So, I’ve been slacking on the blog this last week. I stretched myself a little too thin between current projects at home, and work. Working all day, everyday, and then bringing work home almost every night has led me to feel a little burned out. As a result, I’ve been feeling a little under the weather over the last week – it’s definitely my body’s way of saying SLOW DOWN. When I’m not feeling the best, or just trying to take it easy, my favorite way to treat myself is with this smoothie. Well that, and tacos…but today we’re talking about the smoothie.This smoothie is a super-quick treat. In a blender, combine the almond milk and pitted dates, and blend on medium for 1 minute. Dates can be a little chunky if you don’t blend them first, which is why I recommend you don’t just throw everything in at once. As soon as these are blended, toss in the rest of your ingredients, and blend on medium-high for 90 seconds. The hemp protein is optional, but I find it blends well with the cocoa powder, offers up great fiber, and keeps me full for longer.
It is a quick, healthy snack that tastes like dessert. If you try this, please let me know how you liked it in the comments.
I hope you take some time to slow down, relax, and be good to yourself this Easter weekend. I know I am!
It hit 70 degrees here this week, and the snow is all gone! Jeremy and I spent about .02 seconds doing a happy dance before busting out the grill. Look at this deliciousness – J has been waiting months to drink a beer and throw steaks on the grill so this made his whole week! The tulips are growing, the hops are sprouting, and the f*$#ing mosquitoes are back, so I only stayed outside for a few minutes.
This weekend we celebrated my niece’s 4th birthday! It’s hard to believe that’s she’s already 4, it seems like just yesterday she was born.
She threw a magical rainbow unicorn party, complete with unicorn tails, beaded necklaces, and rainbow nail wraps. Even Uncle Jeremy had his nails done 🙂 It was a blast celebrating with you, Ria! But please stop growing up so fast, okay?
In other news, I’m trying to distract myself from the fact that turning the clocks ahead one hour really sucks by decorating my house for St. Patrick’s Day. We’re festive and ready – gold, green, and shamrocks everywhere! You can learn about how to make your own shamrock wreath here.
I hope your St. Patrick’s Day is fun, festive, and full of green beer!
It is officially March! She came in like a lion, dropping another 7 inches of snow on us this week. But I know that warmer weather is on the way, and so is St. Patrick’s Day! Anyone who knows me well, knows that I’m always decorating my house. Whether it be for the next holiday, or the current season, our house isn’t a home unless it is festive! I get so much inspiration from the creations I see for sale on Etsy, but as it goes with most things, I see it and think “I can make that!”. This wreath was no exception, and I’d like to share how you can make your own.
SUPPLIES:
18″ Wreath Frame
2Rolls of 4″ x 10 yd Burlap Ribbon
1 Roll of 4″ x 10 yd Green Burlap Ribbon
4 Pipe Cleaners cut in half (any color, I used brown)
1 Roll of Twine
2 6″ Twist Ties
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun + Sticks
Once you have all of your supplies, it’s time to get started. These wreaths are so much easier to make than you’d think! A starting tip, you’ll need to make sure that your burlap is folded in half (width-wise) while you’re working – this makes for prettier edges, and a fuller wreath.
Start by pulling your folded burlap end through the inner loop of the frame, and secure with a pipe cleaner. You can cut off any excess pipe cleaner once secured. Pull your first loop up through the innermost section, twist at the bottom (pick one direction for the entire wreath), then pull your second loop up through the middle section.
Twist again, and pull your third loop up through the outermost section. Congrats! You’ve finished one row! To start the next row, twist your ribbon and start again on the innermost section of the frame. For every 3 rows you finish, secure the burlap to the frame with another pipe cleaner. Repeat this process until you’ve made your way around the entire frame.
Done! To make the bow, cut the green burlap ribbon into 3 pieces: 60″, 24″, and 8″.
Fold the 60″ piece into an “X”. Fold the 24″ piece into thirds, and place fold side down on top of the 60″ piece. Pinch from the middle of the “X” to the top of both ribbons, and secure with a twist tie.
Fold the 8″ piece in half (width-wise), and fold over the middle of the bow. Secure with hot glue.
Attach the bow to your wreath frame with another twist tie.
To make the shamrock bunting, cut a 21″ piece of twine. I just cut out 4 shamrock shapes from the leftover green burlap ribbon, you can freehand this, or use a template.
Hot glue shamrocks to the twine, and tie each end of twine to your wreath.
Aaaaand you’re done! Time to hang it proudly on your door, and kick back with a drink of your choice 🙂 You’ve earned it!
This smoothie is a super-quick treat. In a blender, combine the almond milk and pitted dates, and blend on medium for 1 minute. Dates can be a little chunky if you don’t blend them first, which is why I recommend you don’t just throw everything in at once. As soon as these are blended, toss in the rest of your ingredients, and blend on medium-high for 90 seconds. The hemp protein is optional, but I find it blends well with the cocoa powder, offers up great fiber, and keeps me full for longer.
