Banana Bread - Recipe

Just made this banana bread recipe and it was AMAZING!!  Have to share!

Debbie's Banana Bread

• 3 to 4 ripe bananas
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp soda
• 1 tsp vanilla

Mash bananas on a a plate.  Mix rest of ingredients in a bowl and beat together.  Stir in bananas and bake in small greased and floured loaf pans.  Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, test with a tooth pick.

** This is fast, easy, and delicious!!!

**Special thanks to Keely's Mom's recipe book!!

Ginger Cookies - Recipe

Looking for the BEST "Ginger Cookie" recipe?  Here it is!  My friend, Emily, brought these over to our family for the holidays and they are AMAZING!  Its a little embarrassing to say that the bag of a dozen cookies was GONE in less than 2 days!  My husband and I loved them but most importantly my twin 2 year olds loved them!  We'll be adding this recipe to our cook book!! Thank you Emily!!

Ginger Cookies Recipe

• 1 cup butter softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 Tbs dark corn syrup
• 1/2 cup molasses
• Combine all together, beat on low speed until blended then turn to medium until smooth.

Add:

• 3 cups (sometimes you need more, be careful not too add too much, you just want to be able to pick up some dough and make it into a ball without it sticking too much)
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt

You can either stir with a spoon or use your mixer (just don't mix too much)

Roll into balls, then roll into some sugar and then bake at 375 for 8 minutes. For the first time I would set your timer for 6 minutes and then watch them closely, usually once they start to crinkle on top they are done! Enjoy!!

"Double Trouble Brownies" for Holiday Presents in a Jar!

This is an awesome recipe that you can make and put all the ingredients into a jar for holiday presents!  Such yummy brownies too!!

Double Trouble Brownies

• 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/cup semi-sweet choc chips
• 1/2 cup white choc chips

Mix all dry ingredients together then add 1 tsp vanilla, 1/3 cup vegetable oil (for gooier add 1/2 cup), and 2 eggs. Beat until just combined. Pour batter into 9x9 inch greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Just print the "mix" paragraph above on the jar labels and you've made perfect gifts!

Thank you SNOMOMs & Brigitte for the awesome holiday idea!

"Whole Grain Healthy Banana Bread" Recipe from AllRecipes.com

This is the Banana Bread recipe that my whole family LOVES!  I make a loaf almost once a week!  My toddlers gobble this Banana Bread up and it puts a smile to my face since its made with Whole Wheat Flour!! :) shhhhhh 

"Whole Grain Healthy Banana Bread" Recipe

from All Recipes.com

 

http://allrecipes.com

 

"Sausage Egg Casserole" Recipe from AllRecipes.com

Here's one of my favorite BREAKFAST recipes to make for the family!

"Sausage Egg Casserole" Recipe from All Recipes.com

http://allrecipes.com/

At the gym today we were having a debate about regular water vs. sparkling water and if both hydrate you through-out the day.  According to http://www.livestrong.com/ the answer = YES!

Continue to read the below article and key information copied below for your quick reference. 

Thanks Livestrong!

Sparkling Water Vs. Regular Water

http://www.livestrong.com/article/189899-sparkling-water-vs-regular-water/

Overview

Drinking plenty of water is essential for proper bodily functions. Water is essential for regulating body temperature, removing waste and lubricating joints. Some people prefer regular water and others prefer sparkling water. Both are healthy ways to meet the body's water needs.

Types of Water

Not all water is the same. Sparkling waters have carbon dioxide added to give them that fizzy characteristic. Most tap water and bottled water has been treated to remove contaminants and minerals that might affect the safety and taste. Mineral waters, both sparkling and flat, have more of such elements as calcium, magnesium and sodium.

Benefits

Drinking water in general has a number of benefits, including keeping a person properly hydrated, as well as making it less likely he will mistake thirst for hunger. Water is a noncaloric beverage, so replacing high-calorie beverages with water can make it easier to lose weight.

Flavored Water

Those who don't like the taste of plain water (LIKE ME!!) may be more likely to drink the proper amount of fluids if they choose sparkling water, especially if they choose one with a bit of flavoring added. Adding a little lemon or lime to plain water might also work.

The most important thing is to stay hydrated, whether it is through sparkling water or regular water. Both are healthful options and preferable to sodas and juices, which contain calories and sugars, and to caffeinated beverages, which can cause some people to be jittery or to need to urinate more often, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Water Option Ideas:

Crystal Light® Pure No Artificial Sweeteners or Preservatives. Try Tropical Blend! Facebook.com/CrystalLightPure

DASANI® and PlantBottle® A Redesigned Plastic Bottle Up to 30% Made From Plants DASANI.com

Printed Sports Bottles Custom Imprinted, Fast Delivery Sport Printed Water Bottles USA www.PromoLogoMugs.com

Office Water Coolers Stylish & Sleek Compact Coolers. Low Cost, Convenient & Eco-Friendly www.QuenchOnline.com/office-water

In addition, an article on http://www.ehow.com/ also agrees that both types of water are a GREAT way to hydrate your body.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5100595_sparkling-water-vs-regular-water.html

Continue to enjoy that sparkling water Parents (guilt-free)!

You're welcome Erin...keep drinking that tasty sparkling water!!  See you Monday for our work-out!  :)

Whole Wheat Banana Bread is one of our Girl's FAVORITES!

One of my favorite things to make is whole wheat banana bread.  Its so easy and so tasty.  The bonus is my girls LOVE it and will eat bite size pieces with their forks for breakfast.  To make this process so easy,  I don't know what I would do without my Kitchen Aid Mixer!  I also LOVE my Williams Sonoma curved spatula!  When I bought the spatula as Christmas gifts last year I was looking for a unique utensil for the cooks in my family.  Whelp the guy showed me this one and said it seems practical but its weird!  OH its my favorite!  Makes it sooo easy to scoop out the mix into the bread pan!  The girls LOVE this bread and so do I!  Soooo easy to make and healthy!  Check-out this recipe and more from www.allrecipes.com

LOVE this mixer!! Dump all the ingredients in & just turn it on!

Whala!  After a couple minutes of the machine mixing its ready to bake!

Love the Williams Sonoma curved spatula!

Just $12 for the "Chef’n Mixer Spatula"

BEFORE

AFTER = Mmmmm Tasty!

The Whole Grain Healthy Banana Bread Recipe

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/whole-grain-healthy-banana-bread/detail.aspx