Pretend "Health" Food

I love my job.  I do, truly.  It allows me to be creative, love people, inspire, educate, and shape the future.

That being said.....I also love snow days.  I know people think as a child they are great, but they are 

b-e-y-o-n-d great as an adult.  Seriously.  

So, today I created a new recipe!!!!!!!!!  I know, if it weren't for the snow and ice, the world would not have this recipe.  This is the first recipe on this blog that I feel real ownership over.  Yes---I did base the recipe off of SkinnyTaste.com's "Chewy Low Fat Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies".  But I added a few one of my own things and I feel like I can claim it!  (Maybe I am breaking major copyright laws.  Don't sue me.  You will pay more in legal fees than I am worth.)

So I was making SkinnyTaste.com's cookies because of this little situation.  

Walmart BRUISED my perfectly-good bananas last Saturday.
They were yellow when I bought them.  By the time I traveled the
5 minutes home, they were brown and spotty.  No good Walmart.  No good.
But I couldn't let them go to waste!

So I made the Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies without the nuts (I didn't have them!).  They were definitely delicious in a healthy--I am not completely blowing my diet--sort of way.  I would almost consider them in-line with a granola bar.  You know, not a total sweet snack, but a sweet-ish snack.  Well after I made them, I had half a banana and 1 tablespoon of butter left.  So I thought, maybe I'll half the batch and make more.  THEN I had a creative moment.  Or maybe I just wanted to make the sweet-ish snack a teeny-little-bit sweeter.  So I scavenged the cabinet and found chocolate chips AND peanut butter.  

Duh.  Solution.  

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here's my recipe:

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (PB/BO/CC cookies for short)

-1/2 C. flour

-1/2 tsp. baking powder

-1/4 tsp. baking soda

-1/4 tsp. cinnamon

-1 Tbsp. butter, softened at room temperature

-1/4 C. sugar

-1/4 C. brown sugar

-1 egg (Well you can't half an egg, so I didn't put all the egg white in)

-1/8 C. mashed banana (This is about a third of a small banana)

-1/4 tsp. vanilla

-1 C. old-fashioned oats

-3 Tbsp. peanut butter (I used natural peanut butter)

-1/4 C. chocolate chips

The ingredients.  I forgot the peanut butter though!
And, no--this isn't a blog sponsored by Great Value brand food.

1.  Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.  

2.  In large mixing bowl, use mixer to cream together butter and both sugars.  Add egg, mashed banana, and vanilla.  Mix until combined.  

3.  By hand, stir in flour mixture.  Add peanut butter and stir in.  

4.  Add oats and mix by hand.  Then, add chocolate chips.  

5.  Drop on sheet and cook for 10 minutes at 350.  I rotated my cookie sheets at the halfway mark.  

6.  EAT!!!!!!!!!  

This recipe made 18 cookies.  You could easily double it to make more cookies.  Still use one whole egg if you are doubling it.  

Here are a few more tips and pictures!  

I used my Pampered Chef Mix & Chop to mash the banana.  Great idea Chris H!

I used my Pampered Chef cookie scoop for this mix.  It's definitely TOO sticky
to do by hand.  But, a large soup spoon will do the trick just fine too.  Unless
Pampered Chef wants to start sponsoring my blog, then definitely only use their
medium cookie scoop.  ;)

Pretty delicious!!!!!!!

Now I will say these aren't your I-am-CRAVING-sugar-and-I-need-a-freaking-delicious-amazing-awesome-rich-decadent cookie.  These are your I-am-craving-sugar-and-I-need-just-a-little-hint-of-sweetness-peanut butter-chocolate cookie.  And I don't too think they are too terribly unhealthy.  Only 1 tablespoon of butter and a cup of sugar is pretty awesome for a cookie!  

Let me know what you think!!  

Original recipe:

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/04/chewy-low-fat-banana-nut-oatmeal.html#more 

2012: A year in review

At this time every year on every news and radio station they are counting the top 10 biggest new stories, best songs, photographs, celebrity stories/drama, hook-ups/break-ups, births and deaths that have happened over the past year.  Certainly, our world has seen some wonderful moments over 2012 as well as horrific.  Though those news stories will be in our heads and we will recall them those are not the things that really "make" the year.

Perhaps we (or maybe it's just me) are egocentric, but when you think of 2012 you will most likely (again, maybe it's just me) think of things that happened to you.  On my friends' Facebook pages I have seen babies born, marriages began, loved ones' passing, new jobs, college graduations, engagements, new houses, cross country moves, and personal goals achieved.  Those are the things we remember as we look back at the years.  Not the music or celebrity breakups.  Not the elections.  Not the sports.  Not even the news events.  It comes down to what happened to you.  When someone asks you what happened in 2012, you won't give them a news report.  You will give them a personal report.  And that's not a bad thing. Years are how we mark our time here on this planet.  The people, jobs, memories, and experiences that we encounter throughout the year give that time on this planet a reason and purpose.

So in 2012 here is my top 10 list of changes, lessons learned, accomplishments, goals achieved, and memories.

1.  Running.  In December of 2011, I could barely run a mile on the treadmill at the Y.  Today I ran 9.68 miles in the cold and ice and loved every second of it.  My longest mileage so far is 9.99 (which I obviously round up to 10).  I ran in 9 5K's] and even won a few medals!  Running has given me a peace I didn't know possible.  I love setting a goal and accomplishing it.  Lessons learned:  PEACE, ENDURANCE, and PERSEVERANCE

Running in a very cold Candy Cane 5K.  Not my best time, but it was COLD.

2.  Trips.  One of my lifelong goals is to be that old lady who has been everywhere, seen everything, and just had really cool experiences.  This summer I was able to go to a few cool places, but my favorite was my vacation to Oregon and Washington state.  If you ever get a chance to go, DO IT.  It's beautiful, amazing, and BEAUTIFUL.  I loved the peace of the west coast and the friendliness of the people we met.  I also got to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time.  Lessons learned:  INDEPENDENCE and APPRECIATION OF BEAUTY

Me at Multnomah Falls in Oregon

Me at Haystack Rock/the Pacific Ocean in Cannon Beach, Oregon

Me at Cape Disappointment in Washington state

Cape Disappointment

3.  Changing sizes.  I don't want to toot my own horn, but I would like you to compare these 2 pictures of me and see the difference.  I look thinner and feel better about myself.  I accomplished this through eating right (more veggies and portion control), drinking tons of water, and exercising daily.  Hard work pays off.  I'll say it again and again.  Lessons learned:  PATIENCE, HARD WORK, and SELF-CONTROL

Me with my brothers in May 2011.  

Me with my amazing friend Sarah in July 2012.

4.  Address change.  Thanks to some research from my aunt, a good family friend's knowledge, and God's goodness I was able to buy my first home.  While I never thought I would be the 25 single girl owning a home, I do.  And so far it's been great.  Lessons Learned:  GOD'S BLESSINGS and TIMING IS EVERYTHING

My house.  Come and visit anytime.  

5.  Amazing family.  I am beyond lucky to have an incredible family.  My brothers are funny and honest.  My mom is caring and loving.  My dad is hard-working and wise.  I also have amazing aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.  They show me they love me so often whether it be a phone call, a gift, a hug, through wise words, or just a smile.  They go to their local Targets to buy me running pants.  They make place mats for my new house.  They come to my house for a weekend to do gopher work.  God gave me an amazing family.  Lessons Learned:  LOVE and GOD'S BLESSINGS

Christmas Eve with the fam.  

Me, Mom, Aunt Cindy

Me and my cousin Haley at a winery in Oregon

Uncle Bill working hard on my house.  

6.  Miles don't matter.  I must admit I am not a good friend.  I forget to call.  I am terrible at remembering birthdays.  I don't realize people are having a bad day.  I forget to be kind.  Despite that, I have wonderful and amazing friends.  I have friends who call when my world falls apart, text me to encourage me, try things they don't want to because I want to, insist on hanging out, and just be amazing friends.  It doesn't matter if they live across the country, they are friends despite the miles that separate us.  I have also learned that friendship can come in the most unlikeliest of places: a pilates class, the weight room at the Y, or a neighboring classroom.  Lessons Learned:  FRIENDSHIP, KINDNESS, LOVE, and SOME OF THE BEST THINGS COME WHEN YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THEM

Running & teaching friend:  Chris

I have awesome co-workers who are also my friends!

Bachelorette party fun with Alexx 

The Color Run with Mandy

7.  Heartbreak.  As much as I don't want it to define my year, it does.  Going into 2012 I had expectations that were not only not met but were destroyed.  It hasn't been easy.  It hasn't been fun.  But when I look at my left hand now, it's a different hand than before.  In some ways it's better.  In some ways, it's not.  But through this heartbreak, I have had many blessings (#1-6 on the list).  I wish I could say I am done struggling with this and that I'm over it.  I wish every day for that.  One day it will happen.  Lessons learned:  FAITH, GUT-FEELINGS, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, SMILING WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO, LIVING, RISING ABOVE, BEING BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT, NEW EXPECTATIONS, BEING POSITIVE, LIVING LIFE, BLESSINGS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, PEACE, ACCEPTANCE  (Okay I might still be working on the acceptance portion....)

8.  Saying yes.  After #7 happened, I decided I needed an attitude adjustment.  One of those things was that I had to stop saying "no" and starting saying "yes."  I truly believe that #1-6 happened because I have a say "yes" philosophy.  My life might not be how I imagined it.  My life might not even be exactly how I want it.  But that isn't going to stop my from living my life.  Lesson learned:  LIVE YOUR LIFE

9.  Dogs are people.  I just want to confess and put in writing that I am obsessed with my dog.  She makes me laugh, smile, and appreciate the world a little more.  Lessons learned:  BLESSINGS, APPRECIATION, and LAUGHTER

Khloe.  

10.  Gas ovens cook so fast.  Let's end on a less-serious note.  I consider myself to be an experienced baker, but my new gas oven has me totally mind boggled.  There has got to be some Harry P. magic in that thing.  I can cook so fast with this gas oven.  I love it.  Not that I cook/bake often.  Like once a week and then I eat that same meal for the next 5 days.  I have burnt a few things.  But just because something is new and scary and different doesn't mean it can't be amazing and you end up loving it.  Lessons learned:  GAS CAN BE GOOD and TRYING NEW THINGS IS GOOD


There you have it on my 2012 year in review.  I am so ready for 2013.  A new year with new goals, experiences, and memories to create.  I have a few resolutions that I will share soon!

The post-Christmas Christmas post

So I have been meaning to post for a long time because I have all these amazing Christmas crafts and recipes that I wanted to share.  But time got away from me.  I guess that's the holiday season.

Also, my dad has been sick with heart problems and a broken foot.  It's been so scary to see my dad in and out of hospital beds.  My dad has always been a big guy and has not lived a healthy lifestyle so a lot of this has been a long time coming.  Still though, that doesn't make it any easier to see someone that you love so much in a hospital bed or not feeling good.  I love my dad and cannot imagine my life without him.  It's been scary but he has been making some good food decisions and is excited to start exercising once his foot heals.

ANYWAY.  Here are some fun pictures of things I did for Christmas!

In my classroom, my students made these cute little reindeer fingerprint ornaments.  I have a million of these ornament bulbs so I thought I would use them up!  We used acrylic paint for the head, eyes, and nose.  (First graders love Rudolph so all of them were red-nosed reindeer.)  Do it in steps so that the paint completely drys.  I (and another teacher) did the reindeer antlers on all of the kids' ornaments in black Sharpie.  I am sure kids could do it themselves, we just didn't have the time.

Here's one of the students who decided a whole herd was needed.  It turned out cute!

So cute!

I can't claim this idea by myself.  I got it from here, and she totally takes a picture of each step so enjoy that from her.  Not me. 
http://www.littlebitfunky.com/2011/11/20-minute-crafter-reindeer-thumbprint.html

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is BAKE!  I think I made like 10 different types of cookies this year, 2 kinds of popcorn, 3 different types of bark, and a peppermint cheesecake!  I said I like baking right?!

Here are a few pictures of my favorites.

Hot Chocolate Cookies

Molasses Cookies

Here's a plate of my "variety pack."

Grinch cookies, Gingerbread, Swirl cookies,

Peppermint Swirl Cookies, Aunt Cindy's white velvet cookies

I'll include a few recipes and links, but I just can't share ALL of them or else no one would eat my stuff when they can make it themselves!

Peppermint Swirl cookies:  http://www.overthebigmoon.com/peppermint-kiss-sugar-cookies-and-santa-hat-cake-pops-guest-post-by-kinnas-kreations/
Grinch cookies:  http://pinlavie.com/grinch-cookies-mint-chocolate-chip/

Hot Chocolate cookies (recipe from Real Simple magazine)
1 1/2 c. flour
3/4 tsp. sea salt (or kosher)
1/2 tsp. baking power
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. unsalted butter
24 oz. (2 bags) of semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 mini marshmallows

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.  (Definitely do this because the marshmallows get sticky.)
2.  In large bowl whisk flour, salt, baking power & soda together.  Set aside.
3.  Combine butter and 12 oz (2 cups) of chocolate chips in separate bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until all melted.  Stir each time.  Cool slightly.  Then, add sugar, eggs, and vanilla to mixture.
4.  Add the flour mixture a little at a time.  Mix in remaining chocolate chips and marshmallows.  Don't overmix!
5.  Bake for 10-15 minutes.  Electric oven is like 12 minutes.  Gas oven is like 10.  Rotate sheets halfway in between.

All that cookie talk has made me hungry....I better find something to snack on!  I'm feeling pretty nostalgic about 2012 coming to an end so I am sure tomorrow I will post again.