Celebration Cookies

Snowmageddon 2015 is coming for Boston & all practically all of MA, CT & NY for the next few days.  FEET OF SNOW.  So while you're at the grocery store grabbing the essentials - bread, eggs, milk, wine (duh) I suggest you grab the ingredients to make these cookies.  Fresh baked cookies & binge watching Netflix in bed, is there a better way to celebrate a snow storm?!  I love snow... Granted I live in the city, don't have a car and don't need to shovel, but I just think it's so pretty and fun!  It also makes the winter bearable instead of 5 months devoid of all tree life.  I can't wait to prance around in the snow & walk around my neighborhood.  Stay safe!!

Onto cookies! 

The first Christmas I had an apartment in Boston my Mom typed up a few of my favorite recipes, laminated, and wrapped them up for me to recreate home in my new kitchen.  It's one of my favorite gifts I've ever received, and making these family recipes transports me home again.  Among the list of family recipes are Scandinavian Spritz Cookies.  I will always associate these with Christmas because that's the only time we make them, but it's essentially a sugar cookie and can totally (and should) be made all year round!  Last year we made them for the 4th of July and they're now "Celebration Cookies" perfect for all seasons!  This past holiday we made a few batches of reindeer, snowflake and star cookies, all with bright sugar.  You have to plan a little ahead with these cookies as they have to chill out in the fridge for 30 minutes while the almond flavor really melts together.  My brother and I used to (*cough* still do) sneak bites of the dough in the fridge, yum!

Caramelized Banana Chia Seed Oatmeal

I love oats.  Check out this post for a granola bar recipe I made a year ago.  A year later, the love for oats has only grown stronger.  For breakfast I rotate between oatmeal or a smoothie with eggs (I need something to chew on)  There's so many variations to oatmeal & SO many toppings.  Oh the toppings.  You really can customize it however you'd like.  At the moment my favorite combo is frozen blueberries & salted honey topped with gingerbread granola.  Yup that's right - oat on oats.  Oatmeal is such a warming comforting meal and keeps me full until lunch.

Have you tried chia seeds?  I always put some in my oatmeal & smoothies.  Throw them in cereal, yogurt, salad dressing, you can even make chia pudding!  These tiny seeds - they look like black poppy seeds - are full of omega 3 fatty acid which is super important for brain health and fiber to keep you full for longer & keep me energized for hours.  Read more about these superfood seeds here

Peanut Butter Banana Kale Smoothie

I love breakfast.  Lezzbehonest, I think about breakfast before I go to bed.  I mean the quicker you go to sleep, the quicker you can eat again, right?  I have a few favorite breakfasts, and this smoothie has been in regular rotation.  There's something so refreshing and nourishing about getting all these nutrients in first thing in the morning.  Smoothies are really great anytime of day, there are so many yummy things you can cram in your blender, the possibilities are endless! 

Back in action!

Hey hi hello, I'm back!  I started this little blog of mine almost a year ago because I wanted to share my love for crafting, fashion and food with others.  Unfortunately life took over (as it often does) I had a million excuses and Sweet Sarandipity took a haitus.  Here's a look back on my year to put you back on track!  Snaps of trips, eats, sunsets & dogs yippee!