Autumn

Autumn

Monday, December 28, 2009

Heart Thrives - my first product review!



First, here is part 1 of my breakfast - some milk and natural applesauce with cinnamon, which causes an unnatural golden glow in the picture. Then I went on to try my Lemon Poppyseed Heart Thrives that came in a wonderful package from The Healthy Baking Company who were so generous as to send me some samples to review on my blog. I encourage you to check them out at http://www.suncakes.com/index.html!!

Here is the package:

And the informational brochure that came with it (just click on the photos for a closer view so you can actually read all the information!):





Now for the Lemon Poppyseed Heart Thrive, the first one I have tried:




I give it an 8 out of 10! When I first opened the package the aroma blew me away. It was a truly wonderful whiff of lemon poppyseed! I could tell that they were very fresh too, and the first bite confirmed that. It was soft like a muffin and chewy like a cookie. It had the perfect amount of sweetness and lemon flavor without being overpowering, which I certainly enjoyed since lemon isn't exactly my favorite flavor (which is why I tried this first - I like to save the best for last!). After a couple bites, I decided to microwave it. Unfortunately, I think 25 sec. is too long, for it was a bit too hot and had dried out some. The heat seemed to diminish the flavor too. I had the next one cold though and loved it! I'll probably try microwaving again, but for a shorter duration. And you can't be disappointed in the nutrition facts! I wasn't sure something this healthy would taste so good, but it did! The only way it could possibly be improved nutritionally is by adding some vitamin D to go along with the calcium ;-). All I can say is that I'm definitely looking forward to the other flavors, and I'll let you all know how they taste!

Do check out their website at http://www.suncakes.com/index.html and let me know if you've ever tried them and what your thoughts were! Thanks!


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Vitalicious SuperSampler Pack giveaway!

Fellow Iowan gal at Iowa Girl Eats is hosting a great giveaway! Check it out at: http://iowagirleats.com/2009/12/27/month-of-holiday-giveaways-vitalicious-supersampler-pack/

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Wild Bars Giveaway at Chocolate-Covered Katie

Here's another fun giveaway for wild bars:
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/faq/veganism/ccv-in-a-box/life-is-like-a-box-of-wild-bars-giveaway/

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!


And, no, not Happy Holidays since this is MY post ;-). I am very respectful of other's religious views or lack there of, but I see nothing wrong with wishing someone a Merry Christmas since it is essentially a secular holiday now (so it's similar to wishing someone a Happy Halloween). Even if you're not Christian, you probably can't avoid all the festivities that surrond this day for believers and nonbelievers alike. If you are Christian, then hopefully the phrase will serve as a reminder of the true "reason for the season" despite the commercialization of the holiday.

Anyway, I hope I've thoroughly explained myself, for I definitely don't want to offend on this day of all days. Really, I just hope that you all are able to spend this day in a way that brings joy to your heart, whether that be with family, enjoying delicious foods, at church, going for a nice, long run, or sitting in front of a fireplace with a cup of hot tea or cocoa on your lap. Enjoy!


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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Red Raspberry Tea on Christmas Eve



Merry Christmas Eve everyone!! I thought I'd share one of my favorite tea flavors with everyone since I don't often share food pics since they just aren't that pretty... or they're in a dining hall (and I'd be too embarassed to take pics there!). Anyway, while I do drink green tea occasionally, there's just nothing like flavored fruit teas, at least in my mind. I love this tea, though the flavor is very strong and sweet, so I don't steep it too long, or I use a bigger mug :-). And check out this close-up of the ingredients - they look good to me!


Otherwise, I've been enjoying some down time and am now reading a great fantasy book by Kristin Cashore titled Graceling. I love breaks for the fact that I actually get some time to do some "fun" reading ;-).

a space!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Bruegger's Bagels = yum!





This morning I treated myself to a honey grain Bruegger's Bagel with light garden veggie cream cheese. There's just nothing better than a fresh bagel. Gotta love my ISU water bottle too! As for my workout today, I did 25 minutes on an elliptical. I really can't wait until spring when I can run outside again. Running outside now would just be miserable with the wet, snowy, icy roads and sidewalks in addition to the cold weather. I must say I do admire people who run in this weather though - more power to them!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Vegan cookie giveaway at My Breakfast Blog

Check this out if you'd like a chance at some free cookies:

http://www.mybreakfastblog.com/2009/12/lovely-lady.html#comment-form

Gluten Free Gidget: Have You Been Naughty, or Nice (A Christmas Giveaway)....

Gluten Free Gidget: Have You Been Naughty, or Nice (A Christmas Giveaway)....

Who doesn't love ice cream??

Relaxing Weekend

The semester is over, and I spent some time this weekend catching up on downtime :-). I watched some fun musicals like Singin' in the Rain and Moulin Rouge, and I've started reading a fun book called Water for Elephants! I've been wanting to read this novel for so long, and now I finally have the time. I've also been able to catch up on magazine reading, and here's a very interesting article I came across at the Eating Well magazine (a favorite of mine) website:

http://www.eatingwell.com/blogs/nicci_micco/2009_12_11/angry_mommy_responds_chocolate_milk_is_soda_in_drag_puh_lease

It's about how school's are banning chocolate milk, and I agree with the writer of this post, Nicci Micco, that flavored milk is not all that bad.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Oatmeal love

Most food bloggers love oatmeal and similar hot/cold breakfasts. Pictures of beautiful bowls of oaty goodness fill their pages. And what do you know, I love oatmeal too! Of course, I have to stick with the instant kind since I have no kitchen in the dorms, but I just love its versatility. You can add absolutely anything to it and make it as healthy, or not so healthy, as you want! Anyway, here is a nice litte article on oatmeal I wanted to share courtesy of Nutrition Action Healthletter. Check it out and learn more about your oats!

http://www.cspinet.org/nah/12_08/rating.pdf

And did you know there is an Oatmeal, Texas? Now you do!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Caribou coffee break




Don't you just love their festive holiday cups! I had a small hot chai tea latte with skim milk and it was delicious. It was my first time trying one, and I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the combination of spices, sweetness, and warm milk :-). It warmed me up on this cold winter morning.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Knock Knock Stuff!

Here's a sweet giveaway for a Knock Knock product. Check it out at Danica's Daily:
http://danicasdaily.com/knock-knock-giveaway/comment-page-1/#comment-7118

New blogger template!

I'm currently seeing if I can update and improve the template for this blog. I'm relatively new to the blogosphere and would like to be more adventuresome. I'm learning so much!

Stevia is good for you!

Read this great article to learn more about Stevia!
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/Stevia-Natural-Sugar-Substitute.aspx

Monday, December 14, 2009

New giveaway at Sweeps4bloggers!

Giveaway for a dusty pink Azuri Cashmere Pashmina Shawl! Check it out at:
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=259

The Azores!



These islands are where I want to visit!!!!!

http://www.casasacorianas.com/?tipo=com&n=ilhas&ilha=6

Giveaway at Fruits. Veggies. Life.

Fruits. Veggies. Life. is having a sweeet giveaway! Check it out at http://fruitsveggieslife.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/last-day-in-cork-and-a-giveaway/#comment-2167

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Sweeps 4 Bloggers giveaway!

Amy’s Kitchen Organic Soups giveaway at Sweeps 4 bloggers
http://sweeps4bloggers.com/?p=226&cpage=1#comment-5260

Health, Happiness, and Hope has a giveaway!

Check out her True Holiday Spirit Giveaway!
http://healthhappinesshope.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/the-true-holiday-spirit-giveaway/

Meals and Moves has a sweet giveaway!

Check out an æbleskiver starter kit giveaway @
http://mealsandmoves.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/eb-el-sku-wyr/#comment-8245

Are you aware of what's happening in Copenhagen? You should be!!

What is the Copenhagen climate change summit?

This UN meeting is the deadline for thrashing out a successor to the Kyoto protocol, with the aim of preventing dangerous global warming. It will run for two weeks from December 7 and is the latest in a series that trace their origins to the 1992 Earth summit in Rio.

You should be aware of this as the results will inevitably affect your future and the fate of the world! Yep, it's that important ;-)


For more info. check out: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/copenhagen

Friday, December 11, 2009

Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies!

The generous folks at Xtrema Ceramic Cookware are going to Bless ONE Leslie Loves Veggies Reader with a 10" Open Skillet {$99.99 Value}! Check it out:

http://leslielovesveggies.blogspot.com/2009/12/xtrema-ceramic-cookware-10-open-skillet.html?showComment=1260587327927_AIe9_BGRvCU313GNV3PcrWwQ0lHh9kg413AAHB0QOfd_PT8OOH66nypxIQYn41bNeP9sRwJgdJ9TG3N0NuLiIpoe_9oHHkacO-WamW_dorn1YcZFyP4O5YDRmJRaERb_O_GWo7GToCNVHln7SFPTcBjZtPMzgItgs2hQ7yYxdPB7RtG1xpMshHXD0A8UPM8urdg9YpouiTl3DisqFB90At-yip8dWegcFACwPa43HV7SvNvK66g0I2YDPDruC_CIojOIzu77fpQf#c5837409411185884190

Iowa Girl Eats - another Iowa food blogger :-)

Check out her Carbs & Coffee Giveaway at:

http://iowagirleats.com/2009/12/10/month-of-holiday-giveaways-coffee-carbs-7-winners/comment-page-4/#comment-11937

Campbell’s Soup Fun Pack Giveaway at DanicasDaily!

Sweet giveaway at http://danicasdaily.com/campbells-soup-fun-pack-giveaway/comment-page-2/#comment-7035

Check it out!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Blissful Bellas' Blog

This is a very fun, neat blog, and they're hosting a holiday mug giveaway! Check it out at:

http://blissfulbellas.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/bellas-ice-cream-for-breakfast-and-a-bella-giveaway/

Free online workout videos!

What to do when it's cold and snowing outside? Why, do an indoor workout of course. I've recently discovered the decent selection of free online workout videos. They are great when I'm not up to going to the gym and it's too cold for a comfortable outside workout. The site I've been going to recently is:

http://www.exercisetv.tv/workout-videos/

Sure, it's hard to find longer workouts online, but they are there, and you can always combine 2-3 shorter workouts if you'd like. It's all about having more options so it's easier to stick with your exercise routine.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Snow Day!

Yep, classes were cancelled and the whole university shut down. Quite the winter storm. Maybe I'll even figure out how to post pics soon!




I figured it out, and here are two of the pics I took!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Wait for it!

This blog will be up and running in the near future.... as in after finals! I anticipate a gradual build up, but it will be awesome!