DIVINE pumpkin chocolate chip muffins (healthy!)

Ok, not only are these suckers DELICIOUS, they are relatively healthy! Whole wheat, no butter or oil, and pure deliciousness. A perfect fall treat! Oh I love pumpkin. And chocolate chips! My cousin requested the recipe, so I thought I'd stick it on here in case any of you are craving the perfect (really, these are them!) pumpkin chocolate chip muffin.

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon mixed with nutmeg)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup plain pumpkin
1/2 cup applesauce (or if you really want to, oil or butter - sometimes I do half applesauce, half butter)
1 cup chocolate chips (I like the mini ones)

Make 1 or 2 days ahead for the best flavor.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix dry ingredient sin large bowl. In another bowl whisk until well blended: eggs, pumpkin, and applesauce. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour over dry ingredients and fold in until just moistened. Grease muffin cups or use paper baking cups. Bake 20-25 minutes or until puffed and springy to touch.

Makes 12 regular or 48 miniature muffins.

ENJOY!

Crayola Rex

Have you ever done something totally insane and it turned out awesome?

Back freshman year, I got the notion that I really needed to buy a car. My sweet friend Megan was always more than willing to give me a ride if I ever needed to go anywhere (which thankfully wasn't too often because I lived on campus), but I don't like being a mooch. So, I decided that I was going to buy my car off of eBay. Yes, eBay.

I looked at hundreds and hundreds of car and finally found a sweet deal. I bought Crayola Rex (my 2003 Jetta) while sitting in the library at BYU. I remember freaking out a little bit when I realized I won the "bid" and called my dad right away to let him know that his little girl just bought a car that she had never driven or seen from a complete stranger in a different state!

Thank heavens luck was in my favor and this car was a total steal. The poor seller didn't put a "reserve" price on it and it should have sold for much more $$. I was sneaky and didn't bid until the last moment (2 other bidders kept going back and forth, back and forth) and sealed the deal. The seller actually contacted me soon after and told me he was just fine if I backed out because he had many other people offering to buy it for much more money. Sorry, bucko, I still wanted it!

So, my dad and I flew out to Texas, drove it around (the seller was still insisting that I shouldn't buy it), paid the man, and drove home.

I have many fond memories with the car and I am hoping that it lasts for a long time. You might be wondering why I named it Crayola Rex. Well, for some reason, the car always smells like crayons. And... I like dinosaurs. And... Crayola Rex just sounds good and it stuck.

So why this blog post dedicated to my car? Sunday was the big day. The day Crayola Rex made her 100,000th mile. It was while driving the Alpine Loop - so really a great way to enter the 6 digit world with a bang. Oh, and over 50,000 of those miles were with me in it!

#10. Don't assault people

I saw this gem on facebook a little while ago and it made my day. I am so tired of the blame being put on women when they are sexually assaulted. I understand that it is important to take precautions and be safe (I always run during the day), but let's be honest - the real blame falls on the assaulter, NOT the victim.

It's great, isn't it?!

body upgrade - because who wants the flu?

Back when I was a kid, I was very.... opposed to shots.

Until one day my brother told me he was excited to get his shot because it was a "body upgrade." He was no longer "Dan 6.0", but now "Dan 6.1" - improvement from the old model. Well, since then I have not dreaded shots half so much and even get a little bit excited when I think about how my body is getting an upgrade. More advanced and protected against germs!

So, tonight when I was told it was time to get my flu shot at work, I didn't bat an eye.

Upgrade? Sure, why not.

photo credit

Funny enough, the website I got this picture from is all about how flu shots are pointless and a government scam... makes you wonder! At least I got mine for free :)

BUCKET LIST & Question #15 - what type of animal would you be?

Well, I finally updated by bucket list and was so excited every time I got to bold one of my goals... ta-dah! Complete! Now, I wouldn't mind doing some of them again, that's for sure. Interested in what's on the list? Click here or on the tab up above :)

Now for Question 15 (half way done!). Don't know what I'm talking about? I'm doing a "30 questions to get to know yourself" project that has been very interesting - and enlightening to me! For the list and links to all my other answers, click here or the tab above.

Other news: Brian got 2 more interviews! Hallelujah! I'm sure you're dying to know where... so I'll tell you ;). Loma Linda in Southern California and Roseman University of Health Sciences in South Jordan Utah. Woot woot. 

Ok... time for the next question:

15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

I think it'd be something that flies and that doesn't have anything hunting it.  Why? Because flying sounds totally awesome and  I just don't think it sounds very fun to be a wild animal if you're always afraid something is going to eat you. Just sayin'. Brian was telling me about something called a golden eagle that even hunts wild wolves. Look up some of the videos on youtube - they are positively terrifying.

On a less frightening note, I also think it's be nice to be a dog like our dog, Zipper. Loved every second of her life, complimented on how cute and adorable she is at least 20x/day, treats, snuggle time, lots of naps, back massages, etc etc. She had it made.

A dragon would be pretty cool too. 

This isn't part of the question - but my dream pet is a miniature wooly mammoth. I know, I know, they don't exist. But just picture it. This cute little furry miniature elephant running around. Admit it - it's adorable! And, according to TIME magazine, they just might be cloning one in the near future. Next step after that - miniaturizing one. Yes, I know I'm crazy.

#14. Describe 5 strengths you have

I've started writing this post about 5 times but I can never seem to get enough "umph" to finish it. You see, I have a hard time talking about myself. Question #14 on my "Get to know yourself" project is: Describe 5 strengths you have.

Here goes nothin'!

#1. I know how to plan, make goals, and reach goals. I am motivated and I get the job done. this has been useful in our marriage because Brian is very go with the flow. With our powers combined we not only have a good time being spontaneous and dealing with what comes, but we are setting and making goals! Oh it feels so good to reach a goal!

#2. I see the good in others. I learned a while ago that it is better to give someone the benefit of the doubt then to get mad. One day I was driving and someone cut me off - caushing me to get irate and yell at them from inside my car. Not soon after, I accidentally cut someone else off and they just waved and smiled. For all I know the first offender had cut me of on accident and there I was stressing myself out and making a scene. Lame. Through that and other such experiences, I have developed a habit of making excuses for others' mistakes. "Wow, they must be on the way to the hospital to be speeding that fast." Or "Hey, maybe they're having some sort of family trouble and that's why she's so grumpy." Etc. etc. After miscarrying last month, I was not fun to be around for a while and I am so grateful for the kindess I received from people who didn't even know what was going on.

#3. I like adventures. I think this is a strength because it helps me be a better person. I like trying to things, going new places, and (most of the time) meeting new friends. I have my "comfort zone" days when I all want to do is stay home and be with Brian, but I try to be outgoing. For some reason this has been a little harder since getting married.

#4. I can lighten the mood. Sometimes people/situations are just way too serious. This is something Brian says he likes about me. I can say a little joke or make a clever comment to make a situation more comfortable. To be honest, it's usually to make me feel more comfortable because I hate awkard/stiff situations!

#5. I am always trying to improve. Sometimes it feels like an overwhelming project and that I am in way over my head. But, I like the motto, "Try to be a little better every day." That's what I'm doing and I hope it's working!

Well, enough about me...

What's new?!

Brian got an interview!! He is going to be interviewing at Midwestern University in AZ this December. Hallelujah!

My baby nephew is turning 1 this Sunday. Hard to believe he's getting so big! I miss that little sweet potato.

Tune in next time for: If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

For more of the 30 questions project, click here.