Lean & Green Juice {recipe}

My husband has been on this juice/smoothie kick lately.  So I've had the pleasure of trying out a billion (ok maybe just a hand full) of different recipes.  Today I made one called 'Lean & Green' for him before he went off to his class for the night.  After working all day, then off to college at night, this should keep him refreshed.  Hopefully.  :)

Now I know things like this (with spinach) wouldn't work as well in our old blender.  But for my birthday in August, my mama bought me the Ninja Professional, and it pretty much blends anything.  And for those of you who have never tried a green smoothie - no, you can't taste the spinach.  I promise. 

I took it with me on a little stroll with Clara around the neighborhood.  I gave her a taste, too, and she loves it.  She kept asking for more, and of course, it's healthy, so I'm all about giving her more if she likes it!

 

Lean & Green Juice

• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1 banana, peeled
• 1 whole kiwi, peeled*
• 1 1/2 cups pineapple chunks
• 5 or so ice cubes
• Splash of apple juice, or white grape juice

Place all ingredients in blender.  And blend/pulse on high until smooth.  Makes 2 servings.

*Did you know.. that ounce for ounce, kiwi is the most nutrient dense when compared to 27 other fruits?

glazed pumpkin scones {recipe}

With it being October, I feel like everything I bake must have some sort of pumpkin incorporated into it.  I love pumpkin, and only get to bake with it during the holiday seasons - so I gotta eat it up while I can.  ;)  I wanted to do something different for breakfast Saturday morning, and landed on this recipe.  It was something different than waffles, pancakes, or pumpkin bread.. and we really enjoyed it!  They were flaky, and moist.  The powdered sugar/maple glaze compliments it very well, too.  Even my lovely guinea pig (my husband) enjoyed it.  These would be good for a snack as well, not just for breakfast.  But I will tell you this - they go really well with a good cup of coffee.  Try it out, I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Glazed Pumpkin Scones
slightly adapted from Some the Wiser

Scones

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, frozen
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 3 tablespoons plain yogurt (greek or regular)
• 1 large egg

 Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Maple syrup

Preheat oven to 400 F.  In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.  Using largest holes on a box grater, grate frozen butter into flour mixture and mix until it resembles coarse meal.

In a small bowl, combine egg, pumpkin, and yogurt and mix well.   Stir yogurt mixture into flour mixture.  Using hands, shape dough into a ball, making sure to fold in all the loose clumps.

When dough is well combined and sticks together in a large ball, turn out onto a lightly floured surface.  Shape into a 7 inch circle, approximately 3/4 inch thick, and cut into 8 equal pieces.   With space between each triangle, place on a parchment covered (or silicone mat) baking sheet.  Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until golden.   Allow scones to cool and prepare glaze.

Now, for the glaze... I never use exact measurements for things like this.. so I'm sorry to all of you who don't like to eyeball things.  Mix together milk and powdered sugar until it's at a glaze-like consistency.  Add about 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract.  Add in maple syrup, to taste.  Start with about 1 tbsp. and go from there.   Drizzle the glaze over the cooled scones, and enjoy!

September Love Club

LoveClub is a monthly subscription service... though, you don't have to subscribe... you can purchase 1 month at a time, 3 months at a time, 6 months, or even a year... of course, if you buy a longer subscription, it's cheaper.  They deliver accessories, beauty products, paper products, and fun little things from independent & homemade businesses.  A lot of these businesses also have an Etsy - and we all know that I love Etsy... and homemade goodies.  So I figured this box would be right up my alley. 

It's a fun way for independent vendors to get the word out about their business.  And fun for me because it's like a little Christmas present getting delivered to my doorstep every month... with fun samples and coupon codes.  I already have a couple ideas for Christmas presents now.. and coupon codes to go with it!

They have a wait-list to join, and I think that is closed at the moment.  But on their website it says they plan on opening it mid-October.  So if this is something you're interested (and it's totally worth it, I promise), then keep an eye out on their website for when they open the wait-list.  And sometimes they have random opportunities to join on their Facebook, which is how I was able to join.  And get this, the price for one month is only $12 (free shipping)!  If you get 3 months, it's about 10.50 a month, etc. 

So, here is what I received in my LoveClub box for September..

Mame Luxury Soy Candles.  Who doesn't love candles?
Wild Rose Herbs.  A moisturizing oil for me.  And a 'beard conditioning' oil for my hubs that can be used as a pre-shave conditioner.  Kind of fun to have something thrown in for the hubby too.
Pen & Paint.  Cute little notecards.
Studio 336.  Super fun decals!
Pamplemousse1983.  A sweet print.. in fact, I've found a fun little place for it already.

Also, some little candies, and lots of great coupon codes from all these vendors and more.  I'm ready to get my Christmas shopping on!

I'm already excited to get next months box!  I love surprises.  :)  What do you think?  Would you subscribe to LoveClub?

Have a HAPPY weekend!

toddler muffins {recipe}

So Clara is going through this thing, where all she wants to eat is bread, cheerios, and yogurt.  She doesn't want ANY vegetables.  Probably partly a phase, and partly because those nasty molars she has coming in.  At any rate, the girl needs some veggies in her life.  When I came across this recipe on Pinterest, I thought it was worth a try since it has bananas, squash, oats, and carrots in it.

She eats these up like they are the best thing on earth.  And that makes this mama very happy.

They do actually taste good... I had a few right when they came from the oven.  You can mainly taste the banana.  They freeze well too, so you can make a big batch of them and always have them on hand for a snack, or for breakfast.  I would highly suggest these to anyone whose kiddo refuses the veggies (because I know I'm not the only one!).

Toddler Muffins
recipe from AllRecipes

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 (4.5 ounce) jar baby food squash
• 2 carrots, grated
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

 Preheat an oven to 375 F. Grease 24 mini muffin cups or 12 standard muffin cups.  I like the mini muffins personally, because they are just her size.  ;)

In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in the mashed bananas, squash, carrots, and eggs. Stir in the flour, oats, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until just combined. Spoon the batter equally into the prepared muffin cups.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes for regular muffins (8-9 minutes for mini - but keep an eye on them.. every oven is different). Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. Store at room temperature in an air-tight container for up to two days, or freeze.  To freeze, place muffins on a tray and 'flash freeze' in freezer for about 10 minutes.  Then place muffins into a freezer bag and back into the freezer.  Take out and thaw as you need them. 

Clara approved.  ;)

homemade taco seasoning {recipe}

Oh hey!  I'm back, and we're all moved into our home in Arkansas.  Still a few boxes here and there.. but for the most part, we're settled.  We just got internet a few days ago so now I can get back to blogging - so much to write about!

I've been living off caffeine and scrubbing the house like a mad woman.  And Clara has been right behind me making a mess again.  ;)  She's adjusted well to all the new surroundings and moving, and car trips.  I've said it before, but I'll say it again - she is such a good traveler. 

This post I really wanted to share with you the homemade taco seasoning recipe I've come across.  I know there are a few different ones floating around, but this is the one I use and it's spot on.  I used it tonight for dinner, actually, and my mouth is watering from the aroma coming from the kitchen.  In a few days I'll share tonights recipe.

Making your own taco seasoning is one of the easiest things you could do.  It takes next to no time, and you know there aren't any preservatives in it like there is in the packet you buy at the store.  Oh, and it's cheaper and tastes just as delicious.  I normally triple this recipe and store it in a mason jar.  It'll last a long time, as long as it's store in an air-tight container.  But we love mexican food in this house.. so it never lasts long.  ;)

Homemade Taco Seasoning
recipe from Mex Recipes

• 4 tbsp. chili powder
• 3 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. paprika
• 3 tbsp. ground cumin
• 1 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne peppers

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and mix well to blend.  Store in airtight container until ready to use.

To prepare taco meat, use 2 heaping tablespoons in place of one package of taco seasoning.  Cook approximately 1 lb. of beef or chicken, add 1 cup of water with the seasoning, and simmer until the liquid is almost completely gone.

the next adventure

I know it's been forever since I've blogged.. I've been incredibly busy.  Tomorrow early (like, before-the-birds-start-chirpin' early), we head out on the road for Arkansas.  Our new home for the next few years.  And our next adventure.

Life is always an adventure, isn't it?  I wouldn't have it any other way.  I'm hoping to be 'back to blogging' in a couple weeks.. after our move, and we're settled, and I'm maybe half-way kind of rested.  ;)

I snapped a photo this afternoon, while I was relaxing in the house.. after my husband and dad hooked my car up to the back of our truck.. and stuffed it full.  It's sweet, right?