Sunday, March 25, 2012

Apothecary Jars - Simple to make

Did you know that 100+ years ago if you needed any kind of medical attention, you would go to an apothecary.  They had these little jars with glass lids where they would keep their ingredients for mixing up your medications.  These apothecaries were like a glorified pharmacist.  These days we have specialists for all of our specific medical needs.  But in days of yore, you had the apothecary.  Apothecary jars have been making a come back, but not for medical ingredients.  They are more or less for holding little decorative thises and thats.  And they are expensive.  I don't like to buy things if they are expensive {whispers, unless they are shoes}. 




I love the dollar store.  You can get all kinds of stuff and turn it into different stuff.  To make your own apothecary jar, get a glass candle stick and either a large drinking glass or vase.  Large candle jars work great as well.  A glass jar with a glass lid works best since a true apothecary jar has a lid.  I use this amazing industrial strength glue called E2000 (see below).  You can get it from a craft store.  I paid $4 for mine.  And it dries clear!  Just glue that $1 candle stick to the bottom of your jar and let it sit upside down over night.  And voila, you have an apothecary jar. 

Let me know how yours turns out.
Simply SophistiKate,
Me

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Dangerously Delicious BRANana Nut Muffins

My darling husband gave me a gift subscription to some cooking magazines a couple of Christmases ago.  He knows that I really like to cook.  I also LOVE to bake, but don't love what my baking does to my hips {smirking face}.  The other day I was going through some old magazines looking for some new dinner recipes (Dinner Menu Organizing Tips coming in another post) and I found this great banana muffin recipe with some healthy ingredients.  I found it in the Taste of Home February/March 2010 issue on page 32.  I never can just leave a recipe alone so I tweaked it a little bit.  Here is what I came up with...

BRANana Nut Muffins
(Makes approximately 36 muffins)
Turn oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix together wet ingredients in a large bowl:
6-7 very ripe, I'm talking brown, bananas
1 and 1/2 cups plain yogurt
4 eggs
4 Tablespoons melted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In another large bowl mix together dry ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cup white flour
1 and 1/2 cup wheat flour
1 cup wheat bran
1/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup flax meal
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

combine wet and dry ingredients together.
Add:
1 cup walnuts, or pecans, or peanuts (optional)
2/3 cup chocolate chips (optional, but highly recommended)

Bake for 22-25 minutes.
Let sit for 5 minutes and enjoy!

Let me know how yours turn out.

Simply SophistiKate,
Me