A Year of Changes

I've made a lot of changes this year.....changes for the better.  I finally decided it was time to get healthier. I changed my diet, started exercising and found THRIVE (more on that in later posts).  I surrounded myself with a fabulous group of ladies and we're all on this journey together.  I couldn't have done any of this without them.  I've gone from a two nap a day couch potato to completing two 5K's with 3 more scheduled. 

My first 5K was the GLOW RUN with my bestie Jessica.  We were so nervous, but we just went for it.  We did so much better than we expected and I was so proud of us.

Jessica and I at the GLOW RUN 2014.

Picking up my packet I was thinking, "What the hell am I doing!"

My second 5K was the Survivor Mud Run.  Talk about craziness!!  There were 5 of us and I think we all ended up with mud in places that were completely inappropriate.   But it was an absolute blast and we've all committed to doing it again next year.  I can't wait.

We made it!!  From left to right: Jessica, Kerri, Rachel, Me and Kim.

The tutus Kerri made almost survived!

Yes, that medal is now hanging in my car.

Thank you to all my fabulous "gal pals" for making this journey so fun!! I can't wait for all of our future shenanigans.

Balsamic Chicken (slow cooker)

One of my all-time favorite recipes!  So easy and delicious.  Making it tonight for dinner!

Balsamic Chicken (slow cooker)

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

So, I decided to do a blog and share my misadventures in baking, painting, crafting, cooking and life.  What better way to start than with a baking recipe!  Whenever I'm feeling sad, stressed, happy or basically any time, my go to is baking something yummy.  It's not so good on the waistline of my hubby and I, but I just can't help myself.  Below is my hubby's favorite bread recipe.  I hope you enjoy!!

Oh, and if you're feeling extra sassy, you can add a little glaze on top.  Super yummy!

For Glaze:

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

3 Tbsp milk (more if desired)

1.  Mix milk into powdered sugar.

2.  Add more milk, if necessary, for your desired consistency.

3.  Drizzle over bread while it's still warm.

 

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

Ingredients:

For the bread:
• 3 over-ripe bananas, smashed up
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• dash of salt
• 1 1/2 cups flour 
For the swirl:
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 Tbs cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter and four a loaf pan or use Pam baking spray. My pan was an 8x4 but you can use any size you prefer.  Just make sure to adjust the baking time.
2. Mix bananas, butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla together.  Sprinkle baking soda and salt around on top of the banana mixture. Then gently stir in flour. Be careful not to over-mix!
3. In a small dish, mix together the sugar and cinnamon for the swirl.
4. Add 1/2 of the batter to the loaf pan and then sprinkle 3/4 of the cinnamon-sugar mixture all over the batter in the pan. Add the rest of the batter, and then sprinkle the leftover cinnamon-sugar on top.
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes, but remember, if you’re using a different-sized loaf pan, be careful and keep a close eye on it!