Homemade Honey Lemon Cough Drops

Homemade Honey Lemon Cough Drops

Quick and easy homemade cough drops.  I modified a standard candy recipe from LorAnn to suit my daughter's sore throat unsure it would come out right...well, it worked!  Note:  honey in the candy makes these candies stick to your teeth when bitten.  Be sure to suck on them.

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
2 Tbls. local honey
2 drops Sun Breeze essential oil from Sunrider
4 drops Thieves Young Living essential oil blend
2 drops Lemon Young Living essential oil
Hard candy molds (optional) or a piece of parchment paper on a metal cookie tray with sides
Powdered sugar 

Have everything prepared ahead of time, so you can work quickly.  I used a metal baking sheet and a piece of parchment paper.  

 Thoroughly mix sugar and light corn syrup in a 4-cup microwave-safe glass measure designed for high temperatures (such as Pyrex). Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes and 10 seconds.*

 Remove from the microwave and carefully remove plastic wrap. Quickly add 2 Tbls. honey and stir the sugar mixture and then cover with a NEW sheet of plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 3 minutes and 20 seconds.*

Remove from microwave, carefully remove plastic wrap and stir with a clean spoon. After a moment when the boiling has stopped, drop in and stir in the essential oils of Lemon, Thieves, and Sunbreeze oil.

 Pour syrup quickly, but carefully using a spoon to control flow, onto prepared cookie sheet and parchment paper or into the waiting molds. As the sugar mixture begins to set up, you may want to score with a large knife to mark squares. Break into pieces when cool.

 Cool completely. Lightly dust with powdered sugar on both sides, brushing off excess. Break into small pieces. Put a small amount of powdered sugar in a quart size freezer zip-loc bag and the candy/cough drop pieces.  Close bag and shake to cover all the cough drops with powdered sugar.  Store in the refrigerator.

* All microwaves are not created equal. This recipe is designed to work in a standard household microwave with a power rating approx. 700 watts. Mini-microwaves and/or commercial microwaves are not recommended.

You won't find anything comparable to Sunbreeze^® Oil on the market. That's because it's formulated by owner expertise for quality and safety. It's a great product to use when introducing people to Sunrider, because you can have a refreshing experience by massaging a few drops to your neck, muscles or temples.
Sunbreeze^® Balm and Oil can soothe muscles. Both feel cool and refreshing and are ideal for overall rubdowns.  Contains:  menthol, cassia oil, mint extract, eucalyptus oil and camphor.  I have a few .17 fl. oz. bottles for sale of $12.  A little bit goes a long way.

Decorate an inexpensive clock with a cereal box image

My child loves Trader Joe's Joe's O's cereal. I had the brilliant idea to decorate my low-budget IKEA clock with the round bowl of cereal image and used number stickers from my Creative Memories sticker supply. I used my circle-cutter to make the circle in the middle. What do you think of it?

Plank Challenge

Plank Challenge!

Here are the muscles worked by planking:

Personally, I don't think that tells the whole picture.  Just try to do a plank without engaging your glutes.  And when you squeeze your booty, you also engage your thighs. 

Here's the proper form for a plank:

In a push-up motion, raise your body off the floor, supporting your weight on your forearms and your toes (Rest your body on your forearms with your palms flat on the floor). You should have a straight line from your feet to your head. For comfort, you can rotate your elbows to a 45 degree angle and clasp your palms together in the center. Make sure that your back is flat and your head, neck and spine are in a straight line.

Keep your abdominal muscles engaged and do not let your stomach drop or allow for your hips to rise up. To avoid letting your hips or butt rise up, tilt your pelvis towards the floor. Remember to breathe. This applies to all planks.


Modified for back or shoulder issues:

Modified for bad knees:

*Courtesy of From Fat to Fit Chick.  

So, who's in?

 The 30 Day Plank Challenge will send your core strength through the roof!
Day 1 - 20 seconds
Day 2 - 20 seconds
Day 3 - 30 seconds
Day 4 - 30 seconds
Day 5 - 40 seconds
Day 6 - REST
Day 7 - 45 seconds
Day 8 - 45 seconds
Day 9 - 60 seconds
Day 10 - 60 seconds
Day 11 - 60 seconds
Day 12 - 90 seconds
Day 13 - REST
Day 14 - 90 seconds
Day 15 - 90 seconds
Day 16 - 120 seconds
Day 17 - 120 seconds
Day 18 - 150 seconds
Day 19 - REST
Day 20 - 150 seconds
Day 21 - 150 seconds
Day 22 - 180 seconds
Day 23 - 180 seconds
Day 24 - 210 seconds
Day 25 - 210 seconds
Day 26 - REST
Day 27 - 240 seconds
Day 28 - 240 seconds
Day 29 - 270 seconds
Day 30 - PLANK FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Making your own vanilla extract is not difficult.
I made my own vanilla extract this year. I didn't think about how it could be a gift. I didn't transfer it to a jar or little jars. I just use it straight from the bottle! But then I read about it here: www.kitchenproject.com/vanilla/4FoldVanillaExtract.htm

Oopsie Roll Recipe

These are called Oopsie Rolls.  It's like biting into a cloud.  Mmmmm.  I eat them plain, or as a bread substitute.  Store the extra in a paper bag.


Oopsie Rolls
3 large eggs
pinch of cream of tartar (1/8 tsp)
3 ounces cream cheese (Do not soften)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Separate the eggs and add cream cheese to the yolks. Use a mixer to combine the ingredients together. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff (if you’re using the same mixer, mix the whites first and then the yolk mixture). Using a spatula, gradually fold the egg yolk mixture into the white mixture, being careful not to break down the whites. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray and spoon the mixture onto the sheet, making 6 mounds. Flatten each mound slightly.

Bake about 30 minutes (You want them slightly softer, not crumbly). Let cool on the sheet for a few minutes, and then remove to a rack and allow them to cool. Store in a loosely open sack and allow to rest on the counter before use (otherwise they might be too moist). Can be frozen.

Notes: If you are making these to be savory (for burgers) you can add dry mustard and dill or other seasonings to the yolk mixture. If you want a more sweet roll, add a very small amount of stevia natural sweetener to the yolk mixture.

Makes 6 Induction Friendly, Gluten-Free rolls.
Nutritional information per roll: Calories:85 , Carbohydrates: .6 g, Fiber: 0g, Net Carbohydrates: .6g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7.5

Chocolate Shakeology "Delight" Frozen Candies

Frozen Chocolate Shakeology "Delight" 

You might have seen recipes for "Fat Bombs" going around.  The name just turns some people off.  Except for those following LCHF diets maybe.  Well, I've adjusted the recipe and my kids are loving it!   I use

1 cup coconut oil (melted)
1 cup almond butter
1 cup chocolate Shakeology
1/3 to 1/2 cup local honey

Mix it all together and pour into the handy candy mold that is also the plastic top of egg cartons...see photo below.  Freeze, pop into a container and store in the freezer.  

My high schooler can eat two pieces in the morning and he's not hungry after that.  Meanwhile my 12 yr old can eat 3 eggs, bacon, a can of lentil soup, and that's after one of these frozen candies!

This time I'm filling it with greenberry Shakeology for bite size frozen treats.

Enjoy!

And to find out more about how awesome Shakeology is, please visit www.shakeology.com/lisabellison

No-Bake Cookies / Shakeo style

No-Bake Cookies

One of these delicious chocolate and nut butter cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth without wrecking your diet.

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Yield: 25 cookies
Ingredients:
• 1 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter
• 1 cup quick cooking oats
• ½ cup honey
• 1 cup Chocolate Shakeology


Preparation:
1. Combine peanut butter, honey, oats and Shakeology in medium bowl. Mix well.
2. Roll 24 balls, each the size of 1 tbsp.
3. Flatten each slightly so takes on the shape of a traditional cookie.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 115

Fat: 6g

Saturated Fat: 1g

Cholesterol: 2mg

Sodium: 39mg

Carbohydrate: 15g

Fiber: 1g

Sugar: 7g

Protein: 5g

DIY Hand Weights

I signed up as a coach and joined a challenge.  A beachbody challenge.  I've been "pushing play" almost every day this month.  There is one DVD that uses hand weights.  I have never owned them.  I've tried family size cans of soup.  They are wide and cramp my hands and they are too light!   So, I scrounged around the house and found two wrenches and wrapped them in plastic wrap, kept it in place with a couple of rubber bands, then used duck tape to secure it.  Now I won't get those metal grooves indented in my hands!

Now I need just two more wrenches for the other hand!
To learn more about Beachbody, the Beachbody Challenge, and/or Shakeology, please visit
beachbodycoach.com/lisabellison

DYI Vinyl Gutter Bookshelves

We love books. Having books facing out helps keep them noticed and easier to find for a quick read. This formally unusable wall in between the children's bedrooms makes a great space for these vinyl gutter bookshelves. I didn't bother getting the end-caps, as each pair costs as much as a 10 ft piece of gutter. The end caps would make these a little more sturdy though. The kids love having their books out in a common area and in plain sight! Find these titles and more at r3844.myubam.com

Pretty straight forward and easy to make.  I asked the attendant to cut the gutters for me at my desired length, these are 35 inches each.  I could drill a few holes to screw them in, but I purchased those 3M sticky things and so far they are doing well!

"Life-Changing" 2 Minute Flax Bread

"Life-Changing" 2 Minute Flax Bread
 *original recipe, see my notes at the bottom for adjusted recipe

2 slices 1 carb.

1/4 cup flax meal,
1/4 cup coconut flour, almond flour, or equivalent,
1 tsp baking powder,
1/8 tsp salt,
2 beaten eggs,
1/8 tsp vinegar,
2 drops liquid stevia

Combine dry ingredients, add eggs+vinegar, spread in greased 8x8 and microwave for 2 min.

2 slices, 195 cal, 13g fat, 9 carbs-8g fiber, 12.29g protein.

*  I substituted baking soda for baking powder. I used a dinner plate so mine was round. It was pretty big and can be sliced for portions and for sandwiches.
Enjoy!