Save Me Some... Granola

I posted this Granola Recipe on
My other blog

I decided to share it here as well.
I really do love this  recipe for a
good, all natural, better for me
GRANOLA...

I have been avoiding Wheat and Wheat Products
for quite some time.
I can tell within two days when I am cheating
because my fingers and knees HURT,
my ankles and hands swell and I feel all over ACHY!

I can tell I've gone really too far outside of my
eating goals when my ears start to itch, my nose runs
and I break out in an all over rash (this is usually when
I am eating wheat and sugar). Add in soy to the mix
and you will quickly find me in an all over body rash
that has an itch to it that rivals poison ivy-
Though there is NO WAY
(at least that I know of)
to prove that preservatives and additives also make
me sick (its hard to find a food with preservatives that
does NOT contain one of the aforementioned products).

For me, this ain't NO DIET TREND-
it's a Quality of Life Trend!

But anytime someone asks me for menu ideas for
going Gluten Free, I panic just a little bit-
Gluten Free is a much bigger topic than simply
avoiding wheat products-
Gluten can be found in a wide range of products,
including make-up and deli meats.
For our friends with Celiac Disease (an auto-immune
disorder that causes damage- to the small intestine and
disrupts the absorption of foods; gluten is responsible
for the damage) being gluten free isn't a trend or a
dietary statement, it is a way of life.
I also highly advise those with Lupus or Crohn's Disease
to avoid gluten as much as you possibly can!

I can't guarantee the Gluten Free-edness of this
Granola Recipe-
BUT I can totally guarantee the YUMMY factor
that this recipe holds-

Really, granola is about as individual as the person
who makes it. Add whatever you like as fillers, I'm just
sharing my favorites.
I know you can buy granola at the store-
and it may even be comparable in cost-
But for me-
there is nothing like knowing what is in the food
that I eat and what I feed my kiddos!

It's a simple recipe, use whatever add ins you like best.
I love that this has no junk in it- it's just good for me,
good for you, good tasting...
It's simple Goodness
Now for Goodness Sakes go make some quick before
the kids get home from school!

Save Me Some... Granola

8 cups oats
1/2 cup brown sugar (I use coconut sugar or sucanat)
2 cups add ins *
*** Mix these ingredients together.

In a small pan, combine
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup water
*** Heat these four ingredients until butter melts
(P.S. The last time I made this,
I added some cranberry balsamic vinegar that I LOVE-
the granola had a darker color, but tasted so good)

Pour over the oat and yumminess mixture.
Divide between 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper

My 12 year old made this batch. How easy is that?

Bake at 300 for 30 minutes (I almost always
cook it longer than that!
Store and Enjoy

Makes me want to grab a ramekin and dish up...

Oooops! I guess I did grab a ramekin...

* Really, the sky is the limit for add ins.
If you like it,
I say it is fair game for granola!
My favorite mix ins include, but are not limited to...
 

Sunflower Seeds, Flax Seeds, Pignolias

Chopped Pecans & Large Flake Unsweetened Coconut

Coconut Oil & Pure Maple Syrup

 

Extra Thick Rolled Oats & Dried Berry Medley

The Complete Cast of Characters...

Sunday Sundaes- TK Style

I'm going to tell you about it someday!

One day when I am sure that I can speak about it
with some level of confidence and humility-
right now it is still pretty personal,
But I joined An Addiction Recovery Program.

One reason I don't want to talk about it
YET...
Is that my Addiction is a widely debated topic
in the diet, nutrition and addiction fields

Some say "ABSOLUTELY" and others
laugh and scorn and say things like
"You don't know what you're talking about"

So I've kept it relatively to myself-
I've teased with my friends for a long time that
I was going to do it,
and Finally, I decided it wasn't a joke
(at least, it wasn't to me)
and I joined a program sponsored by my church-
You can learn more here if you are interested

My addiction is to Sugar-
To me it is a real, powerful and to easy to ignore problem-

But like I said,
more on that later!!

I have found that there are a few things I can
do to enjoy Dessert Time with my family on
Sunday evenings.
This is one of my Favorite-

The Waffle Bowls are Homemade

My Hubby is the Master at Waffle Bowl Making

and are made with alternative ingredients for me
but honestly, I don't often eat mine anyway
(I've just learned I'd rather not eat,
than deal with all the substitutions sometimes)

I add some delicious Fruit-
a hearty and healthy serving thank you very much!

I add lime juice and lemon & lime rind 20 minutes before I serve it

I top my "Sundae" with Plain Greek Yogurt
flavored with Cranberry Balsamic Vinegar
or Vanilla Bean Paste and Lemon Extract

What's Not Fabulous About This?

The last time we had ice cream Sundaes,
three of my five kids at home
opted for my version and said no
to the ice cream :)
Oh happy DAY

I'll take a Prank with some Family History on the Side

Last week, it was my privilege and
opportunity to take two of my children
off to college, to get them settled in
and to watch them anxiously pull out the
scissors and
CUT my apron strings!

Kiddo #3 at graduation

Kiddo #1 Home from his mission

They are attending the same university
that both my husband and I graduated from,
which also happens to be near my hometown.
So while there,
I had the great blessing of getting to spend time with
my Grandma!

I love this woman more than anyone can begin to explain.
There is not one single day that goes by in my life
where I don't see the residual impact of her influence
on me and my family.

Silly Faces for Family Pictures

She has had two courageous battles with breast cancer
and has come out victorious,
but her age and her battles of life have taken a toll.
As we chatted, I realized that she has
NO IDEA how wonderful she has been
and what a strength she is to so many people.
Nor does she realize that she has a wealth of
love and information that I don't want to lose
as time moves quickly forward...

So I decided that we would embark on a life challenge-
Every day, we will chat about life-
hers, mine, aunts, uncles, friends...
Whoever and whatever comes to mind-

Today it started out with a simple question-
How did the April Fools Day tradition get started?

She was a HUGE prankster when it came to April Fools Day-
and somehow I fell for it EVERY YEAR hook, line and sinker.

Well, it turns out that it all started with a silly prank that her
Aunt played on grandmas family and it turned into a tradition
in my grandmas home that extended to my son, who loved
grandmas example and came up with a new prank each year!

I'd like to depart and say
"Oh, how I hated those pranks"

It's funny the things we can learn when we talk to our family
and especially to those we admire.
I admit, my glasses are definitely rose colored when
I think of this grandma,
she can do no wrong in my opinion and
I wouldn't have it any other way.

This life is so busy-
there is so much to do and to be and to get...
but really none of it really matters!

The thing that matters is the people we will meet on the
other side-
the relationships we build,
the people we lift and strengthen,
the energy and the love we foster because we care-

I think I can say-
that is the secret of life,
of youth
and definitely of LOVE

Focal Point

I had myself a little bit of a nervous breakdown yesterday!
I didn't mean to give in,
I tried to be strong,
I tried to believe,
I tried to wait on the Lord's time table

But I had a melt down and I just couldn't help it!

Now that's a SNO CONE: Ham Lake, MN

I'm very grateful for a husband who just listened,
and offered a shoulder to cry on
and offered to be a punching bag
if I got really out of control!

I don't want to send the wrong message,
I feel really, really, REALLY blessed!

Ward Birthday Party: Ham Lake, MN

But we've had some losses over the past five years
And sometimes the only explanation I have is
that we failed-
which doesn't make sense when I
take the time to pray
and ponder my life experiences.

Annual Favorite Friends Gingerbread Party: Ham Lake, MN

Well, we are in a situation that is going to require
us to make a housing decision and we have only
a few days to make this decision!

A Glimpse at My Eternal Family: Ham Lake, MN

I'm tired of moving-
I'm tired of relocating &
I'm tired of the stress and sadness that being
"The new kid at school" causes my children.

So I had my little emotional breakdown,
and then I did what I do best,
I pulled myself up from my bootstraps
and put on my big girl panties
and I got over it!

Four Daughters: Newport, CA

I woke up early to read some scriptures
and found great comfort in Alma chapters 57-59,
Found in the Book of Mormon.
While I straightened my frizzy hair,
I listened to this great talk by Henry B. Eyring
And then I went to Yoga
** This is my prescription for dealing with challenges in life **

The studio I went to today has a mirror at the front of class-
I no likey mirrors in yoga class :(
During a standing balance pose, I stumbled and
Could NOT regain my balance!
I had taken my eyes off my focal point and
allowed myself to be completely distracted by
the many reflections in the mirror.

The trouble is, those reflections had absolutely NOTHING
to do with me, my stability or my practice
yet I let those distractions occupy my thoughts
and as a result, those distractions took me off balance!

I realized this is what was happening now-

I have healthy, happy, resilient kiddos,
they love each other, they love their parents
and for the most part they obey and
work each day to reach higher than the day before!

Beach Therapy: Ventura, CA

For a brief moment, I lost sight of the fact
that we all have a Heavenly Father who knows
what our limits and capacities are-
AND with all my heart,
I know we will never be pushed further than we can handle.
I also know without a shadow of doubt that
He who loves us more than we can earthly fathom,
also wants NOTHING more than to see me
succeed and conquer the trials that
push my weaknesses into strengths. 

If I believe in these two simple truths,
than I need not FEAR!

And this says it all: Newport, CA

I will let you know how it goes...

Small Tender Mercies

Monday's are hard!
I mean HARD-
and lately they I have been REALLY hard for me!

Like curl up in a fetal position and
lie in my closet with a box of Oreo's hard!

I'm going to blame it on hormones,
and age- because I can promise you
it is NOT pregnancy-
though that is EXACTLY what it feels like!
And I'd rather blame it on hormones
than say I'm just an emotional basket case!

So hormones it is...
that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Any who...
So today is Monday!
I woke up and knew I was in for a doozie 
of an emotional day-
so I decided to skip the gym and go back to bed
once everyone left for school.

Luckily for me, I had a lot of inner dialog going
on that convinced me to haul my pity partying hiney
to the GYM and get me a good Tabata beating!

I am so glad I did! The girls at the gym 
are seriously my life savers right now as I try to
juggle my life and stay somewhere in between
crazy and insane!

When I got home, I found myself sinking again.
I pulled out my phone and tried to hide my
feelings in digital media-
To my great joy and happiness,
I had emails from both of my wonderful
missionary children.

My son's letters are always short,
but he never fails to tell me how much
he loves me and how grateful he is
that I am his mom.

Be still my emotional heart-
if that wasn't just the thing I needed, I don't know
what was!

As I poured out my heart in a prayer of gratitude,
I was reminded of an experience I had
a few years ago on a pioneer trek for my church.
You can read about it here-
and I would say, if you are feeling at all
frustrated, discouraged or downtrodden;
you should TOTALLY read it!

I think I am in one of those times when my
Father in Heaven knows I need to be left alone
to labor and toil and struggle-
I know my family will be stronger and better for
the effort we put in, even though it is a source
of great concern for me now.

But I was reminded today, that even though
I may be left alone right now-
He, who loves us more than we can ever know,
is watching from above and preparing angels
with just the right information and at just the right moment-
to step in and push me up the mountain!

Today, I imagined that He knew that I would
get to this point in my battles
and He knew Monday's would be hard for me-
Today, I believe it is no coincidence that
BOTH of my missionary kiddos get to write me
on MONDAY's! Nor do I believe it is any small
matter that my hardest- and most fulfilling workout
class occurs on Monday morning AND that
the very smiling faces I have come to glean
strength and energy from have decided to
attend this class too!

He can't change the Monday hard right now,
this is part of my challenge and I have things to learn-
But He can prepare a source of strength to appear on
Monday's- to carry me through to Tuesday-
and that small mercy is worthy of notice and praise.

Life & Yoga: Part 1

I have practiced yoga for many years. 

I love what it does for my body, 
but more than anything, 
I love what it does for my spirit.

In my opinion, the yoga instructor can
make or break a practice. 
The encouragement and the thoughts they
provide throughout class can increase the level
of calm in my very chatty brain

OR 
increase the chaos and distraction
in my body and mind!
I choose CALM,
thank you very much!

This is Ashley.
 
I took her yoga classes faithfully for several years. 
She is absolutely beautiful in mind and in spirit. 

Life is the same as a yoga class in many ways-
If you have a good leader,
whether it is a peer, mentor or spouse-
who can lead you and guide you through
the many twists and turns of life,
your growth and development can reach
new heights all the while enjoying peace and calm.

I have been influenced by many people for good,
some only for a what seems like a minute,
others have been with me for years.

But it is their gently touch on my soul that  
will last a lifetime.

Eternal Progression

Goals With Heavenly Help

How did four months just whiz by before I knew it?

I had the opportunity to present at a local Women's Conference
this past weekend. It was an amazing conference
and my topic couldn't have been better suited for what I love
to practice and preach!!

So I wanted to share a little bit...
My last post was about New Year's Resolutions-
and I promised to write about my 2012 New Year's Goals
and......
than I didn't!

Well, here I am, about to repent and right that wrong-

So my topic was on 'Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God'
the conference was themed after Matthew 6-
 


I talked a lot about the incredible life we can have when we
put our spiritual growth first,
and I used my 2012 goals as an example of what can
become of a life when we let our Heavenly Father lead the way!


This is what my goals looked like with ME in charge,
I thought they looked pretty good and I felt like it would be a good year
if I could accomplish the goals.

New Year’s Resolutions 2012

* Attend the Temple Monthly

* Learn how to log in and enter personal information to family history program

* Look into options for a Master’s degree program

* Read Chapter 4 of the Preach My Gospel Manual

* Find an exercise routine that builds strength and endurance

* Greet hubby with a smile & offer one compliment/gratitude each day

Well this is how my goals looked after a teamed up
with my Heavenly Father who knows me far better than
I know myself AND sees a whole lot more in my potential

New Year’s Resolutions
Treisha’s Plan	Heavenly Father’s Outcome
* Attend the Temple Monthly	* Attended the Temple weekly * Baptisms for the Dead with my children 2 times * Sealed 100 families for all eternity
* Learn how to log in and enter personal information into a family history program	* Found the names of 188 deceased family members * Did the temple work for ALL family names
* Look into options for a Master’s degree program	* Looked into, applied and got accepted into program that works perfectly with my family dynamics
* Read Chapter 4 of the  Preach My Gospel Manual	* Studied the entire Preach My Gospel Manual. The devotion to this book has literally changed my life. I cannot even begin to describe all the facets of my life that were impacted by this study!
* Find an exercise routine that builds strength and endurance	* Found a great trainer and a group of girls to work out with that provides incentive to push beyond my doubts * This group has been my social life force, especially when loneliness has crept into my day
* Greet hubby with a smile & offer at least one compliment or gratitude per day	* Seems so small, but it has changed our marriage. We are happier, more united and less stressed overall than we ever have been before

I know it is not New Year's Resolution time,
but maybe this is about the time when you realize
that you haven't made the progress you wanted to by now.

I have been so grateful for the way my 2012 ended up.
It is the first time in my life (at least that I can remember)
that I accomplished so much yet felt so little stress and
anxiety while doing it.

I would say, if you have never done it before,
look at what your goals are and say a little prayer-
Can you push a little harder?
A little further?
Can you see a little more?

I don't mean ADD more to your life,
I mean BECOME more with what you are already doing!!

You're in for an amazing experience if you do,
I guarantee it!!