Thursday, February 13, 2014

Happy Valentines Day

 
Mason Jar filled with Trail Mix and a tag that says "I'm nuts about you!"


Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Blueberry Muffins (Gluten Free and Dairy Free)

 
2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum)
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup coconut almond blend milk
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)

 
 
Mix everything together and beat on medium speed for about two minutes.  Fold in the blueberries.  Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes.  Makes12 muffins.
 
 

Chocolate Banana Milk Shakes (Dairy Free)

 
 
 
Makes: Two Servings
 
1 banana
1-2 cups Chocolate Almond Milk
1 Tablespoon Pure Maple Syrup
6-8 Ice Cubes
 
This recipe is so easy to double.  My kids have been asking for this daily!
 


Monday, January 20, 2014

My First Loaf of Gluten Free Bread


 
I've made gluten free bread in the past, but it was not a success.  Today I made some and it is so much better.  My son is sick of eating his sandwiches on gluten free pancakes :)
 
2 1/4 cups gluten-free flour (I use a mix I made with tapioca starch, rice flour, cornstarch, garbanzo bean flour, and xanthan gum)
1/4 cup flax seed meal
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
                      Mix the above ingredients then add the following:
2 eggs
2 egg whites
              1 cup of water/milk
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons Braggs apple cider vinegar                                             

Directions:

  1. Combine flours, flax, starches, gum, yeast, salt.
  2. In the mixer, combine wet ingredients, then add the dry.
  3. Scrape the sides, and mix on medium for 4-5 minutes.
  4. Pour into a loaf pan, and let rise to top of pan (took about 1 1/2 hours).
  5. Bake at 350F for about 40 minutes
  6. Remove from pan, cool, and slice.
 
    
    

    Adoption Day Two Year's

     
    On Wednesday we will be celebrating two years from when we arrived in the US with our precious Levi.  We arrived in the DR of Congo on the 16th of January, 2012.  That evening we got to finally meet him.  The way he clung to me is indescribable.  We spent the rest of the week trying to soak up the culture of the DRC. 

    In the last two years we have tried to stay connected to the DRC.  We've become friends with missionaries to the DRC who attend our church.  We've also hosted dinner for a doctor and a missionary that are both Congolese and currently serving the Congolese people.  God has brought us these friendships for a reason and we look forward to continuing them.   
    Our family has been blessed throughout this adoption journey.  God has taught us many lessons while we were waiting especially to rely on him and his timing.  Continue to pray for us as we raise all three of our wonderful children.  What a blessing each one is in our lives.

    On Wednesday we will be celebrating as a family with a wonderful Congolese dinner.  I will be making the national dish of the DRC chicken mwamba, fish and tomatoes, and plantains.  Psalm 34:3 "Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!"
     
     
    

    Almond Joy Goodness


    1/2 cup almonds
    1 cup unsweetened dates
    1 cup unsweetened coconut
    3 T. cocoa

    Mix in a food processor until the mixture is very fine and sticks together.  Press into a waxed paper lined small bar pan (I pressed into 1/2 a bar pan).  Removed from pan and slice, you will get 10-12 bars.  Press two almonds into each bar.  Mix 1/2 T. melted coconut oil, 1/2 T. cocoa, 1/2 t. stevia.  Drizzle over the bars and refrigerate until firm.

    Thursday, November 14, 2013

    Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

     
    Make about 4 dozen cookies.

    1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten free flour

    1 teaspoon salt

    1 teaspoon baking soda

    1 stick unsalted butter, softened
     
    1/2 cup peanut butter
     
    1-2 tablespoons milk or almond milk

    1 cup packed light brown sugar

    1 large egg

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    3 cups rolled oats

    2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
     
    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Mix together egg, vanilla, brown sugar, milk, and butter.  Add in dry ingredients followed by the chocolate chips.  Drop in teaspoon size balls and bake 8 minutes.