GLUTEN FREE BROWNIE PEPPERMINT BARK COOKIES

GLUTEN FREE BROWNIE PEPPERMINT BARK COOKIES

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Brownies are delicious. Cookies are delicious. Brownie-cookies are.. dangerous. I don't make baked goods that often because it's just too darn difficult to stop eating them once I start. I mean, I ate like six of these when I made them, and ate the edges off of some of the others. Then there was that moment of weakness at breakfast the next morning. They're good! I have made these completely from scratch in the past, but, we don't always have the time to scratch make cookies. With a little help from a gluten free brownie mix, you'll have moist, chewy, chocolately cookies with a hint of peppermint, in no time! Perfect for a Christmas party, or just you know, for yourself! 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED.

1 Box of gluten free brownie mix. I used the gluten free Betty Crocker mix.

3 tblsp of gluten free flour. 

2 eggs.
1/3 cup oil. I used Olive Oil.
7 Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares.

PREPARATION. 

Preheat oven to 350˚and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Chop or break by hand the peppermint bark squares and set aside. In a medium mixing bowl mix together the gluten free brownie mix and the 3 tblsp of gluten free flour. In a separate bowl beat the 2 eggs and 1/3 cup of oil together ( I just use a fork to beat them ), and fold into brownie mix until a moderately thick dough forms. Fold in peppermint bark pieces, or hold back to just sprinkle on top for a more subtle peppermint flavor. 

Drop generous round spoonfuls on baking sheet and bake for 10-11 minutes. ( I use two soup spoons for this because the size is just right if you want large cookies, and the second spoon keeps my hands from getting messy). If you held the peppermint bark back, sprinkle on top of the cookie dough before baking, as I did. Be careful not to over bake. Brownie-cookies can become super hard if over baked. Like the hard edges of true brownies in a pan. They only need about 10 minutes. 

Let the cookies cool and then share with your friends and family!

Happy eating, friends.

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$225 CHRISTMAS CASH GIVEAWAY

$225 CHRISTMAS CASH GIVEAWAY

Monday, December 1, 2014

simply clarke | crazily normal

the thing about joy | tabler party of two | musings of a wanderer | simply free | lot 48

the mommy glow | rebekah elizabeth | the dwelling tree | the everyday joys | the southern thing

eat drink and be mary | lip gloss and high heels | southern beauty guide | a little too jolley | to the sea

boone + owl | two miracles | just bee | beauty brawler | living for his glory

 

Today I have teamed up with a few other bloggers to giveaway $225 Cash to help with your Christmas shopping endeavors! Enter away below and make sure to check out these amazing ladies.

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THROUGH THE LENS: OCTOBER

THROUGH THE LENS: OCTOBER

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Hey Hey! Today I am linking up with Kristen, from Treats and Travels, and sharing some of my favorite snapshots from the month of October! Kristen tagged me on Instagram ( plus some other lovely bloggers ) to participate in the monthly Through the Lens linkup! If you haven't joined the linkup yet, hop on in! It's a fun way to share some of your favorite shots from the past month and meet other bloggers. Double win.

Is it just me or did the pumpkin month just fly by? I would kindly like to ask time to just hold up a minute. An extra twenty days or so in each month would do the trick. Onward to the turkey feast.. gobble till you wobble, friends!

• Double Trouble. Llana is my best friend! The two of us have been friends since we were little girls. We still can't quite remember how or where we met exactly, but we apparently made quite an impression on one another and have been harassing each other ever since! This snapshot is an abundantly accurate capture of us.

• Deliciousness. I'm always messing around in the kitchen, as you well know by now. Sometimes it's a huge success (and I rock a substantial food baby from overeating), and sometimes I wonder what it was exactly that I was trying to create in the first place? One of the more successful kitchen creations is my favorite Blueberry Kale Smoothie. It's cold, tart, healthy, and quite tasty!

• My People. I've always been a 'quality over quantity' kind of person when it comes to friends. A few really good friends is just the ticket. I am an introvert. So much so that some tend to think I'm aloof and indifferent. This could't be further from the truth! I actually really love people. I'm just quiet.. sometimes. There are a few of my people that would beg to differ. At least two are present in the image above. I'm sweetness and sarcasm, tenderness and sass all wrapped up in one semi-petite package! With a little laughter, loyalty, good banter, and transparancy we'll be the best of friends!

• Cookie Goodness. Who doesn't love some baked goods. Especially fudge filled baked goods. Cookies are my weakness. Even pictures of cookies make me happy!

• The Momma Bear. She's the college roommate I never had! We laugh, we cry, we argue, and we get into plenty of trouble together. We laugh most often so this snapshot captures us well.

• Feed The Addiction. I'm pretty vocal about my excessive love of froyo. If I didn't have some measure of self-control I would be rotund! Okay, that's somewhat of an exaggeration. But I like me some frozen moo cow. Especially if it's peanut butter froyo.. or salted caramel pretzel.. or espresso.. cookies n' cream.. or just all of it. I LOVE all of it!

• Hay Fights. When I was a kid my family always went to our church's harvest festival rather than going trick or treating. The harvest festival has changed over the years ( or maybe I've just grown up ), but it still remains one of my favorite fall activities. Back in the day, during the hayrides, two tractors would pull up next to each other and a full of hay fight would ensue. I have been both buried under a pile of people, and almost decapitated by a flying hay bale. Good times.

• Tuna Love. That delightful brown eyed spitfire is my sister. I affectionately call her Tuna Love. Yes, there is a story behind it, and it has nothing to do with the love of tuna. Much tomfoolery takes place when we're together, as the picture above hints at.

• God's Handiwork. I love a fiery sunset. So much of the time, as we move through our days, we take for granted the beauty of God's creation around us. Sunsets paint the sky with blazing colors demanding we take notice, and in those moments everything is peaceful and you have to just stop and take in the beauty that God has created.


Have a phenomenal Thanksgiving friends!

    

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BLOGGER PROBLEMS: THE TALE OF FIFTY-THREE LOST PHOTOS

BLOGGER PROBLEMS: THE TALE OF FIFTY-THREE LOST PHOTOS

Friday, October 31, 2014

It was a beautiful cloudless day when I popped the camera card into my computer. The anticipation of editing photos while listening to music was making me hyper. I was bouncing around my office with childish excitement. "These might be the best pictures yet!" I thought to myself, proud of all that I was learning about taking blog worthy photos.

I had really grown to love editing, and could spend countless blissful hours behind my computer screen working. "I'll make it one of those tested from Pinterest posts!" I proclaimed to only myself, earbuds happily blasting out Taylor Swift's Shake It Off. If only I had known how that song would ring in my ears.

Baby, I'm just gonna shake shake shake shake shake. 

Uploading pictures had become old hat. I did this multiple times a week. I had found myself collecting many shots with my coal-black Canon Rebel. It had become my very best friend; swinging gaily from the strap it hung on around my neck, on a regular basis. I cheerfully inserted the camera card into my Mac and waited for "NO NAME" to spring up in iPhoto. Nothing. "I've done it in the wrong order." Though no specific order had ever been needed in the past, I reasoned that I must close iPhoto and reinsert the camera card, and let iPhoto open when my Mac acknowledged the camera card's presence. "Let's try this agin." I muttered to myself. Nothing. Frustration began to set in. "Are you kidding me!" In the midst of my mild frustration I rushed upstairs and rummaged through some things on the desk in my room."HA found it!" I ran back down to my office with the newly acquired USB cable that belonged the my Rebel. "I'll just plug this bad boy in and upload them that way."

I was back in my bubbly bouncing mood. Surely this would solve the problem. I had no valid reason for thinking this, but I had quite comfortably settled into denial about the entire situation. With Mr. Probz Waves playing in the background, I had unplugged my pearly white earbuds and music flowed freely throughout the room, I plugged the USB cable into my computer and waited with misguided confidence. Fifty-three photos. All fifty-three within my grasp. Would you like to upload all 53 images to iPhoto? blazed across my computer screen. "Yes, yes I would!" 

I pressed on, minimizing iPhoto, while I listened to two more tracks from my Vibe playlist on Spotify. Ignoring the pictures while they uploaded gave relief to my nerves. Perhaps if I didn't watch them upload I would have more success. I put some finishing touches on a new blog header as Stevie Wonder's Superstition finished playing. I knew the pictures had finished uploading from my "NO NAME" camera card. 

I just knew it.

"This isn't happening." A small pop-up window informed me: the following 53 unreadable photos could not be uploaded. "Unreadable?!" The computer was wrong and obviously malfunctioning. "No, nope. It's all a terrible mistake." Somewhere between rage and despair, I brashly snatched the USB cable out of the port on the side of my computer. "This. is. not. happening." I decided to start from scratch. With Eye of the Tiger keeping time for my hate fire, I closed everything out and began again. 

It's the eye of the tiger. It's the thrill of the fight.

I was now burdened with glorious purpose. I was going to win the fight with my expensive blogging paraphernalia. I forcefully plugged the USB cable back into my Mac, switched the Rebel on, and dared iPhoto not to submit. This would all be forgotten once I found victory. The pictures would be edited, and the post would be published. No one ever had to know of the battle waged behind the scenes. But it was not to be.

The following 53 unreadable photos could not be uploaded. 

Those words burned the deepest part of my blogger soul. It was over. Forever trapped on that unnamed camera card, those shots of perfectly baked healthy cookies would never be gazed upon. The evidence that those pins you never get around to testing actually do work out sometimes. Proof that not all Pinterest recipes are tricks. I had gone from childlike bliss to utter despair. The fight was over. The photos were lost. 

I sat back in my chair while Sarah McLachlan serenaded my broken blogger heart... I will remember you.

"Yes, yes I will." 

That's the tale, in all its sarcastic playfulness. Bonus points if you caught the Loki reference! The entire camera card is corrupted and I'm not sure how.  What about you? Have you ever lost photos, or an entire post?

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BLUEBERRY KALE SMOOTHIE

BLUEBERRY KALE SMOOTHIE

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Happy Wednesday, friends! The beautiful fall weather is finally making its arrival and I couldn't be happier! The gentle crisp air of fall breathes new pumpkin spice latte filled life into each Autumn day. The South likes to take a slow and steady approach to the cool weather shift. I blissfully frolicked off in my leggings, oversized sweater, and scarf, only to be slapped in the face with an eighty degree day.  But that was several weeks ago, and I'm finally donning such apparel without breaking out in a sweat!  Amen! Hallelujah!

I'm somewhat of a picky eater so I have to find creative ways to get my fruits and vegetables in. My favorite way to get some healthy goodness is to whip up a smoothie.. a smoothie that tastes good. You know those pretty green smoothies that beam with spinach filled radiance? Yeah, those don't taste so great. In honor of the few warm days left, I'm sharing my go-to smoothie recipe. This simple blueberry kale smoothie is tart and refreshing! There's not just kale and blueberries in their either, a little carrot to add some sweetness, and tart cherry juice to boost the flavors are delightful additions to the recipe. The perfect healthy treat to keep you full and energized. And hey, who says you can't have cool treats during the brisk weather months!

THE BENEFITS 
• Blueberries are loaded with fiber which keeps you full longer. Just a handful can satisfy your daily fiber requirement. Blueberries are also a great source of manganese ( a mineral that is found in nuts, seeds, legumes, tea, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains ) which plays an important part in bone development, as well as converting carbohydrates and fats into energy! Blueberries are also a fantastic source of Vitamin C; containing almost 25% of your daily value. 

• Kale is high in iron. Iron is essential for good health; it aids in the transporting of oxygen to various parts of the body, proper liver function, cell growth, and much more! Kale is also high in Vitamin C, A, and K. It is also an anti-inflammatory food. One cup of kale contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight against arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and asthma. 

• Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into Vitamin A in the liver. Beta-carotene has  been shown to protect against macular degeneration. The high levels of beta-carotene also aid in the repair of cell damage done to the body through regular metabolism. So it essentially helps slow down the aging of cells. The Vitamin A found in carrots helps prevent acne, dry skin, premature wrinkling, and uneven skin tone. 

•  The components in tart cherries and tart cherry juice have been shown to deliver high levels of protection against degenerative and inflammatory diseases like cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.  The anti-inflammatory properties in tart cherries also help prevent muscle injury ( for my fellow gym rats ), as well as, offering relief from arthritis. 

BLEND IT UP

___________________________

1 cup of frozen Blueberries
1 cup of Kale
1 small carrot peeled and chopped
1 1/2 cups of Tart Cherry Juice

Bend frozen blueberries, kale, carrot, and tart cherry juice until smooth. The frozen blueberries keep this smoothie nice and cold. Because of the blueberries and tart cherry juice, this smoothie will turn a delightful burgundy color. This smoothie is quite tart. You can play around with this a bit if you're not really fond of tart things. You can cut the Tart Cherry Juice down to 1 cup and add 1/2 a cup of Orange Juice or water to take it down a notch. Of course, if it is too thick for your taste, just add a touch more liquid. You can also use mixed berries instead of just blueberries!

+ Also, I use my Ninja blender to make smoothies so this turns out super smooth for me. If you have a different setup it may have bits of berry or kale not quite pulverized. So make sure you blend it long enough!

HOW TO: CUSTOMIZE THE "NEWER + OLDER POSTS" ON BLOGGER

HOW TO: CUSTOMIZE THE "NEWER + OLDER POSTS" ON BLOGGER

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Fifteen days. Fifteen days without blogging. I can't believe I did it, but sometimes you just need to take a step back and breathe, right? To kick off my return from my blogcation. Making up words again. I'm sharing a really simple coding tutorial for my blogging friends that like to take designing into their own hands!

If you're brave enough to scroll on down to the bottom of this blog you'll see a little button that says "previous posts" ( there's a picture below instead because I love you guys and don't want you scrolling your life away! ). It's a small link, but the font is the same as other important links on the blog. Little details like that are important to the aesthetic of your blog. The default in Blogger for these links is "Newer /Home/ Older posts". With just a few coding adjustments, you can customize those links to say and look like whatever you want!

| REMEMBER TO BACKUP YOUR TEMPLATE BEFORE ALTERING THE HTML/CSS

The first thing to do is find the code that you want to alter. Login into Blogger + Template + Jump To Widget + Blog 1. You're going to look for <b:includable id='nextprev'>...</b:includable>. Click the black arrow to the left to expand. The code that you need to change will become visible. It looks like this..

|Replacing the Links with Images.

Replacing the links with images allows you to really be creative, because you can design the images/buttons any way that you would like. It gives you a lot of freedom. A simple code replacement that contains the direct image url to your image is all you need! Just replace <data:olderPageTitle/>, <data:newerPageTitle/>, and <data:homeMsg/> with this <img src="IMAGE URL"/>. You can see in the image above, on line 1520 and 1527, an example of this within the HTML.

    

<b:includable id='nextprev'>

                                <div class='blog-pager' id='blog-pager'>

                                  <b:if cond='data:newerPageUrl'>

                                    <span id='blog-pager-newer-link'>

                                      <a class='blog-pager-newer-link' expr:href='data:newerPageUrl' expr:id='data:widget.instanceId + &quot;_blog-pager-newer-link&quot;' expr:title='data:newerPageTitle'>

                                        <img src=" IMAGE URL"/>

                                      </a>

                                    </span>

                                  </b:if>

                                  <b:if cond='data:olderPageUrl'>

                                    <span id='blog-pager-older-link'>

                                      <a class='blog-pager-older-link' expr:href='data:olderPageUrl' expr:id='data:widget.instanceId + &quot;_blog-pager-older-link&quot;' expr:title='data:olderPageTitle'>

                                        <img src=" IMAGE URL"/>

                                      </a>

                                    </span>

                                  </b:if>

                                  <a class='home-link' expr:href='data:blog.homepageUrl'>

                                       <img src=" IMAGE URL"/>

                                     </a>

| Changing the Text of the Links.

If you simply want to alter what the text of the links say, rather than replacing with an image, just change the text that is shown for newer posts, older posts, and the home link ( the blue text below ). You can change the text to anything that you would like "previous posts" " go back" "next page". Really anything.

<b:includable id='nextprev'>

                                <div class='blog-pager' id='blog-pager'>

                                  <b:if cond='data:newerPageUrl'>

                                    <span id='blog-pager-newer-link'>

                                      <a class='blog-pager-newer-link' expr:href='data:newerPageUrl' expr:id='data:widget.instanceId + &quot;_blog-pager-newer-link&quot;' expr:title='data:newerPageTitle'>

                                        <data:olderPageTitle/>

                                      </a>

                                    </span>

                                  </b:if>

                                  <b:if cond='data:olderPageUrl'>

                                    <span id='blog-pager-older-link'>

                                      <a class='blog-pager-older-link' expr:href='data:olderPageUrl' expr:id='data:widget.instanceId + &quot;_blog-pager-older-link&quot;' expr:title='data:olderPageTitle'>

                                        <data:newerPageTitle/>

                                      </a>

                                    </span>

                                  </b:if>

                                  <a class='home-link' expr:href='data:blog.homepageUrl'>

                                       <data:homeMsg/>

                                     </a>

There you go! You're one step closer to being a blog designer! Messing around with code can seem daunting when you're unfamiliar, but it really isn't so hard once you get the hang of it. So have fun and happy coding!

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MERRISSA | RAD MAVERIX

MERRISSA | RAD MAVERIX

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Hello, Hello! Y'all know how much I really adore finding new blogs to follow and getting to know their lovely authors. It's a chance to make a new friend! Who doesn't like making new friends? Especially when they totally get the blogging thing. A short while back Merrissa took over the blog and shared some fun details about her new "Tees and Tanks" line, Rad Maverix Brand.  Merrissa was kind enough to offer all of you a special code for 25% off! Isn't she sweet!? 

Today, Merrissa is sharing a little bit about herself! So get to know her better below and be sure to check out Rad Maverix Brand! Don't forget to use code BOONE&OWL for $25 off!

____________  MERRISSA | RAD MAVERIX   ____________

BLOG  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  BLOGLOVIN  |  PINTEREST

| How did you get into blogging?

 I actually started blogging last summer, June 2013. Rad Maverix started out as a tool to keep my best friend, Candace, and I connected while she was away at college. Since then, she has started a new career and left the Rad Maverix scene, so I have been running RadMav by myself, since May. I try to find time for blogging and maintaining my work schedule—sometimes I totally suck at this!

| Tell us something we don't know about you!

 I am launching a chic tees and tank line this fall! Hopefully, by the end of August, or early September, I will have everything ready to launch! Rad Maverix Brand will provide (affordable) tees and tanks that are comfortable; yet chic & exclusive. Go like our FB pg for sneak peeks and discounts! (Rad Maverix Brand)

| Where do you find creativity?

 I find creativity in the everyday hustle and bustle. Oh and I guess Pinterest is always handy to spark a few ideas. :)

| What are three things you absolutely can't live without?

 My phone, camera & my dogs. My phone, I know, so cliché. But how would I keep up with Kimye and the latest blogger must-haves, without my phone?! I invested in a (nicer) camera last summer. It’s awesome, I just need to learn how to use it like the pros. Lastly, my dogs. I seriously could not live without them. Everyone is always like, “I have the best dog(s) ever!!!! And down deep inside the rest of us are thinking “Yea, right, I  have the best dog(s) ever!”

| What's the craziest fashion trend you've ever tried?

Anytime I hear the word “trend” I can’t help but think about myself in elementary school dancing to the Spice Girls at our school talent show and wearing rocking those white PLATFORM shoes. And omg, they’re coming back in style. That is one trend I will NOT let myself fall for…again.

START HERE: 22 Things I've Learned  |  Denim Floral  |  Oh Hey Friday

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GUILT FREE CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MUFFINS

GUILT FREE CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MUFFINS

Monday, September 8, 2014

Hey sweet friends! Happy Saturday! It's hot and rainy here in the Palmetto state. Whenever it's rainy out I love to bake. It's incredibly relaxing, and just plain fun. Now y'all know that I am a gluten free, wheat free, processed sugar free, saturated fat free, ingredient lists longer than a short paragraph free, words I can't pronounce free, girl. Food should be simple and straightforward. Just a few yummy ingredients can make a delectable guilt free treat that will put your sweet tooth at ease. 

Chocolate. Peanut Butter. Separately, quite tasty. Together, a gift from the heavens. Today I have a guilt free recipe that combines both, plus a couple of other, dare I say healthy, ingredients! Gluten and guilt free chocolate peanut butter avocado muffins!

Yes, avocado... in a baked good.

Don't run away. Trust me on this. You won't even know the avocado is there! Of course, if you love avocado you're as giddy about this recipe as I am. It's brilliant really.. we get to have our cake and eat it too, all while still feeling skinny. Oh yes, and still looking skinny too! Hey, i've got your back here. I'm actually sitting here eating these muffins as I write this. These as in all. of. them. 

I regret nothing!

CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MUFFINS

What you will need:

1 medium avocado

2 eggs

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat over to 350˚ and grease a cupcake pan ( I used coconut oil ). In a medium size mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and beat on medium speed until well combined. If you have a food processor you can toss everything in there and blend it until the smooth, but thick batter forms. Fold in the chocolate chips + anything else you want! Walnuts or almonds would be delicious!

Spoon batter into your greased cupcake pan and place in your 350˚ over for 8 to 10 minutes. Let muffins cool and then enjoy!

These muffins, or cupcakes (whatever you like to call them!) are just a touch sweet, just a touch chocolate-ty, and a touch peanut buttery. Makin' up my own words now. If you like your sweets a smidge sweeter than a touch just add a little extra honey or agave nectar. You'll be set!

This is a recipe that you can play around with a bit so have fun with it. Use cashew butter, or even almond butter! Throw some nuts or white chocolate chips in there. Get creative! Happy eating, my people!

What is your favorite chocolate treat?

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