Summer is...

softserve,

swimsuits,

and one sillysister.

healthier baking

Have you tried Bob's Red Mill products? "Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods produces more than 400 products, including a full line of certified gluten free products and an extensive line of certified organic products. With a wide variety of whole grain products, from flours and hot cereals to baking mixes and grains, Bob’s Red Mill has 'whole grain foods for every meal of the day'."

I especially like their grain blends, and meals (like flaxseed), but decided to give this 10 Grain Pancake & Waffle mix a try over the weekend, following a sleepover with the kids' cousin, Ryann {visiting for the summer from Flagstaff}. The pancake recipe on the package was so yummy- we added cinnamon- and we made fresh apricot maple syrup to top them. Perfect!

Thinking about Cookie Monday, I wondered if the mix could stand in for the dry ingredients in a basic choco chip cookie dough. Sure enough, the mix is made up of a flour blend, leavener, and sea salt (not just any flour blend: freshly milled wheat, whole wheat pastry flour, rye, triticale, oats, corn, barley, soy beans, brown rice, millet, and flaxseed).

So today, I whipped up a batch of whole grain chocolate chip cookies, substituting the dry ingredients with the 10 grain mix, and adding just a bit more baking soda. They came out thin, soft, crispy on the edges, and yummy! Give it a try. You will feel so much better substituting whole grain goodness for basic white (stripped of nutrition) flour!

FUN

Summer is...

rolling down a grassy hill, over

and over

and over.

you must try...

For 'In the Kitchen Monday' this week, Chloe drew bread baking from the activity bin. With lots of Zucchini on hand, we tested a Zucchini Bread recipe. {Including much convincing from me that it would taste nothing like squash!} It is so moist, tasty, and healthy! Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a treat!

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchini, finely grated
1 cup natural sugar
1 1/4 sticks butter, room temp
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/4 cup organic vanilla yogurt
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (I use TJ's blend)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with cooking spray, and set aside. Beat butter and sugar until light & fluffy. Incorporate eggs, vanilla, and yogurt.
2. In a small bowl, sift together flour, flax, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. Add flour mixture to wet mixture, and stir to combine well. Stir in grated zucchini.
3. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

All-American

Happy Birthday, Pa! (aka Kevin's stepdad, Gary)

{*my wooden signs, like the one above, will finally make their debut in my poor, neglected shop this week!}

red, white, & blue!

Have a safe & happy

Independence Day

weekend!