There is something that has been helping me get through the blur and blah of pandemic quarantine- that is to mark the weekends with a special breakfast. Seems simple, but for me, it has a big impact. Making a special meal is fun and it feels like a celebration. It makes the weekend seem different than the week, even though lately it’s been like groundhog’s day!
Cooking brings me joy, plain and simple. And if I have learned anything during the past year it is that self-care equals making time to do the things that make me feel good.
Now as we are approaching the 1 year anniversary of COVID quarantine, I have been reflecting back on the past 12 months that somehow simutaneously seem like they went PAINFULLY SLOOOOOW and also so very fast… how is that possible?
I’ve had a few cycles of mild blah-ness, getting bogged down in the mundane stuck-at-home life, the challenges of homeschooling, keeping my art business afloat, being a mom, and on and on. Being everything for everybody, picking up the pieces, the laundry and the dishes, but still choosing to create time for myself, because if I don’t do that I run out of steam. Even though my meditation practice is almost non-existent these past few months, on the flip side, I have greatly increased my hiking and exercising. Moving my body and being active calms my mind. Being in nature feeds my heart.
Another challenge is my house mess and clutter (as I gaze up from computer it looms on the horizon), but Hunter and Benji are running around with their StarWars battleships having a blast. I take it in. It’s life. It’s challenging, far from perfect, and messy but there is beauty in it, in every moment. More time with the kids. More family pizza and movie nights. More converstation. More connection. More Love.
And more PANCAKES! These delicious fluffy and decadent Banana Pancakes are a quick and easy breakfast. Made in the blender with just a few ingredients and they taste divine. They are gluten free and super healthy as they are made with rolled oats, very little sugar, and no oil. Let me know what you think below!
If you love these pancakes you may also love some of my other gluten free pancake recipes such as my
and
Banana Oatmeal Pancakes- Gluten Free + Extra Fluffy
Super easy 5 minute Banana Oatmeal Pancakes made in a blender. Gluten Free, Healthy, and Extra Fluffy!
- ½ cup oat milk ((can sub any other milk))
- 1 egg
- 2 egg whites
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats (gluten free)
- 1½ tbsp brown sugar ((can sub coconut sugar))
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 banana
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth
Heat a non stick skillet on medium heat, can use a little cconut oil to grease the skillet if you'd like
Use a ladel to spoon the batter into the hot pan.
Cook 2-3 minuited each side or unitl golden brown in color.
I recently moved, and the first thing I did when I unpacked was get out my Christmas decorations. There is something about dressing up the house for Christmas that makes me so joyful. Do you guys feel the same way? Today while I was making this Veggie Christmas Tree I put a pot of potpourri on the stove top and had the Holiday Log Music Special playing nonstop to get that Christmas Spirit up and running.
We had multiple Christmas trees, the banisters where dripping with garland and lights, the chandeliers held beautiful springs of spruce and holly, and even the toilet was adorned with Christmas decor! It was a Christmas wonderland, second only to the North Pole.
Well, don’t worry, I have got you covered! The super cute Veggie Christmas Tree only takes a few minutes to make (the kids can have fun putting it together), and it looks amazing. Added bonus, it’s a tasty and healthy alternative to other popular holiday appetizers.
These mini Rainbow Frozen Fruit Cakes are simply stunning! In addition to being beautiful, they are made with 100% fruit and nothing else, making them a healthy and nutritious dessert.
When I think of summers past there are so many memories that come to mind, and being a food fanatic, many of them do involve something you can eat! Ice cream, Carvel ice cream cake, push pops and fruit popsicles are my favorite sweet and cool treats. What are yours?
The ice cream truck was another marvelous highlight of summer. The small white truck would rumble down our street playing the “ice cream jingle” and all the kids would come running, smiling from ear to ear. I remember standing in line and contemplating which frozen novelty I should get- perhaps a Drumstick? or the Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bar? Froz Fruit Bar with the whole strawberry chunks hidden inside? There were just too many to choose from, but you could never go wrong!
In honor of my undying love for Froz Fuit bars I have created these sweet and super cute 100% fruit mini cakes. If you have problems deciding on a flavor, no worries, because now you can have them all at once! Pick your favorite fruits and layer them to your liking.
I made these mini Frozen Fruit Cakes in ramekins for the perfect personal-sized cake, but you are welcome to make a large cake in a spring form pan if you wish!
These tasty little fritters are packed full of nutrients and make the perfect healthy snack or meal! They are easy-peasy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. They also happen to be grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo!
I don’t actually think it has much to do with my cooking, but just the fact that they get sick of the same old stuff. They say a toddler’s taste buds are always changing, so its pretty much like trying to hit a whac-a-mole. lol.
So, if you have left over zucchini, you should make these fritters instead of trying to feed it to your pup! These fritters are super simple to make and are very very tasty. I make mine HEAVY on the veggies, so you need to make sure you ring out your shredded zucchini to remove the excess moisture.
My lo has been eating these fritters for 2 weeks straight, making it a world record in our household. In fact, his other favorite, mango, only lasted a few days… Now what to do with all those mango pouches I stocked up on…?
You guys aren’t sick of cookie recipes yet are you? I mean who doesn’t LOVE chocolate chip cookies? Right, I thought so. NO ONE. haha.
The other main ingredient in these super moist and melty cookies is almonds. Everybody knows how good almonds are for your healthy. They are full of healthy fats and protein, making them a first rate energy source.
These berry-ful popsicles are sweet, flavorful, and will help keep you hydrated this summer. Made with only 3 simple ingredients, they are easy-peasy and fool-proof. Everyone will be loving these at your 4th of July celebration!
The reason summer flies by may be because summer is my favorite season, and recollections of the summers of my youth are filled with fun and exciting memories. I used to look forward to sleep away camp, and I got to bring my horse, Missy, along! Not many kids can say that, right!? Another highlight were our family vacations to LBI. We would hang out beachside all day taking in some rays, go for long leisurely bike rides around the island, and go to an ice cream shop where you got served a whole song-a-long performance while you enjoyed your chocolate fudge sunday. Those were the times. Pure joy found in the simple things.
So to celebrate summer, the 4th, and all things simple I came up with some pretty delicious, refreshing, and healthy popsicles. They are perfect for kids and adults alike! They only have 3 simple ingredients so you can spend virtually NO TIME making them, and spend more time enjoying your summer, popsicle-in-hand to cool you down:) Enjoy!
