![]()
Every year I play this game with myself.. Is it allergies or am I sick. The past few days I have been feeling kinda crappy, waking up with itchy, gunky eyes. My throat hurts, my head is like a balloon, and I am just feeling beat..
I think it’s that I am sick (because I don’t want to have allergies) but whatever it is, it sucks, but usually goes away after a week (like every year because its really allergies). Blah.
But enough about my balloon head, lets talk these maple banana walnut oat squares. These yummy gems of the oat square world are just what you need in your life. Healthy, protein packed, nutty, and a touch sweet. No junk, just good stuff all made with little to no effort. If you like banana bread, you will be all into them. I was inspired to make these by the extremely ripe bananas that need to be eaten asap and the mr’s lack of eating a healthy breakfast (I want him to eat, and I want it be oatmeal). I know him well enough that if I make a snack like thing and leave it out to eat, that he will eat it. For breakfast.
So weather or not you are looking for a good way to get in some good stuff into your tummy or just want some good tasting stuff in your mouth, this is the breakfast/dessert for you.
![]()
The stuff. A couple of ripe bananas, a bunch of rolled oats, some yummy walnuts, real maple syrup, cinnamon, baking soda and a wee bit of water.
![]()
Start with the walnuts in a food processor. Turn it on and process until….
![]()
You got this walnut butter. Do not eat it, it’s for the squares (it is so good).
Add in the oats, cinnamon and baking soda and turn the processor back on until you get a nice unified crumbly mixture.
![]()
Now in goes the bananas and the maple syrup. And you guessed it, blend some more. While you are blending, if the mixture seems to dry, add in a splash of water, to wet, just toss in another handful of oat. The mixture should be like a muffin batter consistency.
![]()
And that’s it. If you want some nut chunks, add in a handful more of walnuts (do it) and pulse just to get them mixed into batter.
![]()
Then pourthe mixture into a well greased 9×9 baking pan and spread out evenly. Toss those suckers into the oven to bake.
![]()
Oh so good bananas give off the best smell when baking. After about a 1/2hour, these bars are nice and golden brown and a fork stuck in the center comes out clean, which means, they are done.
![]()
Cut into square , eat one or two, and save the rest. Eat for breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert. And a smear of peanut butter on top is aces too!
Later dudes.
-C
- 3 cups old fashion rolled oats (gluten free ones to keep in GF)
- 1 cup plus a a small handful walnuts
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 rip bananas
- 1 /2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Place 1 cup of walnuts into a food processor and blend until it turns into walnut butter.. about 3 minutes. Add in the oats and blend together until it becomes a crumbly mixture. Add in the maple, baking soda, cinnamon and the bananas (break into chunks) and blend until incorporated. If the mixture seems lie its too dry, add in a splash of water, and if to wet, add in another handful of oats. The batter should resemble a muffin batter. Once blended, mix in the remaining walnuts and pulse just to mix them in.
Pour mixture into a well greased 9×9 baking pan and stick into the fridge for 10ish minutes and preheat oven 350
And after the time in the fridge, remove the pan and slide them into the oven. Bake until golden brown and a tester stuck into te middle comes out clean. (about 30 minutes)
Remove and let cool. Pop out of pan, cut into square, and eat to you face.
Squares will last 3-4 days in a airtight container or freeze them and they will last until you eat them.
Oh yes, It is Sunday and man oh boy, am I beat. Yesterday the mr and I spent the day digging 2 1/2 foot holes for fence posts at the new house. It was actually pretty great because we got to spend the day outside and it was the most lovely day, all sunny and warm. The only problem we had was that the fence line landed on top of all the most gnarly tree roots and it took about an hour of hacking away per hole. We got to 6 and have 11 more to go (Ouch!) SO yeah, a little sore, but luckily the hardest part is done and we are going to take today off from fencing and be hang with the fam (cause it;s mothers day)
Which brings me to a my, “Happy Mothers Day to all you ladies out there being mommas and all out wonderful human beings!” You have the hardest job of all and today you deserve all the breakfast, lunch, dinner, flowers, naps, macaroni necklaces and then some. Take the day and do you forget about the to do list. IT can wait until tomorrow.
As for me, I am not an actual mom, but I have enough litttles in my life that I am kinda like a part time momma. So after an afternoon of family and mom ladies and feeding them all lunch, I am going home, walking the pup (I am his momma) and taking a nap myself. I am greatly looking forward to it.
Again, Happy Mothers Day, (especially you mom.. Love you!)
The internet fun stuff from the week.
-If you are one of those people who leaves everything (the phone and computer plugged in all day, read this. Just How Much Power Do Your Electronics Use When They Are ‘Off’?.
– Funny, kinda sad, but really cool. Eat Your Heart Out. A series of words remembered
from break-ups reimagined as something sweet.
-I keep looking at these boots. The ease of off and on with all the style of a rubber sole and brown! I really want them… someday.
-Bathroom Inspiration. We are doing bathroom next!
– The broccoli is my favorite. Japanese Lego Master Builds Delicious-Looking Creations From Blocks
–Perception vs. Reality. Perception is its own reality when you’re eating.
-All sorts of pretty. Cherry Blossoms Flood the Inokashira Park Lake in Tokyo
-Check out these DUCKS!
-I am freaking obsessed with this wood flooring.If I had a million dollars to blow, I would put it throughout the whole house.
-Awesome photos from the 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Pictures of all the great things this week. So much color!
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Have the greatest of days.
-C
![]()
Spring is happening, my plants are popping out of the ground, I found a gigantic rhubarb patch in the back yard of the new house…. Life is feeling fresh full of possibilities. And soon, so soon, ‘ll get some veggie plants in the ground and the farm share begins…. life will be filled with all the freshest yummy foods. I can’t wait.
But until then, I grocery shop. And this week has been a good week for shopping. Why, cause it CInco de Mayo this week ,which is one of my favorite holidays cause avocados, mangoes, and limes all go on crazy sale. I can buy 20 avocados for the price of what like 5 would normally cost. And I take full advantage of the sales (my fridge is currently housing a shit tone of avocados, mangoes, and limes) I will be eating like a queen for days!
And what does one make with all these good things? Well I made tostada! A tostada is pretty much a cross between a taco and a humngo, fully loaded nacho. Stuff all piled high onto a crispy (usually fried but I bake mine) corn tortilla. Its fantastic in all the ways and super simple to make. This particular tostada highlights all the good stuff on sale, Mango salsa , avocados cream with lots of lime, all onto a pile of the yummiest refried black beans. (my mouth is watering thinking about it),
And people, Cinco de Mayo is but once a year, but these tostada should be made all year round!
![]()
The stuff. Precooked (or canned) black beans, a sweet ripe mango, an avocado, some shredded red cabbage one red onion, one jalapeno, and a few limes. Also need a few cloves of garlic, at least 4 corn tortillas (mine are home made but you can get store bought) some coconut oil, slt ans pepper, and a bunch of fresh cilantro.
![]()
Start with making the mango salsa. Cut the mango into little chucks. ( I do this but halving mango, scoring each side into chunks then scooping the fruit out with a spoon..easy) Dice half of the red onion into little pieces as well as the seeded jalapeno. Toss it all into a bowl or jar, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, mix in the juice of a lime, and add in as much fresh cilantro as you like (or none if oyu don’t like)
![]()
There is it, mango salsa.
To make the avocado cream just place the avocado (peel and pit removed) into a bowl or blender with a clove of garlic, the juice of a lime, a splash of water, and a sprinkle or two of salt. Blend until smooth, adding more water until the consistency is to you liking.
That’s it.
![]()
And now for the beans. Start by tiny dicing up the other half of the onion and a few cloves of garlic and place into a skillet with a teaspoon or two of coconut oil. (can use any oil you like). Add in a splash of water and a sprinkle of salt an place on stove on medium heat and cook.
![]()
After the onions have gotten nice and soft, dump in the bean (liquid and all) Keep onheat and cook until the beans are hot and the liquid starts to thicken.
![]()
Grab a fork. Fork to beans. Mash’em up to make them officially refried.
![]()
And lastly, a little oil rubbed onto the corn tortillas and then placed into a hot oven to get crispy.
![]()
All the stuff, ready to go…. And go there, go there NOW!!!
![]()
Beans, cabbage, mango salsa, and avocado cream, all piled onto a toasted, crispy tortilla. A few fresh sprigs of cilantro and a slice of lime… This is for real something all amazing.
Eat the greatness (and not just for Cinco de Mayo)
-C
Makes 4-6 tostadas
mango salsa stuff
- 1 ripe mango
- 1 jalapeno
- 1/2 a red onion
- 1 lime
- salt and pepper
- fresh cilantro*
for the refried black beans
- 2 cups (1 can) prepared black beans
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 red onion
- 1-2teaspoons coconut oil (can use any oil you like)
the avocado cream
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 lime
- salt and pepper
- a tablespoon or two of water
and the following
- 4-6 corn tortillas
- small bowl of thinly shredded red cabbage
- a little extra oil for tortillas
- fresh cilantro *
Note. Omit cilantro if you don’t like it.
Start with making the salsa cause the longer it sits, the better it tastes. Cut mango away form pit and score each half into cubes with a knife. Garb a spoon and scoop the mango meat away from the skin. Stick into a bowl. Finely chop half a red onion and de-seed the jalapeno and dice that up too and toss all that into with the mango. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, add in the juice of a lime and add in as much or as little fresh cilantro as you like. Set aside. Also while your at it, toss the cabbage with a little salt and that that sit out as well.
Preheat oven to 400
Now on to the Avocado cream. Place avocado (sans peel and pit) into a blender (or a a bowl and use a hand blender) with the juice of a lime and a clove of garlic. Blend until smooth, adding about 2-3 tablespoons of water until nice ans creamy smooth. Add salt to taste and mix.
Next take the other half of the red onion and dice into very small little pieces. Mince up the garlic and toss both into a pan with a teaspoon or 2 of coconut oil and a few splashes of water. Cook on medium low until onion is nice and soft. Add in black beans (bean water and all) and mix together. Season with salt (if needed…canned beans are usually salty enough) and pepper. Continue to cook beans until hot and bubbly then take a fork or a potato masher and smash the beans until a the beans are all mushed and refried like. Feel free to make then smoother by sticking them in a blender if you want. Add more water to thin out as well.
And lastly, get those corn tortillas into the oven to crisp up. What I did is took a bit of coconut oil and coasted my hands with it then rubbed the tortillas on both side. Or you can brush on melted oil if you don’t want to do that. When lightly oiled, stick them into the oven and bake until crispy, flipping them after about 4 minutes and finishing after another 4-5. (you can gauge your liking on crispy)
Now compile the tostadas
Take a crispy tortilla, smother with refried beans, top with a little red cabbage then a big scoop (or two) or the mango salsa and a big spoonful of avocado cream. Add more fresh cilantro on top and serve with a slice of lime..
No utensils needed, just eat with your hands.
Happy May Day!!! Now that it’s May, it can’t snow any more! (right?)
Did you get some of that early week snow storm? Yeah, it was freaking fantastic. I left the house early on my bike with a few little n=snow flakes hitting my face, thinking it would clear up soon, only to have to walk my bike home by lunch time because it turned into a snow storm (I might be over extravagating, we got like 2 inches at most) but still!.) But now it’s lovely out, the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming and I have got my normal itchy as hell allergy eyes and sandals on my feet. No more winter jacket, i just can’t.
Lets see, what else. Oh, the mr installed all the windows at the house which has turned our little bungalow shell into an actual living space. Crazy what a few pieces of glass has done.. It’s no longer a outside/inside situation and the birds can’t get in anymore. Things are moving along quite well and I am actually starting to see myself living there. Woo HOO! All I do now is daydream about hanging out in the kitchen or what colors I am going to paint the trim (medium dark grey with pops of colorful window trim?) and which room I am going to sit in a read every morning( I think I am going to have to move from room to room, too many choices) I guess I am on a good high from the windows so am ready to just blast through and get the rest of the house done.
As for today, I think I am going to try and put in some outdoor time. I will plug in my ears with some good tunes, grab me a ho.. and a rake and fluff up all the pretty things popping out of the ground! I am really excited, I haven’t spend any real time in the dirt yet this year so I hoping to get really really dirty.
Some stuff the internet had this week.
– I really want one of these Froob shirts…but which one?
-Some scientist is saying that hugging your dog can increase their stress level. I can see that, but I swear that my pup wants to be hugged (or man handled)
-I think I want to go to all of these Fairy Tale Villages, and you can actually visit all of them.
-INSPIRING STUDIO SPACES.
-Do you know the difference between cold brewed and iced coffee? And which one is better? Cold Brew Versus Iced Coffee:Which Is Actually Better? (I like them both!)
-Drug sniffing dogs, bomb sniffing dogs… Its about time for bee sniffing dogs. Keeping Bees Safe: It’s A Ruff Job, But This Doggy Detective Gets It Done
-Hell Yeah!!! 1 Minute of All-Out Exercise May Have Benefits of 45 Minutes of Moderate Exertion
-Get your mail and you lawn mowed..smart move Finland. Finland’s postal workers to mow lawns
-Hahahaha.. For all the crazy cat ladies (and gentleman) These Linguists Want to Help You Speak Fluent Cat but this new collar will give your cat an ACTUAL voice… Oh boy oh boy!
–EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY ON HOT SAUCE
And a few pictures that I managed to take this week.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
I am channeling all my summer time feels here in hopes for warmer weather. As of yesterday there was still a pile of snow outside of my house and I am still leaving every morning in a hat, mittens, and a winter jacket.
I want t-shirts and shorts, I want sandals, and I want to set my winter jacket on fire (not really, but kinda).
This cold weather has crept back into my soul and I needed something to remind me that there will be warmer days to come and I will soon be bitching about how hot I am and blah blah blah.. you know how it goes.
So I make lemonade. This lemonade as inspired by my favorite tea as of late, raspberry zinger. It’s a nice and tangy tart and really tasty. I make great big jar of it at night and add a little squeeze or two of lemon to it for that little extra zing. I figured if it tastes good hot, it will taste great cold, which in fact, it does. It taste really freaking good. And it just occurred to me that there is probably a little subliminal inspiration from Beyonce in wanting lemonade, so thanks for the B.
Anyway, it’s suppose to me nice and seasonably warm this weekend. Maybe bust out your lemonade game and try a batch of this one.
![]()
The stuff. Lemons, a raspberry zinger tea bag, honey (or any sweetener you like to use) water and ice.
![]()
Bring some of that water to aalmost boil and pour it over the tea bag (make sure you stick the bag into a jar or pitcher)
![]()
While the tea is steeping, juice the lemons. And a personal preference, you can strain out the pulp or not. I use the strainer to catch the seeds but then stick the pulp back in cause I like pulp. All up to you.
![]()
While the tea is steeping and still hot, add in any sweetener that you want to use. ( I used a little honey) Stir until that sweetness is all dissolved.
![]()
And after the tea has had a good steep, dump the brewed tea into the pitcher with the lemon juice then add in the really cold water. Stir it all around.
![]()
Add acouple thin slices of lemon to make it all fancy anda few big chunks of ice to make it super cold
![]()
Refreshing, crispy, tangy with a touch of sweet….Perfect for all those warm summer days to come (hopefully)
Have a great weekend people.
-C
Makes 5 cups
- 1 raspberry zinger tea bag( I used Celestial Seasonings)
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (3-5 lemons, depending on size)
- Anywhere between no to 1/2 cup of sweeter (can use sugar, honey or maple, I like a touch of honey)
- 4 cups water (2 hot, 2 cold)
- ice
Place tea bag in 2 cups of hot water (can be done directly in a pitcher) Add in the sweetener while its still hot and mix until completely dissolved. Let steep for about 10 minutes.
Remove tea bag and add in the lemon juice, 2 more cups of cold water and mix, Top with ice and garnish with a few more lemon slices if your feeling fanciful.
Serve in a glass full of ice with a wedge of lemon and a smile on you face.
![]()
When the mr got home from work last night, her got himself a super great dinner suprice
Pizza, on a Monday. Woo Hoo! (I am so awesome, my sister even texted to congratulate him on his unexpected pizza dinner)
But here is the thing. I think pizza is a completely acceptable dinner any night of the week just as long as it is not covered in a shit tone of greasy cheese or any other kinda heavy and not so good stuff. This is a not one of those types of pizzas. This pizza is light, the crust rolled slightly thin, covered in a creamy sweet pea and cashew cream, (which is really pretty) and topped off with a tons of shaved asparagus and sliced radishes.It’s a celebration of spring time veggies and tastes so f*ing good. Sweet and creamy from the peas cashew cream, a nice crispy freshness from the asparagus, and a nice little spicy kick from the radishes. All the flavors that make me happy. It’s oh so good. .
And really, It’s almost like eating a big salad with a piece of bread. Not a bad dinner right? So do yourself a favor and make that salad and bread into this kick ass pizza.
You can, you should, you, must.
![]()
The stuff. Peas (fresh or thawed out frozen.. my were frozen) some cashews soaking in water, a bunch of asparagus (I had purple but you can just use green) ans a few radishes. Also need a lemon, some nutritional yeast, a few coves of garlic, salt and pepper, and a little olive oil. Oh, and a pizza dough.
To get the cashew pea cream going, strain the water from the cashews and dump them into a blender along with the peas, garlic, nutritional yeast, juice of half of the lemon, and a pinch of salt. Turn blender on and slowly add in a bit of water, just enough to get the stuff to start blending. Keep on blending until nice and smooth.
![]()
And now shave the asparagus down. I found the easiest way to do this is to chop op the crown part then place the stock on the counter and peel away from you. Not all peels are going to be uniform and perfect, which is good for a textured pizza. Any pieces that break off or shave off weird, keep them too, it;s all going on the pizza. If you asparagus is not super fresh, they might have woody ends. When done shaving just toss those into a bag and save for a soup later.
![]()
And now that the asparagus is done, thinly slice the radishes up.
Get that pizza dough onto a baking devise (use a baking sheet, pizza stone, or whatever you usually make pizza on. I used a lightly oiled baking sheet) and smear lots of that cashew pea cream all over it.
![]()
Pile on the shaved asparagus and all the ends and tips that we cut off or broke off.
![]()
Top with the radishes and a good pinch of salt and lots of fresh cracked pepper.
Into the oven it needs to go.
![]()
Pulled from the oven, looking all pretty and springy and smelling so amazing.
![]()
Drizzled with a little of the left over cashew pea cream and a few squeezes of fresh lemon.
Your good to go!
Pizza on a weekday, it’s what you need in your life.
-C
- 1 12oz pizza dough (use this recipe, your own, or store bought)
- 10-15 or so stalks of asparagus (about 1/2 a pound)
- 3-4 big radishes
- 1/2 cup peas
- 1/2 cup cashews (soaked for about 1/2 an hour)
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1/8-1/4 cup water
- A lemon
- olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 450
First off, prepare your pizza dough or remove it from the fridge to come to room temperature.
Strain the water from the cashews and add them to a blender with the peas, the juice of half a lemon, 1/8 cup of water, the nutritionalyeast, and a sprinkle of salt. Blend until smooth. If you need to, add in another splash or two of water to thin it out.
Grab your asparagus stalks ans chop off the top crown parts. Take the remaining stalks and peel them. Do this by holding the stalk flat on the counter and while holding to the end, peel the stalk away from you. I(f your asparagus is not super fresh ans had woody ends, use those to hold on to and when done shaving, just toss them into a bag and save for a soup later) Shave each piece until you cant shave any more. Some pieces are going to be super thin, some kinda thick… that’s totally cool, it add dimension to the pizza.
And now, as thinly as you can, slice the radishes.
To assemble pizza- Roll out dough kinda thin and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet.(you can bake your dough any way or on any thing that you usually do) Smear a good amount of the cashew pea cream on dough. You will probably have a little left over which you can either water down a little as a drizzle for the done pizza or just save for a sandwich or a veggie dip for later. Topthe smeared dough with all the shaved asparagus and chopped off crowns then layer on the radishes .Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stick into the oven. Bake for 15ish minutes or until your crust golden brown and done to your liking.
When you remove the pizza from the oven, feel free to drizzle the remaining cashew pea cream all over and definitelytop with a squeeze of more of fresh lemon.
Cut into pieces (square, triangles or what have you) and serve to your open mouth!
Happy Spring Eating!
Yesterday the mr and I bought windows! It was a total fluke but when we went to get our winter tires changed to our summer one (GOOD BYE WINTER), my brother in law (who was doing the tire change) gave us the keys to his truck and sent us to be productive with ourselves instead of sitting in the customer lounge drinking all the free coffee. So we ended up at the hardware store with the truck and no real expectations for anything other then browsing. But lo and behold we stumbles onto the windows that were just meant to be. So we bought them, loaded them into the truck (I don’t know how we would have fit them all into our little car..truck meant to be) and brought them to their new home. We now have six new wood interior, al clad exterior double hung windows (yet to be insulted) minus wait for it, one very large front door window.
Yup, I smashed the front door window. When we brought the windows we also bought a bunch of 2×4’s. While unloading them, I accidentally, but on purpose, smashed threw the front door with the wood. The door was starting to close on me and instead of just letting it, my reflexes got the better of me and I threw the wood, right into the window and apparently almost took the mr’s head off at the same time. Mother FUCKER!
Good times.
So that sums up the week. Some great ups, some down downs. Feeling lots of feels. Working a lot but spending time doing things like a little hike with the family and the pup, a trip across the lake with my mom and little sister to the Target, and the mr and I took a trip to see his brother and sister in law and the new addition to the family.. A 12 day old little nugget that is just to freaking cute. And it’s spring and the weather is amazing so I am trying to get out into the gardens and get that going too.
As for today, we are going going to keep plugging away at the house, gots to the keep the momentum going while it’s good. But I am for sure going to make a trip to the library, and plop my butt in some sunshine with a steaming cup of coffee and a good read at some point today. A little work, a little relaxation… And so much coffee!
Internet fun finds from the week.
– You can now do you business on this 18 karat gold toilet, on display and in use at the Guggenheim. The line might not be worth the wait.
-Check out this 100 year old lady boss. I hope if I make it to 100 that I can be as kick ass as her.
–Runners High. It’s for real
-I love this idea, but a problem I might encounter is that I would start drawing, not stop, then completely abandon my To Do list. Try Drawing Your To-Do List Instead of Writing It
-Oh Prince, you will be missed. Music and hair.. Prince’s Hair Styles From 1978 To 2013
–Plant Porn
-I have tried meditation and I am so so, but this seems like it would be perfect for me. This new kind of meditation has you listen to cuss words
– Funky and colorful interior inspirations.
– And I am kinda in love with Dusty Rose Pink Velvet Seating.. just not sure the mr would be into it.
-I am in the market for new sheets and these or these are my new favorite (but kinda expensive)
And some fun time pictures.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Everyone is asking how that house is going so I figured an update was in order.
Around the beginning of March we hired a guy (with another guy that was like 80 years old) to remove the back roof and to frame out the addition. We were planning on doing it ourselves but when it came down to it, it was going to take to long and was not something that I was entirely comfortable doing. It was still winter out, I have never removed a roof, and it just seemed like it was better to just have someone that does it all the time do it. And oh am I glade we did. These guys were awesome and a little nuts. We had a start date for a Tuesday, but on Monday morning, the mr gets a phone call from the head guy asking if he was going to go to the house and let him in. “Of course, I’ll be there at 8 tomorrow” said the mr. “No, we are here right now” said the roof ripper off man. “Ok, be right over” and the mr rushes over to the house. When he gets there, the guys were already in the house. The had claimed onto the roof and started ripping it off from the outside.
And then two days later , the roof was gone and the skeleton of the addition was up. It was fantastic and amazing and we were so excited. SO worth hiring it out!!!!
Our next move was the roof,(to keep out the snow ans rain) which those guys ended up came back and throwing on for us. That was another job we were planning on doing, but when the mr crawled onto the roof to measure for materials, he came back down and said to me”hell no. not doing it” (He is terribly afraid of heights)
After the roof went up, we still had a lot of demo to do. It took us a few days to finish removing the rest of the walls and all the layers of flooring. Then it got really freaking cold out so we boarded off the upstairs with insulation and did some stuff downstairs.
We were on a good roll, getting shit done, about to start framing, then the shittest shit ever happened and Sean died. We didn’t go back over to the house for like 2 weeks. (shit head, you were suppose to help us) We lost all motivation and I was in no state to be doing any work that required power tools or crow bars.( I probably would have cut a hand off or accidentally set the house on fire) So yeah, no house work. But over these past 2 weeks we have slowly gotten back into the swing of things. We have cleaned up the upstairs, framed out all the wall and are moving right along. Next is windows, (which is now more just a matter of picking some we like and ordering them) running all the electrical, plumping the bathroom, insulation the ceiling and walls, then getting an inspection! But that will be a breeze…. haha.
So that’s what’s been going on in the house. Fun fun fun!
Hopefully I will have another update on other parts of the house for you guys soon!
-C
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
THE LOVELY CRAZY
May 13, 2016 by maximios • Blog
Every year I play this game with myself.. Is it allergies or am I sick. The past few days I have been feeling kinda crappy, waking up with itchy, gunky eyes. My throat hurts, my head is like a balloon, and I am just feeling beat..
I think it’s that I am sick (because I don’t want to have allergies) but whatever it is, it sucks, but usually goes away after a week (like every year because its really allergies). Blah.
But enough about my balloon head, lets talk these maple banana walnut oat squares. These yummy gems of the oat square world are just what you need in your life. Healthy, protein packed, nutty, and a touch sweet. No junk, just good stuff all made with little to no effort. If you like banana bread, you will be all into them. I was inspired to make these by the extremely ripe bananas that need to be eaten asap and the mr’s lack of eating a healthy breakfast (I want him to eat, and I want it be oatmeal). I know him well enough that if I make a snack like thing and leave it out to eat, that he will eat it. For breakfast.
So weather or not you are looking for a good way to get in some good stuff into your tummy or just want some good tasting stuff in your mouth, this is the breakfast/dessert for you.
The stuff. A couple of ripe bananas, a bunch of rolled oats, some yummy walnuts, real maple syrup, cinnamon, baking soda and a wee bit of water.
Start with the walnuts in a food processor. Turn it on and process until….
You got this walnut butter. Do not eat it, it’s for the squares (it is so good).
Add in the oats, cinnamon and baking soda and turn the processor back on until you get a nice unified crumbly mixture.
Now in goes the bananas and the maple syrup. And you guessed it, blend some more. While you are blending, if the mixture seems to dry, add in a splash of water, to wet, just toss in another handful of oat. The mixture should be like a muffin batter consistency.
And that’s it. If you want some nut chunks, add in a handful more of walnuts (do it) and pulse just to get them mixed into batter.
Then pourthe mixture into a well greased 9×9 baking pan and spread out evenly. Toss those suckers into the oven to bake.
Oh so good bananas give off the best smell when baking. After about a 1/2hour, these bars are nice and golden brown and a fork stuck in the center comes out clean, which means, they are done.
Cut into square , eat one or two, and save the rest. Eat for breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert. And a smear of peanut butter on top is aces too!
Later dudes.
-C
Place 1 cup of walnuts into a food processor and blend until it turns into walnut butter.. about 3 minutes. Add in the oats and blend together until it becomes a crumbly mixture. Add in the maple, baking soda, cinnamon and the bananas (break into chunks) and blend until incorporated. If the mixture seems lie its too dry, add in a splash of water, and if to wet, add in another handful of oats. The batter should resemble a muffin batter. Once blended, mix in the remaining walnuts and pulse just to mix them in.
Pour mixture into a well greased 9×9 baking pan and stick into the fridge for 10ish minutes and preheat oven 350
And after the time in the fridge, remove the pan and slide them into the oven. Bake until golden brown and a tester stuck into te middle comes out clean. (about 30 minutes)
Remove and let cool. Pop out of pan, cut into square, and eat to you face.
Squares will last 3-4 days in a airtight container or freeze them and they will last until you eat them.
Oh yes, It is Sunday and man oh boy, am I beat. Yesterday the mr and I spent the day digging 2 1/2 foot holes for fence posts at the new house. It was actually pretty great because we got to spend the day outside and it was the most lovely day, all sunny and warm. The only problem we had was that the fence line landed on top of all the most gnarly tree roots and it took about an hour of hacking away per hole. We got to 6 and have 11 more to go (Ouch!) SO yeah, a little sore, but luckily the hardest part is done and we are going to take today off from fencing and be hang with the fam (cause it;s mothers day)
Which brings me to a my, “Happy Mothers Day to all you ladies out there being mommas and all out wonderful human beings!” You have the hardest job of all and today you deserve all the breakfast, lunch, dinner, flowers, naps, macaroni necklaces and then some. Take the day and do you forget about the to do list. IT can wait until tomorrow.
As for me, I am not an actual mom, but I have enough litttles in my life that I am kinda like a part time momma. So after an afternoon of family and mom ladies and feeding them all lunch, I am going home, walking the pup (I am his momma) and taking a nap myself. I am greatly looking forward to it.
Again, Happy Mothers Day, (especially you mom.. Love you!)
The internet fun stuff from the week.
-If you are one of those people who leaves everything (the phone and computer plugged in all day, read this. Just How Much Power Do Your Electronics Use When They Are ‘Off’?.
– Funny, kinda sad, but really cool. Eat Your Heart Out. A series of words remembered
from break-ups reimagined as something sweet.
-I keep looking at these boots. The ease of off and on with all the style of a rubber sole and brown! I really want them… someday.
-Bathroom Inspiration. We are doing bathroom next!
– The broccoli is my favorite. Japanese Lego Master Builds Delicious-Looking Creations From Blocks
–Perception vs. Reality. Perception is its own reality when you’re eating.
-All sorts of pretty. Cherry Blossoms Flood the Inokashira Park Lake in Tokyo
-Check out these DUCKS!
-I am freaking obsessed with this wood flooring.If I had a million dollars to blow, I would put it throughout the whole house.
-Awesome photos from the 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest
Pictures of all the great things this week. So much color!
Have the greatest of days.
-C
Spring is happening, my plants are popping out of the ground, I found a gigantic rhubarb patch in the back yard of the new house…. Life is feeling fresh full of possibilities. And soon, so soon, ‘ll get some veggie plants in the ground and the farm share begins…. life will be filled with all the freshest yummy foods. I can’t wait.
But until then, I grocery shop. And this week has been a good week for shopping. Why, cause it CInco de Mayo this week ,which is one of my favorite holidays cause avocados, mangoes, and limes all go on crazy sale. I can buy 20 avocados for the price of what like 5 would normally cost. And I take full advantage of the sales (my fridge is currently housing a shit tone of avocados, mangoes, and limes) I will be eating like a queen for days!
And what does one make with all these good things? Well I made tostada! A tostada is pretty much a cross between a taco and a humngo, fully loaded nacho. Stuff all piled high onto a crispy (usually fried but I bake mine) corn tortilla. Its fantastic in all the ways and super simple to make. This particular tostada highlights all the good stuff on sale, Mango salsa , avocados cream with lots of lime, all onto a pile of the yummiest refried black beans. (my mouth is watering thinking about it),
And people, Cinco de Mayo is but once a year, but these tostada should be made all year round!
The stuff. Precooked (or canned) black beans, a sweet ripe mango, an avocado, some shredded red cabbage one red onion, one jalapeno, and a few limes. Also need a few cloves of garlic, at least 4 corn tortillas (mine are home made but you can get store bought) some coconut oil, slt ans pepper, and a bunch of fresh cilantro.
Start with making the mango salsa. Cut the mango into little chucks. ( I do this but halving mango, scoring each side into chunks then scooping the fruit out with a spoon..easy) Dice half of the red onion into little pieces as well as the seeded jalapeno. Toss it all into a bowl or jar, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, mix in the juice of a lime, and add in as much fresh cilantro as you like (or none if oyu don’t like)
There is it, mango salsa.
To make the avocado cream just place the avocado (peel and pit removed) into a bowl or blender with a clove of garlic, the juice of a lime, a splash of water, and a sprinkle or two of salt. Blend until smooth, adding more water until the consistency is to you liking.
That’s it.
And now for the beans. Start by tiny dicing up the other half of the onion and a few cloves of garlic and place into a skillet with a teaspoon or two of coconut oil. (can use any oil you like). Add in a splash of water and a sprinkle of salt an place on stove on medium heat and cook.
After the onions have gotten nice and soft, dump in the bean (liquid and all) Keep onheat and cook until the beans are hot and the liquid starts to thicken.
Grab a fork. Fork to beans. Mash’em up to make them officially refried.
And lastly, a little oil rubbed onto the corn tortillas and then placed into a hot oven to get crispy.
All the stuff, ready to go…. And go there, go there NOW!!!
Beans, cabbage, mango salsa, and avocado cream, all piled onto a toasted, crispy tortilla. A few fresh sprigs of cilantro and a slice of lime… This is for real something all amazing.
Eat the greatness (and not just for Cinco de Mayo)
-C
Makes 4-6 tostadas
mango salsa stuff
for the refried black beans
the avocado cream
and the following
Note. Omit cilantro if you don’t like it.
Start with making the salsa cause the longer it sits, the better it tastes. Cut mango away form pit and score each half into cubes with a knife. Garb a spoon and scoop the mango meat away from the skin. Stick into a bowl. Finely chop half a red onion and de-seed the jalapeno and dice that up too and toss all that into with the mango. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, add in the juice of a lime and add in as much or as little fresh cilantro as you like. Set aside. Also while your at it, toss the cabbage with a little salt and that that sit out as well.
Preheat oven to 400
Now on to the Avocado cream. Place avocado (sans peel and pit) into a blender (or a a bowl and use a hand blender) with the juice of a lime and a clove of garlic. Blend until smooth, adding about 2-3 tablespoons of water until nice ans creamy smooth. Add salt to taste and mix.
Next take the other half of the red onion and dice into very small little pieces. Mince up the garlic and toss both into a pan with a teaspoon or 2 of coconut oil and a few splashes of water. Cook on medium low until onion is nice and soft. Add in black beans (bean water and all) and mix together. Season with salt (if needed…canned beans are usually salty enough) and pepper. Continue to cook beans until hot and bubbly then take a fork or a potato masher and smash the beans until a the beans are all mushed and refried like. Feel free to make then smoother by sticking them in a blender if you want. Add more water to thin out as well.
And lastly, get those corn tortillas into the oven to crisp up. What I did is took a bit of coconut oil and coasted my hands with it then rubbed the tortillas on both side. Or you can brush on melted oil if you don’t want to do that. When lightly oiled, stick them into the oven and bake until crispy, flipping them after about 4 minutes and finishing after another 4-5. (you can gauge your liking on crispy)
Now compile the tostadas
Take a crispy tortilla, smother with refried beans, top with a little red cabbage then a big scoop (or two) or the mango salsa and a big spoonful of avocado cream. Add more fresh cilantro on top and serve with a slice of lime..
No utensils needed, just eat with your hands.
Happy May Day!!! Now that it’s May, it can’t snow any more! (right?)
Did you get some of that early week snow storm? Yeah, it was freaking fantastic. I left the house early on my bike with a few little n=snow flakes hitting my face, thinking it would clear up soon, only to have to walk my bike home by lunch time because it turned into a snow storm (I might be over extravagating, we got like 2 inches at most) but still!.) But now it’s lovely out, the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming and I have got my normal itchy as hell allergy eyes and sandals on my feet. No more winter jacket, i just can’t.
Lets see, what else. Oh, the mr installed all the windows at the house which has turned our little bungalow shell into an actual living space. Crazy what a few pieces of glass has done.. It’s no longer a outside/inside situation and the birds can’t get in anymore. Things are moving along quite well and I am actually starting to see myself living there. Woo HOO! All I do now is daydream about hanging out in the kitchen or what colors I am going to paint the trim (medium dark grey with pops of colorful window trim?) and which room I am going to sit in a read every morning( I think I am going to have to move from room to room, too many choices) I guess I am on a good high from the windows so am ready to just blast through and get the rest of the house done.
As for today, I think I am going to try and put in some outdoor time. I will plug in my ears with some good tunes, grab me a ho.. and a rake and fluff up all the pretty things popping out of the ground! I am really excited, I haven’t spend any real time in the dirt yet this year so I hoping to get really really dirty.
Some stuff the internet had this week.
– I really want one of these Froob shirts…but which one?
-Some scientist is saying that hugging your dog can increase their stress level. I can see that, but I swear that my pup wants to be hugged (or man handled)
-I think I want to go to all of these Fairy Tale Villages, and you can actually visit all of them.
-INSPIRING STUDIO SPACES.
-Do you know the difference between cold brewed and iced coffee? And which one is better? Cold Brew Versus Iced Coffee:Which Is Actually Better? (I like them both!)
-Drug sniffing dogs, bomb sniffing dogs… Its about time for bee sniffing dogs. Keeping Bees Safe: It’s A Ruff Job, But This Doggy Detective Gets It Done
-Hell Yeah!!! 1 Minute of All-Out Exercise May Have Benefits of 45 Minutes of Moderate Exertion
-Get your mail and you lawn mowed..smart move Finland. Finland’s postal workers to mow lawns
-Hahahaha.. For all the crazy cat ladies (and gentleman) These Linguists Want to Help You Speak Fluent Cat but this new collar will give your cat an ACTUAL voice… Oh boy oh boy!
–EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY ON HOT SAUCE
And a few pictures that I managed to take this week.
I am channeling all my summer time feels here in hopes for warmer weather. As of yesterday there was still a pile of snow outside of my house and I am still leaving every morning in a hat, mittens, and a winter jacket.
I want t-shirts and shorts, I want sandals, and I want to set my winter jacket on fire (not really, but kinda).
This cold weather has crept back into my soul and I needed something to remind me that there will be warmer days to come and I will soon be bitching about how hot I am and blah blah blah.. you know how it goes.
So I make lemonade. This lemonade as inspired by my favorite tea as of late, raspberry zinger. It’s a nice and tangy tart and really tasty. I make great big jar of it at night and add a little squeeze or two of lemon to it for that little extra zing. I figured if it tastes good hot, it will taste great cold, which in fact, it does. It taste really freaking good. And it just occurred to me that there is probably a little subliminal inspiration from Beyonce in wanting lemonade, so thanks for the B.
Anyway, it’s suppose to me nice and seasonably warm this weekend. Maybe bust out your lemonade game and try a batch of this one.
The stuff. Lemons, a raspberry zinger tea bag, honey (or any sweetener you like to use) water and ice.
Bring some of that water to aalmost boil and pour it over the tea bag (make sure you stick the bag into a jar or pitcher)
While the tea is steeping, juice the lemons. And a personal preference, you can strain out the pulp or not. I use the strainer to catch the seeds but then stick the pulp back in cause I like pulp. All up to you.
While the tea is steeping and still hot, add in any sweetener that you want to use. ( I used a little honey) Stir until that sweetness is all dissolved.
And after the tea has had a good steep, dump the brewed tea into the pitcher with the lemon juice then add in the really cold water. Stir it all around.
Add acouple thin slices of lemon to make it all fancy anda few big chunks of ice to make it super cold
Refreshing, crispy, tangy with a touch of sweet….Perfect for all those warm summer days to come (hopefully)
Have a great weekend people.
-C
Makes 5 cups
Place tea bag in 2 cups of hot water (can be done directly in a pitcher) Add in the sweetener while its still hot and mix until completely dissolved. Let steep for about 10 minutes.
Remove tea bag and add in the lemon juice, 2 more cups of cold water and mix, Top with ice and garnish with a few more lemon slices if your feeling fanciful.
Serve in a glass full of ice with a wedge of lemon and a smile on you face.
When the mr got home from work last night, her got himself a super great dinner suprice
Pizza, on a Monday. Woo Hoo! (I am so awesome, my sister even texted to congratulate him on his unexpected pizza dinner)
But here is the thing. I think pizza is a completely acceptable dinner any night of the week just as long as it is not covered in a shit tone of greasy cheese or any other kinda heavy and not so good stuff. This is a not one of those types of pizzas. This pizza is light, the crust rolled slightly thin, covered in a creamy sweet pea and cashew cream, (which is really pretty) and topped off with a tons of shaved asparagus and sliced radishes.It’s a celebration of spring time veggies and tastes so f*ing good. Sweet and creamy from the peas cashew cream, a nice crispy freshness from the asparagus, and a nice little spicy kick from the radishes. All the flavors that make me happy. It’s oh so good. .
And really, It’s almost like eating a big salad with a piece of bread. Not a bad dinner right? So do yourself a favor and make that salad and bread into this kick ass pizza.
You can, you should, you, must.
The stuff. Peas (fresh or thawed out frozen.. my were frozen) some cashews soaking in water, a bunch of asparagus (I had purple but you can just use green) ans a few radishes. Also need a lemon, some nutritional yeast, a few coves of garlic, salt and pepper, and a little olive oil. Oh, and a pizza dough.
To get the cashew pea cream going, strain the water from the cashews and dump them into a blender along with the peas, garlic, nutritional yeast, juice of half of the lemon, and a pinch of salt. Turn blender on and slowly add in a bit of water, just enough to get the stuff to start blending. Keep on blending until nice and smooth.
And now shave the asparagus down. I found the easiest way to do this is to chop op the crown part then place the stock on the counter and peel away from you. Not all peels are going to be uniform and perfect, which is good for a textured pizza. Any pieces that break off or shave off weird, keep them too, it;s all going on the pizza. If you asparagus is not super fresh, they might have woody ends. When done shaving just toss those into a bag and save for a soup later.
And now that the asparagus is done, thinly slice the radishes up.
Get that pizza dough onto a baking devise (use a baking sheet, pizza stone, or whatever you usually make pizza on. I used a lightly oiled baking sheet) and smear lots of that cashew pea cream all over it.
Pile on the shaved asparagus and all the ends and tips that we cut off or broke off.
Top with the radishes and a good pinch of salt and lots of fresh cracked pepper.
Into the oven it needs to go.
Pulled from the oven, looking all pretty and springy and smelling so amazing.
Drizzled with a little of the left over cashew pea cream and a few squeezes of fresh lemon.
Your good to go!
Pizza on a weekday, it’s what you need in your life.
-C
Preheat oven to 450
First off, prepare your pizza dough or remove it from the fridge to come to room temperature.
Strain the water from the cashews and add them to a blender with the peas, the juice of half a lemon, 1/8 cup of water, the nutritionalyeast, and a sprinkle of salt. Blend until smooth. If you need to, add in another splash or two of water to thin it out.
Grab your asparagus stalks ans chop off the top crown parts. Take the remaining stalks and peel them. Do this by holding the stalk flat on the counter and while holding to the end, peel the stalk away from you. I(f your asparagus is not super fresh ans had woody ends, use those to hold on to and when done shaving, just toss them into a bag and save for a soup later) Shave each piece until you cant shave any more. Some pieces are going to be super thin, some kinda thick… that’s totally cool, it add dimension to the pizza.
And now, as thinly as you can, slice the radishes.
To assemble pizza- Roll out dough kinda thin and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet.(you can bake your dough any way or on any thing that you usually do) Smear a good amount of the cashew pea cream on dough. You will probably have a little left over which you can either water down a little as a drizzle for the done pizza or just save for a sandwich or a veggie dip for later. Topthe smeared dough with all the shaved asparagus and chopped off crowns then layer on the radishes .Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stick into the oven. Bake for 15ish minutes or until your crust golden brown and done to your liking.
When you remove the pizza from the oven, feel free to drizzle the remaining cashew pea cream all over and definitelytop with a squeeze of more of fresh lemon.
Cut into pieces (square, triangles or what have you) and serve to your open mouth!
Happy Spring Eating!
Yesterday the mr and I bought windows! It was a total fluke but when we went to get our winter tires changed to our summer one (GOOD BYE WINTER), my brother in law (who was doing the tire change) gave us the keys to his truck and sent us to be productive with ourselves instead of sitting in the customer lounge drinking all the free coffee. So we ended up at the hardware store with the truck and no real expectations for anything other then browsing. But lo and behold we stumbles onto the windows that were just meant to be. So we bought them, loaded them into the truck (I don’t know how we would have fit them all into our little car..truck meant to be) and brought them to their new home. We now have six new wood interior, al clad exterior double hung windows (yet to be insulted) minus wait for it, one very large front door window.
Yup, I smashed the front door window. When we brought the windows we also bought a bunch of 2×4’s. While unloading them, I accidentally, but on purpose, smashed threw the front door with the wood. The door was starting to close on me and instead of just letting it, my reflexes got the better of me and I threw the wood, right into the window and apparently almost took the mr’s head off at the same time. Mother FUCKER!
Good times.
So that sums up the week. Some great ups, some down downs. Feeling lots of feels. Working a lot but spending time doing things like a little hike with the family and the pup, a trip across the lake with my mom and little sister to the Target, and the mr and I took a trip to see his brother and sister in law and the new addition to the family.. A 12 day old little nugget that is just to freaking cute. And it’s spring and the weather is amazing so I am trying to get out into the gardens and get that going too.
As for today, we are going going to keep plugging away at the house, gots to the keep the momentum going while it’s good. But I am for sure going to make a trip to the library, and plop my butt in some sunshine with a steaming cup of coffee and a good read at some point today. A little work, a little relaxation… And so much coffee!
Internet fun finds from the week.
– You can now do you business on this 18 karat gold toilet, on display and in use at the Guggenheim. The line might not be worth the wait.
-Check out this 100 year old lady boss. I hope if I make it to 100 that I can be as kick ass as her.
–Runners High. It’s for real
-I love this idea, but a problem I might encounter is that I would start drawing, not stop, then completely abandon my To Do list. Try Drawing Your To-Do List Instead of Writing It
-Oh Prince, you will be missed. Music and hair.. Prince’s Hair Styles From 1978 To 2013
–Plant Porn
-I have tried meditation and I am so so, but this seems like it would be perfect for me. This new kind of meditation has you listen to cuss words
– Funky and colorful interior inspirations.
– And I am kinda in love with Dusty Rose Pink Velvet Seating.. just not sure the mr would be into it.
-I am in the market for new sheets and these or these are my new favorite (but kinda expensive)
And some fun time pictures.
Everyone is asking how that house is going so I figured an update was in order.
Around the beginning of March we hired a guy (with another guy that was like 80 years old) to remove the back roof and to frame out the addition. We were planning on doing it ourselves but when it came down to it, it was going to take to long and was not something that I was entirely comfortable doing. It was still winter out, I have never removed a roof, and it just seemed like it was better to just have someone that does it all the time do it. And oh am I glade we did. These guys were awesome and a little nuts. We had a start date for a Tuesday, but on Monday morning, the mr gets a phone call from the head guy asking if he was going to go to the house and let him in. “Of course, I’ll be there at 8 tomorrow” said the mr. “No, we are here right now” said the roof ripper off man. “Ok, be right over” and the mr rushes over to the house. When he gets there, the guys were already in the house. The had claimed onto the roof and started ripping it off from the outside.
And then two days later , the roof was gone and the skeleton of the addition was up. It was fantastic and amazing and we were so excited. SO worth hiring it out!!!!
Our next move was the roof,(to keep out the snow ans rain) which those guys ended up came back and throwing on for us. That was another job we were planning on doing, but when the mr crawled onto the roof to measure for materials, he came back down and said to me”hell no. not doing it” (He is terribly afraid of heights)
After the roof went up, we still had a lot of demo to do. It took us a few days to finish removing the rest of the walls and all the layers of flooring. Then it got really freaking cold out so we boarded off the upstairs with insulation and did some stuff downstairs.
We were on a good roll, getting shit done, about to start framing, then the shittest shit ever happened and Sean died. We didn’t go back over to the house for like 2 weeks. (shit head, you were suppose to help us) We lost all motivation and I was in no state to be doing any work that required power tools or crow bars.( I probably would have cut a hand off or accidentally set the house on fire) So yeah, no house work. But over these past 2 weeks we have slowly gotten back into the swing of things. We have cleaned up the upstairs, framed out all the wall and are moving right along. Next is windows, (which is now more just a matter of picking some we like and ordering them) running all the electrical, plumping the bathroom, insulation the ceiling and walls, then getting an inspection! But that will be a breeze…. haha.
So that’s what’s been going on in the house. Fun fun fun!
Hopefully I will have another update on other parts of the house for you guys soon!
-C