[a witty title that has nothing to do with food but everything to do with our week]

this post is part of my 31 Day series. here is the beginning

Thursday was a weird day. I guess my mind needed some time off because it seemed to be missing all day! The weather was gor.geous. Crisp and bright. Ollie and I went for a nice long walk in the morning, then after nap we explored Discovery Park with Uncle Jordy and his new lens. It was so nice and relaxing. Exactly what I needed but I didn't even know it.

Friday was grocery shopping day. I felt a little overwhelmed because I needed to plan for a week's meals + company! But Ollie was very helpful by keeping a list as we strolled up and down the aisles. ;) And once I had 'groceries' crossed off my to-do list, I felt much better. 

Friday evening Camillo and I went on our first dinner date in 14 months! Oh my goodness, you guys. It was blissful. I ate my own dinner without having to feed someone else. And Camillo and I got to talk and visit the whole evening. Just the two of us. *sigh* After dinner, we walked a couple blocks to Bluebird IceCream. I got Phantograham (graham crackers and chocolate, yum!) and Camillo got Elysian Stout. It was supposed to be a beer flavor but he didn't really taste it..Thank you Julia for a grown up date night!! (and here's to more on a regular basis!!)

Saturday Caroline and Maria flew in to Seattle!! The two kidlets are only 5 months apart and they are getting along SO well. They follow each other around and are constantly giving each other hugs and kisses. Cutest thing ever. Ollie is working on saying Maria but it comes out sounding more like Aria! hehe, He loves his friend Aria, too :) I finally got to bake some cookies, too. Did you see that?! Caroline loves them so I might have an excuse to make them again before she leaves. I'll be sure to send a couple all of them home with her ;)

I'll do my best to keep up with my daily posts but please forgive me if I miss [another] day or two. We have family here through the end of the month and we want to cherish our time together. That might mean no blogging for this mama! You can be sure there will still be plenty of eating though ;)

xoxo
Joy

Vanilla Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies

this post is part of my 31 Day series. here is the beginning

The long awaited cookie recipe! I finally got my cookies today and they are so good. I found them here a couple months ago and have made them way too many times since. But did you hear me? They're so good. 

Vanilla Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

3.4 oz package instant vanilla pudding

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 bar dark chocolate, cut into small pieces

Cream butter and sugars. Mix in dry pudding package, eggs, and vanilla. Next, baking soda, salt, and flour. Finally, stir in chocolate chips and chunks. Drop on parchment paper covered pan, about an inch and a half apart. Bake at 350* for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy with a nice, cold glass of milk!!

xoxo
Joy

Chocolate Chip Cookies (Or, The Lack Thereof)

this post is part of my 31 Day series. here is the beginning

So I get home from my photo shoot this afternoon, right? And I'm all, like, 'Woo! I'm gonna make the chocolate chip cookies I've been waiting for all week!' Open the fridge only to be reminded that we used the rest of the eggs for family breakfast yesterday!! Dang. It. You guys, I'm only eating sugar once a week, on the weekends, and I've been looking forward to these cookies for seven days. HOW did I forget to pick up some eggs today? Tragedy.

That means I don't have any pretty cookie pictures for you. You'll have to wait another seven days. But in the spirit of sharing sweet treats with you, go ahead and look through my Pinterest board of delicious goodness that I'm totally gonna make someday. Enjoy!

xoxo
Joy

{Delicious} Healthy Pumpkin Bread

this post is part of my 31 Day series. here is the beginning

Would you guys believe me if I told you I've never tried a Pumpkin Spice Latte?! I know. What's wrong with me? I lovelovelove pumpkin and stock up on it during the holiday season so that I can bake with it all year. Like this pumpkin bread. I searched for a healthy version months ago when I was craving something pumpkin-y. This recipe only calls for 1/3 of the sugar that others call for, and has oats in it, too. I don't feel so bad eating it any time of day, even for breakfast! Add a bit of cream cheese frosting (and maybe a Pumpkin Spice Latte?!) and you've got yourself a delicious, healthy treat! Enjoy!

xoxo
Joy

Coconut Banana Bread // A Saturday Sweet Treat

this post is part of my 31 Day series. here is the beginning

I kind of love banana bread. And by kind of, I mean with my whole heart. It's something my mom used to make a lot when we were kids and it reminds me of my childhood home whenever I eat a toasted slice spread with peanut butter. Yum!

This recipe was adapted from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. Instead of using white flour, I used whole wheat flour. And instead of regular cooking oil or butter, I used a half cup of coconut oil! Oh man, it was so moist, and had a sweet, subtle coconut taste. You gotta try it! Here, I'll tell you how to make your own batch:

Coconut Banana Bread

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cup bananas, mashed (about 5 medium)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil

Turn the oven on to 350*. Grease the bottom of one 9x5x3in pan, or two 71/2x31/2x2in pans. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. Set aside.

For the wet ingredients, I whip out my NutriBullet! This helps get the bananas creamy and combine everything super smooth. No NutriBullet? Try this with your blender! Either way, just do a couple pulses, so the eggs don't get too whipped up. Or, you can totally go the traditional route and mash with a fork ;) Once it's smooth, add to dry ingredients. Stir just until everything is moistened, not too much.

Spoon batter in to pan(s) and bake for 55-60 for 9in pan, 40-45 mins for 71/2in pans.

Now, the recipe says to wait until the next day to serve but I can't usually wait that long so..what the heck. Grab a spoon full of peanut butter and have at it!

I hope you like the coconut oil substitute! If you make your own banana bread, I'd love to hear how it goes!

xoxo
Joy