Strawberry Jam

Ingredients
5 cups rinsed, hulled and crushed strawberries (or 5 cups unsweetened, whole frozen berries, defrosted)
7 cups sugar
1 box dry pectin
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Method
Pick over berries and discard any that are bruised. Crush strawberries with a potato masher. Place berries, sugar and pectin in a large kettle. Bring to a rolling boil and boil hard for four minutes, stirring constantly. Skim off the foam that has developed. Ladle into sterilized jars, leaving a half-inch space at the top. Seal and cool for at least 12 hours. Check the seal by pressing on the lids. If the lid springs back it is not sealed and you must refrigerate the jam. Of course, you should admire your efforts.

 

ALMOND PUFF COFFEE CAKE/PASTRY

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1 tsp almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 eggs
Powdered sugar glaze (recipe follows)
Chopped or thin sliced almonds
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut the 1/2 cup of softened butter into 1 cup of flour. Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of water over the mixture and mix in with a fork. Round dough into a ball and divide in half.
On an ungreased baking sheet, pat each half into a strip about 12 x 3-inches each. Place about 3-inches apart on the baking sheet.
In a medium saucepan heat the other 1/2 cup butter and cup of water to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the almond extract and the other cup of flour. Stir vigorously over low heat until the mixture forms a ball. This will take about a minute. Remove from the heat. Beat in the eggs, all at once, until smooth. Divided in half and spread evenly over the two dough strips on the baking sheet being sure to cover the dough strips completely.
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour or until the topping is crisp and brown. Allow to cool and frost with the glaze below. Sprinkle glaze generously with the almonds.
Powdered Sugar Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp butter, softened
1 tsp almond flavoring*
1 to 2 tbsp warm water
Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Start with the 1 tablespoon of warm water and gradually add the second until of the right consistency for a glaze.

Old Fashion Waffles and Cinnamon-Flavored Hot Chocolate

EASY HOMEMADE WAFFLES
2 eggs, separated
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup melted shortening (canola oil, please!)
Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
In a mixing bowl, blend the egg yolks, milk, flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add the shortening but do not overmix. Fold in the egg whites and mix well with a fork or lightly with a whisk.
Very lightly grease the waffle iron and pour in about a half cup of batter. Close lid and cook according to your iron's instructions. Repeat until you have used all the batter.
Serve with butter, your favorite syrup, fresh fruit, etc to suit your diet and taste.
CINNAMON FLAVORED HOT CHOCOLATE
One of the things we have always enjoyed is hot chocolate. And I, personally, love it flavored. Try this recipe that also uses brewed coffee for a real tasty hot drink.
2-oz (2 1-oz squares) unsweetened baking chocolate
2 tbsp very hot water
1 cup whole milk
2/3 cup sugar (now that I am a diabetic I use Splenda)
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups brewed coffee
2 cups hot whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Whipped cream for topping, if desired
Chocolate shavings for garnish, if desired
Melt the chocolate with the hot water and 1 cup of whole milk in the top of a double-boiler over hot water. Add the sugar, cinnamon, and salt, mixing well. Stir in the coffee. Heat the mixture for 5 minutes. Add the vanilla extract to the hot whole milk and add to the chocolate mixture; beat until frothy. Pour into cups and garnish with the whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if desired.
Serves 6.

Low Calorie Chicken Recipes

Chicken Noodle Soup
Soups are a great way for dieters to fill up on low calorie food. Chicken noodle soup can hit the spot and kill hunger pains. Most soups can be prepared to be very low in calories by avoiding the use of oils and thickeners.
Make your chicken noodle soup with a low salt chicken broth or oxo cube and add plenty of chopped vegetables. Then add the pre-cooked chicken pieces and use a small amount of pasta, wholewheat is best, or throw in a handful of noodles which will cook quicker.
This makes a tasty chicken noodle soup and that is low in calories and a portion can also be frozen and used as an emergency ration.
Chicken Pitta
Use pitta bread to eat grilled chicken on the go. You can also stuff pitta more easily with extra vegetables as compared to a sandwich when these are likely to fall out. The extra vegetables will bulk out your snack whilst making it low on the calorie count. A whole wheat variety of Pita bread is preferable as this will not have such a drastic impact on blood sugar levels and contains extra fibre to help keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Use a low calorie dressing such as low calorie salad cream or add some low fat cottage cheese for some extra protein and a little sauce.
Chicken Meatballs
Don't discount using chicken to make meatballs. Although traditionally made with red meat it is perfectly possible to make delicious meatballs using chicken. This opens up another area where chicken can be used where traditionally red meat would have been used instead. Prepare chicken meatballs and then add to a spicy tomato sauce to a perfect low fat meal.
To make your chicken meatballs use ground chicken meat. You can either buy minced chicken or alternatively turkey or use a grinding machine to grind the meat. Place in a bowl and add two or three egg whites and a handful of oats which help to keep the mixture sticking together. Add in whatever spices you desire and then ball the meat into meatball portions. You can then place these on a baking tray and cook in the oven or fry in a low-fat spray oil in a cooking pan.
These meatballs can be served with freshly prepared tomato sauce and whole wheat spaghetti or just with a salad if you are following a high protein low calorie diet.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
If you want to ditch the carbs altogether then a good way is to eat your grilled chicken wrapped in leaves of lettuce rather than using bread. This is a perfect high protein snack, ideal for those on low carbohydrate diet plans as it will be virtually all protein.
Ta make a tasty snack stir-fry some vegetables in a low fat Chinese sauce together. Carrots mushrooms onion and peppers work well mixed with Chinese sauce or some soy sauce and lightly fried then left to cool before adding to your chicken lettuce wraps.
Add additional spices or seasonings to give some extra flavour. One good tip is to add some cayenne pepper as this raises your metabolic rate and gives a nice spicy hit to your low calorie snack.
We hope you enjoy these quick recipe text to make eating a chicken in your diet more exciting.
So there you have four quick and easy ways to liven up your chicken and add more variety to your diet. Next time you're feeling bored, make sure you give one of these a try.

Blueberry Dropping Cookies - Gluten free with no Added Sugar

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free flour mix
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed and drained)
• 3/4 cup coconut oil or real butter
• ½ cup fructevia
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh grated fresh lemon rind
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

• in a mixing bowl add the gluten-free flour mix, baking powder, and salt then stir to combine.
• in another bowl, beat coconut oil and fructevia until fluffy texture then add eggs, lemon rind, and vanilla and stir together until combined.
• mix flour mixture into the creamed mixture alternately with milk then fold in the berries.
• drop teaspoonfuls sized portions of dough onto a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with oil cooking oil.
• bake at 375° for 10 to 12 minutes.
• transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. This recipe makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen.

Blueberry Yummy Bars - Gluten Free with no Sugar Added

"This blueberry yummy bar is cheap, healthy and easy to make. Kids love them.
Ingredients

• ½ cup fructevia
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 cups gluten-free flour mix (See recipe below)
• 1 cup coconut oil or real butter
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon (optional)
• Zest and juice of one lemon
• 4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1/4 cup fructevia
• 3 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

• pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 9x13 inch pan with oil.
• stir together 1/2 cup of fructevia, 3 cups of gluten free flour mix, and baking powder in a bowl then mix in salt and cinnamon and lemon zest.
• blend in the real butter and egg using a fork. Gently press half of the dough into the pan.
• in another bowl, stir together the cornstarch, fructevia and lemon juice then mix in the blueberries.
• spread the blueberry mixture evenly over the crust. Put remaining dough over the layer of berries.
• Bake in preheated oven for about 45 minutes or until the top is slightly brown..
• let it completely cool before cutting it into squares.

Gluten Free Flour MixRecipe

• 6 cups brown rice flour (extra finely ground)
• 2 cups potato starch (not potato flour)
• 1 cup tapioca flour

Fresh Homemade Kefir

Kefir is a fermented type of milk that is similar to the consistency of grocery store yogurt drinks.


1 tbsp kefir grains
1 quart whole or 2% milk
Procedure:
1. Add the kefir grains and milk in a glass jar and fill it up to the top.
2. Cover with a clean cloth and elastic band and then set it aside in your cupboard or your kitchen counter.
3. Wait 1 to 2 days; stirring periodically with a plastic spoon (this is important because metal damages the cultures).
4. When thick, strain out the kefir grains with a plastic strainer (do your best to keep the grains intact), pour back into a clean jar and place in the fridge or repeat the process again. You can use these same grains because they will continue to remain active.
How to make coconut kefir
Coconut kefir is also a very tasty alternative. Unlike kefir made from cows' milk, coconut milk kefir doesn't have a strong fermented or sour flavor. It is nice and tangy with the naturally sweet taste of coconuts.
The texture is rich and smooth and is also slightly thinner in consistency than yogurt. Both the flavor and texture of fresh homemade kefir is in my opinion a lot better than any store-bought coconut milk kefir.
Use the same recipe as described above but change the ingredients so that instead of using one quart of milk, use two cans of coconut milk.
Also, make sure to re-hydrate your kefir grains in milk for 5 to 7 days at room temperature before making coconut kefir.
If the kefir grains are dehydrated, as they are from most online sources, you must make sure to first re-hydrate them in cows' milk.
Combine the grains with 1 cup of cows' milk and set out at room temperature in a loosely covered glass container for 5 to 7 days. Then strain the grains out each day and place them in a fresh cup of milk.
When the batches of milk take and smell slightly fermented and are thick, your grains are ready.