Growing up we never had sugar or white flour. My mom strictly followed a hypoglycemic diet. She was very creative and had some great tried and true recipes. One recipe I always enjoyed was Cottage Cheese Pancakes. (She always made them as waffles). These are and have been a life saver for me. I have even used them to make grilled cheese. The following is the original recipe. My modified recipe is below.
Cottage Cheese Pancakes (Waffles)--Original recipe
6 eggs
1 1/2 c. cottage cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
Blend all ingredients in a blender until very smooth. The batter will be thin. Pour onto a hot greased skillet. For waffles, pour onto a preheated waffle iron. These waffles steam for a long time. When the steam slows down, gently lift the lid to check them.
Modified Version:
Cottage Cheese Waffles--low grain/no wheat
8 eggs
1 1/2 c. cottage cheese
1/4 c. Almond meal
1/4 c. Fresh ground oat flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
Blend all ingredients in a blender until very smooth. The batter will be thin. Pour onto a preheated waffle iron.
Some notes about Cottage Cheese Waffles: The batter is thin. The texture is not like a wheat flour waffle. It is moist and will not be fluffy when finished cooking. I omit the salt as cottage cheese is salty enough. Top with natural jam, apple sauce, berries or just plain butter. To make these completely "grain free" use almond meal to replace all of the flour (you must add the extra eggs found in my modified recipe).
I love foods you can make ahead and put in the freezer. I am definitely a "freezer fanatic." This morning I made a double batch. WD and I each had some. I put the rest in freezer bags to use on other days.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Low Fat, Natural Sugar Granola
Eating a low sugar breakfast is always a challenge for me. I like eggs, but not every morning. Yogurt and smoothies get boring. Making things ahead is such a help. I like to be able to "grab" something in the morning. Making a big breakfast takes too much time. Over the weekend I made a triple batch of waffles and a large batch of breakfast burritos for the kids and hubby. My plan was to prepare some food for me, but I ran out of time. I took a few minutes before school to make a few things. One was a low fat, natural sugar granola.
I combined a low fat granola recipe I had found a few years ago with a formula I found for Basic Granola (see http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/diy-recipe/diy-recipe-basic-granola-formula-011984).
Granola
1 cup pitted, chopped dates
2 ripe bananas, peeled and diced
1/3 cup hot water
1 TBL. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cup each buckwheat groats, steel cut oats, sliced almonds, old fashioned oats
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Preheat oven to 250. In a blender, combine dates, water, vanilla and bananas. Blend until smooth. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Pour banana mixture over dry ingredients. Stir well. Spread into 2 10 x15 baking pans in a single layer. Bake until desired texture, stirring every 15-20 minutes. (usually about 2 hours). When cool you can add dry fruit or additional nuts.
Note: I turned the heat down to 175 after about an hour. Then I cooked it for maybe another 1/2 hour. Then I turned the oven off and left the granola in the oven for several hours to finish.
This is definitely not a "low carb" cereal. It is however a very healthy substitute to most breakfast cereals out there. Check out http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/diy-recipe/diy-recipe-basic-granola-formula-011984 for more "dry ingredient" ideas. Enjoy!
I combined a low fat granola recipe I had found a few years ago with a formula I found for Basic Granola (see http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/diy-recipe/diy-recipe-basic-granola-formula-011984).
Granola
1 cup pitted, chopped dates
2 ripe bananas, peeled and diced
1/3 cup hot water
1 TBL. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cup each buckwheat groats, steel cut oats, sliced almonds, old fashioned oats
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Preheat oven to 250. In a blender, combine dates, water, vanilla and bananas. Blend until smooth. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Pour banana mixture over dry ingredients. Stir well. Spread into 2 10 x15 baking pans in a single layer. Bake until desired texture, stirring every 15-20 minutes. (usually about 2 hours). When cool you can add dry fruit or additional nuts.
Note: I turned the heat down to 175 after about an hour. Then I cooked it for maybe another 1/2 hour. Then I turned the oven off and left the granola in the oven for several hours to finish.
This is definitely not a "low carb" cereal. It is however a very healthy substitute to most breakfast cereals out there. Check out http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/diy-recipe/diy-recipe-basic-granola-formula-011984 for more "dry ingredient" ideas. Enjoy!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Young Boy's Devotional Book
Since my son has been able to read, we have been having him read passages in the Bible each day. I have tried different things. In the beginning I marked a different verse for him to read each day. Then as his reading progressed, I would give him longer portions. Typically, I would make a daily reading schedule for him. Using this method, he read through all four gospels and Proverbs. This is a method that worked fairly well.
There are pros and cons to this method. It is good for him to simply get in the habit of reading the word of God each day. At the same time, I want to encourage him to be retaining and applying what is appropriate for his reading/age level. What I wanted for him was a devotional guide. A book that would give him some scriptures to read along with some questions that corresponded with the passage. I didn't want a read this verse now here is a story to go along with it (like a Keys for Kids--which is a good devotional book to do as a family in my opinion). I wanted something that would challenge him to look more closely at the passage he read. Something that would be a guide to how to read the Bible and retain what you read.
The other thing I wanted in a devotional guide was strictly King James material. I am a King James Bible believer. I don't want my children reading scriptures that are not from the KJB. King James only material for children is very hard to find. Our local Christian book store is very small. I never really have found much there. I don't like ordering things from on-line book stores for the kids becaus you never know what you are going to get.
So what was my solution? Make one. I thought since I know what I want for a devotional guide for my son, why not make one? I finished my first section last week. I am planning on writing each section on a young man in the Bible. The first section is on Samuel. It is time consuming, but serves a two fold purpose. I have to study to write the guide (extra scripture study time for me) and a more purposeful devotion time for my son. This is a trial. We will be starting this Monday. I am excited. I wish I had had something like this when I first started reading my Bible daily. (I probably could benefit from this now).
I would love to hear how others encourage their children's personal Bible reading/devotional time.
There are pros and cons to this method. It is good for him to simply get in the habit of reading the word of God each day. At the same time, I want to encourage him to be retaining and applying what is appropriate for his reading/age level. What I wanted for him was a devotional guide. A book that would give him some scriptures to read along with some questions that corresponded with the passage. I didn't want a read this verse now here is a story to go along with it (like a Keys for Kids--which is a good devotional book to do as a family in my opinion). I wanted something that would challenge him to look more closely at the passage he read. Something that would be a guide to how to read the Bible and retain what you read.
The other thing I wanted in a devotional guide was strictly King James material. I am a King James Bible believer. I don't want my children reading scriptures that are not from the KJB. King James only material for children is very hard to find. Our local Christian book store is very small. I never really have found much there. I don't like ordering things from on-line book stores for the kids becaus you never know what you are going to get.
So what was my solution? Make one. I thought since I know what I want for a devotional guide for my son, why not make one? I finished my first section last week. I am planning on writing each section on a young man in the Bible. The first section is on Samuel. It is time consuming, but serves a two fold purpose. I have to study to write the guide (extra scripture study time for me) and a more purposeful devotion time for my son. This is a trial. We will be starting this Monday. I am excited. I wish I had had something like this when I first started reading my Bible daily. (I probably could benefit from this now).
I would love to hear how others encourage their children's personal Bible reading/devotional time.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Back on track...I think
One of the reasons I started this blog was to keep track of my diet and recipes. My nutritionist had put me on a "no grain/no sugar" diet due to my hypoglycemia. I did well for about 3-4 months and was feeling well. Then vacation hit. For the past 2 months I have been eating poorly. My body was telling me "you need to stop," but it was very hard to break the cycle. What could I do? Go back on my diet. That is what to do. Really, diet is how we eat. It shouldn't be something I switch back and forth on. I need to ultimately change me eating habits and stick with that forever. Forever??? Never have any kind of grains forever???? I don't think I can do that realistically.
I have decided to add some whole grains to my diet. Not at every meal. Maybe only one per day or less. I have had brown rice and whole wheat pizza crust (which was surprisingly very yummy). My mother-in-law also bought me some crackers that are gluten free/wheat free. They are not grain free, but the only grain in them is rice. I am going to use those as a treat. We will see how it goes. The best gauge for me is how I feel.
I do not have a sensitivity (that I am aware of) to grains. The whole point of my diet is to maintain an even sugar level. I believe I can do this and still introduce some whole grains into my diet. I will do my best to post the recipes I try and my progress. I am anxious to try buckwheat/steel cut oat granola and 100% buck wheat pancakes.
The conclusion: Eat right. This is the only body I have. I can't be useful to the Lord or my family if I don't take care of it. It is the Lord's temple. He doesn't want it full of junk, sluggish and unhealthy. He can give me the strength to stay on track.
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."--Ps 28:7
I have decided to add some whole grains to my diet. Not at every meal. Maybe only one per day or less. I have had brown rice and whole wheat pizza crust (which was surprisingly very yummy). My mother-in-law also bought me some crackers that are gluten free/wheat free. They are not grain free, but the only grain in them is rice. I am going to use those as a treat. We will see how it goes. The best gauge for me is how I feel.
I do not have a sensitivity (that I am aware of) to grains. The whole point of my diet is to maintain an even sugar level. I believe I can do this and still introduce some whole grains into my diet. I will do my best to post the recipes I try and my progress. I am anxious to try buckwheat/steel cut oat granola and 100% buck wheat pancakes.
The conclusion: Eat right. This is the only body I have. I can't be useful to the Lord or my family if I don't take care of it. It is the Lord's temple. He doesn't want it full of junk, sluggish and unhealthy. He can give me the strength to stay on track.
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."--Ps 28:7
Thursday, September 22, 2011
"My son, give me thine heart..."
"My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways."--Pr 23:26
I want my children's hearts. I want them to confide in me. I want them to know that I will always be there for their every need. I want them to know that I will always give them a "listening ear." I want a relationship where, as one seasoned mom put it, I "mesh" in their lives. I want our home to be a place where they want to be. I want to say, "My son, my daughter, give me your heart" and have them say, "Mom, you already have it."
That sounds so simple, but requires unselfishness on my part. It requires my stopping to listen to...and try to follow...the huge explanation about some crazy invention that will never work in a million years. Maybe it means that I have to skip my daily nap to have a birthday party for "baby" who is 100 years old because she has a birthday everyday. If I want their heart, I have to show them that I want it.
This is not to say my life needs to revolve around them or that I can only do what they want. There must be a balance. I definitely can improve on the giving of myself more.
The second part of the verse is hard. Can I say, "Look what I am doing. Do it like this." Do I want my children to have a devotional/prayer time like mine? How about my testimony and witness? What about my care, concern, compassion for others? Should they be as "thoughtful" as I am? That is scary!!! Do I want them to speak to their siblings the way I speak to them or their dad? Would I be happy if they obeyed me the way I obey the Lord or submit the way I do? What if they had my work ethic or organizational skills? My christian service?
I am purposing in my heart to meditate daily on this verse for a while. As a mom would you consider doing the same?
I want my children's hearts. I want them to confide in me. I want them to know that I will always be there for their every need. I want them to know that I will always give them a "listening ear." I want a relationship where, as one seasoned mom put it, I "mesh" in their lives. I want our home to be a place where they want to be. I want to say, "My son, my daughter, give me your heart" and have them say, "Mom, you already have it."
That sounds so simple, but requires unselfishness on my part. It requires my stopping to listen to...and try to follow...the huge explanation about some crazy invention that will never work in a million years. Maybe it means that I have to skip my daily nap to have a birthday party for "baby" who is 100 years old because she has a birthday everyday. If I want their heart, I have to show them that I want it.
This is not to say my life needs to revolve around them or that I can only do what they want. There must be a balance. I definitely can improve on the giving of myself more.
The second part of the verse is hard. Can I say, "Look what I am doing. Do it like this." Do I want my children to have a devotional/prayer time like mine? How about my testimony and witness? What about my care, concern, compassion for others? Should they be as "thoughtful" as I am? That is scary!!! Do I want them to speak to their siblings the way I speak to them or their dad? Would I be happy if they obeyed me the way I obey the Lord or submit the way I do? What if they had my work ethic or organizational skills? My christian service?
I am purposing in my heart to meditate daily on this verse for a while. As a mom would you consider doing the same?
Thursday, September 15, 2011
School's In
Monday began our 2011-2012 school year. This is a year of firsts for us. LE's first year of school, my first time teaching 2 at the same time, first time using My Father's World curriculum (http://www.mfwbooks.com/) and Apologia Science (http://www.apologia.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1). Well, we really haven't started Apologia. My Father's World (MFW) is a combination of History/Geography, Science, and Bible. The plan use MFW and Apologia. MFW is quite a bit more involved than I expected so for now I am going put Apologia on hold.
Our first day was a little shaky. At the end of the day I was thinking, "How am I going to teach two kids who need one on one attention?" Day two went much better. I am trying not to stress about how long things are taking. I am hopeful as we move further into the year and become more familiar with the new curriculum our time will be used more efficiently. I will keep you "posted."
Our first day was a little shaky. At the end of the day I was thinking, "How am I going to teach two kids who need one on one attention?" Day two went much better. I am trying not to stress about how long things are taking. I am hopeful as we move further into the year and become more familiar with the new curriculum our time will be used more efficiently. I will keep you "posted."
Monday, August 15, 2011
W.E.W-Part...Finished!!!!
Well, for the most part we are finished. We built all the storage furniture. Today my little sister and I assembled some cubbies and brought up all my craft stuff from our family room. Tonight my hubby hung the wall shelf. I cleaned out/off my desk. It is great!!! It is so nice to have "a place for everything and everything in its place." Unfortunately, rooms like this are always changing, but at least we are starting off right.
The following picture is the finished half of the room. All of the shelving houses toys, games, craft/sewing supplies, books, and school stuff. It is tucked away in the area where the closet used to be. I like it because it is not the first thing you see when you enter the room.
I am still working on my office/workspace. My plan is to replace the folding table with a small desk with a file drawer. It is a little tricky because I need to put my printer/copier on it and my sewing machine. I am thinking it would be great to somehow attach a drop leaf to the end to give me more room for sewing. We will see what happens with that. For now, I will keep this how it is. I don't want to rush and do something and then hate it.
The following picture is the finished half of the room. All of the shelving houses toys, games, craft/sewing supplies, books, and school stuff. It is tucked away in the area where the closet used to be. I like it because it is not the first thing you see when you enter the room.
Our wall shelf will be where we keep most of our "toy library" (see W.E.W-Part 7). The shelf has decorative braces. It came out really nice. The plastic boxes look kind of junky. I hope to replace them with basket and canvas bins. You can see some of our old book cases in the photo below. These will be removed and I will be putting my grandfather's rocker in their place.
I am still working on my office/workspace. My plan is to replace the folding table with a small desk with a file drawer. It is a little tricky because I need to put my printer/copier on it and my sewing machine. I am thinking it would be great to somehow attach a drop leaf to the end to give me more room for sewing. We will see what happens with that. For now, I will keep this how it is. I don't want to rush and do something and then hate it.
I am so excited about this room. It is inspiring me to tackle other rooms in the house. We have been in our home for 10 years. It really is time to do some updating. Nothing major, just painting and cleaning out.
With special thanks...My husband is a very special man. Growing up, my dad did everything. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix or build or do. When I was a teenager I worried that I would marry someone who couldn't do anything. Who didn't know how to fix things or didn't want too. God has blessed me with a husband who like my dad can do anything. There isn't anything he can't build or fix. I love him so much and appreciate all the long hours he put into our playroom. I love you, baby!!!!
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