Carrana Muffins – like the Brangelina of baking

Banana & Carrot Muffins – Gluten & Sugar Free

In light of 2016 being the Year of Life, and thanks to the help and guidance of my new homeopath, wheat and sugar are going to be two things that hubby and I are going to be cutting out this year.  Sounds rather bleh and I must say my first thought was ‘well what the hell are we going to eat’.  But instead of wallowing I decided to find some nice recipes to try in order to feel like we aren’t being too deprived. I found this recipe on Pinterest but added a few things for myself..  They turned out really well, the texture is quite moist and a little bit stodgy but the flavour is great and with some wholesome butter added on, they were delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 large bananas (mashed)
• 2 large carrots (grated)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp vanilla essence (I used the Woolworths essence as it has no added sugar like some other brands)
• 1 cup almond flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 50g butter (soft – room temperature)
• 120ml – 150ml milk

Method:

• Mix bananas, carrots, eggs, vanilla essence and honey together first in a blender (I use my fantastic Kenwood Blender with the main blending blade in)
• Separately mix together the almond flour, baking powder and mix it in with the soft butter
• Add the dry mix in with the banana/carrot mix.  Add milk slowly while you blend until you get a nice sticky, batter consistency.
• Bake on 180 degrees Celsius for approx 40mins

My mom and I tried the first batch and even though the texture and taste are not what we are used to, the flavour was yummy and they are definitely very very enjoyable.  I have kept them in the fridge and will be having one shortly with my mid-morning cuppa…

Enjoy..

I.R x

 

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Doggy Lollies = Happy Dog!

So, if you haven’t figured out from the millions of social media posts everywhere, Jo’burg is having a heatwave! Its hellava hot – like scorching, like you can’t get no sleep kinda hot!  I must be honest, my idea for doggy ice lollies was not spurred on by the heatwave, but it rather dawned on me a few months ago when we first got our little (big now) pup, Juno.  I was feeling so guilty about leaving her all alone and going to work, that I started making little treats for her as an “I’m sorry I’m leaving you” as I secretly sneak the car out of the garage..

I got the idea from my font of all things, Pinterest of course.  It’s such a simple and easy thing to make and can keep your pup busy and happy.  Of course, in this heatwave it has proved a refreshing treat to keep her cool.

How to make Bovril/Marmite Doggy Lollies:

• You will need some old plastic tubs (I keep all my old yoghurt tubs, as she likes to play and chew the tubs a little after the lolly is done).  I wouldn’t recommend using good tupperware for this, as you wont get it back!
• Dissolve one tbsp of bovril or marmite in about 500ml of boiling water.
• Let it cool and pour out into your yoghurt tubs.  Place in freezer and leave at least overnight before using.
• Give it to you pup straight away after taking it out of the freezer – they will spend a good part of 30mins licking and biting the yumminess while it melts slowly

How to make Chicken Broth Doggy Lollies:

• These are my pup’s absolute favourite – but I only make these when we do a roast.
• Use same aforementioned yoghurt tubs
• Take your left-over chicken carcass – cover with water in a new pot and simmer it down for a good hour or two on slow heat. The slower and longer the better as you will get more out of it
• Let the water cool, and throw the bones away
• Use the broth you now have to fill up your tubs – allow as much meat and fat to get into your tubs as well (these act as little treats for your pup as their lollies melt)
• Freeze and use as directed above.

You can get creative and use practically anything yummy and doggy-friendly as the ingredients for your lolly.  I did try Oros lollies once but Juno didn’t like them.  She obviously has no sweet tooth.

I make a good 3 or 4 of these lollies a week – it takes a few mins to do and I just leave them in the freezer to use as and when needed.  Juno loves them and knows exactly what they are now so when I open the freezer and pull one out, her tail starts wagging furiously, beautifully awaiting her treat!

 

 

2016 -The Year of Life

Hello dear reader,

And welcome to my little blog’s new home…  I hope it and you will be very happy here.

At the end of each year, as some of you know, my best girls and I give the year ahead of us a name.  We give it a goal and a driver, that is unique and specific to each of us.

For me this year is The Year of Life..  The note I scribbled about my definition of it late one sleepless December night was as follows:

The Year of Life – 

Living it, loving it, embracing it, looking after it, respecting it, making the most of it… and most, most of all CREATING IT.

 

Here’s to 2016! May it bring all kinds of fabulousness to you too.

Imogen