Sunday, February 24, 2013

3 Ingredient Breakfast "Cookies"


 I am really bad about skipping breakfast. I know it's the most important meal of the day, and ironically, it is my favorite meal. Most mornings I just don't seem to have the time to sit down to enjoy a healthy meal to start my day. These little guys have helped tremendously. I eat one of these every morning on my way to work, along with a boiled egg. That grosses some people out, but I love boiled eggs! And all that protein keeps me full and energized until lunch time. As a teacher, it is impossible to snack between meals, so I need filling yet healthy meals that will keep me going.

I originally found this recipe on Pinterest, but changed it just a bit. The original recipe called for 2 bananas and no peanut butter. I only had one banana, and thought peanut butter would be a delicious substitute. These are so easy to whip up on a Sunday night and will last throughout the week. I kept mine in a sealed baggie at room temp and they tasted as good on Friday as they did Monday.


Makes about 7-8 cookies

1 cup quick cooking oats
1 ripe banana
about 1/2 cup peanut butter
*optional: chocolate chips

1. Place all three ingredients in a bowl. 

2. Using a fork, mash the banana and peanut butter until completely mixed into the oats. 

3.  Form into about 1 in. balls and slightly flatten onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. If using chocolate chips (or blueberries might be yummy), add a few to each cookie.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.


I used The Bee's Knees, by Peanut Butter & Co. (and it truly is the bees knees). The added sweetness of the honey really adds to the flavor of the cookies. If you don't use this kind of peanut butter, you could add a tablespoon or so of honey, if desired.



Tuesday, February 5, 2013

tasty tuesday---ain't happenin'


yep. i promised a tasty tuesday today. the pesto ranch crock-pot chicken didn't make it into the crock-pot yesterday. surprise, surprise. it did make it in there today so it's for dinner tonight. i'll decide whether it is blog-worthy and post about it later. i will say, it smells pretty awesome up in here! other than eat this heavenly-smelling chicken (alongside some roasted asparagus and potatoes) here is my to-do list for the remainder of the night and week...oh, and lesson plans. and dodging/dealing with a bus driver strike.


Saturday, February 2, 2013

The Saturday Six


I've really been wanting to do a "Friday Five" post that I've seen on a lot of blogs, and had every intention of doing one this week, but of course work got crazy (for real...there has been a threat of a bus driver strike all week so things have seriously been crazy!), and I never got around to it. So I give you "The Saturday Six."


1.  What I've been listening to: "Easy to Love" by Ivan & Alyosha
I cannot get enough of this song. I love his voice, the lyrics, the drum beat, all of it. Another Ivan & Alyosha favorite: "I Was Born to Love Her."

2.  What I've been reading: 
Well, I attempted to read Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult, and I really liked it at first, but I just can't finish it. It hasn't kept my attention, and I can see the ending from a mile away. My guess: the mom did it. Okay, so I skipped to the ending, but it was just what I suspected.
However, I just finished reading The Tale of Despereaux to my class.

One of my favorites! This is the 3rd year I've read this book to my classes, and every year, it is their favorite. This year was no exception. My favorite quote from a kiddo: "Mrs. D, that was SO much better than the movie!!!" It is really good children's literature and a great resource for teaching vocabulary. So far we've used two words from this book as our "Word-of-the-Week": perfidy and dire.  Now we've started a poetry unit so I've been reading a lot of poetry from these two books.


3.  What I've been eating: Apple-Cinnamon Chex
Lots and lots of Apple-Cinnamon Chex. So good. Go buy some!



4.  A Recent Purchase: This vintage Pyrex
I think I have found a new obsession. I love this stuff. It reminds me so much of both of my grandmothers, and my mom. They all used to have tons of this stuff, and, sadly, we got rid of most of it. However, I have found the jackpot at "Main Street Antiques" in Summerville. I will be buying more. And if any family and friends are reading this post, you now know what to get me for my birthday.


5.   Recipe I've been pinning: Pesto Ranch Chicken for the Crockpot
This sounds so good. And I love anything that is remotely healthy that can be made in the crockpot (without anything "cream-of" in it).



6.  What I've been drinking: Vodka & Seagram's Key Lime Seltzer Water with a Splash of Cranberry Juice
This has been my weekend drink of choice lately. I found this Seagram's seltzer water at the store and picked some up in Key Lime, Blackberry Raspberry, and Orange Citrus. I haven't tried the citrus flavor yet, but the key lime was really good! Perfect with some vodka and a light splash of cranberry juice.



I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Check back for a Tasty Tuesday (the pesto ranch chicken above) and maybe even a Pinterest Recipe Review!