Whew – I’m just about to the point where I need to dust the cobwebs off my laptop and this blog! After a brief hiatus the last two weeks (the longest since I started almost two years ago!), it feels good to be back. I’ve certainly been busy but also missing the opportunity to write. And it’s one of those things which is hard to come back to after a break – like so many habits, it’s often much easier to just keep going without “breaking the chain” as opposed to getting back into the swing of things. But I think I needed time away – I’ve been experiencing some writer’s block and a bit of mixed emotions about everything during my transition time and I’ve also been keeping plenty busy!
I think I’ll do some before and after pictures as a home improvement update next week since that is taking up oh.so.much time but has been a lot of fun. We are nearly done with the upstairs at this stage and I am so happy with the way that things are turning out. Fresh paint on everything makes a big difference, but some tile, a few built-ins and repaired trim have really changed things for the better! And we’ve invested in some smart devices so I am obsessed with adjusting the thermostat or turning lights on and off from my phone. Next up will be the major renovation downstairs.
Aside from adventures in home improvement, I’ve been participating in #PureMadness, a Pure Barre 20 in 31 day challenge at my new studio so the tucking and pulsing are still going strong. And I’ve been reading some of the most fascinating books I’ve come across in awhile – on some of my favorite topics: the phenomena of time, social influence, nutrition, and clutter clearing and organization. Plus I’m learning so much about safer skincare and household cleaning items, had a few meet ups with friends, and things have picked up a bit workwise. Aside from the relentless cold and snowy weather – there is not too much to complain about.
Another major boost to my happiness has been our recently established ritual: family dinners every week – most recently a chili cookoff at my sister’s house and this week we will be hosting the first get together at Chez Vasquez! I still need to figure out what we’ll be eating but it could quite possibly include these delicious little treats – my No Bake Almond Butter Cup Bars. They are paleo, vegan, decadent, and no bake perennial fan favorites which take all of about 10 minutes to make. #WINNING
No Bake Almond Butter Cup Bars
Prep Time: >10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour in freezer
Servings: 12
Ingredients:
Layer One: Chocolate Crust
Ground Almonds 1 cup (90 g)
Cacao Powder 2 TBSP
Pure Maple Syrup 2 TBSP
Melted Coconut Oil 2 TBSP
Pinch of Sea Salt
Layer Two: Cashew Butter Filling
Smooth Cashew Butter (or any other nut butter of choice!) .5 cup (125 g)
Pure Maple Syrup 3 TBSP
Melted Coconut Oil 1 TBSP
Pinch of Sea Salt
Layer Three: Chocolate Topping
Cacao Powder .25 cup (25 g)
Melted Coconut Oil .25 cup (60 ml)
Pure Maple Syrup 3 TBSP
Instructions:
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper – enough to hang over the edges/use as handles to lift the bars out of the pan once finished.
- Combine all Layer One ingredients in a bowl and mix well until a thick dough is formed. Press firmly into the loaf pan and place in the freezer.
- In the same bowl, mix together all the Layer Two ingredients until well combined. Remove the loaf pan from the freezer and spread Layer Two ingredients over the first layer. Place pan back into the freezer.
- In a separate bowl, combine all Layer Three items and whisk until it becomes a smooth chocolate sauce. Pour over the other two layers and place pan back in the freezer for at least one hour or until firm.
- Remove and cut into small slices or pieces as desired, storing either in the refrigerator or freezer. The longer the bars sit out at room temperature, the more melted they will become, but they’ll be quite hard if eating straight from the freezer. So channel your Goldilocks’ powers to determine JUST RIGHT for you! The bars will last up to a month in the freezer if tightly covered.
