Beer Bread

Yesterday I baked a Beer Bread to take to a gathering we were attending. I just realised that I've never posted it on this site! I'll get a picture the next time I make it.

A few notes:

• It's very easy (no kneading, no rising, minimal ingredients), and tastes phenomenal right out of the oven. 
• Use the 1/2 cup butter (vs 1/4) - if you get 10 slices from your loaf, it's really not that much butter. 
• I bake mine in a silicone bread pan and it just pops right out. No mess and the crust is deliciously crispy (from the butter).
• Sooo yummy and you don't have to like beer to love it.

Beer Bread recipe on Food.com (formerly Recipezaar.com).

Gift Idea: Put all the dry ingredients in a large jar, attach the recipe, and a bottle of beer. The recipient only needs to provide the butter.

Mothering Matters Meeting Recap

I had the privilege recently of speaking at a Mothering Matters meeting about being frugal and green. There was so much to cover and I'm no public speaker so I jumper all over the place based on questions and comments.

As promised, here is a list of products and resources that I mentioned in my talk.

Products I'm using:
hair care - Kiss My Face, Whenever shampoo and conditioner (purchased at Fortinos)
toothpaste - Desert Essence, ginger (purchased at Fortinos)
deoderant - Crystal, all natural body deodorant, roll-on (for some great info about deoderants and anti-perspirants, see here) (purchased at Goodness Me!)

Companies I'm interested in:
Norwex - cleaning without chemicals (just got my supplies today, will post on my experiences soon)
Melaleuca - "naturally based products that promote wellness and vitality" (currently trying a sampling of products and will post results)
Shaklee - "creating healthier lives"

Books for inspiration:
"Slow Death by Rubber Duck", by Rick Smith, Bruce Lourie (see my post about this book here)

The Story of Stuff Project:
 These online videos are enlightening and made in an easy-to-follow manner. Especially good for teaching.
- The Story of Stuff
- The Story of Cosmetics
- The Story of Electronics

Once again, a big thank you for inviting me to speak. If you want to know more, please consider following this blog. Now that my life has "simplified" somewhat, I will be posting more regularly. :)

My 4-year-old's portrait of me, with a heart for me to love him (his words).