Thursday, August 30, 2012

Mango Muffins (Vegetarian & Dairy-Free!)

I'm not sure if I mentioned this to any of my readers but for the past few weeks, I have been trying to eat more meatless and dairy-free fare (including baked goods). Don't get me wrong--I'm not a hardcore vegan or even a self-proclaimed vegetarian (just yet), but after watching half a dozen or more documentaries on meat production in the US, the benefits of plant-based diets, and seeing firsthand how allergic I am to dairy products, I'm trying to cut back on the foods that negatively affect my overall wellness. And per my fitness instructor's encouragement, I've been consuming much more protein and fresh vegetables and fruits than ever before--it's just more soy, nut and bean protein and the veggies and fruits are darker ones, like kale and rainbow chard and blueberries. This recipe I crafted a few days ago incorporates ripe mango, banana and a combination of applesauce and coconut oil (as a dairy substitute.) I hope you will try this recipe for a scrumptious breakfast side or late afternoon snack. My secret ingredient, as always, is lots of love (and being careful not to overmix!) Enjoy. 


Mango Muffins with Banana


Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 eggs
1/3 cup applesauce
2 tbsp. coconut oil
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 large, ripe banana)
1/2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)
1 large ripe mango, peeled and chopped (or mushed, if overripe)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium size bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon together. Set aside.

In another bowl, beat the eggs and combine applesauce, coconut oil, sugar and vanilla extract. Stir until combined. Gently stir in the mashed banana, walnuts and mango.

Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and carefully mix together, gently breaking up any big chunks with your spatula. Batter will still be slightly lumpy--not to worry.

Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 12-15 minutes, checking for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. When the toothpick comes out clean, your muffins are ready! (Note: if you stick the toothpick into a piece of mango, that may throw off your results. Go ahead and prick the muffin cup a second time in another place, just to be sure.) Makes 12-15 muffins.




Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Two Years in the Making

Today marks our second anniversary, and what a wonderful day it has been. Ken is working hard in the kitchen kneading a sticky loaf of dough. As I glance over, I notice the dark Kalamata olives peaking through the white bread base. Mmm. We are hosting our neighbors for an early dinner before we head to a ministry meeting at church. Our friends who live downstairs are moving out of the building in the next few days and we hoped that this meal would be a way to support them amidst the busyness of packing and relocating. Ken and I agreed that our homemade taco soup sounds rich and hearty, and the bread he's making will be just perfect in soaking up every drop of soup in our bowls.

In reflecting over these past two years of marriage, I can't help but smile and laugh. "Rich and hearty", just like the soup we're making, are apropos in describing our marriage and the journey that has brought us to this point. God has been at work in our lives and our marriage in ways nothing short of miraculous. I can't even put into words how much I love Ken--each day my love for him grows. It's hard to express the numerous quirks we have developed in being so close to each other, in proximity and in relationship--those little expressions and jokes that we indulge in daily. Brimming with adventures, big life changes (i.e. when I quit my job last summer to pursue something new, us moving to a new neighborhood closer to Ken's college, etc) and unexpected health and family issues, these last two years have been rich and also challenging. I suppose much of life's satisfaction is best enjoyed when you've worked hard to reap the fruit of your labor. That's what's marriage has taught me, in a sense. Love is worth fighting for, protecting, and pursuing. At times, Ken and I have walked through trials of misunderstanding each other or ourselves. In these situations, I've been humbled and challenged, as God uses our marriage to teach me how to love another person, including myself, well. Love is hard. But it's beautiful and substantial, if cultivated on "good soil." I'm reminded of Ephesians 4:1-2: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." I look forward in hope to the many years ahead, as Ken and I continue to seek Christ together, as teammates, allies and best friends.

Cheers.

Here are some snapshots of the past four years we've known each other: 
(More photos can be found on our Facebook Album)


















Thursday, August 16, 2012

Boot Camp, Faith and Becoming a Woman of Grace

“What you are going to someday be, you are now becoming” – Jim McEachern

I keep mulling over those words this morning. It’s 8 a.m. and I just got back from a light jog around the surrounding neighborhoods. The cool, fresh morning breeze welcomed me outside and I could barely hear the drum of passing cars as my feet hit the ground. That’s one of the blessings of getting up early, I suppose, I get to “beat the traffic”.

As I ran up and down the residential streets near our apartment, I kept thinking about these words: “What you are going to someday be, you are now becoming.” Questions swiftly came to mind: “What does that mean?” and “Is who I am now an indicator of the habits I’m forming for my future?” I started to wonder about who I’ll be in 5, 10, 20 years. Will I still be jogging around neighborhoods? Will I be a good wife and parent? Will I be a loving, caring person who is open to correction and the power of humility? It’s funny how this phrase instantly transformed into a riddle for me—I wanted to “solve” the question and do it quickly, so I could push this particular phrase out of my mind. I guess a lot of things are like that for me. Instinctually, I want to set aside the discomfort of a difficult conversation and instead opt for passivity. Naturally, I’m inclined to reach for a sugary, comfort food over fresh, farm-grown vegetables. I think this is somehow related to the fact that I’m human but I don’t want to allow my fallen nature to ignore the bits of truth I come across daily. I don’t want to be subject to my appetites and desires. I want to pursue something greater and do that starting now, not later, not when it’s easy or convenient or perhaps, even makes the most sense. I would like to be the person I’m going to be someday, at this very moment in time.

Yesterday’s early morning workout was intense. But if I hadn’t gone to boot camp, I would’ve never come across that quote by McEachern. It was about 6:30 a.m. and after rounds of “Progressions”, as our classmate calls them, we ran up the stairs at Roosevelt High School to the stone courtyard overlooking the field. Between imaginary jump rope (the jump rope broke) and air punches, I glanced over at the high school’s beautiful picture windows. Through the clear glass panels, I could just barely make out the large lettering, since the sun was coming up fast and affecting the glare. “What you are to be someday, you are now becoming” it said in black san-serif typeface. The message resonated with me immediately. “What?” I thought, as I tried to pick up my pace for air punches per my classmate’s nudging. In the next minute, I quickly switched from hitting the air with forceful punches back to the imaginary jump rope exercise. I mumbled the phrase aloud to myself and then, feeling self-conscious, spoke louder so that my teammates could hear what I was saying. “Over on the wall it, uh, says a cool phrase,” I said and then repeated the quote to them. My fellow boot campers agreed that the quote was “neat” but I felt like the weight of it hit me the hardest. I shyly kept the remainder of my thoughts to myself and focused on the workout.

The past five weeks have been a whirlwind for me. In early July, one of my best friends visited from Canada. I hadn’t seen her for almost 7 years. I’m amazed that despite the distance, we’ve kept in touch through phone calls interspersed with handwritten or electronic mail. Our time together was truly special, filled with adventures around the city—a baseball game, hiking at the park, picnic lunches, homemade dinners, quality girl-time and lots of freebies. (If I were to add up how many unexpected “free” things we received that week, it would total about $275 or more.) God blessed us in surprising and sometimes hilarious ways, creating opportunities for us to do more than our limited means allowed. All that to say, in spending time with my dear friend I realized how much God is at work in her life, doing incredible things. I was encouraged by our deep conversations on faith and a future filled with hope.

The topics we discussed continued to take root in my thoughts the following week, as I started my boot camp class. I was nervous and intimidated the first few days at class but kept going. Pain—I felt lots of pain after each session, and in the days ahead, as my instructor challenged me to do my own personal best and “push past my comfort zone”. Classes brimmed with circuits, drills, sprints, and my very favorite—group games. I was amazed at how games like “freeze tag” and simple relays transformed into intense workouts, once pushups, jumping jacks and burpees were included. Each week I completed felt like a huge victory. I hadn’t pushed myself in such strenuous ways for years. The energy and excitement of working out on a team spired me on. My instructor and classmates encouraged me to become stronger by not giving up, especially when it was hardest. After my one month coupon for boot camp expired, I decided to stay in the class and God met me in that desire. God has used this class to cultivate rich confidence in me, regarding my own physical strength and ability to overcome fear. I’m impressed by how He’s creating opportunities for me to “push past my comfort zone” and step out in faith.

Faith. That word brings to mind so many different pictures—snapshots of a childhood marred by fear and insecurity but also strewn with incredible color, joy and beauty. A mixture of dark and light, despair and hope. Faith has been an emotionally charged word that has taken on varying meanings for me throughout my life. One constant remains throughout all my definitions and that has been my hope in God’s goodness. I have never let go of that hope, and that to me, is faith. Regarding that quote by McEachern, I believe in faith, that I have the ability to start practicing and living out the characteristics of a grace-filled woman, right now. I can choose the path of forgiveness when the road to bitterness and rage seems hopelessly enticing. I can be a wife who is generous, loving and patient. And a friend who asks nothing in return when met with utter selfishness. I have the means to live into the words that ‘who I am to someday be, I am now becoming.’ As I look toward the future, I recognize that I am a creature of habit. Although I easily lean toward unhealthy behaviors—in eating, exercise, and my attitude regarding myself and others, the way I challenge those beliefs now is setting a precedent for the future. I am not my past. I am part of a bigger picture, where God is “making all things new.”

Hallelujah.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Lavendar Scones & Morning Tea

This morning I had the honor of hosting two friends from church for a late morning tea party. It was so much fun! I just love getting together with other ladies and drinking tea, while discussing life, faith, marriage, and all other practical affairs. Perhaps my love for Jane Austen's writing and classical music (and the era it was composed) feeds this desire for more relaxed times, when drinking tea and nibbling on small delicacies were the order of the day.

I started making my little tea treats yesterday afternoon in order to be less rushed today and it worked out great. I crafted homemade bruschetta to go on toasted bread triangles and pesto, for the puffed pinwheels. Then, I baked lemon bars and banana bread and adapted a recipe I found online to make lavender scones with a hint of lemon. Lavender is popping up in multiple gardens nearby and I had the privilege of receiving a large bagful of fresh, fragrant lavender from my neighbor. (Thanks Melissa!) I think I put it to good use this morning. The scones were soft and crumbly and went perfectly with the rhubarb jam Ken and I made a couple weeks ago.

 Well, off I go to clean up. Enjoy these visual mementos and the recipe that follows!



Lavender Scones with Lemon

Adapted from Pam Anderson's "Simple Scones" recipe

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2-3 teaspoons fresh lavender, chopped fine
8 tablespoons butter, frozen, chopped into small pieces
1/2 cup raisins (or dried currants)
1/2 cup sour cream or heavy cream
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

In a food processor, combine all dry ingredients and lavender. Pulse a few seconds until mixed. Add in the frozen butter (cut into pieces) and process it for few more seconds, until well blended. Next, combine the sour cream or heavy cream, egg and 1 1/2 tsp. lemon extract. Pulse the mixture a couple of times, being careful not to over mix. 

Transfer the dough mixture to a floured surface and shape lightly into a circle. Be careful not to press down hard on the dough or handle it roughly as you want to maintain the buttery layers. Cut the circle into 8 triangles and lay them about 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle 1 tsp. sugar over the tops of the scones. Bake at 400 degrees 15-17 minutes, until golden. Serve warm or at room temperature with fresh jam, whipped cream or butter.