Do you know Flax?

Do y'all know about flax seed?

Flax is an annual flower and the seeds have been found to have lots of nutritional benefits and it is super easy to add into your daily diet!

Some flax seed bragging rights:

-It's been shown to reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes

-It can help lower your blood pressure

-Reduces inflammation caused by Parkinson's Disease and asthma

-Reduces hot flashes in menopausal women by 50%

Now, there is a lot of evidence that proves that flax seed is wonderful but all reports make it very clear that it is not some sort of super food but still recommended to add to your daily diet.

While researching, I found out that pregnant women should not be adding flax seed because there has not been research done in this scenario yet! Definitely a question I will be asking my doctor about!

Now the real question. How do you eat it?!

The easiest ways I have found to add this great body booster is in my breakfast. Sprinkle it on yogurt, cereal, toast with jelly, in smoothies or in your juice. It would also be easy to add a sprinkle on a sandwich, in a soup or marinade for lunch or dinner!

This is important: flax seed can go bad at room temperature once opened very quickly. I keep the bag in the freezer and have a small tupperware in the fridge that I refill once I use all that up.

Look for it in the baking/flour aisle next time you're at the grocery store and add some flax seed benefits to your routine, too!

This helps balance out the blueberry cupcakes...

Laura

(Information via here and here)

Football Hurricane Filler

After July 4th and before Autumn can be looked at one of two ways.

1. The relaxing calm before the holiday decor storm.
2. The stressful, awkward interlude between red, white and blue and pumpkins.

I definitely fall under category #2.

Do I go with watermelons? Beach balls? I live in the mountains!

Well, in our household, this awkward time also means that COLLEGE FOOTBALL is about to start! We are HUGE college football fans (OSU for this girl, OU for the hubster) and putting little football touches around the house really gets us even more pumped up for September 3rd!

This is one of my favorite hurricane vase fillers and it is SO inexpensive and easy!



I stuffed the bottom of the hurricane with shredded green paper filler to look like grass. Then, I took football birthday candles (they're attached to toothpicks), cut the wick off the top and stuck them into the paper "grass"!



How easy is that?

I found both supplies at Michael's but any craft store would work! When it's time to bust out the fall decor, I simply put the candles and paper filler back in a large, labeled ziploc and store it away until next year! Reusable- even better.

Go Pokes!
Laura

Salted M and M Marshmallow Popcorn

That's a mouthful! In more ways than one.

I love the combo of salty and sweet and one of my favorite ways is to throw some M&M's in with my popcorn!

But then sometimes you have to dig around when the M&M's sink to the bottom of the bowl and that's just too much work for my calories, you know.

Where there's a problem, there's always a solution. And the solution here is this delicious popcorn!

Salty, sweet, chocolate-y. Perfection.



Salted M&M Marshmallow Popcorn

Yield: 8 cups

Prep Time: 10 min. Total Time: 15 min.

Ingredients:

-8 cups popped popcorn

-5 tbsp. salted butter

-One bag marshmallows (I used large but small ones would work, too!)

-M&M's

-Salt

Directions:

-Melt butter in large saucepan. Stirring occasionally. Add marshmallows and stir occasionally until melted. This can take a few minutes so watch the pot closely to avoid burning.

-Add popped popcorn to butter/marshmallow mixture and gently toss to coat.

-Pour popcorn onto a greased foil (or silpat without grease!) lined baking sheet and pour M&M's over the top. Push the M&M's into the popcorn so they stick and sprinkle generously with salt.

-Cut apart and then let cool. You can cut them after they cool but it does harden quickly.

-Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Laura

Nightlight Wallflower

Have y'all seen these?





Nightlight Wallflowers from Bath and Body Works!

My grandma brought me some and I love them. We all know that Bath and Body Works has the best smelling scent options (not to mention they have about 746 options...) and the nightlight is a bonus! Even better, the light turns off when you have the room light on and flips on once you turn off the lights in the room.

It's so smart.

Check them out in store or online here!

Bath and Body Works is so technologically advanced,
Laura

Blueberry Cupcakes

I told y'all I had a lot of blueberries to use up.

So, I've been thinking. We eat blueberry muffins for breakfast...why not make them into a blueberry cupcake to eat for dessert, too?

I am a huge fan of desserts made from scratch but I am also a fan of semi-homemade desserts that taste like they are made from scratch. A dessert isn't worth it if you spent all day in the kitchen and didn't get to enjoy the time with the people you made it for!

Here is where a doctored up cake mix comes in. It's a great base for infinite possibilities of flavor (oh wow- that sentence is so dramatic...I've been watching the Bachelorette a lot).

These Blueberry cupcakes are a perfect example of how to uniquely and deliciously doctor up a cake mix!

Did I mention these cupcakes have a cinnamon sugar topping and cream cheese frosting, too? Oh, they do. 

Blueberry Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes 24 cupcakes

Prep Time: 15 min. Total Time: 1.5 hrs. including cooling

Ingredients:

-1 box yellow or white cake mix plus ingredients needed on box

-1 3/4 c. blueberries

-1 tbsp. flour

-6 tbsp. granulated sugar

-1/4 c. brown sugar

-1 tsp. cinnamon

-8 oz. cream cheese, softened

-1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, softened

-2 1/3 c. confectioners sugar, sifted

-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

-Blueberries for topping

Directions:

Spray 24 muffin tins with nonstick spray or use cupcake liners. Preheat oven to temperature directed on cake mix.

Mix cake mix according to directions on box.

Gently combine blueberries with flour to lightly coat. Fold blueberries into the cake mixture and scoop into prepared cupcake liners.

Combine granulated sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle on top of each cupcake. Bake according to cake mix box directions, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Meanwhile, make the frosting. In an electric mixer, combine cream cheese and butter on high until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add in vanilla and confectioner's sugar and beat on low until combined. Increase speed to medium high and beat 1 minute.

In a small saucepan, combine approx. 50 blueberries (at least one per cupcake) with a sprinkle of sugar and a splash of water. Cook over low-medium heat, stirring, until blueberries are bubbly and sauce turns blue. Remove from heat and let sit for syrup to thicken.

When cupcakes are cooled, top with frosting and a blueberry with some syrup.

Enjoy!

Call me Dr. Cake Mix,

Laura

On my radar...

Some things I've been eyeing (and loving) lately...

Name Ring

I'll take two please.

Rudolph Hat

Charlotte needs this.

Towne and Reese Agate Stone Pendant Necklace

Gorgeous.

Glitter Tip Nails

Yes, please.

Baby Girl Surrounded By Bows

Oh, this is happening.

Anything you've been eyeing that I'm missing out on?

Laura



Christmas in July Orzo Salad

What is it about red and green that automatically makes you think of Christmas? I can't even cook with red and green without humming Jingle Bells.

Which is how this Christmas in July orzo salad came about!

A quick, easy side dish when the last thing you want to do is slave over dinner in the summer! 

Christmas in July Orzo Salad

Serves 4 as a side dish

Prep Time: 5 min. Total Time: 20 min.

Ingredients:

-1 c. orzo

-2 cloves garlic, minced

-1/2 green bell pepper, diced

-3/4 c. cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

-1 tbsp. EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil)

-Grated Parmesan cheese

-Handful of fresh basil, chopped

-Balsamic Vinegar

Directions:

Cook orzo according to box directions.

Meanwhile, saute garlic in EVOO until slightly browned and fragrant. Add bell peppers and cherry tomatoes and cook over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until veggies are soft.

When orzo is done cooking, drain and combine with vegetable mixture.

Add a large splash of balsamic vinegar and drizzle with more EVOO.

Top with chopped basil and Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!

Laura







Chalkboard Labels

Martha Stewart does it again. How is she so good?

My mom found these adorable scalloped chalkboard stickers and I broke them out the other day in the kitchen and now I don't know why it took me so long!

It was a simple pick me up that really ties things together in the kitchen! I'm now on the hunt for more things I can label such as baking supplies, spices, laundry detergent, my hubby...you know, things like that.

They are available at office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot, as well as Michael's.

I think they'd be a great gift for someone crafty, too!

Off to label more things...
Laura

Blueberry Walnut Banana Bread

A delicious, healthy, fruit filled breakfast option AND it's low-fat? Yes, please.

I bought an insane amount of blueberries on sale (gotta love summer harvests!) and have a few recipes to share to use them up!

Enjoy Blueberry Walnut Banana Bread!

P.S. I made this bread for our camping trip and took this picture when I tried it before I left. I had planned to take a lot more for the blog on the trip but between the intense heat in the car and me not properly wrapping up the bread...it turned super mushy. So keep yours in the fridge...or not the 100 degree Utah heat. Lesson learned.

Blueberry Walnut Banana Bread

Adapted from SkinnyTaste.com

Makes one loaf

Prep Time: 15 min. Total Time: 1.5 hours, including cooling

Ingredients:

-3 ripe medium bananas, mashed

-1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce

-1 1/4 c. all purpose flour plus 1 tbsp. for coating blueberries

-3/4 tsp. baking soda

-1/4 tsp. salt

-2 tbsp. butter, softened

-1/2 c. light brown sugar

-2 large egg whites

-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

-1/2 cup chopped walnuts

-1/2-3/4 c. blueberries rinsed and dried

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8x5 loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/4 c. all purpose flour, baking soda and salt with a wire whisk. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar with a mixer. Add egg whites, bananas, applesauce and vanilla and beat at medium speed until thick. Scrape down sides of bowl.

Add flour mixture and blend at low speed until combined.

In a small bowl, sprinkle 1 tbsp. of flour over blueberries and walnuts to lightly coat. Add to flour-banana mixture and fold in with spatula. Do not over mix.

Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy!

Laura



Tuesday Tune

I'm not ashamed to admit I am a fan of Jason Mraz and the hubs and I played this song on repeat for the THREE road trips we went on in the last week.

That's a lot of car time. Whew.

Anyways, enjoy "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz!

I'm so glad to be sitting still right now and not in a car,

Laura



Face Saving Smoothie

I feel as though my job is to inform you of things that will happen to you during your pregnancy that nobody else will.

Such as your face reverting to it's 13 year old, pimply self. No beating around the bush. It's bad. It's not fun. At least I know how to apply make up better now than I did then, I suppose.

It explains why your face breaks out when you hit puberty. It's payback for when you were just a little fetus and you ruined your dear ol' mom's complexion. It really is karma at it's finest.

Anyways, for the past few weeks I've been drinking carrot juice to try and help calm down the ol' face. Sounds nasty, I know, but mixed into a smoothie (what else did you expect around here?) it is quite delicious!

Face Saving Carrot Smoothie

Yield: 1 large smoothie or 2 small

Ingredients:

-1 frozen banana

-5 whole strawberries

-1/4 c. greek yogurt

-1/2-3/4 c. carrot juice (I like Odwalla- look for the large jugs on sale at the grocery store or Sam's/Costco)

Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy!

Charlotte might come out looking a little orange...

Laura

Roasted Strawberries

Oh, ice cream. How I love thee.

Ice cream topped with roasted strawberries? Yes, please.



A simple and delicious way to use up strawberries that are on the verge of going bad!

Roasted Strawberries

Recipe from Martha Stewart Living 

Yield: 2 lbs.

Prep Time: 5 min. Total time: 1 hr 45 minutes, plus cooling time.

Ingredients:

-2 lbs. strawberries

-5 tbsp. honey

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Wash, dry and hull strawberries but leave whole. Place in a single layer in a baking dish.

3. Drizzle with the honey and toss to coat.

4. Bake until the syrup begins to thicken and the strawberries are deep red and shrink, around 1 hr and 45 min. 

5. Let cool (syrup will thicken while cooling) and pour over ice cream, yogurt, biscuits or pancakes!
(Chocolate syrup optional but encouraged!)

Yum!
Laura

The Love Byrd

I am a sucker for unique stationary, invitations and fonts.

I think they can make an upscale event even more classy, a thank you note even more meaningful and a wedding even more personalized.

My sweet friend, Emily, is the "Byrd" behind The Love Byrd Letters- a handwritten calligraphy service. To say she is good at what she does would not be giving her enough credit. She is truly blessed at producing gorgeous, unique and original lettering.

Not only is she super talented- she's sweet as can be and would be a doll to work with for your upcoming event!

Check her out here at The Love Byrd Letters.

Gorgeous!

Laura

I really love my...{hobo lauren wallet}

(see here for all the previous posts in the I really love my... series!)

I cannot believe that I have not expressed my utmost love blogged about this before!

To say that I really love my hobo lauren wallet is a complete understatement.

This wallet is durable, useful, long-lasting and holds every thing you could thing you need in your purse.

via

I have had mine, and used it daily, for 5 years and it is still in great shape! It holds all my cards (I join like every store rewards club possible), receipts, ID's, cash and coins. I don't carry my check book with me but you could definitely put it on one side!

Size wise, it's perfect to throw in my purse or grab it and use it as a clutch to run in the gas station or for a night out! It also comes in such yummy colors although I just have the plain versatile black.

via



They are available at Dillard's and other department stores and although it will cost you more than you would typically think to pay for a wallet- it's honestly worthy every penny! I've gifted and recommended this wallet to so many people and they all have LOVED it!

I love you, Hobo Lauren Wallet.
Laura

Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Baked Chicken

I've said it before, and I'll say it again- Skinnytaste strikes again!

I'm trying to come out of my recipe rut and man, oh, man, did I ever. I made these Skinny Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Baked Chicken breasts last week and they were a hit! I used 3 chicken breasts sliced in half, so that's 6 pieces for you non mathematicians, and we enjoyed them for leftovers all week long!



It's the perfect combination of everything you love about jalapeno poppers- cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon and a kick from the jalapeno- in dinner form! A winning summer dinner!

These will definitely be making an appearance around this house soon!

Here is the link to the original recipe: Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Baked Chicken.

Enjoy!
Laura

Another Monday List

1. I feel like an 80 year old woman trapped in a 26 year old woman's body...with a 6 month old fetus inside of that. What I'm trying to say is- my back hurts. Sweet Charlotte is just pushing back there and it does not feel wonderful. Whew.

2. I have a lot of recipes brewing in my head that contain popcorn, pretzels, avocado, marshmallows, black beans, orzo and m&m's...not all together. Now, if I could only find some time to play around in the kitchen!

3. Another thing I'm trying to find some time for is to deodorize our mattresses using this method! Must be part of that whole nesting thing...

4. I can't stop drinking this smoothie! I think I need an intervention.

5. Thanks to your advice- I am going to go ahead with the DIY embroidery hoops! I'm on the fabric hunt now!

via

Basically, what this post has made me realize is that I have lots of things I want to do and not a lot of time...thanks, guys.

Anybody want to come over to help cook/DIY/clean mattresses?

Laura

A Friday Funny

This could not sum me up more.

via

I'm working really, reallyyy hard on that green thumb.

Laura





Hunting for a Headboard

I'm on the headboard hunt.

We are in the process of getting new bedroom furniture for ourselves and it is all gorgeous but it is also really huge and wooden. Like, made of wood...and massive. So, I want to mix in a girly headboard that tones it all down!

Here are some options...

1/2/3/4/5

Decisions, Decisions!

Laura

Rosemary Sea Salt Pretzels

Just call me Auntie Anne. (anybody?)

I made pretzels last week! I really expected this to be super difficult but after reading this recipe about 19 times, I found a bit of confidence and decided to tackle the pretzel.

And, boy, am I glad I did.

They were actually really simple and I'd say even foolproof!

I followed the recipe from Two Peas and their Pod exactly, including the rosemary cheese dipping sauce. I will absolutely be making these again! I think they'd be great for football season and a super impressive gift for someone!

via

Salty, savory, chewy and delicious. Try these, ASAP. I promise you will not be disappointed and you will feel like such a rockstar in the kitchen.

Click here for the original recipe.

Oh Auntie Anne's,
Laura