Homemade Apple Chips

These were really easy to make and yummier than I would have expected. Someone asked me for the recipe recntly, so I am posting it here in step by step format.

1) Preheat oven to 200 degrees

2) I used a  Gala or Fuji apple. I can't for sure remember which one, but those are my 2 favorite varieties, so I know it was one of those. I washed it, and left the skin on, but you could peel it if you prefer.

3) Slice apple thin, maybe 1/8"?? I didn't measure, but I used my mandolin on the thinnest setting. I, also, wanted them to be on the bite size end so after my mandolin did it's job I cut the whole apple slices in half. This might be personal preference, the thinner you slice the crispier the chip will be.

4) In a bowl combine 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup white sugar. You could add other spices you like such as nutmeg or apple pie spice.

5) Line a baking sheet with foil (I used a Sil-pat) and place the apples down in a single layer. Sprinkle 1/2 the sugar mixture over the apples. I did this pretty carefully with clean hands so I could make sure it was ON the apples not the spaces in between.

6) Bake. I cannot give an accurate time on this since I just kept checking on them while I went about doing other things. So...I would check on them every 30 minutes or so. And when they are about 1/2 the size you started with, flip them over and Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture on the other sides, and bake an additional 30 minutes or until "crispy".

7) Turn off oven and allow chips to cool completely in the oven. Remove and enjoy!!

September 2012 Foodie PenPals Reveal

It's that time again....FPP reveal day!!

This was my 2nd time participating and it blew the 1st time out of the water. This month was different in that I got to know both of my FPP's really well, and really felt like I made 2 friends this month. And, my grandmother always said "You can never have too many friends."

So the penpal sending to me was Sarah. You can follow her on Twitter here or check out her blog here. Sarah lives in San Francisco and the only instruction I gave her was to be creative...and no mushrooms (I hate mushrooms).

So...here is what I got

So, naturally I was SUPER excited about the Ghiradelli cocoa because A) It's cocoa ans B) It's Ghiradelli cocoa. I, also, like that it was something from where she lives. Every year I say I am going to go to their chocolate festival for my birthday, and every year I don't. Next year I will be 35...I think it might be THE year. Cross your fingers for me!!

Anyway, on top of/next to the cocoa are 2 Unreal Bars. I had never heard of these before, and I was a little skeptical about them, but....after inhaling them, they are kind of my new favorite thing! One had nuts and one didn't, and basically one tasted like a Milky Way and the other one tasted like a Snickers. AND!!! Sarah, also, sent coupons so I could get more Unreal Bars!!! YAY!!!

Moving on...

Planters NUTrition peanut butter in the Berry Nut flavor. SO good!!! This was another product I hadn't seen before, and as soon as this jar is gone the Banana is next on the list. They, also, make a Cinnamon Raisin one. Great on toast!!

Werther's Caramel Apples candies. Umm...this was kinda funny because I had recently sent these to someone else, and I was planning on replacing them for myself. I have had these before and they are really good. Plus, they are caramel apple, so....

Walker's Short Bread cookies. Sarah sent these because she is originally from England. I really liked this because when I send my FPP boxes out, I like them to have some meaning and really be from me. What is funny, is I grew up in New England, so I was familar with these cookies, but...never actually tried them.

Next, a bag of pasta from a SF based company. And, gum. I swear I didn't tell her I have a "gum drawer" in my kitchen!!

AND!!! As an extra special super mega bonus she sent a big bag of weight Watchers candy for my husband and rawhide bones for my 3 dogs!!! HELLO!!! OMG!!! SO THOUGHTFUL!!!

I am so happy I found Foodie PenPals! I have so much fun getting to know people all over the country, and choosing little treats for them, and then waiting to hear if they loved them, and then seeing what other people got. it really does feel like a little bit of Christmas every month, and you know I LOVE Christmas!

Basically, you sign up. On the 5th you find out who your penpal is and email them. You spend $15 on a "gift" for them. You have until the 15th to ship your box to them. And, on the last day of the month everyone reveals what they got!

You can click the pic below to get more infor and sign up. I promise it's fun!!

 

Just...frightening...

I follow Love Bakes Good Cakes on facebook. And, today she posted a link to a site that...

I just have no words...

Yes, I do. These types of things are exactly the reason why I started this blog. I literally pray you take 10 minutes to click on the link below and read it. Then, if you are moved to...do your own research.

I know it is difficult to believe, and I know (if you are like me) you do not want to believe it, but sometimes bad people are in positions of power. Sometimes people make decisions based on money and not what is in the best interest of nameless strangers they will never lay eyes on. Sometimes our government does not protect us. And, I truly believe this is the case with the FDA.

I believe you must educate yourself to make informed decisions...and most people don't. They are blindly trusting our government to do it for them, and our government is failing us! We are the fattest and sickest we have ever been.

You need to be your own advocate and your own protector. You need to police what you buy and what you eat because clearly no one is going to do it for you!!

It is like the old saying goes..."If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself."

So...without further ado...here are "15 of the grossest foods you've ever eaten"

http://www.rodale.com/gross-food?page=0