You-Wont-Even-Know-This-Is-Sugar-Free, Sugar Free Chocolate

Good evening friends!!  Like most Americans, I have a serious sugar addiction.  It's not entirely my fault, as our food is laced and laden with this poison processed white stuff.  It's hard to avoid when it's in places it really has no place in being and when it has such addictive qualities!!!  So after trying to "cut back" and really failing but not quite wanting to commit to cut it out entirely (for fear of giving up and failing...) I decided to challenge myself and give it up for the season of Lent.  No, I'm not Catholic, but I do believe in fasting for the Lord.  And when you give up something that is central to your world, you struggle.  That's the point of Lent... to struggle and lean on the Lord for strength.  When I decided to give up sugar for Lent, I stocked up my pantry with sugar free alternatives.  Now those of you who know me know I am NOT a proponent of frankenfood.  I don't do "sugar free" or "fat free" cookies/crackers/crap.  So when I say I stocked up my pantry, I mean I bought nuts and beef jerkey and fruit/veggies/cheese for the fridge, and made sure I had some erythritol and xylitol on hand for baking and natural, liquid stevia for yogurt and oatmeal and coffee and things.  I have a bit of a sweet tooth and I LOVE to bake so I wanted to  be sure I had some healthy alternatives available when I felt a sugar craving hit.

So in removing all these foods from my diet, (including all wheat and most other carbs with the exception of fruit and having pizza one night at my nephews bday) I knew there was one thing I needed to find in a healthy sugar free alternative:  CHOCOLATE.  

Hi, my name is Kristen and I am a choco-holic.  Big time.  In fact, when deciding what to give up for Lent, it came down to sugar or chocolate.  I chose sugar.  And my googling began to find a good sugar free chocolate recipe to get me through.  I think I tried 4 or 5 different ones but none of them were THEE one.  One was to bitter.  One was too gritty.  One had a "sugar-free" aftertaste - they just weren't right.  So I decided to come up with my own recipe.  So without further adieu, here's my own sugar free chocolate recipe.

Ingredients:

• 5 TBS coconut oil 
• 1/4 cup regular cocoa powder (I used Hersheys..I'm sure there are better brands)
• 1/4 cup extra dark cocoa powder (again, Hersheys)
• 2 tsp real vanilla extract
• 1.5 TBS erythritol, powered in a high-powered blender or coffee grinder
• 1/3 dropper of NuNaturals pure liquid vanilla stevia

Instructions:

1. Melt coconut oil over VERY LOW HEAT.  If the oil is too hot when you melt the chocolate, the chocolate will burn and seize (harden).  Melt over a double boiler if you have it, or just in a pan but make sure your heat is super low.  
2. Remove from heat when oil is melted.
3. Add vanilla, powdered erythritol, and stevia to your oil and whisk for a minute or two to mix up and help melt erythritol.
4. Add cocoa powders to your pan and whisk, whisk, whisk until mixed.  Consistency should be dip-able, but not too thin.  If your mix gets too thick, you can add a little melted coconut oil, to thin. Likewise, if it gets too thin you can add as little more cocoa powder to thicken.
5. If you're dipping things in this chocolate, dip away!  Otherwise, spread mixture on a silicone silpat and place in fridge to harden. Once hardened, you can break it into pieces and store in a container in the fridge, or just leave on the silpat and nibble off of it!  You can also chop to make chocolate chunks to use for chocolate chips.

IMPORTANT:  Do NOT add any liquid to the mix once you've added the chocolate!!!!  (oil for thinning does not count as liquid because it is not water-based)  Adding liquid to chocolate causes it to seize and get hard.  It's still edible, but it's not smooth and you can't use it for dipping.  When this happens to me (can happen from liquid or too-high heat) I eat it plain, use it for baking, or make chocolate chunks out of it.  (I made an amazing paleo banana chocolate custard with some seized chocolate...  It was so rich and so delicious...  perhaps I should post that recipe too, hmmm?)

And there you have it!  Delicious sugar free chocolate!  You can use this in any way you would use regular chocolate, it's just much tastier and much healthier.  Try it out and let me know what you think!

Enjoy!
KDH.

Butternut Squash Soup

I had a friend ask me today what to do with butternut squash and my first thought was... "what CAN'T you do with it??"  I love butternut squash.  It's incredibly versatile and packed with nutrition.  So I thought, for a newbie, the best way to ease into butternut squash would be butternut squash soup.  It's quick, easy, and even my People-Eating-Tasty-Animals husband loves it for dinner.  I don't have good pictures, like I said, this just came up today and I thought if she wanted the recipe, then all of you would, too!  I'm going to give you my basic recipe.  I generally double this (with 2 squash) so I have leftovers for a few days or I throw it into the freezer for later enjoyment.

Side note:  This fits into pretty much ANY dietary eating plan.  It's gluten free, sugar free, egg free, grain free, and can be dairy free or vegetarian.  Party on.

Image  

1 small yellow onion - diced
2 cloves of garlic - peeled and diced (or pre-diced garlic from a jar which is my choice)
3 Tbs butter
1 butternut squash - cut in quarters, seeds and guts removed
1/2 a box organic chicken stock (or homemade.  Trust me the canned stuff is not nearly as good)
4 oz cream cheese
Seasonings to taste:  I generally use about 1 Tbs chili powder, a couple shakes of seasoned salt, some black pepper, a pinch of red chili flakes and  hint of nutmeg

*You will need a blender or food processor for this!

• Melt butter in a large pot, add diced onion and garlic.  Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until onion is completely soft and translucent but not brown

•  While onions are cooking, nuke your butternut squash in a covered microwave-safe container   until the flesh is fork tender; about 10 minutes.  When flesh is completely tender, remove skins and set flesh aside.

• When onions are completely cooked, add butternut squash chunks, cream cheese and chicken stock.  Stir, because stirring is fun, while the cream cheese melts and the squash loosens up a bit.

• When cream cheese is melted and things are smelling amazing, pour the chunky soup into a blender or food processor and process until smooth.  Pour back into pan and continue cooking.

• Season your soup and let everything simmer together.  Taste often.  Real chefs taste their food to make sure it's delicious.  Add more seasonings as necessary.  Did I mention taste often?  Remember you can always add more seasoning but you can't take them out once they're in.  Season carefully.

And there you have it folks - one of thee cheapest and easiest soups to make.  Serve hot with crusty bread on the side.

Dietary modifications:

• If you can't do dairy, substitute the cream cheese for almond milk and the butter for olive oil or coconut oil
• If you're a veggie, simply substitute vegetable stock for the chicken stock
• If you're gluten free - serve with GF bread!

This is also a fantastic soup to make by the truckload and frozen for later.  I'm all about cooking once and eating twice.  Or three or four times....

Enjoy!
KDH.

The Sweetest of Moments

Wednesday is my first day back to work from being off with my baby on maternity leave for the last four and a half months.  I'm sad, anxious, and dreading leaving him in the care of someone other than myself, even if it is grandmas, aunties, and trusted friends.  It's not me.  It's not the same.  I'm going to miss hundreds of smiles, dozens of giggles, and thousands of sweet moments of his little body held close to me.  To complicate this week further, my husband has been working to fix a car in our garage nightly for the last 2 weeks, and we have Life Groups (like Bible study) starting at our house this Thursday.  So in my little world, that means the garage has to be cleaned and organized so both cars can fit in it to allow for more parking for our visitors, the house has to be cleaned, laundry needs done, and I need to get ready for work.  I feel like I have a million things to do before Wednesday.

In the midst of all this internal angst, my little four-month old baby has been teething for about a month.  He's obviously miserable - drooling, gnawing on his hands (or my hands, or towels, or rags, or whatever he can find except for teething toys because he doesn't like any of them).  He's been extra fussy these last couple of weeks and my heart goes out to him, but it can make for trying hours.  Today he was having a rough time and being very fussy.  He had a clean diaper and he'd woken up from a nap about 40 minutes prior.  I tried feeding him but he wasn't interested.  We'd just been playing on his activity mat for about 5 minutes when he began to wail.  I tried all of his usual calming tricks - walking around the house, swaying, singing to him, even his favorite, bouncing on the exercise ball - all to no avail.  As I was bouncing him, I was holding him in my arms trying to coax him to eat, but he wasn't having it and cried harder.  So I sat him up on my knee and just snuggled him.  He was instantly still.  His little head rested perfectly against my chest, his breathing slowed, he released a heavy sigh.  We rocked back and fourth on the exercise ball, he unmoving, for the better part of 20 minutes.  He didn't want to play.  He didn't want to eat.  He didn't need flashy rattles or stuffed animals suspended overhead, he just needed a snuggle with mom.  He just needed me.  

In those sweet moments my to-do list melted from my mind and all I could do was cry.  Tears streamed down my cheeks as I realized I had only one and half more days to cherish these mid-day meltdowns and comforts.  My heart was so full in that moment.  His sweet breath on my chest, his squished little red lips, and my cheek resting on the top of his sweet-smelling baby head.  Back and forth, back and forth we rocked.  His eyelids became heavy and closed and he slept there, snuggled into me, rocking on that stupid exercise ball.  I cried for probably ten minutes before I could pull it together.  These moments are so incredibly sweet.  Life defining.  And, from what I hear, over in a flash.  I'm absolutely dreading not being there to experience every waking (and napping) minute of my son's days.  Thinking of someone else experiencing those snuggling moments, the fits, and the smiles is enough to bring me to a total meltdown right this very moment.  I hate that I can't be home with him (this coming from the person who never wanted kids) but it just has to be this way for now.  Even the debt-free life costs money and I'm ever thankful for my job (and new part-time hours).

So tomorrow is my last day home with him alone.  My schedule is entirely cleared.  I have no plans except to snuggle and play and nap with my baby.  I'm not answering my phone.  I'm not going anywhere.  Because you never know when it could be the last time, the last day, to enjoy such sweet moments.

Enjoy your moments.

Cheers (and sob),
KDH.

New Name!

Evening friends.  To go along with the content changes of my dear blog, I've also changed the title and URL.  Do you have any idea how difficult it is to come up with a unique URL??  Sheesh!  So, for now, I've settled on this one.  Found this piece of wall art at Pier One and absolutely love the message.  It's likely talking about a circus, but it portrays a much deeper and spiritual meaning for myself.  Free admission to the Kingdom is available to anyone, if only they believe...

Cheers!

KDH.

My Own Cautionary Tale For Those of You Approaching New Mothers

Afternoon folks.  I'm just going to get this out of the way right now and state this will likely be an uncomfortable post.  I'm not being rude, just informative.  I'll make it as painless as possible.  Stay tuned.

If you've ever been pregnant, I'm sure you came across a lot information that warned you about strangers, friends, anyone coming up to you and touching your belly.  And how this is uncomfortable and rude and who knows why people actually do this without asking.  I get that folks want to feel the belly - it's cool and hard and there's a baby in there.  But please, people, ask first.  There are a bazillion blog posts about this issue.  I, however, didn't have much of an issue with this.  After years of being ashamed of my stomach because it wasn't as small or flat or hard as it "should" be, I LOVED actually being able to show off my growing belly.  It was no longer something of which to be ashamed, but something important, special, life-sustaining.  I didn't mind one bit when people touched my stomach and I could've cared less if they did so without asking. 

There has been one thing, however, that has been on my mind lately.  Something that really bothers me.  Something that I never came across in my researching (aka endless hours of reading online) while pregnant.  Something I'm sure is meant to be harmless and with good intention, but is, actually, quite rude.

My big baby issue is when people grab my baby out of my arms. 

I understand he's a squishy, cuddly, insanely adorable little nugget of a baby.  But still.  Have some manners, please.  First off, if I want to give up holding my Love and if I want you to hold him, I'll likely offer him to you which is then your chance to say "Oh, I'd love to!!" and reach for him.  (Side note:  If you don't want to, that's totally okay, I didn't really want to give him up anyway, I was just being polite.  Just say no thank you and I'll keep him with me.)  I don't think I've ever denied someone from holding my baby unless I was on my way to change him or feed him.  Okay maybe once or twice...  But please understand, sometimes I just want to hold him.  Also, I'll interject here, please do not say "You have him all the time!" Yes, I do. Because he is MY baby.  I'm his mother.  I need to have him all the time.  I like having him all the time.  This is not a valid reason for you to have him instead of me.

If you are REALLY anxious to hold my Precious and want to cross the manners-politeness boundary, you should at least ask "Oh he's so cute!!! Could I please hold him?" before ripping him out of my arms.  Under no circumstances, ever, ever, ever in life, should anyone be so presumptuous as to just reach in and take a baby from the arms of his mother (or father).  Especially a first time mother.  Especially this mother.

So, if you read this and find yourself having done this thing in the past, it's no big deal.  (Some mothers may not care about this.)  Just move forward from today and be aware of it when you approach a mother and her baby.  Wait patiently.  And if you just can't stand it anymore, ask nicely if you can hold her baby.  And if she says no for any reason, be okay with that.  Like for real okay with it not just polite, bottle-it-up-and-judge-her-later okay with it.  We're given so few precious moments on this earth and even fewer with our babies as little babies.  Please respect that I'm trying to soak up as many as possible with my little guy. 

Thanks,
KDH.

Changes ahead

Friends.  It's been over a year since I've written for you.  There are several reasons for this.  The main, I've realized, is I detest stopping my cooking flow to take pictures.  Not so great for a food blog.  I'd think about writing about a recipe but then realize I had no pictures and who wants to look at a recipe blog without pictures?  I get too in the moment when I cook.... too into the ingredients, the smells, the measuring, the stirring, the watching.... to stop my concentration and take a photograph.  So, Foodie Life is changing.  Yes, there will still be food.  Probably lots of food.  But there will also be thoughts, dreams, goals, projects, opinions (several), insights, and just plain ol' rants.  I'm really good at rants.  I already have a couple in mind.

So what have I been up to for the last year?  If you're just catching up on things, (doubtful in our facebook world...) things in my tiny portion of the world have changed drastically in the last 365+ days.  Last summer my husband and I went on a mission trip to Haiti.  It changed us.  We loved it.  We sweat a lot.  We want to go back someday.

We returned to the States to find out a few days later I was pregnant with our first child.  We were shocked at the surprise (surprise!!) and I was terrified.  For about a day.  Then when it sunk in that I had a little tiny baby growing inside of me I fell instantly in love.  I was so excited for this new adventure.  (This coming from the person who was never going to have kids....)  So I had a baby!!  Exactly one year to the day from my last post (weird much?).  My life changed instantly on June 5th, 2013 when this guy made me a mama.  Pleased to introduce Marcus Keith Hutton..

My tiny little Perfect.   My little nugget of Heaven here on earth.  A piece of my heart living outside of me.  I can't imagine my life without him, the overwhelming love was so instantaneous.  But that is an entire blog post (or 10,000) of it's own.... 

So life's changed more than a bit.  And I've realized over the last 8 weeks of my motherhood experience I need a written outlet.  I have millions of thoughts bouncing around inside of my head at any given time - it's exhausting!!  I want to record them.  Or just get them out.  Some I want to share, some I don't, but I need a place to get them out and written down.  And actually writing the whizzing thoughts down takes so.long and leaves me with a pretty severe arm/wrist/hand cramp.  Typing is much better for me.  So this is my new journal of sorts.  Love it, hate it, share your opinions.  Mind you, if your opinion is hateful it will likely be removed.  (Freedom of speech may be your right, but you have a choice in hurting others.  Again, a post for another time...)

So toodles for now, and I'll write again soon

KDH.

The most wonderfully delicious Swiss chard tart....

 (why yes, I did eat a large portion of it before I remembered to take a picture.  You try smelling it for an hour without digging in at the first possible moment... whoopsies!)

The husband and I joined a CSA this summer at a half share.. it's plenty of produce for us each week and kind of fun to see what you get... it's a super fun surprise for a food lover!  Last we got some Swiss chard in our box and I had no idea what to do with it.  Did a little Google search.  Stumbled across a recipe.  Changed it up a bit.  It was a-m-a-z-i-n-g.  Swiss chard is in season now friends, go get some to make this!!!!!!  (Ali - I'm bringing Swiss chard and bacon to Spokane to make this for you guys.  You will lurve it.)

(adapted from this recipe)

Ingredients:

1 Tbs olive oil

2 large green onions or 6 small ones, white and green parts, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

4 oz (or 6 or 8..whatever) bacon, cut into small pieces

1 1/2 lbs Swiss chard, ribs removed and kept to the side.  Mince ribs, tear leaves a bit

1 medium potato (any kind), thinly sliced

3 eggs

1 cup sour cream (use a runnier brand like Darigold or Daisy.  Tillamook is too thick for this.)

3 oz freshly grated Parmesean

3 oz shredded cheese (flavor is your choice, I used a Mexican blend)

frozen pie dough (or fresh pie dough, if you are so inclined to make it.  I'm not.  I love the Safeway brand frozen pie crusts, they're very yummy)

salt and pepper

*  You'll need a spring form pan for this.. pie pans are too short.  Or maybe make 2 shallow ones?

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375.  (If you are using a dark colored pie pan, lower temp approximately 15 degrees

1. Heat oil in pan and sautee green onions until tender but not soggy, about 3 minutes.  Add garlic, sautee for 1 minute.  Remove to a plate.
2.  In the same pan, fry bacon pieces until cooked and crispy.  Remove to the plate with green onions, reserve fat.  
3. Fry Swiss chard ribs in bacon fat until tender.  Cover and let cook approximately 5 minutes.  Add Swiss chard leaves to pan, toss in bacon grease, and wilt, covered, for approximately 2 minutes.
4. Beat eggs with sour cream and season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste
5. In a large bowl, toss green onions, bacon, Swiss Chard, and cheeses to combine evenly.  Set aside
6. Unroll thawed pie crust and place inside spring-form pan and trim to top of pan.  You may need to use 2 doughs to make it completely up all sides of the pan.   This is okay.... discard extra crust.
7. Place sliced potatoes on crust in one layer
8. Top with bacon/Swiss chard/cheese mixture
9. Pour egg-yumminess on top
10. Optional: sprinkle with a teeny bit of nutmeg, (literally, TEENY bit), pinch of chili powder, and dried oregano
11. Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes until middle is set.  Remove from oven and let sit to cool.  Eat at room temperature.

Reheating is done best in an oven until heated through.

I'm telling you, friends, this was amazingly delicious and super quick/easy to prepare.  It was delicious reheated in the oven for a bit and lasted less than 1 full day in our house....

Enjoy!

KDH.