RECIPE: Healthy Cookie Dough Dip

Hey y'all! Ever wanted to eat a bunch of cookie dough and not feel like the biggest glutton in the world afterwards? Then this recipe is for you. 

This tastes like edible heaven- chocolatey and smooth and absolutely sinful. (funny, because heaven). It does NOT taste healthier than its eggy and unsafe counterpart in anyway...but it is! Oh yeah, and no butters/oils whatsoever. Can you say win-win? 

Ingredients (apologies for the photo quality)

• 1 can of white (northern beans)- drained and rinsed
• 1/3 cup applesauce (I used berry because that's all I had)
• 3/4 cup quick oats
• 2/3 cup brown sugar (I used 3/4 cup it was honestly too sweet)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 - 1 cup CHOCOLATE CHIPS to taste

Instructions: 

1. Throw all ingredients except chocolate chips and 1/4 cup oats into a food processor. I wouldn't recommend using a blender, because the food processor chops more finely, which is important for this dip. 

2. Based on texture, add remaining 1/4 cup oats slowly. It should be about as thick as hummus when you're done. Empty into a bowl and mix with chocolate chips! Chill for 5-10 minutes and enjoy!

Since this is technically a dip, I ate it with some crackers from Trader Joe's and it was delicious! My brother, on the other hand, ate it with a spoon. 

Please please please pin this recipe to Pinterest using the "Pin it!" buttons at the center of each image and tell me how it was! Feel free to email me at himahearts@gmail.com if you have any questions. 

Peace out, girl scout. 

xo, Hima

Linking up with Monday Gossip

Fun Friday Blog Hop!

   

 The Grits Blog (Follow here!)                        Hima Hearts (Follow Here!)

Rules are there are no rules! 

Please link-up to whatever you like! 

All that we ask is, if you wish, please follow us via the links above and that you link back to this blog - so that other's can join in and mingle! 

Happy Little Friday Everyone!

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On What Blogging Means to Me

Lately, I’ve been thinking about blogging and the role it plays in my life. I’m only a junior in high school, and there aren’t a lot of other high schoolers out there who have a blog. Of course, there are Aree and Noori, my favorite twins and fellow 16 year-olds, but not a ton of other people.

When I first started blogging, I wasn't really sure what I was in for. I had been reading blogs on and off for a while, so I knew I didn't want to start off with the built in blogger templates. Before I wrote my very first post, I made sure that the blog looked nice. I had a header, a button, and intro image, social media buttons, and an about me page. If you can believe it, my blog has looked the exact same since day one. I know I didn't want to deal with the whole "first post" awkwardness, so I jumped right in and did a High Five for Friday.

From the beginning, I reached out to a few bloggers to help me find my way in the blog world, and get some feedback. Looking back, I can say that it's the best thing I could have done. I received overwhelmingly positive response from bloggers who were clearly obsessed with blogging, and really believed it could have a positive effect on everyone. A few weeks after I launched Hima Hearts, I learned how to make all my pictures the same size, how NOT to be a no-reply blogger, and where to place photos in posts to break up the text. I found my blogging voice, and really started getting into the groove of things.

A couple of months after I started my blog, I wrote my first "serious" post on how my summer job changed my life (no, really), and went, and it was difficult to write it all out, but I was amazed at the response. I didn’t think a lot of people would read it, because it was a lot longer than my normal posts, and heck of a lot less funny. (Although the idea that I’m funny is my own personal opinion. Am I? Please say yes). The comments on that post made me realize that there are real people behind all the beautiful blogs out there. Y’all aren’t just beautiful clothes-modeling mannequins, or baby-swaddling mothers, or recipe-creating chefs. Everyone has a million sides to them, and that’s the beauty of blogging. You don’t have to be defined to the niche of your own blog- you can write whatever you want. And you don’t have to read only travel blogs, or photography blogs- you can connect with bloggers of all types.

The first time I posted my blog link on Facebook, I was terrified. What if people judged me? What if people thought I was spamming them or clogging up their newsfeed? Once again, the response was overwhelmingly positive. People whom I barely know will come up and talk to me about how much they love my blog, or how funny they thought a certain post was. They'll ask me how I have time to do it, and the answer is simple. I make time.

I started off blogging because I wanted to document the little things in life. I wanted to take more pictures and just take the time to enjoy simple pleasures. Now? Now I blog for SO many reasons. I blog for the little happy dance my heart does when I get an email from Disqus notifying me of a comment. I blog for the friendships I've made- to see an email from Aree, or Noori, or Marla, or Brittany, or Ash, or Erica, or Rachel, or any of my other blog friends pop up in my inbox. I blog for the anonymous "Your blog is kinda sorta INSPIRING." on my paper heart at school last week. I blog to force myself to keep taking photographs. I blog, most of all, for myself. To look back on this in five years to relive the good memories.

This post isn't to mark any kind of anniversary or anything- I just felt like writing about blogging. Now, if you're a blogger, answer this: Why do you blog? If not, tell me something that you love so much that you make time for it, regardless or how busy you are, or how unmotivated you're feeling.

xo, Hima

P.S. Sorry for the seemingly random pictures throughout this post. I didn't want to steal any stock images off the internet, so I just posted some of my own mildly interesting photos to break up the text. Remember the part about photography? ;)

RECIPE: Fluffy Vanilla Pancakes

Hey y'all! Happy Monday/President's Day. Hopefully you have the day off, but if not, you can just stare at these pictures and wish you were at home making these. e

Some of you might have seen this picture on my Instagram yesterday, when I made the best breakfast I've ever had: pancakes. 

Y'all. These aren't just any pancakes. They're actually kinda good for you and they're insanely fluffy. They're not goopy or ridiculously thick like the last time. Just warm, fluffy, and unmistakably delicious. 

 Ingredients:

• 1/3-1/2 cup oat flour (I just ground up some rolled oats in a coffee grinder)
• 1 scoop protein powder of choice
• 1/4 cup egg whites
• 2-3 tbsp milk (I used almond milk)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup greek yogurt
• 1 tsp baking powder (this is what makes them super fluffy!)
• fruit and syrup to taste

Process: 

1. Mix everything except fruit and syrup up in a bowl. The batter will be thick. If it's too thick, add some more milk. 
2. Spray your pan and then put your batter on in big dollops. (is that even a word idk). The batter should be thick enough that you have to use your fingers to spread the pancakes out a bit. 
3. Let cook until bubbles form on top, so 1-2 minutes. Flip for another 1-2 minutes. 
4. Stick 'em on a plate, add fruit and syrup to taste. Instagram it, because this is some of the most beautiful food you have ever created, and face plant. 

 

Do you have a special pancake recipe you think I should try? What's your experience with protein pancakes like? Let me know in the comments below!

xo, Hima 

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

This week was trying, to say the least. A plethora of tests (WOW look at that vocab), combined with mounting extracurricular stress and life drama made life difficult this week. Hence, the lack of blogging. BUT I’m back, and today is the beginning of a week-long break, so I can finally talk to all y’all again.

I haven't responded to comments from LAST week yet, and my eyes are closing on me as I type this. The title of this post is reflective of this week. It may have been one of those weeks all through, but it ended on the sweetest note possible. And that's not just because of all the sugar that was ingested today.

 So in case you haven't been notified by my Instagram already, my Valentine this year was my bio textbook. Look, we even #twinned! ;)

Just kidding, my Valentines were my lovely friends.  

Every year (starting last year), our school ASB does a hearts project. Over the past couple of weeks, we've been cutting out individual hearts for every student and staff member and making posters to stick on the walls. Today (Vday obviamente), we stuck them up around the school and people could write nice things on each other's hearts. Overall it was just a really fun/positive experience, and I'm really proud of our class for pulling it off.

It also happened to be my wonderful friend Neha's birthday, so we obviously ate some sugar. Tell me, does this not look beautiful? It tasted amazing, fyi. Happy Birthday Nehbb ;)

I also received a cupcake surprise, from one of my best friends, Somya, but my ability to take acceptable pictures was nonexistent by the time the day ended, so I'll get those to you soon. 

I missed you! :) How was your Valentine's Day? Who did you spend it with? Oh yeah, and will you be my Valentine, you wonderful blog reader?

xo, Hima

Friday, we meet again.

Hey y’all! Happy Friday (or almost Friday if you’re reading this on a Thursday, Catherine).

First off, I want to thank you for you all for your comments yesterday! Unfortunately, something’s up with Disqus right now and I can’t respond to you, but I’ll get back to you asap. I guess this means you can’t comment on today’s post? After reading all of them, I’ve decided to add a goal:

1. Be on time to school more- My first period teacher is incredibly chill about being late, and 7:35 is ridiculously early for life, but being late is a bad habit and I hate the feeling of being late period. I also get really annoyed when people are late and what’s worse than being a hypocrite right?

Moving on, this week was pretty great, as weeks go. Lots of happy little moments, productive time, and pleasant surprises. 

I tried a green smoothie! It was so yummy- definitely writing out a recipe for this!

So I keep seeing posts about "snow days" and "WOW Snow in AL" and "Snow in Austin!" Yay for you, but uh, California finally got some rain. 

So all of you out there in the cold, please pray for some more precipitation for CA!

Surprise lunch date with mommy! FYI, just because there is something green on your plate does not mean its healthy. It just means that it's prettier to take a picture of. 

Y'all. If you have not been to the Melt, GO. 

Found this practically baby picture of my friend Meera and I. Would you believe that this was just TWO years ago? I've been told I look 11 years old here...

Not sure if this should be considered a highlight, but....I really hate this game and how bad I am at it. 

Happy Friday, loves (wait LOL that's so weird and not me. Never saying that again)

xo, Hima

P.S. I want to punch Blogger right now for all the formatting problems these last couple of days.

February Goals

Hey y'all. After 30-something days of slogging through 2014, it's time to figure out what the heck I'm trying to do with myself for the next month. I also wanted to check back in on my 2014 blogging goals and update all y'all on my progress. 

January Goals: 

1. Write more- I said I wanted to write 3 days a week and I owned that. I've developed this blogging schedule where I write on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights, and they count as posts for the next day. I read/comment on blogs almost every day though! 

2. Make more blog friends- totes did this. And I'll definitely continue to!

3. Participate in at least two exchanges. LOL NOPE! Working on this.

4. Figure out how to use Pinterest and Twitter. I tweet a ton, but 0 traffic from Twitter. Pinterest, on the other hand, isn't too bad! Thanks to Ashley for her tips!

5.  At least 1 recipe post per month and a monthly goals post at the beginning of the month- I had 2 recipe posts this month, and I have another in the works. Overnight Oats and Raspberry French Toast Bake (both under 5 minutes prep time!)

Definitely going to try to continue to keep up with all of these- I'd like to try for TWO recipe posts.

Please enjoy this incredibly relevant picture of one of my outfits last week.

February Goals: These aren't really blog focused, just somethings to try for in general
1. Read at least 4 books, and write reviews for at least 2. I've wanted to incorporate book reviews into my blog for a really long time, like Marla and Tiffany, and hopefully this goal will force me to. Recommendations would be much appreciated.

2. Get to the gym 5 days a week. This is going to be really hard, but I know that if I make a goal and make it public, I WILL do this. I've been averaging 4 for all of January.

3. Take my DSLR camera out at least twice and use it. I really love photography, but I tend to take most pictures with my phone, just because it's infinity times more convenient.

4. Start my favorite bloggers series. This has been marinating in my mind (ew that's such a gross idea I take that back) for such a long time now, and I finally want to sit down and get it all put together!

5. Compliment someone every day. Why not spread some more love and happiness? :)

6. I'm currently working with Shutterfly to put together a 20th anniversary gift for my parents. (Long time, I know!) I hope this goes well, and I'm so excited to write about the process.

What are you going to get done this month? Let me know in the comments below. Don't forget to tell me about your favorite book!

xo, Hima

It's a Dog's Life [Letter from Bella]

Hi friends!

Bella here, stepping in for Hima because she’s

1.     under a pile of annotations (15 pages, size 8 font) due tomorrow

2.     too lazy to get together her February goals post

I’d like to assume you’ve met me before, mostly because Hima is a little bit obsessed with how cute I am, but here’s the formal spiel. My name is Bellatrix, and I was rescued from the shelter 2 years ago. I didn’t like people very much before, but I have a lot of friends now! Hima just said something about my typical day- I’m not really sure what she meant, but I really liked the title I came up with, so I’ll just go with that. 

I wake up around 6:30 each morning, around the same time as Hima and our brother Yash do. The first thing I do is run into everybody’s room and say good morning. After getting all the belly rubs I can get, I begin my morning rounds through the house, making sure that nothing was taken during the night. Sometimes, if I see a leaf moving through the window, I bark my head off, because clearly this leaf poses a huge threat to my family. You never know, it could be hiding a scary robber or something!

I assume my position on the top of the couch to watch the kids eat (I can get some of their food if I’m lucky!!) and just keep a general lookout. You know, in case there are more robbers. Or one of the kids is eating peanut butter. I’m all over that!

After Hima and Yash leave for school, I kinda laze around for a while, until someone takes me for a walk. I love laying on the carpet in the sun- it’s just so warm and comfy and makes me so sleepy! Walks- I love them. Of course, I do my doggy duty and stop to smell every single blade of grass and mailbox and flower and rock and crack in the sidewalk- just keeping up with what’s important.

Sometimes, I get to go pick up Yash and Hima from school, which is always fun. I love seeing Hima’s friends. I’m not always sure that they’re her friends though, so I bark at all of them. Better safe than sorry right? Oh, and I always have to sit in the front seat of the car. I don’t care if there’s anyone already sitting there- I just sit on them.

When we get home, we all have a snack. I have whatever the kids are having…well, whatever they give me really. Yash is pretty good about resisting, but all I have to do is look at Hima and she practically puts the plate in front of me. I love it!

This is what I do when I want food. It never fails. 

I really like when Hima takes homework breaks and plays with me. She’s really good at throwing the tennis ball around the house without breaking anything, and she’s the only one who will get under the couch to grab it out when it rolls under. My passions include Tug O’ War, dancing, and doga (dog yoga). What can I say? I’m well rounded.

This continues until 10 or 11, and then we all go to sleep. Or I have to pose while Hima takes pictures of me. Which is literally all the time. I'm so done with her and Instadog or whatever it's called. Anyway, I've gotta go inspect the perimeter of the house again. I'll see you next time Hima is too lame to function! busy. 

Stay classy, Bella. 

P.S. So today (2/4) is National Cancer Awareness Day, and Chevrolet is partnering with the American Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research. For each person who changes their Facebook/Twitter profile to purple (just follow the link), Chevrolet is donating $1. I definitely purpled it up, and I'd encourage you to do the same! :)