"Healthy" Cookies

I've had a pretty healthy diet for pretty much my entire life,

but over the last few months I've made small changes to my diet,

and I'd say that my eating has gotten even healthier!

But because I'm me - I still have that sweet tooth,

so of course I looked for something healthy to curb that.

I quickly found this recipe and made it that same day!

After adding a few yummy ingredients,

I ended up with a cookie that was not only pretty healthy,

but fixed that sweet craving I get quite often.

The Goods:

Mashed Bananas

Oats

Coconut Flakes

Craisins

Mini Chocolate Chips

Ground Cinnamon

Mix together 2 large mashed bananas, 1 cup oats and a teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Add 1/2 cup EACH of mini chocolate chips, craisins and coconut flakes.

Mix until everything is well incorporated. 

Portion your cookies out on greased cookie sheet.

Realize that some granulated honey would be a great addition,

so sprinkle some on top of each cookie before baking.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

They will be pretty soft when you take them out.

Cool on wire rack for a few minutes.

Then take a bite and enjoy this "healthy" treat!

Healthy Cookies

Adapted from The Burlap Bag

2 Large Mashed Bananas

1 Cup Oats

1/2 Cup Coconut Flakes

1/2 Cup Craisins

1/2 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips

1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1. Mix together 2 large mashed bananas, 1 cup oats and a teaspoon ground cinnamon.
2. Add 1/2 cup EACH of mini chocolate chips, craisins and coconut flakes.
3. Mix until everything is well incorporated. 
4. Portion your cookies out on greased cookie sheet.
5. Realize that some granulated honey would be a great addition, so sprinkle some on top of each cookie before baking.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. They will be pretty soft when you take them out.
7. Cool on wire rack for a few minutes.
8. Then take a bite and enjoy this "healthy" treat!

Steak & Chicken Kebabs

I purchased a propane grill in May and have been grilling nonstop!

The day I bought it I made a mental note of all the things I wanted to grill.

Kebabs have been a favorite of mine since I was a child,

so they were at the top of the list of yummy foods to make!

I like to marinate what I'll be putting on the kebabs

and that includes not only the meats,

but the variety of veggies you'll be using too.

You can use any marinade you like,

even store bought would be fine,

but I like to whip something together myself!

The Goods Part 1:

Chicken Breasts

Sirloin Steak

Zucchini

Yellow Squash

Bell Peppers

Red Onion

Cut up your meat and veggies so that it's the size of about two bites.

Try to get everything similar sized so your kebabs cook evenly. 

The Goods Part 2:

Olive Oil

Balsamic Vinegar

Fresh Lemon Juice

Course Dijon Mustard

Garlic

Fresh Rosemary

Salt

Pepper

I'm a bad blogger and didn't measure anything out,

so I don't really have instructions for my marinade.

I just dump the goods into a gallon zipper bag, seal and mix up.

Add your chopped meat and veggies to the marinade.

Let sit at least an hour, but up to overnight.

Now the fun begins...time to skewer your kebabs!

I like to do all of the same type of food on one kebab,

because cooking times vary for different foods.

Again, this will help your kebabs cook evenly.

Fill your grill with your kebab skewers and start to cook them.

Keep an eye on them, turning the skewers every few minutes until fully cooked.

MMMmmm my mouth is watering just looking at those kebabs!!!

Remove the food from the skewers and serve with a yummy side like cauliflower rice! 

And make a little extra because kebab leftovers are some of the best!!!

How To: Cauliflower Rice

I'd heard a lot of great things about Cauliflower Rice,

but hadn't given it a try until this summer.

It intrigued me, but something was holding me back.

In an attempt to eat even healthier than I already do,

I decided to whip up a batch one night.

A quick Google search led me to these instructions.

Turns out, Cauliflower Rice is really easy to make!

After making it a few times for myself, 

I decided to show you all how to make some for yourself.

The Goods:

Cauliflower

Food Processor

Remove the leaves and stem from your cauliflower

and then cut into quarters with a sharp knife.

Remove as much of the core as possible, reserving all the florets.

Put the cauliflower florets into the food processor

and simply pulse until you have a rice-like texture.

My food processor isn't huge, so I have to do it in two batches.

Once you have your cauliflower rice made,

simply saute and season it like you would regular rice.

DIY: Easy Flower Pot Decor

Some of the DIY projects I do are pretty intricate and take a bit of time,

while others are quite easy and are completed in a matter of minutes.

This month's DIY project fell in the latter category.

The Pier1 location closest to my apartment closed recently,

but before closing they had a massive sale for the whole store.

I snagged a few item including a small flower bunch for this DIY project.

I LOVE having fresh cut flowers around my apartment

but potted plants are pretty much a no-go because of bugs.

Instead I use fake plants to decorate and today I'm creating my own!

The Goods:

Mini Terra Cotta Pot

Hot Glue Gun

Glue Stick

Small Flower Bunch

Heat up your hot glue gun for a few minutes,

then put a thick coat of glue around the rim of the pot.

If it gets a little messy, that's okay because your flowers will cover it!

Before the glue dries, place your small flower bunch on top of the vase.

Press down just slightly so they stay stuck to the glue. 

Lastly, figure out where to display your super easy DIY project!

I wasn't joking when I said this one was easy.

It took me just a few minutes to complete,

and waiting for the glue gun to heat up took the most time!

This post contains affiliate links meaning I may get a paid for certain purchases.

Crust Free Mini Quiche!

I love quiche!

I've blogged about quiche more than once.

One can be found here and another can be found here!

I've never blogged about mini quiche or crust free quiche,

but today you're getting to hear about both in one recipe!!!

I had asparagus leftover from another recipe,

and chorizo in my fridge for something else yummy,

so on the whim one day I decided to make quiche.

BUT I didn't want to do a normal sized one.

Nope, I was going to do mini ones and omit the crust!

Let me show you how to make these babies!!

The Goods:

Eggs

Milk

Asparagus

Green Onions

Chorizo

Monterey Jack Cheese

In a large skillet, cook up 6 ounces of chorizo.

And in a large pot cook 1/2 inch pieces of asparagus until tender.

Grease your jumbo muffin pans.

Add a spoonful of the cooked chorizo to each.

And follow up with a spoonful of cooked asparagus in each too.

Scramble your eggs with 1/2 cup of milk.

Season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Pour egg mixture into each muffin pan until you've used it all up.

Top with sliced green onions.

And finally some shredded monterey jack cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes - until eggs are fully cooked.

Let cool in the pans for a few minutes.

Then remove and let cool a little on wire rack.

Who am I kidding?

Dig in and devour one as soon as you won't burn your mouth!!!

Asparagus and Chorizo 

Crust Free Mini Quiche

6 Ounces Chorizo

4 Ounces Monterey Jack Cheese - Shredded

12 to 15 Asparagus - Cut into 1/2 Pieces

2 Green Onions - Sliced

1/2 Cup Milk

8 Eggs

Salt and Pepper To Taste

1. In a large skillet, cook up 6 ounces of chorizo.
2. And in a large pot cook 1/2 inch pieces of asparagus until tender.
3. Grease your jumbo muffin pans, add a spoonful of cooked chorizo and a spoonful of cooked asparagus.
4. Scramble your eggs with 1/2 cup of milk. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
5. Pour egg mixture into each muffin pan until you've used it all up.
6. Top with sliced green onions and shredded monterey jack cheese.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes - until eggs are fully cooked.
8. Let cool in pan for a few minutes, then remove to wire rack.

DIY: Knot Hair Ties

I've purchased Knot Hair Ties before,

but if you've been around awhile,

you'll know I'm really into DIY projects,

so of course I made some myself!

And they are not only super easy to make,

but you can make them the exact size you want!

You'll see below that I actually made two different sizes,

some small enough for a lil gal and matching ones for her mama!

The Goods:

Fold Over Elastic

Tape Measure

Fabric Scissors

Lighter

I decided on 8 inches for the big hair ties.

Measure out the fold over elastic.

Cut and then fold in half.

Tie a tight knot near the end, leaving a little out.

Carefully sear the ends with the lighter.

This will prevent the elastic from fraying.

Finished hair ties!

And the mama/daughter set!

I couldn't stop at just the polka dots though.

Because I'm equally a fan of cheetah print!!!

And blue cheetah print is pretty cute!

Lots of finished knot hair ties!

And this is an AWFUL picture I'm about to share,

but the best I could take myself so I'm sorry!!!

My hair is super thick and heavy,

so one hair tie is never enough no matter what.

And next time I'll make them a little longer for myself

because I think that'd help make them just a lil more secure!

This post contains affiliate links meaning I may get a paid for certain purchases.