Hello & Welcome (Back!)

I’m just gonna kick off the revamp of this blog with a recipe. I’ve been out of work for 2 months for BACK SURGERY- more specifically Spine surgery. (Spinal fusion of my L5S1 area). (DO NOT RECOMMEND). Anywho. Now that I’m doing alright and can move around a bit, I’ve started physical therapy, and I’m just downright bored so I’m going to try to start baking more and more just to bring some creativity back into my life.

So lets jump right on in, shall we? This is a recipe for those of you who want something quick, easy, customizable and good all year round. With a few tweaks you can really make this your own. With the holidays coming, and apple pie on my mind for Thanksgiving, I’ve created these sweet parfaits. I love a good parfait, honestly. And they can be made to look so cute and elegant, you can serve it at your holiday party!

Lets start with ingredients….

For the apple layer:

-2-4 diced apples of your choice

-1 tbsp butter or butter alternative for those of you with vegan diets

-1/2 tsp cinnamon

-1/4 tsp nutmeg

-Roughly 1/8 tsp cloves

For the whipped cream layer:

-1 cup heavy whipping cream (*for vegans, you can use a coconut cream (the cream only- no liquid. I think they sell cans of just cream now….)

-2 tbsp granulated sugar

-1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional but I sure love having that slight taste in my whip!)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

 

For the ‘crust’ layer:

This is where you can get creative. I used 3 different options: ginger snaps, granola and graham crackers. Just put the ginger snaps or graham crackers into some ziplock baggies and smash them into small chunks (or put in a food processor (I lost mine. RIP).

 

Lets get cookin’!

1. Heat a non stick pan on medium heat and melt your butter.
2. Add your apples and spices and let those babies cook down (stirring every so often). (This will take anywhere from 5-10 minutes depending on how small you chopped your apples.)
3. Once your apples have cooked down and are slightly browned (and your house smells like heaven) put them in a tupperware container and put in the fridge to cool down for 2 hours.
4. To make the whipped cream, put the heavy whipping cream into a large bowl and use a hand mixer to whip up, or put into a stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whisk until it looks like a cream with soft peaks. Add your sugar, vanilla and cinnamon (if you so choose to add it) and whip until you have some firm peaks.
5. Assembly time! Think about how a pie is- start with your ‘crust’, then add apples, a layer of whipped cream (pro tip: put it into a gallon ziplock bag, cut the corner and voila! you have a piping bag!!) Add a second or third set of layers depending on what vessels you use to hold your parfait. (I used these adorable glasses from the Magnolia collection at Target.
6. Enjoy!

(I used 2 apples, 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 1/2 tbsp sugar, and then just eyeballed the crumb crusts to make 3 parfaits. 1 full cup of whip and 4 apples should get you 6 parfaits!)

 

 

 

Quick & Easy Smoothie Recipe

Back at it again with a recipe for a smoothie I’ve been making so much lately before work. Its pretty quick and easy and satisfying for anyone on the go. I WILL mention that I’ve never really been a fan of bananas IN things other than banana bread. I don’t like the taste of bananas in smoothies, ice cream, pies, pudding….but this is so good, I don’t even mind the taste!!!

Try it out and let me know what you think.

1 banana (ripe or frozen– either works)

2-3 pitted dates that have been soaked in water for 20 minutes (this is optional based on how sweet you want your smoothie)

1/2-1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (I use the EAS Lean 15 Vanilla Creme) (Link Below)

1 tbsp chai tea mix (Link Below)

1 tbsp Honey (use only dates if you are a Vegan!) (Also, this is optional based on how sweet you want your smoothie)

1 cup (roughly) of vanilla soy milk. (Feel free to use the milk of your choice!)

Cinnamon. I didn’t put a measurement because I just sprinkle it in until I feel content. Start light and you can always mix in more!

Ice

I have a Ninja Auto-IQ Blender (link below), that comes with a smoothie attachment, so I fill the cup with enough ice to get almost to the top, but with enough room that I can put my blending lid on.

Blend!

Its so easy! I love the creamy texture, the spice of the chai, and the sweetness of the honey and dates. Try it out and let me know what you think!

 

Have a good one y’all,

Sarah Montana

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Links for products

Vanilla Cream Protein Powder

Chai Tea Mix

Ninja Blender

On life lately…

Hey guys! Just wanted to update you all on how things are going in my world.

I started work on Monday; but not full time. I am only allowed (per my doctor) to work a maximum of 3 hours per day, and I’m not allowed to lift, squat, carry things…. Its kind of a pain, but it is what it is. I am doing what I need to do to transition as easily back into work as I can. I am going to physical therapy 3 days per week, and am trying to supplement my workouts by doing things at home. I have a stationary bike and treadmill in the basement that I am using more, and just broke out my Wii Fit last night. My physical therapist recommended I use my Wii Fit to help with balance, strength and overall wellness. I had a lot of fun on it, and look forward to many more virtual workouts!

Today, I went to my college campus to fill out some forms to change my residency status. When I applied to school, I hadn’t lived in Philadelphia for at least 12 consecutive months. Now, I’ve been here for almost 18, so I am trying to get everything straightened out so I can go to school part time to work towards my associates degree. I am hoping next week to be able to meet with a counselor so I can set up my (associates) degree path and change my major if need be. I am currently majoring in Psychology, but want to change it to something more science-based so I can transfer to a college and major in Dietetics. I very much am looking forward to NOT working in retail (and I think my knees feel the same way!) Its going to be a long process to get my schooling finished. I have to work full time (to pay my bills), so I can only go to school part-time, so I expect it’ll take me 2 years to finish my associates. I know its not going to be easy working retail full time and going to school part time. And also trying to balance my life with my pets, my working out and, most importantly, my boyfriend. I am very motivated to become a better, stronger and more educated person, so here’s hoping that I will muster up the strength and courage to plow full steam ahead to achieving my dreams.

I am thinking up ideas for my next YouTube video, and think I have one in mind that I’d like to do. I’m hoping to do it Friday before I go to work at night so stay tuned!!!

Have a good one y’all,

Sarah Montana

Last week in my world….

I wish I could say things have been busy around here, but to most people, they haven’t. To me, very busy. You see, when you’re out of work for an extended period of time, anything more than sitting on the couch is a big deal. I am now 7 months since my accident and just shy of 6 weeks post-op. (I injured my knee in a freak accident, and had to have arthroscopy in my knee, and the surgeon ended up doing a lateral release to help get my knee cap back in place. Gross. And ouch.) 

I started physical therapy this week. There is a noticeable difference in the size of my leg muscles between my left and right leg. 

  
Notice how small the right quad is. And it would seem smaller if it wasn’t for some excess weight chilling on my upper thighs and back of my thighs area. Pretty crazy how your muscles atrophy so quickly. So now the goal of therapy is to get all the muscles from my butt to my calves to bulk up. No I don’t mean Arnold in his hey-day bulked up, but strong enough to where I can do my job. 

On Monday the 29th, I drove up to Allentown PA to see my brothers drum corps (The Boston Crusaders). It just-so-happened to be his birthday, so it was extra special. 

Before I went to the stadium to see him, I drove to Bethlehem PA and stopped at a local bakery, Vegan Treats. While I am not vegan, I do enjoy eating vegan when I can, and I seem to be doing so more often these days. I bought 2 things from the case and a bag of adorable cookies to take back home with me. 

The first thing that I got, was this key lime strawberry mousse cake. It was by far the best thing ever, and I will definitely buy it again when I go back. 

 

  The other thing I got, was this Speculoos cheesecake. You all know in a sucker for cookie butter,  so this HAD to come home with me. It was also great! I was certainly inspired by what I saw there, and can’t wait to whip up some new stuff. 

  
 On the way to Allentown for the drum corps show, I saw this beautiful church while sitting at a stop light and snapped this picture. There was a sign out front that it was for sale (I think). Let’s. It a church and turn it into something awesome!   
Here’s one of the (many!) shots I took from my seat at the show. As I’ve gotten older, wiser, and more sentimental, I’ve noticed myself getting emotional at my siblings events and adventures. Once I moved out of the house for good, I realized just how much I love my family and miss them SO much, and love when I get the chance to support them any way I can. They had a great performance (the opening number was from Game of Thrones!) and the sound at that staying was incredible! I hope to catch them one more time this summer when they’re back in Allentown in August. (Eat em up, Boston!) 

 
If there was one thing I think you should know about me, it’s that I have a big hear the- especially animals. Sometimes, it’s to a fault. Well, lately, I’ve been seeing a kitten around my house, namely in my front yard. Our house is sitting along one of the busiest roads in Northeast Philadelphia, and this kitten has been walking mere feet from the cars. One night, I went out to pet him, and found out from a neighbor that she rescued him from the median between lanes of this major highway. I asked if she was going to keep him, she said no, and I decided to bring him into my Josie to try to find him a home that WASN’T next to a road. Well, this was Thuraday. Today is Sunday, and He’s still in my house, with toys, a litter box and a collar. (Whoops!) 

  
For now, he doesn’t have a name. I’m still toying with the idea of finding him a home, but a lot of me just wants to keep him. He is a lover. He follows me around the house (when the dogs are up in my bedroom-for safety. They don’t quite know what to think of him, and I’m not willing to take a chance!). He loves to snuggle with new, purr, and lick them every-loving heck out of my face when he can. What a sweetheart. I’m not mad to be getting such attention from a kitten. I’m pretty sure he’s adopted me as his mama.  

  

Tonight, after a busy day of grocery shopping, chore-doing and dinner cooking, I took Vega (our blue heeler) for a little walk around the block just to burn off some of his energy, and to give myself a little exercise. I’ve gained some weight since my injury (I’m used to 40 hours a week running around on my feet ((I work in retail)) and now all I’ve been able to do it sit. A lot. And eat. So while it’s not a long walk, it’s something. Of course my knee was swollen and so sore by the time I got home, but it was a few steps in the right direction. Here’s a picture of a beautiful flower bush in my neighbors yard. 

  
I hope yall had a safe and happy 4th!

Have a good one yall, 

Sarah Montana 

Quick Update

Just wanted to let y’all know that I’m still alive, but recovering from knee surgery! I am just finally starting to walk without crutches, which means I am starting to cook and bake again, so I’ll whip up some recipes to share. I had a request for monkey bread, so I’ll make sure I get that to ya.

Have a good one, ya’ll,

Sarah Montana

Wrist-key Business.

Today, I opened up an Etsy shop. It’s nothing amazing to write home about, but there are some hand made dreamcatchers, and some tattoo-flash watercolor paintings up there. I like to do little things here and there, but with my wrist in the shape that its in, its hard to keep up with tedious, tight little projects.

I am really excited about making these little dreamcatchers. I’m going to make them so they all have a hamsa charm inside them (unless its a custom order) for extra protection from bad dreams. (Who has time for nightmares, anyway!?)

I learned how to weave a dreamcatcher when I was in elementary school, and somehow, never forgot how to do it! I ordered larger brass hoops from the internet so I can make some that are 10 and 12″ in diameter. I even have a friend in Montana who wants me to custom make one for her massage studio… I might be a rebel and try to weave a few anyway, until my wrist starts screaming at me to stop…. Might not be the best idea for my wrist, but crafting is good for the soul, don’tchathink?!

Have a good one y’all,

Sarah Montana