DiZclaimer: Im biased. I freakin love this girl. The Tornado LOOOVES her & Pure Bliss Eats. We’re superfly biased that way. Please to enjoy this BY-DEMAND! guest post by Nicole.
I’m so happy to be here on MizFit’s blog sharing my story with you.
I got the very special chance to meet Carla in New York in December. I have to admit I *may* have been a bit nervous to meet her, but as soon as I walked in she was SO warm. And I mean, how can you not like someone that tells you, you are a prettier Bethany Frankel, right?
Carla is the most down to earth, REAL, person and I found that so comforting. She has become sort of my mentor and has helped me in many situations.
Anyway, I’ll stop gushing now…and tell you a bit about me.
MizFit note: Seriously. I asked for none of the above niceties. Just the post. really.
I was destined to be a teacher since elementary school when I played with my friends. I was one of the only people I knew, who ALWAYS wanted to be a teacher. Enter college, what’s my major, teaching, obviously. There was never ever a wavering thought or moment because teaching was ALWAYS for me.
I graduated college when I was 21 years old. Fast forward 3 months I was a 100% full time Special Education teacher for the 4th grade. I honestly thought I’d stay there for a long time, much longer than 5 years.
I thought I had it all figured out. I had a great boyfriend I’d been with for a long time, I knew engagement, marriage, and a mortgage was coming…and it did, happily. Oh 21 year old self, how you so didn’t know what was ahead.
On August 15 2011, I quit teaching.
It was the hardest and the BEST thing I’ve ever done for myself. I was miserable. I cried A LOT.
I made the decision to quit with my husband, back over the school year, but I told basically NO ONE. When I finally started to break the news, I got an overwhelming amount of support, with a few people telling me I was legit crazy for leaving a secure decently paying job at this time. But honestly, does money even matter when you are crying multiple times a week?*
*Let me say my husband and I had a CLEAR plan. We did NOT do this and hope, wish and pray for money to appear out of thin air. And we did not act irresponsibly and leave us in a situation to not be able to pay our bills.
I worked my butt off over the spring and summer to get my small businesses off the ground. I started nutrition counseling over the spring and then launched my healthy online bakery in July. With the help of my husband and sister we went around and made connections with a few local business that would talk to us…mostly yoga studios and friends of friends.
My company, Pure Bliss Eats has a mission to be a health food company that offers delicious baked goods that won’t hurt your waistline. I carefully chose each ingredient like organic spelt flour, raw nuts and organic raw blue agave nectar to carefully craft each baked good. These treats are delicious and provide long lasting energy. You will not feel a sugar crash after eating any one of these items.
MizFit note: Pure Biss Eats is having a site re-launch next week. Keep your eyes out for discount codes!
I truly believe you have to enjoy what you are eating, life is too short not to, but at the same time you should make the best choices for your body. Whether you are looking for a healthy breakfast, snack or dessert, I promise you that you will enjoy our foods with no guilt.
Because I love Carla and her community SO much, I thought it would be fun to share a recipe with you for one of my many healthier granolas.
Pumpkin Spice Granola
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup puffed millet (or another puffed rice cereal)
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice mix
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup turbinado sugar (or brown sugar)
3/4 cup pureed pumpkin
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup raw chopped walnuts
1/4 cup raw sliced or slivered almonds
*optional: 2 tbsp chia seeds
Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a large baking sheet with wax paper. In a large bowl, combine oats and millet. In a small bowl, mix together pumpkin pie spice, salt, sugar, pumpkin, maple syrup, chia seeds and vanilla. Mix until smooth.? Add wet ingredients into dry ingredients bowl and then stir and mix well.
It will take a couple of minutes to get everything mixed evenly. Spread the granola mixture on the large baking sheet evenly.
Bake for 30 minutes, then turn over the granola carefully using a large wide spatula. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Let cool on the pan or on a cooling rack. Add almonds and walnuts.
Store in an airtight container.
Hope you enjoy!
Deborah (Schmiet) says
March 1, 2012 at 4:07 amWow! Very brave Nicole. I’ve always aspired to do something OTHER THAN what I’m doing, but haven’t taken that chance.
I ‘think’ I’m about to cut down my hours in my workplace and am nervous about my mortgage etc… but life’s short… so I’m focussing on improving my work/life balance.
People like you inspire people like me!
Deb
Nicole says
March 1, 2012 at 5:11 amthanks Deb! that means so much to me!
Nicole says
March 1, 2012 at 5:11 amthanks for sharing my story 🙂 i’m a pretty big fan of yours too!
Barbara says
March 1, 2012 at 5:16 amWhat an inspiring story! Loving what you do is so important yet few are brave enough to take such a leap. Wishing you all the best!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
March 1, 2012 at 5:38 amYou, my dear friend, are amazing and I support you 100%. Both of you, actually. You both inspire my face off!
Toni @ Runninglovingliving says
March 1, 2012 at 5:40 amThanks for the inspiring story Nicole! Taking the the leap to do what you truly love is an awesome accomplishment!
addy says
March 1, 2012 at 6:23 amInspiring story! So vdry glad you shared it with us all. Will wait for the site re-launch.
Coco says
March 1, 2012 at 6:26 amI’m always looking for healthy snacks. I can’t wait for the re-launch!
Tara Burner says
March 1, 2012 at 6:34 amInspiring! and sometime soon I must get some of your goodies Nicole
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
March 1, 2012 at 6:41 amso proud of you and all your hard work! you’re doing amazing things!
Jill Hanner says
March 1, 2012 at 7:13 amYeah!! I love me some Nicole too 🙂
Great post 🙂
Jody - Fit at 54 says
March 1, 2012 at 7:23 amI am in heaven just reading this post. that recipe, looking at the FB page & I am looking forward to the website when it is finished. Really exciting & good for you for going after your dream early on! It is so much harder later in life when so many other things get in the way. Good luck & with Carla& this blog world on your side, good things!
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed says
March 1, 2012 at 9:00 amyou two make me smile.
KymberlyFunFit says
March 1, 2012 at 10:16 amSo young, so wise. Go grasshopper!
Kaleigh says
March 1, 2012 at 10:37 amI am so making this!!!
Michele @ nycrunningmama says
March 1, 2012 at 10:37 amLove this feature b/c I love Nicole! It’s amazing what a few years can do to your outlook on life! So glad that you had a great husband and family to support you through a time decision making time in your life!
Stefanie @TheNewHealthy says
March 1, 2012 at 10:51 amWhat a great story! It takes so much courage to follow your dreams – but I’m sure it’s paying off. Being happy is the ultimate goal. 🙂
messymimi says
March 1, 2012 at 11:28 amYou are still an educator, teaching people how to nourish themselves. Great recipe, i will check out the whole line.
lindsay says
March 1, 2012 at 1:06 pmhoooray!! what a great post. I loved hearing more about you Nicole. Your vision, passion, etc. You and carla are truly a great inspiration.
xoxo
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says
March 1, 2012 at 1:32 pmFlippin’ LOVE Nicole!! And her sweet treats. Balanced eating..workouts..she’s an inspiration to me!
Karen@WaistingTime says
March 1, 2012 at 1:34 pmYUM!!!
Talia @ Bite Size Wellness says
March 1, 2012 at 3:59 pmThis is such an inspiring story. I always talk big dreams, but never make action. Glad to know there is success in taking the leap. I will definitely be making this granola…I LOVE PUMPKIN!
Jess @ Blonde Ponytail says
March 2, 2012 at 11:40 amOh hugs to Nicole–I love her! So happy she found her “bliss” I’m inspired to take the plunge as well!
Jess says
March 5, 2012 at 7:18 amNicole, you are an inspiration!