Anyone else sandwiched between young kids and parents you sometimes worry about? Are you starting menopause to boot? Join the club! I refuse to take it lying down. I’m getting on my bike, eating soy, making lotion with vitex, anything I can think of. Ideas?

Last nights BSN was the best ever. We had 27 Colorado soapmakers in attendance. Elissa Klaver’s talk about twitter was awesome. Can’t wait for next year’s soap conference, we are going to blow their socks off!

My blog is going to be less about food and more about the changes in my business and personal life. Watch me ride my bike to work, lose the flab, fend of menopause and suceed at business. Follow me on twitter.com/COLORADOORGANIC

Decorative bottle with pour spout

Approx. 1 pint organic, extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed

1 stem rosemary, washed and dried

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp dried Italian herbs

1 tsp cracked black pepper

1/2 tsp sea salt

Load goodies into bottle, top with olive oil. I store this on counter.

Not sure how long it keeps for, but I think quite awhile.

Makes a great “white” pizza (no tomato sauce).

6 black tea bags (any brand)
1 tsp. black peppercorns
1/2 tsp whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup sweetener of choice (sugar, honey, agave nectar)

In a large saucepan, bring water to boil. Add tea and spices and continue to cook for 10 minutes. Strain, add soy milk or regular if desired. Keep in thermos.

1 cup rice, prepared with 2 cups water

juice from one lemon

1 12 oz. pkg. frozen green beans

1 bunch celery, cleaned and chopped

1 bunch green onions, cleaned and chopped

1 stick butter

2 Tbsp lemon pepper, or more according to taste

Prepare rice. In very large skillet, melt butter and saute celery and green onions. Add green beans and stir, add in rice, lemon juice and lemon pepper. Stir until everything is warm and incorporated. If needed, add more lemon pepper. Makes a great side dish with grilled salmon or chicken.

1.5 cups virgin coconut oil

1/2 cup molasses

2 cups packed brown sugar

3 eggs

4.5 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking soda

3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

sugar for dipping

Preheat oven to 375. slightly melt oil and cream with brown sugar and molasses. Add dry ingredients and beat just until incorporated. Scoop out with medium ice cream scoop and roll in granulated sugar. Bake for approx. 11 minutes.

1/2 cup virgin coconut oil

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

zest from one orange 

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups oatmeal

2 cups dried cranberries, roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Partially melt coconut oil. Cream oil, butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs. Add zest and powdered ingredients and blend just until ingredients are incorporated. Stir in oats and cranberries. Use an ice cream scoop to measure out cookies onto silpat lined baking sheet. Bake for approx. 10 minutes.

This makes enough chili for a crowd. Medium spicy. This can be made in a crock pot or dutch oven

1 and 1/2 cups Textured Vegetable Protein (buy in bulk bin at health food store)

1 28oz Can Crushed organic tomatoes

1 14 oz can chopped organic tomates

2 14 oz cans organic kidney beans

1 12 oz can beer

2 medium onions, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup pickled jalapen~s, with juice

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

2 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp cocoa powder

Either throw all ingred. in crock pot, set to low and walk away or make in dutch oven. You will want to brown onions and garlic first if you are making on stove top.

2 Chicken Breasts, cooked and shredded or cubed tempeh or baked tofu

1 lb. pasta, cooked (Best types would be spaghetti, rice noodles, soba noodles)

1/3 Cup peanut butter

2 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil

2 Tbsp Honey or Brown Sugar

2 Tbsp Rice Vinegar

3 Tbsp Soy Sauce

2 tsp minced ginger

2-3 Tsp Tabasco Sauce (adjust according to how spicy you want it)

1/4 cup boiling water

Mix all sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Toss with noodles and chicken. Gentle fold in extras. Great warm or cold. Travels well, pack in plastic container and take on next trip!

1 Tbsp Black or White Sesame Seeds

Mix ins: You can add in any or all of the following-shredded cole slaw mix, chopped peanuts, cilantro, bean sprouts, shredded carrots, green onions.

If you are making this for the little ones, I like to pull out a little of the noodles and some of the chicken to serve plain.