Food Friday: No Bake Energy Bites

Good morning dear friends... Did you miss last weeks post? If so, just click HERE!
Anyways... Back to business...
Want a quick pick-me-up breakfast idea? Then you, my friend, have come to the right place!

These taste just like the no-bakes you remember snacking on as a child-but without all the fatty ingredients! I found THIS recipe on Pinterest {AKA my on-line BFF} and just substituted to my liking. Here we go!

So stinkin' tasty...

What you will need:

1 cup dry oatmeal {I used old-fashioned rolled oats}

1 cup toasted coconut flakes

1/2 cup peanut butter {I used a natural kind and it's fantastic}

1/2 cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ

1/2 cup chocolate chips {optional-I used half white half dark}

1/3 cup honey

1 tsp. vanilla

STEP 1: Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. 

Before the wet ingredients

All mixed up and should look like this

STEP 2: Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. {During this time you can make yourself a cup of coffee/tea and catch up on some blog reading}

STEP 3: Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. {I rolled mine into about 1 inch balls} Make sure to store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

STEP 4: ENJOY!!

This treat is fabulous for snacking on a bike-ride or hike, breakfast on the go, or if you are a lover of these like I am, it's good anytime of the day! :)

Here are a few substitutions you could make: 

Your favorite nut butter {almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.} for the peanut butter.

And you could also add in some wheat germ in place of some or all of the flaxseed. 

* I would caution, though, against substituting agave nectar for the honey, as the honey’s thickness helps hold things together.

Some other fun substitutions for the chocolate chips {or an addition to them} could include:

chopped dried fruit {apricots, dates, raisins, etc.}

dried berries {cranberries, cherries, etc.}

chopped almonds, pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds

other chips {butterscotch, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, M&Ms, etc.}

other grains {different kinds of oatmeal, rice cereal, etc.}

Hope you try these any enjoy them, as much as my hubby and I do!!

Much Love,
Sarah

Standard of Grace

I. Love. This. Saying.

I'm not one to obsess over all those cliche quotes I see all over Pinterest or in those inspirational message boards {although I DO appreciate them when I'm down}, but I identified with this one...

Happy Sunday all & don't forget to take this to heart for yourself!

Much Love,

Sarah

Coconut Oil Obsession

Question... Are any of you into coconut oil?

I have recently gotten into it. I LOVE it and you can use it for everything! It is amazing in just about every area of your life {literally-every!}. I found THIS website that tells you 160 ways to use coconut oil. 

WOW... 160!!

I can't wait to try them all. This morning I put it on my toast for breakfast with a dab of my Grandma's famous jam on top {thanks for the tip Anna}. It was FANTASTIC! :) You all should try it. I bought mine at Trader Joe's for about five dollars. It comes in a pretty good sized jar. You will thank me after you've used it for the first time. You can substitute it for the oil in most recipes {especially baked goods}. I am still experimenting with this one. So... Needless to say... I {heart} coconut oil!

Here are just a few reasons why I am personally wanting to incorporate coconut oil into my daily living:

1. Cancer {has been shown to prevent colon and breast cancer in laboratory tests}

2. Energy boost

3. Immune System Builder

4.Mental Clarity

5. Stress Relief 

and SOOO much more...

Here are a few new things I want to try with it!

1.Face Wash/ Soap 

2.Chapstick

3.Moisturizer 

4.Body Scrub

5.Toothpaste

Coconut Oil Is:

Anti-bacterial {kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum diseases, and other bacterial infections}

Anti-carcinogenic{coconut oil has antimicrobial properties so it effectively prevents the spread of cancer cells and enhances the immune system}

Anti-fungal {kills fungi and yeast that lead to infection}

Anti-inflammatory {appears to have a direct effect in suppressing inflammation and repairing tissue, and it may also contribute by inhibiting harmful intestinal microorganisms that cause chronic inflammation.}

Anti-microbial/Infection Fighting {the medium-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found in coconut oil are the same as those in human mother’s milk, and they have extraordinary antimicrobial properties. By disrupting the lipid structures of microbes, they inactivate them. About half of coconut oil consists of lauric acid. Lauric acid, its metabolite monolaurin and other fatty acids in coconut oil are known to protect against infection from bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi and parasites. While not having any negative effect on beneficial gut bacteria, coconut oil inactivates undesirable microbes.}

An Antioxidant {protects against free-radical formation and damage}

Anti-parasitic {fights to rid the body of tapeworms, lice and other parasites}

Anti-protozoa {kills giardia, a common protozoan infection of the gut}

Anti-viral {kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other viruses}

Infection fighting

Has no harmful for discomforting side effects

Known to improve nutrient absorption {easily digestible; makes vitamins and minerals more available to the body}

Nontoxic to humans and animals

Much Love,

Sarah

P.S. I was not paid by anyone to write this post! Ha! I just love and believe in this natural product! 

Food Friday: Quesadillas

Good morning lovely friends. Did you miss last times Food Friday? If so click HERE to get the recipe for my wonderful Taco Cups. On to today's Food Friday...
I am going to let you in on a wonderful secret. Hubby and I make quesadillas like 2 or 3 times a week for lunch! They are in no way "authentic" but they are down right amazing. Brian makes the best ones you will ever taste {even with ground turkey}! "Ground turkey" you may say? 

IT. IS. SO. GOOD.

Try this easy way of making them! You will not be disappointed!

All you need is:

Quesadilla maker {we got ours for a wedding gift {thanks AMY}, Target also sells them for around $20.00}

Seasoned Ground Turkey

Mexican Cheese

Whole Wheat Tortillas

Here is a photo of the tortillas I use and the quesadilla maker we have.

STEP 1: Brown your turkey and add seasoning to your liking. 

STEP 2: Put together your quesadilla like so. Layering tortilla, cheese, meat then sprinkle on top more cheese.

STEP 3: Set your prepared quesadilla onto warmed quesadilla maker. Place second tortilla on top. Close lid of quesadilla maker and let "cook" until light turns green. Check on your quesadilla, the top should be lightly browned as so... 

STEP 4: Carefully remove quesadilla from maker and place onto plate {we use a knife to help ease the HOT quesadilla off}. We like to add fresh salsa to the center to add some spice! Yummy... {I use mild and hubby uses medium-these salsa's are SO GREAT!} 

STEP 5: Add your sides. We always pair with chips and salsa. We can't get enough of these chips! They are divine... :)

Don't judge us... but on this particular day Brian and I were both home for lunch and we vegged in front of the tele and watched something on Netflix! Ha! 

There ya have it folks-perfection in a quesadilla! Go try one today! You will love it!

Much Love,

Sarah

Beautiful Thursday

Happy Thursday Loves!

I'm in the mood for some pretties. I'll share some current swoons I found on Pinterest.

 Gorgeousness found HERE

I LOVE this style! Source unknown

Would you be daring enough to ever wear something like this? Source unknown

Smells delightful! Found HERE

Have a fab one!

Much Love,

Sarah

Choosing Joy

Today, I uploaded a bunch of photos from my Iphone to my computer. 

I came across this photo I took the other day for the "May Photo a Day" challenge. It stuck out... 

I began thinking of the meaning of this word. 

I made this "JOY" word out of wire a little over a year ago. I found it a few months ago in a craft box and put it on a linen message board I have by the front door. I chose this particular spot because it is a place I look at daily... I thought it would stick out to me and I would remember to live a happy and joyous life. Each day living in the Joy that the Lord has given to me. 

Well... Somewhere along the line of the hustle and bustle of life and daily business this word got covered by bills, letters, stamp packets and so much more. When I cleaned off the board the other day, it happened to be the day in the photo challenge where you picked a "word you love". I love this word. In a way it instantly convicted me. Where was my joy? Was I living in it? Or was I letting the heaviness of daily stresses get me down and in a funk? I realized quickly that I was not living in joy.

J.O.Y. 

Simple three letter word.

I am reminded today and every day from now on out to live in the Joy that my Heavenly Father has given me. Daily reading my Bible and gaining all I can from it's wisdom. Not letting the small stuff bother me. Loving freely and laughing often just as the quote goes. Being quick to forgive and showing my Joy to everyone I meet... Will you do the same today? I hope you join me in this new challenge.

Much Love,

Sarah

Pantry Organization

I forgot to post this picture of my newly arranged "pantry". Here is where I put all my day-to-day food items. I have another cupboard I place most of my baking needs and canned goods. Living in an apartment and having apartment storage space sure makes you a good organizer! Ha!

 Here is what I had shoved on just one shelf! Ugh! I can't stand dis-organization! 

Ahhh... I can sleep easy tonight... 

Much Love,

Sarah