Excuses, Bloggy Buddies and the Quickest Breadsticks Ever!

Here it is, 10:46 on Monday night and I STILL haven't posted my Homemaker Monday tip. What kind of blog carnival host am I? I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I am going to save my tip for next Monday and post my usual recipe blog I like to do on Tuesday. I don't think I would have been such a slacker were it not for a couple of awesome bloggy friends I have. Let me just add here that I actually did write my post on my laptop while I was sitting in the courtyard watching the three babies play. However, one of the twins pushed the other off a stair and as I hurriedly put my laptop down, I somehow deleted the entire post! To add insult to injury, a few minutes later the toddler locked us all in the courtyard. I sat there for 20 minutes thinkng what I should do, then remembered that I hadn't locked the back gate and opened it and went inside. Yeah, it was a fun morning. Anyway, because you probably won't get to read my blogging friends' sweet comments, I would like to share them with you here. CompleteLee Blogger said, "Works in progress always happen when you have a large family, don't they?? Thanks for the carnival." How understanding is that? Kim at Forever Wherever said, "Life is busy and I think you have your priorities straight! I'm sure no one would mind if you didn't have a post today." Again, a super-understanding comment. Danielle Ice from Homemaker Barbi said, "As always, thank you for hosting this linky for us all! I want you to know that we really appreciate it. Have a great week!" Doesn't it just make your day when someone just lets you know they appreciate you? I'm surprised I got any comments today at all, but I just had to share these with you to let you know how much I appreciate all of my blogging friends. I do have some real life friends, too, but I really don't get out much because of the twins and the toddler and because I opt to let the teenaged boy have the car at school so that he can make the five trips picking up kids at different times, rather than me doing it. I have come to look so forward to reading your sweet comments every night before bed and it's been wonderful to get to know so many other women out there who work hard and simply want to do the best they can for their families. I salute all of you!

With that, here's a recipe that I think will make your life a little easier....

Quick and Easy Breadsticks

Ingredients :
2 1/2 cups warm water
6 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup oil
6 cups whole wheat flour
6 tablespoons vital wheat gluten
5 teaspoons yeast

Here are the easy directions...

Step 1: Mix the water, yeast and brown sugar in the mixing bowl of a mixer with a dough hook. Let it sit for about ten minutes, or until the mixture is foaming, like beer (not that I would know what that looks like, being a Mormon and all).

Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients and let the machine knead the dough for ten minutes. If the dough is too firm, add a little water during the mixing process. If it's too soft, add a little flour.

Step 3: Divide the dough in half, then in half four more times (You should have 32 pieces) and roll each piece into a stick about 9 to 10 inches long and 1/2 an inch in diameter. Place these on two greased cookie sheets. It's okay if they're close together.

Step 4: Let rise for about 20 minutes, or longer if you can.

Step 5: Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and salt, then bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 20 minutes.

Here's how they turn out...



Let me explain why I love these breadsticks so much. First of all, they are animal product free, which definitely works for me. Second, if you're like me and don't decide what's for dinner until 5:30 at night most nights, this works out really nicely as it can be started and finished in less than an hour. Third, these are fresh, homemade breadsticks and kids and husbands, especially husbands, really, really appreciate homemade bread for dinner! Fourth, there is no white flour, which means no empty calories, which means you are doing something that will make your family healthier. So yeah, these are the best!

Can I just share one more thing? Today it was a little chilly outside for the first time in about two weeks (great day to get locked outside in the courtyard, right?) However, the babies have gotten used to spending much of their mornings outside, so we couldn't let the cold stop us. A lady I work with was here this morning and I asked her to hold the twins while I went to find their beanies. They had never, EVER let me put anything on their heads before, so this was a long shot, but I guess they appreciated the warmth the beanies provided. Aren't they the cutest things ever?...


Just had a mom moment there...Thanks for listening! See you tomorrow hopefully!

And now for the Daily Feature - What I ate today (in case you care...)

Breakfast: Almond butter and raw honey on manna bread (recipe on left sidebar)
-almond milk (recipe on left sidebar)

Lunch: Homemade flax chips with beans and guacamole
-frozen blueberries

Snack (at a Mexican restaurant): A shrimp cocktail made with avocados instead of shrimp at my request
-chips and salsa

Dinner: Two breadsticks (recipe above)
-a couple of asparagus
-spinach salad with strawberries, grapes and sesame seed dressing

This post is part of Katie's...



Check out TONS of great recipes there!

I am pleased to list this post @ Biblical Womanhood's "Frugal Friday". Check out her blog for TONS for great money-saving tips!
I am also pleased to list this post at...

-Tip Junkie's "Talk to me Tuesday",
-5 Minutes for Mom's "Tackle It Tuesday",
-Tammy's Recipe's "Kitchen Tip Tuesday",
-Blessed With Grace's "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday",
-Mary's "Tightwad Tuesday",
Kim's Tasty Tuesday and
and -The Lazy Organizer's "Talk About Tuesday".


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