Organic Homemade Granola Bars

Here's a basic starting recipe, feel free to add more or less of any item:

2 1/2 cups Rolled Oats

1/2 Brown Rice Crispies {can find in the bulk section, like rice crispy cereal, only ingredient; brown rice}

1/2 cup Cacao Nibs {found in the raw section of the grocery store or here}

1/2 cup Coconut Sugar {optional}

pinch of salt

1/2 Organic Olive Oil or Coconut Oil

1/2 cup Coconut Butter {found in the peanut butter section}

1/2 cup Almond butter {or any nut butter}

1/2 cup organic Raw Honey 

pour of vanilla

3 tablespoons Flax Meal

1 tablespoon Chia Seeds

Combine dry ingredients {except cacao nibs} until mixed, add wet ingredients until WELL mixed and add more honey or oil until texture of mixture can be formed into balls and does not crumble. THEN add cacao nibs.

Bake at 350* F for 30 minutes. Cut and refrigerate,  Make about 20 bars.

Below is a modification of the above bars with non cane sugar cranberries {they're sweetened with apple juice} and topped with shredded coconut.  I also added way more chia seeds than the recipe above and walnuts, pecans and pumpkin seeds. Make sure to add more honey and oil when adding so many more dry ingredients.  I'm also going to add cooked quinoa to my next batch!

You can also follow along on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Tumblr!

p.s. if you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your vote. Click the banner below and then the owl on the left. {No email required and no spam generated! promise}

Healthy French Toast Casserole.

For my sister in law's Bridal shower, her Aunt made an amazing French Toast Casserole, I ate the leftovers all week.  But I knew there was tons of fat in that version so I came up with this healthier option, which is still full of flavor, but not as much cream cheese.

Mix, 1 stick melted butter with 1/2 cup coconut sugar, tons of cinnamon, some nutmeg, 5 eggs and 1 1/2 almond milk.  

In a 9x13 pan place torn up slices of bread to fill the bottom, place pecan chunks on top of that layer then add another layer of bread.  Cover all the bread evenly with the egg & milk mixture.

Allow to sit for an hour to as long as over night.

Bake at 350* F for 30 minutes, if you'd like it cooked a little more maybe 35-40 minutes.

{I reheat ours during the week so I don't mind if it isn't fully cooked through}

It's actually sweet enough, you don't even need maple syrup!

Enjoy easy breakfast for a few days!

-Jenn

You can also follow along on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Tumblr!

p.s. if you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your vote. Click the banner below and then the owl on the left. {No email required and no spam generated! promise}

Banana, Kale, Coconut Smoothie

My friend Michelle recently commented how @amysilvermanfitness inspired her to work out the other day and when I checked out her instagram profile, I was also super inspired!  I already started doing yoga postpartum, but now I want to start getting my booty back into shape before we head to the beach. I'm not the type to obsess over my body, but it's weird being pregnant and after because it's a version of your body but not YOUR body, if that makes sense.  So, I'm going to get more active and eat a little healthier to get MY body back!

...and this was the first smoothie with that mindset!

I used:
10 chunks of fresh COLD pineapple
1 frozen banana
handful of kale from our garden
a splash of coconut juice {made from the pulp of the coconut, not to be confused with coconut water}
and a scoop of vanilla whey protein.


Happy Healthy Smoothie Making!
-Jenn

You can also follow along on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Tumblr!

p.s. if you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your vote. Click the banner below and then the owl on the left. {No email required and no spam generated! promise}

Food Club No. 9 {The Montelucia Resort's Prado Restaurant}

Finally!  This month we were able to have our Fancy Brunch.  I'd been wanting to do this for a while but it seemed like schedules kept conflicting and this weekend almost everyone was able to join us!  We chose the Montelucia Resort's Prado Restaurant for their brunch buffet menu.  

Let's just start with the Amazing view from our table.

I wonder if we can just bring our swimsuits next time?!

"Grandpa Frank" sat us in our very own dining room.

Most of us ordered the Full Breakfast Buffet from the menu.

There were plenty of fruit options  Not to mention the fact that they didn't mix the fruit which I appreciate.  Sometimes, I only want pineapple you know? and even more important for people with allergies. {and the lovely Anna holding temporary member, baby Vera}

Love me some fruit, yogurt, and granola.

Pasties from the Continental breakfast {included in the "Full" buffet}, those center ones are cinnamon raisin.

Adorable mini croissants.

The Waffle and Omelette station.

So good!

A plate from the Full Buffet 

My not so pretty but really yummy waffle!

My omelette to order and savory potatoes!

The prettiest butter you ever did see.

Side of fruit plate.

Emily enjoying her bacon.

Sadly a few members had to take off before a group photo on the grounds.  {Missing Stephanie, Sara, Hope, and Emily} 

Such a lovely resort and beautiful day. Plus, I had an excuse to wear heels!

The Full Review:

Favorite Appetizer: Since I ordered off the Full Buffet, I was really able to try a little of everything, I think the pastries {which were both light and flakey} were a great place to start.  I also love fresh fruit so loaded my plate with that and the yogurt cups.  

Favorite Entree: I never make waffles for breakfast, so I was happy to have that.  And the omelette to order was great too.  All of the ingredients tasted fresh and flavorful.  I would have loved to try the eggs benedict if I hadn't done the buffet.  

Favorite Drink: Juice, Coffee and Tea were included with the Full Buffet.  I had coffee and for a second almost ordered a mimosa but since I had Vera with me I decided against it.  Coffee was flavorful, not burnt or stale, I appreciate a full bodied coffee and this wasn't weak either!

1-10 Service {0 worst, 10 best}: 10 The ambiance was beautiful, like I mentioned above, we had an amazing view.  We had a private room so we could talk as loud as we wanted.  The server constantly checked in with us.  Food came out quick or we were able to get our own buffet items easily.  Everyone was very helpful and welcoming.  Bathrooms were beautiful!  I honestly can't think of anything they could have done better for us.

Cost {$  $$  $$$  $$$$!}: $$$ There were some items on the menu in the lower price range but I highly recommend the Full Buffet so you can try EVERYTHING, and that was $23 plus gratuity since we were a large party.  I spent $31 after tip and $5 more for valet parking, although they did have a free lot {I just didn't want to drive around with a newborn in her car seat}

Mistakes {corrections?}: The server did charge someone for the full buffet when she ordered the continental but promptly corrected it once she told him.  Otherwise, everything was perfect!

Reservations? Yes, I called ahead since it was going to be a bigger group this month.  But they also have a spot to make reservations on their website for parties as small as two.

Would we eat there again? Yes! I'd actually enjoy staying at the resort as well, maybe a mini staycation this summer.  But I'm a huge fan of brunch, so next time Husband is up for it, I think I'll drag him along.

You can also follow along on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Tumblr!

p.s. if you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your vote. Click the banner below and then the owl on the left. {No email required and no spam generated! promise}

HIssyfit's Hullabaloo Review April 2013

If you've followed this blog for long you may have heard of my favorite local event: Hissyfit's Hullabaloo!  It's a craft event of sorts hosted by one of the trendiest KID'S consignment boutiques!  I love shopping at their store for Sonja and now Vera, but I love this event even more!

I'm all about upcycling and supporting local artist and small businesses.  There is a little of everything here...

My sister in law helped with Sonja, while we walked around.

I love Mystic Pieces, beautiful steampunk jewelry.  Husband bought me the prettiest bee necklace at their last event.

For the hungry folks, Hot Dogs by Mama D.

Party in Bloom had some adorable headbands we purchased for Emily's Wedding {Sonja is going to be a flower girl!}

Perfect in her wedding colors!

I LOVE these clutches and everything in this booth from bee bee baubles

This adorable cowboy onesie from Bella & Bruiser

Perfect towels for the paperless kitch! by Hustle Mama

I saw the perfect dessert stand at Hank & Bea but I already spent all my money :(

Grandma couldn't resist getting Sonja one of these bunnies on wheels from the Wood Butcher

My Sweet Addiction has the CUTEST handmade upcycled play kitchens.  Once Sonja saw them she wouldn't leave the booth... and since it had been on the toy list for a few months now, I finally splurged and got this one for her!

She LOVES it.

Here's that bunny from grandma:

My friend Michelle was there selling soaps and lotions and jewelry {Funk Off}

As you can see, I'm a big fan of their soaps and since she's only in Phoenix once and a while, I had to stock up! 

Hustle Mama had these traveling chalk boards, Grandma purchased for Sonja for our summer San Diego trip.

Those headbands we got for the wedding, one for Sonja and one for Vera.

Cutesy Swag is just that, CUTE accessories made from duct tape with a portion of the proceeds going to a no kill animal shelter!

While at Hissyfit's, we had to look around for the girls, My mom bought the top left dresses from b.belle {a booth at the event} and I picked out the other items from inside the store. 

Could that grapefruit dress scream summer any louder?! and this Ralph Lauren dress is perfect for our Winter European travels!

I also got Vera this Gap swimsuit and Fourth of July Romper.

And that's all the goodies we got and why we love this bi-annual event!

Check out all those vendors and find your kiddos some clothes and toys you can feel good about purchasing! Happy Local Shopping!

-Jenn

You can also follow along on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Tumblr!

p.s. if you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your vote. Click the banner below and then the owl on the left. {No email required and no spam generated! promise}

Emily's Bridal Shower

This past weekend was my Sister-In-Law's Bridal Shower, hosted by yours truly.  After months of thrifting to find the perfect accents and place settings, the day finally arrived. Here's the whole event detail by detail, including the happy guests...

The Spread:

Organic Vanilla Yogurt with Organic Fruit and Granola

Sauteed Organic Asparagus with Orange Sauce {I had in the freezer from Easter}

Bosa Donut Skewers with Organic Fruit

Quiche from Lux

French Toast Casserole 

Champagne glasses from World Market $24 for 12 

Asparagus with Orange Sauce. 

Flowers from Whole Foods

Brie with Organic stone wheat crackers & Cheddar Cheese & Parrano from Whole Foods

More flowers from the one $10 bunch from Whole Foods.

Straws from Target

Drink Dispenser {from Pottery Barn} with homemade Lemon Ice Cubes 

Drink Details.

Goldware set from Brass Armadillo Vintage set

Assorted hanging tea cups from my personal thrifted collection

Vegetarian & Lorraine Quiche

Donut Holes on wood skewers with Fresh Organic Fruit 

Succulents and Tea Cup Accents! 

My attempt at chalkboard typography.

Along with set of thrifted plates from Brass Armadillo.

Napkins from Target 

A quick reminder to guests to #hashtag photos to create an Instagram album

#ESchutBridalShower

We're not big on games at events but I did create a "word of Advice" station where guests could leave little notes offering newly wed advice.

That doll is a family air loom, gifted by the bride's great grandmother to the bride's grandmother.

Now, passed down for the Bride to be.

The Guests:

Like I said, I'm not into games at events; but to keep the guests entertained, I asked my friend Sommer to do henna.  It's an Indian wedding tradition and I knew the bride loved the concept.  

She charged me a very reasonable group rate and everyone received a small tattoo.

Isn't she amazing?! She free handed all of the tattoos without reference images.

During the gifts a guest wrote down everything Emily said and read them to her at the end.

She didn't know we were documenting everything, and the joke is everything she said during the gifts is what she'll say to her Husband on their wedding night...

I think these facial expressions are great examples of how funny it was. 

Husband snuck over for quick second with Vera so I could feed her, but all the guests wanted to hold her. 

After Gifts we enjoyed this beautiful {vegan} cake from Treehouse Bakery

Adorable and Edible Flower and Succulent

After guests left Sommer sat down to do detailed henna on the Bride's hands

The deal is as long as the henna lasts the Groom is supposed to serve his wife, she's not supposed to do anything.  No cooking, cleaning... I should have done this when I got married!

Beautiful right?!

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse at Emily's Bridal shower! Happy Bridal Shower Planning!
-Jenn

p.s. after creating a watermark for every image and resizing for internet use, and uploading, I noticed the typo... not sure where my "s" went in "shower" but I am NOT re-editing every photos. please excuse my human error.

You can also follow along on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Tumblr!

p.s. if you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your vote. Click the banner below and then the owl on the left. {No email required and no spam generated! promise}