1 Fail + 1 Success

 i finally tried the chocolate cherry bomb bloggers have been raving about and i have to say i was disappointed. perhaps it's the old my-expectations-were-too-high problem but i just wasn't impressed.

maybe if you really love chocolate a cherry together (it's not my absolute favorite) you may love this smoothie. it's worth trying which i why i am posting the link to the recipe. i will admit that i changed it a little bit (perhaps that was the problem). i used almond milk instead of water and added 1/2 a scoop of chocolate dessert protein powder. i also didn't have raw chocolate powder (can i admit, i'm not really sure what this is??) so i used cocoa powder. now that i am typing this, maybe all these reasons are the problem. i will try again (after a search for raw chocolate powder).

i did have a success today though - kale chips! i tried changing the sauce a little. i was hoping for a sour cream and onion kale chip. i think i can pretty close.

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Sour Cream and Onion Kale Chips

1 bunch of kale, wash, dry, remove the stem, and tear into pieces
1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for 1-3 hours
1/4 sweet onion, chopped
1 clove garlic
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 tbs mrs. dash onion and herb
2 tbs minced fresh chives
2 tbs olive oil

puree all ingredients in food processor until smooth. be sure to scrape down sides several times.

toss with kale leaves and use hand to rub sauce into all the leaves.

spread kale leaves onto parchment lined baking sheets. bake at 200 degrees for 1 hour. flip kale leaves and bake for an additional 1 hour. turn oven off and keep chips in the oven for an additional hour.

store in airtight container. (one bunch made about 70 chips for me - but i like to break them up into bite-sized pieces)

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i have packaged a bunch up for our road trip today. speaking of road trips, i have a terrible time being healthy on the road unless i do a little pre-planning. it is so hard to find healthy food at gas stations or quick grab and go places and don't even get me started about fast food places.

however, a little pre-planning and you can have a healthy and happy trip. i have packed up some of my coconut chocolate chip granola bars, kale chips, grapes, oranges, water, triscuits, and string cheese. i even have a little treat in there for E - gummy bears:)

there are lots of things you can pack for a trip no matter the length. all you need is a cooler and a trip to the grocery store with healthy snacks in mind. here are some other great, portable ideas:

• apples (you can even pre-slice them)
• grapes
• oranges (peeled)
• whole wheat crackers
• lara bars
• granola bars
• glo bars
• unsalted nuts (almonds, pistachios, peanuts, cashews, etc.)
• raw veggies (carrots, celery, sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, etc.)
• small containers of dips (peanut butter, almond butter, hummus, etc.)

and we're off - to nyc. E and i are heading to an engagement party for L & L at bubble lounge.
i am excited to celebrate at this champagne lounge. healthy snacks on the road will allow me to cheat on bubbly without the guilt. there will also most likely be a stop at rice to riches for some caramel rice pudding (my favorite nyc treat!) on the way home. mmmmm:)