Updates- It's September!

[[Remembering all the Families who lost loved one's on 9/11.]]


It's been awhile since I've blogged. I am not sure if it's because I am mostly busy working and cooking and cleaning and eating-- or some other sort of excuse. I am currently working at Samaritan's Feet- a non-profit that is based out of Charlotte! We give shoes to people all over the world. It is pretty exciting over here lots of things happening.

On another note- I getting a little more excited about things happening in Charlotte as far as food goes. There is a new bakery that is opening up this Friday-- 4th Ward Bread Co., which also happens to be in my favorite neighborhood in town. More on this later- when I actually go there. I have had some of there products recently since a farmer has been selling their baked goods at the Market on Saturdays, I must say I can't wait to actually go to the bakery and enjoy more of their delicious items.

Also this past weekend my sister&brother-in law visited with their qt pie Leighton- who steals my heart.

I love them and miss them a lot!

Here are some tiny photos from my phone.

Kasey's Birthday!

                                            My Father In Laws Movie came out last weekend!

Grain-free coffee chocolate cookies

I love cookies. I love warm, soft, out of the oven cookies. My favorite has probably always been plain chocolate chip- and if you add coffee they are even better. Last week I made these. I would definitely make them again- and they definitely wake you up since they is some coffee in them!

I found the recipe here and changed it a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Yield: 8-9 cookies

 

Ingredients

 

1 cup almond meal

1/8 tsp baking soda

3 tbsp real butter

2 tbsp raw honey

3 tsp water

1 tsp vanilla

3-4 tbsp dark chocolate chunks

1.5 tbsp ground coffee beans

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350
2. Mix together almond meal and soda
3. Stir in melted butter, honey, and vanilla
4. Mix the water as needed to mix everything together
5. lastly add chocolate and coffee
6. Form about 8-9 cookies on your greased baking sheet/parchment paper
7. Bake for about 10 minutes until the edges are golden brown
8. Let sit for 5-10 minutes so the cookies harden

Enjoy!

Camp Lurecrest

 Rock Climbing Wall-best view

 Chapel

 Roland with Jessi

 Jessi-best camp dog

 By the chapel

This is Camp Lurecrest. Roland and I were there in the spring (I think?) for a retreat not too long ago-- well less than a year. This is one of my favorite places in the world. This is where we started dating- where my life was transformed, and where I saw kids lives changed through the gospel. This place is so peaceful and full of God's work. There are times where I remember camp and wish I could still work there -- still be a counselor-- still develop these strong relationships that Lurecrest brings. The camp is situated in the mountains in Lake Lure, North Carolina- the fresh mountain air, the nature, the friendships, God's grace can't be beat. I miss camp. I am thankful for this place for encouraging me to live my life in a restored new way. The way that God's love in shown here and the way people respond to the gospel is powerful. I pray more kid's lives are changed and that Lurecrest will forever be a camp with strong leaders with Christ's mission in mind.

Cheesy Beef Meat Balls

Ingredients

1 lb grass fed ground beef
Shredded cheddar cheese (enough for stuffing)
1 small red onion
1 tsp oregano
a pinch of cumin
1/2 tsp cardamom
1.5 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp mustard (I used basil mustard)
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 egg
1 handful of breadcrumbs (you can make this yourself- toast your bread, use food processor)

 Directions

1.  Mix the beef with all of the ingredients, except the cheese
2. Mold meat balls into about 8-10 small balls
3. Push a hole in the ball and stuff each with cheese
4. Close the hole back up
5. Heat some real butter- over medium heat and brown the meat balls
6. Transfer the meatballs into the oven
7. Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes until cooked through



Recipe Inspiration

«IL Patio» Севастополь

I love this Restaurant.
We went to Il Patio- in Svestapol Ukraine a few weeks ago for a date night.  It was a late(r) evening snake, we got a pizza to share. This is probably the best pizza I have ever had- the ingredients were all fresh and the crust was the perfect texture. I would definitely go back here next time I am in Svestapol! This place is definitely on the nicer side of things, but affordable with the USD.

When we walked in with these flowers the server got us a glass half full- we were confused not sure what it was for...then realized they were for the flowers!

Goat Cheese- Red Pepper- Chicken Meatballs

I love this recipe-- because I love GOAT cheese. My husband and I have made this recipe a couple of times now and I find myself craving it here and there. This is a pretty filling meal that can be paired with just a side of vegetables or a salad. I found the recipe here.

Yield 15-16 meatballs


Ingredients

3/4 cup dried breadcrumbs
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1 pasture raised egg
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup roasted sweet peppers, chopped (I get mine from Trader Joe's in a glass jar)
1 1/4 lbs ground chicken
2 ounces goat cheese
1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil

2. Put peppers in the food processor or chop finely

3. In a bowl combine breadcrumbs, garlic, sea salt, oregano, egg, milk, and peppers 

4. Now add the chicken, make sure not to over mix -- since this will make the meatballs dryer. Just mix enough so that the ingredients are well combined

5. Form 15-16 meatballs with your hands and place them onto the  baking sheet

6. Break apart the goat cheese and evenly distribute the cheese amongst the meatballs on top

7. Drizzle your olive oil on the meatballs so they turn nice and brown

8. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until your chicken is ready

 

Enjoy!

 

Catching up-- UPDATES!

Hello! I have a lot of catching up to do. I was out of the country for a few weeks and then started a new job- so things have been pretty busy around here. My family and I went to Ukraine to spend some time traveling and visiting family there- my husband's first time in Ukraine! It was a really great time and I honestly wish I could be there longer. I love the country! I also really miss my family that is still there.
It has also taken some time to get back into the normal routine of cooking at home and then we both got some weird lingering stomach aches from who knows what.

Anyway I should be back soon to post pictures of our travels, etc.

Stay tuned....


Have a lovely week,

Lilia

Washington DC

I got another chance to go with my husband to another great city! This one I also really really liked...maybe even more since it's bigger and a lot more to see.

This was my first time going to DC-- I know what you're thinking, didn't you take a field trip in 8th grade or something? ...Nope for some reason I didn't.

We only had two days here so it was pretty impossible to see all of the famous monuments and tour the white house, see the capital close up, etc.. I guess I could have jumped on one of those tour buses- instead I walked 10 miles hoping to see more on my own terms. (Wasn't very well planned)

I think I could live in DC- there are many different areas and a lot to do it seems.

OF course the White house--- the lights went off literally after we took this photo.

 

 

Pretty historic buildings

 

Best coffee beans in the world- Mad Cap originated in Grand Rapids Michigan

 Baked and Wired coffee shop in George Town DC!

Cool wooden menu at Regent Thai restaurant in DC

It was deliciousss!

March Against Monsanto

Did you go out on Saturday to March against Monsanto? This march was happening in 250 cities worldwide, did you realize this march was happening most likely in your city?  Well it sure was happening in Charlotte and my husband and I only heard about it that morning! I guess I should be more involved/aware/pay attention to these things more closely. Well we heard about the march from a lady that we buy delicious greens from at the farmers market every week. She asked us if we were attending the march, and told us passionately about it--about Monsanto, the terrible/horrible/crazy company that is taking control of the food industry and food production and seeds, and affecting so much negatively globally. We are both aware of this and it was so good to listen to someone who really cares, who is really affected (probably more than us) as a local farmer (Harmony Gardens). If you live in Charlotte go to Atherton Mill and buy her greens mix- it is the BEST! Anyway we ended up stopping by the March since we already had plans for the afternoon. I really wish we knew about it sooner so I could actually march.

If you don't know much about Monsanto-- do a little Research. It is a seed giant, it controls more of the world's seeds-- as in it has genetically modified seeds like soybeans, corn, etc. Most of these seeds are found in a lot of food that most people consume daily. Have you looked at the ingredient labels on your food? Is corn syrup, soybean oil, soy lecithin, labeled? Most likely these are GMO (genetically modified organisms) that are in your food!

Read ingredients, buy organic when possible, buy local!

Support your local farmers- you vote with your dollars.

Atlanta Travels

A few weeks ago I went to Atlanta with my husband. I've driven through Georgia before but never took the time to stop in Atlanta. My husband thankfully had a training there for two days so I was able to explore. I quickly Google searched ' the best coffee shops in Atlanta ', and looked for organic places to eat...and of course where to shop.

The last day I was there I planned to go to two coffee shops since the day before I spent most of the day shopping.

I found these two must-go-to coffee shops!

Condesa is off John Wesley Dobbs Ave in Atlanta. This reminds me of Not Just Coffee in Charlotte- Counter culture coffee, great modern space with delicious drinks.

 Cappuccino

 Octane coffee bar on the West side, great sandwiches [Carrot + Chickpea & Chevre] and tea! (Couldn't bring myself to get another caffeinated drink in one day)

Oh they also have doughnuts from a local place called Sublime-- they were so good ( I don't really love doughnuts but these were really homemade and awesome!)

I really enjoyed Atlanta!

Grain-Free Cinnamon Rolls

How was every one's Mother's day? This was probably the first Mother's Day that I did not see my mom. I was in D.C and then NY this past week/weekend. First time being in either city-- both were really cool places.

I made these cinnamon rolls last week and they were really delicious-- I ate too many of them...not a great idea. My husband definitely loved them as well.

Yield
about 8


Ingredients:
1 and 3/4 cups almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
dash of sea salt
2 pastured eggs (I used duck eggs)
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp cinnamon
coconut oil for coating baking sheet

glaze with maple syrup and coconut oil

Directions:
[Preheat oven to 325]

1. Combine flours, soda, salt, then add in the eggs
2. The dough should become a wet ball
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and coat with coconut oil
4. Coat another sheet of parchment paper with oil as well
5. Place the dough in between the two sheets of paper and form a rectangle shape with the dough ( about 1/4 inch thick)
6. Now drizzle the dough with honey and coat with cinnamon
7.  With the help of you parchment paper--roll the dough into a log- the dough will crack and fall apart, just piece it together as you go.
8. Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes (or over night if making for the next morning)
9. Take out of refrigerator and cut log into 8 pieces
10. Place on baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes at 325 degrees
11. Take out of the oven, let cool for 3 minutes and drizzle maple syrup and coconut oil on top


Enjoy for breakfast or dessert! 

Buttermilk Spelt flour pancakes

Finally the sun came out in Charlotte! After a week of cold rainy weather. It has been one of the weirdest Springs we've had. Usually you would expect the weather to be scorching hot already but it's been pretty chilly and random.

So on another note- today I really wanted pancakes....so I made some... for lunch!
I love pancakes- they are so good (IF you make them right), I don't love the frozen packaged pancakes you buy at the store..or even those super fake tasting pancakes you get at some places. I love homemade made right pancakes!

When I visited Roland in College up at Calvin- I went to a couple pancake breakfasts that a bunch of his friends use to do. They were so fun, a crowded house with delicious pancakes and coffee--definitely my idea of a Saturday morning.

Here is a recipe that uses Spelt flour-- I bought some a few weeks ago and finally used it today. I will also be making sourdough bread with Spelt flour...more on that later.


Yield 1 (double the recipe for more!)

Ingredients:

1 cup Spelt Flour
1/2 tbsp raw local honey
a dash of sea salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 duck egg ( you can use a chicken eggs too)
1 tbsp melted grass-fed butter
extra butter for the frying pan

Directions:

1. Combine the flour, honey, salt, powder, soda in a mixing bowl.
2. In a smaller bowl combine- buttermilk, egg, and butter
3. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients
4. mix together- leaving the batter a bit clumpy
5. Place your frying pan over medium-heat and brush it with some butter
6. When the butter starts to bubble- put about 1 tbsp of batter into the pan
7. When you see the pancake bubble and the sides turn gold flip it!
You may want to adjust the heat to lower so your pancakes don't burn.

Serve with plenty of grass-fed butter and organic 100% maple syrup.

Fruit Salad

 I love fruit. I don't eat a ton of it, but usually at this time of the year I am craving it. It reminds me of spring and summer and all the sweet things the come along those two seasons.
This is a super simple recipe that you can make in 5 minutes.

Yield: 

Serves two people, or one ;-)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup organic strawberries ( I know it's expensive sometimes, but worth it since strawberries have such thin skin)
1 kiwi
1/3 banana
1/2 tsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp organic REAL maple syrup
a squeeze of lemon juice
a few strands of fresh thyme

Directions:

Just mix all the ingredients and enjoy for desert!