Giving a shout out to THANKFULNESS

Oh lovely day of thanks that visits us just once a year so we can remember all the intricate little details of our lives that are in actuality: blessings....

I have so very much to be thankful for, and although I appreciate my good fortunes every day, I feel in honor of the holiday I should make a list of them for good measure lest I forget what they are on any old random day. Perhaps I can look back on this list on those days that make me want to dig a hole in the earth and crawl inside or on the days where I’m raging with PMS and I can’t seem to find a particular sweater which leads to me bawling in my closet.

Anyhow--on to the thankfulness list~

1.) Vegetables. Yes I said it. Fresh organic vegetables. It is one of the many loves of my life and I smile at the smell of cucumbers. So thank you bountiful earth for all you provide.

2.) My keurig (google it if you’ve never seen one)for without this magical coffee brewer I would never have experienced the joy of a hot cup of coconut mocha or chocolate raspberry truffle. Oh the delight!

3.) Mobility. As in my limbs and their outstanding condition. I have no aches, pains, ailments to speak of. My legs and arms have been very good to me and being able to walk and jump and kick and hula hoop freely....well how can one not be thankful for that every day?!

4.) BOOKS. My worst nightmare would be if someone told me I could never read again. Printed words on pages make me so happy--books are my fuel, my knowledge and my inspiration. I love them.

5.) My job. I am so lucky to be able to go to work 5 days a week and to be surrounded with some pretty cool people. (Especially Jill because she can cry and laugh at the same time like I can and she let’s me tease her relentlessly and still loves me).

6.) Vodka, beer, and other beverages that give me that extra lift I need to let my personality shine. Heehee. Plus they give me some killer dance moves if I take them in large quantities. Hollah!

7.) My feet. For without those size 8 1/2 tootsies I would never be able to enjoy my most favorite hobby of all: shoe shopping.

8.) The faces in my life that make my heart swell. Mainly, my outstanding hubby, my bright eyed kiddo, and the 4 legged doggie Nico with the big chocolate eyes and little apple head. My family is what keeps me ticking and my beloved friends who without them in my life I would never know true deep chested laughter and honest companionship. LOVE conquers all. Give it, receive it, and be happy.

9.) My bed. I have to say it because I truly adore my sleeping quarters. It’s warm, cozy, and always there for me. It’s like a pet that doesn’t speak.

10.) Above all I am thankful for my optimistic mind. It has helped me through one of the toughest years of my life and only gets stronger as time goes on. It’s my own personal cheerleader working 24/7 and for that I am whole heartedly thankful.

Should I go on or is 10 things enough? Because really I could go on all night but at some point it would get ridiculous because I would be thankful for fuzzy socks, intelligent nutrients hairspray, goji berries, heated seats, skinny jeans.... It would be never ending.

So that is it for now.

You want WHAT for Christmas?!

My little Munch. It’s what I call him you know. It’s short for munchkin. It’s the current trendy title I like to bellow out when I call for him and it’s the sweet little term of endearment I use when I nuzzle his ear and kiss his lil’ cheeks goodnight. I sort of sing it like “LiiiitlleeMuuuuUnchhhh” and he responds with a smile. He is my gem. My star. My only. The light of my life. The peanut butter to my jelly. The axis to my earth. My child. My lovely little blessing with the cutest cheeks on the planet and a grin that could light up a room in 2 seconds flat. My silly little munch. Enough gushing now on to my story...

So he has been obsessed with kid motorcycles for a good year or so now. He dreams of them I’m certain. He watches video clips on youtube of toddlers riding motorcycles and it fascinates him. He watches them race and vroom vroom with their little helmets and riding gloves on and he thinks it’s the epitome of “cool.” He wants one more than he wants to be superman. He has been looking forward to Christmas since July convinced that his good behavior will land him a motorcycle beside the tree on Christmas morning. He doesn’t even talk in the wishing sense that he will get one, he talks in the matter-of-fact I am getting this kid motorcycle type of dialog. He’ll look up and smile stating “I can’t wait to get that kid motorcycle mommy. It’s gonna be awesome.”

Unless there is a real Santa Claus I do not foresee this wish being granted (bad mommy, I know). I’m hoping the obsession will fade once he sees all the beautiful new toys that come out for Christmas time. Anyways, the motorcycle thing is all he talks about and it’s his #1 dream. Until a few days ago. He finally announced that he no longer wants a kid motorcycle.

HE WANTS SOMETHING MORE THAN A KID MOTORCYCLE?!?! My heart danced in glee as I realized I didn’t have to see a little boy with a broken heart come Christmas morning when there would be no 2 wheeled danger mobile parked under the tree. I said “Are you sure? I thought you wanted that more than anything in the world.” “Well, I still like motorcycles but I really really really want something else that’s way more special than a motorcycle.” I said, “Well you’ve been really good so I’m sure Santa will bring what you think is special, what do you want?”

“What I really really want more than anything is that I want a little sister.”

A wha-huh?

*Ok so my heart broke a little inside because as he said it he was crawling onto the couch in his little footed pajamas with his baby blankie that he got the day he was born and will never detach from, and he laid down and looked at me with the utmost sincerity in his eyes and an underlying sadness that made my heart tip sideways.

I questioned him on this because he has always said how he likes being an only child and Nico (our lovely chihuahua) is his BFF/brother and he’s happy with our little family. He then informed me that he has changed his mind. He said “but if I’m so good then I’d make a really good big brother and I promise to always take care of her and love her forever and I’ll even put a blankie on her. Then Santa doesn’t have to bring me anything because you can have my gift from your tummy.” Oh heavens.

I don’t know if he’s a mini genius that’s dabbling with the advantages of reverse psychology or if he indeed wants “new life” for Christmas, but either way I have now found myself looking for motorcycles fit for 5 year olds and full on body gear for protection. The little stinker....

The sweet tooth strikes again...

I’m a sucker for anything sweet, chocolatey, and gooey so in an effort to make something delicious and yet as healthy as possible, I used the inspiration of a few recipes I found online and twisted them a bit to fit the flavors I crave and the ingredients I had on hand. OMG.

It turned out to be winner! So allow me to introduce this delectable little masterpiece I like to call:

Creamy coconut and peanut butter awesomeness

1/2 cup earth balance coconut and peanut spread
6 oz. organic vanilla yogurt
1/4 vanilla almond milk (or regular)
1 egg
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup organic cane sugar
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
1/2 cup organic cocoa powder
1/2 cup whole grain rolled oats

Preheat oven to 350 and spray an 8x8 glass baking dish.

Blend together the egg,yogurt, and milk. Then add the sugars,oats,cocoa,salt, and baking powder. Pour the mixture into the dish.

Melt the coconut and peanut spread for 15 seconds and drop by dollops onto the batter. Swirl around to make it look marbled and fancy.

Bake for 25 minutes until they slightly pull away from the pan. Cool completely before digging in (I know it’s hard!) Then go nuts with them! These would be really good with coconut ice-cream...