We’ve been making this all week. My 4 year old son LOVES making - he crushes the candy canes. We buy plain 1/2 lb candy boxes at Bulk Barn or clear Christmas-y candy bags from dollar store.
My daughter has been making VERY elaborate gift tags for them- I am going to try and scan one… they are works of art!
This is great little gift to give to piano and dance teachers, neigbours and hostess gifts. I am shocked by how many people we have gifted with these! I love that the kids really made themselves with little help from me. Both of them are so proud. Candy is also delicious. I was inspired by these unbleivabley addictive Hershey Candy Cane Kisses… and thought I had come up with something brilliant- but this si a recipe that has been around for a while.. so i am not as brilliant as I thought I was

Peppermint Bark

Take about 3 cups white chocolate wafers ( about 1 1/2 lbs) You can buy at most places that sell bulk items. We have used Merkens and expensive Belgian chocolate and they are both good.

Take 3-5 traitional peppermnt candy canes or those green/red/white peppermint candies. Put in thick ziplock bag and let kids goes nuts crushing them. Chunks okay. If you are in a hurry you can do in a chopper or food processor. My son spent about 2 hours doing this yesterday. He sang Fa-La-la-la the whole time he was pounding. Was hilarious.

Put chocolate in microwavable container. Put on full pwer for 1 minute, take out ans stir. Keep doing this 3-5 times until melted. It is key to only do for 1 minute or you will burn chocolate. You can do in double boiler with older kids but microwave does work best.

When melted stir in crushed candy canes, Pour over greased cookies tins- or use greased foil ( I use Pam-type spray) . Spread evenly. When cool break into pieces.

This is a nice, easy Christmas treat that everyone seems to love!

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Recipes at 1:35 AM EST

Share Your Comments »

I began making these years and years ago and have seen several variations. I prefer to buy quite a few baby washcloths ( about 30) and put them into empty baby wipe tub. I make the solution first and then add wipes. Some people are very tidy and stack wipes neatly- I just throw them in. I have also seen people put solution in spray bottle and spray onto dry washcloth. You can also make your own washcloths by cutting up flannel squares from old receiving blanket, etc. Another method is to take a roll of high quality paper towel and “saw” in half with knife, then put in round Tupperware container. Whatever works!

Basic Baby Wipe Recipe

2 Cups water
1 tsp liquid baby soap ( I use water one smells nicest to me- currently I like Lil’ Goats brand)
2 tsp vegetable based oil ( sweet almond oil, olive oil, grape seed oil, etc)
few drops of lavender or Tea Tree oil or grapefruit seed extract

Note: stay away from nut based oils if history of allergies.

There are all kinds of variations- can add more or less water. The lavender smells really nice. Grapefruit seed extract is great for warding off yeast infections so I used this one a lot. It is expensive but I have used Burt’s Bees baby oil just for the scent.

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Health and Remedies, Recipes at 10:31 AM EDT

2 Comments »

At any family or homeschooling event where we have a potluck- I am often asked to bring this recipe. My mom used to make it in the 70’s- and as an aside she got it from her good friend Betty Cheevers ( wife of goalie Gerry Cheevers), so I have always referred to this as the” Betty Cheevers cheeseball:
Anyway- it is fantastic and I can never seem to make enough. I serve it with onion crackers but would be fine with another type as well.

Makes about 3 Cups.

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
1/4 Cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp salt or to taste
2 cups chopped pecans ( reserve 1 cup )

Combine cream cheese, drained crushed pineapple, chopped green pepper, chopped , salt, and 1 cup chopped pecans. Chill in refrigerator until firm then shape into a ball. ( I do this overnight)

Combine cream cheese, drained crushed pineapple, chopped bell pepper, chopped green onion, , and 1 cup chopped pecans. Chill in refrigerator until firm then shape into a ball. Just before serving roll pineapple cheese ball in remaining cup of pecans.

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Recipes at 2:40 PM EST

1 Comment »

This is VERY similar to the Burt’s Bees calendula cream- but I have had this recipe longer and I suspect given the ingredients that this is better. It makes a fanstastic baby gift or baby shower gift. One batch makes an ample supply- I make about once a year and have enough for our family and give these away to new moms all the time.
This is a fantastic diaper cream as well terrific for chapped lips, elbows or whatever. It is a non-barrier cream so babies skin can breathe. The ingredient list is quite scary but all are found easily. Most health food stores or stores that sell dried herbs. It is also quite cheap to make- the herbs cost under 10.00 and if you use olive oil it is Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Health and Remedies, Recipes at 1:31 AM EST

1 Comment »

What makes a recipe a favourite is for me :

1.Ease of cooking
2.Everyone likes it
2.Cost
I have Black Bean soup recipe fits all of the above criteria. I make it with cornbread currant scones . The soup is ready in about 20 minutes to make, is easy. cheap and DELICIOUS.

BLACK BEAN SOUP

10 sundried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
1 Cup boiling water
Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by Lisa - Unschooling Mom as Recipes at 1:01 PM EST

1 Comment »