Oatmeal Raisin Crisps

This weekend has been about the balancing act of relaxation and productivity. It's a delicate harmony to achieve; so often the scale tips in one direction over the other. Either nothing gets done and guilt is felt the moment you turn away from the television or computer. Or, everything gets done but, with no detox from the stressors of the week before, Monday morning is definitely started off on the wrong foot.

At times this balance seems impossible to accomplish, especially if you happen to be like me.

I woke up early on Saturday morning to go to the gym. Though I set my alarm for seven (two full hours later than I get up on weekdays), the sun hadn't yet thought about rising and the morning was darker than the dead of night. I struggled to pull myself out of bed and wipe the sleep from my tired eyes. It wasn't exactly the start to the day I imagined. Nevertheless there were muscles to be worked, so to the gym I went.

I juggled the rest of the day between working and falling asleep midway through episodes of reality TV. Sometimes I managed to do all three activities at the same time (does this make me good at multitasking?). Despite the spontaneous and unsatisfying naps, a lot more work (or stressing about doing work) was done than relaxing. Balance was not achieved.

Today, thankfully, was a different story. I slept in until after the sun had said its hellos and, after a week of little sleep, it was exactly what I needed. I started off my morning with a honeycrisp apple and pumpkin spice latte. Even though several hours of work followed shortly thereafter, the day felt brighter. It was brighter.

And that made all the difference. Though I accomplished more today than I did yesterday (I even had time to make you a batch of cookies. It's true), I hardly feel like I spent more than a few moments surrounded by my endless to-do list. My attitude made all the difference. I think that just might be the secret to balance after all.

Well, that or caffeine...

These Oatmeal Raisin Crisps have a dark depth of flavor. The cookies are made with heaps of oats, plenty of raisins, and extra molasses to bring out a deeper flavor. The cookies spread out quite a bit while baking, making them relatively flat and the edges crispy. If you are anything like me, you might just find yourself reaching for a second (or third) from the cookie jar.

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Pumpkin Granola

It's officially the first day of fall! Though I was dreading its arrival, now that it's here I'm quite pleased to wrap up in warm sweaters and drink hot tea. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought autumn had arrived two weeks ago. With the mercury falling down to chilly temperatures (especially in the early morning hours), I've started wrapping myself in winter coats, hats, gloves, and scarves only to shed them all in the afternoon when the sun is out (and feel a bit of a fool carrying my huge jacket down the streets).

Though, I will never love the arduous process of scraping the frost off my car windows before the sun leisurely decides to climb out of bed. Three weeks into September and it's already begun (goodness gracious).

Fall has always felt like the most relaxing season of the year. The earth and those who dwell in it seem to slow as the temperatures drop. Though it's the season of school and work, extra activities and projects, and settling back into a daily routine, I feel like we take more time to enjoy simpler things, like a bowl of hot soup or the warmth of a roaring fireplace. In the winter, we hibernate. In the spring, our spirits awaken from our long, sleepy nap. In summer, we rush to fit in as much as we can while the weather is warm and the sun is bright.

In fall, we calm down and stretch our limbs. We yawn, but we're not yet ready for a long winter's sleep. We just want a few more minutes observing the changing of the trees, enjoying the steam from a mug of hot cider, before we slip on our pajamas and climb into bed.

Fall flavors, to me, are simply the most comforting flavors of the year—rich pumpkin, spicy cinnamon, ripe apples, warm cider, fresh squash, hints of nutmeg, and large mugs of hot cocoa. The aromas alone are enough to send me to my happy place; a single bite will send me to my heaven.

And I think, if you had a spoonful of this granola, you would know exactly what I mean.

This Pumpkin Granola embraces fall and all its flavors. This granola is fall. Stuffed with feel good healthy foods like dried cranberries, raisins, coconut flakes, almonds, and pumpkin seeds, this granola is sure to please any season-ready palate. My favorite part of this granola is that is does not have butter or oil to hold it together—the pumpkin does that for you. Sweetened with hints of maple syrup and brown sugar, this granola holds the perfect texture. Make this to celebrate the arrival of fall. Make it so you can remember all the reasons why you love autumn.

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Ants On A Log

In my effort to keep it simple this week, I give you a simple, but delicious snack. Spreading a bit of peanut butter on celery or apples and sprinkling on a few raisins is all the trouble this treat will bring you. I don't know about you, but I don't think that's any trouble at all.

I grew up on this sweet, simple snack. Affectionately referred to as "Ants on a Log," the raisins (ants) sit a top the celery (log). It's a silly name, but it adds a little fun to an otherwise rustic snack. If a silly name is what it will take to get your child to eat a snack that isn't stuffed full of sugar and god knows what else (just like me when I was younger), then embrace the beauty of the silly name. For kids who don't like raisins, chocolate chips may be used with the same effect.

The combination of raisins and peanut butter has a special place in my heart. As an adult, I've made ants on a log more times than I can count. In fact, I've even tried to turn it into entire meals, where I will eat vast amounts of peanut butter, raisins, celery, and nothing else. As a snack, ants on a log is healthy and delicious. As an entire meal? Not the case. Though unbelievably enjoyable, I don't recommend it. Eating too many vegetables if your body isn't used to it will make your stomach upset. It will cramp. You will feel pain.

Every single time.

I've thought it "must have been a fluke" at least 5 times and went back for more. It's not a fluke. According to Albert Einstein, the definition of insanity is doing the exact same thing over and over again expecting different results.

I'd like to pretend that doesn't apply to me.

The moral of the story: a simple sandwich with a side of ants and logs will solve your stomach woes. Or eating more vegetables on a daily basis. I should probably do that.

I think I could happily get down a few ants on a log every day...

Ants on a Log are a simple and healthy snack. These are perfect for after school or evening treats. Ants on a Log are a snap to make and require only 3 ingredients you already have in your cupboard(!). Raisins and peanut butter together are magical. Combined with the crunch of a fresh stalk of celery or a crisp apple, these snacks also sport a good dose of texture. You'd be silly not to give these a chance.

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