Recipe: Homemade Granola Bars

This weekend Mike and I decided to try out making our own granola bars. We found a recipe that we thought was a skinny version, but it turns out each granola bar is about 280 calories. So...not so skinny. But, good none the less. And I ended up cutting half of the bars in half because they were quite large anyway. So now we're down to 140 calories each and very filling. Enjoy!

Homemade Apple Cinnamon Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup extra crunchy peanut butter

• 2/3 cup honey

• 2.5 cups old fashion oats

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

• 2 tsp. cinnamon

• 1/4 cup raisins

• 1/2 cup craisins

Preheat oven to 350º and line a 13x9 baking dish with aluminum foil. Spray with nonstick spray. Melt peanut butter and honey in saucepan over low heat until melted. In a large mixing bowl mix oats, flour, raisins, craisins, and cinnamon.  Pour in peanut butter mixture and applesauce. Mix together. Spread granola mix evenly into baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely and cut into individual bars.

* This made 7 large bars and 10 small sized bars.

Linking up for:

Tuesday's Recipe Swap | Delicious Dish Tuesday | Tuesday's Table | Turn it up Tuesday | Tutorial Tuesday

#TracktheTank Giveaway!!

So a while back Tia and Candra had this awesome idea where we would kinda copy the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and send a tank top around the US so bloggers all over could explain their motivation to stay healthy. And...it's finally completed it's journey!!

I got the tank this summer and took it to the track with me. Figured I would #trackthetank at the track!! And here was my post:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You ladies...and gentleboys, if you're out there, although this doesn't really apply to you...are really in for a treat!!! If you haven't heard about this yet, listen up betches!!

Tia from Hands On, Pants Off and Candra from Camo & Lipstick came up with this amazing idea to allow bloggers to share their motivation and fitness journey with their readers. And...instead of the typical link-up...they are bringing this "link-up" to life with a traveling tank top!!

Kind of like "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants", the tank top will travel all over the United States and into the hands of 26 bloggers, including me (ahhhhhhh!!!). Each blogger will take a "selfie" with the tank, sign a special message, and then make a blog post about the motivation that helps them through each day.



I'm super stoked because some of the women that will receive this tank are my biggest motivators and I feel honored to be involved in something like this with them. I can't wait to read each of the participants blog posts and look forward to hearing what keeps them going every day.

So where does the giveaway come in?? At the end of it all, one lucky reader will have the opportunity to receive this tank. Don't worry, we promised not to sweat in it!!

Wanna see my tank selfie?!?! Here it is!!!

Sorry about the face....we all know I can't just smile in a picture. We went to the track on Saturday and since I spend almost every Saturday of my summer there anyway, I thought it was appropriate. Plus...its the track...and we're TRACKing the Tank!! Or something....yeah....

So far it's traveled from Candra in New Hampshire, to Erin in Maine, then to Ang in New Jersey, and finally to ME here in Maryland!!! And by the time it's done, it will have traveled to all of these bloggers:

Candra, Erin, Angela, Kristin, Jasmine, Valerie, Amy, Amy, Brittney, Lindsay, Aubrey Leigh, April, Crystal, Alma, Brandi, Rikki, Erin, Darci, Tracie, Erin, Bridget, Bailey, Nicole, Kati, Christine, and Tia

And now, on to my motivation!!

So...I'm going to be totally cliche' here and tell you that, my motivation is....my husband. I know, I know....but what chick doesn't want to look good for her husband?!? Yeah, yeah, I know what they say "you should do it for you!!" but the truth is, doing it for him is doing it for me.

Being naked in front of someone takes a lot of confidence, even if it is your husband. And not only being naked, but feeling pretty in general. For me, I don't feel beautiful unless I think others feel the same way about me.

Sounds sad, but we all have it. It's the same reason that girls dress for other girls. We want others to think we're pretty, or trendy...whatever look you're going for. Otherwise, we would only have a wardrobe of yoga pants and oversized t-shirts. You want someone else to think you're beautiful.

And for me, Mike thinking I'm beautiful, is the best feeling in the world.

So now...the tank heads to Jasmine in Virginia!! Follow along on our journey!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And now!! It's finally complete and we are giving away the tank!! All you have to do is enter below and you can read all the inspirational messages from around the US!! And don't worry, we weren't allowed to sweat in it or get it nasty, so it should be nice and clean for you to hang on your wall or wear to the gym!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, I love you...

It's been the longest week EVER!! But, it's finally almost over and I can relax this weekend! Other than the fact that my husband's hours have just changed so now he will be working 6 to 6 instead of 7:45 to 7:45, which means we won't have time together. But....life goes on.

Here are a few of my favorites for the week!!

favorite cocktail.

Chelsee at Southern Beauty Guide linked this up for Thursty Thursday yesterday. Looks like something I will be making in big batches to take to the beach this summer!!

favorite book.

Just got done this book and it was really good. I haven't really read any books like this about rehab and addicts before but it was super interesting. Here is the synopsis from Goodreads: 

Allison Weiss got her happy ending: a handsome husband, an adorable daughter, a job she loves, and the big house in the suburbs. But while waiting in the pediatrician's office, she opens a magazine to a quiz about addiction and starts to wonder: Is a Percocet at the end of the day really different from a glass of wine? Is it such a bad thing to pop a Vicodin after a brutal Jump & Pump class, or if your husband ignores you? She tells herself that the pills help her make it through her days; but what if her increasing drug use, a habit that's becoming expensive and hard to hide, is turning into her biggest problem of all?

favorite recipe.

Kerry linked these up with Emily and Kate's Tuesday's Recipe Swap linkup. I can't wait to try them!! Don't they look delicious? And Bourbon? Yes, please!! P.S. If you're ever looking for good recipes, check out this linkup. LOVE IT!!

favorite craft beer.

Flying Dog's Dogtoberfest is what the hubsters and I are hooked on this week. So good, and it's a Marzen which means it's perfectly balanced. Not too light, not too heavy. Definitely try this one out!

favorite cute video.

I mean, how can you not giggle at that sweet little scared face? P.S. Raven's play the Patriots tomorrow!!! I seem to remember this same instance a few years ago when we MADE OUR WAY TO AND WON THE SUPERBOWL!!! What What? Let's go BOYS!!!!!

Thursty Thursday Party Linkup!

I'm back!! Sorry for the two week delay, I just knew that everyone (including me) would probably be busy doing their thang anyway, so...that's my excuse.

As much drinking as I did over this break I didn't really stray from my usual. Between the Arnold Palmer-anian and my goto Vodka Monster I stayed pretty drunk consistent throughout my time at home.

I did run out of my Burnetts and Smirnoff one night, though, and thought I would make a concoction with what I had in the liquor cabinet. Well...the only bottle we had left. :)

Cherry Poppins
(like what I did there?)

• 2 shots Bacardi Torched Cherry

• equal parts Cran-Cherry juice

and

• Sprite

• splash lemonade

Add ingredients, give a quick stir. Enjoy!!

* I think this would be awesome with Canda Dry Cran Ginger Ale, too. And instead of lemonade, a splash of orange juice. But I didn't have any of that in the house. :) Hmm...maybe that can be a drink for another day!!

My cohost this week is Chelsee!! She saved me, yet again, from being all alone. :) Chelsee blogs over at Southern Beauty Guide! If you ever need makeup tips or ideas for alternatives to what you have, check her out. And stop by her Let's Be Friends Blog Hop on Tuesday's!!

1. Follow Hopelessly Ever After and Chelsee via GFC or Bloglovin'.
2. Write about your favorite DRANK (alcoholic beverage).
3. Grab a button from below or Kristin's sidebar and put it in your post. 4. Come back here and link up!!!
5. Get some new recipes or drink ideas for the weekend and make a new friend!!

6. Send a tweet with #ThurstyThursday and include @leggs532 and @etagurl89 so we can see it!!

Anyone interested in co-hosting next week email Kristin at: hopelessly_ever_after@yahoo.com

An InLinkz Link-up

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.hopelesslyeverafter.blogspot.com" title="Hopelessly Ever After"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l54/leggs532/thurstythursdaybutton_zps8b8d412b.jpg" alt="Hopelessly Ever After" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Also linking up for...

Dear Taylor Swift,

   

     You effin' rock! How did you become so awesome? I mean seriously. You went from a quiet, sweet, little country singer to the awesomeness you are now. SO many others have tried it, but none of them have succeeded like you.

     I can remember when you first became famous. Singing "Tim McGraw" with your cute little ringlet curls, big blue eyes, and your pure white skin. Just look at you now. You cut the ringlets off and started singing songs about going batshit crazy on your boyfriend. Way to represent the normal population rather than keep singing about storybook romances we all know don't exist.

     I love you. I know it sounds creepy, but I want us to be best friends. Can't you picture it? I can teach you how to drink like a fish and you can teach me how to do ballet? ha! Eff yeah!

     And that cutesy little girl who seemed so innocent...you just threw her right out the window, didn't you? I mean check out the hotties you have dated!! And those are just the ones we know about. You little sex vixen, you. All growed up and all!

     So, I am here to say thank you. Thank you for throwing the sweetie pie out the window and getting all bitchmode on us! Thank you for cutting off the little girl ringlets so you can show us your sexy grown up side. And most of all, thank you for giving my husband and I something to sing to in the car. That's right, even Mike belts out Blank Space, his favorite song, when it's on the radio.
     #youeffinrock!

Love,                      

Kristin                     

P.S. Have you heard this remake of Blank Space by I Prevail? Even the punk rockers love you!!

   
#linkingup for...

 and...


P.S. THURSTY THURSDAY is tomorrow!! Come grab a button and party with us!! #THURSTYTHURSDAY

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.hopelesslyeverafter.blogspot.com" title="Hopelessly Ever After"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l54/leggs532/thurstythursdaybutton_zps8b8d412b.jpg" alt="Hopelessly Ever After" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Recipe: Crockpot Sweet Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa

Don't forget!!! THURSTY THURSDAY is back this week!! Hope you can stop by and party with us!!

On Christmas Eve my husband's family always gets together for apps and dinner. This year we decided to cut back on the number of appetizers we usually prepare because we always end up not really wanting to eat dinner by the time we're done snacking.

We kept it to a minimum but added in a few new appetizers to keep it fresh. Making these Sweet Bourbon Kielbasa bites was literally a last minute decision and boy am I happy we ended up going with it. It was so easy and these were super delicious and a huge hit!

It's only 4 ingredients and a crockpot meal so.....can't get much better than that! Unfortunately, they were so good we ate them all up before I could get a good picture....so use your imagination with this one...

Sweet Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa

2 shots bourbon, or to taste

1 cup pepper jelly

1 polska kielbasa, sliced

1/2 cup syrup

Put all ingredients together in crockpot. Let cook on low heat for about 4 hours. If you have a "Keep Warm" setting reduce heat and let sit about 30 minutes to let glaze set. Enjoy!!

See, I told you it was the easiest appetizer you will ever do!! And they are delicious!! We added a little more bourbon but it's totally up to your tastebuds. 

      

Let's pretend this Christmas didn't happen...

So....I've been off of work for the last two weeks so I know I have no room to complain, but.........I DON'T WANNA GO BACK!!

I feel like I have been so unproductive, but then again I usually am on my days off. lol.

My typical day on this break began at about 11 am. Yup....slept in almost every day!! Whoop Whoop! Then I proceeded to go downstairs and lay on the couch under the warm blanket until about 1. Then a quick meal, the gym, and then home to make some dranks and get right back under that blanket. Then a movie and movie snacks with the hubsters at night. Not too shabby!!

Christmas was ehhh, ok...if you follow my Instagram page you might have seen the awful ordeal we went through. Mike had been planning my Christmas present for weeks and I was super excited because he was so giddy over it. He just knew I would love it and it would be perfect and it totally was...

Christmas morning I opened a box with a litter box and a note. The note was from my new kitten Boo, explaining what he had gone through in order to become mine. Boo spoke of how many kittens daddy had looked for to find the perfect one because he knew how perfect Boost was to mommy. And he said daddy knew mommy would fall in love with him as soon as she saw him. He was right. My Christmas kitten was puurrrrfect.

We were really careful with the dog because the only thing Rosco and Boost used to do was chase each other around the house. We tried to keep them behind closed doors so they could just smell each other for a while. I did notice, however, that all Christmas Day Boo was scared of every single noise he heard. We took him to Mom's and then kept him in the office with the door shut for the night. We had wanted to try out the dog gate and see if that would give him his privacy but let Rosco check in on him without getting too close.

The morning after Christmas I woke up to go check on him. He was sleeping perfectly on his blanket and we cuddled for a while. Then I decided to check out the dog gate and see if he would try to get out. I watched him from down the hall for about 5 minutes. He never even came close to the gate and didn't seem to pay it any mind, so I went to wake up Mike. 

Some time between me leaving Boo and the 5 minutes it took for me to get Mike up Boo had managed to figure out how to get over the gate, down the hall, and was standing in front of our door when we opened it. Rosco, who was the first one out, clearly chased him down the hall. He never got to Boo, but Boo started acting really wierd and throwing himself all over the place. 

I picked up Boo and realized something was really wrong. He was barely breathing and definitely unresponsive. Luckily, one of my besties from college is a vet so I called her while trying to give him kitty CPR. Fortunately, she gave it to me straight up. Boo, being so little, just couldn't deal with being scared that much. She figured something must have been wrong before we even got him. Something no one would have known. 

She told me to rock him like a baby and try to calm him down, but being straightforward, she also told me that he probably would not pul out of it. So, I rocked him and kissed him, nuzzled him and shushed him, and eventually he took his last breath and died right in my arms. 

24 hours. That's all I had with him. But he stole my heart.

Mike and I buried him with his blanket and the Christmas bow he had been playing with since I first saw him. We wrote our goodbyes on the box, put another bow on the outside, and gave him one last kiss. Then we cried. a lot.

So, needless to say Christmas break was a little difficult. It literally took me longer than I even knew him to stop crying over him. It still upsets me talking about it. I'm just so thankful that we were able to be there when he died, rather than have him die in a shelter. I just wish we had the chance to give him a better life.

Although we had some high points, they were a little overshadowed by our ordeal. So, for now, I'm going to just pretend this Christmas didn't happen and try to remember the good parts of my break. Those of which I will try to get to, on another day. One where I haven't just redepressed myself. :)