oh yummy

Did you know Oreo turned 100 this month?
Have you tried the delicious Oreo Birthday Cake Cookies?
Don't.
They are too good.  You will want to eat the whole package.  Then you will buy more because you will feel bad that you ate the whole package without sharing with your husband.  Then you will eat that package too.

Thankful first meeting

Thanksgiving was fan-tab-ulous!

Ah Crap!

If I were a professional blogger, I would be fired for lack of posts.  This is not to say that I should not be hired as a professional blogger, in fact monitary gain is the number one way to bribe me.   So you might have to pay me for new posts.  I accept payment in clothes, shoes and of course money {and candy}.   Just keep that in mind.

Green

I swear I am not going to post pictures of my breakfast smoothies every day, but I couldn't resist this bright green one!  WAA-BAM!

3 large handfuls of spinach, 2 tablespoons greek yogurt, half cup almond milk, one handful frozen strawberries, about 6 slices of frozen peaches.

Don't let the color deter you, this was like summer in a cup and I sucked it down in record time!  I may or may not have a little bit of a brain freeze as I type.  It was so strawberry-y and sweet with no unnatural sweeteners.  AMAZING!
Maybe I should be the next Food Network star and have a smoothie making show.... what do you say Bobby Flay?  I think I am on to something.

Breakfast

I have been struggling with breakfast.  I don't like most breakfast meats, I could eat 15 bowls of cereal and never be satisfied and get annoyed with all the extra calories and no nutritional value of many breakfast foods.

I was hesitant to jump on the smoothie bandwagon mostly because I prefer to eat my food.  The chewing means a lot to me, I guess.  I was worried I would sip an essentially healthy smoothie and then pour a big bowl of captain crunch to make sure I got my "chew" in.

Anyway, I decided I never let a good bandwagon pass me by... and since I can't really work out I need to put my focus on good nutrition, so I caved.  Plus, I am really tired of eating salads to get my greens in -  I needed a new solution.

After walking around the gym this morning watching all the healthy people work out I was exhausted!  I came home hungry and ready to try out this smoothie craze.  I put 2 tbsp greek yogurt, 4 handfuls of spinach, a handful of cherries, a handful of strawberries, half a cup of almond milk and a couple teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa into the blender... and.... WAAALA!

A protien -veggie filled-sweet-satisfying smoothie!

It made a ton!  I put the extra in the freezer for a quick snack and didn't finish the cup I poured because it really was filling.  Maybe the chew doesn't mean so much to me after all.  Super yum.

A little gushing

The other day Ben and I were reminiscing about our childhoods.  More specifically, our favorite childhood treats we couldn't have lived without.

I started talking about the time summer that Shannon and I decided to open a movie theater in my parents basement.  There is nothing better than watching a movie with your friends.  We turned the movie watching experience up a notch and charged those young friends admission to watch a fantastic selection of Disney movies. We were in second, maybe third, grade.  Even as kids we knew a good movie theater couldn't survive without yummy goodies.  So, we did what any good entrepreneur would do and sold my family's food.  All the yummy snacks and eight year old pines after, we sold.  Needless to say, when my mom found out about our new business {of many} she insisted that we embrace the overhead and restock our inventory with our earnings instead of her pantry.  She took us shopping. I remember standing in the isle at the grocery store - looking at a yellow box of gushers high above my head, mouth watering, asking her to reach the box for me wishing I could sneak a few tastes for myself {which I am sure I did}.

Gushers are like fruit snacks. The center of each gusher is a thick sweetened liquid surrounded by a chewy gelatinous sugar covering. When one bites into the snack, the liquid inside gushes out, hence the name of the snack.

Ben and I agreed... Gushers are our number one favorite childhood snack food!

When Mother's Day rolled in imagine my surprise when that sweet Ben surprised me with none other than the reminiscent snack that had our mouths watering only days before!

Don't mind my creep-tasticly excited face and strange left hand! 

Tonight we broke open the box and let the record show that even at age 27 Gushers do not disappoint.  The yummy liquid center with the chewy outershell was fantastic.  Mandy and Paul told us Costco carries mega sized boxes of Gushers.  We should probably steer clear of Costco for a while. I tend to make strange decisions in that mega sized superstore - I would, for sure, walk out with 2 huge boxes.

New Discoveries

Best weekend ever.
Do you want the good news or the bad news first?
Bad?
Okay.

The bad news weekend discovery...
This weekend all I could think about was shopping at Clackamas mall, eating at Claim Jumper and enjoying a caramel covered apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.  Saturday we headed to Clackamas on a very important mission only to find.... wait for it.... the store I wanted to go to AND Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory are CLOSED!! This mall, with it's no name replacement stores, is going down the tubes.  The idea I had of ooey gooey caramel goodness mixed with candy and nuts blanketing a delicious apple {making this treat healthy} also went down the tubes.  Super big bummer.  I guess I'll have to make my own caramel apple and maybe I will cover it in Reeses.

The good news weekend discoveries...
1.  With the sadness and loss of my favorite chocolate store we did still enjoy a wonderful dinner at Claim Jumper and although I already knew this, so we'll call it a re-discovery, their cornbread is  A-mazing.  They must use crack and 5 pounds of butter cause I could eat 15 of these giant muffins!

 2.  Large amounts of Diet Coke in small time periods make me very HYPER! While at this same dinner I consumed 3 {or more} HUGE glasses in a matter of 20 minutes, Ben barely finished one glass.  I was very thirsty... I should have asked for a glass of water, but why would I do that when the diet coke tasted SO good?  I laughed {really hard}at Ben's jokes the whole way home, ran {literally} around the grocery store finding ingredients for Sunday dinner, and then zonked out as soon as I sat on the couch.  This is surprising because I have a diet coke every day and they never effect me, on second thought, maybe it was the crack from the giant muffin?

3. We are on a cinnamon kick. Hot Tamales and Hot Lips.  Cinnamon yummy-ness.  They're not even covered in chocolate and I still love them!

4.  I can make snickerdoodles!  {with this recipe of course} The best, most dangerous, discovery yet since this is my most favorite cookie in the entire world!  I can even make them mini sized - half the calories, all the goodness! Watch out world!

It seems that food {sweets and candy} have taken over my our blog.  Boring? Sorry.  I promise the next post will be minus all things food.

Animal Crack

Go ahead and add them to my list of used and abused substances.  Animal crackers.  What begun as a fun  remember-when-we-were-kids discovery has quickly spiraled into obsession. Surprise!

You see, it began when Ben {Santa actually}bought me this cute little box of animal crackers for my stocking.  I couldn't bring myself to open it because the box is so dang cute and holiday-like. I would just look at the sweet polar bears and imagine the crunchy animal shaped goodness inside.

The spiraling happened when I went to Utah.  You see, I have this tradition of scouring my parents house for all their yummy food.  They ALWAYS have a ton and usually I can find yumminess covered in chocolate.  This trip my Dad, famous in my eyes for his love of the creamy milky brown goodness {aka chocolate}, announced that lately he has been snacking on animal crackers.  I decided I could get on board with that and told him all about my festive box at home I had been dying to eat.  We snacked.  Every day I had a handful. Or two.  Who's counting?

Then {while still in Utah} I went to Ashley's house. I told her of this new animal love.  We squealed and laughed and she agreed they were to die for and went to the pantry to show me the big container she had stocked away.  In her defense she has 2 young, adorable, boys. 

Then I came home.  My first day back in town I had an hour to spare and decided to fill it with my weekly grocery shopping.  I spent a good 30 of the 60 minutes walking up and down the isles looking for the animal crackers.  No where to be found.  I gave up when I realized I was running out of time and bought my real food.  Next thing I knew {with 15 mins left in my hour to spare} my car was headed to Target.  The crackers had taken over and I needed to find some!  Target had them, luckily, right at the door.  I grabbed two and headed home.

That was Monday - today is Friday. One bag down, one bag and an adorable box to go. Honestly, I think I ate 85% - no probably 95% of these. Don't judge - They are REALLY good.

 My freaky eyes and really white skin would like to share the crackers with you.  Please get the animal crackers of my house!

On a side note... Do you like the Christmas present from my parents that comes in the form of my new rose gold watch?? I am in L-O-V-E. And... Hawaii anyone?  These pictures have made me realize I am in SERIOUS need of a tan!

Randomness from Utah

Jake would like to say hello.  He would like to tell you that although he is cute as a button and smart as a whip he is still a puppy, so leave your favorite belongings out at your own risk.  We've all learned this the hard way. 

This weekend he chewed right through my Mom's laptop cord.  Who would have thought?  Well.... we should have because he did the same thing to my laptop cord on my last visit!  The crazy dog loves power!

I really really hoped to see show while in Utah.  On Saturday afternoon we got a light dusting and then in true Utah style the weather changed and it was gone.  To be honest, I was happy with even the lightest dusting.  I just wanted to see snow!

My parents are awesome for a couple reasons.  1... because they are my parents. 2... because they are always buying new random things.  and 3.... because they have fallen right off the apple tree.  Meaning, they are all things apple, ipad, ipod, imac.  Look at the latest addition to their apple family. 27 inches of gorgeous-ness and pure fun.  I told them to be sure to keep the box it came in - JUST IN CASE they decided it wasn't going to work out and needed to ship it to Ben and I for safe keeping.  (I decided to do this post late at night and they vetoed a picture of themselves playing on their ipads - even though it's really cute - so you'll have to settle for one of the computer).

What up photo booth... I was having way too much fun showing them all the fun things this computer can do.  Some day I will have a mac.

My latest obsession... baking.  What?? Yeah - I know.  I promised my family a yummy treat on Sunday night so we made some cake balls!  They are super yummy and simple and turn out so fancy that you can't help taking pictures of them.  We had all sorts of varieties for everyone to try.  I did miss my usual cake ball baking assistant (Ben) who does an amazing job of covering them in chocolate, but my sweet mom was the perfect stand in.

 Cake balls anyone?

Well, Utah - until next time.  It was wonderful to visit with such fabulous friends and family I wish I would have had my camera along to show you our many adventues.  Just know no working out and plenty of shopping, laughing, food, talking, more shopping, lots of candy, even more food and fun.  I am always reminded of how blessed and loved I am here, which makes visiting so fun!  I am also always reminded how very dry it is and I will be caking on the moisturizer and chapstick for weeks trying to recoup.  Totally worth it! :)

Currently LOVING...

... JEOPARDY!  Ben and I faithfully watch this show every night.  We love it and feel like the smartest people in the world when we can get 3 or 4 in a row right.  I am pretty sure if we could go on this show as a team we would kick everyone's trash.  Except for Dan Richards because he is really good at trivia.

...Running to these songs.  This country girl has to admit that while running I am a total rocker.  Fast beat, loud ipod.  Something has to keep these feet moving!  Seriously as I was writing this blog I was inspired to do a second run for the day.  They are  magic.
Me First and The Gimme Gimmes - Desperado
All American Rejects - Don't Leave Me
Atreyu - Doomsday {explicit}
Atreyu - Falling Down
Panic! At the Disco - The Only Difference
Kevin Roudolf - Let it Rock

...The fact that Ben loves tuna fish almost as much as I do.  Bahaha.... that was my sneaky plan all along!  A happy life filled with tuna fish sandwhiches. He even requested it for lunch on his day OFF! Everyone knows on days off work you can have anything you want for lunch!

...My new running shoes! Just look at these beauties. They're so ugly they're awesome, right?? I got 2 new pairs to add to my running rotation in effort to preserve the running shoe longevity, improve my form and hopefully {eventually} get me into a more natural, cushion-less, shoe.

...Anything and everything covered in chocolate and peanut butter {no surprise}. This morning {yes, I said morning} I invented a new treat. I took a frozen chocolate covered cinnamon bear and dipped it in crunchy peanut butter! Sooooo good!!  I say, take everything you love and mash it all together. Seriously, is something wrong with me?

...My new save-the-environment water bottle.  These are the best water bottles known to man. I already have one very similar, and overused, so it was love at first sight when I saw this as Ben, Emily and I were perusing the outlets. I wasn't sure I should be sporting a huge Adidas sign since I am usually a faithful Nike girl. But, Emily and I decided that I am a soccer players wife so I should really get with the program and start accessorizing in Adidas.  Let me tell you why it's awesome. a) It has a straw that pops up that is really a STRAW.  Long gone are the days when you have to tilt your head back to get water out of your bottle.  Long gone are the days when you almost eat it on a treadmill trying to do the above action without interrupting a perfectly good run.  b) Everyone knows you drink more when you have a straw, so this bottle promotes all day healthy water drinking.  c) I am told aluminum water bottles save the planet.  Whatever you do, don't tell anyone I fill mine with bottled water...

 

...This guy.  Although I am feeling fairly certain that it's more than just a "current" love.  This is sealed in the books baby!

... The fact that I am going home in 1 day and I will be able to eat all the Taco Amigo, Cafe Rio, Rumbi, Bajio and Chick-fil-A that my little heart desires!!  "Amber where did you choose to go to dinner the night before you got married?" "Um, obviously Taco Amigo. One soft flour taco please."  Yum and Yum!  {oh, and super excited to see some of my favorite people in this entire world too! :)} 

What are you loving?  I can't be the only one with a crazy list of obsessions...

One Eleven Eleven

Something awesome needs to be done today.  Someone should get married or have a baby and lots of gifts should be given to that person who had an amazing life change on 1/11/11.

But.... since I already did one and I am not ready to do the other quite yet - how about we think of another way to celebrate...  To mark this fun day in history because we won't see it again {at least not until November}.

What to do... Hubs is coaching soccer tonight.  {That's what I call Ben now by the way, I think it's adorable} Soccer is celebration for him.  He loves soccer and he loves coaching, so WIN-WIN.

I, on the other hand, believe in order to celebrate this holiday correctly I should go shopping and spend $11,111.  But that would be insane... so maybe $111?  Hubs would say how about just $11.  But it is Tuesday which means Anthropologie did their downtown mark downs today - a visit in true celebration style is inevitable.

Plus, look at this dress Anthropolgie has right now... is it not to die for?  The back with the yellow on the bottom is my favorite.  I am officially obsessed with that color. 

Yeah - that sounds like the perfect way to celebrate!  But it wouldn't be a celebration without a sweet treat. And since I have been bit by the baking bug lately,  I think I will make Brookies {courtesy of Bakerella}. It's not a brownie, it's not a cookie... more like an amazing combination of both. Yum and Yum!  

 Happy 1/11/11 everyone!

Peanut buttery goodness

One of my favorite flavors, peanut butter.

....I guess that's not really a "flavor" since so many actual flavors go into making it, but let's not get technical....

Honestly though, I have a weakness for it.  We buy the big jars of peanut butter from Costco and I can go through one in just a couple weeks.  I put it on everything - bread, crackers, waffles, just straight up on a spoon. I dream about it and keep jars on the very top shelf in hopes that it will keep me away.  It doesn't.  I just climb onto the counter, like a child, so I can reach the crunchy and creamy goodness. This is why peanut butter jars were not allowed in my previously single life, but that's neither here nor there.  I am obsessed.

One of my other favorite flavors, chocolate.

We've talked about this and the amazing-ness that is the chocolate and peanut butter combined to make the perfect little peanut butter cup. Seriously I should own stock in JIF and Hershey's {and Anthropologie} because I could eat nothing else and live a perfectly satisfied life. 

UNTIL NOW

The brilliant food makers at Mars have released their own peanut buttery goodness {aside from the already amazing peanut butter M&M} that I has taken my mind by storm....The Peanut Butter Snickers.

It's like eating crunchy peanut butter covered in chocolate, caramel and yummy nougat!
I found myself in Walmart the other day perusing the Christmas clearance. As I walked to the checkout a bright yellow Snickers display caught my attention.  "PEANUT BUTTER Snickers?!?", I said to myself. I immediately grabbed 4 bars and headed on my way.  In effort to not eat all 4 bars, I had a little yummy melt in your mouth taste and in true Amber style, hid the rest. {Which drives my sweet husband crazy, btw... "Why do you hide it? YOU know where it is!", he says. Ha - I can't help it.}  Luckily, my hiding trick worked and I quickly forgot about my new treasure.  The next day, Ben and I took a trip to Walmart together for a few items.  As we passed the yellow display Ben looked right at me, "AMBER, DID YOU SEE THAT??", he said.  "Ummm... I may or may not have a stash at home....", I replied. "HA, of course you do!"  But just to be sure I had enough to share, I grabbed a couple more.  THEN last night while we were at Costco there was a HUGE bag with 52 squares in it. 52!! I refrained... I didn't buy it, although in a slight panic that I may never be able to find it again, I REALLY wanted to. Plus - Costco, with their super-sized amounts pretty much make everything that much more appealing!  This peanut buttery goodness really is fabulous. I know I am borderline crazy.... but  you have to try it!  

Ah, thank you Snickers.  

Waffle Sunday!

After Ben and I got engaged the time came to register for gifts.  Ben was less than excited about following me around huge stores scanning things we were not sure we had space for.  I promised him we would have a great time and he could get anything he wanted.  He was intrigued and said, "the one thing I want is a waffle maker."  Done.  He was on board.  Well - a waffle maker we certainly got and a tradition started.

The Sunday morning after we got home from our honeymoon we laid lazily in bed talking about how hungry we were.  Ben said, "WAFFLES?"  I added, "Waffle SUNDAY?" and we ran downstairs to begin our fun.  Since that Sunday every Sunday has been coined as our Waffle Sunday. Ben has the batter down perfectly, we have made fun changes to the flavors and we stuff ourselves more than my girlish figure would probably prefer. But, oh what fun it is to sit on the couch on a Sunday morning and eat waffles with your sweetheart!

Try it - waffle Sunday is going down in the books!