healthy – Copper Acorn

by Alexis - April 13, 2013April 11, 2013

Starbucks Oatmeal

I was going through our local Starbucks recently, and my hubby gushed about how awesome their oatmeal was. (love my healthy babe) I saw it on their menu and my jaw dropped when I saw the price. Um, no. Then I had a little hissy fit- why does healthy food have to be so expensive?! I ordered the pumpkin scone. Principles over health. 😉

So I decided to make my own a little afterwards. Learn from my mistakes friends: add the berries AFTER the water/brown sugar thing. I was overly excited and mixed it with the dry stuff. Even though it tasted great, the water turned purple. Kinda different. (might be fun for kids?) And this recipe all depends on you. Some like their oatmeal nuttier, sweeter or thicker than this recipe. Experiment and enjoy!

Blueberry/Nut Oatmeal

1/2 C Quick Oats

3/4 C Hot Water

2T Brown Sugar

2T Your Favorite Crushed Nuts

1/4C Blueberries (again, any favorite berry you like)

Mix the oats, sugar and nuts. Then add hot water. Mix and wait a couple minutes. Afterwards add the toppings. Make this with a hot cup of tea and feel smug that you saved yourself about $5. (BTW, I’ve have had Starbucks oatmeal and yes, it’s amazing. hehe)

by Alexis - January 30, 2012January 29, 2012

Smiles in the rain

Today’s post is really not that special. I just thought the colors were pretty and wanted to take a picture to remind myself to eat healthier. Like cucumbers and dill swimming in ranch. hahaha

Pretty food is healthy food…heard that somewhere.

And on that same note, I would like to remind myself that I like running in the rain. I was running in between stores getting things for my sickie hubby and daughter and it was pouring. But it was so refreshing! I loved it so much that I couldn’t hold back smiling. After random people started staring and smiling back I was also reminded the power of a smile. Unfortunately it’s not that common anymore.

A huge thing that really set the tone though, which happened before any of the smiling stuff, was me offering an old lady a drive home from the max station. She was bent over, wearing a fur coat, flimsy hat and no umbrella. She was walking uphill-slowly. Remember that it was pouring. I couldn’t ignore the screaming in my head about that woman and the act of kindness that I say I believe in but probably don’t show as much as I should. So I took a u turn, prayed I wouldn’t freak her out by offering her a ride to her house and smiled. She was so nice and told me she didn’t mind the rain! That she lived in northern Alaska for 20 yrs so this rain was nothing.

It was amazing! What an attitude! I want to be like her when I’m older. That conversation changed my whole attitude for the day. And I wish I can go say thank you to her…but I know our exchange of smiles and my offer to drive her home touched her. Wish I had more experiences like this, but then again it’s really up to me. Risk, streeetch and risk some more. 🙂

Well, have a great day- I might take a run!

*The beautiful blue bowl is Polish pottery and was bought last month in Nowy Targ, Poland. Thank you Weronika and Chris!

by Alexis - September 23, 2011September 23, 2011

Lunch

I experienced heaven today. I cannot tell you how perfect this was for lunch.

Ingredients: Cucumber, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Onions, Hummus and Pita bread. Top it all off with wonderful Falafel from Costco and you have the perfect lunch. And at your home!

You can find Falaffel in the frozen section in Costco. Don’t have a membership like me? Split the cost and bounty with a friend!

by Alexis - October 20, 2009October 20, 2009

Savory Sweet Sandwich

I grew up in a pretty traditional home. My mom is German and so I grew up thinking sauerkraut and schmarm was a staple in every home across America. Sure I think cold macaroni salads are puke worthy and -prepare yourself- I don’t like the taste of chocolate. It doesn’t mean I like weird things…that was until today. You know when you go to a fancy dancy restaurant and they have special sandwiches that have cranberry cream cheese spread and apples on their sandwiches? I would always, and I mean always, roll my eyes and settle on the turkey or ham sandwich. Oh yeah. I like adventure. 😉

Anyways, I was looking through past posts and was sickened by all the sweet things I make. No, it does NOT mean I will stop (hehe) but it means I need a little more green leafy veggies and fruits in my diet. I was, randomly, craving a sandwich for lunch and decided that not only was I going to make myself one but I would branch out of my…shall we say ‘traditional’ style of sandwiches. Thus became this sandwich…I was really wary of taking that first bite. And the truth was I really really like it! I’m shocked. I actually put apples in my sandwich and ate it. Unbelievable. The fat lady has sung people. I hope you enjoy it- it’s very pretty looking. (it had to be or why else would I eat it?!)

It’s made of:

Plain Cream Cheese with salt and pepper smushed in it

Regular Wheat Bread- oh man I wish I had Chibata or something else fancy like those pretty food blogs…

Spinach Leaves

Turkey slices (I kinda branched out)

Apple slices cut thinly

Red onion

*the trick is to cut the apple and onion the same thickness so they even out each other taste wise. I’m going to make this this week when a friend comes over- sure to impress and really flavorful. You can even make it into a fancy appetizer. Please try it and let me know how you like it!