Purpose, passion, desire, bread crumbs

 I've tried for a few years to be a workout instructor. I failed the ACE test twice. So let the dream go like a balloon in the sky.

Then I found REFIT in 2021. I went to one class in Logan by the energizer bunny (Janna Lijenquist) and got certified the next week.  

I set a goal to practice one hour everyday. Good Idea, right?

Well for three weeks I attempted to keep that goal, with a three year old boy in my house.  That one hour workout, wasnt fitting into my schedule as easily as I had anticipated/expected/wanted/hoped.

So I realized I wasn't happy, I was disappointed in myself that I wasn't achieving my goal. So I reevaluated.  I remember reading a book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear (tiny changes, remarkable results), also attending online training with Danielle White and listening to "3 in 30 Takeaways for moms" hosted by Rachel Nielson. Rachel talked about following the breadcrumbs of your desires. They all talked about fitting in 5-10 minute habits into your life to help impact/change your life.  I said to myself, "I think I can do 10 minutes."

I finally had my first class saturday, september 18 @730 am in my neighbors backyard on her newly made pickleball court. Its a cute somewhat secluded backyard. I had 6 friends show up- Afro Turner, Lauren Hedin, Cindy Dixon, Alax Spens, Crystal, Becca Hoxer. I was a success.

I texted a friend who is a REFIT instructor Candice. I told her it went great. It was full of many mistakes, but fun. She replied, "I've never stopped making mistakes, btw... ha ha. I've learned to do what I can but accept that I'm not perfect."  That simple little text was so down to earth, real, honest and made me instantly feel more comfortable.  Exactly what I needed- accept that I'm not perfect

5-10 min a day to following your passion, purpose, desires.

So now that I have the first chunk initial routines down, Whats my next goal?

-Different songs? african, if w'ere honest song, 

-completely Different routines? paper plate workout, yoga sequence, HIIT routine

-heartwork meditations

If you make your business/passion/life about helping others, you will always have work. from 3in30 takeaways.  So how can you serve more in what you are doing?

Muddy Buddies

All Recipes 

9 cups Rice Chex®, Corn Chex®, or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combinbation)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup peanut butter
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.

In 1-quart microwaveable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Chex snack mix

 12 servings

• 3 cups corn chex
• 3 cups rice chex
• 2 cups whole wheat chex
• 2 cups mixed nuts
• 2 cups bite-size pretzels
• 2 cups garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular bagel chips
• 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter, melted
• 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

• 1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

  2. In large bowl, mix the chex cereals, mixed nuts, pretzels and bagel chips. Set aside.

  3. Melt the butter in a bowl and mix in the worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder and a good pinch of pepper. Pour the butter over the cereal mixture, tossing well for 3-5 minutes or until the cereal mixture is evenly coated.

  4. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes (or just start eating!!). Store in airtight container.

Coconut Cream Fruit Dip

 Together as a Family

Serve with- watermelon, cantaloupe, kiwi, grapes, bananas(cut right before you serve), blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and fresh pineapple

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1¼ cups cream of coconut (Brand "Coco", found it at Smiths grocery right by the liquor and margerita mixers)
• 1 bar (8 oz) cream cheese softened

Instructions

• Add heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Beat with a handheld mixer, or use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, until stiff peaks form. This will take about 3-4 minutes.
• In a seperate bowl, add the cream of coconut and softened cream cheese. Blend together until combined, smooth, and mixed well.
• Gently fold the whipped cream, with a wooden spoon or spatula, into the cream cheese and coconut mixture. Stir together until combined.
• You can serve this fruit dip right away OR for best taste and texture refrigerate the fruit dip for 2-3 hours before serving.
• Store leftovers, in a covered container, for up to 3 days.

Notes

Cream of Coconut : Refer to the picture in the post for a picture of what this looks like. You will find it in the drink mix aisle. Sometimes the same aisle as alcoholic beverages and/or flavored water packets. This does NOT contain alcohol. It is just normally used to make mixed drinks. It's not the same thing as a can of coconut milk. Look for it specifically by the brand name of Coco Real. 

Fridge Time : The flavors come together so perfectly and the fruit dip gets this creamy texture once it has refrigerated for at least 2-3 hours. I always make it ahead of time so it can hang out in the fridge before serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 63mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 409IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

Bulk of Waffles and Blueberry Sauce

• Sallys Baking Addiction
  
• Makes 8-9 waffles
• 2 cups (260g) whole wheat flour (spoon & leveled)
• 3 teaspoons (1 Tbsp) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar*
• 1 and 3/4 cup (420ml) buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Quadrupled x4- makes about 30waffles

        8c whole wheat flour

       12 t or 1/4c baking powder

        2 T cinnamon (original recipe said 2t, i added 2 T)

        1 t salt

        8 eggs

        1/2 c butter

        8 T or 1/2 c sugar

        6 c buttermilk

        4 t vanilla

(I added 1 c pumpkin)

1. Preheat waffle maker on medium-high heat.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl until combined. Pour into dry ingredients and whisk until combined and no large lumps remain.
3. Pour 1/3 cup of the batter into each well of the waffle maker (or less if your waffle maker is on the smaller side) and close the lid. Cook the waffles util golden brown and crisp, 5-6 minutes. (You can keep waffles warm in a 200°F (93°C) preheated oven until all are finished!)
4. Serve warm waffles with your favorite toppings!
5. 
   

Blueberry Sauce

6 c frozen blueberries

1 and1/2 c sugar

1 c fruit juice or water

6 T lemon juice (1/4 c and 2 T) with lemon zest

6 T cornstarch

1 and 1/2t vanilla

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the blueberries, 1/2 cup of water, sugar and lemon juice. Stir frequently, and bring to a low boil.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water.
3. Slowly stir the cornstarch into the blueberries, taking care not to crush the blueberries. Simmer until the homemade blueberry sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, about 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and gently stir in vanilla and lemon zest.

Pumpkin gingersnap Cake

 Cake by Courtney

10/2021   I was so surprised what a delicious cake this was. I think i've forgotten with the easyness of boxed cake, what a difference in taste homemade cake is.

 34 cupcakes

THE CAKE

• 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup  (165 g) light brown sugar packed
• 5 large eggs room temperature
• 1 cup (218 g) vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (6.3 g) vanilla
• 2 cups (450 g) pumpkin purée 
• 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (21 g) baking powder
• 1T ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (3.9 g) ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon (2.64 g) nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon (5.6 g)salt

FOR THE CRUMBLE

• 1/2 cup (45 g) quick cooking oats
• 1/4 cup roughly chopped gingersnap cookies about 2 cookies
• 1/2 cup finely ground gingersnap cookies about 8 cookies


• 3 tablespoons (65.6 g) molasses
• 1/4 cup (55 g) brown sugar packed
• 3 tablespoons (42.3 g) unsalted butter melted
• 1/2 teaspoon (1.32 g) ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.4 g) salt

FOR THE BUTTERCREAM

• 7 cups (875 g) powdered sugar measured and then sifted
• 6 ounces cream cheese room temperature
• 1 1/2 cup 3 sticks (339 g) unsalted butter slightly cold
• 2 teaspoons (8.4 g) pure vanilla extract
• *This buttercream recipe makes enough to fill and cover your cake. If you want to add additional piping, you’ll want to make an extra 1/2 batch.

FOR THE GANACHE

• 1 cup (150 g) cinnamon chips
• 1/3 cup (77 g) heavy cream

US CUSTOMARY-METRIC

Instructions

FOR THE CAKE

1. Preheat 350 degrees F. Spray three 8-inch or four 6-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds. Spray again and set aside. 

2. 9/15/21 I made 34 cupcakes and cooked for a surprisingly small amount of time 15 minutes

3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the sugar and eggs together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the oil and vanilla and beat on medium until combined, about 30 seconds. Add the pumpkin filling and mix until combined, about another 30 seconds. 
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and salt, and with the mixer on the lowest speed, gradually add to the pumpkin/egg mixture.
5. Evenly distribute batter into the prepared pans, smooth with a small offset palette knife and place in the center of the middle rack of the oven, about 2 inches apart. Bake until a knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. (Mine took 23).
6. Let pans cool on a wire rack 10 minutes, and then invert cakes onto rack and cool them completely.
7. 
   

FOR THE CRUMBLE

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon until the mixture resembles clumps of sand. 

3. Pour the mixture over the parchment paper and spread it out evenly. Bake for 10 minutes, stirring the mixture about halfway through.

4. Let it cool completely and then crumble the mixture into smaller pieces. The mixture will still be soft when you take it out of the oven. It will harden as it cools.

FOR THE BUTTERCREAM

1. In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy.
2. Gradually add in the sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl. Continue to beat until very fluffy, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Add the vanilla and beat for another 1-2 minutes.

4. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a wooden spoon and mix by hand to stir out the air bubbles.

FOR THE GANACHE

1. Place the cream in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Alternately, you can heat the cream over the stove.
2. Pour the warm cream over the cinnamon chips and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth and silky. Allow to cool, but not set, before using on your cake.

ASSEMBLY

1. After leveling each cake layer, place the first cake layer, top side up, on a cake board. Apply 1/2 cup of the frosting over the cake layer, followed by 1/4 of the crumble and a drizzle of the cinnamon chip drip.
2. Repeat these steps for the next two cake layers. Finish by placing the final cake layer, top side down, on top of the last layer of filling. 
3. Before frosting the entire cake, you will want to apply a thin coat of frosting around the cake and on top of the cake. This layer of frosting doesn't need to look pretty, it's simply functional. We want to lock in any crumbs. Freeze the cake for 10 minutes.
4. After the crumb coat is set, apply the rest of the frosting and drip.