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Having a blog has been a goal of mine for quite a while. I didn’t quite know how to get started, what I wanted to share, or what my motivation was to be honest. I realized that my hesitation was coming from a place of fear. Fear of not having a lot of technical skills, the commitment to adding something else to my schedule, and worry of no one actually stopping by! However, if I have learned anything from working at lululemon it is to a) acknowledge your goal. For me this actually meant verbalizing it! b) break things down into small steps and have a support system! So many people have given me the courage to give this blogging thing a try. My girlfriends, fellow demonstrators, my awesome lemons and my family. I am so thankful to Pam especially for helping me build this space with patience and for her amazing photography. I don’t think I have ever looked better :) or my favourite space has ever felt more amazing.

My Lifestyle section is where I plan on sharing things that are not Stampin’ Up! related so drop in here from time to time to check out some of my favourite recipes, my fun sweat stories, life hacks (kidding, I seriously have none!) stories about my kids or dog, life musings—-you get the drift!

Oreo Popcorn

This is the easiest recipe I have! 3 ingredients—microwave popcorn, Wilton Candy Melts and Oreos! To create this you will need 2-3 bags of microwave popcorn, one bag of white candy melts and one bag of Oreo’s (crushed). Toss the popcorn and Oreos in a huge bowl, melt your chocolate, pour on top and shake everything to coat. Set out on waxed paper or tin foil to harden. I store mine in an airtight container but it actually doesn’t last that long!

This is one of my kids favourite treats. It is requested a lot as a treat to take to share at school with friends and is basically a Christmas staple!

Good Morning Granola

I have been making this granola recipe, ripped from a Martha Stewart magazine, for at least 10 years. One would think I would know it from heart (I do not!). Here it is…

Makes 6 1/2 cups

1/2 c shredded coconut

4 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats!)

1/4 c toasted wheat germ (sometimes I substitute flax)

1/4 c sunflower seeds

1 c coarsely chopped almonds

1 tbsp sesame seeds

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 c honey

1/2 c melted butter

1/2 c golden raisins (you can omit if you are not a raisin fan)

Heat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment and toast coconut (approx 5 min). Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Reduce oven temp to 300. Line two baking sheets with parchment and set aside. In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients together except the raisins. In a smaller bowl mix the honey and butter together and pour over oat mixture. Stir well and spread on baking sheets. Bake until golden, approx 25 min. Transfer to a rack to cool. Break up granola, mix in coconut and raisins. Store in an airtight container and ENJOY!

Seriously, try this with your yogurt!

I eat this every single morning. Fun fact!

Brenda's Banana Bread

Over the years there is one class treat that I have shared repeatedly and always with fan fair! I am going to share my secret not so secret Banana Bread recipe with you. I believe the origin of this recipe came from my mom. I always write my favourite recipe’s on recipe cards and in the top corner I write who shared this recipe with me. Its a part of memory keeping!

Brenda’s Banana Bread

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

4 ripe bananas, mashed

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

Grease and flour a muffin tin pan (I use the square muffin pan from Pampered Chef). Add the butter to sugar and cream; add eggs and bananas and combine. Separately, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture and combine. Add vanilla. You can add in chocolate chips too! I usually toss a couple of handfuls in.

Bake for 25 min at 350! Enjoy!