Saturday, March 23, 2013

Vegan Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Happy Saturday Morning, Friends!

We did a great job of using up all of our groceries this week. Almost too good of a job- I ran out of eggs- which left me in a pickle this morning. What do I make for breakfast?!

I don't know about you, but I love to have a slightly more lavish breakfast on the weekends. Something that the weekday rush to get out the door doesn't leave time for. So after thinking about what we had in the pantry and a wonderful suggestion from my husband, I managed to throw together this vegan baked oatmeal. It is fantastic and super easy to make! Obviously, it was vegan by default- all my favorite baked oatmeal recipes call for eggs which I didn't have. But needless to say, I don't think they are missed at all. This recipe is also free of any added sugar- I've been on a crazy sugar binge lately with all the valleys of life and I am committing to one week free of sugar (honey, agave, coconut sugar, etc.) starting today. I wanted to do two weeks, but there is no way I have the willpower to stay away from the goodies on Easter Sunday! ;)

And without further ado, I present my Vegan Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal.

Ingredients.
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1.5 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 Tbs ground flax seed
1 Tbs chia seeds
1 flax egg (1 Tbs ground flax seed + 3 Tbs hot water)
1 cup applesauce
1.5 cups Silk unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1- 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins
1 large apple peeled, diced

Directions.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make the flax egg by combining the flax seed and hot water; set aside to gel. Mix first seven ingredients in large bowl.  Mix wet ingredients in medium bowl. Pour wet ingredients into dry. Once combined, stir in flax egg. Add raisins and apple. Pour into baking dish (I used 7x11 Pyrex dish) and bake for 30 minutes, until top is golden brown and middle is set.

Notes: I like to use a teaspoon to pour my vanilla extract, but let it spill over a bit into the bowl which is why I said 1-1.5 tsp. Love me some vanilla! Make sure both your vanilla extract and applesauce have no added sugar. Surprisingly enough, my current vanilla extract is from Target. This recipe makes about 4-6 servings depending on your appetite. This recipe could be gluten-free if you use certified, gluten-free oats.

And last, but not least- I apologize for the sad lack of photos in this post! I honestly didn't think about blogging this recipe until I tasted it, but then I had to share. I couldn't believe I hadn't added any sugar! Enjoy friends!

<3 K.E.

Monday, March 04, 2013

Sorrow and Loss

Despite my intention of positivity in 2013, life has a way of blindsiding us every once in a while...
 
A dear family member was taken to Heaven yesterday. I wish I had words to console her family. Her children who now have to experience all the great joys and sorrows of life without their mother. Her husband who has lost his other half. Her parents who as they gazed into the face of their newborn daughter never dreamed they would bury their child. My husband who lost a sister he dearly loved. Words are beyond inadequate in the face of such sorrow, such grief. Loss like this is something we never recover from or "get over." This is loss that stays with us forever. The stabbing pain may dull, but we never forget nor would we want to. Our dear loved one is always with us and the memory of her joyful, full life helps us eventually to pick up the pieces of our lives that feel so shattered now.
 
 She suffered greatly over the last two years and she was ready to meet the God whom she dearly loved. But despite knowing that her suffering is over and she is experiencing true joy, we still mourn. We mourn our loss. I guess that is the thing about death- we aren't mourning anything she lost, because she gained something. We are mourning what those of us left behind lost. A sister. A mother. A daughter. A best friend. An incredible, talented, beautiful woman. The world has suffered a great loss, but Heaven has gained a beautiful soul.
 
Requiescat in pace, Cari.
 
You are dearly loved and greatly missed.
 
<3 K.E.