Nutty

I have a new obsession: making almond butter.

I really dislike the taste of store bought almond butter. But I’ve made several batches in the past few days, added different ingredients and it’s DEElicious. Better than peanut butter.  (Never thought I’d say that)

Today’s batch?  Dark chocolate cinnamon.  Oh.my.gosh.  It’s straight-out-of-the-bottle-with-a-spoon delicious. 

You’ll need:

-2-3 cups Raw almonds

-Food processor.  I attempted almond butter in my (Amazing, Awesome, Spectacular) Blendtec and while it can handle peanuts just fine, almonds are a lot more difficult to process so it overheated.  Boo.  So I said, “Hey mom, wanna buy a food processor?”  And enticed her with the idea of fresh almond butter every week.  (yes, it lives at her house but I visit almost daily.)

-1 1/2 c. melted 60% cacao chocolate chips.

-1 tsp. salt

-1 tsp vanilla extract

-1-2 tsp grapeseed oil (or coconut if you don’t mind that hint of coconut flavor)

-2-3 tsp cinnamon.  I LOVE the taste of cinnamon so I probably put about 4 tsp. in my batch today (and still not as strong as I wanted)

-2-3 Tbs. turbinado sugar.

-Patience.  Yep, just when you think your almond butter is finished.  It’s not.  Keep going.

First step, spread your almonds onto a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 minutes at 325* F. Let cool for 10 more minutes.

 

 

Throw your cooled almonds into the processor and press start.

 

After about one minute it should look like this.

 

After two minutes.

 

Three and a half minutes.  Not done yet.

 

Six minutes.  Don’t stop!

 

Ten minutes.  Ahhh….beautiful creaminess.

 

Now, melt those chocolate chips and grapseed oil in a glass bowl over a saucepan with almost boiling water. Remove when chocolate chips are almost fully melted.

And try to keep sneaky fingers away.

Dump chocolate into your almond butter along with all other ingredients.

Voila!

And while you’re so engrossed in watching this concoction come together you’ll turn around and see this:

Oh my.  She’s like the chocolate Joker.   Note to self: Never leave melted chocolate bowl in the vicinity of an almost three year-old. 

 

Enjoy!

Miscarriage Support

For some reason, miscarriage tends to be a taboo subject.  I’m not sure why, when it is far more common than one might think.  Perhaps as women we tend to feel as if our bodies have failed us and to have every one aware of that fact would be too much of a burden to carry.
For those women who have not experienced the loss of a pregnancy it helps to know how to support those who have, what to say, what not say and how to ease their pain.

*I realize every woman is different, and what has helped me may not be helpful to someone else so I can’t speak for every woman everywhere.* 

As someone who has experienced three different types of losses in the past year (early miscarriage at 7 weeks, an ectopic and a missed miscarriage at 14 weeks) I wanted to express what has helped ease my pain in hopes that it will help others.  Now, most women miscarry very early on in their pregnancy at a time when others aren’t even aware the woman was pregnant and it’s difficult to support in those circumstances.  But if you ARE aware, here are a few tips.
1. Acknowledge the loss, NO MATTER HOW EARLY IT WAS.  A pregnancy is a pregnancy, the potential for a baby and a forever altered future and it hurts immensely when all those hopes are dashed, whether it be at 5 weeks or 10 weeks.
2. Do not tell them, “It’s for the best.” Even if you have the greatest of intentions, those words are like a slap in the face.  It’s never “best” for a woman to lose a baby she so badly wanted.
3.  Use your judgment and continue to ask how they are feeling about the loss even weeks later.  Most people will forget or start ignoring the woman’s loss after a couple weeks.  But no woman who has experienced it will forget. Ever.
4. Depending on your relationship, if you feel comfortable, send them a note or a treat.  Express your deepest sorrow and let them know you are there whenever they need you.  I cannot tell you how much these acts of kindness have saved me and how they lifted my spirits.  It meant the world to me, even if it took them five minutes out of their day.
5. Do not tell them, “Well it’s really common.” For some reason, this sentiment made my losses feel insignificant, as if they don’t matter.  Every loss is as important as the woman feels it is. Gauge their tone and match your sympathy to their feelings.
6. Hug them.  Even if they aren’t huggers. 
7. Emails, texts and phone calls are invaluable when you are not in close proximity.
8. Even though I know those who say this are only trying to make me feel better about the situation, the saying, “It wasn’t in God’s plan” or something similar just makes it hurt all the more.  God doesn’t want me to have another child?  Am I not doing a good job with the children I already have?  Or if the woman who doesn’t have children at all, can you imagine how much it would tear down her self esteem? God doesn’t want her to be a mother?  And I know this isn’t the intention of the sympathizers but those are the thoughts that run through our heads.  If you bring up the subject of God or Heavenly Father, only tell them how much He loves them and is aware of their pain.  That’s all that needs to be said.
9. Depending on the relationship, tell them you love them.
10.  Take them out for dinner or a pedicure.  Plan a girls’ night out, anything to take their mind off the pain.  But don’t sidestep the issue, ask them how they are feeling and if they want to talk about it, they will.

These are only a few things I thought of that have helped me in my emotional recovery and I hope that those who read this can help a friend or a family member find her way out of the heartache caused by a miscarriage.

BookFace

                      Oh my dear Facebook.  How I love thee, let me count the ways:

1. I love knowing random, useless tidbits about friends and family members.  No really, I do.  Makes me feel closer, connected.
2. I love looking at updated pictures, profiles and information.
3. I love seeing things I have in common with others, such as favorite T.V. shows, places to shop, eat, etc.
4. I love to stalk.  There.  I said it.
5. I love that I can ask for advice or tips and within seconds I receive several responses, personal experiences, reviews, pros, cons.  Love that a lot!
6. I love to see funny news stories, recipes, heart-warming messages all in one spot!
7. The Hide button.  Best most useful addition to FB.  Period.
8. Facebook is a fabulous way to advertise your business or to network.
9. Coming from a huge family I appreciate the instant communication.  For example my brother broke his leg a few weeks ago and I put it on FB.  All my siblings who live away from home instantly knew and were thus not "out of the loop" which is a common complaint in families with numerous children.
10. Did I mention the Hide button?

                   BUT.....my dear Facebook, there are some things I really don't love....

1. Ambiguous status updates.  Otherwise known as "Vaguebooking" (as my sister told me)  exhibit A:{Joe Schmoe now has no right arm.}  Whoa whoa whoa..WHAT?! Joe!  Please do tell!  What happened?  How in the heck? ARGH!!! And then hair-pulling soon follows.  If you are going to post it, explain it, if you don't want to explain then DON'T POST IT! 
2. TMI updates.  I'm not talking about baby poop or vomit or anything like that because as a mother I can commiserate and I find those updates amusing.  I am talking about quite literally...TOO MUCH INFORMATION.  I don't need to know what you had for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dunch and dinner.  I really, really don't.  I also don't need to know what your cat had for said meals.  Actually, I don't care about your pets at all, unless it's a funny story that I will truly appreciate, like how your dog ate your cat.  That's funny.
3. Shout outs for one person on status updates.  Exhibit B: { Lisa Smisha JENNY I WILL MEET YOU AT BURGER KING TOMORROW AT 11!}  Ummmm......k.  There are private messages and personal pages for that sorta thing.  Figure it out.
4. Updates that so obviously exclude other people.  No not like #3.  I'm talking about, "Oh my gosh best dinner date ever with the best friends ever, Joe, Trish, Nate, Ashley!"  Especially when you know you have friends that live nearby or are in your ward or whatever that will probably be hurt by not being invited.  I'm not saying this has happened to me but I have seen it happen to other people.  Have some tact facebookers.  This ain't high school anymore.
5.  Fighting on facebook.  'Nuff said.
6.  Mass facebook updates.  "Post this on your wall if you are a mother who loves her children." Barf.  I thought the days of chain emails and letters were long gone.  Apparently not.
7.  Friend requests from people in high school that I was never friends with before.  Pretty sure you just want to stalk my pictures.  Weirdo.  And pretend like you didn't just read #4 of my pro list.
8. Communicating with your spouse via Facebook (publicly of course).  "Honey how are you?  I love you so much.  Hope you are having a great day."  Double barf.
9. Aggressive, rude or embellished political status updates.  It's fine to be political, but compassion and understanding go a LONG way.  So does tact.
10. Last but not least, naked pictures of your kids.  It's the internet folks.  You post it, it's out there.  For everyone.  Anywhere.  Anytime.  Catch my drift?

What bugs you?

Eggy Toast

Thinking of things to make for your family can become really difficult, especially if you feel you are stuck in a rut.  Thinking of things that are healthy, tasty, easy AND cheap just adds to the degree of difficulty.  So what is a frazzled mom (or dad!) to do?

Well I was faced with that question last Friday night.  I didn't want to spend money and I didn't feel like heating up an already too toasty kitchen.  I opened my fridge and saw that I had plenty of eggs and bread and thought, "Hey..egg toast!"  Now, this is not a novel idea whatsoever but I was proud of myself for making a healthy, tasty dish in less than half an hour without going to the store for extra ingredients.  And this meal is versatile!  You can have it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dunch OR dinner.  

You are going to need:

4-8 eggs depending on the size of your family

loaf of bread (we use Ezekiel sprouted whole grain)

mayonnaise

mustard

salt

pepper

paprika

cheddar, muenster or mozzarella cheese

First Step:  Boil those eggs!

 

Step #2: Peel the eggs and place them in a medium sized bowl.  Scoop some mayo, mustard onto the eggs.  Sprinkle on some salt, pepper and paprika and then mash together!

Step #4:  Place slices of bread on a cookie sheet and then set your oven to broil.  Put the cookie sheet of bread under the broiler for a few minutes until the pieces start looking like toast.  Take the bread out!

Step #5: Scoop the egg mixture evenly onto the pieces of toast.  Sprinkle on some cheese and place the sheet back under the broiler.  Watch carefully and take out when the cheese is nice and melty! Yes melty is a word.  I don't care what automatic spell check tells me.

After step #5 you should have yummy slices of egg toast!  Now here is where you can get creative with your toppings.  Maybe a little hot sauce?  Slices of avocados or tomatoes?  Or how 'bout some delicious guacamole?  I happened to have some leftover and let me tell you it was DELICIOUS!

Seems like a stingy meal right?  Well my hubby, who is a hearty eater, was filled after about 2.5 slices but it was so tasty he went for more!  ;)  Enjoy!

Best Flat Irons

According to me of course!

So I have a lot of hair. Tons and TONS of hair. Like it takes me 20 minutes just to comb it after taking a shower. With a wide tooth comb. It's ridiculous.

And not only do I have a ton of hair but it's very coarse and frizzy and curly/wavy. A lethal combination. Most days my hair is thrown under a hat. I have to contain it somehow and I don't have the time to wrestle with it everyday.

On the weekends, however I have more time to make myself presentable so I embrace my natural waves and flat iron my hair. Er....I mean....never mind.


I have purhcased all my flat irons at Folica.com. They have amazing customer service and many items come with free shipping! Can't beat that! Well maybe you could beat it if the actual item was free but I digress.

So...I have found four awesome flat irons that are SO WORTH the money. And if they work on my hair they will do wonders for everybody else!









SOLIA


The Solia is my favorite. It doesn't pull or pinch and the ceramic plates just glide through the hair. It heats up to 400* and it makes my hair so smooth and soft! I have had my Solia for several years now and it works just as great as the day I received it! It fits great in your hand and the cord doesn't twist as easily as other flat iron brands (which is a good thing!)

SEDU


I also own the Sedu which was top rated on Folica.com for quite sometime. I actually like the Solia better but I think it's because the Sedu's plates are too wide. The Sedu tends to pinch my hair a bit but all-in-all it's a great flat iron and it too made my hair very soft and smooth. The Sedu also heats up to 400* and it too has ceramic plating.

HairArt




HairArt flat irons were some of my first investments and they are still awesome! They are quite similar to the Solia but I notice they are a bit harder to handle. The cord tends to contort and twist into knots very easily and it's annoying to have to untangle.

Chi

Now I don't actually OWN a Chi but I have used them several times and I know they are quite popular. The reason I don't own it is because they have a fixed heat. Meaning I can't change the temperature. And most Chi's only heat up to 370* which crazily enough isn't hot enough to get my hair straight on the first pull through. But my hair isn't like most others and I'm sure 370* is certainly hot enough for the average Josephina's hair. And perhaps for the average Joe as well, including his boyfriend.

So there ya go! Enjoy your flat iron shopping and frying your hair!

Buying Guides

Need help deciding which product or tool is right for you?

• Choosing the Right Flat Iron
• Choosing the Right Hair Dryer
• Choosing the Right Curling Tool
• Choosing the Right Shampoo
• Choosing the Right Conditioner
• Choosing the Right Styling Products

More Hair 101

Close

Things I wish I could have

But can't.

1. A Minivan. That's right people. I want a minivan. I don't care if that screams, "I'M A MOM AND I AM TAKING MY KIDS TO SOCCER PRACTICE!" because let's face it, I am a mom and I most likely will be taking my kids to soccer practice one day. And while we are on the subject I really dislike these "stereotypes." You know, like the one that says short dudes who drive big trucks are trying to compensate for something. It's not a bad thing, it's just the truth. Straight up.

Before all the single ladies start dry heaving on me (figuratively, not literally please) I have to clarify that I don't want just any minivan. I want a Honda Odyssey. They are the most attractive looking in their class and I'm all about judging a book by its cover. It's a Honda and Honda's true cost of ownership is light years ahead of its competitors.

Minivans win the practicality award when you are towing youngin's around. They are spacious and comfortable and have AUTOMATIC (yes I'm yelling it because that feature is AWESOME!) sliding doors and you can fit a crap load of groceries in the back that you bought in bulk from Costco.

But alas the HO is not in our budget. Wait, that sentence sounds wrong.






2. A beautiful, large, open and airy home with surrounding forests of greenery in which you could inhale and feel like you are in the middle of the mountains. But it has to be in California, and close to my family and close to the beach and in a secluded but top notch neighborhood with the best schools.

That's it. Well, not really, but those are the major players. I wanted to keep this short because otherwise I'd sound like a greedy, covetous snot when in reality I couldn't even come up with a third item, at least not an item that was appropriate for this blog.

A girl can dream right?

Recipes

In an attempt to kick off this blog, I'm positing again. I'm sure Lindsay is eye-deep in sleep training and is probably a little exhausted. Kelli and Cindy have no excuses. :)

Have any of you tried any new, delicious recipes lately?

Lindsay has a link to her blog on her blog, but sometimes I read www.katheats.com and it's a girl who photographs pictures of every she eats and eats mostly whole foods. She always makes oatmeal that looks so delicious so the other morning I made this:

1/3 cup oats
1/3 fat free milk
1/3 cup water
little salt
cooked those ingredients until right consistency and then added:
pumpkin
cottage cheese
splash of vanilla
little bit of brown sugar
dollop of nutella
topped it with organic pumpkin seed granola (found at Costco-very good!) Oh my gosh it was SO SO GOOD. I've had it for breakfast the past 3 mornings now. It's so filling and so tasty. I really don't add that much nutella, but it gets all melty and warm and it's just delish.

So anybody else?