back in a week

bikini and snorkel are packed. our family christmas traditions include a big group monopoly game, lots of cards, mimosas on christmas morning, frisbee, late evening beers on the beach. and snorkeling. merry christmas

"healthy" chocolate peanut butter balls

the holidays are making me want baked goods. chocolate covered peanut butter balls have always been my fav. when i was looking up recipes for them, i realized they are typically just icing sugar, peanut butter, chocolate, shortening. not cool. these ones are way healthier and easy as long as you have a food processor. and they taste amazing. i meant to bring them to work, but j and i just ate half of them. 

(pre-chocolate covering)

(covered in chocolate)

chocolate peanut butter balls:

3/4 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup peanuts, ground in food processor
1/4 cup flaked coconut, ground to flour in food processor
1 cup oats, ground to flour in food processor
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tsp coconut oil
1 cup chocolate chips

1. mix peanut butter, peanuts, coconut, oats, maple syrup in a bowl until a dough forms. add more flour or more peanut butter if needed to get thick dough-like consistency
2. roll into little balls, refrigerate on cookie sheet for 30 minutes
3. melt chocolate and coconut oil together, place balls into chocolate one at a time, fishing out with a spoon, and place on cookie sheet
4. refrigerate until hard


really really good

a bit more weekend + crusty eggplant

(crib and crusty eggplant- really good)

(holiday nails)

(neighbor dog-walking)

also:
sons of anarchy marathon (this is an amazing show-totally addicted)
driving around looking at the christmas lights with vegan hot chocolate


crusty eggplant:
1-2 eggplants in quarter inch slices, dried with paper towel
2 eggs + 2 tablespoons milk, beaten
1/4 cup flour
1 cup panko crumbs

1. dredge very dry eggplant slices in flour, then egg mixture, then crumbs
2. bake for 30-40 minutes at 375 degrees, turning halfway. they should be golden brown
3. serve with warm marinara sauce

christmas party # 2 (facebook-free)

(j and i before the party) 

 (staff stockings)

(work christmas tree)

we went to our work christmas party on the weekend. halfway through the party, our manager announced that no photos from the party were to go on facebook. i wonder if that is typical now. i definitely prefer knowing that pictures of me will not end up on facebook.  had such a good time. one highlight is when the nfld mummers showed up.

what i want for christmas

sun, sand, beach with the fam (j, m+d, k+c, s)