Apple Chips

Servings: varies based on how many apples are used

These are an easy (only 2 ingredients), on-the-go fruit snack.  Plus, no need to peel or core the apples!

• • Oven option – click here.
    • • Note: you don’t have to use a mandolin, which the recipe recommends.  A sharp knife will work fine, too.
  • Dehydrator option – click here.

No-Bake Granola Bars

Servings: 10 Bars

Ingredients:

• • 1/2 cup date OR maple syrup OR 1/4 cup of each*
  • 1/2 cup nut butter (almond, peanut, etc.) OR seed butter (sunflower, tahini, etc.) 
  • 1/4 cup oat flour (gluten-free for those with gluten sensitivity)**
  • 2 1/2 cup rolled oats (not instant, gluten-free for those with gluten sensitivity)
  • 2/3 cup chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.) OR seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, hemp, sesame, etc.)
  • 1/2 cup dried fruit (apples, figs, raisins, etc.)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: 2 TBSP Cacao Nibs

Directions:

1. 1. Add the syrup and nut/seed butter (of choice) to a medium bowl. Mix until well combined.
   2. Add in the oat flour with a pinch of salt, and mix again until well-incorporated.
   3. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir well.
   4. Line a 9×9″ baking pan with parchment paper, and firmly press the mixture into the pan.
   5. Let sit for at least 15-20 minutes (overnight is fine, too) to allow the oats to absorb any extra moisture.
   6. Cut the bars in the pan, then carefully remove the bars via pulling on the parchment paper.***
   7. Store at room temperature for up to 6 days (or immediately stick in the refrigerator or freezer to maintain freshness longer).

Notes:

*Agave OR coconut nectar can be used instead of date OR maple syrup.

** To make your own oat flour, simply blend 1/4 cup of oats in a blender/coffee grinder (designated for grinding grains/nuts, etc.) for 30-60 seconds (it should be a very fine texture once finished).

*** Since these bars are homemade, they can still be quite fragile.  To ensure they don’t crumble, cut them in the pan before you remove them, and pack them with a little extra cushion when taking them on-the-go.

Adapted from: https://frommybowl.com/no-bake-granola-bars-nut-free/

Pizza Bites

Servings: 10-12 Bites

Ingredients:

• • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds (raw)
  • 1/2 cup white beans (cannellini, navy, great northern beans) 
  • 2 TBSP oats (gluten-free, ground into flour)*
  • 1 TBSP tomato paste
  • 1 TBSP nutritional yeast**
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder 
  • Optional: pinch of salt and/or cayenne

Directions:

1. 1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until well-incorporated.
   2. Wet your fingers slightly (this prevents the dough from sticking) and roll the dough into 10-12 bite-sized balls (about the size of a doughnut hole).
   3. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week, or in the freezer for up to two months.

Notes:

* The oat flour may be substituted with any flour of choice (if gluten sensitivity is not a concern).

** Travis and I like more intense flavors, so we at least double the amount of seasonings (nutritional yeast, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder) that is called for in this recipe.

Adapted from: https://frommybowl.com/savory-energy-ball-recipes

“Berr-ing” Joy

“I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11 (NRSVUE)

“Dad, why does she give us raspberries?” asked a 4 year old in our neighborhood.  

“She knows we like raspberries and she has extras,” his father replied. 

 “Plus, it brings me joy to be able to share them with you.” I said as I handed them the container of freshly-picked raspberries from our garden.  They both smiled and continued on their walk, while I returned to tending to Travis’ and my front yard pollinator garden.

Moments later, another neighbor, who regularly walks by our house with her dog, came towards me.  I put down my gloves and asked, “Would you like some of our raspberries?”  

Her face immediately lit up as she said, “Yes, please!  You know how much we love your raspberries.”  I went inside our house and got a container of the raspberries. 

“How have you been?  I have not seen you for a bit,” I asked her as I brought them out to her.  Over the next several minutes, she shared how she had just spent the previous night in the emergency room due to a chronic illness she has. However, she was feeling better today and looked forward to eating the raspberries.  After we finished speaking, she returned to her walk and I to our garden.

Several moments later (and I’m not making this up!), a woman whom I didn’t recognize started walking up the street towards me.  I put down my gloves and asked, “Would you like some of our raspberries?”  

Her face, too, immediately lit up as she said, “Yes, please!  I love raspberries, and I miss being able to enjoy the ones that used to grow in my grandparents’ garden.”   I went inside our house and got a container of the raspberries. 

As I brought them to her, I asked, “I don’t recall seeing you in our neighborhood before.  Are you new to this area?”  Over the next several minutes, she shared how she had just lost her job for a fairly large firm in downtown Pittsburgh, which is why she now had time to explore new areas to walk (she lived in a nearby neighborhood) and how she was going to be alright because she was able to live with her parents.  However, she was really concerned about some of her coworkers, who were now in a real financial bind.  After we continued to speak for a few more minutes, she returned to her walk and I to our garden, feeling completely overwhelmed with joy.  I had only expected to pull some weeds, but instead God shared this gift with me. 

What made this experience even more joyful was the fact that the initial raspberry plants that helped to establish our raspberry bed now were acquired from a church (where Travis worked while pursuing his doctoral degree) who shared property with a school who put in a garden.  As is the nature of raspberries, the plants tend to wander from the beds in which they are planted… other garden beds, lawns, you name it, they will try to grow there!

One summer, after multiple weeks of seeing some young raspberry plants get mowed over by the landscaping company who tended to the lawns of the two properties, Travis asked if we could transplant some of the young plants to our yard.  They said, “Help yourself.”

Fast forward ten years – we have harvested gallons of amazing raspberries and have been able to give away both numerous containers of raspberry and dozens of raspberry plants to family members and neighbors who have shared (both the fruit and the plants) with others.  All of this was made possible because others shared their resources with us.

Throughout this year, we’ve been exploring common (but often overlooked) aspects of our discipleship — for example, how we use our time and extend our hospitality.In this edition, we are focused on the blessings that come from sharing our resources.  As the summer starts to fade and as we enter a new season teeming with possibilities (a new school year, a new church year, a new chapter in our lives) I want to encourage us all to consider — what resource(s), big or small, may God be calling us to share with others?  

May all be well,

Karen H. Webster

HSHC Co-founder/Executive Director