Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

PERFECT sweet treat! These really hit the spot! I love homemade cookies...they are my kryptonite....and I have a hard time staying out of them. I am always desperate for a healthy cookie option because, let's be honest, life is just NOT the same without cookies!

Beware, however....these cookies are addictive! Just because they are healthy doesn't mean that you can eat the whole batch in one sitting...but you can have one or two...or three? ;)

2 large ripe bananas, mashed

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup honey

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Mix all ingredients together. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a cookie sheet (line it with parchment paper. I didn't have any so I lightly greased it this time). Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy! :)

Plan Your Strategy

Turkey dinner with all the fixings? That is what was on the menu today for lunch at the school where I teach. I love a big turkey dinner but....would that get me to my goals? The problem is...there was pie in that line, people! PIE!

I knew ahead of time that the turkey dinner was looming and so I carefully planned my strategy. First, I packed foods that I liked....in fact, that I loved...so that I would not be tempted, or at least not quite as tempted as I normally would be. Second, I made sure that I was busy in my classroom during the entire lunch period. I found work and reading to occupy myself with so that I would take my mind off the pie in that lunch line.

Planning ahead saves me nine times out of ten from making bad decisions. I used to eat out every day. When you fall into traps like that, it is habit. Make planning ahead a habit instead. :)

Whole Wheat Pancakes

These were ABSOLUTELY delicious! And because they are made with whole wheat flour, they are much more filling. No sugar....you get all of the sweetness that you need from the bananas. If you need a little more sweetness, add a drizzle of the optional agave nectar.

1 1/4 C oats
1 1/4 C almond milk
2 egg whites 
1 TBS canola or grapeseed oil
1 C whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
a little aguave nectar (optional)
*I also added a few chopped walnuts (optional)

Soak the oats in the milk for 5 minutes. Mix in the rest of the ingredients and stir to form a batter. Cook in hot pan with cooking spray. Makes 8.
I served this with real maple syrup and a couple of slices of turkey bacon on the side. Yum!

Eating Out...Say What???

The hubby says, “Let’s go out” and I swear my heart skips a beat. Really??? I don’t have to cook? In that moment I think that I love him more than chocolate!

Someone waiting on you, “treats” that you never get to have... love it when I don’t have to cook but I know if I do it too often, I could end up in a LOT of trouble. (But, dang! That fresh bread they like to serve you is SO tempting!) How do you enjoy a meal out…really enjoy it…and still stay at least somewhat on track? Know exactly what you are eating, of course!

Read the description. How is the food being prepared? Grilled is great. Even sautéed is good….but not if it is “sautéed in a garlic butter sauce.” The word “stuffed” in a description should probably send up a red flag. Obviously “fried” or “breaded” are things you want to avoid. Pay attention to what you are putting in your mouth. Treats are alright to have in moderation, but a treat every day will take you down the wrong road fast. Can you splurge here and there? Sure…and if you don’t, you will probably end up feeling deprived. You just have to know how to balance. Pair your meal with a fresh salad or order grilled veggies for your side. Life is ALL about balance.

The picture above is my meal from a recent trip to the Outback. What can I say? It was a steakhouse so I had to have steak! But I did pair it with steamed veggies and a side salad with vinegarette dressing…and I kept my bread consumption to one small piece. I got my splurge and still balanced it out.

Leftovers

Leftovers....they are kind of like the ugly stepsister in my kitchen. Nobody except me ever seems to want them! I always seem to have a refrigerator full of leftovers and I am always looking for ways to use things up. Just a couple of the things I do…

Make a mix of brown rice and beans (I tend to like black beans) to serve with leftovers to change things up. I will serve leftover steak fajitas over this mix or toss it with leftover chicken to eat in a wrap. My kids even like using this mix with leftovers. There is no limit to the possibilities!

Always keep some cooked quinoa on hand. Quinoa is highly nutritious, can be mixed with anything, and can be eaten hot or cold. I like to cook mine in either vegetable broth or low sodium chicken broth for added flavor.

Sautéed vegetables. You usually will find some type of sautéed vegetables in my refrigerator. Chop up your leftover meat, heat the veggies and toss together….dinner is served!

Eggs...you can literally make an omelet out of most things! I usually keep some feta cheese on hand as well to toss in that omelet to give it a little more flavor. A veggie omelet is ALWAYS a good choice for a meal.

If all else fails, freeze it. Freeze those leftovers in small containers that you can grab for a quick, clean meal on those days when life gets crazy. It's in the busy mom survival guide....seriously! ;)

What do YOU do with all of those leftovers?

Soul Searching

I’m back!

I took a break from this blog for a while. I was questioning myself and had to figure out where I was headed with this and where I wanted to end up. Did I want to create a “business?” Or was this something different? After several months of soul searching, I think I know what I want. Building a business and making some extra money on the side is great and I am not against that, but that is not what drives me. It is my belief that we lift ourselves up by lifting others up.  Support and accountability mean so much. I am not a fitness guru. I am not a nutritional expert. I am a clumsy, uncoordinated mother of four who does her best to stick to a healthy lifestyle. I am just an ordinary woman who wants to enjoy life to the fullest. If I can share what I learn and still am learning while on my health and fitness journey with others and help them, then I see that as a benefit. It's all about the journey.

Whatever helps you to love yourself and become a better you, do that. Love yourself.

Basil-Walnut Millet Pilaf

I love anything "grainy" and I really loved the slight hint of citrus in this millet recipe. Millet is so good for you...excellent source or iron, high in antioxidants, and LOTS of fiber and protein. This was a great side and is a definite repeat recipe for me!

3/4 C dry millet

2 1/4 C organic or reduced sodium vegetable broth

1 lemon, 1 tsp shredded zest and 1 tsp juice, divided

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 C thinly sliced basil leaves

1/4 C chopped walnuts, toasted or raw

1 TBS nutritional yeast seasoning or grated Parmesan cheese (I had no idea where to find the yeast seasoning so I used the Parmesan)

1/4 tsp all-natural sea salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Combine millet, broth, oil, lemon zest, and garlic powder in a pot. Cover and bring to a boil on high. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes. Allow to sit covered (don't peak!) for 10 minutes. Add lemon juice, basil, walnuts, nutritional yeast OR Parmesan, salt and pepper. Fluff with fork. Serve hot and enjoy! :)  (8 servings)