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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Granola

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Hi y’all! If you know me you know I’m OBSESSED with 2 things, chocolate covered strawberries AND granola. I would BE granola if I could😂. I thought about combining the two and the result was better than I imagined! This stuff is so good. Fun fact I thought about selling my granola because it’s that good. I would have some regular flavors and then a flavor of the month like ice cream. This would definitely be the flavor for the month of February!

Here’s how the recipe:

Ingredients:

3 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
1/4 cup brown sugar
¼ cup honey
2 Tablespoons coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup of chocolate chips) I used a mixture of milk and dark chocolate)
1 bag freeze dried strawberries
Chocolate candy melts (optional)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or a Silpat.
Stir together the oats, pecans, cocoa powder and brown sugar in a large bowl.
Melt the coconut oil and then whisk in the honey and vanilla while still warm. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is coated.
Pour the mixture evenly on the prepared tray. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely.
Add the chocolate chips and freeze dried strawberries to the cooled granola.
Melt candy melts and drizzle all over granola. Then let chocolate set. You can place in fridge for a few minutes but don’t forget about it.
Break up granola and stores in a tightly sealed container.

I bagged this up in these little bags and added a heart sticker from Hobby Lobby to gift to my loved ones. This is the perfect Valentine treat! Hope you enjoy

Love Ricki

Semi-Homemade Red Velvet Cake

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Hi y’all! I recently posted on Instagram my Doctored Cake Mix Red Velvet Cake Recipe and I wanted to share the recipe here for you all!

Here’s how to make it:

Red Velvet Cake
1 box of German chocolate cake mix (I’ve only used Betty Crocker for this but I’m sure Duncan Hines will work too)
1/2 cup of Buttermilk or make your own
1/4 cup oil or 1 stick of melted butter
3 eggs
1 cup of sour cream
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of red velvet emulsion (optional)
1/2 to 1 bottle of red food coloring (they usually come in 1 oz size)

Preheat oven to 350 (I personally bake my cakes at 325 but my oven baked faster so know your oven) To a bowl or stand mixer combine cake mix, buttermilk, and oil. Then mix in eggs one at a time just until combined. Add flavorings, food coloring and sour cream. Mix until incorporated (try not to overmix if you think you may over mix do it by hand or else your cake will be tough). Pour in pans and bake for the time according to pan size you are using on back of box. Frost with cream cheese frosting on previous video. Enjoy!

Love Ricki

Red Velvet Waffles for the Month of Love!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Brunch is always a way to my heart & the perfect option to add are these Red Velvet waffles! These are super easy to make because they use cake mix! I prefer Duncan Hines but any red velvet cake mix should work!

Here’s the recipe:

Red Velvet Cake Mix Waffles

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup of red velvet cake mix

2 tbsp of sugar (optional)

1 cup of buttermilk or milk (I used halfu milk, half buttermilk)

1 cup of flour

2 tbsp melted butter

2 eggs

1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix for about 2 minutes. Batter will have a few lumps. Pour in greased waffle iron. Cooks about a minute in my dash heart waffle iron♥️ Enjoy!

Here is a short video showing how to make the waffles.

I used my favorite heart waffle maker to keep with the Valentine’s Day theme!

Make someone feel special not just on V Day but all year round with this super easy and delicious treat!

Love Ricki

Life Update: Where I have been

Hi y’all! So it’s been awhile since I updated the blog on my life so I thought I would share with whoever still reads this (and I appreciate you!) where I have been. It’s been a lot but I can say I’m still very blessed!

In 2022 I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. I found out when I had some persistent abdominal pain and visited urgent care. It was discovered I had a large mass in my colon and a small nodule in my lung meaning the cancer has spread. Thankfully after 13 rounds of chemotherapy and 2 major surgeries all the cancer has been removed and I have been cancer free for almost 2 years in April. I am immensely grateful to be here with my family and loved ones and healthy again.

While rebuilding my life after cancer my relationship ended and I focused on myself. I lost weight, had fun with my friends and family & lived and enjoyed life again. I started dating again in October 2023 and in November I met the man that I would go on to marry. Yes I’m a (re)married woman now! Lol. My husband and I married in November of last year and it’s been great although something I’ve been getting used to because your girl was single for a long time!

And now 3 of the 4 several people (my children) are grown and we’ve added 2 bonus children (twins! My stepchildren) and my grandson who will be 1 year old in April. I am so grateful and happy to see my family grow!

So I share this update to let you know things can get better. With trust in God, and surrendering to His plan your life can do a complete 180. I am grateful for the hand He had on my life from leading me and blessing me to a great medical team to sending me a husband who truly loves and adores me & mine. Know that circumstances do not matter and are only temporary. It starts with you believing, keeping the faith and loving yourself. I know that sounds corny, I used to think so too but it really is the truth. Ask me how I know!

Love Ricki

My new favorite low calorie/ low carb drink!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Hi y’all! I recently began (another) weight loss journey and I joined Weight watchers to help me make better lower calorie food choices. In addition to that I decided to also be mindful and limit my carbs and sugar. But if you know me I love a good sweet icy drink! So to solve that problem I created my version of the SunJoy (iced tea/lemonade) and it’s delicious and satisfies that craving!

Here’s what you need to make it:

Freshly brewed tea (I use 2 store brand family size tea bags and brew 4 cups and let cool)
Minute Maid Sugar Free Lemonade

Link to my favorite Glass pitchers to serve in!

All you need to do is add your tea to a pitcher of ice. Then pour in a glass and top off with some of the lemonade. If you prefer it sweeter you can add some liquid stevia. Also Minute Maid makes other flavors which you can combine with iced tea as well.

This drink is 0 calories and 1 net carb and will be great way to have a refreshing drink this upcoming spring and summer without feeling guilty!

Let me know if you try this and come back because I will be sharing posts here all year long!

Love Ricki

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