stuff 'n things {no. 1}

Hi friends! I've decided to hop on the "weekly list blog post" train, albeit quite late {as per usual.}, but better late than never. Ya know how I be. This is obviously a really trendy week for me because I also just painted my little toesies pink ombre. Feeling ready to conquer the world. So there's that.

The idea for stuff 'n things was born out of my scattered-all-over-the-place-girl-brain, a mad love of making lists, and because I totally adore reading posts like this from other bloggers. Maybe you feel the same way about little 'ol me, I don't know. Or maybe you just care about brownies.

I'm hoping to have these little posts going up on a semi-regular basis {or probably when I feel the instant need to list of things of little significance.} and filled to the brim with whatever I think you need to know A-S-A-PLEEASE {Uncle Si. Anybody get that?} - photos, snippets of my life, and links to things that caught my eye across the interwebs. So here goes!

// Stay strong. Love this promise! ^^^

// This week was the first week of school for most of you earthlings, but since I'm not sticking to any particular school schedule {the one and only positive side of having no life. ha.}, this week is no different than any other. Everyone is talking about back-to-school shopping, and when I started tenth in July, my back-to-school shopping consisted of getting a shiny new pack of pencils and a couple of green spiral notebooks from the grocery store.

// And that's all I have to say. 'Cuz school, ick.

// Summer is revving its engines over here, and the temperatures are getting hoooot. My friend and I went out on Monday for the first ice cream of the season. It was satisfying despite the typical play-dough-ey undertones going on. Oh 'Frica, how you perplex me.

// I ate popcorn for lunch today. It's a good day; the sun's a-shining and the corn's a-popping.

// Umm, I'm never limiting myself in the diet department ever again as long as I shall live. Because thanks to that raw dealio, all I want is CARBS. Carbs carbs carbs carboooooos. Holy moly backfire, much?

// As far as my workouts go, I'm kinda all over the place. One week all I wanna do is yoga. One week pilates. One week running. I'd be lying if I said I don't get bored super fast. This also explains the fact that I change my music approximately every 46 seconds. I've been running so much the last two weeks and it's felt so great! I used to go early in the morning before school, but lately I prefer evening.

// Now that pumpkin season is sneaking upon us {not here. but in the blogosphere}, I'm trying to think of a few recipes to make with the few cans of pumpkin we have stashed in the deep abyss of our "american cupboard." My mom likes to keep them all to herself, so I have to be wise with the can or two I'm allotted. Pancakes? Cookies? Muffins? Bars? Pie? OATMEAL? Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.

// When we were in the States, I used to go biking ALL the time. You better believe I had a pink and white Schwinn, basket and all. I miss that thing and haven't biked in the last year and a half. My brothers got bikes, so I've totally been taking them for rides. I don't care if they're like half the size I need. It feels good to move. And my buns are 'a burnnin'. Glamorous.

In case you've missed some goings-on around here… 

// Loaded multigrain muffins.  // Fudgey double chocolate brownies with peanut butter cookies 'n cream frosting. // Raw banana & toasted coconut brownie pie.  // wholewheat banana zucchini muffins. 

Around the interwebs… 

// this CAKE. Gorgeous. Not to mention BROWNED BUTTER.

// I'm totally digging this pumpkin pie spice white chocolate caramel corn. Just yes. 

// Ice cream cakes remind me of summer pool parties with family when I was younger. Love this Cookie 'N Cream version!

// I love how she thinks. CAKE FOR BREAKFAAAAAHST. 

// These PB&J granola bars! Totally wanting one or five. 

// Coconut English Muffins- HEYOOOOO. 

// Basically adoring these brownies. Such puuuuurdy colaaaaarrrs.

// This warm lentil salad with cherries, pistachios, and goat cheese. MMM. 

// Homemade cookie crisp cereal! And it's gluten-free and dairy-free! SCORE!

// Summer cobb salad with green goddess dressing. 

// I'm super duper wanting cake. 

// 13 Food & Drink Pinterest Users You Should Follow… As if I don't follow enough already. HA. 

// Pink. Ruffle. Cake. AHH, the cuteness!

// This is one lemony cake. And I lemony love it. 

// Just discovered this fantastic blog. 

// chocolate peanut butter nutella oreo cookies. PUHHLEEEASE.

// Hi, my name is Sophie and I have a mad addiction to granola. Thanks for listening.

// Hello, apple cinnamon sheet cake with cream cheese frosting. I don't care if this African sun is a million trillion degrees. I wan this in meh bellehhh.

// These chewy chocolate chunk oatmeal cookies made with coconut oil. Good gracious, LOOK AT THE OOEY GOOEY GREATNESS.

// So far, I've loved every single post Ashley has shared since she started breakfast Fridays. This week's summer fruit with lime sugar + mint? AMAZAAAZING. 

// Seriously salivating. 

// Dying over these oatmeal chocolate chip cookie pancakes. I love you, Izy.

// Oh my lanta. Peanut butter cup heath bar browned butter cookies. No words- just drool.

{I apologize for the bonk-a-tonk amount of links. Couldn't help myself.} 

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. 

fudgey double chocolate brownies with peanut butter cookies 'n cream frosting

I typically only make rich, indulgent desserts when there are other people that are gonna eat it. I enjoy making other people fat, but put spinach in my smoothies every morning. 

Riddle me that one.

It's even better when said rich, indulgent dessert is made for three teenage boys. That way I am guaranteed no leftovers. 

No leftovers means I don't have the temptation to stand at the fridge with the door open, digging into a pan of brownies with a fork. 

Hey, it happens. At least I'm willing to admit it. 

I love when I bake something and it's gone in minutes. Because A) that means it was good. and B) I don't have to wait to get rid of leftovers and can bake something again!

Moooooore sugaaaaaaar fooo yooo faaaace.

SO let's talk. About brownies, cuz DUHHH. 

These brownies are my fave recipe. I've made them multiple times and have memorized the recipe. True love right derrrrr. 

I actually made these same brownies the other day and trashed them up with cherry baking chips. Note to self- I don't care what the package says, those things are far from cherry. They smelled like lip smackers. 

Don't you love lip smacker flavored brownies? Yahhhnoooo. 

GRODYYYY.

Chapstick flavor aside, these brownies are pretty bomb. Simple, fudgey, and moist. Yah, I went there. MOIST. I made them again sans cherry chips and topped them off with FROSTING. Peanut butter frosting. With crushed Oreos in it. So yah. 

I was technically on a "raw diet" but my tongue somehow found its way to the spatula covered in brownie batter. And then my finger found its way into the bowl of fluffy peanut butter dreams. I mean frosting. 

BUT seriously. How the heck am I supposed to make frosting without tasting it? That's not even legal. I don't think.

Butter, peanut butter, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and oreos are kinda sorta destined for greatness, but you know what I mean. At least that's what I tell myself.

You understaaaaand me!

fudgey double chocolate brownies with peanut butter cookies 'n cream frosting

brownies: 

3/4 c. butter, softened

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. all purpose flour

1/2 c. chocolate chips 

frosting: 

1/4 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. creamy peanut butter

1/3 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 c. powdered sugar

10 oreos, chopped

Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease a 9x13 pan; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk in eggs. Add flour, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan; bake for 25-30 minutes. While brownies are cooling, prepare the frosting by combining all ingredients until smooth. Add more powdered sugar or milk as needed. Once brownies are completely cooled, spread frosting evenly. 

{raw} banana & toasted coconut brownie pie

I don't what came over me, but the last few weeks my health-freak-ism has freakishly increased. The result? I got it in my big 'ol noggin that I could totally go raw for a week. 'Cuz, ya know. I have serious discipline and stuff. I messaged my friend on Facebook who's in the States at the moment {yay for fellow Freaks!!} and said I wish she was here to do it with me because, uhh. My family would never even think of doing anything remotely close to a diet. They love their pasta and doughnuts and Doritos way too much for that. My friend said she'd do it with me even though she's approximately 8236 miles away. Hey, whatever works, works.

If you don't know what a raw diet is, it's pretty self-explanatory. You just eat foods that are raw! It's mostly fruit and veggies, but also beans, nuts, and whole grains. I'm really getting creative with the grains. JUST KIDDING. The only way I can think of to eat whole grains RAW is overnight oats. So yes, I'll be living on raw oats for the next how many days. HA.

We started on Monday and about 5 minutes into it, I decided I needed coffee and cookies. It was the only way I could do to get through a morning of studying without passing out on my bed. Not even joking. I couldn't study in my room because I was afraid I was going to just fall over into a lack-of-coffee-coma. Don't worry though, guys. You know that serious discipline I mentioned? Turns out. It actually exists. I've gone 3 days without coffee and I'm still breathing! If you're not surprised by that bold statement I just made than you obviously don't know that coffee is basically what keeps me alive on a day to day basis. Well coffee and insulin.

Just because I'm going raw for a week does not mean I'll just eat spinach all the live long day and forget about the sweets. Uhh no. Sophie never forgets about the sweets. EVER. I need dessert every. day. whether that be ice cream with chocolate, peanut butter sauce, caramel, peanuts, banana, cherries, pineapple, and butterscotch {for the days when I'm feeling rather piggish.}, a smoothie, or some sort of healthy concoction like this herr pie. 

Remember when I made that chocolate peanut butter banana pie? That stuff is seriously, like… UGH. It shouldn't be healthy. But thank heavens it is because I could eat half the thing in one sitting. I seriously could. Don't test me. {although if ya wanted toooo….} I shnazzied up that pie and made this pie. GUUUUUYYZZEEEZ. It's better. The filling pretty much totally tastes like brownie batter. Yah. Brownie batter. And the crust is like a chocolate truffle. And the top if like crunchy munchy coconutty greatness. Don't you love the way I describe things? Har harrrr.

 I strongly urge you to make this pie. It's what dreams are made of!!! There's a little bit of everything in there. Peanut butter, chocolate {loooots and looooots and loooooots of chocolate.}, coconut, and banana. Plus it's no bake and super quick and easy. The only hard part is waiting. Which if you're kinda running low in the area of patience like yours truly, you could make this at night, pop it in the freezer, and it's ready to be chowed down upon for breakfast! Mhmmmm. 

{raw} banana & toasted coconut brownie pie 

crust: 

1 c. chopped dates

1/4 c. honey

3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 c. quick cooking oats

Blend all ingredients in a blender until the mixture resembles a coarse crumb. Press into a greased pie dish; set aside. 

filling:

2 bananas

3 tbsp. honey

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 c. creamy peanut butter

2 tbsp. soymilk {or any kind of milk will work} 

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into prepared crust. Top with sliced bananas and toasted coconut.

wholewheat banana zucchini muffins

{warning: this is a serious post. cuz I have serious things on meh brain. ugh boring, i know.}

It's no lie, the past month has been tough on me in a million ways. As I've mention before, our American teammates went back to the US for 6 months in July and it's been really hard adjusting to life without them here. Since I'm home schooled, I really don't have many opportunities to get out and meet people other than church and youth group. Of course, I know people. I know many people, but have only had few friendships click that I really want to invest in. Sometimes I think to myself "Do people around here ever DO stuff? Or am I just missing out?" I'm gonna be honest. After months of stepping out of my comfort zone and always being the first one to ask to hang out, I'm really tired of trying. Trying to put myself out there. It's tiring and I feel like in the long run, it's getting me nowhere. I can't even remember the last time I got a text saying "Hey, wanna hang out later?" or "Hey, wanna watch a movie tonight?" I feel like some sort of freak always being the one to ask only to be the one who's let down time and time again . No matter how who's here or who isn't, I need to learn to be content with the quiet. Or in my case, a million little boys running in and out of the house. I can't tell you how many times in these last weeks I've been inches away from hitting rock bottom. Sick of the loneliness. Sick of the nothingness. Sick of the boredom… What I wouldn't do for days filled with going to the mall, sports games, running miscellaneous errands, and people to see. 

Anyhoo, sorry for that. I just needed to let it out. When I'm not feeling the happiest, there is one thing I do and one thing only- I crank up the radio, switch on the oven, throw on an apron, and let all those cruddy thoughts slip away. No idea why exactly, but the past week I've been really craving zucchini muffins. I decided to take the day off of school {homeschool! yay!}, do an hour of yoga, take a hot bath, and then whip up something yummy to destress myself. I was totally planning on putting chocolate in these because, umm. Hello. Not much else can cheer a girl up than chocolate… Well maybe a Hemsworth. A Hemsworth made of chocolate? Yes. That. Back on subject. I totally forgot the chocolate which is kindaaaaaa not like me. I never forget such things. But if you'd like some added greatness, I think some uber dark stuff would be divine. 

wholewheat banana zucchini muffins

2-3 bananas, mashed
2 c. shredded zucchini
2 eggs
3/4 c. plain greek yogurt
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
1/3 c. honey
2 c. wholewheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 375ºF and grease or line a muffin tin; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk bananas, zucchini, eggs, yogurt, honey, and brown sugar until smooth. Add wholewheat flour and baking powder. Stir until combined. Scoop batter into prepared muffin tin and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely after transferring to a wire rack.

cookie dough greek yogurt

Hmm. Totally not sure how to start this post. Or what to write in general. SO HEY. HI. HELLO. 

Here's some news! As if I'm not already totally obsessed, I'm becoming even MORE infatuated with healthy treats lately. Yup, I didn't think it was possible either. But it is, guys. It gosh dang IS.

I totally 1111100009% blame this issue of mine on Instagram. Seriously, whoa. There is a wealth of people out there posting beautiful photos that make me drool my eyeballs out {what?} over perfectly presented bowls of overnight oats, yogurt, nuts, and berries. I may or may not be becoming one of those people. HAAAAAALP.

Instagram is making me think it's totally a normal thing to lay the fruit in a perfect pinwheel, sprinkle it with pretty things, and take 10 minutes holding my iPod over my food trying to get the perfect picture. Gone are the days when I just mixed up granola, yogurt, and fruit and ate it right then and there. 

HEEEECK to the no. I have to make it PRETTY. Even if it means eating cold oatmeal or mushy fruit for breakfast. Meh fave.

{if you wanna follow my pretty food problems, click here. come to the dark side.}

Anyhoo, seeing that I follow about 400 people posting pretty food by the minute, it's no doubt, my issue is only getting worse. I wouldn't say it's a bad thing though. I'm becoming inspired to satisfy my sweet tooth with healthy things. No, not just an apple and peanut butter. Way too boring. 

ENTER cookie dough greek yogurt. YAAAH, I todes went there. And you should too. It tricks your brain into thinking you're eating something totally indulgent and calorie-laden. But nope, you're not. Take that BRAIN!!

P.S. If you need help justifying eating cookie dough for breakfast, don't worry your pretty little heart. I got chooo back… Top it off with banana slices and raw almonds. BOOM BANG POW SHEBANGG! Breakfast. 

cookie dough greek yogurt

3/4 c. greek yogurt
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. honey
1/2 tbsp. nut butter {i used peanut butter}
2 squares dark chocolate, chopped {I used 70%}

Mix all ingredient in a small bowl until evenly combined. Top off with fresh berries, banana, or almonds.

raw chocolate truffles

Oh my woooooooord, I haven't posted in a week! Hmm, let's not be stereotypical and go into this whole shebang about "ohemmgeeeeeee I've been so busy lately." and this, that, and the other thing. Instead, I'm going to tell you I was busy sitting on the beach. {for three days not 7 since my last post. But gimme a break people.} Trust me, it's not as glamorous as it sounds. We drove three hours to a German beach town on the coast of Namibia called Swakopmund. That place is seriously an oasis in the desert and our favorite place to escape to. 

But ya know how it's winter right now? Yah, well multiply our cold weather in Otji times 50. We were seriously freezing our buns off for those three days in Swakop. It was kind of sort of miserable. COLD WEATHER IN AFRICA! Isn't this a strange world we live in? Methinks yes.

Since all my brothers wanted to do was run around on the beach {where it's coldERRR} and swim in the water {where it's coldESSSST}, my mom and I did everything in our power to stay warm. This required coffee- much coffee. I had 5 cups in a day once. Or twice. 

Also some emergency shopping trips whose purpose was to find some wooly infinity scarves. But then we found snazzy sunglasses fooo cheeeeap. And boyfriend jeans were on sale. Oh gosh. My mom and I can do a lot of damage in not a lot of time. My dad just adores it. 

Surprisingly, we didn't only drink coffee and shop while we were there. We also took a little boat tour where we saw beautiful pelicans, seals, and dolphins. The morning fog that faded into the oceans expanse was a sight to behold and no photo or fancy camera lens could ever do it justice! I could just sit on a boat wrapped up in a blanket staring out into the distance for the rest of ever.

Whenever we're in Swakop, we always stuff ourselves to the brim, binging on sushi, pastries, gelato, and pretty much all the carbs in the land. I kept thinking "Ugh, this is so unhealthy. I'll just skip when we eat at the bakery." But then I realized was being to hard on myself and was missing out on some dang good food. I can just diet when I get home. So that's what I did. I ate what I wanted and I freaking enjoyed it, thank you very much. 

But when got home, I was seriously more than eager to dive back into green smoothies and salads. Since going on that diet a few months ago, I've realized dairy really is the culprit to my skin issues. If I over do it on yogurt for breakfast during the week or eat one too many cookies, my skin breaks out horribly. But when I cut dairy out completely, it worked wonders! The amount of dairy and sugar and gluten I consumed over the weekend was enough to make my skin go all wacky, so I'm back at it. 

These truffles are the perfect way to cure a sweet tooth the healthy way. They're raw, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, no-bake, require only five ingredients, and take only a few minutes to throw together. Plus, there's chocolate involved. Win win.  

{new nail polish. hardy har har.}

raw chocolate truffles

1 c. ground almonds {or 3/4 c. raw almonds, ground in a food processor or coffee grinder}

1 c. finely chopped dried dates

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder + more for rolling

1/4 c. honey

1 tbsp. soymilk {or other non-dairy milk to keep it dairy-free}

Combine all ingredients using a fork or pressing with the tips of your fingers until the dough resembles a coarse crumb. Add more milk if it seems to dry. Roll dough into tablespoon sized balls and roll in extra cocoa powder. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate.