Baking Tip: Bananas

I am always throwing out bananas since they get ripe so fast so here's a great tip.

Mash up the ripe bananas and freeze them in a small Tupperware. Use them to make smoothies or defrost them and use them for baking banana bread, banana pie, banana muffins or my new favorite banana cupcakes.

Happy Baking!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day is a day to remember all of those who have fought and continue to fight for our country. Join in for a moment of silence at 3:00 pm on Memorial Day. May we continue to keep those who fought for us and those who lost a loved one in our prayers!

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Joseph Campbell quotes

Set Goals to Change Your Life Quote

"Goals allow you to control the direction of change in your favor." Brian Tracy

Fun Memorial Day Facts

As Memorial Day is approaching I thought it would be fun to post some facts:

•  Memorial day was first celebrated on May 30, 1868. It was observed by placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers during the first national celebration. *
• Memorial Day is the 2nd most popular holiday for barbecuing. Fourth of July ranks in at #1.**
• Red Poppy flowers are worn on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. Moina Michael was the first one to start this.***  

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day Everyone!!!

*http://www.purpletrail.com/partytrail/featured_memorial_day/what-is-memorial-day-history-facts

**http://www.hpba.org/consumers/barbecue/fun-facts-about-barbecue

***http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

RIP: Robin Gibb, Bee Gees

Robin Gibb, with the Bee Gees, passed away over the weekend so I thought it would be fitting to post my fav Bee Gee songs.

Feel Good Song: Styx - Come Sail Away

Depend on Yourself Quote

“Enjoy everything that happens in your life, but never make your happiness or success dependent on an attachment to any person, place or thing.” Wayne Dyer

Great Side Dish: Lentils & Brown Rice

I've been on a kick with eating Middle Eastern food and one of the side dishes was lentils and rice. Of course this is not as good as the restaurants but still makes a great side dish.

Lentils & Brown Rice Recipe:

• 1 cup of dried lentils
• 1 cup of brown rice
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Saute onions, set aside. Boil a pot with water, add bouillon cubes. Add 1 cup of rice. Let boil for 20 minutes (if you use white rice you do not need that long, brown rice takes longer to cook) Add lentils to rice in pot cook until lentils get soft. Add sauteed onion to pot and let simmer all together.

Perfect side dish to serve with chicken kabobs and hummus!

Enjoy Today & Everyday Quote

“The days are long, but the years are short.”  Gretchen Rubin

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Everyone! I always loved my mom and appreciated her but never fully understood what she really sacrificed for me until I became a mother of my own. I am grateful for my mother and grateful to be a mother. Cherish your mother and cherish the gift of being a mother. Being a Mom is the hardest yet most rewarding job! Enjoy your special day!

“There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one” Jill Churchill

Feel Good Song: Beautiful Flower

Great Friend Quote

"A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." Elbert Hubbard

Question of the Day...

When was the last time you did something nice for yourself, not for your husband or significant other, not for a child or a friend, but for yourself? We are always running around and focusing on making others happy and yes when my family and friends are happy then I am happy but really think this question through....

When was the last time you truly did something nice for yourself?

Trust Quote

“Never trust a man who can dance. ”  E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey

I just stated reading this book and it is amazing!

Feel Good Song: P!nk Sober

You Guide Your Happiness

"Happiness isn't guided by how life is, it's guided by how life could be!"

Words to Live By!

Time Flies...Baby Girl School Picture

The saying "time flies when you're having fun" is the perfect saying for the how I feel about my lil one. She has this amazing way of not only making me feel good but everyone around her. I remember the day I found out I was having a girl, I always thought I would have all boys, so when the ultrasound tech said girl 100 things went through my head; proms, weddings, boyfriends, laughs, tears etc...

Being a girl, I know how much work we can be, but my lil one is different. She loves sports, yet loves to wear dresses, she laughs at the silliest things, makes me feel good when I am down and is so smart with an incredible imagination. She is social, loves music, loves to paint and acts like an adult at times. I feel she is the best of my husband and me. She is the "product" of both our best qualities. At times I joke I don't know where she came from because she is just so happy and smart and full of sunshine all the time.

Now she's in preschool and I received her school pictures today and it really hit home how big she is getting, how fast she is growing up, and how blessed I am to have her. She's an amazing little girl and I wish I could freeze time and keep her this little forever.

 My lil munchkin

Feel Good Song: Journey- Love Will Find You