Banana Bread

Everyone should have a good banana bread recipe. Its a great way to use those overripe bananas instead of throwing them out! Here is my favorite one, adapted from the original recipe to be a little more healthy:

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients:
Wet
- 1/2 cup melted Smart Balance butter spread (replaces 1 stick unsalted butter)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (2%) (replaces 1/2 cup sour cream)
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 med size)

Dry
- 1 1/3 cups dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan
3. In mixer, add wet ingredients until well blended
4. Combine all dry ingredients, then add slowly to wet until fully incorporated
5. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake approx 1 hour or until knife inserted in middle comes out clean. Also makes great muffins!

To keep the chocolate chips from settling to the bottom, use mini ones or make sure the chips are coated with flour before blending.

Pregnancy Essentials

Its that time of year again. I know at least 5 people who are pregnant. Looking for a gift for your special pregnant friend? Here is my list of absolute pregnancy must-haves:

1. Pregnancy Journal - Its nice to have some place to write things down and collect all those sonograms. I like The Pregnancy Journal: A Day-to-Day Guide to a Healthy and Happy Pregnancythat tells you what is happening to that little bun in the oven. And it has places to record comments, how you feel, how the baby is doing, etc.


2. Bella Band - The thing about maternity clothes is most women don't need them until they have really, really popped. This band will extend your current wardrobe until at least the 6 or 7th month. So much better than the old rubber band around the pant button trick. It also works well post-partum as you transition back to your normal clothes. Another great use is as a nursing band. It keeps you from feeling exposed if you are wearing a shirt you have to lift up when nursing.


3. Preggie Pops - Most women have nausea for a several weeks, even the whole pregnancy. I couldn't stand regular lollipops (too sweet), but these come in interesting flavors that really stave off the gag factor.


4. Tums - At least 4 bottles - one for home, office, your car, and your purse.


5. Almonds - I tried everything to kill my hunger pangs, but I found a quick handful of raw, unsalted almonds worked best anytime. I usually downed a few right at bedtime so I wouldn't wake up starving.


6. The Happiest Baby on the Block - You really won't have time to read all those baby books once he comes, so start reading now. This one has a tried and true method to get your baby settled and asleep. And don't be intimidated by the "swaddle." It is actually easier to swaddle a baby than practicing on a teddy bear.


7. A great pair of maternity jeans - Just like when you are not pregnant, there is nothing like a great pair of jeans to make you look and feel great. And you don't need to spend a ton. I loved my Gap Long and Lean maternity jeans. They were under $60 and I wore them ALL THE TIME! I even wore them several weeks post-partum, so it is worth the investment. At the time of this post, they have several styles under $60.


8. Baby Bargains - There is nothing more intimidating than Babies R Us for first time parents. This book helps narrow down what you need and what you don't need with ratings based on real mommy use. I also recommend sneaking a peak at your other preggie friends' registries.


9. Pillows - You cannot have enough. A Pregnancy Wedge is great for supporting the belly, but you don't need to invest $100 for a wraparound body pillow you will never use. I simply gathered up all of our guest pillows and kept one under my feet, one between my knees, and one in front of me.


10. Camera - Even if you think you have blown up to whale proportions, someday you will look back in awe that you carried that sweet little one in your body. Take lots of pictures, starting as early as you can. It will be fun for your child to look back. If you can afford it or have a friend who is savvy with a camera, take some artistic belly shots. They can range from silly to serious.

Lubrication

Seriously. For any new mom, you may be shocked to find things don't quite work out the same in the sex department. Especially if you are breastfeeding.

After the baby, I knew I needed something for the first PPC - postpartum coitus. I was scared to death. I bought the large bottle of KY Silky Sensations... and hated it. Too sticky. Weird smell. Too slick.

For awhile, my sister and I were on a practical joke kick. She signed me up for free condoms from Trojan, I signed her up for every pamphlet on genital warts I could find. One day, courtesy of my sister, I received a sample of Astroglide in the mail. Hmmm... tried it. Loved it. Loved it so much, I went out and bought the big bottle and the travel size bottle. And one for my sister :)

So here's why I like it:

• It has the perfect amount of "slickness." Not too watery, not too sticky.
• It seems to wear off after a little while, which is good when your own body kicks in.
• It has a barely there flavor, almost like strawberries. Not overpowering and not unpleasant.
• It doesn't take much to get going. Just a few drops for him, a few drops for you and you're there.

Interestingly enough, my husband pointed out that my labor and delivery nurse used it on me during the birth of our baby. If it works good enough to get a baby's head out of the canal, then... well, you figure it out.

Nursing Essentials

I am 9 months into breastfeeding my little one. There are several items I think every nursing mom should own, no matter how long she plans on breastfeeding.

A friend of mine told me the one essential item was a Hooter Hider. Made by Bebe Au Lait, it is a nursing cover that comes in several different prints under the name Hooter Hider and Bebe Au Lait (the fancier prints). Initially, I thought they were kinda expensive - about $35, especially since you can get nursing covers at Target for under $20. But let me tell you, it is well worth it. Here's why I think its worth the extra dough to get a Hooter Hider:

• The material is lightweight. I have used mine outdoors many times down in Charleston and Knoxville, and we have kept cool.


• They are durable and can handle many, many washings without loosing their shape. I have used mine to wipe up puke and random spills. It can handle being washed without shrinking.


• It is soft. I am a sheet snob (ie I don't sleep on anything less than 100% Pima or Egyptian cotton, at least 300 TC), so I am very particular about fabrics. Some other covers are cotton/poly blends, so they are stiff and scratchy. I have used my Hooter Hider as a light blanket on my baby on numerous occasions.


• The "rigid neckline" not only ventilates but makes it easy to keep eye contact with your little angel. Other covers flop over the baby, or the necklines are hard too stiff and uncomfortable.


• The HH is pretty. The prints are so trendy and updated, it almost looks like an apron. When you are using it, its not obvious what you are doing under there. I have nursed in the middle of the mall without a second glance.

If you are looking for the perfect gift for a new mom, get one. If you are a breastfeeding mom without a cover, treat yourself. $35 may sound pricey, but consider how many times you will use it. It is your ticket to public breastfeeding. No more running to the car, no more looking for a nice bathroom with a seating area, no more stopping at Babies R Us just to use their Mother's room. Its freedom in a pretty print!!

Shrimp and Grits

My husband and I both grew up outside of Charleston, SC and we spent the last 4 years in Boston. Both cities have amazing food, which has made us both food snobs. We moved to Knoxville, TN and have been sorely disappointed.

We recently tried Puleo's Grille off Cedar Bluff here in Knoxville. They are an Italian restaurant with southern flair, along with some seafood and steak choices. The menu has something for everyone and we heard the food was actually pretty good. On their menu, they have listed - Shrimp and Grits - "A Charleston Favorite." Of course we had to try it, especially after our annoying waiter kept telling us it was the best we would ever try.

Too bad he didn't realize what food snobs we are. The grits were salty, the shrimp was bland, and the sauce was okay. The tasso (Cajun-style smoked pork, for you non-foodies) was a little overpowering. I had to heal our little taste buds by making my version of Shrimp and Grits.

This recipe was adapted from "A Taste of Charleston South Carolina Restaurant Recipes", a little recipe booklet my sister gave me long ago. This particular recipe is from The Barbadoes Room in the Mills House Hotel. I have changed some of the ingredients, particularly the bacon and cream.

Creamy Shrimp and Grits

Creamy grits

1 cup water

2 oz butter

1 cup milk (I use 2%)

3/4 cup Stone Ground Yellow Corn Grits

up to 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Salt & Pepper to taste

Combine water, milk, butter, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and add grits. Cook over med-low heat for about 15 minutes until grits have absorbed the liquid. It should have the same consistency as cream of wheat or thick oatmeal. Stir in cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Creamy Charleston Shrimp

4 slices pancetta, sliced into 1/4" pieces

1 lb peeled & deveined small shrimp (about 30-35 per lb)

2 peeled, seeded, & diced med tomatoes

8 thinly sliced scallions (separate the white and green parts)

5 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 cups evaporated milk (original recipe calls for half and half)

salt & pepper to taste (can use cayenne for kick)

Cook pancetta until crisp in a large saute pan. Add shrimp, scallions and garlic. Saute until shrimp just begin to turn pink. Dust mixture with flour and stir until well blended. Add tomatoes and evap milk. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve immediately over creamy grits. Garnish with scallion greens and cheese.

Note: Unless you are on the coast where you can get fresh shrimp, go ahead and use the bagged frozen shrimp. It is probably fresher than what's sitting in your fish monger's case if you are inland like we are.

If you like sausage, you can add chorizo (for some kick) or kielbasa after you add the shrimp.

Enjoy!

Flan

I love flan. Flan is your friend. I grew up with the classic filipino flan - creamy and super sweet lecheflan. As my palate expanded, I have tried many other types. I am not a big fan of typical Mexican flan. Its too bland, not creamy at all. However, I was recently introduced to the Columbian-style flan, and it is now tied as my favorite way to eat flan :)

Here is my Auntie Edna's Lecheflan recipe:

8-10 egg yolks, room temp
1 cup sugar
1 can condensed milk
1 can evaporated milk (the large cans)
1 tblsp vanilla extract
light caro syrup

Make sure all ingredients are room temp. Carefully stir the ingredients with a wooden spoon. Pour enough caro syrup to coat the bottom of your baking dish. Slowly pour batter into the baking dish, taking care not to form excess bubbles. Tap the dish to get any bubbles out. Place the dish in a water bath and bake at 375 F for an hour or until the flan is golden brown.

Once flan cools in refridgerator (or room temp), take a knife to release the sides. Invert pan and place on a nice flat plate. Pour the remaining syrup on top. Enjoy!!

Boscia

I have bad skin. No hiding it. I have been plagued with acne since I can remember (I am in my early 30's now). I used Accutane not once, but three times - in high school, in college, and most recently in 2004. It finally worked - sorta. It got rid of the cystic acne on my chest and back, and for about 2 years my face stayed clear.

When I got pregnant, I started breaking out again. My OB warned me it would likely happen because of all the hormones. My dermatologist at the time recommended I stop using Clearasil and Oxy - too harsh for the skin, esp at my age. She recommended finding a more natural line of products.

The result - Boscia Skin Care. I found it during one of my Sephora raids. My favorite product in the line is Boscia Recharging Night Moisture.

I have combination skin with a tendency to breakout. This moisturizer is lightweight and gave my skin a hydrated but not greasy feeling. It doesn't have a heavy smell, which I like. It doesn't take much of this product to go far. One pump should cover the entire face down through the chin line.

A few weeks after I started using this product, my skin cleared up. Here I was, midway through pregnancy, and I finally had the glowing skin I had only dreamed of. After the baby was born and the budget got tight, I switched over to moisturizer half the price. Bad, bad idea. I was breaking out again within days. I recently went back to Boscia and added Boscia Willow Bark Breakout Treatment to my regimen.

The breakout treatment is a lightweight gel. Again, no smell and it is immediately absorbed into the skin. It doesn't sting or dry out skin. I have a tendency to get small blackheads and "horn" cystic acne around my hairline and chin. This treats and prevents those annoying little bumps from popping up. I use it in the morning and at night, before moisturizing.

I highly recommend this line for anyone looking for a gentle, natural beauty regimen. It is a little pricey, but it doesn't take much product to get results so it is worth it. Sephora usually has small samples of most of the product line, so go ahead and try it out!!