Self-compassion

Sometimes I put off house repairs or projects because I think they’re going to be complicated or time consuming or expensive. And then once I finally tackle them, I realize how easy they were and I think about how much time I wasted not doing the things because I was scared. 

It’s okay to be scared. 

Do the things anyway. 

You’ll be glad you did. 

Pumpkin banana muffins

1 c homemade pumpkin purée

2 mashed bananas

2 eggs

1/3 c plain Greek yogurt

1/3 c sugar of choice (I used brown sugar)

A splash of vanilla 

1 c white flour

1/2 c wheat flour

1/2 c quick oats

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp pumpkin spice

Thoroughly mix all wet ingredients, then add dry ingredients and mix again. Pour 1/4 cupfuls into greased muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. As a bonus, sprinkle with streusel before baking. Makes about 18 muffins. 

Chocolate banana muffins

 2 mashed bananas 

3/4 c plain yogurt 

1/4 c milk 

1/4 c oil

1 egg

3/4 c each white and wheat flour 

1/2 c sugar of choice

2 tbsp cocoa powder 

1/2 tbsp baking soda 

Whisk together all wet ingredients until combined. Add dry ingredients and mix again. Pour batter into greased muffin tins and bake at 375 degrees for 18 minutes or until cooked through. 

Slow granola

4 c rolled oats

1 c chopped pecans

1 c coconut chips

1/2 c sliced almonds 

1/2 c coconut oil, melted

1/4 c brown sugar 

A dash of salt

Mix well in slow cooker. Cook on high for 2 hours with the lid ajar, stirring every 30 minutes. Cool completely before storing. 

Super Moist Pumpkin Banana Bread

2 mashed overripe bananas 
2 eggs
1 scant cup each white flour and whole wheat flour
3/4 cup pumpkin puree 
1/3 cup plain yogurt 
1/3 cup brown sugar 
2 tsp vanilla 
1-2 tsp pumpkin spice, to taste
1 tsp baking soda
A dash each of cinnamon and salt
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Bake in a greased loaf pan at 350 for 40 minutes or until cooked through. 

Your sourdough isn’t dead

Sourdough starter can look super funky after you’ve neglected it in the back of your fridge for a month (two months? Longer? Who can even remember?), but if you give it a good stir, feed it half a cup each of flour and room temperature water, then let it hang out on the counter for a couple hours, it will likely get right back to normal. (You’ll know it’s alive if it’s bubbly.) You may then use it or screw the lid back on and put it back in the back of your fridge until you remember it again. 

Here are some sourdough recipes I like:

Sourdough sweet rolls  

Keto spaghetti squash alfredo

 1/2 spaghetti squash, cut lengthwise 

1 lb mild Italian sausage 

4 oz cream cheese

1 1/2 cups cream

1-2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

Microwave spaghetti squash upside down in a shallow dish of water for 8 minutes until it shreds easily with a fork. 

Meanwhile, cook sausage in a large pan. Once cooked through, add cream cheese and stir until melted. Add cream and Parmesan and continue stirring until melted together. Mix shredded spaghetti squash with sauce and serve sprinkled with parsley or basil, to taste. 

Sourdough sweet rolls

 1/4 cup starter

1/4 cup brown sugar 

3/4 cup milk

1 egg

2 1/2 cups flour

A splash of vanilla 

A sprinkle of salt

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Knead with mixer for 5 minutes, then rest covered overnight. Roll into 8 balls, then rise again for two hours until doubled in size. Brush on egg wash. Bake 375 for 25 minutes. 

Chocolate muffins

 3/4 cup flour

2 tbsp cocoa powder 

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup sweetener (I used honey)

1 egg

3/8 cup plain yogurt 

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 

2 tbsp oil

Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients and mix again. Pour into muffin tins until almost full. Bake 350 for 20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Cauliflower au gratin

 1 head cauliflower, riced

8 oz smoked gouda, shredded 

1 cup cream

I used my kitchen aid shredder for both the cauliflower and the cheese directly into an 8x8 pyrex pan, then poured cream evenly over the top. Baked 350 degrees for 25 minutes.