Wednesday, July 31, 2013

RECIPE: Paleo Banana Nut Bread Scones

I admit it ... I'm a scone lover. Crunchy, delicious scones. Vanilla bean scones. Pineapple coconut scones. Cranberry walnut scones. Orange scones. I crave them. This morning we went for a six mile walk. We ate brunch while we were out. I had a salad of mixed greens, chicken, bleu cheese crumbles, cranberries, walnuts and broccoli. I finished lunch off with a pluot and a big bottle of water, then we made our way home ... The long way.
We got back home and sitting there on the counter in the kitchen was a couple of sad looking bananas. Way past their prime for peeling and eating, but well within the range of using them in banana bread. I decided to combine the two ideas ... Scones and Banana Bread while keeping it Paleo.
INGREDIENTS:

2 cups Almond Flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon G round Cinnamon 

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract 
2 tablespoons Honey
1 Very Ripe Banana, mashed 
1,2 cup Chopped Pecans
Topping:
3 tablespoons Honey
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon


DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a Silpat.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. 

3. Add vanilla and honey and mix well.
4. Fold in the bananas and pecans and mix again until everything comes together in one big massive ball of dough.
5. Place the dough on the baking sheet and flatten. I used my hands.
6. Bake for 16 - 18 minutes (depending on your oven).

7. While the scones are baking, make the glaze.
8. 
Once they are golden brown remove them from the oven to cool. Using a serrated knife, cut into 8 equal pieces.

9. Combine the honey and cinnamon in a small bowl, whisking until smooth.
10. Drizzle the scones with the glaze.
Makes 8 scones
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Friday, July 19, 2013

Hiking - Rubicon Trail: D.L.Bliss to Vikingsholm and Back - July 19, 2013

So, Peggy has been telling us how beautiful the trail is to Vikingsholm from DL Bliss State park. We finally got our schedules coordinated and we went! Absolutely breathtaking! I must admit, most of my photos look a little "dreamy" because I accidentally had my camera is some funky setting. I didn't realize it until it was too late because I was wearing polarized sunglasses ... Duh! Anyway, we had a wonderful time in a magnificent place! 

 Me and the girls ... Lynn, Peggy and Gail!






 An eagles nest!











 This is a Thimbleberry. The ripened fruit is red and it is edible. The plant looks like grapevines with strawberry blossoms ... Quite interesting!
 A Sierra Tiger Lily
Oxeye Daisy
 Someone go creative and made this enormous rock look like a critter! A shark, perhaps?


 The Life.
 I took the following photos with my iPhone, so hopefully their color will be more true.







 Vikingsholm. What an amazing place!

To learn more about Vikingsholm click  HERE.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Scuba Diving - Sea of Cortez - July, 2011

In June 2011 Conrad and I were invited aboard the liveaboard, Rocio Del Mar Liveaboard . We spent a wonderful, fun filled week diving and meeting new friends. Here are some of my most favorite images from that REVIEW TRIP ...

Black coral was in "full bloom".
 Conrad hovering above a Basket Starfish at rest.
 The tiniest creatures are curious, too!

 A Stingray Eye
Flatworm ...
 A beautiful Nudibranch ...
A pair of Nudibranchs "Frolicking"
 Christmas Tree Worm ...
 And another ...
 Starfish cruising along the rocks and reefs.
 Beautiful, they may be, but they sure can sting!

 My favorite - Spanish Shawl Nudibranch.
 A Green Moray Eel
 Scallop
 Our "home" for the week ... The Rocio del Mar!
 Claudio. An amazing nature photographer.


 Three Amigos.
 Sealions ...

 A beautiful sunset marks the end of a wonderful day!

 Claudio


 Painting with light



 Dolphns!
 For more than two hours we had dolphins at our bow!
 Lots and LOTS of dolphins!



 Javier and Claudio doing their thing ... Photographing nature!

















... And then there were WHALESHARKS!











For a full review from our trip ... Click  HERE.

For more information about booking the Rocio Del Mer Liveaboard ... Click HERE.