Flowers from my Boy

Hello Faithful Readers

Jordan often picks flowers for me from the garden of his own accord,
it's the sweetest thing he does from his generous and loving heart for mommy,
I have often thought that this is just the most beautiful thing and how am I going to preserve these memories...
Then tonight he picked me a flower again it's probably about the 15-20th flower he has picked for me over his 2.5yr lifespan and it came to me,
every time he picks a flower for me from thus say forward I'm going to blog it and Facebook it and now that's how these sweet moments and cherished memories of my little boys heart will be preserved
Oh how I LOVE you Jordan Boy!

God Bless Y'all

Paleo Pizza Base

Hello faithful readers

So i attempted a cauliflower pizza base a few nights ago for dinner and i thought it was really YUM, unfortunately i did not squeeze enough water out of the base and so it was a bit soggy but still good flavour :-)

Here is the recipe, let me know if you got a crispy result and how

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 pieces (it's a 12" pizza. Good for 2 to share)

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Grated Cauliflower ($4.00/head, 2 cups turned out to be about 1/2 a large head)
• 1 large egg lightly beaten
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp oregano
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese for the crust 
•  + 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella OR 1/3 cup cottage cheese to be easier on the tummy (shoutout to my fellow lactards!) 
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce 
• Whatever clean toppings you want (we used mushrooms, red bell pepper, onion and arugula)

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Grate your cauliflower- you can do this with a regular grater, a food processor, or with the Grate setting on the blender. Once you have 2 cups of grated cauliflower dump it onto a paper towel and wrap it up in 2 layers of paper towels and squeeeezzzeee all the water out- this is SO important if you want crispy pizza crust, otherwise the crust is soggy. Once you have squeezed out as much water as possible, combine the dried out grated cauliflower with the egg, garlic and oregano and mix it together. Flatten it out onto a parchment paper covered baking sheet. Put the crust into the oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes pull it out, slather (gross word but I can't think of a better way to say it) the tomato sauce onto it, top with the cottage or mozzarella cheese and your toppings of choice. Cook for an 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

God Bless y'all

Raw chocolate balls

Hello Faithful readers

These are SUPER Yummy as you can see Jordan would like to have them all to himself! :-)

Ingredients 

1 cup walnuts

1 cup pitted dates

1/2 cup raw cacao powder

1 tsp macca powder (optional)

1 tsp raw honey or agave

A dash of vanilla

A dash of mint extract or 2 drops of therapeutic grade peppermint essential oil

Place all ingredients into a food processor and process until it forms a ball or stops turning properly

Roll into balls and place in the fridge.

YUMMY in my tummy and hopefully in yours, heres to energy a better mood and a healthier life

God Bless y'all

Scrummy Paleo Puddy

Hello faithful readers

This was THE SUPER YUMMIEST pudding EVER, even my hubby who is not Paleo full on said it was YUM and he wanted more more more

Chocolate Paleo Pudding with Coconut Whipped cream

2 ripe avocados

2 ripe bananas

4 medjool dates, pits removed

1/2 cup cacao powder

1.5 teaspoons coconut milk

1 tablespoon maple syrup/ raw honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Place all ingredients into a bowl of a food processor (i added a few sprigs of fresh mint leaves as well remember to pick the leaves off and only use them), process all ingredients till they are smooth and well incorporated.

Transfer pudding to bowls of choice then refrigerate for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Top pudding with coconut whipped cream to serve makes about 3-4 servings

Coconut whipped cream

1 can coconut milk (full fat)

1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon maple syrup

Instructions

Place the can of coconut milk in the fridge over night

Open can without shaking or turning upside down. Carefully spoon out the top layer on thick coconut cream that has gathered at the top and add to mixing bowl (you can reserve the white liquid that is left in the can for a smoothie perhaps)

Add the maple syrup and the vanilla extract to the coconut cream 

Whip the ingredients with a hand or stand mixer till it has come to thick whipped peaks, start on low and move to a higher speed for about 5 minutes depending on the strength of your mixer.

the whipped mixture can be refrigerated in an air tight container for 2-3 days.

Courtesy of http://www.multiplydelicious.com

Enjoy and God Bless y'all

Popular request Flour-less Brownie

Hello faithful readers

As per popular request here is the yummy flour less brownie recipe, enjoy!

 If i were to do it again id add blueberries and some coconut too, and be careful if you have a fan forced oven remember do the temp at 150 degrees instead of 170 degrees and keep an eye on it i overcooked mine :-(

Flourless Brownies

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened cacao powder
• 1 cup of coconut palm sugar*
• ¼ cup + 1 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 
  

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). In a bowl, mix all the ingredients until velvety smooth (I used my Vitamix!). Pour into a parchment paper lined 8 x 4 loaf pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The brownies will be soft in the middle at 30 minutes and have a slight jiggle. Leave the brownies for at least 5 hours before cutting and eating (I personally couldn’t wait that long and I put them in the fridge after about 15 min of cooling down time and then ate them about an hour later!).

This recipe makes 8 brownies.

*I now use 3/4 cups maple syrup (Grade B) in place of the palm sugar for a moist and gooey texture. Cooked for 30-35 minutes the center will appear to be uncooked but after cooling for a few hours (or in the fridge) it will settle and be more firm. The texture will be more like a molten chocolate cake.

Courtesy of http://www.homemademommy.net

God Bless Y'all

Paleo Blueberry Cheesecake

Hello Faithful readers

So i was really intrigued when i saw this paleo cheesecake, i was so interested to see what a cheesecake that has absolutely no cheese in it would taste like...

 And it was full of blueberries and that i LOVED!! 

I would almost be tempted to put the blueberries in whole next time and not blitz them at all, i think you might taste them more that way and i would LOVE to taste them more.

I personally really enjoyed this cheesecake although Greg on the other hand thought it was too coconutty (Greg is still not totally converted to giving up sugary stuff so that could play a part)

 but i LOVED it.

Anyhoo here is the recipe all thanks to 

themerrymakersisters.com

stuff you need…

for the base:

1 1/2 cups walnuts
1/3 cup raw cacao powder
3/4 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
100 grams pitted dates (soaked in boiling water for at least 10 minutes + drained)
1 tbs. melted coconut oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract

for the filling:

2 cups raw cashews (soaked in water for at least one hour + drained)
400 mls coconut milk
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1 tbs. vanilla extract
3 tbs. Natvia
2 cups fresh or frozen (thawed) blueberries

now what…

 Line the base of a 24 cm spring form cake tin with baking paper.
Start with the base. In a food processor (we use our Vitamix), place the walnuts, raw cacao powder and desiccated coconut.
Whiz these ingredients until a fine meal forms.
Transfer the meal into a large mixing bowl, leave this for now.
Drain the soaked dates and place them into the food processor, along with the coconut oil and vanilla extract.
Whiz these ingredients until a smooth paste forms.
Transfer the paste into the mixing bowl with the meal and mix together (you may need to get your hands dirty for this job!).
Once it’s all combined, press the base into the cake tin, making sure you press it out evenly, covering the entire base.
Place this into the freezer.
Now for the filling (you will need to rinse the food processor).
Drain the cashews and place them into the food processor.
Whiz these until a crumbly, buttery paste forms.
Now add the coconut milk, vanilla extract, Natvia, melted coconut oil and blueberries.
Whiz on high speed until completely smooth.
Take out the base from the freezer and pour the filling on top of the base (shake the tin carefully to even out the top).
Place the cake into the freezer for two hours or until set.
Take the cake out of the freezer and let sit for 30 minutes.
Rub the outside of the cake tin with a hot cloth and release the spring form slowly (you may need to run a knife around the edge).
Cut into slices with a hot knife! We enjoyed ours with pureed blueberries!

Store the remainder of your delish paleo blueberry cheesecake covered in the fridge for a week. It can also be stored in the freezer and thawed out when it’s time for cake (when isn’t it time for cake?!).

Give it a go people you won't regret it and your body will thank you!

God Bless y'all

Stashiola

Hello Faithful readers :-)

So this was my stash about a week ago i think, ah time goes so fast could have been 2 weeks...

So there is Raw honey, coconut oil, coconut cream, coconut sugar, organic maple syrup and the most Yummiest thing EVER Cacao powder!

Since this picture my stash has grown a little and i am loving making all these yummy and SUPER beneficial sweets!

So i think i have added coconut flour, oh and of course all the nuts like cashews, pecans, walnuts, almonds, macadamias, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, desiccated coconut, umm thats all i can think of from the couch :-)

I need to get macca powder that would be a good thing I've heard.

Yeah well slowly slowly it will grow and i will be HAPPY!

God Bless y'all

Bubba Blue

Bubba Blue we never knew you 
Bubba Blue we never knew

Mamma loved you still 
those weeks she held you 
Those weeks she held you 
She loved you still

We thank God we had you for a moment
For a moment God gave us you

Time was too short 
But we so love you
time was too short
But you are still in our thoughts

Bubba blue mamma still cries for you 
but she knows Jesus had a plan
She knows He has you now
She knows you are in His hands

Rest easy bubba blue
Mamma and daddy will see you soon

For all of you who have ever lost a baby, whether it was very early on, further along or after they had been in your arms for a while, i know that hurt, the love that never leaves for the ones we have lost...

For me God is still good
He is still the Rock on which i stand
And yet will i praise Him

Thank you faithful readers for sharing this journey with me, i appreciate you and i hope that my life story can help to make your life story better in one way or the other

God Bless y'all

Chocolate fix

Hello Faithful readers

So this was my first chocolate Paleo bar i made and  it was SO YUM! One piece and i was Chocolate fixed for the day. Its all gone i definitely need to make more ASAP.

Jordan loved making them and tasting them and the best part is that i didn't have to stress if he did cause it is all good for him!

Ingredients
1/2 Cup melted coconut oil
4-5 heaped table spoons Cacao powder (less or more depending on your taste)
2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup almond meal or coarsely chopped almonds
1/2 cup chopped cashews

Combine all dry ingredients well
In a separate bowl combine all wet ingredients well
Mix wet with dry and stir to combine well.

Put into a baking tray lines with baking paper, pat down well to make a compact and hard slice.

Freeze for a few hours and then chop into squares, keep in an airtight container in the freezer or fridge.

I kept mine in the freezer cause it tasted awesome just from the freezer and it would keep for AGES!

Try it and enjoy the benefits on your health

God Bless y'all

Jordan Boy

When i knew i had you my heart skipped a beat

When i felt you growing the secret we just couldn't keep

Imagining your little feet

Imagining your little hands 

Imagining your little heartbeat

Oh we thanked Jesus everyday for this blessing

We were so thrilled to be getting

Nine months went by so fast

And then you were here at last

Our Mighty Jordan 

Our Sweet Boy

Our Lords one

From a Tiny baby you grew too fast

my eyes tear at the thought of times past

I don't know if you will ever know

How much your mommy loves you so

Im Ever so proud of you my boy 

As the days pass on you bring me more and more joy

God has given us a gift in you Jordan Love

You most certainly are a true blessing from above

The thought of sending you off to school

Is just too much on this heart of mine

I want to hold on to you, to your youth, to your life

To these moments when we have all this time...

God has your future

I trust his way

Everyday for you i pray

I am so sorry for the mistakes ill make

Im so sorry if i cause you heartache

Im sorry for my anger, frustration and impatience

I was trying, believe me i was

But life takes its toll and sometimes i was lost...

I pray this prayer often

for you Jordan Boy

Lord What i do right multiply and bring joy

But Lord what i do wrong erase and help my boy

Give your heart to Jesus child

He is the only way that will make you smile

Life goes much to fast my child

But i pray that i will be here a while

I love you more than words can say

You are my Jordan

My Jordan Boy

Paleo WHAT?

Hello there faithful readers

So I've taken a turn, i tell you i did not expect it, i am very grateful for it and i most certainly love the results that come with this change :-)

So Paleo hey WHAT THE, thats what i thought when my brother and sister in law said they were going Paleo, i laughed at them and kept calling them palaeontologists, i thought it was a HUGE joke and so RIDICULOUS mind you, who would want to do that when you could eat SWEET Sugary delicious treats and greasy stodgy Bad food that tasted sooooo good!
Even though when i ate sugary stuff id LOVE it while i was eating it but soon after id be feeling so bad about myself, id feel like a failure AGAIN, feel depressed, down and so deflated...

Anyway long story short a friend of mine invited me to a wellness talk and i said sure and then couldn't go, so she sad these talks happen all the time and she'd ask me again and i said sure, anyway they had one in my suburb and i went and needless to say it changed my life and i am so thankful that God led me there.

The reason i could not get into this "heathy eating stuff" before was that basically i was addicted to sugar and the thought of not being able to have that stuff just felt too hard so i just kept going, but after i went to this talk i was opened up to a whole new world of healthy sweets that taste super yummy and that only have things in them that are going to benefit your body in one way or another.

So anyway since my turn about 3-4 days ago yes recent i know, I've been trying all these new sweets and then one of my bestest friends of old Bidemi Coker said "girl why don't you blog this stuff so we can learn how to do it too", so thats what i am gonna do, hope you enjoy this part of my journey with me :-)

Plus if you have any great whole food, clean eating, Paleo recipes please do share!

Oh so basically this Paleo thing is just trying to eat more foods that are alive, that are beneficial and that are organic, pesticide free etc, I'm at the beginning of my journey but am loving the journey small steps.

This is Jordie and i having our first ever smoothie in the morning it was 

Coconut milk (Antiviral and Antibacterial, fights infections)

Almonds (Lower cholesterol, reduce risk of cancer and heart disease)

A banana (Overcome depression, reduce PMS, improve your mood and relieve anaemia)

Cacao powder (Reduce risk of cancer, promote cardiovascular health, anti depressant, promotes relaxation and stimulates endorphins)

jarrah honey (Very high in Antioxidants, fights helicobacter pylori)

So there you have it lots of good stuff in here and of course best part was that

It was SUPER YUMMY!!

Lost my way

Hi there faithful readers

I had so much joy when i started my blog, i was loving every minute of writing on here, i really had energy and zeal and my blog felt alive!

Sad to say but i realise that it has become lifeless,
boring, 
same ol same ol 
and altogether just not at all what i intended it to be.

I also know why...

Simply put, its because i lost my way...

I started this blog for me, i wanted it to be an outlet for me to record my journey of life,and to be able to look back on it in 2, 3, 4 or even 20 years time and enjoy it all over again.
If what i wrote could help anyone along the way then that was great and a huge bonus for me, i wanted this to be a place where i could come to unwind, to share my stories about all that is me and my life and my family and my journey.

Sad thing is that instead  of all that it became a burden, a burden because it became a place where i wrote about a subject that i am no expert in, a subject that weighs me down, a subject that is absolutely lovely to share and to write about but instead of just being that this very subject became the b all and end all of what i was writing about and it swallowed up my blog...
A weight loss battle, a tiresome, energy sucking, and downright depressing thing that i fight day by day, this place, my place of rest and solitude and reflection became a place where i was trying to do what i could to help people in an area that i am not entirely winning myself, for me this became a discouraging place to be because all i did was talk about how i was winning and then how i was losing and it became really boring and really dead...

Aside from that battle I can't really explain what my blog became, because there was much more behind just the fact that i kept talking tirelessly about the same thing and in the same way, 
there was also an element of "maybe i can use it to make money being a stay at home mom" that really stole the joy out of it fast...
Anyway i can't really explain what it became all i know is it became something i didn't like or enjoy anymore and that is going to change!

This blog is no longer going to be about striving to please others, or to attract others, or to outdo others, this blog is going back to basics, it is going back to being about my journey of life, all that i am doing, achieving, not achieving, and just a space where i can come to relax, to chat, to record life's in's and outs and a place where i can just be me...

Im sorry to me and to you all for getting caught up in people pleasing, over achieving,and who knows what else, just for not making this what i started it for and for enjoying the ride.
However i am thankful that i picked it up and i am looking forward to the Journey ahead.

Jesus is my cornerstone, the rock on which i stand and i am grateful to Him for His presence, His guidance and His direction in my life.

God Bless Y'all