Super Easy (4 ingredient) Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Here's the deal... The very first time you hear you must eat a Gluten-Free diet you will most likely panic, I know I did. And after eating every form of raw food you can handle, you WILL crave sweets! It's ok :) I'm not going to tell you it will always be easy to be Gluten-Free because I would be lying. It's hard, but not near as hard as it used to be. I'm still learning too, but for those of you that need somewhere to start here's a great treat to ease the transition. 100% Gluten-Free and super easy! Bonus: If you don't let on they're Gluten-Free..NO ONE WILL KNOW!! In fact no one in my family has noticed yet :)

Super Easy (4 ingredient) Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

1 egg
1 cup white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup peanut butter (check ingredient label, use a "natural" type peanut butter, ours lists peanuts & palm oil as the only ingredients)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet. In medium size mixing bowl mix together all ingredients really well. Roll into 1" balls and place on cookie sheet. Use a fork to press a cross hatch design on tops. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Immediately (and very carefully) remove cookies from pan and cool on racks. These are very soft and very yummy!

**Optional:  This recipe works well with some add-ins. Gluten-Free chocolate chips are easy to find and some oatmeals are ok (just get to know the labels!)

Back to School Night

This week it was fun to get out and meet lots of new kids. I set up a booth at the local elementary school's back to school night to show kids how much fun it is to be healthy. This time it was feeling like a jumprope kind of day and the kids loved it. I handed out flyers to all the kids and parents inviting them to learn about A Healthy Happy You, and some of the kids even signed the poster we had there. The teachers were excited about the Free-Fit-Fun program and I can't wait to teach everything I've been planning.

**Do you have any idea how hard it is to take a picture of a jump roping kid?!?!**

Free-Fit-Fun August

Ha ha ha! Who would have thought I would ever be TEACHING water aerobics??!! The local pool usually has a class but the teacher moved this week for college...so they let me teach a 'water aerobics for kids' class :) I grabbed my friends and some of the littles to come try it out. It was so much fun! I've been swimming for a long time and been on the swim team, but this works a whole new set of muscles. Who knew?! Definitely a fun class. Even after the class we tried climbing the rock wall... It gives me great ideas for another fun class!!!

Example? ...Just Dance

It really hit me not too long ago that I am going to be the person my little sister looks up to most. (She practically lives in my old dance costumes!) The examples I set for her are going to help shape the choices she makes for her own life. What kind of example am I going to be? One of the things we love to do together is dance, and one of the most silly ways we do that is playing Just Dance on the WII. We're both pretty goofy and can really get into it. While I'm not a huge fan of video games overall, I do find the WII and Xbox Connect to have great value by requiring you to physically move around to play the games. After even the first dance our hearts were pumping pretty good, and you don't even have to be good at dancing for this to be good for you. This is for sure a fun way to get moving!

Train the Brain time

It's finally here! I love back to school time. I miss learning. I miss my friends. I miss the whole experience of it all. I'm sure my parents don't miss the the price tag. Who knew that public school could cost so much... But we're officially registered now and so excited for all these new classes to start. 10 new classes, 10 new teachers. The day wouldn't have been complete without stopping by one of my former teachers classrooms to leave him some glitter :) Yeah, I'm naughty...

Photo Shoot Teaser :)

This week finished up the last of my photo shoots! I have had so much fun trying new things and met so many great people who were willing to help. It's going to be so hard to wait to see the final shots but they are going to be amazing! So, in honor of that I'm sharing a few teaser photos... and a little bit of what I've learned. 






#1: Climbing trees is a whole lot harder than little kids make it look!

#2: When wearing white pants...it's best not to actually sit against a truck tire!

Demolition Derby Time!

I really look forward to the Demolition Derby every year. I can't even point out a favorite part. I love hanging out with my family. I love the community support and being a part of a record crowd. And I really love watching all those crazy people crash their cars...just because they can! This year was even better because I had a friend and a school teacher competing so I had someone I knew to cheer for. Can't wait for next year :)I'm thinking maybe I'll have to look into driving myself when I'm a little older... Anyone wanna lend me their car??

Profound Speech!

I just saw this clip of Ashton Kutcher's acceptance speech at the Teen Choice Awards and I was stunned. This is by far some of the best advice I've heard, especially the part about being sexy.

Parades & Pigeons!

The only thing better than a parade is being one of the pretty faces in the parade's only pigeon entry! Huge thanks to Hunter and the Utah County Racing Pigeon Association for letting me fly along :) I only wish we had a picture of when he released the birds...seriously SO COOL!

Waiting at the parade line-up, I also ran into these cute girls from our town. Love the community support and the fun memories created.

Bathing Beauties Parade

I love dancing!! Today is the Bathing Beauties Contest in Nephi. It's a beauty/swimsuit pageant that's been going on for over 70 years. The contestants each ride a truck through the parade and then at the park do their beauty walks in front of the judges. The drill team was asked to provide the entertainment while the scores were being figured. 

I really love this hip-hop dance, though it's kinda dangerous in such a small space. Lucky for me, I only hit the tree once :)

Hospital Time...

Off to the Neurologist today. It is suspected that my vision problems may be caused by a pituitary tumor that is pressing on my optic nerve. Pretty scary! On the agenda today is a 1000 shot MRI and modeling of some very unfashionable hospital clothes :) Hopefully we'll find out some answers soon. I need me a healthy head!

Mini-Drill

It's my 1st year to teach Mini-Drill, though I've attended many times. This is a week for young girls to come learn what it's like to be a dancer. I always had so much fun and really looked up to the girls that were teaching me, and now it's my turn to be the example. And it was even more important to me because my little sister was there with me, following my moves and my choices. Dance is an AMAZING way to add physical fitness to your life in a fun way, especially with friends. The final day we give the girls (and ourselves!) a certificate and then put on a show for all the parents to come see what they've learned, and a little of what we do. (Pay no attention to the wardrobe issues!)

Ute Stampede Parade

It's Parade time! Nothing beats dancing in the parade...except maybe the challenge of dancing on a moving trailer in a parade :) It took two trucks to haul all of us through the parade this year. The Mini-drill girls worked so hard this week and we are excited they could ride on the trailer in the parade with us (the Drill Team) and Crisivia. The video below is kinda shaky, but a huge thanks to my mom for trying to film us and run down the parade route at the same time.

Fun in the Sun

Talk about a workout! My muscles really got it good today. I'm always surprised at the different muscles it takes to do different types of activities, and it's really important to find a way to work all of your muscles. I'm pretty fit. I dance a lot. But dancing muscles didn't help today :) We have lots of fun taking the Wave Runners out to Mona Reservoir whenever we can. Tubing is a great way to workout your arm and core muscles! And we love spending time with friends in the sunshine.

Ute Stampede Week

Around these parts the Ute Stampede is a big deal, and I'm so excited to be a part of it. This year the Drill Team volunteered to sell programs at the Rodeo. I worked two nights, and we worked our tails off to try and sell the most books. Mallory was a great help on night one, but Lydia and I really out-did ourselves on night two. Great nights with great friends working together. It is always lots of fun to be involved.

Healthy Teeth!

3 Kids in braces at the same time! My poor parents :) It was fun though not going through it alone.

145 days later and the BRACES ARE OFF!!! I am so pleased with the way my teeth look and feel. Part of living a healthy life is making sure my teeth are healthy and straight. Love my new smile :)

Summer Dance Intensive

Yay for being healthy with Chalyn!!  We have learned so much from Chalyn these last couple of days. Lots of classes on healthy eating, body movement, and dance. I have learned so much! And I love that my little sister Mallory is old enough for the classes too. I can't wait to start implementing some of the new healthy living ideas she gave us.

Healthy Eyes?

Next step on the healthy me trail is to have my eyes checked. Still no answers to why I've lost my peripheral vision. Aside from still needing glasses we still have no answers. Doctor thinks the problem could be vascular but in the mean time I need more tests...

Hiking the Grotto

We love Hiking! One of our favorite hikes is up to the Grotto in Payson Canyon. I love the waterfall. Today I hiked up with my little brother Easton and my dad. Hiking is a super fun way to get out and get moving while still having tons of fun and fresh air. I can't wait until our next hiking day!

Uh Oh...Again :)

June 11th: Today in Drill Practice as we were dancing I completely lost my peripheral vision. Within minutes I was so dizzy I fell and hit my head on the gym floor. Mom insisted we visit the doctor and it's a good thing we did. Something is definitely wrong. Totally don't love needles, but planking on the exam table and the CAT SCAN machine were pretty fun. No answers yet. Gotta have a healthy head :)

Busy, busy, summer...

This summer has been so crazy, busy, fun!! ...but I'm soooo far behind in recording my journey to a Healthier Happier Me :) Tonight I've found a little time to catch up on some of my favorite moments that I want to document and share, so the next couple of entries are in no particular order. Enjoy! 

Fair Week!

I love Fair Week and Juab County has one of the best around! This is the 3rd year I've been able to volunteer at the booth for the Miss Salt Creek Outstanding Teen Pageant. My mom, little sister, and I have worked Tuesday and Wednesday so far this week, but I look forward to helping Friday night during the ATV Rodeo and then watching the Demolition Derby on Saturday. My favorite part of working at the fair is hanging out with  these great girls, and getting to know new friends. I was SO EXCITED that they decided to offer HEALTHY choices for dinner this year! This BBQ Corn is soooo Yummy!