10/31/2014

organic & guilt-free banana chocolate pancakes!



What the fudge, right? A second food post in a week! But I can assure you that I have a really good reason for this. I got hit with a really bad sinus infection this week and it got so bad I had to call in sick today. So I figured I needed to eat good and get me some proteine. And that's where these pancakes came in! And since they were majorly delicious as well, I wanted to share them in this quick update. You know, before crawling up the stairs again and collapsing on my bedroom floor.

These pancakes are really easy and quick to make and you only need a few simple ingredients. All you need are two organic eggs, an organic banana, a small table spoon of high quality organic cocao and a tiny drip of olive oil. 

You throw the banana, eggs and cocao in a bowl and mash the ingredients up to make a smooth batter. It helps if you mush up the banana first and than mix the other ingredients into it. You can use a kitchen aid for this, but a fork works just as well. 

Once you have a nice and smooth batter you throw it in the pan and prepare them just like a regular pancake. You use a tiny bit of olive oil for this. I use a ceramic pan, so I could probably pull off not using any oil at all. But I just like it better this way. This batch makes about 4 - 5 pancakes depending on the size. 

And there is the very yummy result! I used some powdered sugar to sweeten them up a little bit more. I thought they were really good, easy to make and hopefully they will help me get my strength back soon! I'm just not the sitting at home being sick type of gal. So, what is your go-to food when you're feeling a bit under the weather?


10/26/2014

Delicious Apple Crumble Apples!

 We just had one of those days yesterday. It was rainy and cold outside and we just wanted to hide away in our pj's all day. Now this doesn't happen to me very often. But every once in a while you just need a day without any obligations outside the house. So we searches the house for food and an activity to do and I realized we always have the ingredients to make an apple pie lying around. I had seen these cute apple pies in an apple all over the internet, but I hadn't seen them in the apple crumble version yet. So we made, we ate and now we share! 

So this is all you need to get started! Just open your kitchen cabinets. There's a 99% chance these ingredients will all be in there. Try it, I dare you!

4 apples
2 oz raisins (let them sit in some water for a little bit)
2½ oz plain flour
2 oz margerine (or butter)
2 oz light demerara sugar 
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Start off by hollowing out the apples. I'm sure there are all kinds of tools available for this, but I just used a sharp teaspoon and it worked fine. Thow the pieces of apple in a bowl together with the drained raisins and a teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix them together and fill the apples with the mixture. 

Take another bowl and throw in the flower,the sugar and the butter and kneed them all together. Crumble the dough over the apples and slightly push it down. You don't want the crumbles to fall off in the oven. But the apples in an oventray and fill the tray with some water to make sure your apples don't wrinkle up like a couple of old grannies. Preheat the oven at 375 degrees and place the tray in the oven for about 20-25 minutes. 

And voila! Serve it with a some chai tea latte and some whipped cream and you got yourself a delicious little treat. It was hard to snap a picture of the end result without Charlotte's little greedy fingers in it though, but I guess that's a good sign! Haha! Bon appetit! Oh, and I gave the blog a new look today. What do you think of it?



10/09/2014

It's a Wonderful Life...

I feel like I may be suffering from the fall blues a little. Life can get a bit overwhelming at times, especially if you're a full time working mom. Work has been crazy and it seems like no matter what I do, it's just nog good enough. And when I get home I feel so exhausted that I don't seem te have the energy to be the fun, energenic mom Charlotte needs me to be. And obviously the fact that the days are getting colder and darker doesn't do much for my energy level either. I guess you could say I'm in a bit of a funk at the moment and it's making me questions the decisions I have made for me and my family. But luckily I understand that eventhough I am going through a rough patch right now, that doesn't mean life isn't wonderful. It just means I have to put a little more effort into seeing it. So let me share five things that always seem to do the trick for me. 

Blowing bubbles at sunset
Because blowing bubbles is awsome in general, but doing it at sunset makes iy even more special. The setting sun will make your bubbles even prettier than they already are. The colors will really pop and it's like having a dozen little rainbows floating all around you. It's just one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. And it's so simple and easy that you can do it in your own backyard. All you need is a clear sky, a sunset and a little bit of bubble blow.  

Bake or cook something delicious (and eat it!)
Nothing says 'me time' like preparing something delicious and taking all the time in the world to enjoy it. Really create a special moment for yourself and treat yourself to one of your all time favorites. For me it's this delicious oatmeal crumble that always seems to do the trick. I indulge with a little bit of whipped cream on the side and a good cappuccino. 

Doing early morning yoga
When you're in a bit of a funk it is really tempting to stay in bed all morning. But that only make you feel worse. Physical exercise will make you feel good about yourself, it will energize you and it won't make you feel like you just wasted a perfectlty good morning. And when my daughter decides to join in I enjoy it even more! And all you need for this is a yoga mat. And preferly some loose fitting clothes, but that isn't a necessity. You can always do naked yoga! :)

Enjoying nature
Especially when life it getting a little bit too complicated, there is nothing better than going back to nature...literally! Even if it's just for a little while. Just breathe the fresh air, focus on the trail ahead of you and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. A great way to clear your head and let go of the stress you are carrying around with you. See live as it was intended to be. Simple, peaceful and beautiful. And who knows, you might walk into something cool and unexpted while exploring new places. Like this warning sign I bumped into a couple of weeks ago. Apparently the've had some issues with low flying witches in this forrest or something... I continued my way with caution! Haha!

Cuddling up!
It is a fact, cuddling will make you feel better. Cuddling releases oxytocin, which is known as the 'feel good bonding hormone'. So it will make you feel better and bring you closer to the ones that are special to you. So grab your spouse, kid, cat or ferret... It's cuddling time! :)

So there you have it! My personal five step program to get through any funkyness. And you know what the best part is? It won't cost you a penny. So what is your medicine? I'd love to hear it! 

Love,
Tessa