Grasshopper Pie…. that is healthy!

I don’t know if you have yet to be informed; but, March is just around the corner. This means many things for me but the first one up to bat is that I have to bring something to help celebrate March birthdays at school. I have expressed my issues with the teachers lounge before. I will wow them with this healthy dish! I just know it! I’m brining this. To me:

March = Mint

I love all things mint. In fact, when I was little I would go with my dad to Dairy Queen in a nearby town and get a ‘Mint Sunday- Julie style’. My dad was friends with the owner so they made it just for me, I was the only one to get it. Spoiled with mint, I know. Well, they would give me a vanilla dish and cover it with the mint sauce that they would put into a mint oreo blizzard- cover the ice cream with about 6 X as much as they would put in a blizzard. It was heavenly.

I have also been bombarded with the sight of these things!

I have done a pretty good job of staying away and just sticking them in the freezer till the day comes when my cravings are just too much! I made something that is just as good, except for it’s guilt free! I was inspired by a Chocolate Covered Katie  recipe and then went out on my own to create this wonderful creation!

Healthy Grasshopper Pie

• 1 can of rinsed white beans
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 T cream cheese (I used fat free)
• 1 T coconut oil
• 2 T cocoa powder
• shy 1 tsp mint extract (You can always add more but you can’t take it out! Make sure it isn’t peppermint!)
• 1/4 tsp heaping baking soda
• 1 tsp heaping baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 c. sugar sub of your choice (I used Stevia drops and some Stevia till I thought it was sweet enough to be a dessert, I didn’t make mine super sweet- I used about 1/4 c. of sugar plus drops)
• 1 tsp Xantham Gum
• Mint Chocolate Chips (or regular would work too) for sprinkling

Rinse and drain white beans. Then add all of the ingredients except for the Xantham gum and chocolate chips into the food processer. Process all of the ingredients until they are very well mixed. Then add Xantham gum for thickening. Then, fold in the amount of chocolate chips you find to be perfect!  Place in greaced pan– I used a loaf pan– Bake in 350° oven for 30-40 minutes.  Let set for about 10 minutes before digging in, that is if you can resist! Enjoy!

QUESTION: Favorite Girl Scout cookie?!

I have willpower. I have willpower. I have willpower.

I went home to visit my family this weekend! The.Best.Time!!!! I love my dad. Best man I know. He knows what he likes and he makes no quoffs about it. When he likes it, he buys all that he can and just goes with it. He has a habit of going overboard and buying enough of something to supply a small army!  He bought a case of these…..

I did a really great job of staying away from them as best as I could. Especially considering my EXTREME weakness to mint + chocolate! We are talking *VERY EXTREME* weakness. They are going into the freezer until the day comes that I can’t control my cravings any longer. Yep, they are in the freezer. Along with a sleeve from last year. See, I do have willpower!

I love my mom. She is the best woman I know. However, she has this terrible habit of sneaking things into my bag or car that I wasn’t planning on taking back home. They usually include treats I don’t need to eat, clothes I was trying to get rid of, or amazing amounts of hairspray that I always desperately need. I don’t complain about the expensive hairspray that she spoils me with. Well, this time——- she snuck in some Girl Scout Thin Mints from my dad’s HUGE supply. 

Crud, just what I need. Another reason to practice my willpower. I decided I would make something this afternoon that was…..

HEALTHY + MINT + CHOCOLATE = HEALTHY GRASSHOPPER PIE!

Healthy Grasshopper Pie!

This turned out to be absolute delisousness! (Recipe coming tomorrow’ish! Get excited- it’s worth the wait!!!)

QUESTION: Are you good at practicing willpower?

Feel the love <3

M + J

Valentine’s Day has come and gone. However, I get to look at this beautiful picture and remember Valentine’s day from 2012!

I have been feeling bummed that I have not had a spare moment to document some love that I was sent from Christina via a wonderful giveaway from the sweet Courtney over at Sweet Tooth Sweet Life!  Isn’t this beautiful?!

Christina does beautiful work and she was even sweet enough to carve our initals and wedding date into the tree! I just love it! The package arrived to my doorstep on Valentine’s Day and it was the perfect gift! So beautiful! Plus, it is a piece of art that I will be able to treasure forever. You can tell that it is hand done and that a lot of time and care was taken into this piece of art.

It’s one of a kind! Just like the couple displayed in the tree’s carving! I can’t wait to get it up in my house! Thank you again, Christina for this beautiful piece and Courtney for hosting such a beautiful giveaway!

Happy Friday!

Look what I ran across last week. Funniest thing ever! Well, I have been easily amused as of late so I think it is goshdarn funny!

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As funny as I think this is- I do wish there was a sliver to represent those of us that eat a blanced meal but still wish it was pie. We are out there! We do exisist! Hmmm, now what kind of pie do I wish it was?!

I wish it was my Grandma’s homemade cherry pie— in all of its messy glory. I miss her. Her memories are a blessing!

FRIDAY! FRIDAY! FRIDAY!

I know that we all get pumped for Friday but this week has been feeling like an especially looooong week here in my part of the world. It is all at my own expense and I am pretty sure I must have misplaced my brain, because…..

This week, I have:

• Put a dress shirt on backwards
  • Twice.. It’s not big deal that was just a freak accident that happened to have occurred twice.
• Got out of the shower, put most of my clothes on; only to realize that I only shaved one leg. Very cute, I know.
  • Yes, I got back in the shower to fix it.
• Dumped a dark teak all over my lesson plan book, so now it’s pages are all wrinkley. Umm, yuck! Especially for someone who has OCD.
  • That will be driving me nuts for the next about 15 weeks!
• Went to school with my shirt inside out
  • Hey, it could happen to anyone!
• Lost a contact playing dodgeball with the kids
  • Wait, sorry, that one happened last week.

QUESTION: What kind of pie do you wish it was?!

The swaps….

I’ve had to make a few swaps in my life as of late. Some of the swaps have been hard while others have been okay. I am just sharing a few of the changes that have been gracing my life for the past three months or so…

Instead of coffee….

I swapped to tea…. 

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Coffee and I are best buddies. (I think it’s a teacher thing.) It was suggested that I let it go, not mandated, so I decided I should cut back. The moment I decided to cut back, I started getting sick on 1/4 of a cup. So, I have been getting my daily warmth from a cup of tea for a few months now. I’m surprised I am still alive- and I’m proud to report—- so are all of my students!!!! I really miss the jolt I got from coffee but I know it will all be worth it in the end.

Instead of running:

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I swapped to walking.

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This one was not suggested, it was mandated. I was told I could run- as long as I kept my heart rate under 140- I CAN NOT DO THAT! My heart rate jumps super  high even when I jog or power walk. I am HATING this change. I can’t even jog 100 and walk 200. It is killing me- I’ve never been a so called runner but I’ve always used it as a tool to stay active. I don’t like that the tool is gone. I will have to do a full post on this sometime soon because I’m needing feedback and ideas….. I will get over it- again, it is well worth it!

Instead of a 10:00′ish bedtime.

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I am swapping to an 8:15 or sunset bedtime.

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This swap has been mandated by my body. I seriously have no control over this. I start fighting bed at about 7:30 and by 8:15 or 8:30 I am passed out on the couch. I only wish this were an exaggeration, it is not. I had to start waking up later too because my body was requiring sleep like it was it’s primary job. I’m just going to go with it. The husband does a good job of picking my bum off the couch and taking it to bed about 10:00. Bless him.

Also, sorry for being such a grump yesterday- I’m all better today The sun came up and I am blessed! I know this- yesterday was just an off day. Thanks for not judging and just letting me be grumpy pants.

Question: Have you had to make any changes as of late?

Negative Nelly Monday

Hello friends! I’m Negative Nelly.

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I seriously can’t help it, it is beyond my control. I just am grumpy and for once, I’m owning it. I always pull myself out of it and saying “The sun came up and it is a blessed day and I will be happy today.”

Nope, not today; I choose to embrace my grumpyness in all of its glory. I feel that I sometimes get used, primarily at work, because I always roll with the punches and just go with the flow- it has led me to be the dumping ground for a lot of crap- because everyone just assumes I’ll smile and just go with it.  I had to be at school all day and everything under the sun rubbed me the wrong way.

Okay, that’s all. I feel better now.  :)  I did do a little of this today to make the day better….

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Question: Did you have to work today too?! -OR- What do you do on Negative Nelly days?

Itty Bitty Blessings

Work.  Volunteer work.  Cooking.  Being a wife.  Part time work on the side. Cleaning.  Exercising.  Church.  Paying the bills.  Shopping for groceries.  Taking care of a family. Need I go on?  Who has a crazy busy life?! (we all raise hands!)

Just like all of you, my life can get a little crazy busy at times. Lately, I have been feeling like I have no idea what direction is up. Work has gotten the best of me. I literally feel like I have nothing left to give and I am feeling very drug down. Teaching a new grade every year (with the same kids) is really killing me. I am trying to be positive but gosh darn it- my situation is hard and I’m not sure how much longer I can carry on this way. The work situation coupled with my complete lack of energy and 8:15 bedtime is just making things a tad difficult. (the 8:15 bedtime is new for me, I just CAN’T stay awake!) I believe it will get better. Till then, I’ll be thankful for the itty bitty blessings in  my life. 

An itty bitty blessing: I got to take off Friday and go to the doctor. Woooo! (true excitment- really it is!) Look who came to see me while I was at the doctor….

See the kiddos?! ....The nephew was NOT into looking at the camera. Also, my momma not knowing how to run the iPhone. What a wonderful picture this turned out to be! It makes me smile, that's all that counts!

The doctor is usually not all that fun but it has recently taken a huge turn around! Partly due to my parents coming down to accompany me to the doctor. They came to be with me since the husband has missed boat tons of work because of me…. With my parents, came the nephew and niece! SCORE! Talk about heaven. The only things missing were the sister, her hubby, and my other half. I was loving the day! We did the whole doctor thing and then I got to go out to lunch with my family! <3

Aunt Julie with her angel of a niece!

My lovely niece

Even if the nephew was not into pictures I got to take advantage of the growing cutie who was just loving talking to me and my iPhone camera!

After lunch we got to do a little shopping. I pushed around the niece in the cart and she would look up at me and laugh. I loved walking around with her laughing and giggling and me acting like a fool in love with those children!  The connection I have with my sister’s kiddos is such a blessing from above. I love how they are seriously bonded to my heart. I love them to my very core……Yes sister, even when the nephew says “I neeeed it” to the suckers I said NO to. (I can win ‘The Meanest Aunt in the World’ award next year )  I love them to my very core! Watching the itty bitties grow is a HUGE blessing in my life! 

When life gets crazy busy I think it is very important to remember our blessings; the itty bitty blessings and the huge blessings alike. Both kinds of blessings are extremely important and I thank God for them every day.

Question: What are your itty bitty blessings? Your huge blessings?

On the hunt….

Game on. This girl is on the lookout for a high quality camera!

Maybe something like this?

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I have to know- do any of you have any suggestions?

What I need in a camera:

• Around $400-$600
• Takes beautiful pictures of:
  • babies
  • kiddos
  • nature
  • food
  • sports
• Extremely crisp photos with a high
• Quick shutter speed –I need to capture exact moments!
• Easy’ish to use and understand

QUESTION: Do any of you have a camera that you are in love with that you can recommend? Where should I buy it?  Please help me! I’m so confused! -OR- Do any of you teach photography lessons?

 

I swear, if these pants get any tighter…..

I spent all day in dress clothes working with my lovely children at school.

This is what a typical day in the classroom of Mrs. H will look like. Dress pants, colorful shirt, and a sweater or jacket of some sort— with some cute shoes!

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I love my pretty clothes that I wear to work. However, five days a week from 6:00 to about 6:00 is just too long in dress clothes that are restrictive and heels. I don’t get to sit much during the day, I spend most of the day weaving my way in and out of desks, walking the halls, and walking during recess; which have been *freezing*  if you were wondering. I also bend over and squat about 100 times a day- these work clothes are VERY restrictive. Lately, they have been feeling even more restrictive and I found myself saying about a million times today, “I swear, if these pants get any tighter….”

I love my job, truly I do but I have a secret dream. A secret wish if you will. (okay, sometimes, it’s not so secret)  I wish that I could wear clothes that would let me move. I want to go to work and wear things like this…

I need this! It is so goshdarn cute!

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LOVE these pants! So comfortable!

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These shoes make a day on your feet a good thing!

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Heck, I would even take getting to wear even one of these to work! Not alone, but with the rest of my work clothes. I think the whole work environment would be a much more pleasant place if people were allowed to wear clothes that fit them and moved with them.  I have to say though, I am not the boss and I will be in the dress clothes for two more days this week being Mrs. H in heels.

I have a feeling that I will be saying again tomorrow:

“I swear, if these pants get any tighter……..

I swear, if these pants get any tighter……

I swear, if these pants get any tighter…………….I’m going to buy new pants!”

HA- the joke is on those tight pants, I already ordered new pants So long tight pants, I’m going to use you another day.

QUESTION: What is your work dress code?