Kaake Family Blog

Mmmm, Pumpkin Cheesecake with no guilt! Baby loves it!  Jon trying to make sure to eat it all quickly before brother asks for some.  lol! I found a recipe online that was changed up from a regular pumpkin cheesecake recipe.  I did a little changing of my own as you'll soon see.  This recipe was fabulous!  I would definitely use less butter for the crust next time but that's the only thing I'd change up other than the changes I've already made that you see below.  I hope you enjoy this as much as we do.  It's fabulous! Pumpkin Cheesecake by Miss Lizzy Ingredients Crust: 1 3/4 cups ground almond and/or almond meal (I used almonds and pecans. I also added in some salt) 3 tablespoons honey (optional - I did not add this) 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 stick melted salted butter Filling: 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature 1 (15-ounce) can pureed pumpkin 3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk 1/4 cup ...

My sweet friends from my Health Nuts forum have been posting so many yummy looking recipes.  Here's some I want to give a try or have already tried and love.  Do you have any to share that doesn't contain wheat or sugar? Caramel Apples by Heidi of 101 Cookbooks Grain Free Pumpkin Cookies by Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist Roasted Pumpkin Salad by Heidi at 101 Cookbooks Pumpkin Pudding by Diane at The Whole Gang   I've actually tried this and it's so good!  I use maple syrup in place of agave. Rice Pudding - by me :) Spiced Cider by me Cream Cheese Stuffed Dates by me Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes - I don't remember who I got this recipe from.   I will say these are hands down amazing! Maple Syrup Nuts Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate by My Year Without Sugar This is all I can find for now.  If I find more, I'll will most certainly add them.  Happy Eating!

Above is my sweet Lyshie having some of her mums cookie. I have found a few recipes that I meshed together into this cookie recipe.  Be forewarned, this is not a sweet cookie recipe.  Please adjust accordingly if you want a sweet cookie. Ingredients: 3 cups almond flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons ginger 1/4 cup oil 1/4 cup molasses 1/2 cup maple syrup 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest Directions: 1. In large owl combine flour, salt, soda and ginger. 2. In medium bowl combine oil, molasses, maple syrup and lemon zest. 3. Mix wet ingredients into dry. 4. Refrigerate dough for 1/2 - 1 hour. 5. Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough onto parchment lined baking sheet. 6. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes or until tops start to crack. 7. Cool and serve.

My mother made these from as long as I could remember while growing  up.  I was shocked that it was almost impossible to find this recipe online.  So, not only am I posting these here to share with you, but to also make sure I always have a copy of this wonderful recipe.   I hope you had a lovely and peaceful Christmas! Purdue Spiced Nuts Ingredients: 3-4 cups walnuts, pecans or both 1 egg white slightly beaten 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoon cinnamon Directions: 1. Put egg white and nuts in a bowl and stir well till all nuts are covered with egg white. 2. Add sugar, cinnamon and salt.  Stir till the nuts are well coated with this mixture. 3. Remove excess sugar mixture through sieve and spread nuts on baking sheet.   4. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes or till nuts are dry.    Store in airtight container.

Mmmm, can you say amazing! I always look for recipes that are yummy and sweet without using refined sugars. Sometimes I'm successtul and sometimes I am not. However, this time was a winner! Dh even thinks these nuts are very good. Maple Pecans 2 cups pecans (or other nuts) 1/3 cup maple syrup pinch of salt Directions: Heat a medium sized skillet and pour in your maple syrup. Add in nuts and sprinkle with a bit of salt. Keep stirring around now and then till most of the liquid has adhered to the nuts. Pour nuts out onto parchment or wax paper to dry. Store these in an airtight container or bag. Enjoy!

I have seen ideas for preschool activity bags that I thought were just darling. Lately it's annoyed me that I don't do nearly the amount of crafts that I'd like to with my children. So, my way of making this easier for us is taking the concept idea for the activity bags and using it for holiday themed crafts. I first find ideas for crafts I like from online, then print of the directions and templates needed. Make sure if you're doing these for more than one child, that you print out enough templates for each child. Only one set of directions is needed. If you have a totally awesome craft supply stash - Great! If not, I suggest going to the Dollar Tree (not Dollar Store) and Big Lots to pick up these items. IF you can't find what you need there, Walmart also has a good selection and great prices if you're on a strict budget. Also never underestimate freecycle and craigslist.org Get together your large zip lock bags - the freezer bags with labels w...