Peanut Butter Granola

If you have never made granola before. Put down your computer and go make it NOW. 

Seriously, homemade granola is so much better than any store bought brand...

And it's so simple!

I have a love for granola. There is so many different flavor combinations and the possibilities are endless. Plus, it's healthy. In moderation of course. 

I have had all different kinds of granola. But peanut butter...I haven't tried yet. You're going to think I'm crazy once I say this, but I am not a person who is crazy about peanut butter. I think it is good. But you won't find me going crazy over it. Also, sometimes I really can't stand peanut butter. It just depends on the day. But today I was really wanting peanut butter. I came across this recipe that she only needed 4 ingredients. I was sold. I love trying new recipes and this is something I wish I would have thought of. Even though I can't the credit for this recipe. I wanted to make it and share it because it's something that I'll make over and over again. This is perfect for on top of yogurt, in cereal, or just by itself. 

*Your house will smell amazing after baking this

Peanut Butter Granola

Ingredients: 

2 Cups Gluten Free Oats (I used Bob's Red Mill gluten free oats)

1/2 Cup Honey 

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter

4 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Dark Chocolate Chips (Optional) 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Prepare baking sheet by covering with parchment paper.

3. Measure out oats and place in a large mixing bowl. 

4. Combine peanut butter, honey, and brown sugar in a microwave safe bowl. Heat until mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Mix all together.

5. Pour mixture over oats, and mix until oats are evenly covered. 

6. Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet in an even layer. 

7. Bake 18-20 minutes, until golden brown. Make sure you stir mixture half way through baking. 

8. Let cool. It will start to get crunchy the more it cools. Once cool, add in chocolate chips if preferred. 

Store in an airtight container. 

Enjoy! 

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10 Tips on finding The One: Wedding Gown

Oh, wedding dresses. They come in so many different styles, fabric, and even colors. 

How in the world can you possibly choose THE ONE?!? 

If you just got engaged and started browsing online at all the different types of dresses, you probably feel a bit overwhelmed and also excited. You might have tons of dresses saved because you like them all, you may know exactly what you want, or maybe you can't find any that you like and feel like you will never find one. Take a deep breath. It's all going to be okay. 

Finding YOUR dress is a very exciting and emotional experience. But it can be a bit overwhelming. Especially if you just dive right into things without having a plan. Yes, dress shopping requires a small plan just so you can have the best experience. Since everyone is different. Every bride is different and will experience dress shopping differently. For me, dress shopping started the day after I got engaged...two years ago. I thought I liked a certain style of dresses but turns out two years later I found a dress different than what I thought I liked. But it is perfect. I'm so glad I didn't buy a dress until now. I won't share anything about my dress on here just because only a select few know what it looks like. And I'm not giving that away. For me my dress is very important so you all will have to wait til after we are married to see it :) 

I decided to talk about the wedding dress because it is very important but it can also be overwhelmed. I can say from experience that I did get overwhelmed and I even had a plan. The day I went I wanted my mom and Caleb's mom there, his older and younger sister, and my sister.  From the start my consultant was so amazing. She called me up a few days before my appointment to talk about the kinds of dresses I had in mind, and to email her dresses that I wanted to try. But I could only email her five or six. I was like what?! I probably had about 15-20 saved! So I narrowed it down. And the day of my appointment she already had all of the dresses pulled and ready. With each dress I tried on she told me to rate it either number 1, 2, or 3. I have never had anyone put them in a ranking but honestly, that was the best idea. I probably tried on about 10 or so dresses. My appointment went on for about 2 or 3 hours...I don't really remember. But before I knew it I had narrowed it down to three dresses. Then down to two. Then one. I chose a dress, but a couple weeks later I started to second guess myself and I had to make sure I was making the right decision. I went back with just my mom and decided. I won't say if I went with the original one, or the other. But I just had to be sure I was making the right choice. I love my dress and I can't wait to reveal it! 

So from my experience I have some tips on finding The One. When it comes to the wedding dress of course! 

1. Find your style: Figure out what looks best on you and what fits your personality. Don't always follow what's in style right now. Because styles are always changing. Find what reflects you and it'll never go out of style. 
2. Your shopping buddies: Bring who you want. Just be sure to keep the number down. More people means more opinions and it can be overwhelming for you and even your consultant. 
3. Budget: Make sure you know what you want to spend. And don't try on anything that is more than you can comfortably afford. 
4. Trust your instincts: If someone wants you to try something on but you don't like it. Speak up. It's YOUR day and YOUR dress. You have the final say. This also applies to when everyone says they love a dress but you just can't say you do. Don't be afraid to say no and move on to another. You know it's your dress when you say can you love it. 
5. Keep it simple: With every dress you try on. Rate it. If it doesn't fit in the top three. Then it's a no. Once you tried on about 10 dresses. Stop and re try on your top three and go from there. It keeps things from getting to confusing. 
6. Choices: If you are set on a style of dress, at least try a different style on so you know that it's what you like best.
7. You don't have to say yes, right away: Deciding on your gown can be hard. If you need to sleep on it. Then sleep on it. Don't let anyone pressure you into deciding that same day. 
8. Wear Makeup: And do your hair nice. You want to feel good about yourself when trying on dresses. 
9. Undergarments: Wear white or nude boy shorts or bikini styles. And a strapless nude or white bra. You may be seen in them so don't let your goods show to much. That means NO THONGS! 
10. Pictures: Take pictures of every single dress from different angles. This will help you get a feel for what you'll look like on camera. *Some bridal stores might not allow cameras so ask first. 

There is so many tips out there and I encourage you to research them and have an idea what you want. 

Just remember, when you find your dress you won't want to take it off and it'll make your heart flutter. 

Have fun searching for your wedding gown! 

Cheers! 

My bridal store: J&B Bridals

Images from: Maggie Soterro and J&B

Also, the images above are to show different styles. My dress isn't one of those above posted. 

Graze Snack Box

So I received a "snack box" in the mail this past week. 

Best kind of mail? Yes. 

It's called Graze. Perfect name for a snack box that is delivered to your door. They have about 100 different kinds of snacks that you can pick which ones you like, love, try, or never try. Everything is healthy. So you don't have to feel guilty about eating any of the snacks. It's like indulging, but without the guilt! 

The box I received came with four different cute little containers. Yes I refer to them as cute. 

The four flavors were Garden of England, Chocolate Orange Flapjack, Herby Bread Basket, and Black Pepper Cashews. I only had three out the four because well bread..can't exactly have so Caleb made sure that one didn't go to waste ;) 

The Garden Of England contained dried apples, strawberries, and black currents. Umm they were probably the best dried fruit I have EVER had. No joke. I am not a fan of dried fruit, but their dried fruit I would eat again. And again. 

Black Pepper Cashews contained black peppered cashews, roasted unsalted cashews, and redskin peanuts. I liked this one, can't say I love it just because I am not a huge fan of black pepper. Good thing is that there were only a few covered in it. 

Chocolate Orange Flapjack contained rustic rolled oats, with chocolate and orange. Okay I LOVE the flapjacks. But I hate chocolate and orange together. But I tried it, it wasn't overwhelming and I didn't mind it. They have a lot of other flavors of the flapjacks that I do want to try. 

Herby Bread Basket contained mini basil breadsticks, garlic crostini, and oregano rice crackers. If I didn't have a problem with gluten I would have picked this one first. I can say it smelled amazing and Caleb said that it was very good. A little taste of Italy in a container. 

So if you love getting treats in the mail this is something to defiantly check out! And you can pick exactly when you want to receive it! No monthly payments that you're locked into. But you can only join Graze if you're invited. So guess what?! I'm inviting you!! I have a special code that you can use. 

When you go to the site www.graze.com 

Type in JAELR3G6

JAELR3G6 

Hopefully you enjoy some healthy snacks!!

Cheers! 

P.S. Not all snacks are gluten and dairy free. So make sure you read the ingredients first! You can pick snacks based on your own dietary guidelines.

I won!

I know my blog is mainly about health and recipes. But since this is my blog I decided that I'm going to let more of my personal life in. Not a lot just because I'm not that type of person. If you've been following a long, then you know that I am engaged. I'm right in the middle of planning my wedding. So I figured I would share tips and all that fun wedding stuff as well! 
It's going to be called Wedding Wednesday. And yes, the first post is a day late. But it'll be on time next week!

We are keeping pretty much everything about our wedding on the down low just because it keeps things less chaotic. Close friends and family know everything and I think that's how it should be. So I won't be getting into any details on what we are doing. Because I don't want to give anything away. You're probably thinking, than how can you share anything? Little advice, tips, and a few things I am going through. Maybe I have a few brides following along. So I hope you enjoy!

SO with that being said. First thing that I wanted to share is I won my first giveaway! I was in a daze when I found out because I really didn't believe it. I entered a giveaway to win $250 towards wedding stationary from Crafty Pie Press! This is such a blessing because for one, I had no idea what kind of stationary I wanted or where to start.  So this happened at the perfect time! 

***I defiantly suggest that if you're getting married..enter as many giveaways as you can! It'll defiantly pay off :)

See that winner!? It's me!!!

I can't wait to order, and I'll defiantly post pictures :)