Small things

 

People always say, it's the small things in life that count.  Eventually small things become big and fill your life entirely.  When they do, it's wonderful.

Baby Ethan joined us on Sept 15th at 6:41 pm, and for the past four weeks we've been marveling in the wonder of a new life.

There's been plenty of real life too.  Tears, jealousy, clashes, growing pains I'm sure every growing family faces.  We're just going with it.

Roman and I still have time alone (together) while Ethan sleeps. This week, our time yielded two delicious treats. The first was somewhere between a cookie and a muffin, and the second was intangible: the chance reconnect as mother and first-born, just like old times.

Sweet Potato Muffins
Makes 12 large or 24 mini
Use any kind of sweet potato or yam you like.  Pumpkin would be a nice substitute.  Coconut palm sugar comes from Indonesia, made from the nectar of coconut palm trees and can be used in place of white or brown sugar.  I chose to add a small amount of regular sugar to this recipe as well, but you could use only coconut palm sugar.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup cooked sweet potato
2 eggs
2 heaping tablespoons coconut oil
1/4 cup milk

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl with a whisk to combine well.  Peel, cut and steam one sweet potato, then mash it well and let it cool slightly.  Depending on what size potato you may have leftovers, you will need about one cup packed.  Beat two eggs and add them to the dry mixture.  Add the coconut oil, milk and mashed sweet potato.  Bake in muffin tins, at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.  Large muffins may take longer, so check for doneness.

Zen and the bran muffin

 

Unlike my days of global travel, this summer I've been finding my way through a great physical and emotional journey. Now I'm taking a little time to find center again, drawing on yoga practice and gentle music to ground me before passing into the great unknown of becoming a mother to two.

People have been telling me to nurture myself in this time. My interpretation of that advice meant cooking up a storm over the last two weeks.  I turned out tamale pie, shepherd's pie, southwestern corn and sweet potato soup, mushroom barley soup, beef stew, harvest pork stew, lentil soup and pasta sauce- all packaged, labeled and tucked neatly into the freezer.  My father baked mini-baguettes and we froze those too. I made granola bars, two batches of granola, four types of muffins, all for consumption after the baby comes.  These acts made me feel strong. Self-sufficient. Like the rock that I think I need to be.

Life, and giving life demands strength.  I've been able to find strength in order, in taking control of what can be controlled.  

If the heavily sleep deprived version of myself pulled these together at 6 a.m., I'm betting anyone can do it.  These muffins turned out to be a shining beacon of light this morning.  There is nothing dry or bland about them.  Even without a drop of oil or fat, the apple and carrot lend great moisture and flavor.  Be zen.  Be healthy. Seek inner peace and eat more bran. 

Apple Carrot Bran Muffins

Slightly adapted from Bob's Red Mill recipe

I omitted the raisins and nuts from this recipe, mostly to please my toddler. I didn't miss either ingredient.

Makes 15 muffins

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup white flour

3/4 cup ground flaxseed

3/4 cup oat or wheat bran

1 cup brown sugar

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cups carrots, shredded

2 apples, peeled and shredded

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)

3/4 cup milk

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla

Mix together the first nine ingredients in a large bowl.  Stir in the grated carrots and apple, add the raisins and nuts if desired.  Combine the milk, beaten eggs and vanilla.  Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until moistened.  Fill muffin cups about 3/4 full.  Bake at 350 for at least 20 minutes.  (I left mine in for 30 and they came out perfectly done.)