9.17.2013

Tasty Tuesday: Strawberrry-Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Golly, it sure does feel amazing out, doesn't it?  This is the time of the year, when I just love living where we do... sure, I miss the beach and warm sunny days. However, nothing beats open windows, cold morning jogs {it was a crisp 47 here at 6am} hot coffee, and fall treats. Just fills me up with giddiness!  I spent last night crafting away on more door decs - I must say, the painting is a lengthy process, but I' so happy with the results. I can't wait to share!  

I also got motivated to make these delicious muffins that I pinned forever ago. They are super healthy {150 calories} and packed with a lot of protein {for a muffin anyway} and they turned out delicious. 


Thanks Ambitious Kitchen, for this amazing recipe.

Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 heaping cup mashed bananas (about 2 to 3 large very ripe bananas)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/3 cup nonfat plain greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (I used skim milk and a lil extra vanilla)
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips
  • 2/3 cup diced strawberries
  • 12 thin slices of strawberries (about 3-4 strawberries) for topping


Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray or line the insides of the muffin tins with paper liners and spray with cooking spray so the muffins do not stick to the liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the oat-flour mixture and toss with your diced strawberries. Set aside for later.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine mashed banana, olive oil, honey and vanilla. Add in egg and the egg white and beat until combined. Next add in greek yogurt and almond milk and and beat on low until smooth in consistency, about 1 minute. Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture and combine until moist — It’s important to not over mix! Next gently fold in the diced strawberries and chocolate chips into the batter with a wooden spoon to evenly distribute.
  4. Spoon the batter evenly into muffin cups. Place a thin strawberry slice on each muffin if desired.
  5. Bake for 18-23 minutes or until a tester inserted into middle of the muffin comes out clean. The length of time will vary based on your oven. Once a tester inserted into the muffin comes out clean, cool for 10 minutes in muffin tins on wire rack, then remove from pan gently and cool completely on wire rack. Muffins are perfect served a bit warm and spread with nut butter.
  6. The muffins can be frozen. Once completely cool, simply individually wrap in plastic wrap and place in freezer. To reheat simply heat in microwave. Muffins should be stored in refrigerator or frozen after two days.

Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 muffin Calories: 150 Fat: 4.1g Carbohydrates: 24.9g Sugar: 8.3g Fiber: 3.1gProtein: 4.5g

Hope you enjoy!! 

xo, trace 

9.16.2013

The Perfect kind of Weekend

I'm going to have to agree with Daffodil's today - it was the perfect kind of weekend...

Maybe it was the chill in the air,
or our first game day at home,
or an Auburn win!
Or good food, great friends and a low-key nights... 
it was really just the perfect kind of weekend! 

Friday after work we had drinks on the back porch of Mulberry... and watched a beautiful sunset turn the sky 50 perfect shades of Autumn!  We had dinner out, at Southern Inn with a few great friends... and met-up with a few more friends for drinks after. 

We slept in Saturday morning and enjoyed a big Saturday brunch, while watching Game Day! 


We ventured out around noon to meet some friends tailgating for the VMI game - and we stayed for the first quarter of the game... it was super cool to watch the cadets march into the stadium. 


I'm loving getting to see other stadiums and enjoy new game day traditions. Two down and we're only 3 weeks in!

Saturday night, I made crock-pot pulled pork, that turned out pretty tasty {for as simple as it was}. 


We enjoyed a fun game day at Moore Street and a great Auburn game-ending drive to top off the night! 

Sunday, we got up early for a nice run before mass - the cool crisp air felt great!! Mass was packed - which I love - school is defiantly back in session, and I just love seeing the families and kids meddling around after church. We have a very small Catholic community here in Lex, but build so solid! 

Sunday we did meal planning, grocery shopping- and J fixed some odds and ends around the house while I got started on my crafties!  Here's a sneak peak.. 


Sunday night we attended the 20th Anniversary of the Rockbridge Area Health Clinic {formally the free clinic} that provides free and low-cost healthcare to those in need. The Jaycees support the RAHC through our Thanksgiving Day run and we cook meals for the doctors that donate their time to the clinic.  It's great to have such a thriving place right here in Rockbridge County to help those in need - and we love being a part of it!

Sunday Supper was simple grilled chicken and spicy couscous... With a delicious tomato/mozzarella/basil salad on the side. I forgot to snag a pic, but it was scrumptious. 

Looking forward to another week ahead at home, with lots of crafting to be done! 

Happy Fall Y'all! 


Picked up this guys at the DG on Friday {you would think I was a Chi Omega if you didn't know better}, love these cute lil guys! 

xo, trace 

9.13.2013

Happy 30th Mols!

I wanted to do a special Saturday post today to wish a VERY Happy 30th Birthday to this girl...


The one and only, Ms Molly Vice!  

I don't know that there are words that could explain the pure sweetness that flows from this girl, each and every day. She is so full of love, gives the worlds' best hugs, makes you feel like you are the only thing important at that very moment and will always bring a smile to my face just by hearing her voice!  She always knows when you need a hug, or a glass of wine.... or a night on the town {with one two many Maker's}. She will never let you down when Wagon Wheel comes on the radio... and she'll always be ready to "buy that sofa" from any jukebox in town. haha

Let's just say, there are many people that come and go from your life... and I can certainly at test to that - but I know that Molly will forever by a part of my life!  I can remember the exact day Molly and I met - and I remember thinking that very day - I would love to be friends with that girl.  She's the girl you need around to make a business deal go down {or get a lease signed}, she's the one you want holding up your dress on your wedding day.... and singing right next to you on stage {any night of the week}, she makes the world's best roomie and the best burger on a biscuit you'll ever try!

She's sweet as pie and a Kentucky girl through and through.... Molly Vice, I don't know where I would be today with you!  Today I am sending you so much love and so many hugs... you will forever hold a special place in my heart and I will always be grateful for your friendship! Cheers to 30 and so many more great memories ahead!

Love you Girlfriend!!

xo, trace

5 on Friday


Happy Friday Friends!! I dunno about you guys - but this busy week flew by for us. I can't believe it's already the weekend... but I am SO looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. Thought I would share some of the things I'm lovin' this week! 


{one} Dannon Blends Greek Yogurt 
We are big fans of greek yogurt and like trying new brands... most of which we love. But, I'm going to be honest and put it out there - Chobani is not my fav. I know, I know...  believe me, anytime I ever open my mouth to share how I really feel - I get the 3rd degree... and I almost feel embarrassed. But, it's true. I actually can't stomach it and the only time it's in the fridge is if the hubs does the grocery shopping. But this - Dannon Blends - my new fav!  My favorite has been the Banana Cream... and I love the Key Lime Pie for a snack.


{two} Mango Nails

Sometimes, I'm more inclined to pick up $1.97 shade of new nail color on a whim, rather than pay $10 for a bottle I only use once. This week I picked up this fun shade, without even looking at the name - only to get home and realize It's Mighty Mango!  ...and I love it! I'm not willing the let the summer colors slip away just yet.


{three} Adobe Captivate

One of my 30b30 goals was to take a class -preferably in design. Well, I am going to say I crossed that one off the list this week. I took a one-night crash course in Adobe Captivate this week... and have spent all my free hours glued to this program. It's actually really fun!


{four} The Chirp

Who doesn't love fun items to add to your bar? I picked up this lil guy at the store to go with a bottle of vino for a friend.... and loved it so much, I finally bought me one. I picked up a couple more to keep for gifts too - the perfect compliment to a good bottle of vino!


{five}  It's Friday the 13th! 


What a great day! It's not only Friday... but its' the 13th! Now, I'm a 13 girl - so any day of the month that also happens to be the 13th is a good one - but also Friday's. I wasn't born on a Friday, but I did turn 13 on Friday the 13th and... will turn 30 on Friday the 13th... in 3 months. eeekkk!!! Thanks for the pic Liz - good to know others like the 13th just as much as me!!

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!!  I'll be working... but here in Lex. So, YAY! 

xo,trace 






9.12.2013

Game Day: Door Decs

With football season in full swing {and a weekend at home ahead} I am finally getting in the spirit! I thought it would be fun to make a new door dec for my alma mater... and maybe a few for my fellow Auburn gals as well!

I wanted to share a few ideas from Etsy I liked...






After doing a ton of looking around, I think I am going to attempt to make my own door dec from burlap and fabric. The state  of alabama is pretty cute.... but I also like the paw-print! Any votes? 

Miss Kopy Kat gives you a great step-step process, and it seems pretty simple.  We'll se how I do! Updates to come next week. 

On another note - check out this adorable game day bow-tie I found.


Happy Thursday folks.  It's almost the weekend!! 

xo, trace





9.10.2013

Tasty Tuesday: Meal Planning

I finally did it. Planned out our entire week of meals {on Sunday} and we are two days in and it's been so nice! We pulled out some new recipes this week, and stuck to some all time favorites.


     Sunday Supper is usually a bigger meal for the week - and we were actually home, so Jesse enjoyed   smoking the ribs all afternoon on the grill. He used a dry rub and finished them off with BBQ in the oven. So delicious! 

Monday: Sweet Corn & Basil Pizza and Fresh Greens
     Many thanks to The Garage in Louisville, Kentucky for giving us this pizza. It was amazing! 


Tuesday: Turkey Meatloaf, Mashed Cauliflower and Fried Okra {Our first from the Garden}

Wednesday: Brown Sugar & Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin & cubed Sweet Potatoes
     I have Walk & Wobble with the ladies, so I wanted something easy that would be ready when I got home at 7pm. This is a new recipe for me - I'll let you know how it turns out! 

Thursday: Grilled Chicken and Spicy Coucous {from the Cheese Shop}

Friday: Date Night! 

It's nice to be in town for a week and be able to plan for a full week of meals at home. It's also been fun using some items from our garden and eating healthy. The start of the school year always brings hectic days, and even with no children, ours has been just as busy. We are trying to get back to planning meals, working out, going to church... you know, back to the basics. makes me feel so much more organized. 

Happy Eating this week! 

xo, trace  

9.09.2013

Cheers to the weekend!

Sorry for being MIA from the blog for the past week. We'e gone from Labor Day fun, to Louisville for work, straight into a weekend of football fun! Since it's fresh on my mind, I thought I would fill you in on our trip to Blacksburg this weekend.

Since the hubs alma mater was playing VA Tech this weekend, we made the short trip down to Blacksburg for a weekend of football and fun! Our Yankee friends, Jen & Jim, came down from the big apple/jerz to join in the festivities! It was so fun catching up and enjoying a town I've never really had the chance to explore.

We got up bright and early Saturday to get started on our tailgate prep. We kept it pretty simple since it was just the four of us...

Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Pinwheel Pasta Salad
7 Layered Dip
Beer Cheese & Meats from Kentucky
Chocolate Chip Cookies and Bourbon Chocolates 
We enjoyed some Coffee Cake Crumble for breakfast. Then headed down to Blacksburg to enjoy our tailgating and people watching. 



Lane Stadium was really fun! Such a great football atmosphere. The Catamounts put up a good fight, but the Hookies pulled it out. 



After the game we made a stop at Top of the Stairs for a "Rail."

... We even made it out on two feet! Ha

Our next stop in town was a yummy new cupcake shop, Gobble Cakes. I had a chocolate peanut butter cupcake, and Jesse tried a maple brown sugar and bacon cake. So yummy!! 


For dinner we tried a new spot... They had only been open 7 days, so really "new" ha. It was an old fraternity house that they bought and renovated. The atmosphere was laid back and trendy...
And the outdoor patio was perfect for the 70 degree wether we were enjoying! We caught up games and enjoyed amazing burgers, the gobbler for me and the ultimate burger for J...


We crashed early after all the fun in the sun. All in all, a fun lil getaway to Blacksburg with great friends! 

We spent today unpacking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. I finally cleaned the hardwoods and unpacked some new wedding gifts. 


Looking forward to a nice week ahead at home. Happy Fall y'all! 

xo, trace