THE BIGGEST SURPRISE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE + Brown Rice Pudding

I still can’t believe that I’m an adult. Turning 18 is a huge age change – I’ve gone from childhood to an official adult. I felt like an adult before, but for some reason today I feel even more like one. I celebrated this weekend with some fun:

I saw PianoGuys LIVE at their concert at my college!

I went to the thrift store and got some new clothes! A pair of jeans, 3 shirts/blouses, 3 skirts, a dress, a pair of pajama pants, 4 plates, and a bowl for less than $40!

I bought 9lbs of strawberries Saturday night.

And I’ve already finished them. It’s been quite a delicious weekend.

(Because I ate my strawberries so quickly before I got a picture of them, I’m borrowing this picture from Google. They looked just like these though – absolutely red and gorgeous.)

Monday I went and got my hair done. They trimmed it and added more layers (since I love layers – they really bring out the curl in my hair when I scrunch it instead of blow-drying it).

Today I also got to talk with my beloved Nutrition Instructor about life and how I’m doing in college. I am so grateful to have someone I feel comfortable going to and can talk with. Yes I cried (I always seem to do that…), but it really helped me today. I needed it. (Do you feel that same way sometimes?)

AND, I JUST GOT THE BIGGEST SURPRISE IN MY LIFE! MY ROOMMATES AND FRIENDS GOT TOGETHER AND MADE ME AN EDIBLE ARRANGEMENT CAKE!!!!!

IT ABSOLUTELY MADE MY DAY!!!!! <3

Today I also wanted to share with you a new favorite recipe.

My Brown Rice Pudding!

Combine the rice,

cornstarch, cinnamon, and stevia

in the bottom of the crock-pot.

Add the soymilk and vanilla.

Cook on high heat for 2-3 hours.

Top with desired toppings and dig in!

Brown Rice Pudding

Great for breakfast or dessert. Makes 2 cups worth (4 servings with add-ins)

Ingredients

• 1 ¹/₂ cups milk of choice (I used fortified vanilla soymilk)
  
• 2 cups cooked brown rice (or quinoa if you have it on hand)
  
• 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
  
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
  
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  
• Stevia to taste (I use 2-3 packets)
  

Plus add-ins/toppings of choice – see below

Directions

Combine the rice, cornstarch, cinnamon, and stevia in the bottom of the crock-pot. Add the soymilk and vanilla. Cook on low heat for 2-3 hours. Serve warm or cold.

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Add-in ideas:

• Chocolate chips + cherries + vanilla extract
  
• Bananas + walnuts +cinnamon
  
• Raisins + apples + dash of nutmeg
  
• Coconut flakes + sliced almonds + chocolate chips
  
• Strawberries + vanilla extract + “cream” (I used vanilla soymilk)
  

There are a lot more than this, but these are just a few on the top of my head. If you try any other flavor experimentations I’d love to hear about them!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! <3

With lots of hugs,

Btw, Reese’s PB Cups are the BEST!

Spiced Baked Apple

Hey my Gorgeous Readers!

Thanks for all of your support these past weeks. It has really helped me get through finals and come off conqueror. I’m at my great uncle and aunt’s home right now and really enjoying the break. I’ve actually slept 8 hours a night here – I can feel the sleep deprivation I experienced from the stress at school. Stress won’t let me sleep well. I can fall asleep pretty easily, but staying asleep is the hard part. After 4 hours I am tossing the rest of the time and can’t stand myself anymore by 6 hours so I get up. But here at my extended family’s home where it’s quiet and peaceful and I have absolutely NOTHING I HAVE to do, I’ve been able to rest and have some fun. My classes don’t start again until next Monday, and since my apartment is already set up and I have my folders already organized to insert my next class assignments, I really don’t have anything to do except rest and focus on taking care of myself emotionally, physically (getting enough sleep, exercising for energy and strength, and nourishing with healthful food), and spiritually. I’m enjoying this time to focus on my scriptures, the piano, skyping and talking with my family, etc. It’s been a nice relief.

Anyways, I promised I’d be back with some deliciousness!

Here’s one of my favorite desserts – something easily made and quite good for you.

A Single-Lady Spiced Baked Apple!

Core and cut the apple in half.

Measure out the smart balance butter, cinnamon, and stevia and add them to the bottom of a large soup bowl or pasta plate (you can also use a glass baking dish).

Melt the butter mixture and spread it to cover the bottom of the bowl/pan. Place each apple half face down over the cinnamon mixture, and microwave for 4 minutes, or until soft.

Place each apple half face down over the cinnamon mixture, and microwave for 4 minutes, or until soft.

Grab a fork and dig in!

Spiced Baked Apple

Ingredients

• 1 apple, cored and cut in half
  
• ¼ tsp. cinnamon
  
• 1 tsp. smart balance lite buttery spread (or butter/coconut oil)
  
• 1 packet stevia (or a large pinch of sweetener of choice)
  

Directions

Melt the smart balance with the cinnamon and stevia at the bottom of a large soup bowl or pasta plate. Place each apple half face down over the cinnamon mixture and microwave for 4 minutes, or until soft. Grab a fork and DIG IN!

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I love how I can throw this in the microwave and have a dessert that tastes like it took a whole lot more effort than it actually did. I hope you enjoy this as much I as do!

With lots of hugs,

A Single-lady’s treat: Reese’s PB Cup by the Spoon.

Since finals are this coming week, I wanted to share a very special recipe with you.

I have been dying to share it with you, and now you can dive into some peanut butter chocolate heaven with me this week. (I will definitely have this throughout the week as I take my tests. )

It doesn’t take a lot of ingredients (you know how I like short ingredient lists)

Very college-living friendly (only requires a spoon and bowl).

AND, before I go on, I must warn you: This beyond delicious.

It. is. DEADLY!

You might even call it devilish.

Therefore…

Proceed with caution, if you dare.

Measure out the peanut butter and scoop it into a small cup/bowl. (If you refrigerate the peanut butter, you may try microwaving it for a couple of seconds to help the peanut butter mix.)

Add the vanilla, cocoa powder, and stevia.

Integrate the cocoa into the peanut butter, stirring until combined.

Take your spoon and DIG IN!

A Single-lady’s treat: Reese’s PB-Cup by the Spoon

Ingredients

• 1 ½ Tbsp. all natural peanut butter*
  
• 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
  
• 1 packet stevia*
  

Directions

Measure out the peanut butter and scoop it into a small cup/bowl. (If you refrigerate the peanut butter, you may try microwaving it for a couple of seconds to help the peanut butter mix.) Add the vanilla, cocoa powder, and stevia. Integrate the cocoa into the peanut butter, stirring until combined. Take your spoon and DIG IN!

*Notes (for alternatives):

1. I usually just eyeball all the ingredients when I make it (‘cuz sometimes I want a more dark-chocolaty experience and others I want a sweeter treat). I’ve used a couple different kinds of stevia with this and I like the more powdery kind for this. The granular kind (like True-Via) is delicious but gives a granular texture to it; I prefer the smooth consistency that comes from the more-powdery stevia or a little honey, agave, or brown rice syrup (to taste).
   
2. For those with peanut sensitivities, you can try using almond butter or sunflower seed butter (Sun Butter) in place of the peanut butter. I personally haven’t tried them yet, but I can see no reason why they wouldn’t work, especially using my homemade sun butter since it has a peanutty-taste to it.
   

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I hope you enjoy this as much as I do! <3

With lots of hugs,