chocolate chip cookie dough energy bites

Yes, I still exist. Honestly, I have no other excuse for not blogging other than the fact that I didn't feel like baking slash making food for a few weeks there. I blame that on this ridic heat. Good lord, you guys, it's so hot. Considering that I'm one of those weird people who have to be like in arctic conditions in order to fall asleep at night, I'm not really loving this whole no AC thing. My solution is showering right before bed, not drying off, and putting the fan on high. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! My baking schedule needed to change, so now when I feel like whipping together a batch of granola or banana bread, I have to do it at night or early in the morning. Otherwise it feels like I'm in the devil's oven by about 10 a.m. 

In other news, since I last wrote, I did this really weird thing. I joined a gym. I KNOWWWWWWRIIIGHTTT. It all happened one day when we were at the doctor's office and I heard the music pumping in the gym next door. That was all I needed. It's just something to do I guess, because most days I don't even leave the house except for going for a run or occasionally going to the grocery store. {Isn't that depressing? No life, I tell you.} So even on my boring days, I will have had gone to the gym. 

My friend and I started last week and I'm pretty sure there's been more laughing going on than actual exercising. We make fools out of ourselves and I'm pretty sure the adults there think we're insane. Seriously, we were laughing so hard the other day when our treadmills seemed to have a mind of their own. It was actually kind of scary… I looked at the panel thing and saw my speed just going up and up and up without me touching anything! If it wasn't for my ninja-like reflexes, I could have been run off the back of the treadmill and against the wall like on a cartoon. 

Every morning before I leave, I like to eat something small and carby to keep my blood sugars and energy level while I'm at the gym. Sure, bananas are all fine and good, but YO. I already eat like 5 throughout the day {I have an addiction. Now you know.}, so I'd prefer something a little different. Last week's pre-gym treat was these raw chocolate truffles. Those things are my favorite and I could shove a whole batch in my face hole in a matter of minutes if I wasn't careful. When I finished those, I wanted to come up with a new energy bite concoction. I have a million ideas in my noggin, but chocolate chip cookie dough was first up. 

If you're wondering why they look so messy, it's because I thought I would try making my own dairy-free chocolate chips using coconut oil, cocoa powder, and maple syrup. I've used this combo before and it firms up beautifully, but for some reason this time it didn't. Maybe it's because I was impatient, but they turned out more like little fudge chips. You can use regular chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate, or other dairy-free chocolate chips. Whatever works! Chocolate mess aside, these energy bites really do taste like cookie dough. I think it was the combo of maple syrup and cashew butter, but these are LEGIT. 

chocolate chip cookie dough energy bites

1 c. oats

1/4 c. flax seeds

1/4 c. coconut flakes

1 c. chopped dates

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 c. pure maple syrup

1/4 c. cashew butter

3 tbsp. dairy-free milk 

1/2 c. chocolate chips 

Place oats, coconut, and flax in a blender or food processor and pulse until a flour has formed. Add the remaining ingredients except for the chocolate chips and pulse until combined. Pour into a bowl and stir in chocolate chips. Roll into balls and store refrigerated in an airtight container. Makes about 9-10 large bites. 

banana oatmeal pancakes

There is one thing I've been learning lately. It basically came out of nowhere, hit me on the head {ahem. figuratively speaking.} and told me I cannot depend on anyone for my own happiness but myself. Happiness is a choice that only you yourself can make. Since moving to Africa, I've seen countless people who literally have nothing. But if you met them, judging by their attitude and their beautiful smiles spanning their face, you wouldn't assume it one bit. If they can be happy when they have nothing, I can be happy too. 

It's been so difficult, finding friends, having friends, and losing friends. Over the last few months, I've learned who my real friends are and aren't. People I thought I would be in relationship with the rest of my life, people I thought would always be there for me, people that I thought I would have fun times and laugh with… They just disappeared and proved to me, all of that was nothing. My life seems to be on this big roller coaster and I can't seem to depend on anyone. I'm learning I can't sit around waiting for that one person I wish would make an effort to make me happy. Because it's not gonna come. 

I'm sharing this not because I want people to feel bad for me or give me sympathy. I like to keep my blog free of negative thoughts, but it's what's up in my life right now. And I know there are people who are going through a similar situation. And if you're one of those people, I want to encourage you because it will get better. We're put in these situations to stretch ourselves and step out of our comfort zones to become the person God wants us to be. My piece of advice is to take your time. Go slow, breathe in the fresh air, and take your time. With everything. When you're taking your time instead of zipping right through life, things seem to get better. It's just how it works. But PLEASE. Don't wait around for people to make you happy. Because as cliche as it sounds, waiting for someone else to make you happy is the best way to be sad. Trust meeeeee, I know. When you let go of all expectations you have of people, your happiness returns and all that sadness just floats away. Let stupid people be stupid people. Don't cling to them. Wait for the ones who are worth your time and don't put you down constantly. You're worth more than that. 

So while I'm waiting for some rad people to come into my life {I know they're out there somewhere!!}, I can make my own kind of happy. Happiness doesn't have to mean having all these things, having a bunch of friends, going out every weekend. It doesn't have to be like that… Trust me, I'm learning. I can find happiness instead in the still of life. Bask in the quiet mornings and lazy afternoons. Whatever that little thing is that brings a glimmer of joy to your soul- do it. I encourage you. Don't wait around for someone else to come around. Make your own kind of happy, whether that be going for a long run, eating a huge slice of chocolate cake in silence, taking a hot bath with some candles, baking a cake for no apparent reason, do some yoga. Whatever it is, go and do it. 

My kind of happy? Starting my morning off with some yoga {in my pajamas, thanyouverymuch} on the porch, making pancakes, sipping my second cup of coffee, and blogging while I take advantage of the beautiful cool breeze that blows through my windows before it turns into sweltering hot African heat. Oh, and staying in my 'jams until noon. Because I have nowhere to go. Nothing to do. But I can still be happy. All I'm gonna say is, thank you Jesus for the carby greatness that is pancakes. 

banana oatmeal pancakes

3-4 bananas, mashed

2 eggs

1/4 c. milk

2 tbsp. melted coconut oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 c. ground oat flour

1/2 c. wholewheat flour

1/2 c. quick cooking oats

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients until smooth. Scoop onto a greased skillet or frying pan over high heat. Let pancakes cook for about 2-3 minutes before flipping to the other side. Cook until golden brown and crispy. Serve with maple syrup. 

salted dark chocolate almond coconut oil cookies

 So the other day while grocery shopping, my brother made this weird face as we trotted on by the health food section {i.e. a little 3 foot shelf full of gluten free flours, molasses, and xylitol. that's aboooout all. } and exclaimed with a questionable tone, "COOOOOconut oil?" I was all like "WHAAAA FOOOO!" I've been wanting to use coconut oil for um ever since I saw it making appearances in healthy recipes all over the interwebulars. So when my brosophegus spotted it I totally freaked out. Likeeeeeeeeee full on freaked. Did a little jig? Sang a little bit? Made a fool out of myself in front of the entire population of the grocery store? Why yes. Indeed I did. No shame.

Immediately my mind went all the places. Cookies. Muffins. Blondies. Cake. Where the heck am I supposed to start experimenting? There's no telling when I'll quit. Or if I ever will.  After discovering that replacing butter with coconut oil seriously didn't change the flavor or texture of cookies, there's no turning back now. I've gone to the dark side. Errr actually, the light side! These cookies kinda blew my mind. Ya know when you try to healthify cookie recipes and use yogurt or banana instead of butter? Things don't go right. Things get cakey and weird and not like how cookies should be. Cookies that are more like muffins are just not okay. BUUU-HUUUUUT. No butter here. And no muffin-y cookies. Mind bloooooooooown.I've been really wanting something to dunk in my morning cup of coffee and pretty sure these cookies couldn't be any better for the job. Nothing wrong with starting out the day with some chocolate! The fact that they're healthy and actually taste like normal cookies makes me super excited. No guilt and no surprise breakouts due to dairy!! 

salted dark chocolate almond coconut oil cookies

1/2 c. coconut oil
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. wholewheat flour
1 c. oat four
1/2 c. quick cooking oats
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. dark chocolate chunks/chips
1/2 c. raw almonds, roughly chopped

Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease/line a baking sheet; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk coconut oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Mix in flours, oats, salt, and baking powder. Stir until just combined. Fold in almonds and chocolate chunks. Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before removing to a wire rack. Recipe yields about 15 cookies.

loaded multigrain muffins

Praise the heavens, I am finally done with that raw thing. I was technically supposed to go until Monday, but decided that if I looked at another leaf of spinach or bowl of hummus, I might cross off health food forever. A girl's gotta have her meat and muffins. I decided that was that on Sunday afternoon when I dug my face into a jumbo bowl of popcorn. Oh, my dearest, how I missed thee. Seriously, if I was stranded on an island and had to choose one food to eat for the rest of my years, it'd be popcorn. No doubt, I cannot quit the stuff. Could be worse, I guess. 

Anyways. I was hit with the baking bug and wanted to whip something up that I could grab for a quick breakfast or after my runs throughout the week. I opened the cupboards to find tons of opened, half-gone bags of nuts and seeds. SO I did what any normal person would do and threw all the stuff 'n things in a muffin. A little piece of advice: no matter what the question, the answer is "Throw it in a muffin." Those words will get ya places in life. 

As the title suggests, these muffins are loaded with all sorts of good carbs, protein, and fiber that are good for those innards of yours. Gotta keeps your innards good and healthy, amiright? They're basically one of those recipes that's like "Open the cupboard and throw every thing your eyeball sees into the bowl." Feel free to switch things up and add different kinds of nuts, seeds, grains, and dried fruit. They make a great snack or quick breakfast on the go. 

With a cup of coffee of course. I've missed my coffee. 8 days was way too long. I think my body learned how to actually function without caffeine during that time and then as soon as I could, I downed two big mugs and was seriously bouncing. off. the walls. BOUNCING. And twirling around the house singing "Augustus Gloop. Augustus Gloop." from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which I, in fact, haven't seen in ages. I thought I might be losing my mind. Maybe. 

Anyways, muffins.

loaded multigrain muffins

2-3 bananas, mashed

2 eggs

1/3 c. honey

1/4 c. soymilk

1/2 c. ground flax

1/2 c. ground oats/ oat flour

1 c. wholewheat flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 c. almonds

1/4 c. sunflower seeds

1/4 c. pumpkin seeds

1/3 c. raisins

Preheat oven to 375ºF and grease or line a muffin tin; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, honey, soy milk, and banana. Add flour, ground flax, oats, cinnamon, flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir until just combined. Fold in nuts, seeds, and raisins. Scoop batter into prepared muffin tin. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. 

nut & seed granola

When we were in Windhoek last week {which is the capital of Namibia- about 3 hours away from our town.}, ya know- the same time I didn't sleep on a hard hotel room floor and nearly died from a horrible cold? Yah, that time.

When we were there, we always make sure to get in some shopping because it seems like pretty much anywhere but in Otji, there's better stores. {The grass is always greener on the other side.} We quickly popped into one of the grocery stores and I was so excited to see the amount of health food they had! Seriously, nothing fancy around here- just sunflower seeds and almonds in the health food aisle at our grocery store in town.

At this one though, there were flax seeds, wheat germ, rolled oats {you can only usually find quick oats.}, puffed brown rice cereal, agave, and I even saw a sticker for quinoa although I couldn't find the actual bag which made me sad since I've heard about all it's ancient powers but never actually gotten to try the stuff.

Anyways, I basically grabbed every bag of healthy greatness in my peripheral vision and was so excited to get home and use it in my baking!

First up, I made granola. Usually when I make granola, I'm the only one who eats it. This time, my family inhaled it and it was gone within 24 hours which I found to be quite shocking since my granola jar is usually full throughout the week. It was definitely some of my favorite granola I've made in awhile so I decided to remake it, measure, take pictures, post, ya da ya da ya da.

And here ya have it, folks! Nut and seed granola. I added in some flax and sunflower seeds, wheat germ {which gives it a nice nutty flavor that I totally dig}, and brown rice cereal because I love the crunch it adds to each bite. I also used some mixed nuts we had on hand, but you can use only almonds, only walnuts, or a mix of whatever. As always, it's super adaptable and you can easily change things up according to your tastes!

nut & seed granola

1 1/4 c. oats

1/3 c. puffed brown rice cereal

2 tbsp. wheat germ

1/2 c. chopped nuts

1/4 c. flax seeds

1/4 c. sunflower seeds

3 tbsp. dark brown sugar

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/4 c. honey

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients until evenly combined. Pour onto lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Once cooled, transfer to a large jar or plastic container.

no bake trail mix cookies

The last few days, I've gone through a box of tissues and a few rolls of toilet paper. Been close to coughing my brains out. Taken numerous bubble baths. Worn nothing but pajamas and yoga pants. Spent hours in bed reading. Eaten mainly chicken soup and smoothies for my meals. And have watched tons of movies and episodes of the Office. 

In case you can't tell, I've come down with one heck of a cold. 

I felt it coming on when we were in the car driving to Windhoek for the day. That night, I was so miserable laying on that hotel room floor and didn't sleep a bit due to my stuffed up nose, congested chest, and sore throat. 

What. a. dream. 

Trust me, I love being lazy- I'm basically a professional. 

But after day one, I'm ready to not be sick in bed. It drives me CAAAHHHRAAAZAAAAAY. Not to mention, since I haven't exercised since Wednesday, I feel like a big old blob. 

Unless I want to cough and wheeze to my death, I probably won't be able to run until next week. 

I am starting to feel a lot better though. I'm still so stuffed up, but I can actually taste some of the things I eat. My energy is coming back too... enough so that I was able to climb a water tower last night. 

BUUUUUUUT that's a whole other story. 

I have also come to the conclusion that the Office is basically the best show there ever was.

In one episode when Andy said "My whole life is a freaking snot bubble!", I found it oddly hilarious and relevant. I laughed so hard.

And then had a cough attack and nearly died.

Gross, sorry.

Anyways, this post is pretty scattered, but I figured I'd end it with something appropriate to a food blog… Food!

These cookies take about 5 minutes from bowl to face hole and you don't even have to turn on the oven! The base for the cookies is honey, peanut butter, and oats- that's it. I love this combo and, I'm gonna admit, at times when I need something sweet {which is. umm. always.}, I mix those ingredients together in a bowl and eat it with my fingers like cookie dough. 

For add-ins I just grabbed what I could find out of the cupboard. Raisins, peanuts, chocolate chunks, almonds, and flax seeds. You could substitute whatever nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate you would like though- the possibilities are endless. 

no bake trail mix cookies

3/4 c. creamy peanut butter

1/4 c. + 2 tbsp. honey 

1 1/4 c. quick oats

2 tbsp. flax seeds

1/4 c. salted peanuts

1/4 c. seedless raisins

1/4 c. chopped almonds

1/2 c. chocolate chunks {or chocolate chips}

In a large mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients. Stir until combined. Roll dough into balls and place on a lined baking sheet. Press down with a fork or the palm of your hand. Store in a plastic container. 

chewy peanut butter oatmeal cookies

These cookies… Oh my gosh, these cookies are glorious. 

They were born last weekend because I needed some baking therapy. I'm not talking about going online, printing a recipe, and actually *gasp* measuring. No, I'm talking whipping out a bowl, a few ingredients, throwing them in the bowl, and mixing it all up with fork. 

It makes my soul so joyous and has the power to change my attitude from crappy to happy in seconds. 

Surprisingly, they don't even have flour or butter in them which makes them {accidentally} gluten and dairy-free! Honestly, you don't even miss it at all. In the words of my brother "They taste buttery!" My dad, who mind you, usually hates on all my healthy baked goods, loved them. I didn't say anything until he'd eaten at least 4. The whole batch was gone in less that 48 hours so I knew they were a keeper.

Of course, since I and everyone else who tasted them loved these cookies so much I decided to make them again, measure the ingredients, and photograph them. My family actually said they liked them more than last time! 

Also. If you're wondering what those pink specks are in the cookies- it's jelly from the peanut butter jar. These brothers of mine eat PB&J on the daily, I kid you not. 

chewy peanut butter oatmeal cookies {dairy-free, gluten-free} 
yields 1 dozen cookies

1 c. creamy peanut butter
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
1 1/2 c. quick cooking oats
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, mix the peanut butter, eggs, vanilla, and brown sugar. Add oats, salt, and baking powder. Stir until combined. Roll dough into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Press down slightly with a fork. Bake for 7-10 minutes. Let cool before removing to a wire rack.

date & walnut oatmeal cookies

When I made these cookies, I talked to my nana on FaceTime that afternoon. She asked what I was up to and I replied with the usual "… just made cookies." When she asked what kind of cookies and I told her, she said "Oh, dates and walnuts are old person food!" It's never occurred to me, but I guess they kinda are. All the old church cookbook classics like date bread or bread pudding have nuts or dates in them. So it's obviously legit. {not.}

One of my absolute favorite treats as a kid were these date filled sugar cookies from Cub Foods. Those things were the best reward for long grocery shopping trips. My grandma {the same one I now talk to for baking advice.} used to by BOXES of those cookies just for me whenever I stayed at her house. I remember sitting at her kitchen table and eating one or two or three with a glass of cold milk. Ahh, those were the days. 

I know when it comes to nuts in cookies, you're either like "Oh my gosh, YES!" or "Oh my gosh, NO!" I'm the first. I seriously love the added crunch and flavor nuts add to baked goods. I think they make great additions to classic oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookies. Although they're really necessary in these cookies, if you seriously can't stand them, you could leave them out. 

These cookies are some of the best I've made in a LONG time. I like my cookies on the underdone side, so they turn out really soft and gooey. The nuts and dates go together really great in these chewy oatmeal cookies. I made the recipe completely from scratch, but I didn't tell anyone until AFTER they had one and exclaimed how great they were. 

Mission accomplished. 

date & walnut oatmeal cookies

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. granulated sugar

1/2 c. dark brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 c. all purpose flour

3/4 c. wholewheat flour

3/4 c. quick cooking oat

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 c. chopped dates

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350ºF. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugars, and vanilla. Whisk in eggs. Add flours, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until combined. Fold in dates and walnuts. Scoop dough onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Yields about 18 large cookies or 2 dozen smaller cookies. 

strawberry shortcake smoothie {healthy, dairy-free, gluten-free}

Ok, confession time. I am the biggest, fattest emotional eater there ever was and is yet to come on this entire universe. When my friends left for the states a few weeks ago, I immediately turned to food. I mean, I made these healthy brownies and ate like a million {give err take… ya know.} but at least I satisfied my… issues with something somewhat nutritious. 

Needless to say, the last few weeks haven't been good food-wise. I'm starting to see my old habits of binging and snacking throughout the whole day sneaking back in. 

And it's honestly really making me depressed. I mean, not depressed depressed. But it is effecting my emotions and the way I view myself and I hate it. 

I'm reminding myself of how when I started my dairy, sugar, and gluten-free diet awhile back, my skin cleared up and I felt so much better about myself. Since stepping off the track, I feel like I'm back to where I started a few months ago. 

Now that I've eaten my fair share of cookies and other assorted carbs, I've decided to kick it up again and in full gear. 

I am super determined. And with determination, I can get there.

To get back to where I was and back into those healthy habits I'd worked so hard to gain, but not get so mad and guilt myself if I over do it at dinner or eat a little too much chocolate. {Dark chocolate isn't that healthy when you eat half the bar. Take note.}

You've heard it before and you'll hear it again… Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 

If you skip breakfast, you're more likely to shove your face hole with all the things when hunger strikes later. 

If you eat a nutritionally unbalanced breakfast, you're energy level will crash and you'll be hungry in two hours flat. 

On the other hand, if you eat a GOOD breakfast, full of good things {protein, whole grains, fiber, fruits, etc.}, it'll fuel your body for the day and keep your full until lunch. 

As you can probably tell, I have quite the sweet tooth. I prefer to have sweet breakfasts {but still healthy!} like smoothies or overnight oats because they keep my sweet tooth and snacking at bay for the rest of the day. 

This smoothie? It tastes like cake. Like legit. 

I'm not just telling you this so a boring strawberry smoothie will get a million pins and bring in more traffic to my blog. {wouldn't that be nice?}

Nope, this is real life guys. 

Somehow adding oats, almonds, a bit of vanilla extract, and a dash of cinnamon switch up a basic smoothie and turn it into something FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC! 

Cake + Smoothie + Healthy = MINDBLOOOOOWN

strawberry shortcake smoothie {healthy, dairy-free, gluten-free}

1 large banana
3/4 c. frozen strawberries
1/2 c. soy milk {or any other kind of milk}
3 tbsp. almonds
1/4 c. oats {use gluten-free for a GF option}
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tbsp. organic maple syrup
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. ice cubes

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Add more milk or ice as needed. Pour into one large glass or two smaller glasses. Enjoy!

peanut butter streusel banana bread

I get so excited when I think about how much I've improved in my ability to develop recipes. 

When I first started this blog, almost all my recipes were from Allrecipes.com. I never made a single change, switched up the butter to flour ratio, used brown sugar instead of white sugar, NOTHING. It sounds so lame, but I never took any chances with my baking. And when I DID start taking chances and became more adventurous in the kitchen, that's when people started reading my little blog. 

Over the past year and a half, things have changed. Much to my mother's dismay, I hardly ever follow recipes anymore. I know {usually. but not always.} when something looks right or when it needs a bit more flour or a splash of milk. I love that I'm now able to throw some ingredients in a bowl and actually get edible results. In fact, some of my favorite things that have come out of my oven, you haven't even seen because those things are usually whipped together with nothing but a mixing bowl and a wooden spoon. 

Today's banana bread is one of those recipes that I base off of nothing but an idea I had floating around in my head. Of course, because I love you, I actually wrote down the measurements. And I'm really happy I did because this banana bread was one of the best healthy variations I've made so far. That says a lot because I probably make some sort of banana bread/muffin every other week, tweaking things each time. 

This banana bread isn't too sweet. I didn't use ANY processed sugar, but instead sweetened it with some maple syrup our visitors brought with them. {Someone from our church in the states sent some of their homemade stuff. That is organic as you'll ever get!} Since I almost ALWAYS smear peanut butter on top of my banana bread, I figured I'd actually incorporate it into the recipe. The streusel is so good, peanuty, crumbly, and adds just the right amount of oomph to an otherwise basic banana bread. `

peanut butter streusel banana bread

banana bread: 

3-4 overripe bananas, mashed

1/2 c. plain yogurt

2 eggs

2/3 c. organic maple syrup

2 c. flour

1/2 c. oats

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

2 tsp. vanilla extract

streusel: 

1/4 c. creamy peanut butter

2 tbsp. dark brown sugar

1/4 c. flour

1/4 c. oats

Preheat oven to 375ºF and grease/line a loaf pan and set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs, yogurt, bananas, maple syrup, and vanilla. Mix in flour, oats, nutmeg, and baking powder. Stir until combined. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and peanut butter and mix until it resembles a coarse crumb. Sprinkle on top of batter. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until golden brown. 

peanut butter honey granola

Believe it or not, the last couple days here have been cold. For awhile, it was really nice, staying around the 70's all day, but lately? ahhmahhgahh. The mornings and nights are so frigid my toes want to fall off and my lips turn this super weird purplish color that would NOT make a good lipstick. It's horrible. Last night I slept in long pants and a sweatshirt, with two comforters and two blankets wrapped around me, yet I was still SHIVERING. And I'm in Africa, you say? What the what. This is so weird. My little noggin can't take it any longer. There's still a plus side though… I don't have to go running the second I wake up in the morning. During the summer months, it gets hot really early, so I usually go around 6. But I've been chilling in my jammies for the morning, drink my cup of coffee, watch my Food Network, and go running around 8:30. Even when I went this morning, it was still so cold! My toes were going numb and my face burned a little bit. But I guess that's better than sweating my buns off. 

Another reason why I'm totally digging this weather? Food. Figures, right? When it's cold out, all I want is comfort food. Lentil stew and chicken noodle soup for dinner? Check. Oatmeal, eggs, and pancakes for breakfast? Checkcheckcheck. One of my favorite breakfasts is granola. I haven't made it in forever since I figured out dairy was a part of my skin problems, and I preferred my granola with yogurt. Stubborn am I. However, with all this cold weather, I'm in the mood for something hearty in the morning like peanut butter. Seriously, how bad can it be? Not bad at all, my friend. Not bad at all. 

So I made granola! And I ate granola! A lot of granola! Way too much granola! Seriously, you guys I went into a peanut butter and brown rice cereal induced coma. Yes, I over did it, but I'll just eat a carrot for dinner and the guilt will be no more. Not that there's much to feel guilty about though… This granola is relatively healthy, full of good carbs, protein, fiber, and healthy fats from the peanut butter. It's super chewy and peanut buttery, and not too sweet. As I was mixing the granola, I couldn't keep my fingers out of there and took a bite or two. The granola tastes a little like peanut butter cookie dough! Then as I was baking it, I'd take it from the oven to stir it around and I think every time I did that, I took a chunk or too of granola. And then I took pictures which lead to more munching. I guess what I'm trying to say is… This stuff is madly addicting. No matter how much self control you have, I can almost guarantee you'll go weak at the knees and eat extremely large quantities. For breakfast, you could add it to your cereal with some yogurt and fruit. You could also throw this on top of ice cream or just munch on a handful for an afternoon snack. Either way, if you love peanut butter like I do, I think you will absotootly adore this granola. 

peanut butter honey granola

2 1/2 c. oats

1 1/2 c. brown rice cereal

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 c. creamy peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. honey

1/2 c. peanuts

In a large bowl, stir all of the ingredients until combined. Pour onto a lined cookie sheet and bake for 15-25 minutes. 

oatmeal chocolate chunk bars

My family is sometimes, uhh… Not very understanding when it comes to my baking and blogging. I love my family and thought they deserved something sweet that wasn't gluten, dairy, and sugar free. Because they've had their fair share of muffins, granola bars, and homemade muesli. As I was baking these bars today, literally all 4 of my family members were either yelling at me for not using a recipe, saying they were gonna turn out weird, or asking a million questions a second. I think that I've made enough cookie recipes to know what kind of ratios make what kinds of cookies. Sometimes, people don't get it. At least that's how I feel. As I was in the living room taking pictures {these bars are dang ugly}, adjusting the bars, switching the ISO, and all those blogger-like things, my family was laughing and saying how dumb it was. Umm, ok. My mom freaks out if I don't use a recipe and come up with one by myself. I told her no high class pastry chef goes to allrecipes.com for their recipes. Sure, I love classic desserts, but I think in order to give yourself a name, you have to step out of the "normal" and try new things others maybe wouldn't think of. I guess I'm kind of on my own as far as being a baking blogger goes. They don't get it, but ya know what? They don't need to. I love my food, I love my pictures, and I love my blog. I'll keep on doing it for as long as I live, regardless of what other people think. I'm gonna be honest, I was close to just dumping out the creamed butter and sugar and walking away because I felt so unappreciated and ignored. Guys, I was making you BARS! With sugar! And butter! And flour! No need to go all le freak on moi. Lo and behold, they all loved these bars after sitting there drooling and asking me when they could try a bite as I was taking the pictures. 

While I was watching my Food Network and drinking my cup of coffee this morning, I texted my mom and asked if they could pick up some oats and chocolate at the grocery store because I wanted to make some cookies. She texted back "Yes!!" exclamation points and all, which… is kind of a big deal. It's rare that I suggest a recipe that doesn't have some sort of fruit in it and a "with" or "and" in the title. One of our favorite cookies around here are oatmeal chocolate chip. I was originally planning on making these into cookies, but I have a case of what I'm calling summer-break-ultra-laziness and just pressed the dough into a bar pan. Oh and by the way. This recipe? I made it up. :) These bars are really chewy, soft, and buttery. If you're texture-crazy like me, I think you'll love these. The oats give them a really great texture and the chocolate forms little pockets of melty joy throughout the bars. Seriously, your taste buds are gonna do the harlem shake, electric slide, gangnam style, party rock shuffle all at the same time.  

oatmeal chocolate chunk bars

3/4 c. butter, softened

3/4 c. granulated sugar

3/4 c. dark brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 c. wholewheat flour

2 1/2 c. quick-cooking oats

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt 

1 1/2 c. chocolate chunks {or chocolate chips}

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease or line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugars, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Add flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir until combined. Fold in chocolate chunks. Press dough into prepared pan and bake for 15-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Let cool before slicing into squares. 

apple cinnamon baked muesli

So can we like, be real for a sec? The thing about being a blogger, is people only get to see the things that you choose to put out there- the pretty things, the good days, the yummy recipes, and the beautiful pictures. What you don't see are the REAL things that go on behind the scenes, the crappy days, the recipes that end up being thrown away, and the pictures that, even though you took 120 pictures, the lighting just wasn't right. I feel like I only write the funny cute things, but none of the stuff that's actually… going on in my life. So let's be real. I wanna talk. I don't know why, but it hit me this weekend that… I really don't have many friends. And it's getting old. Sure, I have three close friends and they're OHMYGOSHTHEFREAKINGBESTEST. But over the last year and a half since moving to Namibia, I haven't really clicked with anyone. And I think for the well being of a person, they NEED that person that they click with- they can cry with, laugh with, dance with, and be crazy with. I have a weird thing where I don't cry often, but when I do, it just comes in a random flood of emotions and the gates break open and the tears come pouring. Sunday night at youth group, during worship, I all of a sudden couldn't sing the lyrics. My eyes started feeling like they were about to pop out of my head from holding back all the tears that were threatening to spill. After worship, my nose was running and one of the leaders came up to me and asked me if I was feeling sick. And at that question, I just let go. I burst into tears. I sat down and just… couldn't stop. Then one of my best friends came up, asked if I was okay, and asked if I needed to talk. I nodded my head and we headed outside. I told him what was going on. I feel excluded. and lonely. Things have gotten mixed up and I've been hurt. I was sitting there thinking I have no friends when I had a wonderful one sitting right there, letting me cry my eyeballs out, and encouraging me to the best of his ability. Sure, I could sit here feeling sorry for myself, OR I could be thankful for the gosh dang awesome people God HAS put in my life and do my best to meet new people. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm struggling, yes, and have been feeling like I'm on the verge of tears all weekend. My eyes burn from crying so much, and my mind is confused by a million and five things. But I'll get through it and at the end, I'll be a better person because of the trials I've gone through and the courage I've taken to step out of my comfort zone. So what the heck does this have to do with breakfast? Well not much. Other than the fact that when I'm stressed and feeling like a pile of dog crap, I go into the kitchen and whip up something yummy, and for those few minutes, everything's ok. Be cool. Eat food. 

apple cinnamon baked muesli

2 c. muesli

1/2 c. sunflower seeds

1/2 c. flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. baking powder

2 eggs

3/4 c. milk

1/4 c. honey

1 c. applesauce

2 small apples

In a small bowl, combine the muesli, seeds, flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Add eggs, honey, milk, and applesauce. Pour batter into a greased 9x7 pan. Bake at 375ºF for 20-25 minutes.