I love adverbs
The original title for this past was “If it fits, it ships; courtesy of the USPS” because I was on my walk to work and had to make a stop my preferred Durham, NC United States postal office on Kangaroo Road. Wouldn’t that make a cute blog post title? Only, I had no pertinent information for a blog post for which such a title would be intended. Another item I considered on my walk to work was this: grammar and parts of speech. Many of you may know that I make grammatical errors quite a lot but they peeve me just the same. They’re such a curious and searchable subject, parts of speech that is. Prepositions, phrases, adjectives, nouns, modifiers, lest I go on. 
Last night I rode the bus from Chapel Hill to Durham after a meeting at the Neurosciences hospital and as the only passenger, I think the bus driver felt it appropriate to entertain me with conversation. He shared that President Obama would be making an appearance on UNC-CH’s campus tomorrow {news to me as I’d have waited in line for a free tickets to the president’s speech} and that “women should not be allowed to join the secret service,” among other items in the bus driver’s opinions. Whatever the bus driver’s view, his comments got me to thinking: “It’s pretty interesting that every one person seems to have something to say…” Profound. I know. 
This was a photo I took of a cute little bean and friend in Reno, NV. She even hopped into an abandoned shopping cart for a photo that day and I am not sure that I’ve shared it on the blog or not.
A few days ago I was on my way to work and I saw something that I was, at first, reluctant to share, mostly because I thought “What if the person who I describe finds my description on the blog?” but if she does, that’s ok…This girl was dressed up in all the latest work-out clothing and marching her way through the 5-K running trail, complete with head band and iPod. In her right hand, I see jumbo size Dunkin’ Donuts coffee cup. I am sure it was filled with water 
This chic was impressive: all the morning necessities, workout, coffee and all. And if you {she} finds this blog, please comment because I’d like to meet you, your style is awesome.
Check out the new addition to crunchy little bites. Ok, so it’s a Tiffany lamp. For some reason, I really like it! Not sure if it is going to remain on the blog but for now, it’s a yes! Yes to the lamp! And if any of you care to explain, further, “I love lamp {Jasper, still, does not understand the whole Anchorman reference}” idea, please do!
This weekend I am planning to camp out in Hanging Rock State Park with a fairly large group of high-school and middle-school aged students. For the trip, I am preparing homemade trail mix and trail cookies. And if there is a random cancellation of the trip, I plan to have the ladies over for baking on Friday night on which there might be an impromptu viewing {cuz I’m not planning on anything, really } of the extended “director’s cut” version of Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. That is, only if the girls are truly lucky. If we are really REALLY LUCKY, we’ll hop out on the town for a viewing of The Luck One. I TOTALLY agree with this girls’ love for The Lucky One movie. Oh, I am super excited about the possibility of seeing that movie!
For now, bye-bye!
Stayed tuned for story about my toenails coming off. The post will include a **disclamier, of course 
As well as my most recent experiement with this girl’s poo-less project. Oh YeYah, I DID it!
Happy Tuesday to you ~ Jasper Naomi
positivity lately
“Positivity” may not be a word. Positivism. Positivism. Positivist. Those are words. It’s been said that I tend to dwell on the negative. As much as this may be true I do always find much positive in life and try to share that in conjunction with nay complaints I may express. So here are some of late: 1. I get to have rainbow sprinkles atop birthday waffles TOMORROW! 2. People tend to wave, smile and giggle, more, when they see me walking to work with Slayer…one lady even said “Oh, God bless you, bless you, bless you, blessings on you…” as I walked by her and her walking buddy yesterday. 
Above pictured is my birthday place mat awaiting it’s sprinkle-full waffle.
In other news, I am planning a FUN GAME for youth Sunday School, not this coming Sunday but, for next Sunday. After our camping trip to Hanging Rock State Park, which is going to be a blast, I’ve thought ahead enough to plan a super-awesome game as to not let down any youths’ fun high. The game is one version of “Two Lies and a Truth…” or is it “Two truths and a Lie?”…It doesn’t matter, I suppose, as I have nearly two weeks to plan execution.
My mornings have been spent in the quiet of the living room with back door open to eh beautiful breeze outside. Thank you, chilly NC April, for your pleasant company.
Thanks to my aunt, we are eating plenty of glamorous food, although this raw chicken pre-cooking does not look so tasty. Last night we began to watch “Babel” and made a unanimous choice to not, further, subject our evening to depressing footage from a movie who’s four sub-plots seemed to be headed in directions nowhere other than BAD. So we switched to this movie: Love’s Kitchen in the middle of the Babel scene where Kate Blanchett’s character is on the brink of bleeding to death.
No, that scene does not remind me of eating nor does the photo scene above wet my appetite all that much. Nonetheless, I thought I’d share the photos because I, quite, enjoyed the evening at home with Aunty Sharon and it did include the yummy asparagus and chicken featured in this post. To come, later I think, will be some movie reviews as I often end up watching random movies that I find interesting and think it’s be great to keep feedback from my criticism. If that’s not complicated {getting criticism of my criticism} then I do not know what is.
This was a breakfast of mine from this past January and it reminds me that, while my 50 gallons of free blueberries last season are all gone, blueberry picking is not far off! Bring on the blueberries, May. Just thinking of them makes me weak with excitment. Also, a “best of reel” from the office {my office} is soon to come so get excited!
Much love and happy Wednesday ~ Jasper Naomi
green monster madness
Have you ever heard of a green monster? Not all green monsters are created equally Which is why Angela created this page for green monster smoothie recipe submissions!
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No, I am not talking about this green monster. I am talking about a smoothie! This is the kind of smoothie that some may think tastes like a plant but I think it tastes yummy!
Into Jasper’s green monster smoothie goes:
1 c. fresh spinach
1 c. almond milk
1 scoop brown rice protein powder
1 t. vanilla
1 banana
1/2 c. greek yogurt
Does it taste like a plant? No, I do not think it tastes like a plant. And though I do not go around licking leaves or chewing tree bark, I think I can vouch for the green monster recipe tasting like food, not plants.
How often should I drink a green monster smoothie? Well, I am not a doctor, I am not a registered dietician, I am not a clinical nutritionist…I will say that you can eat green smoothies as a fun morning treat, an afternoon snack or as a meal that would replace any proper nutritional dish (consult your doctor).
On day I will get Angela to post my recipe to the green monster movement site but she is busy writing a cookbook!
You can throw all sorts of ingredients into your green monster smoothie! I would not suggest real plants in your smoothie, however.
Instead of spinach, sometimes I use raw or steamed kale! Even Justin Bieber chugged a green monster smoothie before his 2010 Madison Square Garden sell-out!
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Yes, I may have also followed him on Twitter last night. Sue me! I want to know what a dude tells 18.1 M followers each day! You can follow me if you’d like
Back to the green monsters!
However you take your green monster just don’t forget the banana! Happy Friday to you lovely people!
Here’s me chugging juice, not a green monster! ..okay, happy friday! – Jasper Naomi
taking the plunge!
I did it, I tried mustard-colored nail polish! — Although, I think a similar-colored sweater might have been a better choice but I’ve made worse decisions in life!
Currently I am on week five of my nine week marathon training plan and it’s going well! Justin Bieber might be new new young-crush but don’t tell anyone, okay?
I might keep posting awkward self-portraits so that you may make your judgments about how confident/non-confident of my marathon-training plan I appear.
Update: Tried my first steel-oats in a jar project…not a fan 
My nail color has changed three times in the past two weeks…They went from Katie-inspired gray.
To mauve-ish…
To flat mustardy yellow!
Also, my father and step-mother arrived from Africa yesterday! And I had not seen them in over three years! Crazy!
making a gift package for any one one oh one
As you may know, I like to write letters. And I like to send packages. Well, I thought I’d share a little 101-package-making-post with you.
Bubble wrap is a must. Package-recievers can, then, POP all of the little bubbles and annoy their friends!
Make sure an wrap all of the little package contents with cute baker’s twine or ribbon, too!
They’ll appreciate your attention to detail .
Since my parents live in Angola, Africa, I have sent them a few care packages but none were this adorable.
Gotta put AWESOME movies in the care packages, too! As DVD’s become more and more obsolete, you’ve got to take advantage of the times!
Sometimes it’s just fun to make a bit of a mess while you craft, too!
I really really really wanted to send all of the baker’s twine along so that my package-receiver could decorate packages to send to her friends as well! But I could not let it go! So much for wanting to be a minimalist
Will it all fit?! I hope so!
Always choose your favorite package content so that you’ll know what to pick up at the store for yourself later!
Always have fun!
After all, a care package IS to show that you care
how many shots does it take to make it JUST right?
eeeeeeh. when you know, you know 
this is for the sad little photographer who can never get that shots right….
never fear for, one, day, you’ll get the styling and lighting right!
just right!~
maybe 
a special homecoming granola
With banana….or without banana? This granola is tired, now, and….true!
Some of you may, already, know that my aunt travels for her work quite a bit. Well, today she’s arriving home from out-of-town and I thought I’d surprise her with some “auntie-homecoming-granola!”
The line-up:
frozen-stored-and-chopped-of-these
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. dried cranberries
2 c. oats
1/2 c. honey
plus a dash of salt!
Mix all ingredients together in large bowl until well combined! Then spread mixture onto baking pan and pop into 350 degree oven for 1.5 hours! Check baking/drying process every 30 minutes to ensure no burning!
And then skip around for joy that your friend/roommate/aunt/loved-one will be arriving home shortly while you wait for homecoming granola to bake!
Okay, okay…If you MUST try a bit before your loved-one arrives home, I won’t tell anyone…
This homemade granola goes really well with yogurt, soygurt, sliced banana, coconut butter drizzle or any of your favorite toppings!
Zebra Cereal Dessert Bars
There’s nothing, quite, like getting all excited about completing my taxes under the impression the refund will be grand! — And then finding out that I actually owe enough to keep me in the black by $39. Yipee skippee! {sarcasm}
Perhaps these bars (not the recipe, mind you, but the experience) was a bit of a let down, too! I was so excited, thinking, ah yeah, foodgawker’s gunna like this one but when I began to try and style the finished product I came up short. Very short. Oh well, it’s just not my week! They . keep. rejecting. me. but. that’s. ok. a . little . #fail. here. or. there. AIN’T. gunna. stop. this. lady
I was using Ashley’s awesome tips only to realize that part of my problem was that my tripod was resting on a wicker deck chair which does not make for anything less than a trampoline-like effect on the foundations for the tripod’s feet. The photos were turning out so blurry that I wonder if me jumping on a mini-trampoline on the back deck would have helped the photos to expose more clearly
But enough with my sarcasm! The week’s almost over and what I’ve lacked in blogging, others’ like Chelsey, Teri, Kathleen, Katie, Ashley, etc., etc., etc... have certainly made up for it. I have just loved reading this week and will soon release my much anticipated {I promise, that’s the last of the sarcasm} “eleven Q&A” about crunchylittlebites!
For now, though, …. don’t forget now, this is my entry for the Cooking Creations contest courtesy of Appliances Online and Clean Eating Chelsey …ladie’s and gentlemen, I give you: Zebra Honey Cranberry Chocolate Cereal Bar recipe:
for the crust:
8 c. Cheerios cereal
1 c. light brown sugar
4 t. cinnamon
2 t. salt
1 1/2 unsalted sweet cream butter, melted
for the filling:
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 c. dried cranberries
2/3 c. honey
1 t. salt
1/2 c. organic shortening, melted
for the chocolate-coconut drizzle:
1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate morsels (melted using double boiler)
2 T. coconut butter
pinch of salt
Instructions:
For the crust: In standard food processor combine 2 c. dried cereal + 1/4 c. light brown sugar + 1 t. cinnamon + 1/4 t. salt until well blended. Repeat this process for the remaining similar quantities of respective ingredients. After completing this process, add melted butter to dry ingredients, mix with spoon and then press into 9 in. x 13 in. x 0.5 in. baking pan. Set crust aside
For the filling: In food processor chop semi-sweet morsels to a fine, crumb-size and then add dried cranberries to food processor. Process chocolate and cranberries together until well blended (looks like a crumbly cocoa mixture). Add honey to food processor and blend chocolate, dried cranberries and honey until honey is evenly distributed throughout mixture. Pour melted shortening into mixture and process until smooth. Then add the salt and blend mixture once more. Spoon mixture onto crust and gently distribute filling over and around entire crust in baking pan. Set crust and filling to chill in refrigerator.
For the drizzle: After melting semi-sweet chocolate morsels over a double boiler, whisk in coconut butter and pinch of salt. Drizzle the mixture over, already, cooled and square or diamond (or whatever shape, really!) bars.
Attempt to style bars or just eat them with tea and loving family and friends! It was getting dark outside because I was at work all day…wondering if I would/wouldn’t get home in time for enough natural light with which try and shoot!
Again, I really really really really wanna win the $100 Amazon giftcard courtesy of Chelsey & Appliances Online so don’t forget!… This is my entry for the Cooking Creations contest courtesy of Appliances Online and Clean Eating Chelsey
Happy Friday yous guys <3 jasper naomi
P.S. Does anyone remember those “cereal and milk bars?” Those creeped me out so much, hehe!
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could this be why my hands are STILL orange?!
My aunt Sharon tells me that one mango contains TONS of beta-carotene as well as Vitamin A (for which beta-carotene is a precursor, making the MOSt of the mango-contained Vitamin A), enough, to last 6 months! Wowee! Too bad I’ve got this weird intolerance for mangoes! Nonetheless, I think I have WAY TOO MANY sweet potatoes, pumpkins, carrots and beta-carotene, in general, back in October and November so my awfully-orange hands are paying the price it takes to be considered, most beautifully, orange now! oh well!
The photo above reveals some of that BRIGHT orange hue from the very-much fat soluble Vitamin A and beta-carotene, now, contained in my hands! All that to say, this post is more like a confession of one of my favorite afternoon snacks of late! – Steamed Kale snack-sammiches! English muffin, bread, whatever it takes to sammich that kale, I’m a happy camper (camping out in my cubicle at work!)
These two photos were taken nearly 1.5 months apart and I think my hand are looking a LOT less orange in the more recent photo above!
What do you think? Apparently, kale is pretty beta-carotene rich so I might just be continuing the problemo! Oh well!
Have a happy Thursday!
