My Rose Among Thorns

Monday Munchies...

Paleo edition!  That's right people, get excited!  Paleo/eating clean makes me feel like a have a little bit more control over my lack of exercise/gaining weight at rapid speed situation.  The least I can do is watch what I put in my mouth, plus-if it's healthy, I don't feel guilty not limited, and if I'm good most of the time, hey-there's room for the delicious, terrible for you, I'm taking advantage of my state, food ;) 

Hey, pregnancy is the only time I don't diet...so don't judge me...

One of my biggest weaknesses this pregnancy has been blueberry muffins.  I would make the mix-only because I couldn't stomach paying such prices for pre-made muffins.  I would also eat a couple a day...so when I searched and found some paleo blueberry muffins I jumped right in.  

I wanted to try something...how would it work to process the almonds I had on hand and use it in place of the required almond flour?

It's ok...I couldn't create a fine consistency-which would probably make the overall texture and taste much similar to the regular blueberry muffins I'm so drooling over right now, but it works.  I will probably buy the almond flour and try again and see what I think then.  I think this texture would work much better in a cookie where fluffy is not a requirement.  

Paleo Blueberry Muffins

2 1/2 cups almond flour

*I ground my own almonds

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda 

1/4 cup coconut oil

*I have not seen liquid coconut oil-I don't know if it exists because at room temperature it's a solid, so I warmed it on the stove top from the oven and even though it was just softened, it mixed in well

1/4 cup maple syrup/honey

*I used honey

1/4 cup canned coconut milk

I did not have coconut milk, after some research, I used vanilla almond milk

2 eggs

3/4 cup frozen blueberries 

Maple sugar for sprinkling on top

*I skipped this

First, I ground my almonds

Then I melted the coconut oil

Combine the almond flour, salt and baking soda

Add in oil, milk, honey, and eggs

Mix in blueberries

Bake in oven at 350 for 25-30 minutes-mine were done after 17.

Enjoy!!!

I also want to add that something very special happened today!  I became an aunt, to a beautiful baby girlie!  My brother in-law and sister in-law are so deserving of this special little girl.  I'll be honest, I didn't know how it would feel to have a niece or nephew.  To me, being an aunt is serious business, and I want to have a special bond with my niece, and all those that follow.  But, I was nervous how I would connect and feel that amount of love to a baby that wasn't mine, but more so when I already have my own kids?  

Not that this can at all compare-but the experience was similar to when my dog was put to sleep.  I thought, that as much as I wanted to feel something-it wasn't going to be there.  I was kind of disconnected, had my own things going on.  But when that moment comes-wow!  It just hits you.  I could never have imagined I would have been so devastated by the loss of my dog, because I thought I was so distanced from it.  And just like that, I had no idea the amount of love, joy and happiness that would wash over me when I found out my niece was born!   

And not that I had any doubts, but if my heart can explode for this baby girl, imagine how much more room there is for another child of mine?  

So for all of you wondering how you'll love another child-this was particularly hard for me going from having only one child to two, believe me-it's instantaneous!