Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

I got this recipe from Pinterest and it took me to Coconut Recipes.  I named these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls because they resemble just that!  Without further to do, here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups almond flour
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ¼ cup coconut palm sugar (bought this at HEB in the baking aisle)
• 1 tbsp. coconut milk
• ¼ cup coconut oil melted
• 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• ¼ cup dark chocolate chips

Chocolate Coating:

• ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 ½ tbsp. coconut oil

Directions:

1. Mix flour, salt, and sweetener in a bowl.

2. In a smaller bowl, mix all wet ingredients and pour into the dry and mix well.

3. Fold in the chocolate chips.

4. Roll into inch sized balls and place on a plate or lined cookie sheet.

5. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Chocolate Coating:

1. Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil.

2. Once melted, remove from heat and dip each ball into the chocolate with a spoon and return to plate or cookie sheet.

3. Place the balls back into the freezer for the chocolate to harden, and store in the fridge or freezer.

Here are some pictures!  I hope you enjoy because these are definitely delicious!

This is the all nature version of a good sugar.  Always, in moderation though!

This is what the dough looked like before I made them into balls. 

Here they are ready to freeze.  

These are frozen and now coated with chocolate.  Super easy snack!

And here they are after you freeze them!  I couldn't believe how delicious and easy these were!

Banana Bread

This recipe was given to me by my sweet friend Tammy.  I was very excited to try this recipe and we took it on our family reunion weekend.  It was almost all gone when by the time we left!  I did learn that instead of using frozen banana's that you need to use really ripe ones.  The ones that you won't eat, but you would hate to throw away.  Yeah those!  Enjoy!

Paleo Banana Bread
     
      Ingredients

3 eggs, separated (keep the yolks and whites separate!)
4 or 5 tbsp honey (up to you!)
4 tbsp olive oil
3 mashed bananas (3 small, or 2-3 big)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups almond flour
1 cup pecans or walnuts (optional, and likely broken into smaller pieces if you use them)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cream the egg yolks and honey in a large bowl until light and fluffy. I use a hand-held mixer for this. It takes about five minutes.

3. Add the olive oil, vanilla, and mashed banana to the bowl, mixing well.

4. In a smaller separate bowl, mix the cinnamon, baking powder and almond flour and sift well. You don’t have to do this, honestly, before you add it to the big bowl, but an even distribution of the spices and powder never hurts.

5. Add that mixture of spices and powder to the bowl and stir well.

6. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. A hand mixer is champion at this. Stiff peaks are vital.

7. Fold the egg whites into the banana mixture to pull it away from the sides before gradually folding the rest of the egg whites into the mixture.

8. If you’re the nutty type, go ahead and add your cup of pecans or walnuts to the mixture and stir well.

9. Lightly butter 2 foil bread loaf pans and pour the banana mixture in.

10. Place in oven for 40-45 minutes, though I always end up keeping them in for the latter.

The tops of the loaves should be a nice toasty brown by the 45-minute mark. Stick them with a toothpick and make sure it comes out clean. If so, you’re golden — set the loaves out to cool and enjoy!

One thing to consider: the loaf will harden and become more bread-like overnight, so don’t be surprised if it comes out pretty soft in the end. Banana bread always tastes better the next day, and these loaves are definitely no exception.

Misc Tips

Let the three eggs sit out and come to room temperature before separating them. This’ll make the egg whites form stiff peaks much faster than if the eggs were well-chilled in the fridge.

This is before.  I didn't add nuts to this one. 

This is after with nuts (although you can't see them)!

Set Apart

I had the wonderful privilege to run with my mother-in-law this morning since Tiffany is out of town.  Leaving the house, though, I noticed there was a ton of stopped traffic on 45 this morning.  The entire freeway was shut down and I knew it was super bad.  I later found out that a man had entered the freeway from Tamina and proceeded to go northbound (towards Conroe) on the southbound (towards Houston) lane.  Two people lost their lives and the other two people were taken the to the hospital.  I immediately lifted them up in prayer and asked God to cover their families.  Very sad morning.

On a more happy note, I am excited to announce that I can drink coffee again!  I had stopped since eating Paleo because I just don't like it black.  Really I can't stand it.  I don't need it to be too fru fru, but seriously black is not acceptable for me.  I learned that I could put coconut milk in it, with a little vanilla and some cinnamon!  Sometimes I put a teaspoon or two of agave nectar in it.  DELICIOUS!

Onto what God spoke to me this morning.  I somewhat had a revelation!  It was pretty cool.  I was reading over some more boring parts about the laws and such and all of the ways they needed to stay clean and as I was reading, I realized the reason why God had the Israelites do all of this.  You see, God didn't make them go through all of this for the benefit of just making them look silly or showing them whose boss.  He did it because there was so much paganism in their culture.  People who worshiped their own God's or gave sacrifices however they saw fit instead of following God's commands.  God asked the Israelites to obey God and His commands so that they would be SET APART for Him!

How neat is that?!  We no longer have to go through all these rituals or things that require sacrificial goats or birds or whatever animal.  I am very thankful for that.  I like going hunting, but I don't think I would like to burn up whatever I shoot for many reasons.  I am thankful that, through Jesus, we can come to the foot of our Heavenly Father and that I, myself, can ask forgiveness for the sins I have committed and He will meet with me personally.  I also know that Christ has set me apart.  John 15:19 says, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you."  Romans 12:2 also says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will."

How do I live set apart?  Do my co-workers, family members (saved and unsaved), and friends see something different in me?

Michael told me the other day to post some questions on here so that maybe I would get more comments or feedback.  So if you read this, answer these questions.  I know, it makes us vulnerable.  Step out in faith and trust God.

1) In the last few weeks, has someone recognized something different in you?  How did you know?

My Answer:  Michael has seen a difference in me this past week and I can only attribute that to God and his mercy.  He has given me the motivation to get up and work out and also to feel relaxed.  I wanted this summer to be rejuvenating for me and so far I can say that God has answered my prayer.  From reading, cleaning (which I totally enjoy), and laying out at the pool I feel rested and great!

2) In what ways do you feel you might need to change so that you do look different?

My Answer:  In public, I would like to do a better job at being bold in my faith and asking people if there are things I can pray for them about or not looking at them and judging them.  Allowing grace for others and loving them where they are at.

3) How can you put forth this change and in what way are you going to be held accountable for it?

My Answer:  Asking God to speak to me and to give me the boldness to step out in faith and then my husband can definitely hold me accountable as well as my close friends whom I meet with.

Hope this helps :)


Lord, I pray for the families of the wreck this morning.  I also lift this blog up to you and ask that You would be glorified in us.  That You would speak to us in whatever area it is that we need to change and reveal it to us.  I pray for vulnerable people to open up and share so that we could have some dialogue on the blog.  God, may this be for You and for Your glory!  In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

Sin

I am really surprised at what God is teaching me in the book of Leviticus.  I didn't expect getting so much out of it while reading a book filled with laws and do's and dont's.  Kind of crazy.

Before I start though, I was again excited to wake up at 5:30 to meet Tiffany for a run on the Waterway.  It is really sticky and nasty outside during summer, but it makes me feel so good to know that I got up and worked out.  Then came home to breakfast already made by my dear husband.  Then I spent another hour and half on the balcony spending time with the Lord.  Very relaxing morning filled with the awe and wonder of our Creator.

I need to give some background info on what has happened so that you understand the significance of this passage.  God has spoken and told Moses exactly how to make the altar, what offerings to bring for all these specific sins, and how the priests are to be ordained along with the laws they need to abide by.  It takes till chapter 9 for the priests to even begin their ministry!  Once the priests are finished with their ordination process (slaughtering the lamb and offering their sacrifice, etc...) they are ready to begin God's work.  We will pick it up in verse 10.

Leviticus 10: 1-3 "Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them, and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command.  So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.  Moses then said to Aaron, 'This is what the Lord spoke of when he said: Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.' Aaron remained silent.

Moses had just finished telling Aaron and his sons all the things they can and cannot do and giving them the rules of how everything should work.  And, on top of that, they had just been ordained into the priesthood.  Again, scholars are not exactly sure what happened here.  Some believe that they brought unauthorized (unclean) coals to the fire and offered their sacrifice and some believe that they sacrificed at an unauthorized time.  Whatever explanation is correct, the point is that Nadab and Abihu abused their office as priests in a flagrant act of disrespect to God, who had just reviewed with them PRECISELY how they were to conduct worship.  As leaders, they had a special responsibility to obey God.  They also were careless about following God's laws for sacrifices.  Performing these sacrifices was an act of obedience and doing them correctly showed respect for God.  Since they took matters into their own hands God brought killed them.

It seems like a harsh punishment, doesn't it?  Yet, how often do we disobey God or take matters into our own hands.  This hit be as being a leader of students.  A teacher.  I believe this is my God given talent and there are times that I think I can do it on my own.  That I go into the workday without giving God my teaching or ask Him to lead my day.  As leaders, that should be the first thing we should do!  Ask God to give us His hands and His feet to do His work wherever we are!

Father, help me to be more in tune with You and what You want.  When I begin my next school year at Legacy, I pray that it's filled with You first and that I am just a vessel.  Father teach me to be obedient to Your ways!

Urim and Thummim?

A very unique title for a very unique part of scripture.

My best friend Tiffany asked me to go run with her this morning at 6:00 and I am so very thankful that she did!  I want to be more motivated to work out, but I lack the workout partner that I would want.  My husband is very sweet and kind and is one of the most dedicated people I know in almost all aspects (including working out), but sometimes it is challenging for me to workout with him.  I think it's more of a pride issue for me than anything.  Lord, help me not be so stinking prideful!  With all that I am very thankful for the nice workout this morning (not to mention on her birthday) and that I got to spend a good deal of time in the word when I got home.  As you know, I am in Leviticus and it's slightly boring.  However, this morning I learned something new and I wanted to share it with y'all.

Here is the scripture so that you have some context.  Leviticus 8:5-9 "Moses said to the assembly, 'This is what the Lord has commanded to be done'.  Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water.  He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him.  He also tied the ephod to him and put the Urim and Thummim in the breast piece.  Then he placed the turban on Aaron's head and set the gold plate, the sacred diadem, on the front of it, as the Lord commanded Moses."

Scholars are not 100% sure as to what exactly the Urim and Thummim are, but most will agree that they were put into a pouch in the breast piece.  After some research, here is what I  have found.  Some scholars believe that Urim means guilty and Thummim means innocent.  For those coming to bring an offering and needing to know what kind of offering to bring the priest would pull out one of these and be able to tell whether they were guilty or innocent.  Others believe that the Urim was No and Thummim was Yes or that they both had Yes and No on them.  The priest would spill them out from his breast piece and if both said Yes then God's answer was positive, if they both said No then His answer was negative, and if one was Yes and one was No then there was no reply from God.

Whatever the case is with the Urim and Thummim, how many times do we try and play Yes or No with God?  Have you ever invented ways to try and make what we want be what God wants?  It's way easier to try and do what it is we want to do, but it's not always God's way.  I am by no means perfect at this and have definitely not mastered it.  I do think, though, that the longer we sit and listen to God and really dig into listening to Him we will clearly hear Him.  Sometimes it is what we want to hear and other times it isn't.  Either way, we should follow Him because His will is ultimately the best.  And by following His will we glorify God and blesses us.  When we choose to go our own way or do our own thing it usually doesn't go so well.

Lord, help me to follow You in all that You want me to do.  Not to listen to the worldly advice that I tell myself or that I hear from other people, but to really hear from You.  Help me to do whatever it takes to make time to clearly hear from You.  I also pray for motivation for working out this summer.  It sounds like a silly request, but I want to honor you with my body because this body is on a loan from You.  Help me to keep it pure.  Amen.

Leviticus

Since I finished with Exodus I decided to move onto Leviticus.  I can honestly say that I have never read this book in its entirety, but I am taking that plunge now.  I can also say that it isn't the most interesting book either because it is all about what the Israelites can and can't do and if they sin, how they are supposed to repent from their sin.  I am only in chapter 5 of this book and I am really glad that I am not still living under these conditions and that I don't have to kill something just to be forgiven for it.  Thank goodness that Jesus came to be the ultimate Lamb of sacrifice so that we don't have to go through the rituals of burnt offerings.

However, that doesn't mean I am off the hook.  I still have to repent of my sins and take my wrongs to God. Then He will forgive me and wash it away!  When the Israelites came before God they had to come to Him in humility, knowing that they had sinned and that God was the only one who could rescue them.  If they didn't approach the altar like that God would know and wouldn't accept their sacrifice.

Psalm 51:16-17 says, "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."  God wants us to come to the alter with a broken and contrite heart.  Dictionary.com says that contrite is "filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent."  I don't know about you, but I am not sure that I always get what that looks like!

Abba, my prayer is that You will teach me how to come to Your throne with a broken and contrite heart.  That when I enter into Your presence You will know that I am sincere in bringing my sins to You and that You will wash me clean.  I pray that anyone reading this would know You and seek You!  That they would recognize their sins and also come to Your throne asking for forgiveness.  Thanks for sending Your Son as the ultimate sacrifice and forgiving me before I was even born.  Walk with me today.  Amen

Indiana, Chicago, Blueberry Farm, and much more...

I haven't written out a blog in a long time because we have been busy traveling!  As soon as school got out Michael and I took a road trip to my hometown to visit my family.  We had a blast and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  All of the aunts and uncles came to Grandma June's house on Sunday evening for Grandma's cooking!  Then Aunt Shawn, Uncle Jeff, and Becca got to go to Turkey Run which is a state park up there and is absolutely beautiful!  My cousin, Rebecca, wanted to take us on the hike of the Punch Bowl.  So we took about a 2 mile hike around Turkey Run.  We were slightly unprepared because my grandma had said that it was warm, but somehow got cold when we got there.  This cold front was really cold for us warm Texas folk!  I didn't even pack any jeans so that left us with no other choice than to go shopping!  I bought a pair of jeans (and its a good thing cause none of mine fit anymore) and my aunt Shawn bought me a dress and a few shirts.  Grandma June bought me a cute little shirt as well!  Aunt Patti, Uncle Mark, Melissa, Mike, and Olivia helped keep our time occupied as well.  You are never short on laughter at their house.  I remember all the fun times we had with them growing up and I sure do miss not being close anymore.  Michael and I drove about 45 minutes toward Indianapolis to meet my best friend from childhood, Anna!  She didn't have her boys with her, thanks to her in-laws, and we got to chat for several hours!  It's fun to catch up with her!  Next time, maybe Matt could come too and maybe Michael won't have to work :/ Thanks y'all for making our time so enjoyable and taking time off to spend with us!

We left Terre Haute to go visit my mentor and dear friend Marcina.  I met her while she was living in Texas a few years back and was completely an answered prayer.  I remember talking to my friend Tiffany about needing a mentor and someone to speak into my life and she told me to write in a prayer request at church.  So I did and Vicki from church emailed me back telling me she was on it and that she would be praying for me.  Then this crazy lady decided she wanted to show up at our Single's ministry and what do ya know...she was from Indiana too!  I knew immediately that God had clearly answered my prayers!  It was such a blast loving on her, showing up at work, giving her flowers, concert downtown, and just relaxing!  Thanks for allowing us into your home and blessing us with Christ's love!

Back here in Texas, I have been busy reading.  Yep...that's right.  Sitting at the pool doing absolutely nothing but reading.  I also hang out with some friends, but mostly I have been reading.  Michael and I did go to Moorehead Blueberry farm in Conroe and picked almost 4 lbs. of fresh blueberries!  We took my in-laws dog with us, Bella, and had to give her a bath when we got home because she enjoyed those blueberries.  However, her white fur did not.

Last on the list to blog about tonight is the Woodlands Bride!  Our photographer from our wedding, Josh, and his wife, Meagan, came over last Friday night for coffee, dessert, and he told us that he had submitted our wedding to this blog.  I was very excited when I got a call from them asking for some information so she could post a little bit about our wedding!  Make sure you check out the link to this blog!  Thanks again Josh!

Below are some pictures from our events!  Hope you enjoy!

Cinnamon Rolls

My friend, Tiffany, sent me this amazing recipe for homemade paleo cinnamon rolls and she talked it up so much that I had to go and make them!  OH MY GOODNESS!  I love sugar and for those of you who know me, know that I love sugar.  These were almost too sweet for my liking, but we still enjoyed them.  Two things I didn't have though and needed to purchase was arrowroot and ghee.  I found both at our local HEB.  Arrowroot was with the spices (it's white) and ghee was in the international food section.  It comes in a tall, slender glass jar and it's yellow.  Kind of smells gross, however, it makes the world of a difference!  Thanks Tiffany!

I borrowed this recipe from Paleo Perfectly.

Paleo Cinnamon Rolls

Dough
2 eggs
1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
¼ cup ghee or coconut oil
2 ½ cups almond flour
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp baking soda

Filling
2 tbsp ghee or coconut oil melted 
2 tbsp cinnamon 
3 tbsp maple or coconut sugar 

Icing
¼ cup coconut milk
¼ cup maple or coconut sugar 
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ tsp arrowroot

Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In large bowl mix eggs, maple and ghee. Add almond flour, salt and baking soda. Mix until well combined. Dump dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Place another piece of parchment on top and roll dough into a rectangle shape about ¼-½ inch thick. In small bowl combine filling ingredients. Spread filling over the biscuit dough mixture. Roll to dough starting at one end (the longer side of the rectangle). Using a sharp knife cut individual rolls from the rolled up dough making each about 1-1 ½ inch thick. Place on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden brown. While baking mix the icing ingredients in a small bowl. Remove the rolls from the oven and drizzle with glaze. Serve warm and enjoy!

This is what the dough will look like.  

This is what the filling will look like.  And it tastes great on it's own!

Here is the dough laid out with the filling on it.  Now just roll it longways and cut into rolls.

While the cinnamon rolls are baking you can make the icing!

Here is the final product!  Served well with a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice from HEB!  

Spaghetti and Meatballs

I used to love spaghetti and meatballs before I went Paleo, but now I have found that I can still enjoy this wonderful meal.  It isn't exactly the same as before, but definitely beats not having it at all!  I borrowed this recipe for Hip 2 Save.  I want to do some searching around for some recipes to make your own sauce because I didn't love the sauce I made.  Any suggestions just message me!

Ingredients:
For the “Spaghetti”:

1 spaghetti Squash and apparently you can use zucchini or butternut squash.  What’s nice about spaghetti squash is that you don’t need any sort of kitchen gadget to create the noodles and honestly I think the spaghetti squash made some great noodles!  Although a little dry and my friend Tiffany said to put some water in the pan so that it will soak up the moisture!  

For the Meatballs:
2 pounds ground turkey 

1/3 cup almond flour
2 eggs
3 cloves of minced garlic
A handful of fresh chopped basil (or about 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (for an added kick!)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and discard the seeds. Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on baking sheet. Bake for about 40 minutes. Once done, remove from oven and let cool.

While the squash is baking, you can start making the meatballs. Just throw all of the meatball ingredients in a bowl and mix with your hands until everything is incorporated. Form into balls and place the meatballs on a baking sheet.  Put pan in 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes (should already be preheated from the squash).  Once the squash is done, take a large scoop and scoop the noodles right out.  My husband was amazed at this when we did it!  

I wish I had a picture, but I just forgot to take one!  Next time I make it, I will for sure add a picture...or we have leftovers...maybe I will pretend :)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

My friend Allison came over and we were discussing food and recipes as we are both newlyweds and I was telling her all about our Paleo lifestyle.  I also had a bit of a sweet tooth so we decided to make some chocolate chip cookies!  I got this recipe from the back of the Honeyville Farms bag of almond flour.  After trying several recipes, I have come to LOVE this one!  Very tasty and enjoy :)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups Blanched Almond Flour
• ½ tsp. Celtic Sea Salt
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ cup grapeseed oil (but I use coconut oil)
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• ½ cup agave nectar
• 1 cup dark chocolate (but I use semi-sweet ghirardelli)

Directions:

1. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Stir together wet ingredients in a smaller bowl.
3. Mix wet ingredients into dry.
4. Form ½ inch balls and press onto a non-stick baking sheet.
5. Bake at 350° for 7-10 minutes.  
6. Cool and serve.

Final on Exodus

As I am finishing the last few chapters in Exodus, I am learning how details are so very important to God.  Two things stick out and I wanted to share them because it makes me think about how intricately God cares about the details in my life.

Exodus 28: 31-35
The Robe
"You are to make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue yarn.  There should be an opening at its top in the center of it.  Around the opening, there should be a woven collar with an opening like that for body armor so that it does not tear.  Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn on its lower hem and all around it.  Put gold bells between them all the way around, so that gold bells and pomegranates alternate around the lower hem of the robe.  The robe must be worn by Aaron whenever he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he enters the sanctuary before the Lord and when he exits, so that he does not die."

A little context to this is that God has given the ten commandments recently and has been given serious details about what the Israelites should and should not do as well as details on how to construct the tabernacle.  I haven't found it that interesting to read through because it is a little challenging to understand, but what I did learn is how God is so detailed oriented.  Think about this scripture of the robe that is above.  This is the robe that Aaron is going to wear.  This is JUST the robe and look at how many details God puts in there!  God says, and I paraphrase, make sure that you leave an opening so that when he puts it on over his armor it doesn't tear or rip and make sure that you get the hem just right with these different colors of pomegranates.  And oh yeah, make sure that you alternate the bells in between pomegranates so that when you walk into the most Holy place that you don't die!  Wait, what?!?  Yeah, God wanted to make sure that when Aaron walked into the temple that He could hear him and not kill him.  Does anyone else find this interesting?  God so deeply cares about the details of life!  I mean, I get that God knows me and knit me and cares about me, but he cares so much about the details of me and what is going on with my life that He wants to hear me and listen, love on me, speak to me, teach me, guide and lead me, direct me, and so much more.  Not because I am this great and mighty person, but because HE is the great and mighty God.  For His glory and not mine!

God is good and I am grateful that He loves me down to the very fiber of my being!

Father, thank you for graciously loving each and every detail of my life.  To the food I eat, the clothes I wear, the things that I do.  Thank you for caring about who Your daughter is and all the ends and outs of me.  I pray that each person reading this would know that You love them in this manner as well.  God, teach me to rely on You and You alone!  Amen