Friday, April 24, 2015

Easy (and Healthier!) Homemade Fudgy Brownies

Who doesn't like a good brownie?! I was craving them yesterday, so I picked up some eggs, and got to work.
Stop buying the box mix.
Yeah, I know you can get them for almost free with coupons, but seriously, you don't need to!
Get yourself some good quality cocoa powder, flour, and salt and your dry mix is complete!
Then, add melted butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs, and you're good to go!
No chance of unhealthy ingredients (artificial flavors, soybean oil, corn syrup, etc.), and you can alter the recipe, sub pure maple syrup for some of the white sugar, and wheat flour for some of the white, to make it a bit healthier!
Bake for 35 minutes, and you have quick, easy, and slightly more healthy homemade fudgy brownies!
YUM.



Recipe:
(adapted from Tina's Chic Corner)
Makes 12-16 brownies (double recipe for a 9x13 pan)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, melted, then cooled to room temp. (so it won't cook the eggs)
1 1/2 cups white sugar (or 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup maple syrup)
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I used half white, half white whole wheat)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease an 8x8 baking pan and set it aside.
In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla extract together.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time.  Set the wet ingredients aside.
In another medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.

Pour batter into the pan and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until toothpick in center just comes out clean.

Allow it to cool before cutting. (This step never happens, but it is good for one to have lofty goals)







Enjoy!
What is your favorite homemade treat?






Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Mixx Yoga / Fabletics Event

I was provided a free cardio yoga class and workout merchandise in exchange for this blog post, and social media posts.

I was invited to attend a yoga event a couple weekends ago, hosted by Fabletics and the Mixx Yoga studio in Newport Beach.


It was so fun! I thought it sounded like something right up my alley, and I was right. Yoga and workout swag. Count me in!

Photo Credit: Golden Hope Studios


Photo Credit: Golden Hope Studios

If you are local, you have to check out a class at Mixx Yoga. It is on the border of Costa Mesa/Newport Beach, off Bristol St.

Combinations of yoga with cardio, plyometrics and interval training make for an exciting and challenging class that leaves you feeling healthy and balanced.  They offer many levels and intensities of classes, including yoga-only sessions.  The owner, Mitra, and all the instructors are amazing women who make the classes and studio even better.




Photo Credit: Golden Hope Studios
And regardless of where you live, you have to give Fabletics workout gear a try!
Two words: Kate Hudson.  How amazing is she?! Am I right?! I'm so sold on anything she does or likes, LOL. This is her workout clothing line, and it definitely does not disappoint. So many cute colors and styles!

Fabletics, along with Mixx Yoga, sponsored this event because the instructors that day in the studio were certified Fabletics Masters teachers.


I have been wearing these Salar Leggings non stop since I got them, and the non-slip, cushioned heel socks are amazing!

Fabletics

Fabletics

This fun event was such a great way to meet some new blogger friends I had never met before and to try out this local fitness studio. I'll definitely be back for another bootie-kicking class!



Photo Credit: Golden Hope Studios
Sweaty post-class group photo!

Follow along with the event: 
#FabloggersMixx 
#FableticsMasterClass 

Mixx Yoga:

Fabletics:






Saturday, April 4, 2015

Homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs { & How To Make Powdered Sugar! }

Skip another trip to Target and make your own Reese's peanut butter chocolate eggs at home this weekend!
You can go super all natural, or more common, and with more sugar, but still very few ingredients.

I combined a couple different recipes to make this festive treat!




Try one of these here:

Chocolate Covered Katie

The Recipe Critic

A Clean Bake 

Combine equal parts room temperature creamy peanut butter with powdered sugar for the filling.
The powdered sugar gives these a more exact replica texture, but use all natural peanut butter and a bit of honey instead, for a more healthful candy. If you go with the second option, add a bit of coconut flour to dry out the mixture.

Shape mixture into flat ovals, and freeze until firm.



For the coating, you can use melted milk chocolate chips and a bit of oil or shortening for a glossy sweet shell, or go healthier with unsweetened cocoa powder, coconut oil, and maple syrup or honey.

Dip peanut butter eggs, and put back in freezer until set.


Any and all of these options are delicious and fun, it just depends on how traditional or how healthful/natural you want to be.




I also made some coconut ones!!





Try these recipes:

Coconut Truffles

Coconut Cream Truffles

So! Powdered Sugar.  Um, did you know you can just put regular white granulated sugar in a high speed blender and...voila! Instant powdered sugar! Done and Done. Genius!







Thursday, April 2, 2015

All Natural Easter Egg Dyes

You know I'm on an avoiding chemical food dye kick lately. So, of course natural food dye options are super exciting to me!
Check out these great options made from items in your local produce section.



 


 Find the details here:
Bliss Tree - Natural, DIY Easter Eggs




And of course, Martha!



Have you ever tried making natural coloring or dye?
Hope you have a fun Easter!



Wednesday, April 1, 2015

5 Easter Egg DIYs


I don't dye/paint eggs every year for Easter, but I love browsing Pinterest for the latest and greatest ideas each year. Here are some of my faves!!

The neon dip-dye would work great on hard boiled eggs, but the rest should be left to the plastic (or real, but not eaten) eggs!
Loving the metallic silver leaf look, and the speckled robin's egg blue ones are the cutest!!

Hope you try one of these this week. Let me know if you do!
Which is your fave? 

Neon Dip-Dyed  - Oh Joy!

Moss Covered - Cherished Bliss

Speckled Robin's Egg Blue - Dollar Store Crafts

Antiqued Silver - Just Crafty Enough

Gold Glitter - Girl Inspired




AddThis