The Safari has come to the La Jolla Farmer's Market

I have found the perfect snack, breakfast, and yogurt topping in SAFARI CRUNCH.  This granola is the best that I have found out there. 

First, it is made and mixed by hand which means that you can actually bite the pieces.  They aren't little, tiny microscopic morsels.  Many times when granola is mixed it is done by a big machine which crumbles everything so that there is no real crunch.  This is not the case with SAFARI CRUNCH.

There are also big pieces of ingredients in this granola.  My absolute favorite is the NUTTY NJALA.  This granola has actual macadamia nuts in it.....just like the ones that you spend tons of money on at the grocery store.  There are rolled oats, puffed wheat, almonds, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds and more in this mix.  This is a sweeter granola but there are other mixes that range in the sweetness level. 

I encourage you to check out SAFARI CRUNCH.  This is an amazing granola and a wonderful local company that truly wants to give everyone a taste that satisfies and fills your heart and tummy!

www.safaricrunch.com

La Jolla Farmer's Market

Today was an amazing day at the Farmer's Market.  It was the first time, in a long time that my husband and I were able to go all alone, (without children) and really take in all the new and amazing vendors.

I couldn't believe how much the market has grown over the last year.  It seems to me that so many people are trying to get back to the basics of life.  They want to take in the sights and tastes of the world around them and truly go local. 

As part of this blog each week I am going to post something about a local company that has made its way into my heart.  Today that company is Pacific Beach Peanut Butter. 

Pacific Beach Peanut Butter.......what can I say?  Today was the first day that I have seen them at the La Jolla Farmer's Market.  They switch off and are at this location, I believe every other week.  They are also at the Little Italy Market.  They offer a wide assortment of amazing peanut butters that can only be described as a party in my mouth.  Today I was able to sample the Toffee peanut butter and CinnaYum. 

The Toffee is one of the best sellers and brings up images of eating a Heath Bar dipped in peanut butter....so good.  The other that I tried was CinnaYum (hopefully I spelled that right?).  This was not only a fantastic treat that I could see devouring in one sitting, it has great potential for so many many people.  CinnaYum has 0 grams of sugar and I believe only 3 carbs......Definitely need to tell some people about this since it could be a great treat for those who are diabetic or watching their sugar intake. 

The other great thing about this company is that they package in glass jars, yes you read that right...real glass, and if you bring back the empty jar you get a discount off your next purchase.  They use all natural ingredients and have a down home attitude that makes you want to support them. 

With so many flavors to try I have a feeling that this may be a purchase that I will have to make weekly.  Today I bought the CinnaYum, Dark Chocolate and Child's Play (which has M&M's in it).  Next time I will be picking up the Chocolate Raspberry which in the company's brilliance is designed to take the place of jam...sort of like a 2 in 1.  Talk about a time saver for snacks. 

Pacific Beach Peanut Butter can be found at www.WannaSpoon.com  I encourage you to check it out, grab a spoon and get ready to say "MMMMMMMmmmmm".

Happy New Year!!

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  I know that the new year really began yesterday but for me, it will never begin until the Rose Parade steps off.  I marched in that parade 19 years ago and my high school band marched in it today.  It was such a great feeling watching that band as it went down the parade route in its regal style.

I hope that this year I can share some ideas and thoughts that will make life simple while bringing the family back to basics.  My goal is to share 150 recipes this year.....hope you will be keeping track. :)

Today I start with giving you a recipe for the easiest ham and egg cup ever.  They can be modified to fit whatever flavor you are looking for.


Ham and Egg Cups

Ham slices - (I use Black Forest Ham from the deli, you need to have enough to use 2 slices per cup you would like to make)
Cheese
Eggs
Salt and pepper
Melted butter (about 2 tablespoons)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Take one Muffin Tin and butter the bottom and sides of each cup you will be using

Use 2 slices per cup and put them in the cup crisscrossed so each area is covered (this can be a bit easier if the ham is not straight from the fridge or microwaved for a few seconds.

Put a bit of cheese in the bottom of each cup

Crack an egg into each cup and top with a bit of salt and pepper (I am not the best at egg cracking so I crack them in a bowl and gently move them to the ham cup)

Bake them for about 15 to 20 minutes or until set to your liking.

This can be modified -

If you like your eggs scrambled you can mix them up before putting them in the cups.

For a southwestern flavor...use mexican cheese on the bottom and use diced green chiles in the scrambled eggs.

It is all up to you.  This recipe can also be frozen once made.  Just microwave them for about a minute when reheating.

Hope you enjoy this recipe.....see you soon!!

And Here We Go Again.......

Well..it has been a while since I have posted and I am sorry about that.  This has been a year full of ups and downs and finally the craziness has subsided a little.

Starting after the New Year I will post often and have some great new information for you.

This will be a year that brings us back to the basics  The basics of life, food, and family.

As we enter this holiday season let's bring the focus back to the importance of the season...spending time with our family and loved ones.  Remembering what is important in the grand scheme of life.

Also, I found a great site for everyone to visit,  www.drsearsfamilyessentials.com This site has some great products and I hope that you find them useful for your own families.

Have a wonderful holiday season and see you in the new year.

city wife

No More Hangers.....???

This is it...School is starting in a few more weeks and I am so excited, as many mothers are I am sure.  As I went shopping for back to school clothes I had visions of coming home and hanging them up and getting everything organized before the chaos of the school year.  That plan went out the window about 15 minutes into the organizational process.

I ran out of hangers...

This wouldn't seem like such a big deal except for the fact that I have 100 hangers for only two boys.  What the heck?  When did this happen?

When did there become so much stuff for two boys.  This is the time to start purging....a lot.  No kid needs that many things and I only hang up T-shirts.

Excess is one of the things that breeds chaos.  When there is so much there is no peace and so much stress.  This will be the path of clearing the stuff.  And it has to start now.

Hello Again

Hello friends.  I am so sorry that it has been such a long time since I have posted.  Life here has been a roller coaster of emotions.

My mother passed away a month ago very unexpectedly and my husband's grandmother passed away the next day.  Life has been a bit topsy-turvy trying to maintain calm and order for the family and our kids.

I will be posting a recipe in the next week that I can remember my mother making all the time for me.  I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Salted Caramel Bars

I wanted to give you this amazing recipe for Salted Caramel Bars.  These are super yummy and really satisfy the need for that sweet and salty combo....which I love! 


Salted Caramel Bars


For the Salted Caramel Sauce:


1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon sea salt
3 1/2 tablespoons butter


In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves. 
Increase the heat and bring to a boil, without stirring. (It is very important to resist the urge to stir..just leave it)  Boil until the syrup is a deep amber color, about 5 to 6 minutes.
Remove the sugar from the heat and carefully whisk in the heavy cream. The mixture will bubble. Stir in the unsalted butter, and salt. Transfer the caramel to a dish and cool.


Now for the Bars...get ready for your mouth to water!!


Ingredients


2 cups flour
1 3/4 cup quick cooking oats
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) softened unsalted butter
3/4 cup chopped pecans 
1 cup chocolate chips or you can scrape pieces off a large chocolate bar
2 1/2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups of the Salted Caramel Sauce



Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch pan.
Combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and softened butter in a bowl and mix until crumbly. Divide the mixture into 2 equal portions.
Press half the crumb mixture in the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and cool slightly.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips, and chopped pecans over the cooled crust. Mix the salted caramel sauce, and flour together, and drizzle over the chocolate chips, and nuts. (Mixing the flour into the Salted Caramel Sauce allows the sauce to thicken just a bit)  Top with the remaining crumb mixture.
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust starts to brown. Allow the pan to cool, and refrigerate it until the caramel filling is set.


Cut into bars and enjoy!


Hope that you try these and let me know what you think!