cinnamon agave french toast

To say I have been 'on top' of my goals thus far is a complete understatement. I have never been so motivated, and it is quite refreshing. I started a new book (8) yesterday, and am about 175 pages in. Etsy shop (2) ideas are evolving and I get more excited with every new idea we present! Although I haven't actually physically ran (3), I did ride 8 miles on my bike and walk 4 1/2 miles while pushing a baby stroller yesterday, does that qualify as a running replacement? This breakfast paved my way to being healthy (1) which was complete heaven and has me on a whole new healthy ride! 

It feels really good to be getting back into the things that I realize are those that I long for and love in life, as well as new and exciting things that really spice up my life! Today I am feeling good, partially from my growing spring goal process and this heavenly (and healthy) little breakfast I had this morning. :) Oh yeah, and probably because the thought of me finally being in Portland this evening has my mind on complete reserve! :) 

Cinnamon Agave French Toast

1 slice multi-grain bread

1 tablespoon agave

2 egg whites

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 tablespoons maple syrup (optional; the agave and vanilla really sweeten, as well as moisten up the bread) 

1/4 cup berries or fruit of your choice

In large bowl, whisk eggs, cinnamon, agave, and vanilla. Place multi-grain bread in bowl, soaking both sides of bread. Place on a pre-greased skillet. Cook until golden brown, flipping continuously. Top with fruit of your choice and blissfully devour.

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goals paired with white chocolate walnut shortbread.

My Spring/Summer goals

1) Be/Feel/Live/Look healthy.

2) Start the Etsy shop I have been wanting to start. (info soon to come!)

3) get back into running.

4) start and complete one piece of art, at LEAST!

5) Take a nice, long camping trip to Yosemite.

6) Make a new friend in Long Beach.

7) Visit Greg and Cami in Arizona.

8) Read 3 new books.

9) Hear again. (mhm, I still cannot hear out of one ear.)

10)  Breathe.

Cheers to new goals and, with that, here is a wonderfully tasting as well as healthy little treat for you all devour, moderately of course. 

white chocolate walnut shortbread bites

1 cup Earth Balance 'butter'

3/4 cup confectioners sugar

1 teaspoon agave

2 cups almond flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup walnuts

(1/2 cup white chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 325F. In a large bowl, combine Earth Balance, confectioners sugar, agave, then add flour and salt. Beat with wooden spoon until combined, but not too creamy. Fold in walnuts and white chocolate chips. Roll dough into 8 by 1 1/2 inch logs and cool in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Cut into 1/4 inch squares/circles. Roll outside of cookie dough in brown sugar, then place on parchment prepared baking pan and bake for 11-16 minutes; or until golden brown. 

Serve with Jam, honey, or a nice glass of tea.

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spring goal number one

Goal number 1: Be/Feel/Live/Look healthy.

I have always felt so blessed to be my 'mother's child', who stands at 5'2' and is very, very, very petite. (We can share the same clothes!)  However, although small, it does not mean healthy. And for myself, I am far from healthy. If I were, I wouldn't feel so fatigue and lethargic like I do midday, almost everyday. This needs to change. I want to feel more lively, happier, and energized! So, on top of the several other goals I placed on my newly made "Spring/Summer goal list" (coming soon), this ranks at number one.

And, to start me off, a delectable homemade parfait for breakfast! Being that I am trying to get back on a healthy path, my blog recipes, of course, will be joining in on this adventure; with many healthy substitutions, more fruit, organic, all natural, less butters and fats, more antioxidants, you name it. It's time to get back to feeling gooooood, and I am so very excited about it.

Homemade Parfait

1 cup organic nonfat raspberry yogurt

1/4 cup chopped raw strawberries

1 'Eating Right' 100 calorie fruit bar (crumbled)

1 pinch of organic brown sugar

Prepare anyway you would like; serve in bowl.

Total calories: 195

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weekend.

Beautiful weather. Bbq, drinks and games with a wonderful family. Sister time. New runners. Sweet doggies. A long walk. What feels like a brand new bedroom. This past weekend was absolutely wonderful. I miss everything that was done, and everyone I spent it with. Can't we just go back to Friday and re-live everything all over again!? Thank you to everyone who made these last few days simply bliss. 

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sister, earth day, and weekend.

My sister is 1000x amazing and conversations with her are the best. I miss her and wish she lived a little closer than 2 hours away. She makes me laugh and having more of her in my immediate life (minus telephone calls every single day, multiple times a day) would be more than anything I could ever want. Spending the entire weekend with her is going to be wonderful and I do not doubt that my stomach will be incredibly sore from laughing before Saturday night even arrives. 

ps. HAPPY EARTH DAY! Being one of my favorite holidays, try to ride a bike or pick up a little trash today. It will make a difference! :) I absolutely will be!

I hope you all have a weekend full of laughs and love! See you Monday! 

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frozen dark chocolate-covered banana bites

I have been on a chocolate, preferably dark, and banana frenzy. Can you tell? I can't help it. They are both my absolute favorite, and together they are even more of a favorite. With the weather being quite warmer this past weekend, these were the most perfect little treats to keep us cool and absolutely satisfied. I cannot wait for more warm summer days where these will be a definite necessity.

Frozen Dark Chocolate with Peanut Butter Banana Bites

8oz dark chocolate; chopped finely

2-3 bananas; cut into 1 1/4 inches

1/3 cup of nuts

2/3 cup peanut butter

Using a double broiler, place the chocolate and peanut butter in a glass bowl over simmering water; Stirring until just melted. While the chocolate and peanut butter melt, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and start slicing your bananas. When the chocolate/peanut butter mix is melted, remove from heat. Inserting a toothpick in one end of the banana piece, dip into the chocolate, spooning on additional chocolate to the banana to be sure it is completely covered. Place chocolate banana on the parchment lined cookie sheet, then sprinkle with chopped peanuts (sprinkle while still wet). Place cookie sheet in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. 

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chocolate healing

Today is definitely a "chocolate will make everything better" kind of days and let me tell you, this chocolate chocolate chip banana cake (recipe can be found here, with an added 1/4 cup of dark cocoa powder) is really making everything better. :) Looking forward to a homemade meal and very relaxing night with the two loves of my life, my boyfriend and pup, and am excited for the beautiful Easter weekend ahead with some of my family members, of whom I am very grateful for.

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weekend in 'grams.

1) jorts & porch sittin'/sun loungin' with my pup.

2) In N Out visit; In remembrance of Tash.

3) Frozen dark chocolate peanut butter banana bites (up on the blog this week!)

4) a girly touch to our picnic table of a kitchen table.

5) Prosecco, photos of the weekend, candles, picnic table, wall of windows; a perfect afternoon at home.

6) The beginning of our Roomie Polaroid wall.

Sunday was a beautiful day filled with roommate time, yummy grilled meals, Prosecco, laughs, a clean home, and sweet chats with my boyfriend. This weekend was special with plenty things done, and lovely things celebrated. Sometimes I tend to over-stress, over-exaggerate, and overwhelm myself with everything in life. Really reminiscing on life and spending time with ones I love this weekend made me want to change that. Life is too beautiful, and way, way too short for anything of that sort. Life is precious and should be enjoyed to the fullest. I need to stop sweating the small stuff, and start enjoying the "this is my very own, very precious life" stuff. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are starting the week off refreshed and smiling, just as I am. 

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currently..

...I'm enjoying tunes from these albums, finishing up my list of things to do and preparing for a lovely weekend. I look forward to the summer activities like bike rides, frozen yogurt trips, and soaking up a little sun, I plan to partake in due to the 85 degree weather we have been blessed with (and, on through the weekend!)! Wishing you all a very lovely weekend, as well

!

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PIneapple-Cranberry Walnut Muffins

Spring is in the air and I am craving fruit! I crave variety. I crave pineapple, kiwi, pomegranate, blackberries, blueberries. Fruit is a love of my life, has been for a long time, and will be for, well, forever. It is beautiful, colorful, sweet, and incredibly refreshing. As much as I am a fan of dark chocolate (refer to my million chocolate dessert posts within the past month, ay yi yi), fruit desserts have to be my most desired. Fruit is a dessert in itself, however put it in a muffin or brownie, pair it with some chocolate, yogurt or a brown sugar dip, and you have even more heaven than you began with! 

This Pineapple-Cranberry walnut muffin is a perfect example of that heaven. Prepared with healthier ingredients, this indulgence is something I cannot stop thinking about. I had one today, and immediately wanted another. Speaking of them now makes me want one. Breakfast tomorrow is going to be the best thing since well, breakfast this morning.

Pineapple-Cran Walnut Bran muffins

Adapted from Mary Ann

1 cup unprocessed natural bran

1 1/2 cups almond flour

2/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup dried cranberries

1 large egg

1/2 soy or almond milk

1/4 cup Earth balance, melted (you can also use regular butter, as well)

1/2 cup drained, crushed pineapple

1 cup walnuts

a few teaspoons of brown sugar (I used regular sugar because I was out of brown)

Preheat oven to 375F. In a large bowl, mix cranberries, egg, milk, Earth Balance and pineapple; set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, bran, sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Stir in flour mixture into the wet mixture, combine until moistened. Spoon batter into pre-greased muffin pan. Sprinkle each with walnuts and a little brown sugar before placing into the oven. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and center tester comes out clean. (If you use a larger muffin pan, like I did, they may take anywhere from 30-35 minutes. Just keep an eye out.)

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chocolate chip butterscotch vegan banana brownies. (woah!)

Although this dessert didn't come out looking the loveliest… more like a complete mess, they are the best tasting brownies I have had in a VERY long time. They are so simple (although they do not look it) and have an easily adaptable recipe that you can change up without causing much of a hassle. For instance, for a little more umph! you can add 1 teaspoon of rum in place of the vanilla! Rum really brings out the richness in the cake, as well as the bitterness of the dark chocolate. Some people do not like that bitter taste dark chocolate provides, I absolutely LOVE it. Also, this recipe is Vegan, minus the chocolate and butterscotch chips (you can purchase dairy-free chips!) to keep my current baking spree on a slightly healthier path! I am about to go eat one of these, and one of my pineapple-cran walnut muffins I made yesterday (on the blog this week!) Enjoy your Wednesday everyone!

Chocolate chip butterscotch vegan banana brownie

Adapted from Joy the Baker, and completely revised.

2 cups almond flour

2 cups organic sugar

3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup of mashed bananas + 1-2 bananas; sliced, for garnish

1/4 almond milk

1/4 coconut oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup dark chocolate chips

1/2 butterscotch chips (only if you would like)

Preheat oven to 350F. Pre-grease a 9 by 13 baking dish, and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt; set aside. In another small bowl, combine mashed bananas, almond milk, coconut oil and vanilla extract until well mixed. Once combined, add wet mixture to the dry, mixing until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Gently garnish top of bread/brownie mixture with sliced bananas, followed by sprinkling the chocolate (and/or butterscotch) chips on top as well. Bake 25-35 minutes, or until center tester comes out clean.

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weekend

I apologize for my lack of blogging this past week. I have been wrapped up in the wonderful weather, doggie dates, and friend adventures! I will be back tomorrow with some baked goodness. :) (For I forgot my charger today, and my computer has about 2% battery!) Hope everyone's weekend was a wonderful one!

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daydreams coming true!

FINALLY! Last night Jeff and I got spontaneous and booked a nice little getaway to Portland, Oregon in 3 weeks! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I have been wanting to, not only take a trip, but to take a trip here!! I have heard nothing, but absolutely wonderful things about this city, and cannot cannot cannot wait to meet the lovely place I've been told I'd fall in love with.

Below are just a few scenery photos Jeff took while on a work trip last year to show me… I was slightly jealous that he got to go! All of that green is just beautiful, and so refreshing! Three weeks, hurry up!

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sister, and some fruity breakfast bars

My sister is really one of the best people I know; She keeps me laughing constantly, has a beautiful, easy going presence that inspires me daily, and when I am feeling like that little 'piece of home' is missing, she never fails to fill that void, possibly overflow it. :) I wish I could be more like her.

We sipped too many mimosas, depleted the small amount of chocolate-toffee cake bars we had left, included Isabel in all of our errands, walked aimlessly around Long Beach continuously complimenting the city and speaking of how relaxed, diverse, and real it is, leaving us feeling like we can be whoever we want here. (My biggest dream would come true if my sister moved here! … we're working on it.) Having her in Long Beach this weekend was comforting, fulfilling, and exactly what I have been needing. (I also need more girl friends here. Blah)




After feeling a bit sad when she left, but completely refreshed from our wonderful weekend, still floating in that "homey" feeling, I made my way to the kitchen, sipping more Prosecco and preparing my very favorite, very "homey" feeling indulgence. It has been quite some time since I have thrown these little treats together, and after reuniting with them, I shook my head in disappointment, asking "why did you wait this long!?"… Yes, I really did this because they are the best. You can make this treat any way you like, adding anything for the middle layer, be it fruit, chocolate, frosting, peanut butter, etc. Anyway, two things… 1) Make these. (they are more than semi-healthy!)  and 2) Do not wait as long as I did to re-make them. They are too heavenly of a treat to let 'cobweb'. 

'Any way you want' Breakfast bars

..in this case, Blackberry Jam Banana Breakfast Bars

Adapted from the lovely Martha Stewart

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups almond flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar

1/4 cup organic sugar

1 large egg yolk (or! for a healthier alternative, 2 egg whites)

3/4 cup sliced almonds (more if you'd like)

1/2 cup blackberry jam

3 bananas, sliced

Preheat oven 350F. Pre-grease an 8-inch baking pan, or use a stone pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, salt and baking powder. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars on high until light and fluffy; beat in egg yolk. Reduce speed to low, and gradually mix in the flour mixture. Fold in almonds.

In a small side bowl, whisk jam to loosen. Gently press half the dough into bottom of pre-greased pan (or stone), spread jam over dough, then gently lay bananas over the jam spread. Sprinkle remaining dough over top of banana/jam layer, and gently press to form top layer. Bake 25-35 minutes. 

viola! you have the most perfect breakfast/dessert/snack/anytime of the day bar. (can you tell I am obsessed? This is one I devour.)

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weekend

1) Pretty pink trees at the college.

2) My favorite Palm Tree-filled street.

3) Lovely doorstep.

4) My sister and I finished off the chocolate-toffee cake bars.

5) Walking off our chocolate-toffee cake bars with Izzie.

6) Banana blackberry jam breakfast bars. (recipe up tomorrow!)

Oh, and 75 degree weather. :)

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sister visits

My beautiful sister is coming to visit me this weekend! 

And, although I have many things planned for her and I in the 3 days she will be here, you will most likely find us dwelling here, relaxing, chatting, non-stop laughing, and..

eating way too many of these.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

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