Paleo + Vegan (Gluten Free) Fall Cookies

Since Fall is here and cookie season has already started, I have been experimenting with the flours for awhile. Gluten free flour, almond flour, garbanzo flour, gluten-free buckwheat flour, tapioca starch, arrowroot powder. Trying to make healthy Vegan and Paleo friendly delicious cookies, muffins, cakes, bread, pies... Baking is relaxing and 

I like to keep things simple.

PALEO + VEGAN (GLUTEN FREE)

FALL🍂 COOKIES

yonca's kitchen

Let's not skip the fun while baking healthier. Even though I try something new and not being successful, laughing and enjoy being in the kitchen comes first. Everything for happiness!!! Cheers for healthier cookies and having good time!

Ingredients:
2 cups almond flour
2 tbsp dark maple syrup
1.5 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/8 tsp sea salt
Zest of one lemon (finely grated)

Stir all the ingredients together until a smooth dough forms. Roll into a ball and press down gently.
Place on baking tray.
Bake for about 8 minutes. (350F/175 C) 
Sprinkle some cinnamon on the top of each cookie. Let em' cool before removing them.  

Mmmm...Cinnamon!!! 
Yes...I'm LOVING that smell and it reminds me how much I missed fall.
Time to call the kids😃 Hooray!!!
Mine is 15 this year but is still a cookie monster. So am I. 😀

Happy Fall 🍁

Air Fryers - The Healthier Way to Fry

If you and your kids love fries and you are looking for a healthier cooking method for your loved ones to eat better, you definitely need an air fryer. An exceptional gadget that uses rapid air technology.

 

3 Main Reasons For Having an Air Fryer;

- Less fat! Your meal contains less fat than regular frying. Air fryer doesn't have a special compartment for oil. It cooks food perfectly with drizzling some olive oil instead of submerged in hot fat and still makes it tasty.

- Still tasty! Crispy and crunchy on the outside and a juicy inside. If you are a fry lover, first thing that pops in mind is "Can it cook food, chicken, dumplings, veggies crunchy enough like deep fryer?" The answer is;  air fryer could replicate a deep-fried taste. It is worth to try for eating healthier. 

- Time saver! Faster than a convection oven. When we compare this kitchen appliance with a pan or a deep fryer, it's almost the same. Cleaning after use is much easier. It's a life saver especially for working moms and dads! Healthier choice, easier clean up process!

You can cook your family favorite meals with less fat, by circulating hot air with a fan in an air fryer like a convection oven. You can read the similarities and the differences of convection ovens and air fryers here

If you heard about air fryer but you haven't got one yet, you most likely have another question in your mind.

What Can You Cook in Air Fryer?

While it improve your life style and eating habits, you can still enjoy your favorite foods on the table.

All frozen foods, fries, nuggets, fish sticks, etc.
It does a great job for reheating leftovers.
French fries in less calories,
Roasting nuts,
Raw meat,
You can roast chicken, pork, beef and also grill vegetables in the air fryer.
Roasted whole chicken, doesn't take more than 30 minutes.
Baked goods (cakes, muffins) Yes, you can bake with optional buy accessories.

Can I Replace a Convection Oven With an Air Fryer?

Air fryer gives food a fried texture and the same taste of convection cooking. It is totally up to you! But most air fryers have a small capacity. If you have a big family, you might need to use it in several batches or look for a XL model.

This affordable appliance will help you transform your kitchen into a modern space without breaking your budget. Fry, bake, roast, grill.. This magic appliance can do it all!

Is It Worth Buying?

It is multi-functional, easy and fun to use, affordable, portable and the most important, much healthier than other frying gadgets!!! Totally worth it!

There are so many kitchen appliances that have come and gone in my kitchen over the years. Some of them were very useful, were worth to buy and keep them. Some, waited for the garage sale. I don't like to purchase appliances just because they look cool. They must be really useful, multi-functional items are most preferable for sure. At least must work for one good reason. There is no room for the appliances I don't like to use and no room in the budget to purchase kitchen tools/gadgets I'm sure that I would never use again.

Zucchini Sticks

Fast, easy and healthy zucchini sticks, even your kids would love to eat zucchini with this air fryer recipe. I have been cooking this favorite family food in the convection oven for years! Now, it is time to try it in this new world kitchen appliance. Zucchini Sticks/recipe

The variable temperature allows to cook up all kinds of food from frozen veggies to your family's favorite pizza! This gadget would probably be your new favorite item in the kitchen. One new kitchen appliance can make a big change in your life, can give a start to eat better. Air fryer, will touch your life!

Purple time of the year! Lavender season / Inspire me- 1

Close your eyes! Let yourself flow into a purple dream!! You're in a lavender field. Refreshing, relaxing..smells heavenly

 It's the perfect time to visit a lavender farm! 

It's purple time of the year!

Add a lavender farm visit to your summer vacation, plan a day trip or a weekend getaway. Believe me, you need it more than you think. Take pictures of gorgeous views and stay calm in purple beauty.

Lavenderlands to visit;

Provence/France - Full color sunflowers and lavenders together makes a beautiful shot.  (July/August)

Senanque Abbey (the Abbaye Notre Dame de Sénanque) near Gordes.
Sénanque Abbey is the most famous place for a lavender shot to make your Provence visit unforgetable.
Try to go there early to catch the right position for the perfect shot. It will not be so crowded in the morning, no parking problem either..more info

Mayfield Lavender, Banstead, UK. Located ~ 13 miles from center of London. Open everyday 9am to 6 pm. Read more..

Mt. Shasta Lavender Field in California. One of the highest peaks in California area. Due to the unusual weather, they announced that they can not open this blooming season until to June, 2018 on their Facebook page.

I lived in Long Island for more than ten years. We love LI and driving around. If you are around New York or planning to visit it this summer, along with Long beach, don't skip the Lavender farm.

It is located in East Marion, Lavender By the Bay! Open daily 9 am to 6 pm. Read more

Lavender By the Bay

   
The best spot to view the lavender in Japan is Farm Tomita! Furano, Hokkaido
 more..

Lavender Farm Guest House in Franschhoek. It is one of the oldest towns in Republic of South Africa. Luxery suits with a lavender view! Amazing!
Read more

Give yourself another experience in Kuyucak Village-Keçiborlu, Isparta/ Turkey. A beautiful lavender town is also famous with lovely roses. This city smells lavender and rose! Your visit to Turkey would be an escape from stress in July.
Read more

Lavandario in Cunha city, Sao Paola State, Brazil. Amazing 30 types of flowers, bigger or smaller, violet, lilac, white and pink ones!..more info

Sunshine Herb / Lavender Farm,
Washington, US more info

Can't stop myself from diving deeper into the purple dream. I need more lavender, more purple.. Let's make Lavender ice tea. Sounds good?

I love iced tea, iced coffee for summer time and like to keep a variety of iced tea and coffee on hand in the refrigerator all summer long.
This aromatic herb goes incredibly delicious also for drinks.

Lavender Iced Tea:

1/2 gallon water
1 1/2 tsp lavender
2 tea bag (family size)
2 tsp honey ( skip it if you don't like your tea sweet or you're a vegan..still delicious!)
lemon slices to garnish.

Bring water to a boil. Make your tea in a pot with hot water, add lavender, let it steep for 4 minutes. Remove tea bags and also lavender using a strainer. If you like sweet, add honey. Chill it in the refrigerator.
Serve over ice.

Your summer drink is ready with many benefits like helping digestion and anxiety, relieves headache and relaxing. Lavandula angustifolia helps sleep as well. Recent researchers say too much iced tea might be a reason of a kidney stone. Life is... all about balance 🤣

Enjoy!

Happy 4th of July everyone🗽

(to be continued..more lavenderlands)