May is Bike Month

Image via cycleto.ca

It’s Bike Month!!! Time to get outside, dust off your bike and start riding.  The League of American Bicyclists created a fun way to encourage bike riding, Bike Month Bingo.  Click on this link to get the Bike Bingo card filled with biking activities to keep you busy for the whole month.

I got a head start with my bike riding for the month and took the Huntington Beach Bike Trail.  Its a beautiful trail along the beach.  I started and ended at Warner Ave. & PCH in Sunset Beach.  My turn around spot was the Huntington Beach Pier, also a great spot to stop for lunch.  The trip was 10.8 miles round trip and took about an 1 hour and 10 minutes for me on my 1-speed beach cruiser.  Overall a fairly flat trail.

Huntington Beach Bike Trail

my bike and handlebar handbag

the beach

This Bike Month has encouraged me to get on my bike more often this month.  Hope this encourages you to start riding your bike more this month as well!!!

Perfect Afternoon Snack

While I’m sitting in traffic on my way home from work or sometimes while I’m making dinner, I get so hungry and just can’t wait for dinner.  I just need something to tie me over till dinner is ready.  These Energy bites are perfect for that.   They are have the perfect combination of decadent (chocolate & honey), filling (peanut butter) and healthy (oatmeal & flax seed) ingredients.

You may have seen this recipe on Pinterest, it seems to be fairly popular and for good reason.  It is really good!!!  I have made this recipe at least 5 times in the last 3 months.  I also have been doubling the recipe, because I’m not the only one who likes these in my house.  Bonus it is simple to make and requires no baking.  I’ve adapted the recipe slightly from Gimme Some Oven which was adapted from Smash Peas & Carrots.  I recommend you check these sites out as well because they offer other varieties.  I have to admit I haven’t tried any of them because I think this recipe is perfect the way it is.  The recipe I have below is exactly the way I make it.  Enjoy!

Energy Bites (adapted from Gimme Some Oven)

Ingredients

• 1 cup (dry) oatmeal
• 2/3 cup sweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup ground flax seed
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until thoroughly mixed.  It’s important to break up the sticky peanut butter and honey, so all the dry ingredients get thoroughly mixed in.  Let chill in the refrigerator for a least a half an hour. Once chilled, roll into bite-sized balls, mine were at least 1″ or bigger.  One batch makes roughly 20 balls.   Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Nutritional Information

This nutritional data is just an estimate and will vary depending on, serving size, products & brands used.

20 servings | Serving Size 1 ball : 124 cal, 7.1 g fat, 37 mg sod. 13.5g carbs, 1.8g fiber, 8.5g sugar, 2.7g protein

A few ways to enjoy Spring!!!

Spring is here, flowers, blue sky and green grass!!!  But life is busy and before you know it, it can be over.   Take some time and enjoy all the wonderful things spring brings.  Popsugar created a list of 25 ways to frugally enjoy Spring!!!

This list is great!  The ideas are simple and totally doable.

25 Frugal Ways to Enjoy Spring

• • Plan a vacation. If the Winter doldrums didn’t inspire any vacation plans, then start planning for a trip this year now. Studies have shown that planning a vacation can bring a lot of joy to the traveler.  (Totally agree,  I get just as excited about planning a trip as on going on it!!!)
  • Clean your home so you’ll feel better and less stressed in the place you live. (cleaned my closet)
  • Tend your garden or start one. It’s time to celebrate all things green this season! (Only if you have a green thumb, which I don’t)
  • Bring flowers into your home cut fresh from the farmers market.
  • Visit a national park nearby to admire nature at its finest.
  • Run outside to enjoy the fresh air.
  • Shop for your wardrobe, and experiment with clothes you don’t usually wear.
  • Try to support your local farmers by purchasing more locally grown food.
  • Go camping for an amazing outdoor experience.
  • Fly a kite in a park or an open space.
  • Picnic on the weekends.
  • Borrow a book on nature from the library, and learn more about a specific topic, like birds or plants.
  • Redecorate your work desk in Spring colors.
  • Try to add some color to your home by putting up a new decal or getting a colorful throw for your sofa.
  • Visit the zoo, the pound, or a pet owner’s home to interact with animals.
  • Read books outdoors. (I find laying out in the sun and reading a book is almost like being on vacation)
  • Make cocktails, and enjoy them on the patio.
  • Organize a barbecue.
  • Ride a bike. (One of my favorite outdoor activities!)
  • Watch a movie that’s been highly anticipated to debut this Spring.
  • Get a haircut.
  • Visit a farm.
  • Go to a meditation class to renew yourself.
  • Invest in a new piece of makeup.
  • Send a letter or cheery greeting card to a friend.

  Try some of these ideas out and let me know what think!

http://pinterest.com/pin/283867582732451556/

http://pinterest.com/pin/283867582732674072/

http://pinterest.com/pin/283867582732600415/

http://quotediary.me/post/17361533762/click-here-for-more-life-love-friendship-and

http://mylifeintexas.tumblr.com/page/3

http://pinterest.com/pin/283867582732793345/

Healthy Dips and Simple Presentation

Entertaining doesn’t have to be a big hassle.  A simple and easy idea that makes you look like a superstar: Bell Pepper dip bowls! Bell peppers as dips bowls make a beautiful presentation for your crudité platter.

Inspiration from Pinterest

my bell pepper dip bowl

To make the bell pepper dip bowl:

Start with a bell pepper with a fairly flat bottom.  If it doesn’t sit level, slightly trim the bottom of the pepper till you’re satisfied (just make sure you don’t cut all the way through).  Cut the top and stem off the pepper.  Carefully cut out the seeds and white membrane from the inside of the bell pepper, again be careful not to cut through the side of pepper.  Now it is ready for you to fill with the dip of your choice.

Healthy Dip Recipes

Ranch Greek Yogurt Dip. Image via undressedskeleton.tumblr.com

Healthy Spinach Dip. Image via lindseyisham.com

I tried both of these recipes on my family at this year’s Superbowl.  I don’t know if everyone was crazy about me serving healthy dishes, but they seemed to enjoy these dips.

The first was a Ranch Greek Yogurt dip that I used in the bell pepper bowl to dip veggies in.  It’s not going to fool anyone in thinking its the regular full fat ranch dip, but it is pretty good!  Here is the recipe, pretty simple just Greek yogurt and ranch seasoning.

The second dip was a Healthy Spinach dip.  I loved this one, it is sooo good!!!  I did however omit the water chestnuts because personally I don’t like the flavor or texture of them.  Here is the recipe, I served it with crackers.

All these ideas and recipes I found on Pinterest.  Please share if you try any of these recipes and let me know what you think!

The Handlebar Handbag is Here!

I am so happy to finally offer the first handlebar handbag.  After over a year in the making, it is finally ready!!! The handlebar handbag is designed to easily strap on the handlebars of a bike.  It also easily detaches so it is doesn’t have to be left behind.   With the addition of a clip on adjustable shoulder strap, it is easy to carry with you off the bike.  The handlebar handbag is designed to hold the essentials, wallet, phone, keys, etc.

The inspiration for the  “Navy White Polka Dot” handlebar handbag is Lucy from my favorite tv show “I Love Lucy.”  Lucy is not only a brilliant comedian, but she had great style.   Her signature navy polka dot dress and red heart from the show were the inspiration for the bag, below you’ll find the inspiration board.

Images via EvokingYou.com, 28.media.tumblr.com, sangmaestro.com, pinterest.com/haileyjude, shoeperwoman.com, fashionworship.com, wax Lucy & Me at Madame Tussauds, etsy.com/listing/73577437, iveysgiftsandmore.com

Please check out my shop to see the handlebar handbag.

Basketball Themed 90th Birthday

We just recently celebrated my Grandpa’s 90th birthday! He was a state champion basketball player in high school.  It was a big deal for the small town he came from and he remembers those days as some of the best days of this life.  It was a family event with the help of my mom and aunt (actually my whole family contributed).  We put together a party for him to relive those days and allow him the opportunity to share his memories with his family and friend.

custom birthday banner

custom basketball balloon hoop

the birthday boy in his custom birthday t-shirt

“your relation to the birthday boy’ photo booth signs

90th birthday photo booth

basketball photo booth

birthday boy’s basketball memorabilia

mashed potato bar

basketball cake

basketball theme floral arrangements

The party took place at the assisted senior living center my Grandfather lives at and they allowed us to borrow an activities room for free!!! We did all the decorations and food ourselves (except we bought the cake) thanks to my mom, dad and aunt.  I used a Pinterest board to start pulling together ideas for decorations and food.

For the food we did a mashed potato bar, which happens to be one of my Grandpa’s favorite foods.  It was perfect, probably one of the easiest menus to plan plus with crock pots it made it easy to serve and keep warm without any kitchen at the party location.  We had bbq pork, plain pork, broccoli, green onions, bacon, sour cream, cheese and of course lots of mashed potatoes.

The decorations were all basketball related and based on the birthday’s boys favorite team.  The fun purple t-shirts we all wore with his birthday year where provided by my mom, deRose Promos.  The amazing balloon basketball hoop was made by my brother Travis, Twisted Art Balloons.  The photo backdrop was made by simply draping crepe paper over a projector screen.  The fun signs used in the photos allowed everyone to say happy birthday to the birthday boy however the liked to call him.  The photos afterwards made a great photo album for my Grandpa to remember the day.

For entertainment, my aunt lead us in a game of bingo provided with fun stories about the birthday boy.  In between calling numbers, various family member caught up and shared stories and photos.  It made the party personal and very special.

Hope you find an idea that maybe useful at your next party.  If you do or have tried anything similar please feel free to share.  I would love to hear about it.

Beautiful day in LA

It was a beautiful and warm this past weekend in So. Cal!  I was in L.A. on Saturday for a walk through Ferndale and up to Griffith Park Observatory. Which by the way, I didn’t know is free admission and free parking, the only cost is to see the planetarium show.

The trail up to the observatory is a great workout, pretty steep trail.  It has great views of the observatory and LA.  It was just an absolutely beautiful day! Also spending a day outside after a very cold winter, at least for us in California, felt great!  If I lived a little closer, I think I would be there every Saturday morning.

Looking up at Griffith Park Observatory

Trail

The Observatory looking over the trail & LA

This quote on Pinterest from Andy Warhol, think it sums up the day pretty well.

Hope as the weather warms up you can find a way to get outside and get active.  Maybe just an ordinary thing like a hike, will thrill you too!

Peppermint Kiss Cookies

It’s the beginning of December and it is time to begin holiday baking!!!  I found this recipe on Pinterest from Baked Perfection called “Candy Cane Blossoms” and I loved how cute and festive they looked. Her photo is beautiful and really is what made me want to try this recipe.  Also a recipe with a sugar cookies and candy cane kisses, how could it not be amazing?  Anyway I didn’t really change the recipe, I added a few of my own comments that I thought might be helpful and renamed them Peppermint Kiss Cookies.  The original recipe is from Hersey’s.

This is original photo from Baked Perfection. Yummy!

Ingredients

1 bag Hershey;s Kisses brand Candy Cane Kisses

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 egg

2 – 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons milk

1 cup Red colored sugar

1 cup Green colored sugar

To make your own Colored Sugar

2 cups granulated sugar

2 zip sandwich bags

Red and green liquid food coloring

You won’t need this much sugar, but you will have plenty of leftover for your holiday baking

 

Night Before (If you are making your own colored sugar)

 I couldn’t find colored sugar in the stores, so I decided to make my own.  It is easy to to do, but I wasn’t able to achieve a vivid red or green, it is more pink and mint.  Still the cookies turn out super cute, just don’t be disappointed if they aren’t a true red and green.

Put 1 cup of sugar in each zip sandwich bag.  Do one bag at time, add 9-10 drops of red  food coloring to one bag and 9-10 drops of green to the other.  I started with 5 and kept adding until I was happy with the color.  You can experiment with how many drops you use to achieve the color you want.  Shake the bag to disperse the color throughout, you will have to use your finger to break apart the spots where the color collects in the sugar

Leave the sugar out in bowls or spread out on a plate to dry overnight.  Stir every so often.

Next Day

Preheat over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Beat butter, sugar, vanilla, and egg in large bowl until well blended.

Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; add alternatively with milk to butter mixture, beating until well blended. The photo above is with 2 cups of flour, it seemed to sticky to me to be rolled into balls.

 Much better with 1/2 cup more flour.  I added 1/4 cup at a time till  I was happy with the consistency.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in red and/or green colored sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.  I use a silicon baking sheet on the pan to make clean up easier.

The recipe recommends baking for 8 – 1o minutes, but I need 12 minutes until the edges were lightly browned and the cookies were set.  Remove from oven; cool 2 to 3 minutes. I used this time while the cookies where in the oven to remove the wrappers from the candy.

Press candy piece into center of each cookie. You want to push the candy in enough so it stays on the cookie, but not too much that the cookie begins to crack.  Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Yields approximately 35 cookies according to Baked Perfection but I came out with 45.

My photography is not fantastic but they came out really cute and festive.  They are soooo good!!!!

If you try this recipe I would love to hear what you think and how it turned out for you.  Please share!