Banana Bread Pancakes

The other day, I was really wanting some banana bread, but alas, my oven was (and still is) broken.  Sad day, until I had an idea!!  And thus, the banana bread pancake was formed.  Probably not a completely original idea, but it is an original recipe!   And it turned out fantastic, so that's a definite plus!!  Oh, also, it's grain free :) :)

Sooooo, here's what I came up with!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!

BANANA BREAD PANCAKES

1/2 c Coconut flour
1/2 c Almond flour
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 Tbsp Stevia powder (you could probably use honey instead if you wanted)
2 bananas, mashed
4 eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
1 1/4 c milk (more or less depending on how thick you like your batter)
1/2 c walnuts

Preheat your pan for frying (medium high).  If it's non-stick, you might not need any oil in the pan, but if you do use oil, coconut oil is really good.  DO NOT use butter.  It won't cook well...I know this for a FACT.  :)

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients with a wire whisk (coconut flour, almond flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, stevia).  Then add wet ingredients and mix well with a spoon (don't use your wire whisk here.  The batter just gets all clogged up in it).  When the ingredients are completely incorporated, stir in walnuts.

Your pan should be ready (lower the temp to medium so the pancakes don't cook too fast or burn).

I use a 1/4 cup to measure out each pancake.  I wouldn't make them much bigger because they will be difficult to flip because they don't have any grains, but feel free to make them smaller....tiny pancakes are always fun for a change!  :)  Anyway, once you have your pancakes in the pan, cook on the first side until the bubbles start popping on top.  Then flip!  Cook for another couple minutes until golden brown.  Continue until all the batter is used up and Viola!  You are done!  Top with butter and honey or maple syrup or just eat them plain.  They are good all the ways!  Enjoy!!

Sweet Potato Casserole

With the holidays just around the corner, I thought I'd start up blogging a little again.  I miss posting recipes and making up new things.  I'm kind of in a slump food-wise, so I need a little motivation.  haha.  Anyway, I found this recipe (and I had actually started writing this last year....oops!!) so I thought I'd share with you.

So for Thanksgiving last year, we all got together at my sisters and had a wonderful, wonderful time!  I love getting to see my family.  The visits are too few and far between for my liking....but I guess such is life; they are busy and we are busy so we text and get together on the holidays.  Anyway, we were trying to figure out what everyone was going to bring and my sister texted and asked me to bring green bean casserole (I can't eat it which is fine by me because it's def NOT my fav...haha) and corn (which I have the same feelings for as the green bean casserole).  So, I texted her back and asked if I could bring my butternut squash with honey roasted pecans (see the recipe here), some sweet potatoes and green beans.  She replied "ok, but I don't think anyone likes sweet potatoes".  I was so surprised!  So, I set out to make some really good sweet potatoes......and I think I did just that.  She even said "Aimee!  These are the best sweet potatoes I have ever had in my life!!".  Soooo, hopefully you all will like them too :)  Here's what I came up with


Sweet Potato Casserole

8 c sweet potatoes, cubed (I usually use a 3lb bag of sweet potatoes and get the right amount)
1 c coconut sugar
4 eggs lightly beaten
3/4 tsp salt
8 Tbsp butter
1 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon (or you can sub with allspice)
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Topping
1/2 c coconut sugar
1/3 c almond flour
2 tsp coconut flour
1 tsp cinnamon (or allspice)
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp cardamom
3 Tbsp butter, softened
1/2 - 1c chopped pecans (to taste....however nutty you'd like it to be)



Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large pot, boil sweet potatoes until tender.  Drain.

Using a hand mixer, mix sweet potatoes, coconut sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk, vanilla, and spices.  Mix until smooth (it's ok to have a few clumps of sweet potato, but try to get as many out as you can).  Pour out into a 9x13 baking dish.

In a small bowl, prepare the topping.  Mix the coconut sugar, almond flour, coconut flour and spices.  Cut in butter until the mixture is coarse and the butter is fully incorporated.  Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture.

Bake for 40-60 minutes or until done (start checking around 40 minutes and then add time as necessary).

Enjoy!!

Biscuits!!

FINALLY!!  I love biscuits!  I have been searching high and low for a decent biscuit recipe that holds up and doesn't crumble when you touch it but also doesn't taste too much different than the real thing.  I can't get an exact replica because wheat flour has such a distinct taste (as does almond flour and coconut flour), but I think I've done a decent job.....at least I hope I have :)  Anyway, I've been promising this recipe for a while now, but I wanted to tweak it every which way before actually putting it out there.......I think I finally did it.  Soooo, here goes nothin!

By the way, here's a little disclaimer...haha...these are grain free, but they are definitely not low calorie or low fat.

Grain Free Biscuits!

1 Cup Almond Flour (I use this kind...affiliate link)
1 Cup Arrowroot flour (plus a little for sprinkling)
3 Tbsp Coconut Flour (plus a little for sprinkling)
*1/2 tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Grain Free Baking Powder (go here to see how to make your own)
*1/2 Cup Salted Butter (room temp or softened works better, but cold is fine too)
1/2 Cup Milk

1-2 Tbsp melted butter
oil for pan (I use coconut oil)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place a bit of oil on the bottom of a cookie sheet.  Spread around and set aside.

2.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flours, salt and baking powder.

3.  Using your hands, gently cut in butter until there are no large chunks left.  I have used cold and also room temperature.  Either works fine (room temp is easier), but make sure you cut up the cold butter to make it easier to incorporate.  Also, don't squish the dough into a ball.  It should be crumbly.  If you squish it or over work it, it will bring out the almond flour flavor more than if you gently work it and leave it crumbly.

4.  Add milk and let sit for a few minutes to let the coconut flour thicken.

5.  Sprinkle arrowroot and coconut flour onto a flat surface (I just use a plastic cutting board, but you could use your clean counter top or put down saran wrap or parchment paper).

6.  Pour out dough onto prepared surface.

7.  Sprinkle a little of the arrowroot and coconut flours on top of your ball of dough and knead a couple of times (like literally two to three times at the most).

8.  Pat out dough to about an inch thick and cut out biscuits with a small mouth mason jar.

9.  Place raw biscuits onto prepared pan and lightly coat the top of each biscuit with the melted butter.

10.  Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 30 minutes.  The buiscuits will be golden brown and will have a nice crisp brown bottom.

Enjoy!!

* You can sub salted butter with coconut oil or unsalted butter.  If you do this, be sure to increase the amount of salt to 3/4 tsp.

A Bit of my Heart...

So, I'm not one to talk a lot about feelings or really let people see anything but "happy" me, so I tend to hold people at arms length, I think.  I wish I wasn't like that and I didn't used to be, but I have a lot of past hurt and it's hard for me to trust and let go.  Because of this, I tend to be lonely a lot and I deal with some depression and then I wonder why people don't call or reach out to me.  And then God reminds me of something He did for me not too long ago and I'd like to share it with you all.  I have actually been feeling him press me to write this post for a few weeks, but I have kinda wanted to keep it between God and me, so I have put it off a little under the guise of being too busy.  I'm sorry Lord for delaying.....

Anyway, about two or so years ago I was in an especially dry patch,  I was so lonely for friends....I would've done practically anything to have a good girlfriend who would stick with me and not let our friendship fall by the wayside because I didn't text or ask to hang out or whatever.  I needed someone to want to be MY friend, to call or text me just to see how I was or to say they missed me when I wasn't at church or to ask to hang out with me and my kids.  I was lonely for Mike....he was working his normal schedule on the night shift (12 hours is a LONG time) and I was still adjusting to being a mom of two.  I had postpartum depression, and I was tired and sad and lonely.  I couldn't feel God near me at all and I was begging for him to reveal Himself to me and to let me know he was there.  I was sweeping the kitchen when it happened.  Here's just how sweet God is.....I was listening to the Kari Jobe station (I think) on Pandora on my tv and I was sweeping and praying and asking "God are you there?" and next thing I know, I am hearing these words sing from my television....

"You're not alone for I am here
Let me wipe away your every fear
My love, I've never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
And I'm the One who's loved you all your life
All of your life"

I know it's just a song on the radio, but it spoke deep into my soul.  He pursued my heart that day and I will never forget it.  He is there and He's loved me all of my life...He's THE One.  The only one who can complete my heart and comfort my soul.  I'm still looking for that friend, but I'm not as desperate as I once was.  And I still struggle with postpartum depression and loneliness for community but I can say that despite all of that, I have the joy of the Lord in my heart and He can do that for you too....just ask Him.  :)

Grain Free Peach Muffins

A couple weeks ago, Mike and I harvested our peach tree.  The squirrels and the crows were eating so many every day and selfishly, we wanted them all for ourselves (haha), so we picked them.  We had 2 5-gallon buckets full of wonderful and delicious peaches!  We canned a bunch, made peach preserves, and then used the seeds and peels to make jelly.  Yuuuuummm!  (sung like an opera singer)   :)

I'm working on a biscuit recipe that I will be posting soon that I can top with that yummy jelly and preserves (I ran out of ingredients and haven't made it all the way to the right store to restock, otherwise it would be posted already....just working out the cook time, so expect it soon).  Anyway, that's for another day......

Here are a few pictures of the fruits of our labor  :)

                                (see my little helper in the background??)

So, since we had all of this peach deliciousness going on, it was only fitting that I create something with peaches.  We were in need of breakfast this morning, so I came up with these muffins.  I hope you enjoy!!

Peach Muffins

2 c Almond Flour
1/2 c Coconut Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Cardamom
1/8 tsp Ginger
6 Eggs
1/2 c Honey
1 tsp Vanilla
1 c sliced peaches, fresh or canned

Topping
2 Tbsp Butter, melted
2 Tbsp Almond Flour
2 Tbsp Coconut Sugar
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Cardamom
1/8 tsp Ginger


Preheat oven to 350 Degrees.

Line 12 muffin cups with parchment paper liners.  I like to use these (affiliate link).  They are wonderful!!

Measure out your sliced peaches, then chop into small pieces and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine flours, baking soda, salt and spices. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, honey and vanilla.  You probably want to be careful because it likes to slosh out :)  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir to combine.  Gently stir in peaches.

Using an ice cream scooper or a 1/4 cup measuring cup, fill muffin cups with the batter.

Make the topping by mixing all the topping ingredients except the butter together in a small bowl.

With a silicon brush, dab some of the butter on top of each muffin.  Then sprinkle with topping.  Feel free to use it all...I do :)  It's yummy!

Bake for 30-40 minutes.  Muffins should be firm but springy when they are done.  Enjoy!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

It worked!!!  My second (and now third!) attempt of apple cider vinegar worked!  I'm so excited to share with you!

My first try failed miserably!  I didn't realize exactly what I needed to do, and it molded on top.  YUCK!  So, I tossed that batch and started over.  Here's how you do it!

I had made my recipe for Spiced Apples and had all the leftover cores and peels.  So, I put them in a mason jar (pack them down pretty good) and then filled the jar with filtered water.

Next, cover with a coffee filter (I secured it with the ring part of the lid, but you can use a rubber band instead) and set it at the back of my counter by the wall.  I have read that it really should be placed in a cool dark place, but I forget it is there and thus the moldy first attempt.  It worked leaving it out in the daylight just fine.  Every day, take a fork (or I have this masher (afflilate link) that I love!!) and push the apple pieces down under the water.  This step is VERY important because the apples have to be under the water in order to ferment properly and not mold.

Now you just wait.  It will begin to develop a whitish film on top.  This is good!  It is called "the mother" and it means that your vinegar is fermenting properly and is getting some really good stuff in it.  After about 2 weeks, I strained out the apples and returned the liquid to the jar and put the lid on it.  Then I set it up in my cabinet to continue to ferment more.  Feel free to taste it and once it has reached your desired vinegar-ness, start using it.  :)   That's it!  That's all you have to do!  It's simple and so good for you!!  

And now......a bit about life in the last few months!  It's been crazy!  Let's see, where to start.....Well, it's been raining like crazy, so we planted our garden late.  And then it rained and rained and rained and nothing grew.  So, we replanted.  And nothing grew again.  So, we bought plants and finally we have been seeing a little bit of the fruits of our labor (not sure why some of the pictures are turned around wrong....sorry about that).  

We also got cows!  We had a small steer calf and a bigger steer, but the coyotes got the calf (sad, sad day) so now we just have the bigger one.  Here he is!

Since the coyotes are so bad, we got 3 donkeys.  Here they are!!  They are a little far away, but they are starting to warm up to us, so hopefully we can get some closer pics soon!

This sweet girl turned 1!!!  I can't believe how big she is getting!!!

 (she did not like the party hat, but she loved the cake.....until I took it away.  

poor, sad adorable baby!)

 And this guy (my oldest baby) turned 6 (and all my party pics are on my camera....booooo!)!  It really was a fun party!
 

Birthday pancakes

Cupcakes!

Mike's nephew also got married, so we made a trip to Arizona.  It's been busy, busy, busy!!!

Anyway, thank you all for being patient and continuing to read my blog.  Be sure you check out my facebook page for more about our life as we learn how to be farmers!  :)

Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes and Our Life as Pig Farmers so Far

Pigs.  We got 'em!

 Meet Little Brownie (aka LB) pictured on the left, and from bottom to top in the right picture, we have Big Brownie (aka BB), The Black One, and Oreo Pig.  Woo hoo!

Here's the story.....

Since our pig pen was completed, Mike and I were on the search for some pigs!  We searched high and low and finally purchased 5 piglets at the auction here in town.  Last Tuesday night, we officially became pig farmers.....Well, I guess you can call us that!  Ha!!  We own some pigs anyway.

So, Tuesday night went well.  We got them to the house and in their new home and they cuddled up and seemed to sleep well. Then the temperature dropped on Wednesday and it snowed.

Great.

Thursday morning, I went out to check the piggies and found one had died sometime in the night.  I was traumatized.  Mike was at work and wasn't going to be home any time soon, so I had to gather up the courage and the guts to get this little guy out from under his friends (they were all cuddled up together) and get him out of the pig area.  WHEW!!  To make a long story short, I did it.  I was upset and crying and shaking and a bit traumatized (PPDSD....post pig death stress disorder, anyone?!), but I did what I needed to do and survived.  Thank goodness!  Everyone seemed healthy the rest of the day......

......And then.....

Our favorite one (personality wise) didn't get up Thursday morning when I took breakfast out.  She is always the first one to come out and greet us and let us pet her....sweet little pig.  I was so afraid of what I'd find when I walked over to the pig shelter.  Thankfully, she was alive, but she was definitely sick.  She was breathing hard, coughing and gagging.  It was very sad.  Then I noticed that the other three were coughing a little when they got up or ran too far.  So, Mike and I called the vet.  They thought it was probably pneumonia and recommended that we give them a shot (one they recommend to give to any new pig because they are so susceptible to sickness when under stress, but especially ones that were purchased at auction....wish we had known that before the other pig died).  So after chasing pigs around for about an hour, we caught them all and gave them their shots.  Whew!!  More PPDSD.....except I guess this would be PPSSD (post pig shot stress disorder) because the pigs lived....YAY!   Either way, it was probably very comical for the neighbors to watch.  

That night, BB (the sickest one), got up to eat and drink and every day she and the others have shown improvement.  Thank the Lord!  Praying things stay this way :0)

Some things that will be coming up in the weeks to come.......

We are working on tilling up our garden area right now and we will be planting shortly after that.  We thought we would have been planted by now but the weather has been very cold.  I'm so glad we waited.

Another item we will be working on and building is our chicken coop and run area.  I'm so excited about this!!  Although I'm allergic to birds, I'm hoping we can build a coop with enough ventilation that I can still work with them and be part of the chicken raising experience.

Hopefully soon we will get some cows.



Ok, so now for the recipe.....

Sometimes you just need an easy side item that is simple, quick and tastes great.  This is one of those kind of dishes.  We have these for any meal and my kids love them!


Pan Fried Sweet Potatoes

2 Tbsp Coconut Oil (I like this one....affiliate link)

3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp cinnamon
salt, to taste

Melt coconut oil over medium high heat.  When oil is hot, add sweet potatoes and sprinkle with salt.  Cook until the edges are brown and the potatoes are tender.  You might need to adjust the cooking temperature to make sure they do not burn.

Once the potatoes are done, add the butter and cinnamon.  Stir until the cinnamon is dispersed and the butter is melted.  Serve immediately.

Once again, here are my boys plates!  

(Michael's)                                                                                              (Ethan's)