Homemade Chia Lemonade (or slushie)

We had a wonderful day yesterday watching our daughter get married to a wonderful man. We are very excited to have him join our family. It was a beautiful day. "It's a wonderful life."

Oh Happy Day!

It is a regroup day putting things back together. I have been dreaming about making my own homemade lemonade. I finally took the time to do it today and it was good.

Ingredients

1 C water
7 T honey (more if you want it sweeter)
3/4 C fresh lemon juice
1/4 C chia
3 C Ice Cubes

Directions  Serves 2

1. In a saucepan heat water and honey together on medium heat until they are all combined. Then stir in the lemon juice.
2. Take off the stove and stir in the chia.
3. Pour into blender with ice and blend until combined. (If you want it slushie wait until the lemon mixture cools to add the ice.) Serve right away after blending.

Citrus Popcorn (healthy)

Citrus Popcorn

Here is the zest combination we used!

This was a fun popcorn. I love citrus smells and flavors, and colors. I love having a bowl of fresh citrus on my counter. It breaths life into me just looking at it. :) It is probably the influence of my California blood. (I am sure you don't need to be from California to enjoy it.) When I went back to Calififornia a couple weeks ago I saw a lot of lemon trees over flowing with lemons. I wanted to go and pick them and bring them home. I know I took them for granted when I lived there. We did make some fresh lemonade while we were there and it was the best lemonade I have ever had. :) I miss having citrus trees in our yard. It is wonderful I can still enjoy buying them, and taking in the smells, flavors, and colors. :)

We found with this popcorn flavor it is best to add a little bit of zest at a time. You can see how you like it you can always add more.

Ingredients:
4 C popped popcorn (We used the air popper)
2 T coconut Oil (melted)
1 T fresh orange juice
1/2 T fresh lime juice
1/2 T lemon juice
1 T of a combination of lemon, lime, and orange zest
1/4 to 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:
1. In a bowl pour in popcorn. In a separate small bowl stir together the juice and the oil.

2. Toss the coconut mixture onto the the popcorn. Then toss on the zest and the salt. You can add more zest according to your taste preference. Enjoy immediately! It is a great way to bring Spring into your day.

Lemon Muffins with Kefir

I had a craving yesterday for something made out of fresh lemons. I love the smell when I cut up fresh lemons. It is amazing! It was therapeutic enjoying the smell. I would love to have lemon and orange trees in my yard, but that probably won't happen anytime soon! :) When I was growing up, my parents had them in our yard. There is nothing as good as home grown.

I have a bowl of lemons on my counter still. It brings extra life to my home this time of year.



This is what I ended up making with my lemons. They passed my 2 year old grandson taste test. I know that I have succeeded when he eats it. He is a picker eater. =)

Ingredients:

2 1/2 C oat flour
1 1/2 C spelt flour
1 C Teff flour (I ground it up in a coffee grinder)
1 tsp cardamom *optional
1/2 tsp salt
1 T baking powder
1 1/2 C Kefir or plain yogurt
1/2 C coconut oil
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
juice from 3 lemons = 1/2 C + 1 T
1 T lemon zest
1/2 C + 2 T honey

Directions:

1. Measure and mix all dry ingredients into a bowl. Set aside.

2. Measure and pour all the wet ingredients together in a bowl and beat until combined.

3. Combine the wet and the dry ingredients together till combined.

4. Pour into greased muffin pan. Bake in oven 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees, or until lightly golden.

5. Enjoy! =)

Makes about 35 mini muffins.

* Kefir has the most nutrition uncooked.