Gluten Free Almond Meal Chocolate Chippers & Happenings

ah! Still stinking at blogging! Finally back with a general update, a recipe, and information about an awesome fitness gear giveaway. First off, Josh has been traveling a ton. We’ve missed him and are spending our whole weekend enjoying time with him. After I taught Body Step this morning, we headed to the aquarium:

 

 

 

 

 

We are planning on a chipotle or qdoba dinner tonight and then college football! What have you been up to today?

I mentioned in my last post that I tried out a recipe for almond meal chocolate chippers and they turned out just OK. I made this recipe instead and really love the results! They’re not too sweet and are a little cake like:

 

On a side note, you know I love Ellie fitness apparel.  Well, they’re having an awesome giveaway for a free Ellie outfit and yoga DVD set! Go enter!!

 

 

Cookie-palooza

Hello and happy weekend! What have you been up to? Last night, we hung in and had taco salads. This morning, I taught Step, cleaned a bit, and am getting ready to nap (while Kay naps) and learn choreography. We are headed to a happy hour and wedding tonight.

Thank you all for your awesome cookie suggestions! If you need to bake a batch of cookies, check out my last post for suggestions.  I ended up baking three new-to-me recipes for our gym happy hour. Based on Christina’s suggestion, I made Alton Brown’s the Chewy:

Delicious! Fluffy and yummy.

Based on my BIL’s girlfriend’s suggestion, I made these gluten free almond meal coconut chocolate chip cookies. The taste is great, but I had a little trouble with the cooking time on these….I think I’ll do them on parchment next time and make the cookies smaller:

and based on Brittany’s suggestion, I made these pumpkin snickerdoodles:

These are SO darn good!

The chewys and pumpkin snickerdoodles are party bound!

 

Enjoy your weekend!!

Sometimes I Blog

Hello! I’m so sorry I have been MIA. Things have been a little nutty and I just haven’t had a moment to sit down and type out a recipe. Soon! Until then, I hope you’re enjoying your September!

Question: Do you have a favorite cookie recipe? Can you send me the link??? I have to make a bundle of cookies for a party on Saturday and would like to try a new recipe or two.

 

Beach & BBQ

Hello! Long time, no blog. Things have been hectic with work, teaching, life! I wanted to share a few photos and recipe links.

Last Monday was my birthday. We headed up to my parents house and went to the beach and to lunch. It was a fantastic day. Kay was a little nervous about the sand, but was covered in it in no time. A few pictures:

 

 

 

Tonight, I had a friends over. I made a few dishes and everyone brought sides. It was a blast! Vegetarian crock pot baked beans ( I cook these on high for AT LEAST 5 hours):

 

BBQ crock pot chicken:

 

 

Cookies!

 

After eating without her shirt on, Kaylin decided it was going to be a half nude night. She is such a party these days. She went in for a kiss on her friend Nevin (while the Moms all sung “kiss him, kiss him”):

Me and three of my favorites, Trish, Marissa (due any day now!), and half nude Kay:

 

Love you ladies!!

Tomorrow is our first official football Sunday of the season. I plan to run the bridge and then park myself in front of the TV. What are yall up to?

Brunch (Crock Pot Oatmeal)

It has been a WONDERFUL weekend so far! Friday, Josh got back from 7 days of travel. Kay, Frank & I were thrilled to see him. We went to Qdoba for dinner and Kay had their quesadilla for the first time. She liked it dipped in applesauce:

Saturday morning, I taught Body Step and then Kaylin and I attended her friend Nevin’s first birthday. She got all fancied up:

 

I brought dozens of cookies to the party, but didn’t get a really good picture :(. I made gluten free, dairy free chocolate puddles, chocolate chippers & sugar cookies. They seemed to be a hit. After lots of swimming, Kaylin was cooked:

 

Kaylin took a longgggg nap, and then we went to Josh’s parents house to spend time with his brother and girlfriend who were in town visiting. It was so awesome to catch up with them! Josh’s Mom makes the best meals. I was so into the conversations that I didn’t get a chance to take many pictures, except for dessert. She made mudslide/Mississippi mud pie for the crowd and a small graham crust topped with fruit for me/Kay:

 

I got up early this morning to put together a brunch for everyone. I had fresh fruit:

 

Tons of Chobani and homemade granola:

 

Beverage station with coffee, fruity water & orange juice:

 

Healthy egg muffins with broccoli and cheddar (served with fresh tomato and avocado):

and crock pot oatmeal. I’ve made this before, but this time I adjusted my recipe a bit and used Love Grown’s super oats:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oats (or love grown super oats)
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup milk or almond milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• desired quantity cinnamon

Directions:

Place all ingredients in the crock pot, stir. Cook on low for ~5 hours. Serve with additional milk and more cinnamon!

After brunch, we all went for a nice walk. Kay is napping and I’m getting ready to teach pump! And…tomorrow is my birthday! What are you up to?

Justin’s girlfriend, Kate, & Kaylin (and stuffed Franky):