Banana-Peacan Streusel Bread Pudding

4 med. ripe bananas, mashed (1 1/3C.)
1 12-oz. can evaporated milk
3 beaten eggs
1/2C. sugar
1Tbsp. vanilla
2tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 to 1/2tsp. almond extract
2 lrg. (5oz.) croissants, cut or torn into 1in. pieces (about 5C.)
1/4C. packed brown sugar
2Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1Tbsp. butter, melted
1/2C. chopped pecans
whipped cream, ice cream, or light cream

Preheat oven to 350F. For pudding, in a large bowl stir together bananas, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, 1tsp of the cinnamon, and almond extract. Place torn croissant pieces in a  lightly greased 2-qt casserole dish; pour egg mixture evenly over croissants. Press pieces into egg mixture to moisten.

For streusel, in a small bowl combine brown sugar, flour, butter, and the remaining 1tsp. cinnamon. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle streusel topping over croissant mixture. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until slightly puffed and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand about 30 minutes. Serve warm with chosen cream if desired. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

280 calories per serving

This is my goal! To start on Monday and do until Christmas

The Insane Workout

90 minutes/4x a week

Warm up: 10 minutes on cardiovascular machine (treadmill, stationary bike, etc) at a medium pace.

Abs: 50 crunches, 50 bicycle twists, 50 hip raises

Strength Circuit: Use weights to work on arms, chest, back, and lower body. Bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, and fly exercises and presses.

Abs: 50 crunches, 50 bicycle twists, 50 hip raises

Strength Circuit: Use weights to work on arms, chest, back, and lower body. Bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, and fly exercises and presses.

Abs: 50 crunches, 50 bicycle twists, 50 hip raises

Strength Circuit: Use weights to work on arms, chest, back, and lower body. Bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, and fly exercises and presses.

Abs: 50 crunches, 50 bicycle twists, 50 hip raises

Back to Cardio & Abs: 30 minutes of jogging on treadmill or elliptical machine

Abs: 150 crunches, 150 bicycle twists, 150 hip raises (Do each 3 times)

Yup that’s a total of 1950 ab exercises…how else do you think you will look hot?!?!?!

Last but not least…STRETCH! And maybe take a yoga or pilates class on one of your off days.

Something that still totally makes my day is what Matt posted on his Facebook wall a while back.

"My wife is my #1 hero! Stay at home mom of two by day and college student by night. All while running her own photography business. Damn what a woman she is!"

I feel so loved and appreciated now! I haven't felt this good in a long time! It's good to know he notices all of the hard work I do.

Matthew,

I do see you making changes. Thank you! I love you so much and am really happy to see you wanting to make a change. I am so proud that you are showing us how much you want your family around. I know that I have a lot of insecurities right now and am grateful that you are so patient with me. I can see many changes in you and I can see a better future for us. My trust for you is slowly coming back. I am happy that you are becoming more honest and open with me. Even though the truth will hurt, it is the only thing that will heal our marriage. I love you.

Love,
Amber

Baby Food 10+months

Look for Baby Love book on Amazon!

Strawberry-Banana-Pineapple Soup

1 1/2 lbs. fresh or frozen strawberries
3 bananas
1/4 pineapple
1 cup water

1. Remove the strawberry stems and then wash the berries. Slice each banana in to 4 to 6 pieces. Cut the pineapple into berry size chunks.

2.  Put everything into a 4-qt pot and cook, covered, on high for about 6 minutes, stirring once. Carefully pour the mixture from the pot into a strainer with a bowl underneath to save the juice.

3. Pour the cooked fruit into a blender. Puree until smooth using 1/4 to 1/2 cup juice to adjust consistency.

4. Pour into two ice cube trays and cool. Wrap, freeze, and defrost cubes as needed.

Yield 3 1/2 cups

Information provided by american baby magazine.

Magazine Hoarder

I have magazines galore. I thought it would be a great idea to just blog the information I found interesting  and then throw away the magazines. This is proving to be harder than I thought.

I am reading through the magazines and ripping out the articles that I like. Now I have loose paper lying about! I have already started blogging some of the articles but am coming across more loose articles from former magazines that have been stored away.

I will continue this process because I know that I will feel much better when it is over with. In order to continue this process I have given up reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. It was proving to be a time consuming read for me. In other words, I couldn't get into it.

Baby Mobile

Here is the mobile I plan on making to put over the changing table. I already bought pink, purple and yellow flowers. They're not the same as the ones in this blog but I think I can make it work!

A simple skirt

Here is a skirt that I would love to make for myself.

Wordless Wednesday

Homemade Chai

Growing up, I loved going down to the gas station where my mom worked and getting a hot cup of chai. I hope this is as good!


2 green cardamom pods lightly crushed
1/8 tsp. black peppercorns
2 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1. 1 1/2 inch piece fresh ginger , peeled and thinly sliced
2 C. water
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 bags black tea
3/4 C. reduced fat milk

1. Bring spices, ginger, and water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer until liquid becomes aromatic, about 15 minutes. Whisk in sugar, then add tea bags; turn off heat and let steep 3 minutes.

2. While tea is steeping, warm a serving pot by rinsing several times with hot water. Strain tea mixture through a fine strainer or a coffee filter into pot. Heat milk over medium heat until just simmering. whisk until frothy. Pour into serving pot, stirring well to combine.

Apologize

Make your apology bigger than the crime. Don't attempt to diminish your mistake by offering a lame apology or excuse. You'll only make matters worse.

Instead of saying: "It's not a big deal" "I didn't mean it" of "You're overreacting"

Try: "I made a big mistake" "I never should have done/said that" or "I should have known better"

Admit your real wrong. The superficial part of a mistake (missing dinner, a careless comment) is often a symptom of a larger offense. A good apology reveals that underlying issue by using the word "because".

Instead of: "I'm sorry I forgot about our dinner plans"

Try: "I'm sorry I forgot our plans because it was disrespectful of me to cancel at the last minute."

Never say "BUT" This one word can sabotage your apology. It's a disguised effort to deflect blame ("I'm sorry for forgetting about dinner, but you should have reminded me").

Use your words, not your wallet Nothing can replace an honest, heartfelt apology. Giving your partner flowers or another gift in lieu of an apology can come off as a bribe. The gift says you're sorry but doesn't show that you understand what you did wrong. If you want to give a gift, do it later- it'll be much more appreciated when it's given without strings attached.


Information provided by whole living magazine. 

Brushing Baby's Teeth/Gums

Until the first tooth arrives, make sure to rub a clean damp cloth over gums at least once a day. This will not only insure clean, healthy gums but also introduce your baby to an oral cleaning routine.

Once a tooth pops through, put a pea sized dollop of fluoride-free training toothpaste on a finger brush. Glide finger brush over the gums as well as both sides of his tooth. To rinse, swipe a wet cloth over his teeth and gums.

After molars pop up, use a soft bristled brush with training paste. Start with his uppers, brushing in a circular motion from the front teeth to back and then chewing surfaces on top. Repeat on bottom teeth. Use a wet washcloth to rinse.


Information provided by american baby magazine.

Things I Would Love to Make!

• Peeps bunny bunting
• Wallflowers  for baby Madilynn's room
• Butterfly Pillows (really just want one)
• Jersey Knit Bracelets
• Cute Skirt

Oh and Tipnut has a post about fabric flowers!

Will put up pictures of the wallflowers once I put them up in Madilynn's room.