When it comes to choosing interior colors for our new home, I have little trouble knowing exactly what I want.
Choosing a roof color, however, is trickier! I definitely know that we want a white house. But when it comes to the roof, I am lost. I have been obsessing over shingle samples for several weeks now. Up close, they all look very similar. And pictures are not accurate representations of what the shingles look like in person. Basically, I have narrowed it down to off-black, dark gray, and light gray. Here are some example inspiration pictures of what I like in each color. Continue reading Choosing a Roof Color→
These whole wheat bread machine cinnamon rolls are simpler than you might think! The bread machine makes fresh, gooey rolls attainable right from your very own kitchen! Nothing compares to the yummy smell, and the kids have a blast helping to throw them together. If you don’t want to get up early enough to make them in time for breakfast, you can assemble them the night before (except for icing them). Simply assemble the rolls according to the directions, cover with foil and refrigerate. The next morning all you have to do is take them out of the fridge and allow them to set at room temperature for about an hour before baking and icing as usual. Your family and your guests will thank you! I promise! Continue reading Whole Wheat Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls→
These curried chickpeas are a hearty addition to our meal plan rotation. Preparation is quick and simple, and the smell of the sweet curry wafting through the house is a welcome addition on a chilly afternoon. Besides being delicious, it is packed with protein and fiber, and plenty of nutrient-rich vegetables. We like to serve it with steamed quinoa topped with freshly diced pineapple, tomato, and cilantro. For extra heat, you can add more curry paste or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper. This recipe is also an excellent candidate for preparing in bulk and freezing. Continue reading Curried Chickpeas→
These whole wheat brownies with chia seeds and pistachios are perfect for you sweet-and-salty chocolate lovers! And you don’t have to feel guilty since they are also made with whole grains and fiber-rich chia seeds. If you like even more salt to your sweet, you can sprinkle a little kosher salt on top before you pop them in the oven. The feel of these brownies are more cake-like than fudge-like. They have just the right texture , and are perfect served with a glass of icy cold milk! Continue reading Whole Wheat Brownies with Chia Seeds and Pistachios→
Many of you have left comments and suggestions regarding the planning of our homestead in the country. However, one of the points of Wholesteading is that you can be somewhat self -sufficient even in the suburbs. Currently we do not have the big white farmhouse or the acres and acres of land to work with. But what we do have works for us now and allows us some degree of Wholesteading, even in the suburbs. For those of you who are curious about what our homestead looks like in suburbia, here are a few shots that capture both the outside and inside of our little “farm” and “farmhouse”. Continue reading Our Homestead in Suburbia→
This recipe is not difficult, but it does take a lot of time. I usually divide the prep into two separate days. I make the chicken and stock on the first day. On the second day I make the mashed potatoes and use the stock and chicken from the first day to create the creamy chicken vegetable mixture. Then I assemble the casseroles and freeze. It’s a major investment of time but it yields five 9×13 pans of delicious, quick dinners you can grab out of the freezer and throw in the oven for a yummy, hearty meal at the end of a long, hard day. Continue reading Bulk Chicken Pot Pie with Mashed Potato Crust→
It really is daunting to design a home from scratch. There are so many possibilities, and beginning with a blank slate can be intimidating.
But beginning with a blank slate can also be PERFECT IN EVERY WAY! Because you can design a home exactly how YOU want it!
After searching far and wide for the perfect house plan, we discovered that there just wasn’t something out there that met all of our needs and our aesthetic desires. Many houses came close, but there was always something not quite right about the design (usually on the inside). So, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work combining elements of many homes we loved. Continue reading Farmhouse Inspiration→
Are you the type of person who reacts before you know the whole story or before you see the whole picture? Do you pause before you honk?
Let’s face it. All of us have acted in haste without knowing all of the facts. We explode at our spouse, children, friends, and strangers before we ever try to see the situation from their point of view. The other day I had the opportunity to witness this phenomenon acted out before my eyes. Continue reading Pause Before You Honk→
The first time I had these Cowboy Beans I was blown away. They are the perfect combination of hearty, comforting, and tasty! Nutritionally, they are packed with a load of protein and fiber . They even have a hefty bit of veggies added. To keep things as healthy as possible, use organic, nitrate free bacon and chorizo sausage. Even better, use a chicken or turkey version of the bacon and sausage if you can find it (although the flavor will be somewhat different). These beans are absolutely lovely and the most satisfying when served with the suggested toppings. If you want to make this dish even better, pair the beans with Sweet Whole Grain Corn Muffins with Jalapenos. I dare you to try this. You’ll never look at beans the same way again! Continue reading Cowboy Beans (Frijoles Charros)→
These Sweet Whole Grain Corn Muffins are beautiful in every way. Not only do they incorporate whole cornmeal and whole wheat, they have an unexpected punch of flavor from the added fresh corn and jalapenos. Of course, you could omit the fresh corn and jalapenos, but I promise the result won’t be nearly as interesting! These muffins make the perfect accompaniment to Cowboy Beans and to most soups in general. Continue reading Sweet Whole Grain Corn Muffins with Jalapenos→
