GF Vegan Sweet Seed Crackers, Happy Father's Day, Traveling or Staying Home, Garmin or Polar

Hi Friends, how's your weekend going so far?  I am really going to savor my Saturday with Scott and Skylar because Scott leaves tonight for a business trip and won't be back until Thursday.  Five days is a very long time alone with a child no "relief" from the other parent.   Skylar and I will manage, of course, but we'll miss him.   She's definitely old enough to fully understand that he goes away, and that yes, he comes back, but in the interim, she cries and tells me she misses her Daddy.  Such a sweet little soul.  
Today we are going for a nice long power walk and I am taking the day off lifting and we are going to go stomp around some old favorite spots.  Possibly the beach.  We shall see how the weather shapes up later on.  San Diego is known for May Gray and June Gloom and right at the coastline, it's frequently socked in with fog and cool for much of the day in May and June but fingers crossed we can get a little beach time in!

Remember when I told you I went to Trader Joe's and found this coffee and mentioned I picked up a few other things to make raw crackers with? 

This is what I purchased: Flax & Sunflower Seeds  (I had the Chia Seeds on hand)


I wanted to create a raw vegan cracker recipe that was:
1. Nut Free.  Nuts can sometimes be too heavy and I wanted to omit them.
2. Grain Free.  No oats, rice, millet, flours, etc.
3. Seeds Only (Mary's Crackers are Seed-Based)

4. Of course my recipe has to be vegan, gluten, and soy free.   
5. Recipe Has to taste fantastic in order make me put these down and grab my cracker recipe instead!  And It does!



Averie's GF Vegan Sweet Seed Crackers
1/3 C Chia Seeds
1/3 C Flax Seeds
1/3 C Sunflower Seeds
1/4 C Agave (or Honey, Maple Syrup, or combo)
1/4 Tsp Allspice (or use cinnamon only or pumpkin pie spice)
1+ Tsp Vanilla Extract
2-4 Tbsp Water if needed
If you want these really sweet, add a pinch of stevia, to taste.  For those without an insane sweet tooth, you likely won't need to.  

If for some reason you don't want these as sweet and want them more "neutral", reduce the 1/4 cup of sweetener with an increased portion of water.  

For savory crackers, omit the Allspice, reduce the sweetener/use water and add garlic, salt, onion powder, curry, black pepper, chili powder, cayenne, etc. instead.


You can make these totally raw by exclusively dehydrating and omitting the oven, and using only truly raw/never roasted seeds.  Or you can bake in a 300F oven for about 30 minutes per side, but watch it closely!  Use common sense and don't burn them.  Burnt seeds stink!  Or use a lower oven temp/longer duration than 300F, i.e. 200F.   

Directions
Combine first 3 ingredients and Blend.  Don't pulverize, a quick pulse or 10 secs in the Vita.  You are not making mush.  Leave some texture.

Add Sweetner (agave/maple/honey), Allspice, Vanilla

Blend Again if it's too thick, add 2-4 Tbsp Water.  Use your judgment.  Not thick like cookie dough batter but not as thin as pancake batter.

Spread onto Tefflex-Lined Dehydrator Screens or Onto a Cookie Sheet if you're using the oven

I dehydrated at max temp which was 155F for about 6-7 hours.  

It was still very pliable and not at all crisp, like crackers should be.
I flipped it over.... 

....and said Screw It.  It's time for the oven.  300F on a cookie sheet for 30 minutes.

This was more like it.  Crispness in 30 minutes!

Immediately after oven removal, the cracker mass was still pliable, like a hot pizza would be.  Score it immediately because it will firm up fast. 

Put in a container and enjoy!  Based on how dry I made these, they will keep for weeks in a container.   They won't last that long 'round your house with grabby fingers though.  This batch is already gone!

Thickness is just a teeny, tiny bit thicker than a Mary's Cracker...

I think I can possibly stop buying these (which are seed-based crackers)...


...Because now I can make my own!

From Yesterday...
Thanks for those of you who chimed in with your Five Fun Facts on Friday! That was fun learning about everyone's facts and getting to know all you lovelies a bit better!


Gym & Weights Workout Today From This Tab: Rest Day!

And yesterday I posted New Progress Pictures in my Gym/Workout Tab in case you missed them


Tip of the Day:  My Bora Bora Bars & Prize Pack Give Away!!!!


Questions
1. Weekend Plans?   Tell me all about them!  Or, Best Thing You've Done or Ate So far?
Me = Spending time with my family doing something fun in San Diego on Saturday.  Not sure what we're doing yet, but I know it will be fun.

2. Do you think it's easier to be the person that goes on the trip and leaves your family and loved ones behind, or do you think it's easier to be the person who gets left behind and stays home?  Basically, who has it harder in your opinion?
I used to think it was harder to be the one left behind when Scott would travel for work, and I hated being home alone.  And trust me, it's no picnic now being home and taking care of a child alone.  But I prefer being at home to being the one who must leave, board the plane, and disrupt the daily flow and rhythm of one's life.
What do you think?  Would you rather go or stay? 

3.  For those of you with significant others who travel for work, or if you travel for work, do you like it?   
I know plenty of housewives who tell me they are thrilled when their husband's leave because they can do their own schedule and flow, they don't have to cook for their husband, and they like "their space".   To a point, I agree, but I do miss Scott when he's gone and would prefer him not to travel, but hey, money talks and in order to be a SAHM, business travel is just part of life.

4. Who's crackers do you want to try?   Mary's or Mine?  You can butter me up and say mine all day long, thank you!  Seriously though, have you made raw crackers or breads or chips? 

Maybe try my Raw Vegan Kale Chips and yes, you can make these in the oven, too.

Do you have plans to try your hand at making your own breads, crackers, or chips?   Any tried and true recipes or recipes you have your eye on?  Links welcome!


5. Father's Day!  
Happy Father's Day on Sunday to all the Dads!  Are you spending the holiday with your dad?  If so, what are you doing?  And what do you get for your dad as a present?


I am bummed that Scott is going to be gone for Father's Day.  Figures.  And I haven't gotten him or my dad anything because really, my dad and also Scott, are not easy-to-buy-for-people person at all and have no use for socks, golf balls, a desk organizer, a grill tongs, or any of the other "typical" gifts.  What, if anything, are you getting for your dad?  Any gifts in years past they were a total hit? 

6.  I have talked with Erica, Evan, Naomi, Jessica, Heather, and then some about getting a Garmin or Polar.  I am actually anti-gadget in general on things like this.  But, lately I find myself desiring to know how much I am burning so I know how much to re-fuel.  I can't always gauge by hunger because I am the type of person that after working out, I am on an endorphin cloud-9 and not too hungry.  Plus, I have never tracked my heart rate and I think that would be fun to know about.  And Scott and I do walk together every day and I also do cardio and it would be nice to know my stats. 

Is one of these essential?  No. I have been a physical fitness junkie for 3 decades and have done just fine without one, but I just kind of want to jump on the bandwagon I think....

For those of you with a Garmin or Polar or other gadget, what do you have?  Do you like it?  Do you think it was worth the investment?  Does it help you and how? If you could re-buy any product, what would it be and why?  Forget money.  If you could buy any one tracking gadget you want, what would it be?
I need something that will work outside on streets and trails while walking or running and indoors lifting weights like an animal.

Stay Tuned For the Weekend Recap and Adventures...

Have a great weekend everyone!  I'll be back Monday to fill you in on everything and til then, enjoy the time with your families, friends, and loved ones.

And please, I urge all of you to unplug a bit.   It's summer and we all need to be out living, not inside at our computers like I mentioned at the end of this post.  I am off to go play and walk around my backyard Balboa Park on a long walk with Scott and Skylar!