Pumpkin Bread--3 WAYS

This is how I feel about pumpkin bread! Super excited & wanting to share my love with the whole world. I grew up enjoying my mom's recipe, which I'm going to share with you now :) She does something that is somewhat unorthodox--she adds chocolate chips to her loaves!! When I was younger I just didn't understand WHY she would do such a thing. After I had it a few times I began to crave this sensational flavor combination. Sure enough, years later, I began noticing several other recipes pairing the two--my conclusion=my mother is a genius!

One Fall evening, I decided to embrace my creative culinary side--which I inherited from my mother--& create three different variations of pumpkin bread. Pumpkin bread three ways!!

This is what happens when I bake--it gets MESSY!

LOAF 1: PUMPKIN WITH PECANS & TURBINADO SUGAR/CINNAMON MIXTURE
LOAF 2: PUMPKIN WITH BUTTERSCOTCH CHIPS
LOAF 3: PUMPKIN WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

PUMPKIN BREAD RECIPE (Use this as your base & go to town with any mix-ins you want)
Wolfcreek Cookbook
Makes 3 Loaves

3 1/2 cups flour (unsifted)                          3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda                            1 (16-ounce) can pumpkin
1 1/2 teaspoons salt                                    1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon                                  2/3 cup water
1 teaspoon nutmeg                                      4 eggs

Directions:
1.) Grease and flour 3 loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.) In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add sugar and stir well again.
3.) In a medium mixing bowl, gently beat together the pumpkin, corn oil, and water; add eggs--beating well after each addition.
4.) Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add pumpkin mixture and stir until the flour is just moistened.
5.) Fill the loaf pans evenly with batter, smoothing it out; bake for 1 hour.

The consensus: PUMPKIN-CHOCOLATE CHIP ALL THE WAY!!!! I knew that would be my favorite but I HAD to let my curiosity take over. The butterscotch chips kind of dissolved and formed what appeared to be pot holes. The flavor was great...but the butterscotch took over the pumpkin flavor instead of complimenting it. The pumpkin-pecan was fine. The pumpkin-chocolate chip was simply the best!

If all else--MAKE THE PUMPKIN BREAD RECIPE. It is the moistest we've ever come across! Probably because of the combination of 4 eggs and pumpkin that accomplishes this amazing quick bread ;)

Thanks & keep reading!!

Share YOUR passion

I give you the Holstee Manifesto. Please read further about these two brothers who were starting a business at the start of a recession (2009). This is the inspiration for my blog title as the summation of the poster is clear: "This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often."

The belief is that radical change is possible...if you let it happen. Over analyzing is only human nature--everyone does this to a certain extent. So the point of this "chunk" of statements is=RELAX.

What these brothers didn't mention is we have a God who is a 'creator NOT a duplicator.' (Crazy Love, Francis Chan). I do tend to compare myself to others' lives...which is my source of over analyzing. The book also states: 'allow God to be as creative with you as He is with each of us.' In other words, CASSIE, LET GO! :) I find comfort by repeating this mantra: I WAS MADE FOR THIS MOMENT. 

As hard as it is, we all need to submit our hopes and dreams to the desirability of God. The timeline is unneeded. Throw away your roadmap as well, kids! You don't need one ;) Garmins won't help either!

Now the next clump of words states: LIFE IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU MEET, AND THE THINGS YOU CREATE WITH THEM. SO GO OUT AND START CREATING. This is the season I've realized I'm in at the moment. This part I have no doubt. I was blessed with an abundance of WONDERFUL people at work in my life. Yes, some may be acquaintances and have meandered in and out of my life, but have made an impact FOREVER. Most of them unlikely...but God uses different settings and locations/points in time in mysterious ways. I've had "AHA!" moments at very random times with some random people. 

I do know that every day I am thankful for what unfolds and what I'm exposed to. It is happening for a reason...and the time frame has a purpose as well. Each day a part of the puzzle is getting revealed and our vision focuses (Pastor Kerry).

So...the last bit hurts a little because I do not realize this nearly enough: LIFE IS SHORT. In other words: CASSIE, STOP WORRYING! Agendas are not needed in this life, because REAL life unfolds soon enough. Enjoy where you're at NOW because that moment is a short memory in the grand scheme of things. 

WHEW! This blog thing is therapy, I tell you what. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. This has been on my heart. In the mist of life---I always remember where my passion stems from AND it is from these people here:

ENJOY the people you love...as OFTEN as you can. 

I love them to the ends of the Earth and back. They are the peanut butter to my jelly...the gravy to my mashed potatoes (ha! I just thought of that one).

Hold tightly to your inspirations...your passions...your dreams...they are all important to help us thrive. They are there to keep us motivated...keep us going in the right direction.

LIVE YOUR DREAM AND SHARE YOUR PASSION. This is my way of sharing :)

PEACE

Curry...on-the-go!!

I have this thing for Tupperware...I like to put foods in their own perspective containers--I know this makes me sound super cool--but I don't care!! I get to save money (hopefully) and take yummy food for lunch on a daily basis. Also, it's a conversation starter in the break room...they want to know what I'm eating most days. I get made fun of for it ALWAYS!! Needless to say my pink container gets the most bashings--they're just jealous :) It is fitting that my Pumpkin Coconut Curry is in the PINK tupperware! I made some toasted sesame coleslaw to accompany it, I'm not my father's daughter for no reason--he appreciates a good coleslaw.

Back to the curry-in-a-hurry folks. Truthfully it reaches its FULL potential by the third day, at LEAST! Curry is super the first time it's served, fabulous the second, and FANTASTICALLY LIFE-CHANGING the third. After the third day, you should be finishing it up...haha. I did take a lot of food science classes to know that leftovers need to be eaten up sooner rather than later ;)

Miss Lauren from Drunk on CHEW introduced me to the most amazing curry recipe ever. She served it   over rice and the whole-nine-yards to my sis and I one brisk fall day. I do enjoy sharing recipes and cooking with friends--foodie friends are the BEST friends :) This recipe also fulfills my obsession with pumpkin...everything consumed in the fall-time should be pumpkin flavored in my opinion. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are my favorite as well from STARBUCKS. Then there's pumpkin chili--pumpkin bread--pumpkin muffins--pumpkin casserole--and now pumpkin curry!! I began to sound like Bubba there for a minute!

The source from this recipe was found on Pinterest, The Wicked Noodle, so I can't take credit for it. That's a shame...but we've been creating a lot of variations that we'll be enjoying soon! I told my sister we'd be making this every week until we get it perfect (this recipe could use a little more spiciness--heat spice--in my opinion).

Make this. BOOM.

Pumpkin Coconut Curry

To roast butternut squash, place on a sheet pan, toss lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast at 450F until caramelized and fork-tender (about 15 minutes, depending on size). 

Ingredients:

• 3 T olive oil, divided
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 onion, sliced
• 1 T minced ginger
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 plum tomatoes, diced
• 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (low-sodium)
• 1 cup coconut milk (unsweetened)
• 2 t curry powder
• 1 large pinch cayenne powder
• 2 cups butternut squash, chopped into bite-sized pieces and roasted
• 1/2 lime juiced
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, plus extra for garnishing
•  Basmati Rice, cooked, for serving

Cooking Directions

1. Heat 2 T olive oil in a large dutch oven over high heat. Add chicken and cook on high heat until browned on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
2. Reduce heat to medium-high and dd remaining 1 T olive oil to dutch oven. Add onion and ginger. Cook for a few minutes until onion is soft. Add garlic and cook for about one minute more.
3. Add tomatoes and pumpkin puree to pan. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, until puree is lightly browned.
4. Add broth, coconut milk, curry & cayenne powders; bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Add chicken and butternut squash and simmer for 10 minutes longer.
5. Stir in lime juice and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over rice and serve.

FLATOUT the best breakfast!!

I love eggs! From my head down to my legs...does everyone remember this jingle about the incredible edible egg?! I'm a nerd, BUT I am THAT passionate about eggs. They're the best thing to start the morning off in my opinion. Although, a good stack of French toast or a pastry of some sort would fit the bill as well :)

Eggs are the most substantial in my book. I love incorporating a bunch of different food groups into my egg creations in the AM. This is my favorite combo...one I revisit often.

All of my omelets in the morning consist of some constants: spinach, sundried tomatoes, spinach, avocado and Flatouts. A lot of pepper as well---and accompanied by COFFEE!!!!!!!!! I like it black with a splash of 1/2 & 1/2. This was Hemisphere Coffee Roaster's coffee--Papua New Guinea roast. I purchased mine in Kalona, Iowa at the Kalona Coffee House. I think it's the tops :)

Back to the eggs, I create the omelet in a sauté pan, plop the finished result (all rolled up) in a Flatout wrap with avocado slices on top. Pepper that avocado as well (I'm CRAZY about avocados--maybe I will have shiny hair and a stunning complexion one day--haha, yeah right!).

Here's the recipe, feel free to sub in your own cheese preference...also I do a spinach and artichoke version with Swiss cheese. That is worth trying as well!!

Flatout Egg Surprise  :)

2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons 2% milk
pepper, to taste
1-2 tablespoons sundried tomatoes, julienned
FRESH mozzarella cheese, sliced
generous handful of spinach
Flatout wrap (multigrain-flax variety)
1/2 avocado, sliced


1.) Heat a sauté pan over medium heat; spray with cooking spray.
2.) Beat those eggs with milk and pepper. Pour into the heated sauté pan to begin cooking.
3.) Build your omelet: spinach, tomatoes and then cheese.

Fold up those sides!

4.) Plop the eggs on the Flatout, assemble the cut avocado slices on top of the eggs, sprinkle with pepper...and wrap it up!!

Enjoy this easy morning fuel!!

Everything-BUT-the-Kitchen-Sink PROTEIN bars

I may or may not have an appreciation for whey protein powder...it's weird because I don't lift weights, or even have time to work out anymore (who are we kidding, a "big girl job" can count as a workout any day of the week!).  My sister from another mister, Elise, introduced me to the world of protein powders and shakes. Since then I have experimented putting it in oatmeal, yogurt, muffins--you name it!! If you haven't tried any form of whey--YOU SHOULD! Somehow it makes me feel balanced with just the right amount of protein and carbs...making even ME feel full--at least for a couple of hours :)

This is my plea: try my protein bars! They will save you oodles of dollars making your own instead of purchasing Cliff bars or LUNA bars. 

The next part is finding your fave protein powder (some of them DO have an off taste). There are so many different flavors--I appreciate straight up vanilla BECAUSE it's the most versatile. Next, the brand. Jillian Michael's protein powder has great flavor & is a reasonable price. A good "starter whey." For this recipe I used Jay Robb's protein...delish!

Here it goes--trust me, people this is the protein bar that keeps on giving...as you freeze them and pull them out when needed.

Everything-BUT-the-Kitchen-Sink PROTEIN bars

1 banana, mashed (on the ripe side, please!)

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

2 tablespoons flax seed meal (ground flax seeds)

2-4 scoops protein powder (Jay Robb's)

1/4 cup peanut butter (substitute your nut butter of choice)

1/4 cup shredded coconut (I used raw--or unsweetened)

1/4 cup butter, melted (this is the confusing part for health conscious folks--but it needs it!!)

1/4 cup raisins (craisins or any dried fruit=delish)

1/4 cup water (to hydrate the protein powder)

1 large chocolate bar (the fun part & how you can showcase your individuality--I used Chocolove's chocolate-hazelnut milk chocolate bar) OR 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients but chocolate together well. Line an 8 X 8" pan with foil and spread the mixture evenly in the pan. 

Melt chocolate in the microwave and drizzle over the oat mixture in the pan.

Place the pan in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Cut into 9 bars and wrap individually with plastic wrap. Store in the freezer for 9 different snack times!!

Thaw slightly before serving.

Each bar contains roughly 275 calories and 11 grams of protein (depending on the chocolate you use and the amount of protein powder added). PERFECT for a post workout snack or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up at work  :)

Have fun creating and enjoy these little babies!

Italy bound...in May :)

From our expressions...can y'all tell we're excited!! Stoked is more like it :)

My friend Lauren is an amazing photographer, Vagabond Image & Design, and proposed the idea to me that we go on the "Focus Italy" trip through Humble Travel! I don't mess around when you talk to me about my dream of traveling Europe. It's time to start knocking out some countries I want to visit!! I said a resounding--YES--and then we did a "happy dance" together. We may or may not have been in public when this occurred ;) kindred spirits we are!!

I, of course, am not a seasoned photographer or even a novice photographer...but that's the beauty of it!! My game plan is to learn camera angles...maybe apply it to FOOD photography...and ENJOY ITALY!!!!!!!!! This is a picture of us with Lauren's deposit money. May can't come soon enough.

I've told my dad to not watch the movie Taken again until I return safe and sound this summer--we'll be fine, father :)

Until then I plan to get my passport, purchase my plane ticket, round up a better camera & learn some key Italian words (although  knowing the word "gelato" seems like it covers a lot of needs for me-hehe).

All I want are some amazing memories with amazing people--thank you, Jesus for surprises!!