The Oak Post..

The Oakster...

 ..is getting pretty big these days. He is a little over seven months and is weighing in at about 65 lbs. He has already clogged our vacuum with his fur, and learned how to jump over my parent's fence. He still loves torturing my mom's lil' Yorkie Peanut. This hyper Husky loves his freezing cold walks and lying outside in the snow. I love my companion he keeps me company while Jake is on shift, and always keeps me on my feet. He thinks he is human and tries to talk to you with his dorky howl. He is obsessed with his grandma and knows when I am talking to her on the phone. He goes nuts when he hears her voice. This smarty pants knows when I am getting ready for school and will hide the best he can in our small two bedroom condo. He thinks he can out smart me so he doesn't have to go in his kennel. His naughty habit of jumping and cuddling on the bed in the morning is something I can't bare to break.

Him telling me to screw off, and that he didn't want to take family pictures.

His favorite place... Grandma & Grandpa's cabin.

He loves his toys. Especially the ones Santa brought.

Love, 

Jake & Lex XO

No Bake Protien Bars

Jake and I are always on the go and need a quick snack that will fill us up and give us energy. There are thousands of options at the grocery store, but most of the ingredient lists look like this...

If you can't pronounce it ...don't eat it.

There are healthier options such as Luna, Kashi, Cliff and so on. I turned to those for a while but if they weren't on sale I couldn't afford to buy them. I came up with a better, healthier, CHEAPER option! When in doubt make it yourself...

P.B. &  Nutella Protien Bars

2 cups- Quick Oats

3/4 cup- Organic Peanut Butter

1/4 cup- Nutella

1 TBS- Protein Powder (Chocolate or Vanilla)

1/2 TBS- Honey or Agave Syrup

1/4 cup- Peanuts

Mix peanut butter, Nutella, protein powder, and honey together in a large mixing bowl. Place in microwave for 30 seconds to warm through. Fold in the Quick Oats and peanuts. Place the mixture in a loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Spread mixture evenly throughout pan. Place another piece of parchment paper on top and press firmly. Place something heavy like a couple of glasses on top of the parchment paper and put in the refrigerator for 1 hour. After they have set in the fridge take them out and, cut into 6 rectangular bars. Serve or wrap individually for a quick snack. Enjoy! 

Love,

 Lex & Jake 

XO

Quinoa

Butternut Squash Quinoa

1 cup- Quinoa

2 cups- Water

1- Butternut Squash cut into 1/2 inch cubes

4 slices- Turkey Bacon or Regular Bacon

3 TBS- Olive Oil

2 TBS- Balsamic Vinegar

2 TBS- Dijon Mustard

1-TBS Honey 

1 tsp- Nutmeg

Salt and Pepper to Taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place cubed butternut squash on cookies sheet. Lightly coat in olive oil, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Place in oven and let cook for about 30 minutes. Test with a knife to see if it is tender enough. Knife should come out with ease.

2. In a pot add Quinoa and water. Bring to a boil. Turn heat on low, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, fluff with fork.

3. Cook bacon through in a skillet and cut into small pieces.

4. Whisk together in a separate bowl: olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, and salt and pepper to taste. 

5. Add Quinoa, squash, and turkey bacon together. Add in dressing slowly and stir. Note: You don't have to add all of the dressing. Taste and if it needs more continue to add. Salt and pepper your dish to taste. Enjoy

Serves 4 

 NOTES-

This dish can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled. It is a great left over and a perfect next day lunch.

I served it with curry chicken..recipe to come soon.

I buy my Quinoa in bulk at Costco. They also sell the pre-cubed butternut squash shown in this recipe.

Love,

Jake & Lex

XO