Christmas Morning Recipe - Pecan Pie Muffins

This is my first Pinterest recipe that I have actually cooked!  Can you believe it?? I have tons pinned and regularly drool over the beautiful food photos that can be found there, but have never actually made one of said recipes...until now! And, man, did I pick a good one to give a try! These muffin/cupcakes were found on the Bake or Break website and are absolutely delicious!  Please note that these are a TREAT - not a regular occurrence recipe. I was looking for an alternative to actual pecan pie because I'm not a fan of the goop - but love the pecans off of the top!  This was just perfect! All of the taste of pecan pie without all of the mess!

Ingredients (yields 24 mini muffins):

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup packed brown sugar (I used light brown)

2/3 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a 24 cup mini muffin tin.

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Fill each muffin cavity about 3/4 full.

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until edges are browned and centers are set.

Enjoy!

Note: I doubled the recipe - except for the butter - and they came out great!  I watched them and they only needed to cook around 14 minutes in my oven. But, as you are well aware, all ovens cook differently - the above is a general rule. Keep an eye on yours to make sure that they don't burn! :)

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Paleo Banana Bread with Pecans

So, I don't know about y'all, but when it is cold outside, I CRAVE comfort foods! One of my absolute faves is banana nut bread -- but it's not exactly on my current diet plan. So, what's a girl to do during an ice storm when she has a craving? Hit up Pinterest for a cleaner, leaner recipe - of course! The recipe I decided to give a try was found at [Inspire & Indulge]...and it was delicious...here's the recipe.

[Paleo] Banana Bread
Inspired by Civilized Caveman Cooking
Makes 8 slices
Ingredients

• 4 ripe bananas
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup almond butter (or any nut butter)
• 1.5 tablespoons coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• optional: 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg or all-spice, 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• optional: dried cranberries, orange zest, chocolate chips, chopped pecans (I added 3/4 cup chopped pecans - 1/2 c. mixed in batter, 1/4 c. on top)

What to Do

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F) and lightly grease a loaf pan.
2. Add the ripe bananas, eggs, almond butter, coconut oil, honey and vanilla extract to your blender.  (Remember, you can melt your coconut oil by placing the jar in a bowl of hot tap water.)
3. Blend on high for 15-20 seconds, scraping down sides if necessary.
4. Add the coconut flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and optional ingredients.
5. Blend on high for 20-30 seconds, scraping down sides if necessary.
6. Pour batter into your loaf pan.
7. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until inserted knife comes out clean.
8. Allow the loaf to cool slightly then slice and enjoy.

Motivation Monday: What drives you?

 

Motivation Monday: What DRIVES you?

 

 

 

 

    Everyone has SOMETHING that drives them, motivates them to do the things that they do. It is WHY they do what they do!  It could be faith, family, money, power, service, etc.

 

    Most people are motivated by money or the pursuit of it. They want to do more, be more, make more.  BUT, then there are others, who are motivated by service and faith and making a difference in others lives.

 

   Personally, I'm motivated by three things.  First, faith; second, family; and third, service. I want to be a person who does things for the glory of the Lord, whether it be leading others to Him or being an example of a Christian woman.  I want to be that person for my family, especially my two boys. I want them to always remember their mom as generous, kind, and caring. But, most of all, strong. I want to be a service to others, in whatever way that I can be. I enjoy helping others with the health and fitness, but if I can be of service in other ways, I would like to be.

 

    So, what motivates you to be the person that you are?  Is it fame, fortune, faith, family? Is it to be remembered as a Godly person or as a star? Post below in the comments!  I would love to hear about your WHY! :)

 

 



Worship Wednesday: Our New Home!

Worship Wednesday: Our New Home

Joshua 24:15 "...As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord."

 

    The Lord just continues to bless our family!  One thing that has been on our hearts (and minds) and in our prayers as of late was to be able to find our forever home. We've been living in my in-laws vacation property for the last four years and to be honest, it was just time. So, my husband and I first set about deciding what area would be best to move...somewhere larger? Somewhere smaller? Stay near where we are? Move farther away?  Well, we decided to move closer to where he works and to a slightly larger city.

 

    I am so proud to announce that the Taylor family will soon be residents of Dothan, AL! 

 

    After touring numerous houses and nit-picking them to death, we decided on the first house that we went to see. Our wonderful realtor, Brett (of Heisler Homes & Realty, HIGHLY recommended if looking in the area), said that the first house you look at usually is the house you end up buying. I don't know if that's true or not, but it was for us.

Our New Home!

    I'm excited for the opportunity for Kevin and I to re-connect with old friends and make new ones, as well as, spending more time with family that live up that way. I am also excited for the boys to have the opportunity to meet other children that live in the neighborhood and make friends, as there are few children their age that live near our current home.

   May I ask that you say a small prayer for us that the closing goes smoothly and there are no hiccups along the way?  We appreciate the prayers and know that the Lord is by our side during this new chapter in our lives.

 

God bless you and your family!

 

House Hunting: Fun or Headache??

House Hunting...

Fun or total headache???

 

 

    If you know my family personally, you know that we've been house hunting...for what seems like forever. A lot of people that I spoken to think that the hunt is the most fun part about finding your forever home, others believe that it's a total headache. So far, I'm in between those extremes. We've found a few homes that we really love, now it's time to make the BIG decision! And, trust me, it is a huge decision -- my husband and I have very different design and décor ideas and to find more than one home that we both agree on incredible.

 

 

    Here is a shot of the outside of the two homes, what are YOUR thoughts? Which home would you choose if it were up to you and your family?  (Based on the exterior only...the interior of the homes are both very similar, one has a basement, one does not.) Let me hear YOUR opionions!