Blueberry Banana Nut Bread

How would you like to be the owner of a fresh baked-soft, moist, dense loaf of bread? No! Make that... banana bread! And if you act RIGHT NOW I'll throw in some blueberries and pecans for no extra charge! (Just pay extra shipping and handling...) But WAIT! Keep reading within the next 5.5 seconds and I'll even make it healthy and easy for no extra charge!

...ok ok, so maybe I wasn't cut out to be an "As Seen on TV" sales(wo)man but I really do have an awesome recipe for all of you! And it does deliver exactly what my 'TV' claims said it did: moist, dense, soft, banana-y/blueberry-y with a touch of pecans, easy AND healthy! -Let me just tell you-you aren't going to find a better deal anywhere else! :)

The riper the better! Let me tell you something... I went to my grocery store to buy some bananas for this exact reason and they gave them to me FOR FREE! Yes-you heard me right-FREE! Just because they were  old...do people these days know how many amazing things you can do with ripe bananas?! Oh well... more free 'naners for me! #frugal! :P

(and now back to your regularly programmed recipe...)

Add your dry ingredients... no-I let the ball drop on this one and didn't take a picture of my dry ingredients..but really, it wasn't all that exciting! So moving on...

Bake at 350* for 45 minutes to 1 hour

Mmm Mmm Mmm! 

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

2 eggs

1/2 cup sweetener of choice 

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/3 cup toasted^ and chopped pecans

1 cup blueberries

Directions:

1. Mix wet ingredients well

2. Add your ripe bananas and mix

3. Slowly add in your dry ingredients (up to pecans)

4. Fold in pecans, then blueberries

5. Spread in a small loaf pan

6. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes - 1 hour (until it passes toothpick test)

^To easily toast pecans: Simply spread them out on a microwave safe plate and microwave 3 - 1 minute intervals, stirring after each minute

My First Product Review! -Nuts About Granola

I'm so excited!

Super-Duper excited!!!

Can you guess why?! ...I'll give you a hint (it's in the title of this post!)

See that picture ^ yes... that would be Nuts About Granola "Plain Jane" granola-my first ever food review! I am so very grateful for the people at Nuts About Granola for putting faith in my little blog and letting me sample their product.

*Disclaimer: Nuts About Granola has given me this product to review. I was not given the product in exchange for a positive review. All opinions are my own.

... oh man-I kinda feel important having a disclaimer on my blog :P But anyways, back to the review...

When I found this lovely package in my mailbox yesterday morning it was all I could do to not rip into it right away!

...but it really turned into be 'all I could do' because I could NOT get the granola open for the life of me! After five struggling minutes, I decided it was time to give in and go get some scissors...

As soon as I did, I was not disappointed!

The smell was ahhhhhhmazing! Sweet and peanut buttery :)

I dug right in! Pouring a big handful right into my mouth! It wasn't what I was expecting at all. I base my granola opinions on three key points: texture, taste and nutritional stats.

Texture: I was expecting a crunchy granola, but this had more of a chewy texture to it... almost like oatmeal cookie dough... It wasn't bad-just not expected, so I give it a 3/5 (but only because I am a big sucker for crunchy granola)

Taste: Again-not expected in the slightest! I was expecting full out peanut butter smack-you-in-the-head flavor... This had a sweet, cinnamon-y taste to it. At first I wasn't so sure... but after the first few bites, I realized it was a little addicting! I give it a 4/5 

Nutritional Stats: This is an area I put a LOT of focus on, generally speaking-granola is high in calories and if you don't pick the right ones they can be LOADED with sugar and fat...turning a 'health food' favorite into nothing more than a crumbled up candy bar. Below you will see a picture of the nutritional info for this granola, as well as the ingredients which was found on http://www.nutsaboutgranola.com/.

As you can see the nutritional stats are AMAZING! Only 130 calories for 1/4 cup, less than a gram of saturated fat, only 7 grams of sugar and 3 grams of protein! Not bad...not bad at all! I definitely gave it the full 5/5 on this part!

Overall-I give Nuts About Granola a 4/5. It had a good flavor and nutritional stats to back it up-the only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the texture-but that is clearly a personal preference! I would recommend anyone try this granola (especially if you like softer granola).

Nuts About Granola has a bunch of other flavor options to try as well! Be sure to check them all out @ http://www.nutsaboutgranola.com/ -I'm thinking the PB&J might have to be my next purchase!

Probably my favorite thing about this company is their desire for locally grown produce... this was taken off their site: 

What makes us different?

Nuts About Granola is made locally, sourced locally and traded locally. We believe strongly in the power of a thriving local community, one in which values where their food comes from and who makes it. Therefore, we hand make our granola is small batches using only all-natural and organic ingredients.

I think that is so cool! What a great company that truly delivers a stand up product. I couldn't have asked for a better company to work with on my first ever product review!

So tell me: What is your favorite type/brand of granola? Have you ever tried Nuts About Granola?

The HALF!

This is my first non-recipe post :O Crazy...I know!

But it is about something that brings me a TON of bliss-running! When I was younger I was pushed to join my school's cross country team... and do I mean pushed (in fact-that may be an understatement!) But as the season went on, I found I actually enjoyed running (weird-I know!) But this was just the beginning of a love/hate (mostly love) relationship with running.

I've only done 2 races (other than school cross country and track races) in my life. And both of them left me wanting to do MORE! My first race was a 10k - the Bolder Boulder... amazing! I've never had so much fun running. But I wasn't sure 6 miles was enough... I decided I wanted to try a half marathon. I told my family and for graduation I was given a certificate that told me I was registered for my first half-marathon. All I could think was "What did I get myself into?!" ...I mean saying I wanted to do a half-marathon was one thing, but actually be registered to run one in less than 6 weeks-Eeeek!

I came up with a training regimen and got to work! For the next six weeks my schedule looked like this:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 2-3 miles-hills!
Wednesday: 4-5 miles
Thursday: 2-3 miles-farlek style
Friday: 2-3 miles + some other workout (Zumba, strength training, etc.)
Saturday: easy 2-3 miles
Sunday: Long run

My long runs started at 6 miles and gained 2 miles every week. I also did 2 sets of 20 pushups and 3 minutes worth of planks after my weekly runs.

I was so nervous starting out-Never in my wildest dream did I think I could run 13.1 miles :S But low-and-behold, six weeks later this was me:

pretending to be all tough and ready to kick some butt!

And around 2:13 later this was me:

DEAD! :P

It was one of the best things I have ever done in my life! I will never forget the feeling of accomplishment I felt that day, for not only finishing-but beating my person goal of 2:15. 

So tell me: Have you ever done a 1/2 marathon? Or dreamed about it?

English Muffin Bread

Alright...so for those of you that desire warm, fresh baked bread that is healthy, fool-proof and delicious! You have come to the right place! This 3 step bread recipe is the bomb.com-not kidding one little bit! 

It is probably easier than an Easy Bake Oven... those things were not all they were cracked up to be... just saying-a light bulb for a heat source?! I mean COME ON! That is why at the ripe ole' age of 7 I started using the 'big girl' oven... which may or may not have been a good idea on my mom's part, since I have more burns from our oven than I can count... but that's a whole 'nother story! And lucky for you I'm gonna skip it and head straight for the recipe :)

Ingredients:

-3 3/4 cup flour (perfectly fine-in fact recommended- to use all whole wheat!)

-2 tsp. vital wheat gluten (if using all whole wheat flour)

-1 pkg. Rapid Rise Yeast

-1 3/4 cup warm water

-1 TBSP brown sugar

-1 TBSP salt

Directions:

(I said it was only three steps and it really is!)

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until everything is wet

2. Add to a greased & cornmeal-ed loaf pan

3. Let rise 1 hour and then transport to oven for 45 minutes of baking on 350*

You're done! You now have fresh, healthy, amazingly delectable bread and you didn't even have to break a sweat... or get out that stupid little pink oven with the lightbulb!*

I should warn you though...as tempting as it may be to dig in right away-I have found it is best to wait around 15 minutes after you remove the bread from the loaf pan before you slice. The slices won't crumble as easily if you do this.

*Disclaimer: I really have nothing against the EasyBake industry nor did any anti-EasyBake groups pay me to make fun of their product.

This is sooooo good when you first take it out of the oven (and let cool of course) but almost better the next few days when you toast it up, all crispy on the outside and warm and soft middle, Mmm!

 Nutritional Info: (1/12 of recipe-which is a pretty good sized slice!)

Cake Batter Oats

So if you're not: A.) completely new to my blog, or B.) ever met me, or C.) have the ability to read minds-you already know I am a HUGE fanatic when it comes to anything cake batter-ish. I love it in any shape/style/form! Smoothies, frozen yogurt, granola bars...man oh man do I love cake batter. And I know I am not alone! I'm willing to be at least a few of you out there have this same love affair as I do! Don't be ashamed people-this is nothing to hide behind...we do not have to be closet cake batter junkies! Stand tall, be proud and shout "I LOVE CAKE BATTER!"

Alright, I'll bring an end to my love saga and get down to the recipe (well...if you can really call it that-I suppose 2 ingredients doesn't really earn the title of a 'recipe' per se but we'll just go with it!)

Ingredients: 

Any hot cereal of your choosing (oats, barley, quinoa, whatever floats your boat-I used Country Choice Multi-Grain)

2 TBSP of any cake mix (I like using the sugar-free but by all means use whatever is hiding in the back of your pantry!)

1 cup water (you could use milk also)

Directions:

1. Cook 1/3 cup dry cereal with 1 cup water in microwave...stirring every 30-45 seconds

2. Add 2 TBSP. dry cake mix

3. Cook another 1-2 minutes, stirring at your recommended intervals

4. Add more water if necessary

5. Top with whipped topping and sprinkles! Because that just makes life soooo much better :)

I like to pour milk all over mine...it sure doesn't make it pretty but I love the cold/hot contrast!

Are you drooling yet?! Because I am!

Nutritional Info: (1 serving-nutritional info will vary a little based on cake mix)

Pina Colada Parfait

Oh the beach... the sand, the sun, the fruity drinks with the fun straws and little umbrellas! They're soooo cute :) 

What isn't cute is the 5 kajillion (ok maybe a little bit of an exaggeration but not much!) calories they come loaded with! And with like 20 lbs. of sugar, they are sure to leave you feeling a little less less than a sand-diva. (If you truly want a pina colada drink be sure to check out my pina colada smoothie recipe here.)

Stop crying... no really... stop crying-you'll get your keyboard all wet and then it won't run, and then you won't be able to finish reading this post, and then you can't make the great recipe that is coming up shortly! I have a solution! You can still have your pina colada fix AND feel confident strutting that swim suit on the beach! It's my Pina Colada Parfait! 

Ingredients: 

-1/2 cup yogurt (I chose Dannon Light n' Fit Pina Colada, but if you don't have this you can sub. in vanilla, pineapple, plain, Greek-for some extra protein, or really anything but those are my reccomendations)

-1/4 cup chopped pineapple

-1-2 strawberries (for a little color)

-1/4 cup Fiber One Cereal (or granola.... like my Hodgepodge Granola which you can find here)

Directions:

1. Assembly is as follows: strawberries, yogurt, pineapple, yogurt, pineapple and top with cereal/granola (although if you're anything like me, as soon as I take the picture I mix it all up so I have a little bit of everything in each bite!)

Nutritional Info:
Your nutrient stats will all depend on the type of yogurt you use and what you choose for your cereal/granola-but I can assure you that it will be 100000 times better for your beach bod than any pina colada mixed drink!

I wanna know: What's your favorite way to make a parfait? I'm always looking for unique and new ideas! :)

Cowboy Caviar

Alright-so the title of this post may sound a little strange to some of you-but no matter what you think when you look at the title-you have GOT to try this recipe! I assure you-you will not be sorry!

Cowboy Caviar is kind of like bean salsa-without the tomatoes, or three bean salad-but with a lot more craziness! Actually, nevermind-forget all I just said... Cowboy Caviar is like nothing else you've ever had before-it's better!

There is so much going on in this recipe, sweetness from the marinade, crunch from the onions and peppers, a creamy vibe going on with the beans... what more could anyone ask for in a side dish/snack/burrito filling/best friend!? :)

Ok, ok... I'll quite teasing and just get down to business with the recipe at hand here

Ingredients:

-marinade-

1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 cup oil (any kind will work)

1/4 cup sugar

...I know these ingredients may not sound all that healthy, but the oil and vinegar are actually chalk full of healthy fats, antioxidants and such-and since you drain the marinade anyway-not much of the it is actually eaten at all

-everything else-

2 cans of Shoepeg corn (or any corn will suffice)

1 can black beans

1 can kidney (or red) beans

2-3 peppers

1 onion

Directions:

1. Make your marinade: on the stove bring your marinade ingredients to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature

2. Rinse and drain your beans

3. Drain your corn

4. Chop your peppers & onions

5. Combine everything in a large bowl and refrigerate at least 2 hours (overnight is best!)

6. When ready to enjoy-simply drain the marinade

Disclaimer: This recipe really is extremely versatile! I like to eat it as a dip with crackers, fill up a wrap  with it, use it on my salads... it truly is a recipe that wears many hats!

Nutritional Info (1/15 of recipe~about 1 cup)