I pondered several different cornbread recipes, before patch-working my own gluten-free version to try.
Here's what I did:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Lightly grease a nine-inch glass pie dish. I used a bit of Spectrum for this.
Combine:
* 1 1/4 cups *milk*
[I used So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk]
* 1 Tbsp. vinegar
[I used distilled white- it's what I had. I prefer apple cider vinegar.]
Stir together and let sit. It will get all clumpy. This takes the place of buttermilk very nicely.
Combine:
* 1 1/2 cups cornmeal
* 1/2 cup *flour*
[I used 1/4 cup millet flour, then on the second 1/4 cup I filled the cup halfway with potato starch and topped it off with more millet flour. So, the exact measurements would be 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons millet flour and 2 Tablespoons potato starch, or 3/8 cup millet flour & 1/8 cup potato starch. It would probably also work well with a basic gluten-free flour mix.]
* (2 tsp.) baking powder- this was too much. Next time, I'll try 1 or 1 1/2 teaspoons.
* 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
* 1/2 tsp. baking soda
* 1 tsp. salt
* 1 or 2 Tbsp. sugar
[I think I used one Tbsp. of sugar. I knew we would put honey on it, so kept it less sweet.]
Stir all the dry ingredients together well. I usually use a wire whisk for this- it works well.
Cut into dry ingredients:
* 1/4 cup shortening [I used Spectrum non-hydrogenated shortening]
Cut in well with a pastry blender, until there are no big clumps left.
Combine:
* 1 1/2 tsp. Ener-G Egg Replacer powder
* 2 Tbsp. *milk* [I used So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk]
[Make sure this is really well combined, with no clumps. I had a few clumps, even after whisking it well, so I think I'll put it through a wire strainer next time.]
Add soured milk mixture and egg replacer mixture to dry ingredients. Mix until combined, but don't overmix. Pour into prepared dish. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, or until baked through in the center.
I loved this, cut open and spread with more Spectrum shortening and topped with honey. Agave nectar would also be really good on it, in place of honey.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Taking a Lesson From Sam
I had a conversation on Facebook yesterday, that got me thinking in a fresh way about what marriage really should be.
It started, of course, with Lord of the Rings. :)
"It got me thinking about Sam and Frodo. That is a beautiful picture of what marriage really should be- that lasting friendship, and deep loyalty, and that sense of 'I will be there, by your side, supporting you and helping you, even if it means we die together on a rock in Mordor. You will never be alone, because I will be there, no matter what!'
I love that! ♥
"You know, if in the marriage ceremony, God stood there in person and said something to the effect of, "Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee!!!" ...maybe people would approach marriage differently, if they realized that is really how God feels about marriage- even into the face of the fires of Mount Doom! Then maybe people would say, to the depth and extent of their whole being, 'I don't mean to!!!' and throw themselves into the river, and follow each other through the black valley, and truly have each other's back, no matter what!"
That is really what it should be.
It started, of course, with Lord of the Rings. :)
"It got me thinking about Sam and Frodo. That is a beautiful picture of what marriage really should be- that lasting friendship, and deep loyalty, and that sense of 'I will be there, by your side, supporting you and helping you, even if it means we die together on a rock in Mordor. You will never be alone, because I will be there, no matter what!'
I love that! ♥
"You know, if in the marriage ceremony, God stood there in person and said something to the effect of, "Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee!!!" ...maybe people would approach marriage differently, if they realized that is really how God feels about marriage- even into the face of the fires of Mount Doom! Then maybe people would say, to the depth and extent of their whole being, 'I don't mean to!!!' and throw themselves into the river, and follow each other through the black valley, and truly have each other's back, no matter what!"
That is really what it should be.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Is the Puppy Just Playing Me?
Hmmm....
I know that the Small Dog (who was a year old in June) is perfectly capable of surviving for several hours at at a time in her kennel crate when nobody is home.
So, when I am home and she comes to me with pleading eyes and pitiful little whines every half hour or hour, why do I always believe that she is in the most dire distress?
I do not know how to tell when she honestly needs to go out, and when she's just bored and wants to know if Outside is somehow more magically interesting at that moment in time.
Does she really need to go out so very often, when I'm home?
Or is she just playing me like a banjo?
I know that the Small Dog (who was a year old in June) is perfectly capable of surviving for several hours at at a time in her kennel crate when nobody is home.
So, when I am home and she comes to me with pleading eyes and pitiful little whines every half hour or hour, why do I always believe that she is in the most dire distress?
I do not know how to tell when she honestly needs to go out, and when she's just bored and wants to know if Outside is somehow more magically interesting at that moment in time.
Does she really need to go out so very often, when I'm home?
Or is she just playing me like a banjo?
Indispensible, That's What You Are.....
Every time I come home from a trip, I wonder whether I want this to truly be my theme song.
I'm never sure of the answer.
At the end of a busy trip, with a long, exhausting drive home, I feel even more tired when I see the things that weren't done while I was away.
Then I feel ungrateful, for not just appreciating all that was done during my absence.
Then I wonder- would I really like coming home and seeing that my absence made no difference whatsoever; that everything sailed along just as smoothly without me?
Does my disgruntled grumbling have a smug edge? A satisfied core? A sense of, "Well, obviously they do need me after all!"?
I think it does.
*sigh*
I came home from a trip last night. I made the drive in record time (not speeding- I just didn't stop much), but I'd made such a late start that I got home a little after eleven thirty at night.
I did notice, and appreciate, that the dishwasher was running.
I did notice, and appreciate, the baskets of clean laundry in the living room, that were washed while I was gone.
...
And I also found myself prowling around, looking for proof that they just can't do without me!
[giant eyeroll at myself!!!]
I took the rotting chicken from the fridge, and tossed it in the trash. [See! Without me, things just fall apart!]
I grumblingly watered houseplants. [Does nobody water these but me?! Every time I leave, the same plants are nearly dead by the time I come home!]
[giant eyeroll at self, followed by "face palm"]
I am certain I am not the only one who does this.
I do, in fact, suspect that this is a fairly common human condition,
but that does not make me any less disgusted with myself.
I think most of us probably wrestle at times with this quandary; this flip-flopping between appreciating proof that the world does not fall completely apart the moment we step out the door, and dismay at all that is neglected in our absence.
I'm sure it's not just me.
But still.....
[face palm, shaking head at my own relentlessly consistent inconsistency!]
I'm never sure of the answer.
At the end of a busy trip, with a long, exhausting drive home, I feel even more tired when I see the things that weren't done while I was away.
Then I feel ungrateful, for not just appreciating all that was done during my absence.
Then I wonder- would I really like coming home and seeing that my absence made no difference whatsoever; that everything sailed along just as smoothly without me?
Does my disgruntled grumbling have a smug edge? A satisfied core? A sense of, "Well, obviously they do need me after all!"?
I think it does.
*sigh*
I came home from a trip last night. I made the drive in record time (not speeding- I just didn't stop much), but I'd made such a late start that I got home a little after eleven thirty at night.
I did notice, and appreciate, that the dishwasher was running.
I did notice, and appreciate, the baskets of clean laundry in the living room, that were washed while I was gone.
...
And I also found myself prowling around, looking for proof that they just can't do without me!
[giant eyeroll at myself!!!]
I took the rotting chicken from the fridge, and tossed it in the trash. [See! Without me, things just fall apart!]
I grumblingly watered houseplants. [Does nobody water these but me?! Every time I leave, the same plants are nearly dead by the time I come home!]
[giant eyeroll at self, followed by "face palm"]
I am certain I am not the only one who does this.
I do, in fact, suspect that this is a fairly common human condition,
but that does not make me any less disgusted with myself.
I think most of us probably wrestle at times with this quandary; this flip-flopping between appreciating proof that the world does not fall completely apart the moment we step out the door, and dismay at all that is neglected in our absence.
I'm sure it's not just me.
But still.....
[face palm, shaking head at my own relentlessly consistent inconsistency!]
Monday, August 13, 2012
The Biggest Loser
I've started watching The Biggest Loser, Season 1, on Netflix with our younger daughter.
Does this show not just make you want to get out and exercise??!!!
And eat right?
Needless to say, after watching last night, I went back to starting my day with fresh fruit this morning! I really do enjoy beginning my day with flavorful, seasonal fresh fruit. Today it was chunks of juicy watermelon. It's just such a good way to start the day. :)
Does this show not just make you want to get out and exercise??!!!
And eat right?
Needless to say, after watching last night, I went back to starting my day with fresh fruit this morning! I really do enjoy beginning my day with flavorful, seasonal fresh fruit. Today it was chunks of juicy watermelon. It's just such a good way to start the day. :)
Saturday, August 4, 2012
When God Spoke To Me...In The Safeway Parking Lot
The few times God has spoken directly to me, it wasn't with a voice of thunder reverberating around me with solemn majesty.
And He never speaks to me like something out of archaic poetry, or the King James Bible. There is no, "Fear not, Beloved Daughter, to approach with joy. Be not afraid to cast thyself upon my mercy."
No. When God speaks to me, which has happened just a few times in my life, it is in a firm voice that speaks within my mind, but the words do not come from my thoughts. It is a surreal experience, but so definite that I do not hesitate to state that it was God speaking to me.
I have just re-read the Attolia series (a set of four books by Megan Whalen Turner, in the kid's or possibly young adult section at the library). We love this series! Anyway, in these books there are a few times when the gods of the main character speak to him. At one point, he complains to a friend that the poets lied; that the gods never speak to him in bold and majestic poetry. No, they say things to him like, "Stop whining!" I laughed when I read that, because I could totally relate.
So, to the Safeway parking lot.
Well, actually, before we get to the parking lot, there needs to be some background.
There was a time, a couple of years ago, when for two or three weeks in a row, I had the absolute best days...on Monday! It was great! Everyone around me was slogging through their miserable Monday-ness, and I was breezing along, having the most blissful time.
On Monday evenings, from September through May, I work in the Awana program at our church, helping kids learn about the Bible. My friend's son was in my handbook group at the time of this story, and he has some challenges in his life. During the time I was having these blissful Mondays, this friend called me on Monday afternoon, a couple of weeks in a row, to say, "He's had a pretty rough day at school. Where are you at with your day? Can you handle it if he's struggling this evening?" And in the peace and ease of my days, I said, "I'm having a great day! I can totally handle it!"
Then there was the dark side of my Marvelous Mondays. I glided through the whole day, smiling and serene, basking in the peace of my own personal day. And then my family came home. And they spoiled my perfect day, with their crankiness, and their outrage over the day, and their very neediness sucking the marrow from my bones. I did not appreciate the way they ruined those perfectly lovely days. I'm pretty sure I even complained to them, "I was having this great day, and then you ruined it!" Needless to say, not some of my finest parenting moments!
Those few weeks of the Mondays of Peace and Sweetness passed by, and soon after, I stopped to visit with a lady I know, in the Safeway parking lot. Yes, we have at last arrived at the fabeled Lot of Parking that began this whole saga. I told her all about my Wonderful Mondays, and how much I enjoyed them, and how they enabled me to pour peace and love on the ruffled feathers of my friend's son...and also how my family just wrecked the whole thing and spoiled it for me.
We said goodbye, and as I walked to my car, God spoke to me, quite clearly, inside the privacy of my own head, interrupting the thoughts that were muddling around in there.
And God said to me....
"STOP BEING SO SELFISH WITH YOUR GOOD DAYS!!!!!!!"
Oh.
Oooooohhhhhhhhhh.
Yet another time in which I felt I should be wearing a big label that said, "It's not about me!" I should probably tattoo that on the back of my hand where I can see it often. It bears repeating.
Yes, those lovely, peaceful days were a gift to me, but they were not for only me. I was feeling resentful of how my family spoiled my shiny mood...instead of loving them from that place of peace and sweetness; blessing them at the end of a hard day!
Oh.
Those lovely days were FOR me, but they were not ABOUT me!
They were a gift to me, but a gift I was supposed to share!!!
And He never speaks to me like something out of archaic poetry, or the King James Bible. There is no, "Fear not, Beloved Daughter, to approach with joy. Be not afraid to cast thyself upon my mercy."
No. When God speaks to me, which has happened just a few times in my life, it is in a firm voice that speaks within my mind, but the words do not come from my thoughts. It is a surreal experience, but so definite that I do not hesitate to state that it was God speaking to me.
I have just re-read the Attolia series (a set of four books by Megan Whalen Turner, in the kid's or possibly young adult section at the library). We love this series! Anyway, in these books there are a few times when the gods of the main character speak to him. At one point, he complains to a friend that the poets lied; that the gods never speak to him in bold and majestic poetry. No, they say things to him like, "Stop whining!" I laughed when I read that, because I could totally relate.
So, to the Safeway parking lot.
Well, actually, before we get to the parking lot, there needs to be some background.
There was a time, a couple of years ago, when for two or three weeks in a row, I had the absolute best days...on Monday! It was great! Everyone around me was slogging through their miserable Monday-ness, and I was breezing along, having the most blissful time.
On Monday evenings, from September through May, I work in the Awana program at our church, helping kids learn about the Bible. My friend's son was in my handbook group at the time of this story, and he has some challenges in his life. During the time I was having these blissful Mondays, this friend called me on Monday afternoon, a couple of weeks in a row, to say, "He's had a pretty rough day at school. Where are you at with your day? Can you handle it if he's struggling this evening?" And in the peace and ease of my days, I said, "I'm having a great day! I can totally handle it!"
Then there was the dark side of my Marvelous Mondays. I glided through the whole day, smiling and serene, basking in the peace of my own personal day. And then my family came home. And they spoiled my perfect day, with their crankiness, and their outrage over the day, and their very neediness sucking the marrow from my bones. I did not appreciate the way they ruined those perfectly lovely days. I'm pretty sure I even complained to them, "I was having this great day, and then you ruined it!" Needless to say, not some of my finest parenting moments!
Those few weeks of the Mondays of Peace and Sweetness passed by, and soon after, I stopped to visit with a lady I know, in the Safeway parking lot. Yes, we have at last arrived at the fabeled Lot of Parking that began this whole saga. I told her all about my Wonderful Mondays, and how much I enjoyed them, and how they enabled me to pour peace and love on the ruffled feathers of my friend's son...and also how my family just wrecked the whole thing and spoiled it for me.
We said goodbye, and as I walked to my car, God spoke to me, quite clearly, inside the privacy of my own head, interrupting the thoughts that were muddling around in there.
And God said to me....
"STOP BEING SO SELFISH WITH YOUR GOOD DAYS!!!!!!!"
Oh.
Oooooohhhhhhhhhh.
Yet another time in which I felt I should be wearing a big label that said, "It's not about me!" I should probably tattoo that on the back of my hand where I can see it often. It bears repeating.
Yes, those lovely, peaceful days were a gift to me, but they were not for only me. I was feeling resentful of how my family spoiled my shiny mood...instead of loving them from that place of peace and sweetness; blessing them at the end of a hard day!
Oh.
Those lovely days were FOR me, but they were not ABOUT me!
They were a gift to me, but a gift I was supposed to share!!!
Monday, July 30, 2012
What We've Been Eating Lately...
I have thought of my little blog often this summer, but my life and the inside of my head have not been conducive to reflective thought and writing. Today, I feel able for a brief post...before leaping back onto the whirling merry-go-round of the day.
I'm just feeling really good about the food choices I/we have been making these past several days, and wanted to write about it. After months upon months of heedless eating mixed with the heavy struggle back toward healthier ways, there is progress!
The other night, we had some steaks, so the Dear Eldest Daughter and I worked together to come up with a healthy meal. We concocted a Southwestern kind of dry rub (sea salt, cumin, oregano, parsley, chipotle chili powder, paprika, and a dash of cinnamon), which we massaged into the meat, then let it sit for a bit, before the Meat Maestro put it on the grill. As side dishes/steak toppers, we made guacamole, pico de gallo (freshly chopped salsa), and the black bean side dish we've been doing lately. It was all sooooo flavorful! And so healthy! And low on the glycemic index! Not one thing in there that compromised the health or well-being of any of us. That felt great!
**Black bean side dish: one can of black beans, drained. One jalapeno, minced. Juice of one small lime, and a dash of sea salt. I just put it all in a skillet and warm it up a little bit. We've been loving this as an alternative to refried beans.
** A friend recently taught me how to choose and prepare jalapenos so there is no heat, only flavor. Choose a jalapeno that is smooth and glossy, with no stretch-mark scars. Wearing gloves, clean it carefully, cutting out the whitish veins inside, and discarding the top and seeds.
The next night, we had hamburgers. I don't eat the bun anymore- avoiding wheat. So, I had a hamburger patty, with a hearty dollop of guacamole on top, with raw sugar snap peas, carrot sticks, and large chunks of cucumber on the side, with watermelon for dessert. Again, so tasty! So healthy! So perfect in regards to the glycemic index! So completely free of foods we can't tolerate! It feels so good to eat this way!
We went to see the movie Brave last night, which was wonderful- I especially loved the short film "LaLuna" before the movie. It was beautiful and precious. Anyway, at the theater, I considered the candy and popcorn, and then I walked away with just my bottle of water! I felt very proud of myself!
And today- I had half a fresh apple to start the day. I found some "Envy" apples at the store the other day, and I really like them. Later, I had a small carton of coconut milk yogurt. Just now, I had the other half of my apple, with a scoop of sunflower nut butter. What a great way to begin my day and my week!
I also weighed in this morning (a dose of reality/accountability that I've been doing for....maybe nine years?) and I am losing weight! At last! I'm not sure exactly how much total, but I think it's approaching ten pounds!
It feels wonderful to be walking a healthier path again!
I'm just feeling really good about the food choices I/we have been making these past several days, and wanted to write about it. After months upon months of heedless eating mixed with the heavy struggle back toward healthier ways, there is progress!
The other night, we had some steaks, so the Dear Eldest Daughter and I worked together to come up with a healthy meal. We concocted a Southwestern kind of dry rub (sea salt, cumin, oregano, parsley, chipotle chili powder, paprika, and a dash of cinnamon), which we massaged into the meat, then let it sit for a bit, before the Meat Maestro put it on the grill. As side dishes/steak toppers, we made guacamole, pico de gallo (freshly chopped salsa), and the black bean side dish we've been doing lately. It was all sooooo flavorful! And so healthy! And low on the glycemic index! Not one thing in there that compromised the health or well-being of any of us. That felt great!
**Black bean side dish: one can of black beans, drained. One jalapeno, minced. Juice of one small lime, and a dash of sea salt. I just put it all in a skillet and warm it up a little bit. We've been loving this as an alternative to refried beans.
** A friend recently taught me how to choose and prepare jalapenos so there is no heat, only flavor. Choose a jalapeno that is smooth and glossy, with no stretch-mark scars. Wearing gloves, clean it carefully, cutting out the whitish veins inside, and discarding the top and seeds.
The next night, we had hamburgers. I don't eat the bun anymore- avoiding wheat. So, I had a hamburger patty, with a hearty dollop of guacamole on top, with raw sugar snap peas, carrot sticks, and large chunks of cucumber on the side, with watermelon for dessert. Again, so tasty! So healthy! So perfect in regards to the glycemic index! So completely free of foods we can't tolerate! It feels so good to eat this way!
We went to see the movie Brave last night, which was wonderful- I especially loved the short film "LaLuna" before the movie. It was beautiful and precious. Anyway, at the theater, I considered the candy and popcorn, and then I walked away with just my bottle of water! I felt very proud of myself!
And today- I had half a fresh apple to start the day. I found some "Envy" apples at the store the other day, and I really like them. Later, I had a small carton of coconut milk yogurt. Just now, I had the other half of my apple, with a scoop of sunflower nut butter. What a great way to begin my day and my week!
I also weighed in this morning (a dose of reality/accountability that I've been doing for....maybe nine years?) and I am losing weight! At last! I'm not sure exactly how much total, but I think it's approaching ten pounds!
It feels wonderful to be walking a healthier path again!
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