Happy 3rd of July!

It’s the day before America redeclares its independence.

As you may be aware of by now, we are an Anglo-American family [read that literally, not as “white people”]. I am English – born and raised in England. Daddy Alsum is third generation American – with his paternal great-grandparents emigrating from Friesland, The Netherlands. Lark, Hart and Fitche are all dual citizens and so that makes July Fourth a notable day on our calendar.

How the Americans defeat the British every day in our family

Shifting focus to a slightly different way of looking at this holiday, is independence really that good?

Now, before you send grab your torch and pitchforks, hear this Brit out all the way. I’m not saying that Her Majesty should renege on anything. I’m talking in a much broader sense. If we are too reliant on being our own selves by our own selves for our own selves, don’t we miss out on the wonderfully different ways other people can contribute. Other people can bring their own perspective and often we can miss out on sometjing incredible because we’re too independent to be vulnerable.

So, here’s to a little interdependence in our lives. Here’s to taking steps to working together with one another – whosoever that may be.

Source: pixabay

Today’s adventure is going to a place Lark and Hart call Squirrel Park. We’re meeting Grandma and Grandpa Alsum there for a picnic. I will be bringing the dessert. It’s a not-very-sweet-but-very-delicious Almond Poppy Banana breadcake. If you think it sounds like two recipes in one, you’d be right.

Almond Poppy Seed Muffins + Banana Bread

This recipe ends up being vegan, gluten free as well as kid and picnic friendly. I also threw all the ingredients in a bread machine and pressed “cake” because I have three kids and the oldest is three years old.

What you will need:

• 2 chia-flax eggs (which means 2 tbsp chia seeds, 2 tbsp flaxseed and 6 tbsp cold water left to congeal for at least 15 minutes)
• 2 medium ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp water
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 tbsp poppy seeds

How you can do it:

1. Throw everything a bread machine and hit cake.

Enjoy your day today as well as tomorrow. Be careful with fireworks and don’t eat too many burgers and hot dogs.

Happy Interdependence Day from mine to yours,

Mumma Alsum