Magical Banaynays

Want to know what I can do with a frozen banana?

(think clean now=])

Well...i'll tell you in a second.

But before I show you something that may drive you banaynays, we need to have a little discussion.

Answer this:

How motivated are you when it comes to working out?

Here is my answer:

eeehhhhhhh

Here is the problem:

Since becoming a mama, things become difficult. You suddenly forget about what clothes look best on you, and switch to which shirt DOESN'T have spit up on it.

Instead of, what can I make for lunch, you switch to something you can eat on the go and with one hand. No prep needed might I add.

You see I have been in mommy world since my little angle arrived, and I came to the reality that I haven't had time...to do anything for my self. AND at first I thought it was being selfish, but then I realized, if I didn't have ME time, then I was...Cranky. 

So, I am learning that it's ok to say, "Ok hubby, you are watching the babe-ster!" And feel ok about going to the gym. Because odly...that is all I want to do. It's like I need that release of energy

So here is the solution:

Take more time and focus on ME so I can be a happy camper...Baby will still love ME more than anyone =] haha

As for now, I am still young and hip. You won't be seeing me "MOM JEANS" anytime soon =]

Ok, are you ready for some magic?

Take an ordinary frozen banana, and chop it up.

Then take a blender, (I know, I was suckered into buying a magic bullet...don't hate), or you can use a food processor, and blend that banana.

Now this takes some work. You have to keep moving the banana around until its COMPLETELY blended and becomes...

CREAMY! It's like eating "ice cream"...only NOT so sugary...

BUT you get the idea. The possibilities are endless. You can add:

Flavored protein powder 

Peanut Butter

Coco Powder

etc...

It's a nice way to indulge without really indulging...

"Oh Oh It's Magic...YA KNOOOWW"
(humor me)

Some pumpkin BUTTA' for your MUDDA'

Have you ever heard of pumpkin butter?

Neither have I...

Well until recently. 

Apparently if your a big pumpkin fan, well then you probably will go into a pumpkin coma.

You see, pumpkin butter, or BuTtA', is a creamy blend of seasonal flavors. You spread it on toast, put in on pancakes, add it to your oatmeal, top it onto ice cream, smear it all over your face...

So you start with very simple ingredients... Easy Easy

(you will notice I used bottled lemon juice...I didn't have any lemons. Don't judge)

Then you throw all your ingredients into a saucepan, minus the lemon juice...

 Stir and bring to boil. Then reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes.

When it's done, patiently wait for it to cool..

she's so excited!

Then when it's ready it becomes a creamy goodness of pumpkin. (This is where you add the lemon juice)

You can either dip your hands in a lick away, or put in a jar and give it to someone...

But why do that, it's not like its a time for giving! =]

For the original recipe you can find it HERE.

Now go make some Butta'!

Oh look, another glorious morning. Makes me SICK!

Name that movie? =]

Well another halloweeny came and gone, but this year it was EXTRA special! We had a very special babe-ster to share the holiday with.

This year we got serious with our pumpkin carving...

Serious enough with special carving glasses.

I know, seriously so cool.

Spooky talent? I think so =]

And then it came time to play dress up! The babe-ster went as a kitty (MeOw)

And the hubby and I went as parents...

We've got spirit! 

Such a sexy family!

That's her kitty face.

And this is her "mommy hold me all day" face.

Hope everyone had a safe and Spooktacular Halloweeny!

Butternut Squash Chili

I have a love/hate relationship with rainy days...

I love the feeling I get when I can cozy up with a nice warm bowl of food, watch tv, and just relax...

I hate that by the end of that rainy day I have procrastinated everything I needed to do during the day, including taking a shower =]

But all is well, my baby girl and I made some chili do warm our chili bodies...

By We I mean MYSELF...

The other lady slept =]

I love making chili because it's so easy. I basically grab whatever I have and throw it in a pot...

Then you let it simmer for a little bit, and it's all ready.

It makes my lazy day even lazier =]

Not only do I throw whatever I have INTO the chili, I also throw everything else I didn't use...ONTO the chili. It's really a nice thing =]

Butternut Squash Chili

1/2 Chopped Sweet onion

3 cloves garlic

2 cans kidney beans

1 large butternut squash chopped/cubed

(I used frozen cubed butternut squash-2 pkgs.)

1 chopped orange bell pepper

1 can corn

1 large can crushed tomatoes

1 can tomatoes

chili powder

cumin

salt 

pepper

nutmeg (Dash)

Topping:

avacado

tortilla chips

sour cream/greek yogurt

cilantro

etc...

Throw in pot, and let simmer for at least 30 min- 1hour

Keep warm and Enjoy!

Pajama Party

Sometimes it is nice just to take a day and stay in your pajamas...No normal clothes...No makeup...Just lazy day with cozy pajamies and a nice cuddle buddy.

Vent Session

I'm not one to vent out personal issues publicly to random people

In fact I usually keep to myself...

BUT...I have had things on my mind recently and needed to vent...to write

You see, I had this professor in college. I forget the class, something about English, writing, reading, bla bla...

Anyways, he was amazing. He taught me to write just to write. It didn't matter how bad the grammar sounded, it was just important to focus on writing and getting all your feelings out there. So that semester I did just that. We read stories, and wrote about them. We kept journals of our personal life, and wrote about them. We wrote about everything...just to write. Some of it the teacher didn't even read, and what he did read wasn't graded on grammar, but on how we wrote...make sense?

Anywho...I am going to do just that...write it out.

Whether or not your interested to read...well that's a different story. But I promise I'll bake something SPECTACULAR to make it up =]

Here goes nothing

Im disappointed. Disappointed in what you say? Myself. Now I know that is sounds funny since I have accomplished so much in the past little while, but you see its those things that have made me realize just how disappointed I am in myself. Being a mom, I realize I want to be the best person for my little angel. I want her to be proud of me. I want to be an example. I LOVE her, I can't stop holding her and cuddling her. I want her to be proud of me.

I wish I could have finished college. I don't know if it's due to that fact everyone I started college with is now graduating, or its the fact that I don't feel smart enough anymore. Or maybe it's because I want to teach my children the importance of an education, but yet how can I if I am a terrible example.

You see I went to school in Idaho. It was an AMAZING school. The teachers, the classes, and the overall spirit of the school was spectacular. I left when I got married just short of finishing my associates. When I moved back home I tried to finish my associates but every school was telling me that over HALF of my credits didn't transfer and that I would basically have to start all over. I was devastated. AND not to mention due to the budget cuts, alot of the state schools weren't accepting new students. I became depressed. I became lazy. I was LOST. So I picked up hobbies. I started working out, and baking, and doing random things but I became so sad because I wanted so badly to finish school. I tried going to a community college and I hated it. I'll never forget the first day my teacher walked in saying the F word, and talking about how she hated the government, hated my religion, and loved to get drunk. I thought...THIS is my college professor. I dropped that week. My other teachers at the college weren't much better so I gave up. 

Did I give up to soon?

I guess with everything I was just so angry. I wanted to go to my old school, where I felt I was getting the BEST education. I was mad that they wanted me to retake most of my schooling, and I was mad it was so expensive...for such a crappy education. NOT to mention they cut half my classes due to budget cuts.

So here I am venting at midnight about how I wish I would have something to show my children..something they could look up to. I hope one day I finish. I hope one day I can accomplish my goals so my children can work towards theirs as well...

Anyways, I'm done for now. Thanks for listening =]

Ice Cream Sundae Cake

I know your probably thinking all I do is bake cakes...

or that all I do is bake

or that I obsess over chocolate too much...

wrong

wrong

right =]

Ok so I actually had a reason to bake a cake today...

My mom-in-law needed a cake for a friends birthday, and I gladly took the offer to make one, 

You see because I will never turn down an opportunity to bake...I'm like betty crocker...mrs.fields...paula deen...

jk

.Ice Cream Sundae Cake

adapted from Picky-Palate

1 box devils food cake mix

1 small box chocolate pudding

4 eggs

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups ice cream (your choice) I did vanilla bean

1/4 cup hot fudge sauce

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. Beat ingredients together. Separate into 3 cake pans and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

On a lovely side note...