
Posts by admin:
- 3 cups whole white wheat OR spelt flour
- 2 cups coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1-10-12 ounce- large package frozen strawberries, thawed and chopped
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 4 eggs or 4 flax seed “eggs” (4 Tbsp flax seed meal + 12 Tbsp warm water)
- allow the meal and water sit for 5 minutes
- 1 1/3 cups pecans or walnuts
- Huge selection of bras and nursing apparel at A Mother’s Boutique
- Annee Matthew nursing apparel has some of the most stylish nursing clothing on this planet!
- One Creative Mama breastfeeding advocacy baby shirts speak for themselves and break the ice
- Moboleez nursing hats make nursing in public so much easier and more convenient, especially helpful when you’re new to breastfeeding and a nursing cover just makes things harder
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 Tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 cups thinly sliced apples [about 3 medium Braeburn apples]
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 1 -8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup soyrizo sausage, casing removed (You are welcome to chorizo)
- 1 tablespoon oil, if necessary
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups small potatoes, sliced
- 2 eggs
- sliced tomatoes, for serving
- cotija cheese for serving
- your choice of tortillas, flour or corn, for serving
Grandma’s Strawberry Bread
February 8th, 2013Over Christmas I rummaged though my grandmother’s recipe box for recipes she made in during my childhood. I always have ideas for recipes but somehow I really wanted to look through her recipe box which also contained old recipes from HER mother and aunt.
After I was done going through them I had a nice stack of recipes. Woah! My grandmother looks at it and told me that I was not going to have time to copy them and offered to hand write each recipe card for me. How nice eh?

When I returned home I received a nice envelope a week later containing the recipe cards. My grandmother had taken out her typewriter and typed out each recipe. Oh, those were the days right? Anyone have a typewrite and STILL use it? I think there is something romantic about it, but it is probably more nostalgia.
I perused and reminded myself of all the recipes and decided to make a chocolate sour cream peppermint pound cake. Why am I sharing with you a recipe I am not even posting today? Well I used that for the cake balls that I will share next week, hopefully.
I then decided to make strawberry bread. It sounded so delicious especially since I actually did not remember what it tasted like. My grandmother would make me a Strawberry Birthday Cake during my childhood that I loved! It was all cake box mix with thawed sweetened strawberries. The icing was made with butter, powdered sugar and more thawed strawberries. yummmmmm.

I set off to make this bread only to find that the recipe made 2 loaves. Wow! We certainly did not need that much bread in our home. How about gifting a loaf to a neighbor? We have slowly been touching bases with our neighbors despite that most of them keep to themselves, I am determined to stuff them happy. 🙂
What is the saying? I am horrible with them, but why not feed them through their tummies? I gave a loaf to a lady in our cul de sac who has a cute little dog that Julianne loves. She left me a note 5 days later letting me know she wanted the recipe cause she consumed it in 4 days! 🙂 Always a good sign.
I love getting to know neighbors!

Hopefully you can make this for your family or gift a loaf to someone you love or someone who has no one to spend this Valentine’s Day. Why not? Everyone wants to feel loved, no?
Bless people through your baking. If your love language is cooking and baking, then share it with others!
Have a great Friday!!
Grandma’s Strawberry Bread

by Noelle Kelly’s grandmother, adapted
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Dry Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mix the dry ingredients together in a medium bowl and wet ingredients in a large bowl.
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in a large bowl and mix well, mostly folding until well blended.
Grease and line two glass loaf pans with parchment paper and bake for 50-60 minutes. It depends on your oven. Original recipe says an hour but I have a hot oven.
Powered by Recipage

39 1/2 week Pregnancy Update
February 7th, 2013Today I had my weekly midwife appointment and after much debate it was finally agreed by the group that I was NOT 38 weeks pregnant but 39 1/2 weeks. I had kept in mind that I could be due anywhere between February 9th and 20th since I continued to get conflicting info.
Let me back up a little. I left Michigan 3 month pregnant with ONE ultrasound under my belt. When I finally found a place to have the baby the midwives and staff kept telling me different dates based on the info I had given. I definitely know I feel ready. I feel like this pregnancy has been a little bit more uncomfortable.
I knew and know I am not that cute pregnant gal. I already had a friend say it looked like I was carrying a toddler. Well, I have already been told that this baby might just be bigger than Julianne at birth.
When I got pregnant this second time around I was 30 pounds lighter than I was with Julianne. I was kind of mad I was pregnant cause I needed another 25 pounds to get to goal, which would have been another 6 months. God is in control and I cannot wait to get back into the weight loss groove.
I know that I have not shared as much about this pregnancy as I did with Julianne but it has been different. My exercise routine has practically been non-existent and keeping up with a toddler whilst pregnant has been really challenging. It is totally doable but as the tummy has grown the stamina and energy has been crazy.
I have seen comments from different mothers having their second or third child while having other small children in their home and feeling bad for baby #1 not being #1 anymore. I have not felt guilty at all for Julianne even though I KNOW my attention will be divided. I know my girl is ready to have a friend.
Julianne is 15 months old now and she has SUCH a personality. She waves at everyone and says hi and goodbye. She accepts hugs and pats on the head and squeals when she sees other kids, big or small. She really is such a happy girl and seems ready to have a sister. I am looking forward seeing her reaction. I have been praying for her!
Have I done anything special for her? I do not think any day requires anything special since she is no longer going to be an only child. I only make sure she gets quality time. We have fun and tickle and the newest thing we did the other day was play with handkerchiefs. I have always worn one when I feel inspired to clean house, but I no longer do it. I did it now just to have fun and especially since Julianne is loving wearing hats. She thought it was funny!
We wear hats in the morning and say “Yo, yo.” It is our ghetto language and she knows how to say it too. Hee hee. Is she not a cutie?
I love how she knows how to play independently but then there have been days where she has been clingy. Julianne’s new thing is scowling and saying “no” to everything. It is hilarious! Is this LoveSac not amazing? Random, I know.
Something else we have been enjoying is eating out at least one week although I think I might be boycotting cooking from today and on. I actually have no desire for food even though I am hungry and then even though I eat, I get sick and lose all of it anyway.
I know this too shall pass, so I am taking one day at a time and even though I am not on maternity leave, I am trying to rest as much as possible. Stay tuned for any news! Thanks for bearing with me on my update. It has been a tough few weeks. Here’s hoping for some sleep.
Did you find that your subsequent pregnancies were harder, easier or just plain different?

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review / Giveaway
February 6th, 2013I love coconut oil especially coconut oil that smells like coconut oil. There are others that do not prefer this but I enjoy it!
I have been using Tropical Traditions for a while. Their large bottles last a long time and they serve for multiple uses. Besides cooking with the oil, I have been using it for my extremely itchy pregnant skin. It smells so delicious and afterwards I feel like I am on a beach. 🙂
I believe the best way to use the coconut oil is making soups. I like the flavor especially if the soups are more like Indian, vegetarian or Asian. Here is an example of a soup called Red-Split Lentil Stew with Fried Onions.
I have made this several times and it is perfect for this time of year. Speaking of it, I must make this again. Excuse the old picture.
How about some pumpkin scones or tropical persimmon muffins? Yes, they are both super amazingly delicious with coconut oil. Make them!

Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!
Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website:
Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.
If you cannot wait to get your hands on this product, here is a special deal.
If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian Readers
Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.
Mama Baby Love Giveaway Event
February 5th, 2013There is something really special about that moment a mother first puts her newborn baby to her breast. A priceless moment filled with love. Though that moment really doesn’t need anything extra, we’re hosting a Mama Baby Love giveaway to make it even more special! We will outfit two mamas and their babies for their breastfeeding journey.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, you can win some gift certificates from Annee Matthew ($100 ea) and A Mother’s Boutique ($50 ea) to use toward nursing apparel as well as a nursing hat from Moboleez and breastfeeding baby apparel for your little one from One Creative Mama.
Our Favorite Things About the Prizes:
Purchase: You can shop Annee Matthew and A Mother’s Boutique for a great selection of nursing bras and nursing apparel. They carry some of our favorite brands like Cake Lingerie, Bamboobies, and Bella Materna. You may also acquire a Moboleez hat and check out the adorable baby apparel from One Creative Mama (pictured below).
Win The Package! Our sponsors are blessing two of you with the entire package as outlined above.
Special thanks to AnaB Social for hosting this giveaway. Huge thanks to all participating bloggers as well! Giveaway ends February 27th at 12:01 am, open to US residents, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Thank you!
Disclaimer: AnaB Social, Eco-Babyz, and all participating event bloggers are not responsible for sponsor prize shipment.

{Secret Recipe Club} Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars & Vegan Chorizo, Potato, and Egg Tacos
February 4th, 2013It is Secret Recipe Club time and I have some yummy delicious recipes to share with you.
I had a HARD time deciding what to make from my assigned blogger’s site but I finally came down to 2 recipes. Who did I get? The Pajama Chef! Sarah has a wonderful blog filled with delicious recipes. In addition to cooking and baking, Sarah is busy finishing her grad studies in African studies and Library Science. Wow!
I think it is amazing that there are fellow cooks that are keeping busy outside the kitchen and working on amazing aspirations. Sarah is a fellow believer and is very passionate about he relationship with Christ. Yay! Many blessings on your journey with your husband and I thank you for sharing your recipes with the online community!
Here are the two recipes I decided to make. These bars were a bit intimidating at first. Who needs three steps? Not this busy and tired momma. Ha! I decided I could make these and quick they were. The original recipe is for 24 bars made in a 9×13 pan but I modified it and made it for a 9×9 pan because we do not have any parties to go to to share these with anyone and we certainly do not need that many bars. 🙂
The recipe was technically halved and they came out GREAT! The crust is crunchy while the second layer has a perfect cream cheese sweetness. The apple layer with the streusel topping was my favorite layer. YUM! I had a piece at room temperature and then a small piece that had been refrigerated. I definitely like the refrigerated version. So GOOD!!
Make them!
Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars

by Noelle Kelly / adapted from The Pajama Chef
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients (9 bars)
Apple Layer
Cookie Layer
Cheesecake Layer
Instructions
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×9 baking dish and line bottom and side with parchment paper.
Begin by preparing the apple layer. In a medium pot set over medium heat, stir together water, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg and add apples. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until apples are tender. Set aside.
While apples are simmering, prepare cookie layer. In a mediumbowl, stir together oats, flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and baking powder. Using a pastry blender cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside 1/2 cup and press rest of mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla, and egg.
Then assemble bars. Spread cheesecake filling over partially baked crust, then spoon apple filling over top. Sprinkle on reserved crumbs, then bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool the bars and then refrigerate to chill before cutting. Refrigerate after every serving.
Powered by Recipage
How about these tacos? Yeah, quick and easy too. Instead of using chorizo (made form pork), I decided to use soyrizo, which is a vegan version made from soy. It is practically like chorizo. I know. It has the same flavors but no pork. I bought my link at Trader Joe’s but I know there are other companies that make different versions.
The original recipe is a Rick Bayless recipe that Sarah prepared. I added eggs for additional protein as well. Go check out the original recipe cause it has cilantro and made with whole wheat tortillas.
These made for a delicious and filling breakfast. You have to make them.
Vegan Chorizo, Potato, and Egg Tacos

by Noelle Kelly/ adapted from The Pajama Chef
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-15 minnutes
Ingredients (4 tacos)
Instructions
Boil potatoes in a small pot for 10 minutes, drain.
In a large skillet over medium heat heat oil. Add onions and peppers and cook, stirring constantly until softened, about three minutes. Add soyrizo and potatoes and continue cooking for 10 minutes.
Add 2 whole eggs to the mixture and cook until done.
Transfer mixture to a serving bowl and gently fold in cotija cheese or queso fresco. Serve with tomatoes.
Serves 2
Powered by Recipage










