i'm back

I feel like I’m back. I don’t really feel sick anymore, I’m not falling asleep when I get home from work, and more importantly I can finally eat normal. Bless you second trimester. As you all know I love to cook and just wanted to share this great quick salmon marinade and quinoa recipe I threw together the other night (not my original recipes, but were great together).  It’s easy and pretty filling. Maybe salmon will be on your menu tonight? Bon Appetite!

Salmon Marinade

1-1.5 lbs. Salmon

1/3 c. OJ

1/3 c. Soy Sauce

1 tsp. Dry Mustard

Pinch of Sugar

¼ c. White Wine

2 TBS. Oil

1 tsp. Ginger

1 minced Garlic 

Combine all ingredients and whisk well. Marinate Salmon for at least 30 min. in the fridge. I did mine for 1.5 hours. Grill.

 Quinoa Pilaf

1/2 c. Carrot, diced                             

1/2 c.  Green Onion, diced                  

1/4 c. Celery,  diced                           

1/4 c.  Green Pepper, diced                   

1/4 c.  Red Pepper, diced          

Salt to taste

6 c. Quinoa, cooked

1/4 c. Olive Oil

2  Garlic, crushed

1 c. Almonds, sliced

1/4  tsp. Oregano

1/4 c. Grated Parmesan

Sauté chopped vegetables in olive oil until clear, yet crisp: stir in oregano. Add sautéed vegetables to cooked, hot quinoa, mixing well. Add salt to taste. Dry-roast almonds in heavy skillet until lightly golden. Add almonds and mix. I liked to mix in a little parm just to give it a little cheese flavor.

and the 2 shall become 3

We are overjoyed to announce that our little family 

will be growing by an extra two feet on 9.7.12!

We sent a little Valentine’s Day card to family last Tuesday, and thought now it was time to make it official. Here we are now 12 weeks and counting!

We are completely overjoyed with what the Lord has done. At one point we were told this would be something difficult to happen, but our Father is Great and is the Great Healer. He has blessed us with the gift to of being pregnant twice now. One little one we can’t wait to meet in heaven, and one that we will have the absolute joy to meet this September. Aaron and I feel honored that He would choose us to be parents, and thankful to have such supportive and loving family and friends surrounding us in this process.

So, please join us in prayer throughout this pregnancy! You know we would love it.

a whole Lotta love,

a|m

love me some jesus

We had a great Christmas this year and got to see most of our family, which was the biggest treat for us. There were 5 dogs total at my parents house, which left four of them much like this after a hard day of play

A few months ago I made this little sign. Our formal dining room just need more of a personal touch. If you know me... you know I love to say ,"love me some Jesus", because it's clearly true I do, but it is also just a little something I like to say.

I got clever with some paint, an old plank board, and some braided twine and here you have it. I figured no sense in paying someone else to do your idea for you! Hope you and yours had a very blessed and Merry Christmas.

oh babycakes...

I have been a terrible blogger for months now. I’m trying to get back on the train. Thanksgiving, along with my Birthday, all came in a fast forward motion was last month. We spent time with family and friends, eating, and ran a few races (or maybe just I did).

Nevertheless, my family was very sweet in making my Birthday special, even those that are miles and miles away. One thing that I felt like I can to share with you was a new recipe… (surprise, surprise). My Aunt Margaret gave me this wonderful cookbook, which I found myself completely immersed in, BabyCakes Covers the Classics. My first product with a few adjustments was her granola recipe. A girl needs variety in the GF cereal department! Even if you’re not GF you will enjoy this. Put over yogurt, frozen yogurt (or in our house now Yonanas, thanks Mom), with fruit, or plain for breakfast. So, here ya go, I toast a full bowl to you!

GF & Vegan Free Granola
4 cups GF Oats or Old Fashion Oats1 tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Ground Ginger
1 ½ cups Unsweetened Coconut
½ cup Pecans
½ cup Almonds
1/3 cup Sunflower Seeds (unsalted)
½ cup dried Cranberries
½ cup dried Blueberries
1/3 cup MELTED coconut oil… or Canola Oil1/3 cup Agave Nectar
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-In a medium bowl, combine oats, salt, cinnamon, ginger, coconut, pecans, almonds, seeds, and berries and mix together.
-Add Oil and Agave to bowl, and mix well together.
-Pour mixture on baking sheet(s), spread, and bake for 15 min.
-Give the mixture a stir and continue baking for 10-15 minutes more. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
-Store granola in a covered container. (I use a Tupperware container).
 Also, if you haven’t heard of Yonanas it’s amazing. Makes your own GF/Lactose Free frozen yogurt. It’s pretty amazing… tastes just like ice cream. Seriously. I love having this granola on top!

diy bracelet

I made this, and it was so easy I thought I had to share. You should give this easy bracelet a try!

stella the deal

I love a good deal. While I get ready for work every morning I usually have the Today show or GMA on. I like to get a little news and a little fluff in the morning. Once a week GMA does a Steals and Deals segment. I love this Stella & Dot bracelet that they showed today... and with their promo code it's 50% off. Ummm hello... makes you love it a little more. 

Get it here using promo code GMAOCT (expires 10/27)

Was $59 with this code $29!

chocolate chip... gf & vegan...could it really be good?

There has been quite a bit of experimenting in the baking department of our kitchen these days. I have to be honest; I think this might very well be the best tasting Chocolate Chip Cookie I’ve ever had. I’m soft bake kind of girl, so if that’s not you… well you probably won’t enjoy it half as much as I did. So sit outside, enjoy the fall air, bite into one of these cookies, and it will make you raise your glass of cold milk!

Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free, Vegan)

•2 1/2 cups Blanched Almond Flour

•1/2 teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt

•1/2 teaspoon baking soda

•1/2 cup grapeseed oil

•1 tablespoon vanilla extract

•1/2 cup agave nectar

•1 cup dark chocolate 73%

1.Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.

2.Stir together wet ingredients in a smaller bowl.

3.Mix wet ingredients into dry.

4.Form 1/2 inch balls and press onto a parchment lined baking sheet.

5.Bake at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes.

6.Cool and serve.