Today I am 28.
Just 2 years away from the dreaded age of 30. Surprisingly, I don’t really care about turning 30. In fact, I am looking forward to it.
It seems like a solid age. One where you’re more established in your career and people take you seriously. This should be fun to look back at in 2 years… 🙂
But I digress (progress?). Today I am only 28.
I was going to pontificate on 28 things I’ve learned or do some equally inspiring; however, I was up most the night working.
Kidding, kidding... I still love my job. Now pass the caffeine.
(Lesson learned #1: the “real” world doesn’t care that it’s your birthday – you still have to get yer shizz done.)
Instead, I’ll share with you a special delivery I got last night right when I was about to have a nervous breakdown around 11pm:
Sea salt and olive oil on the side
This is my favorite cake. Sweet, salty, fudgy deliciousness. Midnight snack worthy, fo’ sho’.
Part 2 of the delivery is the book you see in the background – Vino Italiano. I cannot WAIT to devour this one.
Did I mention I’m going to a wine/food trip to Italy this fall?! More on that later. 🙂
So what if I spent the beginning of my 28th year up all night working?
This year the July 15th is under a Capricorn full moon (insert Twilight Zone music here) and that apparently means abundance, career, and money. I can get on board with that.
Tomorrow my awesome mom throwing me a birthday party at her house. Think: pool, corn hole, grilling Big Green Egg-style, and mas cerveza y vino and 30+ friends. There may not be any photo evidence.
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On top of all that, I invented my new favorite granola bar (which I’m munching on as I write – ‘scuse the crumbs).
It’s bananas. Nutty. No sugar added. Crunchy and almost raw. (Almost = “dehydrated” in the oven at 170 degrees.)
Try it out with your favorite nuts and seeds. I used Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and cashews.
For a little bit of added sweetness, I used NuNatural Pure Liquid Vanilla Stevia (yes, they sent me samples… no, I wouldn’t lie to you).
I love how the vanilla scent it added went with the banana flavor! (B-A-N-A-N-A-S! I was trying realllly hard not to do that – blame Gwen Stephani.)
Vegan and gluten-free, ya’ll.
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Banana Nut Bars
- 1 ripe banana
- 25 drops NuNaturals Pure Liquid Vanilla Stevia
- 1 T nut butter (I used PB)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2T chia seeds
- 1/4 C sunflower seeds
- 1/4 C cashews
- 10 Brazil nuts
Preheat oven to 170 degrees.
Place first 4 ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Add seeds and nuts, pulsing until seeds are beginning to break up and incorporate into the banana paste.
Spread batter onto parchment-lined baking sheet to desired thickness (mine was about 1/4 inch thick).
Place in oven for 6-8 hours, flipping 2-3 times after first 3-4 hours. Turn oven off and allow to continue drying out overnight (~7 hours).
Break into pieces/bars and enjoy!
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EXCEPT I will post the winner of the awesome earbud giveaway! If you’re a runner/walker, you should especially check these out – they won’t wiggle out and the music quality rocks.
You have until midnight tonight to enter – good luck!!!
What’s your favorite way to celebrate your birthday?
Are you a big party-type of person or an intimate dinner? Somewhere in between?
Happy birthday lady! I’m both dreading and anticipating the big 30 myself in the next few years. Kind of looking forward to it more than not. Bars look great, I have some of that liquid stevia too so I’ll give these a shot.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA! Have a fabulous day!
Happy Birthday! As someone who has already crossed over into the 30’s, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t feel much different than being in your 20’s. Really.
Also, the Big Green Egg factory is near my house. One of the only redeeming things about Tucker, I think.
Yay! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! It sounds like you have an awesome way to celebrate lined up 🙂 HAVE SO MUCH FUN!!
HBD2U HBD2U!! If you want to feel established…talk to a 16 year old 🙂
p.s.
LOVE the dumpster 😀
First, Happy Birthday!
Second, I wish I were stuck in Atlanta THIS weekend instead of last week so I could come to your party.
Third, I am in LOVE with those banana bars…but how on earth do you have the patience to make them? 🙂
Happy Birthday!! Love the granola bar recipe. Have fun at your partay!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love granola bars and it’s so hard to find any that don’t have tons of sugar. I hope you have a great day and VERY abundant year;)
Happy Happy Happy Birthday!!! You better take pictures at your party!! 🙂
Happy birthday!! I loved turning 28, I don’t know why. It just seemed like a good age, I guess! I wish it were true that everyone takes you more seriously in your 30’s, but so far, I’ve seen no evidence of that. I also don’t know how to someone in their 30’s is supposed to act, so that may be most of my problem. 😛 Your party sounds like a blast, enjoy it!
Happy Birthday!!! And definitely don’t look at it as two years from the “dreaded 30″…30’s the year to be 30, fun, and flirty! 😉 haha
those bars look so amazing and remind me of ones I used to love when I was little, probably much healthier though!
Happy Birthday girl! Birthdays are my favorite – mine and everyone else’s! My parents always said – your birthday is the most important day of everyone else’s life – I love that saying! ;). My favorite way to spend my birthday week (hee hee) is to start with an intimate gathering with awesome friends and then jet off for a vacay!
Enjoy your day! 😉
Your future trip to Italy sounds amazing! Can’t wait to hear more about it!
Happy Birthday!
Delicious granola….one of my favorite snacks.
Happy Birthday, Laura! I hope you’re 28th year is fun, fun, and fun!
P.S. That cake looks a-mazing!
Huh, I’ve never tried dehydrating something in the oven like that before. It sounds like a great idea for granola bars though!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Chica! Hope you have a great time at the BBQ!
Happy Birthday!! I know…it sucks that as we’v grown up we don’t really get a “birthday-day” anymore…but at least today’s friday so you get the weekend :] Enjoy it!
And…these bars? they look AMAZING! Love the crunchy-nuttiness, especially combined with the banana.
Happy Birthday Laura! That cake looks delicious!
Happy birthday, enjoy your party by the pool and thanks for these vegan & gluten -free beauties. Can’t wait to try them!! 😀
1. 30 rocks the house! I’m just sayin’ …. it definitely shouldn’t be dreaded. 2. Those bars rock the house. I’m just sayin’… do they ship well? If so, send some my way! 😀 Happy birthday again!
Happy Birthday! Don’t worry it’s really not all downhill after 30 it’s… hmm, I totally lost my train of thought. Oh no, I also forgot denture cream at the store today. Drats. Better live it up the next two years.