 3.5 oz chocolate mint bar. I couldn't find that, but found a bag of Andes Mint Pieces [in a bag like the chocolate chips, in the same isle, too]. Since it's a total of 19.5 oz of meltyness in the original recipe I put in about 15-18 oz of Chocolate and about 3-5 oz of Andes Mint Pieces.

 

ShugarySweets suggests melting in a microwave, but since I don't have one, I put it on the stove top, on low heat, melting slowly, and stirring constantly.

 

All Melty! [and smelling AMAZING!]
 

Pour over a box of Rice Chex Cereal [about 10 cups]



 

Just look at all that amazingly real chocolate!





Add 2 cups of powdered sugar...

Toss together, set on a couple sheets of foil/wax paper let set a few and enjoy!



I couldn't find the green M'n'M's that ShugarySweets used, but I got those York Peppermint Pieces and added to the mix. They are minty, and pretty blue and white.

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Thin Mint Puppy Chow - SN Variation

16 oz Real Chocolate [chips/bakers/etc. Just not 'chocolate flavored' whathaveyou]

4 oz Andes Mint Pieces

10 cups Rice Chex cereal

2 cups pwd. sugar

Optional; m'n'm's, york peppermint pieces

 

Just melt the chocolates together, pour over the cereal, toss in the pwd sugar, spread out and let set 10-20min on wax paper or foil. Add candy. Enjoy!

 

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Have a blessed day!

Kerry

Spring Savings!

Hello everyone!! This post is to update you on what's happening this month at Simply Natural Designs. Two things, so keep reading...

#1. 10% off all items every weekend.
Every weekend this month [April 2013] you can get 10% off all items on the etsy store. Simply use the COUPON CODE : "SPRINGSAVINGS" to get 10% off your total purchase every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in April! Go to www.SimplyNaturalDesigns.etsy.com to start shopping!
[If you are local to Potosi area, let me know before you make your purchase and we can work out a pick-up so you don't have to pay for shipping!]

 

#2. 20% of every sale goes to Run For the Son.
Every day from April 1st until May 4th, 20% of every sale made on or off line will benefit the CMA [Christian Motorcyclist Association] yearly fundraiser, Run For the Son [RFS]. Of the funds raised, CMA gives away 60% of it to other Christian organizations dedicated to spreading the gospel. These organization include:



       The JESUS Film Project - This ministry takes the film about Jesus to countries all over the world, from remote jungles to inner cities, to share the Gospel in the peoples native language [or 'heart-language']. Then, they provide them with discipleship mentors and Biblical materials as well as an audio Bible in their heart-language.
        OpenDoors - This ministry, founded by Brother Andrew, smuggles Bibles into restricted nations, bring Truth and Hope to many lost in darkness, and serving persecuted Christians worldwide.
        Missionary Ventures International - This third ministry partner provides transportation to indigenous pastors so they can travel farther, faster, and reach more of their country men with the Gospel. They often receive motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, boats, horses and even donkeys; what ever is the most useful for them and their area.
        Christian Motorcyclist Association - This ministry is dedicated to 'Changing the world, one heart at a time'. They strive to reach out primarily to motorcyclists, but not exclusively, with the Gospel of Christ. They print and provide tracts, and training tools to equip members to reach out to their communities with love, truth and hope.

We are shown that through averages over the years [this fundraiser has been going strong since 1988!] each dollar that Run For the Son receives equals 10 people hearing the gospel and 1 person making a decision for Christ!

So, if you go to my website and purchase three tubes of lip balm for 9.00 [but you get 10% off! -.90 = 8.10] and 20% of that goes to missions that = $1.80. Nearly 20 people will hear the gospel in their native tongue and 2 will make a decision for follow Christ! Praise the Lord that He can use that for His glory!

I think I've covered everything, if you have any questions, let me know!!

Blessings

-Kerry-

 

Sock Completion!

Yay! I finally finished a pair of socks today that I have honestly been working on for over 3 years... :^\ I started them and got a good ways done on the 'leg' of the sock and realized my gauge was WAY off, so I had to order the right size needles in the right length [because I like doing two-at-a-time-socks] and once they finally got ordered and arrived I didn't start right away and once I did I did not work on them stedily at all...

 

But, they are done now! I finished the toe with the Kitchener Stitch which is a really neat way of grafting two sets of live stitches together and make it look like there is hardly even a seam. I followed the instructions for it in this handy video. But I only watched it for the first sock, doing it step by step with the video. By then I 'thought' I had it figured out so I did the second sock without watching the video... the result? I have a weird seam on that one. So, I was able to take it out and redo it.

 

I gave them to my Mom... She loves them! They fit her perfectly, too! I'm so pleased. :^)

 

 

Have a great week! Make time to create something!

Kerry

 

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"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."

Psalm 90:17

Valentine

Yes, you read that right. Valentine. I set this as a draft one day when the pictures weren't cooperating and then completely forgot about it! Oh well, here it is now. My Valentines day project! A 'lovely' heart shaped pine cone wreath with a "Love" banner made from washi tape! Enjoy!

 

Happy Monday!

Kerry

 

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"And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

I Corinthians 13:13

Birthday Craftyness

I've been getting crafty in the kitchen this past week!  And I've made a couple short videos about the experiance. Did you know SimplyNatural had a youtube channel!???! You better go check it out!

Phase 1:

http://youtu.be/U91A9I4XUKs

 

Phase 2:

http://youtu.be/U91A9I4XUKs
 

 

Have a great day!

Kerry

Solomon's Seal Ointment

Today, as well as getting some knitting done, I got a small batch of ointment made up.

 

 

I wild crafted this Solomon's Seal root my self just this fall. There is a small patch that has sprouted up at the edge of my yard [which is also the edge of the woods]. I only had to dig one shovel full of dirt on the edge of the patch to get enough roots to make this little batch of ointment. I only noticed this spot where the Solomon's seal has decided to sprout up about two or three years ago, and then it was just one long slender plant. Now, there are at least 20 graceful stalks and more each spring.

 

Solomon's Seal is an herb that enjoys the cool dampness of the woods; like the ones found right here in the Ozark foot hills of Missouri. It is native to both the U.S.A. and Europe.

 

The primary uses are external. As a poultice it is suggested for bruises, inflammations and wounds. As a wash it is used for skin problems, blemishes and poison ivy. It is also stated to be good for neuralgia, [which is a sharp or 'biting' nerve pain, generally due to nerve damage or irritation] which explains it's use for de quervain's tendonitis or 'Mommy's Thumb'; a condition effecting two tendons of the hand, from the thumb to the wrist causing acute pain. I also wonder if it wouldn't aid in relieving the pain associated with shingles.

 

It is a folk remedy for piles [hemorrhoids], rheumatism, arthritis, lung ailments and skin irritations. One text states, 'will allay pain and heal piles, pulmonary consumption and bleeding of the lungs, also inflamed stomach and bowels'.

 

In Galen's time a distilled water of Solomon's Seal was used as a cosmetic, and Culpepper wrote; "the diluted water of the whole plant used to the face or other parts of the skin, cleanses it from freckles, spots or any marks whatever, leaving the place fresh, fair and lovely, for which purpose it is much used by the Italian ladies, and is the principle ingredients in cosmetics and beauty washes advertised by perfumers at a high price".

 

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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please use common sense and consult a professional health care provider you trust with any decisions regarding your health and well being.

New Designs for a New year

Happy New Year! Wanted to share what I've decided to start for this new year.

I am always very inspired by stories. I've thought of designing projects that reflect the stories that I read/see/hear. I wanted to start with a fictional seires that I've really enjoyed, but then I decided to start with True stories. Stories that should be told. If I were to wear something designed with at story, when someone asked me about it, I'd have the opportunity to share that story.

 

I'm reading a devotional book called "the Midnight Bride" by Richard Wurmbrand. It is a beautiful study of the Song of Solomon and a journey with the Persecuted Church, who is, the Bride of Christ. There are many stories of individuals who choose to stand for Christ with the possiblity of death than to deny the Truth that had bestowed upon them true love and freedom.

 

The story I came to, as I was thinking of designing patterns for Real Life Heros, was that of Mary Dyer. Have you heard of her? She was hung in what is now Massachusetts in the seventeenth century because of the calling Christ had placed on her life.

 

As it is stated in 'the Midnight Bride"; "... a law was passed declaring that all Quakers entering the British Colony should be whipped, imprisoned and put to forced labor. Every exiled Quaker who returned was to be hanged. The 'crime' of the Quakers was their belief in an inner illumination, a direct communion with God without the intermediary of clergy or ritual.

"Once such Quaker was Mary Dyer. Though she had been whipped and threatened with death, she repeatedly went to the colony from Rhode Island to visit her brethren in jail. Finally, Mary and two others were sentenced to hang. She attended the execution of the other two, then her hands were tied and black sack was put over her head. But at the last moment, she was reprieved and deported.

"She returned to Massachusetts. She was risking public flagellation and having her tongue pierced with a red hot iron. At her trial she declared: 'If you do not revoke your unjust laws, the Lord will send other witnesses of the truth after my death. Compared with liberty and truth, my life does not matter.' For this, she died. She was a valiant Christian."

 

 

After hearing this story, and searching for more info and seeing the memorial statues on this Christain American Hero, I began drafting a shawl pattern to remember her brave actions. From the statue, it kind of looks like she may be wearing a small shawl with some kind of belt to keep the ends in place. This is the basic structure I'm going with for my pattern.

 

I've chosen two types of cables; the first one, and the one that makes up the bulk of the garment is called Simple Chains. It is fitting; A Quaker is bound to a simple life, by the chains of their beliefs. Not that the beliefs of a Christian should ever be compared to chains, for it is by this that we are set free. But, we do serve a master, everyone. If we are not a slave to God then we are a slave to the devil and this world.

The second cable pattern is just called Double Twisted Cable which will go around the neckline of the shawl. This I choose to remember the fact that she was not once on the gallows but twice [double] and it was in this 'twist' of events that God allowed her more time to impact the world around her.

 

 

I hope to update again soon with my progress on this project.

 

Thanks for reading!

Kerry