September 12, 2013

Pumpkin Oatmeal Coconut Oil and Maple Syrup Waffles

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I had to write a poem for a school assignment. It was right after Hannah posted this poem about fear.  I'm not sharing this with you because I think I'm a poet (no way) but I think poetry and certain forms of writing can be ways to channel certain feelings or thoughts in a more meaningful way.  Recently, I've noticed how many things people label.  Labels are everything!

Who can say what acceptance is?
Some tell you it is valued more than gold
A word, an action, worth it gives
But others know it leaves hearts cold

Who can say what worth is?
Some tell you it relies on your skills
Your hair, your clothes, your status
But others know its God’s grace that fills

Who can say what love is?
Some tell you it’s only an feeling
A look, a moment, a passionate kiss
But others know it’s a commitment sealing

Who can say what life is?
Some tell you it is a time to have fun
A moment, a vapor, a vanishing mist
But others know it is a race to be run

Who can say who you are?
Some will try to tell you you’re nothing
Comparison, jealousy, raising the bar
But others know we are God’s royalty

Who can say what God is?
Some will tell you He’s a fantasy king
A dream, a hoax, a old fashioned mess
But others know He’s everything


You know what else our world tells us?  That fat is bad. Ironic, because Hannah has a post on that, too.  (We aren't best friends for nothing.)  

Not all fat isn't bad.  But so many of the labels on today's food are "low fat" or "non-fat," you know?  Like we are bad for eating fat.  I tend to use pumpkin or applesauce for half of the butter called in recipes, although I'm not a calorie counter. I think a lot of us get our "atta girl" from healthy cooking.  Like, because we are making things "low fat" that label makes us or our food better.  And that isn't true.  So many labels aren't true!  But our world revolves around them.  Even the not-so-crucial ones, like Nike.  That's a label; one we tend to attach elite sports with.  Nike stuff is better than Reebok, etc. because of that "swoosh" or whatever its called.  (Not gonna lie, I do really like Nike:)  I'm not saying its bad.)



But the concept of not letting labels define us or our hobbies is important and is something I deal with every day. Who gets to say what is good?  The marketing people at stores?  No.  Because, guys, if I listened to them, I'd be wearing leggings under shorts with sweaters down to my knees and eating candy corn Oreos while tweeting my boyfriend about Miley Cyrus. No. Just no. 

My label is God's label and He labels me different than the world. He labels me as beautiful for my heart which He made new. He labels me acceptable because He died for my sins. He gives love. He gives life.
I used coconut oil instead of more pumpkin or applesauce and these turned out divine, not to mention hearty and filling.  I've been waiting for a recipe to link this thought of labels with and I'm not saying this recipe uses a ton of fat or overcomes that label or whatever.  It doesn't.  (My next recipe definitely does:) 

Starting the morning right means more than a good breakfast. It means a good mindset.  One that doesn't let others label your life. Give yourself a physical boost in the morning with these waffles, but also make sure to give yourself a mental boost as well.  I think you all are so sweet for reading this, how's that for starters? ;)


P.S. If you want to know about the waffles, they have a little texture from the oats, an addictive taste of cinnamon and pumpkin, and the delicious crunchy edge of waffles.  Depending on your sweetness preference, you may want to add more or less maple syrup. I like them topped with vanilla yogurt or more maple syrup.
 
Pumpkin Oatmeal Coconut Oil and Maple Syrup Waffles
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life.  Adapted from Nina Lemon
Yield: 6-8 waffles

3/4 cup all purpose flour (or half white, half whole wheat)
3/4 cup oat flour
1-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1-1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup pumpkin
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup pure maple syrup (or more, depending on preference)

Whisk first six ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk remaining ingredients until smooth. Slowly pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Bake in a preheated waffle iron. Enjoy!



Related Recipes:

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars



Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes





19 comments:


  1. I love your poem! It's a fantastic reminder of how we should look to God vs. man for affirmation! Thank-you!


    And these waffles look really good! (I love the "action" shots!)

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    1. Aw, thank you Bethany! (P.S. I had to beg my sisters to pour the syrup:)

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  2. You're so so so right here! I don't get why people see fat as the evil. Not all kinds of fat are bad, and it definitely makes all food way better! I love to add healthy fats to all my baked goods, even if I healthify the recipe, and they're always come out much much better! Back when I started baking a year ago I was scared of fats and I never used them in my cooking. Result??? Terrible baked goods AND loss of hair and terrible skin. Life's much better now that I cook with them!
    And you're so right too with the brands stuff ;-)

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    1. I always love hearing your thoughts Consuelo; they are so good! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Good fats really are GOOD:)

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  3. This is so nice, and so so true. Thanks for sharing! And these waffles look so good, pumpkin waffles are definitely on my list this fall!

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    1. Thanks Meghan! I had actually mever had pumpkin waffles before and now I'm hooked!

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  4. These waffles look great - they are Fall happy, I can't wait for a lazy Saturday morning where we just wear our pajamas until 3PM snacking on these waffles! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. OK, that sounds like the perfect Saturday. Cannot wait for cozy fall days!

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  5. Wow, love, love, LOVE your poem... I think you're more of a poet than you think! :) It's really good. No joke. And I also think it's good that YOU wrote this poem. I constantly see you LIVING out of the acceptance we have in Christ, and that makes it all the more meaningful.

    Now, those waffles... love the pictures, love the looks of the recipe, and I really want to try them. They look delicious, and I think it's awesome and very creative how you brought your theme of labels throughout the whole blog post. (I cracked up at the thought of you gorging yourself with candy corn while wearing the leggings, shorts, and oversized sweater.) Simply marvelous blog post!

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    1. Aw thanks Hannah. You are SO sweet. You've got poetry in you, too:) This was a fun post to write, especially getting crazy with describing a "fashionable" me!

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  6. First off that's a beautiful poem. You are a great writer and a poet...give yourself some credit dear! And I can't agree more with you on the whole fat labels. I just had a heated discussion with a friend on the phone about the benefits of fat. She was telling me to find a way to bake cookies without any fat or oils because her low-fat diet can't allow it. Anyway, I digress! I love the waffles very much. Especially that you used coconut oil!

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    1. Wow, thank you! That is really sweet of you. I know, isn't it sad how good fats still get a bad rap? I'll eat your cookies, even if your friend won't! :)

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  7. Wow. Definitely one of my favorite posts from you, girl! Your poem was beautiful, and it rang hard. :) labeling people and labeling myself- yikes. I do it way too much. But I love how you end on God and how he really is everything!!!!
    p.s. Beautiful pictures! They just get more and more professional! Pinned!

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    1. Aw thanks Chloe it rang hard when I was writing it, too. God is pretty good at being convicting! Thanks for the pin, you're so sweet!

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  8. Your poem is wonderful!! Such a great reminder! And wow to these glorious waffles, just wow!!

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    1. Thanks Ms. Jocelyn! I had some today that I had frozen ; they're so good!

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  9. Love anything pumpkin, and I am really intrigued by the idea of putting pumpkin in a waffle. Sounds amazing

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