Baked Oatmeal

Yum! A couple of weeks ago Kim told me about baked oatmeal, thank you Kim!  It sounded yummy, so I started trying different recipes.  I finally found a recipe I kind of liked, then changed it to my liking.  I now made this recipe a couple times.  I make a full recipe with makes about 9 servings, then I eat it throughout the week.  The original recipe had a full stick of butter, so I substituted half of it with applesauce, and love the substitution.

Ingredients:

-3 cups oats

-1 cup packed brown sugar (you could probably reduce this some, especially with adding the applesauce)

-1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (the original recipe called for 2 tsp., but that was a little much for me, so now I use 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons)

-1 teaspoon salt

-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

-2 eggs

-1 1/2 cups milk

-1/4 cup butter, melted (half a stick)

-1/4 cup to 1 cup applesauce (this last time I used a cup, and it was delicious, though I think next time I would decrease the brown sugar with adding that much applesauce)

-Walnuts (optional) (I love walnuts in this)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Ina large bowl combine oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In another bowl whisk eggs, milk, melted butter and applesauce.  Stir into oat mixture until well blended. Mix in walnuts.

Pour into a greased 9 in. square baking pan. Bake 40-45 minutes or until set. Serve warm with milk.  

DIY Woven Baby Wrap Grad Dye

Craft time! This last weekend I tried something new, and am so happy with how it turned out.  As most of you know, I'm way into baby wearing, and own a fair amount of wraps and baby carriers.  With summer coming I decided I wanted a 100% linen wrap because it should be cooler for the hot summer days.  100% linen wraps are pretty expensive, so I decided to try my hand at making and dyeing my own wrap.

I bought 100% linen suiting from JoAnns (thank you mom for the Christmas gift card), and Dylon dyes which are fiber reactive so they aren't harmful to babies (can you tell I did tons of research leading up to actually doing this project?).  I originally wanted a grad/ombre dye that went from yellow to turquoise, so I bought those colors.  Then I decided that I wanted it to be more of an orange to a darker turquoise.  So I bought a red to mix with the yellow (apparently regardless of what is taught in kindergarten, red and yellow do not make orange :)), and dark teal to go with the turquoise (again, didn't turn out how I thought that color combination would).  Obviously it didn't come out the colors I was planning, but luckily it came out these fantastic colors.  I love it!

The dyeing process took a super long time, but was worth it.  The grad came out pretty smooth.  Then I hemmed it, and it's ready to use.  I used it yesterday with each kid, and it was pretty comfortable.  It has a lot of breaking in to do, but I can tell that it will be cool, and is going to be such a great wrap for this summer!

Affordable Beauty Products

Happy Memorial Day ladies!

Today I wanted to talk about some of my favorite and affordable beauty products.

Some of these are a little bit more expensive than others but still within a reasonable price range and in my opinion, totally worth it.

The first product I want to talk about is the Paul Mitchell Thicken Up Styling Liquid.  This is probably about $18.  It is a gel-like consistency that you put in your wet or damp hair.  For me it only works if I add it in wet or damp hair and then blow dry it when it's damp.  If you let this dry in your hair it doesn't work.  At least for me it doesn't.  Good stuff!

The next product is the Garnier Fructis De-Constructed Texture Tease.  I get this at my local Wal-Mart for about $4.  LOVE.  THIS.  STUFF.  I was getting so tired of curling my hair and then spraying hairspray in it because it was super stiff and just made my hair feel gross.  The way I use this is to curl my hair, let it cool and then spritz this throughout.  It gives it flexible hold while giving some texture and messiness.  This would also be great to spritz in hair before wearing your hair up to also give some hold and texture and something for bobby pins to latch on to.

The next is the Simple Micellar Cleansing Water.  This is about $6 at my local Wal-Mart.  I will definitely be using this product for years to come.  It is hard to explain what this actually is but I basically use this just at night right after I've washed my face and it makes my skin feel really fresh, clean and hydrated.  I apply a good amount with a round cotton pad.

The next product is the Maybelline Master Glaze in Just Pinched Pink.  LOOOOOOOOVVVVVEEE.  It is a cheek glaze that gives off the most beautiful, natural glow.  I am not kidding.  I do a swipe on each cheek and stipple/buff with the Elf Stipling Brush which is only $3 at Target or Wal-Mart.  You ALL have to go buy this.  It's amazing.  No joke.  Amazing.  Like, what are you doing still reading this???  Go get it now!

The next product is the Loreal Infallible Makeup Setting Spray.  This is a must for anybody who wears any makeup at all.  The reason is because you can do a whole drug store face but when you spray a few things of this on it will last you MUCH longer.  Urban Decay makes an All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray that I hear is extremely comparable to this.  The Urban Decay one is about $30 and this one is about $15 at Wal-Mart of Target.  A little pricier but I'm telling you it's worth it.  I have a huge problem with makeup lasting.  This has helped tremendously.

The next product is the ELF Baked Blush in Peachy Cheeky.  This is EXACTY like some blushes that MAC sells.  Except I believe the MAC version is about $25 and this is $3.  It is the most beautiful peach/pink color with a highlighter built in.  Not all ELF products are good but this is exceptional.  Let me say it again, EXCEPTIONAL.

The last product is the Maybelline The Nudes pallet.  I really like this! It is about $9 at Wal-Mart or Target and has the most beautiful shades of browns, neutrals, etc.  I would find this comparable to the Urban Decay Naked pallets.  But for a fifth of the price.

"When Calls the Heart"

Hello again!

Sorry for so many posts in a row!

I just had to tell you about a new tv show I discovered on the Hallmark channel.  It's called "When Calls the Heart".  It is based off of a novel.  It is FABULOUS.  It is a story of a young lady named Elizabeth Thatcher who ventures to a Western town in Canada named "Coal Valley" to be a teacher.  She comes from a rich family and finds living in such a rural place to be hard.  She meets Jack who is a Canadian Mounty (spelling?).  He disdains Elizabeth because he was sent there by her rich Father to watch after her.  The town also has had a recent disaster as more then a dozen men have died in a mining accident.

It is full of love triangles, action, heart wrenching plot lines and mystery.  It is all done in very good taste and I would recommend it to somebody probably 13 years or older.  Just because even though it is done in very good taste it does have some action scenes and intense plot lines.

I don't think it is available online.  I would try to find it though if you can.  I know for sure it is available through Netflix though. 

 I haven't discovered a show in years that is both really fun to watch AND in good taste.  HIGHLY recommend ladies! "When Calls the Heart" is truly a gem in this day and age of horrible tv.

Let me know if you start watching it!

Snack Ideas

Hello!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

I thought I would do a little post about some snacks I have been loving lately.

Sorry there are no pictures!

Snack #1) Gogurt - I have rediscovered my love of Gogurt! I used to eat it all the time and then didn't buy it for years.  Costco had an AMAZING deal on a huge box of Gogurts so we got some.  BEST.  DECISION.  EVER.

Snack #2) Laughing Cow Cheese with Wheat Thins - Mom and I talked about the Laughing Cow Cheeses today and how great they are.  Maybe they aren't the most nutritional thing in the world but a wedge of that and some Wheat Thins are a tasty snack.  I recently discovered the Pepperjack version and I love it!

Snack #3) 1/2 an avocado with 1/4 c. cottage cheese - This was a stretch for me.  I can only eat cottage cheese when I'm at a salad bar, never on it's own.  But I took the leap! I just used half an avocado scooped out of it's skin and spooned 1/4 c. cottage cheese into it.  I like that the avocado acts as a little bowl for the cottage cheese.  I then sprinkled some salt and pepper on top.  I had this today as a snack and was SUPER full after.  It is an amazing snack because it's a good balance of healthy fats and protein and so in turn fills you up for a long time.  The taste was just a little off for me so next time I am going to take 2 Wheat Thins and crumble them on top for a different taste and something crunchy.  

I hope this gives some ideas for good snacks! 

Today I am making homemade granola bars with oats, peanut butter, coconut oil (my new favorite thing) and honey.  I am going to press some chocolate chips in the top of them too.  If it turns out I will for sure post it!

I also found a great recipe for protein pancakes.  It is from Shelley on House of Smiths.  They have cottage cheese in them and then you blend them in the blender.  Lots of fun new things to try!

Let me know what recipes or snacks you've been using!

Black Bean Mango Quesadillas

Recipe adapted from Our Best Bites

I love anything mango.  Mango treats, mango chapstick, mango scents.  It is just good stuff!

I got the most recent Our Best Bites book that features recipes that are 400 calories or less and when I came across this recipe I knew I had to try it.  It had everything I love in it.  Black beans, mango and pepper jack cheese.

Recipe calls for one mango but I used two and it was barely enough.  So highly recommend two.  

I used one of those large plug-in skillets and that was super handy because I could heat up three to four at a time. 

I did not serve with sour cream or avocado like it said you could.  It was great without it.  But I'm sure it would also be great with it.

I didn't over stuff the quesadillas and the recipe only yielded four servings.  Four quesadillas is perfect for Ken and I but keep in mind for those of you with big families that you will have to double or triple the recipe.

It is delicious.  I LOVE the freshness of the mango with the creaminess of the cheese and the sturdy balance of the beans.  HIGHLY recommend this recipe.

I would even consider making things WAY easier on yourself and making the mango salsa and beans in the morning and then storing them in the fridge till dinner.  When it's time to eat I would add a little water or chicken stock to the beans and then heat them back up so that you don't risk having cold beans in your quesadillas.  Dinner would literally take 3 minutes to make if you did this.  I am actually going to do this next time.  And then if you have leftovers how great would it be to have everything in the fridge all ready for a fabulous lunch the next day!

This would be great served with some chips and guacamole or some cilantro lime rice.

Recipe is in link below the picture.  Just roll over the "Our Best Bites" title and click.  I couldn't get it to highlight for some reason! But it is there!

Nutritional Info:

Calories-236 (NICE)

Carbs-33g

Sugars-4g

Fat-7.3g

Fiber-6 (NICE)

Protein-10g (NICE)

"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."

This is an African proverb that was used in this months CES Fireside by Elder Lynn G. Robbins. It really stuck out to me.  Often when we are going through hard times/a learning experience, I think we would prefer that things were easier.  Yet when we think about the people that we want to be someday, (Christ-like, empathetic, strong testimony, patient, forgiving..."skilled spiritual/life sailors) we often obtain these qualities through learning experiences/hard times.  I'm grateful that our loving Heavenly Father understands us and what will help us to become the "skillful sailors" we need to be to be strong in the Gospel, and endure to the end.

Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Pineapple Salsa Chicken

Last night I made this recipe I had pinned on my pinterest.  It was super delicious!!!  Stephen and I both loved it!  Stephen did think that next time I should use less sugar, I thought it was find, but next time I probably will try to use just a half a cup instead of a full cup.  We ate it over rice, and I added cheese and sour cream to mine.  Stephen didn't think it needed it, which is obviously the healthier option.  Looking through the ingredients, it seems like a pretty healthy recipe, and it's very yummy.  I'm already looking forward to leftovers.  I used frozen chicken in mine, and cooked on high for 4 hours and it came out great.  I ended up using KC Masterpiece wing sauce because I couldn't find Frank's, so I'm not sure what kind of difference it would make.

http://www.carlsbadcravings.com/sweet-spicy-pineapple-salsa-chicken-slow-cooker/

Paleo Cookies

I called Mom tonight to tell her about these cookies I made.  She had already looked at the picture and said they didn't look good.  Which they don't! But surprise, surprise, they ARE!

Now are these as good as decadent, butter laden, oil added, sugary chocolate chip cookies? Heck no.  Heccccckkkkk no.  BUT, they do hit the spot and do taste like a legit cookie and are SOOO much better for you nutrition wise.

These cookies have coconut oil in them.  Have you ever used coconut oil before? I hadn't either! Coconut oil has many health benefits such as helping thyroid function, boosting metabolism, improving heart health, is an anti-inflammatory, etc.  It really is a super food IF you buy the right kind of coconut oil.

When you you go to the grocery store you will notice many different types of coconut oils.  I have done the research for you so you know what to buy!

You want to buy USDA organic unrefined coconut oil.  The "USDA" organic part ensures it was grown without pesticides and the unrefined part means it's in a pure form.  The other thing you want to look for is either centrifuge extracted, cold pressed or expellar pressed.  You most likely will find USDA organic unrefined expellar pressed at your grocery store.  Whether it says virgin or extra virgin has no influence on the health aspect of it and does not matter.

The other odd ingredient in this recipe is almond flour.  SOOO much healthier than all purpose flour.  It is literally blanched almonds that have been ground up into flour.  It IS expensive but worth it in my book.  The healthy fats in this flour are amazing. 

Okay, so now that we've got some information out of the way let's get down to the recipe!

Paleo Cookies
Makes 11 cookies

1 1/4 c. almond flour
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. baking soda
1/4 c. coconut oil (do not melt)
1/4 c. honey
1 t. vanilla
3 T. chocolate chips plus 11 more to dot on top of each one

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a bowl combine flour, salt and baking soda.  Mix.  In a separate bowl mix together coconut oil, honey and vanilla.  You do not want to microwave the coconut oil.  To really mix it in well I smashed it a bunch with a fork to incorporate everything together and make it as smooth as I could.  Combine the wet and dry mixtures and mix well.  Add in the 3 T. chocolate chips.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and scoop out cookies.  Place one chocolate chip on top of each one (I did this because the mixture is hard to mix so I wanted to ensure every cookie got chocolate).  My cookies were very chocolate-y so you could get away with 2 T. chocolate chips and then dotting each one with a chip.  Bake 7-8 minutes.  It is fine if the edges get brown.  They didn't taste burnt.  Make sure to really let these set up before eating.  They are much better that way.  Enjoy!

For a decadent treat you could do a small scoop of vanilla ice-cream or frozen yogurt, a drizzle of carmel and a paleo cookie.  YUM.   

I really enjoyed these cookies because they are moist and really taste like coconut (which I love).  And by the way, Happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!

Skinny Cheesecake

 I used to not like cheesecake.  I know, heinous!

Then I discovered a fantastic, magical land called "The Cheesecake Factory." I fell hard for cheesecake.

However, there is a bit of a love/hate relationship.  I LOVE cheesecake but I HATE the calorie count.  Did you know a slice of cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory is about 900 calories? DELICIOUS, but oh so bad for you.

I found the following recipe on Pinterest and I am SO happy I tried it.  I am not kidding folks, it really tastes like cheesecake.  You know when people try to tell you something lower in calories is really good? Yet it always tastes like cardboard? This is not that case.  This is actually REALLY good.



Skinny Cheesecake

Makes 1 serving

1/2 c. Vanilla Yogurt (recipe calls for Greek but I like the texture and taste of regular vanilla)
3-4 t. Cheesecake Instant Pudding Mix (recipe calls for sugar free and fat free but I used regular)

Mix the yogurt and cheesecake dry mix.  Refrigerate.  I tasted this right after I made it and then saved some for the next day so that it had a chance to refrigerate overnight.  It tastes WAY better if it has a chance to refrigerate overnight.  The yogurt has the opportunity to fully take on the cheesecake taste and I am telling you,  it tastes like CHEESECAKE. 

I made 3 servings in one evening and I made a simple oven free graham cracker crust.  I simply took a couple T.of  butter, 3 graham crackers that had been ground into crumbs and mixed together.  I layered this amongst 3 glasses.  I then put the cheesecake mixture on top.  Then I finished it off with just a little cherry pie filling. 

I personally would not skip the crust or the pie filling.  For not many more calories you are adding a truck load of flavor and you will be much, much more satisfied.  I have only tried cherry pie filling but I am sure you could use any pie filling! Peach, blueberry, raspberry, etc!

I really hope you try it.  It is easy, cheap and really tastes like a treat. 

The Best Chapstick You'll Ever Buy

Wal-Mart and I have a love/hate relationship.  There are days I'm amazed at it's selection and prices and days where I think "why did I go shopping here?"

I was checking out last week and perusing the little items that were on display.  Some razors, beef jerky and WHAT??? Mango Sunrise Chapstick??

I love anything Mango so I immediately grabbed it and put it with my purchases. 

Here is the best part though.  It was a $1!

I cracked it open tonight in the car and it is AMAZING.  Really creamy, smooth and smells super mango-y.  It's like a tropical island in a tube.

With all this being said I HIGHLY recommend you go get this chapstick.  It is just the "Chapstick" brand.  I believe this is a seasonal item so I am definitely picking up a few when I am at Wal-Mart next.  These would also be great as a gift.  I'm sure on Pinterest you could find cute little printable quotes to go along with chapstick.  If you hate to use your precious ink in your printer (like Ken and I) then you can download the file to a jump drive and take it into a place like Office Max and get it printed for mere pennies. 

Have a good day!

How to Save ANY Cast Iron Pan

I destroyed a cast iron pan.  Cue the melancholy violins here.  I don't know what happened! But whatever I did I made it rust, a LOT. 

However, there is hope for these pans! My Mother and Father-in-Law showed me how to restore it.

All you do is wash out your pan with a steel wool sponge and warm water.  Dry with paper towel.  Take another paper towel and put some vegetable oil on it.  Rub this over the pan.  Preheat oven to about 200 degrees (I am actually going to try 230 degrees next time, I think it needed a bit more heat) and bake for 40-60 minutes.  The rust should be gone and the pan should be seasoned.  However, if the pan is REALLY rusted you may have to follow this process a few times. 

The wonderful thing about this is that if you are at a garage sale or a thrift shop and see a beat up cast iron pan with rust, you can save it! Some people may donate something like that (like I almost did) and give up on it when in reality it's a super simple thing to get it back to new.

I hope this helps you guys! This would be really handy to know for presents for Christmas, a bridal shower, kids going to college, etc. 

Hello and welcome!

Hello family!

Welcome to our Peaceful and Creative Living blog!

This forum is intended for us to share healthy recipes, motivational thoughts and stories, spiritual help, educational insight, workout tips etc.  The goal is to create a balanced and healthy life in mind, body and spirit. I really believe talking about other topics rather than just solely focusing on exercise and nutrition will help not only our physical but just all around well being.

Happy blogging!

- Kellee -