Peach Poke Cake

Do you remember those Jell-o poke cakes that were popular in the late 70's? Umm, dating myself a bit but mom used to make them because they were tasty and simple. I think that the fruity flavors make better cakes in the springtime and summer when flavors like chocolate and spice are heavy and cloying. So the last cake that I made was for a friend and I thought it would be good to break out some cherished home canned peaches for an extra special treat.

It's not really a recipe, just a concept. I don't use a special home made batter, just a white cake mix. There is a way to improve any box mix. Use whole milk instead of water, and add an extra two tablespoons of oil to improve the moisture of the cake.

Bake the cakes as directed on the package. While they cool make the Jell-o using the quick set method. Use a wooden spoon to poke holes every inch or so in the cake and pour the Jell-o all over the top of the cake(s). Then refrigerate till the Jell-o is set.

 Our commissary only had sugar free peach Jell-o and I was concerned that it would not set up right in the cake, but it did just fine. Assembly is easy. Whip real cream, slice peaches and make pretty layers.

This is one juicy and luscious warm weather cake. pansies are edible if they haven't been treated with any pesticides and make easy decorations.

I know it's crazy, but I do not always prefer chocolate when the weather warms up. I wonder if other people feel the same?

Swamp-water Blueberry Smoothie

    The blueberries gathered by our hands in the steam bath of last summer- have been waiting in limbo in the deep freeze for a winter day like today.
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    Our weary bodies, abused from a dearth of tooth rotting and waist expanding sweets from Christmas, are in desperate need of some real food. Not another breakfast of greasy bacon and toast. That sounds yucky and heartburn inducing.  It was time to break out the juicer and make some swamp water juice, containing carrots, collard greens, apples, pears, pineapple and celery.

     That took forever. The next step was to use the precious blueberries to turn the ghastly juice into a smoothie that was wonderful. With my eldest boy sick and the rest of the clan moving sluggishly, this drink was today's salvation. Vitamin pills do not work as well as fruit and veggies. God makes the good stuff, not humans.
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     Nothing was wasted. The pineapple rind, leftover carrot peels and vegetable pulp from the juicer got spun around in the food processor with some duck eggs. The mess was taken to the chickens to be devoured by their greedy beaks. It will be recycled  back into eggs and useable chicken manure for the garden. My crew of poultry pets are great at completing a process which is good for us, them and the land.

    I wish I could do this every day, but it takes a ton of effort. The payoff is worth it when we are all feeling run down because it really helps. Even if you do not have chickens to feed the scraps to; the fruits and veggies will help you. Do whatever you can to ride out the worst of winter.