Spring Break, Granola Bars, and Scans

How's that for a title?

Spring break has been a bit of a bust around here. Well, that's not entirely true. Monday we did some running around: library, eye doctor, pizza picnic in the park, and the kids were able to play outside. Despite a very cold day, Camden played in this season's first baseball scrimmage Tuesday night. He was up to bat twice. The first turn he got hit in the leg by the pitcher and was walked the second time around. He stole home once. This is the first year for kid-pitch and stolen bases, and let's just say that it was a very long game. He played right field as well as first base. Being the pitcher is his dream, but he's pitcher #4 on the roster and they only made it to 3 innings so he didn't pitch.

Wednesday all those cold wet days outside caught up with Rory and her cold turned into a fever and some asthma issues so we've spent the last 2 days trapped inside reading lots of books, watching movies, and playing games on the Wii and iPad. 

Today is my CT scan. I'd like to say that I'm not concerned, and in all reality I am probably the least concerned about a scan since this whole cancer thing started 2 years ago but it is still nerve wracking. Especially so since I found out earlier this week that one of my chemo friends has had a recurrence and will be starting chemo again next week. Out of the 4 of us from my original chemo schedule, I am now the only one not in treatment. Doesn't exactly feel encouraging, but I am staying calm so far. I'll be seeing Dr. W in the next couple of weeks for my results.

In other positive news, it is supposed to be 64 and sunny today which is a far cry from the 39 and rainy it was yesterday and we're hoping to visit some cousins at the park after my scan. Brian took off work as he usually does on scan days. 

Earlier this week I promised my granola bar recipe. I adapted it from this recipe on the He and She Eat Clean blog. I have to say that it is just really, really delicious.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup flaxseeds
1/2 cup wheat germ 
1/2 c Honey
4 Tbsp coconut oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup dried cranberries
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread oats, almonds, flaxseeds, and wheat germ and sesame seeds on a large baking sheet and roast in oven for approximately 15 minutes. I stirred every 5 minutes to avoid burning the flaxseeds and wheat germ.
2. Microwave honey, coconut oil and vanilla for 1 minute, then remove and stir. Microwave for an additional 20 seconds.
3. In a large bowl, combine dried cranberries, cinnamon and sea salt.
4. Once the oat mixture is done toasting, combine with the cranberry mixture.
5. Add honey/coconut oil mixture to the dry ingredients and combine until all ingredients are wet.
6. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and spread the mixture evenly. I used another piece of wax paper on top so that I could press it evenly, but make sure to take it off because it will stick if you leave it there.
7. Refrigerate for a couple of hours, then slice into bars.

I tried really hard to find unsweetened cranberries, but didn't have any luck so I settled for Trader Joe's organic dried cranberries. I've also made this with quick oats when I was out of rolled oats, and they work fine as well. The bars held together a little better with the rolled oats, though.

And how about a couple of pictures before I sign off for the weekend.

Learning to ride her bike

Sitting in a bathroom full of steam trying to calm down her coughing. We read almost an entire chapter book Thursday while sitting in the bathroom. She looks pretty miserable, right?