My Homestead

cooking, vegan, recipes, family, gardening at Lita’s house

Tip Tuesday – Green vs Toxic Cleaning

Are you still bringing toxins into your home for cleaning? Are you not even sure what these toxins are and what the alternatives are (like I was)? Let me help. Here’s a list of ingredients that can be in your toxic cleaning products: Alkylphenol ethocylates (APEs) and Nonyphenols (NPEs) Ammonia Fragrances – which could contain […] Read more…

Meatless Monday – Black Bean Soup a la Libby

Ready for super easy, super tasty recipe? This one is from my daughter Libby who joined the vegetarian world a few months ago. A delicious, filling soup for the winter months. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil 1/2 yellow onion chopped 3 cloves minced garlic 2 cans black beans 1 can refried beans 1 […] Read more…

The Final Phase

My Mother-In-Law began hospice care yesterday. Needless to say there is much sadness in my family right now. I’ve been no stranger to death in my life and the pain and sadness that comes along with it…and the grieving that follows. I’m by no means an expert in what to do or how to behave, […] Read more…

Creating Happiness in 2012

To start 2012 this question has come up on the BlogHer Life Well Lived Panel: How do you plan to create happiness for yourself in 2012? I actually had been giving this sort of question a lot of thought even before receiving it and even before the new year began. Isn’t creating happiness what we […] Read more…

Tip Tuesday – Vegan Field Roast

So, last year on Tuesdays, I called my posts “Green Tip Tuesday” and I shared tips on adding a little “green” and eco-friendliness to your household. This year, I’m going with simply “Tip Tuesday”. I can still share green tips, but also want to share vegan products (which I consider green too) and also any […] Read more…

Meatless Monday – Minestrone Soup

Happy 2012 and welcome to my first Meatless Monday post of the year! I can’t think of a better way to start this year than with a warm, healthy, hearty bowl of soup! This recipe is from my Esalen cookbook – I love it and hope you do too! Ingredients: 1/2 pound uncooked small white […] Read more…

Happy Holidays

AND for the BUBBA lovers: Many Blessings to you and your’s this holiday season and hopes for lots of joy in the New Year!       Read more…

Vegan Snack – Bumble Bar

OH MY GOSH! You may have no idea how delicious these bars are…but you should definitely find out! They come in so many delicious flavors too such as: Pineapple Lemon Cherry Chocolate Crisp Chocolate Cherry Chai Almond Awesome Apricot Peanut Mixed Nut Medley Hazelnut Cashew, and Almond I want to try them all now! If […] Read more…

Nia’s Happy 50th Birthday

Sorry, I’ve been a bit MIA lately. It’s been a bit hectic around here so far this month and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Gotta love the holidays! Last weekend my good friend Nia celebrated her 50th birthday. She celebrated this amazing milestone as only Nia could…with a lot of fun and with […] Read more…

Green Tip Tuesday – Soft Scrub

Another fabulous recipe from: Homemade Soft Scrub Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda warm water 2 -3 drops liquid soap 1. Combine baking soda with enough water to forma  a paste. 2. Add liquid soap. 3. Apply this no-scratch, chlorine free paste to surfaces and let sit for at least 5 minutes. 4. Scrub with a […] Read more…

Green Tip Tuesday – Liquid Dishsoap

I know, I know, you’re thinking “it’s about time she gets back to “Green Tip Tuesdays” Yes, it is about time…I mean I should try to have SOME standards around here. Today, I’m going to share my latest find in “Mother Earth News” magazine. It’s a recipe I’ve been searching for for quite some time […] Read more…

Vegan Snack – Sweet Potato Chips

I’ve found another delicious VEGAN snack option!! The company is called Food Should Taste Good! How’s that for an awesome company name? Food should taste good AND be good for you – even if it’s a snack. I tried their Sweet Potato chips – and as a sworn “chipaholic” I can honestly tell you, they […] Read more…

Yes, I spotted an Elf!

I’m hoping everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Truthfully, I’m still enjoying my Tofurky-Day time off as my mom is here visiting for a couple more days. Just to be sure you didn’t think I wasn’t posting because of some food coma injury, I thought I’d check in and post PROOF that the holidays have really […] Read more…

Gnu Foods Snack Bars

YES!! another delicious vegan bar!! This one from GnuFoods I just tried the Banana Walnut flavor. YUMMY!! 12 grams of fiber (which is 48% of your daily fiber). Good for you heart…and I’m always looking for heart healthy foods (you would too if you had my genetics). Made with 6 whole grains and 100% fruit […] Read more…

Meatless Monday – Vegan Pizza

Happy Thanksgiving week! The week of good food (and probable over-eating) is here! Enjoy & Celebrate! Before we get there though, and before your hours of following recipes, creating divine dishes and “wow”ing your company begin, you may want to have a “low-key” Meatless Monday. So, I declare this Meatless Monday – Vegan Pizza Night! […] Read more…

Vegan Bars by Two Degrees Food

If you follow me on facebook, you probably know, I’m addicted to trying out new, healthy vegan bars. These are the latest ones I’m snacking on They are from Two Degrees Food. As a bonus to their healthy tastiness, for every bar you buy, they give a nutrition pack to a hungry child. You can […] Read more…

Holiday Recipe Blog Hop

Can you believe it’s the holiday season already??? Are you at a loss for a special dish to prepare to “WOW” your family with this year? I’ve seen a ton of delicious healthy, raw, vegetarian and vegan Thanksgiving recipes posted lately and figured it’s time to do another BLOG HOP Please share your blog and […] Read more…

Overrated Perfection

I often find myself getting so very frustrated when the weekend winds to a close. Why? you ask. Because I never seem to get done all the things on my “to do” chore list. And, oftentimes, those I do get done, are done in a quick and hurried way – less than perfect. I have […] Read more…

Veterans Day 2011

A big thank you to all the Veterans who have served in the past, today and tomorrow. Happy Veteran’s Day.       Read more…

Shutterfly Holiday Card Giveaway

Are you like me and do you wait until the last minute to prepare, print and send your holiday cards? Rushing around like a crazy person trying to get it all done? This year, I’m determined to start early – which means starting now! AND, this year, I’m going to be using Shutterfly to create […] Read more…

A Moment to Brag a Bit

Today I’m going to take a moment to brag a bit about my oldest daughter, Libby. A couple of weeks ago she mentions to us, “I’m getting an award at a ceremony in November 8th, would you guys like to come?”. Well, of course we do. She mentions it so casually – which is so […] Read more…