Last fall, the Urban Farmer and I made a Westward Wander, or what I dubbed #KyleMeetsTheKogels2015, since this was their official meet and greet. My parents toured us around their icy town in Iowa, where they had begun to settle after moving nearly one year prior. My dad pointed out the expanse of farms, the loss of the smaller family farms, the surplus of corn and of course, the donut shop. My mom’s additions to the tour included the trails where she walked with her new friends and the home of an older woman she helped with cleaning.
She mentioned that last detail so nonchalantly, so humbly. Yet that little detail speaks volumes about my mom. She is a giver, a selfless helper, a patient listener and a constant doer. She sends birthday and anniversary cards to everyone, including my dog! She sends care packages with little recipe clippings and encouraging notes, affirming that no matter my crazy pursuit, my mom believes I can not only do it, but do it well.
I could tell you there is no sweeter woman, and you might say, “that’s what everyone says about their moms,” but in my case, it may be true. After attending a church service with my parents, an older woman approached me, so pleased to meet Regina’s daughter. “Your mother has been such a blessing to this community. She has really made a difference, and we are so blessed to have her.” I bit my lip to stifle the tears my sappiness ejects against my will and thanked this woman for sharing that tidbit with me.
Having barely been in that small town for a year, my mom’s presence had already been felt and appreciated. In that moment, in that wash of gratitude, I felt so lucky to be Regina’s daughter, to have grown up with her as my example, to have the parenting bar set by her devotion and sacrifice. Unfortunately, we were nearly 1,000 miles away on Mother’s Day, but my humble mother, was just so grateful to hear my voice on the phone.
Though I couldn’t spend the day with my mom, I was lucky enough to spend it with some other inspiring moms. The Urban Farmer’s mama, grandmother and sister-in-law have always impressed me with their dedication to their families and the way they welcomed me into them. For all their sharing, they deserved a little indulgence to be savored just by them.
Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all you moms, expecting moms and women who mother everyone around them! You may not know it yet, but you’re making a difference!
Whole Grain Banana Turmeric Muffins
Yield: Makes 2 loaves or ~12 large muffins
Ingredients
6 very ripe bananas, peeled
2/3 cup organic, unsalted butter, browned
1 cup pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons baking soda
Pinch of salt
2 eggs, beaten (cage-free/organic)
2 Tablespoons AITA Snap liquor (or pure vanilla extract)
3 Tablespoons fresh grated turmeric
2 cups white whole wheat flour (such as King Arthur Flour)
1 cup brown rice flour
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F, and butter two 4×8-inch loaf pans or muffin tins.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the ripe bananas until completely smooth. Whisk the browned butter into the mashed bananas, then the honey. Beat until combined.
Mix in the baking soda and salt.
Stir in the beaten egg, Snap and fresh turmeric.
Mix in the flour.
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pans or muffin tins.
If baking loaves, bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour at 350°F, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
If baking large muffins, bake for 15-20 minutes, or until tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove from oven and cool completely on a rack. Remove the banana bread from the pan or muffins from the tins.
Share and enjoy!
