Chocolate and Snow--Two of My Favorite Things

My husband loves the snow. He could spend every weekend in the mountains skiing, snowshoeing, even sledding. We don't get there that often. Last Saturday was a prime example of why he loves it so much. The kids came home and we spent Saturday in Paradise, literally and figuratively. 

Snowshoeing at Paradise, Mt. Rainier

I love snow, too. Living here where the snow is infrequent at best and being a mere hour or so from it is even better. We've got camellias, daffodils, cherry trees and more in bloom now and a snowy Paradise just up the road.

One of the snacks we enjoyed at the top was a new chocolate recipe I came across on Pinterest. I really didn't change it up, except it said to soak the dates and since I used Medjool dates I didn't need to soak them. This very simple five ingredient recipe for Chocolate Brownie Energy Bites, from The Lemon Bowl is delicious and just what we needed to get back down the mountain!

Chocolate Brownie Energy Bites

There are risks in living among the mountains. As we snowshoed a mudslide was reaking havoc on Oso, Washington nearby. Our prayers are with all those involved in this catastrophic event.

I look up to the mountains;

    does my strength come from mountains?

No, my strength comes from God,

    who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

Psalm 21:1-2 (The Message)

Oso Mudslide

Here's more information on the situation and how you can help from Washington Trails Association.

Linda <><

Chocolate Obsession

When I radically shifted my diet, about a year and a half ago, to a healthier more thoughtful way of eating, I gave up many of my favorite things. Since then I've had two hot dogs (one of my 'old' favorite things). Also, the last time I had a hamburger was Mother's Day 2013. After our traditional Mother's Day hike we stopped at Boomer's Drive-In. I might eat one slice of bread a week, one half slice at a time. My bread of choice is Dave's Killer Bread and I keep it in the freezer, toast it and top it with either peanut butter or coconut oil and cinnamon. I'm not vegetarian or vegan, but I have become very picky about the meat, poultry and fish I consume, and it is much less frequent. All of these changes have been well worth it. The weight loss is almost a side note to just how much better I feel.

That being said, I love chocolate and one way or another I eat some every day. (It is healthy after all.) Costco carries some really yummy dark chocolates. The latest two I tried and fell madly in love with were the Dark Chocolate Enrobed Mangoes and Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries. These probably are not the healthiest thing in the world, but I keep my consumption limited. 

I believe the best way to have my special treats is to make them. Putting time into the process of creating my treat makes it even more special. I found a great chocolate recipe with only three ingredients and have been using it, when I am desperate for my dark chocolate, for quite some time. The recipe is for mini peanut butter cups. I like to use the basic chocolate for a variety of creative, tasty treats. 

Chocolate Obsession

3 basic ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup cocoa or cacao

1/4 cup maple syrup

possible add-ins:  nuts, cacao nibs, dark chocolate chips,
dried fruits, crystallized ginger, peanut butter,
almond butter...

How I do it: First, I work the coconut oil a bit to soften it (this will depend on room temperature, it's always pretty cool here). Then, I add the cacao and and maple syrup and mix well. Next, add in whatever you like, drop by spoonfuls on waxed or parchment paper and place in freezer until hardened. I sprinkled a little extra cacao on top before chilling. Store in a plastic container in the refrigerator.

This made about  9 ounces -- 17 pieces.

It's great to find so many healthier recipes online. Reboot With Joe was my first and remains one of my favorite sites. Supper tonight (brought to you by the internet:): Arabic Lentil Soup and Massaged Kale Salad and, or course, chocolate!

If you're interested in more, mostly healthy recipes I've been collecting, check out my pinterest.

For Lent this year we are purging and donating in our house. I'm so grateful God loves the imperfect, because we've already missed a day or two. Do you observe Lent? How? One year I actually gave up chocolate! What was I thinking?

Linda <><

Mason Jar Gold-- Recipe Edition #2

It is better to eat a little where there is love

than to eat a lot where there is hate.

Proverbs 15:17

I was desperate for something hot to drink and I really, really wanted something richer than tea. I gave up coffee a year and a half ago. I still love the smell and have an occasional cup with friends, but I don't want to make a habit of it. Then, as if by magic, this recipe shows up on my pinterest! The recipe, or tutorial,  is Two Minute Hot Chocolate By the Mug. I had all the ingredients I needed in the house! It is so basic you can make all kinds of variations. The following is how I tweaked it.

Gotta Have Something Warm

and Chocolaty Fast

Hot Chocolate

1 cup milk (I used a mix of coconut, the carton type, & almond milk)
2 tablespoons chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet
        dark chocolate chips)
1 teaspoon honey (or other sweetener) optional
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cardamon 
1/8 teaspoon ground chili or cayenne 

Pour milk in a Mason jar large enough to leave space for the other ingredients with a little space for shaking. Heat milk for a minute or two in the microwave. Add remaining ingredients. Put lid on jar and shake! Drink and enjoy, or add marshmallows or whipped cream. Any spices are optional, this mix makes a nice Mexican chocolate. There are obvious liqueurs that would be heavenly additions.

I like using the jar so you can shake it and get a bit of froth, but you can stir it until the chocolate chips melt in a mug. A Mason jar cozy is perfect for this to keep the drink warm and hands safe.

I made these for neighbors and fellow Seahawks fans. They fit bottles and the narrow Mason jars.

On a side note, I am slowly conquering the monster photo bins! I've reduced and organized most of them. There are still some albums I need to get to. I would love to do some books with Shutterfly or something. I'll have to think on that. 

This one might explain why I'm a fan of Wes Anderson movies. I know it's black and white, but I still see the gold couch and rich browns, reds and greens of the drapes. Well, I still have those drapes and they are still in pretty good shape.

That's me, 1971

Have a blessed, warm and colorful week!

Linda <><

Mason Jar Gold -- Recipe Edition #1

Mom's Rhubarb Preserves
circa 2003

The basement walls were lined with Mason jars filled with pickles, peaches, preserves and tomatoes. Mom was a teacher and spent the summers gardening, freezing and canning. We would never go hungry. Though not wealthy we were rich in love, faith and, of course, food. 

Mason jars are practical, but I also have a deep sentimental attachment to these glass jars, the rubber ring and the metal band. When I left home for college and eventually marriage Mom lavished me with her canned goods with one stipulation. The empty jars were to be returned. Mason jars were gold to Mom. 

I think Mason jars are gold, too. But if I give you one please keep it! Just promise me you'll use it. The uses are infinite. In my house we use them as drinking glasses, leftover storage, salad makers, button holders and on and on. Here's one of my new favorites.

The other day I found this recipe for Coconut Chia Seed Pudding and put my own spin on it. My chocolate loving family adores this:

CHOCOLATE CHIA SEED PUDDING

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1-2 tbsp sweetener (I like honey or maple syrup)
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 3 tbsp cacao powder or cocoa powder
• 2 tsp maca powder(optional)
• assorted additions: fresh raspberries, dried fruit, nuts, dark chocolate chips, cacao nibs, hemp hearts...

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine the milks and sweetener in a jar and put the lid on and shake the jar. 
2. Add the chia seeds, cacao powder, and maca powder and shake again.
3. Refrigerate overnight (at least 6 hours).This is when the magic happens; it turns into a tapioca-like pudding.
4. Serve in a bowl with chosen additions and enjoy!

Can you say chocolate for breakfast?

Do you have favorite mason jar recipes? What unique use do you have for mason jars?