Chocolate Pecan Cashew Butter + Thrive Market GIVEAWAY!

sarah_yates_A_House_in_the_hills_thrive_market-349874

Happy Monday my friends!  Hope you all had great weekends!  On Sunday I finished up the second week of my pal January‘s Sugar Detox (she has another starting May 4th and it’s an online thing, so I highly recommend for any of you looking to learn more about nutrition and get those sugar cravings under control!)  One of the things I craved during the two weeks sugar-free was these flavored nut butters that I used to buy at a rad little raw restaurant in San Diego before we moved to LA (pre- Palm Springs as well).  I’m not sure what all was in them because I didn’t pay much attention to nutrition labels at the time, but I LOVED them!  S0, I decided to make my own!  This chocolate pecan cashew butter is the perfect thing for me to grab a spoonful of when I get a sweets craving- the protein and good fats in the nuts satisfies my body while the cacao and coconut nectar satisfy my love of sweets!

OK, now for the second part of this post- I am SO EXCITED to introduce you all to Thrive Market.  I know that I sometimes post recipes that have ingredients that you can’t get your hands on (it’s horrifying to me that you can 100% guaranteed find Cheetos in any town across the country but in many cacao powder is hard to come by).  It’s also extremely frustrating that economically speaking the high quality, healthy and nutrition driven ingredients that I use are often inaccessible to many.  Like CRAZY-MAKING I MIGHT SCREAM MADDENING!  Which is why I’m so excited!

Thrive Market addresses both of those issues by making high quality ingredients available online at 25-50% off traditional retail prices- similar to Coscto they charge an annual $60 membership fee that enables them to offer these massive discounts.  With free shipping on orders over $49 and thousands of products to shop- it’s absolutely where I’ll be stocking up on all of my pantry items!  And with each membership sign-up they give one to a low income family or public school teacher (through a network of non-profits). THAT IS MY KIND OF COMPANY!   So I just wanted to give you a heads up- if you don’t live in a town that has a Whole Foods or health food store, if it hurts a little every time you check out at your market and see the receipt, if you’re as frustrated as I am that you can find Cheetos everywhere but have to search like an online ninja to find health foods- well, Thrive Market is for you.  I promise, you’re gonna love it!

AND, AND AND AND!   They’re offering one lucky reader a $250 shopping spree!  Register for Thrive here over the next 7 days and one of you lucky ducks will win that while 10 others will receive free year long memberships! HORRAY!  And good luck my friends!   xx- Sarah

sarah_yates_A_House_in_the_hills_thrive_market-349872sarah_yates_A_House_in_the_hills_thrive_market-349873 

Print
Chocolate Pecan Cashew Butter

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients, mix well and enjoy! Store in a refrigerator.
http://ahouseinthehills.com/2015/04/20/chocolate-pecan-cashew-butter-thrive-market-giveaway/

Browned Cauliflower and Kumquats

browned_cauliflower_kumquats_A_House_in_the_hills-2

I know.  I want to start this post by saying I KNOW. Every recipe I’ve shared of late has kumquats in it.  I don’t know what my deal is – I WANT TO EAT THEM ALL!  The tartness, the citrus-y goodness of eating the peel, the tiny cuteness factor- I just love them.  I love them only a little less than browned cauliflower, which is just up there with the best things ever.  And this dish, with the citrus champagne viniagrette- it’s a fresh and beautiful side dish.  If you eat eggs, add an egg and it’s a beautiful brunch.  I don’t know when I WOULDN’T eat this.  I hope you love, at least 75% as much as my undying love of kumquats- which is obvi A LOT!  Happy Monday my friends, let’s get it this week, whatever IT is for each of us!   xx- Sarah

browned_cauliflower_kumquats_A_House_in_the_hills-7 browned_cauliflower_kumquats_A_House_in_the_hills-4

click to read yo

Passionfruit Chia Pudding

SILK_soymilk_chia_pudding_A_House_in_the_hills-4959

Happy Thursday my friends!  As part of my get-healthy mission I’ve been working with my gal-pal-yoga-instructor-nutrition-fitness-coach/ life expert January and she’s been reinforcing the importance of including more protein in my diet.  So I’ve been looking for all the yummiest, healthiest, prettiest ways to do so of course!  And I prefer plant-based whenever I can.  So today’s post, in partnership with Silk Soymilk (Non GMO Project Verified-  horray!!) is for a protein packed, sweet and tasty passionfruit chia pudding.  Not only does it take minutes to make but it’s the perfect mid-day pick me up (or evening dessert!).  I love the simple sweet taste of the soymilk and chia, and the passionfruit, kumquats, toasted almonds and shredded coconut add texture and some punchy flavors!  It’s a real treat, but also low in saturated fat, full of heart healthy goodness and a nutritional powerhouse.  I hope you love it as much as I do!!  xx- Sarah

SILK_soymilk_chia_pudding_A_House_in_the_hills-4966 SILK_soymilk_chia_pudding_A_House_in_the_hills-4968

click to read yo

Mastering Your Morning Routines

WHBM_Sarah_Yates04

I’m so excited to be partnering with White House Black Market today to talk about my tips for making your morning routine as quick and easy as possible- while still managing to make it out into the world with style!  I’m fortunate that my schedule usually allows for me to ease into my day, but there are mornings when I’m rushing out the door straight away and don’t return until dinner time, and when those days (or weeks) come I’ve learned that it’s all about the art of preparation!

So today I have two recipes for you- one for a quick and healthy breakfast, and another for a hearty lunch to pack that’ll keep you going until dinner!

But FIRST, here are a few style tips to make getting dressed for your day something that feels easy and fun instead of stressful and rushed (we’ve all pulled on shirt after shirt only to toss them onto the floor in a heap of frustration when we find they don’t work, haven’t we?!)

Tip 1:  Clean out your closet!  Make sure you truly love AND WILL WEAR every piece that’s in it.  Seriously- if you don’t love it, love-it love it, it’s gotta go.

Tip 2:  For your work wardrobe it’s really helpful to stock up on neutrals- this makes mixing/matching so much easier.  Yes, color is amazing.  And yes, you should wear it if you love it.  And hey- color goes with neutrals…..so don’t discount them entirely!  Like the patterned pants I’m wearing- I can throw them on with a white top, a black top, I can dress them up or down- they’re a great example of a versatile color/pattern.  Having a closet full of options that work together will make outfit planning that much easier!

Tip 3:  Pick out your outfit the night before.  If you’re exhausted at night after you’ve put the kiddos to bed, or spent too many hours on Pinterest (GUILTY), try setting aside some time to outfit plan on the weekends.  The last thing anyone should be thinking about before they’ve had their coffee/tea/breakfast/first conversation of the day is what to wear!

What I’m wearing:  Printed pants, White top, Shoes  {Sponsored by White House Black Market}

WHBM_Sarah_Yates02

Ok, now onto mastering your morning routines for breakfast and lunch!  I think my biggest piece of advice for this is to PREP ON SUNDAY!  I make a big batch of granola, roast a ton of veggies, make a dressing or pesto, cook up some grains, wash my fruits and veggies and have everything at the ready to start the week.  This way on those mornings I’m rushing out the door, I’ve just got to get the granola, fruits and almond milk into the bowl.  I can always manage at least that.  And knowing it’s homemade and full of nutritious goodness makes me feel that much better about it.

WHBM_Sarah_Yates08

click to read yo

Coconut and Passionfruit Rice Porridge

coconut_rice_porridge_A_House_in_the_Hills-60

This may VERY well be the easiest, yummiest dish that I’ve ever made.  And with only six ingredients and one pot required- there’s pretty much no excuses.  YOU HAVE GOT TO EAT THIS.  The tropical flavor of coconut mixed with the tart sweetness of passionfruit and kumquats- it’s just heavenly.  In fact, I’m pretty sure this is the first thing they serve when you reach the pearly gates or whatever beautiful place we land when we leave this world.  I’m not a prophet, but I will tell you this- this food is divine.  Eat up, enjoy, be well my friends!  xx- Sarah  {dishes from VIETRI, here and here)

coconut_rice_porridge_A_House_in_the_Hills-63 coconut_rice_porridge_A_House_in_the_Hills-64

click to read yo

Ayurvedic Digestive Tea

Ayurvedic_digestive_tea_A_House_in_the_Hills-9

Today’s recipe has been simmering on our stovetop for practically two weeks straight.  My body and health took a huge hit with this past year- losing Carlos, and selling/buying houses alongside living with friends for 6 weeks- I’m clinging to my health by a thread.  Ok, I’ve been in bed 95% of the past week, only up for the things that have to get done and I’m not sure when I’ll be up and at em again.  So I’m busting out every trick in the book to reduce the inflammation in my body (as seen here).  And this traditional Ayurvedic digestive tea has been a lifesaver. The flavor is mild but if you’ve never had these ingredients before I suggest sweetening with a little bit of turmeric honey.  It’s divine, and so helpful for your digestive track and body!  Ok, on to the good stuff- more photos and recipe below!!   xx- Sarah {styling by Farra Miron}

Shop this post:  mug, dishes, teapot,  tea towel

Ayurvedic_digestive_tea_A_House_in_the_Hills-15 Ayurvedic_digestive_tea_A_House_in_the_Hills-13 Ayurvedic_digestive_tea_A_House_in_the_Hills-14

click to read yo