Cinnamon Swirl Success

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I am always on the prowl for something bready in the mornings, but quickly defeated by time and availability. I often make paleo muffins on the weekends but they are gone FAST…mostly by my own doing, but hey, I like my baked goods people!

Also a sucker for anything cinnamon, I came across a recipe a while back from a very good paleo cookbook, and although I liked it, it had too much coconut “tang”to it for me, personally. Sometimes the paleo recipe writers really get heavy on the coconut, using flour, oil and milk all in one recipe, leaving the whole thing tasting like coconut whatever it is supposed to be, and not much else. Coconut is great…very healthy, and I am all for it! But sometimes, just for me, I have to tone it down.

So I tweaked the recipe and made it my own…and wow what a difference! The flavors and texture sing of good old fashoined coffee cakes or muffins your grandmother used to make! Buttery and flavorful, and a much better texture, due to a quick swap of a little tapioca flour in for some of the coconut flour. This looks like the bread you used to know so well, and the texture on your tongue will make you close your eyes for a minute before you go back in the kitchen for the next slice!

Here’s how:

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Grease an 8×8 pan (with butter or coconut oil) or line it with parchment paper.

Wisk together in a medium sized bowl:

2 Tablespoons of Butter from a grassfed organic source, like Kerrygold (or go with coconut oil if you prefer…) – melted
2 Tablespoons of WHOLE milk from a grassfed source, or coconut milk, or almond milk.
1/2 raw organic local honey, or agave nectar if you prefer. I used honey.
5 eggs
a dash of vanilla

Bowl to sift or “fork” together:

1-2 Tablespoons of Tapioca flour PLUS coconut flour to TOTAL 3/4 cup
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon

With a SPOON (not a wisk!) stir the dry ingredients into the wet until combined.
Optional mix ins at this point…a handful of golden raisins, a handfull of chopped nuts, or even chocolate chips would be good!
Pour into the prepared baking dish.

In a small bowl mix together:
1 Tablespoon Butter from a grassfed source, or coconut oil
1 Tablespoon raw organic local honey or agave nectar
2 tspns cinnamon

Drizzle mixture over the batter then swirl with the end of a knife.

Pop it into the oven for 25-30 minutes.
Let it cool completely before cutting into it.
Really tasty with your hot cup of coffee or tea!

Enjoy it! Let me know how you like it…I love to hear the feedback!

Morning Routines

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Mornings are always a race. No matter how early I get up I can fill the time and need more! From the moment my feet hit the floor, it is a steady pace from bedside to shower to kitchen to animals to out the door…and all the little steps in between!

When I was a teenager and started actually giving a flip about what I looked like when I left the house, I started showering in the morning instead of at night so my hair would be all shiny and wonderful for school where everybody would notice! ? Anyway, I have almost always had long hair, same back then. I would get so bored blowing out my hair, and one day started reading what was probably a school assigned book while I was drying my hair. Gave me a good 20-30 minutes of reading time…and I really enjoyed it! Well, that stuck. I have been reading while I dry my hair ever since! Ultimate multitask! I don’t need a mirror, and I am just sitting there, right? So that is part of my morning routine and I love it. It gets my mind working (along with the coffee!). It inspires me creatively, and keeps my stress level low in the morning when there is so much to get done to get out the door. The dryer is a great white noise so I do not get distracted as I read….so this is my little secret indulgence….I read every morning while drying my hair and sipping coffee (Coffee is only allowed if I drink my two bottles of water and take my supplements first!)

So if you call me or text me during reading time, you are just going to have to wait. Even though it is early in the morning, I look forward to this part of my day every day. And my hair is still all shiny and wonderful when I’m done!

Want a recipe? Okay, here is what’s in the coffee cup:

Fill the mug halfway with Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee (sometimes I go half and half with original and Mocha, but today, let’s call it original.)
Fill the other half with Almond milk or Whole Grassmilk (from grassfed cows)
Pop in the microwave for 1 minute or so until hot
I usually give it a dash of cinnamon and 1/2 tsp cacao powder
If I sweeten, a little Maple Syrup or Agave nectar…Honey is good in it too

Give it a whirl with a mini frother and enjoy!