A trip to the south

There is nothing more special than seeing family and friends to make the heart feel whole. Since my husband is in the military we only get to visit home (Alabama) about once a year. It has been over two years for him and one for me since our last visit. So this past week we flew home for a week for the wedding of one of his childhood best friends. It was great to see our friends and family. Although the heat, humidity and bugs made us really appreciate living in Washington state, where we are now stationed. Due to some bad weather getting back to Seattle proved to be a complete pain and we ended up having to leave from another airport the following morning.

 Visiting some of our Navy friends that are now stationed in the south.

Three generations of Blackstock's.

Russell and I with the bride and groom at the reception.

Oh, can't forget me and my bestie on my birthday

“Being Southern isn't talking with an accent...or rocking on a porch while drinking sweet tea, or knowing how to tell a good story. It's how you're brought up -- with Southerners, family (blood kin or not) is sacred; you respect others and are polite nearly to a fault; you always know your place but are fierce about your beliefs. And food along with college football -- is darn near a religion.”  -Jan Norris

Oh, and ROLL TIDE!!

Fruit & Oat Bars

What you will need
1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

1 1/2 Cups Rolled Oats

1 Tsp Cinnamon

1/2 Tsp Nutmeg

1/2 Tsp Baking Soda

1/4 Tsp Sea Salt

1/3 Cup Maple Syrup

1/3 Cup Corn Oil

1/2 Tsp Vanilla

1/3 Cup Unsweetened Fruit Spread/Jam (I used a Peach Jam)

Preheat oven to 350°. In a bowl mix the dry ingredients. Add maple syrup, corn oil, and vanilla mix well. In a small baking or Pyrex dish (I used a bread dish so that I could cut them into long bars) press half the mix like a pie crust. Spread the fruit jam and the cover with the rest of the mix. 

Bake for 25 min. Makes about 6 bars. Let cool, and enjoy!

Banana Bread

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 Organic Egg

1 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Canola Oil

2 tsp Buttermilk

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

3 Brown Bananas Mashed

1/2 Cup Chopped Walnuts

Preheat oven to 325°. Grease loaf pan with canola oil & dust with flour.

Mix together. Pour into pan and add walnuts to the top of the batter. Bake for 1hr or until toothpick inserted in the center comes clean. 

Moist and delicious!

Blueberry Muffins

I love blueberry muffins! I make them all the time. I love how you use honey instead of white sugar for this recipe.

Makes 12 muffins

Topping
2	tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4	teaspoon ground cinnamon
Muffins
3/4	cup soy or fat-free milk
1/4	cup canola or soybean oil
1/4	cup honey
1	egg
1	cup all-purpose flour
1	cup whole wheat flour
3	teaspoons baking powder
1/2	teaspoon salt
1	cup frozen organic blueberries (do not thaw)

   (If in season use fresh blueberries)

1.	Heat oven to 400°F. Spray muffin cups with cooking spray, or place paper baking cup in each muffin cup. In small bowl, stir together topping ingredients and set aside.
2.	In large bowl, beat milk, oil, honey and egg with spoon until well blended. Stir in flours, baking powder and salt just until dry ingredients are moistened. Then add blueberries.
3.	Divide batter in muffin cups. Sprinkle with topping.
4.	Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and muffins are golden brown. Immediately remove from pan.

How To Read Produce Labels

From Sophie Uliano the Author of Gorgeously Green


Want to know if your apple is organic?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtnOg_HFJyg&NR=1