More Recipes For Lexi

Gena’s Homemade Sunshine Burgers (yields 5)

1 cup sunflower seeds, ground in a food processor or coffee/spice mill
1 cup cooked brown rice
2 tbsp ground flax seed
2/3 cup chopped carrot
2/3 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion (optional)
2 tbsp water
1 tsp Herbamare seasoning (or to taste)

Mix the sunflower seeds, brown rice, flax, water, salt, and Spike seasoning in a food processor fitted with the S blade. Process till relatively smooth (it’s cool if there’s still a bit of texture).

Add the chopped veggies and pulse till the burgers are well mixed, but not entirely without visible veggie pieces. At this point, test the texture. If it’s super thick and sticky, add another tbsp or two of water. If it’s moist enough, you’re done!

Shape into 5 patties, and put on a cooking tray sprayed with coconut oil. Bake at 375 for about 35 minutes, flipping halfway through, till both sides are golden brown and the patties are firm.

Enjoy over a salad, on a sprouted grain bun or English muffin, or plain! I ate one of these on an Ezekiel bun fresh out of the oven, in true summer BBQ style.

Cooking For Lexi

My youngest child is a vegetarian, and has been from the age of ten. And I have been on and off the wagon for some time, myself. I don't have the will power, strength and resolve of my daughter, and consequently can be labeled an Omnivore.

But I really do enjoy good vegetarian and vegan food, and have been enjoying that cuisine with members of my family for years. There are some wonderful recipes out there, and I'm always in search of more to enrich Alexa's life and ours.

Here is a recipe for a Sun Burger that has good, natural ingredients and a tasty sauce. Can't wait for the opportunity to cook it for the family. I know Lexi will love it!

Sunburger Patties:

• 2 cup grated carrots
• 2 cups sunflower seeds
• 1/2 onion
• 2 TBSP water
• 1.25 cup tomato juice
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1 TBS onion powder

Clean, grate and measure carrots. Place in bowl.. Grind sunflower seeds in blender or food processor until fine. Add to carrots. In skillet saute onions in water until soft. Add to bowl along with remaining ingredients. Stir together well. Using 1/3 cup portions, place on oiled cookie sheet and form into patties. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Turn over and bake an additional 15 minutes.

These are my go to dish when we’re having several people over for dinner and 1 or 2 of them are vegetarian. The meat-eaters ALWAYS ask for this recipe, and these burgers usually disappear before the meat dish. They are really good served with the following sauce.

Cashew White Sauce

• 1 cup cashews
• 1.5 cups water
• 2 TBSP onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 2.5 cups additional water
• 1 TBS dried parsley

Blend first five ingredients on high 1-2 minutes until creamy. While blender is running, pour in remaining water and blend briefly. Pour into saucepan and add parsley. Cook over medium-high heat stirring constantly until thickened.

The Wayward Wind

After reading some of my postings on this site, it has occurred to me that a great deal of time passed without any activity on my blog, and some updates are in order.

There was a point in time when I think my blogging reflected negativity in attitude and that is not what I wanted to convey. In retrospect, I've come to realize that there are ups and downs in farming and working with the land and it's important to be honest about those less than enthusiastic reactions to bad weather, implement break downs and insects. Frustration and jubilation go hand in hand, and I believe they are universal emotions for farmers.

It's important to remember that there is nothing guaranteed when working with nature, and plants and animals. The important thing to me is that the land is a living entity. The wind, the thunderstorms, the predators, and insects, as well as the cycle of constant change are all part of a grand design, one that is beyond our understanding. And it is precisely this wild and untenable aspect that we find so intriguing. There's freedom and Grace to be found in the wayward wind, and possibly even a defiance and wildness for us to emulate.

Equipment Used To Make Cold Process and Hot Process Soaps

Sturdy plastic pitcher - Two pitchers are needed - one to weigh the lye in and the other one used to weigh the water. Always add the lye to the water and never add the water to the dry lye or the mixture may form a volcano like eruption. Use a pitcher that has a lot of clearance on top so it is difficult for lye to splash when mixing.

Stainless steel wire whisk or stick blender – Wire whisk should be the sturdy kind sold at restaurant supply stores or gourmet kitchen stores. A sturdy wire whisk works really well to help bring lye water and oils to trace. Mix in a circular motion, taking care to keep the whisk close to the bottom of the container to avoid spills and splashes.

Large stainless steel or enamel pot - Use a pot large enough with ample headroom (6-8 inches) so if mixture splashes it will remain in the pot and not spill out onto you.

Large, sturdy stainless steel or plastic spoons – Stainless steel professional restaurant type spoons are the best. I have never used plastic spoons, but many people use them in making soap. Any plastic spoons used should be very sturdy and should not easily bend. A spoon that is bendable can easily cause spills and splatters.

Scale – A good digital scale will give the most accurate weight. Test scale to make sure it is working before setting up to make soap. Change batteries if needed. Without an accurate weighing device, it is unsafe to make soap.

Glass candy thermometers – Use a candy thermometer with any aluminum parts away from the lye mix, which is corrosive to aluminum.

Garbage bags, sturdy plastic or freezer paper to line mold – To line mold with garbage bag, cut bag open so that it is flat. Arrange it in the mold, squishing it into the corners and leaving enough hanging over the sides to fold back over and cover soap. To line mold with freezer paper, measure and cut so that excess paper is available for the sides. Miter corners and flatten them against sides of mold. Alternatively, tape outside of miter to hold it temporarily until soap is poured into mold.

Appropriate clothing – Long sleeves and clothing that covers upper and lower torso and extremities. Tuck hair away from face. Remove long dangling jewelry and any accessories that dangle and may become entangled in equipment and lye mixture. Dress in shoes or sneakers that completely cover the feet. Even a small drop of lye grain on the skin burns and may not be detected until minutes later. So protect your skin and all mucous membranes at all times.

Safety goggles or face shield – Available at hardware, scientific or medical supply stores. Important for protecting the delicate eye area from splashes.

Chemical mask – One that is designed to protect from fumes. If one is not available, then provide adequate ventilation – open windows and doors. My experience is that even if there is adequate ventilation in the room, after mixing the lye and the water, one has to step out of the room- the fumes are that intense.

Heavy-duty gloves – Neoprene gloves are the best. Regular kitchen gloves are okay if they are thick enough. Gloves should be long enough to cover wrist and arm portion proximal to the elbow if possible.

Alternatively, lye and water can be mixed and left to cool down in another area or room away from animals and pets. The fumes from lye are damaging to the respiratory tract. When lye and water are combined, the exothermic reaction (one that produces heat) also produces droplets that float in the air. Therefore, it is important to stand back from the lye/water combination while mixing and to remove it from your primary soap making location once it is mixed. Remember that constant irritation of the respiratory tract may not have immediate consequences to ones health but may show up years later.

Supply Sources

Utility Safeguardlocated in PA carries just about all the safety equipment needed to make soap -chemical masks, neoprene gloves, face shields and goggles.

Safety Supply America - Located in Newport Beach California carry a wide assortment of safety equipment including personal protective gear - masks, goggles,and gloves.

Lye calculator - Majestic Sagehas one of the best lye calculators around. I have used it many times and have always been pleased with its accuracy.

FOUR STRONG WINDS-BOBBY BARE

THE MAKING OF GOAT'S MILK SOAP

I have found a source for Goat milk here in Mobridge. Online research brought a vender for soap making supplies and more recipes. So today is the day to mail the order for the supplies, and I'm excited! Lavender is my fragrance of choice, and I'm hopeful that that this endeavor will yield a plethora of gifts for family and friends as well as supplies for our home. Here are some recipes for Soap Making from the supplier's web site:

The Soap Goat Soap Shop's
Tester Batch Recipe

This is the basic recipe we use when we test out the fragrance oil samples our labs send to us. This will make a nice 4 pound batch of long lasting, hard, bubbly soap.

Palm Oil 520 grams
Olive Oil 440 grams
Coconut Oil 400 grams
Lye 210 grams
Distilled Water 500 grams

Heat Oils together....then set aside and let cool down.
While your oils cool down add Lye to Water very slowly - wear protective eye ware and plastic gloves and stir until all the lye is dissolved in the water. Set aside to cool (to 120F)

Using your thermometer, keep checking both oils and lye/water until they both reach approx. 120 deg. F.
Once they're both at approx. 120F, pour lye water into the oils - and stir immediately (by hand or with a hand mixer - at low)
Scrape side of the bowl to insure that all oils are mixed properly in with the lye water.
Once your mixer hits it's "trace" level (trace is when you take your spat Chula and dip it in the oils, and when it drips from the spat Chula it leaves and faint pattern on top of the oils - almost like pudding would).
When "trace" happens it's safe to pour in your fragrance/essential oils.
Make sure you stir this well, in order to incorporate the fragrance in with the other oils (if you don't stir it enough, when the soap is "curing" it will "sweat" out the fragrance).
Once the oils have all been mixed properly, you're ready to pour into molds.
Pour soap, level out so that it's nice and smooth on top.
You can cover the mold with a towel or plastic wrap and then set it aside for 24 to 48 hrs.
Uncover the mold, and remove soap from the mold. Cut soap into bar size if you used a log type mold.
Put soaps on a rack, or in a box, and put in a ventilated room for 3-4 weeks.
Half way though the soaps "curing" time, flip the soaps over so that every side can dry out evenly.
After the curing time has passed, you're all set to use the soaps

Simple 4lb Batch

4 ounces Castor Oil
1 ounce Cocoa Butter
18 ounces Coconut Oil (76 degree)
9 ounces Pomace Olive Oil (virgin or any other olive oil can be substituted)
9 ounces Palm Oil
2 ounces Shea Butter
25 ounces Vegetable Shortening

Filler Ingredient - Oatmeal

10.07 ounces lye
36.12 ounces Semi Frozen Goat Milk

Put bowl in sink of cold ice water.
Add lye into milk very slowly - 3 ounces at a time.
Stir and stir and stir between additions.
Once all lye is in Goat Milk - and Milk and Oil are both at approx. 105 degrees, Stir Stir Stir - use spatula to take soap off sides of bowl to ensure your soap has been evenly mixed together.
Once soap is at a light trace, add oatmeal into soap mixture.
Stir Stir Stir!
Once oatmeal has been fully stirred in, you may either pour into molds for an unscented product, or add in 2 ounces of FO or EO.
If you add in scent, make sure you once again Stir Stir Stir until all fragrance oils have been properly dispatched throughout your soap base. Then pour into molds, add a cover (wax paper, a towel, etc....) and set for 24 hrs, or until properly hardened.
Remove from molds and let sit on a drying rack to cure/dry for at least 4 weeks before use.
We let our soaps set from 6 to 8 weeks.
Then....Enjoy your Goat Milk Soaps!!

How to make Goat Milk Soaps with any recipe:

The recipe you're already using can be switched from water based to milk based.

Take the amount of water you're normally using and substitute that for milk.

Freeze the milk until its very slushy.

Take the milk out of the freezer and put into a glass bowl.

Fill your kitchen sink with ice water (make sure you're not over flowing the GM with water though) and set your milk/bowl in the sink.

At this time make sure you're oils are ready for the lye/gm

Measure out your lye.

Slowly add a little bit of the lye into the cold GM & stir.

Wait until the milk has cooled and add a little bit more lye. Repeat until all your lye is in the goat milk.

Don't add all of the lye at once or you might burn (or curdle) the milk and you'll have to throw it out.

When the GM has reached the same temps as your oils, proceed to mix the lye/milk mixture in with your oils.

And there you go....

you now have goat milk soap.

GM soaps may take a little longer then water based soaps to cure/harden.

Peppermint Snowflake Soap



(Makes 6-8 Snowflakes)
Materials Needed:

- 1/2 cup Ocean Blue coloured Glycerin Soap Chunks
- Peppermint Essential Oils
- 3 cups White Glycerin Soap (melted)
Star Metal Loaf Mold (can find in Michael's or any craft store).

Instructions:

1. Melt White Soap Cubes in the microwave for 30 seconds on high, then 10 second intervals until completely melted. (may vary with microwaves)
2. Add 5-10 drops of Peppermint Essential Oils and then adjust to preference.
3. Ensure base of Metal Loaf Mold is secure. Pour 1/2" of soap into the mold and allow to cool to seal the base of the mold.
4. Stir the soap slowly, allowing the soap to cool and become thicker. This will prevent the cubes from melting and from sinking to the bottom. Add the Ocean Blue Glycerin Soap Cubes and stir.
5. Pour into the Metal Loaf Mold. Leave approx. 1/2" from the top of the mold for easier release. Let cool completely.
6. Placing the soap in the freezer for a few minutes can quicken the process and assist you in removing the soap from the mold.
7. Cut loaf into slices about 1" thick.
8. Using a small craft knife, cut out small diamonds in each point of your star slice. Repeat this step for each soap slice. Enjoy over the holidays!

Coffee Soap
Great for getting rid of nasty odors (onions etc)

2 oz of Beeswax
2 oz of Castor Oil
2 oz of Cocoa Butter
12 oz of Coconut Oil (76 degree)
18 oz of Olive Oil (pomace)
16 oz of Palm Oil
25 oz of Shortening (animal/vegetable)

10.97 oz of lye
28.88 oz of water

Add at light trace
1/2 cup coffee grounds
2 ounces vanilla
2 ounces cafe Vienna fragrance oil

Exclusive Soap Goat Soap Shop Recipe.

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Relaxing Milk Bath
1 Cup SKIM MILK POWDER
1/2 Cup EPSOM SALT
1 TBLS. BAKING SODA
1/4 Cup CORNSTARCH
5 DROPS EACH OF GERANIUM EO
5 DROPS OF LAVENDER EO
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Add 2 to 4 tablespoons under running water then sit back in your tub and relax.

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Liquid Laundry Detergent:

Recipe #1 - makes approx. 18 pounds of liquid laundry soap and costs less than $5.00.

What You Need:
2 pounds 2 ounces of boiling hot water
2 cups of grated Natural Unscented Water Based Soap
2 cups of borax
2 cups of Washing Soda (nope, NOT Baking Soda)

15 pounds of warm water for dilution

Big Bucket or Pail.
If you're a soaper, grate two of your own unscented water based soaps.
If you WANT to be a soapmaker, but don't have a basic recipe, email me ( orders@thesoapgoat.com ) and I'll e-you a recipe - OR - ask a soaper on our page to sell you a few bars.

Borax and WASHING soda can both be found in your local grocery store - generally in the detergent isle.
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Boil 2 pounds 2 oz. water. When hot and boiling, add in the graded soap bars.
Turn your heat down to low.
Add in both your borax and Washing Soda (again, baking soda is the wrong soda, make sure you're using WASHING soda or you've just wasted your time)...
Stir up all ingredients until everything is blended and all is dessoved and melted.

Pour your mixture into a very large bucket or pail.
Add your 15 pounds of warm water and stir until mixed well.
Cover pail.

Use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry.
Stir the soap each time you use it (the liquid will gel up).
Since there are no chemicals or preservatives in this recipe, it may be best to keep in a cooler spot.

Info to know:
Soap will be lumpy, goopy and gel-like. This is normal. Just give it a good stir before using. Make sure soap is covered with a lid when not in use. You could also pour the homemade soap in old (and cleaned) laundry detergent bottles and shake well before each use.
You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade laundry detergent. Add once the soap has cooled to room temperature. Stir well and cover.

Essential oil ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil, (and my favorite:) orange essential oil.

TAKE MY HAND, PRECIOUS LORD-JIM REEVES