So, today's specialty is gluten free, sugar-free, dairy-free, delicious oatmeal!  This has become Neil's favorite way to eat oatmeal.
 
Tropical Morning Oatmeal
 
Makes 4 servings, cooking time 5-10 minutes.
 
Gluten-Free Oats (or regular oats)
Apple juice
1 Banana, mashed
2 Tbsp Pineapple juice
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash nutmeg
1-2 Tbsp All fruit Peach Jam (click here for jam)
  
   
  Cook oatmeal using ratios suggested for 4 servings on package, but substitue apple juice for water.  After a few minutes of cooking, add banana, pineapple juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Stir thoroughly.  Add jam just before serving and stir well. 
(Note: For a creamier oatmeal, substitute water with half apple juice and half almond milk)

 
Topping ideas:
Blueberries
Strawberries
Kiwi
Shredded Coconut
Raisins
Crasins
Fresh Peaches
Slivered Almonds
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
 
 
 

So... I've been playing around in the kitchen and I have some yummy recipes I've made recently, that I've got to gather and finalize so I can share with you.  They are all sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan due to the Daniel Fast our church has been doing.  Just wanted to keep y'all updated. :)

So... I just realized that I made a mistake on the granola recipe.  I did NOT use canola oil, I used coconut oil instead.  Coconut oil is very good for you, internally and externally.  Here's an article on coconut oil and the benefits of it.  CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE  

 

 There are a couple of different coconut oil brands I've tried, and haven't been disappointed, but the one I've used the most is Spectrum.  It runs about $10-$15 a jar.  CLICK HERE FOR COCONUT OIL

 

Here is the revised recipe:

 

Amy's Crazy Good Granola

Ingredients

·                 3 cups large flake rolled oats

·                 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

·                 1 cup raw sliced or chopped almonds

·                 1/4 cup clover honey

·                 1/4 cup agave nectar

·                 1/2 cup coconut oil

·                 1/4 cup raw sunflower and/or pumpkin seeds

·                 1/2 cup finely ground flax seed

·                 1 tbsp pure vanilla

·                 splash almond extract

·                 1 tsp ground ginger

·                 1 tsp ground cinnamon (heaping)

·                 (optional) 3 cups chopped dried fruit (see the Footnotes)

Instructions

1.              Pre-heat the oven to 250 F.

2.              Combine all the dry ingredients, except for the dried fruit, in a large bowl.

3.              Combine the honey, oil, and vanilla.

4.              Drizzle the honey mixture over the granola mixture and keep mixing to coat everything evenly.

5.              Grease two 9 x 13 pans and cover both pans evenly with the granola mixture.

6.              Cook for 30-40 minutes or until the granola turns golden brown, stirring every 10-15 minutes. Note: granola won't hardened until cooled, make sure not to over bake it!)

7.              Break up any large chunks while the granola is still warm on the pans.

8.              Cool the granola completely on the pans.

9.              Mix in the dried fruits.

10.          Store the granola in airtight containers at room temperature for 2 weeks, or for longer in the refrigerator.

Footnotes

Options for dried fruit:

1/2 cup each of raisins, dehydrated apple, and dried papaya

1/2 cup each of raisins, dried apricot, and dried cranberries

 All dried fruits should be natural, with no added sugars and preservatives.

 

Here's the granola recipe I made up last night.  The flavor was SO good... but since I've never made granola before, I didn't know it hardened after it cools.  I only figured that out when a little clump fell off the tray when mixing, and when I went to pick it up a few minutes later... the light bulb came on.  Needless to say... it got a little too browned.  Enjoy!  Comment on it if you get a chance to try the recipe. 

Amy's Crazy Good Granola

Ingredients

• 3 cups large flake rolled oats
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 cup raw sliced or chopped almonds
• 1/4 cup clover honey
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup raw sunflower and/or pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup finely ground flax seed
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla
• splash almond extract
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (heaping)
• (optional) 3 cups chopped dried fruit (see the Footnotes)

Instructions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 250 F.
2. Combine all the dry ingredients, except for the dried fruit, in a large bowl.
3. Combine the honey, oil, and vanilla.
4. Drizzle the honey mixture over the granola mixture and keep mixing to coat everything evenly.
5. Grease two 9 x 13 pans and cover both pans evenly with the granola mixture.
6. Cook for 30-40 minutes or until the granola turns golden brown, stirring every 10-15 minutes. Note: granola won't hardened until cooled, make sure not to over bake it!)
7. Break up any large chunks while the granola is still warm on the pans.
8. Cool the granola completely on the pans.
9. Mix in the dried fruits.

10. Store the granola in airtight containers at room temperature for 2 weeks, or for longer in the refrigerator.

Footnotes

Options for dried fruit:

1/2 cup each of raisins, dehydrated apple, and dried papaya

1/2 cup each of raisins, dried apricot, and dried cranberries

 All dried fruits should be natural, with no added sugars and preservatives.

So... it looks like it's been over a year since we've updated the blog. Time to pick back up and continue on :) I'm not really sure what all to blog about, but one thing I LOVE to experiment with is food. We've been trying to eat healthier and it has caused me to be much more creative during dinner time. I've tried cutting out wheat, dairy and cheese, and found that I felt MUCH better. Not that I wasn't feeling well in the first place, but I could feel a huge difference in my body on the new eating plan (more energy, sleeping better, losing weight).
Right now our church is doing a 21 day fast to start off the New Year with a fresh outlook. Last weekend our guest speaker said "When we pray, we connect with God. When we fast, we disconnect with the world." Right now we are focusing on disconnecting with the world and trying to focus more on what God is doing in our lives. Some people are fasting Facebook, others TV, and a lot of people from the congregation are doing the Daniel Fast. Since we don't have a TV and I'm rarely on Facebook, we thought joining in on the Daniel Fast would be an edifying journey.
So, to kick off the blog this year, I thought I would start posting some of the recipes I am cooking and experiments I am trying. If you are subscribed to automatically receive these updates, and would not like to be, please let me know. I will not be offended. I know how it can be to be receiving something in your inbox that you just never quite find time to read :)

Will be blogging soon,
Amy

  So, we've been in our new place for about two weeks now.  We are enjoying meeting new people and... the warm weather!  We have been busy unpacking, remodeling, painting and gardening.
  Amy has been looking for a job, and Neil has stayed busy re-organizing the studio and getting ready for some clients next month.  We'll hopefully get some pics up of the place soon.
  NeedToBreathe was in Seattle and Spokane over the weekend and Seth got to meet Neil's parents and Amy's sister.  We're excited for what God is going to be doing and is doing in us right now.  It's so amazing how God works and the doors He is opening and the people He is placing in our lives.  After such a hard, eventful year, it feels like we are getting a fresh start.
  Love to you all!
Neil and Amy

Hey All!
  Just a quick update about our move.  We had an awesome Moving Sale last weekend and made enough to pay for our gas for the trip!!  Amy's parents are visiting this weekend and are helping out with some of the final packing (and playing some fun games!).  We are picking up the moving truck on Monday the 28th and pulling out of our drive way to head South on Oct 2nd. 
  Amy's cousin, Stephen, is flying over from NC to help with the driving and to add to the fun memories of the trip!  We will be stopping to see Mt. Rushmore, Kansas City, and Nashville before we drop down to the Carolina's. 
  We are extremely excited and a little nervous for the move.  Please be praying for us for safety as we drive and that God would prepare our hearts for the next season He has planned. 
 
Neil and Amy