Totally Bananas!

What do you do when all your bananas have gone black? Make banana bread, of course!

Let's just say I had lots of black bananas so I decided to try two different recipes from a couple blogs I follow. This isn't just any banana bread either, it's gluten- and grain-free too!

One of my favorite blogs is Against All Grain because there are lots of different recipes for people with specific allergies (dairy, egg, gluten, grain...), not to mention she just came out with a beautiful cookbook entitled Against All Grain by Danielle Walker. 

As I perused the website looking for anything with banana in the title, I came across a recipe for Banana Muffins With Chocolate Chip Streusel Topping - this was one to try. Luckily, since I live a mostly Paleo lifestyle (and if I want to eat Paleo, I pretty much have to cook/bake for myself or educate my husband), I already had most ingredients on hand. 

*If you don't have most ingredients on hand, you can either go to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's or another store like these where you should be able to find everything, or do what I did and order from Amazon. I like Bob's Red Mill products. Also, it was cheaper and since I'm addicted to Amazon and have one of their cards, I get points to Amazon, so win-win!

The recipe was very easy to follow and very simple to put together. I measured out all of the ingredients first and got the oven preheated. I also mixed what I could as the recipe stated that once the vinegar is mixed with the baking soda, the rising process begins so you don't want it to sit out of the oven for too long after. Once everything was measured, I creamed the oil and sugar, added the eggs (one at a time), added the vinegar, the dry ingredients, and then the bananas. I used my Kitchenaid mixer the whole time even though the recipe says to fold in the bananas. To be honest, I kind of forgot the recipe said to fold in the bananas until after it was all said and done, but it worked out anyway. I quickly scooped the batter into paper cup liners using a large ice cream scoop. I did not put chocolate chips into the muffin mix. I felt like it would be too much for me as I've never liked bananas with chocolate.

I sprinkled the streusel on top and popped the cupcake pan into the oven for 20 minutes!

For the streusel, I didn't use a food processor since I don't own one. I have a Vitamix, but didn't want to clean it, so I just roughly chopped the pecans and chocolate, then mixed the cinnamon and honey into the mixture with my hands. It's a little messy but easier to wash. I did want to try the streusel as it sounded like a fun and yummy twist!

I let the muffins cool once done and tasted...

They are moist, fluffy, sweet but not too sweet, and not too heavy on the banana flavor which I preferred. I think the chocolate chips inside would have been too much for me, but that's the great thing about recipes - you can do what you like! This is definitely a must-save recipe!!! I'll be taking a few to work to give to my friends and see what they think (they don't follow Paleo so I'm curious if they'd love it or not). 

Now, on to the second one (which is actually the first one I made). I found the blog, PaleOMG, from a recommendation made on another blog. This was my first time making a recipe from here (actually 2). For the Banana Bread 3-Ways (Nut Free) recipe, I needed Coconut butter/cream. I didn't even know what that was! I thought I was in a bind, but low and behold, there was a recipe at this blog for it (Thank Goodness!) 

All you pretty much do is blend flaked or shredded coconut until it makes a creamy paste (think almond or peanut butter). I used my Vitamix and it worked wonderfully. All I had was shredded coconut too and had no issues. 

Once made, I put everything together in my Vitamix and spooned it into my 9" round non-stick pan. I went for more of a cake than a loaf. In 40 minutes it was done. I could have baked it a little less, maybe 30-35 minutes, but it was still very moist. I also did not use the toppings. This bread is very dense 

and pretty much highlights the banana. It's good, but you can't eat too much (at least I couldn't). 

Between the two, I prefer the muffins with the streusel. They are lighter, fluffier, and more subtle in flavor. Plus, the topping is a fun, tasty twist on the good 'ole banana bread recipes. 

I was able to use most of my bananas, but I still have a few more...maybe I'll try one more recipe...

**UPDATE: A friend at work tried a muffin and LOVED it! She asked me if I could bring her a couple more...success!!! Also, the next morning, I had a piece of my banana bread again and it grew on me a little more. It's not that I dislike it, I think it just has to do with the dense texture. I think I'm going to try it again at some point and see if I can fluff it up a little. 

Run, Run As Fast As You Can

Somehow, my dear friend, Elizabeth, talked me into running a half marathon with her in January. Did I mention I've never run before in my life?

Yeah, my thoughts exactly. I even paid a large sum for this self-torture. My friend got me good! But in all seriousness, it sounded challenging and I was looking for a challenge. I definitely am telling the truth when I say I had never run before in my life. I could barely even walk/jog, as I call it, for 1 minute, let alone 13.1 miles. But since I am one of those types of people that sets their mind to the task and is always prepared, I quickly went looking for a training regimen.

Luckily, the half marathon I am running is the Disneyland Tinkerbell Half Marathon...and now you see why I signed up. Who doesn't love Disneyland? And Tinkerbell? And a cute medal? And running with wings and a tutu? Since it is organized by a very, very, very large company, wouldn't you know that they have a training schedule made by a former Olympic runner. Thank goodness!!! Saved me from having to motivate myself to run that far on my own.

It starts out slowly, having you run two 30-minute runs and then a 3-mile jog at the end of the week. Every end-of-the-week run slowly increases in length, so that by the time of the race you can run 14 miles (even though the race itself is 13.1 miles). It looks and sounds daunting, until you buck up and get yourself out there.

I already had my running shoes and they are ABSOLUTELY fabulous! I am so in love with them!

(Asics Gel Noosa)

I also had a few outfits since I already go to the gym and do yoga, so all I really needed was a really good, no, GREAT playlist and motivation. If there's one thing I cannot do without, it's music. I get into my head too much as it is, so just running at nothing for even just 5 minutes would give me ample time to talk myself out of the task. 

With my music in hand and my handy dandy app, Runtastic, to record my distance, time, and speed, I hit the pavement running, pun intended. 

I've been training since mid-September, so it's been about a month, month and a half, and things are going just peachy, and I mean it! While it was a little tough in the beginning, I've managed to run 7 miles (at this point in the schedule) without walking. Who knew? Can't say that I didn't know I was capable, but I wasn't absolutely positive it was possible for me.

A few things I've learned already...

1. You definitely need a training program. Whether it is provided by the race you are running or one you find on-line, through a training group, or a friend, you need a plan and a solid one at that. I feel that, especially for beginners, this plan I'm using can be used for any half marathon race, or really, any race 13.1 miles or less. It is very doable and very to-the-point. Plus, I'll trust a former Olympian runner any day of the week. Tinkerbell Half Marathon Training Program

2. Nutrition is key. In order for your body to work right (and this pretty much pertains to every day, not just when you are training for a race or something else physical), you NEED to eat the right foods. I capitalize NEED because it is absolutely necessary to give your body the right fuel to perform to its utmost capacity. I realized that when I was running, I would start to get tired halfway through. I usually run one 30-minute run in the morning and I was not eating breakfast. I know, shake your finger at me, but I was afraid that if I didn't get out there right way, I would NEVER get out there. However true for me it was, it wasn't smart. The other runs would be in the afternoon, after work of course, when EVERYONE wants to run. NOT! Plus, living in The Valley, it has an average temperature of 95 degrees around 5pm. Ugh. I was even more tired for these runs. Luckily, the Disneyland race website also provides nutritional tips, which I decided I needed to take a look at. In the end, I decided that for me, a piece of Ezekiel bread, almond butter, and a banana would give me enough fuel to complete my runs without feeling that energy deficiency. Tinkerbell Half Marathon Nutrition Program

3. Music is a necessity. A good playlist can get you going in the beginning, push you through the middle, and keep you going at the end when you just want to stop and rest. It doesn't really matter what type of music it is, as long as it motivates you and keeps you enjoying your run and focusing on completing your goal, not how hot it is outside, how your legs feel like they are going to fall off, how thirsty you are, how much farther you have to go, or how impossible the distance may seem. Obviously, motivation is going to be different for everyone. A friend of mine loves to listen to books on tape - especially Hunger Games. She says the intensity of the story fuels her energy. I get the intensity of the story, but I would find a shady spot somewhere along the way and sit to listen to the end. Others like to jog with a buddy and chat, or gossip, along the way. Again, very interesting, but not interesting enough to get me through miles and miles and miles of the same terrain. But whatever floats your boat, or more aptly, moves your feet. 

4. Check in with your body AND motivate yourself mentally. During my jogs, I realized that the negative and/or lazy voice in my head was telling me that I was in pain, that my body couldn't take any more, couldn't go any further, that it was true that I wasn't a runner, like I'd told myself for over 15 years. Well, what I said to myself was SUCK IT UP AND GET OVER IT! I checked in with my body multiple times during my jogs and realized that that "pain" that I felt, which was just mild discomfort of doing an activity that my body is not used to, was then same at the very beginning of the jog, as it was in the middle of my jog, as it was at the very end of my jog. Then I would tell myself that I was okay, that it hadn't been any different in the beginning as it was in the moment, and that I didn't have that much farther to go. I'd give myself incentives as in "you can have some water once the song is over," "you can walk once the song is over," or "you can walk and have water once the song is over." Then I would push it to the next song, and then the next song, until I was done with my run. It actually works if you MAKE yourself listen to yourself.

5. Keep it steady. Although you may feel really enthused and motivated at the beginning, it is important to slightly hold yourself back a little to keep a steady pace. In my opinion, only if you are going to be running a long distance, it is more beneficial to keep a steady pace through the whole race versus going fast in the beginning just to tire yourself out for the hardest part of the whole race, the middle to the end. The end is where you really need to tap into that energy and use it to push yourself, especially if you've been running for 10 miles and you've got 3 left. It may not sound like a lot after you've completed so much, but that will most likely be the longest 3 miles of one's life, or I can pretty much guarantee it will be the longest 3 miles of mine! 

For now, that's pretty much what I've learned. Oh! And I've learned that I can run 7 miles without stopping...pretty impressive if I do say so myself. This week, it's going to be 8 miles...

I've also learned that I am a runner. I can pretty much do what I set my mind to do. Some tasks or activities may take a little extra work, extra time, or extra help to figure out, but inevitably, with persistence, I can get through it. So, if you have wanted to do something that you have already told yourself you couldn't do, kick that negative thought right out of your mind and get to it! Only you are standing in your own way, so GET OUT OF THE WAY and get moving!

Tinkerbell Half Marathon in Anaheim, CA

-It is sold out for 2014, but take a look at the website, the races, and the training programs to see if it is right for you! It never hurts to be prepared...

It Finally Feels Like Fall

Southern California isn’t quite known for its “seasons.” Some would consider them to be early summer, school’s out summer, Dog Day’s of August summer, and winter (when it gets below 50 degrees). Well, as true as that may be, today felt like fall!

Now, I adore autumn. I envy those who live on the East coast, with their tree-lined streets, where when the leaves change from green to golden, there is no doubt the season has changed. I love the crisp morning air and the coolness that lingers throughout the day. Best of all, I dream about those nights in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot tea or cocoa, cuddled under a blanket watching a favorite Halloween movie. And even though I knew the high temperature today would end up at 82 degrees, that didn’t stop me from putting a little “fall” into my day and evening.

A thought popped into my mind that it felt like a tortilla soup kind of day. Soups are my favorite meal to have on a cool winter night and though it’s not winter just yet, I texted my husband and his answer of “AMAZING!” to my suggestion for tortilla soup for dinner was enough to have me making yet another trip to the supermarket to get the few things I needed.

Of course, as I’m walking through the entrance, there are pumpkins galore! Orange pumpkins, white pumpkins, mini pumpkins, waxed gourds, striped pumpkins, varieties of squash, and so much inspiration! How could I resist picking up a few to decorate our house? Well, I couldn’t resist…and had to stop myself from filling my grocery cart just with squash!

I ended up getting way more than I planned on at the grocery store, but isn’t that always the case? The raspberries were such a great price ($0.99 each), the dark chocolate chunks (which are so hard to find) were on sale and then there was a “Buy 4 Save $4 special so I had to get more than one bag; and of course, 50% off chicken thighs/legs/breasts tugged at my, as my husband calls it, TGDness*, and the fact that I have a chest freezer.

With the makings for tortilla soup and also the next night’s dinner, I headed back home to unload. I ended up making a cute little assortment of my mini pumpkins and gourds to place on our kitchen island. I put my larger pumpkins by our fireplace, but that area is definitely still lacking. I’m thinking a trip to Home Goods for two large lanterns with candles is just what that space needs. That will be for another day though. I have to spread out my spending…

I put on “The Italian Job” and got to work on the soup. One of my favorite recipes for tortilla soup is Emeril Lagasse’s. I have tried so many different ones, and I always come back to this one, so this has become my go-to recipe. It’s quick, delicious, and super easy. It gave us just that cozy feeling you want when you eat a bowl of soup. Plus, my husband’s football team wasn’t doing so great by halftime, so I think the soup helped lift his spirits.

And since they did even worse after halftime, I popped some cookies into the oven. When in doubt, chocolate chip cookies fix all. I’m definitely getting into fall-mode and I have a feeling I’ll be adding a few more pumpkins yet.

HAPPY FALL DECORATING!!!

*I love to freeze everything, I hate to waste anything, and yes, I am admittedly a pack rat, but definitely NOT a hoarder. I just hate to spend money and then throw it away when things go bad, or see things perfectly useful not being put to use. This is where my nickname comes in to play. Bestowed upon me by my loving, yet truthful husband, TGD stands for The Great Depression. And how fitting it is…so, for all of you who identify with me and my belief system of waste not, want not, be proud of your TGDness – I haven’t gone hungry yet!

**If you want to try this tortilla soup recipe, the link is below. It is from The Food Network's website. It's definitely not my own, but I do a few different things...including blending the soup. I enjoy it much more than a chunky version. A small note about blending - blend the soup before you add the chicken, or you will waste time (as I have done) getting all the chicken out so you can blend it first. 

Also, depending on how spicy you want the soup, you can do half a jalapeno or the whole jalapeno, with or without the seeds. I pretty much do the same thing every time, and every now and then it is spicier than it was the time before. In this case, I suggest you taste here and there and then decide if you want to do the spicy crema recipe or not. If the soup is already spicy, I usually just use regular sour cream, but I'm somewhat of a wimp when it comes to spice. Plus, a runny nose isn't usually something people find appetizing. We usually add the shredded mexican blend cheese and avocado (as stated in the recipe). 

Emeril Lagasse's Tortilla Soup

The (Ever-Popular) Bucket List

   So, I've been realizing that a lot of people I know, myself included, are at a stage in their life where uncertainty reins! For whatever reason, we are all looking for something more in our lives. We are unhappy with accepting monotony, mediocrity, and unfulfilled dreams...

   I suppose that this is why The Bucket List has become such a novel idea and why everyone has one. I've decided to join the pack. I have put things on this list that I have already accomplished - I read somewhere that it keeps you motivated and I need all the motivation I can get.

Shannon's FabYOUlist (Formerly known as "Bucket List")
A) Adventures to Have & Things To Do:
1. Sky dive
2. Swim with Great White Sharks at their breeding ground (with me in a cage, of course)
3. Become semi-professional at underwater photography
4. Buy a house with a huge backyard (Bought December 31, 2012)!!!
5. Buy a boat that fits 10 people
6. Go on an Africa safari
7. Learn how to rock climb
8. Climb Half Dome @ Yosemite; Climb Half Dome @ Yosemite again
9. Finally make it to Long Beach Aquarium
10. Go to San Diego Zoo & Sea World (so that I can actually remember it)
11. Do a week at DisneyWorld and Universal Florida
12. Visit New York @ Christmas-time
13. Ice skate @ Central Park
14. Take a BBQ Road Trip (Tennessee, Mississippi, etc.)
15. Get toned, tight, and flexible
16. Go to Carnaval
17. Become fluent in Spanish (esp. Cuban Spanish)
18. Regain fluency in French
19. Open my own Parisian bakery
20. Stay in an over-the-water bungalow in Bora Bora/Moorea
21. Ride a camel in Egypt
22. Learn Japanese
23. Get a tattoo that reminds me of something meaningful and helps me to achieve my goals
24. See the Wonders of the World
25. Scuba dive with whale sharks
26. Swim with the dolphins
27. Go ziplining
28. Ride an elephant in Africa
29. Ride the Ferris Wheel (The Eye) in London, England
30. See The Nutcracker in New York City
31. Take voice lessons
32. Re-learn to play the piano
33. Write a novel (romance or otherwise)
34. Dedicate an hour walk to my dogs, at least 3 times a week
35. Scan all my magazines and recycle them (a BIG task)
36. Live in a beach house
37. Join a flash mob (at least once)
38. Take dance lessons
39. Play the saxophone
40. Get back into swimming
41. Own my own business
42. Write a book
43. Plant a garden
44. Organize my garage
45. Finish the unfinished small projects in our house
46. Get a raise
47. Participate in charity work
48. Do a handstand in yoga on my own
49. Run a 5k
50. Run a 10k
51. Run a half marathon
52. Run a marathon
53. Fly on a trapeze
54. Try golfing (with the serious intent to give it all I've got at least once)
55. Watch a movie at a drive-in
56. Watch a movie at a cemetery (in Hollywood)
57. Join a book club
58. Organize Bitch's Bingo at least once
59. Go on a NatGeo vacation
60. Make a family tree
61. Fly 1st class
62. Learn how to drive a stick shift
63. Whitewater raft on at least 4's
64. Sunbathe topless
65. Drive a race car
66. See a rainforest in person
67. Annual camping trip tradition
68. Watch "The Way We Were"
69. Join a fantasy football league at least once
70. Honor my parents
71. Honor my grandparents
72. Learn to fence
73. Go skinny dipping
74. Go to a strip club once
75. Ride an ATV
76.

B) Places To Travel & Landmarks To See:
1. Greece (esp. Santorini, Athens)
2. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
3. Italy; Italy again with Jason - finally take a romantic gondola ride in Venice
4. Paris; Paris again with Jason
5. Red Sea; Dead Sea
6. Japan
7. Ireland (esp. County Cork, Dublin)
8. Spain (eat at El Bulli)
9. Cabo San Lucas
10. Brazil
11. Costa Rica
12. Puerto Rico
13. Cuba
14. South Africa
15. Bali
16. Bora Bora/Moorea
17. Egypt
18. Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy
19. Go to church at Notre-Dame in Paris
20. Machu Picchu in Peru
21. The home of the Oracle at Delphi, Greece
22. The Acropolis and Parthenon, Greece
23. The pyramids of Giza, Egypt
24. Valley of the Kings & The Temple of Karnak, Egypt
25. Niagara Falls
26. Philippines
27. St. Lucia
28. Austria
29. Vail, Colorado
30. Dominican Republic
31.

C) Because I'm A Scuba Diver...Places To Scuba Dive
1. Silfra Crack, Iceland
2. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
3. Philippines
4. See The Coral Goddess @ Balinese Bay (Karang Lestari coral-reef)
5. Puerto Rico - La Parguera Wall; Desecheo Island
7. Bahamas - Runway @ New Providence; The Strip & SS Sapona @ North Bimini; Picasso's Gallery & Sea Star @ Grand Bahama
8. Great Blue Hole in Belize
9. Turneffe Island
10. Wrecks in Bermuda - Hermes, Mary Celestia, King George, Montana/Constellation, Pelinaion, Cristobol Colon
11. Cenotes of Tulum - Cenote Dos Ojos, Cenote Manatee, Gran Cenote, Cenote Chac Mool


This is it - FOR NOW! I may add, hopefully cross off, and one day accomplish these goals...

Adventure awaits!!!

Welcome...

I'm a believer in dragons and fairies, gold at the end of rainbows, and magic spells. Whether you find magic in a flower or a perfectly baked pie, in a warm cup of tea or a shooting star, I hope this blog is for you. I'd like to share the magic I find with you!