When Life Gives You Overly Ripe Bananas…

make banana muffins?

Hello darlings,

I finally sent in my application for The Natural Gourmet Institute and am super excited for the summer. Can you believe we’re half way though May? Unbelievable. I also find it unbelievable that my hips are healing so quickly from physical therapy… Praise Jesus! I mean I’m not going to lie, I still have my bad days and lemme tell you, when I overwork myself my knees hurt like crazy. But this whole experience is teaching me to be even more patient, continue to pray and let time heal me.

In other news, last Friday my sister and I hosted a Zumba fundraiser to help donate money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.  Unfortunately Aria and I will not be attending the race in Virginia due to my hip and other commitments. But we still want to spread the word and find a cure for Crohn’s and Colitis sufferers!

I couldn’t make it through the whole class due to the weakness in my knees but, it was such a great turn out and the ladies loved it!

Oh before I forget, I made gluten free and vegan banana muffins!  The recipe can be found on my new foodography blog titled:  Photographed Before Eaten. From now on all my recipes and food photography will be posted on that blog. Enjoy!

-Jeffie

Happy May!

How is everyone’s spring going? I am THRILLED that it’s May! It is one of my favorite months, because it’s when the weather finally transitions into a warmer temperature. Yet today the weather has been a bit chilly and cloudy, and it’s been raining on and off. But isn’t unpredictable weather expected this time of year? I am also excited for May because it everything seems to be slowing down. April was kind of a busy month for me! I’m sorry for my absence and to make it up to you guys, I am going to share a yummy recipe:

Almond Butter Bars

These bars are perfect as a post workout snack for a quick on the go breakfast! They remind me a lot of the “Trail Mix” Kashi bars only they taste amazing and these bars are both dairy and gluten free! (This recipe was slightly adapted from here.)
5 cups crisp brown rice puffs
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup almonds
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1/3 cup cranberries
1/3 cup ground flax seed
3/4 cup brown rice syrup + ¼ agave nectar (I ran out of brown rice syrup!)
3/4 cup creamy almond butter
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt

In a large bowl, mix together cereal, nuts & seeds, cranberries, and flax. In a small saucepan heat the syrup and almond butter until it’s melted and blended. Remove from heat and stir in salt and vanilla, pour over the dry mixture. Mix together until fully incorporated and pour into a 9×13 baking pan, lined with parchment paper and press down evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (or longer), and then cut the bars into small squares. Enjoy!

Down Time!

Healthier, Happier, Jeffie will be going through renovations due to millions of typos and other grammatical errors in previous blog posts. Ugh, I am sorry my dears but I need to take the time to proof read and take my writing more seriously. With that said, I hope you all enjoy your weekend! <3

Read!

You’re probably wondering why I am writing a post about reading, on a blog which main focus is health and fitness; but I personally believe that having a healthy appetite for books is vital! With a generation that revolves around smart phones and reality television, there’s no wonder why people have the attention span of a peanut. I’m sorry if I am coming off as harsh but, I cannot stress the importance of picking up a book, and broadening your vocabulary every once in a while! Not only will reading enhance your vocabulary, it will also benefit in heightening your creativity as well; which this day and age seems to be lacking. Personally, I love a good book and if reading were a sport I’d an athlete reader! It’s relaxing and takes me to a happy place, but you know what else I love about reading? It’s a brilliant pass time that requires the use of your imagination; which just so happens to be the foundation of my creativity and inspiration!

When people tell me, “reading just isn’t my thing” they are either reading the wrong book OR not taking the time to understand the characters from the books they’ve read in the past.  Because reading requires the use of imagination, you must try and pretend you’re watching these characters from a distance. If you’re like me and find yourself people watching in social environments, then you my friend are an excellent candidate for a dramatic novel.

Speaking of genres… As a new reader you should probably start by reading a genre you’re comfortable with! For example, I wouldn’t recommend a Jane Austen novel if you’re a sci-fi fanatic and vice-versa! But, I would encourage you to read numerous books of that genre, until you find what you’re looking for. I know it sounds like a lot… But just be patient my dears and allow reading to become a healthier and happier pass time for you!

Steps for Healthier and Happier Reading:

1. Go to your local library. I know there are billions of books in this place but, don’t let a library overwhelm you and don’t be afraid to ask a friendly librarian to assist you. Libraries are especially nice because books can be quite expensive. (Just remember to renew  and return your books!!)
2. Start with a lighter read. Try something like a short story, newspaper article, or even a graphic novel. You should never see reading as homework and should only move on to the heavier, thicker and lengthier books, when you feel ready.
3. Set a Mood. If you have a set place and time to read, you’re more likely to build a routine for yourself. I think the best atmosphere for me, is a place where nature is playing in the background; maybe for you it’s on the beach with the waves whispering, a park on a warm summer’s day, or even your bed after a very hectic day.

I know you’ll find other ways to cultivate a love for reading and I’m sure when do, your imagination will thank-you; thus, inspiration will follow.

“Let us read and let us dance – two amusements that will never do any harm to the world.” -Voltaire

-Jeffie

My Week in Food (pictures)

Happy Friday!

You know what I’ve just discovered? I am finding myself more in love with cooking every single and it’s quite an exciting discovery!  Clearly cooking is no longer just a “pass time” for me; it’s becoming an outlet for my creativity and a way to share nutritious meals with others! I can’t wait until I start culinary school

Here are just a few pictures of the delicious recipes; I’ve been trying out this week:

homemade waffles substituted the eggs, milk, and butter for "chia eggs", unsweetened soy milk, and earth balance. fresh fruit and maple syrup are always my toppings of choice.

grilled wild salmon (marinaded with fresh lemon & lime with garlic), mango salsa, brown rice, and of course corn on the cob! I always add a little vegetable broth to my brown rice for extra flavor without relying on too much salt.

Fried pineapple quinoa adapted from the blog, "Healthy. Happy. Life." I followed the recipe only used shrimp instead of tofu... I am a rebel but this was incredibly flavorful!

How could I forget dessert? Vegan chocolate cupcakes with an orange butter cream frosting topped with fresh orange Lately I've been obsessing over orange-chocolate combinations. Bases and acidity baby!

-Jeffie

Happy Belated First Day of Spring!

It’s time to say goodbye to dry skin, fuzzy socks, cold & dark nights of the winter and hello to spring!! I love Springtime, it’s the season of flowers blooming, brighter days (unfortunately the season of very unpredictable weather as well),  seasonally delightful fruits & vegetables, and my favorite season for fashion!

Here are looks I’m most excited for:

Printed Trousers (Zara)
I'd personally wear it with a neutral colored tank top, a metal statement necklace, and a bright open toe shoe.

Cut-out Shoulder Tops (Urban Outfitters)
Because if you got nice shoulders, why hide them? I'd pair this playful top with a pair of dark-wash skinnies or even cut-off shorts for a more carefree look.

Geometric Jewelry (Forever 21)
I always rely on statement necklaces when I want to add some pizazz to an oxford shirt, little black dress, or just a simple tee. *To avoid over accessorizing pair necklace with a ring or two or bangles.*

…and of course recurring looks such as denim cut-off shorts, bright colors, wedges, and maxi skirts/dresses! Stay tuned for some springtime recipes

-Jeffie

Pancakes for one!

Hey everyone,

I apologize for being very behind in my blogging; unfortunately for me, I can’t   use “school” or “work” as an excuse because I quit my job due to my hip injury and I’m only taking one class this semester…heh. But that doesn’t stop me from blaming procrastination and a lot of it. Anyway! A few blog posts ago, I mentioned I would post breakfast recipes and that’s why I am sharing a very easy single serving pancake recipe. Because it is a “single serving” it only serves one but it can be easily doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled for that matter!

Banana Pancakes for One!

Dry ingredients:

• 1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Wet ingredients:

• ½ banana, mashed
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (ground flax meal works too)
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ cup non-dairy milk
• 1 teaspoon honey or agave

Add-ins:

• Chopped nuts or seeds, fruit, shredded coconut, etc.

Directions:

Heat a nonstick pan on medium heat and spray with cooking oil. Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl and combine with the mixed wet ingredients. Pour a tablespoon or two of batter into the heated pan and cook on one side for 2-3 minutes. Then flip cooking for another 2 minutes or so. Repeat! Feel free to top your pancakes with maple syrup and fresh fruit. Enjoy!