A Big Post for The Big Move

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I am as happy as I’ve been in years right now!!!!  I just bought a house and we are about to move in!!!!!  In an hour.  Well, the buying process started the last weekend of April, so a mere 4.5 months later, the day is finally here!

I had intended to send this post out 2 days ago from San Diego, but time got away from me.  Just as well, because in the past 48 hours we hit more snags that a raggedy blanket has, but now all is well and we are about to unpack!!!  

Thanks also to everyone who commented that they missed me and I am really glad you enjoyed my dairy-free crack post, I mean ice cream post!!! 

Also, thanks to everyone for getting all excited about the contest and entering.  Lucky winners announced on Monday!  And then, I have another contest already lined up after that one so stay tuned…

Ok here’s the post I never sent but am finally sending:

After 5 years of living in Southern California, we are moving to Arizona and cannot wait!  For as much as we have enjoyed SoCal, we are so thrilled about becoming home owners in AZ!!!  Woo-hoo!!!  Buying a house, in a different state, in this economy has been harder than trying to crack the DaVinci Code, but we are finally moving.  Today actually.  The movers are going to be here today to load our truck and then bon voyage, a nice drive through the desert en route to our new digs!  Unfortunately, I’m not sure about the internet situation for the first few days we’re going to be in our brand new house getting settled in. And I will be up to my eyeballs in boxes….fun times.  So the posts may be a little shorter and I may have to take a day off, but I’m thinkin’ of you….

So for my last California post…

I made myself a Vanilla Breakfast Cookie.  This worked so well.  Mmmmm….yum.
1/3 c oats, 1 Scoop Sun Warrior Vanilla BRPP, 1 small mashed nanna, dashes of vanilla, agave, & stevia.  Going into the fridge…

Vanilla Breakfast Cookie in pattered shallow dish

…And coming out the next morning.  Really hits the spot and keeps me satisfied.  Since I’ve got just a few boxes to hump, I need fuel.  For anyone who wants to see Gena’s original how-to on this bad boy, here ya go.

Chilled Vanilla Breakfast Cookie in pattered shallow dish 
 
 
There is a new sheriff in town and his name is Mr. Sunbutter.  This stuff is my new crack.  I think the raw vegan brownies, although I have had a really nice run with them, may be going on break.  At least til I bust through this jar of sunflower seed butter.  This stuff is my new religion for midnight munchin’.
 Container of Trader Joe's Sunflower Seed Butter

Stats

Nutrient Label of Sunflower Seed Butter on container

I have to thank my new bloggie friend, Deb, for the recommendation.  I asked her if she had to pick just one or two different butters…between almond, peanut, sunflower, or whatever….what she would choose?  

She mentioned a specialty, boutique-ish PB that I was not familiar with.  And she also mentioned Sunflower Seed Butter for it’s wonderfully sweet, rich taste.  Oh…I definitely concur.

My only complaint, and this is because I really love a good thick, heavy, hunk-o-peanutbutter, where it’s so thick that you can hardly get it off your knife…well, the Sunflower Seed Butter is a little thin.  No where near as thin as AB, but not as thick as PB.  The SB is also needs to be stirred.  Normally, for PB I like the no-stir formulas like Marantha.

But cest la freakin’ vie, the taste of the SB rocks, so I’ll deal with the thinner texture and stirring needs.  I’ve dealt with far worse.  Can anyone say, interstate real estate transaction and interstate move with a 2 year old in tow?  I rest my case.

Moving right along (on the long desert highway, hopefully, by the time you’re reading this)…

If you thought the medjool action with PB and dark choco chips was good, wait til you see how I’ve pimped up this game.  My twist on Sliders.

Medjools + ….

Four Dates on paper towel

….+ Sunflower Seed Butter + …

Tamper in jar of sunflower seed butter

…. + Raw Cocao Nibs = Mouthgasm
(Sorry the raw cocoa nibs kept falling off and weren’t lookin’ pretty so they didn’t make the final photo lineup here, but use your oh-so-vivid imagination)

Hand holding cocoa nib dipped in sunflower seed butter

The folks at Navitas Naturals hooked me up with some Raw Cocao Nibs and I could not be happier to indulge my chocolate cravings than with something raw & organic that tastes as sweet and yum as those little buggers do on my sliders.  And after sitting in the 100 degree heat in a moving truck, I can vouch, they’re still intact.  Wish I was.

Package of Sweet Raw Chocolate Nibs
Nutrient label of Cocoa Nibs

So after all that nutbutter and chocolate eating, it’s probably time for something greener.  I know just the thing.  My dinner.  B.S., greens, red & yellow pepps, tomatoes, and OJ, agave, & cracked black for my dressing.

Mixed Vegetables and Greens in Dressing

And there was also this plate of rabbit nibbles.  Greens, cukes, & red pepps.

Greens with cucumbers and diced red peppers

En route to the new casa, I’ve got plenty of road food to take….

Like Pure Bars

Hand holding Pure Cranberry Orange Bar in package

And some dried fruit like raisins and these cranberries from Equal Exchange

Package or Organic Dried Sweetened Cranberries

And of course fresh fruit like apples and blueberries

Blueberries

And veggies to munch on like carrot sticks

Sliced and stacked carrot sticks

And a coupla green juices to wash it all down with.

Green Juices in Blender Bottles in refrigerator

What do you like to munch on on road trips??

Since I may have to skip a day with posting, I’ll grace you with some extra pics today.

First, house pics, courtesy of my iphoto stash of pics I took about 5 months ago when the house was not yet even completed.

The outside, still under construction
Outside of new home under construction
This is Skylar and me standing in the unfinished kitchen/dining room area 5 months ago.
Woman and young girl standing in unfinished kitchen/dining room
My semi-finished kitchen. I plan to be spending lots of time there and I am so thrilled to have an unobstructed view out my kitchen window and compared to my downtown San Diego urban kitchen, this bad boy new kitchen is like Kitchen Stadium on Iron Chef for me! I cannot wait! Stainless, granite, and nice cabinets. Seriously, it’s like the best thing ever for me. I cannot express how grateful I am to be moving into this house. Really, words cannot describe the gratitude I have for this house that I will make into our home. It’s been a loooonggg time in the making getting here, and we’re so ready!
Kitchen in new home
And here’s a few extra Yoga shots du jour

Contemplating Mayurasana

Woman beginning the Mayurasana yoga pose

This pose requires sheer brute strength.  And flexibility because you have to get in full lotus with your legs…

Woman doing the Mayurasana yoga pose

And then kid, pick yourself up.  Feminists eat your heart out because in yoga traditions, women are allowed to cheat in mayurasana and not fully extend your legs because we have higher center’s of gravity so we are given the cheat card of crossing your legs in lotus, theoretically making the pose easier.  Of course, feel free and extend your legs like this chap.

Woman doing the Mayurasana yoga pose

This is one of the asanas that is a work in progress for me.  If anyone has any tips, bring ’em!

This asana is not a work in progress.  This is urdhva muka paschimottasana grabbing the big toes.

Woman doing urdhva muka paschimottasana yoga pose

And now urdhva muka paschimottasana wrapping the outsides of the feet.  Pretend you’re an Olympic diver and you’re going into a pike position.   Conjure up the mental image of Greg Louganis in a yellow speedo if you’re taking your yoga practice a bit too seriously.  You’ll snap right out of it.

Woman doing urdhva muka paschimottasana yoga pose

:)
Averie

P.S.  Please take advantage of the contest I have going on, my first one!   If you haven’t heard yet, here are all the spectacular details.  Go getcha self entered!

Wish me luck on my move and getting a few essentials unpacked…like my pillow and my Vita-Mix.  A girls’ best friends.

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

Comments

  1. Love the yummy food! I'm glad the AZ heat isn't killing your runs:)

    My favorite go-to knife, my Cutco Santoku knife! Love it!

  2. your crazy yoga skills blow my mind and thank you for your constant bfast cookie love and shout outs :D
    i'm so glad you enjoy them!
    hope you're having a great night

  3. I love looking at your pictures at the end of your posts. I want to challenge myself with some of those poses :D

    -Katharina

  4. As much as I hate moving, isn't it fun to set up shop in your new place? I love shopping for a new house. :))) Loving that upside down pic of the Vitamix :)

  5. Hooray for more shopping!! Enjoy it.

    Mmm, mmm Sunbutter – love the stuff as well :) It's INCREDIBLE on medjools!!

    Another fabulous yoga pose – I'm starting to feel less sore, so maybe I can try it out soon :)

  6. I still need to put my Vitamix and try your soft serve!! Looks delicioso… :)

    I've been working on my crane a lot! In fact (and this is pathetically sad) I recorded myself briefly to have you look at the vid and tell me if I'm doing it right. When I upload it do you mind correcting me? It's TOUGH!! Thank you!! You're my yoga-heroine. :)

  7. Deb-I graze thru lunch, protein shakes, fruit, whatevah. Wrote a bit more on your bloggie.

    Shanghai Monkey-Thanks for sayin hi and enjoy the yoga!

    K- Ikea knife, good to know it's ok. I would have hesitated but we all have that one knife that's like your go to jeans, your go to knife. Well, I need another go-to. The Henckles is starting to annoy. Tupperware, yeah it has BPA but it sure is functional :)

    Cindy-Invest my dear. Just do it. It's $450 bucks for the basic setup plus tax and seriously will change your life. Glad I'm makin ya hungry :)

    This has been a slower commenting day, what's goin on, are people actually working today ?! LOL

  8. your vitaGOD creations are killing me! time to start saving any extra pennies!

    i'd use that more than a dehydrator right now!

    looks like your getting settled right in!

    so happy for you!

  9. I love the idea of putting the breakfast cookies in a Tupperware container! I really need to try those out for myself – they look delicious!

    My favorite knife is actually from Ikea. I can't find it on the website but it's large and in charge and gets the job done :)

  10. I have a totally cheap butchers knife I got at a Japanese market. Use it every day all day.

    BTW do you eat lunch? I can't remember seeing a photo of what your lunches look like? Perhaps I just am being dumb and dumberererr.