Try This— My Favorite 4 Healthy Christmas Brunch Recipes

I’m pretty bad at all those get fit, over-haul-your-diet kind of New Year’s resolutions. I’ve decided, instead, to end this year on a healthy note. Kind of a tall order considering Christmas cookies and New Year’s drinks, but I’m pretty determined to get a jump on all the healthy promises I make to myself come January 1st. The thing is, I like sweet and yummy. Is that a crime?! I think not. These recipes will have you thinking you’re in the Matrix because they’re so damn good, and so good for you. This is not a dream, Neo, it’s just Christmas brunch. You must try this!

Make Ahead Baked Gingerbread Pecan French Toast

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf hearty white bread, sliced
  • 5 eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup brewed gingerbread coffee (see note if you don’t have gingerbread coffee on hand)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

  1. Butter a baking dish generously.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, coffee, vanilla and spices.
  3. Arrange the bread in the baking dish in a staggered (staircase-like) manner.
  4. Pour the liquid over the top of the bread, fully coating each piece.
  5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  6. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  7. Take the plastic wrap off the baking dish and spoon whatever liquid has not been absorbed over the tops of the bread.
  8. Sprinkle the nuts and brown sugar on top and bake for 35-40 minutes until the liquid is cooked and the tops of the bread are starting to turn golden brown. You can broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for an even more toasted look.
  9. Remove from the oven, garnish with powdered sugar if desired and serve warm with maple syrup and butter.

Winter Fruit Salad

Ingredients

  • 2 large ruby red grapefruit, peeled and segmented
  • 2-3 navel oranges, peeled and segmented
  • 2-3 medium pears, any variety, cored and sliced
  • 2 ripe persimmons, thinly sliced
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1 pomegranate
  • 1 small bunch fresh mint, cut into thin ribbons, or torn into pieces

Directions

  1. Place the citrus fruit, pears, and persimmons into a serving bowl. Squeeze the lemon juice over the top and set aside.
  2. Cut the pomegranate in half horizontally. Working over a bowl set in the bottom of the kitchen sink, hold the pomegranate in your hand, cut-side down. Hit the back of the pomegranate with a wooden spoon. The seeds will fall from the membranes into the bowl. Fill the bowl with cool water. Any of the leftover membranes will rise to the top and can easily be separated from the seeds. Drain and sprinkle over the top of the other fruit.
  3. Sprinkle the fresh mint over the top and serve immediately.

Quinoa Granola With Cranberry and Pistachio

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed well to remove bitterness and well-drained
  • 1/4 cup slivered raw almonds
  • 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
  • 1/4 cup golden flax seeds
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a mixing bowl combine the quinoa, almonds, pistachios,and flax seeds; stir well. Heat the maple syrup and the coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl on high for 20 seconds. Stir in the cinnamon, and salt then pour the wet ingredients over the dry and toss to coat.
  3. Spread the quinoa mixture in a thin layer overthe prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown, stirring twice during the cook time. Add the chopped cranberries during the last 5 minutes of cook time.
  4. Cool completely on the baking sheet, as it cools the granola will harden and begin to clump together. When cooled break up any large pieces of granola into small clusters and store for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
  5. Serve along side yogurt or with milk

Simple Kale Frittata

Ingredients

  • 8-10 kale leaves, stems removed
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 6 extra large (or 8 large) eggs
  • 2-3 Tablespoons milk (non-dairy, unsweetened is fine)
  • a little water
  • salt and pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Wash the kale well, dry and rip into pieces or cut into ribbons.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large, 10-inch non-stick or cast iron skillet. Add the diced onion and cook until it softens and turns golden brown, about 15 minutes. (You can speed up the process by adding some water to the skillet and letting it evaporate as the onions cook.)
  3. Add the garlic and kale to the pan along with a little water to keep the kale from sticking to the pan. Continue cooking and season well with salt and pepper.
  4. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs with the milk. Add a little more salt and pepper to the eggs. When the kale has wilted and cooked down, remove the pan from the heat and pour the eggs over the kale and rearrange as necessary so everything is evenly distributed in the pan.
  5. Place pan in the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until eggs are set. Let cool slightly before cutting into wedges.
  6. Serve with home fries.

Source: Cafe Johnsonia and Hello Glow

Favorite Winter Scrubs to Gift + Detox Market Beauty Box

Some DIY beauty recipes are just so darn pretty that you can confidently whip ’em up, wrap ’em up, and place them under your Christmas tree. Here are some of my absolute favorite gifts or stocking-stuffers for everyone on your list. Short on time? Make sure you read on for some ready-made, natural beauty gift ideas from the Detox Market!

Homemade Eucalyptus Oatmeal Bath Salts

Homemade Eucalyptus Oatmeal Bath Salts---Spa Days at Home

The perfect gift, this eucalyptus oatmeal bath salt recipe combines the fresh and soothing fragrance of eucalyptus with the unmatched healing power of oatmeal. Use natural twine to tie a simple, festive bow around the decorative jar of your choice. Find the recipe here.

7 Homemade Winter Body Scrubs

7 Homemade Winter Body Scrub Recipes--- Spa Days at Home

Choose from 7 amazing combinations, or make them all. These are perfect little stocking-stuffers. The peppermint mocha scrub is my personal favorite, and the ground coffee base is a unique twist on the regular sugar and salt varieties. A thoughtful gift for the coffee lovers in your life. Find that and all the other recipes here.

The Detox Market

 

I love everything about this online shop. All your beauty needs without the use of any nasty ingredients. They even have a subscription box now so you and your giftee can receive all kinds of goodies in the mail. The coupons below will be applied to your order after you enter the code. Have fun shopping!

Free KAHINA Giving Beauty Gift Set

  • Code: KAHINA
  • Free KAHINA Giving Beauty Gift Set with ANY $70 purchase. Offer valid while supplies last.

Free Pai Skincare Gentle Genius Body Wash Kit

  • Code: PAIBODY
  • Get a Free Pai Skincare Gentle Genius Body Wash Kit ($14 value) with ANY $60 Pai Skincare product purchase!

Free full size W3LL PEOPLE Bio Booster Serum

  • Code: BIOBOOSTER
  •  Free full size W3LL PEOPLE Bio Booster Serum ($28.99 value) with ANY $45 W3LL PEOPLE purchase

DIY Christmas Decorations With Scandinavian Style

Less is more, you guys. I’ve been absolutely drooling over these beautiful examples of Scandinavian Christmas decorations. I just love how simple and stunning these little decorative touches are. Many of the ideas you see here are simple DIY projects that you can complete yourself or with a little help from the fam.  Just check out these pics and get inspired!

For a full tutorial on these and other projects, head over to Apartment Therapy by clicking the link below.

via DIY Christmas Decorations With Scandinavian Style | Apartment Therapy

Countdown to Christmas + Cyber Monday Deals

Hey, you guys!!! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, or at least one that wasn’t filled with too many awkward family moments and unwanted house guests. We did alright over here. There were only a couple of cringe-worthy moments, but we managed to balance it out with liqu— er, I mean, laughter. Anyway, this time of year, this countdown to Christmas time, is pretty much my fave. I love the planning, I love the decor, I love the lights, I love the shopping, and I love the eating.

So to help you along with your countdown to Christmas, I wanted to share some of my personal favorites

For the Beauty Obsessed

Whip up this quick and easy eggnog hair mask to save your tresses from the winter blues, or try one of these soothing Winter skin treats.

For the Fragrance Obsessed

Homemade Winter Potpourri (Stove Top or Slow Cooker)

Almost nothing is more inviting and cozy than the sweet smells of the holiday season. Fill your home with the soothing aromas of this DIY stovetop potpourri or try one of these ideas to make your home smell like Christmas.

For the Checklist obsessed

You can download and print some pretty useful checklists here. And for a super cute Advent calendar DIY project, you can find the tutorial here.

For the Decoration Obsessed

There are tons of ways to add holiday flair to your home. Even in the tiniest spaces, on the most meager of budgets you can add a little something festive and transform your home for the holidays. Check out some amazing Christmas tree ideas here, and some even more amazing style tips for small spaces here.

For the Brunch Obsessed

Try This---Eggnog French Toast

Add this amazing eggnog french toast recipe to your holiday brunch menu. While you’re at it, check out these 46 Christmas brunch ideas that are all just perfect for your holiday gathering.

For the Drink obsessed

Whether you’re in the mood for a cocktail or a hot winter treat, you’ll find the perfect drink recipe here.

For the Wrapping Paper obsessed

Take your gift wrap to the next level with these 21 ways to upgrade your butcher paper gift wrap.

It’s hard to believe that we’ve only got 4 weeks left until Christmas! Hopefully, I’ve given you some helpful tips. There’s certainly more where this came from. Stay tuned throughout the month of December for some cool ideas to get you into the holiday mood!

Also, as promised, you should check out these links to my fave Cyber Monday Deals from Houzz and Overstock!

Overstock Cyber Monday Sale – Valid through – 12.7.17 @ 11:59 PM MST

Houzz—Up to 80% off highest-rated home products

8 Last Minute Gift Ideas for Yoga Lovers

8 Last Minute Gift Ideas for Yoga Lovers

It’ not too late to grab these items or to diy something special for the yoga lovers on your Christmas list!

Yoga Blocks

Sometimes the one thing we need is the one thing we forget to get. Most yoga lovers might already have a set of yoga blocks, but take the gamble. It’s a win-win situation: either they don’t have them, or their blocks are a bit worn. Be the hero!

DIY Spa

 

Yoga is all about the holistic experience: Mind, body, and soul. Give the gift of handmade spa treatments. How special is that?

Yoga Gift Box

This is a complete set of cool yoga inspired items. If you’re short on time, give this a try, or diy your own.

Cool Mist Humidifier and Essential Oil Diffuser

This gadget creates that familiar relaxing spa feeling at home.

Lavender Eye Pillow

These scented eye pillows contain French lavender and organic flax seed. They totally help achieve complete relaxation during meditation.

Candles

You can never go wrong with candles! Except those overpowering, perfume-y Yankee candles you find in the mall. Yuck. Instead, you should take a more subtle approach. The yoga lovers on your list will love the soft scent and the cool wooden wick on these awesome candles!

Monogrammed Yoga Mat

A yoga mat with pizzazz! With a chevron pattern and the initials of your loved one, this yoga mat seriously stands out!

Nayoya Acupressure Mat

Corpse Pose is probably one of the most important, yet overlooked yoga poses. Give the gift of a better savasana! This acupressure mat encourages relaxation and muscle stress relief. This is a most have for any yogi!