blog - Simply Happenstance

Fancy BLT Salad

March 13, 2014

:: Fancy BLT Salad ::

Nicole and I both have a thing for cookbooks… {Anyone with us, out there?} Although it’s fabulous that nowadays one can go on the internet and search for tasty recipes, I still love thumbing through traditional cookbooks. I recently bought a new favorite a few weeks ago {which I highly recommend!}… Against All Grain by Danielle Walker. I first found her lovely paleo-friendly blog, and then bought her delectable cookbook. This Fancy BLT Salad was adapted from her Warm Spinach Salad with Bacon and Mushrooms recipe.

I am not crazy about two kinds of meat in my meals… so I left out the grilled chicken, but you could easily add that back in. I had leftover turkey bacon from breakfast that I had placed in the refrigerator. {I love being able to use extra ingredients that are already prepared and ready to go! It made this salad recipe so quick to make!} I reheated the bacon pieces in a skillet along with the mushrooms. I then tossed all the ingredients together and drizzled a homemade balsamic dressing over the top! Delicious, my friends… simply delicious! [Read more…]

Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

March 11, 2014

:: Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins ::

Oh, how a long school day can take the fun out of things! Okay I am only kidding, but it does take up the majority of our day, so why not make it a little fun with some Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins as a mid-day snack. Yes, I know… muffins are just as wonderful paired with a cup of Joe, but these little mid-day treats make the day much more enjoyable!

Let me count the reasons why I love these muffins:

They are made with ruby red strawberries. Don’t they remind you of spring?
This is actually a light recipe, so yes Mommy can have one…or two?
Two {hidden} ripe bananas.
Of course the piece of resistance….chocolate chips, yum!

[Read more…]

Happy 6th Birthday, Sophia Blue!

March 9, 2014

:: Happy 6th Birthday, Sophia Blue ::

My sweet, sweet girl… didn’t I just write about you turning 5? The year has quickly sped by…. leaving me wanting to turn back the clock, and experience the last year with you all over again.

You have grown so much this year… not only taller, but in maturity. A year ago, it was hard for me to imagine that you’d soon be starting Kindergarten. Now… First Grade is around summer’s bend. To be perfectly honest, you haven’t been crazy about homeschooling this year… mostly because you want to do your older brothers’ work, or play with your baby brother, Finn. You find coloring, cutting, and workbook pages to be “boring!” I’m constantly buying new curriculum for you… or searching the internet for projects that you’ll enjoy!

You still really love to help around the house, especially if it involves cooking or baking! You recently picked up a camera and shot some photos. I couldn’t believe your natural ability to capture beautiful moments, from your unique perspective. When you aren’t playing with your favorite dolls, you are typically singing, dancing, or tumbling around the house {or on the furniture!}. You pretty much provide us with constant entertainment!

You are the most amazing big sister, Sophia Blue! You love your baby brother more than anything! He follows you around… wearing your high heels, sparkly makeup, and tutu’s! He loves getting wrapped up in your imaginative games and practicing your fancy ballet moves! Lately, you’ve been telling your two oldest brothers that they are the “meanest brothers in the whole world!” {This is definitely a new phase we are going through.} Deep down… you do love them dearly, but those older brothers of yours LOVE to antagonize you {they really like to make you shriek!}. Although Mommy and Daddy do our best to keep the peace… we know that having three brothers will only make you stronger, more well-rounded, and confident in life. Promise! [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

March 8, 2014

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Hey, friends! Nicole and I hope that you all have had a fantastic week! Any signs of spring in your part of the world? How was your week… do anything fun? My husby has been at the fire station… literally all week long. The kids and I have been carrying on at home… soaking up the sunshine when we can, doing lots of art, attempting to focus on their studies, and doing the runaround with their extra curricular activities. My two littlest ones have birthdays in the next two weeks. Such a bittersweet time…. watching them grow up, another year older. I wish I could slow it all down and keep them little longer. We spent one evening this week looking through old photos on the computer {because I’ve yet to print them… no joke}. We had so much fun reminiscing of special moments in their early childhood years! I really can’t get a grasp on how quickly the time has gone by. It’s been a good reminder to soak up this two-year mountain holiday we are on. That’s kind of how I think of it in my mind. In just shy of a year and a half, we will most likely move back down the mountain and join the real world again… going back to school, possibly work, and buying a house. For now, I’m trying to fully enjoy this time in the mountains with my handsome husby and sweet four… homeschooling, staying in our pj’s until late in the morning, and doing family movie nights and dance parties whenever we feel the desire! It’s been blissful…

So… how about that lovely quote from Henry David Thoreau pictured above? It truly speaks volumes, doesn’t it?! {I spotted it on Pinterest and followed the link, which took me to the delightful blog… One Beautiful Life. Not only a fabulous quote, but a wonderful post about facing the fear of uncertainty. Such a good read… I think you’ll enjoy it!} Nicole and I hope that you like our other finds this week! Please feel free to link-up with your favorite blog post, or your Etsy Shop! {A BIG thank you to our dear friends Jenny from Be… and Keep Being, and Megan from Yumology, for always linking-up! We love you girls so much! You have no idea how much your support means to us!} Have a wonderful weekend! {xo} [Read more…]

10 Tips For Keeping Your Kids Safe

March 6, 2014

:: 10 Tips For Keeping Your Kids Safe::

Knowledge can be powerful and yet it can be scary. This topic is not our usual fluffy recipe of simple goodness, but it’s a topic we as parents can work harder at achieving. These 10 Tips For Keeping Your Kids Safe, is something you can practice and address to your family in your daily routine.

I recently attended a parenting safety night at my son’s school. The Joyful Child Foundation spoke to parents about teaching our children to be brave and be safe. To be honest with you, I was nervous to attend the engagement, as I knew the premise and who the speaker was. Erin Runnion, the mother of Samantha Runnion and Founding Director of The Joyful Child, was the guest speaker. Samantha was the victim of a terrible kidnapping that took place in Orange County in 2002. The Joyful Child Foundation was established in loving memory of her and their mission is to help to prevent child sexual abuse and abduction. I hope that this safety information will create some additional awareness for your children as well as your community. [Read more…]

Banana Almond Smoothie with Chia Seeds

March 4, 2014

:: Banana Almond Smoothie with Chia Seeds ::

{dairy-free + gluten-free}

Chia Seeds…. are you adding them into your smoothies, oatmeal, cereal, and baking recipes? If not… you may want to! These tiny little seeds are packed full of nutrition! I have to admit, I didn’t begin using them until recently, but now that I have… I have been sprinkling them into everything, and can’t imagine a smoothie without them! They don’t have a taste, but they do gel up, a bit like tapioca. They thicken smoothies and puddings nicely, if you allow them to soak for a while. 1 serving of Chia Seeds {1 tablespoon}, contains 6 grams of Fiber, 2.9 grams of Omega 3, and 3 grams of protein! Amazing, right?! Here are some more fantastic facts about Chia Seeds… making them incredibly enticing!

Chia Seeds are gluten-free
They contain 20% of your Omega 3’s, making them heart healthy and a great brain food
They are quite high in Fiber, aiding in digestion
Chia Seeds are made up of 20% Protein
They are very high in Antioxidants
Chia Seeds help to balance your blood sugar levels {making them especially great for Diabetics}
They can be used as an egg replacement in baking recipes [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

March 1, 2014

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Welcome to this lovely, yet rainy edition of Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}! Sara and I have been waiting for the rain. Yes I know, we often brag via Instagram about our lovely weather, but California is in dire need of rain or else those pretty pictures are going look barren and dry. Speaking of pretty pictures, as a family we were able to get out of our usual 5-mile radius and return to our beloved Long Beach. Mason requested a visit to The Queen Mary as his incentive reward for filling up his star chart.

Sara and I met in college and lived in Long Beach up until we both got married. It’s an amazing and beautiful city. It’s full of off the beaten path shops, restaurants, and gorgeous art deco buildings. Perhaps you aren’t familiar with Long Beach, or maybe you have passed it by {maybe you’ve heard about it through Snoop {now Snoop Lion}… living in the LBC!}, I highly recommend putting it on your radar and paying this gorgeous city a little visit. Better yet, email Sara and I, and we would be happy to be your tour guides {wink}! We are also toying with the idea of letting you in on some of our favorite places to go, and fun things to do, while visiting California… maybe through our Instagram feed? By the way, have you had a chance to check us out over there? It’s the perfect way to get a sneak peak of our recipes on the blog and some of our moments with family and friends. Go and check us out, and share with us some of your favorite IG feeds!

So… this weekend, Sara and I have a fun list of favorites for you to enjoy! If you are a blogger or have an Etsy shop, we’d be thrilled if you’d link-up to our favorite things! Enjoy the weekend, friends… and feel free to say “hello” by leaving a comment below! {xo} [Read more…]

Healthy Quinoa Salad

February 27, 2014

:: Healthy Quinoa Salad ::

I’m sure by now, most of you have tried quinoa {pronounced KEEN-wah}. This superfood {which was discovered by the Incas, three to four thousand years ago} is one of my personal favorites! Although it is usually thought of as a whole grain, it is actually a seed. It takes less time to cook than whole grains, and tastes amazing on its own! It is a wheat-free, gluten-free, and cholesterol-free food, making it the perfect side dish or main course for vegetarians, vegans, and others with special dietary concerns. Here are some interesting healthy facts about quinoa:

It is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids.
It contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains. Fiber helps prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and diabetes. It also lowers cholesterol and glucose levels.
Quinoa contains lysine, which is essential to tissue growth and repair.
It is rich in magnesium, which helps to relax blood vessels and alleviate migraines. Additionally magnesium helps detoxify the body, provides energy, and helps with the formation of healthy bones and teeth.
The gluten-free super seed is a good source of riboflavin {B2}, which is known to improve energy metabolism within the brain and muscle cells.
Quinoa is rich in manganese {an antioxidant}. Manganese helps prevent damage of mitochondria during energy production and protects red blood cells from injury by free radicals. [Read more…]

Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake

February 25, 2014

:: Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake ::

My milkshake brings all the kids to door {that’s right you know the Missy Elliott Milkshake tune}….hum along and you will get the picture! This Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake is pretty tasty and a fun family treat, made even better with the addition of Chocolate Scottie Dogs from Walkers Shortbread. I made this fun shake as an ode to a Valentine’s shake that we missed having. I promised the kids a fun homemade treat for Valentine’s, but as a family we went away for a couple nights {a fun mini trip, while we were doing a little work around the house}, so I wasn’t able to fully get into the Valentine’s Day spirit with our usual dine in tradition. This shake would have been the dessert I would have enjoyed with my sweethearts.

Aren’t these the cutest little cookies you have ever seen? Sara and I love that Walkers Shortbread made a special cookie that gives proceeds back to the ASPCA. I thought these buttery chocolate chip infused Scottie Dogs would be the perfect ingredient to my milkshake, or should I call it malt? Oh my if I was working at Ruby’s, I might be corrected, as I combined my family’s favorite flavors of; malted vanilla ice cream, caramel, milk, and these little cookie gems. Homemade ice cream or store bought…you pick because this Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake is tastalicious! [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

February 22, 2014

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Happy weekend! Hope you all have had a wonderful, healthy week! The days sure are flying by, aren’t they? Doing this {favorite things} post weekly, always serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly the week drifts by. One of my personal {ongoing} goals is to be more present… focusing not only on the joyful moments, but the mundane everyday kind, as well. Those less exciting moments seem to float by… unnoticed at times. We lose awareness of them, as we go about our day, moving from one activity {or obligation} to the next.

Driving down the mountain earlier this week, I experienced one of those moments. Husby was at the wheel, maneuvering confidently around each curve, while I was my normal self {anxiety stricken, fearing death with each bend, and queasy from carsickness}. All of the sudden, I stopped my train of thought and instead, focused on the beauty all around me… the low clouds, blue sky, and the stunning mountain side. It was a good reminder to find joy in the journey. It isn’t always an easy road {this life we live}… but we can always find beauty and reasons to be joyful if we change our perspective, attempt to be more present, and come from a place of thankfulness. I truly hope that you are finding joy in your life journey… [Read more…]

« Previous Page