Okie Sweet Tea Slush

Happy [almost] Memorial Day Weekend! Memorial Day marks the start of summer and to me, summer means iced tea! In preparation for the long weekend, I created a tasty three-ingredient cocktail slush recipe using Red Diamond Ready-to-Drink Iced Tea that I’ve named the “Okie Sweet Tea Slush,” aka an adult Arnold Palmer slushie. Whatever your weekend holds, this drink would be the perfect addition…it’s refreshing, simple and delicious, plus it would be easy to make a kid-friendly version - just omit the alcohol!

While grocery shopping, I always grab a gallon of Red Diamond Ready-to-Drink Iced Tea to keep on hand; it is made with simple, real ingredients and it always hits the spot. My go-to afternoon pick-me-up is their Sugar-Free Sweet Tea because it tastes great while being guilt free and zero calorie since it is sweetened with Splenda. Red Diamond also offers Ready-to-Drink gallons of unsweet tea and regular sweet tea - both are equally as delicious. They’d all pair perfectly with a Memorial Day backyard BBQ, whether enjoyed straight from the gallon or made into an Okie Sweet Tea Slush!

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Tailgate Sweet Tea Sangria

Football season is here; game day snacks and beverages abound! Whether tailgating at the stadium for a home game or hosting a crowd for a watch party, I always have a drink in hand. My beverage of choice this season is a Tailgate Sweet Tea Sangria made with Red Diamond Ready-to-Drink tea and white wine. It only takes a few minutes to make and can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for taking to game day festivities!

In the south, we take both football and sweet tea veeerry seriously. Red Diamond takes their products seriously, too. Every tea is perfectly crafted without compromise. Tea leaves are handpicked from the world's finest fields and made purely of water, tea and sugar only (or Splenda / no sweetener, depending on your tea preference). There are no powders, concentrates or preservatives to ensure that every sip is perfectly fresh and delicious.

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The Best 4th of July Dessert

Top from Koda Crossfit, similar here and here | Similar Shorts here and here | Nike Shoes | Similar Pot Holders | Le Creuset Dish - color is Ocean

Happy Birthday, America!! Well, tomorrow anyway. Today I'm at work doing the 8 - 5 while C is at home celebrating a four-day weekend. Life is unfair. However, as soon as the workday comes to a close, we're hopping in the car with the pups and heading to the land of milk and honey: Stillwater, Okla. My in-laws live in my sweet little college town and we're crashing their pool for the holiday (aka crashing their pantry and liquor cabinet, too).

Today, though, my office is throwing a little 3rd of July BBQ potluck for those of us who are at work. I nominated myself to bring my favorite summer dessert, Blueberry Crunch. I've been making this dump cake every year for the 4th since I was a pre-teen - it's just not Independence Day without it! Maybe it should be called Red White and BLUEberry Dessert?

If you're looking for something quick, cheap and delicious to throw together before tomorrow's festivities, this is it! It's literally the easiest thing ever to make - you just open some cans and boxes, melt some butter, and layer it all up in a 9 x 13. Easy peasy! It's delicious served with vanilla ice-cream or topped with whipped cream.....or for by itself for breakfast, whatever! It's just as good chilled and leftover as it is warm, if not better!

Blueberry Crunch
Ingredients

• 20 oz can crushed pineapple
• 2-3 cups blueberry pie filling
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 yellow cake mix
• 1 1/2 sticks butter
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 350. In a 9x13, spread pineapple and blueberry pie filling. Sprinkle 3/4 cups of sugar over top evenly. Then, add in layers: dry cake mix, melted butter, pecans, 1/4 cup sugar. Bake at 350 for 35 - 40 minutes or until cake mix is a light golden brown.

As you all know, I normally try to stick to a relatively healthy diet.......and this dish is anything but healthy. However, part of being healthy is knowing how to balance. I've been that person who takes it to another level, all or nothing, and I ended up going crazy. Being overly strict for too long leads to 1) not enjoying life anymore and 2) going overboard and bingeing/eating everything in sight -- neither of which are healthy! That being said, I plan to enjoy one large serving of Blueberry Crunch today for the sake of a healthy mind and get back on the healthy body train shortly thereafter. Indulging every now and then is not going to derail your progress, and sometimes you gotta keep your brain in-tact before you can keep your tummy in-check. Ya feel me?

If you make Blueberry Crunch, you'll have to let me know how it turns out! It's equally as delicious if you use cherry pie filling in place of the blueberry + pineapple mixture....just saying!

Do you have any favorite recipes for the 4th? I'd love to hear! Stay safe tomorrow and enjoy the Party in the USA!

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cookie monster chronicles: part 2

I promised I'd update you on the status of #cookiebattle2015, so here I am. 

My second attempt at grain free cookies was a success, I suppose. No, they didn't satisfy my major craving for homemade chocolate chip cookies, but if I closed my eyes and tried really hard, it was almost like I was eating an almond joy. 

I guess that could be referred to as a win-lose? They taste just "healthy" enough that I'm not tempted to eat the whole batch at once. Another win-lose, I think?

I found these grain free, coconut flour cookies via Pinterest. I made a few edits in my version below...the name, being one. The dough was very crumbly and hard to form cookies out of, but it seems to hold together OK once baked. They look a lot denser and drier than they actually are. 

These were good, don't get me wrong, but I think I'm going to make the real deal next and finally satisfy my cookie craving. 

Paleo Almond Joy Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of coconut flour (SAMs has really great prices if you use coconut flour a lot!)

• 1/2 cup of coconut oil ( ^^^ )

• 3 tbs of raw honey

• 4 eggs

• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

• 1/8 tsp of sea salt

• 1/2 cup of shredded unsweetened coconut (I used sweetened because I had it on hand. Oops. This may have contributed to the almond joy taste.)

• 1/2 cups of dark chocolate chips (the original recipe called for more, but I think they turned out too chocolatey. Go ahead and add 3/4 cup if you are a chocoholic. I used the chips with the least amount of added sugar I could find. I think mini-chips would work best as the large ones made the balls of dough hard to form. You could also chop them into smaller pieces.)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375.
2. Melt the honey and coconut oil together in the microwave for 15-30 seconds.
3. In a large bowl mix together the coconut oil, honey, eggs, vanilla and salt.
4. Stir in the coconut flour, coconut and chocolate chips.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat and roll balls of cookie dough. Place on the baking sheet and gently press down. They will not expand while baking, so make them the shape you want to eat!
6. Bake for 12-15 or until golden brown.

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cookie monster chronicles

I'll admit it. I'm a cookie monster. I have absolutely zero self control when cookies are placed in front of me and I'm OK with that.

HOWEVER. I try to live a mostly healthy lifestyle (think: limited amounts of grains, sugar and alcohol) and 17 (because I'd eat at least 17) delicious fresh baked cookies don't exactly fit the criteria.

Insert grain free, paleo-ish, chocolate chip cookies. I feel like these are healthy enough that you don't blow your entire diet and use up a cheat meal, but they still give you some* cookie satisfaction. This recipe only makes 12 cookies, so you are forced to spread them out over a few meals.....as opposed to eating 17 of the 36 cookies my usual recipe makes within the first 20 minutes they come out of the oven. Oops.

I found this recipe via Pinterest. I made a few extra notes on my version below. They turned out very fluffy, almost cake-like, which I didn't particularly love, but my hubby sure did. I found a different grain free version that I plan on testing out over the weekend in our fancy new oven range. I'll be sure to keep you posted on the outcome! #cookiebattle2015

*note: they most certainly did not fill the chocolate chip cookie void I've been experiencing as of late, but they will get me by a while longer until I can bake my usual recipe for a crowd and not be "forced" to eat them all myself

Coconut Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies (Grain Free)
Makes 12 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli, but had to chop them into smaller pieces. I tried for the chips with the least amount of added sugar.)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper. 
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients except the chocolate chips. It will start off runny, but will thicken as the coconut flour absorbs the moisture. Add in chocolate chips and stir to distribute.
3. Roll a tablespoon of dough into a ball and flatten on cookie sheet. These cookies will not spread on their own, so shape them how you want them to turn out.
4. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are golden brown.

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Foodie Friday | Apple Spice Cookies

I'm sure your Pinterest boards are covered in every kind of pumpkin spice thing you can imagine. Girls are walking around in UGGs and scarves with PSLs in hand, pretending its cold outside when really its 82 degrees. I'm guilty, I'll admit it. I will never stop wearing UGGS with shorts or scarves with tanks. I'm ready for fall temps, but here in Okla., 82 is about as "fally" as it gets, so you have to trick your self into believing sweatpants and hot chocolate are OK.

So, if you're like me and longing for the toasty warmth of a wooly blanket and crackling fire but don't have the luxury of real-life fall weather, try these cookies. They'll at least have your taste buds thinking its crisp outside.

Apple Spice Cookies

I ate them too fast to take a picture. Sorry.

via Jens Front Porch

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2 sticks butter, softened

1 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1 large egg

1 cup chopped apple (or a little more)

1/4 cup apple cider (the good stuff w/the spices at the bottom of the jug - shake it up, shake it up) 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add the egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg in a bowl and gradually add to the butter-sugar-egg mixture until combined. Then add in chopped apples and apple cider to combine. 

Drop by large (and I mean large) spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake for 18-22 minutes. 

Eat. Probably all in one sitting. Because they're that good. 

Now I'm off to spend the weekend at the cabin, laying in a hammock and trying to convince myself that its sweater weather. I'll probably break a sweat, but who cares. Its principle.

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Foodie Friday | "Healthy" Chocolate Mug Cake

Something about combining the words "healthy" and "cake" just doesn't seem right. Lets get this straight: by healthy, I mean Paleo. It makes me feel a little less guilty about stuffing my face with cake like a ruffle clad, icing-covered baby at their first birthday party. Whether its "healthy" or not could be debatable, but I feel like its at least better than the Molten Chocolate Lava cake alternative...right? Totally. AND, its a single-serving size. Win.

Paleo Chocolate Mug Cake

1 banana

1 egg

2 Tbls cocoa

2-3 Tbls almond butter

A drizzle of honey

A little coconut, if desired

Grease a large mug. In a bowl, mash banana. Mix in egg, cocoa, almond butter, honey and coconut. Stir until blended (banana will have some chunks). Poor into mug. Microwave on high 2-3 minutes, or until set. Eat, duh.

You can thank me later.

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Health Nut Status.

I'm nearing the end of my Paleo journey....or at least the slotted amount of time I designated as "Paleo." I'm assuming you all want the low-down and my thoughts on the matter, correct? I knew it.

What I liked:

• I was forced to cook. This meant more variety and tastier food (really tasty!).
• I could eat as much as I wanted (no starving yourself) as long as it fit the Paleo criteria.
• There are so many substitutions for my favorite foods (ex: Paleo cookies) 
• I got creative, made up my own delicious recipes, and discovered new recipes and new foods that I really like.
• I felt better about myself. I felt healthier, lighter, and enjoyed challenging myself in a new way.
• I never had that post-meal bloat. I was never too full and never had a tummy ache or heartburn after eating (something I struggled with pre-Paleo). 
• It really transformed my eating habits. I crave good, clean food and love veggies. Who knew?!

What was hard:

• I was forced to cook. No more freezer meals in the blink of an eye or cereal for dinner - I had to set aside time to cook. 
• I had to plan ahead. This was hard. I don't know what will sound good to eat tomorrow, let alone Friday!
• I didn't lose those "last five pounds" like I wanted to. But I also didn't workout very hard due to the extreme Okla. heat and humidity.... Don't worry, Paleo, I'll take the blame on that one.
• I felt guilty after indulging in cheat meals. This should probably be a positive....
• It was really hard to stick with Paleo on the weekends. Going out to eat with friends or visiting someone....you don't want to be "that person" that people cater to, or be rude by turning down what you're offered.
• No cupcakes or ice cream. Ah, the struggle was real, people... I cheated a few times. 

Thank goodness bacon is Paleo.

So what now? I'm bound and determined to lose those last five pounds before I head off to Mexico with my tall drink of water for a beach vacation (!!!!!). But I also really want a cupcake..... So, I'm going to try to get the best of both worlds. I will continue being about 90% Paleo - I'll stick with the basics (meat, veggies, fruits and nuts) but not be quite as strict with it (ie: cupcakes are allowed on occasion and in moderation). That works, right?!

It was weird to me that the foods I expected to struggle with (goldfish, yogurt, oreos and creamer in my coffee) haven't phased me. I found Paleo substitutions that work just fine. The daily desert struggle was tough, I'm not gonna lie, but maybe if I found a great Paleo cupcake recipe, I'd be satisfied? Nahhh.....

Here's to being a health nut. I drank the kool-aid and I can't turn back now.

__________________________________________________________

If any of you are interested in Paleo (or just some delicious clean eating!) check out the following blogs and sites. They are full of fantastic recipes and Paleo information, tested and approved by yours truly.

www.paleomg.com

www.paleocupboard.com

www.nomnompaleo.com

www.preppypaleo.com

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You can't have cookies for breakfast.

Its no secret that Cookie Monster had a large influence on my life. I adore cookies. I can't say no to cookies. I love every kind of cookie (with the exception of white chocolate macadamia nut - bleh). My life motto is:

"Today, I will live in the moment...unless its unpleasant, in which case I will eat a cookie." (see gif at right)

**You can also replace the word "cookie" with "cupcake" and the above statements would still be true.

That being said, I was a little worried when I first decided to go paleo. What would I bake on Sunday evenings? What would I eat for desert? More importantly, how would I survive?! I'd made a few paleo cookie recipes before, but they were never mind blowing. They always cost too much money (almond flour is not a cheap), some went bad too quickly (banana based cookies need to be kept in the fridge, FYI) and they just didn't do it for me.

No fear, the perfect paleo cookie is here. Its name implies that its a "breakfast cookie," which immediately made me think of the early '90s Cookie Crisp commercial, "You can't have cookies for breakfast!" with the old school cop and robber mascots. Presh. In this instance, however, I suppose that rule is out the window. You can totally have paleo cookies for breakfast.

editor's note: they are delicious any time of day.

Paleo Breakfast Cookies

1 cup almond butter
1 egg
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
3 cups total mix-ins of choice (ie: dried fruit, nuts, coconut, dark choc chips)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt 

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients and mix until blended. Drop by tablespoons onto a greased baking sheet. Press down slightly with hand. Bake 12-15 minutes. 

I've made them with dried cranberries, coconut and dark chocolate chips. I've also made them with dried cherries, coconut and pecans (I've used honey both times). Both ways are delicious, but the outcome is completely different. The versatility and ease of these cookies is what makes them great (and, of course, the fact that you can eat them for breakfast!).

Enjoy!

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Me, Cavewoman.

My metabolism isn't what it used to be. Long gone are the days of eating donuts, Lunchables and mac and cheese without it appearing on my waistline soon after (don't get me wrong, I still sneak some every now and then). I have to work hard to look good; I run, I do yoga, I do a lot of cardio and I am a conscious eater...most days. It doesn't come easy, despite what some people think.

I've spent the last few weeks in Tulsa working the Pinto World Championship horse show, and my healthy lifestyle has gone out the window. Working 18-hour days means that sleep is more important than squeezing in a workout. My food options have been anything less than healthy: lasagna for lunch, chicken fried steak for dinner and mashed potatoes galore (not the mashed cauliflower version, either). There is a smorgasbord of junk food available 24/7; everything from ice cream to M&Ms, Cheez-Its to poptarts. Calories on calories on calories. Its dangerous, lemme tell ya. I have tried to stick to my guns, but some days I fail miserably. I just can't say no to cookies.....its a serious problem. I need a cleanse. I never thought I, Amanda Bradley, would crave vegetables, but I would kill for some green beans and asparagus right about now.

In light of my recent unhealthiness and my upcoming Caribbean vacation, I've decided to go Paleo for a month when I get home from Tulsa. Luckily, I have Paleo experts Cole and Ryan to assist me throughout this endeavor (I'd be a failure without their support, for sure). I may still slip up on 4th of July weekend...but it would be un-American of me if I didn't eat homemade ice cream and cobbler on the US of A's b-day, right?!

Paleo Pancakes - tested and approved. 

I thought it would be hard to give up things like goldfish, yogurt, cookies, cheese and bread. I mean, they are major staples in my diet, lets get real here.... But there are a ton of clean eating options to substitute with. Ice cream made from coconut milk, honey and fruit, Cheez-Its made from nuts and seasonings, pancakes made from bananas, eggs and almond butter, dried green beans, kale chips....the options are endless. Clean eating can be delicious. You better believe I will be experimenting to find the best Paleo-friendly cookie out there....

So, what is Paleo? Its clean eating: whole food, real food, natural food. Nothing processed or refined. Its often thought of as the "caveman diet." Meats, eggs, veggies, fruits and nuts. The good stuff.

I've been living a "semi-Paleo" lifestyle for a while pre-world show, so I won't be switching over cold turkey (thank goodness). However, giving up those last few staple foods will be challenging. Breakfast is going to be a tough one for me to conquer; I need my yogurt and granola... But don't worry, I'm not going to be a crazy crash dieter. I'm more focused on living a healthy lifestyle than losing those five extra L.B.s. I promise I won't turn into one of those crazy health nuts, either. I'll be craving a Big Mac like nobody's business before long (its a fact). Until then, I will be enjoying my last few bags of goldfish while I still can.

Wish me luck! 

*side note: I apologize to anyone who follows me on Pinterest for the excessive amount of Paleo recipes I will be pinning. Also, if anyone has recipe suggestions, please let me know!

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cuppies for clovers

I consider myself to be a cupcake connoisseur. I have searched high and low for the best cupcakes in Oklahoma City (Green Goodies gets a W in my book). In a perfect world, I would be able to try all of the cupcake recipes I pinned on Pinterest with out my waistline being affected..... Who wants to volunteer to sample them for me?! Any takers? (The catch is that you have to pay for the ingredients too, but shhh, don't tell!)

Every holiday is an excuse to bake, right? Right. St. Patty's Day is upon us, and you know what that means: beer. Lots and lots of beer. Why not combine beer and cupcakes (two of life's great pleasures) and mix up a batch of these super easy, 3-ingredient Guinness Cupcakes? They are Amanda tested, Cole and Ryan approved. You won't be disappointed, I promise. 

Guinness Cupcakes

Ingredients: 

• 1 box German Chocolate Cake Mix
• 1 12 ou. Guinness 
• 1 container of cream cheese icing (or make your own!)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Combine Guinness and cake mix. Mix well and transfer to lined cupcake tin and bake 19-22 minutes.
3. Let cool and frost. 

If you wanted, you could add green food coloring to the frosting to be extra festive for St. Patty's Day. You could even experiment with adding some Bailey's to the frosting.... mmm... I think I'll give that a try next time. 

P.S. Want to know where to get a good steak (errr, in my case, catfish) in Fort Cobb, Okla.? Stay tuned!

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never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker

Hellooooooo fall!

Compared to the calendar, its been "autumn" for a while now, but today is the first really crisp fall day in good ole' Oklahoma. I'm wearing a sweater for the first time, had to turn on the heater in my car and could see my breath as I walked into the office (OK, that part is a lie). I'm in heaven! I've been drinking apple cider (sometimes spiked...), burning apple and cinnamon scented candles and pretending its cold enough to wear sweat pants for a while now.... But something about it being iced cider and paring sweat pants with a tank top and flip flops just didn't feel right.

Even though the leaves don't reeeeally change color here, they still fall from the trees and need to be raked. As happy as I am that I'm about to NOT have to mow any more, raking has never been my favorite thing (cue the blisters, folks!). Luckily, my little friend Linus has given me some good advice..... "Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker!" Hopefully Chloe will be as helpful as Snoopy.

Considering its fall, everyone is all about pumpkin this and pumpkin that. I really don't like pumpkin spice lattes (go ahead and call me crazy), but I'll go for some pumpkin bread or cookies any day. I found this nifty recipe on good ole' pinterest and just had to give it a try. I accidentally grabbed chocolate chips instead of white chocolate, but it was still pretty tasty. If you're in the pumpkin mood like all of America seems to be, give these suckers a try. They won't disappoint.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups oats
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cherries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla; mix well. Add flour mixture; combine until all ingredients are incorporated. Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cherries.
4. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

For those of you following the mouse hunt, I finally discovered the source of the smell. Chloe used her K-9 sense of smell and kept sticking her head in a basket of blankets I had. I figured she just wanted to shred the stuffed bear that was in the basket, as she has been in the destructive mood lately. But, after a few days of going straight to the basket every time she came in the house (and the smell not getting any better), I figured I better check it out..... Or get Cole to do it. Good thing I did...... When he pulled the blankets out and shook them, a dead mouse fell on the floor. GAG. Luckily, after getting it out of the house and throwing the blankets away, the smell was gone in a matter of minutes. Thank you, Chloe! I guess she is earning her keep after all. 

Also, for anyone interested, my latest issue of Pinto Horse is now posted online! Check it out here: http://issuu.com/pintohorse/docs/fall2012. 

Later alligator.  

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