No-Bake Protein Bites | GIVEAWAY

Hello, loves! Today I have a new and DELICIOUS recipe for you. Featuring some of my favorite protein powder. 

But first, I want to invite you to join me on a SIX WEEK fitness challenge to LOVE YOUR BODY, from now until Valentine's Day. 

That's right. I'm encouraging all the ladies out there to head to Tone It Up (TIU)and sign up for the LOVE YOUR BODY 2015 Challenge. I'm doing it, and so are thousands of other women! The community you will be a part of (should you choose to accept my challenge) is phenomenal. Super encouraging, motivating, and supportive no matter WHERE you are in your health journey! I've been a member of the TIU since 2012 but am only just now taking it seriously. I want you to do it with me <3

Now, on to the recipe. 

If you are craving something sweet but would rather have a healthy alternative, I HIGHLY suggest these No-Bake Protein Bites. SO GOOD. 

There are perfect size and provide a quick fix for your sugar cravings! They are also packed with protein from both peanut butter and protein powder, so they are the perfect pre or post-workout snack.

No-Bake Protein Bites

1 cup quick cook oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1 scoop protein powder of choice (I recommend TIU's Perfect Fit Chocolate)

1/3 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

Handful of chocolate chips or carob chips (optional)

Mix everything together in a bowl & then roll dough into small balls. You can make them as large or small as you like - mine were probably a tablespoon worth of dough (or a little less). I store mine in the fridge!

Yum. Enjoy!

To make this a little bit sweeter (and to celebrate PD.net's FOURTH birthday), we are having a SIX WEEK giveaway.

That's right. You have 6 weeks to enter this giveaway, from now until Valentine's Day. 

The winner will receive a box of 20 packets of PF protein Chocolate!

There are 3 ways you can enter. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW FOR EACH ENTRY PLEASE!

1. Follow Passing Daisies on Instagram @passingdaisiesblog. If you are participating in the LYB Challenge, you can follow my TIU account @tiurachael09 instead :)

2. Tell me one reason why you love your body!

3. Share this on PINTEREST & tag PassingDaisies

OR

Share this on INSTAGRAM and tag @passingdaisiesblog & @tiurachael09.

(You can do this EVERY DAY for DAILY entries if you want!)

Giveaway ENDS on Valentine's Day, 2015!

Happy New Year, loves!

NYE Resolutions | PD Turns FOUR

Happy New Years Eve, friends!

Can you believe another year has passed & that it's almost 2015? 

CRAZY.

This year has been phenomenal - probably my best year yet. 

I got my first full time job as a nanny, then left that for a new, salaried job in corporate America which I now LOVE. I learned the importance of community in my life - and how tough life is without it. I took on some new leadership roles at church, returned to New Orleans for my third time & traveled to Atlanta, Lexington & Frankfort (KY), went on the Bourbon Trail in KY, and flew to Cancun. 

Bought a keyboard, made new friends, got my first credit card (scary!) & my own health insurance plan (also scary). I grew a LOT in my relationships - whether it was dating, break ups, friends, or work relationships. I learned how to have a lot of difficult conversations. I grew a lot - and am continuing to grow - spiritually. Turned 23. Explored (and grew to love) my city. Especially Over-the-Rhine! 

All in all, it was a wonderful year of learning & growth.

For 2015, my New Years resolutions are few. I'm learning to only make resolutions that I know I can keep because I rarely follow through! This year, I want to.....

Run a half-marathon. Maybe two. But at least one, specifically the Flying Pig here in Cincy.

Get a job promotion.

Lose roughly 30 pounds. I think if I keep my half-marathon commitment, this will naturally happen! This will put me at my goal weight, which has been for goal for many years.

Move out of the house. I've been trying to move out of my parents house for years, to no avail. Here's to hoping!

Stay active in the TIU community. The Tone It Up community is SO motivational and encouraging, and I've been a member of their nutrition plan for years but haven't really used it or been involved. If you aren't familiar, check them out HERE! It's worth the investment for a lifetime membership! I have a feeling the only way I'll stay motivated for the half is with their encouragement!

I'm looking forward to nothing but good things from 2015. <3 And, I just signed up to go to South Africa in May, so I'm super PUMPED! Gotta start fundraising soon!

In other news - HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY TO PASSING DAISIES! I'm a little belated. Our birthday was December 26, and I totally forgot. Whoops. 

Last year we had a big celebration - and I still want to celebrate this year, somehow. Any suggestions on how we should celebrate?! 

Happy New Years Eve, loves! Hope it's a sparkly one!

Party Time! BIRTHDAY LINK UP + Key Lime Cranberry Cake

WELCOME TO OUR THIRD BIRTHDAY PARTY! 

Man, you guys are in for a special treat today!

Today is our third blogoversary - and to celebrate, I am hosting a birthday link up with a few other bloggers. I've asked these bloggers to participate, and they wholeheartedly agreed to design a recipe that is birthday themed and share them all on the same day - TODAY! You can find the links to the specific recipes in the link up below. Just keep scrolling down on the page and you'll find lots of tasty treats! Here are the participating blogs: 

Host: Passing Daisies

Anna Dishes

Now Add Sugar

Royal Icing Diaries

Creative With Kristyn

Whisk & Heels 

Minou Girl 

On those blogs your find recipes for baked goods of all kinds - cookies, cakes, scones, chocolate mousse....and even a cookie decorating lesson! Hey Love Designs is also bringing you a special DIY craft of some sort... but you'll have to check it out on her blog to learn what it is :)

Since we are the host, I've decided to make the most important part of a birthday celebration... the birthday cake! Today you'll learn how to make a moist, delicious, Key Lime Cranberry Cake. I love this cake for multiple reasons. First, I am obsessed with anything key lime. Second, I like fruity flavored things. Third, the cranberries in this leave a beautiful pop of color when they burst in the oven - it's like pretty pink paint splotches all over your cake! 

I really wanted to decorate the cake with a tribal "flare" to it, since our new site design is tribal themed. So, I colored some fondant, cut it into triangles and arrows, and did what I could to pull it off. What do you think? Was it a success?

And see the mini paper flag banner that I taught you how to make last week? I told you better pictures were coming!

Key Lime Cranberry Cake

2 1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
3 eggs
2/3 c. oil
2/3 c. key lime juice
3/4 c. sour cream
1 1/2 c. fresh cranberries

Directions

1. In a standing mixer, combine all wet ingredients and mix until combined. In a separate bowl, mix all dry ingredients. 

2. Add dry ingredients to the wet slowly until combined. 

3. Add cranberries and mix until covered in batter. 

4. Pour batter into two greased 8 inch cake pans and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool. 

5. Slice each cake in half - we will need four layers of cake!

For the frosting, I would recommend using THIS one. I based both my cake and icing recipe on this, but I attempted a key lime cranberry icing, and I wish I have just stuck with key lime! Good nonetheless, but I would definitely use her icing recipe. The key lime juice makes a HUGE difference in flavor and, I've discovered, works a lot better than lime zest.

To assemble, place one of the four cake layers on your cake stand, or whatever you will be serving the cake on. Spread a thick layer of icing on top. Repeat this process until all four cake layers have icing in the middle. 

Then, spread the remainder of your icing smoothly on the top and sides of the cake, until the cake is completely covered. Decorate however you desire. 

And that's it! Yummy cake for you. I think this recipe would also make really pretty cupcakes!

Thanks to all the blogs who joined me in the birthday celebration - and I hope YOU enjoy all their fabulous recipes! 

What cake do YOU like to eat on your birthday!?