Simple lemon tart nut bar

The other day while I was picking up a few things for dinner, I was stuck behind a few people in the cashier line. I was looking at the end cap goodies like always and saw a Larabar in a flavor I had never seen, Lemon. I am a lover of anything lemon. I decided to give it a try and wasn't let down. I looked at the ingredients and was surprised at how little there were. Dates, cashews, almonds, and lemon juice concentrate. "Uh..... I  could for sure make those" I thought to myself.

The next time I was in the store I gathered all of the ingredients and headed home to test kitchen this shiz. I wasn't sure what  the measurements were so I made it up as I went.  The bar I made ended up with a different texture than the Larabars, it was a little more sticky. I totally didn't mind though and thought they were more tart and lemony than the OG bar! I am happy with the end result and wanted to share this super easy recipe with you all. They are superrrrr dense so you could cut them up even more. I also thought they would be good shaped into little energy bite balls and rolled in some chia seeds or extra small white chocolate chips, yum! Have fun adding different ingredients as you see fit.

                              

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups of medjool dates
• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 7 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. grated lemon rind
• Dash of salt (optional) 
• Spray oil  ( I used coconut spray oil)
• Parchment paper
• 7x7 inch square pan

Instructions:

1. Transfer all ingredients into a food processor, and blend until well combined
2. Line the pan with your parchment paper and transfer the "batter" into the pan
3. Spray your hands or a large spatula with the cooking spray and pat into the pan equally
4. Refrigerate overnight (If you're impatient like me a few hours should be fine)
5. Take out of pan and use a pizza cutter or a large spatula to cut into 8 bars
6. Keep fresh in the fridge using parchment paper in-between each bar to prevent sticking and in an air tight container
7. For an on the go bar, wrap in parchment paper and tie shut
8. Enjoy!

xoxo

Julie

Homemade granola two ways

Hello my fellow people of the world! I have missed talking to you guys lately and hope everyone is having an amazing beginning of February. I have been wanting to share this recipe for a few weeks now and finally I sat down to share it with you all (the procrastination is real this month). Brandon has been on a granola kick lately he eats it for breakfast, snacks, and sometimes as a little end of the day treat! I was in target AKA the mothership a few weeks back and was looking through the different types of granolas. They have a million different kinds and while they all look pretty tasty, once reading the ingredients I realized I have no damn idea what some of the ingredients are let alone how the hell to say them. It kind of bothered me, don't get me wrong I am not full crunchy, I do eat my occasional Hot Cheetos which have god knows what in them except delicious unhealthy magic. I decided that granola can't be that hard to make at home right?!

RIGHT! Dude, this stuff is super easy to make. The best part about them is that they are sure recipes 

What is a sure recipe you might ask?

A sure recipe is my favorite type of recipes to make, the kinds that you have all of your ingredients out and you ask yourself in your head 

"Should I add that?" in which you reply "sure"

"Do you think this is the right amount to add?" ..."sure"

"Do you think the recipe will be okay with a little extra of this?" ... "sure"

They are my favorite type of recipes to make! The type of non hassle just throw it together and then it tastes good kind. I usually don't measure stuff out very well when I cook but decided to come up with TWO different easy granola recipes for you all! 

The first one is a super simple peanut butter granola, and the second one is an easy fruit and nut granola. 

We like to eat granola with some almond milk and a fresh banana, on top of our favorite homemade smoothie or just sit and snack on it all by itself!

So lets get to making!

Recipe 1: Super simple peanut butter granola

Ingredients:

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 cup peanut butter ( I used smooth but it's your choice)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 Tbs. shelled hemp seeds
• 2 Tbs. shelled flax seed
• 1/2 Tbs. cinnamon

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 315 degrees
2. Put the honey, vanilla, and coconut oil into a microwave safe dish and microwave in 30 second increments until melted. ( Be careful guys, it can get hot)
3. Once melted, add the coconut oil mixture into a small bowl with the peanut butter and stir until smooth.
4. Once smooth add the peanut butter mixture with the dry ingredients and stir until all the dry ingredients are completely coated 
5. Spread onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
6. Bake for 25 minutes, about 10 minutes in use a spatula to turn over and mix around granola
7. Continue baking, peek in every once in a while to make sure it is not getting too dark
8. Let cool completely then use fingers or spatula to break into the size granola you would like
9. Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks

                    

Easy enough right?! The next one is super yummy as well, I may or may not eat handfuls of the dried apricots before the granola is even ready. I'm not even sorrrrryyyyyyy

Back to baking! 

Recipe 2: Easy fruit and nut granola

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of old-fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup of Trader Joes Super seed and ancient grain blend ( This is a blend of sprouted buckwheat, sprouted millet, chia seed, golden flax seed, red quinoa, shelled hemp seed, and Amaranth ) If this mixture is not available to you feel free to add 1/2 cup of what ever blend of seeds/ grains you like.
• 2/3 cup of mixed dried fruit and nuts
• 1/2 cup of chopped dried apricots 
• 1/4 cup of raw almonds
• dash of cinnimon

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix oats, salt, Super seed blend, and cinnamon into a large bowl
3. Put the honey, vanilla, and coconut oil into a microwave safe dish and microwave in 30 second increments until melted. ( See above pictures)
4. Once melted, add the coconut oil mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until all the dry ingredients are completely coated 
5. Spread onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mat
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown
7. After about 10 minutes of baking use a spatula to stir around the granola, continue to bake
8. Once done, allow to completely cool
9. Mix in your dried fruit and nuts and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks

Enjoy!

xoxo
Julie

Keep it simple 2016

Welcome 2016!

Okay, I know I am late to the welcoming party but I have been bouncing from place to place within the last few months. I just checked and realized that it has been almost a MONTH since I last posted  on this blog (come on jules get it together).

 Well I can officially say that I have been struck with a bad case of  U.C.D. (uninspired creativity disorder)... I literally just made that up right this second. 

Seriously though I have been lacking the inspiration to paint, write, or even read. The last full book I read was over month ago, the horror I know. Sometimes I find that I just end up locked inside of my head with no key in sight. The thought of creating something just seems so distant and unrealistic. Its times like these that I literally fear, I have always been a creative person and knowing there are times when I cannot get my body to create anything is fucking sad. My entire being feels down when I don't do something at least at little creative. Explaining this to people can often lead to weird looks and the "oh yeah I know what you mean" nods when in reality they have no idea and probably never will. Whatever, I don't do it for those people, I do it for myself, my sanity.

 Not everything about my U.C.D. has been terrible, I find that it gives me time to reflect, I see the good, bad and fucking weird things that go on in my life. I have come to realize that I am always surrounded by things, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional... just tons of shit. Its time to clear some of this out of my life. I totally know it will take time since I am a lover of stuff, I'm not saying I want to get rid of all of my belongings, I just want to be surrounded with my most favorite items, people & thoughts. The rest have got to go. 

With the beginning of each new year the feeling of "oh crap what the hell will my resolution be" sets in. The scramble to "fix" what was wrong with the last year just leaves me stressed the hell out.  

So in 2016 I say FUUUUCCCCKKK THHHHATT business. I don't want to want to mentally write another unrealistic set of resolutions, instead I want to create a list of obtainable goals, big and small. I want that amazing feeling of crossing things off the list and knowing that hell yes I did that. With that being said I propose that the year of 2016 will be the year of Keeping it simple.

I now proudly present to you my very first obtained goal of 2016.

xoxo Julie

Food Fridays: Low calorie cashew mexican mocha

Food Friday is back...BOOM!!

Okay, okay, I know this is technically a drink but with food comes drinks and drinks, food plus... COFFEE!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a coffee addict. Sorry, but for real I am not sorry, coffee is the nectar of the gods. I have recently been trying to find areas in my life that I can cut out some excess calories. Don't get me wrong, if someone hands me a delicious flavored iced latte... I will drink it, and drink it fast; but when I found that a cup of this Cashew milk was only 90 calories I was hooked! Since I have picked up Silk chocolate cashew milk, I had constantly thought it would be delicious in coffee. 

I was right, so here is a low calorie option to a Mexican mocha:

(P.S. Its super quick because we all know, No talky before coffee)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 to 3/4 cup of any brand of chocolate Cashew milk (I used Silk)
• Your coffee of choice, I used a K-cup and made my Kicking Horse coffee in the Keurig
• 1/4 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 2 Dashes of Ground Cinnamon
• 1 Dash of Cayenne Pepper ( I mean a tiny bit unless you want it spicyyyyyy)
• Optional: Some creamer if you want it to turn out thicker. When I use creamer I use Trader Joe's Coconut Creamer
• Milk frother, I picked mine up at Cost Plus but if you don't have one no worries.

Step 1: Brew your cup of coffee into your mug or pour yourself a cup of coffee a little over half full.

Step 2: In a separate microwavable mug combine 1 dash of cinnamon, vanilla, cayenne pepper and cashew milk. Heat for 45 seconds or until hot.

Step 3: Once hot, if you have a frother use it until the milk becomes a little frothy. If you don't have one no worries it will taste just as good.

Step 4: Combine all ingredients into the mug with the coffee, stir and dash with cinnamon, see super easy.

 ENJOY!

But wait, there's more!!! (God I love watching those infomercials.)

"What if its super hot out and I don't want hot coffee because then I will melt and probably die!?"

Dude, relax I got you... Make it iced! *head explosion* 

Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic but this drink tastes SO good iced! I used some coffee that I had in the fridge to make this. Just add all the ingredient directly into your cup I used a dash of creamer in mine, add some ice and heaven.

Now you can double enjoy! 

Food Fridays: Frozen Chocolate Bananas

Hey guys! So I have been wanting to try and start a schedule of certain days during the week to regularly post on. I love food... I also love Fridays so BAM I present to you.. Food Fridays.

This recipe is not only super easy, its super duper fast.  #Getinmybelly

Ingredients:

•  1 TBSP Chocolate spread ( I used Trader Joes Cocoa almond spread but you could use Nutella or any type of yummy chocolate)
• 1 TBSP Organic coconut oil
• 1 to 2 ripe bananas
• Wax paper

Dude thats all you need....easy easy easy.

Step 1:

Cut up your bananas into bite size slices and set aside. 

Step 2:

Get a small bowl and put the chocolate and coconut oil in. Put in the microwave for 30 seconds, I usually check half way through to make sure its not too hot. (Burnt chocolate = nasty)

Step 3: 

Stir the delicious chocolate mixture until it's runny and smooth. Grab a banana slice and dunk it all up in that goodness.  I usually pick it up with a fork and let some of the chocolate drip off.

Step 4:

Put your wax paper on a small cookie sheet and place the slices on to it. This isn't a perfect Martha Stewart recipe so you chocolate will drip and may not look that neat but who will really complain because... chocolate.

Step 5:

Place the cookie sheet into the freezer and let sit until frozen, I left them in there for a few hours. Once they are done transfer them to a Tupperware and place back into the fridge. Since there is coconut oil they will be melt in your mouth/hands so its best to keep them in the freezer and pick out a few that you want to eat.

You, my friend, are now a frozen chocolate banana chef. Congrats.

Top 5 podcasts of summer 15

I was first turned onto podcasts when I began a new job where I had quite a lengthy commute. I would sit in an hour and a half of traffic one way to work and just remember being SOOO bored with the radio stations. I signed up for an online audio book subscription but found myself listening to the books front to back. I would end up with no book "credits" left and was back to square one. I was working at a school and the teacher whom I worked for started to talk about a podcast called Serial. (P.S. If you haven't listened and like murder mysteries GO...NOW!) I started to browse around and realize that there were podcasts on every topic imaginable. BINGO. In a way podcasts helped to save my sanity during these epically long commutes. If you aren't on the podcast train well, beep beep the train has arrived.

These podcasts are in no particular order but are my top 5 podcasts of this year/summer 2015.

1. One Part Podcast-

Jessica Murnane hosts this awesome, inspiring and creative podcast. She interviews some of the coolest creative people around, from food, fashion, wellness, artists & designers. The podcast is on a current hiatus but is set to come back at the end of August. If you love hearing about other creativity or just need some inspiration check this one out.

2. Mystery Show- 

This podcast randomly fell into my lap while I was browsing around the podcast store. Starlee Kine hosts this podcast where she solves mysteries that people bring to her. This is totally not on the grand scale that Serial was on but none the less she uses her wits, humor, and outspoken personality to crack the cases. Want some thing light yet intriguing? Check this one out.

3. Loveline-

First of all YOU LIVE! If you understand that saying then go right ahead and skip over this one. So what can I say about Loveline... I often tell people that one of my all time favorite podcasts is Loveline. The typical response that I get it," that's still going?!" along with a completely baffled look. YES Loveline is still going, and going strong might I add. Dr. Drew Pinsky and "Psycho" Mike Catherwood host this show where people all over North America call in for Sex, Dating, Relationship and Medical advice. They have tons of famous guests on the show which come out Sunday through Thursdays. Not only are you sure to learn something but you will also be that person literally laughing out loud while people look at you awkwardly. Own it.

4. Artists Helping Artists-

 Leslie Saeta hosts this podcast which is #1 on Blogtalk radio. Leslie is a seasoned artist who paints with a pallet knife instead of brushes. She has different guests on each week to give you tips and tricks about selling, advertising and knowledge of the business part of art. This blog deals with artwork as opposed to crafts.

5. Naturally Nicole -

We have now arrived to my guilty pleasure, well actually fuck it! No shame in my game... Nicole "Snooki" LaValle is best known from the MTV show Jersey Shore. I know what you're thinking.... TRAINWRECK. Well yes....and no. She has really turned herself around from those drunken television days. She has grown up to become a great mother and wife while she hasn't lost her potty mouth and don't give a shit attitude. #zerofuckstogive I listen to this podcast to crack up along side her and her best friend Joey. They talk about girl shit, mommy shit (literally and figuratively) and celeb gossip. You either like it or you don't, either way I won't judge to each their own.

Bonus: Elise Gets Crafty-

I am a recent follower to this podcast, I haven't been listening for very long. It is a podcast on small business inspiration, motivation and knowledge. Totally right up my ally! So far I am really enjoying listening. Boom for a bonus.

What are your favorite podcasts? I'm always looking for new hidden gems on the web. 

Easy vegan crockpot chili

Hey guys! I hope everyone is having an amazing day today. A few days ago I was driving back with Brandon from a friends house. I was thinking out loud about what I wanted to make for dinner later that night like I always do #foodonmymindalways. I spontaneously thought about a big bowl of delicious homemade chili. I knew that we had a ton of leftover fresh veggies from the week before so I decided to go to work looking for some veggie heavy recipes. I came across a bunch of different Vegan recipes and decided to do what I always do with cooking... think "hell yeah I can make that sh*t". I have never been one to easily follow recipes, I like to just take a few different items from different recipes that sound good and hope for the best. I mean how bad can a freaking recipe turn out right? Well, sometimes it does turn out bad. I mean like ew, brandon smiling and saying "its good" while I can obviously see his face says otherwise! Hehe

Well to my effing surprise this recipe turned out bomb as sh*t. Like eat the next day for lunch and dinner good. I also put the leftovers in little mugs and froze them, plopped them into a ziplock bag after they had froze so I now have dinner for a lazy night. I think I'm getting the hang of this cooking thing.

Anyways, here's the recipe that I ended up with. I mashed 3 or 4 different recipe ingredients along with some random stuff I had laying around and BOOM out came this chili.

Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1/2 to a whole bell pepper
• 1 chopped red onion
• 2 chopped zucchinis
• 1 cup frozen or fresh corn
• 1 to 2 Tbsp chopped garlic ( One can of tomatoes that I got had garlic inside so I used only 1) 
• 3 (14.5oz) cans of chopped fire roasted tomatos
• 4 (15 oz) cans of beans of your choice ( I used pinto, white kidney, red kidney and garbanzo beans)
• Juice of half of one can of the beans ( I used the red kidney beans juice)
• 3 Tbsp tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp chopped chipote peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 cups of vegetable broth ( one can go directly into crockpot the other will be used to get flavor out of the pan)
• 1/3 cup of Couscous 
• 1 tsp of Trader Joe's maple agave syrup blend ( can also use honey or brown sugar)
• 1 Tbsp Coconut oil
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp oregano ( I only had an italian blend of oregano and thyme)
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 Tbsp cumin
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black ground pepper

Step 1

Heat the Tbsp of coconut oil into a medium sized skillet. Once hot put all of the veggies into the skillet and sauté until the vegetables begin to soften. Once they have softened, move them directly into the crockpot. Take one cup of your vegetable broth and pour into the pan. Let the broth come to a low boil making sure to mix and scrape any of the vegetable pieces that were left behind. Transfer the broth into the crockpot making sure that you have gotten all of the delicious veggie pieces from the pan as well.

Step 2

Add all of the ingredient to the crockpot  EXCEPT the couscous and give a good mixing. Make sure that all of the spices are evenly divided around the crockpot. Turn your crockpot onto high and cook for 3 to 4 hours. Taste throughout to make sure its turning out delicious! Okay fine you don't have to but I did and yummmmmmmm

Step 3

Five minutes before you are ready to turn off your crockpot pour the couscous in and stir around.

Step 4

Divide into your bowls and load on the toppings if you please.

Some ideas for toppings are:

-Cheese ( I know this would not make it vegan anymore but I just love cheese, you could totally add vegan melting cheese to this though)
-Avocado
-Low fat plan greek yogurt
-Green onions
-Cilantro
The options really are endless and all of them are freaking delicious. I hope you like it and don't forget that this freezes really well for a later time.

Christmas 2014 gift guides

Happy December!! Eep! I can't tell you how excited I am about it finally being Decemeber, getting some rain and putting up my christmas tree. This year I have felt extra festive for one reason or another? Not quiet sure why maybe I was bitten by the christmas bug. Anyways, I have put together a few gift guides for those hard to buy for people in your lives. Okay, maybe not so much hard to buy for but for the quirky people that you surround yourself with. Now some of these are for ideas, more so than the actual gift ( that rug below is $3,000!) so just keep in mind.  Any thoughtful gift given will be loved! Happy shopping

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