Banana Chocolate Cornmeal Cookies

You will never believe it, Burlesquers: I watched 5 episodes of Bones last night. How is that possible? 200 minutes of sustained tv-watching?!

Okay, admittedly, I’ve been very good with my time: getting up at 6 am, at the gym by 7 am, showering and having breakfast by 8:30 am, and at school by 9:30 am. I then stay on campus til 5 or 6 and come home, and just relax! Despite having a flexible schedule, I do enjoy structuring my day like a 9-to-5 job. I am able to come home and not worry about my work (as much), which has been revolutionary for me, really. To reward myself for getting back to the gym and being so productive, why not watch an insane amount of episodes of my new favorite show?? I earned it! Plus, two of the geeky supporting characters, Angela and Hodgins, just went on their first date (I am only on Season 2), and I was beyond excited to see the episode. (I love fan-made stills and videos…they’re too funny!)

from Fanpop.com

****Side note: what is it with me and loving strange and/or geeky characters? House, Sherlock, Bones, and Castle are my favorite shows right now, and they all involve some sort of science, detective work, romance, and…..geeks. And I usually think these geeks are incredibly good looking (cough cough Castle, House, Hodgins! cough cough). Come on! Dreamy, right?

from telechimp.com

Maybe it’s because I’m in graduate school and see some of these “types” in real-life action?  Try mingling at a grad student party—the awkwardness alone makes me laugh! (Not that I’m any better….. I tend to giggle and become excitable when I’m nervous! I have to constantly work on being “serious”!)

Anyway, I wanted to enjoy a dessert with my tv craze. But I wanted something different. And I still needed to use up a Jiffy Corn mix and a banana pudding mix in my cupboard. How about putting those two together to make a fun cookie?! Behold, the absolutely delightful Banana Chocolate Cornmeal Cookie!

Banana Chocolate Cornmeal Cookies

Yum!

These cookies look and taste just like a normal cookie, except they’re made from a jiffy corn mix, which gives them an interesting texture! The pudding mix, butter, and banana kept the dough moist, and all the ingredients together made a wonderful banana chocolate cookie!  These cookies were eaten by multiple friends of mine and gone within a day. (I might have had 4 of them, too….)

I think you could do other fun combinations with this recipe, like trade out the banana for strawberries! Or even add in nuts, like a pecans. Mmmmm! Delicious! Enjoy!

Banana Protein Pancakes

Hey Burlesquers! I am refreshed! I am rejuvenated! Maybe it was from all those Cinnamon treats healthy eats and play time this holiday weekend? (In my dreams I’d be having fun on the beach with these fun-looking ladies!)

from “Miss Riot” blog (photographer unknown…I think this was taken at Shelburne, VT state beach?)

But, but seriously, I am feeling better, and I am now fairly certain I became sick after improving my diet, exercising, and losing a few pounds. (That probably seems contradictory, right?) I thought so too, but this ALWAYS happens to me. Every time I’ve made too drastic of lifestyle changes (even if its to a more healthy, limited diet or exercising 5 days a week), I get sick. This makes sense though. Your body is initially thrown off course by any changes (good or bad!), and your immune system lowers…hence, me getting a cold! Sigh. I can never win.

I wanted to start fresh today though, and I made a special healthy breakfast for myself. How about Banana Vanilla Protein Pancakes by PB Fingers (blogger)?

Peanut Butter Finger’s recipe (a very cute, healthy lifestyle blogger, by the way) includes oats, egg, mashed banana, protein powder, vanilla extract, and cottage cheese, which makes for a very healthy pancake! I only made slight changes: I added lots of cinnamon (of course), a smidgeon of honey, greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese, and I used oat flour instead of blended oats (she uses an immersion blender to grind the oats in her recipe).

I really liked this recipe! The “pancake” turned out moist and chewy—different from a regular pancake, but just as good and even MORE filling! Four hours later and I am still not hungry! Kind of amazing, actually. These pancakes would freeze well if you made a large batch, and if you don’t have protein powder, just substitute with an equal amount of oat flour, wheat flour, white flour, or even fiber powder. If you don’t have oat flour but would like some, you can actually make your own by grinding oats in a food processor. (Oat flour has a more mild, sweeter flavor than wheat flour.)

Hip hip hurray! Easter in May! Chocolate Banana Bites

Today is Day 2 of my writing marathon. I have a third draft of my prospectus due this Friday, and my advisor told me that I need to get a basic outline done. In fact, he is convinced I should just turn in a final sketch of something soon…. because my project will probably change later anyway.  He said, “And if the other members of your committee don’t approve your prospectus, I will lay my body down on the table and refuse to leave til they do.” I love my advisor. Who can say no to that? Looks like it’s you, me, and my computer today, everyone.

Yet another Elvgren pin up, “Joan”

To make my loooooong afternoon go by a little quicker, I thought I should do a project of some kind, as a break from work. Hmmm, how about transforming leftover Easter chocolate into something delicious? Ron had gone on a cleaning craze and was going to throw these leftover chocolate Easter bunnies out. They’re not the best quality chocolate, and they’re also milk chocolate (him and I prefer dark chocolate!). But I insisted we use them up—who throws away perfectly good chocolate?? No way!

(I know I know, my breaks always end up being associated with chocolate and sweets! But I can’t help it! I’m a creature of habit! Plus, I’m always looking for healthy, yet decadent, sweet recipes for myself. I want to try to live a fun but healthful lifestyle, which means lots of wholesome, good-tasting fare.)

These bites are super easy and fun to make, especially if you have children. You can dip them in sprinkles or “Jimmies”, as New England folks call them. (I swear, I had NO clue what Jimmies were. I only figured out that Jimmies were sprinkles when I went to a donut shop and saw a Sprinkle-covered donut, which they called  a Frosted Donut with Jimmies.) You could also dip your frozen banana bites into toffee, graham cracker crumbs, granola, coconut, or nuts, like chopped pecans or peanuts, mmmmmm! If you only have milk chocolate on hand, you could try melting that with extra unsweetened cocoa powder and/or add extra dark chocolate (to add more cocoa solids and fats). I did this, and my melted chocolate then became a semi-sweet chocolate (as shown). If you find your melted chocolate clumping (usually lower grade chocolate has less cocoa fats, which means it doesn’t melt as well!), add a half tbsp of butter or cream to thin and smooth out the mixture. Enjoy!

Hello, chocolate banana bites! You’re delicious!

On-the-Go: Peanut Butter and Banana Granola (with greek yogurt in a jar)

Hey all,

Today is a writing day–which is perfect for me– because it’s also a rainy day.

Caillebotte, Rainy Day 1876

I LOVE rainy days! Maybe it’s my nostalgia for northern California and San Francisco, or maybe it’s because I hate hot weather (give me sweater-weather, please), but either way, I love staying inside and feeling cozy on rainy days.

Speaking of cozy, I decided I needed to save money on greek yogurt by buying it in bulk (via the larger tubs) and making DIY on-the-go yogurts. Greek yogurt is an expensive food addiction of mine, and I need to cut corners where I can. I thought about how to make the bulk sizes more convenient and in individual portions (and individual flavors!) that I can still take for a quick snack or meal…….and ah ha! Greek yogurt and fruit in jars with granola to-go!

My cozy little yogurt and granola jar!

(Healthy) Banana-Almond Mug Muffin

….And I’m back! (No more sleepy Mondays!)

As part of my jump-start for this week (and inspired by Modern Home Economist’s healthy lifestyle post), I am trying to exercise and be more conscious about what I’m eating. I felt in the dregs after my sugar rush birthday (with no sleep), and lately I’ve had less energy because of recent weight gain. (I took some seriously stressful exams recently: try to imagine 4 college professors in one room examining me/questioning me on 400 books to certify me as an “expert” for my dissertation. This involved tons of studying, less sleep and exercise, and a whole lot of stress.) I am now eager to get back to my healthy routine and feel good again!  (Love this vintage vegetables ad! On Rush Select Vegetables, F.H. Hogue Co.)

Of course, every healthy routine needs a quick-and-easy healthy breakfast, right? I just created a couple of breakfast recipes that I want to share: one sweet, one savory. I will, of course, share the sweet recipe with you first (did you expect anything less?). I think you all will love this (Healthy) Banana-Almond Mug Muffin.

My easy Banana-Almond Mug Muffin with tangerines and pistachios on top.

Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Cookies

Every on-the-go lady or gentleman needs a good travel snack, right? How about (healthy) Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Cookies? I am using (and changing a bit) blogger Georgia’s Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola bar recipe from her handy cooking cite, the Comfort of Cooking. (Photo of Georgia’s sweet idea: homemade granola bars.)

I adapted Georgia’s recipe into Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Cookies, substituting her pumpkin for a mashed banana (that’s what I had on hand!), cutting down the sugar (because bananas sweeten more than pumpkin), adding natural peanut butter for more protein, and pressing the granola into the bottoms of a muffin tin for a more cookie-like shape (I was too lazy to cut them into bars, whoops).  These are delicious enough (and healthy enough) to be eaten as a snack or dessert. And you know how I love my dessert. You can also leave out the chocolate for simply Peanut Butter and Banana Granola bars. That would be a healthy fix!

My Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Cookies, yum!

Breakfast Sundae: Greek Yogurt with Warmed Banana-Oat Crunch

Hey all! It’s another lazy Sunday!

I decided to not partake in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations last night because I still have a bit of a cold (congestion, yuck!). Plus, I am just itching to get healthy and get back to the gym! Because I’m constantly reading, writing, and teaching as a graduate student, I get NO exercise in my day-to-day routine. I have been trying to start a new workout routine, and this cold really de-railed my efforts (3-4 times a week for 45 minutes).  That’s ok–with all my resting, I think I can jump back in the saddle by this week! Hurray.

This morning I wanted something a little decadent. How about a breakfast sundae? I decided to eat greek yogurt with warmed bananas and a toasted oat topping (crunch)! The topping is somewhat like a fruit crisp topping, but healthier. I use minimal butter (or margarine/light butter), a smidge of honey spices, pecans, and fake sugar (stevia or splenda) and simply toast in a pan. I also warm the banana with vanilla, cinnamon, and pam, which makes this yogurt sundae even more delectable. Healthy dessert for breakfast! Do you all have any good quick tricks to make something boring (yogurt) into a delicious treat? Do tell! And happy eating!

Breakfast Sundae

Ingredients:

1/2 cup lowfat greek yogurt

1 cut up banana

1/4 cup of oats

1 tsp butter and a spray of Pam

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp honey

1 tsp of vanilla

a spoon full of pecans (or any other nut on hand)

1 shake of Cinnamon and Pumpkin pie spice

A few dark chocolate chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

Combine oats, spices, honey, nuts, and sugar. Warm the butter and pam in a small sauce pan, and add the oats mixture. Toast on medium heat just for a few minutes. While cooking, put your greek yogurt in a serving bowl. Top yogurt with warm crunch mixture. In same pan, add the sliced banana, vanilla, more cinnamon, and heat for 2 minutes, allowing for some of the banana’s natural sugars to carmelize. Top your sundae with the bananas, and top with a small drizzle of honey.