Sweatpants and Superfoods

Summer Vanilla Mug Cake

I like ‘made for one’ desserts and treats. Since its just me and my little guy all day, I pretty much make one-serving dishes all the time. Which makes Mug Cakes the perfect treat for him and I to enjoy together! I love love love the chocolate one (here) but Summer calls for a lighter taste…

Ingredients
1 Tbs coconut flour & 1 Tbs almond flour OR 2 Tbs almond flour
1 Tbs coconut sugar (or other sweetener)
1-2 tsp vanilla (mmmm vanilla…)
1 Tbs almond butter (I haven’t tried other nut butters but I assume you can improvise)
1 egg
1/2 Tbs almond milk
1/4 tsp baking powder

What to do…
In a mug (duh) mix the dry ingredients together and then add the vanilla, egg & almond milk. Whisk the mixture together (add some sprinkles!) and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Add more sprinkles. Why not??? Summer calls for more color!

note: I have been loving coconut sugar lately. Instead of using turbinado or agave to sweeten my treats, I have used the equivalent amount of coconut sugar and am enjoying the results! I’m working on a post on why its more beneficial and why I am getting away from using agave like I used to…

Motivation Monday

You’ve probably noticed the layout/color and other changes in my blog. I have been working with My Cute Lobster for the past couple months to redesign things to suit my blogging needs. (And wow was she paaaaaatient!) That sounds ridiculous. Blogging needs??? I really just needed some change! Annnnyway….

I have also taken a leave-of-blogging because I have been busy making my way into private practice (I am a licensed counselor) & obtained my personal training certification (I felt like I was back in college reading and teaching myself an entire textbook in 5 weeks!). I have still been in the kitchen creating and photographing my culinary adventures (yeah right. I make a mess most of the time.) and am hoping to get recipes and other posts up more regularly as I gain some blogging steam. I’m also working on other professional endeavors that will allow me to utilize my new certification and clinical license so that I can pursue my passions! You have to create opportunities right???

So, I felt this quote was very fitting on my “first day back.” Unless you jump in and make changes, things most definitely stay the same!

Oh! aaaannnnnnd… I am now training for a trail run 10k race that will take place mid-July (and other races throughout the Summer) and I’m taking my mom along with me! From what I know, the first 1/2 mile is up hill (we’re talking a race that is being run on ski hills in Wisconsin!) so I have been designing my workouts to ensure I have the endurance, power, agility and strength to finish this race! But, again, life doesn’t change or challenge you unless you choose to make a move!

So bear with me, I want to get a lot of things completed and posted as I go but I’m still learning how to use the new layout and balance everything going on in life. I’ll be sure to continue posting only the most satisfying recipes, pertinent health information, funniest antics, best articles, cutest pictures of my son… *BIG SMILE*

Ugh. And yes my recipes will magically reappear. Its a slow process getting them reorganized when your 2 year old is dying to play outside because the weather is finally nice…

Earth Day’s Little Helper

Our local Whole Foods has a plot at our park district’s community garden. {find a local garden} A few years ago, I admired the gardeners from afar when I lived in the neighborhood. I used to lay on a grassy hill with my (then a puppy) canine companion and admire the gardeners as they tended to their plots while I flipped through the pages of a book.

starting seeds in newspaper cups. the plants then go directly into the garden (in the cup), since the newspaper is compostable. perfect!

Back to Earth Day… Whole Foods volunteers planned to break ground at their garden plot on Monday and I have been excited for the past couple weeks to take Dekker. Fortunately, the weather in our area is on the up and up after our monsoon of a storm last week, and it was a gorgeous day to let him get dirty!

helping hands giving plantlife a start…

a teaching moment

getting dirty!

children can be so genuine in their interactions. i loved it

lettuce plants…next stop, sunflowers!

I’m so thankful for the volunteers who take the time to do things like this for the community. I hope more and more people take advantage of these opportunities!

Life gets busy. Weather locks us in. Time doesn’t allow for everything to get done. But events like this are important for me and provide opportunities to teach my son about life and health. I looked at him during his late afternoon nap, and smiled at the innocence on his face and dirt under his fingernails. I can’t help but look forward to getting some of my own plants in the ground now that the weather here will finally allow us to do so. Hope you had a healthy Earth Day!

Maybe you can find your own community garden here!