Winter Greens Salad

It’s flavorful and light with beautiful colors all around. This salad is a perfect side dish to pair for Thanksgiving, anytime, or even as a main meal by simply doubling the recipe. Although collard greens or dino kale may not be first on your list, giving this a try will definitely not leave you disappointed and will be sure to expand your tastes buds. Plus, quick and easy is always a plus! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 8 leaves of dinosaur kale or collard greens (either taste great with this recipe!)
  • 1/4 cup golden raisins
  • 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp (separate) EVOO
  • 1 Tbsp pine nuts
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • splash of water

What to do:

Tear greens into about 1 inch pieces. In a large pan, pour 1 Tbsp EVOO and turn to medium heat. Pour greens into pan. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the greens are slightly wilted. Stir occasionally. With about a minute remaining, add garlic and a splash of water and stir together. Remove from heat and place greens and garlic mixture into a medium sized bowl. Dress the mixture with the remaining ingredients and mix. Serve immediately.

 

Giving Back

Today we’re talking all about giving back to others. I cannot wait to read what everyone writes about because I love finding new ways to give back!Last year I talked about three organizations I have donated to in the past that I think are great! You can read the entire post, here. Through Compassion International, I still give monthly to support my sponsor child, Elki. Through this organization, we are able to write letters back in forth and stay updated on his life all the way from Peru!  I’m able to buy him birthday gifts, spread the love at Christmas, and support his family financially and in prayer if a need arises. I love knowing that the word of God is reaching him and his family.Another way I love serving people is through food. When the first couple in our small group had their sweet babe, I made them taco soup. I made a double batch of my recipe, (here) and paired it with cheese and chips. It’s easy to freeze if there are leftovers and it was great to make the night before without a ton of prep work. It also has become my staple because every single time a person has a baby, taco soup is coming their way! 🙂

I really feel like time is another powerful way to give back. I know every season doesn’t lend itself as much as others, but as of right now I am able to give just that! 🙂 I volunteer two to three Sundays a month at our church, and try to be involved in school when I can. I think the value of giving back and volunteering was definitely instilled in me as a younger child and I cannot express how thankful I am for it. What are some organizations or ways that you give back to those around you?

Steal or Splurge

My Loves

Top Five

Parties

Memory Lane

Travelogue

Doing It All

Home Tour

Best Recipes 

My Phone

Guilty Pleasures

The Best Day Ever

What’s In My Bag

Bucket List Recap

16 Hours

My Favorite Holiday

Friday Favorites

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I can’t lie..this week felt super long. It had ups and downs but I am ready for a relaxing weekend. We’re getting our pictures taken for our Christmas card, and relaxing with friends all weekend long. 🙂

One.I saw The Giving Manger the other day and couldn’t get over how cute it was! It’s an interactive activity for the family that helps families focus on giving and the true meaning of Christmas. You do random acts of kindness and fill the manger with straw for every act of kindness done. I think it is adorable!

Two.My co-worker and I always chat about our love for Hallmark movies. We decided to have a girls day of Saturday with Christmas PJ’s, a cheese spread, hot cocoa, and Hallmark movies I. Cannot. Wait!

Three.

On Tuesday, I had dinner with some friends. It was so nice to catch up mid-week and spend time together, while eating italian food. 😉

Four.Everyone is so excited about the Chip and Joanna line, Hearth and Hand Collection at Target! Including me. 🙂 I even picked up these Christmas stockings in red and white. They are already hung up for the Hallmark marathon tomorrow. 🙂

Five.If you’re looking for a tasty Thanksgiving side dish, check this out! 🙂 Here’s to the weekend from me to you! xo

 

Holiday Checklist

I think I’ve gotten a handle on how to accomplish all things holiday (specifically Christmas) the last few years. Two years ago, I started buying Christmas gifts in the summer since I had some more time. When the holidays rolled around, I felt like I could truly enjoy even more of it because I wasn’t running around like crazy, and I love that. 🙂

One.

Plan, Plan, Plan. My first piece of advice is to plan. Have a list (or five) and check them off as you go! A fun to-do list like (this) can be that extra push you need for the holidays. 🙂

Two.Ask. Throughout the year I ask people I’m going to be buying gifts for about things they are loving or how they would describe themselves at this season of life. Let’s be honest, something you wanted five years ago is most likely not on your list this year. 😉

Three.Relax and remember the reason for the season. Being thankful at Thanksgiving (and all year) along with the true meaning of Christmas is such a special time of year. Spending quality time with friends and family is so much more memorable than a new watch or bag. Put on your PJ’s, light a candle, grab a blanket, and pour yourself some hot cocoa with the ones you love because in the end, being with them is what really what matters. 🙂

Happy Wednesday friends!

 

Easy Peanut Butter Granola

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Ingredients:

  • 2 cups oats
  • 3/4 cup organic, creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • banana (optional)
  • chocolate chips (optional)
  • milk (optional)

What to do:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Thoroughly mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour ingredients onto baking sheet and evenly spread. Bake in oven for about 25 minutes. Stir every few minutes so it doesn’t burn.

My absolute favorite way to eat this granola, (and in some ways almost completes it for me) is to serve it in a bowl with some milk, a sliced banana, and sprinkled with dark chocolate chips. Of course, the amount of each topping is all based on your liking. No matter what though, it is pure heaven!

 

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