Banana Muffins

Try these healthy banana muffins. My kids love them.

5 ripe bananas

1/4 cup canola oil

2/3 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

2-1/3 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 F

Lightly oil or paper-cup muffin or mini-muffin pan

Stir together fork-mashed bananas, oil, honey and vanilla

In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and baking soda

Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and blend

Spoon into muffin cups

Bake until golden brown - 20-25 minutes (or 8 minutes for mini-muffins)

The cake store woman said it was easy....

In a moment of insanity, I decided to bake the cake for little boy's birthday tomorrow. A cake with fondant, no less. Damn! What have I gotten myself into? I can't bake. I've messed up slice and back cookies before.

Within the past half hour, I've googled "how to line a circle pan with parchment paper" and "which kitchenaid mixer attachment should I use for cake".

The cake is in the oven now. This post is keeping me from peeking and compromising the heat distribution of my oven. I'm on pins and needles.

Sometimes, I wish I was the mom who would plan a party at a park with grocery store cupcakes and a bag of balls and be done with it. I'm not that person. Sadly, I will never be that person.

Stay tuned....

Simple, yummy, healthy goodness

Let me tell you about my favorite delicious side dish. It's as simple as roasted veggies. You pick the veggies you like. I love red onions, red peppers, cauliflower, asparagus, mushrooms (portobello or crimini) and zucchini.

Chop them up and toss them in a bowl. Mix in a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and dried oregano. Pour them out on a baking sheet and throw them in a 450 degree oven for 40 minutes. The veggies caramelize and the are so delicious. I originally got this recipe out of a Weight Watchers cookbook. This is a ONE point recipe. Granted I usually eat the entire batch so it probably comes out to 4 or 5 points. But it's definitely a tasty way to get your veggies!

Hosting a dinner party?

Cold beaches and Disney

We've returned from our chilly Florida vacation and we're back to the reality of school, work, laundry, etc. While away, Mr. PaperCourt and I were able to leave the boys with my mom and escape to the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande to celebrate ten years of marriage. TEN YEARS...that seems so long yet has gone by so quickly.

The Gasparilla Inn is the quintessential old Florida preppy hotel. No jeans are allowed in the public spaces of the hotel after 6pm during the "social" season. Seriously, this place is amazing, even in the cold weather.

We also surprised the boys with a trip to Disney. It was crowded but fun. And dare I say, as a Florida native, that I prefer Disneyland. I like the smaller park and the proximity of the hotels. The people watching at Disney is priceless. I've had my fill and won't be back for a few years.

Now we're on to the celebration of my baby's 4th birthday. Party details coming soon....

Dear Mother Nature,

Dear Mother Nature,

We need to chat. You see, we planned a mid-winter break vacation to Florida to get out of the cold. Now the weather channel is informing me that it's going to be cold on said vacation. This vacation also includes 2 nights away from the kiddos at a fabulous hotel on the beach. Sixty degrees isn't going to allow for much beach time.

I understand that it's El Nino but you need to whip things right back to how they should be. And hurry up...we leave tomorrow!

Thanks,

PaperCourt

Substance

I apologize for the lack of posts these days and the lack of substance when I do post. I'm shocked at how busy I am. Between my business, exercise, school volunteer stuff, church volunteer stuff and mothering, I'm tapped out.

I'm hoping things slow down soon but I'm beginning to think this is how it's going to be for the next 14 years.

Let the cooking begin

Do you have a child who loves to cook? How about planning an "Iron Chef" party for their next birthday? This is an invitation for a very lucky almost 9-year-old's upcoming birthday complete with coordinating aprons for each of the two cooking teams.

(folded piles of aprons - 7 of each design)