3 Random Musings...

Here are a few random musings for the day...
1. It's the first Saturday of college football season! And, I am perfectly content tuning in via radio/game tracker on the web to cheer on 'my' teams. I enjoy watching football, but openly confess that I am not a die hard fan. Sure, I'll check scores for the Illini, Dawgs, and Gators...but, most weeks I could not tell you who we're playing or what time kick-off is. I find out soon enough...it's hard not to when you live in a college town and work at the university; but, the kick-off time is most useful for knowing when to avoid traffic if errands need to be run or joining friends for a game-watch. My main interest in football is the community time, and by community I mean a small group of friends...not thousands of fans in the stadium. I like to have that stadium experience every now and again and I will get into the game when watching, especially if I know some of the players (at UGA I would really get into games, as I had several of the players as students). But, for the most part I prefer watching from home where it's cool, involves good company and munchies, and minimal traffic. So, happy college football season to all the fans--die hard and casual alike! Go Illini! Go Dawgs! Go Gators!

2. Favorite Commercials: I don't have a TV at home (by choice), so my main source of commercials comes via hulu.com when I'm catching up on a show or two that I enjoy or hearing about them from others. I have to give some serious props to whoever the creative genius is behind the Geico commercials! Although the "Hump Day" commercial is super popular currently, THIS is by far my favorite commercial. Perhaps it's because my nickname for a short while in junior high was Pillsbury. Perhaps it's because I love baking. Either way, I just love it and it makes me smile anytime I see it...really, how can you not with that laugh!

3.  Shower Singing Solution: Ever been in the shower busting out a tune only to realize you have no clue what the actual lyrics are? I do it all the time...then just end up singing the same song or two over and over again. A while back, I was introduced to the fabulous method of putting a memory verse in a ziplock bag and taping it to the back of the shower wall. So, it finally hit me...why not print of the lyrics to some of my favorite songs/hymns and put them in a baggie on my shower wall? Yeah...you can guess what I did today! :) Now, I'm free to belt out that tune with the true lyrics.  

That's all for now...time to go be productive in apartment cleaning and grocery shopping...

Granola Bars

With the semester back in full swing, I was in search for a good granola bar recipe that would be good for breakfast or a snack on the go. A simple base of one of my favorite combinations-peanut/almond butter and banana- and the essential, flexible combinations of nuts and fruit make this a super easy recipe to mix up! I have been enjoying a bar along with my eggs and fruit in the morning, but they also worked great as a snack for our pool party this past weekend. They are dense and loaded with good stuff to keep you fueled up for whatever adventure or task is ahead! So, get creative and enjoy some delicious, homemade granola bars!

Homemade Granola Bars
Slightly adapted from EatGood4Life
Yield: 8 bars (or 16 snack bars)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup peanut or almond butter
2 bananas, ripened and mashed
1/2 cup almonds
1/4 cup dried apricots (or other dried fruit)
1/4 cup dried cranberries (or other dried fruit)
1/3 cup pistachios (or other nut, coconut, seed, etc.)
2 Tbsp. dark chocolate chips (optional)
1 cup old fashioned oats
2 Tbsp. flax seed meal
1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350'F. Line 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a small pan, combine mashed bananas and peanut/almond butter.On low heat, stir to combine (it takes     just a couple of minutes to 'melt' together. Set aside.
- In a food processor, combine the almonds, dried fruit, other seeds/coconut/nuts, and chocolate chips.      
  Coarsely chop.
- Add chopped ingredients to a medium bowl. Add oats, flax seed meal, and cinnamon.
- Add banana -peanut/almond butter mixture to bowl.
- Fold until well combined.
- Press the batter into the prepared baking pan.

Bake for 25 minutes. Cool before cutting. Store in fridge.

Approximate nutrition per bar (will vary based upon the ingredients you choose):
Calories per bar (200) Fat (14g.) Carb. (20g.) Protein (6g.)

Caution: Internal Processor Near

It's rather amusing for me to think about how various personality/character types are perceived by others. As a leadership instructor, I get to see these nuances first hand through my students when we do various personality assessments and have these conversations. And, not just amusing as they figure out why some people are the way they are, but also a fascinating reminder of how each of us need to take note of how others operate, communicate, etc. on a day to day basis. For me, I also differ a little with context; meaning that I may respond differently if I am in a context of leading others than I would if we're friends discussing personal matters. This connects to my tendency to flip on my "extrovert" switch...well, as much of an extrovert as I can be...when in  large group that I would like to network with, teaching or facilitating, etc. However, on a personal level I tend to have more "introvert" tendencies. As I have been thinking through some things over the past few days (an update on that is in the works), I realized once again that being an internal processor can come across the wrong way (disconnected, arrogance, not caring, etc.) in some contexts. So, here is my little list of three things you should know about working/conversing with an internal processor such as yours truly:
1. Send information in advance. Time for reviewing information and processing it is of utmost importance to the internal processor. I do not do well with information provided at the moment feedback is desired; this is the best way ensure that I will be quiet in a meeting (and potentially not fully engaged because I will be busy looking through the materials instead of truly listening to what you have to say). A day or two in advance is typically just right, depending on the amount of information to be reviewed.
2. If you would like my opinion, please ask. Just as it's important to send the information in advance for processing, asking is the key to receiving feedback from an internal processor. We care...really, quite a bit (especially if provided with info in advance). I am not particularly forthcoming with my personal thoughts in meetings. The external processors are plenty good at sharing opinions readily, and if my opinion aligns with something already mentioned I will not repeat what has been said. If I have something new to add value to the conversation, I will certainly do so; however, many times the meeting facilitator needs to prompt the internally inclined folks (perhaps even to just provide the opportunity to interject among a group of external processors). So, ask away and insight will be offered.
3. Trust fuels the depth of feedback. This may be common for external processors also, but I feel it is particularly common for internal processors. My relationship with a group and the level of trust I have for the individuals involved will directly correlate to the depth of feedback offered. Typically, only those in my closest circle know the full extent of what I am thinking or feeling in a given situation. Even then, it may take a while for that full depth to come through. So, patience is essential if you truly desire the full opinion of a situation.

One of the most difficult things about being an internal processor, I believe, is when I have taken the time to thoroughly think through a situation or topic and then either am too late to offer my thoughts (the group of external processors has already pushed through the topic) or desire to contribute more, but information was not provided in advance to review. Yes, simply frustrating.

So, to wrap this post up...remember to consider your internal processing colleagues/friends when approaching a situation in which you desire their feedback. Then, take a cue from the three bits above. These are my personal bits of observation/advice...take them as such. What would you add to the list? What would you want to know from the perspective of an internal processor?

Mmmm...Maple Blueberry Drop Scones

Although I love a scone that is in a nice, triangular form and a little on the verge of dryness to be enjoyed with some tea/milk/coffee, I love a drop scone that is on the verge of being called a muffin top. Being a little pressed for time in food prep this week (aka Sunday night scrambling), I wanted to try this quick scone to enjoy for breakfasts this week. This recipe had promise for being a quick mix 'n bake, and I just had to try it out...I mean maple and blueberries...that just screams breakfast goodness! As promised, I had this recipe whipped up, in and out of the oven within 30 minutes. OK...that time frame may also have included the taste test but I don't 100% remember. It passed my tasting, and am gladly enjoying one each morning with my eggs for breakfast. So, if you're looking for a quick and easy (grab and go optional) breakfast or snack...give this recipe a try! 

Maple Blueberry Drop Scones
Slightly adapted from Snacking Outside the Box
Yield: 6-7 large scones

Ingredients: 
2 eggs, beaten until frothy
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cup almond meal/flour
1/4 cup maple syrup (the real stuff)
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Directions: 
1. Preheat the oven to 375'F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, except the blueberries and mix well. Start with 1 1/2 c. almond flour, and add more as needed to get batter to hold together.
3. Fold in blueberries.
4. Drop batter onto pan; you'll get approximately 6-7 large scones.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until scones begin to lightly brown.
6. Cool and enjoy!

Nutrition info (yield of 7): Calories per scone (236) Fat (16g.) Carb. (15g.) Protein (9g.)