I LOVE granola bars. LOVE THEM!!! Would eat them all day long if I could. But alas, they are pretty expensive so I am spared from being tempted. I should mention that it isn't the Quaker granola bars that you can buy a box of 10 for $1.50 with coupons. No, I love LARA Bars. They are pretty pricey but so good. And good for you. They only have a handful of ingredients all of which I can pronounce and can pick up at the grocery store. No specialty stores required. LOVE that!!!
The alternate name of this post could be things I LOVE.
So, I bet you're anxious to get to the recipe I used. So, here ya go!
1/2 cup cashews
handful of chocolate chips
1 cup dates
Line a 8x8 baking dish with plastic wrap before you start getting your hands dirty.
Put your nuts and chocolate chips in your food processor (I used my magic bullet). Grind them up but don't make them dust. Empty the food processor into a medium size bowl.
Don't rinse out the processor. Put dates in and grind them up. (Here is where I made a mistake. I used dried dates and didn't add any liquid. Don't do that. If you use dried dates add apple juice or water.) Once they are ground up put them in the bowl with the ground nuts and use your hands to mix them. If they are not sticking, add more ground date.
When everything is combined put them into the baking dish and flatten them out. Put them in the fridge for about 10 minutes to firm them up then cut them into 3 pieces. Store them in snack bags in the fridge.
There are so many variations you can do. I have some powdered chocolate peanut butter that I am thinking about adding to my next batch. I am excited to make my next batch and see what mixtures I can come up with.
Share with me your varieties. I want to hear how you like them.
Easy squeezy!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
3 in 30 challenge week 2 update
This has been such a fun filled week! I am excited about where I'm heading.
Last week, I think I mentioned that I had to do a little change to my savings goal (Goal # 3) to get my husband's vision and mine to match up a little closer. My overarching savings goal is VACATION. I want to go to sunny and warm California with our little guy for a fun filled week of LegoLand, San Diego Zoo, Knott's Berry Farm, and time on the beach and in a pool. Hubby wants a new car. In all fairness, his car is a dinosaur but it reliable and we just spent a few hundred dollars making it run well and safe so I think he's good for a few more months. I really wanted to do car buying the Dave Ramsey way but he really wants a nice ride. Since he's put up with this car for so long I want to get him what he wants.
Goal # 1 was go give up soda. I am doing really well on this challenge. I did have a diet cherry limeade from Sonic last weekend but don't classify that as a soda. Still struggling to get enough water but am getting better.
Goal #2...getting to the gym and running. I have been 3 days so far this week. I took tuesday off so I could go to the blazer game with a girlfriend. My plan is to go tonight because if I don't then I get to go in the morning. I really like lazy mornings at home but I am going to do what it takes to make this goal. I still haven't started running but found a program I want to do. I'll report that progress next week.
So that's where I am.
Hope you are having a successful time at meeting your goals.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Oh Happy Day
Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that so doesn't fit the circumstances you are facing but totally matches your mood?
Well, that's me today!!! Oh Happy Day is playing over and over again in my head even though Boston is currently on the radio. My day started anything other than happy.
I woke up not feeling rested at all and took my shower. When I got out of the shower and went to turn on the coffee maker, I saw my littlest love was up and watching tv. TV before school is a "No No" in my house. I went over and sat next to him on the couch and started talking to him. He started snarling back. Some mornings it just sucks to get up and have to go to school. I reminded him of the tasks he had to accomplish so we could get out the door and get him to school on time. (His school is about 25 minutes away.) As he went into the bathroom to brush his teeth, he turns to me and shouts "You're ruining my life!" and shuts the door.
Since the door was closed there was no responding to that. I went to the kitchen to get breakfast started and lunches packed and coffee made. While I was mid-routine, my little darling comes out and tells me he's very sorry for using such hurtful words and he knows I'm not trying to "ruin his life" and gives me a hug. After this his attitude improves and he becomes helpful to the point of helping feed and water the dogs before we leave.
We get to school right in the knick of time. Whew.
Oh I should also share that while I am going thru the morning routine, work calls with a crisis. I know it's a crisis because it can't wait til I get into the office. That set the tone for the work day. Crisis management. The weird thing is that even though I have been dealing with one rush to the next crisis, I am not feeling frazzled.
So I guess even though the circumstances and situations of today are crazy and chaotic, being in the place of recognizing God's undying love for you by showing up and calming His child when the storm rages, makes for a VERY Happy Day!
I hope you are enjoying the pleasure of God's company in your day too!
Well, that's me today!!! Oh Happy Day is playing over and over again in my head even though Boston is currently on the radio. My day started anything other than happy.
I woke up not feeling rested at all and took my shower. When I got out of the shower and went to turn on the coffee maker, I saw my littlest love was up and watching tv. TV before school is a "No No" in my house. I went over and sat next to him on the couch and started talking to him. He started snarling back. Some mornings it just sucks to get up and have to go to school. I reminded him of the tasks he had to accomplish so we could get out the door and get him to school on time. (His school is about 25 minutes away.) As he went into the bathroom to brush his teeth, he turns to me and shouts "You're ruining my life!" and shuts the door.
Since the door was closed there was no responding to that. I went to the kitchen to get breakfast started and lunches packed and coffee made. While I was mid-routine, my little darling comes out and tells me he's very sorry for using such hurtful words and he knows I'm not trying to "ruin his life" and gives me a hug. After this his attitude improves and he becomes helpful to the point of helping feed and water the dogs before we leave.
We get to school right in the knick of time. Whew.
Oh I should also share that while I am going thru the morning routine, work calls with a crisis. I know it's a crisis because it can't wait til I get into the office. That set the tone for the work day. Crisis management. The weird thing is that even though I have been dealing with one rush to the next crisis, I am not feeling frazzled.
So I guess even though the circumstances and situations of today are crazy and chaotic, being in the place of recognizing God's undying love for you by showing up and calming His child when the storm rages, makes for a VERY Happy Day!
I hope you are enjoying the pleasure of God's company in your day too!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Blessings
Several years ago I kept a "blessings book". Doing so kept me focused on the many special things God has for me each day. There were so many blessings that I was frequently overwhelmed and humbled by them. Nothing to keep a person humbled than watching the God of the universe take the time to reach into your world and do something special.
This year I am reinstating my blessings book. I am going to keep a record of all the amazing things God does each day. Not because I am egotistical, but because I want to be thankful for God's presence in my life. I want to acknowledge what He's doing in and around me.
My prayer is, "show me your hand in and let me say thank you" I want to see where He is and join Him in that place. I want to hear Him more. I think to hear him more I need to say thank you more.
All that being said, some of my blessings today are:
A beautiful sunrise to start my day with, getting to see a dear friend at the gym, being able to workout, having a husband that is a great cook, setting plans with a friend for tomorrow evening, having clean water to drink any time I want it, and being able to pray with my little boy before he goes to sleep.
My prayer for you is that God shows you His presence and attention and that you take the time to recognize and thank Him for them.
This year I am reinstating my blessings book. I am going to keep a record of all the amazing things God does each day. Not because I am egotistical, but because I want to be thankful for God's presence in my life. I want to acknowledge what He's doing in and around me.
My prayer is, "show me your hand in and let me say thank you" I want to see where He is and join Him in that place. I want to hear Him more. I think to hear him more I need to say thank you more.
All that being said, some of my blessings today are:
A beautiful sunrise to start my day with, getting to see a dear friend at the gym, being able to workout, having a husband that is a great cook, setting plans with a friend for tomorrow evening, having clean water to drink any time I want it, and being able to pray with my little boy before he goes to sleep.
My prayer for you is that God shows you His presence and attention and that you take the time to recognize and thank Him for them.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Week 1 check in
Hi.
I thought with the wrap up of the first week of the month I would share how I'm doing on my goals for the month.
1) Stop drinking soda and drink 4-25oz bottles of water.
On this one, I have mixed success/failure. I haven't had any soda since last Friday. None. Not a drop. Yay me!!! I have not increased my water intake as much as I would like. I am working on it though. I'm not losing sight of how much my body needs water.
2) Go to the gym 15 times and start interval running.
I went to the gym Wednesday and Thursday. I love the elliptical so I got on it first thing and to my dismay I could only do 7 minutes on it. When I stopped I almost passed out. Very scary. Last time I went to the gym I did 20 minutes and 1.75 miles. I was there at the beginning of Dec. but had to take a break due to injuries. I didn't gain weight over the holidays but my injuries sidelined me from most any activity. After the elliptical on Wednesday I did 2 miles on the treadmill and then called it a day. Thursday was much better. I was able to go 30 minutes on the elliptical. My heart rate is far too high though. :0( I'll keep working and it will get easier and I will go farther easier.
3) Save $100 from each paycheck.
Well this one is slightly modified. My husband and I sat down and did a budget and his goals and mine had us going in different directions. We were thinking the same thing but doing different things to get there. In December the 1 and only credit card was used. GRRRR. We are going to pay it off over this month and next month but still put money into savings, just not as much as I was hoping. Drats.
The sugar free challenge has had its ups and downs. I slipped up a couple times this week but over all I have done pretty stinkin good. Any ideas how hard it is to cut sugar cold turkey? I haven't had any since Wednesday night when I finished off the peppermint ice cream that was in the freezer. I'm the only one that will eat peppermint ice cream and it was taking up space in the freezer. LOL!! Seriously though it only had about 3 bites worth of ice cream in it. And we really did need the freezer space for the frozen fruit for my green smoothies.
The praying for my love challenge is going well. I am really enjoying the focused prayer time. Each day we focus on a specific attribute such as integrity, relationships, salvation (etc). It's nice to be specific and not just arrow prayers and "bless him" prayers, although there is nothing wrong with either.
I'd love to hear how you're doing. I'm rooting for you! Know that even if it feels like you're all alone in your endeavors, I am cheering you on.
Have an amazingly blessed day.
I thought with the wrap up of the first week of the month I would share how I'm doing on my goals for the month.
1) Stop drinking soda and drink 4-25oz bottles of water.
On this one, I have mixed success/failure. I haven't had any soda since last Friday. None. Not a drop. Yay me!!! I have not increased my water intake as much as I would like. I am working on it though. I'm not losing sight of how much my body needs water.
2) Go to the gym 15 times and start interval running.
I went to the gym Wednesday and Thursday. I love the elliptical so I got on it first thing and to my dismay I could only do 7 minutes on it. When I stopped I almost passed out. Very scary. Last time I went to the gym I did 20 minutes and 1.75 miles. I was there at the beginning of Dec. but had to take a break due to injuries. I didn't gain weight over the holidays but my injuries sidelined me from most any activity. After the elliptical on Wednesday I did 2 miles on the treadmill and then called it a day. Thursday was much better. I was able to go 30 minutes on the elliptical. My heart rate is far too high though. :0( I'll keep working and it will get easier and I will go farther easier.
3) Save $100 from each paycheck.
Well this one is slightly modified. My husband and I sat down and did a budget and his goals and mine had us going in different directions. We were thinking the same thing but doing different things to get there. In December the 1 and only credit card was used. GRRRR. We are going to pay it off over this month and next month but still put money into savings, just not as much as I was hoping. Drats.
The sugar free challenge has had its ups and downs. I slipped up a couple times this week but over all I have done pretty stinkin good. Any ideas how hard it is to cut sugar cold turkey? I haven't had any since Wednesday night when I finished off the peppermint ice cream that was in the freezer. I'm the only one that will eat peppermint ice cream and it was taking up space in the freezer. LOL!! Seriously though it only had about 3 bites worth of ice cream in it. And we really did need the freezer space for the frozen fruit for my green smoothies.
The praying for my love challenge is going well. I am really enjoying the focused prayer time. Each day we focus on a specific attribute such as integrity, relationships, salvation (etc). It's nice to be specific and not just arrow prayers and "bless him" prayers, although there is nothing wrong with either.
I'd love to hear how you're doing. I'm rooting for you! Know that even if it feels like you're all alone in your endeavors, I am cheering you on.
Have an amazingly blessed day.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Time Mgmt
We all have a finite amount of time. Each and every one of us only has 24 hours in a day. Since that is the case what is it that makes 1 person accomplish Herculean tasks and have completely checked off to do lists while others have been carrying over the same items for the last month?
That is what I have been examining and thinking on recently. Over the next couple weeks I'm going to share what I've discovered. If you have tips, ideas or thoughts, please feel free to comment. I'd love to hear other peoples thoughts on the subject.
Have a richly blessed day!
That is what I have been examining and thinking on recently. Over the next couple weeks I'm going to share what I've discovered. If you have tips, ideas or thoughts, please feel free to comment. I'd love to hear other peoples thoughts on the subject.
Have a richly blessed day!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Relationships
The word for this year is RELATIONSHIPS.
Relationships are central to living. We have family relationships. We have work relationships. Hopefully everyone reading this has a relationship with Jesus as their savior and friend.
Who wouldn't like to have deeper, more fulfilling relationships? I always talk about how much people mean to me but my actions don't always show them. I always mean to read thru the Bible but have never read it cover to cover. I have great intentions but frequently follow thru.
This year things are going to be different. This year I am going to be intentional about my relationships. I am going to spend time with those I care about, quality time. I am going to pray more for the people God has surrounded me with.
No more excuses of not having enough time. I spend so much time doing random stuff that at the end of the day doesn't matter.
So if you see me and see that I'm not living our my relationships first life, please, call me on it. I'll thank you!
Relationships are central to living. We have family relationships. We have work relationships. Hopefully everyone reading this has a relationship with Jesus as their savior and friend.
Who wouldn't like to have deeper, more fulfilling relationships? I always talk about how much people mean to me but my actions don't always show them. I always mean to read thru the Bible but have never read it cover to cover. I have great intentions but frequently follow thru.
This year things are going to be different. This year I am going to be intentional about my relationships. I am going to spend time with those I care about, quality time. I am going to pray more for the people God has surrounded me with.
No more excuses of not having enough time. I spend so much time doing random stuff that at the end of the day doesn't matter.
So if you see me and see that I'm not living our my relationships first life, please, call me on it. I'll thank you!
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