Grain Free Crepes

I've been exploring grain free and starch free baking a lot lately. I want to save starchy gluten free baking for special occasions and make grain and starch free baking more common in our home. There are many recipes and options out there plus wonderful health benefits for going grain free and starch free. I personally don't like the extra starches that gluten free baked goods tend to have. Rice, potato, corn and tapioca starches/flours are used a lot in gluten free baking. I struggle with inflammatory issues and starches as well as gluten are big culprits. I have leaky gut which grains and starches can make worse! A lot of grain free recipes call for coconut flour or almond flour and both can be found at health food stores and even some mainstream stores. I buy mine in bulk from Whole Foods.

Whenever we want a little something special for breakfast I have been making grain free waffles or crepes.

Grain Free Crepes

4 eggs
1 teaspoon honey or a few drops of liquid vanilla stevia
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3-3/4 cup milk of your choice

4 tablespoons coconut flour

Mix first 5 ingredients together well then add coconut flour and mix well. You want the batter to be like heavy cream. Spray a heated non-stick 8-9 inch frying pan with non stick spray then add about 1/4 cup of the crepe mixture to the hot pan and twirl the batter around to cover the bottom of the pan. It takes a little practice. YouTube has some good how-to videos. Cook for about 2-3 minutes then carefully flip the crepe over and cook 1 minute more. I find the crepe easier to flip if the it has browned well. Serve with fresh fruit, fruit sauce or homemade jam. A little whip cream or chocolate sauce. I wont tell. This recipe makes 6-8 crepes.

Birthday Cupcakes for Six

Today is my 28th birthday!!! 

I still feel 21 and am shocked that I'm getting closer to 30. Not that 30 is bad, it's just that I don't feel like I should be almost 30. Sometimes I still feel like a teenager and sometimes I feel like an old lady. Numbers really don't mean anything after all.

To celebrate I made a small batch of gluten free chocolate cupcakes. All of my cupcake recipes make 12 or more cupcakes and I didn't want that many hanging around the house or I would get in trouble so I came up with a recipe that made 6 cupcakes. If I'm really desperate for a cupcake one day I can divide this recipe even further and make 2 cupcakes for me and Amelia. Yum!

 

Chocolate Cupcakes for Six

9 tablespoons gluten free flour or regular wheat flour

1/8 teaspoon xanthum gum if using gluten free flour

7 tablespoons sugar (I used coconut palm sugar)

4 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/16 teaspoon salt

8 tablespoons milk

4 tablespoons oil

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg white

Whisk together dry ingredients well and set aside. Mix together wet ingredients thoroughly then add to the dry mixture. Stir till just combined. Fill 6 greased and floured muffin tins or paper lined muffin tins evenly with mixture. Bake at 325 for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool cupcakes on a cooling rack.

Frosting for 6 Cupcakes

3 tablespoons butter soften

5 tablespoons cocoa powder

9 tablespoons powder sugar

2-3 teaspoons milk

pinch salt

Blend the butter with the cocoa powder well then slowly blend in powder sugar. Add a little milk at a time until the frosting is spreadable.

Everything French! oo la la

Vive La France!

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 I have suddenly become obsessed with everything French! I have no idea how it came about or what clicked but I'm glad it did. I always liked French things like French Country decor, food, etc but I never really thought about what feelings French things evoke. This new epiphany conjures up feelings of romance, freshness, bold taste, classic style, and a good body image. Some of you may say, DUH! but I just never really felt it before until now. Now Italy, Ireland and Scotland are different stories. I always had strong feelings for these countries. We spent our Honeymoon in Italy and I would love to go to Ireland and Scotland for our 10 year wedding anniversary.

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Last Tuesday I was reminded about the book, "French Women Don't Get Fat". I becam very interested in it and after a little research I decided to download it on my phone and find out what all the fuss was about. I'm a few chapters in and so far I love it. This book is probably what triggered my French obsession. Mireille Guiliano has a great website with French style, French recipes, French finds and even a community message board. She makes it all sound so exciting.

The iconic French Cafe. We are lucky enough to have some great cafes with outdoor seating in Northern California. When we were in Rome and Florance for our honeymoon we spent quite a few evenings sitting at cafes sipping espresso and taking in the sights. It's so relaxing. I need to do that more.

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A French press is a charming way to make coffee. I find myself making coffee in a french press more than my coffee maker.

French markets are important to the French people. Most shop for their fresh produce and meats a few times a week at the open markets. I love the idea of carrying my market basket through a colorful markets searching out our dinner for the night. We have a farmers market every Saturday just a few blocks from our house. I would really like to start shopping there for fresh produce. Unfortunately I do not know of a local open market that sells meat and cheese like they do in France.

  I'm excited to try out French recipes I have never tried before. Classics like Boeuf Bourguingnon, Coq au vin, and french onion soup. I have already picked out different French cheeses to cook with and I need a few classic wines for cooking as well. I really need to get a French cookbook or two.

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I've also discovered French perfume. I haven't worn perfume in years because I did not want to inhale the chemicals and they also irritated my sinuses. I did a little research and found that the French style perfume is made naturally from the oils of botanical plants. I love that idea! I found a few brands and the descriptions of the scents sound amazing. I need to hint to the Mister. La Bouquetiere sells these roll on French perfumes along with other beautiful things.

French Lilac

Freesia French

Emotion

Ambre French

I've been catching up on movies that are filmed in France. I watched Midnight in Paris, Sabrina and Chocolat. Everyone tells me I have to see French Kiss and I would like to see Forget Paris. House Hunters International has been fun! I've seen a few episodes centered in Paris. Absolutely beautiful.

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I'm adding Paris, France to my list of places to visit one day. So much to see and experience in Europe!

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Our Love Story

Joaquin and I met in Guatemala while I was living there as a missionary. I moved there when I was 16 years old. I lived at House of Hope orphanage with a family from my church in Va. I first met Joaquin  in 2001 but he didn't even know that I existed. I was only 17 and he was 26. He and a pastor from his church brought a group of teens and young adults to the orphanage to help with construction and to minister in the mountain villages. It wasn't until his 2002 visit that he noticed me. This time I was 18 and he was 27. I was sitting with one of our little Guatemalan girls on our porch when he decided to walk up to me and introduce himself. When he started to walk towards the porch, I looked around trying to find the person he was walking too. To my surprise it was me he wanted to talk too. He sat down beside me and we carried on a conversation. The day before their trip was over, Joaquin came to my house and asked for my e-mail address. That was the beginning of our friendship. 

For almost two years we kept in contact with each other. I moved back to the states Dec. 14, 2003. Once in the states we started to IM and then from IM we moved on to the phone some time in February of 2004. It was amazing how smooth and fast everything progressed in those short months since coming home. I believe it had a lot to do with our two year friendship. God was preparing us. I remember when I was praying about moving to Guatemala and I felt so sure that it was something the Lord was calling me to do. One thing that encouraged me was hearing the Lord say that I would meet my future husband in Guatemala. It was all God's timing indeed. 

By the end of February we were talking about marriage.  Joaquin flew in for my 20th birthday and met my parents and family for the first time. He rented a car in DC and drove down to Midlothian. My mom and I drove to meet him in Midlothian so I could ride with him 30 minutes to my little town in the country. I remember I was so nervous and shaky. We got into the car, smiled at each other and then he reached for my hand. All nervousness melted away and the rest is history as they say. He asked my parents' permission to marry me. Joaquin was able to fly out for business in Va or just make a short trip to see me almost every other month. I flew out to Ca in June of 2004 to meet his family and friends and see where I would live. I stayed with his pastor's family. Joaquin took me on the 17 mile drive and then to Carmel by the Sea for dinner.  He even had a cd of love songs made for our long ride! I never thought that he would formally propose that night. He had told me that the ring wasn't ready and that we would pick it up the next day. After dinner we walked around Carmel and before leaving we walked to a historic stone church. There in a little garden were vases filled with hydrangeas, small framed pictures of me and of text messages we had been sending to each other. Many candles cast a romantic glow. I was shocked and so many questions and thoughts were running through my head. In the midst of my confusion Joaquin knelt down and asked me to marry him. The first thing I did was smack his arm and said, "you did have the ring!" He laughed and then I said yes! He guided me to the church's courtyard where a cafe table and chairs were with music, candles, sparkling cider and a cherry pie! My favorite pie! He had amazing friends that set up everything while we were eating dinner.

I had prayed for my soul mate and it didn't take me long into our courtship to realize that Joaquin was my answer to pray. I think we knew at the same time that we were meant for each other. There was never a weird or strange moment during our times together. It felt like we had known each other forever. We had truly found our Soul mates. We married May 21st 2005.

Scottish Faire 2011

We went to the Scottish faire and Highland Games again this year.  I really enjoy being amongst others that share in the same heritage.  My mother's maiden name is Hastings which is a well known name in Northern Scotland. Some history books say the name was brought to Scotland and England by the Vikings. A Hastings married into the Campbell clan in the early 1800s. Hastings belongs to the Campbell of Loudoun clan which is a sect of the Campbell clan.  Everyone named Hastings has the right to wear the tartan of the clan, Campbell of Loudoun only. The Campbell clan and the Campbell of Loudoun clan have similar colors but a different pattern on their tartan. Sounds confusing.  Although clan Campbell of Loudoun has their own tartan, they still belong to the main Campbell clan.

Most of the Scottish clans were represented at the faire by a booth. Since the Campbell clan happens to be one of the largest, most powerful and successful clans they naturally had one of the largest booths there. ;-) Booths typically have maps, pictures of the clan's castle and founders, tartan colors, books on the clan for research, etc. We stopped by the Campbell clan booth and Amelia immediately found a man playing Celtic music on his guitar and singing. That girl loves music.  We listen to Celtic music often and Amelia likes to call it Tinker Bell music since the movies play a lot of Celtic inspired music.

Men in kilts everywhere!

 You can see behind Joaquin and Amelia all of the clan booths. They keep going and going.  There were so many! Flying their flags.

 The Scottish country dancers were fun to watch.  Amelia was drawn to them.  She of course started dancing and mimicking them.

 See how excited she is to see the dancers?!

 She was copying the girls when they held their skirts while dancing. So precious.

 They performed traditional dances from Scotland.

 There were band competitions the whole time we were there.  Celtic bands from all over California. The bag pipes and drums were amazing.  Very exciting. A lot of the bands had young men and women which was nice to see.  Proud of their heritage.

Look at this little one in a kilt!!! There were lots of little ones wearing tiny kilts! The sweetest thing!

 We checked out some of the Scottish games while we were there.  I was sad that we missed some of the games.  The fairgrounds where the faire was held is so big and spread out that it was hard to take it all in without spending ALL day there. We spent 5 hours there! We asked a few workers where the games were being held and they didn't seem to know where they were. We finally found someone who knew what was going on so we made it at the tail end of the games. Oh well. 

 They also had sheep dog showings where they showed you how they train and use sheep dogs in the fields.

 Me and my silly girl. We were hot, sweaty and dirty by this point.

A gentleman came up to me to tell me that I was beautiful and my hair was lovely. That made this self conscious girl's day. ;-) Red hair at a Scottish faire is like a golden ticket. hehe

 I wish I could have gotten a better picture of these Scottish Highlands!  Their faces are SOOO cute! Hair all in their faces like big babies.

 Entrance into old world Scotland and Ireland.

 This is supposed to be the princess of Ireland. When you approach the tent you are escorted to the princess by a gentleman in costume. He introduces you as Lady Amelia, Lady Lindsey and Lord Joaquin and then you have to bow or curtsey. Amelia did a great job with her curtsey. 

 Amelia received a special gift from the princess. A ribbon to wear across her heart. Precious. Sadly Amelia already lost it.

Amelia sat down on the Lady-in-Waiting's chair. They thought she would make a beautiful Lady-in-Waiting. I think so too.

 They said that the knights were fighting for the Queen. It was kind of funny to watch.  It definitely can't compare to the Scots fighting in Braveheart.

 The Queen giving out medals to the winning knight.

 I had to take a picture of this beautiful older woman with a long thick gray braid. I love it. She was there with her daughter and grand kids.

Amelia with her special ribbon from the princess of Ireland. We had a fun time together. Lots to do and see. We shared a scotch egg, cottage pie, meat pie and a scone with strawberries and cream. There were several large buildings filled with Celtic and fairytale themed crafts and imported goods.  Tartans, food, handmade pottery, renaissance clothing, period weapons, leather goods, Celtic knot jewelry, fairy crowns and wings, etc. I found my favorite potter there and bought another mug in a different shape.  I adore handmade pottery.  The beautiful glazes and rustic shapes have a warm look that I love.

Going to the Scottish faire always makes me want to watch Braveheart or LOTR. I would love to go to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland for our 10 year wedding anniversary. We will see. We have 4 years to plan.