Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins >>>

This morning I talked to both my Nanna and my bestie on the phone and they were both baking pies today for Thanksgiving.  As I walked back into my house after I hung up the phone (I have to talk on our porch b/c our reception is so bad inside the house) - I decided to stop my 'work' plans and throw them to the wind for a while.  I turned on Christmas music and played in the kitchen instead.  I flipped through my recipe books until I found something that looked yummy, and that I also happened to have all of the ingredients for right in my pantry.  I was for sure I was going to be out of luck with the hunt, but to my surprise, I found a winner!  I made oatmeal applesauce muffins with cherries.
The recipe come from Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Diet cookbook.  

<<< ingredients >>>

1 cup dry old-fashioned oatmeal flakes
1 cup unsweetened applesause
1/2 cup skim, soy, rice or almond milk
2 egg whites, beaten
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
2 Tbsp canola oil
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 dried cherries
1/4 cup raisins

*since I was using what i had on hand, I used organic unbleached white flour, rice milk, olive oil and cherries only + I added a handful of chopped walnuts, but, shhhhh - dont tell my husband!  I also sprinkled a little raw cane sugar on top for a little added sweetness - oh, and I used organic applesause with cinnamon.  I wanted to make a bit more than it asked for so I added one more 1/2 of all ingredients*


Preheat oven to 375 F.

Combine oatmeal, applesauce, milk, eggs, flax and oil.  In another bowl mix all dry ingredients.  Then stir the two bowls together until just blended.  Add to your muffin tins and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Happy holiday baking!

PEACE,
Laura

Dolce Mia Giveaway >>>

Hi Everyone! My name is Kyle and I am a Dolce Mia Designer Rep.  I discovered Dolce Mia’s fun, vintage-inspired line when searching for a special gift for a vintage-loving friend and I absolutely fell in love with both the bath and body and gift designs. I have always appreciated natural products that are made in the USA and Dolce Mia’s line offers both style and substance.  Our natural bath and body products feature vibrant vintage-inspired labels printed onto a long lasting canvas band able to withstand the demands of everyday use while making a fun bath decor statement. We offer something for everything from fun and funky kitsch with hula girls, cowgirls and pin up girls to more sophisticated flora and fauna designs. 


 I love to be able to feature people and products that I truly love.  When I received my gift pack in the mail c/o Dolce Mia, I couldn't wait to take a bath!  (which is one of my all time favorite pass times)  I chose the tropical citrus scent.  I was super pleased to find the smell was very light and soft smelling, not overpowering.  It was instantly relaxing.  The hand lotion ended up being light enough to use on my face as well, which is awesome b/c so many lotions will leave my face all red.  I was pleased with each product in this adorable little green tin.  And it came wrapped so cute, it was hard to not just want to wrap it up and give it as a gift.  It would make the perfect gift!  Who doesnt love mini size things???

My favorite thing about this company is that they use natural ingredients, and do everything locally, down to their labeling.  The whole production is based out of California and the companies who work along side them for their packaging are good hearted people who give employment opportunities to the developmentally disabled.  I loved learning these things and knowing that this company cares alot about not just their products, but where they come from. 

Enter to win this luxurious gift set containing: 6 oz. bath bar in tropical citrus, 1.5 oz. travel bar in tropical citrus, 2 oz. body wash in tropical citrus, ½ oz shea butter lotion in tropical citrus and 1 oz. hand sanitizer in mango-tangerine.  A beautiful gift– made in the USA in Sonoma County, CA. Dolce Mia offers natural bath and body products with organic botanicals – always paraben free and sulfate free. Retail Value $25.  This would make an excellent christmas gift!

To enter:
'like' Dolce Mia on facebook
check out their site and let me know what item is your favorite!

*extra points*
share on your twitter, facebook and/or blog

PLEASE LEAVE BOTH ANSWERS IN ONE EMAIL ALONG WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO BE QUALIFIED

Peace,
Laura

Reconnecting with old friends >>>

 The other day I got to reconnect with my childhood best friend and take a few photos for her and her adorable family.  Her baby girl Molly is almost 2 years old.  Its sort of hard to believe.  Its really cool reconnecting with friends from your childhood once you are in full adulthood.  No matter how many years youve missed with each other, that childhood bond never goes away.  Its like your heartstrings get sewn together for a lifetime.  Nikki is such a natural mother.  I love seeing her with her little girl.

My lovely friend makes the most adorable baby leg warmers and now has a shop for handmade diapers as well!  Im already picking out fabrics for diapers for when we have a little one!  You can find her on facebook and twitter too.

PEACE,
Laura

Food + Food + Food >>>

For those of you who do not know, my awesome husband works at HEB (a texas grocery store).  Funny enough, he works in produce, but he hates veggies.  For the past several months they have been rebuilding his store into a huge super store.  It just opened up a few days ago, and I get to go see it today for the first time.  Im much more excited about this then he is.  The last thing he wants to do after working there all day, is turn around and go back to grocery shop.  But Im thrilled to see the new place he is working at, and see all the new stuff they have to offer.  They will now have a big organic bulk section, a juice bar, fresh cut fruit bar, plus many other things Im not too interested in, like tvs and clothes and such.  It will be a big step up from what it was before.  

The last week or so, Ive been eating awful.  Ive been super lazy about putting things together.  Since today is monday, and Im starting my day off with some yoga, (and later going to the grocery store), I thought Id inspire myself with some food!  I tend to take alot of photos of my food and then always forget to share.  So these are just a few that looked yummy.  Maybe not all the most healthy, but healthier, yes!  Aunt Lisa, if you are reading this, maybe some of these will be inspiring to you :) 

{tomato soup - basil pesto pasta with fresh tomatoes - grilled cheese and basil panini}

{hummus + asiago cheese - wheat crackers - grape leaf wrapped rice - watermelon - honeydew}

{avacado - roasted red bell pepper - corn - lemon + salt + pepper}

{green shake - oj + spinach + dandelion + frozen fruit - liquid vitamins + mango juice}

{fried egg + avacado + spinach + hummus + toast}

{spinach + cucumber + tomatoes + almonds + dried cherries + pine nuts}

{yogurt + blueberries + granola}

{split green pea soup - cheese - wheat crackers}

{hummus - crackers - cheese - grape leaf wrapped rice - carrots - brocolini}

{bananas + oatmeal}

{turkey burger}

{sauted broccoli + red bell pepper + zuchinni + mushroom + feta cheese in vinagrette}

{couscous + cherry tomatoes}

I am now fully inspired to go grocery shopping!  I will defeat my urge to buy a bunch of yummy sweet stuff!  The greatest thing about each new day is that you get to start fresh.

PEACE,
Laura