Cranberry Challah Bread Recipe

I love the Great Harvest challah bread. This was often the bread that I would get when visiting at Great Harvest. I enjoy this bread for toast and eggs the best!!!!! One day I was craving this bread and realized, "Yeah (self), I make all my bread why not this kind as well." This was my families Thanksgiving breakfast this year. 

Recipe I use is from this Site.

Makes 2 loaves. 

Ingredients

1 cup warm water
2 envelopes active dry yeast
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs, 1 divided
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 cups all-purpose flour
5-ounces Dried Cranberries
1 teaspoon water

Directions

Step 1: Stir warm water, yeast and sugar, together in a small mixing bowl; let stand 10 minutes. Mixture will foam.

Step 2: Whisk together 3 eggs, 1 egg white (reserve yolk), oil, salt and cinnamon, in a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Stir in yeast mixture and 5-1/4 cups flour until soft dough forms. Add dried cranberries and with floured hands, knead dough. Gradually add remaining 3/4 cup flour, until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Lightly flour a large mixing bowl. Place dough in bowl and roll around so that it is lightly covered. Place bowl with dough in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Step 5: Punch down dough; divide in half. Each half will make one braided loaf.

Step 6: To make a single braid: divide half into 3 equal pieces. Roll each into 14-inch rope. Braid dough and pinch ends to seal. Place on parchment paper on baking sheet or lightly greased baking sheet. Repeat steps with remaining dough.

Step 7: Cover shaped loaves and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Step 8: Preheat oven to 400ºF. Beat reserved yolk with water; brush loaves. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and bottom sounds hollow when tapped. Place foil on tops of loaves if tops brown to quickly. Remove loaves to wire rack and cool completely.

Daily, Weekly and Monthly Cleaning Schedule

"Cleaning with kids in the house is like brushing your teeth while eating oreos."
"Instead of cleaning the house, I just turn off the lights."
"You never know what you have until you clean your house/room"

Being the month of Thanksgiving and making a more earnest effort to have and show Gratitude. Here is a shout out for my parents. THANK YOU for teaching me how to clean and clean well.

If the thought of cleaning causes you to do this. Create a schedule, it will help.

Growing up, of course, I hated it when my mom or dad would double and triple check my work for completeness. It has paid off, literally. After I served an 18 month mission for my Church, work was very hard to come by. Long story short I started cleaning houses. In doing so I discovered three things: 1) I enjoyed it (no boss, flexible hours, and peace and quiet) 2) I was good at it and 3) It pays well (I was making between $15-$22 an hour).

I have met many (including myself) that have a hard time keeping clean and organized. Having a clean home improves my spirits. Take care to not let it consume you (I have and it no fun). This routine helps me balance having a clean home and other activities.

Here is my Cleaning Routine. Later I will post on house size and what is really needed. I have used this routine for 1+ years in a 2 bedroom 2 bath house and currently 1 bedroom 1 bath apartment.

Let's get cleaning!

Daily Tasks

1. Pick Up Clothes 

Put clean clothes away and dirty in laundry basket. Do before bed. 

2. Tidy My Room

Whatever is tidy for you. Put things in their place. I make sure nothing is on the floor so when I get up to get the baby (in the middle of the night) no angry words come out of mouth. Do before bed.

3. Unload Dishwasher

This is my least favorite chore. Nothing is better to waking up to an unloaded dishwasher. Do before bed.

4. Tidy Bathrooms

Wipe counters if needed. And just put things away. Do before bed.

5. Tidy Baby's Room

Put toys away and such. Do before bed. 

6. Weekly Task

Compete task for that day during the day. See below. 

OH what joy comes from finishing cleaning. 

Weekly Tasks

Monday - Laundry Day

Tuesday - Clean Bathroom

1. Once a month scrub shower and/or bathtub (i do it twice a month because my baby uses tub and I want it cleaner for him) 

2. Clean Toilets

3. Clean Mirrors

4. Clean Counters

Wednesday - Clean Surfaces

1. Wipe Cupboards and Appliances

2. Dust Master Bedroom Furniture

3. Dust Family Room

4. Dust baby's room

5. Dust Window Seals

6. Once a month or every other wipe inside of fridge.

Thursday - Clean Floors

1. Sweep or vacuum entire house

2. Mop Kitchen

3. Alternate mopping other rooms with hardwood floors i.e. (Master bedroom and bathroom) and (Baby bedroom, bathroom, and family room)

4. Once a Month Clean Corners and Baseboards

Friday - Organize Something

Whatever you want to do. Pick something small. A kitchen drawer, a cupboards, a closet shelf, sewing supplies, etc. No more than 20 min. 

Saturday - Monthly Task

This is only one Saturday a month

Here is link to my post on DIY Non-Toxic Household Cleaners (All-Purpose, Window, Dusting, Air Freshener). click to redirect.

Monthly Tasks 

Pick one from the list 

Wash walls - and use touch up paint where necessary

Clean out drawers and closets - donate usable clothing and items to charity

Clean and organize the garage and or basement

Wash duvets, blankets, comforters, spreads, pillows

Organize the pantry and kitchen cabinets - throw out expired food or plan meals to use soon to expire items

Wash windows - (inside and out) and screens

Deep-clean Floors/Rugs

Clean all the hard-to-reach places - behind the stove, refrigerator, washer/ dryer, sofas

Clean medicine cabinets - throw away expired medications 

Clean and organize personal files

Defrost and clean freezer, stove, oven

You will find that at first it will take up a bit of time to clean all this, but by the second week it will be a lot easier and the third it will be a breeze. Why is this?

The more dirt and scum build up the more elbow grease will be needed in the beginning. Another is that you will develop your own way of cleaning and just like anything else you will get quicker and better at it. And lastly, as you keep it up you will only be dealing with a week of dirt, so cleaning time will go faster. Also I skip some cleaning tasks some weeks depending my time and/or if its not dirty.

Having a day to clean one thing helps me not get overwhelmed and consumed. Before my baby was born and a bit after I did all the cleaning in one or two days. This made it so I did not have to worry about cleaning the rest of the week. I hope you find this helpful.

Love this article and this one that explains why we should make an effort on keeping a clean house. Note I am not perfect nor is anyone else. I am not trying to shame others but encourage (including myself).

DIY Natural Foundation - Treat Your Skin Right

I am really excited but this new skin care foundation. I have battled with acne all of my young adult and adult life. I have used large amount of foundation during this time to cover it up, which in reality make it worse and clogging more pores.

I enjoyed clear skin once in my adult life when I went on the prescription drug, Accutane. I finally had the clear skin I always wanted but at a price. There is the list of the $price$; having to be on birth control (my body hates it, make me moody, I bleed daily for months, breast soreness, etc.), excessive dry skin (chap lips constantly, very painful hemorrhoids, and dryness in the female region), COST (visits to dermatologist, lotion, hemorrhoid cream, feminine hygiene products, and buying the drug itself) time (three months of taking Accutane, doctor visit, and taking care of side effects), and then after about a year of having clear skin my acne came back. 

After not having to wear foundation for about a year, I came to loving having a make-up free face and saving money. When my acne came back I did not feel this great need to wear makeup to cover it up as i did before (I did and still occasionally wear foundation and other makeup when I feel like it, but it is not that often. The most is once a week.) I made this about 2 weeks ago and I have not wore it every day (still not in habit of putting on foundation), but I want too because everytime I wear it my skin feels so loved. 

I am not saying this foundation powder will clear up acne, but it will do a lot of good for the skin. Whenever I wear it my skin feels amazing, so I feel amazing. ANOTHER PLUS IS THAT IT IS THE SAME INGREDIENTS USED TO MAKE HOMEMADE DRY SHAMPOO! 

My sources for this recipe came from the following sites; MommyPotamus and Thank Your Body.

Homemade Foundation Powder

I created link for each of the ingredients to sites that share the benefits of that ingredient for the skin. 

Ingredients:

For the base:
Arrowroot Powder

Add one or a combination of:
Cocoa Powder, all skin tones
Ground Cinnamon, warm skin tones

Bentonite clay for cool skin tones

French green clay, minimizes redness

Add one or a combination of (optional):

Jojoba

Almond Oil

Lavender Essential Oil

Frankincense Essential Oil

Melaleuca Essential Oil

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Geranium Essential Oil

My Doterra Esstentail oil site is http://www.mydoterra.com/rachellewman/

The Recipe combo that I used (BASIC)

2 tablespoons Arrowroot Powder

2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

3-5 drops LavenderEssential Oil

3-5 drops Geranium Essential Oil

Directions:

Step 1: Blend 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and one tablespoon arrowroot, then check color intensity against your skin. Add additional arrowroot if a lighter color is desired, additional cocoa if a darker color is desired.

Step 2 (optional): To add warm tones to your powder foundation: Mix in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Add additional cinnamon in 1/4 teaspoon increments until the desired hue is reached.

Step 3 (optional) : To add cool tones to your powder foundation: Mix in 1 teaspoon bentonite clay. Add additional clay in 1/2 teaspoon increments until the desired hue is reached.

Step 4 (optional): To reduce reddish undertones: Mix in 1 teaspoon French green clay. Add additional clay in 1/4  teaspoon increments, testing as you go.

Step 5 (optional): Add essential oils. Stir till combined.

Step 6 (optional): If you want more of a “compact” foundation, add some jojoba/olive/almond oil to the mixture and press down into a compact. (Start with 5 drops and keep adding until it reaches your desired texture)
Step 7: To apply use a brush. Make sure to tap off excess before swiping face.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread - Super Seed Bread

This is my best copycat of Great Harvest Seed Bread. I combined a honey whole-wheat recipe with a seed bread recipe. I normally would tell you my sources but it has been years. My mother asks for this bread instead of birthday cake! We LOVE it!

Honey Whole Wheat Bread –Super Seed Bread

The recipe makes 3 loaves

3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast

2/3 cup honey (I use honey from my parents beehives, YUM!)

4-5 cups bread flour or all purpose

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon salt

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 tablespoons butter, melted for tops of loaves

or one egg white whisked to brush tops of loaves before they are baked

You can play with the flour ratios. Depending if you want more wheat.

Seed Mixture Ratio

2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1 tablespoon flax seeds

1 tablespoon millet

1 tablespoon quinoa

1 tablespoon of poppy seeds

1 tablespoon chia seeds

I mix up about a quart Mason jar amount at a time, so I always have it on hand. 

Directions

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 2 cups white bread flour or all-purpose and 3 cups whole wheat flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes covered with towel, or until big and bubbly.

Mix in flour

Till well combined but not over mixed

Cover and let set for about 30 min

Step 2: After 30 min, mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, salt and ¼ to ¾ cup SEEDS (depending on how much you want).

After 30 minutes it should look like this; about doubled in size and bubbly

Add salt, butter, honey and seeds

Stir until combined

Step 3: Stir in 2 cups all-purpose flour (or use kitchenaid).

Stirring by hand might take a bit of time, but great arm workout. Mix till well combined.

Step 4: Flour a flat surface and knead until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 cups of flour.

Place on floured surface and flour on top

Press into dough

Turn

Fold in half and press in again

Turn

Fold

Press and repeat till dough is elastic and easy to handle. You still want it a little sticky to the touch

Step 5: Place in a floured bowl. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about a hour.

After rising you want it to look like this doubled in size.

Step 6: Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, brush tops with egg white mixed with a little water and top with additional seeds. Allow dough to rise until it has topped the pans by one inch.

Grease three loaf pans with shortening

Divide dough in thirds

Mix egg white with 1 tablespoon of water and brush tops of loafs 

Pat additional seeds on top of loafs

Allow to rise for 15-30 min till dough pass tops of pans about and inch (I had different size loaf pans).

Step 7: Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes depending on size, you want it ever golden brown on top; do not over bake. OPTIONAL- Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely

Great for toast, sandwich, etc... ENJOY

Additional Options-

I make rolls with this bread as well by greasing a muffin tin, placing small amount of seeds on bottom of each tin and placing a roll size amount of dough on top (still topping with egg whites and seeds as well). Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Shape into loaf rounds if no loaf pans are available.