Thankful Thursday 11.8.12

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching and Christmas less than 2 months away, now seems like a better time than ever to take a moment to stop, reflect, and thank.

Jessie from Jessie Loves to Run started hosting Thankful Thursday a few weeks ago and unsurprisingly she has had an overwhelmingly positive response!  For more information about Thankful Thursday, click here.

This is my first week participating, but I know that I will continue to take part in future weeks.  Oftentimes I think that we forget to thank, or rather assume that thanks has been given, to all of those who have helped make our lives a little bit better…  I truly believe that it’s the little things in life that mean the most.

The best is yet to come.  Ever since I wrote that post earlier this week, that saying has resonated with me.  Far too often I get caught up in the little things and have a hard time moving forward unless it’s “perfect” in my mind.  I will be the first to admit that my perfectionist personality can be a hindrance at times, but I will also admit that I am trying to work on it.  Take for example last night’s dinner.  Over the weekend I kept telling Ryan how I want to make more of an effort to cook a hearty, healthy, and satisfying dinner.  At first I was bummed with myself that I opted for boxed soup, but it’s what sounded good at the time.  After I sat down and dug in I was delightfully surprised…  Sometimes the simplest things can be the most satisfying, dinner success!

TJ’s Low Sodium Organic Creamy Tomato Soup topped with a sunny egg + black pepper

Spending time with my BFF.  Last Saturday I met my BFF for a study date.  In between sipping Starbucks and actually working [ahem, the point of our date], we chatted and caught-up since we hardly see each other since she moved downtown.  Anddd I am psyched about our sleepover tomorrow!  We have big plans that include: getting Naked Pizza [get your mind out of the gutter!], watching movies, wearing our most comfortable stretchy pants and slippers, munching on chocolate and popcorn while watching movies, and unwinding from the week.  It should be a stupendously fun night!

throwback to Color Day when we were seniors in high school

Laughing with Ryan.  The past few months have been pretty hectic for both Ryan and I between work, our wedding, and my health-related issues, so I cherish any time we have together.  Regardless of whether we’re out running errands, lazily laying on the couch after work, or playing with Charlie, I love when we spend time together…  Good thing I married him 😉  One of my favorite things about him is that he laughs at his own jokes.  They may not be the funniest joke [most of the time they’re pretty silly], but his chuckle that follows is hilariously cute.

my two favorite guys

Making blends.  What the heck is a blend?  No, I’m not referring to a coffee flavor or a fancy food…  A blend is a blogger + friend = blend!  After coming back from a summer break from blogging, I have truly been blessed to have bumped into so many new-to-me bloggers through link-ups such as Katie’s Marvelous in My Monday or Jenn’s What I Ate Wednesday, as well as through Instagram!  Blogging has provided me with a daily dose of motivation, inspiration to try new things, and a chance to share some of my own personal experiences.  I never would have imagined myself feeling so comfortable exchanging information with strangers who now I would consider my blend.

source: check our Tina’s post Why Blog Friends Rule

Zesty Blog Consulting.  I seriously could not thank Cory enough.  I have exchanged messages back and forth with him every day since he started redesigning LAB.  He has made every update that I have requested, has provided me with advice when making tough decisions [such as should the background be green or pink], and even has helped to calm my nerves about the process!  I’m so excited that the new site will be up and running NEXT WEEK [unless y’all got a sneak peek this morning], eek!

XOXO,

Allison

P.S.  This morning I was delightfully surprised and honored that both Jessie and Molly tried my peanut butter pancakes and enjoyed them!  Seeing their pretty stacks of ‘cakes made me feel a bit [pea]NUTTY so I combined my recipes for peanut butter puff pancakes + peanut butter pancakes = PEANUT BUTTER OVERLOAD PANCAKES!!!  Oh my goodness, these were out. of. this. world. AMAZING!

toppings: cinnamon Chobani + coconut bananas + dark chocolate chips + pistachios + dried apricots + honey

Question:  What are you thankful for this week?

Question:  Have you tried Naked Pizza?

Sweet Things // Pumpkin Raisin Muffins

Wanna know something sweet…  Life’s a Bowl is going to be self-hosted!

It’s about time.  It’s only taken me weeks to make up my mind and there’s no turning back now.  I’m not entirely sure what the big differences are BUT I do know that Life’s a Bowl is going to be better than ever!  Hope y’all are looking forward to this virtual facelift as much as I am 🙂

Wanna know what else is sweet…

During the fall [more than any other time of the year], I crave three flavors: apple, cinnamon, and pumpkin.  Thankfully, it seems a lot of other people do too because apple and pumpkin recipes of all kinds are e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. 🙂

Pumpkin Raisin Muffins

1 ½ cup white whole wheat flour

¾ cup stevia

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

1 15-ounce can pumpkin

½ cup egg whites

2 teaspoons maple syrup

3 mini packs of raisins

~~~

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Line the muffin tin with paper cups or spray with non-stick spray and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

3.  In a large bowl or a stand mixer, combine all the dry ingredients [*except the raisins*]: flour, stevia, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.  Mix until combined.

4.  In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients: pumpkin, egg whites, and maple syrup.  Mix until combined.

5.  Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until everything is well combined.

6.  Gently fold in the raisins.

7.  Evenly spoon the muffin mix among the cups, 12 regular sized muffins or 24 smaller muffins.

8.  Bake the muffins for approximately 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted into the center and comes out clean.

9.  Cool on a wire rack and enjoy!

Ryan and I tested the muffins hot out of the oven and thought they were good but they did not have as strong of a pumpkiny flavor as we had hoped for…  Next time I plan to add more pumpkin and a teaspoon of pumpkin pie seasoning.

And wanna know the sweetest treat of all…  Enjoying a pumpkin raisin muffin with chocolate Cho pudding!

Chocolate Cho Pudding

plain Chobani

cocoa powder

stevia

splash of Silk Light Vanilla soymilk

XOXO,

Allison

Question:  Apple, cinnamon, or pumpkin- what’s your favorite fall flavor?  All of the above!

Question:  What’s your favorite muffin?  Blueberry?  Bran?  Chocolate?  Lemon poppy seed?  Orange cranberry?  Pumpkin?  I love the hearty texture of bran muffins and the addition of fruit such as blueberries or raisins- a blueberry bran muffin sound delicious!

Taking Part in Marvelous Monday

I’ve seen this badge around the blog world for a few months but had no clue where it started…

That is until I clicked on it [duh] and got linked back to Healthy Diva Eats!  I started following Katie on Instagram a few weeks ago and I am slightly envious of her cool style, tasty eats, and sweet treats!

[click here to read more about Marvelous in my Monday]

Now only my first Marvelous Monday post…

Columbus Day…  I’m thankful to have a 3-day weekend!  Saturday and Sunday I spent time with friends exploring DC [yay, pickles] and getting pampered at the nail salon [Pinterest inspired].  Today I plan to finish all the to-do’s that didn’t get done-  baking, cooking, cleaning, switching from one white iPhone to another [aka my birthday present has arrived!], and sneaking in a sweat session.

Pancakes…  I cannot stop making pancakes for breakfast- they’re fluffy, full of flavor, and keep my tummy satisfied until lunch.  What’s not to love?!  This morning I tested a new recipe and it turned out pretty tasty!  P.S.  They’re not burnt, they’re brown because they’re whole wheat and they’re loaded with cinnamon!

Charlie…  He has not stopped hiding his bone.  His favorite secret spots include: behind the couch pillows, in my gym bag, behind the dresser, under any table, and behind the curtains.  He’s so silly- he’ll run off and hide the bone for .2 seconds and then runs back to get it.  Separation anxiety is in full-force!

Blog…  I am *hoping* to make a few big decisions about the blog this week.  I’ve been in debating it for the past few weeks and need to decide.  To self-host or not to self-host?  That is the BIG question!

Instagram…  I know some people think it’s silly but I think it’s awesome- a fun way to edit and share photos with family, friends, and some strangers!  I relate it to Pinterest, except it’s a personal pin board full of silly, stylish, tasty, and memorable pictures from your daily happenings 🙂  P.S.  Feel free to follow me: lifesabowl.

…such as when the gym is offering free car washes when you sign-up for a new membership!

…or you try beets for the first time and eat a rainbow for lunch!

…or your hubby surprises you and goes to the gym too- couples who sweat together smell together!

Baking and Cooking…  This afternoon I’m planning to spend a few hours in the kitchen.  On the menu: pumpkin pie peanut butter cups and pumpkin quiche!  I’m a bit of a pumpkin fanatic [especially in the fall] if you couldn’t tell.

Source

Operation Beautiful…  This month I am participating in Lindsay’s October Photo A Day Challenge.  One of the challenges last week was to leave an Operation Beautiful note- I left my note in the frozen foods aisle at Whole Foods!  Thinking that a random person would find my note was initially a bit overwhelming, “What if they think it’s silly?”  Those thoughts were quickly overpowered when I thought about finding a note myself…  We all have those kind of days when we could use a little pick-me-up!

***Feeling inspired, I have decided that every Monday I will write 5 motivational notes and post them at work, out at lunch, at the gym, wherever I am!***

Source

[click here to read more about Operation Beautiful]

XOXO,

Allison

Question:  If you blog, any tips for making the switch to self-hosting?!

Question:  Will you join me in my Operation Beautiful challenge?  Don’t feel obligated to do it on Monday if another day of the week works better for you…  Feel free to post a note today, sometime this week, or next Monday and link back!