Wednesday 30 January 2013

The Bread of Change

If you keep saying things are going to be bad, you have a chance of being a prophet. - Issac B. Singer


I have been trying out new foods because the doctor has asked my husband to change his diet.  Almost nothing could be worse news for my foodie husband. We are slowly trying to convert our diet. Here is a recipe I came up with this week that I wanted to share.  It uses Kamut flour.  It is a bit more healthy than regular flour.  If you would like to find out more about Kamut flour, follow this link:  Benefits of Kamut Flour.
To me, Kamut flour bread is similar in texture to corn bread.  I made this to go with dinner, but it could also be used as a breakfast bread.  My entire family loved it. I hope you enjoy it, too!

Molasses Kamut Bread
preheat oven to 350 degrees F, 
makes 1 large 12" round bread or 2 loaves

Ingredients
2 cups all purpose gluten free flour ( regular flour works fine also)
2 cups Kamut flour ( I used Bob's Red Mill)
2 Tbsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
3 cups soy milk (or regular milk, or rice milk, or coconut milk)
2/3 cup molasses (or brown rice syrup)
4 eggs
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup melted butter

Directions
1.  In a large bowl mix flours, baking powder and salt.
2.  In another bowl, whisk soy milk, molasses, eggs, oil and melted butter.
3.  Slowly stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until combined.
4.  Pour into prepared pan(s)
5.  Bake for 60 minutes for 1 large 12" pan (less time for 2 smaller pans).
6.  Let cake slightly cool before serving.

Optionally, Top With:  
Brown Rice Syrup And Butter

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup brown rice syrup ( or honey)

Directions
1.  In a small bowl, mix butter and brown rice syrup, until smooth and consistent.
2.  Spread on top of your favourite warm bread.  Enjoy!



Sunday 27 January 2013

An Ice Journey

If I knew where poems came from, I'd go there. - Michael Langley



The other day, I read an article listing the wonderful things Canadian families could do together during the winter months.  The list included:  ice fishing, snow tubing, ice skating in Ottawa, ice hockey, building snow structures, visiting winter festivals in Quebec...and my two favourites:  stay in an "igloo" and go dog sledding.
All right, so I have had many Canadian adventures...but none of them included igloos or dog sleds.
 
Through the marsh...
However, today I did have a real "Canadian" adventure. (Even though we did not see any igloos or have a
 dog sled with which to travel.)

Inspired by the deep freeze...my husband thought it would be fun to take a trip over the frozen lake behind our home.  With my children and nieces and nephews, he led us on our first winter wilderness journey. 
My daughter and nieces on the trek...


  

I have never seen children...on a two hour hike... smile as much as these 9 children smiled today. They, too,  had never travelled through a world of ice.  In addition, there were other benefits, just think of it:
  • no one was hot
  • no one was thirsty (if they were they could eat the snow)
  • no one complained and wanted to stop too long (chance of frost bite might set in)
trying to see beneath the ice...


What began as an band of reluctant small travellers, soon turned into an afternoon of excitement and wonder...and I hope many good memories, too.
So, to your list of many winter activities...igloos and dog sleds aside...I hope you add...an afternoon hike like ours...just a simple walk through an icy landscape.
walking across the lake...

Our brave trekkers

The End!

Saturday 26 January 2013

If wishes came true...

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.

What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
-T.S. Elliot


In the beginning of January, it was suggested to me, to write my hopes for the year on a piece of paper and carry it with me, tucked in my pocket.  I do always like new beginnings, as if they are a chance to try again...or even to move ahead.
I am excited at what the year might bring.  So I have thought...and thought...what I might hope for in this coming year.  And I think I have finally decided.  What would you hope for?


Sunday 20 January 2013

Through My Daughter's Eyes, Part 2

In the depths of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. - Albert Camus

On a wintery walk, my daughter found beauty in the smallest of things. These are her photographs of the day..I hope you enjoy!















Tuesday 8 January 2013

Winter Pictures, Part 2

No Snowflake ever falls in the wrong place. - Zen Proverb

The moon at sunrise

a snowman at sunrise

Sunrise 

Sunrise over the countryside


lakeside

exploring a wintry world

ice flowers

green
new growth