Farro is the New Quinoa

What is Farro?

Farro is originally a middle eastern grain that is now predominately used and produced in Italy. Farro is a in the wheat family, however it is most similar to barley. When its cooked it resembles a puff of rice, however much more of a nutty, earthy flavor. You can cook it with water, or chicken broth to add some flavor. 

Is Farro good for you?

Farro is a hearty grain that is super healthy. In my opinion, I think it is the new Quinoa. It has the same health benefits but in my opinion, tastes better. It is very high in anti-oxidants, protein, phytonutrients, lignans and betaine, which helps your liver function and helps you metabolize.

Farro is a overall really healthy grain and is a great healthy substitute for those pasta and carb cravings!

I made my Farro with dinner last night. You put farro in a sauce pan with a 3 to 1 ratio of liquid to farro. If you are cooking one cup of farro, you would need 3 cups of chicken broth or water.

Farro can also resemble risotto in the way that it absorbs the chicken broth making it a more flavorful and creamy flavor, without the extra calories!

I cooked mine with chicken broth, along side a salad, chicken breast and lemon roasted asparagus.

Try it, you'll love it!

illustration

Heres another illustration I did :)

Peanut Butter Granola Bites

Today I made these easy, 5 minute peanut butter granola bites, and they turned out amazing.

They are healthy, yummy, and a perfect snack for on the go. 

 Try for yourself :)

Peanut Butter Granola Bites

 1 & 3/4 C old fashion oats 

1 C granola (I used a organic honey version from Wegmans) 

1/2 C pumpkin seeds (or any seeds of your choice)

1/4 C dried cranberries

1/3 C honey

1/3 C creamy peanut butter (melted)

Combine all dry ingredients. Add honey. Melt peanut butter, then add that. combine until wet. Then form into bite-sized balls. (If it seems to dry, you can add more pb or honey)

Refrigerate to firm up and enjoy!

Hipster Haberdasher

 

Recently, I came across this amazing etsy shop, Hipster Haberdasher. I had been looking for a cute case for my macbook to bring to school. When I go to class or wherever I need to take my computer I take all my notes and things on my laptop so its pretty much the only thing besides my phone. But sometimes I like to have pens and post-its with me just in case I need them. So this etsy shop had the most adorable macbook cases that is not only a beautiful chevron print, but also has a spot for pens, glasses, phones or whatever you may need to bring with you! Its perfect!

Rasberry Gorgonzola Salad

 

Heres another yummy salad combination I tried last night!

It was a mix of romaine, spring mix, and spinach salad topped with crumbled gorgonzola, fresh rasberries, and candied walnuts. I chose to put balsamic dressing on top, but any dressing of your choice could go with this!

Candied Walnuts

Add walnuts to frying pan on medium heat, sprinkle sugar over top and a teaspoon of water and toss around until the sugar dissolves and sticks to the nuts. Add more sugar as desired.

illustration

Words to live by

Summer Book List

Just read another really good book I have to recommend to everyone!

Its called Beach Colors by Shelley Noble.

It is a really great romantic story that I'm sure everyone will love.

It is a great beach read; Put it on your book list!

 

Salted Honey Lavender Shortbread

What you'll need:

2 and 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

2 tbs. corn starch

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp lavender ( I used fresh from the garden, if you are using dried, half it)

1 and 1/2 sticks of butter

1 tsp sea salt (plus extra for topping)

4 tbs. honey (you can bump this up if you want them sweeter)

Pre-heat to 350.

grease baking pan

Put all ingredients in a electric mixer and mix until combined. When combined, knead it with your hands for a couple minutes until it forms a ball of dough.

Spread dough into the pan.

Cook for 30 minutes or until golden brown. 

As soon as it comes out of the oven sprinkle with lavender sprigs, sanding sugar, and a little bit of sea salt (dont overdue the sea salt!)

These make great gifts!

 

Words to live by

Summer Book List

 

If you haven't already, add this to your summer book list!

Its called Where We Belong by one of my favorite authors, Emily Giffin.

She is also the author of Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Heart of the Matter, Love the One Your With. All of which I have read, and LOVED.

Where We Belong is her newest book that was just released in July and it is a little different from her normal books, but I thought it was a really great summer read that shows that no matter what path you take in life, you will always end up where you belong and where you are supposed to be.

I've been quite the reader this summer so I am going to start telling you about some of the ones I loved, stay tuned!

Words to live by

Inspiration Board & New Painting

I love the idea of an inspiration board in your bedroom or office. Collecting items that inspire you, appeal to you, or that you've created yourself. It is a mix of these things that make an inspiration board so great. I started mine, but its not finished yet! It's a work in process but I encourage everyone to start one!

 

Newest painting for above me and Kenny's bed... loved the saying.

I found the saying on pinterest and I liked it so much I wanted a painting of it above our bed.

Sail away with me Love <3

To-Do List Printable

Hey guys :)

So I love all things that have to do with organizing. I have some OCD tendencies and everything to be neat, organized, and pretty. I usually just write my To-Do lists on a post-it or something and stick it on my day planner but I wanted one that I could clip to the front of my day planner and have a pretty To-Do list. So I made this really cute and fun To-Do list on Adobe In-Design, one of my favorite programs. Anyone who knows me knows I dont do ANYTHING before coffee so I thought it was a cute little quote to add to the bottom of my To-Do list! Hope you enjoy, and get organized!

Black bean and Corn Quiona

I love pretty much anything with black bean and corn in it. I always get wraps for lunch with that combo and I love the lime cilantro dressing that is usually paired with it. So I stumbled across this recipe on pinterest, except the recipe had no measurements of anything whats so ever so I just tried out some measurements and they seemed to work well for me. It was delish.

Cook your quiona (cooking directions will vary depending on what kind you get) and set aside.

Start off by cooking your black beans (or if they are pre-cooked just warming them up a bit).

Cook your corn and set it aside.

Meanwhile chop a half of sweet vidalia onion, red pepper, and orange pepper.

In a small bowl mix the juice from one lime, two-three tablespoons of olive oil, salt, pepper, a clove of chopped garlic, a handful of your chopped onion, and some chopped cilantro (as much or as little as you prefer). Set aside.

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and toss together.

Add some cilantro on top for garnish and your done!

*Also, another good add-in for this would be crumbled feta. It goes really well with the flavor combo