Cinnamon Roll Smoothie

Here's another winner from one of my favorite food blogs. Another smoothie that could easily double as dessert. Now this is my kind of cinnamon roll!  So yummy, it's hard believe it's actually healthy, too.  Enjoy!! Cinnamon Roll Smoothie Makes 2 servings

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 heaping tbsp almond butter
• 1 date, pit removed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (or seeds from 1 vanilla bean)
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients to a blender
2. Start on a low speed, slowly increasing to high
3. Blend until smooth

The County Fair & National Date Festival

 

Obviously, he was thrilled about having his picture taken. LOL!

 

Love the look on Faith’s face. She went on the Giant Slide several more times and said it was one of her favorites!

 

A beautiful day!

 

 

 

 

Poor little guy on the left.

 

Wee!

 

Ostrich races.

 

 

 

 

Daddy says you can’t go to fair without getting cotton candy. :)

 

The White Water Log Ride was their favorite!

 

That’s “Some Pig!” :)

 

 

A foot massage after lots and lots of walking.

 

 

After 6.5 years of living in the desert, we finally made it to the Annual County Fair & Date Festival (on the last day, no less). The bonus- they didn’t charge admission and we parked on the street.

We saved about $40 right there. Woo-hoo!

That means we splurged and got the girls the unlimited ride wristband. Definitely the way to go!

Ah, to be a kid at the fair… Is there anything better? :D

Oats So Good!

via thischickcooks

I've tried 3 new recipes this past week- all containing oats (and no dairy).  The first was this Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie.  This contains no added sweeteners yet it tastes just like a decadent dessert!  A little goes a long way because it's very rich.  I used rice milk for this recipe but you could use any kind of milk you have.

Peanut Butter & Banana Smoothie

2 bananas sliced and frozen

1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
3/4 cup milk of your choice

Put oats in blender and blend until they’re powdery. Add remaining ingredients and blend until there are no more chunks of frozen banana. Garnish with fresh banana slices if desired.

  

via fabulousfoodblog

Next, was this Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, made in the crockpot... Yes, please!  

I'm planning on taking this to our CBS brunch this week so naturally, I experimented on my family first.  Since I fall asleep pretty early at night, I didn't feel comfortable leaving the crockpot on for 8 hours.  I was afraid it would be a big ole pile of inedible mush by the time everyone was ready for breakfast.  My solution was to start the process at 5am.  I simply set the crockpot to high, instead of low.  It was ready by 8am and it made the house smell delicious!

Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

throw 2 diced apples, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon in the bottom of the crock pot. Pour 2 cups of oatmeal and 4 cups of water on top. Do NOT stir. Cook overnight for 8 – 9 hours on low or 3 hours on high.    

As toppers, we added raisins and sliced almonds.  Yummy and oh, so satisfying!

via daydreamkitchen

And then there were these...

My, oh my!  These were so tasty!!

I love the fact that you can customize this recipe to just about anything you have on hand. 

We used almond butter instead of peanut butter this time and added carob chips and craisins.  I love using carob as a treat.  It contains no caffeine.  And, you gotta love the fact this a NO BAKE recipe. These little guys are sitting in the fridge, just waiting to be popped in your mouth, as an afternoon pick me up.

No Bake Energy Balls 

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup almond butter (or other nut butter)

1/4 cup honey

1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini carob chips or chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Other mix-in suggestions:

raisins, craisins, chopped nuts, dried fruit like dates or apricots, wheat germ, etc.

Add nut butter, honey and some oatmeal and pour them into your mixing bowl.
Then add in a cup of coconut flakes and all your mix-ins.
Then add in a teaspoon (or two) of vanilla!
Mix it all up and let it chill in your refrigerator for about 30 mins.
Then roll into balls and enjoy your little bites of heaven…or energy.

Store the rest in an airtight container.

You know these are good when Morgan says, "I could eat these everyday." :) 

Kenny & Debbie’s Wedding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenny, my nephew got married this weekend. Well, actually, he’s my second cousin but in Korean culture, out of respect, age trumps all. Being that Kenny’s dad is my cousin, he calls me his Gomo (which means aunt). My mom comes from a family of 8 children (she’s the youngest). That means I have lots and lots of relatives!  

Anyway, it was a lovely wedding celebration on a beautiful day at Coyote Hills Golf Club in Orange County. As you can tell by the pictures, the girls had a blast dancing the night away!

So fun to see all of my extended family and celebrate this joyous occasion!

Congratulations to the happy couple!      

My Valentines

We started our morning with these lip smacking tropical fruit smoothies. 

 

And whole grain toast with a sunny side up egg.

 

After bible study, we came home to enjoy a lovely Valentine’s Day picnic…

 

Daddy surprised us with balloons!!

 

Here’s mine. :)

 

Little gifts of love.

 

The new golf shirt we picked out for our main squeeze. Handsome! :)

 

Busy little readers…

 

And me… I got a break from cooking dinner and thoroughly enjoyed my favorite meal. YUM!!:)

 

I am learning more about love each and every day.  The 3 people I live with are great teachers. 

Love is not just a feeling.  Love is an action, a verb.  It moves, acts, does.  More than ever, I’m learning that love and faith are so closely related.  I do what I do, not necessarily because of what I “feel” but because of what I believe.  Love is sacrifice.  

And because of my faith, the Lord continues to sanctify me through the process. 

My family is a labor of love. And it’s the most rewarding work I’ll ever get to experience in my life.

And because of this love, everyday is Valentine’s Day in our home. We stand on the belief that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. ~James 1:17.  And that’s truly what they are, gifts.

In addition to the special cards, balloons, and sushi that day, I received a text from my sweet husband that morning. It included this video… 

Needless to say, it made the highlight reel of my day. :)   

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you." ~Isaiah 54:10  

Two Cupids

Our two little cupids spent some time this week, doing what they love: creating art and blessing others.  


Miss Dottie cracks me up. She wanted me to wait ‘til she got her hair permed before I took her picture. :D


Once or twice a month, the girls visit this elderly home with Morgan. He’s there to help Uncle Val, making sure all his medications are in order and taking care of anything else that needs attention. 
The girls often make their rounds to all the other residents. They even get to help the staff by writing on the daily activity board. Over the past year, they’ve brightened the hearts of so many folks who live and work there. They often come home and tell me someone said, “You know, you are the only kids who ever come here.” 
So, when it came to Valentine’s Day, they didn’t want to forget about their friends at Emeritus. They made homemade cards, passed out chocolate candy, and gave out lots of hugs and kisses.
It was a blessing to us, too. :)      

Beet-licious Cupcakes

Look at that pretty pink color.

I love recipes that only have a few ingredients.

I shared recently shared about wanting to make these beet cupcakes for Valentine’s Day.
I loved the idea of using beets for real food coloring. Plus, beets are known to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support.
Well, I made them yesterday and I’m pleased to say they got the girls’ approval! They not only turned out moist (due to the applesauce), they had a naturally beautiful pink color!
Most importantly, the taste was delicious!
I’ll definitely be making these again!
Beet Cupcakes

• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 8 oz. can of beets (with liquid)
• 1 box of store bought classic white cake
• sprinkles (optional)

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.   
Thanks to Green Lite Bites for the recipe and gorgeous pics.