New Week; New Challenge

Well the weekend has come and gone...and unfortunately, this one was a wash. Not much productivity over this way that's ok! Sometimes a weekend of nothing is good for the soul.

This week on Cooper's Cravings:

 Tomorrow starts the Gluten- Free renewal Cleanse over at

Making Love in the Kitchen!

I'm excited to cleanse my body and really focus on a fresh, whole foods.

The Gluten-Free Rewnewal Program will help you:

• Reduce cravings for sugary sweets and floury breads
• Lose weight and puffyness
• Reduce bloating and puffiness
• Lower allergen intake
• Stabilize blood sugar
• Balance pH
• Lower estrogen levels

"This month-long cleanse will allow your body the time to start cleansing itself from the negative effects of gluten and bring on some positive ones - like increased energy, weight loss, better digestion and clarity.

Eliminating gluten also means that you’ll be focusing on fresh, whole foods. And when you cut out the processed foods that are weighing you down, you’ll also cut out many of the hidden sources of gluten, sugar and bad fat, too. "

This week I'm also starting the 21-Day Meditation Challenge from 

I am hoping this challenge helps me to quite my mind and truly learn to focus, clear my mind for improved concentration and gain a deeper understanding of my inner self.

Workouts for the week:

- 3 mile run x 3

-30 Minute Yoga sessions x 2

-30 Minute Full Body Workout from fitsugar.com x 4

Words of Encouragement

Somedays there are some words you just need to hear....

via Going Home to Roost 

Prints by VaporQualquer

NutriGrain Melt-down

"Holy cow!! Opening a NutriGrain bar to see it had broken in half in the package is clearly the worst thing to happen on the planet. Ever."

This was the first Facebook status update I saw this morning...from my sister, discussing my nephew. Several comments down, one of her friends mentioned that she should just trash the thing anyway.  

I agree....and here's why: Sugar and High Fructose overload! I can't even pronounce half of these ingredients?!

Ingredients
CRUST: WHOLE GRAIN OATS, ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN B1 [THIAMIN MONONITRATE], VITAMIN B2 [RIBOFLAVIN], FOLIC ACID), WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, SOYBEAN OIL, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, SOLUBLE CORN FIBER, SUGAR, CALCIUM CARBONATE, WHEY, WHEAT BRAN, SALT, CELLULOSE, POTASSIUM BICARBONATE, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, WHEAT GLUTEN, NIACINAMIDE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, CARRAGEENAN, ZINC OXIDE, REDUCED IRON, GUAR GUM, VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE), VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE), VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN), FOLIC ACID. FILLING: HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, BLUEBERRY PUREE CONCENTRATE, GLYCERIN, SUGAR, WATER, SODIUM ALGINATE, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, METHYLCLLULOSE, CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, MALIC ACID, RED 40, BLUE 1.

So, it sent me on a search for healthy, kid friendly, wallet friendly, cereal bar recipes. I knew I had a few in my collection...

Banana Oatmeal Bars

3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups whole grain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3 cups uncooked old fashioned oats

Mix ingredients together. Spray 9 x 13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350' for 30-35 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

          Granola Bars

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup whole grain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup shredded coconut
4 oz applesauce
2 1/2 tbsp flaxseed
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
*2 oz chopped pecans
*2 oz slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 325 F. Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.
In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, applesauce, flaxseed, honey and brown sugar. Stir in nuts and coconut.
Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 F for about 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.
Makes 24 bars.

*I know the kiddos, do not and probably can't eat nuts! So replace nuts with dried cranberries, raisins or apricots! 

        Yogurt Cereal Bars (from Spark Recipes)

2 cups corn flakes
3/4 cup whole grain flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1 cup yogurt (banana/straw, etc)
1 egg slightly beaten
2 tbsp whole grain flour

Preheat to 350. Combine cereal, flour, sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Cut in butter or margarine until coarse crumbs form. Press 1/2 of mixture firmly into bottom of greased 8" square pan. Mix yogurt, egg and 2 tbsp flour in another small bowl. Spread over cereal mixture in pan and then sprinkle remaining cereal mixture on top. Bake 30 min or until golden brown and cut into bars when cooled.
Makes 24 servings

And don't forget to let the kids help...it's more fun to eat something, if you had a part in the creation!

Stella and Dot Sample Sale

These items are in excellent condition, mostly used only in my Trunk Show display. I'm making room for some amazing pieces from our Spring 2012l collection. I will accept cash, check, or paypal. Payment must be received (and cleared) before item is shipped. Contact me if you are interested. More items will be listed soon! ashleycbridges@gmail.com

Cortez Turquoise & Suede Necklace
Retail $98
Sale $40

 Sea-hued turquoise, earthy suede, wood rings and waxed cord.
Hello little white dress! $40

Colette Necklace
Retail $138
Sale $52

Gold Plated La Coco Necklace with Ivory Flower Brooch. $40 (Retail price $98)

3-in-1: Unclip to create a bracelet, necklace and brooch. 

  Don't for get to "Like" my Facebook page to be entered in the drawing for a pair of these beauties!

Serenity Small Stone Drop Earrings (available in Aqua or Lapis), from the new Stella and Dot Spring 2012 Collection!

Like the Jewelry??....Host a Trunk Show!

Love the Jewelry??...Become a Stylist!

Ask me how!!

Your Personal Stylist:

Ashley Bridges

ashleybridges@gmail.com

Shop Now at www.stelladot.com/ashleymegan

Currently Craving: Candied Pecans

Last night I had a craving...and that craving had to be satisfied! So Candied Pecans it was...

2 cups Sugar
2 cups Water
2 cups Pecans
Dash or two of Sea Salt

Pre-heat oven to 375.
Bring 2 cups of water to boil. Completely dissolve 2 cups Sugar in boiling water. Remove from heat.
Mix Pecans into the Simple Sugar mixture. Spread pecans on parchment paper lined pan. Sprinkle a Sea Salt and Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Enjoy in salads, over ice cream or straight out of your hand! Y'all just remember...it's pronounced "Pee-Can"!

Fall Into Fashion Sweepstakes

This season, Stella & Dot is partnering with Tea Collection to create a unique Facebook promotion that will inspire the whole family to dial up their style!  We’ve created a coveted prize package that allows the winner to update her look as well as that of her favorite little fashionistas!

Click here to Enter Sweepstakes!

 Special offer from our friends at Tea Collection. Receive 15% off your first online order at teacollection.com. Enter promo code FALLSWEEPS15 at checkout.*

*offer valid at teacollection.com only for first time customers. Valid through 9/18/11. Limit one use per customer. 

Like the Jewelry??....Host a Trunk Show!

Love the Jewelry??...Become a Stylist!

Ask me how!!

Your Personal Stylist:

Ashley Bridges

ashleybridges@gmail.com

Visit my website >

Good Things!

I have to tell you....

This made my day!

Ben and Jerry's newest flavor! Inspired by one of my all time favorite SNL skits!

On a side note...

Sorry for the brief hiatus, work has been a bit...umm... demanding the last 5 months. Things are slowing down and I. AM. BACK. so stay tuned!