To provide friendship, encouragement, and advice that has been tried and proven to those suffering from Celiac Spru, gluten intolerance, or wheat allergies.
We have taken a couple of trips before the farming began in full force. I want to share with you what we've been up too.
First we went to New Orleans to just get away. We love the history and Food of New Orleans. I know some just see the evil there but since I have lived and worked among the less fortunate I just those involved in the evil as souls that God loves. Really my heart breaks at some of the things you see walking down the streets of New Orleans.
While there I literally got addicted to one of the candy shops, "Mister Apple"! If you have never visited this wonderful shop you have to do so the next time you are in town. Honey took me three times and each time I bought something, I even bought apples and brought them home with me for later. If I was ever featured on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" I think this is what it would be. So PLEASE just go to Mister Apple and try it! Of the few I tried this was my favorite, I think they call it the "Deluxe Chocolate".
Since returning home we have started farming in full force. I've been hone a lone or until late at night a lot and have not been in the mood to cook anything new. Here are some of the things that I have cooked and just spiced them up a little.
The other morning I was craving the "Cream Cheese Pancakes" that I have made several times before. This time I spread several with peanut butter and topped them with honey. Mmmm I can't express how good they were I could have easily eaten another batch but I would not allow myself to cook more.
Since this is Honey's birthday week I also made some "Shortbread Cookies" from a Bob's Red Mill mix that I had on hand. I didn't really feel we would enjoy these by themselves but I had some fresh fruit so I made a big bowl of fruit with a powdered sugar glaze and then topped it with whipped cream to serve along with the cookies. It was great and the cookies are good right by themselves, with a cup of coffee of course!
Don't be afraid to branch out in your cooking, try new things, you'll be amazed at what you come up with.
That's about all for now, I just wanted you to know that I'm still alive and kicking!
Thanks for stopping by y'all and please come again soon!
I haven't posted anything in a while but to be honest Honey is away at the farms and I hate cooking for one person. Maybe when he's home for a while I'll get around to a new recipe for you but in the meantime review the things I have out there they are sooo good. You can find them here on my blog or on Pinterest.
So I was thinking many of you may have never read how I came to be gluten free.
An update: before you read my story. I am having less and less environmental allergy problems it is not that I have no problems but through the years I am learning to control them better. Being married to a farmer I have found that if he'll take his dirty clothes off as soon as he gets home and put them in the washer right away I have less headaches. Also I try to watch and keep papers, magazines etc put away and all garbage cans that contain papers emptied. If I see a sign of dust on floors or furniture I take care of it right away too. This is just a few of the little things I have found through the years.
So if you have never read my story and would like to do so click HERE!
I hope you are having a great summer, we have begun to harvest so our playing is totally over!
Thanks for stopping by y'all and please come again soon!
Since getting back from my trip I have cooked very little. Honey has been so generous in taking me out or eating something quick so that I could rest and catch up on my housework. Then our younger children and their two babies came for a visit for a few days and we just relaxed and enjoyed our time with them. The rain we have been having has allowed for even Honey to catch up on his rest.
Friday night I decided to make a meal in one and what better thing than a Mexican Casserole. It turned out wonderful and this is what I did!
Mexican Casserole
Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) jar taco sauce
1/4 cup salsa (pick the amount of heat you want
1 TBLS GF taco seasoning
Salt to taste
1 (16 oz) can refried beans
8-10 corn tortillas
9 ounces shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the ground beef until good and brown. Drain any excess fat. Mix in the diced tomato, taco sauce, salsa, and taco seasoning and salt to taste. Stir mixture thoroughly, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
3. Spread 1/3 of the meat mixture on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan. Spread some refried beans onto each corn tortilla. Place on top of meat mixture, bean side down. Cut the tortillas to fit the pan and cover the meat mixture, if necessary.
4. Sprinkle with some cheese, top with 1/3 meat mixture. Repeat layer of bean smothered corn tortillas.
5. Top with remaining meat mixture and cheese.
6. Cover with foil & bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes. Remove foil & broil until cheese is bubbling & brown. Top with your favorite toppings, like lettuce, sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, onion greens, black olives, etc.
Thanks for stopping by y'all and please come again soon!
I just returned from a ten day trip to Guatemala. I once lived and worked here and have always loved this country, it will forever be in my heart! I was apprehensive about how I would be able to communicate with them after so many years but God was gracious and I did just fine.
I traveled with a youth group from the church where I had grown up. I didn't really know one of these kids but I grew up with their leader and many of their parents. I truly felt that this was God's will for me to return for the first time after eleven years. I knew that it would be awesome but emotional for me and it was both.
When I entered the country it was like I was going home, although this is not home anymore I can't describe the feeling I felt.
I had no longer been at the house where we were to stay when a friend from the past came for a visit and brought me two dozen roses. They were beautiful and everyone was able to enjoy them.
The next day we left for the mountains of Quiche where we visited and worked in three feeding centers, attended two church services, celebrated the fourth of July with our Guatemalan friends, participated in an obstacle course on the side of a mountain and painted the outside of one of the feeding centers. The days began early and ended late but it was a great feeling at the end of each day.
On Friday I was able to visit in the home of one of the children that I sponsor through this program. The was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
Me with Nicholas Fernando as his siblings look on
After lunch on Friday we headed back to Antigua where we would be the rest of our time here.
On Saturday we visited Hermano Pedro Hospital a hospital for the severely handicapped. Here we were able to push some of the children around the grounds in their wheelchairs. It is really a sad place but what a joy to see those children smile. I touched the leg of one little boy while praying for him and he grabbed my hand and place it on the back of his chair. I took it that he wanted me to push so push I did. Yes, we all shed many a tear but what a blessing it was. No pictures were allowed here.
Sunday morning we had devotions and then walked to the foot of the cross where we prayed over the city of Antigua. WOW
Sunday night we attended a youth group service in one of the local church. I was so excited when I hear this because a child I sponsored for 13-years was in this group. She was there and what a great reunion we had. Such a blessing to be able to invest in the life of a child who is now on the worship and evangelism team of her church.
Sonia and my daughter when we began to sponsor her.
Me with Sonia now.
On Monday I was able to visit in the home of another child I sponsor. Also another blessing was the guy who took us to the house was a great friend and brother of mine Coca. We enjoyed the walk over and just talking about old times.
Me with Belsy and her family she is the little girl standing in front of me.
The rest of our time was spent sharing and shopping before we left to return to the states on Tuesday.
God took care of me on this trip, as always, I had no problems at all with allergies, headaches, sneezing etc. I had taken a carry-on with some gluten free good and my medicines in it. I had to supplement a few meals but all in all there was plenty I could eat. Once the cooks who where friends of mine from the past found out about my diet they accompanied me as well as they could. When they had fried foods I ate fresh salad which was great and fruit. The fruit and vegetables in Guatemala can not be beat they are just not as good here in the states.
If you would like to see other photos from my trip which are MANY you can do so here.
