Cinnamon Raisin Bread?

On a whim a few months ago I bought baking raisins (the kind already plump and moist) and have had baking with them on my to-do list since then. I finally got around to it today as my apartment smelled weird and old and I needed something to spice up the air around here.

I found this recipe on www.100daysofrealfood.com. Now it is not 100% vegan as it does use honey as the sweetener. I am a vegan that uses honey, so if you don't, use agave or vegan cane sugar, or brown rice syrup. I wanted to try this recipe out because it uses coconut oil in it. A lot of it in fact. I bought some a few months ago after reading about some delicious things my sister-in-law was using it for and have been really bummed out by it in my own adventures. I have used it only twice...1) Made a grilled cheese for husband with it. Didn't get good reviews as he doesn't like his coconuts and cheese mixing. 2) For frosting. What a disaster. Due to its consistency, it just kept melting and sliding off the cupcakes. I had to add so much powdered sugar to the frosting to get it firm up that my teeth ached after one bite.

Now...this baby just came out of the oven. And wow....adding a 1/2 cup of oil to it just makes it fabulous! I had to improvise from the original recipe as my bread machine turned off by itself half-way through the process and I had no idea when to add the raisins (btw...I did it after the bread rose for about 45 minutes). This bread is so moist. The bread machine massacured my raisins, so there is really not a single whole raisin in it, but raisin bits throughout it. Honestly, this bread takes like the dark rye bread they serve at Outback Steakhouse (I haven't had it in a few years, but I remember it fondly).

So to sum up...coconut oil in baking bread is awesome. No coconut taste and incredibly moist bread. Baking raisins are a joke, but when your bread machine purees them, it gives your bread a rye taste. And somehow after following a recipe for cinnamon raisin bread I made Outback Steakhouse bread. Sounds like a success to me!

Here's a link to the recipe... http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/05/25/recipe-whole-wheat-cinnamon-raisin-bread-for-bread-machine/

Final Summer Day

I miss the early fall of Colorado. The changing leaves, the cool weather, the smell of pine needles highlighted on the Chinook wind over the Flatirons in Boulder.  In Georgia, fall is delayed. Tremendously late in fact. Today the high was going to be 85 degrees which is just ridiculous for Mid-October. My puppy is shedding like crazy because he already grew in his winter coat, so now my vacuum is getting a good work-out as I have to clean every two days to keep my beige carpet from turning gray with fur.

I brought my camera on our morning walk this morning and found a few leaves that are just starting to change, getting ready to welcome with open arms the cooler weather. My puppy though loves this warm weather and happily chewed on sticks, played with his girlfriend and explored while I gripped to myself about how warm it was at 9am.

Chevron Love Affair

Lately, I have gotten a crush on chevron. The sharp lines, the bold colors, and the charlie brown reference, has got me swooning.

I am starting to become obsessed and have been on the hunt for all things chevron to fulfill my new crush.



If this baby blanket doesn't make you want to procreate, I don't know what will.  UrbanTot on Etsy



I am in love with the colors of this pendant, as well as the wood frame. There are also some amazing chevron belt buckles in this store! NeedleYou on Etsy.



This is just awesome. A vintage sweater, a handmade beaver applique and chevron? Yes, please! Aorta on Etsy.



Once again, the color is what first drew me to this pillow. But after staring at it for days, I can't get over the more subtle and slightly middle eastern chevron pattern twist. WillaSkyeHome on Etsy.



Just a little bit of Chevron for everyday wear. If I wore rings (besides my wedding ring), these would be first on the list. MelanieFavreau on Etsy.

 

I have also created an etsy treasury list showing off some other great chevron items I found.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Nzg5MzQ4OHw5MDU3NjQ0NjY/chevron-love-affair

Enjoy and let me know if you are completely in love with chevron as well or if another pattern has stolen your heart!