Banana "Pancakes" and More Pinterest Lovin'

I mentioned that my Pinterest pins far out number my Pinterest creations. I am determined to change that (and get my dining room back - it's mysteriously turned into a Pinterest holding cell). Here is my latest creation - the ornament wreath. I am really happy with how it turned out, it's a little mesmerizing to be honest, so sparkly. A word of caution to anyone tempted to make one - it uses a LOT of ornaments, I couldn't believe how many. In hindsight, I'd wait to make it after Christmas when ornaments are on clearance and bust this beauty out next year!

I have been a little hooked on these gluten-free, grain-free "pancakes" and thought you might enjoy them too. SUPER easy, and really satisfying. Top with fresh berries, yogurt, a little honey, or whatever your little heart desires! Enjoy!

Banana "Pancakes" (for one serving)


3 eggs (not egg whites, you WANT the yolk, don't let the egg white craze fool you!)
1 ripe banana
2 tbsp chopped pecans (I like to roast them in the oven for a few minutes to make them flavorful and crunchy)

In a bowl mash the banana until smooth, add eggs and beat together. Add pecans. Pour "batter" into a small skillet. Cook one side until the edges hold together, flip and cook other side.

Recipe Conversion Challenge - Bring it Baby....

It's almost a New Year. I love New Year's. There is something spiritual about it for me. It's very symbolic of the new mercies every morning idea. A wonderful, fresh beginning. While I'm not a big fan of New Year's resolutions, I do like the idea of New Year's restorations. What in your life do you hope to see restored in the New Year? One HUGE area of restoration in my family will continue to be the quest for radiant digestive wellness for my husband. After much prayer, we have decided that our goal for him this year is to be medication free and thriving. After nearly losing him last year to the ravages of Crohn's Disease it's an exercise in both trust and faith that the Lord is bigger than this disease and that He has led us to a doctor (ND), nutritional therapies, and diet that WILL heal my husband. I can't wait to give praise this year as we journey together! I desire increased health for you in the coming year too. I am learning more and more about how much the right kinds of food, vitamins, and minerals can literally work miracles in the body. Give the body what it needs and it will do amazing things!! I will share more about that in the months to come as well. However, for now I'm inviting you to make small changes to your diet to improve your health. Send me your favorite recipe, dish, food, etc. that you want to enjoy in a healthier version. I will work on them and post the recipe conversions on New Years day (submit as many as you like). Come on I dare ya - bring it!

"Cheesy" Chicken and Rice So Good it Will Make Your Cheese Cry!

Are you addicted to Pinterest? Ummmm....hello, talk about daily inspiration! It's like inspiration overload! I was getting so hooked, I had to regulate myself with a few self-imposed Pinterest rules. Rule #1 - you may not pin indefinitely. There must be actual creation in conjunction with pinning. I decided that until I'd created, implemented, cooked, tied, smeared, dipped, glittered, mod-podged, or worn at least one item from each of my boards, I would take a pinning hiatus. Yep, that motivated me to get moving! I choose this little cutie from my "holiday decorating" board. This cute, easy, inexpensive Lima bean wreath took me two hours and ten dollars. Incidentally, I also discovered why in the world God made Lima beans. Turns out they're for wreaths, ahhhh, no wonder (never been a Lima-lover! Gag.)

OK, on to cheese, well sort of. Tonight's recipe will be photo-less, because it was inhaled before I could snap a shot (always a good sign!). This "cheese" recipe is flat delish and even the pickiest cheese sauce lover would be hard pressed to detect that there is not a lick of cheese or dairy in it. So good it will make your real cheese cry! I use it for a lot of different recipes, pour it over chips for nachos, thin it out for broccoli cheese soup, pour it over enchiladas, and more.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice

"Cheese" Sauce  (adapted from Vitamix)

1/3 cup raw cashews

1 cup unsweetened almond milk (whatever non-dairy milk you prefer)

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp arrowroot powder

3 tbsp nutritional yeast

2 tsp lemon juice

3/4 tsp salt

Blend VERY well in Vitamix (or good blender) until completely smooth. Pour into a sauce pan over low/medium heat. Whisk constantly to desired thickness (it will be really runny and then all of a sudden get thick, don't stress). For this recipe, once thick and smooth, add 1/4 cup (or more if you like) sun dried tomatoes and stir into sauce.

Combine brown rice, chopped chicken, steamed broccoli, and sun dried tomato cheese sauce together and serve. Enjoy!