EASY Carrot Cake Cookies!

You ever get a massive craving for something sweet, that you just have to have immediately?

Or is it just me?

The other day I was at Mimi’s house (aka: my mom-in-law/Charlie and Ciera’s Grandma) I was dying for SUGAR! I knew I DID NOT want to wait a long time for something to bake up, cool, yada yada.. I searched her pantry and found some cake mix. Well, if you know me, you know how I feel about boxed cake mix- not a fan. There are a few exceptions though. Such as carrot cake. (I know, I know, I’m a little crazy).

Well thank goodness Mimi had a carrot cake mix in the pantry. I didn’t want to make an actual cake though- too long of a wait.

So I made COOKIES! Carrot Cake Cookies!

I know I’ve blogged about my cake box cookies before, and since I love them so much, I’m gonna blog about them again. Plus share some super adorable pictures of my little baking partner in crime, Ciera.

Here’s what you need for this recipe:

1 box of carrot cake mix

2 eggs

1/4 cup vegetable oil

For the Icing:

1 8oz bar cream cheese

approx 2-3 cups powdered sugar (eyeball it to your achieve your desired consistency)

1/2 stick butter

approx 1-2 tsp milk (again, eyeball it)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350. Combine cake mix, eggs and oil with a fork. Roll into 1 inch balls, and bake on parchment lined cookie sheet for approx 10 minutes. Cool.

For the icing, combine all ingredients with an electric mixer. Ice the cookies once they are cooled (or not) haha.

 

Love that little baking buddy of mine.

 

I also LOVE all that natural light that Mimi’s kitchen has. It makes for some great food photos.

Hope you enjoy this recipe. I got great reviews from my taste testers! Of course I can’t take all the credit, I’ll give that to Miss. Betty Crocker :)

Marvel Universe Live Coming to The Honda Center!

My son Charlie has been SO anxious to go see Marvel Universe Live ever since he saw a promo for it at a Ducks game last year. He LOVES Marvel, as does my husband and this is going to be the perfect Father/Son outing for them to experience together!

Join Wolverine, Captain America, Spiderman and MORE for a night of action packed comic book fun!

 

Marvel Universe Live is coming to the Honda Center, Thursday March 26th- Sunday March 29th, 2015.

Thursday March 26th- 7pm

Friday March 27th- 7pm

Saturday March 28th- 11am, 3pm, 7pm

Sunday March 29th- 11am, 3pm, 7pm

Tickets available for purchase online through http://www.ticketmaster.com, charge by phone 1-800-745-3000, or in-person at the venue box office.

Marvel Universe Live also coming to Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario and The Forum, Los Angeles. Please visithttp://www.marveluniverselive.com for more info.

Moms and Dads: I have a very special deal for YOU! 

Use code MOM to save $5 off tickets in the $30-$45 price level. Limit 6 tickets. **Valid on select shows:**Honda Center: Friday 3/27 & Saturday 3/28 at 7pm & Sunday 3/29 at 11am; CBBA – Friday 4/10 @ 7pm, Saturday 4/11 @ 11am, Sunday 4/12 @ 5pm; The Forum 5/2 @ Saturday 7pm***

 Photo Credit: Marvel Universe Live and Feld Entertainment

Living Life One Day At A Time

My life has been nuts lately.
I’m not going to go into a long rant about the craziness of my life, but I want to share that I’ve been feeling an urge from God telling me to “stop, and be STILL”. Simply “REST”. Appreciate sweet, simple moments. STOP the worrying.
It wasn’t until a sweet friend came over a few weeks ago, that I actually took this feeling seriously. I’m telling you God spoke through this friend, and I listened. I realize I’ve been doing too much lately and some things had got to GO! I cut out a few things and feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders… Sweet, sweet relief…
I’m taking more time to appreciate the small things in life that had been passing me by oh so quickly.

Taking the time to do crafts with my kids and enjoying every second of it.

Taking time for MYSELF and doing the things I love. I haven’t picked up yarn and a crochet hook in over a year. I love crocheting so much. It brings me peace. It allows me to create beautiful things for others that I pour my love into.

My hubby and I lit a fire the other night- It’s finally cooled down enough here in OC that we were able to. We put the kids to bed, and just talked and enjoyed eachother’s company, while sipping a glass of red wine (naturally).

Now that the weather has been so beautiful, we’ve been living outside. Park time, playing hockey, throwing a ball around. Whatever it may be, I’ve been loving it. Today Ciera found a rollie-pollie in our front yard. She was ecstatic! Just watching the joy radiate from her made me beyond happy. It was really a sweet sight. Simple pleasures in life. The small things. That’s the important stuff.

Cutting the unimportant things out of my life has given me the chance to do more of one of my favorite things in the world- BAKE! I mean can you believe I’d even neglected this from my life? It makes me happy to create desserts. It makes me happy to give them away to others.

And of course I’ve been spending more quality time with the ones I love the most. Just remembering to be PRESENT and live life one day at a time. Not worrying about what is going to happen tomorrow. Life is just too short to worry. I feel like in this season of my life God is teaching me to simply trust in HIM. I always knew this was the right thing to do, but I’m trying my best to really make this my reality. Because let’s face it- in the end everything is going to be okay, and I don’t want to be too caught up in an unimportant, busy “life” to let these sweet moments pass me by.

Matthew 6:34- “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.”
Psalm 13:5- But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Disney On Ice- Interview With Skater Brittany Fullgrapp

Disney On Ice is coming soon to Orange County and we couldn’t be more excited! I remember going to Disney On Ice when I was a little girl and being absolutely fascinated with the lights, the sounds, the skaters. Oh the skaters. I swore to my parents that I would one day be a professional figure skater. I would watch Kristi Yamaguchi and Nancy Kerrigan in the Olympics over and over and over. Really, Ask my mom if you don’t believe me! I was crazy about ice skating. I’d beg her to take me pretty much every weekend. She did. And I even took a few lessons. And I realized it’s a lot harder then they make it look on tv!
 
These skaters make it look effortless out there on the ice, wouldn’t you agree? I recently had the privilege of chatting with Brittany Fullgrapp of Disney On Ice. She’s one of the many talented skaters in the show. She plays the character of Alice from Alice and Wonderland.

Isn’t she adorable?
Brittany’s been skating since she was a little girl- she’s been skating for 19 years now! WOW. She comes from a family of figure skaters and has known from a very young age that this is what she wanted to do with her life. She wanted to skate competitively and eventually that turned into a Disney career. Brittany skates in 12 Disney On Ice shows each week and loves the performing, traveling, people she meets along the road and the lifelong friendships she’s made with other fellow skaters who become family. Brittany says the most challenging aspects to her skating career are of course the falls, but this girl has a strict practice schedule to keep up on her game. Brittany is a hard worker, has drive and determination and if you go out to one of the Disney On Ice shows this season, you’ll be sure to notice that in all the skaters. They simply amaze me.
Disney On Ice and Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt have teamed up this year to bring us an awesome show and also to renew our focus on nutritious food choices and well-being. The ‘MAGIC’ of healthy living. Their hope is to promote active, healthier lifestyle choices for children and families everywhere. What a great example we have to follow by watching these athletic, graceful skaters. It inspires me, and I’m sure so many children out there!
Stonyfield hopes to help families stay active, eat well and have fun and that’s what the ‘magic’ of healthy living is all about! Hope to see you at the show friends!
PHOTO CREDIT: Feld Entertainment

Monster Jam coming to Anaheim Feb. 7th!

My husband Brandon and son Charlie went to Monster Jam an Angel’s Stadium over the weekend and had a blast! The trucks were awesome, and did so many cool tricks. Both of them were just in awe. They came home raving about the show and wondered when we could all go back- they loved it that much. It’s a show that is great for the whole family, but a little tip – might be good idea to bring some earplugs for the little ones (may not be necessary, but good to have just in case, as it can get a little loud depending on where you are sitting.)

If you didn’t make it to Monster Jam over the weekend, you are in luck!Monster Jam is coming back to Angel’s Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday Feb. 7th! You don’t want to miss it!
 
For ticket info, showtimes and dates please visit http://www.monsterjam.com

We Olive and Wine Bar- The Olive Oil Experience

There is a great new little shop down in San Juan Capistrano (I LOVE San Juan Capistrano) called ‘We Olive and Wine Bar’- The Olive Oil Experience. And what an experience it is!

I had the privilege of going down to the quaint shop off Camino Capistrano this past Saturday with my husband Brandon and and friend/fellow OC Family Mom Ambassador Jen Broas- if you know SJC at all, the shop is centrally located next to the antique shop and just a short walk away from the historic Los Rios Street. I was welcomed into the gorgeous shop with beautiful brick walls by Kim Middleton, Owner.
 
We got to experience our very own tasting of all the wonderful extra virgin olive oils, vinegar and other yummy goodies they offer throughout the store. Let me tell ya, this shop will for sure have what you are looking for if you are in the market for some unique and flavorful olive oils and vinegar. Among my favorites I got to taste test were the lemon olive oil and the fresh garlic olive oil and the peach white balsamic vinegar- which by the way makes for a great ingredient in a unique cocktail. I’ll share the recipe with you a little bit later.
  
We Olive has a quite large selection, and you want to know a fun little secret? You can head down to the shop yourself and have your own little tasting, any of the employees and even Kim herself would be happy to offer you samples of anything you may be interested in before purchasing. But just a warning: It’s going to be hard to leave empty handed, everything I tried was absolutely delicious, and if you are like me and want to incorporate a little more olive oil into your cooking and be a bit healthier (which means LESS butter) then this is the shop for you!
We Olive not only offers their California grown and made olive oils and vinegar, they offer olive oils from other regions, jams, spreads and appetizers.
 
These two are just a taste of what I fell in love with. The sweet caramelized onion spread would be perfect with some nice cheese and a glass of wine. It would also be decadent on a homemade flat bread pizza in place of sauce, and topped with some creamy gruyere cheese. YUM.
The caramel can simply be eaten right out of the jar with a spoon, ha! It’s SO darn good. And made with simple ingredients that you can actually pronounce. This would be wonderful topped on some really good vanilla ice cream.

And now for the spiced sour cherry spread. Oh the spiced sour cherry spread. Oh how I LOVE cherries. In fact I just made a homemade chocolate cake last week for a friends birthday, this would be absolute perfection in that cake as a filling.
Follow this recipe for THE perfect homemade chocolate cake:

Ingredients:
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ tsp. baking soda
¾ tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
½ cup butter, melted
1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl or a stand mixer, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Then add the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract and beat until smooth, several minutes. Stir in the boiling water (NOTE: batter will be very runny).
3. Pour batter into the two prepared pans and bake in the preheated oven for approx 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
4. Allow cake to cool in pans before removing and icing.
Chocolate Buttercream Icing Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 Tbsp. milk
1/2 jar Spiced Sour Cherry Spread
*PLEASE NOTE: For the filling, you’ll need a 1/2 jar of the spiced sour cherry spread and reserve approx 1/2 cup of the completed chocolate icing. Combine icing, and cherry spread and use as your cake filling.
Directions:
1. In a stand mixer or with an electric beater cream butter. Add sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder.  Add the salt and vanilla and milk and beat on medium until smooth. Ice your cake and enjoy!
We Olive also offers a lovely selection of gifts:
 
From ceramics and serving dishes, kitchen items to bath and body items, to wine inspired candles to beautiful wooden bowls, they even offer the artwork right off their very own walls!

We Olive has something great in the works as well. They are soon to be opening their wine bar and small bites menu. They will offer wine tasting and wonderful menu items that will incorporate many of the ingredients from their very own shop. I think once that wine bar opens, it will make for the perfect date night out!
Stop by We Olive and tell them I sent you! It’ll be an unique experience you’ll be sure to love.
We Olive and Wine bar

31760 Camino Capistrano Suite B

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

949.441.7279

http://weolive.com/san-juan-capistrano/
You didn’t think I’d forget did you? Here’s a fun little cocktail that uses We Olive’s Peach White Balsamic Vinegar:
2 oz. Vodka
2 TSP.  Peach White Balsamic Vinegar
Shake the ingredients up, serve in a chilled glass, or over ice if you prefer. It may sound strange, I know. It really is yummy, and just different. Cheers!

5 Easy 4th of July Dessert Ideas

The 4th of July is very quickly becoming one of my favorite holidays. I just love the Americana decor, warm summer weather, being outdoors, swimming, BBQ’s and of course the fireworks. Easy going living, and I just love it!
There are just too many cute dessert ideas out there. I want to share a few of my favorites with you, and FYI all of these are pretty self-explanatory, super easy and cute… Enjoy!

These white chocolate dipped strawberries are adorable with the blue sugared tips, and how easy?!

This might be one my favorites! I just love how beautiful the berries and whipped cream look in the pretty trifle dish (have I mentioned how much I love trifles?) And again, so simple, as you just layer the berries and whipped cream, and if you want to get a little crazy add a layer of cut up angel food or pound cake into the trifle.

These firecracker pretzel rods are cute. Just take your pretzel rod, dip in melted white chocolate, and top with red, white and blue sprinkles. Display them in a cute glass or mason jar. These would even be a really cute centerpiece.

I just love this fruit/pretzel flag. This includes strawberries – (they can easily be substituted with raspberries) and blueberries- which are some of my favorites. It also includes yogurt pretzels,  love those too! (a little hint- purchase your yogurt pretzels in the bulk bins at Sprouts, its cheaper and you have the control over how much to purchase!)

I LOVE these patriotic ice cream sandwiches! Take a box of frozen, pre-made ice cream sandwiches and rim in patriotic colored sprinkles for a yummy, cool treat- stick optional, but I think it looks cute!
Happy 4th Everyone!!

photo credit: rollingout.com, schmittastic and celebrations.com

My top 10 must haves for summertime!

HAPPY HAPPY SUMMERTIME FRIENDS!!!
Thought I’d share a few of my favorites with you guys.
These are my absolute must-haves for summertime (actually, all the time!)  Here you go–
#10- Skinny Girl Sangria


I’m normally a red wine kind of girl, but I was chatting with a good friend recently and she raved about this stuff, so I thought I’d give it a try- and you know what? It’s pretty darn good! This sweet, fruity white wine sangria is absolutely perfect for summertime, and approx 130 calories per 5 oz to boot. I’ll take it! I found it at Target for about $10 per bottle. The Skinnygirl brand of cocktails has many more variety/flavors available. I’ll definitely be checking them out!
#9- The Honest Company Sunscreen

It is almost impossible for me to choose only one item from this amazing company, as I love every product of theirs I’ve tried (and I’ve tried almost all of them) but since it’s summertime I’m choosing their sunscreen. When it comes to my kids and the products I use on them, I want to be certain that the products are safe and made with pure, natural, amazing ingredients. I do not have to worry whatsoever when I’m  using  The Honest Company products! This sunscreen is SPF 30, fragrance free and glides on super smooth. I just love it! I was first introduced to this company about a year ago through a friends instagram photo. I read the book “The Honest Life” by Jessica Alba (founder of  The Honest Company) and the book changed my life! Why use products with yucky synthetic ingredients in them when you can purchase great, high quality natural and organic products for about the same cost? The Honest Company offers customers to sign up for their monthly “bundle” to get your favorite products shipped directly to your house every month at a discounted rate (which is what I do!). They are now also offering their products at Target and Costco, so if you just want to try out an item or two from them, this might be the way to go. But seriously give their stuff a try- I promise you will love it!
#8- EOS “Sweet Mint” Lip Balm

Everyone loves lip balm/lip gloss, am I right?! Thought so. If you haven’t tried this one, then I highly suggest you run out to Target, Walmart, Ulta, Ralphs… Like right now! EOS (Evolution Of Smooth) is 100% natural and 100% organic, and for approx 3 bucks a pop, you can’t go wrong. I love the fun packaging too. The “sweet mint” flavor is my personal favorite, but they have so much to choose from including lemon drop, tangerine and summer fruit- which smells like fruit punch, yum! So go on, go out and get your EOS!
#7-  doTERRA Peppermint Essential Oil

I Love my doTERRA  essential oils. I think the peppermint oil would have to be my favorite. I use this for reducing my kiddos fevers, tummy problems, an afternoon pick me up and in my water, but the number one reason I use this stuff is for my headaches, and I tend to get a lot of them (blah!) All you do is take a drop or two, apply to temples and back of neck, and I tell ya it works almost instantly for me. Love it.
#6- Bare Minerals Faux Tan

I’m addicted. This product delivers the results I need. It absolutely DOES NOTdisappoint. Trust me friends, I have tried so so so many sunless tanners out there, and this one plain and simple works! I do not like to be exposed to the sun at all- it’s horrible! Nor do I desire to tan like I did when I was a teenager. This Bare Minerals Faux Tan gives a nice bronze, sunkissed glow immediately without the harmful rays of the sun and a few hours later the bronze color will intensify. It really is amazing. I purchase mine at Ulta.
#5- Alex and Ani Bracelets

Oh how I love my Alex and Ani bracelets. My hubby bought me 4 in gold for our 10 year anniversary last February. I got the initials “A” for me, Alisa, “B” for my hubby Brandon and “C” for the kids, Charlie and Ciera. I also got the “path of life” symbol (each Alex and Ani bracelet has a specific meaning). Since then I’ve purchased two more, a gold one with a grape charm (for my love of the fruit- in liquified version, ha!) and I also started the silver collection, uh oh. My silver bracelet has a cute little cupcake on it- don’t need to explain that one. These bracelets are the perfect accessory for anytime of the year. You’ll rarely catch me without mine on. They are made in the USA, eco-friendly and made with all recycled metal, they are approx $28 each. The more you wear them, the more of a vintage look they will acquire, which I love. I’m warning you, these are very very addicting. Just like the potato chip- you can’t have just one  Find these bracelets at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and various boutique shops.
#4- Reed’s Kombucha

I love the Reed’s brand. They offer a variety of fancy sodas (my kids LOVE their rootbeer!) But I LOVE their kombucha. My fav flavor they make is the mango ginger. I think kombucha is the “in” thing to drink these days, and that’s ok with me. It’s a fermented tea and definitely has an acquired taste, but I love it. It has a natural effervescence. It’s also full of probiotics, B vitamins, antioxidants and so much more. Give it a try!
#3- My Crockpot

Who wants to slave over a hot stove on a warm summer day? I love using my crockpot so I don’t have to! Here’s my favorite crockpot recipe to make from “Just A Pinch”- Rootbeer chicken.
#2- Rita’s Italian Ice

I won’t go into detail on why I love Rita’s so much- you’ll just have to read my blog that I posted a few weeks ago- click here. But please guys, check this place out. It’s THE perfect summertime dessert!
#1- Trader Joe’s Coconut Body Butter

And, my NUMBER 1 favorite item is this little gem. Trader Joes Coconut Body Butter. It is ahhmazing! I use it constantly throughout the day. My hands are extremely dry- probably from my OCD hand washing, and I swear this stuff cures the dryness. It smells divine- like summertime, really. It has such a smooth, non-greasy texture, and the BEST part– it’s only $4.99 a pop at your local Trader Joes. Yep, at that price friends, you NEED it!

Please give some of these goodies a try and as always, I’d LOVE to hear from you. Shoot me a comment on your favorite summertime products- I’d love to connect. Stay cool friends!
xo, Alisa