Some friends told us how their two-year-old son has this curious habit of standing in his crib in the evening, talking to himself about his day. He prattles about daycare, lunch, toys, friends, etc., and his parents hear it all through the baby monitor from the next room. He can only fall asleep after concluding the daily recitation.
The image of this little boy chattering to himself in bed brings a smile to my face, partly because it's adorable and partly because I get it. I, too, like to mentally play the "high, low" game, noting the highs and lows of each day.
For example, the Memorial Day weekend 2012 edition of the "high, low" game looked a little like this:
Highs -
Road tripping with my husband
Catching up on This American Life and Fresh Air podcasts
Playing even more games of peekaboo with my nephew
Brunching with the ladies at my cousin's bridal shower
Lows -
Waking up entirely too early
Getting stuck in traffic
Coming a little too close to breaking my nose*
*I posed for this photo exactly 24 hours before literally running into a glass wall. I'm fine, just a little bruised and sheepish.
These are a mouthful in a couple of very good ways. Here's what happened:
We've been really busy for several months, which is why it's been fairly quiet here. So, when I finally had the opportunity to bake (and a hefty, four pound supply of strawberries), I couldn't decide on just one direction. While I'm a minimalist in a lot of ways, this recipe doesn't seem overcrowded. It really works.
The bars make mouths happy with a soft, chewy texture; gooey chocolate; hints of peanut butter and banana flavor; and decadent (but not really) strawberry topping.
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Peanut Butter Banana Bars
(inspired by Peanut Butter Fingers)
2 ripe bananas mashed
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup canola oil
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1/4 cup white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips (I used a mixture of semi-sweet and dark chocolate.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8x8 pan with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, mix together bananas, peanut butter, oil, brown sugar, egg and vanilla.
Prepare dry oats by placing in a food processor, and pulsing until oats are broken into smaller pieces. In a separate, large bowl, whisk together oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add banana mixture, and stir until combined. Then, fold in chocolate chips.
Spread evenly in prepared pan, and bake for 30 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil, and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Served topped with roasted strawberries (see below).
Makes 16 bars.
Printer-friendly version
Roasted Strawberries
(inspired by Shutterbean)
Prepare as directed. I used the balsamic vinegar version (rather than the balsamic reduction version). Since the strawberries reduce down quite a bit, I'm planning on doubling the recipe next time.
I'm surrounded by amazing moms (my own, my mother-in-law, my sister, and my sister-in-law, to name a few).
They make my heart feel very full. It's not enough, but I still have to say it: "Thanks, ladies."
P.S. - Don't forget to call your mom.
I'm still collecting healthy, easy-to-pack, mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack ideas. Recently, I've been fighting the low blood sugar shakes with colby jack cheese sticks and bananas, but I'm excited about swapping in these treats. They're very similar to lemon energy bars, but amazingly even easier to throw together, with only three ingredients. They're chewy, nutty and lightly sweet.
Walnut Date Snack Balls
(inspired by Peanut Butter Fingers)
30 pitted, California dates
2/3 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup raw walnuts
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor. Roll handfuls of the mixture on a hard, smooth surface. Store in the refrigerator.
Makes 13 - 15 balls
Printer-friendly version
What are your healthy, go-to snacks? I'm always trolling for new ideas.
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope you too are lucky enough to have a mother that keeps you stocked with holiday-themed aprons. Tying on a fresh, holiday apron is one of my favorite rituals. Tomorrow, I get to pull out the Easter apron.
Today has been full of...
...tea (some hot, some iced)
...reading
...laundry
...All Things Considered
...libraries (one familiar, one new)
...eBook downloading
...driving
...trying out an online photo editor
...green
*Please bear with me, as I'm feeling a bit rusty. I anticipate some stretching and shuffling as I ease back into this space.
