Feeding a Cold

It has been a tough week, my head is still killing me. I HATE colds. And the cold & flu season is just beginning.

But I feel better every time I bite into one of these warm and yummy triple-berry bran muffins. I can't get enough of them. And when they cool, I reheat them because they truly taste better warm with a bit of butter on them. Top it off with a nice cup of coffee this morning and I'm in heaven.

Until that blasted sinus headache comes back.


Can't win them all. 

Here's a peek at my 365 Project - I was sick but I still got a few shots in.

Have a nice weekend! Happy Halloween.

What's Missing From This Picture?

How about a four-year-old boy who tearfully insisted on carving pumpkins to no avail on Tuesday night only to abandon the pumpkin-carving fiesta five minutes in on Wednesday...

The Guy I Dig really stepped up to the plate with me. He is a Master Pumpkin cleaner.  At least Harrison picked out two of the templates we used. (The third pumpkin was done by me freehand, that's why it's not as fancy.)

I love curly stems.

waiting it's turn.

I started this one and the GID graciously finished it.

The trio ready for the business of Halloween.

As I finished the final pumpkin, the missing ingredient from this ritual sauntered back over to the table and announced, "I want to carve now!"



Then I turned into a pumpkin.


Visit Mental Inventory for Theme Thursday and Photo Story Friday hosted by Cecily and Carissa

I Smile

I'm on crunch week, those final days when I finish the details of the monthly newsletter. This month I needed an ad for an annual Winter Camp program; I couldn't use last year's ad as it no longer fit in thespace of the recently reformatted newsletter.

I had an idea...

I searched the internet, but couldn't find images of what I needed.

So...

I did the next best thing - I dressed Harrison up in every piece of winter clothing I could find (which isn't much considering we live in Southern California). Then I asked him to give me that face he does. The one that makes me smile.

Yup, that's the face that makes me smile.

Even on a bad day.


Maybe he needs to start earning his college fund...

When You Don't Want Banana Bread

We buy bananas with good intentions - to make smoothies, specifically green smoothies. It's one way I can guarantee the dark greens in our diet; and Harrison is well aware of spinach or kale in his smoothie, as he is often helping me make it.

But I often don't get to the bananas in time before they turn. When that happens, we plan for loaf of banana blueberry bread.

Although that's gets old too.

Then last year I found this yummy recipe for "healthy cookies" that uses bananas. No sugar, no flower, no butter - all goodness.

And all gone in a flash.

It's a perfect mix of our favorite flavors - banana, coconut, almond, dark chololate (I use Ghirardelli Chocolate chips).

These are so good, they are worth posting again. I've included the basic recipe below or go grab the recipe with additional details and tips from 101 Cookbooks.com; send some time over there. You won't be disappointed.

3 large, ripe bananas, well mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup coconut oil, barely warm - so it isn't solid (or alternately, olive oil)
2 cups rolled oats
2/3 cup almond meal
1/3 cup coconut, finely shredded & unsweetened
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
6 - 7 ounces chocolate chips or dark chocolate bar chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, racks in the top third.
In a large bowl combine the bananas, vanilla extract, and coconut oil. Set aside. In another bowl whisk together the oats, almond meal, shredded coconut, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the chocolate chunks/chips.The dough is a bit looser than a standard cookie dough, don't worry about it. Drop dollops of the dough, each about 2 teaspoons in size, an inch apart, onto a parchment (or Silpat) lined baking sheet. Bake for 12 - 14 minutes. I baked these as long as possible without burning the bottoms and they were perfect - just shy of 15 minutes seems to be about right in my oven.

I also bake mine for about 15-16 minutes.

Happy Wednesday

I Try

I finally cut out flags to make a bunting flag banner for Harrison.  Now if only I had a sewing machine.

Oh wait...

I have three.