This is currently one of our family favorites. The boys LOVE it as do Alex and I. I changed this up a bit from the Cooking Light recipe...
1.5 c mashed ripe banana (about 3, I have started using 4... recommend!)
1/3 c plain Greek yogurt
2.5 T melted butter
2.5 T applesauce - NO sugar
2 lg eggs
.5 c granulated sugar
.5 c brown sugar
1 c white wheat
1 c wheat flour
.25 c flax seed meal
3/4 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
3/4 t ground cardamom
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t ground ginger
1/4 t ground allspice
1 t vanilla
.25 t vanilla
1/3 c powdered sugar
1.5 t milk
Pre-heat oven 350 degrees.
Combine first 4 ingred - beat with mixer on med until blended. Add sugars beat at med until blended.
Combine flour, soda & salt - add to banana mixture & beat until blended.
Combine spices & stir in 1.5 t plus 1 t vanilla to banana mixture.
Pour into 4 mini loaf pans & bake for 40-45 mins. Cool 10 min on wire rack then add remaining ingred & drizzle over the bread.
I have made some changes... again - my recipes are ever evolving... so this is even healthier than when first posted ;o) Sept 20, 2012
October 30, 2013
I didn't have enough bananas today so I used 2 bananas & 2 pears. I was also out of milk for the glaze & substituted part coconut milk & part cream. Still VERY yummy!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Never to be bored again
In trying to help me with potty training Avery - Evan asked him if he wanted to be a big boy. He responded emphatically "NO". So then Evan asked him if he wanted to be a baby. Again, Avery responded with a very definite "NO". Evan then being confused asked what he wanted to be... "NOTHING". Can you tell they just got up from a nap?
This morning Evan was playing with his cereal. He told me that 2 and 2 is 4. I replied, yes. Then he said "1 and 1 is 2 - do you know this?" I stated that I in fact did know this. He seemed quite surprised. I may not remember all I learned in school, but thus far I have been able to remember that 1 and 1 is 2.
Me "Do you want more mac n cheese?" Evan "No, because my tummy is REALLY full, I am going to be THIS big!" (as he held out his arms as far as they would go - ha!) This was after two big helpings.
Avery "What does that do?" he asks while touching my necklace. Me "It was from Gigi and is just pretty" Avery "Noooo..." I guess all accessories should do something - become a shield, a weapon of some sort, a phone...
This morning Evan was playing with his cereal. He told me that 2 and 2 is 4. I replied, yes. Then he said "1 and 1 is 2 - do you know this?" I stated that I in fact did know this. He seemed quite surprised. I may not remember all I learned in school, but thus far I have been able to remember that 1 and 1 is 2.
Me "Do you want more mac n cheese?" Evan "No, because my tummy is REALLY full, I am going to be THIS big!" (as he held out his arms as far as they would go - ha!) This was after two big helpings.
Avery "What does that do?" he asks while touching my necklace. Me "It was from Gigi and is just pretty" Avery "Noooo..." I guess all accessories should do something - become a shield, a weapon of some sort, a phone...
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Healthy Sheperd's Pie
Shepherd's Pie (my version adapted from Rocco Dispirito's "Now Eat This" recipe)
1 head of cauliflower - cut into smaller pieces (might do two heads next time with the 4 c of veg)
Fresh ground Pink Himalayan salt & fresh ground pepper
1/2 c Greek yogurt
1 lb ground grass-fed beef
1 medium diced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
Basil (to taste)
Thyme (fresh or dried - to taste)
3-4 c frozen vegetables (my favorites - lima beans and/or edamame, peas, green beans, corn)
1 14 oz can diced organic tomatoes - I chop them up in the in the food processor a bit first
1 c organic chicken broth
1 T cornstarch
3 T fresh chopped chives
Whole wheat panko crumbs
Preheat oven to 450. I use my Pampered Chef large bar pan and arrange the cauliflower on this - no cooking spray required this way. Season the cauliflower with salt/pepper. Roast for up to 30 minutes - until tender. Then put cauliflower into food processor with yogurt and blend.
Heat a lag nonstick pan over med-high heat. Once pan is hot add ground beef - season it with salt/pepper. Break up meat and cook until cooked through, remove fat.
Reduce heat to medium. Add onion to the pan and saute until nearly tender then add garlic and saute a bit longer - about 6-7 min total. Add frozen veggies & tomatoes. In a sm bowl whisk the chick broth & cornstarch. Add that mixture to the vegetables as well as basil & thyme. Raise the heat to high, bring mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. Then reduce heat and continue to simmer until it has thickened. Add beef & chives (I didn't have time to add the chives last night - still yummy) to the vegetable mixture - add more seasoning as necessary.
The original recipe calls for an 8x8 pan, but since I have added a bit more food I use a larger pan. Once beef/veg mixture is in pan, spread cauliflower mixture on top then sprinkle panko crumbs on top - put back in oven and bake until it is hot all the way through - about 8 minutes. Enjoy!
Original recipe states it is 4 servings - this is 6.
1 head of cauliflower - cut into smaller pieces (might do two heads next time with the 4 c of veg)
Fresh ground Pink Himalayan salt & fresh ground pepper
1/2 c Greek yogurt
1 lb ground grass-fed beef
1 medium diced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
Basil (to taste)
Thyme (fresh or dried - to taste)
3-4 c frozen vegetables (my favorites - lima beans and/or edamame, peas, green beans, corn)
1 14 oz can diced organic tomatoes - I chop them up in the in the food processor a bit first
1 c organic chicken broth
1 T cornstarch
3 T fresh chopped chives
Whole wheat panko crumbs
Preheat oven to 450. I use my Pampered Chef large bar pan and arrange the cauliflower on this - no cooking spray required this way. Season the cauliflower with salt/pepper. Roast for up to 30 minutes - until tender. Then put cauliflower into food processor with yogurt and blend.
Heat a lag nonstick pan over med-high heat. Once pan is hot add ground beef - season it with salt/pepper. Break up meat and cook until cooked through, remove fat.
Reduce heat to medium. Add onion to the pan and saute until nearly tender then add garlic and saute a bit longer - about 6-7 min total. Add frozen veggies & tomatoes. In a sm bowl whisk the chick broth & cornstarch. Add that mixture to the vegetables as well as basil & thyme. Raise the heat to high, bring mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. Then reduce heat and continue to simmer until it has thickened. Add beef & chives (I didn't have time to add the chives last night - still yummy) to the vegetable mixture - add more seasoning as necessary.
The original recipe calls for an 8x8 pan, but since I have added a bit more food I use a larger pan. Once beef/veg mixture is in pan, spread cauliflower mixture on top then sprinkle panko crumbs on top - put back in oven and bake until it is hot all the way through - about 8 minutes. Enjoy!
Original recipe states it is 4 servings - this is 6.
Life, as we know it
Owen is now walking all over the place - still a bit wobbly, but determined. This morning he was eating his egg very well with his fork. He says, mommy, daddy, more, banana - but that is about it. He LOVES to give kisses - just like both of his brothers have. He waves and does also say bye! He puts his hands together at prayer time and also loves to clap. At his wellness visit last Thursday he weighed 24 lbs & 6 oz - 40%, and was 30.5" tall - 19%. Owen LOVES to play peek-a-boo - he just laughs & laughs - it never ceases to amaze me the enjoyment and entertainment little ones get from such a simple game. It really is the simple things in life ;o) Owen loves to wear shoes - if he is really fighting me in the mornings when I am getting him dressed all I have to do is ask if he wants to wear his shoes and he will calm down and hold up a foot for me to put a sock on - too funny!
Avery continues to be a bit obsessed with footwear. Of course he prefers he brother Evan's shoes to his own, but about any shoe will do.
Evan has started doing puzzles again daily. He loved them a couple of years ago, but then quit and has now taken them up again. The other day we were all in the car on the way to church and Evan announced to all that he was now furry - ha! He has now noticed he has hair on his legs.
Yesterday Evan and Owen went and played with Miss Joneen while Avery came with me. We went and got hot chocolate & coffee together. Then we went to a couple of Goodwill stores looking for soccer cleats for him, but to no avail - we did find a couple of bike helmets and a few other goodies. Next week Evan will come with me - we need to check on his shoe size to make sure I am right in thinking he is a size 11 before I give him his new light up Buzz and Woody shoes.
Owen has started a biting spree to defend himself against his brothers, unfortunately they have all followed suit and use it when they are mad at their brothers. So far they have only done it with their brothers and not with friends or cousins - I pray this stays the case.
I am continuing to move things around in the house - trying to make it the best I can to make it less destructible for the boys. A couple of weeks ago I moved the shelving with the toys up to the boys playroom to keep the family room easier to manage. This week I have relocated the file cabinet in the loft area to make room for the armoire out there so they can't keep pulling out all of the diapers, wipes, lotion... The other day they did all of those things and Owen & Avery had LOTS of lotion in their hair - put there by they big brother Evan - such a joy they all are. Then that night when they were taking their baths Avery got a hold of a bottle of liquid soap that wasn't for babies and burned Evan's eyes. There is just always something! They will either keep me young or drive me right over the edge - my thoughts on that change moment by moment.
Alex is running and training to run a 12 mile run through mud and over obstacles in October. He is getting shin splints so that is not good. We will see. We are both doing Weight Watchers again - he has lost about 5.5 lbs and in the first week I lost 3.5. I want to make sure I can be the best that I can be for my boys - I don't see them slowing down anytime soon.
Speaking of not slowing down - Evan and Avery will be starting soccer at church in a couple of weeks then in November the family is going to take Tai Kwan Do. Evan and Avery will both also be in children's choirs at church starting in September on Wednesday nights.
I am potentially going back into the work force - I have been approached and the company should know if they get a contract by the end of the month. In the meantime I have researched childcare facilities and gotten us on some wait lists - there are a couple of other places I want to get to, but haven't had a chance yet, in all of my spare time.
On that note, I have much to do - laundry, dishes, cleaning... they are all never ending projects!
Avery continues to be a bit obsessed with footwear. Of course he prefers he brother Evan's shoes to his own, but about any shoe will do.
Evan has started doing puzzles again daily. He loved them a couple of years ago, but then quit and has now taken them up again. The other day we were all in the car on the way to church and Evan announced to all that he was now furry - ha! He has now noticed he has hair on his legs.
Yesterday Evan and Owen went and played with Miss Joneen while Avery came with me. We went and got hot chocolate & coffee together. Then we went to a couple of Goodwill stores looking for soccer cleats for him, but to no avail - we did find a couple of bike helmets and a few other goodies. Next week Evan will come with me - we need to check on his shoe size to make sure I am right in thinking he is a size 11 before I give him his new light up Buzz and Woody shoes.
Owen has started a biting spree to defend himself against his brothers, unfortunately they have all followed suit and use it when they are mad at their brothers. So far they have only done it with their brothers and not with friends or cousins - I pray this stays the case.
I am continuing to move things around in the house - trying to make it the best I can to make it less destructible for the boys. A couple of weeks ago I moved the shelving with the toys up to the boys playroom to keep the family room easier to manage. This week I have relocated the file cabinet in the loft area to make room for the armoire out there so they can't keep pulling out all of the diapers, wipes, lotion... The other day they did all of those things and Owen & Avery had LOTS of lotion in their hair - put there by they big brother Evan - such a joy they all are. Then that night when they were taking their baths Avery got a hold of a bottle of liquid soap that wasn't for babies and burned Evan's eyes. There is just always something! They will either keep me young or drive me right over the edge - my thoughts on that change moment by moment.
Alex is running and training to run a 12 mile run through mud and over obstacles in October. He is getting shin splints so that is not good. We will see. We are both doing Weight Watchers again - he has lost about 5.5 lbs and in the first week I lost 3.5. I want to make sure I can be the best that I can be for my boys - I don't see them slowing down anytime soon.
Speaking of not slowing down - Evan and Avery will be starting soccer at church in a couple of weeks then in November the family is going to take Tai Kwan Do. Evan and Avery will both also be in children's choirs at church starting in September on Wednesday nights.
I am potentially going back into the work force - I have been approached and the company should know if they get a contract by the end of the month. In the meantime I have researched childcare facilities and gotten us on some wait lists - there are a couple of other places I want to get to, but haven't had a chance yet, in all of my spare time.
On that note, I have much to do - laundry, dishes, cleaning... they are all never ending projects!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken with mushrooms & potatoes!
Last night for dinner I prepared my first WHOLE chicken - it was amazing. Here is what it was...
2 med size or 1 lg onion cut into wedges
2 cloves chopped garlic
2 T soy sauce
1/4 t salt & 1/8 t fresh ground pepper
6-12 sma potatoes (I used red potatoes from our garden)
6 oz fresh mushrooms sliced 1/2" thick (I used cremini)
Rinse & dry chick thoroughly. Cut off lumps of fat. Put bouillon cube in cavity. Squeeze lemon & reserve juice. Put rinds in cavity. Put chick in slow cooker - breast side up. Sprinkle with paprika & parsley. Put onion wedges & garlic around the chick. Pour over the soy sauce & lemon juice/salt & pepper. Crumble bouillon cube over chick. Top with pot & mushrooms. Cover & cook on high until instant-read thermometer into thickest part of thigh registers 180 degrees - 3.5 to 4.5 hrs. To serve discard lemon rinds & portion potatoes, mushrooms, onions & chicken in shallow soup bowls & discard skin & bones (I kept bones to make a stock) Spoon some of the liquid over for ea serving. From "Not your Mother's slow cooker cookbook" by Beth Hensperger & Julie Kaufmann. AWESOME book if you like using a slow cooker - I have two versions of it!
2 cloves chopped garlic
2 T soy sauce
1/4 t salt & 1/8 t fresh ground pepper
6-12 sma potatoes (I used red potatoes from our garden)
6 oz fresh mushrooms sliced 1/2" thick (I used cremini)
Rinse & dry chick thoroughly. Cut off lumps of fat. Put bouillon cube in cavity. Squeeze lemon & reserve juice. Put rinds in cavity. Put chick in slow cooker - breast side up. Sprinkle with paprika & parsley. Put onion wedges & garlic around the chick. Pour over the soy sauce & lemon juice/salt & pepper. Crumble bouillon cube over chick. Top with pot & mushrooms. Cover & cook on high until instant-read thermometer into thickest part of thigh registers 180 degrees - 3.5 to 4.5 hrs. To serve discard lemon rinds & portion potatoes, mushrooms, onions & chicken in shallow soup bowls & discard skin & bones (I kept bones to make a stock) Spoon some of the liquid over for ea serving. From "Not your Mother's slow cooker cookbook" by Beth Hensperger & Julie Kaufmann. AWESOME book if you like using a slow cooker - I have two versions of it!
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