Apple Cider Donuts

Apple Cider Donuts

Before apple season comes to a close, and jugs of cider are no longer at the entryway of my local grocery store, I figured I had better post this recipe. These are a slightly simplified version of my Apple Cider Muffin recipe from three years ago which used apple butter as one of the ingredients. This recipe uses almond flour and whole wheat pastry flour, so it has a little extra protein and a good amount of fiber, and a large percentage of the sweetness and moisture come from applesauce and apple cider. It would be wonderful with very finely chopped pieces of apple in it as well, or with walnuts, as I sprinkled on the tops of the four large muffins I made when I ran out of room in my two donut pans. They were literally gone within a day between the delicious weekend breakfast they provided and the snacks for the kids' (and my husband's) lunch the following day. And the chewy crunch from the highly nutritious chia seeds are one of my favorite parts of this amazingly sweet treat. I can't wait to bake them again!

Be Kind, Love More, Give What You Can

BE KIND.
LOVE MORE.
GIVE WHAT YOU CAN.

The following is a post I made on my personal Facebook page yesterday in light of the recent presidential election and the rift it is causing among the citizens of the United States.  I am not trying to make any dramatic political statement here, or try to put my beliefs onto anyone else, I am just trying to spread kindness and generosity and encourage others to do the same.

My donation, for today

"I am not posting this to show how generous I am or to make myself feel better. I am posting this to encourage others to do more for their own communities. I have always been passionate about helping those in need, especially with food assistance, whether by working at a food bank, donating what I can, or helping to run a food assistance program at my children's' schools. This is the time of year that food banks often stock their shelves for months to come, but it is important to contribute all year long. With the prospect of a government that may not be as kind to the less fortunate, I refuse to believe that because I was born into a certain family, in a certain place, and have had the fortune and luck to live a comfortable life, that I deserve what I have any more than anyone else, regardless of their personal situation. We are all human and we all deserve a good life, and the ability to feed our families. So in addition to sending my daughter to school with a heavy backpack full of cans of soup every day for the last two weeks to donate to families in her school, I am sending in all of this food to my son's school's food drive. And next week, when they are asking for fresh produce, I'll be dropping off a large amount of that as well. Because I can. And I hope that everyone who reads this, goes out and does something good for their community today as well. We all can do something to make this world, and especially our amazing country, a kinder place.

Love to all."                - November 10, 2016

Salmon Patties

Salmon Patties

 On very rare occasions, I am left alone to fend for myself for dinner.  Last night my husband and son where out of the house, busy with evening activities, and my daughter was home sick with a belly ache.  Usually I would just have a bowl of soup while my daughter ate cereal, or have some cheese and crackers, or a simple salad.  But last night I was really hungry and wanted something warm and interesting. I had half a dozen ripe avocados in my fridge, and with no party to make guacamole for, and way too much Halloween candy sitting around to entice anyone with (avocado) chocolate pudding, which is absolutely delicious, (simple chocolate pudding, raw vegan chocolate pudding), I knew my meal should include an avocado, so as not to waste good food. I have used avocado as a mayonnaise substitute many times in salmon or tuna salads, but I didn't feel like eating a cold sandwich.  So I thought, why not add a little cheese, an egg to bind it, and some flavorful spices and fry it up into a patty?  I knew as soon as the underside started to brown and the aroma filled the kitchen, that I had a winner.  A simple to make, super nutritious, quick dinner that is perfect for one or two people.  I like to think of it as a cross between a tuna burger and a crab cake, and the recipe can definitely be amended with different spices, finely chopped vegetables, fresh salmon, canned tuna, or even breadcrumbs.  I ate two of them with some cut up tomatoes on the side, but they would be great on a roll like a burger, or with a side salad or a little rice or quinoa. I'm looking forward to the left over one this afternoon when I get back from a walk, and am sure it will taste just as good as it did last night.  So next time you find yourself wondering what to make for dinner, and you have a ripe avocado handy, grab a few pantry items and get cooking!  Quick and easy can also be healthy, and honestly, if I'd taken the time to dress up my plate a bit better and present it differently with some garnishes, I can guarantee it would pass as something you might eat at a fancy seafood restaurant.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Happy (belated) Halloween!  This time of year, pumpkin spice is everywhere. Grocery store shelves are filled with pumpkin coffee cakes, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin cookies, even Cheerios are now made in pumpkin spice flavor. So of course I have to post yet another pumpkin recipe.  These are cupcakes I made for a Halloween party last year, and are very similar to my recipe for Maple and Chia Pumpkin Bars. They use a whole can of pumpkin, so they are very moist, full of real pumpkin flavor, and super simple to mix together.  They are great in donut form as well, eaten without frosting as a healthy morning meal, or decorated for Halloween festivities. If you are like me and have a lot of left over candy corn now that Halloween is passed, they will make a fantastic treat to surprise your kids with even after the sweetest of holidays has passed. Maybe I'll even make them today, since it is officially my half birthday, and I should at least eat (half) a cupcake!