There is absolutely no doubt about the fact that I LOVE a good brunch on Sunday.  It has become tradition for Eric and I to do church, grocery shop and brunch every Sunday morning.  A routine I have learned to love.  And you all know by now I love a good routine.  Those things come before meal prepping, cleaning the whole house, putting laundry away and who could forget about Clean Sheets Sunday?  Because DUH, you can't start a work week without fresh bedding.  These pancakes are to DIE for.  Definitely will become a regular addition to omelets, fruit and hash browns!  No flour necessary, which is amazing for all of us gluten-free (try to be good about it so my stomach doesn't explode) people!      

In addition to a fab breakfast....can we talk about this amazing February weather?  Last year on this date it was 11 degrees outside.  Today it was what?  67 degrees?  I mean how crazy is that?  It makes me so much more productive.  Not that you would know I was productive this weekend....considering I am 9 episodes into Fuller House.  Which I am totally okay with.  

Happy Monday Eve!

XoXo, 
NaturallyNati

But sleep sure does the body good (side note I do know that milk does the body good...however I despise it. I get my calcium via almond/cashew milk and cheese. But that is a story for another day). As I wrote on Sunday, I wanted to set a goal to sleep more. Well people...I am on day THREE of being in bed before 10 PM. Holla! And no joke, it has made the biggest difference. So yeah, I still probably don't fall asleep until 10. And yeah I'm still waking up at 4:45 AM, but getting close to 7 hours of sleep a night (opposed to 5-6) has totally changed my attitude. I have woken up before my alarm twice (which is ridiculous because who has a natural alarm clock of 4:42 AM?!), and it feels so good. And of course there is research to support why I feel so much better. The sleep foundation suggests that people between 18-64 need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. While I wish I could sleep 9 hours, knowing that I am getting closer to the 7 is a start! Check out the suggested hours of sleep per night based on age below!

XoXo,

NaturallyNati

So I know I'm exaggerating and February isn't a total wash, but man...even on a leap year this month flies! And I have totally neglected this blog! Yikes! Between being stuck in a snowstorm in TN to finishing taxes, to about a million other things....life kind of got in the way. But I am making a pact with myself to get more sleep, and set some big goals. I'm ready to make some changes. Which is exactly why a glass of wine and some journaling on a Sunday were just what the doctor ordered. Cheers to a great week!

XoXo,

NaturallyNati

This buffalo chicken dip spin-off has become one of my favorite football snacks....hence the name: Football Dip. I'm totally not trying to toot my own horn here or anything, but I make a mean buffalo chicken dip. And of course, I marry a vegetarian. So...I introduce to you a quinoa and cottage cheese, healthier evolution from my old fave. I absolutely have nothing against chicken, so you can definitely add it in...but I promise this dip has an interesting texture and extreme flavor. The quinoa is loaded with nutrients and is a great source of protein. I started using cottage cheese instead of cream cheese when I realized how A. You can't tell the difference, and B. It helped bump up the dip on the health-o-meter a tad 😜. Just looking at the macronutrients for cream cheese versus cottage cheese, the swap is justified:

1 cup cream cheese

810 calories

80.9 grams of fat

6.17 grams of carbs

17.52 grams protein

😳

vs.

1 cup cottage cheese

116 calories

5.1 grams of fat

3 grams of carbs

14.11 grams of protein

😍

I serve this dip from a small crockpot so it stays warm. Just make sure you watch it so it doesn't burn! Stirring occasionally will help as well! Eric eats his straight up, but I prefer dipping celery or Fritos (to bring back the tradional feel of buff dip).

On that note, back to the game. I am pretty hype after that Bruno/Queen B "Do it like me challenge".

Go Peyton!

XoXo,

NaturallyNati

The magical fruit!!!!  A couple of you guessed it!  Shout out to Emily Reisert and Bob Muro for hitting it spot on!  These AMAZING cake pops are made from a healthy portion of garbanzo beans (chick peas).  You could totally use black beans too.  The recipe I am posting is NOT vegan...but could easily be with a few modifications!  As with any recipe...tweak it as you see fit. I honestly could not believe how good these were when I made them.  Full disclosure....I was having my family over for dinner last night, needed a dessert and literally had no ingredients.  I didn't even have eggs.  (Today is grocery day don't worry).  So I scrounged up what I did have...and everyone was super impressed.  My dad and brother are total chocoholics.  I of course did not tell them what was in them before they took a bite...but they were in shock afterwards.  They each had 2....and my hubby had 3....so if that data should speak for itself!  When I become a mom....this is going to totally be my go-to sneaky healthy snack for the kiddos.  

XoXo, 
NaturallyNati