It has been so long, that I am not even sure how to do this anymore. Actually a few months back, I think it was around Independence Day, I started a post, but never finished. Here is how that post went:
"On Friday I was being very domestic. I made coffee and black bean brownies, Kashi GoLean cereal bars, almond butter, fro-yo and a fruit salad. It all started out because I wanted to make my own cereal bars. I hate buying them, and I knew I could do it myself, I just needed a recipe. So Thursday night, I did a google search and found a recipe. I also found recipes for the almond butter, fro-yo and brownies. I have to say the only disappointment was the fro-yo. So here are the recipes if you want to try any of them out yourself. Coffee and Black Bean Brownies..."
And that's where it ended. I guess I really didn't want to share my recipes. Because it has been 5 months since I last posted, I am just going to do a recap of what has been going on.
1. I became really domesticated over the summer. It started with baking chocolate chip cookies for Father's Day, black bean brownies for Independence Day, more cookies for Labor Day, peanut butter brookies for back to school, and yet more cookies for Halloween. I've already planned what I am making for Thanksgiving, pumpkin pie pinwheel cookies, pecan pie bars, apple pie bars, and whipped sweet potatoes with granola. I also have a potluck at work the Friday before Thanksgiving, so for that I am making apple pie pinwheel cookies. I am sure, Christmas will bring more cookies.
2. I finished taking prerequisite courses at CSUN and moved on to taking then at USU. I am applying to grad school this month, although I won't know if I have been accepted until March. The wait is the hard part. I have decided that I will be a student for the rest of my life so that I never have to payback my student loans. Does that count as cheating?
3. I started taking Zumba and love it. As of the beginning of September, I spend about 16 hours exercising a week. Eleven of those hours are spent in the gym. The other five or so are in the saddle. Is that a lot? I don't think so.
4. I ran my second, and most likely last, 10k. Mom, Dad, and Alicia ran with me this time. We are doing the Turkey Day Dash this year and Anthony and Dianna are going to join us.
So, I think that's it. A lot has happened yet a lot has stayed the same, and that's something to curl up with.
I have always been a little afraid of eggplant. I am not sure why, but last week, when I needed a purple food, I faced my fear and I bought an eggplant. I had no clue what to do with it or how to cook it, but I bought it. I ate it, and I loved it. I can't wait to make it again. (Actually, I've already roasted some for my salads this week.)
My eggplant pita pizza was super simple to make. Here is what you need to make it yourself:
1 eggplant
1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs fresh garlic
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
1/4 of any color bell pepper, sliced
1/2 c marinara sauce
1/2 c mozzarella cheese
1 whole wheat pita
Slice eggplant and brush with oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Grill eggplant until tender. About 15 minutes.
Pre-heat oven to 400. Place pita in the center of a cookie sheet. Top pita with sauce, eggplant, peppers and cheese. Bake until the edges are golden brown. About 20 minutes.
An eggplant pita pizza is most definitely something yummy and healthy to curl up with.
Um, yeah, No. So, I made the pumpkin pie scrub last weekend. In theory it sounded great, in actuality it failed. There are a few things I didn't like about it: 1. It resembled baby food in look, smell and texture. 2. I didn't like the consistency. It was too runny. I know I could have fixed the consistency issue by adding more sugar, but really I couldn't get over the baby food aspect of it. I am glad I tried it out in advance, because I would never give it out as a gift. Now I have some time to try some other scrubs.
Here is the recipe in case you want it:
1 cup sugar (any kind)
1/4 cup oil ( I used safflower oil because it doesn't have much smell.)
1/4 cup pumpkin pie mix
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon Vitamin E (a natural preservative)
1 tablespoon Vodka ( a natural preservative)
Almost anything is better than curling up with this pumpkin pie body scrub.
Two years ago, a co-worker gave me a home-made brown sugar and honey body scrub for Christmas. I loved the idea so much, that I went home and made some to give out myself. That year I made a simple scrub with white granulated sugar, grape seed oil, and vanilla extract. Last year, I made a brown sugar and honey scrub. Again it was a simple recipe: brown sugar, honey, and oil.
As October comes to an end my thoughts have drifted to the holidays. I have been thinking about what scrub I will make this year. I don't want to make what I've already made, so I've been searching the internet for different recipes. I just have a few requirements. The ingredients must be readily available and cheap. Preferably they are items I already have in my kitchen. Also I want it to last, so ingredients like milk and yogurt are out. It is amazing how many recipes are out there. Most of them are fairly similar, but occasionally one will stand out. (Pumpkin Pie Body Scrub!)
My next step is to try some of these recipes, and maybe a few of my own. I will let you know what I think, when I am done. Because...
There is almost nothing better than curling up with a home-made body scrub.
I guess this should have been my first post, but oh well. Late is better than never. So, here is a little about me and what you can expect to find at Curl Up With.
I am a twenty-something educator of America’s youth in sunny Southern California. I love to ride my bike, and do ride whenever I can, which normally is after work Monday thru Friday. I also have a set date with the YMCA for muscle conditioning on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, as well as, Pilates on Tuesday and Thursday, and yoga and muscle conditioning on Saturday. On Sunday, you will find me enjoying the three Rs. Rest. Relaxation. Reading.
Curl Up With… is my blog about things I feel like sharing. You will find book reviews, recipes, exercise ideas, and maybe just a little bit of randomness. My goal is to make "Curl Up With…" a fun and interesting place for you to stop by every once in a while.
Some up-coming posts include:
…Endomondo?
…home-made jelly soap?
…home-made pumpkin pie body scrub?
…home-made vanilla extract?
There is almost nothing better than curling up with…
