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Happy New Year!!

/ ktbuchs87

Most of you are probably still sleeping and with good reason.  You stayed up late celebrating the New Year in fun ways I’m sure.

Our New Year’s Eve was a little different this year, both of us were in bed by 10 pm.  Yup, we kind of missed ringing in 2016.  But with good reason, Adam has a nasty virus and I’m doing my best to ward it off.  We still celebrated a little.  I made a ton of dip (see Wednesday’s post) and we watched Netflix until Adam decided it was time to pass out.

I hope that you had a little bit more lively celebration, but whatever you did I hope that 2016 is a great year!

I’ll be back on Monday and I’ll share my word for the year as well as get back to my regular posts full of delicious food and simple ways to be healthy.  For now, I’m going to watch the parade and maybe a few bowl games and just relax!

Happy New Year!! | Life Healthfully Lived

Happy New Year friends!

Merry Christmas!!

/ ktbuchs87

I’m going to keep it short and sweet today because you should be spending time with the ones you love and celebrating this wonderful holiday.

Merry Christmas to you and your family from me and my family.  I hope you have an amazing day and that you may find peace in your life for this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas | Life Healthfully Lived

DIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache

/ ktbuchs87 / 1 Comment

AfterDIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache a week off, DIY Wednesday is back!  I know you missed it and were totally lost without a fun DIY to fill your Wednesday.  At least that’s what I would like to think.

I’m SUPER excited about this DIY because I didn’t think it was going to work and it did and it is amazing.  If you don’t know what a ganache is, then you obviously don’t spend enough time in bakeries or watching the Food Network.  A ganache is a glaze, sauce, icing, or filling that is typically made with cream and chocolate.  It can be used for cakes, cupcakes, truffles, or donuts.  Basically, anything that is delicious can be made even more delicious with ganache.DIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache | Life Healthfully Lived

Ganache used to be one of my favorite things.  It isn’t super heavy or super sweet like typical frostings and it really lets the chocolate flavor shine through.  And let’s face it, chocolate is the reason many of us get up in the morning.  Wait, is that just me?  Oh well, it’s true and I ain’t ashamed of that.

So you can imagine how excited I was when I was able to make it without dairy but still just as delicious.  I figured I would share this one with you right as the holiday season is upon us because this will definitely come in handy for all your baking needs.  You can use it as a frosting or icing for you cooking, as a decadent hot chocolate drink, as a filling for pastries or sweet breads, or stick it in the fridge for a rich and creamy mousse and a simple dessert.  The possibilities are endless and with just a few ingredients you can have this on hand at all times.  That is a very good thing!

Dairy-Free Chocolate GanacheDIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache | Life Healthfully Lived

  • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk, unsweetened
  • 2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate (I used Baker’s brand)
  • 2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey, molasses, whatever liquid sweetener you have on handDIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache | Life Healthfully Lived

 

  1. Using a microplane or fine grater, grate the 2 oz of chocolate into a medium bowl until you have a little pile of chocolate shreds.  Set bowl aside.
  2. Get a small to medium saucepan and pour the coconut milk in.  Heat the milk over medium heat and whisk frequently.  You don’t want the milk to boil or scald.  Whisk in the maple syrup or other sweetener and whisking until you get a light simmer.  This should take about 10 minutes
  3. Remove the milk from the heat and get your bowl with chocolate shreds.  Slowly pour in the sweetened warm milk, whisking the whole time.  Keep whisking until the chocolate is completely melted and everything is smooth.
  4. You can use the ganache right away or you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.DIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache | Life Healthfully Lived

Back To Normal

/ ktbuchs87

Almost… I’m actually coming to you from Sycamore this week.  I’m house/dog sitting and get to do a bit of “country” livin’ in my old neighborhood.  I actually do miss Sycamore sometimes.  It’s slower pace out here, quieter, calmer, and really quite beautiful.  While I love my Chicago neighborhood, it’s nice to come back and slow things down.

Back To Normal | Life Healthfully Lived

I love how these two are already in cahoots and love being brothers

It’s also nice because I get to work in a huge kitchen and take food pictures with all the natural light.  This house is a bloggers dream.  Or at least this galley kitchen, two-window, interior apartment-dwelling blogger’s dream.  So be on the lookout for some good food pics in the coming weeks…

I’m working on a few new recipes and I was thinking of a few ideas.  I honestly put recipes on the blog that I cook for me and Adam.  I don’t usually go out and create something that he or I wouldn’t eat or make regularly.  While that sometimes limits what I put on here, I think it also shows how a real home cook prepares meals.  I’m not a trained chef or even a professional recipe developer.  I just put things together that sound good in my head and I think would taste good.

Back To Normal | Life Healthfully Lived

Grandma and the grandkids

With that in mind, I was thinking of reworking one of my favorite childhood meals.  My mom’s leftover casserole.  She would make this a few days after Thanksgiving and it was almost better than the Thanksgiving feast itself.  I just have to figure out if I can gear it towards the healthier side of things…

I know I’ve said this before, but I am going to work on putting more meals that have meat in them up here.  I don’t personally eat meat, but Adam does and I do prepare a few dishes for him that he really likes and would make good weeknight meals.  I want this to be a place that anyone can come to and find at least one recipe that will fit their lifestyle, tastes delicious, and is healthy.

Back To Normal | Life Healthfully Lived

After feast Tripoly playing… I think Adam and I win the expression game

I hope that you are getting back to your regular routine without too much fatigue.  That first Monday after a holiday can be a rough one.  At least it’s cyber Monday and there are awesome presents that you can buy while still in your  PJ’s!

Back To Normal | Life Healthfully Lived

Happy Thanksgiving from the Buchanan/Meyers/Dawson/ Bullard Family!

 

Do you guys have any requests or suggestions on recipes?  The more feedback I get, the better I can serve you guys! Just let me know in the comments below!

Blog Recipe Roundup

/ ktbuchs87 / 2 Comments

Happy Friday!  I don’t know about you, but it has been HOT here this week.  The heavy, muggy, wet, kind of hot.  It seems like summer is either cool or super hot, there is no in between.  I guess it could be worse and at least it isn’t snowing sideways anymore.

I don’t have a new recipe for you this week, but I do have some delicious things that I have found on some of the blogs that I follow regularly.  I think it’s good to share a little blog love and I hope that you find something here that strikes your fancy.  Enjoy!

Eating Bird Food- Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats

Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats- courtesy of Eating Bird Food

Have you ever tried overnight oats?  If not, then you need to jump on the bandwagon.  Not only are they delicious, it’s the perfect breakfast for a busy morning because you can make it the night before.  Plus chocolate and banana are born to be together.

Kath Eats Real Food- Orange Dill Bean Salad

Orange Dill Bean Salad- courtesy of Kath Eats Real Food

This is the perfect dish to bring to a summer BBQ or party.  It’s easy to put together and you don’t have to use the oven which is a must on hot summer days.

Cotter Crunch- Gluten Free Spicy Rice Noodles

Gluten Free Spicy Rice Noodles- courtesy of Cotter Crunch

I could eat noodles for every meal.  Sorry, I’m not sorry.  I like the versatility of this dish and it’s a perfect summer dinner!

PaleOMG- Watermelon Mint Granita

Watermelon Mint Granita- courtesy of PaleOMG

Ok, this looks amazing.  Whenever it’s super hot out all I want is ice cold watermelon.  I feel like this is going to be a regular around here this summer…

Monday I’m going to be introducing a new feature for my blog, so make sure you come back and check that out!  It’s gonna be a good one!  Have a great weekend!