{clean eating} peanut butter oatmeal

i love breakfast foods. i could eat them all day. everyday. it is my most favorite meal ever. i will always be up for having breakfast even if i'm not hungry. i just want to give breakfast a huge hug. anyone with me? ever since this whole clean eating lifestyle has been going on, my breakfasts no longer consist of bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, hash browns, muffins, french toast, etc. not to say that there aren't clean(er) version of these foods. however, in an effort to sort of simplify my morning routine, i committed to egg whites with random veggie's on the side and of course, either some sprouted ezekiel bread or tortillas to jump start my day. 

but can we keep it real for just a second? 

egg whites give me the WORST GAS. EVER. 

nothing like working out at the gym and watching the most muscular built men pass out because of ME. okay that doesn't really happen (the passing out) but the passing the toxic gasses out happens all the time. everywhere. anytime; any place. it's hilarious, but at times so super embarrassing. thankfully everyone at the gym thinks its my boyfriend... ha! it wasn't until a few weeks ago that i actually discovered the cause for such a fragrance and in order to save face, i've given those nuggets of protein a rest for now. the quest to find alternative breakfast foods that weren't loaded with sugar, yet gave me a good source of protein, carbs and quick to fix in the morning before work was something i thought i would never find. that was, until i found this recipe {found on pinterest, duh!}

it is the perfect fall time breakfast. so delicious AND filling. so perfect and easy to make. i've been eating it every morning for the past two weeks, and have yet to grow tired of it. so i thought it would be a good little recipe to share so you could add it to your morning routine. 

{photo courtesy of thegraciouspantry.com}

Clean Eating Peanut Butter Oatmeal

(makes 2 servings) 

Ingredients: 

1-1/2 cups cooked oats (definitely have only tried this with almond milk vs. water) 

2 tbsp. clean peanut butter (PB2 would probably be perfect)

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp. honey 

 **i also dded a 1/2 scoop vanilla whey protein

Directions: 

(these are really complicated, so pay attention)

Step 1: heat up oatmeal (usually 1 minute works) 

Step 2: Combine rest of ingredients in a small bowl/mason jar/dish of your choice and mix until everything is combined. 

Step 3: eat

Step 4: take a deep breath

Step 5: enjoy! 

Step 6: reflect on how tomorrow you can sleep in if you want to since this recipe takes about 3 minutes max to put together. 

nutritional content can be found on thegraciouspantry.com  

Thanks, Tiffany for such a delicious and simple recipe and all of the other delicious CLEAN recipes  i can't wait to try! 

it's here!!

the season most dearest to my soul: FALL! shouldn't this be a national holiday? well in my heart it is, so i  celebrated with a little pumpkin spice latte at work since it's probably a little lame to try to take today off. however, my celebrations will have to wait until tonight's pumpkin decorating party. just wishing  this Texas weather would cooperate and realize it's no longer summer! so excited for this season and making memories. i leave you with my favorite quote from my favorite book. i think i'm going to treat myself to a weekend of re-reading this book & enjoying some fresh hazelnut coffee...

happy fall season! 

christina elyse

dear rangers,

we heart you around here.  

thank you for excuses to wear t-shirts to work on game days.

thank you for providing one more reason to add to the list of why texas is so awesome.

thank you for family bonding times.

thank you for the excuse to have a party.

please. don't. end.

{a few pictures from when my brother was in town!}

{will be flipping through these pictures, wishing i was at the world series}

'tis autumn!

first day of fall=my favorite day of the year! 
(proof here & here)

i'm already loving the cool weather we have had this week.

i'm bundled up in my cardigan today (mostly because it's freezing at work!)

so ready to light my leaves candle. 

also, looking forward to completing this list of fall fun. 

over all, i'm just so pumped for a new season of whatever life brings. 

i'm already feeling a bit of peace & contentment this week.

love these lyrics, they make me smile: 

"Then the birds got together to chirp about the weather
Mmmm-mmm-mmm-mmm.
After makin their decision,
in birdie-like precision,
Turned about,
and made a beeline to the south.
My holding you close really is no crime
Ask the birds
and the trees
and old Father Time.
La-di-dah di-dah-di-dum,
tis autumn!" 

happy friday! 

<3 T

two days ago.

the weather was finally not 10000 degrees outside!

opened the windows. 

lit my pumpkin spice candle 

C R A F T E D.. 

relaxed. 

...............

 mr. wilson & i spent the rest of the day walking around, shopping, talking & eating.  
           

got these cute little guys to add to our coffee mug collection.

 

 

...............

we've been through some rough patches. 

but i'm thankful for the roughness.

we are new & different. 

i'm learning that brokenness is sometimes necessary. 

i know a lot might not understand or agree, but in my heart i have a peace. 

 i am thankful for the chance to understand grace & forgiveness, as painful as it might be to get there.

...............

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 

-Ecclesiastes 3:11

From my heart to yours...

Happy 1st of October!!!

Cheers to my favorite month of the year!!

Why you might ask?

Well, it just so happens to be right smack center in the 

Heart of Fall. 

Let me explain. 

October is....

• A month where the weather becomes a perfect 70 degrees at it's highest. 
• When the leaves officially make their beautiful transformation from yellow shades of green to deep orange, red, and auburn brown. 
• One more month closer to getting an extra hour of sleep!
• Filled with the aroma of pumpkin spice and apple pie.
• When you never leave your house without a cozy cardigan.
• When a floral patterned scarf is always a must.
• Leggings. Leggings. Leggings. Tights. I'm a little obsessed with leggings.  

{Speaking of leggings... I just bought the most comfortable pair at Target for 5 BUCKS. best $5 I've ever spent. ever.}

So in celebration of October, I thought I'd share a little fall music with you. 

Yes, I said it, F A L L M U S I C. 

magic. 

two of my favorite things.  

It's a hopeless romantic kind of song.

It's called AUTUMN LEAVES. 

Yes, these two are the same song, but both so lovely.

The first one is my favorite.

You see, I have this thing for Mr. Nat King Cole. 

His voice melts me. 
I could go on and on, 
but I'll save those thoughts for another time.

I've listened to this song...about 47 times in the last two days.

I'm not exaggerating.
My phone died halfway through the day because of my infatuation with this song. 

The second video is a cover of this exact same song. I love originals, nothing can compare to them, but oh, how I like to see how other artists make these songs their own.

This guy is all the way from Spain. 

Barcelona, to be exact. 
His name is Alex. 
I wish he could sing to me everyday.
I'd even be satisfied if he just played that guitar for me all the time..

He does covers of all types of songs, and since I'm sure most of you have never heard of him, I thought I'd introduce you. 

magical monday.

Can I just say that these are the most beautiful pumpkins I have ever seen?!

Like. takeyourbreatheaway. Gorgeous.

You want to know what is even better about these little pumpkins?

That even you and I can have pumpkins just like these too!

SO  E X C I T I N G.

Last night, I was seriously just doing a google search for pumpkins...and I stumbled across these pretty little fall things. I seriously just stared in jaw dropping awe when this picture came up. I knew I had to share this with you.

{i warned you of my obsession}

So, not only to my happiness did I happen to find this picture, BUT I also realized it was actually a DIY project that you can find here at Danielle Thompson's blog.

She is brilliant.

Her work is magical.

Considering it's perfect DIY weather, I thought we could all indulge.

I can't wait to try this one rainy afternoon.

I promise to post the pics.

You should try them too!

And once you are done, you should share your finished product.

I would love to see.

HAPPY MONDAY!! :)

tis autumn

If you are from Texas and you are like me, you are probably overflowing with excitement on this here Sunday afternoon.

Before I continue, let me explain this loveliness, for it is like no other.

It is the kind of unstoppable excitement that puts you in the best.mood.ever.

 It is the kind of giddyness that makes you want to give everyone you see a hug.

It is the kind of inner joy that makes you forget that tomorrow is Monday.

It is the kind of happiness that homework can't even ruin.

This kind of excitement gives your butterflies in your stomach because it

finally.feels.like.FALL outside!!!!!

 {amazing, beautiful, cardigan wearing, sun shining FALL weather}

Go ahead, admit it. Do a happy dance. You love fall too!

Now, that you have discovered your hidden love for the fall, I can continue.

For all of you who don't know me, let me establish a few things:

 I am in  love obsessed with all. things. FALL.

So, in celebration of the first official day of fall weather, I have put together a few reasons to make you want to love fall even more.

happy fall to all of you!

{get excited}

the possibility of pumpkins.



leaves. crunchy-color changing-happiness.

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mmmm.. apple pie.

pumpkin spice latter via Starbucks. simply magical.
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cardigans :) don't think i could ever have enough.



scarves!! i can't wait to add to my collection.



the capability to wear an outfit like this...i'm pretty sure it came from my dreams.
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the BEST scented candle for a fall smell indoors.
Leaves from Bath & Body Works.