Happy Saturday - Banana Flapjacks

It's finally the weekend again! I'm looking forward to some studying but more importantly I'm hoping to hit a trail or two with the pups. I haven't had time to surf the web this week (finals are approaching) so I thought I'd share a recipe for Banana Flapjacks in case you're craving a hearty Sunday breakfast. This recipe is originally vegan, I just didn't have all the ingredients for the Vegan version.

Banana Flapjacks

(Recipe from Vegan Brunch, all vegan substitutes will be in parenthesis.)

2 very ripe bananas
2T canola oil
1/2c milk (almond or rice)
1/2c water
2t  apple cider vinegar
1T honey (pure maple syrup)
1c all-purpose flour
2.25t baking powder
.25t salt
.25t ground cinnamon
.25t nutmeg
.25t allspice

Gather your ingredients, my dad swears by the measure before you start method and I use it when I've never tried the recipe before. 

Mash your bananas in a large mixing bowl.

Add in the oil, milk, water, vinegar and honey (maple syrup). Then add in the flour, baking powder, salt and spices, continue breaking down the bananas until there are little to no lumps.

Add in your extras - we (Brittany and I) used chocolate chips but both agreed that we used too much. When I make these again I'll only use 1/4 of a bag. Preheat a large skillet or pan over medium heat. "You'll know the pan is hot enough by adding a drop of water - the water should dance around the pan, but the pan should not be smoking." Spray the pan with non-sticking spray then add 1/4-1/2c batter to the pan. 1/4c will give you pancake stacks size and 1/2c will give you flapjack size.

Because of the banana base you'll want to cook them for 3-6 minutes on each side. 

While your pancakes are cooking, take this chance to cut up your favorite fruit.

And prepare your favorite side dish.

Cover your finished pancakes with foil to keep them warm while your cook the remaining batter.

Enjoy!

Pup Love

I bought the babies some new shirts, I couldn't help myself.

Luke Skywalker, A Fireman, and A Sombrero

"I am often accused of being childish.  I prefer to interpret that as child-like.  I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things.  I tend to exaggerate and fantasize and embellish.  I still listen to instinctual urges.  I play with leaves.  I skip down the street and run against the wind.  I never water my garden without soaking myself.  It has been after such times of joy that I have achieved my greatest creativity and produced my best work."

~Leo F. Buscaglia, Bus 9 to Paradise

I am a firm believer in the ideal that you should frequently revert to a child-like manner. Children don't have the limitations adults put on themselves. I do agree that there is a "time and place" and that as an adult responsibilities need to be dealt with, with class and tact. But there is something to be said about letting go of inhibitions and reverting to the power that children have to create and let free. It's vital that we let ourselves "play", it is an opportunity to relax. This doesn't mean that you have to make mud pies or paint your face (although, if you want to go for it!). Someone once told me "I'd rather take a ride on my motorcycle or rent a hotel room than built a fort in the living room" and that's a valid point. You don't have to "play" in the same manner as a child, you just need to play. 

Granted, Brittany and I did play as children for a while Saturday night. We decided that we deserved a study break and we were going to take the rest of the evening off as a reward of our studiousness. Our child-like activity? Kicking it with the youngest of my baby brothers (six) and playing dress up with him. Afterward we reverted to the twenty-something year olds we are and hit the bar. Where we spent the night laughing until our sides hurt and dancing to Irish music.

Sombrero

Justin Bieber

Luke as Luke Skywalker

Firewoman

The Lorax

On our traditional dad-daughter "date night" last Friday I surprised him with tickets to see The Lorax. (and to celebrate Dr. Seus' birthday!) He read me The Lorax thousands of times when I was a child, generally a few times a night (mom's you know what I'm talking about.) The graphics were outstanding and the characters were quirky. I recommend it! Note it does accentuate the political statement that corporations are greedy and bad throughout the movie but especially in one scene about the greed of the oncler. After the movie my dad and I grabbed some cold pizza and chatted about it. Do you live close enough to your parents to get together with them? If so I would suggest a once a month get together sans other people. It has brought my dad and I closer together.

I also tried out a yellow orange eye makeup combination that turned out pretty rad. Yes, I did have to make this face to show off the makeup.

And a bonus outfit picture.

Coffee

This is what I have had the pleasure of staring at for the last 6 hours and for at least 10 hours before my 10 hours of work today... 

About to get my 2nd cup of coffee today, which is a big deal since I don't typically consume coffee but 2 hours of sleep last night is not enough to solely sustain me for the remainder of the math I have to get through. these Vio packets are perfect for late nights when all the coffee shops are closed.

P.S. The best part of any given day:

Katy Perry Photoshoot - The Reveal

2 weeks ago I had a fabulous photo shoot for my birthday and today is finally the day to reveal the photos! If you missed it, you can read about the balloons here, cupcakes here, and misc. fun here.

Sean Gumm of Sean Gumm Portraiture took the photos, he is a personal friend and genius behind the camera. He makes you feel so comfortable and relaxed. If you're in the Seattle area and looking for a photographer, he's your man. (Thanks Sean!) 

PS There are a lot of photos, so I won't add individual descriptions.
Have fun guessing what was going on.