heaven...

in the form of a granola ball?


(no bake) Granola Balls

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup nuts (pecans or walnuts or almonds)
• 1/8 cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup crunch peanut butter

1. Melt peanut butter, coconut oil and honey in small sauce pan over low-heat.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the rest of the ingredients (its ok if the chocolate chips melt).
3. Drop mixture by the tablespoon into mini paper cupcake liners. Place on a plate or baking sheet, and refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Variations:
Add rice cereal, dried fruits or use almond butter instead of peanut butter, endless possibilities.


I've made this at least 4 times in the last week... a little overboard? Probably. But they are so good, and good for you, I can't stop. I had to share; try it, you'll like it.

The Photo Trade: Eat Well

This is the photo I submitted to the Nectar & Light Photo Trade for August, Eat Well was the theme:


The cake on the right is this recipe from 101cookbooks.com (my favorite blog, hands down).

A Few Good Things This Week

• I wanted to run last night, ... so instead I made these cookies ... Hm. I need to get on the ball. But these cookies are "healthy" ... so that should count for something, right? It's almost like running... Well, nonetheless, it makes me happy.

• I went with some good friends to a spa to unwind on Wednesday. We bathed together, relaxed in the sweltering saunas, frozen in the cold pool and laid on the heated jade floor. Afterward we went for a beer and fish & chips, we enjoyed each others company, and laughed a lot ... It was a great evening, we weren't in a rush, the traffic in L.A. didn't stress us, it was refreshing.

• I have obsessively been watching Take Away Shows on Blogotheque... They are good for the soul. When I watch them it makes me want to play music so bad that it hurts. More than a show these are like expressions; they are enjoying themselves and really feeling the music. I wanted to share one, but I couldn't decide which one, so I will share two:

Beirut on the streets of Paris:




Justin really likes Architecture in Helsinki playing in Paris:





(...and so many more like Lykke Li, Yeasayer, The Cold War Kids, Jose Gonzales, and our friends Bodies of Water.)


Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Tacna Memories - Qunioa Soup

Last night I made a meal that we had in Peru a lot... Qunioa vegetable soup. It reminded me of eating meals with our friends Jake, Heidi, Lori Jo, Brian & Rene in our cold, sterile home.


Ingredients:
(it changes every time I make it, but here's what was in it last night)
1/2 cup quinoa
4 cups water
1 medium zucchini chopped into small pieces
1 sweet potato chopped into small pieces
1 onion chopped
1 jalapeño diced
1 red pepper chopped into small pieces
1/2 ts cumin
1 ts oregano
1 ts salt (or more)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 ts red pepper flakes
and this time, I added 1/4 chunky peanut butter

garnish w/
diced tomatoes, avocado, sourcream and cilantro

Sauté onions, jalapeño and red pepper in a heavy pot, 3-4 mins. Add spices, vegetables, qunioa and water - cook until vegetables are cooked. Taste and add more spices if needed.