Tag Archives: recipe

Homemade Granola Cereal

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Just take a look at this goodness-

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Oh my gosh, you guys- I just HAVE to share this recipe with you. It’s too good and too easy.

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Homemade granola, as I have found out, is near impossible to screw up. So after looking at various websites and blogs on granola recipes, this is what I came up with (keeping in mind I played around with the ingredients I had on hand already!!!)

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Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 6 cup quick oats (yes, quick oats- it’s what I already had and I was anticipating this granola to be more as a cereal than a pour-in-your-hand type snack)
  • 1/2 c honey
  • 1/2 c pure maple syrup
  • 2 t cinnamon
  • 4 t chia seeds
  • 2 c nuts (I had a combo of macadamia nuts and cashews from the bulk bin)
  • 1 1/2 c raisins

Here’s what you do:

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Mix all ingredients except the raisins in a bowl. Make sure mixture is evenly coated.
  3. Pour mixture onto baking sheets and bake for 30 minutes, check and stirring often.
  4. Once granola is ready, remove from oven and pour in a large bowl. Add raisins and stir.
  5. Store in an airtight container.

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This variation is like a maple-honey-cinnamon granola. It made the whole house smell fantastic when I made it last night, and I couldn’t WAIT to have it for breakfast this morning! I enjoyed my granola cereal with a generous portion of HUGE fresh blueberries and unsweetened almond milk. OMYGOD perfect.

And with coffee? Even better. I have no idea how I’m going to contain myself from eating all of it today. 

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Now that I’ve got this pretty basic granola cereal recipe down, I’m excited to try flavor  variations (*I’m pretty sure that it will be more of a snacking granola if you use old fashioned oats, but the only way I really like to eat granola is in more of a cereal form)

Question: What’s your favorite brand, flavor, or way to enjoy granola?!!

OF ALL THE DAMN RECEIPTS

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Another interview day…I thought.

BUT lookie-here at what happened with my morning:

  1. Mid hair-straightening, the straightener broke.
  2. Stockings had a hole
  3. Pre-Calgary work pants felt snug
  4. 5 minutes prior to leaving for interview, received a call to cancel said interview.

Honestly, I can’t catch a break. I immediately got online to see what the warranty on my super expensive straightener was, and found that all I needed to do was include a copy of the receipt of purchase from authorized dealer and cost of return shipping along with the item. OF ALL THE DAMN RECEIPTS, I can’t find this one. Oy. The replacement wouldn’t arrive for at least 8-10 weeks, so I am stuck buying another one here regardless. 

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Yeah, that’s the hairdo I would’ve gone with if it weren’t cancelled. And I think I had already changed back into my ‘jams before I even hung up the phone. Ugh

Now I’m going to complain about how this throws off my WORKOUT. Of all things. Boy, am I selfish. Or obsessed. Or both. Now that I have all this free time, I want to use it by going to the GYM but I know there are group ex classes going on until about 12:30pm. (The group ex studio is open air in the middle of the gym- so my use of the treadmill would give me a view of 40-60 older ladies jazzercizing. Not my cuppa.)

I don’t even want to talk about how I felt in my work clothes. Gross. That’s a whole other post on my thoughts and feelings about my body image insecurities. WOOF.

RANT=OVER. (phew, i know)

Onto bigger and better things: food. HAHA. But seriously, I’m gonna talk about food.

First up, pancakes.

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Not just any ol’ pancakes…SWEET POTATO pancakes!

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1/2 c sweet potato puree 
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/4 c whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 t baking powder
  • stevia (to taste) or 1 t of sugar or agave
  • dash salt
  • 1/4 t cinnamon
  • 1/4 c unsweetened almond milk

Here’s what you do:

  1. Throw everything in the blender or food processor or use a hand mixer to get the batter nice and smooth. 
  2. Cook as you would normally cook pancakes (mine took a little longer on each side to ensure the puree was cooked and not leaving each cake super mushy)
  3. Optional: I topped mine with a mixture of pb2, water, and 1T cocoa. And sliced strawberries. It was perfect.

Next up, Carrot Cake! 

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I used the recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction. Only problem with mine was that I split the batter into 2-8inch round pans and still baked for the directed time. That, combined with the stupid altitude, and my cake came out a tad dry. (Hence the scary amount of frosting I used to compensate)

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I’m still eating it, though.

Saturday night, Tyler made us ribs! They were so freaking tasty.

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We ended up being out for a little later than expected, and by the time we got home and got these suckers on the BBQ, we had to wait until about 10pm to eat them. It was SO worth it.

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I don’t know what rub Tyler used, but it was the first thing he put together when he woke up that morning. I think he’s going to keep it a secret. Just to WOW me every time we eat them.

TO WRAP UP:

1. Um, why have I never used the MapMyRun app before? (A: Because I don’t ever run outside) I gave it a go for the first time yesterday–carrying my phone with me– and I LOVED it! It maps your route, tells you your splits, distance, duration, calorie burn, yadda yadda yadda.

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(Source)

2. My dog loves the sun just as much as she loves snow.

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3. I have now officially fallen in love with Bloglovin. If you read this blog, chances are you found it through another blog, and even more chances that you read lots of blogs. Most people are currently using Google Reader as a way of getting their blog fix, but that’s saying adios in a couple of months. With Bloglovin, you can import all the blogs you have on your Google Reader (automatically. there is no long, disastrous process of getting it done). 

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(Source)

This site is pretty cool because it allows you to open the posts in a new window (or on your phone, it directs you to the original post) so that you can comment or whatever. But, when you want to ‘go back’ you don’t lose the post! Sounds confusing- probably because I am terrible at explaining things. What I’m trying to say is- go register with Bloglovin and get used to it before Google Reader goes away forever.

4. Read about why you don’t like the word Moist.

5. Leftover OJ from Easter? (aka: your mimosas were mi-mostly champagne) MAKE THESE. 

6. Why you should eat bell peppers.

7. You’re Not As Fat As You Think You Are. I re-read this a ton of times, took a few deep breaths, and felt a bit better.

8. BOOKS. I’m reading them. Yay! Here’s what I’ve got under my belt as of late:

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I’m currently reading:

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And have these next to read:

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Question: Any good eats or reads lately? Please share!!

 

 

Three Things Thursday

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1. Had an interview yesterday (nothing fancy, it was just a staffing agency. Apparently I will need some Canadian experience under my belt to be considered for more advanced positions, even though I have the education!) Since I didn’t bring any of my work clothes to Calgary when I moved last year, I had to go to the mall and find something appropriate that I would hopefully wear more than once (note: I hate work pants.) I came up with this gem of an outfit:

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2. Came up with an AWESOME workout that I did yesterday. It was challenging, it incorporated both cardio and strength training, and it was entertaining (because it alleviates any boredom you might get from staying on one exercise or one piece of equipment for too long). I made it fancy on PicMonkey, but there are tons of arrows so I hope it’s not TOO confusing..

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Let me explain.

  • First, you do the first set of treadmill intervals
  • Move on to the first round of supersets. Complete the number of reps for the first exercise, then do the number of reps for the second exercise. Complete this 3x through.
  • Second round of treadmill intervals.
  • Secound round of Supersets
  • Same for the third round
  • Finish with 5 minutes of treadmill intervals.
  • It takes under an hour to complete (including rest times and stretching)

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I sported my Lululemon Gather and Crow crops for this workout. I rarely wear them (don’t get me wrong, they’re COMFY) because they just look funny. And when I am doing my workout in front of a mirror, it just makes me feel funny. I prefer the fit of Wunder Unders (perhaps because they have a little more compression…particularly in the thigh-al region? I made up the word thigh-al in case you were wondering).

Can I just say again that I love my new gym? I don’t have to hover over machines or wait to use anything or claim my territory. Heck, no one even cares when I take dumb pictures. Like this one.

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PS: That lady in the green crops is one of the personal trainers. Not only do I want her green crops, but I think her and I will be friends one day. We have already talked about water bottles, so I think it’s going places.

3. This morning, I used some leftover quinoa we had in the fridge to make some Quinoa Pancakes. I had never made them before but have always been curious as to how different they may or may not taste from the various other variety of pancakes I’ve made.

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Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1/2 c cooked quinoa
  • 1/4 c oats
  • 1/4 c whole wheat flour
  • 1 t baking powder
  • dash of salt
  • 1/2 t cinnamon
  • 1/3 large banana, mashed
  • 1/2 c unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 T plain nonfat greek yogurt

Here’s what you do:

  1. Mix everything with a hand mixer or blender. Pour on skillet, flip when bottom side is lightly browned.

Easy.

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I topped mine with the remainder of the banana and some PB2 (great substitute for peanut butter, I highly recommend it because the flavor and texture is pretty spot on! And it comes in powder form, so you can make it your desired consistency, add it to recipes, or eat it on its own!)

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The pancakes were OK. They were fluffy and had a pretty pancake-like texture, but I could really taste the quinoa (I am used to eating it only in more savory meals) so it wasn’t my favorite. Still, a great way to get rid of leftovers! Next time, I’ll probably incorporate berries or cocoa into the batter to see if that changes my feelings about Quinoa Pancakes at all.

Question 1: Do you have a favorite Go-To workout outfit?

Question 2: What’s your favorite way to eat quinoa?

Blueberry Coconut Oat Bake

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Monday morning recipe for the win! 

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I was craving something warm and hearty, but I also wanted to use up some blueberries that were just about dead. What did I come up with? Something that addressed all of the above and more!

(Just eating breakfast while looking out the back window for coyotes. If you follow me on Instagram @nutcaseinpoint, you’ll see a pic of the rabid creature going through our trash)

Blueberry Coconut Oat Bake

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Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 2 c oats
  • 1/4 c packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1 t baking powder
  • 1 t cinnamon
  • 2 c unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 egg
  • 3 T melted coconut butter
  • 1 t vanilla
  • 1 1/2 c blueberries

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Here’s what you do:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 and prepare an 8×8 dish
  2. In one bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
  3. In another bowl, whisk the milk, egg, coconut butter, and vanilla together. 
  4. Pour most the blueberries along the bottom of the pan. Cover with the dry mixture, then top with the wet mixture. Top with remaining fruit.
  5. Bake for 45 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

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Enjoyed with a big mug of coffee, and I’m ready for the day! (Although I did manage to apply for a bunch of jobs online already. Look at me being all proactive)

HEY GUESS WHAT. I started a recipe tab. I’m slowly hacking away at it, but figured it would be an easy way to find the recipes I’ve posted myself.

HEY GUESS WHAT ELSE. haha, just kidding, that was it.

Best Banana Bread

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Well, hello there. I hope this Hump Day is treating you all well. I am currently typing this in my pajamas (typical), on the couch, watching trashy day-time TV with the dog cuddled up next to me. Don’t shoot me out of jealousy just yet, I am also on the hunt for a job and predict that I will be miserable, in pants, and behind a desk in the near future.

Just thought I’d pop in real quick to share some random bits with you. Shall we get started?

  • I made the TASTIEST banana bread yesterday (I forgot to allocate for the altitude and therefore it did not cook enough for me, but I crumbled it up and stored it in an air-tight container for future dessert and snacking use). I still thought I HAD to share the recipe, because it really can’t be passed up (I know, I know, how many recipes for banana bread do you see on the internet? The answer: LOTS)

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Here’s What you Need:

  • 2 c almond flour
  • 1 T cinnamon
  • 1 t baking soda
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 c coconut milk
  • 1 t vanilla
  • 1/4 c agave
  • 2 ripe bananas (mashed)

Here’s What you Do:

  1. In a bowl, combine the almond flour, cinnamon, and soda. Set aside.
  2. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, then add the coconut milk, vanilla, agave and bananas. Stir until incorporated.
  3. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture.
  4. Pour in a prepared loaf pan and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes.

You can totally mess up and not let it fully cool like I did then have banana bread bits to toss in your yogurt for later!

——

  • The strength portion of my workout yesterday was a Deck of Cards workout. I wrote up my entire week’s workout plan earlier this week, but I didn’t specifically designate which exercises I would do for this specific workout. Knowing that I wanted to target, ummm, my WHOLE body, I came up with these moves:
    • ♥= Jump Squats
    • ♦= Pushups
    • ♣= Side plank hip dips (each side)
    • ♠= Weighted donkey kicks (each side)

Video Demonstrations can be found here: Jump Squats, Side plank Hip dips, Weighted donkey kicks

  • This is one of my favorite new songs right now. I kept hearing it in the car and tried Shazaam-ing it, but Shazaam doesn’t recognize it. I did the grunt work and found it the old fashioned way (google), and here ya go:
  • (Ok, apparently, the video doesn’t want to appear, so here’s a link: http://youtu.be/gAwj-EuZc2w)
  • WARNING: I am not PROMOTING the following. I am simply allowing you to use my link to get 20% off if you are interested. OK?!

ellie-active-vixen

Ellie, the new monthly subscription program for athletic wear, has just released their March 2013 items and they are part of the LBD Collection. C’mon ladies, (sorry, gents- it’s women’s althetic wear only) we all love wearing black…it’s SLIMMING. And HOT. Anyhoo..check out THIS LINK (you will only get the 20% off if you go to their site through the link OR by clicking on the banner on the right-hand side of my blog page.

K, that’s all. For now..