Left over coconut milk?

So, you made the cupcakes I posted about. (because all of you did, I'm sure.) Now you have 1/2 a can off coconut milk left. You are hopeful that you'll use it in something, but in the back of your mind you know it's just going to sit there for three months until you finally find it buried in the back of your fridge and decide to throw it out. (unless you're an amazing Thai chef)

While your baby is napping, go down to the fridge and grab that coconut milk. Put it in a bowl with a couple tablespoons of EVOO. Pop it in the microwave for a couple minutes until it's borderline "fires of Mordor" hot.

Run up to the bathroom and pour that sniz all over your roots. Massage it into your scalp and down your hair. Clip your hair up, wrap a towel around your shoulders, and go read your book or watch your talk show.  Massage scalp every twenty minutes for an hour. After the hour is up, and you've finished your chapter or your talk show is over, (and your baby is about to wake up) go shampoo and rinse out your luxurious locks. Then style as usual.

Does it work? Well, pinterest and my morning show tell me it's all the rage,so yes it works. Your hair will now grow faster and be thicker and more luxurious. If anything it just makes you feel a little pampered and spoiled without having to spend money.

I did this obviously while Amelia was napping and Chase was at work. If you're REALLY smart you'll wait until you and you're husband are lying on the couch watching a movie. Then go and make it, grab a plastic basin, and let the pampering begin from his finger tips to your scalp. Let me tell you, that's my plan for next time!

Goals and Cupcakes

Alright, so here's the deal. For a big part of our new year goals this year, Chase and I have decided to fulfill needs in every area of wellness, including mental, physical, spiritual, etc.
If you knew me in college, you know that I am a planner Nazi. So, as you can imagine since being graduated I have felt a serious lack of planning, motivation, and not to mention the satisfaction of crossing things off of lists.
To fill the proverbial empty place in my heart, we downloaded the "success checklist" app. I now have a list that looks a little something like this:
-morning prayer before chase leaves
-wake up (before Amelia so that I can be showered when she wakes up)
-do something for yourself
-scripture study
-learn something new
-Amelia's bedtime routine (including reading a kids book and an adult book)
-Family prayer
-make sure living space is clean
-work out
-write in journal
-couple & personal prayer
We have times and alarms associated with each of these tasks, and they strategically match up with Amelia nap times.
It is great to be organized, and to feel myself moving forward in so many aspects of life.
I share this to hopefully spark inspiration to find something that helps those of you reading be more productive. I have a long history of being a "well, I just didn't have the time" person. But I recently heard it put that "we all have the same time, it's simply how we use it."
I came to the realization the other night that this new way of life has made me feel, for the first time in a long time, truly how I want to be physically, spiritually, mentally, etc.
So, moving on. Doesn't it seem that when you are trying to eat healthy, you crave sweets the most!? Thus, last night I had the strongest craving for chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. So, I began thinking about how I could satisfy this need. (Yes, I said need.)
Many of you I'm sure have heard about putting a can of black beans into browning mix. Well, I was thinking on this, and decided to experiment.
I decided to try mixing black beans into cake mix. (and maybe that's a thing too, but let me tell you...I felt as though I was a cave woman creating fire...edible fire.) So, if you're slightly disenchanted by that, then perhaps the frosting will be the kicker.
As I nurse Amelia in the mornings, I watch morning shows. From what I have gathered, coconut oil, water, milk .... it's all the rage. (because I wouldn't know these things just on my own) So, here's what I did. Extra dark chocolate chips (63% cocoa, pretty healthy) and lite coconut milk....whipped. And there you go. That's it. Let it sink in...go ahead.

The result literally shocked me. The frosting is incredible. The cupcake is incredible. (and not to mention so moist) So here's the measurements:
Cupcakes:
1 box any variety of chocolate cake mix
1 can reduced sodium black beans (whole can, undrained)
3/4 water (I simply did this to compensate for elevation, but regardless I would ads a little water because it will be thick)
Puree black beans, and mix well into cake mix with water. And boom. That's it. Cook according to cake mix box, but I just watched them closely and poked a toothpick in them every so often until they were ready.
Frosting:
1/2 can lite coconut milk (you want the frothy layer on top)
1/2 bag extra dark chocolate chips
In sauce pan on stove, melt chocolate chips into coconut milk. Let cool to room temperature, then whip on high until desired consistency.
There you go. Now, these probably can't be exactly considered "diet food", but these are certainly the most healthy desserts I have ever made. And I certainly don't feel guilty in the slightest after eating them. And I am not stretching the truth at all when I say they are better than the homemade cupcakes I make with heavy cream in the batter and frosting. And believe me,I am not one who trades flavor for health.
Now, go make them!!!

A year review and a kickstart to a greater one.

What a whirlwind year. This has by far been the hardest and best year of my life.
January-April: Our last winter semester ever, 2nd semester managing academy, Chase started teaching seminary, we told the world that our Amelia was coming, and of course morning sickness.

May-July: Our last semester of college! This block of time was a bit of a doozy for us. At 27 weeks pregnant we were afraid that I was leaking amniotic fluid, so we went to the hospital and discovered that I was 75% effaced, and beginning to dilate. I was monitored for 24 hours and given steroid shots in case preterm labor decided to happen. I was put on 2 months of bed rest. We were only barely coming up on midterms. I felt hopeless. After a couple of weeks of getting adjusted physically and mentally, I discussed my options with my teachers. I ended up being able to finish 3 of my classes through email, and my other 3 were made into medical incompletes of which I could pick up and finish during the upcoming Fall semester. I tried very hard to be positive, and it was great to have somewhat of a plan for my degree, but it was very hard to feel trapped and as though all control of my life had been taken away. I was difficult to see what the purpose of this trial was. Chase had to discover how to go to school, teach, cook, and take care of me. We had to learn to work together in a way we never had before. Eventually the 2 months past, and we were able to walk in graduation. Oh, happy day! Yes, I said WALK.

August-December: August brought some frustrating waiting, as the doctors told us that they were sure the baby would come as soon as I came off if bed rest. Each week brought more centimeters of dilation, but no labor. We decided to leave our managing job, and move down to Idaho falls because chase was teaching at Bonneville. So, at 39 weeks pregnant we packed up and moved everything down. We left a mattress in our apartment so that we could just have the baby at Madison, and then just go home to IF. Two days before my due date we went into the doctor, and were told that I was 7 centimeters dilated. The doctor didn't want to risk sending me home, because he was sure that the baby would come quickly when my true labor ever decided to come. So, off to the hospital we went. I was given an epidural, my water was broken, and the waiting began. After a couple of hours the doctors were shocked, my body just did not want to go into labor. They decided to give me just a little bit of pitocin, and that seemed to do the trick. Amelia arrived at 7:23 pm after about 45 minutes of pushing. At 8 lbs. 1 oz. she was perfection.

The last four months have been an amazing learning experience. Through sleep deprivation, learning to smile, first giggles, lots of blowouts, rolling over, eating rice cereal, and sleep training Chase and I have learned how to better rely on one another and our Heavenly Father. After a few weeks of getting used to having Amelia, I went to work on finishing my classes. I work on portraits, ceramics, and darkroom developing each day. Fortunately I had my super hero, Chase, to help me with Amelia so that I could get work done and still manage to get some sleep.
We ended the year being able to spend time with both of our families, go to Seattle at Christmas time, and getting Amelia on a sleep schedule in which she sleeps about 12 hours at night!

I was able to learn so much about myself, my husband, and the gospel this year. Through my personal trials I learned better patience with myself and in the Lord's plan and timing. I have greater learned what it means to be sealed as husband and wife, as well as family. I have been humbled and amazed that I could be entrusted to such a pure spirit and that one being could be so perfect and loved in my eyes. I have learned about myself as an artist, and what my goals are for the future. I have learned how to believe in myself.
I am more than excited for this new year. I am excited to continue to watch the growth of Amelia. I am excited to feel my love increase. I am excited to blog. I am excited to work on getting my body back to pre-bed rest and pre-pregnancy conditions. I am excited to accomplish my goals,  do art, and read books.
Here's to 2013.