Almond Flour/Grain Free Zucchini Bread

Nine months out of the year, I don't think too much about zucchini. But in the summer I crave it, right alongside tomatoes and cucumbers. I can't get enough!

Last week at work, we had a farmers' market and I loaded up on up zucchini, with the intent to pile it on salads and, most importantly, make zucchini bread. 

I laughed when I realized I did the exact same thing last June, but this year I changed the recipe a bit. It's not vegan this time around (bring on the eggs and honey!) and it's actually totally grain free. Not because I'm not loving oats, but just to mix it up a bit. 

I followed this recipe from Against All Grain, but made a few small changes. The result was great - it has such a buttery, moist flavor about it, even though it doesn't contain butter. I'm not sure why, but I ain't complaining. 

So here we go...

Almond Flour/Grain Free Zucchini Bread

(Adapted from Against All Grain)

Ingredients:

1 & 1/2 c. almond meal or flour

3 t. cinnamon

1 t. baking sode

1/2 t. salt

3 eggs

1/4 c. honey

1 1/2 c. shredded zucchini

To make:

Preheat oven to 350

Mix dry ingredients in medium sized bowl

Combine wet ingredients and zucchini in medium sized bowl, beat on medium speed until frothy

Pour wet ingredients into dry; stir until mixed

Poor into medium loaf pan or muffins

(Optional: sprinkle sugar or brown sugar on top for extra tastiness)

Bake for 30-35 minutes

Top with sunbutter and enjoy :)

Happy summer eating!

8 Things I'd Tell Myself at 20

Last week at work, my coworkers and I were joking about what it would be like to be 20 again. We were talking about what we'd do differently had we known how we'd feel five to 10 years later. I felt pretty strongly that, if given the opportunity again, I wouldn't go back to being 20. But, if I were to, here's what I'd tell myself:

1. Remember, you're part of something bigger. Whether you're religious or not, the world is so much more than just you and your campus. I know it doesn't feel that way when you're in the college bubble, but you are one part of a much larger body of our human population. Don't live like you're the only one that matters.

2. Wear sunscreen. You really don't need to be that tan. And also, don't go to the tanning bed. Ever. It's the winter in Indiana; it's cool if you're ghostly.

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3. Date nice guys. And keep your standards high. There are way, way too many good people out there to make space in your life for those who aren't kind. (Also, if you're looking for love, check this out).

4. And be friends with nice people. You often become similar to those you spend your time with. Who do you want to grow into?

5. Don't change yourself for people. Being authentic is so much more fun than trying to fit in. And, you glow a whole lot more when you're doing you. 

6. But don't be afraid to change. I remember someone I was friends with in high school told me in college, "you've changed". And it hurt my feelings at the time. Now? I'm thinking: well thank goodness! If I was the same at 22 as I was at 18, I'd wonder what I'd learned the last four years.

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7. Don't forget that you WILL have to answer for the decisions you make in college. I made decisions in college that I wish I hadn't and I've had to reconcile them personally. But that's not always the case. Many people will answer to graduate programs, future employers, etc. Oh, and also, you're representing your family - make your mama proud. 

8. You don't have to figure out your whole future now. Move forward - yes. But know that life is constanlty changing. I've used my major a lot since college, but in different ways than I anticipated. Life is full of beautiful surprises. Don't stress so much about controlling everything - just focus on building the best version of yourself that you can.

life in the garden

This summer, I'm working hard on my green thumb, which has been, historically, disastrously nonexistent. I've had two goals:

1) Grow vegetables in our backyard

2) Keep the hydrangeas my mom planted last year alive.

Goal one? So far, so good! I ate my first batch of basil last week by way of pesto and it was excellent. I can't wait to try the tomatoes.

Goal two? I can't even. Those hydrangeas need more water than I do, I'll tell you what.

Last week, when I realized they were all brown after me being gone for a week (I should have hired a plant-sitter), Muff had to intervene. She told me to deadhead them. I asked her if I should use scissors or just yank the tops off. She laughed and said definitely scissors.

She told me you have to cut the tops off because, when there are brown flowers, the plant will use all of its resources to rejuvenate them. And, in turn, the other leaves will lose out on the hydration.

As I was cutting the tops off, I got to thinking about how we're kind of the same way. If we don't care for our whole person, and we neglect certain needs and parts of ourselves, they start to go brown and can impact us in so many other ways. Then, it takes a lot more energy to get them back there where they need to be.

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For a long time, I neglected the rest part of myself. I slept way too little, I was never home, I never slowed down. And, even when I was firing on all cylinders in other areas, if I let it go too long without remembering to slow down, my entire life would crumble. And then I'd have a period where I'd have to put it all back together: emotionally, physically, spiritually.

But now, I've learned that I need time alone. I need sleep. I need time to pray, to think, to meditate. I need time to hydrate that part of my life, instead of breaking down and deadheading it.

There are phases of life, I think, where we're forced to put all of our energy toward one thing. During times of recovery, healing, building, creating - those all encompassing things may call for everything we have. And that's OK. In fact, it can be really beautiful. 

But during the every day way of life, it's so important to remember that everything is connected - we have just one mind, body and spirit and all three rely on one another. What we eat, do and say impacts our whole person and, if we let them, allow us to blossom and grow. And that really is beautiful. 

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my kind of atlanta weekend

I went into this weekend with high hopes and a pretty set itinerary. But, as a good Atlanta weekend always does, it surprised me with just enough impromptu activities to leave me happily refreshed. I do love adventuring in this city!

Friday, Chris made me an awesome dinner. He cooked bison burgers, which I've been wanting to try for a while. Paired with a kale salad and avocado & mango salsa - and we feasted! I sipped wine&OJ on the deck while he grilled and couldn't have been happier about it. I.love.summer.

Saturday, Duke and I got up early early to bike the Silver Comet Trail. I'd done it once, but that was just weeks before I did my triathlon and was, admittedly, in better cardio shape. Let's just say it was a good workout. For me. Duke just cruised along. :)

After that, I met up with friends to Shoot the Hooch. Last summer, my Hooch plans were rained out (not once, but twice), which means I hadn't done it since summer 2012. I was itching to get out there. 

We floated for about an hour before a thunderstorm set in - so for the last two hours we were floating amid lighting and mega raindrops. Decidedly, though, if our biggest problem on Saturday was that we got wet while floating the river in our swimsuits, then it's still a pretty dang good day. 

Sunday, Chris and I went to what is easily Atlanta's best kept coffee secret: Chattahoochee Coffee Company. It sits on the river the couldn't be more peaceful. I'm adding it to my Atlanta Bucket List because I think it's going to be a weekend game changer for me. I don't go OTP for a lot, but for a good coffee shop, I will. 

After that, Sunday included church with friends, a nice long walk and meeting up with friends before the World Cup at Cypress Street. 

I wrapped up Sunday night babysitting - fully recharged, relaxed and grateful for two whole days in this wonderful city. Summer life is good life. 

I hope your weekend was lovely! 

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PS: I strongly prefer not to give negative reviews on my blog, but after our experience dealing with Urban Currents, it would be a disservice not to share my recommendation that you should not rent from them in you float the river this year. I'll spare you the details, aside from that they are incredibly disorganized and increased the price so it's now $27.50 to float. If you're going to shoot this year, definitely BYOTube and drop your car off at the end. It's worth the extra effort to avoid the headache.