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.