Paleo Valentines...

Oh, how we love thee.

Remember how much I love this day? Well, no way were these (most of the time) gluten-free eaters going to miss out! My, how far we've come since last year.

My kid's heart pancakes are a tradition that we could not crush...so, we "paleo-ized"them. I really want to make these someday. Even though I'm not much of a pancake person, I am a butter person. (And the maple pecan butter sounds like reason enough to make 'em!) This morning we made these because they are simpler. (And by we, I mean Char) b/c he's the flapjack flipper in this house! He's pretty much taken over breakfast completely these days...and it is WONDERFUL...I can actually get going in the morning. Another reason why I'm in love with you, Charlie Apel! (These were surprisingly good.  Best paleo-pancakes I've had! They do taste coconut-ty but with butter and maple syrup, they were great!)

And...we added these to our Valentine's Day Breakfast.  We "heart" bacon 'round here.

Char and I may or may not have indulged in these late last night DIPPED in chocolate!  I've always wanted to try bacon and chocolate...and incase you're wondering, it is ALL the rage! We didn't have much success the first time with the hearts keeping their shape, so this morning, we used toothpicks at the top and bottom to keep them together. Meh...they looked okay.  The kids were impressed. Mission accomplished.

Chocolate Dipped Bacon:

If you want to make the chocolate dipped bacon, here's how I did it: After getting them to just the level of desired crispiness, let cool on a plate for about 15 minutes.  Then, I used the chocolate ganache from Health-Bent's cupcakes (1/3 cup dark chocolate chips + 2 Tbs. coconut milk, microwaved for 30 seconds and whisked together.) and dipped half of the bacon in the chocolate. I know you're going to be tempted to try them then, but don't. You'll be disappointed. Let that chocolatey bacon-goodness cool in the fridge an hour or so. Then take them out of the fridge until they reach room temperature: 15-20 minutes or so and serve them to the ones you love.

Dessert for the Kiddies: 



I mean...it is all for them anyway, right? And...I couldn't decide which to make...I mean, I didn't want one to totally be a bomb and have a bummer Valentine's dessert. So, I just made both of these cheesecake brownies and the chocolate cupcakes.  Health-Bent, oh, how I love YOU! I wish I could send you a virtual-valentine. Why did I ever doubt that you may not come through? You ALWAYS do. We loved them both...but I'd have to say that if I were to pick a fave, I'd go for the cheesecake brownies! They were DIVINE! These could totally be passed of to your non-paleo eating friends. (The chocolate cupcakes tasted like a chocolate banana muffin to me, still good...and the kids loved them...so I was happy.)

Like always, I'm a little fashionably late, but I made both these desserts in an hour last night! (And that's counting sending the hubby for a late night grocery run for the cream cheese!) So, you still have plenty of time to make these.

Caveman Chili

...or Beanless Chili...whatever you want to call it. Need a sneaky way to add more veggies to your family's diet? This is your recipe.

The inspiration to substitute the veggies for the beans came from this recipe, but I adapted it to fit my family's favorite "Kramer Chili" recipe.  And...they didn't even notice, or at least mention, that it was missing the legumes. In fact, my boys (the big one and the almost 5 year old one) each had two bowl-fulls. 

2 lbs ground beef

1/2 large onion

1/2 green pepper

1 jalapeno pepper

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 and 1/2 Tbs. chili powder

2 Tbs. cumin

1 tsp. black pepper

salt, to taste

1 Tbs. cocoa powder

1 large bottle of Vegetable/Tomato juice (46oz)

1 can of tomato paste (6oz)
1 large can of diced tomatoes (28oz)

1 cup beef bone broth (Make your own...I keep them in my freezer in Mason jars)

1lb butternut squash, cubed (Sam's and Costco sells this right now!) or 1-2 sweet potatoes, cubed

1 zucchini, sliced and quartered

In a large pot, brown ground beef. While beef is browning, throw onion, green pepper, and jalapeno in a food process and pulverize. Add the veggies to the pot with meat and let them cook for a few minutes. Add seasonings. Stir in all remaining ingredients (except butternut squash and zucchini...if you're using sweet potatoes instead of squash put it in now since they take longer to cook). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes.

Stir in squash and zucchini and allow to cook for 15 more minutes.

More Books...

These are some of the new books that we've opened so far this year.  I'll keep adding more and add these to the bottom of the existing list.

Tonight You Are My Baby*

Jeannine Q. Norris

Our library had this one. We really enjoyed it.  I love that it's from Mary's perspective, who is in "awe" of her first baby but also in "awe" of Her King.  We talked about how, though Jesus is God, (so He is his mother's Savior, too) he was also her baby...a human.  It provoked lots of questions from my children as they really began to think about this.  The illustrations are beautiful and, being a mom, of course, I loved it since I could relate to how a new mother feels about her baby.  (I'd say if you have toddlers, wait until they're preschoolers who can begin to formulate questions and really dialogue about this book...it's a great read, but the little, little ones may not enjoy it as much as my preschoolers did.  They are so many other simple books, for toddlers to understand and appreciate.)

Great Joy

Kate DiCamillo

The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL...they truly make this story. But even the pictures are not enough to make me recommend this book.  I was SO EXCITED when I saw that Kate DiCamillo had written a Christmas book.  My kids LOVE the Mercy Watson series.  They are obsessed. When we began reading Great Joy, it seemed like it was going to be such a cute story but the conclusion felt incomplete and left me wanting more.  She could have done so much with this storyline, but I was disappointed with the rushed conclusion.  I really had to coach my children through thinking about what may have happened in the end...they seemed confused.

When Joy Came*

Pauline Palmer Meek 

I found this OLD book at a garage sale.  I love the old, quirky pictures in this book. The angels are a bit scary, but maybe that's a pretty biblical illustration? I also love the way the author told this story...I wish this book wasn't so old so that it was more readily available...because I'm guessing it's out of print now...since it's been 40 years since it's been published. My kids really enjoyed it, too! If I came across it again at a garage sale, I would definitely pick it up for my nieces/nephews to add to their collections.

A Star So Bright*

M. Christina Butler

This was a darling book about different animals seeing the Star of Bethlehem which leads them to the stable where Jesus is born.  It doesn't mention "Jesus" but the message is pretty clear. Again...love the illustrations...the very last page is a star that "twinkles" with lights. I think young children would enjoy this book up to around 1st graders or so. 

The Gift of the Magi

O. Henry

I didn't love this book...or the message it was sending. It did provoke some good discussion with the kids about how some people think Christmas is primarily about gifts. You can go read the reviews on Amazon to see if this is something you'd like...it really may be a good read for older kids;  I just wanted to make a note not to check it out at the library next year.  

The Friendly Beasts:

an old English Christmas Carol*

O. Henry

I may need to retract my statement from last year's post regarding The Animal's Christmas Carol.  If I recall correctly, The Friendly Beasts is along the same premise.  Basically, when I read this I just "sang"  The Friendly Beasts carol, which my kids know well (and sang along, too) from The Incredible Singing  Christmas Tree. My kids asked to do it again and again they liked it so much.  I'll have to look back into The Animal's Christmas Carol because I do remember the pictures being beautiful.  Maybe they'd like it better than they did now that we all know that song well...?

Song of the Stars*

Sally Lloyd-Jones

Cate got this for my kids for Christmas.  We haven't actually received it yet but I know my kids are going to love it.  It's by the same author of The Jesus Storybook Bible.  I previewed it on Amazon and it from what I can see (I don't know if any pages are even missing the preview?) it looks like a really cute book.  I know my kids are going to love how "all of creation" comes to meet their "Rescuer". 

Jesus, Me, and My Christmas Tree*

Crystal Bowman

I read this book at Meg's the other night.  It was so cute.  I definitely want to add it to our collection....as well as look into the other titles by this author.  She seems to about four other Christmas books that look really cute! (Good for Ages 2 and Up) I think I'm going to have to replace The Legend of the Christmas Tree (it's just too cheesy, though I love the "history" behind it...and my kids are just so disinterested...maybe I'll try again in a few years?) with this book and read it on the day we put up our tree.  The book describes the meaning behind various ornaments and symbols of Christmas in an easy to understand, captivating way.

 The Christmas Story *

(A little Golden Book)

Jane Werner

This is an old book that was first published in the 70's (I think.) It is an accurate re-telling of the Christmas story from Scripture, although not every part of the Christmas story is included in detail (Joseph wanting to divorce Mary and the Gabriel appearing to him)...but most of the text was taken directly from Scripture.  My kids enjoyed it.  This would be a great book to add to your collection, if you don't yet have a re-telling of the Christmas story from when Mary is greeted by the angel all the way until the wise men visit Jesus as a young child.

 The Animals' Christmas Eve *

(A little Golden Book)

Gale Wiersum

This is another sweet, old book. This cute and clever book is retold by the animals that gather in a stable on Christmas Eve to re-tell the story of long ago, as they remember the Savior's birth. It's a counting book told in rhyme.  I got this at a garage sale, and will definitely be on the lookout for it to pass on to friends and family. I bet you can find a very inexpensive copy of this secondhand.

 The First Christmas**

Gaby Goldsack

This book was an excellent surprise! My mom found it at a thrift store and sent it to us in the mail this December during our Christmas Book Countdown.  In my opinion, it's a better re-telling of the Christmas Story than The First Christmas (above).  We enjoyed the beautiful pictures, the rhythmic verse, and the detailed retelling of the traditional Christmas story from Gabriel appearing to Mary all the way to Joseph being warned to pack up his family and flee to Egypt.

The Christmas Stories

I can't post about the ways we're seeking to celebrate Jesus and not tell you about the newest addition to our Advent Celebration...it's been a constant in our house the last 2 weeks...

The Christmas Stories by Ross King.  Now, before you dismiss me because you just don't like modern Christmas music...I have a confession: I didn't really either (other than the good ol' fashioned hymns) before this album.  Honestly.  I didn't.



Okay, okay...I may be a little biased.  I do adore his wife and my kids love their kids...but, seriously, even before they were actually our friends and not just "friends of friends", we loved his music. Ross has a way of articulating a point like no one else. His music is beautiful and worshipful, but it really challenges me to reflect on how I'm approaching day to day life and Jesus...and how the two intersect.

His other albums are great, too. Words that Rhyme with Orange is the only kid's cd that is allowed in my car.  So help me...most every other children's music drives me nuts. So, if you need a gift idea for the kid who has everything, this may be your answer!

We've been listening to The Christmas Stories non-stop! We adore it.  Just when I think I've nailed down my favorites I'll listen to the record again and hear lyrics that I'd missed the first eleven times I'd listened to it...then, add a new favorite to the list. This album has really ministered to my soul in a way that it probably wouldn't have a year ago...we've been walking through a heavy season...a good, challenging, sweet, difficult season that's making me long for the Coming Savior like never before.  As hard as it's been, and as many tears that Charlie and I have shed, we welcome that...we long for more longing for Jesus.

Even the kids ask for "Ross King Christmas cd" in their players before they go to bed each evening.

We bought 10 of these cds to give to our family as early Christmas gifts. You can go sample them here and if you like it, too, you can download it from iTunes, if you just can't wait for your cd to arrive snail-mail!

I appreciate "Macy's Day Parade" as it continues to challenge the way we approach celebrating Christ at Christmas, even after all the changes we've made the last few years. There's still so much room for growth, I'm learning...and it takes time to retrain my shallow, selfish thinking.

"My Christmas Eve" is cute and clever and my new favorite Christmas love song.  I love the dynamic duo of Ross and Staci singing together...so playful and fun. "Rise Up" and "Bethlehem" captures the hope and freedom the newborn King brings...so those two in particular have deeply touched me. I really could go on and on with each title.  But, you can check out all the lyrics for yourself here.

I dare you to name just ONE favorite from The Christmas Stories!

(If you watch this video in YouTube, you can sample more of his songs in other videos.)

Handprint Nativity Animals

Finally...the second of two promised posts. I must start off by saying this was utterly and completely knocked off of someone else. I did NOT come up with this...it's been a couple years since we started doing these and I don't know the original source...but I'd love to give credit to who it's due, so if you know, leave me a comment.

Without further ado, meet our nativity handprint animals:

The first year we did these, they were our nametags for our Christmas presents.  They really spruced up the plain gift-wrapping...but after the gifts were open, I found my mom digging through all the dispersed wrapping paper to retrieve each of the animals, so she could save them. 

 So...last year, I framed it for her in a 12x12 inch frame.  It's now part of her Holiday decor.

These would also make good Christmas cards...whether you handmade each one or did one set and scanned, then printed them out.

What you'll need to make these:

-Construction paper or cardstock

-Paint: brown, white, black, grey, yellow, nude and pink.

-Black Sharpie

-Paint Brushes

-Lots of wipes and paper towels :)

These are pretty simple. Just paint your child's hand and have at it!  (We usually had to do a few practice stamps to teach them how to spread their fingers out correctly.)  Let them dry completely before trying to paint and draw the details.

For Baby Jesus: paint your child's thumb white for the body and stamp it down.  Then, paint your child's index finger nude, for his head and stamp it down on top of the his body. Then, paint the straw and the manger.

I am the camel...who followed the star...with three wise kings...from a land afar.

I am the cow...who offered my hay...so the Savior would have...a warm place to lay.

I am the lamb...who heard angels sing...about where to find...the newborn King!

I am the donkey...meek and mild...who carried Mary...great with child.

If you're counting down with advent activities, do one animal a week.  (Or do them all in one night and only clean up ONE mess!)

If you do this, let me know how it goes!!

Shepherd's Pouches

Here's the first of two promised Advent Activity posts.  We usually start this one on December 1st, so you'll have a few days to get started on your own, if you decide you'd like to adopt this tradition.

The "Shepherd's Pouch" idea is taken directly from Noel Piper's Treasuring God in our Traditions.  I love that book. So much.  If you haven't noticed, we love to celebrate around here...all occasions...the everyday and the especially. This book has shaped the way that we long to worship God through our traditions...especially the way that we celebrate Christmas.  You can download a pdf of the entire book from Desiring God here for free.  Or you can buy it here. Even from the foreward by John Piper it challenges me to examine all the things I've put on my list for this Holiday Season.

Noel explains it way more beautifully and eloquently than I ever could, so I'll let her fill you in on the Shepherd's Pouch from page 86-87 in her book:

Gift to Jesus
It may be easy for us to forget that this is Jesus’ birthday. That usually means gifts to the birthday person. Children especially will think it normal that Jesus should receive something for his birthday. We’ll need to talk with them about what it means to give a gift to Jesus since we can’t put it in his hand. One of the unusual things about Jesus is that when we give a gift to him, other people benefit. “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me’” (Matthew 25:40). 


If you decide early in the Advent season where your gift is going, you can be praying for the recipient throughout the season. Your prayer becomes an added gift to the family with special needs, the Christian relief agency, the local ministry, the missionary, or whomever you have chosen.


Money isn’t the only thing we can give, but for the moment, let’s think about financial gifts. How might you decide on the amount? One possibility is to determine what percentage of your total gift expenditures will be set aside for Jesus. Another is to give him your December coffee break money or some other regular expenditure.


What about our children? Some years I have offered “wages” for special jobs or even for regular chores during December, with the understanding that this money is being earned for Jesus’ gift.


Shepherd’s Pouch
The children at our house have had a simple drawstring bag—a shepherd’s pouch, we call it—in which to collect Jesus’ gift throughout December. On Christmas Eve, during a special family worship time, the children lay their pouches beside the manger of our special nativity scene. We speak to them then of giving their gifts to Jesus, as the shepherds came, giving Jesus worship and wonder.

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. . . . And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.    ( L u k e   2 :   1 5 - 2 0 )


On Christmas morning, the coins have been removed and added to our grown-up gifts, ready to be sent to our chosen recipient. And the children find in their pouches several small gifts. We speak of a God who blesses those who love and trust him. Although these particular tokens are tangible and physical, our children know from our lifestyle and teaching throughout the year that God blesses in many ways. In fact, many people who are most blessed have very little visible wealth. The blessing of God is his presence with us, which gives us constant cause for praise. 

***************

The way this played out last year with our young kids: a few days before December 1st we started talking about buying a birthday present for Jesus...and how the Bible says the way we do that is by giving to others...specifically the poor, the oppressed, the orphan, the widow, a missionary family, etc.  We reminded them of the mosquito nets for Compassion and how there are so many children without anything to eat, not much to drink and very little access to supplies that would make them healthy if they got sick.  We pulled out our Gospel for Asia catalog and began to sift through the pages and talk about how each of these gifts would be significant for a family who has close to nothing to receive.  The kids were eager to pick out so many gifts that we decided we'd pray throughout Advent and ask God what He'd like us to give His Son for his birthday.



I made them these special pouches using Dana's Hobo Sack tutorial.  I cut the measurements in half so that they'd be smaller.  So, instead of her original measurements, mine measured 6 inches on two sides (with one of those sides having .75 inch cutouts and 4.5 inches in the middle of the cutouts) and 6 inches (+ the.75 inch cutouts) on the other two sides.  I tried to add the cute ruffle to the top of McKlayne's pouch but I was using some thicker upholstery scrap fabric that I had lying around and it was too thick with such tiny proportions to do much with. So, in desperation, I added a zipper. (This was my first time to add a zipper to anything!)  It looks terrible...but it worked for her last year.  (She'll be getting a remake when I make Oliver's in the coming years.)

BUT...if you're not a sewer, or you just don't have time, go ahead and buy a cute little pouch or coin purse. Easy! (These got packed up with the Christmas decorations last year just like stockings would, so they'll each have their own Shepherd's Pouches...that will only be used for this reason...for years to come.)

We told them that ALL month long, we'd be giving them "an allowance" to save up to buy Jesus his Birthday present.  We had a big jar of coins ready to pass out when we saw them helping out around the house or when they completed "a chore" (they were 2 and 3 last year so picking up a toy, or putting their shoes in their box were simple tasks they could complete.)  Asher was so anxious to earn money that he'd often ask what he could do.  So, we found things for him to do. It was sweet to watch his eagerness to serve and give to the least of these grow in the heart of my three year old. As soon as they'd receive "payment", they'd rush back to their room to put the money in their personal "shepherd's pouch" and often times want to count their new total.

The week of Christmas Eve, we talked about what types of things they'd like to buy Jesus for Christmas with the money that they had each earned in their shepherd's pouches and with the money that we'd set aside as a family.  During our time of family worship on Christmas Eve, as we read through the above referenced passage, they laid their pouches down at the Nativity at the appropriate time.  We prayed for those who would receive our gifts to come to faith and worship of our Newborn King.

The following morning they were surprised to see that in place of the money they'd earned, there were little surprises in their pouches.  They had never intended to receive anything back, but it was a sweet moment to teach them about how God's presence with us is his continual blessing to all who believe. His presence. Emmanuel  God with us. The very thing I pray that we'll celebrate. Truly. Deeply. This month and always.

Jordan's Bacon Candy

Heather gets the credit for naming this...and since it is her birthday today...this post goes out to her...the namer of "Bacon Candy".  (Heather, if you weren't in Haiti I would make you a big ol' plate with 35 pieces of Bacon Candy piled high. All.To.Yourself.  That would be my present to you. You know it would be the best present ever. Maybe the best present, or at least hypothetical one, that you've received in 35 years. Happy Birthday!! I sure love you.)

Juliette first introduced me to the goodness of Bacon Candy at Blaire's bridal shower...way back before Heather even named it "Bacon Candy". Juliette got it from Jordan.  And, Jordan, I don't know where you got this recipe...or if you're even the originator...but you'll get the credit for being the creator of this recipe forever and ever, as far as my family is concerned. It'll go down in the Apel family cookbook as "Jordan's Bacon Candy" to be passed down to my great, great, great grandchildren. Truly.

Okay...I'm done with my Grammy Acceptance Speech.  But, I feel like I need to give that every time I make Bacon Candy, as the response is always adoration...and I just don't feel like I deserve the credit. It is so simple.

So...back to bacon candy...what the what? I know. You're curious.  Everyone is always curious when it's mentioned.  Curiosity.  Skepticism. Humility. Adoration. Say it with me, now...that's usually the correct order of emotions in response to Bacon Candy.

Now that you're curious, let's move onto skepticism as you find out what it's made of: bacon, dates, almond butter. That's it.  I won't mention any names, but I've had people stick their nose up as I've listed the ingredients.  Some even down right refuse to try it.  And some are adamant that they will NOT like the delightfully deadly combination...but those same people usually decide to take a risk, in all their skepticism, and try it. 

And then they enter what I call Step 3: Humility.  Humility looks like them getting down on their hands and knees and asking for forgiveness for seeming so smug and stubborn and like I'd actually lead them astray when it comes to something like food...and once the begging ensues, I'd say we've reached Step 4: Adoration...where they're asking for me to write Jordan's Bacon Candy recipe and asking me to sign my autograph at the bottom of the recipe card.

So...this is where we'll pick up...I'm sparing you the Four Step Program...are you ready? This really is good. I promise.  So good that my kids gladly traded in their large bags of Halloween candy for a batch of their own.  No lie.  But, also so good that my husband will learn of this for the first time as he reads this post because...they ate ALL of the Bacon Candy on November 1st before he even got home from work at 5:05 p.m.  I figured it was better than half of their Halloween candy...

Here's what you need:

1 package of Bacon 

Pitted Dates (strips of bacon x 2)

Almond Butter

Toothpicks (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut strips of bacon into fourths.  So, if you started with 10 slices of bacon, you'll now have 40 pieces. (Sorry...this is for Heather, afterall, so I'm breaking down the math for her.)  Cut enough dates in half, so you have a 1/2 date for each 1/4 piece of bacon. (So, if you have 40 strips, you'll cut 20 whole dates....to make 40 half dates.) (I think the original recipe calls for whole dates and half strips of bacon, but this way you get twice the amount of goodness for half the ingredients.  And we don't think this compromises Jordan's Bacon Candy one bit.)

2. Spoon the almond butter into the date halves.  Wrap the almond butter-stuffed-dates with bacon.  You can secure them with a toothpick or just wrap them tightly without a toothpick.  (I've done them both ways.)  Place them on a baking sheet. (Tip: Line baking sheet with foil and fold all four sides up 1/2 an inch from each edge. This will keep all bacon grease inside the lined foil...and you won't have to clean your baking sheet.  Easy cleanup.  I'm all about that.)

3. Bake for 10 minutes.  Then turn them over and bake for another 15 minutes or so until done-ness.  Now...here's where you're going to have to trust me.  They taste great hot out of the oven.  But the taste EVEN better about an hour or so after they've cooled.  They congeal into the perfect gooey-ness after they've cooled.  That's how we like them best.  (If you happen to have leftovers, they keep well in the fridge.) 

After Asher (we call him the Paleo Police in our house) traded in his crap Halloween candy and while he was snacking on his bacon candy, he was recounting the night before when we'd Trick-or-Treated at the Morchat's...who live in our neighborhood...but weren't passing out candy.

Asher: I know why Jordan and Danny didn't have any candy for us.
Me: Why is that?
A: B/c they love us too much.
Me: What do you mean?
A: They didn't want to poison us. Candy is poisonous. It's not worth having a tummy-ache. 
Me: You're right, buddy...some of us just aren't so quick to learn that.
A: Danny loves us the most, though, because he wanted to give us meat. He wants us to have big muscles like him one day.