Guacamole Black Bean Burritos

May 2, 2016 Arielle

I always said I wouldn't be the mom who didn't do A B C or D, but after I started having kids I soon realized not only was I doing A-D, I was going all the way to Z. Good analogy right?

One thing I always told myself was that I wasn't going to over schedule my kids. Heck no would I ever be the mom driving away from practice and thinking, "Frack, what are we having for dinner! No food at home, dangit...Drive through?"

Also, never thought I would say frack.

But alas. I'm that mom.

I talk a lot about being prepared, making smart choices, and all that good stuff. But there are days...daySSSSS where it seems like this that and the other were taking up my time (and brain) and I just couldn't get it together.

Being a healthy lifestyle blogger, I feel like I should be an example of how to live a perfect healthy life. But you guys, there is no such thing as perfect. And perfect is boring...I love when life is so chaotic I forget to put a bra on. For reals. Love it. #nursingboobsarenotpretty

So let me share this with you...

I have tried my best not to over schedule, and I feel like for the most part we are good, but my kids enjoy going to dance and having soccer games with all their besties! It's fun to meet at the park with all my mom friends and talk about how crazy life is. Don't forget homework, family time, play dates, and church stuff. Life is busy, and when those kids start school it gets even busier.

And eventually you will find your self at 6 o'clock driving home from soccer practice wondering what on earth will you have for dinner...

Some days I am prepared, crock pot meal is ready to go and I'm mom of the year. But a lot of days I'm not on top of it, and dinner needs to be fast. Obviously I won't judge if you pour a bowl of cereal, because cereal saves lives..

But in case you decide to either plan ahead for this or happen to have it all on hand, then this is a good, fast, and if needed on-the-go dinner!

Phew...That was a lot and it's only 10 a.m....

You know what else saves lives besides cereal? TV...

Haha! Really guys, mom of the year over here!

Guacamole Black Bean Burritos

These are the perfect for on-the go lunch/dinner if you are sitting curbside while watching your kids participate in any extra-curricular activity that happens to fall around meal times! They are even delicious heated up the next day, frozen for a quick grab, or packed in a lunch box!

Ingredients

8-10 spelt tortillas*
3 avocados
juice of 1 lime
salt/pepper
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 c. chopped cilantro
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
salt/pepper
1/4 tsp. cumin
1 1/2 c. cooked quinoa, can be flavored with a little salt and pepper
1 c. cheese of choice. Cojita would be delicious!
*I like using spelt tortillas because they are white instead of brown, which can often turn picky kids
and husbands off ;)
**I also love adding taco sauce/hot sauce to mine!

Instructions

In a bowl, add your avocados, lime juice, a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste, cumin, garlic, and cilantro. Mash together until creamy. Set aside.
In another bowl add your black beans, and season with a little salt and pepper to taste, plus cumin. Set aside.
Assemble the burritos by adding a little quinoa, black beans, cheese, and guacamole. Fold the burrito, and repeat until done.
Heat a large pan on the stove, and coat with a non stick spray. Add the burritos, and cook about 2-3 minutes on each side, medium heat, until golden brown and warmed through.
Serve immediately, or wrap up in foil for an on the go dinner!

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This recipe is similar to THIS Avocado Taquitos I posted a while back!

So share the details my friends, what are you go-to fast dinners?! I need them, want them, can't live without them.

My Favorite Vegetarian (naan bread) Pizza

April 27, 2016 Arielle

Have you ever tried to convince someone to do something, but they rejected you? Then later on someone else ask that person to do the same thing, and they are all on board...

My Favorite Vegetarian Pizza via The Diva Dish

So this past week I got so mad at my husband. I gave that man the best silent treatment known to man, followed by a few side eyes just to make sure he got the point I was pissed.

All over a vegetarian pizza. #wifegoals

I've always been a dramatic person, I won't deny that ok. I won't deny that maybe I shouldn't have gotten so upset. BUT you guys, my husband...Dog House.

You see, for YEARS I've been trying to convince my husband to try and challenge himself to eat vegan/vegetarian for a solid week. He loves his fast food/junk food, because we are polar opposites when it comes to our appetites. So i figured, if he gave it a solid week he would all of the sudden love healthy food and we would eat at vegan restaurants on date night...

Or something like that.

So fast forward to this week when I make this pizza, aka my FAVORITE vegetarian pizza, and my husband is taking picture of it. Wait what? He never does this, what's going on? I quickly asked him, expecting to hear him tell me he is posting it on social media to tell all his friends what a dang good cook I am...

But no. He is sending it to his co-workers because they are going to do a VEGETARIAN challenge at work coming up, and he wants to motivate them and tell them it's do-able.

Dead.

Immediately I'm mad wife status, feeling all the feels of betrayal. He doesn't notice as he scarfs down the deliciousness, but I subtly try and change that. A look there, shutting the cabinet door just a tad harder here...

My poor husband.

He is just so understand to my ways..He promised me that it was my idea all along and that his co-workers just gave him that extra motivation...I admitted to being a tad overdramaticitisthattimeofthemonth status, and all was well...

He told me maybe I should go run that night at the gym to have some time to myself and de-stress from the day. Obviously he was calling me fat right?

So about that pizza....

My Favorite Vegetarian Pizza

Not only is this pizza one of the best vegetarian pizzas that even meat lovers will crave, it's also the easiest to put together! No need to make a homemade crust, because naan bread is the perfect quick and easy substitute! You can use whole wheat naan bread for a healthier substitute too. As for the flavor combination, it's amazing! This pizza is based off of my favorite pizza called Jack Sprat from Gourmet Pizza Shoppe in Redlands, Ca.

Ingredients

2 pieces naan bread
1/2 cup - 1 c. marinara sauce
1/3 c. sliced black olive
1/3 c. sliced pimento olives
1 roma tomato, thinly sliced
2 TB. extra virgin olive oil
2 TB. chopped onion
2 TB. chopped garlic
heaping 1/2 cup broccoli, cut into small florets
1/3 of a green pepper, diced
dash of salt and pepper
1/3 cup salted and roasted halved cashews
1-2 TB. Italian seasoning
1/4 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 c. (or more) mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, or a combination of both

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees.
Place the naan bread on a baking sheet and set aside.
In a sauce pan, heat the olive oil. Then add in the onions and garlic, cooking about 2-3 minutes. Next add the green bell pepper and broccoli, tossing to cook about 4-5 minutes. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top.
While the mixture is cooking, spread the marinara sauce on both of the crusts, followed by the olives, and sliced tomato.
When the vegetables are done, and have cooled a little. Divide the mixture into two, and sprinkle on top of the pizza. Next add the cashews.
Sprinkle the Italian seasoning on both pizzas, followed by parmesan cheese, and the mozzarella cheese.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
Enjoy!

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I actually did end up going to the gym that night because my friend text me she was going and asked me to join. Turned out to be a great way to destress and have time to myself! Who would have thought?!

;)

That time I had to find another juice bar.

April 19, 2016 Arielle

Have you ever felt out of place? Like you just didn't belong and everyone is staring at you? That was me today at a juice place.

You see, I once again caught one of my kids sickness, because us parents are basically vacuums to their germs right? So I needed a juice, and I needed something to kick this cold! I put on some black leggings with paint stains on the butt along and my husband's sweatshirt and threw the kids in the car. They were in their current state mind you, which was one being pant-less, and the other having bed head mess.

(Have you ever seen those Hot Mess Mom videos? Yea that's me.)

We walked into the juice bar, which I quickly noticed was filled with young beautiful people. Many were dressed in workout gear having healthy lunches with friends, as they laughed about their responsibilities. Others had butt cheeks and booty shorts with tan legs and dogs in their purses.

And in comes me. Hot Mess.

Now, if you haven't met my third child, weh heell hellllll. Let me tell you about her. She's kind of in this phase right now where she screams really loud. It sounds like Mariah Carey/dying cat/squeeling pig. It's SO LOUD and makes your ears ring. She does it when she wants something, so obviously since I can't figure out what "AHHHHEEEEEEEEE" means, it happens frequently.

Often times when we are in public I hear a lot of, "oh my gosh's" and "wows!" The lady at target even put her delicate fingers to her ear and squinted her eyes because it's so loud.

Immediately after arriving at the juice bar, the shrills began. I tried my best to distract her but, "Look at the dog! Look at her legs!" just wasn't enough...

Everyone kept looking at me like they never wanted my life. Meanwhile, the lady making my juice was taking FOR-EV-ER. People were turning around in the chairs, cranking their necks, and probably pulling out their iPhones. I'm sure I am on youtube, just google 'Hot Mess Mom at Juice Bar.'

Eventually the juice was ready, and as I tried to pay/wrestle the screaming baby in my arms, the cashier said, "Awe, she's so cute."

You guys. I didn't even make eye contact. Was she NUTS?! Cute?! Give me my dang juice, no tip for you! Obviously she was nice, obviously my patience was well, gone. Obviously, I'm never going back. hahah.

Later that day as I rocked her to sleep, she lifted her sweaty head and stared at me with her BIG blue eyes and babbled something right to me. I'm assuming it was her way of saying how much she loves me, or maybe it was about Mickey Mouse. Either way, it's not always easy. Yet so quickly I am reminded why I love them so garsh dang much. I may not have it all together, but I know raising these strong willed girls is the greatest gift. For them, and for me.

Even if I have to find another juice bar.

Croissant French Toast

April 6, 2016 Arielle

*If you are looking for the perfect 'tradition' breakfast, this Croissant French Toast is the perfect recipe!* I know how it is friends. You try and make one meal for the whole family, and all of the sudden everyone turns into food critics/has an opinion/all of the sudden hates their favorite food called mashed potatoes.

Croissant French Toast via The Diva Dish

Usually on the weekends we will make a more grand breakfast, like pancakes or waffles. Trust me...It's not all fancy cakes and smiley pants. One child doesn't want a pancake, they prefer a waffle. The other child enjoys the pancakes, but only takes two bites. The baby throws hers on the floor, and my husband doesn't care for the fact that they are whole wheat. He decides he would rather have toast and chocolate milk. Cool.

I'll just be here in the kitchen all day guys, DON'T WORRY!

Over the years I've obviously learned to tell my family how much I adore them, and if they don't like it well, that's too bad. But it still doesn't mean they turn in to the Leave It To Beaver family around meal times and say, "Gee Mom, this was delicious. You are the best cook." June had it so easy.

Sadly, I don't remember the last time I wore pearls and I rarely vacuum. I'll never be June Cleaver, but I would like to hire her once a week.

That being said, I like to share recipes that everyone enjoys, because WWJD? What would June do, right?

This Croissant French Toast was a tradition I started a few years back. If you read the list of ingredients, it's not the healthiest. In fact, it's not healthy food wise at all. But we eat this traditionally 2 times a year during LDS Conference, or when we have special guests in town. It brings everyone together, and it's something that EVERYONE enjoys! In my opinion, it's definitely a part of living a healthy lifestyle.

This didn't go down without a fight though, I might add. It all started when the family wanted french toast, but we had no bread. Only a box of croissants, because we are fancy and sophisticated. My husband, who apparently is a french toast connoisseur, said this was a mistake and would never work. Although my husband made me french toast in college one time when we were dating making him master french toast chef, I had to ignore his suggestion and go with my gut.

The rest is history, because we look forward to this breakfast every conference!

Croissant French Toast

Ingredients

10-12 mini croissants, halved
5 eggs
1/2 cup milk, half and half, or heavy cream (If you want it really rich!)
2 TB. vanilla
2 TB. brown sugar
Dash of salt
Butter for the pan/skillet

Instructions

In a shallow dish, wish together the eggs, milk, vanilla, brown sugar, and salt.
Heat griddle on low/medium heat, and coat with butter.
Dip halved croissants in egg mixture, coating and soaking both sides.
Place them on the griddle, and cook on each side a few minutes, or until golden brown on each side. Don't press on them with a spatula.
Serve immediately and top with butter, fruit, powdered sugar, and/or pure maple syrup.

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Here is the deal friends, I'll share something with you if you promise to share something with me...

1-If I find a meal that everyone enjoys, I will share it.

2-If you know where June Cleaver might be, would you give her my digits?

Thanks, you guys are the best!

Green (Spinach) Banana Peanut Butter Blender Muffins

March 16, 2016 Arielle

Green Peanut Butter Banana Muffins! KID approved! From The Diva Dish

Holidays have become a big deal in our household. Thanks to the outstanding moms everywhere, my kids expect elf on the shelf to basically buy them a car, and a leprechaun to leave them an actual real pot of gold. None of that chocolate covered crap. Real pirate gold. Thanks Pinterest.

All joking aside, I do have to admit that it is fun to make the holidays exciting for my kids. Granted my efforts are little, and who would have thought adding green food coloring into the toilet would have been something they would talk about for years!

I remember being younger and my brothers and I setting up a camera and leprechaun trap in order to catch the little guy. We were so excited to wake up and watch back the footage! As we sat there and watched, we saw a little stuffed leprechaun (the lucky charms guy) walk around in the video and set our trap off. My brothers and I FREAKED out! I still have that video clear as day in my head!

My parents always went the extra mile, and now they do it with my kids so I don't have to. Pretty sure that's what the circle of life is all about!!

When I had the idea to make green muffins from the leprechaun, I had a few things in mind but mainly, it has to taste good. If i'm going to get my kids to try them, they at least have to taste magically delicious! (Is that the lucky charms saying?) Then I thought about the first time I ever made a green smoothie. I was so nervous at the thought of drinking spinach! But with the right ingredients, it turned out to be one of the classic best green drinks of all time!

Bananas + Spinach + Peanut Butter

Magically Delicious!

Green (Spinach) Banana Peanut Butter Blender Muffins

Serves:

Have no fear! These muffins may be green, but the kids will love them! Whether they are green monster muffins or a trick from the leprechaun! They are moist, light, and fluffy!

Ingredients

2 cups old fashioned oats-can use GF oats
2 bananas (medium), ripe
2 eggs
1/4 cup pure cane sugar, or coconut sugar (coconut sugar will change the color slightly)
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. peanut butter
2 c. or 2 handfuls of fresh spinach
3/4 c. dark chocolate chips + more for toppings

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
In a blender, add all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips. **Update: When blending all of the ingredients at one, the bater becomes quit thick. If you don't have a high powdered blender, this might be a little more difficult to blend. Start blending the dry ingredients first, then add the rest. If needed, use a few TB. of milk to help it blend. **Blend until creamy. Add the chocolate chips into the blender and stir with a spoon.
Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and pour batter into muffin holders, about 3/4 full. Top with 2/4 additional chocolate chips.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the tops bounce back when lightly pressed.

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I just asked my daughter what she thinks the Leprechaun is going to bring her tomorrow if we don't catch him and she replied, "An American Girl Doll."

Awesome.

Meatball and Spaghetti Soup

March 14, 2016 Arielle

*This is comfort food at it's finest. Meatball and Spaghetti Soup is the perfect combination of two comfort foods, soup and pasta, mixed into one! It's a quick and easy dish, and it's hearty and filling.* *******************************************************************************************

scroll down for recipe

Here's the deal. I know reading blogs is a thing of the past. So 2012. 2010? Either way, we are a visual world. I know that most of you might just scroll past this and not even read what I'm writing, look at a few of the pics, and go right down to the recipe. You will check the ingredients and then, "Hmmm that sounds doable...I'll have to remember that, Oh wait! I have a new Instagram notification!"

So basically, I could really say whatever the flying fargin bastage I want. I could tell you the most embarrassing story about my husband, and no one would know. Except my mom, because I think she still reads my blog? Maybe.

So for now, mom, and maybe some random person from France, thank you for getting to this point. I know it was painful, and excruciating. Have you ever typed out excruciating? It's excruciating.

I'm sorry there is no clever hilarious story, but I'm going to be honest. This day light savings thing has me screwed up and Real Housewives of Atlanta is on. I am not thinking straight.

Here is the recipe you've all been waiting for....The End.

This delicious Meatball & Spaghetti Soup is a quick weeknight meal that is all comfort! It can be made in under 25 minutes! There is also a vegan/vegetarian option if you use vegan meatballs and vegan parmesan cheese!

Meatball and Spaghetti Soup

Ingredients

1 onion diced
4-5 cloves garlic, diced
2 TB. olive oil
1 small can tomato paste
1 large can crushed tomatoes
4 c. marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
8-10 c. vegetable broth**
2 TB. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. cane sugar
12 oz. dried pasta of choice
18-20 cooked meatballs, (Can sub vegetarian meatballs)
1 1/2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup freshly chopped Italian parsley
1/2 cup freshly chopped basil
salt and pepper to taste, I started with 1 tsp. of each.

Instructions

In a saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil.
Then add in the onions and garlic. Stir and cook down the mixture until the onions are translucent.
Next add in your tomato paste. Mix it around for about 30 seconds, then add in your crushed tomatoes, marinara sauce, broth, and spices.
Cover and let the soup simmer on a low boil for 10 minutes.
Add in the cooked meatballs and dried pasta, 1 cup of the parmesan cheese, and 1/2 the amount of fresh herbs. Stir and continue to simmer for about 5 or so minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Remove from heat so the pasta doesn’t overcook.
Serve with the extra parmesan cheese on top as well as fresh herbs and enjoy!
**Sometimes with a soup that has pasta, the liquid can keep absorbing into it, which causes the soup to thicken and while also giving you a very soft overcooked pasta. It is key to add the pasta into the last part of the cooking process, and If necessary add a little more liquid. (You will need to adjust the seasonings if doing so.)

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A little about this soup. It's the perfect combination of 2 comfort foods, soup and spaghetti. It makes a lot of leftovers if you have children who eat like birds, which makes for a perfect mommy/daddy lunch!

Don't forget a side salad to add some veggies to this heavier carb dish, because you also can't forget the garlic bread! If you make your own meatballs, I LOVE this recipe. It's my go-to every time. I will make the meatballs while the soup is cooking, and then throw them in at the end! It also has veggies in the meatballs, and if you include a side salad you are on track! It's the perfect Sunday dinnel or when you are having guests over. This is a really long paragraph, so hopefully you get my point :).

If you made it this far, go ahead and eat some chocolate. You deserve it! You unique one of a kind son of a gun! Bonjour! xo

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The Perfect (Mexican Style) Lunch Salad

February 17, 2016 Arielle

If I could describe the perfect lunch, it would be this salad. Well, I mean actually a lunch with my friends and no kids would be great too. Also Nordstrom's cafe, a day at the spa followed by a healthy lunch, and maybe a meal on the beach with Fernando or my husband applying sunscreen sounds fabulous as well... But other than that, this is my idea of the perfect lunch.

The Mom Salad, The Best salad to get you through a busy day!

Being a mom with 3 kids under 5, lunch time is kind of the "Ok, we are halfway through the day" period. We made it through the morning, I'm still awake, the kids are...well, ok the kids are still in their pajamas. BUT, we WILL get dressed after this. Unless I need a nap. Then, we will probably just wear our pajamas and...BE ONE STEP AHEAD OF BED TIME! #momwin

Usually by lunch time I am starving because I ate at 6 a.m. when my kids woke up and I need something that excites me. Obviously a cheesecake would do, but this is a healthy lifestyle blog and I need to portray that I never have cheesecake for lunch.

That's why I love HUGE LOADED salads with creamy dressing. I love kind of adding everything I am craving at the moment into one dish and eventually into one bite. I'm not obsessed with food or anything. Usually these salads will last me 2-3 lunches, and even be a late night snack when again I decide against cheesecake. Just reserve the avocado and salad dressing until each serving and you are good to go!

I have made homemade dressings before, but ever since my 3rd pregnancy I just love ranch. More than fernando on the beach. I've been using these Bolthouse Dressings for a while now and have become somewhat addicted. #notsponsored

Feel free to use the dressing of your choice!

For the roasted chickpeas, I always use THIS recipe!

The Perfect (Mexican Style) Lunch Salad

Ingredients

1 head of curly kale, washed and thinly sliced
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup sliced olives
1 c. halved baby tomatoes
1 c. roasted corn-recipe below
1 c.roasted chickpeas-recipe above
1-2 avocados
1-2 slices lime, juiced over salad
opt: crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

(Roast the corn)
Turn the oven broiler on low.
Add FROZEN corn to a baking sheet. Drive with 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place in the oven and cook until the corn has roasted into a crunchy but still soft texture. Toss the corn every so often. (This will take any where between 5-10 minutes.)
Assemble the salad.
Add kale, cilantro, and green onions to a large bowl. Toss to mix.
Next add the rest of the toppings. (Reserve the avocado and lime juice until ready to serve)
Drizzle with salad dressing, avocado, and lime juice when you are ready to eat.
Enjoy!

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For the record, if my kids stay in their pajamas all day we change them into new ones before bed.

Usually.

The BEST Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Strawberry Buttercream!

February 12, 2016 Arielle

*These are hands down the yummiest, fluffiest, and most fresh tasting strawberry cupcakes ever!* Valentines Day is kind of a big deal at our household, and to top that off my little baby has a birthday a few days before! We've got pink thrown up all over the house, heart pictures and talks of boyfriends, valentine notes attached to sugar...

And cupcakes. The BEST Strawberry Cupcakes!

Now, before we get to the recipe, let's talk about my wonderful experience with Valentines during...High School.

The BEST Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Strawberry Buttercream! Fresh and from scratch! via The Diva Dish

When I was in High School, our school did this thing where we could purchase a Valentine Gram for a dollar, and then during one of the periods a bubbly student from student council would deliver you a personalized card to your class. I think there was candy attached or a balloon. Something obnoxious, in which I wanted so bad.

It was the most painful thing every year.

Each Valentines Day the same girls/guys would receive Valentines Grams as they laughed it off as kind of a, "who, me?!" mentality. Meanwhile I would sit there counting down the minutes until lunch time so I could purchase a BRC (bean, rice, cheese) burrito. Priorities right?

One year I received a Valentines Gram. I don't exactly remember it, but I'm pretty sure everyone in class looked at me like, "Do you even go here?"

And then one kid shouted, "Yes! She's the burrito girl!"

I remember sitting there with butterflies in my stomach thinking that maybe, just maybe it could be from so and so. Or maybe that other so and so...He was totally hot.

As I ripped in half that little heart sticker that held it together I began to feel flush in the face. Kind of like the same feeling I get just before that burrito hits my mouth. I had visions of my whole life changing and that maybe my life would turn out to be a Mary-Kate and Ashley Movie after all!

This is what the Candy Gram said,

" Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Sugar is Sweet and So Are You! Happy Valentines Day! Love...."

...Nicole!"

Aka, my best friend. #soabouthoseburritos

Strawberry Cupcakes w/ Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

Serves:

Ingredients

For The Cupcakes
1 1/2 c. flour, unbleached white
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. buttermilk, or 1/2 c. milk + 1 tsp. vinegar mixed together
1/4 c. strawberry puree*
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 c. pure cane sugar
3 large eggs
1 TB. vanilla extract or 2 tsp. vanilla bean paste
Opt: 3-4 drops red food coloring
For The Frosting
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened, room temperature.
4 c. powdered sugar
4 TB. strawberry puree
1 TB. Vanilla extract, or 2 tsp. vanilla bean paste
(Opt: 2-3 drops red food coloring)
dash of salt

Instructions

(For the Cake)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a mixer bowl add butter and sugar. mix together until fluffy on low speed for 30 seconds. Next add in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla.
Add your strawberry puree to your buttermilk.
Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the batter, followed by 1/3 of the buttermilk mixture. Continue doing this until the flour and buttermilk are gone. Do not over mix the batter.
Add in the food coloring if you prefer. You can mix it in, but not fully to give it a swirled look.
Add batter to prepared muffin tins, filling 2/3 of the way full. It will make about 12-14 cupcakes.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until done.
(For the Frosting)
While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting.
Beat the butter until fluffy. Add in the rest of the ingredients and beat until fluffy.
(opt:) You can tint half of the frosting mixture and pipe both frostings together in one piping bag. Just add one color to one side, and the other color to the other. Then pipe the frosting onto the cupcake! Top with sprinkles and enjoy!

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Moral of the story...Burritos before Bros.

Happy Birthday to my little baby! I can't believe you are one!!

Life with 3 Divas

February 10, 2016 Arielle

Did you know that putting Barbie's hair in a pony tail is harder than it seems? It can't be too high where her hair sticks out straight, and it can't be too low because then it just doesn't look right. And then what happens if you do it wrong? Tears... Followed by Barbie gettin' knocked upside the head and chucked across the room.

Damn bad hair days, especially when it happens to Barbie.

I get asked roughly 30 times a day to assist in wardrobe changes, help with hot pink lipstick application, and "Mom, come see this picture I made!" Putting on shoes sometimes requires a tranquilizer, and so does brushing through morning bed head. Don't brush the part wrong, and definitely don't brush all of the hair back! Learn from my mistakes.

But amid the emotional attachments my girls have to every piece of item in their room, like gum wrappers and 180 little princess figurines, I have to remind myself to well...take a break. It's hard not to settle down when Olaf's carrot nose poked you right in the center of your foot as you walk down the hall. Or when you find your make brushes thrown in the toilet, lipstick smashed in the container, and bronzer crumbled on the floor. There is work to be done, and i've got to soak my white bedding in bleach due to the blue nail polish spilled all over...

But I've got to stop and tell the messes to wait. Then tell my OCD to calm down, and just be there with my girls. We spent the afternoon putting together Valentines for friends, talked about class boyfriends (say wha?!), and I showed them how to eat a fun dip. We snuggled and loved on our sweet little baby, laughed about silly things, and read Pinkalicious 5 times.

Sometimes I feel like my life is a broadway show. Constant singing. Constant. Followed by a fight scene or 35, lot's of emotions and feelings being hurt, not really sure how much more intense the afternoon can get because 'so and so isn't my BFF anymore'...

But then there is a moment.

Not a moment of silence...But a moment of perfection. Moment's where I realize there's more to life that organized toy bins and neatly brushed hair. That no matter how clean my house is, the most important thing in my life is changing and growing right in front of me. And they need more more than my 'to-do-list'.

So what is life like with 3 little divas?

Exciting, edge of your seat, full of so much love, never want it to end!

Excpet olaf. He's in a better place.

Healthy Caramel Popcorn

February 8, 2016 Arielle

Due to the fact that Monday night's around our house are basically a national holiday, being Bachelor night and all...How about the perfect trash TV treat to go with it, eh? Eh?

I know it's ridiculous to how much I look forward to a scripted once in a lifetime romantic television, and I probably should end my night reading a book that will makes my brains all smarts n' stuff...But, like have you ever seen the Bachelor?! How could you not love it?! Everyone is emotional, drunk, bat shiz crazy, and after a day of messy kitchen's and back talking toddlers, it's just what I need.

Is that sad?

No, no It's not. Because today my 5 year old told me I was ruining her life because her pony tail was crooked.

BRING ON THE CRAZY!

The best way to watch the Bachelor in my opinion is with a group of girls. Everyone's dressed in yoga pants bringing forth delicious goodies, and we all pile together on a couch to judge other crazy women. I've tried watching it at home with my husband, but he just mocks me. Especially during the scenes where the girls are in bathing suits...OH he just can't leave the room because he HAS to tell me how ridiculous this show is!

He doesn't get it.

It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and people are working on themselves and really finding out who they are! Pure gold.

And trust me, I'm pretty sure we would all find out who we really are as we traveled the world with our Boyfriend and his 16 other girlfriends. LIKE...Oh crap. I'm awesome.

Healthy Caramel Popcorn

Ingredients

1/2 c. popcorn kernals
2 TB. coconut oil
1/3 c. coconut sugar
salt

Instructions

Get a large baking sheet out and set aside. This will be used to pour the popcorn on once done.
Add coconut oil, coconut sugar, and popcorn kernels to a stove top popper. Turn the heat on medium/low and stir the popcorn mixture together continuously. (This allows the coconut sugar not to burn.)
As the popcorn begins to pop, continue to stir the mixture slowly until the popcorn begins to decrease to a slow pop.(If you open the lid, the popcorn will have made it's way to the top.)
Pour the popcorn on the baking sheet, and spread it out. Let it cool, then enjoy!
Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

This popcorn was amazing! The second It was ready to eat, I couldn't stop. I love the fact that it's made with a natural sugar, and there is a little bit of crunch and caramelization on there. I had this on the counter in a jar while family was in town and people could not get enough of it!

Now...Before we get to this weeks dinner menu and workout schedule, I thought I would leave with this...

Basically how we are when it's time to eat, right?

Monday: French Bread Pizza, using whole wheat french bread, veggies + fruit

Tuesday: Cilantro Lime Chicken Burgers w/ Roasted Corn, and fruit

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry w/ Brown Rice or Quinoa, Naan Bread (Recipe to come!)

(Use THIS recipe as a substitute!)

Thursday: Whole Wheat Oatmeal Pancakes, and scrambled eggs +spinach

Friday: Turkey Meatballs (sans tomato sauce), Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Carrots

Saturday: Night off!

Monday: Run (I started a couch to 10k app!), 10 minute stretch

Tuesday: Walking kids to school, HIITilates Booty Workout, via Blogilates. Quick Leg & Butt Sculptor, via Blogilates, stretch

Wednesday: Run (Couch to 10k app.) 10 minute stretch

Thursday: Walking kids to school. Instense Ab Burn, Via Blogilates. Bikini Arms, via Tone It Up!

Friday: Bikini Yoga Flow, via Tone It Up

Saturday: Run, (Couch to 10k app), 10 minute stretch

Sunday: Rest

Enjoy your week! May it be the most romantic and exciting week of your life!!

Vegan Blueberry Lemon Muffins, Sweetened w/ Honey

February 5, 2016 Arielle

*These are the perfect breakfast or snack muffins, as they are made with whole grains and naturally sweetened with honey! Add a little butter and honey to a warm muffin, or top with honey peanut butter for breakfast!* My daughter LOVES muffins. Whenever I make them, she can easily eat 2-3 in one sitting, and then request them at her next meal.

Vegan Lemon Blueberry Muffins, Sweetened with Honey! Via The Diva Dish

She's also my candy child, and some days I wonder if she will turn into a blueberry like Violet from Willy Wonka. I have a 'secret' stash of candy, and I usually have to find a new hiding spot for it each day. When I'm not looking, I'll find her climbed up onto the counter, almost on top of the fridge just so she can have a jelly bean.

Jelly bean?...Broken leg?...

Totally worth it.

Vegan Lemon Blueberry Muffins, Sweetened with Honey! Via The Diva Dis

She's also the first child awake, the most opinionated, wears her headbands on her forehead, and loves to wear bright red and pink lipstick every single day!

Life is never dull with her.

Which is why I dedicated these muffins to her. They are never dull, naturally sweet with burst of tartness, and perfect for very early early mornings :)!

Vegan Lemon Blueberry Muffins, Naturally Sweetened

Serves:

This is the perfect breakfast muffin, as it's made with whole grains and naturally sweetened with honey!

Ingredients

2 1/4 c. white whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. melted coconut oil
2/3 c. honey
2/3 c. non dairy milk
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 c. blueberries, plus more for topping

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In another bowl, whisk together lemon zest and juice, milk, vanilla, and honey. Once whisked together, slowly whisk in the coconut oil. Add wet to dry, and mix until combined. Don't overheat.
Fold in the blueberries.
In a prepared muffin tin, scoop batter into 12 regular sized muffins. Top the muffins with 1-2 blueberries.
Bake for 18-22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway though.

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They would also taste good at say...9:30 in the morning...in case you happen to start your morning then...

Homemade Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

February 2, 2016 Arielle

**Homemade bread is probably one of my all time favorite things in this entire world, besides my family obvi! This Homemade Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread is hearty and filling, and best with butter:).** I'm the type of person where I have to have a really belly filling breakfast. I'll never understand people like my husband who are good with a class of milk and a granola bar. I'm just...I mean, like aren't you hungry 30 minutes later? Don't you feel shaky like you haven't eaten in 4 days and start to have a better understanding of those hungry snicker bar commercials?

Homemade Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread via The Diva Dish

My staple as of late has been toast and runny eggs. I could eat it everyday, unless the runny egg makes me gag. Let's talk about this for a second. When it comes to runny eggs, the only part I want runny is the yellow yoke. No joke.

But if there is white running on my toast, gag. Barf. I'm done. I can't look at a runny egg for at least a week out of being traumatized.

(Light Bulb Moment: Now I see where my kids get it...#diva)

Back to this bread. Due to the fact that bread is a staple in my life, I really try my best to make sure it's a healthier bread. Obviously I would LOVE a sourdough bread with the yellow yoke only runny egg breakfast...And I'm sure I'll make that sometime soon...But the majority of my days are spent with hearty whole wheat bread.

I find that it's more filling, and I'm not hungry again 9:30. (9:45, different story.)

Homemade bread is scary, especially when whole wheat is involved. There are chances the bread turns to brick, or simply doesn't rise. Getting that water temperature just right for the yeast was my biggest problem. Here are a few things I've learned:

-Get a candy thermometer.

I know that sounds weird, but if getting the yeast to rise is your problem, fill your glass cup with hot water, stick the thermometer in, and when it cools down to 110 degree, whisk in your yeast mixture. I've got it down to where I don't need one, but a thermometer helped so much in the beginning.

-Buy Vital Wheat Gluten.

I know a bag is expensive, but you only need a few TB. per recipe. It really helps when baking breads with Whole Wheat, that way you don't get that 'brick' texture!

Now, let's get to the recipe shall we. All this bread talk/pictures is making me hungry :).

Homemade Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

This is a hearty and filling bread!

Ingredients

3 1/2 c. warm water
3 TB. honey
2 envelopes active dry yeast
5-6 c. 100% whole wheat flour
3 c. bread or white flour
1 c. wheat germ
2 TB. salt
4 TB. sugar, or coconut sugar (optional)
3 TB. vital wheat gluten
4 TB. plain greek yogurt
Oil for greasing the bowl
Butter for topping the bread

Instructions

Mix the honey and yeast with the warm water. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
In a bowl, mix together the wheat flour (start with 5 cups), bread flour, wheat germ, salt, sugar, and vital wheat gluten.
Using a stand mixture, add the yeast mixture and greek yogurt. Mix together, then gradually add in the flour mixture, 1/2 c. at a time.
Add enough flour until the dough isn't sticky to the touch. You might not use all of the flour mixture. If you need more, add the rest of the whole wheat flour gradually, using only the amount you need.
Remove the dough and form into a ball.
Rub olive oil on the dough as well as on the inside of the bowl.
Return the dough to the bowl, cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled.
Once doubled, punch down. Cut the dough in half, roll into a loaf. Add loaves to greased loaf pan, and set in a warm place until doubled.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Bake bread for 20-40 minutes, or until golden brown.
Brush tops with melted butter.
Enjoy!

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If getting your kids to try 'brown bread' is a challenge, just simply ask if they want warm bread with butter and honey. So simple.

Kids are so easy.

Also, simply ask what vegetables they would like for dinner too. I'm sure they will simply tell you a list of their favorites...

Have you made homemade bread? Do you have a tried and true recipe?

Also, runny egg thing? Just me?

Do Over + Weekly Menu and Workout Schedule

February 1, 2016 Arielle

Ok my friends! I've been planning this post FOR A LONG TIME.

But I have been procrastinating because of FEAR. It's so scary to put yourself out there, expose your faults, share your passions, and express your feelings. But I've had this little voice in my head that has told me not to be afraid, and that's why this post exist today.

I've explained a lot in this crazy video that follows, but here is a quick summary. I have not been the best healthy living/lifestyle gal for a while... I just haven't. I think when we experience hard times/good times, we grow and we learn from these experiences. Having babies, going through personal struggles, being a mama, and everything in between hasn't always been easy, but I have loved every.single.part. My life, my kids, and my husband are my greatest blessings. But a long the way, especially having 3 kids under 5, I have had to do some 're-learning' so to speak. Figuring out how to live healthy when things are different or challenging.

So watch the video to get more of the details! I feel so happy to share this with you, and I hope this brings us closer and lets you know that we all struggle, and we all aren't perfect! And we can come back!

So, what do you think!

In order to be held accountable, and to show you what I'll be doing to get back on track, I've decided that on Monday's I'll include my weekly workout schedule and our family's weekly dinner plan. Planning is key, and when it's all written out for you, I know it can be a lot easier to succeed. It may not be a perfect workout week, or the best menu, but it's the reality of what I'm doing. I'm not going to sugar coat it and tell you I'm doing 1 thing, when I'm really not. :) Not cool guys. Not cool.

So let's do this together!

Monday: Cardio

-5/10 minute warm up

-30 minutes elliptical

-5 minute cool down

Tuesday: Tone It Up Legs for Days Workout (Choose 2 workouts)

Busy Babe Abs

Wednesday: Cardio

-5/10 minute warm up

-20 minute jog

-5/10 minute cool down

Thursday:Blogilates 6 minute arms

Blogilates 6 minute abs

Friday:Rest Day (But do moms really rest?)

Saturday: Family Walk

Monday: Pizza Night with Salad & Fruit

Tuesday: Hearty Chicken Tortilla Soup

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Chili with Cornbread

Thursday: Cheese Enchiladas w/ Homemade Sauce, Rice, Roasted Corn

Friday: Breakfast for Dinner! (Mama lifesaver!)

Saturday: Night off cooking!

Can't wait to start this week! Thanks for all of your support!!

Kale and Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad

December 23, 2015 Arielle

*If you are looking for the perfect salad to go along with your holiday meal to balance out all of those unhealthy goodies, this Kale and Quinoa Sweet Potato is perfect!* You guys, I can't even explain how many times I think about what I (we) will eat next when we are on vacation. Mix that vacation with a HOLIDAY vacation, and basically all I think about is what I'll have for breakfast, where we are going for lunch, is there a dessert place near by, how about a holiday dinner, and will there be a chocolate fountain that I can lay under before I go to bed?

Obviously I should see a doctor about this obsession, or be put in a straight jacket, but let's put all those issues aside for a second to talk about this salad.

This is the salad that you make if you want people to eat kale.

This is the salad you make if you've had too many bites of gingerbread cookies, even one that you found on the floor.

This is the salad that you bring to a holiday dinner so that you can have your garlic butter cream cheese mashed potatoes sitting next to it on your Christmas plate.

This is THE salad.

Kale & Quinoa Harvest Salad via The Diva Dish

Will it cancel out the chocolate cake or the 'we stopped counting at 7' rolls you've had.

No.

But at least you had kale on Christmas, and for some people that just might be the Christmas miracle.

Especially if your my husband, because that fool has a serious Christmas roll problem. And yet he maintains that 150 pound figure so well...

Kale and Quinoa Harvest Salad

Ingredients

1 head of kale, rinsed and chopped/thinly sliced and chopped
1/2 c. dry quinoa, cooked according to package directins
2 sweet potatoes/yams, peeled and cut into chunks
2 TB. olive oil
salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg
1/2 c. dried cranberries
1/2-3/4 c. crumbled feta cheese
1/2 c. chopped pecans, roasted and salted
(dressing)
1/2 c. olive oil
1/8 c. balsamic vinegar
1/8 c. red wine vinegar
1/4 c. dijon mustard
1/4 c. pure maple syrup
2 tsp. chopped garlic
salt/pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
On a baking sheet, add the chopped potatoes. Coat with the olive oil and toss. Sprinkle with a good toss of salt, pepper, a little bit of cinnamon, and a few dashes of nutmeg. (No measuring, just coat.) Toss the potatoes around, and roast in the oven for 10-20 minutes, occasionally tossing them. Roast until the potatoes are soft.
While the potatoes are roasting, assemble the salad.
To a bowl add the kale, quinoa, cranberries, feta, and pecans. Toss.
Once the potatoes are done and COOL, add them to the salad.
When you are ready to serve, make the dressing.
Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together and coat the salad. (you might not need all of the dressing.)
Serve immediately.
(If you are making this for a party, add the dressing before eating the salad.)

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I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and holiday season!! May your hearts and belly's be full!

Mom's Gingerbread Cookies

December 16, 2015 Arielle

*This is not an exaggeration. Hands down, these are the best Gingerbread cookies I've ever had. And many friends and family agree!* Not many grandmas have Facebook pages created on behalf of things they've said...But mine does.

The BEST Gingerbread Cookies via The Diva Dish

I'm pretty sure I've talked about her before on the blog, and her name is Grandma B. Every so often she will come out to visit my little family and spend a few days. It's always an adventure. There are always memories made. And you never forget when Grandma B. visits. Ever.

From the second you open the door you hear squeals of delight from three tiny girls, and a "Ooooooohhhh hellOOO!", from Grandma B. herself. Her slight Argentine accent peaks through as she talks about the weather in Las Vegas and how beautiful it really is. She then proceeds to walk around the house stating, "Ok, let's see what's new around here.", as she examines each piece of furniture/decor debating whether that was here last time she stayed with us.

She brings with her chamomile tea, english muffins, and orange marmalade for her to have for breakfast each morning, alongside the LA Times. She talks about uncomfortable positions in politics and asks if I need eye makeup for Christmas since she hasn't seen me wear any in the 2 days she's been here.

My girls love to get her attention by making the loudest noise possible, which of course she loves. She always asks the right questions, like about my breasts and time of the month schedule. Quickly followed by remarking in front of the kids how hard it must be for me to hide the elf on the shelf every morning. Don't worry, they didn't catch on. They also missed when she asked them if they saw the real Santa at our church Christmas party or a pretend one...

And each times she visits, we laugh, we play, and we eat lots of food. (She also folds my laundry!!) It might be uncomfortable at times, and I probably will never use the word breasts again, but isn't that what the holidays are all about?! Awkward, fun, memorable, uncomfortable, family togetherness.

And dessert.

Because if there is one thing I did inherit from my grandmother it's that there must always be something to eat for dessert after breakfast lunch dinner. No matter what.

And what better way to honor that than with my mom's gingerbread cookies! After all, it's all about family.

And breasts.

Mom's Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients

(Royal Icing)
6 cups all purpose flour, sifted
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 c. dark brown sugar, packed
4 tsp. ground ginger
4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. finely ground black pepper
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1 c. unsulfured molasses
(Royal Icing)
1/4 c. merengue powder
4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. cold water

Instructions

In a bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
In a mixer, beat together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Mix in the spices and salt, then the eggs, followed by the molasses.
Add flour mixture slowly.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll out a portion of the dough, cut into desired shapes, and place on baking sheet. (Use parchment paper!)
Chill the shapes for 20 minutes.
Bake for 8 minutes, or until golden. Do no overtake!
Cool on a wire rack, and frost when completely cool.
(Royal Icing)
Beat all ingredients together. Dye your color of choice.

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Obviously my girls inherited my impeccable cookie decorating skills, not to toot my own horn or anything...

I promise you, despite the heavy sprinkle gear and hot pink frosting, these cookies are irresistible to anyone! Even when Grandma B. says, "well I'll be the judge of that!"

I hope your holidays are as awkward as mine! ;-)

Spiced Chocolate Banana Muffins

December 4, 2015 Arielle

I'm trying my hardest to type this blog post all about the most delicious Chocolate Spiced Banana Muffins, but my daughter has Peppa Pig on in the background, and now I've somehow developed a British accent with pig snorts shoved in-between. You want to know what's worse than regular writers' block? British accent pig snorts writers' block...

So about these muffins...

Ever since I started decorating for Christmas in October last week, I've been fully embracing the holiday baking season. I also started going back to the gym to counteract all of the calories I've been eating baking. In fear that my maternity pants may have to make their way back out of the garage, I've decided to start distributing baked goods out early this year to our friends.

They win and I don't look pregnant.

Although, I've always wanted to be the friend who dropped off kale salads to the neighbors during the Christmas season because that's what everybody really wants! Right? Yup.

The second these came out of the oven, my girls each had two and then didn't eat their dinner. I'd say that means this recipes is a winner and I'm a top notch parent! Snort!

Chocolate Spiced Banana Muffins

Serves:

Ingredients

2 1/4 c. white whole wheat flour
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
dash of salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
3/4 c. softened butter, can sub room temp coconut oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. coconut sugar
1 TB. vanilla
5 mashed bananas
1 1/2 c. dark chocolate chopped, or dark chocolate chips

Instructions

In a bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients including flour, baking soda, and spices.
In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Next add in the eggs, slowly beating one after the other. Then the vanilla.
Next add in the bananas and combine.
Slowly mix in the dry ingredients, and then fold in the chocolate chips.
Try not to over beat.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and scoop batter into the muffin tin using a medium ice cream scoop to create even baking.
Bake for 18-22 minutes, depending on oven.
Makes 24 muffins.
Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

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Sidenote: These are probably a 'healthier' treat than other Christmas treats, so it's basically like dropping a kale salad.

What would you guys do without me?

Gingerbread Pumpkin Bread

November 12, 2015 Arielle

I am a hypochondriac. The first step is admitting it, right?

Literally every week I tell my husband I've got some sort of sickness/disease, and I'm 100% sure because at least 15 out of the 27 websites I checked said so. And let's be honest, the doctors on those sites are LEGIT!

And then today, my daughter locked herself and the baby in one of our bedrooms so as I finally opened the door, she wam-bam slams the door right into my head.

Flashbacks of the movie Simon Burch went through my mind, because I'm pretty sure she hit my temple. I dropped to the floor dramatically as I sat silently holding my head. I waited a few minutes, only to hear my 3 year old laughing hysterically.

I survived. But barely.

This bread was the only thing that kept me from googling "what happens if I hit my head on the temple", because we all know Youtube would pop up and THAT scene from Simon Burch would pop up, and then I would cry, and then I would call my husband and freak out, and then I would probably eat the whole loaf of bread in the corner of my closet watching the movie...crying.

Was that a run on sentence?

I didn't google it thankfully, and I even shared this bread with the child that almost killed me. After all, that's what any sensible person would do...

Gingerbread Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

3 c. flour, white whole wheat or unbleached white
1 1/2 c. pure cane sugar OR coconut sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. all spice
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. melted butter OR melted coconut oil
4 eggs
2 c. pumpkin puree
1/3 c. molasses
1/3 c. water
1 TB. vanilla
2 c. chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
In a separate bowl mix together the oil/butter, eggs, pumpkin, molasses, water, and vanilla.
Add the wet to dry, and stir until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Bake in 2 greased bread pans, and bake for 50-60 minutes. I usually cover the bread with a foil tent so the edges don't burn.
OR, make 24-26 cupcakes and bake for 18-25 minutes, depending on the oven.

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If you HAVE to google anything, google this bread. After all, the author is LEGIT!

Almond Butter Banana Bread (Coconut Flour + Almond Flour)

October 4, 2015 Arielle

The word threenager is totally a thing. So is a man cold. So is exhaustion due to a teething baby.

These are just a few of the things that's been going on in the Crazy People Household. (I wish I could have come up with something a little more clever than CPH, but rememeber...exhaustion.)

We also had our hot water heater break, followed by water damage and mold, followed by 15 loads of laundry, followed by..where was I? Oh that's right! Exhaustion.

So banana bread huh? Yes. Because there are not enough banana bread recipes on Pinterest.

And because I've decided that if I post a 'not so healthy recipe' of something, then I have to follow up with a healthy version of that same type of food. It's ONLY fair. I haven't thought of a clever name for this series just yet, but as soon as I'm not exhausted...

I'll get right on that!

Grain Free Almond Butter Banana Bread (Coconut and Almond Flour)

Ingredients

1 c. + 2TB. + 1 tsp. Almond Meal
3/4 c. coconut flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/4-1 1/3 c. mashed bananas (2-3 bananas)
2/3 almond butter
2 TB. maple syrup, pure
1 TB. vanilla
1 egg
1/2 c. milk, or almond milk
1 TB. chia seeds or ground flax
3/4 c. chocolate chips plus 2 TB. for topping

Instructions

In a bowl whisk together the dry ingredients, then set aside. (Not the chia seeds.)
Ina separate bowl whisk together the wet ingredients. Gently mix together the wet and dry ingredients until incorporated.
Then fold in the chocolate chips and chia seeds.
In a greased bread pan, add the batter. Sprinkle the extra chocolate chips on top.
Bake in a 350 degree oven about 45-55 minutes, depending on your oven!

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The good news is my husband has fully healed, the laundry is done, the threenager is asleep, and the teething baby didn't bite me while nursing tonight.

I'd call that a success if you ask me! :)

Happy Monday friends, have a great week!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies (Muffin Tops & Ice Cream Sandwiches)

September 21, 2015 Arielle

Let me share with you the conversations that a household of girls might experience...

Conversation between the 5 year old and 3 year old while getting ready for school in the bathroom:

5 year old: "Is Jack going to be at school today? Don't you think he's cute?! Is he your Boooooyyyyffrriiieennndd?!!!"

3 year old: "HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND! We are just friends! We are JUST FRIENDS!"

5 year old: "No, he's your boyfriend. OOOOOHHH! You have a boyfriend! You have a boyfriend!"

3 year old:"(Inaudible screaming) Moooooooom! Tell Gia that Jack is just my friend. You can have boys and they can be friends, but not be boyfriends!! Mom, tell Gia!"

5 year old: "Boy friend! Boyfriend! Boyfriend! Boyfriend."

3 year old: (More inaudible screams) "AHHHHHHHHHH!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!"

Baby: (Sitting and staring)

I'll spare you the rest of that scene.

Conversation between the 5 year old, the 3 year old, and myself after school:

5 year old: MOOOOOM! I don't have ANYTHING to wear. I have NO clothes! I just want a shirt that doesn't have a print on it, but has pretty things on it! Can I wear one of Myla's shirts?

3 year old: NOOO! Those are my clothes! (Starts crying) Don't take my clothes! You are too big and they don'ts fit you! (Yes. Don'ts)

Me: Gia, you have plenty of clean clothes hanging in your closet. Go find a shirt in there, you aren't wearing your sisters shirts. And why are you changing anyways?

5 year old: Ahhh! Why can't you just let me do what I want?! All I want to do is have a cute shirt to match this skirt!

3 year old: (Crying. Loud.) DON'TS TAKE MY SHIRTS! THOSE ARE MINE!

End scene.

Conversation with the 5 year old, 3 year old, and myself:

Me: "Girls, I made cookies! Come have one and tell me about school today."

Girls: (Grab cookies and sit down and eat)

Me: "So what did you do? What is one thing you learned?

Girls: (Eating. No response.)

Me: "Were you nice to everyone, and kind?"

3 year old: (Takes the last bite of her cookie.) " Mom, I look like you don't I?

5 year old: "No, you look like daddy."

3 year old: "NOOOOOO! I don't want to look like daddy!!"

Me: "Here, have another cookie."

Silence.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies (Muffin Tops & Ice Cream Sandwiches)

Ingredients

1 c. pumpkin puree
1 c. coconut sugar
1/2 c. melted coconut oil
1 TB. vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups. white whole wheat flour, oat flour, or unbleached white flour
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. milk + 1 tsp. baking soda, mixed together
1 1/2 c. chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375. In a bowl mix together the puree, sugar, oil, vanilla, and the egg.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour spices, and baking powder.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet, along with the baking soda mixture, and mix until combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and using a medium cookie scoop, scoop the batter onto the baking sheet. Slightly press down the cookie a little.
Bake for about 10 minutes.
The cookies will resemble a soft pillow/muffin top texture!

Cookies adapted from here.

You don't have to make ice cream sandwiches out of these cookies, but they are the perfect texture for them! I made the ice cream out of frozen greek yogurt ice cubes, and the recipe can be found HERE!

So what did we learn today friends?

Giving your kids cookies will shut them up.

Just kidding. I mean, kind of. Maybe for a second it will...

Conversation between my 5 year old, 3 year old and myself while tucking them into bed:

5 year old: (Squeezing my arm) "Mom, I just want to lay here and cuddle you. You are just the best mom."

3 year old: (Reaching her arms out) "Hugs. Hugs. Hugs." (Gives me a big hug) "Kiss. Kiss. Kiss" (Gives me a big kiss)

5 year old to 3 year old: (Hugging each other) "I love you little sister."

3 year old to 5 year old: (Looking at her sister, then gives her a big kiss.) "I love you."

Me: (Tears)

3 year old to 5 year old: "GIIAA, those are my pajamas!!"

Me: "Is it too late for cookies?"

And ya know what...

I wouldn't change anything.

THE Banana Bread

September 11, 2015 Arielle

Chocolate chip banana bread is probably one of my favorite carbs. Besides sourdough bread, restaurant bread, garlic bread, breadsticks...

Oh and cookies and cakes and muffins. Those are carbs too right?

My mom would make banana bread ALL the time, and still does. Whenever I would visit her house with my girls there was bound to be banana bread somewhere stored on the counter. Or if she wanted to deliver a baked good to someone, it was always banana bread. That and chocolate chip cookies, which always felt like home.

I learned from her to always add cinnamon and other spices to banana bread, and never ever ever forget the chocolate chips. Now, when my bananas ripen on the counter I can't help but get a little excited knowing what the outcome will be. Unless your husband throws them away because he thought they were 'bad'. Don't worry, he only did that once when we were first married. Oh the silly things he thought he could do in our early years of marriage...#whowearsthepants

(If you're wondering who wears the pants, it's our kids.)

Probably my favorite thing about this banana recipe is the amount of bananas. Some days we will have just 2 bananas, and others I'll have a whole bunch go bad before we use them. This recipe calls for about 5 bananas, which I think is the reason why the bread is so moist! (Don't you love that word?)

Make your kids mash the bananas while you prepare the other ingredients, and make this ASAP! You won't regret it!

THE Banana Bread

Ingredients

2 1/2 c. flour (You can use white whole wheat, unbleached white, whole wheat pastry, etc.)
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. sat
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
5 mashed ripe bananas, about 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups.
3/4 c. softened butter
1 1/2 c. pure cane sugar
1 TB. vanilla
2 eggs
1 c. mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325. Spray a bread pan with baking spray.
In a bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients and set aside.
Mash bananas in a small bowl, and then set aside.
In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Next add the eggs one at a time, and then vanilla. Then mix in the bananas.
Next slowly add the dry ingredients until incorporated, and then fold in the chocolate chips.
Add batter to the bread pan and bake for 60-70 minutes. If needed, add foil on top of the bread the last 30 minutes to avoid over browning on the top.

3.3.3077

Now, this isn't healthy banana bread, as you can tell by the ingredients. This is comfort food banana bread. The kind that you make for your kids after a long day at school, as you talk about what happened that day. Or the treat that bribes said kid to sit down and do the stinking' homework.

Or maybe you survived bedtime with your kids, and you deserve a reward. Catch my drift?

By the way, if you can't tell, these pictures may look a little different than my others. My DSLR camera decided to quite on my AGAIN, so I was using a regular camera. UGH. A REGULAR camera ;).

Happy Weekend Friends! Treat yourself a little :).

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Welcome to The Diva Dish! My name is Ari and I love Kale Salads and Chocolate Cake. I also love to blog about it...