{FITNESS FRIDAY} & Paleo Granola/Cereal Recipe

 

Image Source

can also be found on my Pinterest Fitness Board 

Another great at home workout!  No excuses with this one and I may even do this over the weekend to avoid the revolutionist at the gym.  

Paleo Granola/Cereal Recipe

I bet you're wondering what makes it "paleo".  Well it's actually just gluten, grain, and processed food free.  

This granola or cereal (depending on how you want to eat it!) is a great substitute to your typical "whole grain" morning cereal.  Just swap almond or coconut milk for dairy milk and you've got yourself a fully blown #paleo breakfast that feels like a typical kid breakfast!  I love mixing in berries and half a banana into mine.   Ok, ok I know... onto the recipe.

Ingredients:

1 cup almonds (raw)

1 cup cashews (unsalted)

1/2 cup coconut flakes (unsweetened)

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup sunflower seeds (without shell)

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup coconut oil

1tsp almond extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 275*F (135* C)

Put the cashews, almonds, and coconut flakes into a food processor or blender.  Pulse until broken up into small chunks (Don't add the coconut if you were able to find shredded)

Place the honey, coconut oil and almond extract into your mixing bowl and place in the microwave.  Microwave for 30-45 seconds

Add the blended nuts, seeds and coconut flakes to the mixture and stir until thoroughly coated

On a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper), spread the mix evenly

Bake for 20 minutes or until the paleo granola is lightly browned stir halfway through

Remove from the oven and let cool or set for about 15 minutes

Break into chunks and enjoy

spring on the mind...

I've got spring on the brain a month and a half too early!  What I've been trying to do lately, as many of you are probably doing the same, is evaluate the pieces in my closet and determine what can be sole, donated, kept and thrown away.  I have a little pile started in my bedroom and as I sift through items in my closet the pile gets slightly bigger.  I try to stick to a 6 month rule unless it's a strictly seasonal or timeless piece.   Questions I ask myself -

Am I still in love with the piece?

Can I wear this 3 separate ways?

With all this evaluation of what I currently have, don't wear or need, or do need... I've compiled a little spring wish list.  I am still working on obtaining some of those tried and true closet staples while  I'd like to add some updates for this new season as well. 

Red Flats - surely a closet staple and although I have a hot pink pair, red is the perfect classy pop of color to either a monochromatic or black and white asnam.

Classic Trench - a no brainer right?  Although, the reason I haven't splurged on this piece is as of late we typically don't have much of a transition season.  In recent years this has changed and so has me rethinking this timeless piece. 

Spring Bauble - I'm loving this gorgeous and colorful piece!  Something similar will surely find it's way into my jewelry box.

Sweatshirt Dress - something sweet and neutral that I can dress up for work and dress down for the weekends. 

A Weekend Crossbody - I especially love this style from Sole Society.  It is perfect for every day and weekend with the two tone detail and double straps. 

Distressed Denim Pencil - what a cool update to a classic business look.  I'm not certain I can pull this off for my office but I'm into skirts on the weekends too, especially with Toms or sneaks.

White Chucks - I've seen too many snaps on Pinterest.  I'm caving! 

Graphic Tees - Again, succumbing to the blogging pressures.  Whereas before I'd steer away from anything drawing too much attention to my chest, now I want to pair these graphic tees with everything!

What's on your spring wish list? 

Don't forget to enter the DateVitation giveaway! 

the hat brigade

hat - BCBGeneration // coat - old navy, similar from ON // sweater - target, similar // boots - sole society, similar from SS

Yep, I've gone and done it.  Not only did I shop but I joined the big hat brigade.  I couldn't help it!! I kept pinning images every day with a big hat.  I went with this gorgeous burgundy color to add a little pop of color and the bow is the perfect little piece of interest. 

Well the week is half over and for whatever reason I couldn't be happier!   Maybe because the weekend holds a bright forecast and plans (30*!).  I'm getting pretty ampted for the Super Bowl, too.  I'm not certain who I'll be rooting for since my Steelers didn't make it into playoffs but I know it'll be an entertaining game at that. 

Is anyone watching Downton?  What is Edith doing?!!?!! 

Don't forget to enter the DateVitation Giveaway here!

Linking up with Shanna!

on a date with DateVitation

I don't currently have a boyfriend or significant other, but when I did I was always stumped on Valentine's Day as to what to give as a gift.  I wish I had known then about DateVitation.

When I was contacted by DateVitation to create a coupon book and do a product review I immediately made a "Just Because" book for my sister, Sara.   I had the best time creating a coupon book for her.  Their "add your faces" feature is genius and hilarious!  How cute are we on those stick figures, eh?  I mean, really though, we're adorable.  Admit it.  

I gifted my surprise to Sara on Saturday.  As soon as she opened the DateVitation she wanted to redeem one of the coupons!  I couldn't argue with getting out of the house for a bit as the cabin fever sets in big time.    

There are plenty of other coupons as well; go carting, billiards, shopping, tapas, spa day, you name it! 

 What a fun and creative way to make sure you're getting out of the house and spending time with one another; whether you're friends, husband and wife or sisters. 

Enter below for a free coupon book with five custom pages!

*Giveaway will run until Friday January 31st at which time the winner will be chosen*

a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Fine Print: Winner will be chosen at random using random.org.  Winner will receive a promo code for a free Datevitation gift book with 5 custom pages and free general shipping.  Additional pages are $1 each.  Tax will be applied to books shipped to California.  Books ship to U.S. and Canada only.


**this post was sponsored by DateVitation. all opinions formed are that of my own.**

Mix It: Color Block Sweater

sweater - gap, similar // skirt - h&m, similar // boots - shoemint, similar, love these!

The last time I wore this sweater I styled it like Blair from Atlantic Pacific.   This time I used Pinterest as my inspiration for an "oversized" sweater and tiny skirt keeping with the color blocked theme.  

Well, Happy Monday peeps!  How was it?  Did you all get snowed in like me this weekend?  I'm almost finished with Veronica Roth's Divergent Series.  Holy crow, what a great book series.  I always wonder, though, why I set myself up for reading 3 books at a time.  

Next on the list is White Girl Problems which I hear is absolutely hilarious.  

What are you reading these days, anything good?

Linking up with Lauren @ Fizz and Frosting today!

weekend inspiration

Image sources on my Style Inspiration Pinterest Board 

I'm officially in a style rut.  Layering on clothes upon clothes to keep warm and I'm thinking I may just go on freezing to death to be fashionable.  Oh the things we do to look good :)

I'm craving simple button downs distressed jeans and heels.  No more socks, scarfs!  Being that I'm trying not to shop (too much) I'm definitely looking to Pinterest to keep me inspired to continue to remix my current pieces!  

Are we all feeling this? 

Here's what you may have missed on AT40BF:

Monday I remixed my favorite plaid shirt.  I cannot stop wearing and re-wearing this shirt!

Did you shop the Gap sales?  Check out my favorites here!

Tuesday I tipped off some updates to your wardrobe staples

Wednesday  I tested the limits of winter style and wore my floral pants (gasp!)

Thursday I participated in a style personality contest with brilliant earth 

Friday I shared one of my favorite original recipes.

{FITNESS FRIDAY} & kale chorizo soup

Happy Friday peeps - Fitness Friday!  Woot!  Yeah, yeah I slacked this week a little bit.  Getting out of bed when the temperature says -5* is rough.   Isn't this about overcoming challenges though? That's right, I went to the gym this morning and did a spartan workout.  Sweat my booty off.  TGIF!  

This ladder workout should get your blood pumping!  

Image via my Fitness Pinterest Board

Have you ever thrown random things in a crockpot and it actually ended up turning out ok?  Well, that is how this recipe came to life.  I LOVE crockpot meals being that I'm usually running home from work and then to the studio.  Even nights that I spend at home I'm starved by the time I get there; it helps to have something ready to go and cooking while you work!

Ingredients: 

1 medium sized yam or sweet potato

2 links of pre cooked chorizo

2 small cans of stew tomatoes (I used one plain and one italian seasoned)

half a small carton of baby bella mushrooms

three large handfuls of chopped kale (I buy the precooked/washed bags)

1/2 a white onion

water and/or beef broth

garlic powder

salt and pepper

Directions:

First I cut everything into bit size pieces. 

I add everything but the kale and tomatoes to the crockpot. 

Now add your cans of tomatoes followed by 2 cans full of water or beef broth. 

now add your kale and stir as best as you can.  

Put the crockpot on low and cook for 8-10 hours. 

Serve and enjoy!

I have a 4 quart CrockPot and this usually gives me about 6 servings

winter florals

sweater - old navy // pants - target, similar // shoes - target 

You may have seen this outfit on Instagram yesterday.  Well, I've been seeing all over Pinterest marrying up florals with knits for winter.  A seemingly spring look but, it's so unexpected for winter!  I paired my favorite floral pants with a white cable knit and olive wedges to bring the look into winter a little bit.   Although I was/am in love with this pairing I'm a little disappointed in the photos.  With the polar weather conditions I was forced inside at work on lunch, and rushed.  Not a great combo.   I'm still working on the photography skills and hiding the remote (oops).  

Hope your week is off to a good start!  Happy Hump Day!

Linking up with Shanna today!