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!