CELEBRATING OUR BLESSINGS! The Ulrichs

HAPPY HOLIDAYS: NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

PUMPKIN SPICE MUFFINS

On Friday my co-worker walked in to hand me a muffin. As much as I love a little treat, I also know that you can't ALWAYS say "yes" to the extras in life...because soon you will have a little extra on you. Anyways, before I could say no, she told me the muffins were somewhat healthy. So I sad yes, and sure am glad that I did.

These muffins are 122 calories each & SO SIMPLE! A three ingredient recipe makes this the perfect fall treat!

Ingredients
1 Dry Cake Mix: Spice Cake
1 15 ox can Pumpkin
1 4 oz snack of applesauce

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

I can't wait to bring these to the office Monday!

Healthy Chocolate Muffins

These muffins are a hit for chocolate lovers! They are delicious and pretty healthy, 95 calories (except I used Reese chips...so it is probably a little bit more.) After making them, I left two out for the week & put the rest in the freezer to enjoy later! 

Ingredients 

1 3/4 cup of old fashioned oats 

3 egg whites 

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 

1 tsp. vanilla extract 

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 

1/2 tsp cream of tarter 

1/4 tsp. salt 

1 cup hot water 

1-1/2 tsp. baking powder 

1-1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup truvia baking blend (or baking stevia)

1/2 cup Reese chips (or you can use mini chips) 

Instructions 

1. Line a muffin pan with foil cupcake liner, or you can also spray a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. 

2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. 

3. Mix all of the ingredients together with mixer (except for the chips) 

4. Place mixture in cupcake liners. I filled mine about 3/4 the way full. 

5. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. 

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THOMAS FAMILY CHRISTMAS INFOGRAPHIC

I have quickly discovered that creating personalized cards comes with unknown rewards. I had the pleasure of design The Thomas Family christmas card. Katye was a senior in college when I was a freshman. Our common connection is our sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. I loved working with Katye to create her design, but what I loved even more was the reminder of the special friendships Kappa has given me. Whether it is a best friend or someone who was three years senior to me & now a card customer, it means so much.

The icing on the cake was a thank you card from Katye..."You are so talented an I will be sure to use you again for upcoming events! Hope all is well, sister!"

ALL BECAUSE OF YOU: BOHANNON GROUP THANK YOU'S

STARBUCKS ORDERING CARD

EGG [WHITE] BITES

I love eggs, but who has the time to make them when they barely have enough time to get themselves out the door in the morning. Lately, I have been a huge fan of meal planning for the week. My new favorite things are egg white bites. They are so simple that writing out this recipe seems pointless. Maybe it will just encourage you to make these tasty little devils! 

Ingredients: You can ultimately decide what you want! This is usually my "go to!"
¼ onion, diced
½ pepper, diced
Handful of spinach
Chopped mushroom
Cilantro...to taste (I like a little kick to mine) 
1/2 egg white carton...if you want, you could do eggs as well 
black pepper

*I usually go meatless. If you choose to add a meat, make sure it is cooked first! 

Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.Spray each muffin tin with olive oil cooking spray so it lightly coats the bottom. Mix all ingredients together & then fill each muffin tin 3/4 full. Bake for approximately twenty minutes. 

These are the best healthy snack or breakfast. I typically eat mine with salsa & avocado for some extra kick! 

Energy Bites

Grinding up the dry ingredients 

Coconut energy bites, finished!

No bake double chocolate snack bites 

I have always had the biggest sweet tooth, I think it is actually getting worse with age. While I can't resist a treat, I always try to make healthy ones. I have seen tons of recipes on pintrest for energy bites so I decided to try two out. I combined a few recipes to make my own, and they turned out delicious! I had stomach ache when I was done making them from eating all the dough...but it was worth it!

Coconut energy bites 
-1 cup raw almonds (chopped in food processor or blender)
-1/4 cup rasins
-1/2 oats (chopped in blender)
-dash of cinnamon
-sea salt
-1/2 cup coconut
-1 tsp vanilla
-1/2 cup flaxseed
-1/2 cup almond butter (melted)
-1/4 cup honey
-1/4 cup coconut oil

Melt almond butter & honey to make paste. Also melt coconut oil. Mix everything together then use a cookie cutter to make scoop size bites & then roll in small balls. Refrigerate or freeze & then enjoy.

No-bake double chocolate snack bites
-1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
-1/4 cup ground flaxseed
-1/4 cup sliced almonds, chopped
-1 1/2 tablespoons dark cocoa powder
-a pinch cinnamon
-a pinch of salt
-1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons creamy almond butter, melted and slightly cooled
-1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon honey
-1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
-2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Combine oats, almonds, flaxseed, cocoa, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir.
Melt almond butter and allow it to cool slightly, then stir in honey and vanilla extract until it's combined. Once butter mixture has cooled a bit, pour it over the oat mixture and mix well with a spoon then bring together with your hands. Once mixture is sticking together, fold in chocolate chips.

Roll dough into golf-ball size balls & enjoy at room temp, refrigerated, or even frozen! 

Flat Stanley

Last Thursday my nine year old friend Isac picked up the phone to ask me one question, "Can Flat Stanley stay with you?" For those of you who know me, I was THRILLED to get this question and my answer was obviously YES. Of course I would embrace having Flat Stanley be a permanent house guest for awhile. I gave Isac my work address, and he finally arrived today. I was amazed to learn that a lot of my co-workers didn't know who Flat Stanley was or the purpose of this little man. They thought is was a "Nebraska" thing...clearly some of them were deprived of a childhood.

The Flat Stanely Project provides students like 9 year old Isac to learn about geography in a fun way. They create paper "Flat Stanleys" and send them to a friend of family member in a different state. It is my job to take pictures and keep a journal of his Minnesota adventures. After a certain period of time, I will mail Stanely back to Isac and his classroom & they will read about his travels. 

Tonight is Stanley's first official night here, and he is already starting his trip on a high by attending a Minnesota Wild Hockey game with one of my co-workers. On Sunday, Stanley will see one the biggest rival games when the Vikings & Packers face off. While this fun project has been something that constantly makes Isac smile (according to his mom), I am quickly discovering that it is something special for myself as well. It has been over four months since my arrival in Minnesota, and each day I learn that "Minnesota Nice" is a real thing. My co-workers have been quick to jump in with this project; making lists of must do Minnesota things, helping to laminate the little man so he can survive the winter with a plastic coat, and volunteering to take him any and everywhere. My excitement has translated into their excitement. How lucky I am to be surrounded by people like this each day. I am happy to be host Stanley & excited to see what a paper doll teaches me. 

Capture Every Greeting, the beginning

This August, I decided to put some of my creative passion to use by doing work on the side by creating personalized invitations, cards, and notes for anything you can imagine. Through time and self teaching, I have discovered indesign something to be fun rather than dreaded. While I started "Capture Every Greeting"---my initials C.E.G., two months ago, it has already been an experience. 

From researching printers in the area, to finding shops with quality paper, to struggling with charging customers so I make a tad bit of profit...well it has all taught me a lot. While I am anything from the best, I am "customer" friendly, because I want everyone to LOVE what they are getting. I have learned this to be both a strength and a weakness. If you are open to working with a newbie on a design, I would love to be your girl! With time, you will see pieces of this new creation. If you would want to work together, contact me through Facebook or email. Also, my "CEG" Facebook page is linked on my blog! Enjoy :) 

Email: caitlynguenther@gmail.com 

Phone: (402) 380 - 4587

Tomato Plus

The best care packages usually contain food, and when the season is right...fresh food. My dad sent me a box of 18 tomatoes, so I decided to create my own fresh dish. Needless to say, it was healthy & delicious. Below is my recipe, but like I said...I created it on my own so customize to your liking! 

-chopped fresh tomatoes

-can of chickpeas

-minced garlic

-cilantro

-onion

-green pepper

-red pepper

-sea salt 

-pepper

-red wine vinegar 

Mix together & enjoy without guilt! Thanks, Dad!