Link Happy Monday

I feel like I have been getting lots of snippets of information lately.  So, here they are for you, in no particular order: 

I've been playing around with my new waffle-maker and have been thoroughly excited about this recipe for Brownie Waffles.  My kids especially love them.  And I love knowing what great ingredients are in the food they're eating.  Seriously, have you seen the long (many un-pronounceable) list of ingredients on frozen waffles?  Even the better-for-you options like Nature's Path, Kashi, are guilty of long ingredient lists. To clean this recipe up even more, you can substitute the 2 eggs with 2 "flax eggs" (whisk 2 T. ground flax and 6 T. cold water in small bowl, allow to rest for 5-10 minutes or until thickened a bit).  And substitute 2 T. unsweetened applesauce in place of the oil.  I use unsweetened almond milk instead of soy milk, but that's just a personal preference.

No Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

1/2 c. slivered or sliced almonds

1.5 c. raw unsalted cashews, coarsely chopped

1.5 c. old fashioned rolled oats

1.5 c. crispy brown rice puffs cereal (Erewhon or 365 brand found at Whole Foods)

1 c. coconut nectar (or brown rice syrup) (can be purchased at WF, amazon.com, vitacost.com)

1/4 c. raw coconut crystals (or date sugar) (can be purchased at WF, amazon.com, vitacost.com)

2 t. vanilla extract

1/4 c. dark chocolate chips

Books we had our nose in this summer...

Dawn's summer reading...

1.  On The Island  This was my first read of the summer and probably my favorite!  Such a unique story line.  I loved seeing how these two characters stranded on a deserted island used their resources to survive. 

2.  One Thousand Gifts  Beautifully inspirational book about thankfulness.  "When I give thanks for the seemingly microscopic, I make a place for God to grow within me." 

3.  7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess  Wow.  We both read this book.  Rocked. our. world.   Jenn takes 7 months to address 7 different areas of her life she feels are too filled with distractions.  Her journey will have you laughing one page and searching your soul the next!