Coconut lime muffins

Sunday's are usually Waffle Days at the Jones Cottage or at least that's what we call them.  We really should just call them Breakfast Together Days.  

Today, we had these muffins with mangoes and coffee with real whipped cream (for Andrew and I) and scrambled eggs.  Andrew approved and Dylan kept asking for more!

Coconut lime muffins

Whisk together in large bowl:

2 c. gluten-free flour blend

1/2 c. unsweetened coconut

1 T baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

In medium bowl, whisk together:

zest from one lime

juice from one lime, approx. 1/4 c. and the rest of a one cup measuring cup with milk (approx. 3/4 c.)

2 eggs

1 c. brown sugar (if you don't have unsweetened coconut and must use the regular stuff reduce the sugar to 2/3 c. but really it's better to just use the unsweetened coconut!)

1/2 c. melted coconut oil (or whatever vegetable oil you may have on hand)

1 tsp vanilla

Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.  Fill muffin tins 3/4 of the way full (about 12 of them, and they probably need to be greased if you aren't using the silicon things like I do.)  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Coconut & "Nut" Macaroon Torte...and Kubb

Last night we had Rebecca, Hans, and Destiny over for dinner. Andrew and I really enjoy spending time with them. There is no drama and while we have many things in common, we have enough not in common that it's fun learning from each other. 


Speaking of learning from each other...We also learned a new yard game from Rebecca and Hans called Kubb.  It's a Swedish game with blocks you knock down with sticks and then you knock down the "King" in the middle.  I wasn't very good but it was a lot of fun.  We're hoping they can bring it to Dylan's birthday party.


Rebecca and I aren't really eating wheat so I wanted to try a new recipe for dessert. I made the Coconut & Almond Macaroon Torte recipe from Molly Katzen's Enchanted Broccoli Forest.  Of course I can never leave well enough alone though.  I decided because my other friend, Rebecca, had given me some pecan meal when I was down in Georgia that I would use that instead of the almonds.  I also didn't have chocolate chips so I used a couple Rice Dream chocolate bars for the topping.  Turned out well enough I'm telling you about it here today :)


Coconut & "Nut" Macaroon Torte


The Cake
6 eggs, separated and at room temperature
1/2 c packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/3 c finely ground almonds (or pecans)
1 c shredded coconut ( I use unsweetened)
1/2 tsp orange rind (I used almond extract)


The Filling and Topping
1/2 c raspberry jam
2 T butter (I used coconut oil)
1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips (I used two Rice Dream chocolate bars...probably quite a bit more than 1/4 c)
1 T cocoa
1 T powdered sugar (I didn't use this at all)
1/4 tsp orange rind (didn't use either)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter the bottom of a 10-inch spring form pan.


Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff in a large bowl.


In a different large bowl, without worrying about washing the beaters, beat the egg yolks, gradually adding brown sugar and salt.  When all is added, beat 2 minutes on high.


Stir the ground nuts and coconut into the yolk mixture.  Add the orange rind/extract.  Mix well.


Fold the egg whites into the mixture - carefully and quickly.  Transfer to the prepared pan.  Bake undisturbed for 30 minutes.  Cool the cake completely in the pan.


Once the cake is completely cool, remove from the pan, and cut in half, using a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion.  Spread the bottom half with the raspberry jam.  Replace the top half.


In a pan on low heat, met together the butter (coconut oil) and chocolate chips.  Stir in the cocoa and powdered sugar and orange rind (if using).  Spread this mixture, while still warm, across the top.  Put in the refrigerator to firm up.  


Tastes great served on a warm summer evening, on the deck, with decaf hazelnut coffee!

Amazement

There's a story I've heard many times about my great-grandpa Ray M. (everybody seems to call him that, M being for his middle name of Milton).  Anyway, Ray M. would visit my grandparents when my dad was a kid for a couple of weeks.  The house had a huge picture window with a lot of hummingbird feeders.  Ray M. took a red baseball cap and put black dots on the hat with a permanent marker. Then he would sit outside very still and quietly in front of that picture window so he could see his reflection and watch the hummingbirds try to "feed" off of that hat.  I decided to channel a bit of my inner Ray M. this morning.

I pulled up a lawn chair and a cup of coffee and watched the Girls.  I just can't believe how amazing they really are.  In what seems to be a completely uncoordinated process, they create an amazing hive.  There is no particular in and out...left side of the hive isn't incoming and right side isn't outgoing.  Inevitably, one of the Girls gets knocked ass over tea-kettle as she tries to land or take-off but she just brushes herself off and goes on about her business.  They are still bringing in pollen...some have bright orange baskets on their legs....some with light yellow baskets.  Others appear to be scouts, out looking for more.  I saw a couple others doing the job of an undertaker...bringing out a Girl who had completed her life's work...taking her far away from the hive.  It's kind of like watching a camp fire...you sit there and zone out to a certain extent and ponder the meaning of life.  Not too shabby a way to drink a cup of coffee on a beautiful morning!

Butte Creek Falls - Santiam State Forest

I call bs on those who say Salem has nothing to offer!  Andrew and I are finding Salem has lots to offer.  We didn't hike much this summer...it was more kayaking and camping.  But, now that the weather is crappy...we're hiking.  I know.  But at least we're still getting out some!

Anyways, if you haven't made use of the Santiam State Forest you are really missing out.  Check out their website and see the recreational opportunities that await.  Butte Creek Falls is just one such opportunity.  They categorize it as difficult...probably because it's steep in parts and can have a lot of slippery leaves.  However, it's only 1.5 miles and has wonderful views.
Bailey thought it was great as well!

Are You the Driver of Your Change...Or is It Driving You?

All of us are subject to change.  It's one of the laws of nature.  Some change we drive...some change drives us.  I find it difficult to deal with change I didn't initiate.  But, much of the time that unsought change benefits me as much or more than change I bring into my life.

How a person deals with change can say a lot about them.  Most days I'm afraid my dealings with change probably don't have very nice things to say about me.  Change is just one of those stressors in life we have little control over.  I'm not telling you to "embrace change"...not being of a hugger and all. But, learn to be patient with yourself and realize this just might not be the time to fight.

We've all heard how to deal with stress.  I need to hear it as much as anyone, so I'm going to tell you again.

• Breathe
• Exercise - Especially when you don't feel like it.
• Eat right - Whatever that might mean for you.  For me, it means no wheat, very little sugar and carbs, and plenty of protein and good fats.
• Get an appropriate amount of sleep - Too much is just as bad as too little.
• Find things or people or places that bring joy and happiness into your life.
• And, finally, learn to love yourself, accept yourself, and strive for reasonable expectations in your self-growth.

So, it this post about change or stress? For me this year, they've pretty much been one and the same.  I'm thinking a few of you might be able to relate.  

I'm grateful for where I am, but look forward to moving on...even if that means more change and in the process more stress!

Another Pumpkin Patch

This weekend we took my mom and Bailey to pick pumpkins.  The place we choose was called "Another Pumpkin Patch."  This place is great!  They are donating all of the proceeds to either Marion Polk Food Bank or Farmers Ending Hunger.  And, they have a corn maze.  So if you haven't gone yet, go to Another Pumpkin Patch.  Take the Brooks exit, turn right when you get to River Road and it will be a few miles up the road on your left!

 

How I Got Here - Part III

This topic is something I feel a bit awkward discussing.  I have a health issue called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).  I don't feel awkward because it's a "female" issue...rather I feel ackward because it's not visibly debilitating.  I don't have a handicap or something most people can see.  So, while it can be a nightmare for me...I want you to know that in no means am I trying to say I have it any worse than any one else!  This just happens to be my deal.

Okay, now that I have that out there...what is PCOS?  Well, the first thing to realize anytime you see syndrome associated with something, doctors are basically saying we don't have a good explanation for these symptoms so we're going to lump it all together and call it ____ _____syndrome.  PCOS fits this bill.  Symptoms can include any of the following:

• Irregular or no menstrual periods
• Acne
• Obesity
• Excess hair growth or male pattern balding
  
• Infertility
• Depression and anxiety

These symptoms also put women with PCOS at high risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure on top of other issues they may have if obese. Because of the far ranging symptoms and a lack of a clear cause, PCOS care typically focuses on managing the symptoms rather than eliminating them.

I was diagnosed with PCOS at 15 because I was having two periods a month. It contributes to my weight issues, causes me to grow hair that I don't want, gives me mood swings and generally contributes to a bad self-image. I have done a lot in the last two years to overcome these issues.  Losing weight, while hard, has helped with many of them.  Western medicine hasn't been able to provide a lot of answers.  So, I've sought other complimentary medicines that have been more helpful but again it's a syndrome and there are no real answers.  For me stress is a strong contributing factor to the symptoms. As a culture, we don't realize just how much stress we are letting into our lives.  We need to take time to stop and smell the roses once in a while...we'd all feel better!  So, now if I bite you're head off, join me in trying to blame it on messed up hormones!

How I Got Here - Part II

A few years ago, I was reading one of those free "health" magazines you can get at health food stores. In the back it had 10 Affirmations for 2007 by Elson M. Haas, MD. By no means have I stuck to this but I refer back to them regularly and find that they help me refocus when I am out of sorts. I have copied what was there below. Click on the name above to be taken to Dr. Haas' website. I don't know much about him but it looks interesting.

Adapted from 10 Affirmations for 2007 (or any time!)

1. I will eat the most wholesome foods as Nature provides them.
2. I will eat the right amount for my body and eat only when I am hungry.
3. I will chew my food thoroughly and take time to eat.
4. I will avoid junky foods and artificial ingredients as much as possible.
5. I will let go of any regular use of troublesome SNACCs: sugar, nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, and chemicals.
6. I will stretch my body and mind to be my most flexible.
7. I will exercise daily with enjoyable physical activities.
8. I will drink plenty of good, clean water.
9. I will allow myself enough sleep to rest my body nightly, recharging my batteries and supporting my immune strength to protect against illness.
10. I will pay attention to my emotions and stresses and find ways to develop non-aggressive, non-hurtful ways to express my feelings and let go of stress.
    

Bailey's Peak....I Know It's Really Mary's Peak

Sometimes we think we just don't have the energy to get away and yet, what we really need is to get away. This is how I felt this weekend. Drained of all I had to give. We've both decided that our backpacking tent is great for backpacking. Seems like a no brainer right? Well, we went and bought ourselves a car camping tent. It's a palace! It even has a little popout that we can fit Bailey's kennel, bag of toys and food and water dish in comfortably without using up the general floor space. While it was darn cold, it was a wonderful evening. We drove up Saturday, set up camp, ate dinner and then walked to the top of Mary's Peak to take in the view. Later, we stayed up in the tent reading with our head lamps and ended up sleeping in until 10 o'clock! After breakfast of bacon, eggs and blueberry pancakes we hiked again. Bailey is a wonderful camper and great hiker. Now we just need to continue on leash walking. Doesn't seem to like walking with us...she'd rather walk behind us. Probably has something to do with the fact that our feet are huge and she's tiny!