Holy cow - what an amazing weekend. Welcome back, my friends!
These last 3 days have been packed full with goodness.
From playing cards with our best friends, to tackling house projects together, to dates to the theater with my extra handsome hubby, to watching the Oscars, I couldn't ask for a better weekend. Don't miss out on any adventures - let's connect on my fave social media... Instagram!
I also finally got back into my favorite thing - baking, photographing, and sharing new recipes with all of you, and it feels so good. I hope you will check out my latest shared recipe - Whole Wheat Morning Glory Muffins!
How was your weekend? Did you party hardy?
So glad you are here, glad you are you... let's mingle!
HOW TO MINGLE
** Only 3 easy rules - that's all I ask! **
1) Link-up your blog below.
2) Share a link to Mingle Monday on your post or give a little social media shout out.
3) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below:
** Did you watch the Oscars? Who was your best dressed or favorite winner? **
I was lounging around the house this weekend with my furry slippers on and coffee in hand, when I decided to indulge in a little Pinterest browsing. With an itch to bake lately (but jeans that are just a little too snug for my liking), I knew I wanted to find a recipe that tasted delicious, but was packed full of healthy real food.
That's when I stumbled upon a recipe for whole wheat morning glory muffins from Live Simply, and it looked like the perfect blend of taste and nutrients.
Whole grains? Check.
High fiber? Check.
No refined sugar? Check.
Veggies and fruit? Check, check.
What a no brainer, right? These healthy muffins can easily be paired with greek yogurt or hardboiled eggs for a fast and easy nutritious breakfast. So I pitched the idea to my hubby, and at the mere mention of carrots as one of the main ingredients I received a scrunched nose and some mumblings about hippie muffins.
Until 20 minutes later when I brought him one straight from the oven. In just one bite he was singing a different tune. Juicy sweet raisins, earthy warm spices, and super moist delicate texture thanks to the carrots + oat/flour mixture, these are to die for! Who knew healthy eating could taste this good?
Of course, I chalked it up as a small wife victory for sneaking in extra veggies and fiber into his diet without him even suspecting it. Dang, I'm going to be a good mom one day!*wink wink*
Give these delicious, healthy muffins a try - your family will love you for it!
Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup clover honey
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1 1/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Whisk together melted butter, honey, applesauce, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
3. Next, pulse rolled oats in a food processor for 40-60 seconds until they turn into a flour like consistency. Add the oats, whole wheat flour baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the liquid ingredients. Do not over mix.
4. Add in grated carrots and raisins to the mixture and let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes.
5. Grease muffin tin with cooking spray and fill each cup 2/3 full.
6. Bake for 22 minutes, or until muffins are lightly golden brown. Allow muffins to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
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For more delicious recipes, click on the Recipes tab or follow me on Pinterest!
Happy Hump Day, y'all!
Good gracious, only 2 days left, but not like I am counting on anything...
While the week has felt a wee bit on the longer more draining side of things, I'm trying to stay positive and focus on the things that make me happy. Like a random 75 degree day in the middle of February, or catching all green lights on my morning commute. Life is all about the little things, right?
Here's a little snapshot of what makes me super giddy lately.
Currently...
planning//
...our 3 year anniversary getaway to The Elms Hotel and Spa, and I'm counting down the seconds!
listening//
...to Harry Potter on audio book. A friend gave me the idea once she said she listens to audio books during her long commute, so I went to the library, rented Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, and now spend 40 minutes in blissful heaven instead of being tempted to mean mug crazy commuters. loving//
...the song "Sweet Lovin'" by Segala. My sister sent me this song a few weeks back, and it is the perfect workout song with a great beat! And did I mention how fun the music video is? Think roller skates meets the Color Run!
counting//
...down the days 'til the weekend. I may be on-call, but I have fun plans including a hot date with my hubby to see Newsies the Musical, and of course watching the Oscars! nerding//
...out over my library card that I got in January. A resolution I wanted to check off my list and I am loving all the it has to offer! Who knew? I've been reading so much and I even joined a book club with my girlfriends. Speaking of books...
reading//
..."I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelsonfor book club and it's quite a change up since the last pick (Aziz Ansari's "Modern Romance"). I'm digging it so far... and quite curious to see what will happen! PS - thanks for all the great book recommendations by answering this week's Mingle Monday question! hoping//
...I can make it through today's super long dental procedure without hyperventilating. Luckily the paraffin wax hand dip and picking out my own movie to watch makes it slightly more spa like! ;)
watching//
...Fuller House (or almost watching... it comes out on Friday)! Who is pumped?
loving//
...our gorgeous House of Belonging artwork over our bed. I already want another amazing piece for every other room in our house - ha!
loving//
...stay in date nights. Last night we rented "The Good Dinosaur" and "The Intern", made a little cheese tray complete with prosciutto + marcona almonds + grapes, and sipped big glasses of merlot. This is adult heaven.
enjoying//
...this spring weather in KC! Last weekend we cruised with our windows down, took Beast to the dog park, and sipped Sonic drinks to our hearts content. making//
...tons of cute baby blankets for friends, family, and Etsy customers! Whether crocheting cute modern patterns or sewing extra soft minky blankets, I'm loving it. Hoping to add in cute animal and newborn baby hats into my Etsy shop soon, but spring is for building ultra cute inventory!
sipping//
...delicious ultra healthy juice from the new Unbakery & Juicery in KC. I can't get enough of the tart, refreshing Citrus No. 2 - grapefruit, mint, lemon, aloe vera, & honey.
What have you been up to lately, friends?
Anything super floating your boat?
Goodness gracious, I need coffee like nobody's business! The main redeeming qualities of my Monday are knowing The Bachelor hometown dates are on tonight (who's your fave?), and I get to pick-up where I left off on my Harry Potter audio book on my commute home. #nerdalert
Anyway, how was your weekend? Did you do any wild rompusing?
So glad you are here, glad you are you... let's mingle!
HOW TO MINGLE
** Only 3 easy rules - that's all I ask! **
1) Link-up your blog below.
2) Share a link to Mingle Monday on your post or give a little social media shout out.
3) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below:
Raise your hand if you are slaving away today? Yup, me too... where is my President's Day holiday?! Well, a little Mingle Monday action will be the perfect way to cheer up, and I hope it will put a pep in your step too! I sure hope you all had a good Valentine's Day weekend!
Well, if you're new to Mingle Monday... welcome! So thrilled you decided to stop by - I can't wait for you to discover new blogs and make some new connections.
So glad you are here, glad you are you... let's mingle!
HOW TO MINGLE
** Only 3 easy rules - that's all I ask! **
1) Link-up your blog below.
2) Share a link to Mingle Monday on your post or give a little social media shout out.
3) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below:
** What is the first thing you are going to do this spring? **
Who else stayed up way too late watching the Super Bowl last night? Please tell me I wasn't the only one d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g this morning! If I could get an IV of coffee right now, that would be great.
How was your weekend? Do anything fun/noteworthy?
So glad you are here, glad you are you... let's mingle!
HOW TO MINGLE
** Only 3 easy rules - that's all I ask! **
1) Link-up your blog below.
2) Share a link to Mingle Monday on your post or give a little social media shout out.
3) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below:
** What plans do you have to celebrate love day this week? **
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I wanted to help take the stress out of surprising your guy with something extra fun and thoughtful.
Check out some of the coolest and unique finds for your guy, whether he's a coffee loving hipster, an outdoorsy manly man, or a sci-fy geek (may the force [of love] be with you!).
Chemex Coffee Brewer - $47
How cool is this brewer? Chic meets rugged in this popular design, and the best part... Chemex brewed coffee will make you want to do the macarena! SO good.
Dean & DeLuca Whiskey Stones - $26
Nothing is more fun for your man than when he has some fun bar accessories! Pair is up with his favorite bourbon or some fun glasses, and you will knock this one out of the park.
Star Wars Pancake Mold - $10
I'm not going to lie, Adam happened to glance over my shoulder when I posted that and told me, "Those are hilarious! I need those." And there was some seriousness involved. Possibly even a threat, but who wouldn't want to eat a Yoda pancake? Yeah, nobody.
Flipped Hearts Boxers by JCrew - $13.50
Yes, I know, they're underpants, but they are just so cute. And they'd be even cuter on your man's tushy, right?
If you love a beer lover like I do, you know how much they would geek out over this ultra cool collectible. What a fun way to remember all of the craft brews sampled.
I freaking love every single thing Sandlot Goods makes. In my eyes their ultra buttery handcrafted leather with cool stitching can do no wrong. And if you love these coasters, you will really love their wallet selection!
I am so glad to be back to the regular grind after spending last week in my hometown celebrating the life of my cousin, whom we lost in a very tragic accident. Thank you all for your kind words and messages - it means more than I can say.
How are you all? How was your weekend? So excited you are here, so please link up, share, and answer the fun weekly question! Can't wait to mingle!
HOW TO MINGLE
** Only 3 easy rules - that's all I ask! **
1) Link-up your blog below.
2) Share a link to Mingle Monday on your post or give a social media shout out.
3) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below:
** What organization projects are you dying to tackle? **
