Adventures

Took a little blog vaca, trying to enjoy summer while I can, and trying to make some life decisions.  In the end I decided to keep things just as they are, because things are pretty darn good.  Speaking of doing the same I have also decided to make a classic snack today from a previous blog post.  It is the actually post where I got chocolate on my mouse, and decided to name the blog that! Check it out here!

And make theses! Chocolate chip peanut butter oat bars! Healthy and delish.


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It's a perfect snack after a day of adventures.  My girls and I went to the dollar store to beat the heat, and found as many treasures as we could for $5!  We got bubbles, a ball, a toothbrush (for me), and tiny Popsicle molds, bomb pop ones!! I know my life rocks!


Reading has cut into my blogging schedule, but its has been worth it.  I am currently reading One Thousand Gifts, but Ann Voskamp.  It is a beautiful memoir that  encourages you to find the gifts in your life.  I have been trying to find the beauty in everyday moments! It makes life more fun! Read it! I will try to write down a few a day that I will share! Right now I am grateful for long naps, hot coffee, goodies right out of the oven, dollar stare adventures, and summer sun streaming in through the window as I write!

Cauliflower mac and cheese and black bean brownies

Ok I am taking a deep breath and trying to recover from the craziness of the past hour.  A tantrum followed by a fall, followed by a weird rash, followed by stabbing the dog with a spoon, followed by naked running from me as I try to change her diaper, followed by a cut on her toe, band aides, and now nap! Peace at last. I need a moment to drink it in. Ok I have recovered. So I swear I am not a liar but I have not been telling my family what I have put in our food.  We a had an awesome vacation full of eating out, pigging out, and not paying attention to what we ate.  We were in serious need for some vegetables.  So I'm shoving them everywhere I can.  My husband requested mac and cheese, and I aim to please so here's how I gussied it up.

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

serves 4-6

1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic minced
1 cup low fat milk
1 heaping cup steamed cauliflower
1/2 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar plus a little for sprinkling on top
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 lb cooked pasta of your choice
*for extra vegetables you can add 1 cup lightly steamed broccoli to this right before you bake it!

Melt butter in a small saucepan on med/low heat.  Add minced garlic, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes.  Add milk and let it get to a simmer.  Steam cauliflower unit very tender.  I did mine in the microwave for about 3 minutes, then I let it sit for a few more to continue to steam.  Add cauliflower to blender with heated milk mixture and puree until smooth (make sure you take the little top part off to let the steam escape, or the lid will fly off.  This has happened to me before). Return mixture back to saucepan and add cheese and mustard.  Put cooked noodles into a grease 9x13 baking dish, pour in cheese mixture, stir so all noodles are covered.  You can add steamed broccoli here if desired.  Sprinkle a little bit of the cheddar on top, and broil on low for about 5-10 minutes until the cheese gets nice and melty! Serve and enjoy cheesy goodness with a little less guilt.

And for the brownies I got my idea from one of my favorite food blogs Peas and Thank You.
I used Mama Peas recipe except used 2 mashed bananas instead of applesauce! Get her recipe here! Turned out surprisingly well! Make sure you thoroughly puree the beans no one likes a big ol' black bean in their brownie. I have not let my husband know that there are beans in his brownie...so lets see if he reads my blog ;) Off to make a not so healthy treat for a friend! More on that later.

I know I am one classy lady!

Staycation!

After a busy few months it finally came! I just had an entire week to spend with my family. We checked out all the cool stuff Columbus has to offer! I am still finding new things this city is awesome! We hit up the metro parks where my daughter and husband got to play in a tree house.
 

Went downtown to play at a new park where we rode a carousel, ate at a food truck, and sat at tiny tables!

 

Yesterday we went to the zoo and my girl loved the monkeys!!

 
It has been quite a week with lots of eating out! But on vacation I do love to make great breakfast. I guess I will let you on my simple pancake recipe from my mom (nope not Bisquick, we make it from scratch)



Mom's banana pancakes:

Mix together:
1cup white whole wheat flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Then add:

1/2 cup yogurt ( plain or vanilla)
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 ripe mashed banana

Heat a skillet on med heat. Ladle in pancake batter. Let cook until bubbles stop forming, flip and cook for about 3 minutes! Enjoy with real maple syrup (my dad used to tap our trees, I'm a syrup snob!) and fruit, and lots of coffee!

Catch ya later!

Girls Night!

My husband is reliving his glory days at a concert tonight so us ladies are staying in and partying! Ok so we took a bike ride and the babe was in bed by 8, but after that the party started! I am one crazy lady with my free time I decided to bake healthy Protein Trail mix Cookies, courtesy of Mama Pea of Peas and Thank you, on of my favorite blogs, and cookbooks!

Made myself a not quite so healthy snack! Angel food cake, banana, vanilla frozen yogurt, and warm strawberries!!! Soo good!

To end the night a documentary, my favorite! About happiness! 

I can't quite decide if I am super awesome or nerdy....hmm thought about it I'm awesome!!!