Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip "Muffins"

I have to start off by saying these are the healthiest muffins I have come acrossed... they are basically a bowl of oatmeal baked in a muffin tin and they are DELICIOUS!!!!

I got the recipe from Pinterest (seriously an addiction... but that's a whole other post!)

Here's the link to the website w/ the recipe itself.

Banana Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Cups

3 cups Old Fashioned Oats (I used quick cooking)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 egg whites
1 whole egg
1 1/4 cup milk
2 mashed bananas
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (you could also use raisins, dried cranberries, etc)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist a muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Combine oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl and stir until mixed well.
3. In a seperate bowl, whisk together egg whites, egg, mashed banana, milk and vanilla. Add mixture to dry ingredients and stir until blended together. Mix in chocolate chips.
4. Use measuring cup to pour mixture evenly into muffin tin. Bake 18-22 minutes or until oatmeal is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

These things are freaking DELICOUS! I definitely want to try different variations... apple cinnamon comes to mind =)

What’s been going on lately…

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been keeping busy working, exercising, being a mommy, prepping food to stay on top of my healthy eating habits, etc.

Here are some pics……

There you have it... what's going on in "real life" around here!

I will be posting some healthy recipes seen here soon! =)

It's been awhile.......

To say the least!

I know, I know... I have been gone WAY too long. I really miss blogging, its been SO hard to make the time to sit down and take the time to write posts and take/upload pictures of what's going on... but I really want to get back into the swing of things. I am sure there is a lot of technology out there making blogging easier, I am going to look into it!

So... what's going on?

SO MUCH! Busy life, as usual... being a working mommy, fitting in workouts, getting into food prep, studying for my NASM CPT Test............. Never a dull moment around here!

I am happy to report I have scheduled my CPT test for MAY!!! YIKES!!!!!!! I can't believe I actually have a date. I am studying every night, I bring flash cards and printouts to work to study on breaks, I bring the iPad to the gym to study while I do cardio a few days a week. I am DEFINITELY serious about this and it makes me happy knowing I am taking the steps I need to, to make this dream come true. It might not seem like much to some, but health, fitness and nutrition have been a part of my life for YEARS... it's absolutely a passion of mine. I feel happy and motivated to make this happen for myself... even if I don't have much time to put it to use right away, I am going to put myself out there and really TRY. It scares me and makes me smile at the same time. It's going to be much more work than I have going on right now and it's not deterring me at all. I know this is what I need to feel complete in my professional life. I want to help others feel good about themselves and live happy, healthy lifestyles. I also want to teach my daughter that type of lifestyle is "normal" and I want it to come naturally for her by following my example.

Lately I have had close friends tell me I "inspire" them. I inspire them to get eat healthy, prep food so they aren't left running through the drive thru when they are starving, to workout and love themselves. There is NO greater compliment I could recieve than knowing I am an inpsiration to anyone, ESPECIALLY my friends and family and I am a part of the reason they are making these positive changes in their lives. I am 100% here for them if and when they need me and I love it!

In the future, I hope to take some nutrition classes as being a personal trainer doesn't give me the "ok" to create diets for people... but the least I can do is NOW is become more knowledgable to give advice in that area and maybe one day persue a Registered Dietician degree. One step at a time, we will see!

For now, I am happy to say I feel HAPPY with the direction I am heading! It feels good and I am so motivated.

This just happened...

I am so excited! I finally bit the bullet and ordered my NASM personal training certification study materials!

Yay!!!!!!!! *insert squeeeeaaallllll here*

Sometime within the next 180 days I will become a certified personal trainer!!!!!

Wish me luck, I could use it being as I already need more hours added to my day ;)

I can't wait to get my materials and start studying. I feel like I'm finally taking the steps I need to in filling this hole and lack of fulfillment in my "day job". Don't get me wrong, I'm not planning on up and quitting my job, lol I'm not crazy... I just feel like its something I need to do for myself. I don't have much time to cook and workout and blog about it like I want to, but this is something to light a little fire under my booty and get moving in the right direction!

Stay tuned!

Baked Cranberry Brie

I made this Baked Cranberry Brie the first time for a little impromptu wine party I had with a few of my girlfriends… I found it on Pinterest! (I LOVE PINTEREST!)

It was so easy to make and everyone absolutely loved it! I’ve made it twice for parties since then. It’s definitely a crowd pleaser!

Toasting the pecans

The maple glaze

MMMMMMM!

The finished product! It would also be really good with a baguette or pita chips!

Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

I started making Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake… gosh, it had to be over 5 years ago. I found the recipe on the Food Network site and everyone has been raving over it and requesting it ever since.
This cake is NOT healthy, by any means, but it’s well worth the splurge!

Sorry, TOTALLY spaced on taking a pic of the end product with Cool Whip before inhaling it!

Two words - Spaghetti Squash

I am loving this stuff! I haven't done anything exceptional with it, usually I just season it up with olive oil, salt and pepper, roast it in the oven for about 30-45 minutes, break up with a fork and/or tongs and viola!

I'm the only one that will eat it in our house, so there's always tons leftover. I like to sauté onions, bell pepper, baby spinach and a chicken sausage and throw it on top... Sometimes I add spaghetti sauce or feta cheese too. So good and good for you.

I've been seeing some recipes for spaghetti squash on Pinterest that I'd like to try as well... Spaghetti squash and zucchini bake... Yes please! That recipe includes pasta sauce and mozzarella! So versatile!

Here are some of my recent "creations"...