MIA & Honored Experience

I haven't been posting much lately.  This time of year is always kind of hectic for me.  The whole shenanigans of the holiday season is hard for me, due to the fact of my moving towards a less hectic, noncomsumerist life.  My beliefs usually do not coincide with what a lot of others believe, so I spend most of this season trying to be tolerant of everything that is going on.  I try to do a lot of yoga, journalling, and meditation, though, this year I have done a lot less.  I have really felt the urge to be somewhat removed and internalized this year.  I guess it may have been from having a lot on my mind and just really trying to find a connection of myself to the natural world. 

I went to see my family in Virginia the past week and spend some time with them.  I have to say I am awfully proud of them for not going overboard with the gift giving this year.  I have been trying to get them to adhere to my suggestion of keeping my gifts at a minimum for the past few years and it seemed to have finally worked.  I did get a few things I needed for our new place (which hasn't been mentioned yet- more on that in the coming days) and a few things on Etsy that I wanted.  I also received the funds to buy my LED hoop from Cosmic Hooper I have been eyeing:  Yay!!  I am ordering it within a few days.  Would LOVE to have it by my bday which may not happen. 

I love this pic!! From the Washington Post

The most unfortunate thing about when I went back to VA was that I travelled all day yesterday on the Solstice instead of having the time to experience and meditate on what this time of year means for me.  I did, however, get the utmost honor to be witness to the full lunar eclipse on the Solstice.  I have always been interested in astrology and the heavenly bodies, so having this chance to experience something that people haven't experience in almost 400 years was just so amazing to me.  I truly felt not only honored, but blessed.  I thanked the Divine for that chance a multitude of times while sitting there, watching this natural occurance happen before my eyes.  It was quite a beautifull thing.

I may not post very much again in the next few weeks; we are going on a little personal vacation and also will be moving into our new house the beginning of the year.  I am going to pick back up on the 30 Day Challenge after the new year and will also be posting more about hooping and spirituality.  I have quite a few exciting things to share in the coming weeks.

May you all have a blessed holiday season and safe travels to those who are in route.  Until next time, peace.

Continuing...

So, to re-establish my participation in the 30 Day Challenge, here is-

The Dukes:

My dad, me, and my momma

Here is a picture of me and my parents taken about two years ago.  I couldn't find one with all three of us in it so I thought I would use this one.  It is in front of a restaurant we use to frequent when I lived in Virginia.  I believe this was on my mom's birthday.  I started calling my parents The Dukes when I was in high school and, well, the name has stuck.  My dad's listed as Father Dukes in my phone and my mom as Ma Dukes.  My parents got quite the kick out of it and even they have each other in their phones as "The Dukes."  :)  My dad is an engineer and, along with his dad (my grandpa duh), built a lot of the interstates around where I used to live at.  My mom is a nurse and has been for over 25 years.  I had my first real job working with her as a receptionist at the doctor's office she works at.  I had such a great time working there.  It was nice because we got to go out to lunch everyday and have nice talks.  I love my parents and they have given me so many things in life; including the wonderlust that is instilled within me and for my love of animals.  Thank you both.

Now on to the recipe of the week.

Organic Peanut Butter Cups

Makes 12 cups:

1 cup creamy natural peanut butter

1/2 or less of organic powdered sugar

2 cups organic chocolate chip cookies (or carob chips for vegan)

1/4 tsp sea salt
12 paper muffin cups

Cut the tops off the muffin cups.  I folded them in half and then snipped across.  You could also probably use some paper cups if you would like and you have them on hand.  You are not baking these so they do not have to be oven safe.

Heat 1 1/2 cups of chips in a small sauce pan over low heat.  Make sure that you do not get distracted (that means no hoop citying while baking, Kelly!!) because you have to really watch and make sure you do not burn them.  Stir pretty continuously until all the chips are melted and you have a nice, creamy consistency.





Using a spoon, paint brush, or basting brush, spread the melted chocolate evenly into the muffin cups, being sure to fill all the cracks in the cups.  This is NOT as fun as it sounds; it is actually quite tedious and at time hard.  I placed then in muffin baking pans and it made it a ton easier.  In the end, it was kind of fun to paint the tins with chocolate; mainly because I kept dripping it on me and then licking it off :) shhh...  Place in freezer and let harden, about 10 minutes.

After the chocolate has almost hardened, combine the peanut butter, salt, and powdered sugar and either microwave or heat up in a sauce pan (I only had one small sauce pan so I had to, unfortunately, nuke the PB).  Stir until nice and creamy.  It is a little complicated to get the powdered sugar fully distributed.  I would maybe recommend adding a little sugar at a time.  After it has cooled slightly, start filling your lovely, hardened cups.  Do not overfill, you still have to put the rest of the chocolate on them.

After you have filled them with the peanut butter, rewarm your chocolate saucepan and top with the remaining chocolate.  I couldn't get them covered very nicely so I just swirled them.  I think it looks a lot cooler like that anyways :P.  Before you start digging in (and you will want to, trust me, after smelling all that yummy, cooking chocolate for the past few minutes), stick them in the freezer for about an hour.  If you can't wait, we will all understand.




After they have hardened, enjoy!!  Now, I know these are not healthy, but we are allowed to indulge every once in a while, right?  And if you are craving some Reese's (like my boyfriend was), at least you can make your own, controlling what you put in there.  You can always sub the powdered sugar for splenda, stevia, or xylitol.  I'm sure it would come out similar.  You may have to heat those up a little to prevent the cups from becoming grainy.  I leave you with a picture of my love enjoying his organic PB cup.  And a rare one at that with him actually smiling!!  He hates pictures.  :)

Peace, love, and hoops- SG*