Aliesha, Author at Feathers in Our Nest

Jenuinely Pure

May 28, 2013 by Aliesha

Today on She {hearts} It I am reviewing a natural and organic skin care line from Jenuinely Pure. Read the review and enter the giveaway (two readers will win $40 to spend at Jenuinely Pure) right here.

Church Planting

May 23, 2013 by Aliesha

Today I’m excited to “officially” share with you the new direction in ministry that God is taking Tad and our family!

For about a year, we have been feeling called on from youth ministry and have been pursing other ministry opportunities, though we have continued to serve in our current church. Six months ago, Tad’s heart was burdened for church planting as we have both realized the need for solid new churches to be planted here in the United States. Did you know that North America is the only continent where the church is not growing?

We discovered an exciting program at a nearby church (actually a fairly recent church plant) that trains pastors to plant new churches and equips them to go out with support (spiritual, practical, and financial). Tad entered into this Church Planting Residency this spring and he has started to receive mentoring, training, and coaching in fundraising.

The Church Planting Residency is not a paid position, so we are raising monthly support from individuals who desire to see the kingdom of God expanded through the ministry of church planting. Right now Tad is continuing to serve as a full-time Youth and Children’s Pastor at our current church until we raise the funds we need to be in the residency full-time. He also works part-time as a waiter, so this is a very busy season for our family!

We are trusting God to continue to lead us as we raise funds to church plant and as we pray about where God is leading our family to plant a new church. These are exciting times and we are thankful to be heading in this direction!

Whole Wheat Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce

May 21, 2013 by Aliesha

This post has also been posted on Baking Whole Grains, a site I write for which compensates me for sharing whole grain recipes. While I receive compensation, this does not influence my opinions. All photos and directions are my own.

Pancakes are a treat in our house, but when I make them, I make a bunch! We don’t mind reheating the leftovers, and they freeze well also. When I made these last time, I wanted to use my fresh strawberries to make a topping. (Frozen strawberries also work just fine.) The combination was so sweet and delicious!

(adapted from Betty Crocker)

Whole Wheat Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce

Author: Aliesha @ Feathers in Our Nest

Recipe type: Breakfast

Ingredients

2 eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour, freshly ground
2½ cups milk
2 Tbsp. sucanat (or sugar)
¼ cup olive oil
2 Tbsp. baking powder
½ tsp. Real Salt
2 cups fresh (hulled and washed) or frozen strawberries, chopped
1 tsp. almond extract
⅓ cup evaporated cane juice (or sugar)

Instructions

Grind wheat in the WonderMill.
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs with a whisk. Add in remaining ingredients, mixing well until smooth.
Heat griddle to 375 degrees or a skillet to medium heat. When hot, pour pancake batter onto griddle (about ¼ cup for each pancake). Flip when first side is done.
Remove from skillet and serve with butter and strawberry sauce (see below).
For strawberry sauce: In a saucepan, combine ingredients over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring as needed to keep from scorching. If desired, you can blend the mixture in a blender until smooth, or you can leave it in its "chunky" state as I did.
Drizzle strawberry sauce over warm pancakes, adding butter if desired (highly recommended!).