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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Coconut Apple Cinnamon Pecan Muffins - Wheat Flour




Oh my gosh.....these are REALLY REALLY good.  These are nice and moist and have a GREAT flavor.  You can definitely taste the cinnamon, coconut  and apple pieces and there is a crunch from the pecans.   

Comments from my co-workers:  "These are SOOOOO good... These are DELICIOUS.....I could eat these all day...These are VERY VERY good...YUM...I LOVE these...These are AWESOME...They are SOOO moist !!!! "

This recipe was adapted from Southern Food Apple Pecan Muffins.





Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Flour )
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup Sucanat   (or brown sugar)
1 cup pecans, chopped
  
1 cup  Unsweetened Shredded Coconut  (I use Bob's Red Mill)
 --------
2 Tbsp molasses
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups chopped peeled apples
2 medium to large very ripe bananas, mashed


Topping:
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions:
Mix molasses, applesauce, milk, vanilla, apples and mashed bananas in one bowl. 

Mix the dry ingredients in another bowl.    

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened.  


Pour into muffin pan, sprinkle with topping mixture and bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  

I like using the silicone bakeware for my muffins.  The muffins  come out so easily and I don't need to grease the pan.  My favorites are:   Casabella Silicone Standard Muffin PanCasabella Silicone Large Muffin Pan, Casabella Jumbo Muffin Cups.

The OXO Large Scoop  is GREAT for scooping out batter into the muffin pan.  It is MUCH neater than when I used a spoon to scoop the batter into the pan - I no longer get batter all over the muffin pan !!!


Estimated Nutritional Value per muffin based on 12 muffins:  Calories 236,  Total Fat  12.2g, Cholesterol 0mg,  Sodium 64 mg, Carbs 29.6g, Fiber 3.7g, Sugars 11.8g, Protein  3.4g

Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
Psalm 48:1 (NIV)

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Pinto Beans and Rice (DF, GF)



I ALWAYS liked beans and rice !!!  Beans and rice makes a GREAT side dish or burrito filling.  It also is GREAT to take for lunch.

This recipe was adapted from Sandy's Rice Salad.




Ingredients:
2 cups cooked brown rice
3/4 cup salsa (no sugar)
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp cilantro flakes

Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in a bowl.  Serve warm or cold.  To serve warm, microwave for a few minutes.


Estimated Nutritional Value per serving based on 4 servings:  Calories 284, Total Fat 1.4g, Cholesterol 0mg,  Sodium 393mg, Carbs 58.1g, Fiber 9.8g, Sugars 3.1g, Protein 10.9g


Let us try to know the Lord.  He will come to us as surely as the day dawns, as surely as the spring rains fall upon the earth.
Hosea 6:3 (GNT)



Saturday, February 22, 2014

Refried Beans Corn and Rice Burrito Filling (DF, GF)



This is SOOOOOO good as a burrito filling!!!  I adapted this recipe from my Refried Bean Casserole and Sandy's Rice Salad.



Ingredients:
2 cups cooked brown rice
3/4 cup salsa (no sugar)
1 can refried beans (I used Casa Mamita - no sugar)
1 can corn, drained
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp cilantro flakes
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp chili powder

Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in a bowl.  Warm in the microwave for a few minutes.   Fill a burrito with the filling and enjoy !!!!



Estimated Nutritional Value per serving based on 4 servings:  Calories 344, Total Fat 2.3g, Cholesterol 0mg,  Sodium 760mg, Carbs 75.9g, Fiber 9.2g, Sugars 5.7g, Protein 11.8g


God has set a day that he will judge all the world with fairness, by the man he chose long ago.  And God has proved this to everyone by raising that man from the dead!
Acts 17:31 (NCV)




Monday, February 17, 2014

Make a Pliable Ice Pack



To make your own pliable ice pack, combine the following in a zip lock freezer bag, seal, and put in freezer:


  • One part water
  • Four parts rubbing alcohol
  • A handful of cotton balls


Bananas



If you separate bananas so they are not attached in one bunch, they do not ripen as fast.


Sugar



Refined sugar (like white sugar) has a high acid-forming effect on the body.  If the body is too acidic, it leaches calcium from the bones to neutralize the acid.  This causes weaker bones. 

The more I read I'm amazed how bad refined sugar is for us.  I was just reading today that sugar feeds the bad bacteria in the intestines.  I've also been reading how sugar increases inflammation in the body.



'Stir' Natural Peanut Butter





 I'm probably the ONLY person that doesn't know this....but....


I never got the oil completely stirred in so the peanut butter at the bottom would be REALLY dry and hard.  SO..I searched the web and found two similar things:  store the peanut butter jar upside down in the cupboard until opened OR store the peanut butter jar upside down in the fridge and turn it daily until opened.  I'm not sure if the results are different from the two methods - so, I have two jars of unopened peanut butter, one just sitting upside down and the other in the fridge that I'm turning daily.  I'll post if one method is better or if there is any difference between the two.



Well, I opened the jar that was just sitting on the counter upside down and I was thrilled with the result.  My peanut butter was already "stirred" and the oil was mixed throughout !!!  YEAH !!!!!  An easy way to "stir" my peanut butter !!!



I opened the jar that had been in the fridge that I was turning upside side every day.   I have to say - I think I like this better.  It seems to be better mixed. 


Lemon Water





Lemon water helps make the body alkaline.  First thing in the morning (on an empty stomach), drink a glass of warm water with the juice from 1/2 of a lemon.   



Clean Fruits and Vegetables



By spraying fruits and vegetables with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, you can kill most of the bacteria. Rinse the fruits and vegetables under running water after spraying.  They must be in separate spray bottles (not mixed together in one bottle).  It doesn't seem to matter which you spray first.   Spraying with both vinegar and hydrogen peroxide is better than either one individually.    



Sunday, February 16, 2014

Daniel Fast Coconut Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Muffins - No Flour (DF, GF)




I decided to try a chocolate peanut butter muffin - that just sounds good to me !!!!  Chocolate, peanut butter and banana - what a GREAT combination !!! Plus it provides protein from the peanut butter, making it a good breakfast muffin !!  These just get better and better every day !!!

These are SOOOOOO good.  They have a crunch from the pecans.   There is only a slight taste of the peanut butter.  There is a DEFINITE coconut taste - which I LOVE !!! 

As with all Daniel Fast muffins, since you can not use leavening agents (baking powder or baking soda),  they do not rise like "regular" muffins - resulting in a denser muffin.  They are great for either breakfast or a snack.

My co-workers really liked these.  They thought the flavor was good - definite coconut flavor but not a strong peanut butter flavor.  One of my co-workers was just going to take one bite and save the rest for later....then she decided to take one more bite....then one more bite....she didn't have any left for later !!!!


This recipe was adapted from this recipe and this recipe


Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cups Quaker old fashioned oats
1/4 cup Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 cup  Unsweetened Shredded Coconut  (I use Bob's Red Mill)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
--------
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup cooked sweet potato, mashed
3/4 cup  date syrup
2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (no sugar added), slightly melted so it mixes in the batter easily

Directions:
Mix the vanilla, bananas, sweet potato, date syrup, applesauce, and peanut butter in one bowl. 

Mix the dry ingredients in another bowl.    

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened.  

Pour into muffin pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  

I like using the silicone bakeware for my muffins.  The muffins  come out so easily and I don't need to grease the pan.  My favorites are:   Casabella Silicone Standard Muffin PanCasabella Silicone Large Muffin Pan, Casabella Jumbo Muffin Cups.

The OXO Large Scoop  is GREAT for scooping out batter into the muffin pan.  It is MUCH neater than when I used a spoon to scoop the batter into the pan - I no longer get batter all over the muffin pan !!!


Estimated Nutritional Value per muffin based on 12 muffins:  Calories 242, Total Fat 15.1g, Cholesterol 0mg,  Sodium 10mg, Carbs 22.7g, Fiber 5.4g, Sugars 7.4g, Protein 6.6g


In the past, people did not understand God, and he ignored this.  But now, God tells all people in the world to change their hearts and lives.
Acts 17:30 (NCV)



Saturday, February 15, 2014

Whole Wheat Bread (Bread Machine)



I like this whole wheat bread... the crust and inside are both soft.  It is not a really dense, heavy bread.  It makes great toast or sandwiches.

This recipe was adapted from a recipe on the bag of 
Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Flour .





Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cups + 2 Tbsp warm water
2 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 and 1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp molasses
2 Tbsp potato flakes
2 Tbsp vital Wheat Gluten 
3 and 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Flour )
2 tsp yeast


Directions:
Place all ingredients in the bread pan according to your bread machine's  instructions.  I place the liquid ingredients in first, then the dry ingredients.  Then I make an indentation in the flour and put the yeast in it.  Select Whole Wheat cycle for making the bread.

You may need to adjust the liquid or flour by 1 to 4 Tbsp depending on your bread machine.  Each bread machine is a little different in the amount of water and flour required.

My bread machine is the Sunbeam 5891 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker




Since we are God's children, you must not think that God is like something that people imagine or make from gold, silver, or rock.
Acts 17:29 (NCV)

Friday, February 14, 2014

Easy Strawberry Fruit Leather Rollup




These are such a tasty treat !!!!  They are great as a snack.  I LOVE the strawberry flavor.

This is such an EASY and FAST way to make strawberry fruit leather rollups.  If you do not have strawberry flavored applesauce, you can always puree some strawberries and mix them with regular applesauce.






Ingredients:
1 - 24 oz jar of strawberry flavored applesauce


Directions:
Lightly oil the solid leather drying sheets of the dehydrator.

Spread 1/4 inch layer of the applesauce evenly over the dehydrator sheet.  Place the sheet in the dehydrator.  I used 1 sheet for each jar of applesauce.


If your dehydrator has a temperature control, set it to 135 degrees.   The average drying time is 8 to 20 hours.  The drying time is affected by the thickness of the applesauce, the humidity, how much is being dried.  So you will need to check every once in a while and see how they are drying.   When finished, the fruit leather will be a paper thin layer that can easily be peeled off the sheets.  Dry longer if there are any sticky areas.


  
I have a Nesco-American Harvest Gardenmaster Dehydrator
which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE.  


By his power we live and move and exist.  Some of your own poets have said: 'For we are his children.'

Act 17:28 (NCV)




Thursday, February 13, 2014

Coconut Bacon (GF)




All the Coconut Bacon recipes seem to be basically the same.  I adjusted the amounts according to my liking !!!  I reduced the liquid smoke by quite a bit because I didn't want a strong liquid smoke flavor.

WOW !!!  I had a coconut bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion Veggie Burger - was it DELICIOUS !!!!  I bet this would also taste GREAT on an  "egg" salad sandwich !!!!



Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes  (I used Let's Do...Organic from Edward & Sons )
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 Tbsp Bragg Liquid Aminos
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1/4 tsp SMOKED PAPRIKA


Directions:
Put all ingredients in a plastic bag and shake well so the coconut flakes  are evenly coated.

Lightly spray a baking sheet with oil and arrange coconut flakes in a single layer on the baking sheet.


Bake at 325 degrees for about 15 - 20 minutes or until nicely browned. Turn the coconut flakes over every 5 minutes so they cook evenly.  The coconut flakes will get crispy as they cool.  These burn quickly, so make sure to check and turn every 5 minutes.



God wanted them to look for him and perhaps search all around for him and find him, though he is not far from any of us:
Acts 17:27 (NCV)

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Oven Roasted Cinnamon Sweet Potato Chips (DF, GF)





I LOVE sweet potatoes....and I think they are SOOOOO much better oven roasted !!!!  These turn out nice and sweet and tender...just the way I like them !!!






Ingredients:
2 cups sweet potato, sliced into about 1/4 inch slices
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions:
Rinse the potatoes to get them wet so the spices stick to them.  Put the sweet potatoes and spices in a bag and shake well until the potatoes are coated with the spice mixture.

Lightly spray a baking sheet with oil and arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet.

 Bake at 425 degrees for about 20 - 25 minutes or until tender (turning once).




God began by making one person, and from him came all the different people who live everywhere in the world.  God decided exactly when and where they must live.
Act 17:26 (NCV)



Sunday, February 9, 2014

White Potato Bread (Bread Machine)



This bread is for my husband...he likes nice, soft, squishy white bread...like the "wonderbread" kind !!!!  He LOVES this bread.  The crust is really soft in addition to the bread being soft.  It makes GREAT toast and is GREAT for sandwiches (like peanut butter and jelly !!!!!!)

This was adapted from a Taste of Home recipe.





Ingredients:
1 and 1/4 cups warm water
3 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup potato flakes
2 Tbsp vital Wheat Gluten 
3 cups bread flour
1 and 1/2 tsp yeast

Directions:
Place all ingredients in the bread pan according to your bread machine's  instructions.  I place the liquid ingredients in first, then the dry ingredients.  Then I make an indentation in the flour and put the yeast in it.  Select Basic cycle for making the bread.

You may need to adjust the liquid or flour by 1 to 4 Tbsp depending on your bread machine.  Each bread machine is a little different in the amount of water and flour required.

My bread machine is the Sunbeam 5891 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker




This God is the One who gives life, breath, and everything else to people.  He does not need any help from them; he has everything he needs.
Acts 17:25 (NCV)


Saturday, February 8, 2014

Guest Post: Mexican Dinner by "Vegans Eat Yummy Food Too!!!"





I am SOOOOOOOO excited to have a guest post from my friend Sandy of Vegans Eat Yummy Food Too!!!  PLEASE check out her website to see more DELICIOUS recipes.  For those who have kids, she has a GREAT Kids Lunchbox section.  (BUT....You don't have to be a little kid to enjoy these lunchbox recipes !!!)

Sandy went all out and put together a GREAT Mexican Dinner for us. She thought of EVERYTHING for a night of Mexican food !!!!!  I can't wait to try these recipes myself !!!  I was SOOOO excited to post Sandy's INCREDIBLE recipes that I haven't had a change to make them yet.  

SOOOOO...this is Sandy's GREAT Mexican Dinner Party !!!!! ENJOY !!!!




Mexican Dinner Party


We’re big Mexican meal fans in our home. We also find that it’s a very popular meal for other people too.


And so when it comes to having guests over, we find this is a great way to cater. There are many options, and it seems that there is always something to please everyone. And…… its something that most people don’t mind if we turn into a vegan meal.

So here’s how we host a Mexican Dinner Party- Vegans Eat Yummy Food Too Style!!!



Mexican Spiced Potatoes

First up we chop potatoes into little wedges and coat them in Mexican spice mix of choice (if you don’t want to buy a premixed one just use equal quantities of paprika, oregano and cumin, add chilli as desired). I always find it really easy to use a leftover produce bag for coating vegetables. It’s convenient and keeps hands and kitchen counters clean!!! 






Bake the potatoes in a hot oven until tender (time will depend on how small you have chopped the potatoes). As a general rule I find 40 minutes is a good place to start.








Mexican Salad

In a large bowl simply combine:

2 tomatoes, chopped
1 can corn, drained
1 capsicum, chopped (also called bell pepper – whatever colour you choose)
1 avocado, chopped
3 spring onions, sliced thinly
1 can red kidney beans, drained
1/2 cup salsa of choice
Juice of one lime







Rice Salad

I use microwave rice to make this quick & easy, however you can cook your own rice if you’d rather.
I use 2 bags of quick microwave rice.
Once heated, I stir through a chopped green capsicum, half cup of corn kernels and 1/2 cup salsa. Mix well then heat again, covered, in the microwave for 1 minute.







Tortilla Cups

These take a little bit of time to prepare but they are well worth it.


Firstly you need to chop into little pieces one sweet potato, one zucchini, and one capsicum. Use a produce bag to coat the vegetables with mexican spice mix.
Roast vegetables in the oven til soft – approx 20 minutes.
I use mini size corn tortillas to make these.
I place each tortilla in a lightly oil-sprayed muffin pan. Slightly overlapping the sides to make them sit in. Then I bake the tortillas for 7-8 minutes.
They will firm up slightly but not be crunchy. This gives them enough stability to be able to stuff them.
Line the bottom of each baked tortilla with a generous spoonful of refried beans.
I then fill the tortilla cups with the roasted vegetables til they are full. Dollop a spoonful of salsa on the top and return to the oven for a further 10 minutes until all ingredients are warmed through and the tortillas are slightly browned.










Simple Rice Nachos

Can’t have a Mexican dinner party without nachos!
However, I prefer to use rice crackers as a lower fat version for our nachos.


Spread rice crackers over a lined baking dish.
Pour on a jar of pinto bean sauce – or make your own by blending a drained can of pinto beans with a jar of salsa.
Followed by generous amounts of “cheesey-salsa sauce” (recipe below).
Place in a warm oven for 20 minutes until warmed through and sauce has thickened.
Serve with dollops of mashed avocado on top.







Lentil “Mince”

In a frying pan combine one chopped brown onion, one chopped green capsicum and 2 cans drained lentils.
With the lid on, dry-fry, adding little amounts of water to stop sticking, until warmed through completely. Add 1/2 cup salsa.








We also warm both hard and soft Taco’s to serve. The lentil mix works great in the tacos, as does the Mexican salad.







And we have a condiments bar which includes:
Salsa
Cheesey-salsa sauce (recipe below)
Mashed avocado
Tofu Sour cream (recipe below)






Cheesey-Salsa Sauce Recipe:

1/4 cup salsa
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons cornflour
1 teaspoon cumin
1 cup plant milk of choice

Blend til smooth.




Tofu Sour Cream Recipe:

1 package of firm tofu (around 350g)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon agave nectar
2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Blend til smooth.
Best if left in the fridge overnight to firm up.


It may seem like a lot of effort, but it’s really quite easy. A lot of the ingredients are similar and so it makes the process much easier. There are several bits that can be made in advance and then just a quick ‘heating’ towards serving time!


So next time you’re thinking of hosting a dinner party and worried that your guests won’t like a vegan meal – try this option!



THANKS SANDY !!!!!




The God who made the whole world and everything in it is the Lord of the land and the sky.  He does not live in temples built by human hands.
Acts 17:24 (CEV)