easy homemade granola

I don't know about you guys, but a LOT of granola gets eaten at our house. Whether sprinkled on greek yogurt with some fruit for breakfast, grabbed by the handful when the afternoon munchies hit, or served atop a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert, we like granola. We like granola a lot. But unlucky for us, most cheaper granola options at the grocery store come with way too much sugar (I'm talking 20+ grams per serving). Since unfortunately/fortunately (the jury's still out on this one) stumbling upon the Food, Inc documentary this winter on Netflix, Alex and I have tried to put the kibosh on excess sugar, so those are a no go. I have found some delicious and lower-sugar products (holy moly, Love Crunch's Apple Crumble - yum!), but I've been determined lately to start making my own. Enter this amazing recipe I found on a pair & a spare, a favorite of mine on bloglovin. 

I hope y'all enjoy it as much as I do!

{recipe} simple summer salad

I never thought I would say this, but sometimes, a girl just needs a salad. After a weekend filled with indulgences like brats from the grill, mac & cheese, jalapeno-corn muffins, pints of beer, mexican tortas, nachos, stuffed dates ... the list goes on, this past Sunday night all I wanted was something light and healthy to ease me back into my norm of healthful eating. But I didn't want something lacking in taste. If I'm learning anything about eating healthy, it's that I'll never stick to it if the food is flavorless and unenjoyable.

So A and I set out on Sunday to make a salad that would be healthy, filling, and delicious. I'd call our efforts a success!

{favorite things minneapolis} coffee shop lovin'

I. Love. Coffee.

Black coffee, to be exact. And that means it has to be good coffee because I don't turn my morning java (or afternoon pick-me-up - yeah, that, too) into a milkshake with cream and sugar. I just like it black.

{finding joy} hospitality here and now

A couple months ago, my small group did a spiritual gifts questionnaire, and the three gifts that hopped to the top of my inventory were Administration, Hospitality, and Mercy. 

Administration? Yes. As I flip through my planner and skim my detailed layout of to-dos and deadlines or turn on my computer to look through my budget in Excel, I see how this gift is realized in my everyday life. I'm organized. I plan. I get things done. I love being in charge and executing social events with friends. Mercy, too, is evident in the decisions I make and the things that move me. I'm the girl that chokes back tears almost every time I pass a homeless man on the street or read stories of deep poverty in America's cities or third-world countries. I organize toiletry and food drives and spend time with the elderly to make them feel noticed and valued. I'm leaving my corporate job to help reach under-served kids in inner city schools and get them into college. My heart hurts for others and rejoices in their victory over difficult circumstances. I'm not saying these things to "toot my own horn." I'm saying them because I think it's good to validate the gifts God has given us and see how we're using them to glorify Him and further His kingdom (neither of which I do often enough). 

{favorite things minneapolis} restaurant edition

Okay, friends. It's here. The (non-)critically-acclaimed favorite Minneapolitan restaurants of yours truly. I can hear your stomachs grumbling already (oh wait, no, that's mine. late lunch today!), so I won't keep you waiting.

favorite things minneapolis - restaurant edition:

{recipe} caramelized balsamic red onion, goat cheese & bacon pizza

A left yesterday morning for a week of training in Raleigh, NC, which meant that I had a rare Sunday night to myself after church (we normally get dinner with small group or watch something on Netflix before parting ways). I love every minute I can get with that man, but I certainly enjoyed my time alone at home Sunday night, whipping up some yummy chocolate chip & pretzel cookies for my lucky co-workers today and throwing together what's probably my fav homemade pizza to date. Also, I should probably clarify that by "favorite homemade pizza to date" I mean the only one I've ever made, so therefore it's my favorite. But seriously, how can you go wrong with caramelized red onions, goat cheese, and bacon? Well, my foodie co-worker did suggest adding figs next time, so maybe that's one way because that sounds incredible, but this pizza tasted so great last night and almost as good for lunch today! The best part is that by buying a pre-made crust and microwaveable bacon, it only took me about 15 minutes to put together. Baby steps, people.



I couldn't wait to have a piece before taking the picture ... oops!