Dear Diary,

I was talking to my mom and some of my siblings about valentine's day, we were planning breakfast and dessert ,
which of course Abby will make plenty of sweets for the sweet (mostly me, of couse;)

And I want to get a couple movies that just scream romance, because what is better then sitting and watching (and crying)  about what seems like hopeless love?


My brother Michael (Bubba) informed me that "Toy story 3" and "Tangled" were romantic and how we have to watch those, to which I giggled (because he is just so cute!!!)

this is him, isn't he adorable?

I then (I had to) informed him that I had more "romantic"
films in mind, but I am struggling because there are so many...
These are the few I have in mind:) Any suggestions will be welcome.

~ #1 Pride and Prejudice

~ #2 Persuasion 

~ #3 Under the greenwood tree (<3)



And then of course I always love to make homemade valentines and I decided to cheat this year, not that I won't make valentines, I just won't come up with my own ideas, instead, I will borrow some others ideas:)

These are some easy valentines to copy.


And then there is food, and of course chocolate, but as I am on a quest for healthier food, this of course will not be a day for exceptions...maybe:/

I love the look of Chocolate<3 
But I am still looking for a really good chocolate recipe:)

These recipes are from Against all grain, link below.
 http://www.againstallgrain.com/


~ Apple spice cake, unconventional? yes... but yummy too:)

Grain-free Apple Spice Coffee Cake 

Posted by Against All Grain on December 10, 2011 · 3 Comments

We hosted a pre-Thanksgiving brunch at our house a few weeks ago with some of our dear friends and my parents. It was such a great time of fellowship for the adults, and play time for all of the kiddos.
Having a brunch is a nice change to the usual dinner party, and truth be told, breakfast is one of my favorite meals! The brunch spread was delicious that day. Everyone brought a little something to share, but since myself and my neighbor are both on a modified version of SCD, I decided to make a few SCD friendly items to make sure we had something to eat. I made an oven-baked omelet with Gruyere and ham and this Apple Spice Coffee Cake.
The cake is both Paleo and SCD legal, but if you want to indulge you can add the frosting on top which is made from a little powdered sugar. Otherwise, you can drizzle a little hot honey over each slice. 

Ingredients (serves 6) For the cake 2-1/2 cups almond flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted 1/2 cup honey 2 eggs 1/2 pound gala apples (peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped) 1 tablespoon lemon juice For the cinnamon swirl 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1-1/2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted 2 tablespoons honey For the frosting (optional) 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted 1 tablespoon unfiltered apple juice

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper, then lightly oil all sides with a little coconut oil or grapeseed oil.
Toss together the apples, lemon juice, and honey. Set aside.
Mix the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium sized bowl. Mix the coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla in another small bowl, then incorporate the wet into the dry ingredients.

Fold in the apple mixture, then pour batter into the prepared pan. Use a spoon to spread it into an even layer.
Mix the cinnamon swirl ingredients in a small bowl, then drizzle around the cake. Use a toothpick or a skewer to drag the mixture around and make swirly patterns in the batter.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack, then use a knife to loosen the sides from the pan. Invert the cake onto the rack and peel off the parchment paper.
Flip the cake so it’s right-side-up, and serve with optional frosting or a drizzle of warmed honey.


Ice cream anyone?

French Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream

Posted by Against All Grain on February 2, 2012 · 5 Comments

Here’s a super simple recipe for an SCD and Paleo legal french vanilla ice cream, using coconut milk and a fresh vanilla bean.
Serve it over a hot fruit crisp or with a spoonful of chocolate grain-free granola.

Ingredients (serves 6) 28 ounces coconut milk 1/2 vanilla bean 1/2 cup maple syrup (or honey) 3 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.
In a saucepan, whisk together the coconut milk, vanilla bean and its seeds, maple syrup, and egg yolks. Heat the mixture over medium heat stirring constantly until the mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 8-10 minutes. Make sure it doesn’t boil.
Transfer ice cream mixture to a bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Place the plastic wrap directly on the liquid, so there is no condensation. Place in the refrigerator and chill until cold, at least 2 hours.
Mix in the teaspoon of vanilla extract. Using your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, process the chilled ice cream mixture. (I use the Kitchen Aid stand mixer attachment)
Turn the ice cream into an air tight container. Place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream so freezer burn doesn’t occur. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
To serve, leave out on the counter for 30 minutes until it soft enough to scoop.

 Well that is all for now 

~Moriah