First attempt: Homemade Lӓrabars - Banana Nut Bread

Lӓrabars are wonderfully scrumptious, all natural, fruit and nut food bars. They are fantastic for on-the-go, busy people who need a healthy snack. The only problem is, the bars range from $1.60 to $2.00 per bar. Craving the yummy goodness, but not the price, I decided to go in search of homemade recipes for Lӓrabars. I found a plethora of recipes and decided to try a few out. I tweaked the recipes just a bit, but my muse for them stems from a fantastic website called Oh She Glows.

My First Attempt:

Banana Nut Bars

3/4 Cups of chopped whole pitted dates

1/4 Cup of whole raw almonds

1/4 Cup of dried banana slices

1. Slice one banana and place on a greased baking sheet

2. Cook banana at 175F for 2-3 hours until dry. You can use a food dehydrator but I simply don't have one.

3.  Roughly chop 3/4 cup of dates. Add dates and 1/4 cup of dried banana into food processor. Process for 1-2 minutes. 

 

4. Remove from processor bowl, set aside in a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup raw almonds to food processor and process for 1 min.

 

5. Add almond mixture to date/banana paste and blend well with hands. Divide into two halves.

 6. Set each half under a piece of wax paper. Roll flat with a rolling pin or soup can. Shape to your liking. Makes 2 bars

 7. Wrap each bar in Saran and Refrigerate

   
Each bar has approximately 230ish calories, 5 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fiber.


The homemade bars are yummy! They taste just like banana nut bread. They also tame my sweet tooth, which is pretty immense.

10 Questions

Do you remember those silly personal questionnaires that floated around in junior high and high school? The ones that had about 30 questions or so for you to fill out so people could find out random information about you.  I found a condensed version on another blog I read and thought it would be fun to participate! Enjoy, and feel free to use on your blog as well.

1. Celebrity crushes past and present . . . Male or female.
       Oh gosh, I have so many! Carey Grant, Paul Newman, Warren Beatty, Chris Pine, Ryan Reynolds, and I do have a girl crush on Mandy Moore :P  

 2. What’s your favorite book?

        To Kill a Mocking Bird

3. What are your 5 favorite TV shows?

     My all-time favorite is 3rd Rock from the Sun. I also enjoy Alias, Friends, Big Bang         Theory, and Sex and the City

 4. Guilty pleasure?

     Online shopping whilst eating ice cream and watching Sex and the City. Doesn't get any girlish then that!

5. Any goals you’re currently working on?

     Getting the inside of the house painted. The previous owners had a field day with some pretty random and iffy colors. (The orange and green fire place was the first to go...)

 6. A trend or style you’ve wanted to try, but have been scared to?

     I adore the way those big frilly hats look. Think Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady on the race track. "Move your bloomin' ass!"

 7. A skill you’d love to learn?

       I would love to learn to play the ukulele. I have one; I just haven't taken the time to learn it.

8. If you had a day to yourself with unlimited money to spend and no obligations, what would you do?

    HmmMMmm... I'd definitely give a ton of money to charity such as suicide prevention and  cancer research. I also think I'd help out family members that needed it, and then I'd be selfish as hell and buy myself stuff!

9. A person (living or dead) you’d love to meet?

        Amelia Earhart - She was/is such an inspiration to women everywhere. 

 10. If you weren’t doing the career you’re doing now what would you want to be doing instead?

        I'd be a famous singer! *Wishful thinking lol!

Virtual Makeover

Name change! I've updated my blog to a different name and style. I get bored easily and figured it was time for a virtual makeover. The new header (above) was designed by my talented husband. Each picture represents a different facet of my writing.

Life - This is a beautiful abstract picture from Abstract Art to which Michael added the vibrant red. The intangible picture represents life and all it's mysteries. You never really know what lurks around every corner.

Health & Fitness - I used to write a health and fitness blog, but keeping up with two blogs became tedious. I have a passion for wanting to be fit, strong,and healthy and enjoy sharing my enthusiasm with others.

Girlie Obsessions - If you've read my blog for a bit, you know that I adore all things girlie; hair products, makeup, clothes, hair styles. This is my homage to my fascination for all things girlie.

Travel - I took this beautiful picture whilst in Maui eating a fantastic dinner at Kimo's. Michael and I love to travel to new and exciting destinations, as well as to familiar locales.   

I hope you enjoy the new look.

Back to Square One

I've received several queries lately about finding my dad. So I thought I'd share an update.

The last I heard from the private investigator: she would consult with her colleagues on the best course of action to take next. I haven't heard from her since and that was over 4 months ago.  My retainer was up anyway, but I wanted to know if she could help me further by, basically, giving her more money. I guess I'll never know. I refuse to contact her back now and give her more money since the ball has been in her court for awhile. I feel it's just rude to not respond to someone even if it is to say "Sorry, I tried everything, but I couldn't find any leads or more information."

So, as of right now, I'm at a stand-still. I've though about hiring another P.I. but without more than a name and a picture, to go from, I don't know how they will be successful. I wish I had a middle name or date of birth. Michael and I have combed through my mom's possessions several times to no avail. My aunt even went through some of her papers to see if my mom left anything with her. Nothing.

I don't want to give up, but I feel I'm headed in that direction. I'll let you know if I find something new, or decide to start the search over again. But for now, we are still holding steady at square one.

Steer

 
One of my favorite songs is "Steer" by Missy Higgins. It's beautiful and very inspirational. When I hear it, I feel empowered and pure like nothing can stop me. I thought I'd share:



Feel it falling off like clothing
Taste it rolling on your tongue
See the lights above you glowing
Oh and breathe them deep into your lungs

It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been pulling at the strings playing puppeteer for kings
And you've had enough

But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer

So hold this feeling like a newborn
Of freedom surging through your veins
You have opened up a new door
So bring on the wind, fire and rain

It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been played at a game called remembering your name
And you stuffed it up

But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer

'Cos you've been listening for answers
But the city screams and all your dreams go unheard

But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer
Year get out of the box and step into the clear
'Cos now you finally know you can steer

-Missy Higgins-

Only Asthma?

For the past week and a half, I've had to halt my workouts, not because I'm lazy or just didn't want to do anything, but because I've been unable to breathe properly. I've felt as if I was suffocating. I'd inhale deeply and would still be unable to catch a breath. Working out only aggravated it and made it worse.

When my husband finally convinced me to go to the doctor, we went to a walk in clinic after hours where they took X-rays of my lungs and an EKG of my heart. You know what they found?!!! Nothing! The healthcare professional said my lungs and heart were just fine. The doctor contributed my shortness of breath to my already present asthma and allergies. I don't know if I completely believe that. I've been working out for how many years now and have never had a problem as severe as this before. They sent me home with a prescription for steroids, a Z-pack and an inhaler.

Today is day 6 of taking the steroids, Z-pack and inhaler. For the first time in about two weeks, I was able to really push myself in the gym instead of collapsing in a ball on the floor. I completed a 45 minute total body workout during the day, and after work, I was able to cycle for 45 minutes. I still had some difficulty breathing, but I didn't feel like I was suffocating and gasping for air.
I suppose the medicines are doing their job. Although, I am worried about when the medicine wears off. Will I still be OK? Or, will this come back and once again hinder my workouts? I'm headed to my actual PCP in about a week, not only for a check-up, but to get a second opinion about what's going on with my lungs.

Comic Con's Golden Ticket

This year, Michael and I decided to try and get tickets to the world famous Comic Con in San Diego. Apparently it's a long, arduous process to get the tickets, or badges as they call them. First, you have to wait until the website decides to give out member ID numbers. Once you have a member ID number, which we do, you have to wait until badges go on sale. If you don't have a member ID number, you can't buy a badge. No one knows when the badges will go on sale, but when they do, they sell out fast! So, Michael and I are eagerly waiting on the edge of our seats to find out when badges to go on sale.

If we are indeed able to obtain badges I'm hoping to go all out and dress up. Apparently, the unwritten rule is that you're supposed to make your costume for Comic Con, - none of this store-bought costume crap. They want the real deal! But, before I even think about and making any of the costume pieces, or enlisting the help of someone, I need to make sure we have badges. Otherwise, I'll be left with one seriously cool, expensive, handmade, Halloween costume. Which would normally be fine and dandy, but if this outfit is going to be handmade, I want to be able to wear it more than once.

As soon as we have our 'golden ticket,' if you will, I'll, get into the specifics of my costume. But for now, wish us luck on snagging a coveted badge!