Foodie Friday!

Confession: my clothes are getting tighter. A little snug here, a little more stretched there. Could it be Bubbe's Christmas caramels? Maybe... after all, we did crank out two batches this year because the first one resembled more of a brick than a square of chewy-goodness. (In our defense, it was a new candy thermometer and the second batch was beyond perfection). I suppose the clothing dilemma could also be a result of the tiny human that I'm growing - 18 weeks along and going strong! I went for a run yesterday, however while reflecting upon the 3-mile outing, I decided I could no longer say I went for a "run". It was a "jog", at best. :)

For the most part, even where holidays are concerned, I try to "health" things up a bit. Here is a non-example of that:

The girls modified Gran's sugar cookie gingerbread people by adding ears. Then they painted them green... because they are obviously Shrek and Fiona cookies (we recently saw "Shrek: The Musical" at the Lawrence theater... the girls have not yet seen the movie). Doesn't everyone celebrate the season with Shrek cookies?

Back to the "health" part... Here are a few of my latest faves. The cookies and creamer were part of my contribution to Christmas brunch; the biscuits are just darn good and easy.

Whole Wheat Gingerbread Cookies

• 3/4 C organic coconut sugar
• 1 stick organic unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs (from the lovely Lavender, right out back!)
• 1/4 C organic molasses
• 3 3/4 C organic stone ground whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Chill dough for at least an hour before rolling
• Bake on parchment paper at 350 degrees for 8 minutes

Coffee Creamer

recipe courtesy of Deliciously Organic

• 2 C organic half and half
• 1/4 C organic maple syrup
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp organic vanilla extract
• Heat half and half, maple syrup, and cinnamon over medium until steaming
• Remove from heat and add vanilla
• Strain through cheese cloth and enjoy!
• I love this in my naturally decaffeinated green tea (no caffeine for baby!)

Honey Whole Wheat Biscuits

adapted from A Bear in the Kitchen

• 2 1/4 C organic stone ground whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 5 T cold organic unsalted butter; cut into pieces
• 3/4 C organic plain yogurt kefir (could also use buttermilk)
• 1 1/2 T local honey
• Combine dry ingredients; cut in butter with pastry cutter
• Combine kefir and honey
• Add wet to dry
• Roll out dough to approx 5" x 9" rectangle; fold long sides up/down like a letter and roll again to desired thickness
• Bake on parchment paper at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes

Photo-A-Day Challenge: Day #10: Drink

Coffee is a treat for me - not an everyday drink, something that I like to savor. John always makes a big batch of French press or pour-over coffee every weekend and we keep the extra in the fridge for iced coffee. I am thoroughly enjoying a drink now and then with this little concoction added:

Spiced Milk

• 1 C local milk
• 1 tsp local honey
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• Pinch of ground cloves
• Splash of organic vanilla
• Slowly heat milk, honey, and spices to a boil
• Remove from heat and add vanilla
• Store in fridge and use to spice up coffee!

Photo-A-Day Challenge: Day #25: Ground

Our 7th Anniversary was yesterday, July 24th. Seven years ago we were on a beach in Maui, getting hitched by a large Samoan man playing a ukulele. At that time, I didn't drink coffee. I liked "mocha" things - in high school, my dad and I frequently made after-dinner runs to Baskin Robbins for a cappuccino blast. Anyone remember those? My mom and I miss the jamoca almond fudge ice cream from there as well. Both coffee-inspired, but nothing at all like a cup of coffee. This picture of freshly ground beans, soaking in hot water in our pour-over coffee pot, represents John's ever-present influence in who I am today, one cup of coffee at a time. I'm not a daily coffee drinker and I always add milk, but I'll go without any sweetener or maybe a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. He's a good influence and I love my daily reminders of how "we" have changed "me". Happy anniversary (a day late) to my coffee-drinking partner. Thank you for keeping me grounded. Forever.