Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar

I'm doing a recipe someone I know shared. My batch is smaller than hers, though. She had 3 gallons.  I only have 1. 

I had a gallon of peels and cores. Put them in a clean jar. I had kimchi in my gallon jar, so I had to use 2 half gallon jars. 

Add 1/3 cup sugar to each 1/2 gallon (2/3 cup per gallon). 

Fill with water about 1-2 inches over the top of the peels. 

Cover with a cloth to keep bugs/dust out, but allow to breathe. 

Stir daily for 2 weeks. 

Once the alcohol smell starts to go away, strain it. The apple will be pretty broken up at this point. 

Bottle, but it still needs to breathe to avoid exploding. Leave the jar lid loose with cloth between the lid and ring to allow it to release the gas/alcohol. 

Wait 12 weeks. Then take the cloth out, recap and done. 

We will see how it goes. I'll blog it as it goes. 

Here's Day 1. I'll be updating on my recipe blog linked below. 

For this recipe, as well as many others:

http://spoonsandfires.blogspot.com/2014/10/homemade-apple-cider-vinegar.html

New Diapers

I'm so excited.  I sat down the other day and cut out some diapers from some new fabric.  I love fabric.  I have so many plans for it.  I hate to cut it out, though.  It's final at that point. 

I forced myself to cut it out.  I got the top fabric that I had cut... 3 years ago for when Jacob was a baby.  Yeah.  It's been a while since I made a diaper. 

I did it!  2 diapers in 2 days!

The puzzle diaper (enigma) was a good night diaper.  One more insert and it will be great.  He seemed to like them.  I put him in them and he was happy.  No complaints from the 5 month old.  Ha ha!

Now, it's time to plan another diaper.  Maybe a night diaper for Joy.  

Week 2 Day1

Day 1

The positive of day 1 is that there are only 6 runs, instead of the 8 in week 1.  I love that.  

It was a test of willpower.  On my 4th run I was really wanting to stop.  It didn't help that it was all uphill.  At least I timed it to where I would walk as soon as it got flat. Ha ha!  I didn't find it that amusing at the time.  I almost got sick on that run.  I also lost a little muscle control in my hands after the second to last run. They were spazzing a bit and I felt like crap.  One run left.  The song 'Stayin Alive' came on.  Found that fitting.  It was all flat ground for that run, thankfully.  

I did it! I didn't stop, even though I wanted to!  

Oh.  I weighed myself this morning.  145

My Free Day

Today I got to run to town and load up on my free stuff.  I waited at home until UPS came to drop off my Houseparty box.  I got the Hasbro Simon Swipe Game Night party!

I checked the mail and found my ductape I had won.   

I won 2 free pizzas from Dominos earlier this week.  One for me.  One for hubby.  We went and picked up those pizzas, plus one on special.  We also ran to Walmart and cashed in my coupons for a free frozen pizza, Breyers Indulgence ice cream, and Ritz cracker sandwiches.  Then grabbed a few need items milk and such. 

It was fun going out with the kids and getting everything. By hen coming home and having pizza and a movie.  Plus pizza left over for dinner.  :)

End of Week 1

Today was the end of Week 1 of C25K. As I was hoping, just like last year when I started C25K, day 3 was easier than the other 2 days.  I was even able to sing a little on my cool down walk.  I went a little slower than day 1 or 2.  I was about 5 ft behind my starting and stopping points.  My ankle is hurting quite a bit, so that wasn't helping.  

I'm so excited to see small changes already!

Starting Over - C25K Week 1 Days 1 & 2

It's been close to a year since I last ran.  Last Thursday I decided to start up C25K again.  I did day 2 of Focus T25 that morning, and then ran day 1 of C25K that evening.  It was hard, but I didn't stop!  I kept going!  I was so excited! I had done it!  Baby Z is 8 weeks, and I'm getting my body back!  

I weighed myself that morning.  I always weigh myself undressed, before eating, but after going to the bathroom.  148.4 pounds!  I am under 150!  I'm so thrilled!

This morning (Saturday) I got up, got dressed, and did my run.  It was harder than day 1.  My abs hurt.  My calves hurt.  I wanted to stop several times.  I couldn't stop.  I WOULDN'T stop!   I kept pushing.  I did all 8 runs!  I thought I was going to die, but I smiled and persevered!

Yay me!

Here is my starting picture. 

Weight - 148.4

Chest - 39.5

Waist - 36.75

Hips - 39.5

Arms - 12

Thighs - 24

 

Chocolate Placenta Truffles

I found a basic truffle recipe online.  I changed it up a little and added my placenta powder to it.  A definite way to go with this. 

Chocolate Placenta Truffles

8 ounces semi-sweet or bitter-sweet chocolate morsels 

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 tsp good vanilla extract

1/2 tsp dried or fresh mint leaves (if fresh, mince very small) *optional*

2 Tbsp powdered sugar

1 Tbsp dried placenta powder

1/4 cup powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and chopped walnuts

1. Bring the heavy cream to a boil in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.

2. In a separate bowl, pour in your chocolate, 2 Tbsp powdered sugar, mint leaves, placenta powder, and vanilla extract.

3. Once the cream has come to a boil, pour it over the chocolate, and stir vigorously until the chocolate has melted.  Do not use a whisk.  

4. Put the chocolate in the refrigerator for several hours until it sets.  When you bring it back out, you will want to let it come to room temperature to form it into 1/2 to 1 inch balls.

5. Roll it lightly in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or chopped nuts.  Eat one daily. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  

**Be sure to mark what these are so stray hands don't eat all your special mom chocolate.  It may be the only time you won't have others asking for your truffles.**