Bone Broth

We use a lot of broth in this house.  And when I used to buy it, I would always opt for the organic kind, or the kind with the least amount of chemicals in it….

Chemicals! Who needs those.  Seriously though.  They are in broths, and its funny how I used to eat those square cubes and think nothing of it.  Now I understand that buying organic broth from a box can be a bit expensive.  But if you are already buying organic meat, bone in, than you should never have to buy your own broth again.

Bone broth is super good for you.  Read about it on the Paleo Mom blog.  She has some great info about it, so I wont bother restating it.

Ingredients:

• a bunch of bones (stick with the same type of animal)
• aromatic veggies like onions and garlic, celery and carrots
• herbs and spice (optional)
• water
• salt (optional)

1. In a large stock pot, add bones and veggies.  I don’t like to add herbs while making the stock because they could interfere with the flavor of what I’ll end up using it in later.
2. Cover with water.
3. Bring to a boil and simmer for 4 hour. You can also make this in a crock pot.
4. Strain into heat-safe containers.  (To make this step easier, if you have a strainer that fits in your stock pot, cook the bones and veg inside that).
5. Stir in 1 tsp of salt if so desired.

*This freezes well

**Money saving tips:

• if you’re not in the mood to make stock right after picking the meat of the bones, you can pop the bones in a freezer bag and save for later.
• when chopping veggies, save the ends and bits for a stock.  The ends of onions, peels of carrots, the tops of celery make great additions to stocks, but there is no need to buy veggies that could be used for eating to put in a stock when you can use the junk stuff.  Throw it in the same bag as the bones in the freezer and use it when you’re ready.

And breathe……

Monday…. oh Monday…

Usually Mondays are like any other day, I’m just a tinge more groggy.  But this Monday was different.  Be it that this was the first Monday we’ve had in three weeks.  Snow Day, then MLK day.  And it just so happens that our school’s auction is this Saturday.  Cruch time.  

Every year, I face this week in a mild panic/crunch mode/we’re going to play games all week because Mrs. Matheny has too many projects to juggle. And so each year, I try and start auction projects earlier and earlier.  I started in October for Pete’s sake this year, and my goal was to have them all done before Christmas break.  Cough…. that goal didn’t really come to pass.

Anyway, my head has been buried deep in my pile of projects and I’m just about to surface.  Most of them are coming out better than expected!!  But this morning, I got a gentle reminder that things can get crazy when you least expect it.

Although, I should be expecting it by this point.

Last year, one week before the auction, with three loads to fire, our kiln’s temperature gauge just up and died!!! 

This year, a project melted!!

So I had to stop, stop and breathe.  There are much bigger problems in the world.  Worst thing that would happen is that the first graders would have one less project.  Worst thing.  No one died, no one would get hurt.  Its not that big of a deal. 

And really it wasn’t. I’m making a bigger mockery of it than it sounds… although it is fun to get very dramatic in my writing.  

Yikes!!!  Simple mistake really, but it was not something anyone was hoping to see this close to a deadline. 

Thank God for my amazing husband, who on his day off ran out to the clay store to pick up some new plates for me.  So tonight, with some good music and a bowl of chocolate chips, I set to work to redo these projects!!

 

Here are some more pictures of some non-melted finished projects.

I am really looking forward to Saturday night, to officially be done with this years projects.  And to enjoy them in all their lime-light.  

And to start planning for next year.

5th and 6th grade ceramics

 

Kindergarten collaged wall art

3rd and 4th grade Ceramics

3rd and 4th grade collage wall art 

3rd and 4th grade ceramics

7th and 8th grade collage wall art

1st grade outdoor Scrabble Board

*complete with tiles made on a 3D printer!!!

 

 

 

Coconut Curry Brownies

Today we had our second snow day of 2014.  Its coming down hard for Portland.  We usually don’t get snow, let alone 9-10.” I know this is pretty wimpy to admit, but I’ve got cabin fever.  I don’t sit still well.  So instead of staying at home today, I walked to get coffee.  Up hill, both ways.  Seriously!

I had to take a #Sochi #Selfie in all this snow!  Happy Olympics people!

I walked to Blue Moon to get a trusty Americano which they never seem to disappoint.  And then on the way home, I got side tracked and walked my way to Whole Foods. I love that store.  I seriously could spend all day there.  I was looking for a treat and found this unusual beauty.  Coconut Curry Chocolates.  

Seriously this was one of the most amazing flavor experiences I’ve had in a long time.  Euphoric! Go get yourself some. So I was inspired.  And I thought I could try and make myself some brownies based on this amazing bar.

So I did.  Here you go.

• 4 eggs
• ½ cup applesauce
• 2 ripe bananas
• 1 ½ cup water
• ½ cup coconut flakes
• ½ cup flax seed
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ginger
• ½ tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350.  If bananas are not super ripe yet, you can place in the blender to ripen.  In a blender, combine eggs, applesauce, bananas, water, coconut flakes, flax seed, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and dates.  Puree until smooth.  If it gets sticky for the blade, add a little bit more water or coconut milk.

2. Pour mix into a large bowl.  Stir in almond flour, vanilla, ginger, curry, baking soda and chocolate chips.  Pour into a greased 9”x13” pan.  Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Nutrition facts (without chocolate chips):

• 108 calories
• 16 carbs
• 5 fat
• 4 protein

 

Jesus of the Bible

The more I get to know the Jesus of the bible, the more I stand in awe. Growing up, I knew two Jesuses. One who was full of holy anger, who I dare not sin against for fear of fire and damnation. And the other Jesus was a warm teddy bear, who loved to hug and cuddle and protect me. But these two Jesuses were not the same, let alone friends.
But now, as I actually read the bible and spend time studying it, I find our that neither of these Jesuses exist. The one, true Jesus, the one who made me and you and everyone in between, he is not like those individuals I thought I knew when I was young.
No, the real Jesus is both. He has holy anger because like a parent who only wants what is best for their child is angered when we disobey. Like a parent who has set out a wonderful path, with the foresight of what is needed and what is best. And like a parent, openly forgives and gives grace limitlessly when we stumble because even though we messed up his grace and love teaches us more about him that just his anger. His anger is expressed in him fighting for his children against the dark evils and principalities that exist all around us. His anger is him fighting for our righteousness.
I’ve come to realize that “sins” were not rules meant to be broken, but guidelines set out by the all-seeing, all-knowing one who wants he best for us. Because I’ve always seen myself as the center of the universe I had a hard time understanding this. But you’d think that just as a parent gets wiser the more children they have, out God who planned and formed each and everyone of us would know a thing or two.
The more I come to know this Jesus of the bible, the more I realize that he was not a zealous religious person that we so often make him out to be. He was not exclusive to those who had it together. He does not give me permission to put myself up on a pedestal to view others from above. But this Jesus, he was a homeless, street hippie who loved thiefs, prostitutes, the lame, the broken, the lost, the found, the I-know-I’m-found, the heathens, the religious, the Gentiles and Jews. This Jesus is so much more than a police-officer-in-the-sky or a sweet ole grandpa. He is a radical, a lover, a fighter and a friend. This Jesus is my God.

Fluffy Biscuits

Oh no I didn’t…..
Yes, I did.

I just made some pretty freakin’ awesome paleo biscuits!  Seriously.  I’ve been looking for the perfect recipe, and either they don’t turn out… or I don’t have the right ingredients at the time.

Tonight, I made some excellent Spicy Paleo Beef Stew (coming out soon in the new cookbook), and I really felt like they needed some fluffy biscuits with it.  So I put on my scientific, experimental, Bill-Nye-The-Science-Guy lab coat and messed around in the kitchen.  And this, my friends, is what I came  up with.  These puppies are soft, a bit flaky, but definitely fluffy, eggy, and capital D-licious.

Fluffy Biscuits

• 4 eggs
• ¼ tsp cream of tarter
• 1 cup almond flour
• butter

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Separate the egg whites from the yolks  Put the whites in a mixing bowl with the cream of tarter and beat on high until it forms very stiff foam.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks until creamy.  Mix in about a cup of the egg white foam, and gently fold into the yolks.  Add about a ⅓ cup of the almond flour at a time until it is all well incorporated. Gently fold in the remaining egg white foam.
3. Place a muffin tin in the oven for a minute to warm it up. Pull it out and run a stick of butter in each part of the tin.  Scoop the batter equally into all 12 compartments.  Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Have you experimented with different biscuit/bread recipes? Share your experiences below in a comment.  Good, bad and ugly!!!

Sinner, what are you fighting for?

I read this quote today by Shane Claiborne ( I know ally quotes are coming from him
Lately, but that’s what I’m reading and the Holy Spirit is sure using it) “Rebirth means that we have a new paradigm of ‘us’ and ‘them.’ Our central identity is no longer biological…our new ‘us’ is the church, the people of God doing the will of the Father.” After reading this I just felt hugely convicted for myself. I am a new creation In Jesus and yet I am hanging on to things that are not allowing me to live in this new identity. If I truly believe in this King Jesus and I trust him with my life, soul and eternity, why am I not allowing him to work in the areas of sin in my life? Why am I holding on to them? Jesus calls me out from it, to release me from things that damage into a life that is healing. Jesus calls me away from a life where I am the center and into a life where he is the center.
I’m wrestling with this. I know what is right yet I don’t do it. I want to do what is right, the way The Lord laid it out so plainly in his word, yet I get caught up in the idea that my way is better. And although he graciously allows me to stumble and fall through that, and realize that his ways are better.
I just felt like I needed to confess that. I am a sinner, hungry for Gods grace and truth and communion.

And with this riding on the coat tails of Martin Luther King Jr. day, it really got me thinking, 

what am I fighting for?

Is it Jesus? Is it for the Kingdom? Is it for love? Is it for redemption? For  forgiveness? For peace? For reconciliation? For healing? For strong marriages? For our callings? For our relationship with our King? 

no, not lately

Lately, I’ve been planning a high school reunion.  Lately I’ve been worried about my body image.  Lately I’ve been thinking about myself and not about others.  

Why? Although both of those things have importance, they aren’t or at least shouldn’t be a priority.

I want to fight for something that matters. I am hungry for Jesus, I am hungry for people to see their value and worth in Him.  How he can transform lives.  But I need to live transformed.  If I love and live for this King who died so that I may live, I should at least live like I believe it.  

Lord, I want to live and breath and have my being in and for you.  Lord I am hungry for more of you. For your truth, for your grace, for your love.  I am a sinner.  I don’t trust.  I say I do, but I lie.  I want to put others above myself, I really truly do because I know how much better life is when I do, but I struggle.  I need your help, your strength, your grace.  Lord, how did you do it? How did you love so unconditionally, yet still hold so tightly to the truth? I want that conviction.  I want to be sold out like you Jesus.  I want to fight so that others may know you.  And know the real you.  Not the plastic Jesus that sits on a dashboard with the nickname Buddy.  But the real, faithful, strong, compassionate, trustworthy, persistent Jesus who is after our hearts and souls not because he’s crazy, but because He made us, and knows what is best for us. Lord, I want this! 

 

 

When your non-stick pans stick

When we got married, we were overwhelmingly blessed. People near and far, give us amazing gifts especially for a kitchen. Randy’s grandma bought us a set really high end pans that were considered “nonstick.” They are coated with green wear ceramic and are supposed to be better and non toxic- compared to tephlon. However, they didn’t hold up well to their name just after the exchange date ran out.

So what do you do? Scrubbing wore out my elbows.

I’m not sure how I found this, but boiling water in a pan with stuck on food really loosens the grim.
Seriously, try it!!

Confession

I have to confess

I want to eat everything in sight today that contains chocolate or sugar!  I knew keeping candy in my desk was a death sentence.  Seriously!

Re-frame your mind Katie

You’re not horrible, just off track. Get back on the health bus.

And in reality, I haven’t fallen off the health bus. Or rather my bus hasn’t fallen off the road.  Its just not moving forward. 
Here is to tomorrow.

 

Technology Sabbath

I love technology. It has done great things for me, my family, my friends, the world.  Seriously, I am so thankful for it.  I heard a sermon today that said “Love, in it’s essence is the giving of yourself away.  If someone watch you live for a month, what is it that they would say you LOVED?”

I love technology.  I give my self away to it day in and day out.  It is sick. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love technology for all of its upsides. I can be on a blog that maybe some people read… I can update files on my Google Drive account any where at any time. I can Facebook my face off. I gain so much. But I also loose so much. I loose time with my loved ones. I loose time with my God. I loose time with myself. I become dependent. I can’t remember much anymore, because I NEED my iPhone calendar to do it for me. I am able to do so much more, because I have so many tools to help me, but is doing more really a good thing?

I read this article “Why I’m getting a Divorce in 2014.” Read it. It’s good. It will make you think. But don’t read the comments. Some people can be jerks, and say disrespectful things.  I often wish people commented on my blog, but then again I don’t.  I don’t want to deal with jerk comments. 

If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

Apparently, their parents never taught them that.  Or they have abandoned that logic entirely. Either way.

But on the bright side, I found a link in the comments to a Sabbath Manifesto.    I wrote in my 28 before 29 list that I want to take a technology sabbath for 6 hours at least once a week.  I think I want to do this whole list at least once a week. Seriously.  I miss having friends. Friends who were so busy.  Friends who weren’t dependent on their technology to keep them busy.  I miss saying “Hey, I’m coming over.” and we would actually hang out.  Now sometimes we just sit there, with our phones, updating our status and posting pictures with hashtags about all the fun we are having!!! Really, we do that. We all do that. And I’m sure you’re shaking your head in agreence that you do this too. 

What has been hard for you about technology? What are you missing out because of what you’ve gained? Is it worth it?

Sunday Funday

I hear people say that phrase “Sunday Funday” a lot.  And that was exactly what today was.  We’ve been pretty pumped about this McMennamin’s Passport thing.  So we hit up 25 spots… yes I said 25.  And we only spent $3.75 for a beer.  But what we gained was two appetizers, two pint glasses, two growlers and $26 in gift cards to fill it up.  This is making to be weekends full of adventure.  Its super fun doing it with my husband too.  He is a walking, or shall I say driving, GPS.  He knows his way around any place, and I get lost in my own house.  I’m so thankful for his skills.  So with him knowing his away around the city, we were able to quickly navigate around.  

As far as my whole 30 goes, it was a fun day.  Not crazy, but fun.  I had the hummus plate, and swapped out pita bread for more veggies.  They came pickled. And I had a few of Randy’s fries.  On top of that, I had a few ounces of hard cider that we filled our growler with.  But that is about it folks.  I kept it in moderation.  

What did you do this weekend, to help your health goals? How did it go?