Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I love banana bread. It is no secret. In fact, I love bananas baked in just about any form. Banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and frosted banana bars anyone? They make whatever they are baked into so dreamy and creamy and perfect. I usually stay true to tradition and make my mom's recipe every time I make banana bread, but this last time I was missing some vital ingredients and so I decided to mix it up and make my own. My mom isn't much of a fan of spiced breads, but I sure am; I was sure to add both cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as a bit of cloves to this loaf. I also decided to use brown sugar and leave out the vanilla. And of course, this girl must have chocolate. My old recipe was good, but this one is perfect. Yes, my food reflects me. And it is delicious. Next time you've got some super ripe bananas lying around (I always do, I like them that way), give this bread a try before they go bad. 

And you'll have to excuse the fact that I don't have a picture of the full pretty loaf; this was a late night baking whim and the lighting was terrible (and we couldn't wait to dig in). These are the delicious remnants the next morning. 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, makes one loaf

3 very ripe bananas
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup organic unbleached flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup melted butter or margarine or butter substitute
1 beaten egg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt and ground cloves
1/2 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Directions: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare a loaf pan by coating it with cooking spray. In a large bowl mash the bananas thoroughly with the back of a fork until no large clumps remain. Add the melted butter, brown sugar and the beaten egg stirring thoroughly with a wooden spoon or spatula. Slowly add in the flour while stirring the mixture at the same time; once the flour is combined into the mixture, add all the spices and baking soda. Finally, stir in the mini chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and level the batter out by placing the pan on the counter and gently shaking it side to side. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

xx Enjoy with a cup of coffee or a warm chai latte.

30 Days of Truth: Day 1 | Something You Hate About Yourself

Of all the prompts in the 30 Days of Truth challenge, this first one may actually be the most difficult for me. I wish it wasn't, but we're aiming for honesty here. And maybe this first one is the most important one then. Because I am my biggest critic and I shouldn't be.

If it were a bad day and I was asked to write a list of what I hate about myself, I'm afraid that list might be quite a bit longer than you would expect. My anxiety would be up near the top of that list, but I'd probably also include things like my shyness, my fears, silly mistakes I've made, my need for control, etc. If I was having an okay confidence day, I may just list my anxiety and leave it at that. But truthfully, the first scenario may be more common. And anxiety may be what's to blame, because it does eat away at me and make me even more critical. But I don't like simply blaming my anxiety for things and then just dismissing them by telling myself to learn to live with it. I'm frankly tired of using that mentality with myself and, in so doing, inevitably blocking my own growth.

So, I guess above all else, I hate how critical I am of myself. Being highly critical creates an infinite amount of self doubt. It keeps me from trying things from fear of failure. It allows for a false sense of entrapment to rule above everything else. It makes happiness a constant internal struggle.

Here's the thing, you don't have to have your life together at 22. You don't have to have your life together at 35. You don't have to ever have your life together. Because what else is life but messy? Whoever has everything together? Be okay with not knowing what is around the corner. You are allowed to make mistakes. It is perfectly okay to drop everything from time to time when you can't handle it anymore. You can start all over again just because you feel like it. You don't owe success or happiness to anyone but yourself, and you get to define what those mean to you.

30 Days of Truth

I stumbled across Amber's blog Stages of Gold recently. This girl is so lovely and inspiring, be sure to check her blog out. I've decided to take on her writing prompt challenge 30 Days of Truth. It is, simply, 30 days worth of writing designed for the purpose of self reflection to approach complete honesty with yourself. I am taking on this task in the hopes that reflection on these topics will lead to self discovery, if not just better understanding of myself. If I am to complete this, in no way will it get done in 30 days. I will shoot for completing one prompt per week until completed, but they may end up spaced out even more than that. Join in with me if you'd like! Below I have included the full list of writing topics (you can also see them here) that I will update and link to each post as I complete them (you can also find them linked on the personal posts page).

Prompts:
Day 01 : Something you hate about yourself.
Day 02 : Something you love about yourself.
Day 03 : Something you have to forgive yourself for.
Day 04 : Something you have to forgive someone for.
Day 05 : Something you hope to do in your life.
Day 06 : Something you hope you never have to do.
Day 07 : Someone who has made your life worth living for.
Day 08 : Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.
Day 09 : Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.
Day 10 : Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Day 11 : Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
Day 12 : Something you never get compliments on.
Day 13 : A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)
Day 14 : A hero that has let you down. (letter)
Day 15 : Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.
Day 16 : Someone or something you definitely could live without.
Day 17 : A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.
Day 18 : Your views on gay marriage.
Day 19 : What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
Day 20 : Your views on drugs and alcohol.
Day 21 : (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Day 22 : Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Day 23 : Something you wish you had done in your life.
Day 24 : Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)
Day 25 : The reason you believe you’re still alive today.
Day 26 : Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?
Day 27 : What’s the best thing going for you right now?
Day 28 : What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?
Day 29 : Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.
Day 30 : A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

I am so excited to participate,  look for my answer to the first prompt tomorrow!
Read more about Stages of Gold's 30 Days of Truth here.

Weekend Wears: Sunday Picnic

My outfit details shirt: H&M kitty skirt: H&M (not online) oxfords: UO a few years ago sun hat: Target a few years ago Will's outfit details shirt: Target (similar) shorts: Old Navy shoes: TOMS

Will and I went on a bit of a spontaneous little picnic yesterday. Once the idea popped into my head I was obsessed with it and planned on making a gourmet selection of quinoa salad and fresh fruit and veggies and cheese and wine. I pictured us on bikes, cruising about through the park. But when 5:00 arrived yesterday and we had been so busy all day, you know, relaxing (read blog work/reading and WoW playing) I wasn't much in the mood to make even a quinoa salad. Because we were both starving. But Will didn't want me to miss out on a picnic I had so badly wanted, so we hoped in the car, grabbed some super classy (but delicious, come on) Subway, and headed to the river. We parked in the park and walked around until we found a relatively (there were lots of people floating the river) quiet spot in the shade to eat. Our bike ride turned into a nice casual greenbelt stroll. We saw lots of cute pups, which made me feel guilty for leaving Pippin home, and it wasn't even too terribly hot! I mean, it was hot, but I didn't die :)

I'd like to start an outfit series, of sorts, here. I'll be sharing a peek at what I'm wearing when we're out doing things on the weekend. I may lure Will into the picture from time to time as well; because he's really adorable and likes to dress to match me. Everyone probably thinks we're gross. In addition I'll share with you where my pieces are from. This will be easy this first time because most of what I am wearing I acquired recently. But truthfully, I do not add new clothes to my wardrobe very often. I'm picky and only buy things that are a good deal and that I really love. I'm also the type to hold onto something special until it falls apart. Some items in my closet I have had since I was a freshman. . . in high school. Others have a great story behind them; you have been warned.

I am also entering H&M's 50 States of Style contest! Could you be so lovely and vote for me? If you have instagram you can like my picture here. You can also vote for me by finding my picture here, just scroll down until you see the sort by options then select State and then Idaho. Thanks, dear.