Doughnut muffins, denial & letting go

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Denise

Whew…what a last couple days it’s been. After 2 weeks away from home and my hubby, we’re finally safely back together as a family again! Love that!! What I didn’t love was getting a phone call from hubby 30 minutes before we arrived home (after over 12 hours on the road!) telling me that food in our freezer were starting to thaw. Yeah…not good!

We lived in denial Saturday night during our homecoming (at 10pm it’s hard to think straight, and I was beyond exhausted), but had to face facts after church Sunday when it became very apparent that the situation was not improving. Thankfully since I had been out of town…we weren’t in normal stock up mode on meat, so we only had a couple items to put on ice (which I’d picked up on my way into town when I stopped for milk). So with the few items we were most concerned about on ice in the cooler, we were able to escape reality a little bit longer. 😉

I called bright and early yesterday morning for someone to come out and check the fridge, and 20 minutes later (and $200 poorer), my fridge was fixed. Yay!! I can’t tell you how relieved I am to not be researching refrigerators right now and still living like Laura Ingalls during the pioneer times. Yep…that’s how it felt. You kinda start to realize that a refrigerator really is a key component to our daily lives, and one of the first things you stock up when you get back from a trip. It was so wierd not to buy groceries Sunday and get a meal plan for the week. I felt disoriented….can you relate?

So things are finally getting back to normal around here….well other than the fact that my oldest daughter isn’t home and won’t be until Saturday! That’s definitely not normal…at age 12 this is her first trip away from home! She’s on a mission trip with our church and won’t be back until Saturday afternoon. Which is actually very strange…not normal at all….we won’t even get to talk to her until then. So not only is she gone…she’s also incommunicado as the Jimmy Buffet song goes.

I’m doing MUCH better than I thought I’d do since I know she’s in great hands and she arrived safely (the bus ride out was one of my main concerns). Plus she was super excited to go…and though I know she’s working hard, I also know she’s having fun. It helps me to remember what it was like when I was her age….independence, though a bit scary, was also very exciting….so I’m excited for her!! It will be a very rewarding experience, and I know she’ll learn and grow and mature. It’s also new for the family….my 8 year old is super excited to be “the oldest” for the week. With the dynamics around here shifting a bit, she’s experiencing more responsibility….so we’ll all learn and grown and mature.

I’m amazed at the parenting process of caring, nurturing and protecting, and then of “letting go”. And although the “letting go” is a gradual process, there is a big shift in the pre-teen years. It’s a pivotal time that parents really need to be on their toes or they can “make it” or “break it” so to speak. It’s finding the right balance of letting them stretch their wings a bit and gain some independence, while remembering they still need guidance and protection. I’m so proud of the young woman my oldest is becoming, and it’s really amazing to see how our relationship changes as she gets older. Hard for me to believe she was once that preemie at 3 lbs, 10 oz in the NICU. *I’d love to hear about your experiences “letting go” with your older children.* 

Time for these doughnut muffins…not to be confused with those light and airy Krispy Kreme yeast doughnuts we devoured on vacation. These look like a muffin, but the taste and texture are more like a cake doughnut.

This recipe is one of many great “from scratch” recipes I found on the Hillbilly Housewife website back when my 8 year old was still a baby. It’s such a great treat to make for your kids. This past May right before my low carb experiment, I realized that my 3 year old hadn’t experienced them yet, so I whipped up a double batch. 

They’re quick, easy and delicious! And also fun to make with your kids because they love dipping the muffin into melted butter and then the cinnamon sugar topping. Mmmm….makes me want to make another batch right now.

4.5 from 2 reviews
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Doughnut Muffins
Author: 
Recipe type: breakfast, dessert, snack, easy, frugal
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 12 muffins
 
These delicous muffins are a treat my kids love making with me...and eating!
Ingredients
  • ⅓ cup coconut oil, (original calls for shortening)
  • ½ cup sugar, (I use organic cane sugar or honey granules)
  • 1 medium egg
  • 1½ cups flour, (I use freshly ground whole wheat)
  • 1½ tsp baking powder, aluminum free
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¾ cup milk
  • Topping*
  • ½ cup sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinammon (original called for powdered sugar)
  • ¼ cup melted butter
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. In mixing bowl whisk till smooth coconut oil, sugar, and egg.
  3. Add in the flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and milk. Combine until smooth.
  4. Fill muffin cups ⅔ full (butter muffin cups or use liners).
  5. Bake for 25 minutes or until done.
  6. Cool on cooling rack.
  7. When cooled enough to touch, dip each muffin into melted butter and then into cinammon/sugar mixture.
Notes
I double this recipe every time in order to have 24 muffins...otherwise, it's just a tease!

 

This recipe linked up with Works for Me Wednesday, Real Food Wednesday, Let’s Do Brunch, What’s on the Menu Wednesday, What’s Cooking Wednesday, What’s on Your Plate, What I ate Wednesday, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Waltz on By Wednesday, The Wednesday Window, Show and Tell Wednesday, Simple Lives Thursday, It’s a Keeper Thursday, Cooking Thursday, Recipe Swap, Pennywise Platter, Delightfully Inspiring, Full Plate Thursday, Frugal Food Thursday, Fresh Food Friday, Friday Favorites, Finer Things Friday, Fight Back Friday, Food Trip Friday, Friday Potluck, Monday Mania, Mouthwatering Monday, Mangia Monday, Just Another Meatless Monday, Homemaker Monday, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, My Meatless Mondays, Hearth and Soul Hop, Tasty Tuesday, Delectable Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays & Totally Tasty Tuesdays.

 

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The Old Fourth Street Filling Station is not to be missed!

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Denise

Last Thursday my friend Donna & I decided to include our older daughters in our “adults only” day out. We decided to eat lunch at a restaurant her family likes to frequent because of the high quality food without the high dollar price. The Old Fourth Street Filling Station has a variety of meals that “foodies” like us are drawn to, but also have your normal burger, salad and  sandwich offerings.

Most importantly the food is delicious, and as you can see in the pictures the restaurant is full of character and charm (it actually used to be an old filling station). We sat inside, but I can’t wait to go back in cooler weather and sit outside. Can’t you just picture the perfect date night under all those beautiful trees?

I ordered the Filling Station Salad which was chock full of strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, candied pecans, red onions and chevre cheese. It came with a lemon poppyseed muffin which was out of this world, and I ordered poppyseed dressing on the side. Since it was a fairly hot day I couldn’t resist a corona with lime.

Or these sweet potato fries…..Mmmmm……

Donna ordered the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake served with creole remoulade and a side of fries, cole slaw and a side salad.

Donna’s daughter Carly had the Arugula Salad with Salmon, pears, pomegranate seeds, pecans and goat cheese. Isn’t that salad massive? And hers also came with a lemon poppyseed muffin. They also had real butter for our muffins. She chose balsamic for her dressing.

My daughter ordered their Ultimate Build-A-Burger. She was able to order 3 toppings, and she chose cheddar, bacon and onion straws on the side. It came with one side and she chose the pasta salad.

Just typing this up sure makes me wish I was there right now! I can’t wait to recreate that salad at home, and you know I’m a sucker for sweet potato fries…anytime!

If you’re ever in Winston-Salem, a trip to the Old Fourth Street Filling Station is not to be missed!! The ideal location downtown means you can tie it in with sightseeing, and my friend Donna says their brunch is a winner. I know I’ll definitely be back!

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Low carb fruit list & trying to eat lower carb while traveling

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Denise

We’re still on vacation, and last Friday afternoon we drove out from Winston-Salem to the North Carolina coast (only a little over 4 hours). We packed all of us in the same van and were able to ride together since her hubby is coming out later in the week. We’ll be in chill mode with our friends all week hanging out at the beach and exploring beaches I haven’t seen since I was a kid. It will be fun to see how they compare to Florida beaches. There is so much to do in this area! This week I’ll be sharing more vacation photos, travel adventures, and a yummy restaurant experience….so I hope you’ll check back often.

 Most of you know all about my low carb experiment….and low carb on the road wasn’t too hard at first (and I did really well over my family reunion & 4th of July), but after ice cream crept in and it’s been available in the freezer, I haven’t been able to turn my back on it! I’ve also been eating out more than normal. I’m still conscious of carbs, but haven’t been tracking as closely as I normally would, and these were definitely not low carb. At times my stomach will tell me if I had too many, like when I snack on chips and dip. I can definitely tell that my body would prefer I not eat certain things.

I’m not drinking as much water as I should be, but I definitely think it’s easier to drink more water when you’re home all day! We’ll be back home this coming weekend, and like most travelers when they get home, it will be easy to get back on track with my eating. The hardest part is not being able to weigh myself. Weighing definitely helps keep me on track at home, and I’m sure that would help me if I had access to a scale.

Today I’d love to share with you all some foods you can treat yourself with while coming out of Atkins induction, and beginning the ongoing weight loss phase. Atkins has what he terms a carb ladder that as you go through the phases of learning to live the carb controlled life, you learn what YOU can add and when YOU want to add it. It’s a very flexible, and individual journey. What is important for some to add in would not matter one bit to others.

For me…I want fruit, black beans or other legumes, maybe oats or oatmeal and the occasional roasted sweet potato {and sweet potato fries…Mmmm!) Dark chocolate, ice cream and red wine are awesome splurges. But I really haven’t missed the pasta, bread or rice. And dare I say…as much as I LOVE regular white potatoes skillet fried as hash browns or a variety of other ways…I think it’s something I’m not craving anymore. And I know I’d have issues with portion control…as much as I do with roasted sweet potatoes. Which is why if I’m adding in a potato…I’d choose sweet over white any day. While on vacation, I have been drinking small amounts of red wine and eating dark chocolate in moderation, and I have had those sweet potatoe fries once. Mmmm…..

Since it’s summer and fruit is abundant, and since it’s a healthy item to add back in…I wanted to share with you lower sugar and lower carb fruits. I’m excited to learn the carb count since I could really take or leave a banana, and it’s the highest in sugar! Here are the fruits I’ll begin allowing myself and their carb counts. Since they are still made from sugar…though natural…it’s important to eat fruit with either protein or fat so it doesn’t spike your blood sugar (which leads to your body producing extra insulin which leads to fat storage…no, we don’t want that!) So berries with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or fruit right after a meal is a good choice.

Low sugar & Low carb Fruit (in net carbs)

  • apricot 3.1
  • avocado 4.8
  • blackberries, 1/4 cup 2.7
  • blueberries, 1/4 cup 4.1
  • canteloupe, 1/4 cup 3.0
  • cherries, 1/4 cup 4.2
  • cranberries, 1/4 cup 2.0
  • fig 6.7
  • grapes, 1/4 cup 6.7
  • honeydew melon, 1/4 cup 3.6
  • kiwi 8.7
  • mango 1/4 cup, 6.3
  • papaya, 1/4 cup 2.8
  • peach, medium 8.9
  • pineapple, 1/4 cup 4.3
  • plum 7.6
  • raspberries, 1/4 cup 1.5
  • strawberries, 1/4 cup 1.8
  • tangerine 6.2
  • watermelon, 1/4 cup 2.6
 I know that 1/4 cup seems like a small amount, but I was surprised at how much it actually was and how sweet the fruit is when you aren’t eating sugar. Of course you can up your amount to 1/2 cup or more and still be low in carbs and sugar. The point is just to be aware of the carb content as you go about your day and make choices.
 
What kinds of things would you add in (or did you add in) when starting to increase your carb intake? What types of foods are easy for you to avoid? What are your favorites that you won’t give up forever? Which fruits are your favorites, and do you eat them? Are they low in carbs/sugar? Were you able to eat low carb successfully while traveling? What tips do you have?
  
* A “share” or “Facebook recommend” is always appreciated! Thanks!!
 
 
 
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Back home & our Krispy Kreme tradition

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Denise

Most of you know I’ve been calling South Florida home since 1993, but that from the age of 10 through 19 I grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. My girls are being raised as my husband was….warm, sandy beaches, palm trees, hurricanes, gators, orange groves, lizards, minimal season changes and Disney! I love Florida, and you know we LOVE Mickey!!

I love that they get to experience growing up as daddy did, but it’s so nice when I get a chance to get back “home” and give the girls a taste of what I grew up with….rolling hills, fireflies, quick access to mountains & hiking, berry picking, season changes, small town feel, good southern cookin’, trees, trees & more trees and of course Krispy Kremes.

Over the last few years we’ve developed the tradition of stopping in at Krispy Kreme when we’re here visiting…after all Winston-Salem IS the birthplace of Krispy Kreme doughnuts (1937). We can’t come home without purchasing these sugary confections. It’s something my girls really look forward to….no trip home to Winston-Salem would be complete without a visit to purchase a dozen original glazed doughnuts and ice cold milk to wash them down. I know you can pick these sugary confections up at many locations throughout the United States, but it’s not the same. You’ve simply gotta try one here. 😉

So last night my oldest daughter and I stopped in to pick them up. Can you feel our excitement? Time for some mother/daughter bonding next to the “HOT now” sign.

Look at these beauties frying up…but looks are deceiving! If you’ve never had a Krispy Kreme, you’d be surprised at how light and airy they are. Which makes it super easy to inhale 3 of them before you’ve realized it and that can be dangerous & addictive!

And now for a trip under the waterfall of glaze…..Mmmm

And one last jaunt down the conveyor belt before they get all nestled up in a box ready to go home with you!

And there’s NO way around it! I’m not even going to even try to convince you that they’re nutritious or fit into a REAL food way of life, and definitely not a low-carb one, but I’d also like to mention that life without our annual trip to Krispy Kreme certainly wouldn’t be much fun! 😉

Where are you from? Do you have any traditions when you take your kids back home?

* And if you LOVE Krispy Kreme…be sure to “share” or “Facebook recommend” this post. There are still those who’ve yet to discover the incredible Krispy Kreme!

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Our family reunion & what to do with all those leftover hot dogs

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Denise

Last Friday morning I hit the road bright and early with my 3 girls. We were embarking on an 11 1/2 hour road trip from South Florida to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to meet up with my extended family for our annual 4th of July reunion. This particular trip was a first for me….a solo trip with my 3 girls…as in ALONE since hubby had to stay behind for work.

I’ve traveled without hubby before but always had my mom with me. It just felt more secure to have “back up” when on the road. Now that my girls are getting older (12, 8.5 and 3.5), I felt this was a feat I was ready to tackle…and WOW…I’m SO glad I did! We’ve been having a fabulous time!! They have been so well behaved, getting along with each other and my 12 yr old daughter has been SO helpful! This may be the dawning of a new era for me! I sure do love to travel!

The fact that our destination was within one day’s drive actually made all the difference. We left our house & arrived at my aunt & uncle’s house just 12 hours later. We had family come in from all over the country. One aunt drove in from Denver, cousins in from Nashville, another aunt & cousin in from Indianapolis, my brother, his wife, their twin boys and my grandparents all in from the mountains of North Carolina. Another 2 families already live in the area. Even with 27 people in attendance, we were still missing 8. We all had such a GREAT time, and my aunt & uncle are such fabulous hosts! 🙂

We had 3 whole days together….there was lots of deck sitting & chatting, card playing, swimming, badminton, fireworks, grilling, eating, cooking, eating, guitar playing and catching up with each other. I hadn’t seen one of my female cousins in 3 years, and we picked up with each other like no time had passed. We always have a lot of fun together and make each other laugh! It was also exciting to get to spend some time with my new nephews. My brother & his wife had their first “children” this past fall. Children plural….identical twin boys, and they sure are cute!! And no, I’m not just being biased. 😉

We celebrated the 4th on Sunday since several families were leaving Monday. Used fireworks and the state of the pool are good indicators of the fun we had. The kids spent most of the weekend in the pool…check it out the morning after. It looks tired and spent!

Sweet, juicy watermelon was devoured,

And here’s the tent of mine I was raving about…and I finally had the chance to test it in the rain one night…no leaking! I know my family thought I was crazy because I kept going on and on about how comfy my tent was, but I can’t help it. I meant it. I was comfy, and the temps were just perfect. Camping in South Florida needs to be done in fall, winter or spring…but here in North Carolina summer is the perfect time to camp. The girls loved chasing fireflies…I grew up with them, but we don’t have them in South Florida! How far south do they reside?

About those leftover hot dogs….these are my favorite…Orange Julius style bacon cheese dogs. I used to buy one of these with an orange julius when going to the mall growing up. It’s pretty self-explanatory….hot dog, bun, slices of crisp bacon and shredded mexican cheese melted over the top. I do them in a 9 x 13 pan and put them under the broiler till the cheese melts. I prefer the Coleman all beef hot dogs…hormone-free, and nitrate and nitrite-free. Last summer I was able to get them in a 4 pack at Costco. This year I haven’t seen them yet. What’s your favorite hot dog toppings?

Now we’re visiting a good friend of mine (same town)! They say you can never really go home again, but in my case it kinda feels like I can. It just so happens that my good friend Donna still lives on the street where I grew up from age 10 on. I am blessed that her family treats me as their own. Not just me…but my 3 girls!! Yeah….that’s amazing! I have incredible family, and then I have friends that treat me like family. I am BLESSED!! We’re hanging out here for a few days, and then on Friday we’re all headed out to the North Carolina coast. They have a beach house, and have been inviting us up for years. We’re finally going!

How was your 4th of July? Anyone else attend a family reunion or head out on vacation?

This post is linked up with Works for Me Wednesday, What’s on Your Plate, Real Food Wednesday, Thrilling Thursday, It’s a Keeper Thursday, Pennywise Platter Thursday, Recipe Swap, Cooking Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Food Trip Friday, Friday Potluck, Fresh Food Friday, Friday Favorites, Fight Back Friday, Foodie Friday, Fun with Food Friday, Finer Things Friday, Homemaker Monday, Mouthwatering Monday, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, Monday Mania, Mangia Monday, Hearth and Soul Hop, Tuesdays at the Table, Delectable Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Totally Tasty Tuesday & Tasty Tuesdays.

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