Chorizo Skillet

I have been planning this post for a while, and then saw someone make the same exact thing and post it on their blog! The early bird catches the worm, I guess, but I decided to post this anyway. This chorizo skillet is quick and inexpensive. We eat it for any meal, since it is so hearty. For breakfast, it is good with a fried egg on the side. If you need to make this recipe go further, just add more cabbage or potatoes. We eat it plain, but some people may want ketchup, salt, or pepper (especially if you decide not to use spicy chorizo and go for regular instead).

1 pkg. spicy chorizo sausage
1 head cabbage, chopped into bite size pieces
5 medium potatoes, diced

Break apart sausage and place in large pan. Add potatoes and cabbage. Saute over medium heat until sausage and potatoes are cooked through (the vegetables will stick at first, so stir often, but then the chorizo will help grease the pan). Serve hot.

Blueberry-Grapefruit Ice

This recipe is adapted from one I found on allrecipes.com  I changed it slightly to include only wholesome, real foods.

3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
3 cups grapefruit juice (I used RealGrapefruit, but fresh squeezed would be best)
1 cup local, raw honey

Blend until liquid and combined. Freeze in a baking dish for three hours. Stir to break up the chunks, and freeze again for another three hours. Drag fork across, creating a fluffy ice and serve. Garnish with whipped cream or mint, if desired.

I think this would be delicious blended with yogurt or kefir to make a frozen yogurt pop. If you are avoiding plastics, I recommend Stainless Steel Popsicle Mold

For more real food recipes, visit the Healthy Home Economist's Monday Mania

This post is also apart of Real Food Wednesdays over at Kelly the Kitchen Kop

Go check them out, these ladies are incredible!

Healthy Chocolate Pudding

Inspired by some pinterest pins, I made this dessert, but substituted wholesome food for some of the junk in the other recipes. It is delicious, with no fake ingredients, and no cooking required. This would also be great frozen  into popsicles.

4-5 peeled, frozen bananas
1/4 cup non-alkaline cocoa powder (I recommend Rapunzel Pure Organic Cocoa Powder, 7.1-Ounce Packages (Pack of 3) )
1/4 cup milk or coconut milk
1/4 cup coconut, if desired ( I recommend unsweetened and organic like Let's Do Organic Shredded, Unsweetened Coconut, 8-Ounce Packages (Pack of 12) )
2 tbsp coconut oil, if desired
Blend and eat as is, or freeze for a delicious pudding pop!

My version of Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnati style chili is a bit different than other chili, and around here, we eat out chili in many different ways.

Cheese coneys: hotdog on a bun, topped with chili, onions, mustard, and cheese
3 way: chili on top of spaghetti, topped with cheese. Best served with oyster crackers and hot sauce.
4 way: same as three way, but with the addition of beans or onions
5 way: like a 3 way, but with both onions and beans
6 way: like a 5 way, but with minced garlic on top as well
Nachos: tortilla chips, chili, sour cream, lettuce, onions, cheese, jalapenos, and black olives
Low Carb Coney: chopped hotdogs in a bowl, topped with chili, onions, mustard, and cheese
Chili Cheese Dip: cube 8oz of cream cheese, place in pie plate, cover with chili, and top with shredded cheddar. Bake on 375 until cheese is melted. Serve with tortilla chips
Burritos: tortilla, chili, rice, lettuce, onion, cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, and black olives
Walking taco: open an individual sized bag of fritos, ladle some chili in, and top with cheese, sour cream, and any other toppings you like.
Alligator: pickle spear on a bun, made like a cheese coney

I have my own chili recipe I make, that combines traditional chili and Cincinnati style. We like to make it a 5 way (my chili contains beans, though normal Cincinnati style does not).

1lb. ground beef*
1 bay leaf
3 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp basil (or italian seasoning)
1/4 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp cumin
1/2 tbsp onion or garlic powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
4 15 oz. cans tomato sauce or 2 small cans tomato paste
1 15oz can kidney beans

Add all ingredients to crock pot and cook on low until beef is done. You may also cook on high for a few hours, if you need it done faster. Remove bay leaf, then serve in any of the ways (no pun intended) listed above. With all of the ways, I like to salt it and add hot sauce and oyster crackers.

*I add the ground beef raw, but some people brown it and drain it first to help control fat and help it cook faster. If is a matter of preference.

If you are out of cocoa powder, but have chocolate chips: omit cocoa powder AND sugar, and just add 1/4 cup chocolate chips. It sounds weird, but it is amazing!

My favorite green cleaning supplies

I always try to choose greener options for our household. Aside from using peroxide, baking soda, salt, essential oils, and vinegar, I do like to use some commercial products to clean. Here are a few of my favorites. What are some of your favorite ways to get your house nice and clean?

The pink grapefruit smell of this is wonderful. I do wonder where the fragrance comes from though. I use this for bathroom deep cleans.

This really gets the toilet clean. The smell is fine, but not my favorite.

Love the dishwashing liquid! My favorite is the lavender mint, though this Lemongrass & Clementine Zest is really refreshing.

Charlie's soap is wonderful. In my mother in laws HE washer, we only use 1 tsp., making it last for 240 loads. At $12 a container, that is only 5 cents a load!

These are the best! Kills all sorts of germs without any worry of creating super bugs, as it is botanical. I love the smell, and use them for quick bathroom wipe downs.

Dr. Bronner's can do anything. Wash dishes, floors, babies, clothes, use as a toothsoap, shave cream, scented bath. I love it!

I love Bon Ami. It is gentle, cheap, and works great on my tub! Its the scrub that "hasn't scratched yet."

(Photo used with permission from bonami.com)

Organization tips from Pinterest and the internet

I have found some really wonderful organization and home keeping tips on Pinterest and websites I love.  Rather than steal the ideas and post them, I am going to put the addresses here so you go go explore the websites and ideas for yourself. Feel free to follow my Keeping Home and Organization boards on Pinterest so you can pin these pages, if you like.  Follow Me

1. How to fold a fitted sheet 
2. Cleaning stains from stored baby clothes
3. How to Fix Dents in Wooden Floors
4. Removing the black gunk from your drains
5. Making a cookie sheet look like new
6. How to clean your blinds
7. Making your own orange cleaner and cleaning the showerhead
8. Homemade Lavender Laundry Detergent
9. Outdoor Toy Organization
10. Dishwasher cleaner and other useful tips
11. Magic carpet cleaner
12. Grab and Go Fridge Snack Station
13. Measuring Cup Station and Other Kitchen Organization
14. Scarf Organization
15. Media console from old dresser
16. Wall storage from mason jars
17. Ribbon Organization  originally from this website
18. Freezer organization
19. Menu Boards
20. Super easy freezer cooking
21. Desk drawer organization
22. Electronics charging holder
 23. Small craft storage
24. Underbed storage for children's rooms and how to build the bed!
25. Managing Car Garbage
26. Household Command Center
27. How to make cute storage bins
28. Laundry Organization
29. Sheet organization
30. Can organization
31. Art supply storage
32. Pantry organization
33. Marker, Color Pencil, or Crayon Storage
34. How to build a food storage rotation shelf
35. Perpetual Memory Calendar
36. Drying Kitchen Sponges
37. Building a pantry for a teeny space
38. Free homemade chip clips
39. Documents You Should Have
40. Traveling with Shoes
41. Remove Grease on Clothes
42. Dehumidify Closet without Electricity
43. Preventing Sweat Stains
44. Mattress Spring Cleaning
45. Do It Yourself Drying Rack
46. Out the Door Organization
47. Stretch Your Fabric Softener
48. Frost free windshields and other great ideas
49. Natural cleaners for windows and mirrors
50. Cleaning the showerhead
51. Homemade Cleaners


I will create more posts in the future as I find more good ideas. Hope you enjoy them. Do you have any links to a great organization or home keeping post?

Dowload a printable version of this from Three Little Monkeys Studio

Cabbage Enchilada Casserole

We had this for dinner tonight, and I think it is delicious. My friend used to make this for my family all of the time. It is perfect for a meatless meal, and is inexpensive. It isn't very pretty to look at, but the taste makes up for it!

1 head of cabbage, shredded*
14-15 ounces enchilada sauce
1 1/2 - 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz. queso fresco (mexican white cheese), crumbled
8 corn tortillas

Preheat oven to 375.
In a large baking dish, spoon in enchilada sauce until it is covered.

Dip corn tortillas in enchilada sauce, so each side is coated. Place 4 into the baking dish. If you need to, break some in half to cover parts of the dish.

Mix shredded cabbage with queso fresco and enough enchilada sauce to moisten. Dump on top of the four corn tortillas, and top with remaining tortillas. Cover with shredded cheese and bake 30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve with sour cream and hot sauce, if desired.

*If you do not like crisp-tender cabbage, I would recommend you saute it before adding to the dish.

Makes 6 servings.