Guilt Free Carrot Raisin "Cookies"

 

After a season of holiday eating, aren't we all looking for ways to curve the post Christmas sweet tooth? Pies, cherry delights, thumbprint cookies with strawberry jam...the list goes on. It's really amazing how much food one can manage to eat in a two day period.

Recently Mother Judith made some paleo cookies, and to my surprise they were really delicious! You almost don't miss those buttery cookies when eating them (almost, not saying you won't still crave thumbprint cookies).

If you're new to paleo cookies (like us), there is nothing to fear. They are quite delightful!

Not a bit of guilt can be found while eating these treats!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup walnuts or almonds soaked for 6-8 hours
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 10 dates, pitted
• 1/2 cup unsweetened dried coconut, plus extra
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375°. Shred carrots in food processor, set aside. 

Place soaked walnuts or almonds (drained) in food processor and shred. Add dates and blend.

Almonds after soaking

After the almonds were shredded.

Add remaining ingredients (except raisins) and mix until completely blended. Then add raisin and combine in batter.

After blending.

Using a tablespoon, scoop batter onto well greased cookie sheet. Optional, top cookies with dried coconut. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Let cool for a bit, then serve with a hot cup of Chai Green Tea.

Nancy Jane

Lady of the Dollar Store

The Dollar Store may be the most amazing place ever.

Holiday decorations, tin pans, prune juice, battery powered candles, cookies; the store has a limitless supply of fantasticness.

Though we've had some bugaboos, such as plastic tasting cheese, we don't hold grudges.

A day came upon us that Mother Judith and I decided give the magical land our annual visit. We were walking along the frozen food and plastic kitchen utensil aisle when all the sudden a hand came upon Mother Judith. An older lady with a red wig spoke to us in a secretive tone to follow her, she needed to show us something.

Blindly we followed her down the automotive section when suddenly the crew was at a halt.

She finally revealed her secret.

"These towels are the best towels you will ever use. I made sure to call ahead to see if they had them in stock. They go so quickly!"

I looked at Mother Judith with bewilderment, neither of us knew how to react. Each of us made a pleasant remark about the towels and I reached up to grab one.

"Oh you are grabbing the wrong ones! Reach further back."

So I searched and searched until the softest white towels graced my hands. Two seemed like the perfect amount to grab. In my mind we didn't really want them, but only grabbing one seemed rude.

"You must take more!"

Before long, six fluffy white towels could be found in the basket.

The Lady proceeded to tell us her life story.

She doesn't go to church, however she has seen Jesus personally. Her niece had 13 brain surgeries which brought tears to our eyes. How she stole a rock on top of the Parthenon. She spoke of her now deceased husband. And about the leather purse her friend made her. Then the stories began to go on repeat. We just smiled and listened to her adventures.

Finally the moment of escape came upon us.

We sneaked away in an opposite direction, until she was out of sight. However, we needed to check out and that was the direction she went.

I decided to scout the grounds to see if it was safe. She was older and could not move quickly.

To my disbelief she disappeared.

Gone. Like some magical visitor, we almost thought her an Angel.

We wish to thank the Lady of the Dollar Store for sharing her precious secret; the towels are amazing. In fact, Mother Judith gave some away for Christmas gifts. We hope to see her again someday in Heaven.

You never know what will happen on your day out of shopping.

Nancy Jane & Mother Judith

Ginger Snap's Hoarding Problem

She's adorable.

Beautiful with some brains.

Except she has a problem; the dog loves to hoard what we like to call "treasures". (Using that term loosely)

I've told the tale before, of her love to destroy all things garden. Ginger has matured a bit, but the problem still exist. Now she makes a pile of all the things she has compiled. From pie tins to mini garden shovels, frisbees to trash; that dog really makes me clean up after her mess.

So sly, you won't even notice when she grabs that pair of garden clippers you just put down for a moment.

You'll search all her normal precious stacks (yes, multiple stacks) until one day at last, you find a new heap she just created.

Shoes, balls, spoons, forks, knives, chew toys, sticks, scissors; nothing is exempt. Whatever she finds at her level she claims as hers. Finders keepers, losers weepers.

All in all, it's ok. She my sweet doggy and I love her anyway.

Nancy Jane

Potato Crust Cast Iron Quiche

 

 

There was a time I thought a quiche was not appealing. As told in the tale of pesto on a previous post, my taste buds were not very adventurous. However, to my good fortune the day came to break out of the shell! What was discovered was that a quiche is in fact delicious.

Then things changed.

I found potato crust quiches. My world was rocked, what a delicious and healthy alternative to a traditional pie crust!

Add the all time favorite chicken apple sausage and apple wood smoked gouda cheese; you find yourself with a winning combo. My fiancé loves it, we almost ate the whole thing in one night...

The first time the recipe was made I used a traditional pie pan, the second a cast iron skillet. With the cast iron skillet the potatoes were crisper, however, the pie pan works great too.

Part 1-the Crust:

• 3-4 red potatoes skinned and sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease cast iron skillet or pie pan, set aside. Place sliced potatoes in mixing bowl, add olive oil, garlic salt, and pepper and mix. Layer on pan like a crust, it's ok to overlap layers, cover large gaps.

Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Part 2-the Filling

• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup of half and half
• 1 cup shredded apple wood smoked gouda cheese
• 2 cups of diced sausage
• 1/4 cup diced onions
• Salt and pepper

Combine ingredients in mixing bowl. I don't use too much salt in the filling since there is plenty on the crust. When potatoes are finished, pull out of oven. Pour egg mixture over potatoes, some of it might seep onto the pan. This is fine, it will still bake nicely.

Lower oven temperature to 350° F, bake around 20 minutes or until set. Then serve warm!

After you enjoy the quiche and have leftover to store for later, the quiche easily scoops out of the skillet.

Hope you love this dish as much as we did!

Nancy Jane

A New Resolution

My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

-John F. Kennedy

 

As the new year approaches resolutions are being made. Whether it be to lose weight, be with the family more, or quit an obnoxious habit; we are all out for a change of life.

 

Recently I began to ponder upon the upcoming year; my resolutions and the exciting events to come. Between wedding planning, traveling, and a surprising new adventure (more on that later), I forgot to ask how to serve the Lord more.

 

If we were to change the words in the J.F.K. quote from country to God, this would be the result.

Ask not what God can do for you, ask what you can do for God.

 

Too many times people get involved with themselves only praying for their own well being.

We all come short of thanking and praising God.  

If one begins to serve the Lord, in extension people are blessed with one's services. Helping out at church working in the nursery is serving, but also aiding poor mothers who just want an hour to themselves to worship. Toiling in the café presenting food brings happiness to a fellow church goer's tummy while at the same time laboring for Jesus.

 

Our resolutions need to begin and end with the Lord.

Let our new year begin first with serving God and blessing others with our work.

Nancy Jane

The Great Olive Oil Makeup Remover Experience

Image via: http://freevintagedigistamps.blogspot.com/2012/01/free-vintage-digi-stamps-olive-you.html

Olive oil is my best friend. You can cook, clean, and moisturize with it; what else can a girl ask for?

I have been using it for months now as makeup remover, and it has been fantastic. Just pour it on a cotton ball and wipe! The toughest of eye liners fall prey to the oil.

Oh, how amazing the magical liquid is.

However, with the pros comes the cons. Here is a list I created to describe my experience with the golden oil.

Pros:

• No weird chemicals, all natural product.
• Affordable: You can purchase an inexpensive bottle or a pricy one.
• The wrinkles my skin is starting to develop under my eyes get moisturized.
• Simple to use. 
• Add a drop of Essential oil, such as peppermint, to olive oil for more benefits!

Cons:

• Ants. The annoying creatures manage to find the used cotton balls in my trash can. Or, they climb onto the counter and find the bottle I forgot to close and take a dip into the bottle. Thus ruining a the whole container.
• Leaves a bit of an oily residue on skin you need to wipe off with towel.

Despite the cons, I will continue to be a faithful user. Of course, be sure to test it on your skin first if you are feeling adventurous. 

If you give it a try, let us know about your experience!

Nancy Jane

Pomegranates: Jewel of the Fruits

What to do, what to do?

Don't be afraid to approach the pomegranate. It may seem like too much work to eat; but you are truly missing a delicious fruit if you never go near it.

We love to simply sprinkle pomegranate seeds on broccoli salad, coleslaw, or fruit salad. So delicious!

And don't worry swallowing the seeds, they haven't hurt me yet!

Mother Judith