Banana Bread Bars

I totally meant to post this yesterday, but yesterday didn't really go as planned because Friday night didn't really go as planned. We spent the early evening hours in "tornado mode," and watched as another one tore through the OKC metro. I was about to go to bed when there was banging on the door. Generally, banging on the door late at night doesn't mean anything good. Especially in a storm. Turns out, the creek by the house was just about full (we were seriously flooded out in June 2010). So then, we had to switch to "flood mode" (basically get everything that's important and below waist level up higher). Got that done, went out to check the creek, and it was still rising, the rain still falling. Decided it would be better for me to take the dogs and go, just in case. Most terrifying drive across town ever. Anyway, nobody got sleep and the water got up into the yard and driveway before it finally stopped raining. SO thankful the house stayed dry! I really would rather not spend another summer on flood clean-up. I finally went to bed around 0730 on Saturday, so I missed the 0900 wedding I was planning to go to. Then, I had to spend the afternoon putting things back. I had a great evening though! I got to go to dinner and catch up with a friend. And also do Yoga-X. Love. 

Now...Banana Bread Bars...

At one point, my Pinterest feed was flooded with a recipe for Banana Bread Brownies from omg! I Love to Cook. I resisted repinning them for a long time, but it eventually happened. As luck would have it, there was a potluck last week and we had several bananas and sour cream that needed used up. Perfect. I decided to call them "Banana Bread Bars" because they remind me of the Applesauce Bars I've made, except, of course for being more banana-y. Also, as delicious as they are, they don't remind me of a brownie at all...but that could be because I only make gooey, fudge-y brownies. In reality, it's probably more of a "banana bread sheet cake," but that's not as catchy.  

Bottom line-- Delicious. Like the mentioned Applesauce Bars, I think they get better (more moist) with a little time...so you can definitely bake them 2-3 days in advance. Also, it's unfortunate that you could not smell these baking. So good. It's too bad the little brother wasn't around to try one. He would've been so excited that I did not make them "healthy." 


Banana Bread Bars

Ingredients:
Bars
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs
3-4 ripe bananas, mashed
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt

Frosting
1/2 cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3-4 TBSP milk

Directions:

• Heat your oven to 375 degrees and spray a 15x10 jelly roll pan with non-stick cooking spray. 
• In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar. Add sour cream, eggs, bananas and vanilla; beat. Add flour, soda, and salt; beat gently until combined. 
• Spread batter evenly into baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown...or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• While that's baking, heat the other stick of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Let it turn a delicate brown and then remove from heat.
• Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Whisk together until smooth. The texture should be thicker than a glaze, but thinner than your average frosting. 
• Using a spatula, spread the warm frosting over the warm bars. If one or both are cool, you are going to have a really difficult time...good luck. 

Enjoy!

Dig Deeper

The name says it all. It is quite literally the most insane workout I've ever done. I originally started the program last fall, after finishing round 2 of P90X-2. Probably 2 weeks into it, I was bored and made the unfortunate decision to do the splits without being warmed up. Let me tell you, when you can hear and feel something inside of you literally tearing, it's a horrible feeling. Bad choice #2: I thought I could just work it off. Yes, I tried to continue doing Insanity for another week doing modifications (ex. one-legged burpees). I finally decided that wasn't going to work well, so I got it checked out, and I surely had a 2nd-degree tear. AKA "it's not bad enough to be surgical, but it's going to take some time to heal, and will probably never be the same." So I was banned from running, jumping, lunging, squatting to just upper body and a stationary bike. (Also PT.) It was a great day when I got permission to hit the elliptical (which I would normally hate). Probably the first week of January (the injury occurred during Thanksgiving break), I decided I could handle Chalean Extreme. I did some modifications at first...but I started having problems again. So I tried something crazy. I went to see a friend who does "healing touch" therapy. I will be completely honest. It is totally weird. It also totally works. I have no idea how or why, but it's amazing. My hamstring has been doing GREAT since then!

I ended Chalean Extreme right before heading to Mexico for Spring Break. The day I got back, I restarted Insanity. The first month was definitely challenging, but generally the workouts were just about 40 minutes (and probably 10 of that was stretching). I was like, "Yeah, I can hang. I got this." The program's "Rest Week" happened to be my graduation week, which was excellent timing. I had gotten into Zumba a couple of nights a week as well at that point (which is REALLY crazy). Then I started phase 2. Let's just say it's a really good thing I could not make it to Zumba during phase 2 (just too much going on). The first workout, you realize that now your workouts are 60 minutes long, and there's less stretching time. I was like, "What have I done?" If I wasn't such a 'stick-to-the-schedule' person, I may have actually quit. However, by the end of the week, I was feeling a lot better about it. By the time it was over, I was actually kind of sad about it.

Breakdown. It is INSANE. If you don't like working out or haven't worked out, I wouldn't recommend starting here. You must ENGAGE YOUR CORE in every workout, which I love. Seriously, you only do an "ab" workout 1-2 days a week, but you most definitely work your core every single day. On that note, on ab days, I liked to do the ab workout before the big one. Because after cardio conditioning, my first thought is not, "Hey, wouldn't it be great to do insane abs right now?" Don't feel like you have to keep up with them. They take breaks. Modify to keep moving. You'll get there. Know that the workouts are longer in phase 2. Be prepared to sweat like never before. Wear a heart rate monitor! Doesn't have to be super fancy, but I do recommend one with a chest strap for accuracy. I liked doing X2-Yoga on my rest days. Totally optional. Just always #DigDeeper

BSN, RN

What a week it has been! I don't even know where to begin. I guess the biggest news is that I am officially Catherine Crowder, BSN, RN!!! I am a little bit excited about this, in case you couldn't tell. It is very encouraging that everyone I graduated with has been able to pass the NCLEX (so far). I know I couldn't have done it without them, some pretty great professors and clinical instructors, and, of course, the mother (who is also a nurse). It is pretty ironic that I've ended up where I have. If you had asked me in middle school if I was going to be a nurse like my mom, I would've laughed in your face. But here I am! And I'm so excited about doing pediatric nursing! Love those kiddos. 

Now, that I know I have for sure passed the NCLEX, I will tell you that I was a complete wreck on Tuesday when I took the test. There's really no words to describe it. I pretty much always very calm and collected. I don't get nervous about tests. That morning, I woke up, worked out, showered, painted my nails, got ready, and then it hit me. This is it. Like I have no plan B if this doesn't work. (Although the mother thinks I could be a trainer because "you like working out and telling other people what to do"...uh, thanks?) I made it to the testing center with time to spare (I don't recommend that), got all checked in, got to my station, and started the test. I think the first couple were easy. But I got to one point, and was like, "I have no idea what is happening anymore." Thank goodness I was able to start back at Zumba that night!  

My advice on taking the NCLEX would be to do LOTS of practice questions. I wouldn't worry about content. There's literally no way to know what you're going to get. 

In other news, I finished up Insanity and have started Combat, complimented by Zumba. Party. Because the only thing better than one workout a day...is more than one! The brother ran off to Maui for his senior trip without me. Joke is on him...I cleaned out his room...you don't even want to know. Let's just say he's no longer allowed to take food back there. Today, I finally got the chance to head down to Moore, OK and help with some of the cleanup. The video coverage and the pictures don't do it justice. It's just incredible. 

So...coming soon:

• {Workout Review} Insanity
• Banana Bread Bars
• Spicy Italian Chicken 

Portobello Flatbread Panini

I'm initiating "Meatless Monday" at our house. I know it's Memorial Day, and we should be eating lots of meat and other things. But, in all honesty, I don't know how being thankful for those who've died serving and protecting our country equates to having a grill fest. I'm pretty sure that is not what this holiday is about. So, I made some super delicious portobello flatbread panini. (Which, I guess, did technically involve a "grill"...but it's still not your typical Memorial Day cheeseburger or hotdog.) The mother and I thought they were great. The brother went out with a friend tonight...I asked him if he was going out because he found out about Meatless Monday. He said, "Are you kidding me right now? What is with all the obscenity in this house?" Lucky for me though, since I now have, what would've been his dinner, for my lunch tomorrow. 


Portobello Flatbread Panini

Ingredients (for two):
2 large portobello mushrooms
1 sweet bell pepper (red, orange or yellow)
1/4 medium-large white onion
1 oz goat cheese
2 Lavash whole grain flatbreads 
Seasoning to taste--sea salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and basic
EVOO and balsamic for drizzling    

Directions:

• Heat up your George Foreman grill.
• Slice onion and bell pepper and place on grill, drizzling with EVOO and sprinkling with seasons. Grill for about 10 minutes, making sure they don't get too soft and lose their crunch. Set aside.
• Place the whole mushrooms on the grill, drizzling with EVOO and sprinkling with seasons. About 5-7 minutes in, drizzle the balsamic over the mushrooms and continue to grill until done. 
• Meanwhile, get out your flatbread and crumble up the goat cheese onto one side. 
• Once the mushrooms are done, slice them and place them on the flatbread along with the pepper/onion mix. 
• Fold the flatbread in half and place on the grill for about 3-5 minutes.

Enjoy!

(Note: you could do the peppers, onions and mushrooms on the grill at the same time, if you have one that's big enough...)

Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

I made these sweet things for breakfast on Saturday. They can be relatively healthy, though lacking considerably in protein. They are pretty tasty, and the recipe is really versatile. Lots of options. The original is from Shopgirl. I did change some things up, making it a lower calorie version. Swapping oil for applesauce, "real" brown sugar for Ideal brown sugar, and "real" fruit syrup for Torani sugar-free raspberry syrup. Terribly processed, I know... You could just as easily make the recipe more natural by using coconut oil, pure cane sugar, and agave, respectively. Adding a little flax would probably be nice as well. If you don't have homemade fruit preserves handy (which I don't), I recommend Bonne Maman or something similar. 

Bottom line: these are really easy to make and very tasty. Everyone liked them. They would also be great as a sweet little snack. Take the basic recipe and run with it wherever you want!


Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup light brown sugar (or substitute of choice)
1 egg
1/4 cup honey
5 TBSP oil (or substitute of choice)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup fruit preserves
1 TBSP fruit syrup (or substitute of choice)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
• In a smaller bowl, whisk together the egg, honey and oil. Add to the dry mixture and mix well.
• In a small bowl, mix the fruit preserves and syrup.
• Place about 2/3 of the granola mixture in the prepared baking pan, making sure to press it into the corners and patting it down so it bakes evenly. Spread the preserves over it evenly. Top it with the remaining granola mixture.
• Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until you can see the preserves bubbling and the topping is golden.

Enjoy!

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Along with everything else happening on Monday, the brother informed me that I should make something for him to share with his jazz band class. He decided on lemon poppy seed muffins, which are his favorite kind. I probably should've just done the processed box kind. It would've been easier, and I knew the homemade kind wouldn't be the brother's favorite...but I don't really count that as baking. And, I needed to legitimately bake something. That or workout again. And considering it hurt to move my arms and laugh and move, baking seemed like the better option. 

The verdict? The mother said they were the best real lemon poppy seed muffins ever. The brother said he (and most of his friends) prefers the processed junk (which really doesn't taste much like the real version), and "they're a little dry." I thought they were decent. They have more of a "real" lemon flavor and a heavier texture than the boxed variety. You can easily separate the top from the bottom without crumbs going everywhere. (This is important to me because I like to eat the bottom first...same goes for cupcakes.) 

Alterations...I used plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. I did keep the refined sugar and white flour because I didn't want to totally freak the kids out. Honestly, next time, I would go half-and-half on the flours and do 1/3 cup of honey instead of 2/3 cups sugar. I could get really crazy and switch out the butter for a fruit puree (ex. banana or apple). Maybe add a little coconut oil.


Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Inspiration from Luscious Confections

Ingredients:
2/3 cup sugar (try 1/3 cup honey)
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (try 1 all-purpose and 1 whole wheat)
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla
1 tsp lemon extract
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled (try fruit puree) 
2 TBSP poppy seeds 
Organic milk (if needed to get desired consistency)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a 12-cup muffin pan with liners. (If you spray the liners with non-stick cooking spray, they will peel off the muffins beautifully.)
• Add the sugar to a large bowl. Grate the zest of the lemon into the sugar. Mix until it's evenly distributed. Add the rest of the dry ingredients. Mix together.
• In a separate bowl, mix the lemon juice, yogurt, eggs, vanilla, lemon and butter. 
• Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir gently to combine (don't over mix). The batter will be pretty thick and a little lumpy. You may add a little milk to the mixture if you like. 
• Divide the batter into the prepared muffin pan.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tops are slightly golden.

Enjoy!  

{Ranch} Greek Yogurt Baked Chicken

What we had for dinner last night certainly isn't big news. In fact, I don't know that I would've made dinner if I hadn't already had the chicken out, thawing. Yesterday afternoon, I was glued to the news. I felt so helpless as I watched what is being called "the largest tornado in the history of the United States" destroy the town of Moore, OK, just 24 miles south of our house. It has been heartbreaking to watch the coverage and see the devastation and loss. It has been especially hard for me to not be in the middle of it helping. I am so thankful for the way Okies come together in times like these to take care of each other. It's truly something special. I am amazed by the outpouring of support and prayers from people across the nation, across the world.

Back to dinner... This has to be one of the easiest meals I have ever made. It was also delicious. The brother loved it, which says a lot...he seems to be really picky these days. I thought teenage boys just ate anything, but apparently not. Anyways, the chicken would be great for those times when you need to take a meal to someone else, have last-minute company, or just something quick and easy! Seriously, it's great. And healthy. 


{Ranch} Greek Yogurt Baked Chicken

Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless natural chicken breasts (thawed)
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan 
1 TBSP Ranch dressing mix (click the link for a homemade version)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
Spray your baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Place chicken breasts in dish.
Combine yogurt, parmesan, and ranch dressing mix.
Spread the yogurt mixture over the chicken breasts.
Bake for 45 minutes or until chicken in cooked through.
Enjoy!