Peanut Butter Substitute

When we first moved to this town, my girls started attending one of the elementary buildings that was nut free.  Many people complained or thought it was difficult.  I always took the stand that is is really no big deal compared to having a child with a severe nut (or any other) allergy.  Besides, it isn't that hard to substitute anymore since these allergies seem to be increasing in incidence and companies are coming out with great alternatives.

So instead of peanut butter, this is what you CAN have:

FYI - Oreos are nut free too! YUMMY YUM YUM

Thank you for visiting with me!  If you have a moment, please leave a comment and take a peek at the shops to the right!

:)

Blessings!

Shelly

Healthy Breakfast Bars - That REALLY do taste yummy!

In our house, we call these "Toby Bars."  They are actually a high protein breakfast bar recipe that my daughter obtained from a family for whom she babysits.  The family calls them "Toby Bars" to get their little one to eat them. :)  They are a version of Girl Power bars but with lots of modifications.

Ingredients:  Oats (quick or old fashioned - I've used both), Walnuts, Flaxseed, Wheat Germ, Puffed Cereal (you know like Honey Smacks without the sugar and honey), Dried Fruit (any kinds), Peanut Butter, Brown Sugar, Honey and Vanilla

(Notice the jar of honey? It's from the local Amish stores :)

Note:  If you don't have flaxseed or wheat germ, leave them out and add few extra oats :)  This recipe is very forgiving!

Add all of the dry ingredients...

I used about 1/2 cup of dried mixed berries and 1/2 cup dried blueberries - because this is what hubby bought at the store. :o)

Stir all the dry ingredients.

Add the brown sugar, honey and peanut butter to your pan.

Stop, don't forget to spray a 9x13 pan before you melt the ingredients.  Once it is melted, you move somewhat quickly - but not as quickly as Rice Krispie bars.

Stir for a few minutes.

It doesn't take long to get bubbly.  Then you're done. Add the vanilla after you remove it from the heat.

Pour it over your dry mixture and stir.

This is what it will look like.

Pour it into your pan and spread out.

Pat it firmly.

I usually refrigerate for a little while, then cut into different sized bars in case someone isn't that hungry. (Oh, okay, I can't cut straight to save my life.)  I wrap mine in plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator.

Grab and go!

Recipe:

2 cups oats

1/2 cup chopped walnut 

(Yep, I used the leftover chopped walnuts from the meatless meatballs found HERE)

2 Tablespoons flaxseed

4 Tablespoons wheat germ

2 cups unsweetened puffed cereal

1 cup total dried fruits

1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky - add a little extra if using chunky)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

Truth be told is that I absolutely love these bars.  However, I seem to have developed an intolerance for honey, syrup, invert sugars.  Not sure why, I just feel like I'm coming down with something but don't.  Anyone else experience that?

Anyway...What do YOU usually eat for breakfast?  

Leave a comment below!  

Thanks for viewing my blog!

~Shelly

Click HERE or the cat to write a caption!

Printable Posters for Counselors

I have been working on printable posters for the local school counselors.  Of course, if you know me well, I can't just make one. (Some call it diligent - but really, it is more like OCD.)  Here they are.  Please leave a comment and vote for your favorite! Oh, I just realized I made nine - darn, I should have made one more! LOL

Option A:  Chalkboard with Red Glitter Border

Option B: Chalkboard - No Border

Option C:  Dark Brick Wall

Option D:  Light Brick Wall

Option E:  Partial Polka Dot Border

Option F: Polka Dots

 Option G:  Green Chevron

 Option H:  Mustache with Red Glitter/Gray Chevron

Option I:  Mustache with Red Glitter/Light Gray Chevron

Thank you for visiting! Please leave a comment below! :)

~Shelly

UPDATE:

You may purchase these posters...

 Etsy

OR

TpT

Meatless Monday - Vegetarian Meatballs

I thought I would share our meal last night.  One of my daughters is a vegetarian, so I usually make two versions of the same meal.  BTW, she is vegetarian because she feels sorry for the animals.  My hubby grew up on a cattle farm, so yes, I make two meals. :)   It really isn't that difficult.  For example, last night I planned pork roast in the crock pot.  It is over 90 degrees here, and I didn't want to turn the oven on or grill out!  For our main meal, we had pork roast, carrots, corn on the cob (which was a fail) and mashed potatoes.  For the vegetarian option, I made walnut balls.

They are super easy!  Mix 4 eggs slightly beaten, 2 cups shredded cheese (your choice on kind), 3/4 cups chopped walnuts, 1 cup bread crumbs, and choice of seasonings.  I used salt, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper.  Add others if you want it more spicy or flavorful.  We tend to be more mild here.

I put it in the refrigerator for 1/2 or so - or until I remember I put them in there!  Roll into balls and place on a greased (cooking spray) cookie sheet.

While you are waiting for the mixture to get cold, I want to share with you a wonderful gift I received from my daughters one Christmas.  When I received it, I wasn't sure I would use it.  Turns out it is used weekly - either for chopping or smoothies!

The NINJA 

Best kitchen tool ever!

These only take about 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. (So much for not using my oven today)

Remove and let cool.

Place a few in a crock pot with 1 can vegetable broth, veggies of choice and onion.

I put it on high for a couple hours.

Here is the broth I use:

Since there is no way she would eat all of these at once.  I put the remainder "meatballs" in a freezer bag and freeze.  These are so easy to grab when we are having a meal that isn't vegetarian.  Just throw in the crock pot frozen like the above photo.

Here is a photo after they have simmered for a few hours.

...and I wouldn't let her eat until she cut one in half for a photo op! :)

ENJOY!

How to Test a Battery

My mom (she's quite handy) sent me this frugal tip on how to test a battery.  It is quite clever and could come in handy.  Is the flashlight broken or is the the battery?

Have a wonderful day!

Please take a peek at my shops to the right. :) Thanks!

UPDATE:  We have a little eyebrow trimmer that wasn't working well.  I took the battery out and found a new AAA one.  I tested it.  Sure enough the old one bounced and the new one didn't!  WOW!

The decision is made...

My sister finally decided which sign she liked best.  I saved the JPEG file on my flash drive to take to a local print shop.  Since I sold another canvas painting, I had to go to Hobby Lobby for an 8x10 canvas.  Walgreen is right across the street, so I decided to try there.  Here's the recap:

Step 1: Save JPEG to a flash drive.

Step 2:  Go the the printing kiosk and insert flash drive. If you aren't sure how to do it, they have great customer service.  I chose the 8x10 but was a little disappointed I couldn't choose matte finish.  I could only do glossy.

Step 3:  Wait 5 minutes (LOL) - How convenient is that?!

Step 4:  Pay.  I know this isn't the best price in town, but the location was convenient.

Step 5: Choose a frame. I had some frames on hand from so other projects.  You can find decent ones at the Dollar Store sometimes, but the last ones I purchased were awful....lots of chips and unusable.  Ugh.

Here are some good ones:




 Your local discount stores or craft stores have them as well.

Step 6:  Display the final project (and then wrap for sister!) BTW, the glossy finish worked out great!

Thank you for visiting with me!  Please visit my stores to the right!
~Shelly

Printable Bathroom Art Sign

So I was talking on the phone with my oldest sister and telling her to check out my new store.  Well, she really liked it!  Her birthday is coming soon, so I told her I would create a custom sign for her.  She really liked this printable quote:

Enjoy the little things in life, 

for one day you may look back 

and realize they were the big things.

She also recently painted her bathroom a greenish-yellow with this shower curtain:

So, I have been working on some signs.  I decided to give her some choices. What is your favorite?

Option A:

Option B:

 

Option C:

Option D:

Please feel free to leave a comment and tell me which one you like best!

Blessings!
~Shelly

Free Printable DIY Quote Sign

To celebrate the GRAND OPENING of my new etsy store, I am offering this FREE printable sign for your home decor!  In return, I only ask that you visit one of my etsy stores to the right and add it to your favorites.

So what is a printable sign?  

It is a high resolution JPEG file that you may print from home, from your local print shop, or an online print shop.

What is a JPEG file?

This is a common file format for digital photos or other digital graphics.

What is high resolution?

This simply means that you will be able to print this in LARGE sizes without the picture becoming fuzzy.  You could even print on canvas!

So how to I begin with this freebie?

Step 1: Right click on the image below, then "Save As."  Be sure to remember in which file you save it!  If you purchase a sign from my store, the steps will be the same. You will be sent the file immediately upon payment.

Step 2a:  For an online store, upload the file to your favorite online print store, such as Shutterfly, Snapfish, Walmart, Target, etc.  Then follow the directions on the site.  Since this file isn't super high resolution, you will choose the size 4" x 6".  Then choose either matte or glossy finish.

Step 2b:  For a local store, save the file to a flash drive. Customer service will then assist you at one of their machines.  You will want to choose 4" x 6" size.

Step 2c:  For printing at home, I recommend using powerpoint.  Simply "Insert Picture" and size your picture to approximately 4" x 6" size.  Click on "Print."

Step 3:  Find or purchase a frame. The Dollar Store has nice one or you could go fancy. If you purchase from Hobby Lobby, don't forget to use their 40% off coupon on your smart phone.

If you are interested in printing this sign in larger sizes (up to 20" x 30"), please left click on the picture to purchase the high resolution file  in my store for only 50 cents!  (Just to cover my listing and selling fees.)  Thank you!

Copyright Shelly Anton, We Love Printable Art 2013, for non-commercial use. Please do not redistribute. You may not share online anywhere!

I will post freebies and general ideas from time to time.  Please follow my blog, so you don't miss out!

Many blessings,

Shelly

If you are interested in royalty free (for commercial use) clipart, please click the image below.

Click HERE or the cat to write a caption!