Well, this is awkward.  Sorry I haven't been around in a while... I know it's no excuse but a few months ago, my computer crashed.  I lost everything.  My files, my photos, my software... The whole enchilada. That seemed to happen at the worst possible time.  A time when work, family, life demanded my full attention.  Just juggling my schedule seemed like more then I could handle.  So, I just took a pause from blogging. I took some time to invest in people, to really focus on my job, and to reevaluate priorities.  It was really good.  But, I'm back.  My hair's a bit longer, my life's still not under control, and I still love really good food.  Needless to say, I was thrilled to find that you guys still visit SSL. I was pretty sure that even my mom stopped checking it, so thank you for not giving up on me.  

Let me introduce you to my friend, the muffuletta.  She likes to hang out with kettle chips and San Pellegrino.  

]]>http://www.asweetsimplelife.com/home/rss-comments-entry-16446100.xmlberriesbreakfastgluten freeHeather MichelleThu, 15 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000http://www.asweetsimplelife.com/home/2012/3/15/blueberry-granola.html685691:8014534:15423426

When I was younger, my mom and I were the only ones that woke up early. Of course, Dad woke up early but he was usually leaving by the time I graced the downstairs.  Mom would make coffee and then we'd munch on granola and talk about boys, school, work, and funny things that happened that week. Those conversations/counseling sessions (let's be honest) were some of my warmest memories of living at home.  So, while I am typically a smoothie girl these days, I do make a big bowl of granola every once in a while.

Like my Cranberry-Almond Granola, this cereal has a great crunch.  The ginger gives it a sassy flare while the seeds and nuts add enough protein to kick your morning off right. 

I like my granola in a tea cup with a little bit of milk, regular 2% or coconut depending on my mood.  Mom likes hers with Greek yogurt. 

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Do you know what Tajin is? Technically, it's a Mexican fruit seasoning, but it just happens to be one of the most explosive combination of flavors on the planet.  Chile, sea salt, and lime.  BAM!  Sprinkle a little on an avocado, and good grief, you may never need another recipe again. 

This soup embodies those three bold flavors.  The result is sensational. It's filing, but somehow light.  (Even though chili is one of my favorite meals, most recipes send me into a deep food coma.  Deeeeeeeep. Like collapse on the couch for three hours deep... This recipe, however, is safe to take for a warm lunch at work or make as a light spring dinner.)  Chile, garlic, and cumin flavor the broth while a hint of citrus makes the flavors pop. Make it, slurp it, glup it, repeat.

Oh, Honey Honey.

It's Wednesday...  I'm over here trying not to pull my hair out.  Somehow, my little apartment falls apart by midweek... every week.  Dirty dishes fill the sink, clothes are everywhere, overdue library books lurk in corners and under beds, smudges, finger prints, and toothpaste dot the mirrors, and a thick coat of dust has already managed to  settle across the house.  (I dust every stinkin' Saturday.)  Wednesday nights, I should buckle down and scourge my house.  But instead, I look the other way and eat a bowl of ice cream. With every bite, the tragedy that is my apartment seems less and less urgent.  By the time I'm scraping the bottom of the bowl, I don't even see the need to wash it. I just toss it into the sink to tackle tomorrow. 

But, seriously, this is such an elegant blend of salty and sweet... a subtle honey ice cream paired with salted, roasted almonds. It's possible that this is edible perfection and a very appropiate dessert for that first blush of spring. 

And, all you need to make this stuff is hand mixer.  No ice cream maker required.  I know.  Awesome sauce.  No, I'm not sorry I said that, but I probably will be tomorrow.  

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Hi there! Remember me?  Heather?  Sorry I went MIA on you and I don't really even have an excuse.  I needed to regroup, retreat, rethink some things, but I'm here to make up for it though.  We can still be friends... I'll do better, I promise. And nothing says "Gosh, sorry about that..." like pancakes.  Especially, gluten free pancakes. 

This pancake batter is gluten free, dairy free and takes about 5 minutes to whip up. Plus these don't require any special flours... just a few handfuls of oats and almonds. Can you say "GLORY!!"?  So make a pot of coffee, heat up some real maple syrup, and make some brinner. (Breakfast married dinner...)  You get it. 

Make it. You'll thank me later and gosh, it's good to see you. 

Unfortunately, I don't have a recipe for you this week.  We spent the weekend traveling to a spectacular wedding where I was so busy scurrying around, I didn't even snap any pics.  I know. I tried to do some extra recipes last week, but they all failed. Utterly and completely. The pictures turned out sloppy, they didn't taste that good, and after three separate attempts, I just gave up and finished packing for my trip.

But, I can recommend some tunes.  Let me introduce you to The Hunts.  This band is formed by one big family and their music is breathtaking. My favorite thing about this family isn't their haunting music, however, it's the two girls, Jessi and Jenni.  I have never met two people in my life who live with such utter abandon to the Lord.  No conversation I ever had with these girls has ended without my eyes being refocused on my Savior.  They are continually pouring their life out for their family and their church.  I just adore them. 

I would go on and on about their music, but it really speaks for itself.  Take a minute to watch these two videos and you'll see what I mean.  And, while you're at it like their page.  

No one eats kale right out of the bag.  

Carrots maybe, kale no.  

If you do, kudos to you.  I generally have trouble eating the stuff unless it's drowning in Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette.  But, lately it's become part of my morning routine.  Somewhere between exercise and getting dolled up for the day, I typically down a Superfood Smoothie. And, what's more, I actually look forward to this smoothie. Packed with kale, spinach, carrots, berries, and bananas, this little number has more fruits and vegetables than most people eat in a day and it's not really too hard to make.  If fact, you probably have all the ingredients on hand. 

Not hard at all, right? I add greek yogurt for a bit of protein, but you could always use coconut milk, nut butter, or protein powder if you are avoiding dairy. I like a bit of a thick consistency, but if it's too thick for your taste, thin it by adding extra oj. 

This smoothie will certainly get you're morning off to a good start and it is great if you take your vitamins in powder form like me.  I usually just dump a scoop in right before the final puree. :) As for taste, even Jason approves and that's kind of a big deal. He rarely approves health food. 

Man food.  Delicious, hearty, and savory, but it doesn't have to be barbaric.  It can be cozy and comforting too, which is entirely appropriate for a frosty, February night in. This stew is my brother, Steve's, absolute favorite winter meal.  Chunks of potatoes, carrots, and celery swimming in a rich, beef broth would win anyone's heart, so I was happy to make a big pot for his starving, stressed out, last semester of pre-med little self. And, getting to hang out with him for a bit made it taste even better. 

Let's talk comfort food.  Hearty, southern, one-pot meal kinda comfort food. 

We're just settling into that long stretch between January and spring where everything seems to get all out of sorts. In January, everyone is ready for a fresh start, but February brings the evitable crash of our hopes and ambitions.

For the for one thing, the weather is a mess here in the Southeast. One day is bright and cheery with a high of 62, the next is drizzly and 32. Back and forth, up and down. Not helping things... People seem to be a bit of a mess too... moving, job changes, impending weddings, the flu, mid-semester blues... anything and everything stress.

I'm right there with them.  One fine January day, I was up at the crack of dawn and tackling my to-dos, the next thing I know I'm waking up at 7:30 with only have fifteen minutes to toss my hair into a ponytail and rush out the door.  Those "off" days (or weeks... or months), fraught with disaster, matted hair, and grim skies, can be brightened with a little bit of Louisiana cooking.    

Black-eyed peas, olive oil, and diced onions transform sleek, plain grains of basmati rice like a touch of sun livens up pale cheeks.  Warm chicken coated in Old Bay seasoning and baked quickly lends both flavor and heartiness to these saucy bowls of rice. The best part... This meal only takes 30 minutes to throw together. It's quick, nourishing, and simple... just the thing for an achy day.

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Jason calls it the hostile takeover.

I call it cute.

We recently gave some bookcases dating back to Jason's college dorm days a facelift. We're both English majors and avid readers, so we have a ridiculous amount of GOOD books. The kinda books you wanna meet on a rainy Saturday afternoon.  Books like Peace like a River, 'Til We Have Faces, A Tree Grows in Brooklynn... I could go on and on...

Such good reads deserve cutes shelves, right?  Enter paint, primer, and a free afternoon.

Better huh?  I can't decided if the color is too Canary... So, I may be reattacking these shelves soon, but I do think it is an improvement.