Just a Couple of Recipes

Today is one of those relaxed days when we really have a lot on our plates but totally are relaxed about actually getting it done. I am messing around in the kitchen...making yummy treats, healthy fudge--sicles, mayonaise and working on our sourdough starter. Have I ever told you how much I love good food? And when I say good food I don't just mean delicious tasting sort of foods. I love good for you food that is delicious. Now I have to be honest. There was a time when I disliked healthy food...extremely disliked healthy food. I mean, what kid enjoys heavy whole wheat food that tastes a bit blah after always eating sugary and white floured food. I know. I know. Here comes a little nutritional rant. However, in the past 3 years, I would say Mama and I have found some pretty good ways -through various researching, passing around of good recipes, and coming up with methods to turn normally unhealthy dishes into at least somewhat nutritious meals. Therefore, I decided to share a couple of the recipes which we are using today to make treats and add-on's for this week.

First of all Coconut Macaroons are a recipe which one of our family friends passed on to Mama and I. These are great dehydrated or frozen in the freezer. 

Grease a cookie sheet and set aside. 

Mix 2 Cups of Organic Shredded Coconut and 1 Cup Organic Cocoa Powder, as well as 1/4 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt (you can use regular). 

In a saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp. Raw Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. Turn off and add 3/4 Cup Agave Nectar and 1 Tbsp. Vanilla to the Coconut Oil. Mix together.

Now add the two sets of dry and wet ingredients together...mix VERY thoroughly. 

The easiest way to make individual macaroons is to dip a spoon in cold water. Scoop up about a tablespoon of the mixture. Put on the cookie sheet. It might be a good idea to try to shape them up with your fingers after they are on the tray. Freeze or dehydrate until they reach the preferred consistency.  

These are great side treats and quiet yummy! 

The next recipe is just a standard Vitamix-recipe which is super easy. If you love mayonaise, and possibly if you do not like mayonaise at all, this recipe is delicious, easy and works well for a substitute to real mayonaise. 

Mayonaise 

In a blender put 3/4 Cup Egg Substitute or 3 Pasteurized Eggs (our family uses raw eggs. But there is a certain risk to this so do not use eggs if you are not confident that there is no risk of contracting Salmonella. Also, our eggs are from our own chickens so we know that they are fairly safe...) Add 1 1/4 tsp. of dry mustard. 1 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice. Turn on the machine to a medium to high-speed and slowly add 1 3/4 Cup Grape Seed Oil. 

When the desired consistency is reached and the mayonaise is completely emulsified, put in a contained and refrigerate. This mayonaise does not last as long as normal mayonaise will but it should last at least 2 weeks. 

So there you have it! Here are a couple of decent and somewhat healthier alternatives to food. I hope to catch up with a few other recipes when I get a chance. For now, I need to make mayonaise and hopefully work in our garden. 

Hiking on a Wonderful Sunday

This past Sunday our family escaped our lovely country-in-a-sort-of-city neighborhood and headed out to some hiking trails for some quality family time with some family friends. So we packed a quick picnic lunch of cheese, crackers,  fruits and vegetables, gathered our waterbottles and my crazy Border Collie, and piled into our van. We made a brief stop a store to grab some sandwhich meat, bananas and apples and then drove across our city and onto the windy and tree covered roads which led to our destination.

After we arrived we stopped at a picnic area and unloaded ourselves. Crossing the small creek we headed up the trail a ways until we reached some waterfalls. Here Mama, one of our friends and her kids, and myself stopped to play and take pictures around some little pools which were formed from the cascading water which ran down boulders. Meanwhile, Daddy and the boys and our other family friend and their boy climbed up the boulders.

I think these are caterpillars.

My puppy

Up on the boulders!

I pretty much love these two guys ;)

And our family 

Whats a hike without a sibling selfie?

Then my siblings and I decided we needed a little quality just-us-kids-time to hike one of the little trails to look out over the beautiful scenery. I live in a beautiful place :D

Ok. Now we are just being silly. But that is how we are sometimes. So what do you say? How about another sibling selfie?

In reminder of what a wonderful and created world we live in, here is an after thought.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork..."

Psalms 19:1 

Mother-Daughter Time

I have to admit, one of the fun sides to being the only other girl in the house besides my mom is the mother-daughter time that we get to spend together. I love the fact that my Mama is always there for me, will listen to me talk for hours, encourage me in my dreams and be a wonderful example and friend for me.

Over the weekend, Mama and I spent some quality time with one of my friends and her mother watching, in an ironic setup, Wives and Daughters. I have to say, I very much enjoyed the time chatting, snacking, and just enjoying each others company while we treated ourselves to a movie marathon.

First of all...our hostesses provided delicious snacks and ice tea in a neat and pretty fashion. I loved how they did this. I often am too shy and afraid that my little ideas might be too whimsical. As a matter of fact, I very much enjoyed looking at another person's creation and creative, whimsical and beautiful way of serving snacks for a special night.

Myself and our mamas!

And myself and our friends.

The night was very pleasant and fun and Mama and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Its always nice to have some Mother-Daughter Time! 

The next morning, Mama and I took my grandmother to the airport and assisted in getting her ready to fly back to her home. On the 1 1/2 drive home from the airport, Mama read me a beautiful story from a book a friend had given her. It spoke of being set apart like a china plate in relation to being set apart as a Christian. The verse which the story was inspired by is found in 2 Timothy 2.

"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."

2 Timothy 2:20-21 

I want to be set apart. To be prepared for every good work. To be both sanctified and useful for the Master... Do you?

Introducing:

Hey there!

Just briefly I would like to introduce myself and let you know my reasons for my blog. To do that I first need to tell you a bit about myself.

First of all I am a 17 year old girl who enjoys Cross Country, working with animals and exploring nutrition. I personally want to know my Savior. I am still in high school but am currently attending a college through dual enrollment. Through this opportunity I am proceeding towards a goal of getting a degree in nutrition.

The blogging world is not all new to me. In fact, I used to record some of my activities on another blog: http://westernbellegranitehills.blogspot.com/. By visiting my previous blog you can kind of get an idea about who I am and my style of blogging. I have not blogged for a couple of years now and wish to start freshly. Here I want to share my random deep thoughts about life and how I think God is working in my life, the little tid bits which I have the urge to write out, and my exploring of nutrition.

My interest in nutrition is largely sparked by the obvious need of good, nourishing food in America. I enjoy making meals which not only taste delicious but are also good for one to eat.

I hope to get this blog started slowly and surely.

Western Anita