weekend and an ear ache

As much as I would have loved to rant and rave about my absolutely lovely weekend, the pain I'm encountering today has left me un-enthusiastic about everything and emotional. Unfortunately, I went to bed with what I thought was clogged ears, which has now turned into something a little more serious than that (throbbing pain, complete loss of hearing on one side, and dizziness; wonderful.), an ear infection, blah. :( At the rate I have been going, if I were to blog right now it would just turn into one huge jumbled and very emotional rant.


The photo above should be of great explanation to the majority of my beautiful weekend with my dog, in which I never left her side. She makes me smile.


As for you ear infection, please go away soon. You are so very painful and leave me horribly cranky and VERY deaf.


See you all tomorrow, and with a little more enthusiasm! Promise. 

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pretty, pretty green.

via

Greenery, to me, is so calming and makes me, oh, so happy.

happy friday, all. 

i'll be spending the weekend with my dog and man. :)

See you Monday.

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our new addition

The reason for missing my blog entry yesterday....

I was at the Long Beach Animal Shelter saving this little cuddle-muffin.

Welcome,

Izzie! 

(short for Isabelle; she didn't have a name so we were able to name her!)

Isn't she just darling? Such a lovely little addition to our family. I'm in love.

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morning sweets

After a full morning with my nose stuck in my school book, while baby Sophia slept in (jealous), I was in need of some play time. As Sophia enjoys the same music as I, we drowned out the room with The Civil Wars (Mostly "Dance me to the end of love" (my preference) and Joy Williams' "Sunny Day" (Baby Sophia's preference) ) and tossed up a quick homemade recipe for us and the neighbor kids outside. In between batches we blew air kisses, played with farm animals and I snuck in some pages of the unbelievably charming book I am reading.  After a long, hard weekend this week has become just what I needed, light and serene. Here is our, us couple of Lactose's, Vegan Style Oatmeal Cookies.

Ingredients:

1 cup organic rolled oats

1 cup almond flour (or whole wheat)

1 cup ground almonds

½ tsp. salt

¼ cup raisins

¼ cup dried cranberries (optional)

½ cup agave nectar (if you do not have agave, you can use pure maple syrup!)

½ cup coconut oil

½ tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix all of the dry ingredients. In another bowl, mix all of the wet ingredients. Then, with a wooden spoon stir into the dry ingredients. Form about 1 inch balls and place on pre-parchment pan, while pressing balls down with fingers.  Bake for 12 minutes, or until a nice golden brown!

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home, sweet, brand new home.

Though a long, tedious, straining, time consuming, and labor-ful weekend it was, to be blessed with a view like this from the many surrounding windows in my new home is simply bliss. I find a sense of calming when looking out towards tops of trees and sky, rather than into the kitchen or bedroom window of the apartment building next door. I am enthusiastic for the beautiful sunset filled evenings, and delightful group of males that I now consider part "family" (one being my handsome boyfriend), whom I get to enjoy and share this home with. Although hectic at times, life really is splendid.


{You will have to excuse the many weaving cable cords, a small (what I like to call) "glitch" that I wish could be more easily hidden by the beautiful tall standing trees (or lack there of) here in California.} 


**Cleaning the windows is my next task at hand. (picture 4)

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cinnamon banana bread

When grocery shopping, I tend to linger around the produce section the most; drooling over the fruits (not literally) and rustling through the many recipes I have stored in my head that would give me an excuse to go overboard on all of the beautifully colored food around me! I'm always daydreaming about the many indulgences I could come up with. I can't help it. Maybe it is the "somewhat of a baker" in me? Or, quite possibly, the "giver" in me, as the end results never end up in my kitchen, but in the hands of friends. 

Last week I was given that opportunity to splurge in that section, as I was in need of a "thank you" gift for a friend. I could have came up with something a little more meaning full than a loaf of my banana bread, but surprisingly, he requested it! And, while on the subject of requests, this post/recipe was a request from a past blog reader (how darling)! (it was necessary I share with someone! The email made me grin from ear to ear.)

 
Cinnamon Banana bread (vegan style)
You will need:
2 cups almond flour (all purpose works just as great)
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional; perfect addition around holiday season)
1 cup organic sugar
1/4 cup applesauce or oil 
4 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup water
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
*1 cup chocolate chips (optional)


Preheat oven 350 F. Grease or parchment a loaf pan. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.


In a large bowl, whisk sugar and oil (or applesauce), then add the mashed bananas. Once mixed, add water, then vanilla. Stir to combine. Then, add cinnamon (and nutmeg) and stir.


Add flour mixture to banana mixture; Stir until just wet. Then add nuts. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake about 50 minutes or until a toothpick poke comes out clean!

ps. photos taken at a previous time baking this bread while nannying. Come to find out Miss Sophia is a fan too! (hence the small hole in center of bread from her finger and bitten corner. She later consumed 2 pieces WITH her lunch.)

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my kind of comfort

One would think I would be about 50 pounds heavier than I am from the amount of Carbohydrates consumed in my diet. I haven't found one I do not like. Sometimes, I'd like to think that I could survive (healthily) with only Carbohydrates to deplete. Mm! Unfortunately, that is entirely impossible.  


After many hours of packing up our little (yet, completely stuffed) apartment, a long break was due. Sadly, I have no one here to accompany me during my lounging time (work travels; boo!), so it was down to either a good book (packed.), Golden Girls dvd (packed.), or some comfort food possibly paired with a mini bottle of Prosecco and orange juice? Absolutely. 


Here is a mostly healthy comfort food recipe (slight splurging is imperative in this case). I have consumed about half of this dish alone. Enjoy!


Baked Cranberry Granola
needed:
4 cups organic rolled oats
1/2 cup slivered raw almonds
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
2 Tbsp flax seed
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup veggie oil or applesauce
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup apple juice 
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried apricots (optional)
you can also add 1 cup of chocolate chips and/or coconut flakes, if you are feeling daring. 


1) Heat oven to 350º.  In a large mixing bowl, stir together oats, nuts, flax seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.  Whisk the oil (applesauce), honey, and apple juice in measuring cup.


2) Pour the liquid mixture over the oat mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated.  Spread onto a large sheet pan that is pre covered with parchment. Bake, stirring occasionally, until the mixture turns an even golden brown. 30-40 minutes


3) Remove granola from oven and let cool. Once cool, add the cranberries and apricots to granola ; stir. Store granola in airtight container. (If stored correctly, should last up to a week)

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a fresh start

Hello! Rachel, here!

I live in the beautiful Long Beach, California.

I am a nanny to two adorable baby girls.
My boyfriend is a gem, and I am one very lucky girl.

I go to school to study Nutrition and Food, mm.
I am smitten with my dog, Izzie.

I buy, thrift, read, re-read, share and collect way too many books. 

I bake often, and when I do it is rare that I follow recipe.

I long for 'Sunday Brunches' Monday-Friday.

Golden Girls is my television preference.

I enjoy hosting friendly get-togethers. (with lots of homemade goodies)

I fancy traveling; it makes me happy. 

And, this is my blog!

Enjoy!

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