Outrageously Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

          I’m one of those wierdos who doesn’t like chocolate. I’ll let you catch your breath and wonder about my humanity. Ok, every now and then I do have a sweet tooth. Whenever Bertha (my inner fat girl) starts demanding cheesecake, I usually remind her of how many minutes on the treadmill I’ll have to spend to cancel out the calories. That usually does it. But there are those days when she will not take no for an answer and I end up elbows deep in a tub of Pecan Praline ice cream. 

         Since investing in workout clothes and and waist band for my IPhone, I decided to outwit Bertha with some healthy versions of my favorite treats. I love oatmeal cookies and I know that doesn’t sound too bad, oatmeal right? Wrong! The Outrageous Oatmeal cookie from Starbucks comes in at a shocking 360 calories and 140 of those bad boys are from fat. They are delicious but really? Below is a quick fix for your Bertha. Oh, and not that Bertha cares, but these cookies are vegan.

Outrageously Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

Here’s What You Need:

3 ripe bananas

2 cups of old fashion oats

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tablespoons ground flax seed

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ cup chopped dates

¼ cup chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons Coconut Oil

Here’s What You Gotta Do:

1) Preheat oven to 375°F.

2) Mash the Bananas in a large mixing bowl.

3) Add all of the other ingredients to the mashed bananas and mix well.

4) Lightly grease and flour a cookie sheet.

5) Use a heaping tablespoon of cookie dough for each cookie.

6) Bake for 20 minutes. (Oh my goodness these things smell so good- Bertha is going nuts) Cool on a cookie rack.

Over ripe bananas are sweetest and perfect for this sugarless cookie.

Dates add sweetness and the walnuts lend a nutty crunch.

Yum. 

Life Is Delicious...Go Taste It!

Pink Ribbon Day

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer is a disease that manages to wiggle its way right smack dab into the middle of your rose colored sun-glasses. It changes the way you view the world and your time in it. When my mom discovered a lump in her breast, I heard the air slowly seep out of the room. My dad’s sister lost the battle with breast cancer while I was in middle school. She was bright and warm and had a library that inspired me to read furiously. We knew what cancer looked like and knew that it did not spare the good and disregarded the lovely.The test results from my mother’s lump revealed that the troublesome mass was benign, but we were all pretty shaken. My family was lucky. 

   Today I attended a fundraiser tea for the Lisa Boccard Breast Cancer Fund, a grass roots organization that provides free mammograms and treatment for woman. At tea time my mom and I heard stories of women who had survived their bouts with breast cancer and a young woman, my age that has been in remission for three years. We chatted with family members and friends who served as a support system for their ailing relatives; and mom even managed to pick up a prize as the winner of a "Fabulous Hat" competition. The day was filled with hope and inspiration. I was reminded that pink ribbons are more than just cute accessories, they are a reminder that everyday is gift. 

I choose short  a navy blue circle dress for the tea party.

Two Vintage Pearl necklaces, Clip-on earrings: Goodwill

pink ribbon pin and bracelet provided by the Warren Family, who hosted the 

Lisa Boccard Breast Cancer Fund Tea Party Fundraiser

See: Vintage Scarf Sunhat DIY Below**

Sandals: Micheal Kors

Super fab lipstick pen provided by the 

Warren Family on behalf of the Lisa Boccard Breast Cancer Fund

The nail color "Rocking Amethyst" by Arissa is perfect for fall despite lingering summer weather.

Arm yourself with knowledge so you can help kick breast cancer's butt!

Mom's Award Winning hat!                    

  My near Marilyn Monroe moment

DIY: Vintage Scarf Sunhat

What You Need:

1. Janky old straw hat (this one is my dad's old gardening hat)

2. A vintage scarf  at least three to four feet (36 to 48inches long) I picked up this vintage Bill Blass beauty at Goodwill for $2.

What You Gotta Do:

1. Tie a vintage scarf around the crown of your hat. Make a bow or tie a double knot and let the fabric just flow down the back of your hat.

2. Put on hat and be fabulous!

Life Is Delicious...Go Taste It!

Day at the Farmer's Market

One of the things I love about being home is hanging out with my mom and sister. We can turn a simple outing into an adventure full of exploration and laughs. A trip to the Yellow and Green Farmer's Market in Hollywood Florida provided the back drop for one such outing. We were drawn into booths by handmade jewelry,visited a herbalist for some natural remedies and of course we ate some new and interesting foods.
   Farmer's markets are great places to grab locally grown produce, which means the fruit and veggies are super fresh. Of course you know that but the cool thing you may not know is that if you like quirky, which I do, farmer's markets a heavy with heart made crafts and unique pieces. Not only are the pieces unique, but they are usually pretty dirt-cheap  affordable and affordable is one of my favorite qualities in a consumer good.

My sister and I picked up these clay bead rings set on a copper colored band for $1 each 

at Whimsy at Work ( handmade paper art, clay beads and  jewelry).

Spices and such

Funky hand-painted wooden chairs.

Moo moo baby moo!

Not-So Classic Houndstooth

Houndstooth is a classic fashion staple and manages to remain age appropriate for people ranging from 1 to 92. This fall the classic design got a bit of a face lift as designers played around with the traditional black and white color scheme, the pattern orientation and texture. This season's runways have been chockfull of beautiful houndstooth pieces I am dying to wear as soon as temperatures in Phoenix drop, which may be well into February. 

Balmain Spring/Summer 2014 ( Image: Vogue)

I'd like to sink a tooth into this long sleeve mini- dress!

Balmain Spring/Summer 2014 (Image: Vogue)

Micheal Kors (Image: Glamour.com)

Guys can get in on this look too, with Paul Smith's Houndstooth Bomber Jacket (Image: Style Engine) 

Life is Delicious...Go Taste It!

These Sunnies Only Look Like A Million Bucks!

I live in Phoenix, aka Valley of the Sun, and visiting family means a trip to Miami, Florida, so naturally I'm always in sunglasses. I used to spend a fortune on stylish sunglasses, only to lose them or break them. After watching a pair of my favorite sunglasses collapse under the weight of friend’s buns of steal, I nearly shed a tear. My friend paid for lunch, but there was no way I could bring myself, or my budget, to purchase another pair of the designer shades. I took some advice from ZZ Top and got myself some cheap sunglasses.  No name brand, no label, nothing over twenty bucks. And when those sunglasses were broken, which happened within a month, I did not shed a single tear, nor was I upset. I was actually impressed with my foresight. I mean I wouldn't call myself a klutz, but my mom probably would. In any case, I lucked up when I came across these babies at my local Dollar Store. Yep that's right; I snatched up these gray and yellow round plastic frames of awesomeness for one hundred pennies. I get so many compliments on these glasses and I love the look on people's faces when I tell them wear I got them; because the only thing better than a cool pair of shades in the sun, is a pair of cool and inexpensive shades in the sun.  

I was drawn in by the retro rounded shape...

...and stayed for the modern grey and yellow color pairing. 

Looking like a million bucks having spent only one.  

Life is Delicious...Go Taste It!

Dancing Shoes

When I was younger, I would put on shows for my parents. I made the costumes, gathered props,  choreographed dance recitals and staged plays much to my two younger sisters' chagrin. They had to participate. They had to rehearse. They had to put up with my crazy ideas or at least I thought so. One sister grew up and became a social worker and refuses to dance in public, while the other is a manager at a popular department store and still dances as a part of a dance ministry team. This week T invited us to her performance at a Miami theatre. She really shined and the show was amazing. I like to think that forcing her to take part in my crazy productions helped nurture my sister's love of performing, well that or the fact that she's just naturally a really great dancer. Same-Same.

Asymmetrical top by Rolla Coster, Pants by H&M

Shoes by Breckelle's - 

Ankle Strap Round Toe Platform Wedge borrowed from Mom 

( Thank goodness she's got excellent taste and big feet...too.)

Earrings from Knee Deep Vintage, Necklace Borrowed from Mom, Winged ring from Gather Boutique, Thumb ring is a nut ( as in nuts and bolts) that I started wearing as a ring. 

Being a bit silly outside of the theatre just before the show.



Proceeds from the performance benefitted victims of domestic violence.
Check out the D.C.L.A.R.E.  Visual Arts Community FB Page for more info on performances.

Life Is Delicious ...Go Taste It!

Sunday's Best

Every time I come home for a visit, my mom convinces me to go to church with the family. This Sunday I shrugged of my heathen duds and slipped on some respectable church lady clothes. We arrived just before the service began and were greeted by everyone we passed either by hand shake hug or head nod. As we settled into our seats near the front of the sanctuary, I realized that my parents enjoy coming to church for the welcoming atmosphere and camaraderie as much as they do the sermon. The preacher cleared his throat and began. My mom squeezed my hand and smiled and I was happy I had come.  After prayer, the choir struck a chord literally and it wassnt long before I was toe tapping and enjoying the service. I was inspired by the old lady in the purple hat who danced jovially the entire length of every song sang and I was encouraged by the sermon on having faith in times of adversity. Maybe next week my mom wont have to force me to go, maybe, just maybe I'll iron my outfit the night before.

Dress: J. Crew, Earrings: Knee Deep Vintage, Dog: "Diesel". 

Purse:  Steve Madden, Shoes: Quipid, Watch: Michael Kors, Bracelet: Goodwill

I got these pink button earrings from Knee Deep,  one of my favorite vintage shops in Chicago. The next time you're in Chicago, you must check out 18th street in Pilsen. The street is lined with awesome vintage shops hocking unique and affordable wares. Picked up these sweet gray and yellow sunglasses at the Dollar Tree. 

Diesel is always in fashion with his gorgeous gray coat and cool demeanor.