Healthy Trail Mix Recipe

So its a new year and we're all trying to eat better and exercise more. Right?  We all like a little snack here and there, so I try and make sure its something healthy. We normally like something we can take along easily too, this snack is great for traveling.

This yummy mixture probably isn't a perfect snack if you're asking a health guru, but at least its a bit more healthy than some snacks we could be eating.  Make good choices, right?  Choose dried fruits and nuts over a chocolate cupcake?  That sounds healthier to me!

I normally use the Great Value brand from Walmart.  Its all good and it saves a bit of money over the name brands.  You can basically use whatever you like, but here is a list  of what I normally throw in ours.

Healthy Trail Mix

1 - 30 oz Little Bit of Everything Trail Mix $6.98
1 - 18.25 oz can of mixed nuts - lightly salted or no salt is best $7.98
1/2 - a 14oz box of Toasted Corn Cereal $2.42
1 - 5 oz bag of dried cherries $2.98
1 - 6 oz bag of dried cranberries$1.48
Pour all ingredients in a large bowl and gently mix together.  Separate into ziplock baggies for better traveling.  Makes (8) sandwich size baggies full.

Doesn't it look good?  The "Little Bit of Everything Trail Mix" has mixed nuts, dried fruit, coconut and yogurt covered peanuts.  It's cheaper and easier to buy this jar than to try and make your own mix of the same items.  I always add the cherries and cranberries because we really like them.

All bagged up and ready to travel wherever we go.  The lake, camping or just a little shopping spree one weekend, good for all occasions.  Try it!

It doesn't have to be done all at once.  It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!

I'm Linking to:
Sunday
Under the Table and Dreaming by Stephanie Lynn
The Self Sufficient Home Acre 
The Chicken Chick,  Sew Can Do
Monday
Craft-O-Maniac, 
Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Home Sweet Home
Keeping it  Simple 
The Dedicated House
Skip to my Lou
Home Coming
Tuesday
Not Just a Housewife
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Sugar Bee Crafts 
New Nostalgia 
It's your Life
BeBetsy
Fluster Buster   
Confessions of a Plate Addict
A Stroll Thru Life
Wednesday
Clean and Scentsible
Lady Behind the Curtain
Family Home and Life
Ducks n a Row
VMG206
Herrban Momma 
Family Home & Life
Oh My! Creative
Thursday  
Bloom
The Taylor House
52 Mantels
Domesblissity
4 You With Love
Sweet Haute
Artsy Fartsy Mama
From My Front Porch To Yours
Friday 
Lil’ Luna
Tatertots and Jello
Five Simple Things
Craftionary
Diana Rambles
I Heart Nap Time
Crafts a la mode
Saturday 
Angels Homestead
Positively Splendid,
Or So She Says
Your Homebased Mom
What's Cooking with Ruthie
Made From Pinterest

read more

Clover House's Top 15 Posts of 2013 - A Year in Review

WOW! What a year 2013 has been! We've done so much but still have so much to do! It took a bit of gathering of information, but here's our top 15 project posts of 2013.  Just click on the link below each picture to be taken to the original post and all the good information!  Enjoy! :)

#1 HOW TO CLEAN AN HE WASHER

#2 A CLEAN SINK'S FRIEND

#3 RV FLOOR UPDATE

#4 RAISED BED GARDEN PART 2

#5 RAISED BED GARDEN PART 3

#6 RAISED BED GARDEN PART 1

#7 LAUNDRY ROOM REVEAL

#8 RV CABINET UPDATE

#9 CROCKPOT CREAM CHEESE CHICKEN CHILI

#10 FENCE PICKET A/C UNIT COVER

#11 TILING THE KITCHEN FLOOR

#12 DIY TACO SEASONING

#13 ORGANIZE AND BEAUTIFY YOUR CABINETS

#14 KITCHEN CABINET PART 3

#15 EASTER EGG WREATH

I hope you've enjoyed browsing our past year of the top 15 posts!  Did you get some good ideas?  I hope you pinned them! Thanks to all of our readers for making it such an awesome year!  Keep watching in 2014 for more great ideas, recipes, tips and tricks!  :)

It doesn't have to be done all at once.  It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!

I'm Linking to:
Sunday
Under the Table and Dreaming by Stephanie Lynn
The Self Sufficient Home Acre 
The Chicken Chick,  Sew Can Do
Monday
Craft-O-Maniac, 
Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Home Sweet Home
Keeping it  Simple 
The Dedicated House
Skip to my Lou
Home Coming
Tuesday
Not Just a Housewife
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Sugar Bee Crafts 
New Nostalgia 
It's your Life
BeBetsy
Fluster Buster   
Confessions of a Plate Addict
A Stroll Thru Life
Wednesday
Clean and Scentsible
Lady Behind the Curtain
Family Home and Life
Ducks n a Row
VMG206
Herrban Momma 
Family Home & Life
Oh My! Creative
Thursday  
Bloom
The Taylor House
52 Mantels
Domesblissity
4 You With Love
Sweet Haute
Artsy Fartsy Mama
From My Front Porch To Yours
Friday 
Lil’ Luna
Tatertots and Jello
Five Simple Things
Craftionary
Diana Rambles
I Heart Nap Time
Crafts a la mode
Saturday 
Angels Homestead
Positively Splendid,
Or So She Says
Your Homebased Mom
What's Cooking with Ruthie
Made From Pinterest

read more

Cornbread Salad

This recipe is a family favorite and I just know you'll love it as much as we do!  This is another easy to put together recipe.  I got this recipe from a nurse friend a really long time ago.  She brought this dish to our work place Christmas celebration and I loved it and asked her for the recipe.  She told me it was a family recipe that she'd been making for years.

When asked what they want me to make for the holidays, this is what my family always picks.  It's not the best recipe for you if you're watching your caloric intake, but it sure is yummy!

Cornbread Salad
2 packages of cornbread mix - bake, cool and crumble
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 bunch green onion, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 cups salad dressing (Miracle Whip)
2 tsp salt
2 tsp course black pepper

After you bake your cornbread, let it cool completely before you try to crumble it, if not it will be sticky and clump together.

A rough crumble will be adequate, it will break up into smaller pieces as you work in the rest of your ingredients.  After I crumble my bread, I add all the other ingredients and then "stir" by hand.  It's a bit messy, but you get everything incorporated better.

Of course it going to be better if you let it sit in the fridge over night, but it is still good right after you put it all together.  I hope you try it.  Enjoy!

It doesn't have to be done all at once.  It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!

I'm Linking to:
Sunday
Under the Table and Dreaming by Stephanie Lynn
The Self Sufficient Home Acre 
The Chicken Chick,  Sew Can Do
Monday
Craft-O-Maniac, 
Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Home Sweet Home
Keeping it  Simple 
The Dedicated House
Skip to my Lou
Home Coming
Tuesday
Not Just a Housewife
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Sugar Bee Crafts 
New Nostalgia 
It's your Life
BeBetsy
Fluster Buster   
Confessions of a Plate Addict
A Stroll Thru Life
Wednesday
Clean and Scentsible
Lady Behind the Curtain
Family Home and Life
Ducks n a Row
VMG206
Herrban Momma 
Family Home & Life
Oh My! Creative
Thursday  
Bloom
The Taylor House
52 Mantels
Domesblissity
4 You With Love
Sweet Haute
Artsy Fartsy Mama
From My Front Porch To Yours
Friday 
Lil’ Luna
Tatertots and Jello
Five Simple Things
Craftionary
Diana Rambles
I Heart Nap Time
Crafts a la mode
Saturday 
Angels Homestead
Positively Splendid,
Or So She Says
Your Homebased Mom
What's Cooking with Ruthie
Made From Pinterest

read more

Spicy Pinto Beans for the Crockpot

My honey loves pinto beans! I do too! In the cooler months we may be known to have pinto beans almost every weekend in some form or fashion. It's normally a weekend thing because I always let them simmer on the stove top all day long.  I've found a really yummy crockpot recipe and I'd like to share it with you.

You know what I'm going to say next. Right? YES! I found the recipe on Pinterest. (Thanks Apron Gal!)  Love me some Pinterest!  This recipe is so easy that you wont even realize you're cooking, especially since you're using your crockpot. The recipe has eight ingredients and that includes the water. Simple huh?

Spicy Pinto Beans

2 cups dry pinto beans, rinsed (no need to soak)
1/2 yellow onion chopped coarsely
2 small jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced finely
1 tblsp minced garlic
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ground cumin
5 cups water

Add rinsed pinto beans and all other ingredients to the crockpot.  Pour in water and stir to mix ingredients.

Turn crock pot to low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. If you are able, stir a few times throughout the cooking time.  At the end of the cooking time, the beans should  be soft and most of the water will have soaked into the beans.

We like to add a little smoked sausage to our beans and have buttered cornbread too! Comfort food for sure!  Texans and their beans! Love, love love 'em!

It doesn't have to be done all at once.  It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!

I'm Linking to:
Sunday
Under the Table and Dreaming by Stephanie Lynn
The Self Sufficient Home Acre 
The Chicken Chick,  Sew Can Do
Monday
Craft-O-Maniac, 
Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Home Sweet Home
Keeping it  Simple 
The Dedicated House
Skip to my Lou
Home Coming
Tuesday
Not Just a Housewife
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Sugar Bee Crafts 
New Nostalgia 
It's your Life
Get Your Crap Together
BeBetsy
Fluster Buster   
Confessions of a Plate Addict
A Stroll Thru Life
Wednesday
Clean and Scentsible
Lady Behind the Curtain
Family Home and Life
Ducks n a Row
VMG206
Herrban Momma 
Family Home & Life
Oh My! Creative
Thursday  
Bloom
The Taylor House
52 Mantels
Domesblissity
4 You With Love
Sweet Haute
Artsy Fartsy Mama
From My Front Porch To Yours
Friday 
Lil’ Luna
Tatertots and Jello
Five Simple Things
Craftionary
Diana Rambles
I Heart Nap Time
Crafts a la mode
Saturday 
Angels Homestead
Positively Splendid,
Or So She Says
Your Homebased Mom
What's Cooking with Ruthie
Made From Pinterest

read more

Texas Jalapeno Jelly

Even though the other plants in our raised bed gardens are done, our pepper plants are still producing lots of peppers.  We were beginning to have an over abundance of peppers, so I decided to make some jalapeno jelly.  I found a recipe on Pinterest HERE.

Although I've made jellies before, this was my first try at jalapeno jelly.  We love jalapeno jelly on our toast or peanut butter sandwiches, but it's really good as a party idea when you pour a jar of the jelly over a softened stick of cream cheese and serve with buttery crackers. Yummy!

The original recipe is HERE, but I will list the recipe I used for my jelly.  It's basically the same, just a little different.

Texas Jalapeno Jelly

6 small jalapenos seeded and sliced into strips (I used gloves for this step)
5 small green peppers sliced into strips
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
6 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 pouches of Sure-Jell
6 drops of green food coloring (I opted not to use the coloring)
Canning jars with fresh seals and lids

• In a blender add half of your peppers and 1/2 cup vinegar.  Pulse to chop finely.  Transfer to large pot for cooking.

• Repeat with remaining peppers and another 1/2 cup vinegar.  Add the sugar, cayenne and remaining vinegar to the pan.  Bring to a rolling boil stirring constantly.  Quickly stir in Sure-Jell.  Return to a rolling boil for one minute stirring constantly.

• Remove from heat and skim off foam.  Add food coloring now if desired.  Carefully ladel hot mixture into half pint jars leaving a 1/4" head space.  Remove air bubbles by gently tapping jars on the towel covered counter top.  Wipe off rims and add the seals and rings.

• Process for 10 minutes in boiling water making sure the jars are covered in water at least an inch over the tops.  I got 8 jars of jelly out of my recipe.

Removing the foam from the hot mixture is tricky.  Be very careful not to burn yourself.  I skimmed the foam out onto a paper towel and then just threw it in the trash.

Just look at the different colors the sunlight creates on each jar.  TIP: Have your seals sitting in hot water and ready to pop onto your freshly filled jars, this softens the rubber on the seals for a perfect fit.  My honey used tongs to pick the seals out of the hot water and place them on the jars.  Lastly, add the rings and tighten down.

I used my big stew pot to process the jars.  All eight of the jars fit into the pan and I made sure the water covered them all while they boiled for 10 full minutes.  When the timer went off my honey used the jar tongs to remove the hot little beauties from their water bath.  He lined them back up on a towel to cool.  You should hear the seals popping to let you know they are sealed.  There will be no movement of the seal when its completely sealed.

It's so yummy and I think I may make more to give as gifts for Christmas.  Who doesn't love a little jar of homemade jelly as a gift?

It doesn't have to be done all at once.  It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!

I'm Linking to:
Sunday
Under the Table and Dreaming by Stephanie Lynn
The Self Sufficient Home Acre 
The Chicken Chick,  Sew Can Do
Monday
Craft-O-Maniac, 
Between Naps on the Porch
DIY Home Sweet Home
Keeping it  Simple 
The Dedicated House
Skip to my Lou
Home Coming
Tuesday
Not Just a Housewife
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Sugar Bee Crafts 
New Nostalgia 
It's your Life
Get Your Crap Together
BeBetsy
Fluster Buster   
Confessions of a Plate Addict
A Stroll Thru Life
Wednesday
Clean and Scentsible
Lady Behind the Curtain
Family Home and Life
Ducks n a Row
VMG206
Herrban Momma 
Family Home & Life
Oh My! Creative
Thursday  
Bloom
The Taylor House
52 Mantels
Domesblissity
4 You With Love
Sweet Haute
Artsy Fartsy Mama
From My Front Porch To Yours
Friday 
Lil’ Luna
Tatertots and Jello
Five Simple Things
Craftionary
Diana Rambles
I Heart Nap Time
Crafts a la mode
Saturday 
Angels Homestead
Positively Splendid,
Or So She Says
Your Homebased Mom
What's Cooking with Ruthie
Made From Pinterest

read more

DIY Taco Seasoning

I always love to find a recipe that saves money and is better for my family.  Of course I found this idea on Pinterest HERE.  Thanks Kim!  With this recipe you know exactly what's in your taco seasoning, unlike the prepackaged varieties you buy at the grocery store that could have who knows what all in it.

I've been using this recipe for several months now and I love it!  Normally I just add all my ingredients in my jar and shake to mix, but for today I placed each ingredient in a bowl for you to see.  It's kind of pretty huh?  The recipe below is doubled, so just cut the measurements in half to create a lesser amount.  This makes a full jar.

Taco Seasoning

4 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp paprika
6 tsp cumin
4 tsp salt
4 tsp black pepper

Mix all ingredients in a jar and shake to mix.  I store my jar of mix in my spice cabinet on my giant lazy susan for easy access when cooking.

NOTE: One store bought packet contains 2 tablespoons of mix, so 2 tablespoons of homemade mix will season 1 to 2 pounds of meat.

This is the mixture all blended together.  Looks just like taco seasoning but better.  Its not so powdery like the ones you buy in the stores.  It just looks healthier to me!

This is my storage jar.  Can you guess what originally came in the jar?  Yep, you guessed it! Marie's dressing.  I love the coleslaw dressing, that's what this one had in it.  YUM!

Now guess what the lid was from, because obviously it wasn't on the dressing bottle!  It's a shaker top from Parmesan cheese!  This way you can either spoon it out or just shake a little on your dish.  Another Pinterest idea of course! Haha!  Have I ever mentioned I may have a Pinterest problem?

It doesn't have to be done all at once.  It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!

I'm Linking to:

Sunday
Under the Table and Dreaming by Stephanie Lynn, The Self Sufficient Home Acre , The Chicken Chick,  Sew Can Do 

Monday
Craft-O-Maniac, Between Naps on the Porch, DIY Home Sweet Home , Keeping it  Simple , The Dedicated House, Skip to my Lou,  Home Coming, 

Tuesday
Not Just a Housewife, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,  Sugar Bee Crafts,  New Nostalgia,  It's your Life,    Get Your Crap Together  ,  BeBetsy,  Fluster Buster  Confessions of a Plate Addict

Wednesday
Clean and Scentsible, Lady Behind the Curtain.  Family Home and Life,  Ducks n a Row,  VMG206.  Herrban Momma,  Family Home & Life  ,Oh My! Creative

Thursday
Bloom,    The Taylor House.  52 Mantels,  Domesblissity,  Redfly Creations,   4 You With Love,  Sweet Haute
Artsy Fartsy Mama
 From My Front Porch To Yours

Friday 
Lil’ Luna,,  Tatertots and Jello,  Five Simple Things,  Craftionary,  Diana Rambles,    I Heart Nap Time,    Crafts a la mode

Saturday 
Angels Homestead,  Positively Splendid,   Or So She Says ,  Your Homebased Mom ,  What's Cooking with Ruthie
Made From Pinterest

read more

A Healthier Tuna Melt

Do you ever get hungry for something...a certain something? Me too!  I wanted a tuna melt so I gathered up the stuff and made them!  Yum!

Normally I would make tuna salad with mayo, but to keep this a little healthier, I used plain Greek yogurt instead.  This is a quick and easy meal to put together.

Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad Recipe

2 - 5oz cans of tuna in water (drained)
1 - medium apple (chopped)
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 large tomato (sliced)
1 package whole wheat English muffins
1 cup shredded cheese
Salt & pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and set aside.  This is even better when the tuna salad can sit over night in the fridge to let the flavors mingle.

Line a cookie sheet with foil. Open your muffins and line them up on the pan.  Toast under the broiler until brown.  Next, top each muffin half with a spoonful of tuna, a slice of tomato and then top with shredded cheese.   Place the pan of goodies back under the broiler until the cheese is melted, remove and serve.

And there you are a very yummy meal that takes minimal time to prepare.  Mostly good for you and really yummy! It's a must try!

It doesn't have to be done all at once.  It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!

I'm Linking to:

Sunday
Under the Table and Dreaming by Stephanie Lynn, The Self Sufficient Home Acre , The Chicken Chick,  Sew Can Do 

Monday
Craft-O-Maniac, Between Naps on the Porch, DIY Home Sweet Home , Keeping it  Simple , The Dedicated House, Skip to my Lou
Married Filing Jointly,  Home Coming,  The Princess and Her Cowboys

Tuesday
Not Just a Housewife, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,  Sugar Bee Crafts,  New Nostalgia,  It's your Life,    Get Your Crap Together  ,  BeBetsy,  Fluster Buster

Wednesday
Clean and Scentsible, Lady Behind the Curtain.  Family Home and Life,  Ducks n a Row,  VMG206.  Herrban Momma,  Family Home & Life  ,Oh My! Creative

Thursday
Bloom,  Two Yellow Birds Decor,  The Taylor House.  52 Mantels,  Domesblissity,  Redfly Creations,   4 You With Love,  Sweet Haute

Friday 
Lil’ Luna,,  Tatertots and Jello,  Five Simple Things,  Craftionary,  Diana Rambles,    I Heart Nap Time

Saturday 
Angels Homestead,  Positively Splendid,   Or So She Says ,  Your Homebased Mom ,  What's Cooking with Ruthie

read more

Spearmint Iced Tea

The kitchen remodel is coming right along, but there are lots of little things that have to be done that aren't very interesting to blog about, so today I have a fun summertime drink for you. Spearmint Iced Tea. Yum!

This was a first time trying spearmint tea for me so I just made a single serving to see if I liked it.  I drink lots of good ole Texas sweet tea, but there are no flavors added to it so I wasn't sure if I'd even like the spearmint tea or not.  I got the idea HERE which of course I discovered on Pinterest.

This is my spearmint plant in my herb garden. It started out a little half gallon plant and grew into this giant beauty!

I harvested a few stems just using my kitchen scissors.  I'm not sure if there is a right or wrong way to harvest the leaves, but I just picked some stems that had some full size leaves and trimmed them down close to the base of the plant.

Next, I rinsed the stems off with cold water and then plucked the leaves from the stems.  I ended up with about a palm full of leaves.

I boiled about 1 cup of water and dropped the leaves in the water and turned off the heat and let them steep for about 15 minutes.  I then used my wire strainer to catch the leaves and poured the "tea" into a cup.

I used a measuring cup this time so I could show you how much liquid I used, but normally you could just pour it into the glass you're going to drink it from.  It's such a pretty color when its all done!  I added two tablespoons of sugar to sweeten it, but use whatever amount that you like to sweeten your tea while its still hot.

I filled my jar with lots of ice cubes and chilled it in the freezer while my tea was brewing.  When it was ready I poured my warm tea over the ice, added a straw and enjoyed.  I love it!  The rest of my family, not so much!  I'll just keep making my single servings and enjoying it myself.

It doesn't have to be done all at once.  It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!

I'm Linking to:

Sunday
Under the Table and Dreaming by Stephanie Lynn, The Self Sufficient Home Acre , The Chicken Chick,  Sew Can Do 

Monday
Craft-O-Maniac, Between Naps on the Porch, DIY Home Sweet Home , Keeping it  Simple , The Dedicated House, Skip to my Lou
Married Filing Jointly,  Home Coming,  The Princess and Her Cowboys

Tuesday
Not Just a Housewife, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia,  Sugar Bee Crafts,  New Nostalgia,  It's your Life,    Get Your Crap Together  ,  BeBetsy,  Fluster Buster

Wednesday
Clean and Scentsible, Lady Behind the Curtain.  Family Home and Life,  Ducks n a Row,  VMG206.  Herrban Momma

Thursday
 Bloom,  Two Yellow Birds Decor,  The Busy B's,  The Taylor House.  52 Mantels,  Domesblissity,  Redfly Creations,   4 You With Love

Friday 
Lil’ Luna,,  Tatertots and Jello,  Five Simple Things,  Craftionary,  Diana Rambles

Saturday 
Angels Homestead,  Positively Splendid,  I Heart Nap Time,  Or So She Says ,  Your Homebased Mom ,  What's Cooking with Ruthie 

read more