Friday, May 4, 2012

overnight oats.

I've seen photos of overnight oats on Pinterest a few times. I've also seen photos of overnight chia puddings and things. And I've skimmed those recipes and then without much thought or plan made some the other night after realizing we didn't have much on hand for the following morning's breakfast.

As usual I didn't measure anything. I've done this three times so far and while each one was different each one was super super yummy.

Combine in a sealable bowl or jar:
(all of these measurements are complete guesses, just feel it out as you go as far as the texture you're looking for)

1/2 cup oats
1/3 cup almond milk
1/3 cup heavy cream (I'm eager to use yogurt but I haven't made any recently)
Splash of maple syrup or other sweetener
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon unsweetened dried coconut
Fruit! (the first time I used handed grapes and diced apples, second time sliced grapes and diced peaches, third time diced peaches and apples)

Mix, cover, refrigerate overnight. Then enjoy in the morning!!! :)




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getting a co-op in my 'hood. please read! please vote!

I don't have much time to say much of anything about this...

But please watch this video and vote for it.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCovt8OqP24?rel=0&w=690&h=420]

Wirth Community Co-op is seeking funds to finally start a co-op in my neighborhood - in north Minneapolis. The twin cities are filled with co-ops but good food, and many other things, are severely lacking in north Minneapolis. People need better options than corner stores with sodas, twinkies, and people selling drugs out front. So please please take a moment to watch and visit this website.

Thanks!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

natural plant food from whitney farms.

This post brought to you by Whitney Farms. All opinions are 100% mine.



If you know me you know that I love to eat and cook with fresh fruits and vegetables. The majority of my trips to our local co-op involve a cart full of mostly produce. It's such a pleasant and rewarding way to eat and cook. I can't wait for my garden at home to start producing. I'm also doing a work share again with a local urban CSA called McKinley CSA and, when I can, I help out with and harvest from our neighborhood community garden a few blocks away.  



I'm hugely disappointed though that Minnesota's growing season is so short. I hope one day to live somewhere with a much longer or year round growing season. Just think of the savings in terms of buying groceries? That is one of the big reasons, in addition to health and community, that I like to garden in the three ways I mentioned above.  Our grocery bill continues to inch up a little every week because so very few things are in season right now. But soon!  Soon there will a bountiful harvest! :)



Our CSA uses very natural and organic practices and I do at home as well.  I don't use pesticides or unnatural fertilizer. I only want to grow the best for my family.  I recently learned about Whitney Farms® plant foods and it seems to fit the bill for what I would use to nurture the food I grow to nurture my family.



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Whitney Farms provides a full time of 100% natural soils and plan foods.  They do not contain anything artificial, which is very important to me. Whitney Farms has over 25 year of experience and their product high points include things like low to no dust soil with no manure order, protein-based blends to adequately feed your plants, beneficial microbes, and more.



I typically don't use things like plant food because I don't know what's in that food or where it comes from. Labels are often vague or I just don't trust them completely. Whitney Farms products seem like a perfect solution.



I haven't been able to plant things in my garden plot quite yet - I currently have sprouts growing in my sunroom waiting for another week or two. Outside though I've already planted some cool weather crops in pots.  Here are some photos of kale in spinach on our back patio.







Click here to get a $3 coupon for Whitney Farms organic soil and organic plant food to try it for yourself. It's the perfect time to get started on growing vegetables and planting flowers!



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a follow up with a lovely family { frost on flower }

A little over a week ago I had the pleasure of checking in with a couple that I photographed last summer when they got married. Their wedding was beautiful and it was so nice to see them again! I met Anna and Ernie at Anna's parents house along with their entire family from great grandma all the way down to a new little baby. I love to follow along on a family's journey and check in with them every so often. I was so excited to learn that they're expecting another child! :)

Here are a few of my favorites from our time together. I was disappointed that the weather did not allow for much time outdoors but we made the best of it and had a great time.

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 Hope to see them again soon! :)

a tasty mashup, #CoronaRita

This post brought to you by Chili’s Grill & Bar. All opinions are 100% mine.



I love word mashups. How about you? I have been pretty amused by them.. basically forever and I've always gotten a kick out of making them up.  I am usually less amused by mashups involving food or beverages actually coming to life but I think this situation is an exception to my "rule".



Have you heard of or enjoyed a CoronaRita at Chili's? What is a CoronaRita, you ask?



Corona + Margarita = CoronaRita! Wow!



Is your mind blown? It should be! It's made with Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila and Coronita.



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If you are into holidays.. or you look at a calendar.. or you are a person who exists in the world.. you are probably aware that it is nearly Cinco de Mayo!  Do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? If you are anything like me  you are not prepared for holidays that are no Christmas or your child's birthday. 



Also, if you are anything like me you probably do not have any tequila, let alone Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila. And if you are anything like me you probably don't have any beer either.



So why not let Chili's take care of the complicated part of Cinco de Mayo for you? Grab family and/or friends, enjoy a meal, and a great mashup of a drink - a CoronaRita Margarita!  But don't let a lack of holidays stop you from going out - enjoy a meal out for a special family event, time away from home with friends, or simply on a whim - it's important!



I am sure you've heard of Chili's $20 Dinner for Two promotion.  I know that if we ever find ourselves in Chili's we would most certainly choose that.  Due to my current diet restrictions I would probably play it safe and order the Tostada Chips and Fire Roasted Corn Guacamole and the Quesedilla Explosion Salad (with corn tortillas, of course). Tyler would probably pick something gluten filled, since he typically can't eat that at home. The Classic Bacon Burger or the Cajun Chicken Pasta would do the trick. But no matter what we would order I am pretty certain it would pair quite nicely with a CoronaRita!  



What is your favorite dish at Chili's? What would you order along with a CoronaRita?



Remember... You must be 21 years or older to drink alcoholic beverages and, as always, please remember to drink responsibly. 



 



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