I know, you are probably thinking ‘I bet that tastes horrible’…but I promise, it’s pretty great!  I have already found myself lingering back to the pan for more.  Let’s just say, it’s almost gone and I baked it last night!  I found this great recipe on 52 Kitchen Adventures, a fabulous blog I came across the other night.  I was seeking gluten-free, dairy-free desserts to make but I honestly didn’t think I would find anything edible.   Turns out, I was 100% wrong!

This is a fast and super easy recipe.  The cake tastes great alone but in the future I am certainly going to attempt adding cinnamon, fresh or dried fruit (cherries, blueberries, cranberries or strawberries) and honey to replace the agave.  I also want to add a buttercream frosting next time as well (although, that won’t make this a dairy-free dessert…but that’s fine by me).

And the bonus is…each slice has 6 grams of protein!!  I am in heaven.

Who would have thought chickpeas could be so versatile.and delicious!

INGREDIENTS:
1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained
2/3 C orange juice – use real “orange” juice, not juices filled with sugar.  Real orange juice is sold at TJ’s and Whole Foods
4 eggs
2/3 C agave
2/3 C cocoa
1/2 t of baking powder
1/4 t of baking soda
1 t vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan (square or circle) and line the bottom with parchment paper.

Blend chickpeas and orange juice in food processor until smooth. Add in eggs, 1 at a time, blending in between.

Combine remaining ingredients in large bowl. Mix in chickpea mixture. Pour into prepared pan and bake around 45-50 minutes, until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Let cool before removing cake from pan. Enjoy!

I cut my cake into 9 slices, each contains: 175 Calories, 6g Protein, 32 Carbs, 2.5g Fat, 2g Fiber

Will you try this?!  What else have you used chickpeas for?

My dear friend Carrie, who inspired me to write a blog because I LOVE reading and keeping up with hers, wrote the blog post ‘Currently…’ a few months back (whew, where has the time gone!)

The post is simple and sweet!  Naturally, I was inspired and decided to copy her and write the same post

So,here it goes….I am currently….

Watching…New Girl on DVR trying to stay up until midnight so I can register for the Army Ten Miler.  Last year, the race opened at midnight and was sold out by 5am (when I woke up to register for it!), so I didn’t run it last year.  Since this race is the weekend before the marathon, 10 miles is the perfect distance since I’ll be winding down my runs at that point (I can’t believe I just wrote that…eek!).  It’s not likely I will stay up until midnight…I am exhausted!  Currently, I am trying to find someone to register me so I can go to bed

Enjoying…Mike.  I love eating dinner and watching TV with him at night….even if we are both on our ipads I still enjoy just sitting next to him.

Planning…my garden and when we are getting our dog.  We want a dog in the future (when we get a house for it to run around) but we currently can’t own one because our lease forbids its.  Heartbreaking!  Any suggestions for types of dogs?  We both agree on a medium-small dog that likes to run around.  Although, I would like to rescue a dog, so we may not have too much of an option on breed.

Excited for…NYC!  I am heading up to NYC this weekend with my sister, mom, aunt and cousin!! We are all really excited for a girls weekend….which will consist of shopping, an American Girl Doll’s tea, Serendipity’s and just walking around the city! When I talk about NYC, it’s hard to believe that I actually lived there for four years!  I still get giddy and excited about the city.  On Sunday, I also get to see Miriam’s baby girl and go to Vanessa’s bridal shower.  It’s going to be an amazing trip!!

Cooking…nothing.  I just finished making us shrimp fried rice…and it was delicious!  However, I do keep skimming through pinterest to find a good dessert recipe that I haven’t tried yet.  I think I found one….thus, should have it up on the blog soon

Inspired by….Angelina Jolie for having the double mastectomy to ensure to her kids that she will be around for a long time.  Also for bringing attention and awareness to ways in which we can prevent cancer.

Remembering…to be grateful, kind and patient

That was fun to write!  This post actually gave me a chance to just sit and reflect on things in the moment; sometimes I can easily get lost in my day-to-day routine of…..work, tv, blogging, working out…you know, life!

What are you currently doing?

Most people, if not everyone, know what a fanatic I am about eating healthy, organic and non-GMO…and I have no qualms preaching about it.  Yes, I cheat sometimes.  And yes, I do eat bad foods in social settings….especially when I am at a party (hey, I am human).  However, on a day-to-day basis I strive as much as I can to eat as healthy as possible.  That being said, I would like to clarify why I made the decision to lead my life this way:

1.  Is it to lose weight? No
2.  Is it to live longer? No – how would I financially support myself if I tried to live to 115 years old?
3.  Is it to prove a point? No

The reason I eat this way is because it gives me endless amounts of energy, makes me happy and prevents me from taking medicines (knock on wood!).  Right now, I don’t take any medicine or pills (however, I do take the occasional allergy pill in a life or death circumstance)…I would like to keep it this way.   I want to live a pain and ache-free life….in order to live the fullest life.  I would also like to rid my body of all allergies I have.  I have seen enough people in pain in my day to scare me away from it…far, far away from it.  No one should have to experience a life in pain or have to rely on medicine.  While western medicine is wonderful and I fully support it, all medicines have their drawbacks and have negative side effects in one way or another.   People use them too much as a crutch when the medicines are doing more harm than good.

All that being said, I certainly try to use medicinal herbs and spices as much as I can to avoid taking pills!  Below are my favorites:

SAGE – Preserves memory, soothes sore throats and upset stomachs

Rosemary – Enhances mental focus, fights food borne bacteria, protects the liver and alleviates arthritis pain

Turmeric – Speeds healing, relieves colds and respiratory problems, suppresses inflammation, inhibit tumors

Chile pepper – Boosts metabolism, lowers risk of ulcers

Ginger – Soothes an upset stomach, fights arthritis pain, useful for migraines, asthma, heart disease, heartburn, cancer and nausea

Cinnamon – Stabilizes blood sugar and relieves indigestion

Saffron – Boosts your mood, relieves symptoms of PMS

Coriander – Helps with digestive aid and lowers cholesterol

Garlic – Lowers heart disease risk

What are your favorite cure-all herbs and spices?

The weather today is predicted to be gorgeous….and pretty much perfect!  Thus, I am itching for the work-week to be over so I can bask in the glory of good weather…it’s finally here!  My weekend is filled with lots of celebrations (including an Engagement, First Communion, and Mother’s Day)….so it’s going to be a great weekend spent with family and friends.  Plus, I got a new outfit to wear to all these celebrations (…and since I will be with different groups of people, I can wear it a few times …which means, I don’t have to think about what I am going to wear all weekend….score! ).   Hope everyone else is as excited for this upcoming weekend.

Question: what is a good, long-weekend getaway spot?  Mike and I would love to go somewhere, but we are stumped with where to actually go….I want outdoors/nature and he wants a beach.  Is there a combination of that somewhere?

Enjoy these fun links to start off your weekend….

1. It’s Lunchtime….Time to go dancing! 

2. 22 Unbelievable Places that are hard to believe really exist

3. You may never be able to look at Tom Cruise the same way again!

4. Hilarious hybrid celebrities 

5. Why owning  a dog reduces stress 

6. Cute homemade Mother’s Day gift ideas

7. Hilarious Video: Dancing on a treadmill

8. Delicious Mother’s Day brunch recipes

9. The scientific 7-minute workout 

10. AND…..a reminder that GMOs are TERRIBLE:

      I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Mother’s Day!

I can’t even express my excitement for The Great Gatsby to be coming out soon!  This is my FAVORITE book…and movie (next to Pride and Prejudice).  First there was Robert Redford and Mia Farrow (1974), then Toby Stephens and Mira Sorvino (2000)…..and NOW Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan!  Now I have to admit, I have always favored the chosen males over the females in the roles…and I have feeling it will be the same this time around as well.  Although I have never been disappointed by the females, I always thought a better actress could have played Daisy.  I guess we’ll see how Carey does!  Regardless, I think I am going to be blown away by the film!  I already love the drama, the music, the costumes…and everything else the trailer has revealed.  My expectations are really high for this movie…. J

The 1920’s was an era filled with dramatic social and political change!  The nation’s total wealth more than doubled between 1920 and 1929….which obviously meant, a lot more shopping (the expansion of chain stores most likely helped with that).  The fashion of the 1920’s is my favorite of all decades; I was meant to live in that era.  While shopping online lately, I have come across a few pieces that are completely reminiscent of the era…. my favorite item is the Tiffany’s headpiece!

1. Pearl Necklace – $34
2. Metallic brushed-leather T-bar pumps – $850
3. The Great Gatsby Collection Savoy Headpiece – $200   (the entire Great Gatsby collection is fabulous)
4. Bronze stepped hem embellished tank top – $78 
5. Black Sequin Flapper Dress  – $98 
6. alice + olivia Fern Novelty Knit Slip Dress – $675.00 
7. 1920s Art Deco earrings  - $677
8. 1902’s Hand Carved beaded Ivory with Crystal  - $1800

What is your favorite piece? What is your favorite decade for style?

Not only is this book an amazing resource and a fantastic coffee-table book, but it’s the best Mother’s Day gift as well!

The book, The Flower Recipe Book, has over 100 floral creations which are broken down with step-by-step instructions and ‘ingredients’ needed for these DIY arrangements.  For those who don’t have a green thumb quite yet, the book also includes basic floral guidelines with facts and tips to grow and care for flowers. And of course, the book is filled with gorgeous photos to view….which will help you find your personal floral style.

I have completely fallen in love with this book.  Eek!  I tend to get completely caught up in DIY projects and go through phases where I become completely obsessed passionate about something….which end up costing me a fortune.   Now that summer is around, I am loving anything related to outdoors (outdoors = flowers)… and what could be better than putting some feminine touches all over our apartment (it could certainly use it!).

This book is amazing!  I can’t wait to start some arrangements!  Do you have a green thumb?

Now that I am approaching 30 (eek!), I am starting to long for younger looking skin.  I never thought I’d write that.  In this new quest, I have been experimenting with only homemade versions of moisturizer:  homemade lotion, homemade lotion bars and basically any mixtures containing coconut oil, olive oil, honey and avocado (I will do anything to minimize the look of aging!).  Even though beauty comes from the inside –our skin reflects what we put in our mouth – I could still use a little moisturizing help on the outside.  So rather than gooping on store bought lotions that are harmful to our bodies and actually dry out our skin in the long run, rather than nurture it, I am doing this the natural way by using the real products (as opposed to using the cheaper, chemical-filled versions).

Thus far, my favorite moisturizer has been 1) homemade lotion bars and 2) my homemade lotion recipe.  The homemade lotion is simple to make (very similar to lotion bars) and easily stores in a jar.  A little bit of this lotion goes a long way….therefore I highly recommend using this sparingly.  When making this recipe, I also recommend using the essential oils; otherwise you risk smell of EVOO…yuck!

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 C EVOO
1/8 C Coconut Oil
1/8 C Beeswax
A few drops of essential oils or extracts (Lavender, Vanilla, Pepperminet, etc)….Optional

Fill a pot with roughly 1-2 inches water and bring water to a boil.  Put all three ingredients in a glass jar with a lid lightly placed on top, and place jar in boiling water.  Let all three ingredients fully melt.  Remove from water and, with a spoon, mix in the essential oils. Pour mixture in a container for storage.

Voila!  What are your thoughts on homemade lotions?

What’s a lotion bar?  That was my first question when I came across these all over the internet.  To sum it up, the product is exactly what the name implies: a lotion in the form of a bar!  These are extremely easy to carry around and pack in your purse (in a bag or small jar); and they are easy to apply.  Just rub the bar against your body (lips, cuticles, etc.) and as it rubs against your skin, the lotion applies a thin layer.  I can attest the bar doesn’t melt in your hand or goop onto your body…which was the first thing I was afraid of.  If you drop it in the process, it does get a little gross as things will stick to it (dust, dirt, hair)…..so just don’t drop it

As I was looking for an alternative to chemical-filled lotions, I came across these and decided to test them (I will have a recipe and review for natural lotion up later this week).   These homemade products were certainly a success….I am 99.9% certain I will never go back to the chemicals (all the chemicals I was using on a daily basis were really adding up!).  These homemade versions work wonderfully; my skin already feels and looks a lot healthier…and it’s only been one week. The lotion bar is a tiny bit oily, but dries quickly…unlike several store bought lotions that I have attempted in the past.

These are really easy!  Mix equal parts of:
1. Beeswax
2. Cocoa Butter
3. Coconut Oil

(I used 1/4 cup each and was able to make three bars)

Bring approximately one inch of water to a boil.  Place all three ingredients in a glass jar and place into the pot.  Make sure all three ingredients fully melt.  Remove from the heat/water and pour into molds (I used cupcake molds).  Then let them fully dry overnight (no need to cover them)!

Once the three ingredients have fully melted and are removed from the heat/water, you can always add essential oils to the jar and mix by hand before pouring into the molds.

If you can’t eat what you put on your skin, don’t put it on!  Would you ever try homemade lotion bars?

Recently my new food obsession has been green drinks; they are the perfect combination of nutritious and delicious!  I know they don’t look very appealing, but I promise they can be delicious as long as you find the perfect combo for YOU.  My favorite blend is flaxseeds, spinach, one pear, lime juice, cucumber slices and cinnamon (OR ginger).  This mixture is naturally very sweet, so I don’t have to add any additional sweetness to it.  I blend it with ice (and typically add a touch of water)….to make a yummy smoothie!  It’s a great mid-morning snack to take to work to provide lasting energy ALL day.

What is your favorite combination?

I know I am late to the picnic in discussing the recent Dove campaign that has gone completely viral, but I still want to highlight it and bring it to everyone’s attention because the value of their campaign has had a profound impact on women’s self-esteem…and media and advertising.  Anything that encourages woman to be more confident and stronger…I support!  I have a lot of respect for Dove as a business leader in marketing and advertising; they have captivating, engaging and very ‘real’ campaigns.  However, I would still like to point out, that I do not support buying Dove products because they are all filled with chemicals that do a lot more harm to your body than any good.  It’s a love/hate relationship

The campaigns message is that women are more beautiful than they think. In this three-minute ad, a forensic scientist draws women twice—once from their own description and once from someone else’s description. When comparing the two photos, it’s extremely clear how overly critical woman are of their looks – they are much more attractive than they realize.  This is certainly a cultural problem that leads to very serious issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, etc.  It’s an impressive feat to market and sell products while bringing attention to an even larger, real problem.  I love how Dove’s mission is  “to create a world where beauty is a source of confidence and not anxiety.”

Now, on a lighter note….

If you want a good laugh, watch NYMag’s parody, “Dove Real Beauty Sketches – Men’:

This made me laugh out aloud!  What do you think of the Dove Campaign?