Perfect Pumpkin Bread - No kidding, this bread is perfect. There is also a link here to make your own pumpkin pie spice instead of buying some at the store. I had everything it called for already in my cabinet, which made it extra easy.
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| Painting the gourdes he picked out at Pumpkinville |
Almost Amish: One Woman's Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life by Nancy Sleeth. This is one of the most thought provoking books I have read in a long time. Living simpler is something I already think about a lot. I wish I had been more mindful of it when we first had kids, maybe then I would have less to get rid of now! It is especially on my mind this time of year as I anticipate/dread the consumerism attack of the holiday season. But anyway, back to the book. It is the author's story of how her family's faith journey led them, over many years, to simplify and make more intentional choices about their lives as a way of honoring God and creation. Much of what she talks about are principles that I and many of my friends would probably agree with as part of practicing our faith, she just takes them to a deeper level. For example, to be "almost Amish" you can live with electricity. But what appliances do you have that maybe you don't need? The author doesn't own a dryer. She hangs her clothes on a line in the back yard when it's nice out and in her basement when it's cold. This saves her money on her electricity bill, there is one less appliance feeding off the electricity grid and to eventually dispose of when it wears out, and they turned laundry into a task that is done together, giving parents and children time to talk and be together while accomplishing a task. Maybe it sounds idealistic, or unrealistic, to many but I found it intriguing. And this is just one example. She also speaks quite a bit about making intentional choices to live near your family (she and her husband live within walking distance of both their adult children), to live near and invest in your community. "Being green" and "shopping local" have become buzz phrases in our culture that many either embrace fervently or just ignore. This book is an interesting perspective on what those things can really mean and look like, especially within the context of living out your faith.
Have you ever dug into a deep bowl of freshly made guacamole and wished you could eat the whole thing without feeling guilty? My friend, I have the solution. This Tex Mex Spaghetti Squash with Black Bean Guacamole is fantastic. The squash really just serves as a platform to consume the aforementioned delicious and completely addictive guacamole. The dish is has vegetable, protein, and healthy fats all in one. It also happens to be the perfect dinner to make while watching a 4:30 football game - prep the squash before kickoff, roast it during the first half, throw the guacamole together during halftime and voila - awesome healthy game food. Enjoy:)
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| No matter how much you scold, you can't stop me from sitting here Mommy! |
Tired of sandwiches for lunch? I am. But this Tuna Salad with Apples and Pumpkin Seeds has made lunch exciting again. After I made this the first time I told Hubby T that I may never make a tuna melt again. In hindsight that may have been a little extreme, because tuna melts are still delicious, but this is a much healthier and still completely delicious alternative. I also like this because it's versatile. I didn't include pumpkin seeds the first time because I didn't have any. I definitely didn't use the fancy paleo-friendly mayo that the author recommends and I think any kind of apple would work, although tart probably would bring the best flavor to the dish. The only bad thing about this dish is that Hubby T likes it too so I have to share...
And finally, I have been holding out on you for a long time with this one. Smitten Kitchen's Kale and Quinoa Salad with Ricotta Salata may bring many different, unappealing adjectives to your mind but I can assure you the only one you need to focus on is awesome. I should have shared this ages ago, maybe I did and I forgot but either way it's worth sharing twice. I was initially skeptical of raw kale but it completely works. Also, I don't think my grocery store even carries ricotta salata, so I always use feta. And I use craisins instead of dried cherries because I always have craisins in my pantry. Both substitutes work just fine. Bring on the "super" foods!!
So happy fall friends:) I'll try not neglect this space completely but for now my theology reading is calling...here I go again!!
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