New Potatoes

A few weeks ago I spent an overnight with my sweet and sassy sister, Hannah. I was so fun to watch movies all weekend, relax, and talk together. I wish we lived closer and could hang out more! She is so amazing. She's encounter all kinds of various trials, and is one STRONG cookie!

While we were there, I made a dinner that has become a personal favorite! It's super easy, gluten-free for those who care, and is a healthy take on potatoes. Here it is:

Drizzle chicken breast (I did thighs, yum!) with olive oil, and sprinkle with Garlic Dude Dust (haven't ordered this online, but search it out. It's a favorite!), and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes (shorter time for thighs).

While the chicken is baking, boil cubed sweet potatoes (light flesh) for 15 minutes, or until tender. Mash potatoes with a little butter, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. It's the zest that sets this apart, and does help keep your glycemic index lower. The combination of the sweet potatoes and garlicy chicken are so yummy.

Add in a mixed greens salad or broccoli, and you've got a delicious and healthy meal.

Routines and Wishbones

As I enjoy the last little bit of a quiet before bed, was reading some blogs and feel semi-inspired to update before any more time slips by. This will be random . . . I promise.

This Christmas break I've gotten a couple chances to sit and revisit my normal routines and changes are coming! Between feeling the desperate need to spend more time with Jesus, getting a gym membership for Christmas from my main squeeze, and feeling the need to be done with singing my sweet baby to sleep every night, I needed to work a few things out. Unfortunately some of that requires that I start getting up REEEEAALLLYYY early again. And that also means trying to get to sleep early most nights. Oh boy. Here it comes. The struggle between sleep and hangin' with my honey. I hate this! He is such a night owl and can't seem to find his way to bed before 11. Was just thinking yesterday about how I needed more opportunities to grow. Felt a little stagnant. :0) Here's me asking the Creator of the universe for a little help and inspiration to find a balance. HELP! I've got a tentative schedule put together for when my cherubs return on Monday, and we'll see how things shake out.

As far as the baby boy goes, He and David now have their two twin beds put together and we've established a really great bed time routine that gives me snuggle time AND time to finish up my chores BEFORE 9, and thank you to David, who tells Johnny all sorts of silly stories to put him to sleep. Halleluia! Mommy might just survive. This is me wearing a BIG smile.

Today I attended the celebration service for a beautiful lady who went to be with Jesus on Christmas day. It really made me take stock of my life and my legacy. All I can think of is, "WISHBONE!" A few months ago I'd made a turkey and gave the wishbone to David and Johnny to break. David won and I asked him what he wished for. He said he'd wished for a better mom. Haha. I laughed. We all laughed. A few weeks later David was trying my patience with needing to get out the door to soccer practice, or something like that. My voice started to raise, and then escalated to a yell. I hate to admit it, but it does happen from time to time. To this he responded with, "Well, I guess the wishbone didn't work!" Oh man. He's brought it up a couple times since then as well. I know that I need to work on my responses, being more consistent, and teaching rather than a no-mercy/no-grace approach, but come on kid! Beth's service today reminded me that if my focus is on Jesus my Savior and not on myself, that He will use me in greater ways than I can imagine. I'd rather be used for God's glory, then be reminded that the wishbone didn't work! That's a pretty shortcut way of saying what I wanted to say. Did that all make sense?

I am looking forward to what God has to teach me in 2011, and will embrace each opportunity, or will maybe throw a fit and then remember half way through it to embrace each opportunity.

Setting the Tone - One of Woman's Greatest Legacies

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: . . ." 

Proverbs 15:13

Being a mom and a day care provider has its challenges. One of the challenges for me, but more specifically for my boys, is the morning. By the time my boys wake up in the morning, three girls have been in my home for at least 20 minutes, and my boys wake up needing to share mom. This is a little easier for them toward the end of the week, in contrast to right after the weekend.

Now, I could choose to get them up before the girls arrive, but my goal is to get lunches packed and the hubby and myself fed by 6:30, which then allows me time to read my Bible and sip some coffee for a little over 30 minutes. That plan is what gets me through the day. I'm pretty happy with that plan. However, that does make me very aware of the impact that has on my own children since mom is already busy with children when they wake up.

Currently the boys love the girls, and the girls love them, so the transition is pretty easy. I have noticed though, that my response to them then, and on the weekends, can either make or break the morning. If I drop everything to greet the boys (and girls, actually) with a joyful greeting and a hug, then they get a good dose of mommy love that will get them through the harried morning. If I stay involved with what I'm involved in when they come downstairs, then they have a much harder morning. Of course this is much easier to do on the weekends, but has even greater impact during the week.

Setting the tone of your home (early in the morning!) is one of a mother's (or woman's!!) greatest legacies. This isn't my own idea though, God's second greatest commandments was to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31)! This is one way that I choose (because some days it's a choice not feeling!) to love my boys (and husband) as myself. I greet them in the morning exactly how I'd want to be greeted.


This weekend I was with it enough to greet my boys with some really light and fluffy pumpkin pancakes! I thought I'd share this yummy recipe, which comes from a wonderful breakfast cookbook a friend generously gave me!

Pumpkin Pancakes

(From Margaret S. Fox's, Morning Food)

1 c. flour 

(I doubled this recipe and used 1/2 white and 1/2 whole wheat, and couldn't tell at all.)

1/4 tsp salt 

(I decided to not put this in because of salt in the butter)

2 Tbsp brown sugar 

(slightly healthier than white, and organic sugars, which are certain to be non-genetically modified, can be found near the regular sugar at Fred Meyer)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ginger

1 large egg, beaten

1/4 c. plain yogurt 

(the secret ingredient in my opinion!)

3/4 c. milk

3/4 c. pumpkin pureé 

(I'd recommend trying to make your own! You could can it, or freeze it, if using a large pumpkin.)

2 Tbsp melted butter

Mix all ingredients and use real maple syrup if your kids will eat it! Real maple syrup has less impact on your blood sugar levels than other syrups. 

Autumn is Back With Salmon Chowder

Salmon Chowder

Autumn is upon us and soups are BACK! I posted the recipe for this salmon chowder last fall, but felt like it deserved to repeat appearance. I made this last week and the reviewers told me it was the best yet. Although one of them said that the time we made it after buying the salmon fresh on the coast was better. I believe him, even though it was a LOOOONNNGGGG time ago. So, here's my nod to fall, which, by the way, still feels like fall without spending an enormous amount of time involved with a marching band. Just in case you were wondering, marching friends!



Salmon Chowder

2 Tbsp oil
2 Tbsp butter
1 c. onion, diced (I use a whole, medium onion)
1 c. red pepper, diced (I use a whole pepper)
1 c. celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed or finely diced
1 c. carrot, shredded
1 c. potato, chopped
1/2 tsp salt (adjusted for the salt in the butter)
1/2 - 1 tsp dill weed
Chicken broth
1 can creamed corn
2 - 3 small cans salmon
Half-n-Half or heavy cream (1 - 1 1/2 c.)

In a big soup pot sauté onion, red pepper, and celery in butter and oil until soft, about 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and stir for just about a minute, and in the carrot, potato, salt, and dill weed. Cover with broth and simmer for 20-40 minutes until vegetables are soft. Add creamed corn, salmon, and cream until desired thickness. I recommend serving this chowder with a small green salad and either corn bread or toasted garlic bread.

Happy Autumn everyone! Time to cuddle up with your loved ones, or with blanket and a good book!

Dutch Oven Cooking and the Chicken of Awesomeness!

My husband LOVES to cook in dutch ovens. We have a larger one and a smaller one. We usually use the larger one when camping, but this week I pulled the smaller one out, seasoned it, and made my new favorite chicken recipe. Cooking and baking in a dutch oven is really an art. We have two recipes that Brian and I would consider perfected (Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler and Chinese Chicken Stir Fry - the two SHOULDN'T be mixed! Ask me if you want to hear THAT funny story!) and have recently begun perfecting a blueberry cake. Now that the little one is out and seasoned, I'd like to cook in it more often! 

I know that there are benefits to cooking in dutch ovens, but without doing any research because I'm tired and want to go take a nap, the only one that I can spout off is that you get a dose of iron in your food, which is good for you! Good for your blood! Anyway, it's super fun and feels halfway as if you were camping. 

Here's some tips about maintaining a cast iron dutch oven.

1) If you've got a brand new dutch oven, heat your oven (or fire!) to 350 degrees. Wipe your dutch oven down with some Crisco, or a more healthy option would be coconut oil or olive oil. (Have never used coconut oil, but I'm assuming it'd work just fine.) You should wipe the lid down as well, and be generous with your oil of choice. Throw your dutch oven into the oven for an hour, then bring it out to cool, unless you've got a meal ready to cook in it or something to bake in it. (Hmmmm. I think I may try some corn bread!) 

2) Clean up's a snap with a dutch oven! Never wash it with soap. Always use water and a some steal wool. If there is food baked on, put water in it and let it soak for a while, and it should come off with some steal wool. Don't worry about getting off every little bit of it though. That's the glory of the dutch oven and seasoning it. The chicken recipe that I recently tried had a sauce and I simply rinsed it out, wiped more oil into it, stuck it back into the oven, and it was good to go. 

3) Make sure you store your dutch oven in a dry location. When left damp it will rust. If it does rust, simply scrub it with steal wool, season, and you're back in business!

So, now for the moment you've all been waiting for. Drum roll, please!!!

From the kitchen of Mary Goodell and the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society Cookbook . . . 

"Mary Goodell's Honey Salsa Chicken"

12 in. Dutch oven - Serves 4-6 

3-4 lbs chicken, cut up (did whole breasts. You could do thighs, just shorten the cooking time.)

1Tbsp butter

1 onion, chopped (or sliced)

Sauce: (I doubled the sauce recipe)

2 tsp chili powder

2 Tbsp prepared mustard (I used dijon)

1/4 c. salsa

1/2 c. honey

dash of hot sauce

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp salt

I did this recipe in the oven, which I heated to 325 degrees because I knew I wanted to let it cook for more than an hour. You could cook it at 350, or 300 depending on how long you needed it to stay in the oven.

Preheat the oven with the dutch oven inside (up to 45 minutes). Throw the butter in it until melted and sizzling. Throw the onions in and toss until coated. Let the onions cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the oven temperature. Add in the sauce and chicken, making sure that the chicken is well coated with sauce. Put on the lid and let it cook for 1 hour-2 hours, again, depending on the oven temperature. 

This recipe could be down in a slow cooker! I'd layer the chicken on top of the onions and pour the sauce over the chicken and cook for 6ish hours on low. 

Last night we served this over brown rice, and it was amazing!

I'd love to hear about any other great dutch oven stories, tips, or recipes ya'll might share!

God's Thoughts Are Precious Thoughts

Just last month I wrote this post while I had some time to think. Seems like such a long time ago. Great reminder for myself now that we're into the swing of the fall!

But before I go there . . . 

Life here at the Heather House has been busy. Brian has a bigger load at school and is much busier (but still not as busy when he was teaching marching band!), 3 little girls come to the house 5 days a week (two of which are 6 months old), David started 1st grade and is about to start soccer and Club Rock Salt, and Johnny is almost two . . . need I say more? :) We're all enjoying what we're doing, and enjoying being a family. We were able to do a little more as a family this summer, including taking a canoe camping trip. I think I'd like to blog about that later, as well as another fun canoe trip we did earlier in the summer. I love that our family likes to do outdoor things, and canoes. I think we're pretty cool! :)

Anyway, here are some things that were on my heart in August. 

Psalm 139

17-18 “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would out number the sand. When I awake I am still with you.”

23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”

Being a former teacher, and being married to a teacher, the rhythm of our life revolves around the school year. I always get excited around this time of year. The new books, supplies, a new teacher, new students, and the routine that the school year provides. Like most people celebrate the New Year, I find myself internally preparing for the school year. Something I love to do in preparation for the year is to gather my thoughts, spiritually speaking, and to come up with a spiritual theme for the year. I don’t know if the above verses will end up being my theme, but for where I’m at in the process, this is where my heart is.

My eldest is 6 right now, and he asks a lot of questions. At times his questions are bothersome and my first instinct is to ask him to go play somewhere else so mama can work without interruption!! I’m learning that questions are important to learning, to be patient with him, and talk with him. My thought is that if questions are good for him, maybe they’re good for me too! I really am not the type of person to ask questions. It really is a fault of mine. The pride in me causes me to want to look like I know what I’m doing, so asking questions would mean that I’m lacking in some way. This attitude has gotten me into trouble in countless ways and situations. So, this year I am trying to counter this inclination by acting like a child. I think I remember God saying something about being like a child, and I’m pretty sure it was a good thing! So this year my goal is to ask lots of questions, to learn from God about His thoughts and ways. J

In Psalm 139:17-18, David puts into words what my heard longs to say to God, and so perfectly sums up the theme I’d like to adopt for the year. God knows ALL things, and I do NOT know all things. Not only do I not know all things, but my bent is to not ask about what God knows and thinks about things. So to counter this, my desire is to keep this verse on the forefront of my mind so that I’ll remember to ask lots of questions, and in response to getting answers as I seek God’s mind, I commit to hold them as truth, and in high regard. While I do this, I also want to draw my sons’ attention to God and to teach them how to seek after Him.

The second set of verses speaks to my desire to place my anxious thoughts before God, and to strive towards purity of heart.

As I read over this post in preparation for publishing it, I realize how simple and childish these thoughts are. As I’ve sat down to read God’s Word over the years, I do ask questions. In this, I’m seeking God and His thoughts.

Another Healthy Breakfast Idea

This is another recipe from my favorite cookbook, Magic Foods. This helps keep your blood sugar from spiking. It doesn't taste healthy either. Lemon zest adds a hint of fruitiness. 


Multi-Grain Pancakes or Waffles

Pour 2 cups low-fat buttermilk over 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats and let sit while you put together the other ingredients.

mix together:
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup all-purpose flour (I did all whole wheat)
1/4 wheat germ
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar
Zest from 1 lemon
In separate bowl mix:
2 large eggs 
1 tbsp canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract

Add buttermilk mixture with other wet ingredients and pour over dry ingredients. Mix until just moistened. Makes delicious waffles or pancakes and is actually healthy!

We've topped with real maple syrup, which is better on your blood sugar level than pretend syrup. :) We've also topped the recipe in waffle style with ricotta cheese, blueberries, and just a drizzle of real maple syrup (cheapest when bought in a large bottle at Trader Joe's, and Winco's prices are next best). 

Whole Wheat Scones

These are super yummy and is a healthier breakfast option as well! 


Whole Wheat Scones

1 3/4 whole wheat flour

1/2 c. oats

3 Tbsp sugar (I put in a little more)

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt 

1 tsp cinnamon

lemon zest from 1 small lemon

cut in 1/3 c. butter

mix in 1c. fresh fruit, or 1/2 c. dried fruit

mix together 1 egg and 6 Tbsp half and half

Pour wet ingred. into dry ingred. and mix loosely with a fork until the dry is moistened. 

Work the dough with your hands and form into a ball, and then smooth out into a circle with the inside being taller than the outside and the diameter is approx. 8-10 inches. 

Cut dough into 8-10 equal pie shapes.

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for approx. 16-20 minutes. 

Variations:

Orange zest instead of lemon. You can also use the juice from the fruit. Just use less half and half so the dough isn't too sticky.

Poppy seeds would be great!

I sprinkled raw sugar, which usually are larger crystals, and is a little healthier than refined white sugar.

Fruit ideas:

Blueberry, peach or nectarine, lemon, orange/craisin, raisins, mixed dried fruit. I do prefer fresh fruit. 

Another suggestion I have is that you can mix the flour mixture, including the butter, the night before. Makes for a quicker morning.

Life happens while you're making plans

I wrote a post at the end of June telling the whole world that I was going to start writing devos (devotionals, as my hip sister calls them) once a week. Yeah RIGHT! The summer is 2/3rds gone and I have had a really hard time even getting into the Word, let alone writing something coherent about it. Something I am planning to change ASAP! Life is about to settle into a nice calm rhythm for about a week before more summer fun happens, so I can count on at least one week of consistent time with God. (Plans for a daily walk have been made as well, as long as my weak "princess" ankle cooperates!) I love what happens when I get those times with Him, so I'm pretty motivated. Something else I'm looking forward to is listening to the summer series from our church on my planned walks! We've missed church for too many weeks now, and after this morning's sermon I'm really looking forward to catching up!

Well, I'm off to help the hubby put a vent up in the front porch . . .

(GIRL) Book Recommend for SUMMER!

Created to Be His Helpmeet. I've found that I've been recommend this to gals on the countdown to marriage, and I realized that I haven't really shared this book with ladies who've are married. This book has revolutionized my marriage. Actually, applying Biblically based concepts to my marriage has revolutionized my marriage. :) Created to Be His Helpmeet was written by Debbi Pearl. She and her husband, Michael founded the ministry, No Greater Joy. The website itself is something I'd recommend checking out. They have articles that are geared towards marriage, parenting, homeschooling, etc.

Created to Be His Helpmeet is one of those books that you can't put down. Debbi is a down to earth woman who focuses on becoming not only a woman of God, but on becoming a FUN wife who understands her man and his needs. This book is almost like a really practical owners manual for marriage and men. She spends a chapter reviewing four different types of men. When I read this, it was easy to identify which of the personality types my husband was, and so refreshing to see someone "point out" the amazing qualities he possesses. It was also refreshing to learn how to support him in ways that would speak to him. As I started applying the Biblical principles I was learning, I found myself relaxing into my God given role as wife and helpmeet to my leader-type husband.

Another thing I really loved about this book, is that it also teaches you how to lighten up a little. For those who know my dad, he's really sincere, and came come across as being intense at times. I definitely take after him in my marriage life, so this aspect of the book was particularly helpful. I want to be fun and spunky too!

I was walking with a friend the other day who has read this book, and something she pointed out is that it is fraught with scripture. There is no principle that isn't found in scripture.

I'd love to recommend getting it from NGJ ministries, but being rich in blessings and not in cash, I usually hit up amazon.com first. I did a search on Amazon and found several used copies for under $7!

I've love to hear from you if you've read this book, and one thing you found to be particularly helpful for you in your marriage!

Coming soon . . .

Starting the second week in July I'm going to be posting a simple devotional every Friday OR Saturday. This is the first time I've done something like this so it may last one week . . . or it may last longer. It may be super simple, or deep, useful, or not. I'm not an accomplished writer by any means, so these may be fraught with grammar mistakes, and I'm going to try and ignore those. :) The purpose for doing this is to give myself reason to study God's word deeper than I would otherwise, and my hope is that the result of that study might benefit others too! I would love feedback and discussion for those who are interested!!

Homemade Salad Dressings

It could be that everyone and their dog makes their own salad dressings using fresh ingredients, and avoiding spending $$ on store bought, so maybe this won't be interesting at all. My hope is that at least someone will enjoy these 3 salad dressings, the last of which is still in progress. I'd love more suggestions if anyone has some!

This dressing goes well with the following ingredients:
Greens, cucs, dried crans, diced apple, tomato, slivered almonds, and feta.

1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. salsa
1 tsp. curry
1 tsp. powdered mustard
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/3 c. e-voo

This dressing goes with a Grilled Chicken Salad with Oranges recipe that is pretty tasty, but I just had it with greens, cucs, snap peas, black beans, feta, and sunflower seeds, and it was great! Let me know if you want the chicken salad recipe, although it might be on the blog already, I don't remember. I usually double this recipe.

1/3 c. orange juice (I like fresh!)
2 Tbsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp e-voo
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1/4 tsp. salt
pepper to taste

So, the dressing in progress is just a simple olive oil and vinegar, about half and half. Brian suggested adding chervil and marjoram, and pepper. Any more suggestions?

Enjoy saving money and eating healthy!

New Favorite Pancake Recipe and Yummy Granola

This morning my boy wanted some pancakes, and I've run out of pancake mix. I don't always use mix, but on days I have an agenda when my feet hit the floor, it's nice to be able to deliver on the pancake request quickly and be done with it! My goal is to watch our money more carefully and to provide more healthy choices, so I decided to forgo buying more mix. Long story short, I tried a new recipe that has many healthy ingredients. As I was pouring in the applesauce David declared, "Applesauce in our pancakes? Yuck!" I told him to quickly leave the kitchen and come back when the pancakes were done. Thankfully he decided that the pancakes were super tasty. It really didn't take much longer to make either and is easily doubled. So, here you go!

Applesauce Pancakes
(Originally Pumpkin and Ginger Pancakes)

1 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 lrg. egg, beaten
1/4 c. plain yogurt
3/4 c. milk
3/4 c. applesauce (or pumpkin)
2 tbsp. butter, melted

Mix dry ingredients, then add wet. Mix thoroughly. Throw on the griddle and enjoy!

Recently I made some homemade granola, and in this case it is gluten-free! Mine ended up cooking a little too long, but is still quite tasty. I've adjusted the time, so just keep your eyes on it and take it out when the color looks good.

Homemade Granola
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
3 c. old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1/2 c. pecan pieces
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. chopped hazelnuts
1 tbsp cinnamon

Mix these ingredients and set aside.

Melt 2 tbsp butter and mix with 1/2 c. honey or real maple syrup. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Spread on a large jelly roll pan or the bottom part of a broiler pan. (I didn't use foil, but did use an oil spray. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally so it bakes evenly. Cool on a wire rack. If there are any clumps, break them up before it cools. The granola may come out sticky, but will cool crisp and dry. Cool completely and store in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge. It will keep for several weeks.

Add any favorite dried fruits; cranberries, raisins, cherries, apricots, dates, figs.
This is great with milk, over plain or vanilla yogurt, over ice cream, or just plain.

Yummy Burritos and cookies!

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos
2 tsp canola oil
1 c. chopped onion
2 garlic cloves
4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
3/4 c. reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 med. sweet potato, peeled and diced (3 cups)
1 can mild green chile-seasoned diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 c. frozen corn (or not)
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1 TBSP fresh lime juice
pepper
whole wheat tortillas
cheese
sour cream

Heat oil in nonstick skillet  over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, and oregano. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 10 to 20 seconds. Add broth and sweet potato. Bring to a simmer. Cover an cook for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, beans, and corn. Return to a simmer. Cover and cook until the sweet potato is tender, 5 to 10 minutes longer. Mash about 1/4 of the vegetable mixture with a potato masher. Stir the mashed and unmashed portions together. Stir in the lime juice, cilantro, and pepper.

Heat Tortillas. Spoon 2/3 c. of the filling in tortilla. Sprinkle cheese. Serve with sour cream for dipping.

This burrito recipe is super tasty and is a winner wit all of my boys. For John I even mix a little plain yogurt instead of sour cream. This comes from my favorite recipe book, Magic Foods by Reader's Digest.


Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. peanut butter (Adam's is the best flavor, and no added sugar)
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
2 eggs
3 TBSP orange juice (I didn't include this because I didn't have any)
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour (whole wheat as quite tasty! Bob's Red Mill, of course.)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder (I think I put in a little more)
1/2 tsp salt
Chocolate Chips

Mix dry ingredients and set aside. Cream butters and sugars. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Add in dry ingredients and mix in chocolate chips.

Bake 14 minutes at 350.

Super yummy!!!!!

High Protein Pancakes-Big Thumbs UP!

I tried these pancakes this last weekend and love them! They aren't gluten-free, but they are high in protein and low sugar (none, until you add syrup!). I imagine that if you were to add some lemon zest and some blue berries that they'd be fairly low on the glycemic index! Don't quote me on that, though! They were really easy to make, and if you're feeding more than yourself, I'd recommend doubling or even tripling the recipe.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes
3 large eggs
1 cup cottage cheese (nonfat is fine)
2 Tbsp canola oil (can be omitted)
1/4 cup white flour (I had whole wheat, and it was great. Going to try to gluten-free this recipe soon.)
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp ground flax seeds (optional. I loved this!)

Put all ingredients into the blender (I mixed flour, baking powder and salt up before throwing it in), and combine until smooth. Pour onto a lightly greased hot griddle. Make sure you check the bottoms. They were a deep golden brown by the time I saw bubbles.

I topped this with a little syrup, but you could do berries and/or a little honey and they'd be just as good!

Gluten-free Granola Bars (and current favorite song)

I tried this recipe this weekend and met with success!! How can you go wrong when you include chocolate and peanut butter! I looked at 3-4 recipes online and put this together.

3 c. old fashioned oats (start with 2 cups and at the end add up to a cup more to desired consistencies.)
1/2-3/4 c. walnut pieces
1/2-3/4 c. slivered almonds
1/2 c. brown sugar
2-3 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. dried cranberries
3/4 c. dark chocolate chips
(Experiment with other favorite fruits or nuts. You could try leaving out the chocolate, but in my opinion it just won't work! :))

1/4 c. butter (I used canola oil)
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c. natural peanut butter (smooth OR crunchy)

Preheat oven to 350 and line a 13 x 9 pan with foil and spray with oil spray. Mix dry ingredients in large bowl and set aside. Mix wet ingredients. Pour wet into dry and mix well (hands or spoon). Add oats to desired consistency. Pour into pan and pat down with wet hands or metal utensil. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or longer for crunchier bars. (I'm going to go for 25 minutes next time. Cool on wire rack. Cool or even freeze before cutting into bars. (I actually love eating these bars frozen!)

     Worship is like food to my soul. I feel totally unsatisfied with life if it's been a while. It's like withholding food from my body when I don't worship. In past blogs I've written about how I was reading in John and how struck I was that Jesus was concerned about people and supplying their need for food. It was important to Him to sustain His creation. I love eating and good food, but I enjoy a good worship time even more. The following song is one of my current faves! The choir and congregation at church has sung this a handful of times now, and I love my version on the ipod. Brings tears! "Jesus your Name is power, breath, and living water." So true. I feel like my soul has eaten a feast after I've sung this song to my Savior!

     Lord, I praise You for the amazing gift You've given us, Your creation, in Yourself. You are my food and my drink. I am Yours and You are mine. You are El Shaddai, my sustainer and my provider.

Revelation Song

Worth is the Lamb who was slain. 

Holy, holy is He. 

Sing a new song to Him sits on heaven's mercy seat.

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.

Who was, and is, and is to come.

With all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings

You are my everything and I will adore You.

Clothed in rainbows of living color,

flashes of lighting, rolls of thunder.

Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be 

to You the only wise King.

Chorus

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, 

at the mention of Your Name.

Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water,

such a marvelous mystery.

Chorus

Citrus and Chicken Dinner Salad & Hearty Meat and Veggie Pasta Sauce

This healthy recipe is out of the Magic Foods cookbook that I've mentioned before. Each time I've changed a thing or two, but tonight it was spectacular. Enjoy!

Serves 2 (pretty large salads)
Salad:
1 head romain
2-4 green onions
snap peas
1 orange (for orange and grapefruit, cut peal off and slice)
1 grapefruit
sliced, cooked, chicken breast
sliced almonds, or pistacios
feta

Dressing:
1/3 orange juice (fresh is best)
2 TBSP lemon juice
3 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil
1 TBSP dijon mustard
2-4 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 tsp salt
pepper

I've baked the chicken in a batch of the dressing before and it was really tasty. Just make sure you make an extra batch to put on your salad. :-)

Hearty Meat and Veggie Pasta Sauce

This recipe is an original that is a new favorite.
1 lb. ground beef, brown and add following ingredients . . .
1 c. finely chopped onion
1 c. shredded zuchinni
1 c. shredded carrots
When above veggies are soft, add . . .
1 c. red wine (optional)
1 can diced tomatoes, or 3-4 diced fresh tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
Add water for desired consistency (I put in about a cup)
salt and pepper to taste, and tsp sugar

This is great on any pasta. We love it on angel hair  or regular spaghetti, and I recently had it on brown rice pasta.

January 26th

It's been so long since I've posted, and this has been because of a little bit of busy-ness, and a little rebellion! It's hard to share your heart when there's something that needs to be worked through. Can't say that I can share what that was about because is still in progress, but I can say the Lord ain't through with me yet. :) Can I hear an "amen sister!"

I remember sharing about an amazing experience that happened a few years ago in a barn, where I feel that I had an experience that opened my eyes to what a real relationship with the Lord is? Now, you could take that the wrong way pretty easily, but it really was just a worship service in a place they call "the Barn." :) It was amazing. As I was leaving, a gal told me, and I don't know how she knew what I experienced, but she told me that the Lord wanted me to spend more time worshipping and communing with Him closely, like I had that night. It was very special to hear my experience validated and to understand what being truly close to my Savior was like. This last fall I've spent more time being discontent than in that place, and it showed! Now that I recognize my discontent, I'm getting back into the routine of spending more time in the Word, and choosing Christ-like attitudes over the alternative. I still am sometimes too tired to realize how close I am to living a whole entire day being Spirit led and enjoying that communion, but I'm a lot closer now than I was a couple months ago!

This January I decided to start reading through the Bible chronologically. My mom did this last year and I have yet to read some of the old prophets, and thus the entire Bible, so I thought I'd give it a go. I want to be living as a sold out follower of Christ, and that means knowing His Word, and in turn Him, more. I love reading the OT. In the last year I read a couple historical fiction novels about Abraham and a couple other OT heroes, and it really helped bring to life these characters and my interest reading between the lines, digging deeper. So far I'm up to Genesis 42 (Job was thrown in the middle of that), and reading about Joseph. What an amazing story! To have such patience. I'd love to have a prayer partner like Joseph must have been. Such perseverance and faithfulness.

Another challenge I've taken on is training for a half marathon. More on that later. Off to get a baby up from nap time!

More recipes on the way too!