Gluten Free Dairy Free Banana Cake ROCKS

This is a recipe from glutenfreegoddess.com; but, we put different frosting on it.  My boys and my dad helped make it ...and, it still turned out totally awesome! :)  Loved it.  I promise you will, too.

1 1/2 cups almonds

1/2 cup brown rice flour (sub your fave)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice (a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice)  add more or less for spiciness

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

2 large organic eggs

1/3 cup light olive oil

2 T. honey or raw organic agave nectar (we used honey)

1 1/3 cups organic light brown sugar (We have put in as little as 1/3 of a cup and it is still amazing...we might try not adding any sugar...just a little honey goes a long way!)

4 medium (not too big) very ripe bananas, cut up and mashed into puree

2 teaspoons bourbon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prep a 9 x 13 baking pan by lining it with greased parchment (I butter the pan, put in parchment, then butter the parchment..."butter" being, organic Earth Balance)

Process the almonds in food processor by pulsing on and off until a fine almond meal is formed. Pour the almond meal into a dry mixing bowl.  Add the rest of the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.

In a separate bowl beat the eggs and add the rest of the wet ingredients. Beat well. I just used a spoon...I don't like to use more than one "machine" per recipe.

Add the dry ingredients into the wet. Blend well (2 minutes).

Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated oven for 33 to 35 minutes until done.  Check the center with a wooden toothpick.

Cool the cake completely on a wire rack before frosting.

For the frosting, I just wiped out the food processor (from the almonds) and blended the following:

1 small banana (yellow/brown, just ripe)

1 1/2 cups organic powdered sugar

1/4 t. lemon juice

2 T. organic Earth Balance and 1 T. coconut oil (sub any combo)

It was super yummy drizzled over the top of this moist, delicious (like pudding!) cake.

Read more: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2006/01/frosted-banana-cake.html#ixzz1t1cgS29E

Gluten Free Dairy Free Brownies

I have been tinkering with brownie recipes ever since I found out I was sensitive to gluten.  This one is by far the best!

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
5 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. sea salt
2 eggs
1/2 c. almond flour
1/4 c. coconut flour
optional chocolate chips (we added) and/or nuts

Mix all in a bowl, spread into an 8x8 pan, put in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.  Cool, cut and serve!

Paradigm Shift

My husband and I have always used what is termed, "positive discipline", in modern parenting books.  Having said that, let me also say that we are not perfect and have resorted to other (er, negative) methods when we were at the end of our rope.  Generally though, we have tried anything but the infliction of pain.  We believe that it sets a poor example and we feel it was used on us (as children) out of frustration, not thoughtful redirection.

However, our oldest son has been saying, "no more punishments!" (such as getting his Legos taken away or time to himself in his room) for awhile now.  And, we had been reluctant (but still open) to try it.  We want to teach our children to recognize, express and manage their feelings on their own.  We believe this skill will enable them to handle whatever life throws at them as they become more independent.

Then, in church on Sunday, inspiration struck (it happens!) and my husband and I discussed "no more punishments!" when we got home and implemented it that day.  Since then, my children aren't fighting back.  They are doing things when asked and without being asked.  They are being more thoughtful.  We say that it is "OK to be angry; but, it is not OK to be mean".  They aren't being AS mean.  I don't know where this will go or how long it will last; but, I like this new direction.  We are open.  The most amazing things come from our children.

One of My Greatest Joys

This morning, my youngest son awoke long before 6 and wanted to get up; so, I did.  We came downstairs in the pitch black so that we did not wake up anyone else.  Then, we sat on the sofa and snuggled (which he usually resists); and, soon he was back to sleep.  I was afraid to move and wake him; but, I got comfortable and watched him sleep until the sun and everyone else awoke. 

That is one of my greatest joys...to marvel at my children sleeping...to be able to comfort them and hold them in my arms.  I love them dearly.

When he roused again, he happily popped up and said, "Where's my brother?".  Maybe he was playing with his brother in his dreams.

Forgiveness Fell on Me

I had been reading about the process of forgiveness.  I was working through some things for which I did not know I had to forgive my father.  I was upset with both my parents; but, my father is the one living with me...the one in my care...the one I see every day...the one whom I have now forgiven.

There was no process.  No working through it. 

Some advice rattled around my head, though.  I read, "Forgiveness is about you.  It is not about them."  I know/knew my dad is/was not capable of even recognizing the need, let alone remembering the deeds (I believe that is good...now).  In case you don't remember, my dad had a stroke in 2008, which left him with very little memory of the last 30 years...and, dementia.  How could I not have already forgiven him?  I felt awful.  Then, forgiveness fell on me.

I watched my dad have a "mini-stroke".  That was awful.  I was scared--not sure if it was for me or for him.  I may have been thinking, "how could I let him die without forgiving him?"  I was not conscious of those thoughts.  I was too busy yelling out to my unresponsive father that I love him...while crying...and, yelling for my husband to call the paramedics.

My dad has been home for a little over a week.  It has been hard; but, yesterday, I felt happy.  It must be relief from not carrying around that baggage anymore.  Thank you, God.

Why Homeschooling?

Besides following what was in my heart, the biggest reason we began homeschooling was so that we can experience life--together.  There are so many moments every day I am so grateful to share with my family.

My husband works so much right now, we try to make it special when he comes home for lunch. 

My boys are cultivating and nourishing the most important friendship they'll ever have--with each other. 

They have time to learn about their interests, too.  My oldest is taking piano lessons during the day, when he is most receptive. 

It is a joy teaching my oldest how to read and helping him practice writing, exploring his creativity, nurturing his imagination.  We try to speak Spanish one day/week at home--we are all learning (except my fluent husband, of course!).

We get to go on field trips.  We get to explore nature, our world.  We plan to travel as often as we can--especially to Mexico.  Hopefully, someday to Poland, Germany and Ireland--my heritage. 

I feel good about homeschooling every day.  I pray that we can continue to experience life together--making mistakes, finding our way, enjoying every minute.

Forgiveness

I am on a journey.  I have often felt it is hardest to forgive myself for mistakes, misgivings and wrongdoings.  But, right now, I am struggling with forgiving a family member for things I did not even know still hurt.

During this process, I am not being very nice or respectful.  And, I am in a cycle.  Not stuck, exactly...but, I am finding it hard to forgive myself for how I am treating this person right now because of the things they did long ago (that I am still working to forgive and FORGET!).  Forgetting is really the key.  You can't truly forgive, until you forget, I have found.  You can't forget until you work through and come to terms with all the feelings you have!

I am grateful to be on this journey with some support.  I have my church that provides a community that explores all kinds of questions, answers and hypotheses.  I have my husband.  I have my friends that listen.  I have my sister.  I have my aunts.  This support helps to keep me from getting wrapped up in my head.  It's a journey.