Fruity Snack Balls

Ok, so I know this title is totally random and I don't blame you if you skip right over this,  but all you moms and health nuts stick around.  This recipe came from an attempt to get my little man to eat healthier snacks.  He loves fruit chews and fruit roll-ups and while I have no problem with him eating that stuff, this recipe intrigued me. 

You see I checked out this book at the library, Vegan Cooking For Carnivores.  I am definitely not a Vegan but I have strong vegetarian tendencies.   Plus the fact that this guy (Roberto Martin) is the chef for Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi led me to take this book home. I was honestly shocked at how many good recipes were in this book.  There were several I wanted to make, but this recipe looked easy and I had half the stuff at home already so I decided to give it a try.

These balls were surprisingly tasty (do I have a dirty mind that that makes me laugh?).  They are so good for you and Sterling absolutely loved them.  A kid friendly snack that is not processed and has no weird ingredients.  Matt said they were  "good for health food" but he was disappointed they weren't Rum Balls.  I asked him how many times he opened the fridge to randomly find Rum Balls.....

side note- now that I think of it I have never made Rum Balls (random).

This snack was so easy to make.  The recipe said the mixture can also be used as a topping for cereal or oatmeal, which I think would be delish.  It was a fun snack to make with Sterling too.  He tasted everything as we put it in the blender and even helped me roll a few balls- although his looked more like worms than balls.  Either way you and your kids will love this healthy snack.

 

{Fruity Snack Balls}

3/4 unsweetened shredded coconut (I actually used sweetened coconut)

3/4 dried cherries

1 cup dried mango

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 cup sliced raw almonds

Run the first 4 ingredients in a food processor fitted with a steel blade for 1 full minute.  Add the almonds and run for another minute.  Squeeze or roll 1 tablespoon of the filling into a ball.  Repeat until all mixture is used.

** I have been storing mine in the fridge but not sure that is necessary.**

My Christmas Wish List

Hard to believe Christmas is less than 6 weeks away. I swear 2012 flew by. I have actually started some of my Christmas shopping- not much but I do have a few gifts already bought. Which makes me feel less stressed already!

Several of you emailed me and asked me to share my Christmas list, so here it is. This is literally the list I gave my parents and grandfather. They are all items I seriously adore and want. I really like that my family does Christmas lists, that way everybody gets something they really want. We have been doing Christmas lists since I was a child. I remember flipping through all the massive toy catalogs (think JCPenny) and folding down the pages where I wanted stuff and giving that to my grandparents. I am no good with surprises which is why I like to pick out all my gifts. One year when I was a child while my parents were out I opened up every single gift under the tree and then rewrapped them and pretended to be surprised on Christmas Day. Just so I could know what was under there the surprise was killing me!

This year I happen to know the purple Theory Blouse will be under the tree waiting for me- lets just say my mom starts her shopping early:) What is on your wish list? Anything missing on my list?

Staying Healthy, My Health Secrets

As most of you know I was sick last week and into the weekend, but thank goodness I am feeling better and on the mend.  Being sick got me thinking about my health and staying healthy.  Besides eating well and staying active I have a few go-to health tricks I swear by.  Below are a few things I used while I was sick that were a lifesaver and a few things I use on a daily basis which I swear helped me fight off my cold quicker.

NEILMED SINUS RINSE

This thing is amazing.  It is by the guy who created the Nettipot but this works so much better.  I was so clogged all weekend, like could not breathe out my nose at all and this really helps to clear and flush things out.  I will warn it is kind of weird at first but you get used to it.  You fill the bottle with a packet of the powdered saline solution and then mix with distilled warm water.  Tilt head to one side and shoot it up that nostril, it will drip out the other side.  Kind of crazy but it works like a charm.  I heard this is good to do on a daily basis even when you are not sick to combat germs.  I plan to continue using this regularly.

 

AQUAPHOR

This stuff worked miracles on my dry chapped lips and crusty nose that was dried out from blowing it so much.  I slathered this stuff on several times a day.  It feels so good on dry skin.  I read an article where a famous plastic surgeon recommended Aquaphor to all his patients post surgery for healing purposes.  He told them to slather it all over their faces at night.    It is that good for your skin.  I am no where near getting plastic surgery but I may start to slather this on one night a week to help improve my skin.  I figure plastic surgeons know best, right?



ULTIMATE FLORA PROBIOTIC

My parents got me hooked on this probiotic.  Apparently I was the only one in the family not taking a probiotic.   This stuff is so good for your digestive system and helping to keep healthy bacteria in your body.   "Ultimate Flora Adult Formula contains 15 billion live cultures of 10 different strains of bacteria. The 10 different strains were carefully chosen for their proven health-promoting benefits and their prevalence in the healthy digestive tract." 

And if you are not regular, trust me this will help get things moving.   My parents good friend who is a doctor said everyone should take these daily to keep healthy bacteria built up in their body.  It will then help you when you do have an infection or get sick. I bought mine at Earthfare but you can find probiotics at most drugstores.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

For two weeks I religiously took 3 tablespoons of this everyday (mixed with 8 oz water) to try and shed the 5lbs I gained over the summer.  I did end up loosing 3 lbs- don't know if it was all from the apple cider vinegar but I think it helped.  I no longer take it everyday, it was starting to make me naseous,  but I do still take it occcasionally when I feel bloated.  I think this really does help to clear out your system and debloat.   It is also supposed to work wonders for your hair and skin as well.  It is important if you decide to do this to buy the organic kind pictured below.

BREVILLE JUICE FOUNTAIN PLUS

I hate to keep preaching about the benefits of juicing but I am a strong believer that it is so good for you.  I have even gotten Matt on a juicing kick.  I won't say he enjoys the green juice but he does drink a glass with me every morning.  And I swear since he started drinking it he has complained less about feeling tired and worn out.  This stuff works wonders.  All the nutrients from the green plants are so important to keep us healthy. I  have the Breville Juice Fountain Plus and love it.  Not one complaint.  I received it last year for Christmas and have been hooked ever since.  Add this to your Christmas list you won't be disappointed.

My favorite go-to green juices are:

1) Kale, Spinach, Cucumber, Green Apple, Lemon, Ginger

2) Green Pear, Kale, Celery, Broccoli, Lime

JUICE PLUS ORCHARD AND GARDEN BLEND CHEWABLES

 I know in my house it is next to impossible to get Sterling to eat a well balanced meal- unless you count canned mandarin oranges and ravioli as health food:)  I have my girl Caycee to thank for introducing me to these vitamins for kids.  They taste and look like fruit chews.

Technically Juice Plus+ is a capsule (or gummy) with the powders of 17 different fruits, vegetables, and grains.  No artificial anything, no pesticides, and most importantly, they are not man made synthetic reproductions of natural vitamins.   Caycee gave Sterling a few of these at her house and he devoured them.  The vegetable one is filled kale, spinach, cabbage, broccoli,  and lots of other veggies he would never touch normally.  Highly recommend these for kids:)

Those my health secrets, nothing ground-breaking but all things I swear by!
Tell me any health secrets you have?  I would love to hear them!

xoxo

Friday, Friday

I knew it was going happen, what with a two year old coughing and sneezing in my face and wiping his runny nose all over me.  Yep, I caught the crunk from my little man.  I'm exhausted and just want to sip hot tea all day and watch trashy TV shows.   Sadly, that is not a reality so I will power on.  I guess after kids you never truly get a sick day!

Thank you for all your suggestions yesterday. I ended up picking up the JCREW Saturday pants and adore them. And best part they were on sale it's like it was my lucky day and we were meant to be.  I highly recommend these. They are so comfortable.  I put them on yesterday at 5 and rocked them til I went to bed!

In other news, I enjoyed some delish red wine at my parents.  This was such a delicious red wine called Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet.

I am officially obsessed with Nashville.  It is one of my favorite TV shows on right now.  I love the whole cast and I may have downloaded a few of the songs for IPod!

I was however kind of disappointed with the new Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.  Everyone just seemed really fake and staged.  Don't worry of course I am going to keep watching it but so far not as good as the first season.  Can't decide what I think of David Foster's wife yet.....

Have a great weekend!  I am off for some retail therapy with my mom and praying I feel better soon! 

Lounging.

Ok major confession.  I don't own any lounge wear.  The last time I bought loungewear was when the Juicy Couture Track Suits were in full effect. Sadly,  I still own three pairs of the velour pants and rock them around the house.  This is where I need help.  I want some cute casual clothes I can wear around the house.  I have good workout clothes, and I have cute day clothes and at night for the most part I sleep in nightgowns but I want something for that in between time after running errands and before bed I can throw on and be comfy but still look cute.   Something that would be acceptable to wear out in public if I had to run to the store but equally comfy. I want to look like this around the house.  Chic but comfortable.

I am clueless about lounge wear.  I mean I really am.  Everyday I fix my hair and put on make-up and get dressed up no matter what.  The day after Sterling was born I got up showered, proceeded to blow dry and straighten my hair, put on make-up and get dressed in cute clothes.  The nurses made so much fun of me and said where do you think you are?  Competing to be on Americas' Next Top Model?   Matt claims he can tell when I am truly really sick because that is the only time I don't put on make-up or get dressed up.  It is sickness I don't know how to be casual, so help a sister out.   I need recommendations for cute casual loungewear.

Here a few items I am eyeing.   Strongly leaning towards the JCrew Weekend Pants.

And this is number one on my Christmas Wish List.  My mom has these slippers and they are the comfiest thing I have ever slipped my feet into.  They feel like pure heaven on your feet.  If you don't have a pair you need a pair.  The perfect around the house shoes.

{UGG SCUFFETTE SLIPPERS}

And how cute are these pajamas?  Adorable, I want the short set and the nightshirt.  I love chic sleepwear that is equally cute to wear around the house.

{Eberjey Gisele Short Pajamas, Gisele Sleepshirt}

So dish it to me where I can I get some cute casual lounge clothes?

Truffled Mac and Cheese

I am addicted to Truffle Oil.  There I said it.  I like it on everything- grilled cheese, popcorn, eggs, pasta,  you name it and it tastes better with truffle oil drizzled over it.   I do prefer white truffle oil to black truffle oil.  Don't know why but I do.

Mac and Cheese is the perfect vehicle for Truffle Oil.  This dish will knock your socks off.  Freaking Amazing.  Matt said and I quote "This is the best mac and cheese you have ever made."  The original mac and cheese is a family favorite that my mom always made and we grew up eating.  I made a few changes to it, mainly added a few different cheeses and truffle oil.  Think old school mac and cheese.  But cheesier, gooier, and with more flavor.   You could easily use any cheeses you like but these 3 work really well together.   We served ours with boiled Lobster Tails.  The kind of meal dreams are made of.  Truffke Oil + Mac and Cheese + Lobster, you can't find a better combo.

{TRUFFLED MAC AND CHEESE}

-1 8oz box elbow macaroni cooked

-2 cups cream style cottage cheese

-1 8oz carton sour cream

-1 egg slightly beaten

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 1/4 teaspoon pepper

-1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

- 1/2 cup shredded Gouda

- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan

- Truffle oil

Drain and Rinse Macaroni.  Immediately after draining toss the noodles with a generous amount of truffle oil (approx 3-4 tablespoons) and set aside.  Blend cottage cheese, sour cream. egg, salt, and 3 cheeses.  Stir in macaroni.  Spoon into lightly greased baking dish.  Drizzle top with more Truffle oil.  Bake at 350 degrees 30-40 minutes or until bubbly.

**side note- sometimes I add even more cheese than it calls for.  I love lots of cheese**

Obsessions

{JCREW FLORAL BLOUSE}

I am obsessed with the colors of this blouse.   And JCrew is having an extra 25% off right now, like I need a reason to shop there.  If I don't buy this before it is definitely going on my Christmas Wish List.

{Ina Garden FoolProof and Smitten Kitchen Cookbooks}

Two of the best new cookbooks just arrived at my house last week and I am obsessed with both of them.  I have devoured them front to back ear marking all the recipes I cant wait to try.  I highly recommend both!

{Serena and Lily Nova Napkins}

I first spied these napkins in my most recent issue of House Beautiful and could not stop thinking about them.  I love the geometric patterns and bright blue colors.  When entertaining I always like to mix and match napkins, makes it more fun.   I can't decide if I love the cocktail napkins or regular napkins more.  These would make a great hostess gift:)

{Madewell Silk Dress}

I love love love this dress.  The colors are just gorgeous. 

{Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey}

Let me start by saying I am so not a whiskey drinker.  I prefer clear liquor, but this stuff is so tasty.   Matt and I had a little taste of it last weekend and I forgot how darn good it was. The perfect cold weather sipping liquor.

{Hedgehog Measuring Cups}

How adorable are these Hedgehog measuring cups?  I want them for my kitchen.  They would be the cutest Holiday gift too!