What a beautiful friend day!

Read this. Right now, just read it.

#1: These are the best cinnamon rolls I've ever tasted or created. Courtesy of the one and only P-Dub… Pioneer Woman!

#2: This is probably one of the nicest collections of compliments I've been given by someone other than my husband.

#3: My friend Madi is beautiful and smart and witty and we are just two peas in a pod.

Best EVER Maple Cinnamon Rolls

What a Wonderful Friday It Is!!

Today is a great day! The birds are singing, the skies are… uhhh gray. But nonetheless today is going to be fabulous.

#1 My hubs comes home tomorrow for a long weekend!!! Hooray!!! Look how handsome he is… no seriously, look!

Oh be still my heart! 

#2 I am back at the gym! After knocking out my awful sickness and getting settled back in California, I have returned to my playground. However, because I haven't worked out in 2 weeks, I am sore! 

Hello old friend

#3 It's smoothie time! I have been addicted to smoothies, or smoodgies as they're called in our house, in the morning lately. Here is my recipe:

     1 banana

     a scoop of plain coconut yogurt

     a Tablespoon of coconut oil

     frozen berries

     a handful of greens (kale, spinach, etc.)

     a splash of almond or coconut milk

     -I am wanting to add chia seeds because they are such a great source of Omega-3's but I haven't gotten any at the store yet. 

#4 I have been trying oil pulling. It's kind of weird but I keep hearing so many benefits about it. I've only done it twice so I'm excited to see the results! Here is a great list of all the wonderful things coconut oil does! 

http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/50-of-the-best-uses-for-coconut-oil/

#5 I am going to make a few loaves of these little babies today. Hello PB&J's and grilled cheese sammiches! 

Look at those beauties! 

It's going to be a great day friends and an even better weekend! Embrace it and choose joy every moment.

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

John 10:10

XOXO Em.

The Happiest Place on Earth!

This afternoon, I will be making a semi-spontaneous trip to the happiest place on Earth. That’s right folks. I’m going to Disneyland! 

In a little baby recap, I am back in my hometown of sunny San Diego for about 6 months during the hubs’ deployment. He will be nearby the whole time so I will be able to see him periodically (yay!). It was the best deployment situation that we could’ve ever asked for so we are soaking up this blessing along the way. 

Anywho, earlier this week we looked at our calendars and realized that we should probably go to Disneyland while we are in California because, well, why would that ever be a bad idea? Disneyland was our first date and we’ve been one time since but not for a while. So hotel room was booked, tickets were purchased and the day is finally here! 

Necessity is definitely the mother of invention and we always need to stay on budget. We decided to reserve a hotel room with a full kitchen. It was just slightly more expensive that a regular room but in the long run, it will save us having to eat out. 

I did all our meal prep yesterday. Here is what we will be snacking on during our trip! 

Friday night dinner: Turkey burger tacos (homemade tortilla recipe http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/06/soft-homemade-tortillas.html)

Saturday/Sunday lunch and snacks: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (homemade sandwich bread http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2010/03/25/homemade-sandwich-bread/), kettle chips, veggies and hummus, strawberries, apples, Lara bars, Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter 

Saturday night dinner: out

Sunday night dinner: Italian meatloaf (http://paleomg.com/italian-meatloaf/), Lemony pasta salad (http://www.forkknifeswoon.com/food-drink/side-dishes/2013/05/lemony-orzo-pasta-salad-with-cucumber-and-feta/)

Dessert: Lemon Pound Cake (http://www.plainchicken.com/2011/10/lemon-pound-cake.html)

Hmmm I seem to have a lemon thing going on right now. But all these recipes are delicious and super easy! And more importantly, super easy to prep before you go and they will last just fine on the counter or in the fridge. 

Ps... I am so darn proud of that sandwich bread. I have always struggled with baking things that need to rise. Truth be told, I tend to half-bake them while they are supposed to be rising, which is exactly what I did with my first batch but I think I nailed it the second time! It helps that the weather in San Diego is 85 degrees in January. Madness!

Pss... Check out my lovely friend Madi’s post today over at www.homegrownhostess.com This girl is my soul sister and when we got together for lunch the other day, we realized we both decided to go to Disneyland the same day! So we will be meeting up tomorrow, probably squealing at each other across Main Street. 

Southern Key Lime Pie

Truthfully, I'm not sure what exactly makes this recipe southern, except for the fact that I'm in the south and I'm baking it. However, this is a favorite of mine and my husbands. It's super easy to boot! So easy in fact that I can sometimes justify making it… oh… about…. twice a week. Enjoy my friends! 

Crust ingredients:

40 Nilla Wafers

2 Tbsp. sugar

1/4 cup butter

Crust Instructions:

1. Put Nilla wafers in a gallon size Ziploc bag and smash those suckers into smithereens. Meanwhile, it is perfectly acceptable to munch on the rest of the box of Nilla wafers. No judgement! 

2. Combine Nilla wafers with the rest of the crust ingredients. When completely combined, the mixture should resemble wet sand, like so. 

3. Pour your crust ingredients into a pie pan and press it down along the bottom and the sides.

4. Bake your beautiful crust at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until golden brown. 

Filling Ingredients:

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup lime juice

1 tsp. vanilla

3 egg yolks

zest of 1 lime

Filling Instructions:

1. Combine all filling ingredients in a large bowl. Be sure it is thoroughly combined but do not over mix. 

Look how pretty that lime zest looks in there! 

2. Pour your filling into the crust after it comes out of the oven and cools a little bit. 

3. Throw your whole pie in your 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.

4. Let cool on the counter for 15 minutes then put it in the fridge until cooled all the way.

5. Cut yourself a slice and enjoy!! 

PS… We like to enjoy this with some whipped cream on top… or even better… combine heavy cream with softened cream cheese and sugar and whip away! 

XOXO Em