Homemade Granola Bars

It's officially halfway through the work week, which means only a few days until the weekend🎉 I thought it would be fitting to share a snack recipe because I am toting tons of snacks today as I sit in the airport. 

I bring all my own snacks to the airport because it's so much easier to know what's in my food, I can feel better about what I'm eating (most airport food is total junk), and I'm saving tons of money. When I was younger I used to eat granola bars all the time, but my current self would like to go back and change that because store bought granola bars are loaded with sugar and some not so great ingredients.

Recently, I've been making granola bars for my boyfriend to take to work for a mid-morning snack. He wanted a snack that would help hold him over until lunch and cheez-its weren't doing it (no surprise there). I suggested granola bars because oats are complex carbohydrates, which take longer for your body to break down, chia seeds expand in water and are packed with awesome nutritional benefits and also help keep you full, and he's a peanut butter lover so it's a win for all sides. These are a healthier take on a childhood staple that is both better for your wallet and for you! 

Homemade Granola Bars

• 2 cups gluten free quick or old fashioned oats
• 3 Tablespoons ground flax seed
• 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
• 1/3 cup nut butter of choice
• 1/3 cup honey
• OPTIONAL: chocolate chips
• OPTIONAL: pinch of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350F degrees and line a 8x8 pan with tinfoil and spray with nonstick cookspray. 

In a medium mixing bowl combine oats, flax seed, chia seeds, and cinnamon. 

In a separate mixing bowl add nut butter and honey. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir until nut butter is mostly melted. Mix nut butter and honey until fully combined.  

Pour nut butter/honey combo over dry ingredients and use a spatula to combine. Stir until dry ingredients are all coated with mixture. 

Take "batter" and press into lined pan until it's an even layer covering the bottom of the pan. If using, gently press chocolate chips onto top of batter.

Bake at 350F degrees for 15-18 minutes, or until edges are slightly brown. Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely before cutting. You should get 12 medium granola bars or 8 large granola square depending on how you cut them. 

Enjoy and if you make them take a picture, tag me on instagram, and use the hashtag #thesimplelife so I can see your creations😋

Northern Michigan Getaway: Thinking Out Loud #49

Happy Thursday! This week has flown by in an absolute blur, but it's been a good week so I can't complain. I took time out to head up north to spend some time with my parents and it was nice to get away for a few days. However, I'm very happy to be back in civilization with high speed wifi and the grocery store less than 10 minutes away- I'm definitely not cut out for rural living😂 Anyway, let's jump into this weeks thinking out loud!

1. Northern Michigan in the summertime is beautiful. There's so many things to do outdoors and it's the one time of year where there's not snow on the ground so it makes exploring a little easier. While it is beautiful and peaceful living in the muddle of nowhere isn't for me. I like having a 24/7 gym and having a Target less than 15 minutes away. 

2. There is a gym in the small town I was in, but their hours were super weird. I still made it a priority to go and workout, especially since I needed to do my physical therapy work. I'm much more thankful for a 24hour gym now because having to wait until 9am to go workout drove me crazy. My knee has not made nearly the progress my physical therapist and I were hoping it would. At the end of this week I'm being evaluated to figure out what the next steps are and if surgery is possibly needed. 

3. Since I still can't run and the gym didn't open until 9am I took to long morning trail walks. I'd head out and watch the sunrise along the trails. It was incredibly beautiful and peaceful, but I still miss running those trails. Nothing beats breathing in the clean, cool, summer air of Northern Michigan. If you've never been add it to your bucketlist because there are TONS of waterfalls, amazing trails, and really beautiful scenery to explore. 

4. While out walking one morning I stumbled upon a smiley face someone had spray painted on the road. It made me smile right away, plus it was before a big hill which definitely was taxing on my knee. Sometimes even just a smile ca turn even the saddest of days around. 

5. I got lots of cuddle time in with Cora. She was always exhausted by the end of the day because there is so much for her to chase and explore up there. She saw a garner snake for the first time and was immediately fascinated, while I know the snake can't hurt her I was still concerned, but it kept her busy and out of trouble so I can't complain. 

6. I stumbled across these bites by Enjoy life while I was at the grocery store and they are SO GOOD😍 there's a hard chocolate coating and a small burst of cinnamon at the end. They're delicious, although a tad pricey, but 100% worth it in my books.

7. For those who don't believe being hangry can cause serious issues, this woman is evidence. Apparently hanger got the best of her😳 While I would never stab anyone there have been several scientific studies which have shown hanger is real and can make people do crazy things, however, stabbing someone is never acceptable.

8. And of course I have to end with a quote. Be a good person to everyone you come across, even the people who are rude and don't deserve it. Being good will speak volumes about who you are as a person and it leaves a good impression with everyone. 

I'm going to end things there this week, have a terrific Thursday and an amazing weekend🎉🎉🎉

What is your favorite snack?
Are you more of a city person or more of a rural person and why?

Dogs and Dinosaurs: Thinking Out Loud #48

Happy Thursday and happy August! How is it August already?! I am not ready for summer to be over because I know what's around the corner, aka winter, and I am certainly not ready to be freezing 24/7 again. We have been having some gorgeous weather in the mitten this week. There has been loads of sunshine and warm temps all equaling up to the perfect lake day weather. Anyway, let's jump into this weeks thinking out loud!

1. I'm still chugging away in physical therapy. I'd like to say I'm patient, resting tons to let it heal and all that junk but that's so not true. I'm beyond impatient and so ready to run again. The therapist gave me workouts that I can do, plus I can still lift (minus leg day), and I was given a cardio workout to do that involves the treadmill and the bike. The treadmill and I are not currently friends because I absolutely hate walking on the dang thing🙄 It's too early in the morning to go for a walk outside and for now the therapist wants me walking on a steady surface. I'm being good though and doing all my at home exercises and icing so fingers crossed I'll be running sooner rather than later. 

2. With the sun rising later and later in the morning I get to see the sunrise on my way home from the gym. I love watching the sunrise and with views like this who wouldn't?! I can't wait to be able to head out for sunrise runs again🏃‍♀️

3. I don't share a lot of food pics on instagram anymore, but I have gotten questions and comments asking if I still put sprinkles on my oatmeal. Of course I still put sprinkles on my oats! I used dinosaur sprinkles the other day, they're my favorite, but sadly that was the last of my dinosaur sprinkles😩 I've yet to find more dino sprinkles at the grocery store so I might have to hunt some down on Amazon. 

4. My boyfriend sent me this meme the other day and just said this is you. He's totally right, it's 100% me😂 anyone who knows me knows I'm totally obsessed with dogs. I have dog radar and I know when there's a dog around. I go up to people all the time asking people if I can pet their dogs. If I had the means I would probably have a house full of dogs, however, currently I don't have the means or the space for a house full of dogs, but one day.

5. I shared a pictures from the lake on instagram a few days ago and my direct messages were flooded with questions asking where I got my bathing suit top. I got it at Target and while the same one isn't available anymore I found two that are basically the same one that I have, except one is a bralette and the other is a regular bikini top. If you've never shopped at Target for a bathing suit you're missing out! They have a huge selection and they hold up really well. 

6. The weather really has been picture perfect, so I've been getting outside as much as possible. The lake has been really warm so I've been spending time floating on Henry soaking up the sun- with sunscreen on of course😉

7. I'm super excited to share a review with you next week for LoveBug probiotics. The company reached out to me and asked if I'd be interesting in trying them out, funny enough I had been eyeing them at Target for some time because I was looking for a new probiotic. I'm very excited to share that with you so be on the lookout for that next week!

8. Per usual I am ending with a quote. I love this quote because I firmly believe that stuff will never make you happy. Surrounding yourself with good people and living life to the fullest by enjoying the moment and traveling will make you happy. Possessions weigh you don't but memories don't.

Have a great Thursday and a fabulous weekend everyone🎉🎉🎉

Is there a trait that people associate with you, like being dog obsessed?
What is your favorite way to enjoy the beautiful summer weather?