Celebrations

In the last week, we've had a lot to celebrate! Anabella turned 9 months, Stojan had his one year anniversary in the U.S., and we purchased tickets to go to Macedonia this summer. In honor of it all... muffins! :) 

We are definitely a family in love with muffins, and these are perfect- sweet enough without white sugar, and whole wheat without being too dense. 

   Whole Wheat Banana Muffins

    2 cups whole wheat flour

    1/2 tsp cinnamon

    1/4 tsp nutmeg

    2/3 tsp sea salt

    1 tsp baking soda

    2 tbsp stevia- 5 packets

    2 eggs

    1 tsp vanilla

    3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

    1/4 cup milk

    2 ripe bananas, smashed

    honey

    regular oatmeal

-Mix from flour to stevia.

-Mix from eggs to bananas in separate bowl.

-Gently fold together.

-Fill 12 muffin cups half way. Add about 1/2 tsp honey in each cup, then add the rest of your muffin batter.

-Sprinkle with oats and nutmeg.

-Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

    

   

....And the many faces of Anabella. As you can see, she's already mastered the pouty face. Uh oh. 

A Trip and a Tip

Stojan and I are so excited to start planning a trip to Macedonia at the end of this summer! Yesterday we went in to get Anabella's passport photos taken, which she took pretty seriously :)

Today was another snowy April day in Minnesota. I swear we accidentally moved to Alaska. Luckily our apartment is really warm, so Anabella can still pretend it's Spring inside. Look at her knees in the picture on the right- this girl is crawling constantly. She sure is a bundle of energy.

And finally, my tip:

Break off the end of a cheap store hanger and ta-da, you have a chip clip. Works really well!

English Muffins Recipe

English muffins are absolutely delicious. But because they are too expensive, too small, too processed and  too packaged, I never buy them. Stojan and I made a big batch of maybe fifty english muffins for the holidays (and they do freeze well.) But now with no stand mixer to use, I decided to try a recipe for a smaller batch that I could use my hand mixer.

These make 12 big muffins. They are a little more effort than bread, but well worth it come morning time- and butter and jelly time!

Whole Wheat English Muffins

2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
1 cup water (110 degrees)
1 cup milk, warmed until barely bubbly
2 tbsp honey
1/4 cup melted butter
About 4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup white flour
1 tsp salt
cornmeal

1. Sprinkle yeast on top of warm water. Let stand 5 minutes.
2. Mix milk and honey in separate bowl.
3. In big bowl, add yeast mixture and milk mixture to 3 cups flour, salt and butter. Beat with hand mixer and dough hooks on low speed until mostly smooth.
4. Add flour by 1/2 cup until soft dough forms. Cover and let rise in greased bowl until doubled. (About one hour)
5. Cut into 12 pieces. Roll each into a ball and place on waxed paper that is covered with cornmeal. Cover and let rise 30 minutes.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat griddle to medium. Cook until deep golden brown on griddle, about 6 minutes a side.
7. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and bake 7 minutes, or until edges feel firm.

Enjoy!!

Date Night

This last weekend Stojan and I had so much fun on our first date night in months... the Timberwolves game! Stojan was super excited for his first NBA game and I loved the fun atmosphere of the event- loud music, happy people, an evening without my hands full!!

We definitely hope to go back to another basketball game/ any other happening Minneapolis sporting events. It seems the place to be!

I made Homemade Creamy Mac & Cheese  this weekend, which turned out delicious. I'm trying to stray away from processed food, and this was a fast alternative.

1 1/2 c. dry whole wheat elbow noodles, cooked
2 tbsp. butter
1/3 cup and 1 tbsp heavy whipping cream, divided
1 1/4 cup grated cheese (any kind works, or a combination of two)
1/4 tsp salt and pepper to taste

1. In the pot used to boil noodles, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in 1/3 cup cream.
2. Turn heat to low and add noodles, cheese, salt and pepper and cook while stirring until cheese melts.
3. Stir in last tbsp of cream at end.

April in Minnesota

We've had far too much snow for the middle of April here in Minnesota. Although we were hoping for enjoying parks and walks, instead we are enjoying baking and new toys at home.

Anabella finally decided smiling is okay, which we are very pleased about. On the right is her new car, which Daddy pushes her around the house on. Too cute.

Today I made a very Easy, Cheap Granola which turned out well.

2 1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup oat bran
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 packets stevia
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup natural applesauce
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup almonds

1. Mix the oats and dry spices.
2. Melt applesauce and coconut oil. Add vanilla.
3. Mix dry and wet ingredients together.
4. Bake at 325 degrees, mixing every 10 minutes for a total of 30 minutes. Let cool on pan, will harden as it cools.
5. Chop up almonds and add. Enjoy!