Strawberry Fields

Hello Sweets,

Spring is finally here, to anyone other than a Canadian you've probably already been experiencing warmer weather but we just got ours.  I love spring time (but not as much as summer), the smell of rain and fresh cut grass to fresh fruit and veggie stands from local farmers.  Although nothing is better than going berry picking, and here in south western Ontario we have some wonderful berry farms!  I know it's a little early in the season to be picking (actually WAY too early), but I couldn't help but start dreaming about all the wonderful treats that can be made with farm fresh produce :)

My roommate bought too many strawberries and told me to help myself to them, and you know what happens when I've been day dreaming of creative treats and a present like that is drop on me?  You guessed it, I wanted to bake with them!  I recently came across this really cook foodie website where they share all sorts of recipes and tips called Mr.Food.  So I started looking at the different strawberry recipes and came across one that I thought sounded pretty interesting.  I add a few extra ingredients of course, but they were my inspiration!

Fast Strawberry Cobbler

Ingredients

1/2C butter, melted

1C self rising flour

1/2C white sugar, divided

1/4C brown sugar, divided

3/4C milk

2C fresh strawberries, quartered

1/2C water

1Tsp cinnamon

as you can see the additional ingredients were an in progress thought :)

Directions:
1)  Preheat oven to 350F.  Pour melted butter into a 1 1/2 quart glass baking dish.

2)  In a large bowl, combine flour, 1/4C sugar (half of each), and milk pouring evenly over the butter.

3)  In a separate bowl combine strawberries, remaining sugar, and water; spoon evenly over the flour/milk layer.  DO NOT STIR.

4)  Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until golden.  Serve warm or cold.
*side note*  I ended up with more liquid than I would have liked once it was done baking.  I simply drained it off and simmered in on the stove top to make a simple syrup to go with the dessert, it turned out perfectly!

I think the next time I make this I will try a different berry and possibly use brown sugar only, but who knows what else I'll have dreamed up by then right?  Either way remember to have fun, and if something has gone not according to plan think of a way to make it work for you instead of against you.

So I have now began the cookie research phase and I think I'll be trying a batch tomorrow of one of the first three cookie, after all I need the first three chosen before creating the third!  So be prepared for cookies, cookies, and more cookies!  I am both looking forward to and dreading this all at the same time, since I like things like this to be perfect it will take some time.  I know this has been a fairly short post but I started with a mild migraine and now it is full force, so it is time for this girl to relax.  Until next time............................


Stay sweet,



Jennifer xoxo

Fun at 200mph or as fast as your electric beaters can go!

Hello Sweets,

Well now that I am finally settled back on Canadian soil again, which is more taxing than you would think.  When your energy is low, or non existent for that matter, unpacking is a nightmare.  I thought it would be a good time to do a recap of my weekend at the Texas Motor Speedway (it will be a little shorter but still great)!

I'm not sure of how many of you guys have ever been tailgating for any sport, but there is a lot of preparation that goes into it.  Making sure you have all the food and beverages, then the tent to protect you from the Texas sun, chairs, the grill, ice (lots of it), clothing options for the unpredictable Texas weather, and any thing else you think you might like (me for instance, I baked a whack of goodies to share with everyone).  But seriously it takes a couple of days to get everything together, and undoubtedly you'll forget something.  We forgot ice the first day, and the hot dogs on the second day lol.  But when you forget a couple of little things that are easy to replace, it's easier to just laugh it off.

So on my previous post about the race, I talked about how I came to love the sport and all that comes with it, and how even with my health, we have found ways to make it easier for me to enjoy it.  But today's post is all about the FOOD we had consumed over the weekend.  :)  Now I should give fair warning that there wasn't a whole lot of healthy food, but as long as you eat in moderation and stay active, you can indulge once in a while.

Nathan bought me my very own snack bag for tailgating and carrying into the speedway

Okay, so what we brought along with us could have probably fed a small army, but with three grown men I think bringing a little more is better than not enough lol.  On Friday we just brought some Doritos, hot dogs for grilling, an assortment of my baked goods (which included pecan pie muffins, pecan dreams, brownies, and the original pecan pie muffins), peanuts, and a Cajun trail mix for me (really need to make my own one day).  Now for anyone who knows Nathan, knows he doesn't like cheese so I don't really eat a whole lot of it when I'm around him, but when we go to the races he buys me nachos :D, so I had that during the race.  Saturday we pretty much had the same, but because Nathan's dad had joined us we brought some potato chips and El Fenix tostada chips and hot salsa (if you are in Texas find the restaurant and eat there, they're that good!!), but this time Nathan and I shared a funnel cake (note: do not go to the booth manned by high school students or be prepared to shake 1lb of powdered sugar off of it lol).  Sunday was by far the best food, but alas my health was against me near the end of the race and since I was feeling so awful I went to sleep in the truck until it was time to go home, but they boys got to enjoy some traditional southern food; BBQ chopped beef with spicy sauce (so upsetting that I could not partake :( )

                                                                                      

The boys at our tailgating area and my morning cup of special coffee ;) (our secret)

All in all it was a great weekend, we all had lots of fun and plenty of laughs.  Nathan, of course in his usual loving spoiling way, made it a great weekend for me and always goes out of his way to do whatever it takes to make sure I'm comfortable and happy :)  Oh and just like he did on  Saturday, we went back and got the second t-shirt which was still on sale (he spoils me so!).

My favorite part are the full length wings on the back :D

I am very excited because a few weeks back I won a giveaway that the lovely Sarah from My (mostly) Healthy life had put on for some allergen/gluten free mixes (bread, pancake/waffles, cakes too!) from Allergic Solutions and they arrived today in my Texas mail!!!

Eeekkk!!

So now I am going to do some research because I want to use these products in the most healthy way possible :)  If you have any suggestions please let me know, as you know I love to try new things.  Until next time......

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo