Do you know, the muffin girl?

Whole Wheat Pumpkin-Coconut-Cashew Muffins

Ingredients

2 C White Whole Wheat flour
1 T baking soda
1 t baking powder
pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c unsweetened coconut
1/4 c cashews
1 can pumpkin
3/4 c almond milk
1 banana
1/4 c NuNaturals Baking Blend

Toppings

Crunchy Cereal (I used TJ’s Flax/Almond clusters)
Liquid NuNaturals (optional)
Pumpkin Pie spice

Directions

Combine dry + wet ingredients and mix well. Pour batter into muffin tins and top with cereal and liquid sweetener. Bake at 375* for about 10-12 min. Delicious! Try them crumbled into yogurt Makes about 16 muffins.

I enjoyed these muffins crumbled in:

Stoneyfield Farm Pumpkin Yogurt

I searched 2 different STATES for these without any luck. Upon visiting my best friend this weekend, we wondered into Whole Foods to find this rare gem. Perfection.

Also enjoyed with a cup of Bananas Foster flavored coffee, with TJ’s Soy Creamer, SF Irish Cream Syrup, and a packet of NuNaturals. In one of my fav mugs

It’s the simple things……

Hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing weekend! I’ll post an update of mine ASAP! Off to my Chaucer class!

Peace, Erika

Love It or Questionable?

Love it:

Beautiful Kombocha Squash, steamed with butter, NuStevia, pumpkin pie spice, and almond butter

Questionable:

Blog search terms for peaceandpeanutbutter: 1. kid burying friend in sand, 2. wave suit off

Love it:

Trader Joe’s Artisan Sourdough Rolls dipped in TJ’s Latin Black Bean Soup

Questionable:

Chinese Steamed veg&shrimp on the floor of my room, with my best friend

Love it:

Incredible, incredible lecture given by Pulitzer prize nominated author Marya Hornbacher, of Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia. She reminded us that in order to work on changing cultural ideals of ‘thinness’ and ‘body image’ we need to start with ourselves. Our bodies our incredible, we LIVE in them.

Questionable:

The actual age of my brother and sister. Let’s pretend they’re not teenagers. Or a majorrr diva

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Alright chickadees, I’m off to bed! Hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday!

Peace, Erika

 

Man Belly

Hi Beauties! I just got back from a fabulous hot yoga class that was much needed after a challenging day. It’s amazing how much grounded I feel after a few sunflowers and warriors

Thought you’d like to know….

Today I found out that “man belly” was a search term used to find my blog [?] I mean, I may not have a six pack, by I don’t think I have a man belly. What is a man belly anyway?

Oh gosh, they just get better and better.

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A few weeks ago a received a very generous package from NuNaturals, and I wanted to review some of their products. They sent me the following:

White Stevia Powder Packets

Alcohol Free Stevia Drops [in Vanilla]

NuStevia Baking Blend

NuStevia Quick Dissolve Tabs

All pics from NuNaturals

So far I’ve used the Stevia Packets and the Vanilla Drops – both of which were wonderful! I’m always looking for a non-bitter form of natural sweetener, and this was it! The drops are so versatile, and can be used in coffee or even on top of roasted apples + cinnamon My fav! I use the packets everyday in my coffee, and there is no bitter aftertaste. Even in my cottage cheese…perfect sweetness!

I have yet to use the Tablets or the Baking Blend, but I’m planning on whipping up some muffins or scones this week [read: PUMPKIN!] so I will be sure to report back!

Are you interested in trying some of NuNaturals products for yourself? Check out Heather’s Giveaway!

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I leave you with a beautiful quote I found today:

“A photographer gets people to pose for him. A yoga instructor gets people to pose for themselves.” ~T. Guillemets

Peace~Erika

Halloween Recap!

Happy November!

Hope the weather near you is [not as chilly] as it is here! Boy, there is a coooolll breeze today!

It was so exciting to read all of your Halloween recaps I went home this weekend to spend Halloween with my cousins. We went to a funnn party, and enjoyed Apple Martini’s, Homemade Bruschetta Pizza, a piece of candy [or a few...], homemade PB cookies, etc etc. Here are the pics!

Me on the left as a geisha, my cousin on the right as a ‘paperclip’

I guess I’m competing with my girl Amy for the thriftiest geisha costume (though she definitely beats me out in terms of costume beauty, I snagged this robe in my attic for free. Oh Amy, I guess I beat your $3.00 thrifty find! Love you girl! )

Channeling my inner geisha (and of course, eating the apples out of my martini!)

Partying among the cutest of costumes….a Paperclip, a Witch, Tinker Bell….

….even Elvis

I’m so glad I went home to spend time partying with my cousins/friends, and spend some time with my family Before partying on Saturday, my aunt and uncle took my cousin and I out for some thrifty shoppy (Consignment, Marhalls!) and to South of the Border for some Mexican Food. [Read, 3 baskets of chips and salsa.]

It was a fabulous weekend! I’m back at school and in store for quite a busy week! Can’t wait for yoga and a few other events this week. Stay tuned for an update!

Peace~Erika

How You Find Me

I always find it funny to look at the Search Engine Terms that people use to find my blog. Here are some funny ones I’d thought you’d all enjoy:

Hemp Juice

Summer Flowy Dresses

Pineapple Tree

Suit

Sisters Beach

Authentic Jamaican Maine

Whatever you used to search, I’m glad you found my blog

______________________

 I’m actually heading home this afternoon to spend the weekend with my family. Even as a college senior, I still get a little homesick! I’m planning on relaxing/watching movies with my sis tonight, and spending the afternoon shopping with my cousin on Saturday. We’re heading to a Halloween Party at my cousins tomorrow…and I have no idea what I’m gonna be!! I thought about being an Indian – my hair is so long that I can braid it

Source

What are you guys gonna be for Halloween??

Peace, Erika

Freedom Beads Sale

Hi Bloggers!

Thank you all for responding to the last post What did you do on Saturday? It was so nice to read that many of you were relaxing with your families, cooking, etc. Glad you were nourishing your souls, too

Many of you asked to see some of my beading creations, so I included some pics in this post. As I’ve mentioned before, I make bracelets as part of my Freedom Beads Fundraiser. I usually sell the bracelets for $10 each, and all the money (except material costs) goes to a private fund I have set up at The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorder Treatment. This fundraiser is near and dear to my heart, and so far I’ve raised $1700. Everyone has been so so generous with donations.

I am extending a sale that I started a couple weeks ago, especially for my bloggers! Bracelets are only $5.00 + $2.00 shipping for the next week. You can choose any type of beads/charms you like. Leave a comment here if you’d like to order one!

I have so many types of beads! Button bracelets have become very popular lately. I also have plenty of earthy/wooden beads, stones, multi-colored, charms, etc etc. Let me know if you want to order one

It’s almost Friday!!! What are you doing for Halloween??

Peace~Erika

Nourishing my Soul

My Saturday Night

Beading + Indaba Chenin Blanc (with grapes, of course)

What did you did Saturday night?

~Peace, Erika

Long Awaited ‘Bargain’ Post

Afternoon!

It is chillllyyyy by the Hudson River today…I left my window open all morning and came back to a strong breeze!

I know I’ve been promising a Flea Market/Tag Sale post, and I’m happy to share all my finds with you today. About 10 minutes from my college is a FABULOUS flea market that opens every Sunday. Dozens of vendors open with hard-to-find vintage pieces, clothing, household items, etc, as well as a small farmer’s market and fresh-mexican food stand. Check it out

These first 3 pics I borrowed from my friend Kait, who joined us on our travels!

My friend Kerri and I searching through the clothing

Farmer’s Market

Beautiful Dream Catchers

So what did I get? These are combined Flea Market/Tag Sale/Vendor Finds

Adorable Yellow JCrew Skirt, $2.00 Flea Market

Natural Sandstone Coasters, $1.00 Tag Sale

Beautiful multi-colored Pashminas, $5.00/each on Broadway St, NYC

Wooden Love Angel, $2.00 Tag Sale

Express Floral Trench, $2.00 Flea Market

Simmering Potpourri $1.00, Glass Jar $0.39, Christmas Tree Shop
…because, well, it’s never too early for Christmas scents

Woops, how did that get in there?
Welcome back pomegranate…I miss you all summer.

Gosh, I found plenty more, but I’ll save em’ for a rainy day Off to sip my coffee by the cool window! Have a beautiful day!

Peace~Erika

PS…Check out this gorgeous girl’s giveaway!

I’m All About Squash

Yesterday we had a Farmer’s Market on our campus green, so I scooted my butt down there to hit the stands right when it opened! There were only a few farms there, but the produce was beautiful! I had just done my grocery shopping, but I took full advantage of the butternut squash, a GIANT apple, and this beauty:

My first Kombocha squash! I was so excited to find this, and at only 99cents/lb I was a happy camper.

I decided to take advantage of this right away, and incorporated it into my fall-inspired dinner tonight. I’ve been all about squash and roasting the past month

That orange ‘plop’ at the top? Mashed kombocha with a laughing cow swiss wedge! Please try this! I put a section of my kombocha in the microwave for about 3.5 min and mashed it with salt and LC.

Also on the menu:

Butternut squash fries
Roasted Eggplant and onions
Baked Crunchy Apples with cinnamon and Nuturals Vanilla Stevia Drops (review to come)

All roasted in the oven @450 Degrees for about 20 min. I served my veggies up with:

Organic Heintz and Boathouse Farms Yogurt Honey Mustard. Fabulous.

Alright folks, I’m off to study for a midterm and work on a research paper….but not before de-stressing and sweating out all my toxins at yoga Check back tomorrow for that PROMISED Tag Sale/Flea Market Post!

Peace~Erika

PS – Kombocha comes under many names, including Buttercup Squash and (as I learned from Mama Pea) a Sweet Mama. Keep your eyes out

Product Review: Nature’s Path

Chickies!

I’ve been super busy, but in between my papers and flashcards, I’m doing a ton of yoga, and perhaps some unneccessary shopping {I may or may not have gone to The Christmas Tree Shop yesterday….}

I am LONG overdue for a product review, though! I’ve been able to try some stellar products, and I want to share them with you!

Now, remember when I told y’all that I wasn’t a huge cereal fan? Well I lied…Kinda. I LOVE cereal, but I don’t eat it very often because it doesn’t fill me up. I prefer adding the crunchy goodness to yogurt for a better fill-factor. Or else, well, I’d have to eat a good 2-3 bowls to be satisfied

First up: Nature’s Path Cereals, Granola, and Toaster Pastries

 

My favorite of all the varieties was the Crunchy Maple Sunrise. This is a New Product for Natures Path, and it was delicious. With lots of different textures and a sweet maple taste, it was perfect for topping yogurt (though YUMM with almond milk!) Also GLUTEN-FREE.

The Whole O’s were a nice variety for a plain O-shaped cereal. It was slightly sweet and very airy. These are gluten free as well! I enjoyed these in yogurt very much…they get slighty mushy/crunchy which I <3

The Granola was hands down AWESOME. Definitely one of my top granola choices. I will DEFINITELY be buying this. So crunchy, sweet, with vanilla undertones…YUM!

My least Fav of all the cereals was the Optimum Strawberry and Yogurt. I’m not a huge fan of dried strawberries/yogurt pieces in my cereal, so I’m a little biased. I just wasn’t a fan of the berry flavor, but if you like that flavor in your cereal then you’ll love it!

I was SO EXCITED to try the Cherry Chocolate Toaster Pastries. I used to love Poptarts when I was younger (Let’s hear it for toasted S’mores and Frosted Cherry!), so I was psyched to try an All Natural variety. These were so delicious! I haven’t tried toasting these babies up yet, but they were the perfect balance of my beloved s’mores and cherry (Yummy chocolate stripped with berrylicious cherry…with some darn good frosting.) Let’s here if for chemical free ‘tarts!

Thanks again to Nature’s Path for their generous package! I enjoyed trying these products…and I can’t definitely say that I will buying the granola ASAP!