Raw Apple Pie Recipe

I recently found a fabulously delicious raw apple pie recipe that is quite easy to make and thought you might enjoy making it too. I have made it several times and the family has even eaten it for breakfast since it's so healthy! Because it's raw, it is gluten, dairy and egg free. Enjoy!

All American Apple Pie

(from "Ani's Raw Food Kitchen")

Almond Pie Crust:

2 cups almonds, dry

1 tsp. sea salt

2 cups pitted dates

Syrup:

1/2 cup pitted dates

1 orange, peeled and seeded

splash of water, as needed

Filling:

5 cups apples, peeled, cored and sliced (about 5-6 apples)

1 cup raisins &/or cranberries

2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:

Place pie crust ingredients in food processor and process until ingredients begin to stick together. Remove and place/shape into bottom and sides of pie dish. The sides can be shaped in traditional decorative pie edges. (It is helpful to process a small handful of the dry almonds first and then line the pie dish with the crushed almonds...it helps the pie crust not stick)

Blend syrup ingredients in blender, then mix the syrup with all the filling ingredients in a large bowl. Pour apple mixture in pie dish and place the last bit of apples in a decorative way on top. Tah Dah...beautiful and yummy!

Peach Preserves

Today I spent a wonderful afternoon with my dear friend, Becky, at her home in the country. As our children ran and played on her family's five acres, we chatted about all things having to do with being a homemaker, picked fresh peaches from her peach trees in these cute little baskets and then made preserves with those peaches. While I grew up watching my grandmother can fruits and vegetables, I had never attempted such a thing...it seemed too complicated! But the unknown seems to always be more daunting than the reality...it was so easy to 'can' those peaches! Pick, boil, ice-bath, peel, cut, mix in pectin & sugar...tah dah! Peach Preserves! Becky was so gracious and sent all 5 jars home with me! Yay! We are going to have warm muffins with fresh preserves for breakfast in the morning. Scrumptious! Thank you, Becky!

Afternoons like the one I spent today are so fulfilling. I felt so much joy fellowshipping with a sister in Christ, learning more homemaking skills, and watching our children play so free and safe on wide open land. Thank you, Father, for the rich gift of simplicity...may I always find the joy of contentment in the simple things You give. Amen.

A Field...

God's Word in Proverbs 31:16 says "She considereth a field, and getteth it: and with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard." As I was reading this passage again recently, I thought of what we often ask young adults as they're heading off to college...'What field are you entering? Or studying?' I always find it curious where certain phrases come from...

For many years as my husband's helpmeet, I have pondered what "field" I can consider, get and plant to bless him and our family. Until recently, I had not even considered how the Lord had orchestrated my college degree with my desire to purchase a field and plant a vineyard. The Lord may or may not use college in the future of our children, but when I was growing up, it was almost expected of everyone to attend college. At 17 years old I entered college and had to declare what "field" to study. I really had no idea what field to study...I just knew that I wanted to serve children. By God's grace and plan for my life, He introduced me to the "field" of Speech Language Pathology and several years later, I graduated and became a licensed Speech Language Pathologist working in the public school system. After only three years of working, I came home full time to be what I had always longed to be: a mommy who stays home with her little one, preparing her home to bless her husband after his long day at work. I thought that was the end of being a Speech Language Pathologist.

Recenty however, several fellow homeschooling mothers have asked me if I offer speech therapy services and I have always said no, for many reasons. I was so busy pondering "fields" to purchase, that I didn't even see "vineyard" value in the field I had already purchased. But then as I read the passage above, and pondered "field" in relation with the "field" I studied in college, I realized Speech Language Pathology was a field that I considered and received - by my Lord's provision. I was so excited! Our Lord uses all things for His glory! I immediately started organizing ways to "plant a vineyard" using the "field" I had purchased. Now, several months later, I am blessed to be servicing three homeschooled students from my home, with my own children near by working on their tasks at hand. I love the "vineyard" I am planting, being able to pray with my students and their parents, giving all glory of healing that takes place to Jesus, and blessing my husband and children with the earnings. Praise be to Jesus! Thank you Jesus for your loving guidance and provision! May You produce fruit out of the vineyard You have given me. Amen.

Welcome!

I am so excited you've come to visit! I hope you enjoy your time here on my blog. I adore having others to our home, spending time fellowshipping and praising the Lord for all His good works. Having you with me on my blog feels as if you're here with me at home! I look forward to sharing my journey of being all that God created me to be, doing the good works He prepared in advance for me to do, and sharing the struggles that He helps me to overcome. So, when you have a moment to relax...grab a cup of tea and join me! I would love to hear from you too, so please feel welcome in leaving me a message in the comment section of the post. Until the next time we meet, with lots of love....