Carrot Cake Waffles (Paleo/Grain Free)

I'm always a little cautious about posting things like this, because I consider them a once in a while treat and hope people don't take it as a suggestion to eat waffles or pancakes every morning.  But...when I saw a conventional recipe for Carrot Cake Waffles on Pinterest I just knew I had to try my hand at revamping the recipe to be Paleo friendly.  These are very, very good, in fact my biggest problem has been not eating to many!  If you love the flavors of Carrot Cake these are a really fun and tasty waffle.  And if you can do dairy then by all means please use the recipe for the Maple Spread, they make them even tastier!

Paleo Carrot Cake Waffles (Grain free ) 
Revised 11/09/12

2 cups of Honeyville almond meal
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon ( I like saigon)
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice

2 TBSP maple syrup
1 can of full fat coconut milk  1/2 cup canned coconut milk full fat (be sure to fill it a generous 1/2 cup)
4 large eggs, separated
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup melted extra virgin coconut oil, plus 2  TBSP 
1 tsp finely grated orange zest

1/4 cup finely shredded coconut (this is optional,  I do it without quite often)
3/4 cup organic raisins (these are optional too)
3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups finely shredded carrots

In a small bowl combine dry ingredients, mix well and set aside.  In a separate  bowl combine the coconut milk, egg yolks, melted coconut oil and vanilla, mix to combine.  And then add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix well.  Add the carrots, raisins walnuts and orange peel and stir to mix.  
 In another separate bowl, beat the eggs whites on medium  with a hand mixer until peaks form. Then fold them into the batter carefully.  Preheat your waffle iron and lightly grease with some coconut oil.  Then add some batter to your waffle iron, it will be kind of thick so I just scoop it and let it spread out when I close the lid.  Then cook according to the instructions for your waffle iron.  I was using close to 1 cup of batter and cooking mine for 4-5 minutes and they were perfect.

Maple Spread

1-8 oz. package organic cream cheese
1 stick (1/2 cup) 1/4 cup organic pastured butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Be sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature ( you can make this ahead if you like and refrigerate until ready).  Combine all the ingredients and mix until well combined.  Then spread over your waffles and enjoy!

Finely shredded carrots and orange zest.

Egg Whites whipped.

Ready to mix in the add ins.

My Batter all ready to go.

One waffle ready to remove from the waffle iron.

Waffles with Maple spread and a drizzle of pure maple syrup.

One Carrot Cake Waffle with Maple Spread and a drizzle of Pure Maple Syrup. 

My daughter who loves to help and always wants to be in every picture.

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Glorious Bacon!

Oven Baked Bacon

I have been experimenting with different ways of baking bacon lately and found this is my favorite way to prepare it.  I love what slow cooking the bacon does, it makes it so tender and yet crunchy all at the same time.  It also has the advantage that( according to Matt LaLonde's presentation on the Paleo Summit last week) we digest slow cooked food much better.  And you can bake up 2 pans on the weekend and to have handy during the week for recipes or for eating.  You can either eat it cold, or warm it up by wrapping in a paper towel and microwaving for a little bit.  Oven baked bacon is at it's heavenly best, fresh from the oven though!  It doesn't last long around here, I have to protect and defend it or it'll be gone in a flash!

1-2  jelly roll pans
1-2 baking racks that fit nicely inside the jelly roll pan
Organic Bacon with no nitrates etc.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  You may line your jelly roll pan with foil for easy clean up if you like, but I usually skip this step.  Place your rack in the jelly roll pan and lay bacon out on the rack.  Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, then check (my bacon was pretty thick so it took about 45-50 minutes).  Continue to bake until it is your desired doneness.  Then remove from the oven and allow to cool.  Be sure to pour off and save the bacon grease for later use.

I love this method, no greasy mess all over the stove top and you don't have to watch it.  You can be doing other things while it bakes, and it makes the house smell heavenly too!

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Delicious Vanilla Coconut Flour Pancakes (High Protein)

We love my Tasty Grain Free Pancakes so much that I thought, why not try to recreate more of that flavor but with my coconut flour pancakes since they are so high in protein.  So this morning rather than whip up my regular batch of coconut flour pancakes, I decided to make some changes and let me tell you those changes were delicious!    We love vanilla and add it to everything so I upped the vanilla substantially in these along with adding some pure Maple syrup. If you are new to Paleo or have never tried Coconut Flour pancakes, I will say in advance that the texture is going to be different than your tradition pancake made with wheat flour.  With that said,  I hope you enjoy these as much as we did this morning!

Delicious Vanilla Coconut Flour Pancakes

10 med/large eggs (mine tend to vary in size)
1/3-1/2 cup coconut milk (start with 1/3 and adjust until it is the constancy you like)
1-2 TBSP Maple Syrup ( I prefer less, but some like it better with more)
2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup coconut flour (I use Coconut Secret Raw Coconut flour)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon


Preheat your griddle. Then in a small mixing bowl or 8 cup pourable measuring cup, combine all the wet ingredients and beat just a little then add in all your other ingredients and mix with an electric hand mixer on high for about 45 seconds-1 minute (or until it's basically smooth).  Grease your griddle liberally with some coconut oil.   Pour your pancakes, I find  keeping them a little smaller makes them easier to flip.  When they start to bubble give them a flip and cook until done.  Serve with your desired toppings.  We always top ours with applesauce, sometimes with a little drizzle of pure Maple Syrup and maybe some fruit or berries.  Whipped cream or whipped coconut cream would be great too!  Use your imagination for toppings, and enjoy!

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Sausage Griddle Sandwiches

One of our favorite uses for leftover Fluffy Grain Free Pancakes (almond flour is our preference) is to make Sausage Griddle Sandwiches. They are really easy and so tasty! I make up a batch of Homemade Breakfast Sausage (Turkey or Pork), make it into small patties and fry them in bacon grease the night before.  Then the next morning, I beat one egg at a time and pour it into a greased ramekin, and then microwave for about 30-40 seconds.  Then I layer starting with a pancake then sausage, egg (I usually slice it in half so it's thinner) and then another pancake.  Or sometimes we add in a couple of strips of bacon.  These are quick (with some advanced planning), easy and tasty.  It's a breakfast that my 4 younger ones request.


1 batch of leftover pancakes
1 batch of precooked Breakfast sausage
eggs
Bacon (optional)

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Single Serving Coconut Flour Pancakes

I had a reader make a request on Facebook for a Single serving recipe of my coconut flour pancakes.  Since my kids have no school today I tinkered around with several single batches rather than my one large batch and this is what I came up with.  It will make 4 small-medium pancakes, which I find are easier to flip than the larger ones.  I think they are best topped with unsweetened applesauce and some fresh berries. My children however, like a little drizzle of pure maple syrup over the applesauce and berries, you could even whip up some coconut whip cream or if you do dairy some real whip cream to top all that yumminess with too!  The thing I love about these pancakes is that they are so high in protein, it's really like eating your eggs disguised.  Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Vanilla Coconut flour Pancakes (High Protein)

Servings : 1

2 extra large eggs 
2 1/2 TBSP coconut flour ( I use Coconut Secret Raw coconut flour)
1/8 tsp baking soda 
1 tsp vanilla
2 TBSP Coconut Milk ( I use So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Milk)


Preheat your Griddle to about 325 degrees.  In a pourable bowl combine all of your ingredients and then beat with an electric hand mixer on high for 1 minute.  Grease your griddle well with coconut oil and make your pancakes.  If the tops don't start to bubble after a few minutes then lift them a little with your spatula to check the bottom and see if they are ready to be flipped.  Remove from the griddle when done and serve with some applesauce, berries, and whatever else you may like.  Enjoy!


*Note* I just modified one of my other pancake recipe to include some Maple syrup in the batter, maybe try 1 tsp if you're interested and let me know what you think

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The Importance Of Epsom Salt Baths

I'm sorry I haven't made it on here to do a post recently.  I have been having an extra busy time recently and the blog has had to take a bit of a back seat.  I was involved in a minor vehicle accident about 1 1/2 weeks ago and have just not been myself, exhaustion and pain pretty describe how I've been feeling.  My daughter and I are "okay", but are suffering from whip lash type symptoms, that along with some seatbelt soreness.  Anyway, it has been a real set back for me and as I have struggled to grasp and accept it this week, it has caused me to do some reflecting.   First of all is gratitude, I am so thankful that the Lord watches over and keeps us each day.  My husband has been in the fire service for the past 23 years which has made us very aware of just how fragile life is, and how it really is not in our control.  The Lord knows the number of our days, and we just get to live them out to His glory,  be grateful and consider each day a gift, this was a great reminder of that for me.  Second, life isn't fair!  I was not at fault in the accident, yet that doesn't matter, we still got hit and we still have to deal with it!  I could sit in the corner and cry or pout about it, or move on.  And trust me I have done my share of crying about it, but then it's time to move on, I have a family that still needs me and a life that doesn't stop.  One of my biggest complaints  is that I was just getting back in CrossFit shape after battling Adrenal Fatigue and a long back injury.  Between the two I was unable to work out for nearly 4 months, and just started working out more seriously again in January.  The last 3 weeks I had started seeing some leaps, getting back in CrossFit shape is hard work.   Anyway, all that to say, what I am going to do about it?  I can't change the circumstances and once again I am feeling out of control, and driven to cling to the one solid thing I have to cling to, the one thing that I know can give me life.  It has made me cry out to the Lord, shaking my fist at him, thanking and praising Him, petitioning for health and much more. So for now I will be faithful to do what I can to help myself heal, eat well, rest lots, exercise when I am released to do so, but most of all I will rest in His peace and just except the life I've been given.  I'm really so much happier when I'm not a victim of my circumstances, and when I remember I have neighbors who need me (especially my immediate neighbors, my family).  I don't want to be so wrapped up in myself that I don't have time to see the blessings around me, to see and serve my husband, children and friends.  Granted my serving may just be sitting and reading a book to the little ones, but by serving I mean making them a priority.   I'm not talking about being "super" mom and doing, but being in the here and now.  And thankfully when I fail in all that I can get forgiven and just start over, that is such good news!  

One of the practical things I have been doing during this time is continuing to take my Epsom Salt baths.  This is something I have been intending to blog about and have done research to write a more science based piece on.  However, I feel it is so beneficial that I am going to just throw the idea out there for now and hopefully later I can get to writing that piece for you all.  
I discovered Epsom Salt baths this fall, and fell in love with them immediately! I mean who doesn't love a little shut the door, mommy quiet time!   A couple of times a week I put all the younger kids to bed and then about half an hour before I intend to go to bed, I take an Epsom Salt bath. Since I have digestive issues and have to limit my oral consumption of Magnesium, this is a great way to get more magnesium (something most of us in America are deficient in).  The Epsom salt promotes better sleep, and if you take it in a darkened room (I use a lavender scented candle), that will also help prepare your body for sleep.  Not only does the Epsom Salt help with your magnesium levels it is also a great way to detox your body, reduce stress and help achy/sore muscles.  Many a time I put my aching/sore body in there and got out feeling so much better!  


Here is the simple run down of how to do it.  

1.  You want your bath water as hot as you can, this is important as it opens your pores for better absorption and also makes you sweat which helps detoxify your body.  
2. While your tub is filling with hot water, add 2 cups of Epsom Salts and if you are focussing on detox you can take it up a notch by adding 1 cup of baking soda also.  Sometimes I add baking soda and sometimes I just skip that step.  
3. Then sit back, relax and enjoy some peace and quiet for 10-15 minutes.  I like to use this time for my prayer time, which is another added benefit for me, it's hard to squeeze in some quiet time for prayer when you have a houseful of people.  I also like to drink a cup of Yogi Bedtime tea while I am sitting there soaking, I have found it to be very helpful and relaxing.  My Epsom Salt bath time has become so therapeutic for me that even my husband has noticed the difference, and I think he loves knowing that I am in there praying for him and our family too.  If you would like more information on the subject of Epsom Salt Baths, a quick Google search should yield some great information.  

I have found Costco to be 

the best deal locally 

for Epsom Salt, 

3 four pound bags for a great price.

I also buy my baking soda in a large bag from Costco.

I also suggest purchasing a 1 cup measuring cup from a thrift store or dollar store.  It is much more convenient to just leave the measuring cup in the bag, then you don't have to look for one every time you want to take a bath.  I like to keep everything I need together, matches, candle, measuring cup, epsom salt and baking soda.  

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Bacon and Onion Pork Chops

My mom used to make pork chops this way when I was growing up (without the bacon though) and would make the broth into gravy afterwards.  I remember really enjoying it, and recently thought why not take it up a notch with the bacon, the end result in the words of my husband "out of this world!".  So with that I bring you Bacon and Onion Pork chops.

BACON AND ONION PORK CHOPS

4-6 small pork chops
1 yellow onion, sliced
1 cup chopped bacon ends or bacon
sea salt and pepper


In a large skillet or frying pan cook your bacon ends until nicely browned and crispy, remove and set aside, leaving the grease to brown your pork chops in.  Pat dry your pork chops and add them to the pan, add a generous amount of sea salt and some pepper and brown on each side over high heat (usually takes a few minutes).  Then turn heat to low and add the sliced onion and about 2 cups of water ( what you want is enough water to be even with the pork chops). Make sure all the onions are in the liquid so they can cook well, you may want to check the onions part way through the cook time and move them around a bit so they are sure to be done.  Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20-25 minutes depending on the thickness of your pork chops.  The lower and slower the better, makes for tender pork chops.  Serve with the onions, and some of the pan juices and then top with bacon crumbles.  Very simple, quick, easy and a huge hit!  Hope you enjoy it as much as we have.  

Chopping Bacon Ends

Just 5 ingredients and water!

Pork Chops nicely browned

Browned and topped with onions

Ready to eat with some grilled zucchini and sugar snap peas.

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