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String Of Lights Christmas

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Full Circle

It's hard to believe that a little over a year ago I was departing California from my last visit, before my move. In a previous blog, I wrote about going from a long distance relationship to living together. I talked about his items, and my items, as well as the thought of sharing. I'm pleased to announce that everything worked out amazingly. The industrial size trashcan, that once took up 1/4 of the kitchen now lives outside with it's black trashbags. The terrible pointless rock table, moved out when his cousin moved out. The tacky coffee cup collection was just recently requested to be put away, after he grew a fond liking towards my coffee cups.

I amazed each day how I feel as though I fall deeper in love. It has been such a natural progression. Truly a beautiful experience. I look forward to what the next year has to hold (I hope it holds a new move, a new city, and endless love and laughter.).

Thank You

I have been thinking a lot lately, about the importance of the phrase "thank you". I have always been a bit of a manners cop. However, I thought about all the people who have made me who I am, and how I may have forgotten to thank them along the way. So, with that said, I've recently sent some e-mails and note cards to those who I feel have tremendously shaped me into who I am.

I hope that the letters have left each person with a warm fuzzy feeling. Have you thought about who you'd thank? Or what you'd write?

My suggestion is that it is simple and too the point. Small enough to be saved, and the message large enough not to be forgotten.

I challenge you.

Upholding My Own Standards

All in All, I'm a pretty lucky girl. I was raised by two loving parents, enjoyed life with a co-partner, have held on to the same best friends, got the college experience, and now I enjoy life with my very own prince charming. I'm blessed to have been able to pick up, move across the country with love and support, and within 3 months find a very busy but good job. At work I was immediately given lots of responsibilities, and challenges. I'm praised often, and my co-workers seem to think I'm an added benefit to the team. My thoughts on my job vary. Maybe it's because I took a pay cut, or because in any given week, I rarely work 40 hours but typically 50-60 hours, all for what should be 40 hour a week pay. I've seen great success at work, and there is never a dull moment. Yet-- I never leave feeling "full".

You see, I went to college. I worked real hard. I made average grades, and worked towards a sense of independence. I majored in two things that I loved, and created life goals for myself. I first graduated and got a good job, but was rarely happy. Upon leaving that I found something that I loved. By chance and a good friend I began volunteering with an organization and my life changed. 

I felt that full feeling, despite no pay. I felt satisfied, even when hope seemed far away. I felt empowered, by the littlest of actions. And when it was all said and done, I knew it was a passion more than a calling.  

I'm lucky to have a job, to live with someone who loves me, and to have my health among many things. But being type A isn't easy when you feel as if you aren't achieving the goals you have personally set for yourself. It causes you to become frustrated, and unsatisfied with the current situation. 

But I know-- this little light of mine shines, because today I received a phone call that was a mere flicker to my soul. And from that phone call I remembered "your strength humbles me, your stories make me brave, and your hugs continue to embrace me".  Right then I made the decision to re-work my schedule to follow my passion & to uphold my own standards....

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Wreath Monogram Christmas

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Low Sugar, HOMEMADE granola!

Homemade (low sugar) Granola

Next week I’m headed out of town for a few days. I’m taking a red-eye back to the East Coast. My Godfather’s son is getting married, and to me they’ve always been just like cousins. It will be a good time to see everyone including my family. Since both flights are at weird hours I thought it’d be best to pack a snack. I wanted something that wouldn’t melt, wasn’t terribly messy, and didn’t have an odor.

Nick and I have been talking about making granola so I thought this was the perfect time to try making a batch. I searched high and low on the Internet of recipes. Some had things like peanut butter, agave, sugar, cereal, coconut, dried fruit, and other liquid components. I wanted to make something that was on the “ healthier” & “lighter” side. I stumbled across two recipes that had ingredients that I liked and I combined them.

Low Sugar Granola

Bake: 325/350 for 55 minutes total

1^st (350)time: 15 minutes

2^nd(350) time: 20 minutes

3^rd (325)time:20 minutes 
*if your oats are too brown, pull them out of the oven (they will burn!)!

·                     10 cups Old Fashioned Oats (I used 42 ounces of Old Fashioned Oats!) Substitution: If you can’t find old fashion you could use quick oats; they’re finer to cook faster. During baking check to ensure the oats are not burning

·                    ¼ cup ground flaxseed (I use golden most the time)

·                    ¼ cup wheat germ (this is found on the cereal aisle near the oatmeal; hot cereal)

·                    2 tablespoons cinnamon

·                    1 tablespoon ground ginger

·                    ½ teaspoon nutmeg

·                    ¾ cup vegetable oil

·                    4-41/2 cups of nuts any combination will work. (I decided to use what was lingering in the closet… almonds and pecans)

Here is what I used to make 4 ½ cups of nuts/seeds--

§  ¼ cup silvered almonds

§  ¼ cup pecan halves

§  2 cups raw pepitas

§  2 cups raw sunflower seeds

·                    2-3 cups dried fruit any combination will work.

Here is what I used to make 2 cups of dried fruit--

§  1 cup dried cranberries

§  1 cup mixed dried fruit (blueberries, cranberries, and mangoes)

·                   3/4-1 cup honey (you want your mixture to be glistening)

** Optional:  ½-1 teaspoon of fresh orange zest

Step one: combine oats, splenda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger in a large pot. Stir all dry goods together.

 Remember: you *MUST* grind your flax seed!

Step two: line 2-3 baking sheets with tin foil

Step three: mix oil, wheat germ, and flax seed into the oat and spice mixture.

Step four: spread mixture onto lined baking sheets.

Step five: bake for 15 minutes

Step six:::: flip oats with spatula, and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Step seven: heat honey in Pyrex measuring cup for approximately 40 seconds in the microwave (until honey is thin). Once honey is removed from microwave zest ½-1 teaspoons of fresh orange zest into honey.

Step eight: once oat mixture is out of the oven, gently pour mixture back into large pot. (Be kind to the tin foil, you will re-use it) Remember to turn off your oven!

Step nine: mix in dried fruit to mixture, and stir.

Step ten: mix nuts and seeds into mixture, and stir.

Step eleven: slowly stir honey into mixture.

Step twelve: spread mixture back onto tin foil covered baking dishes.

Step thirteen: place-baking sheets into the oven, let sit in oven over night.

(Recipe adapted MotherNatureTalks.Com)

Additional Information: I typically now use dried blueberries, dried cranberries, and golden raisins. For nuts I use raw silvered almonds, raw sliced almonds, raw sunflower seeds, raw pepitas, and a little bit of raw pecans. When I am about to get chia seeds I also add those to the mixture.

Enjoy!

For the LOVE of Pumpkin

For the Love of Pumpkin...

         I love pumpkin! I love Everything pumpkin. I am sucker for anything with pumpkin on the label (even though I’m sure it’s really butternut squash, and I’m typically not a fan… or maybe I’ve just convinced myself that!). I love the candles, and decorations, and just the cool weather (well the last 2 days of cool weather, Summer can have the 90 plus degree weather back!!).

         Here are a few recipes I have made and documented. Please enjoy these recipes, and share

Pumpkin Pie Spice- is merely a combination of a few of dry ingredients. Mixing your own can save you about 4-6 dollars! (Simple Delight: Try adding to your favorite cup of coffee!)

Pumpkin Pie Spice:

·      1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·      1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

·      1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

·      1/8 teaspoon allspice

Combine all ingredients, and store in an airtight container.

(Recipe adapted from AllRecipes.Com)

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins- This is the easiest recipe, and by far my favorite. Always a crowd pleaser!!You can make these muffins into small loaves as well!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins:

Bake: 325 degrees, 20-25 minutes

·      1 cup Pumpkin Puree or Pumpkin Pie Mix

·      1 spice Cake Mix

·      1 egg

·      1/3 cup of oil

·      1 teaspoon vanilla

·      1 ½ cup Chocolate Chip

Combine all ingredients and bake.

(Recipe adapted from family friend Carol C.)

Pumpkin Cookies with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting:

Bake: 350 degrees, 13-15 minutes

Pumpkin Cookie Ingredients

·      2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

·      1 teaspoon baking soda

·      1 teaspoon baking powder

·      2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

·      ½ teaspoon nutmeg

·      ½ teaspoon salt

·      1 stick of softened butter ( ½ cup)

·      1 cup white sugar or * 1 cup Splenda

·      ½ cup brown sugar or * ¼ cup Splenda brown sugar

·      1 egg

·      1 ¼ cup pumpkin puree

·      1 teaspoon vanilla

·      2 tablespoons ground flax seed

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

·      ¼ cup pumpkin puree

·      4 oz cream cheese

·      ¾ cup powdered sugar

·      ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

* Optional: chopped pecans or walnuts, use to sprinkle on top of frosted cookies!

Pumpkin Cookies:

Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, & salt) * I added an additional dash of pumpkin pie spice

Cream butter and sugars together with mixer. Add pumpkin, vanilla, egg to the butter mixture. Slowly add dry ingredients. Continue to mix at medium speed. Roll dough in to quarter size balls and place on cookie sheet. Cookies should be about 2inches apart so they can properly rise.

Frosting:

Mix powder sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cream cheese, and smaller portion of pumpkin puree

Once cookies have cooled, spread frosting on cookies. For an additional flavor add your favorite chopped nuts on top!

These cookies were wonderful! They’re so moist. I used both granulated Splenda with fiber, and brown sugar Splenda in this recipe. By using Splenda I saved the batch almost 800 calories. In addition the flax seed, Splenda with fiber, and remaining pumpkin in the frosting increased the fiber count drastically! *This batch had approximately 54 grams of fiber!

(Recipe adapted from Sweet Pea’s Kitchen)