Banana Crumb Cake

Holy Crap, I decided to go back to writing and here I am again today. I am glad I got my head out of my butt and started moving forward.

TODAY is the THREE Year BLOG anniversary. I really think this is what completely motivated me to start writing again. I was trying to decide what I was going to do with this site. There is so much I have to say. AND all of you are such a wonderful audience.

I had no 3 candles. Unbelievable..

I made cupcakes for a customer on Tuesday, and did not photograph with candles

I could have done something there.. oh well.. 

Last month I came across this recipe. I had bought a crate of single bananas and this recipe was perfect. We had overloaded on different smoothies, but these bananas were ready for baking. 

This recipe is a dairy free recipe. If you do not have Soy or Almond Milk, use regular milk.

The recipe called for a 10" springform pan or a 9x13 pan, I used a 10" square pan with foil. Whatever floats your boat. With the 9x13 pan, you can cut more pieces.

There is also Coconut Oil in the recipe. Oh had I forgotten how much I love coconut oil. 

Please do not skip the crumb topping. It really sets the cake apart from being basic. I think it made it delicious. If you do not like pecans, please omit. I LOVE nuts, so a few extra for me to munch on.

Banana Crumb Cake

adapted from bakerita.com

Ingredients

For the CAKE

2 cups all purpose flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 ripe bananas

1/2 cup coconut oil, room temperature

1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup soy or almond milk

For the CRUMB Topping

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1 cup chopped pecans (Optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If using a spring form pan, spray your pan with cooking oil and set aside. If you are using a square pan or 9x13 pan, Layer with tin foil, edges overhang, and spray with cooking oil.

In a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mash the bananas until smooth. Add coconut oil and beat until combined with no lumps, and then add the sugars, eggs, milk and vanilla extract and continue mixing.

Add in the flour, baking powder and salt and mix together. 

Pour banana cake mixture into your prepared pan. 

In the same bowl, prepare the crumb mixture. Combine in all ingredients and slightly incorporate for course crumbs. DO NOT over mix or you will just have a glob. 

Top the cake with the crumb mixture. Place in oven and bake. Bake until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. About 50 minutes. Transfer the spring form pan to a wire rack and let cool for about 15 minutes. And then remove sides. Or let the cake cool for at least an hour

2 ripe bananas and 1 very dark banana

I am bake cooking and baking with Coconut oil. Yummy

Mixing all the batter. 

It is a full pan. That is why a 9 x 13 pan will also work

The crumb topping. Rough Chucks, do not over mix

Ready for the oven

Out of the oven, cooling and we are patiently waiting to taste

Oh my.... this is an all year round cake.

Perfect for party, or just with lunch.

Fabulous flavors the melded together. 

ENJOY.

Tropical Green Smoothie

Happy Friday kids. It is a cold rainy day here. Some places nearby had snow flakes. It does not even feel close to May. Maybe March. It was SO nice last weekend and now it is UGLY. Under the comforter in bed kind of day. But, unfortunately, I have work to do and sides jobs to also work at. One of these days, I swear, I will have a nothing weekend. Nothing to do..... but then, I will find house jobs to do.... I am so lame. A shopping excursion or a beach day....

In the spirit of tropical drinks, I came up with this drink. I was scoping out the frig, looking for something different, and stuff that needed to be eaten. Went through my recipes and come up with a concept. My usual green drinks are light and cleansing. This drink is still a water base drink, (less calories) but it is thick. Fills you up without loading on the calories. Except for the 1/2 of Avocado, which really is not bad, this is a great drink to indulge in. Indulging in healthy drinks, REALLY, it is not like I am eating ice cream. Drink this every day if you want.

Pale green. Can you see how thick and delicious this drink is. 

OK, it is just delicious and yummy.

Tropical Green Smoothie

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup cold water

1/4 cup coconut 

1 frozen banana

4 dates, pitted

1/2 avocado, pitted

1 mango, pitted or 1/2-1 cup frozen 

1 squirt agave nectar

Ice if drinking immediately

Directions

Add water and coconut to your high power blender. Blend until smooth. (OR you can use coconut water) Add remaining ingredients in the order listed and blend for 2-3 minutes. Since my drink was going in the refrigerator overnight, I did not add ice. I would recommend if drinking immediately. 

If you wanted even more of a tropical feel, you could also add some fresh lime. 

This would give this drink a nice spin. None on hand, so maybe next time

Looks just like an avocado. 

Everything was so good in this drink. 

It took me a while to drink this drink. Slightly heavy, but not overwhelming.

SO, according to my phone, it is 40 degrees outside.

This drink is the closest thing to the tropics that I am getting.

I am going to buy some limes for more tropical drinks.

AND Hope for warmer weather. 

PIna Colada Oatmeal Smoothie

Last night as I was making a Green Cleanse for today, I was thinking about something different for breakfast. If you choose not to blend the crap out of it, it can be an overnight Oatmeal. I made a drink. Even though I make all these drinks, I still like easy. Long drinks are not my style. Taking an hour just to drink your breakfast is not my style.

This smoothie just jumped out at me. Probably because it has been raining all week. We are at unseasonable cold weather. Will it ever get warm. Today is May, I have flowers, but I am not buying anything until is warms up significantly. My Mother is suppose to come home from Florida this weekend. She is just going to go into shock. It will feel like the Artic Circle to her.

Pina Colada Oatmeal Smoothie
slightly from oatgasm.blogspot.com
Ingredients
1/2 cup Almond or Coconut Milk
1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
1/2 cup Pineapple chucks and juice
1/2 cup Oatmeal
1 Banana
1 squirt Agave Nectar
3 tablespoons shredded coconut

Directions
The NIGHT BEFORE, Place milk and chia seeds in high power mixer. Let set for 5 minutes. Mix for a moment. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix on high for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Place in glass or cup and cover. Place in the refrigerator overnight.

** If you want a more oatmeal feel to this, DO NOT place the oatmeal in the blender. Mix the rest of the ingredients, when done, add your oatmeal. Stir until completely mixed in. **

In the morning, you can eat or drink this cold or warm in microwave to desired temperature.

Breakfast at work this morning.

This is an awesome way to start my day

These are all easy ingredients that I have on hand

Sorry, the Chia Seeds did not make the main photo...

I had my milk and pineapple in the Vitamix, waiting for seeds

The seeds are IN. I stirred them in so that they could start to thicken

I should have used a larger to go mug. 

Another story of my life.

 Oatmeal Smoothie, Green Cleanse, Kombucha.

I will post a recipe for my tea. Next week, my second batch will be ready

Including a large cup of Tea, this is the start of my morning.

Have a great day. Tell me what you think of the Oatmeal.

Pina Colada Protein Smoothie

I SO went outside of the box..

This Protein Drink was delicious and so healthy for you. NO powders to fluff this up. Eliminate the crap people, lets move on and drink healthy. 

Chickpeas, or Garbanzo beans whatever you want to call them, they are loaded with protein and fiber. You will feel full for hours with feeling fat. I am so glad I stumbled upon this recipe. As with any smoothie recipe, modify to your liking. I like coconut and pineapples, you may not. use frozen berries, mangos, whatever is to your liking. With using the chick peas, this smoothie was thick. I also added Agave Nectar. (NOT photograph), I felt this recipe needed to be sweeter. Use Honey or Nothing. It is up to you. You can always add more milk to make this drink more liquidy. Up to YOU.

Pina Colada Protein Smoothie

The SNOW is finally gone. The flowers are just starting to bud. 

I am celebrating with a summer drink

Pina Colada Protein Smoothie

modified from thesmoothielover.com

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

1 frozen banana

1/2 cup chick peas

1 cup frozen pineapple

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1-2 cups of ice

1-2 squirts of Agave Nectar (optional)

Directions

Add all ingredients into Vitamix or high power blender, and mix until smooth. Drink up

These are not complicated ingredients. 

The Chick peas are near the kidney beans or black beans in the grocery store

My Husband and I really enjoyed these smoothies.

HE had NO idea there were beans in his fruit smoothie. 

I am just making him Healthier.

Carrot Cake Smoothie

For my Husband's birthday in January, I made a fantastic Carrot Cake. It is his absolute favorite. Sadly, his cake tasted fantastic but was not photo worthy. It was supposed to be a goose, but looked like the Loch ness monster. Things are funny sometimes. Embrace the slight bombs and move on from there

When I came across this recipe, I thought ... a delicious dessert for a meal in a glass. PERFECT for us. It is a heavy drink. You cannot slam this one. But, a great source for a meal replacement. And it is not loaded in calories or fat. A great treat that is not bad for you. LOVE it.

I made this smoothie last night. So drinks fall together quickly, this one had prep. It actually gave it time to bring the flavors together. So instead of a bowl of cereal, I had a "drink" this morning. I felt full for hours.

It was not a bright orange color. Kind of blah, but it tasted amazing

Carrot Cake Smoothie

adapted from dishingupdirt.com

Ingredients

2 cups almond milk

1 tablespoon chia seed

2 frozen bananas, peeled

1 cup carrots, slightly cooked & chopped

5 dates, pitted

2 tablespoons almond butter

1 cup oatmeal, old fashioned

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 shake of nutmeg

1 fresh ginger, nail size

1 squirt agave nectar

Directions

Place almond milk and chia seeds in blender to soak. Let sit for at least 5 minutes.

Peel and chop carrots. Place in bowl of water and microwave for 3-5 minutes. Softened. Not overcooked.

Drain water and let carrots cool. Place in blender. Add the rest of the ingredients in the order listed and blend away. 

There are also OPTIONS to add or place on top. 

~~ raisins

~~ coconut

~~ walnuts

This also made two large drinks. Do not let the glasses mislead you. It could be 4 medium drinks.

This is a full list of items. There is some prep work for this smoothie

Let the Chia Seeds soak in the Almond Milk for 5-10 minutes

Microwave the carrots for 3-5 minutes. 

I did these for 4 minutes. Make sure your blender is capable.

Since this was done the night before, I did not let me carrots cool completely. 

I really feel this drink benefits with sitting overnight. The flavors meld together

If I was funner, I would have place a carrot in the glass. 

Working on my photography skills. It is what you think of later on.

Loaded with so much goodness, I could go on and on.

WELCOME to March. Do some yoga and try a new recipe. 

Hopefully the weather will get warmer where you are at.

Chocolate Almond Smoothie

This is for my Husband. He is my taste tester. Yet allowed to comment, is not allowed to be critical. HUGE fine line. He usually crosses over, but most of the time he is right. He likes Green Cleanse, but wants more to his drink. He is a meat kind of guy. He is NOT on board with meatless Mondays. Good Lord.... I am working on it. He will eat his coucous and quinoa, but not meatless.

This smoothie is just about him, with a whole lot of Shayla involved. Not high in calories or fat and loaded with nutrients and proteins. It has a simple chocolate taste, with just the right flavors. This is pretty much my Husband. Not to fancy, but everything needs to look good together. I am his complicated fancy.

This was my glass. I had to make sure it was Perfect.

Chocolate Almond Smoothie

adapted by ME 

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

1/2 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder

1 frozen banana, peeled

1/2 Avocado

1/3 - 1/2 raw almonds

ICE

Directions

Place all ingredients in a blender in the order listed above. Blend until smooth. Drink up

I used Chocolate Protein Powder. Vanilla would have worked,

but since I have both. Why Not.

Frozen bananas and Raw Almonds

This reminded me of a Chocolate Milkshake.

Look at the swirls in the glass. 

Tasted Yummy also.

Husband Approved

Spinach Fruit Smoothie

I am almost Green. I know, I know, I really need to conquer this. Have I told anyone that I LOVE my VITAMIX. My friend Mary is just such a wonderful person. LOVE her dearly. She is radiating with love and happiness. And her styling is always spark tacular. That may not be a word, but if you know her, you know that I am correct. Mary is "the Life of the Party" in a great way. One of these days, I am going to give Mary a Vitamix class. She has not used hers yet........

This "Green" Smoothie was just delicious. The large amount of fruit gave it such a wonderful flavor. The spinach added so many vitamins and nutrients and such a lovely color. It was perfect for another cold snowy winter day. One of these days, it will be so nice and I will be forever OUTSIDE.  With all the crappy weather we have had, I have completed loads of Spring cleaning chores. That is a good thing, but just ridiculous way to spend a weekend.

Is that not a BEAUTY Queen.

Spinach Fruit Smoothie

made by ME

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

6 oz greek Yogurt

2 frozen Bananas

5-6 strawberries (can be frozen)

1/2 mango (can be frozen)

1-2 cups fresh Spinach

Directions

Place all ingredients in a high power blender and blend away. You can add ice if you want.

Basic ingredients you find in the Refrigerator

dripping with Delicious Flavors

I was totally digging the bubbles on top.

My own amusement

Healthy Mint Chocolate Smoothie

So, last week I rambled on about going green and getting Healthier. Well this smoothie is green and mostly healthy. It was Super Bowl Sunday and I was feigning for something BAD. At least it was not Margaritas and Pizza.  This was not bad and it tasted delicious. I was still out of my normal box for Smoothie Nation.

My Niece Gina does not like bananas or bananas in her smoothie. She may change her mind when she taste this one. This drink has a slightly thick, but it is not heavy to drink. The Avocado and Banana gave this drink a smooth consistency.  The Mint made it taste fresh and not some crappy Fast Food shake. Totally solved my sweet craving without filling me up with bad calories and no nutrition.

These are my cats. They are usually not on the counter top, but I was looking for a good shot.

It would have been nice if they wanted to participate and play along with me. 

Kitty treats solved my problem. Just like children, a little bribery once in awhile 

will get you the results you want.

(Black Cherry and Smokey)

Healthy Mint Chocolate Smoothie

adapted slightly from nourishandinspireme.com

Ingredients

1 cup almond milk

1/4 of avocado, skin removed

1 frozen banana

3 drops peppermint extract

1 tablespoon cashew butter or soaked cashews

1 handful fresh mint leaves

1/2 scoop of Chocolate Protein powder

Ice

Directions

Add all ingredients into a blended in the order listed. Blend away until smooth.

NOTE: A COUPLE SQUIRTS of CHOCOLATE SYRUP MAY ADD SOME FLAVOR

All ingredients are easy to find.
The fresh mint was in the Produce area near the Parsley and Cilantro
The Cashew Butter did come from the Health Store. But the last time I used it was
for my Cashew Butter Cookies featured on 7/17/13. Still delicious.
Everything else, I did have on hand

Black Cherry was giving it the look.
I do not think he like the straw

Kitty city, always curious. It is so much fun having a kitten in the house.
Smokey does make a nice prop.
(DISCLAIMER: My Husband did not like the cats on the counter around the food)

Cranberry Oatmeal Smoothie

I got ALL of my fruit servings in ONE drink today. Four fruits in 1 drink. WOW. This smoothie was not a slammer, it was a long drink. It was a meal. I loved it. It was very filling but not heavy. DOES that make any sense???

In February, I am going to focus a bit more on more healthy and lower calorie smoothies. (Not that the Oreo smoothie was not amazing) As January has gone on, I have been shifting gears. I want to focus on cleanse and types of meal replacements. Cleaner eating.

I have also been working on different recipes. I am trying to regularly incorporate sweet potatoes into our diet. They are loaded with so many good things and NOT loaded in calories.(we are not putting butter on them) Just to keep this blog happy, I still have some new cookie and bar recipes. That whole deal has not gone out the window. Just like smoothies, there are tons of cookie recipes for me to sample....

Cranberry Oatmeal Smoothie
slightly adapted from somethewiser.com
Ingredients
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup of Greek yogurt
1 frozen ripe banana
1 apple, cored and quartered
1/2 cup whole cranberries
4 tablespoons rolled oats
4-6 whole pitted dates
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Place all ingredients in a Vitamix or high powered blender in the order listed. Start slowly and increase power until smooth.

I let this smoothie sit overnight, you can drink immediately if you want.

Simple ingredients. 

The dates last a long time and add huge flavor to smoothies

These cranberries were from Christmas. 

There were one or two that were ugly, but they have a long shelf life

This delicious monster was AMAZING.

Forget the Fast Food Calorie Laden Nightmares, make your own.

This drink is not fattening.

Almond Chia Smoothie

As we are coming near the end of the month, Smoothie nation has not let up. I still need to do the green cleanse drink. Plus, there are many other combinations I need to try. I have enjoyed writing again. Being busy, makes me realize what I really miss. Most of these blogs have been light, but whatever. It is January. After a wild and wicked Fall and Christmas season, I am good with January. I have still been busy, but not crazy. 

My cabinets were cleaned out and organized. If you have not opened or used a spice in 10 years, THROW it away. You probably never will. May have seemed wasteful, but I have not used them. I like opening my cabinets and not seeing a bunch of misplaced stuff. 

This Smoothie was also something different. I made Almond Butter cookies last year. (featured on 8-7-13). When I came across this recipe, I knew there was nothing I needed to buy. All materials on hand. I really like Chia seeds. They are SO healthy for you. Loaded with good things. I can from a tapioca family, so chia seeds are perfect. This would be great for a meal replacement or after workout drink. 

Almond Chia Smoothie

adapted from theironyou.com

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup of Almond Milk

1 tablespoon Chia Seeds

1 tablespoon Almond Butter

1 med frozen Banana

1 scoop Vanilla or Plain Protein Powder

Directions

Place Almond Milk and chia seeds in a bowl, stir and let set for 10 minutes.

Pour Almond Milk and Chia seeds in the blender, add remaining ingredients in that order and blend.

ADD ICE if you want

My Chia seeds have been out more this month. 

The milk and chia seeds setting up.

Almond butter is STILL really good. If you are tired of Peanut butter,

give Almond Butter a whirl. It tastes SO good

Look at these gems, ready to go. This is one of my favorites.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Plain today. I wanted a Plain old smoothie. We are experiencing our second Polar Vortex. Does anyone remember a Year and a Half back. The Summer long heat wave. NO one would complain now. We have had a decent amount of snow, but it has been SO freaking cold. Even the people in FLA complain about the weather. This morning it was -13. It was like 30 in Anchorage Alaska. Crazy.

So baking is always allowed these days. Warm up the house. I have been baking cookies up a storm. I have four trays for this week. I believe with all of this cold, people have bailed on there New Years resolutions and quit exercising already. My Husband started his program last week. This past fall and into this year, he has had loads $$ of dental work done. So, consequently, due to not eating, and low snacking, he has only 10 pounds to lose. Which being a guy means he will lose it all in like two weeks. AUGH.....

Yesterday was my Husband's birthday. We had a small family party on Sunday. Chicken Enchiladas... and a Carrot Cake. I tried to make his carrot cake into the shape of a goose. It tasted fabulous, but looked like the Loch Ness monster. Everyone got a good chuckle. The lesson learned, there are still bombs, JUST make sure they taste great.

I made this smoothie for our Lunch. What I learned with this smoothie is that even if you add ice, with no frozen fruit in it, the smoothie will not be super cold. But on a -5 day, that is ok...

All the leafless plants, the snow, the grey skies and the VERY cold temperature

three simple ingredients. 

I went to Sams Club last Saturday. These strawberries were just delicious

My Husband and the youngest son at the birthday party

I was hoping to draw in a curious cat. No such luck.