Banana-Honey Granola Bars

Good morning, y'all! It's a beautiful Saturday here in east North Carolina! The sun is shining and we couldn't ask for a better day :)

I went running this morning, twice actually. Always like to put it towards the front of the list on a Saturday to be sure it gets done, especially when I have a long run scheduled.  Both runs were 30 min long and I covered a total of 6 miles with a stretching break in the middle. I wasn't going for distance so much as trying to increase my endurance. Now if I can just put those two training sessions together that would be great! I'm hoping to run my very 1st 10K soon!

{This was my salad from last night's supper}

Okay, so onto the fun part! Granola bars!!! I love anything with carbs. Ooh, now my body doesn't always appreciate the results of those desires, but we're working on that :P

{A shot of the ingredients}

I searched and searched to find a recipe that didn't call for flour or white sugar, all too no avail! Ahh! I just wanted a wholesome granola bar recipe... Thankfully, I stumbled across one and I love it!

So here's the recipe I found with a few modifications:

Real Food Runner Granola Bars

1 medium, very ripe banana

2 cups raw oats

1/2 cup Smucker's peanut butter

1/2 cup raw honey

2 tablespoons flaxseed powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice blend

dried cranberries (I sprinkled close to a cup, whatever works for you)

Mix it all up and press into pan. Cut into squares. Enjoy for your post-workout snack or a grab-and-go!

And... the finished product!

You can even wrap them up as gifts for friends or send with the kids for a healthy snack!

What kitchen creations have you made recently? Anyone else training for a race? I'd love to hear!!! It always excites me to hear from my readers :) 

Reasons Why?

I've been doing a lot of thinking recently about why. Why make healthy choices and how to make right choices. Sometimes it can be too overwhelming to think about end results and all the little steps involved when you're just starting out. That's why I find it helps me to think about the next right decision. Yes, have a goal, a direction, but don't think (or try to do) step #10 before you've done step #1. Basic, I know.

I'm the kind of person who loves to bounce around, drink in the sunshine, trying to start a million projects at once and only finishing about 1% of them...  working with single minded focus on a task until it's done can be quite the operation for me!

I find it fascinating that we were created with an innate desire to do and accomplish. Life was created with purpose, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. That's why we should desire to do something of value with our lives. How? Well, our Creator was gracious and gave us the Bible as lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We can know nothing of truth apart from this great Book. Anything and everything of truth is simply borrowed from the Author of truth, it wasn't created by us as humans. Thank God!

In a nutshell, here are some basic principles that can help us accomplish those seemly un-accomplishable (is that a word? LOL) goals (copied from zenhabits):

1. Start very small
2. Do only one change at a time 
3. Be present and enjoy activity (don't think about results)
4. Be grateful for every step you take

To read the rest of this inspiring article, click here! Hope you are having a fabulous day and remember, moments matter!!!

Natural Beauty

I went camping!!! Yeah, it was so fun! The weather was perfect and it was a delightful time with my wonderful family. A great opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and strengthen relationships. 

{Sitting on the bank, enjoying the view this morning}

The reason for this adventure was a birthday celebration for someone very near and dear to my heart. My little brother, Joey, turned 7 last month, but due to a major medical issue our family was experiencing we were unable to get everything together for a party. But, we finally did and last night was a blast!

{Monday's lunch. Since I knew we would be cooking out that evening I decided to go with veggies for lunch!}

We played games, talked, laughed, went bike riding, ate good food, sang songs, danced, enjoyed the gorgeous weather and finally rounded off the evening with the Andy Griffith Show :)

{Bonnie, our Australian Shepherd sporting a ball cap. She's a little sweetheart.}

I got home from from the camping expedition about noon so shortly thereafter I went running. Was able to get in 2 miles today. Great for an easy day!

Happy Monday!

Hello, folks! How was your Easter weekend? Mine was fabulous and I hope your's was too :-) Filled with yummy food and refreshing fellowship with family and friends! 

Here's a taste of what we ate...

I spent 1/2 the day in the kitchen Saturday cooking away! Before that though, I managed to get in a 4.25 mile run, a weight lifting session, and some good core work. This left me tired, but invigorated at the same time, if that makes sense :)

I didn't eat lunch until almost 2 o'clock as time just flew with all the food preparations that needed to be done. I was starving by the time I actually ate! Afterwards, I took an hours break and then back in the kitchen for another 2 1/2 hours. So fun! I just love the art of cooking and really want to get better at it. My Momma serves as huge inspiration. Boy, can she cook up a meal!

Originally, my goal with these chocolate delights was to make brownies, but we ran out of eggs (after I had boiled 36 eggs for a deviled egg recipe...) so I just turned them into truffles and frozen them. I dusted them with a bit of peppermint flavored cocoa powdered to compliment the chocolate. 

Saturday was movie night with friends! We watched a documentary on the Titanic in light of the upcoming 100th anniversary which is April 12. It's really sobering to think of how many lives were lost, but how then how many lives were saved because men gave up seats in the life boats so that women and children could be rescued. This makes me think carefully about the real men in my life, specifically my dad and brothers. I know if it came down to it they would give their life in defense my mine and any other lady- how then should we treat men of noble character? It's cause for thought. 

Sunday morning we woke-up bright and early to get ready for church. We had these delicious freshly made whole wheat waffles with local strawberries. They were so good! Ah, just looking at this picture makes me want another one!!!

And, here's my grandma Mimi fixing us up a feast! It was so good. I didn't manage to get a picture of my plate... but I did get the dessert table!

Mimi did all of this, we didn't help a bit. I felt terrible not sharing some of the load- 14 people is a lot to cook for! But she insisted that she had it covered, and as you can see from her picture she loves being in the kitchen :) 

I think that about wraps up the weekend minus a few details... It was busy but those are the best. After getting home last night, I went for a walk on the farm. The weather was perfect and it was a great time to re-group before Monday morning came full-force. I woke up this morning and ran 3 miles. I'm thinking about doing some weighting lifting later on but not sure it there will be time today, I know I can at least get in some push-ups though. You can do those anywhere!

How was your Easter weekend? Was the food good? 

The Surprise Package Company

Surprises, surprises! It makes life exciting, don't you think? When I hosted the giveaway last week I was very excited, but this morning called for some ecstatic excitement!

A pretty little brown package arrived on my doorstep, and guess what was in it?! A collection of delightful Amazing Grass products! I am floored. This company is so generous and I know I'm going to enjoy these products with my family to the utmost!

It reminds me of when my sisters and I were little girls and would play "The Surprise Package Company" where we would do nice little things for people and leave a note signed with our mysterious name. It was so fun!

So here's what was in the box...

All different flavors of delicious green superfood energy bars!

The adorable Amazing Grass burlap bag. This will definitely come in handy! A great way to promote greens without saying a thing :) Speaking of which, it's on sale right now!

A lovely assortment of their Amazing Meal packets. Can't wait to try these!

They even sent stuff for the kidz and a nice little shaker to mix up all the drinks.

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My little sister, Mary, and I made coconut cookies together this morning for a party tonight. We also spent time chasing a bird. That's right, and it wasn't for fun either. When you have a list a mile long the last thing want to do is spend 30 minute chasing a bird out of your house. He finally flew out (poor thing, he was terrified and all we were trying to do was help him) and I looked at my sister and asked, "Why are you laughing?" She answered, it's either that or cry! She's the bomb. We do that often, laugh that is, and most of the time it's at the most inconvenient times (during a serious conversation or such, but that's another story...) or like today, just when you need it. 

Here's the recipe to these coconut cranberry cookies:

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cup sucanat

2 eggs

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 cups oats

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup coconut

1/2 cup cranberries

Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Add flour and salt. Mix together and then add baking soda. Stir in oat, chocolate chips and vanilla. Drop by tablespoons on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 7-15 minutes or until edges barely begin to brown. Do not over bake. Cool on wire rack.

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After a few months sabbatical from riding because of the cold the beautiful spring weather was calling me out to come and enjoy it. This was also my first ride since we got our new mare, see here. As you know riding with a mare is completely different than riding with just geldings. Ah, um... It was interesting to say the least!



Shibar, my Egyptian Arabian, did really well until I gave him the rein to run. Just when I thought we were going to break into a dead run across the pasture, you know the kind of run with nothing in front of you and the wind whipping your hair out straight that gives you the thrill of your life-- That's when it happened! I have never had my horse crow hop on me before but today was the day. When a horse starts bucking your instinct is to pull back on the reins but really the best thing is to loosen up and pull them into a tight one-rein stop. But, it turned out alright... Thankful I didn't get thrown and was able to quickly re-establish who's boss and even though he was being very bad I think he was really just showing off in front of the little mare :)

And as a fitness update, well, I am just so sore from yesterday's workout. It's that good kind of sore feeling though which is great :) I'm planning to run 4 miles tomorrow...  I hope you're enjoying the day!

A Special Day

Today is a special day. My grandfather is 81! I'm so grateful for this man. He's taught me so much and been so involved in my life that I will never forget the impact he's made. My siblings and I are the 3rd generation of a family business he started. It's a privilege to be able to go to work, each and everyday, with him. 

{I snapped this picture of my sister with Pappy before leaving the office this afternoon}

Sometimes I look back at the pictures of our family life and think I live in a fairy tale. God's blessings are abundant and overwhelming. 

{My grandmother sent these birthday flowers to my Pappy today. Isn't that just so sweet?}

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I worked out this morning which felt so good after yesterday's break. I started with Insanity and stretching and then ran 1.5 miles in 13 minutes-- a record for me! Finally, I rounded off the workout with push-ups, bicep curls and overhead presses. 

{This was lunch-- lettuce leaves, broiler onions and tomato slices with my own blend of spices (garlic powder, salad dressing and mustard) with sliced bell pepper and a grape cluster on the side}

{The fresh fruits and vegetables made it so refreshing}

So, what did you have for lunch? Hope you're having a wonderful afternoon! 

Strawberry Ice Cream

It's that time of year again. Local strawberries are in!!! I look forward to this every year, all year long.

So my little 7yrs old brother and I hopped in the car this afternoon to go pick some luscious looking berries together in the spacious country air. Don't you just love being out in nature? We then came home and turned those beautiful berries into strawberry ice cream! It was supposed to be a dairy-free, low glycemic version... don't ask what happen :-P Sufficed to say, we're still looking for that perfect recipe, if you happen to have one I'd love to know about it!

 {A wonderful treat for a warm, spring day!}

Here's a taste of what we had for supper last night. It was super delish! I have the best sisters. They encourage me to eat healthy even when I don't feel like it. We made this veggie stir-fry with onions, fresh garlic, Bragg liquids aminios, broccoli, cauliflower and fresh tomato. My youngest brother loved it so much he even asked for seconds! I know, suprising for kids to ask for more healthy food, but they desire what we cultivate. It's a learning process...

This was my sandwich from today's lunch. A veggie medley warmed for a few seconds under the broiler with pineapple wedges.

These angel eggs are part of what I made for our family supper. After a hard day's work it's nice to all gather together for a home cooked meal. The secret to this southern delicacy is a dash of nutmeg. My Aunt Rhonda taught me that. I love cooking with her!

It's my off day, workout wise. So happy! See you tomorrow with more updates :)