Friday, June 29, 2012

Coconut Vanilla Ice Cream! Dairy-free!!

Let's face it, it's summer... when I hear summer I hear ice cream! I love ice cream. Alot. After many flops THIS is the recipe we love!!! The possibilities of flavors are endless if you keep this your basic recipe!

Coconut Vanilla Ice Cream

2c coconut milk (i use canned because its thicker and works better!)
1/2c raw honey
5-8 drops vanilla stevia
1-2 tsp. pure vanilla
1/4 tsp. guar gum or arrowroot

*I usually double this recipe*

First, I mix all of the ingredients in my vitamix then pour into my wonderful, beautiful, amazing ice cream maker. Then I push on, leave it for 30 mins and move it to my freezer. Voila! Super easy! Then I would suggest taking the ice cream out of the freezer approx. 20 mins before serving! Top with berries or your favorite topping! Also tastes delicious in root beer floats!

P.S. my ice cream maker (that I adore) is this one : http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-ICE-30BC-Indulgence-2-Quart-Automatic/dp/B0006ONQOC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1341028346&sr=8-2&keywords=cuisinart+ice+cream+maker

Thursday, June 28, 2012

New Website and Podcasts!

Wow...long time no chat! Sorry about that! I wanted to let everyone know that, along with a friend, we have started a new blog and have uploaded some podcasts that you can now get on itunes for free! Our blog called www.awakeningbeauty.org is mainly for women/wives/mamas and focuses on having steadfast conviction while serving God, our husbands and our children! I would love feedback! And I do promise to still post recipes/homeschooling/family stuff here! Happy Thursday!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Honduras!!!!

My eldest daughter Faith and I are getting ready to go on a missions trip to Honduras in the the beginning of March.  We will be serving in a medical clinic and an orphanage. We are beyond excited. Planning for this trip and been one open door after another. God is so good! This is a first trip for both of us. I have a feeling it will not be our last, especially Faith. She has a real call on her life. I thought some of you may enjoy reading our Missions support letter. When we come home I will be posting about our adventure and posting pics! Have a beautiful day!! 


Dear Family and Friends,

I’m writing to tell you about an amazing opportunity my daughter, Faith, and I have. It is our great desire to go on a missions trip to Honduras with the World Gospel Outreach Organization in March. I know this is short notice, but the Lord has brought it before us in so many ways and opened so many doors, we cannot ignore it. We know it is His calling and He will provide.

I would like to tell you a little about Faith, 11 years of age. She has had a REAL heart for missions, especially orphans, for years. In the past four years Faith has raised money to help pay for a Smile Train operation for one child and raised enough money to buy a goat for the little girl we sponsor in Ethiopia. She saved for over two years for her childhood dream, a husky dog. With over $200 saved, one night Faith said she knew clearly that God wanted her to use that money to help orphans. She was rewarded with a wonderful birthday surprise of a husky puppy from family members. Faith has eagerly read every book about missionaries she can, to fuel that very real call on her life. I, too, definitely have a “Servants heart,” and can’t wait to further God’s Kingdom.

Faith and I will have a week long stay at “The Ranch,” which includes a medical clinic to help the local villages and an orphanage. Can you just see the excitement in Faith’s eyes as her dreams unfold before her? Our service there will be, first and foremost, to tell people in the surrounding villages about Jesus: that they are not alone, but loved and cherished by the One who came to save us. Secondly, we will serve in the clinic and orphanage. Also, we’ll assist wherever we can with repairs, painting, etc.

Just imagine! If ONE orphan comes to Christ, our service will not be in vain. I hope you see the same value in what WE CAN accomplish in Jesus’ name! A trip like this, for us, will require financial support. Faith and I , together, need to raise $3000 before March. We have plans to do all we can, and ask that you prayerfully consider helping us. Whether or not you feel God’s leading to contribute financially, we covet your prayers for safety and boldness in carrying the banner of Christ. Prayer is the fuel that will bring us success in His name.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and any financial support you feel led to give. May God richly bless you.



Because some have not yet heard,

Caitlin and Faith Steng

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Homemade Candy Bars..... seriously.

I cannot explain how yummy these bars are. Why you ask? Because there are no words for their deliciousness. Try them. Today. You will not be sorry. ;)

Homemade Candy Bars
altered from New Nostalgia

1c peanut/almond/sunflower butter
2/3c raw honey
1/2c coconut oil
2c oats
1c dark chocolate chips
coconut to sprinkle on top

Melt the nut/seed butter, honey and coconut oil together in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir together with oats and chocolate chips. The chocolate chips will melt, you want this to happen. Spread evenly into a 7X11 or 8X8 " pan and sprinkle the desired amount of coconut on top. Place in refrigerator and restrain yourself from eating them until they are cooled and hard. Then make a latte or cup of coffee, get yourself a cooled "candy bar", grab a good book and enjoy your quiet time! Try not to get chocolatey finger prints in your book. ;) Enjoy!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Meal Plan 1/29/12- 2/5/12

Here is our meal plan for the week... per request ;) I pray everyone has a blessed week!!

Sunday
breakfast- homemade granola with coconut milk
lunch-flatbread with smeared avocado, turkey, sprouts
dinner-gluten/dairy free biscuits and gravy with green smoothies

Monday
breakfast- homemade gluten/dairy free blueberry muffins with fruit
lunch- veggie stir fry
dinner-crockpot turkey chili with gluten/dairy free cornbread

Tuesday
breakfast- homemade granola with coconut yogurt and berries
lunch- flatbread with sunflower butter, sliced apples and honey
dinner- Shredded elk enchiladas with homemade beans and spanish rice

Wednesday
breakfast- smoothies and toast
lunch- flatbread with tuna and sprouts
dinner- Breakfast burros/tacos with turkey bacon and green smoothies

Thursday
breakfast- oatmeal
lunch- hummus, rice chips and salad
dinner- potato bar with fix-ins (leftover homemade chili, yogurt, green onions, turkey bacon, tomatoes, japs, lettuce, etc.)

Friday
breakfast- granola with coconut milk
lunch- flatbread with smeared avocado, turkey, sprouts and sliced apples
dinner- gluten free pizza with roasted veggies on top and a balsamic salad (dinner and a movie!) for dessert a GF version of PW prune cake!

Saturday
breakfast- waffles and berry syrup
lunch- leftovers or flatbread
dinner- PW turkey meatballs with rice and balsamic salad

Snacks for the week
granola bars
lemon bars
chocolate chip cookies
coconut yogurt smoothies

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Oatmeal Coconut Chewies!

These. Are. Delicious. Period.


Oatmeal Coconut Chewies

3 1/2c oats
1 1/2c gluten free flour mix (I used Bob's Red Mill)
3/4c shredded unsweetened coconut
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. Redmond's Real Salt
2 sticks of butter or 1c melted coconut oil (I used coconut oil)
2/3c Sucanat
1/2c raw honey
1/4c applesauce (no sugar added)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1c organic chocolate chips
3/4c dried cranberries

The directions are very simple. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Please. Mix melted butter/coconut oil, honey, sucanat, eggs, vanilla, salt, baking soda and cinnamon together. Then add the flour, coconut and oats, mix well. Then by hand mix in the chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop 1-2T of cookie dough onto cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for approx. 12 mins. Makes approx. 3 dozen cookies. I dare you to eat one straight out of the oven. You will be very happy. Your tummy will thank you. It's even better with a tall glass of coconut milk. Yum. Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Gluten/Dairy Free Sugar Cookies! Frosting Recipe as well!!

Just in time for Christmas!!!

Gluten/Dairy Free Sugar Cookies

2/3c Sucanat or organic powdered sugar
1/4c organic shortening
1/4c coconut oil
2 egg yolks
2 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4c gluten free flour mix
1/2 tsp. Redmond's real salt
3T coconut milk/water (if needed)
guar gum..... if your gf baking mix doesn't have guar or xanthan gum I would add 3/4 tsp.

Blend sucanat in Vita-mix or blender until you get a powdery form. Meanwhile cream together shortening, coconut oil and powdered sugar until fluffy. Then mix in egg yolks, one at a time, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low, scraping the sides if needed. If you need the extra liquid add 1 tablespoon at a time, you don't want it runny. Wrap dough in saran wrap and put in fridge until cold or overnight. Once its cold bring it back out, pat dough down on floured surface and form into a disc. Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the cookie disc and roll out until 1/8" thick. Dust the cookie cutters with flour and push them in, giving a little juggle mind you, we all have a little extra jiggle during the holidays anyways ;). Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 mins. You want the edges to be lightly browned, let them cool on cookie sheet for approx. 3 mins and cool completely before frosting!!


Dairy Free Vanilla Frosting

1 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ cup coconut milk powder
pinch of salt
¼ cup and 2 T. coconut yogurt, divided
½ t. vanilla

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the powdered sugar, coconut milk powder and salt until combined. Using your mixer at a low speed setting, mix in the ¼ cup coconut yogurt until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add the remaining 2 T. coconut yogurt and vanilla and beat until thick and creamy.  Yum-o!!!!