Events - Breast Cancer Walk

When one of our sisters was diagnosed with breast cancer over the summer we knew that we'd do everything possible to support her in her journey of healing!

On a chilly fall day in October, the Bergen County Mocha Moms walked and raised money to find a cure.

We made shirts, we brought our friends and families (and pets) and most of all we raised money!  We FAR exceeded our goal.

Last but certainly not least, we had a heck of a good time!

To see other Mocha Mom EVENTS, click here!

Wellness - Coconut Oil

Happy Wednesday!

So, I recently discovered a new use for coconut oil!! Last month our refrigerator went out and we had to get a new one. Stainless steel is the norm and I found myself with my OCD constantly wiping to keep it clean and spotless. I turned to google! Coconut oil is a great cleaner and lubricant for stainless steel. It removes fingerprints, bacteria and gives a nice shine. After wiping off any dirt, dip a cloth in pure coconut oil and rub into anything stainless steel. It works!! Plus, it doesn't leave fingerprints for days and guards against germs. The lauric acid is what kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Which we need to watch at this time of season.

Coconut oil contains a combination of fatty acids that can also benefit our bodies in many ways:

1. Strengthens hair as a conditioner and moisturizer.
2. Whitens teeth by rubbing on teeth.
3. Prevents and heals cavities by swishing around in mouth.
4. Helps curb appetite when ingested, 1 teaspoon daily. (Just swallow it after you rinse your mouth with it;))
5. Great oil for skin and a natural sun screen. 6. Protects nails when rubbed on cuticles.


Here is a link for 101 other ways to use coconut oil! http://wellnessmama.com/5734/101-uses-for-coconut-oil/


Have a good day!

This post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany K.

For more Wellness tips click HERE!

Food - Apple Picking

Yes dear one's it's THAT time of year again!  It's apple picking time!

I LOVE apple picking but we somehow always manage to pick too many!  Here are a few recipes [plus tips and tricks] so you won't feel overwhelmed if you happen to have too many apples.

NOTE:  These are all rustic recipes.  Meaning that they are very easy, little cooking skill is required and they're super yummy!


Pie Crust

Honestly, I suggest that you buy pie crust from the supermarket!!  If you really feel moved to make it from scratch, here's a good recipe.

Apple Tart (can be sugar free)

This apple tart recipe has been in my family since forever.  It's easy to make with any fresh or frozen fruit.

3-4 Apples (any kind)
2 Tablespoons sugar (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1 pie crust

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Core and seed the apples. You can peel them if you like but you really don't have to make the effort. Sprinkle the apples with cinnamon and sugar (optional). Lay a pie crust flat on a cookie sheet. Center fruit in the middle of the crust. Fold up the edges of the crust and bake. SO EASY!!!

Bake at 350 degrees until crust is brown and fruit is tender.

Baker's note: depending on the apples, you could make this dessert without any added sugar.

Homemade Apple Sauce (can be sugar free)

6-8 Apples (any variety)
1/4 water
sugar (optional)

Chop and core apples. (you can peel them if you like, but it's not necessary). In a large pot with a lid combine the apples and the water. Cook over medium heat (with lid on the pan) until the apples are soft. Stir. Add sugar and or cinnamon if you like.

Chef's note: The longer you cook the apples the softer they will be. For chunky apple sauce check the texture every 5 minutes or so.

Chef's Note: "check texture" is fancy talk for "stir". Your apples may appear to be chunky but they'll break apart easily when stirred. To check the texture of your apple sauce give the mixture a good stir and see what you've got!



Skillet Apple Pie

Skillet apple pie is an easy caramel apple pie that you make in 1 pan.

4-5 apples (chopped or sliced, core removed)
1/3 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar (brown or white)
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 pie crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugar, flour and cinnamon in a bowl. Melt butter in a skillet. Remove from the skillet from the heat. Add the apples to the skillet. Stir the apples in butter until all apples are coated. Sprinkle apples with sugar mixture.

Top apples with 1 pie crust. Cut vents (slits) into the crust.

Bake at 350 degrees until crust is brown and apples are tender.

Enjoy!

Freezing Apples

Great news - apples freeze well!  Chop and core apples (peel if you like).  Place the apples in freezer safe bags and freeze.  

You can use frozen apples for all of the recipes on this page!

PRO TIP:

You can use any of these recipes for fresh or frozen fruit.  Feel free to try these recipes with berries, peaches, nectarines, apples or plums.

For more recipes from the Mocha Moms, click here!

Food - Easy Pie Crust

Lets start our baking journey with a bit of honesty - shall we!   Pie crust is not hard to make.  It can be a pain in the neck, but it's not hard. My very best advice to you is to buy pre-made crust at the store.

For most baking I like the crusts that comes in rolls.

It's easy, you just unroll it and put it in a pan.  No it's not as good as homemade, but it sure is easy and versatile.

If you insist on making it, here's a recipe!

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/3 c. plus 1 teaspoon of shortening
1/2 t. salt
3 Tablespoons ice water

Assemble your food processor using the cutting blade.  Add flour, shortening and salt to the blender bowl.  Pulse until flour and shortening are blended and the mixture looks like crumbs.

Add water while pulsing until mixture looks like large crumbs.  Remove from food processor and gently press crumbs into a ball.  Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Roll out crust and use as desired.

Wellness Wednesday - Getting Back In Shape

It's back to school time and time for us to get back in shape! The kids are starting back into their routines and schedules and so should you! Back on track, back in the habit, back to whatever it is you were doing before relaxing and taking a break this summer! Whether you like the gym, outdoor running, an evening walk, yoga, zumba, you tube videos, or have your own personal home workout system, set your reminder and put it back on your calendar! I know, it will be a slow transition, but stay consistent and do little at a time, building your strength and adding more each time, you will bounce yourself right back into shape! 

Hey, our kids do it! We can too!!

More more Wellness Wednesday topics, Click HERE!

Food - Homemade Icee Syrup

Homemade Cherry Icee

Icees are so easy to make!  It seems CRAZY that I never thought to do a blog post about them until now!

Icee Syrup Ingredients

Homemade Icee Syrup

1 pkg unsweetened Kool-aid (any flavor)
1 c. sugar
1 c. tap water


In a saucepan combine water, sugar and Kool Aid Powder. Cook over low heat until sugar is melted.  Stir.  Set aside to cool.  The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools.

Done!

Drizzle as much syrup as you like over shaved ice.

Ice shavers are cheap and easy to find.  I got mine from Target YEARS ago for less than $20.  It's so easy to operate that my kids use it to make icees for their friends.

PRO TIP:
You can use this syrup to make fruit flavored soda (pop if you're from the midwest).

To make soda, drizzle icee syrup over ice cubes.

Tropical Punch Soda

Fill the glass with seltzer or ginger ale

Homemade Soda Pop

YUMMY Fruit Flavored soda pop!


SUPER PRO TIP:

Use flavored seltzer for an extra kick!  I recently discovered coconut flavored seltzer.  It makes our homemade soda taste like the cream soda from my childhood!

Flavored Seltzer + Icee Syrup!

Homemade Red Cream Soda

Red Cream Soda takes be back to my 1978 at the Spring Mill Bible Camp canteen!!

For more recipes, click HERE!

Wellness - Do Not Disturb

I fully encourage all of you to take advantage of "Do Not Disturb Moments."

Embrace them, create them, indulge in them, and encourage other moms you know to partake in them! 

I am a constant advocate of relaxation this summer. We work hard, the weather is nice, the kids are busy and we deserve some "me" time! If you still find your schedule packed, take a personal day off, arrange a play date or a time the hubby can watch the kids so that you can get some alone time. Spend quality time with just family and get back to your friends later. Steal some time away. Unplug and just say no, you can't and you just don't want to be disturbed. 

Do Not Disturb Moments Include: 

Coffee or Tea Time

Reading 

Naps

Showers and Bath Time

Mani-Pedis

Massages

Yoga and Meditation 

Gym Time

Salon Visits

Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner

Outings

Vacations 

Please do not disturb and excuse me as I take a summer break from Wellness Wednesday's :-)

For more Wellness topics, click HERE!