Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Holiday Marathon

I’m pretty certain you all like the idea of the 22 day Nutrition Bars. Lots of good entries and I LOVED all the “growth” opportunities put out there. So far so good on this time management growth of mine. Lets keep the ball rollin’!
Now, lets talk about the Holiday Bustle. Are you guys sick of all Holiday Shenanigans yet? It’s okay if you are. It comes at you like  there’s no tomorrow. But what I’ve noticed is that you can make it a marathon or a sprint. You can enjoy every long lasting mile day or you can pant your way through each meter hour, gasping for air. I choose to look at it like a marathon. I want to enjoy each day as it comes. Some days might be tough but in the end I will have remembered every moment and you better believe I will celebrating at the end! Is that corny enough for you? I am the queen of metaphors, just ask the hubs.

So how do you draw out this process? How do you it make it “worth your while?!”

A. Take advantage of free events and time with friends.
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I met up with a few fabulous Austinites (Caitlin, Alyson, & Sarah- yes that’s me on the end with the worlds worst posture. Try not to judge. ha!).
We drank coffee and chatted at a coffee spot downtown near the tree lighting event. The streets were fully decorated and there were tons of other holiday festivities going on, not to mention the plethora of Santa clause hats being worn!

B.  Spend quality time with your loved ones
This has had to be the highlight of my week. Watching my niece sing in her Christmas pageant and wave at us profusely from the stage totally made my HOLIDAY MARATHON! It was my “holiday high.”

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Can you guess which one is her? The ONLY kid in the middle looking at the camera. Too cute!

Bonus Points to anyone that actually guess the song they are singing!

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I think she was still on theatrical high from her performance. Just look at that smile!

C. And lastly, spend some time making HOLIDAY treats and SHARE SHARE SHARE! Its not Christmas without baking at least one batch of cookies. Right?! I have to admit, half the reason I bake is for the sweet aroma that lingers in the house. That is part of the HOLIDAY MARATHON I just want to bottle up! 
Bre sent me this recipe the other day and I did my best to COTTERIZE (yes I am making that a word now) it!

 

Sugar & Spice Arrowroot Cookies (GF)

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Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup applesauce
  • 1/4 cup raw sugar (you can use brown sugar too)
  • stevia –1 tsp (add 2 if you want them extra sweet)
  • banana
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup ARROWROOT flour
  • 1 cup all purpose GF flour (or flour of choice)
  • 3 tbsp coconut flour- I also used a lot on my hands and on parchment paper to roll the dough into balls then press with fork.
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • cinnamon and ground cloves (about 1/2 tsp of each)
  • powdered sugar (optional)
Directions:
  1. mix applesauce, sugar, and banana together in bowl. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  2. Stir remaining ingredients together and add. Mix well or use beater on low. Add a little more applesauce if it get to be too dry.
  3. Flour your counter and transfer dough. Make sure to cover your hands in flour as well in order to keep it from getting to gooey.
  4. Roll into 1-2 inch balls. Place them on a greased baking sheet and press down with fork. Bake in 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven until golden, about 8 to 10 minutes. Allow a bit more baking time if rolled thicker.
  5. Once out of the oven and cooled. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon. This of course is optional but its WORTH IT!
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Well, those are my top 3 so far on this marathon journey. I’m sure there will be many others to come. Wine has to fit in there somewhere, right?

Any holiday marathon takers? Is my holiday cheer annoying you yet? Oh good!

Cheers,
LC
P.S.
I’ll announce the 22 days nutrition bars winner on FRIDAY!

29 comments:

ERG said...

Oh come all ye faithful!

That looks like a great recipe! I'll try it, but with regular WW flour, if that will work (?) . Your neice is way too cute!!

Heather @ Where's the Beach said...

Those cookies look great. I love baking for others this time of year. It's about the only baking I do really (other than bread). I totally agree that we need to enjoy each moment, especially those with our friends and family.

Paige @ Running Around Normal said...

Great tips to keep in mind:) I love the holidays and wouldn't mind them lasting a whole 'nother month!!! I know, I know.
Those cookies look delish!

April said...

Haha I love how she's looking at the camera- too cute!!

Page said...

I have to admit, I have no idea what arrowroot is, but those cookies look damn good!

Shannon said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog! Adorable kids singing "Oh Come all Ye Faithful"! I haven't had very many doses of Christmas yet, but I always have a love-hate relationship with this time of year.

Dorry said...

I will most definitely join you on a Holiday Marathon and I LOVE your metaphors! I also love Cotterize - it's a new verb in my dictionary. Your niece is precious. I adore mine as well - one of my favorite parts of living in Dallas is to be close to them! I agree with your tips. I went to dinner with a group of old girlfriends last night and while I usually like to be home on a Tuesday night, it was fun and festive...

Christin@purplebirdblog said...

I love your idea of a holiday marathon! A much more positive outlook! When my mom passed away 8 years ago I really hated the holidays because that was her special time, but each year that passes I am learning to love it again more and more. It really is a magical time of year, and I am trying to just experience it as best and as thoroughly as I'm comfortable.

Bre said...

nothing says christmas like the agressive kid version of O come all ye faithful rising to a hysterical crescendo of O COME LET US ADORE HIM!
You niece is so cute and that kid in the front who was jumping around front & center was priceless.
A tree light up...without snow? What does a southern or a texan christmas look like?

Kris said...

Awww, I loved this post and love that smile on your niece!! What a doll she is! Watching Ryan's niece and nephew perform at christmas is such a blast.....they are all off key and look so cute :)

These cookies look and sound amazing, I can't wait to try them!!

I just love Caitlin, what a fun night! Sometimes I wish I wasn't so far away :[

xxoo

Nellie said...

I got it!! I got it!!! They're singing God Bless America!!! Right? :)

I love your positive attitude. Maybe you're just in a jubilant mood because you WON a certain giveaway! LOL! Pretty soon you'll be dusting us with Stevia instead of fairy dust. HAHA!

lindsay cotter said...

totally on a "sugar" high from my big win! WOOHOO!

joannasutter said...

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him and your cookies!!

mamarunsbarefoot said...

Love, Love your positive attitude!! Your daughter is adorable too!!

Joslyn Chandler said...

I bake cookies in my house for the same reason! LOVE the smell:)

Jess said...

I'm TOTALLY with you on the holiday "marathon" vs. "sprint." I'm trying to enjoy every last second, even though it still totally flies by in a nanosecond! I'm already thinking through cookies to bake for Christmas Eve...these look soo good on your blog, I may just add them to my list :-)

Livefortherun said...

Please, please move closer. Is that selfish?

I love your outlook, so a fresh perspective. Look at your hawt little family, you two should make some cute little babies, haa.

those cookies are the exact kind my hubs like, he's not a sweets guy.

shannon said...

i'm with you on this one :) last night i made cookies with some friends, tonight i'm going to curl up on the couch after i light my christmas tree candle!!

hungryrunnergirl said...

How did I miss this post....I check your blog at least a few times a day!! Love your attitude about the holidays. I seriously can't get over how gorgeous you are and TAN!!! I have the worst posture so don't feel bad:) Those cookies literally made my stomach growl. Your husband is a lucky man. Cute video...she is adorable. Once again we are soul mates....big feet and finger toes:) Hope you are having a great day and thanks for the perspective change for me:)

Katie, faith food fitness said...

OH my gosh girl! sooo adorable!! YOU ARE SO GORGEOUS!!!! I love that video.. i love little kids singing during christmas!! love u girl!

Suzanne said...

You DO know how to enjoy! Love the recipe, will try it. Your niece is adorable!

Cara Craves... said...

Oh my goodness you niece is so precious!
And no, your cheer is definitely not annoying, I love it!
Living in a country that does not celebrate Christmas can be hard,
so I like be able to read all about yours.

Amanda said...

Love this! I might have to try this recipe with my girls soon! Thanks for the sweet comment on my food fuel blog. Good food is so important! My daughter's Christmas performance is next week...so excited. I love watching kids sing!

Katie said...

I am going to make those cookies for Christmas! :)

Deb (Smoothie Girl Eats Too) said...

Cotterize not to be confused with cauterize! :-)

Your niece is toooo cute and those cookies look a.maze.ing.

janetha said...

you are gorgeous and i love the photos. and i am just catching up and bummed i missed the 22 bars giveaway.. ONLY because 22 is my favorite number! ha. those cookies are pretty! almost too pretty to eat? ;)

Joslyn Chandler said...

I bake cookies in my house for the same reason! LOVE the smell:)

janetha said...

you are gorgeous and i love the photos. and i am just catching up and bummed i missed the 22 bars giveaway.. ONLY because 22 is my favorite number! ha. those cookies are pretty! almost too pretty to eat? ;)

Dorry said...

I will most definitely join you on a Holiday Marathon and I LOVE your metaphors! I also love Cotterize - it's a new verb in my dictionary. Your niece is precious. I adore mine as well - one of my favorite parts of living in Dallas is to be close to them! I agree with your tips. I went to dinner with a group of old girlfriends last night and while I usually like to be home on a Tuesday night, it was fun and festive...