Banana Bread Muffins

Goooooood morning!

Sorry I'm coming at you a little late today...I spent last night at my parents' house to watch the Oscars with my mom and took the bus into the city way early this morning. Did you watch the Oscars? I had only seen like 1 movie (The Help!) so I wasn't totally into it, but I always love Billy Crystal...I mean, When Harry Met Sally is legit one of my all-time favorite movies! I always love the red carpet though, no matter what the event! Who was your favorite look?

I hate to admit it because I'm so not a fan...but Angelina Jolie looked pretty fabulous. I think she's my pick for best dressed.

Worst dressed? This one was a tie for me.

I love you Melissa McCarthy, but no. Just... no.

And J.Lo? You are too gorgeous for this monstrosity.

Anyhow...I'm certainly no fashionista, so let's get back to what I'm good at...

When we arrived home late on Sunday evening last week from Penn State, I realized that we had like 10 bananas hanging around that needed to be used up, not to mention a giant container of strawberries.

So Monday I spent the day making muffins!

I tested out some strawberry yogurt muffins...but I think they need a bit of work and so they will have to wait for a while...

 they look a whole lot better than they taste

But!

I had an idea to make banana bread. And then I had an idea to make the bread into muffins. I love muffins because they are already prepackaged and ready to eat.

Though I love a nice slice of bread, I really can't be trusted with a loaf of quick bread. That's just the truth. Oh and I love how muffins cook in about a quarter of the time as quick breads do.

 

These are lightened up a bit but still totally delicious. I could eat like 10 of them. Which is why they now reside in my freezer...so that I don't eat 10 in a sitting.

Banana Bread Muffins

Makes 20 muffins; 4 WW Points+

1 3/4 C all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

6 very ripe bananas

6 Tbsp margarine, melted (I use Land o' Lakes baking sticks)

2 eggs

3/4 C brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.

In a separate bowl, mash up the bananas with a fork. In a mixer or with a hand mixer, combine the melted margarine and brown sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the bananas until completely combined.

Add the flour and mix just until combined.

Pour batter into 2 muffin tins lined with baking cups. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

 

Voila!

So there you have it. Some fashion and some food on this Monday morning :) I hope you have a fantastic week!

Questions of the Day:

Did you watch the Oscars? Who were your best and worst dressed?

What do you do with fruit on its last legs?

psst...today I'm blogging about my shoe detox over on The Peach & The Pit...how many pairs of shoes do you own? How do you wrangle 'em?

Berry-on-the-Bottom Baked Oatmeal

I don't know about you, but I have been having a really, really, really hard time getting my butt out of bed just about every morning this week. It's been such a struggle and I end up snoozing my alarm for more time than I'd like to admit. Why can't I just feel refreshed in the morning?! Looks like earlier to bed tonight...maybe. What time to you go to bed at night? Sometimes, I feel like the weeknights are so short that I always want to stay up late to get the most out of the evening!

Since I've started Weight Watchers, breakfasts have been filled with lots and lots of egg whites. I have found a way to make them still taste delicious (recipe coming soon!) but this past weekend I just couldn't eat egg whites anymore. After about 15 days straight of egg whites, I just had to change it up.

I have a confession to make. I don't totally love oatmeal. It's ok. And sometimes, I like it more than others. Especially when I add some cut up apples and spices, or a few scoops of pumpkin or some banana and chocolate. But for just any old morning, I could take it or leave it.

Enter baked oatmeal.

I had made a delicious and decadent version for my mom's birthday brunch last year. But since I am trying to lighten things up around here, I tested out a new, lighter version on a whim. It's chock full of mixed berries - just whatever I had leftover in the fridge - and topped with yummy oats mixed with egg whites and brown sugar.

It was delicious. And just 5 Points+ per serving. And the serving is a big one. If you have a smaller serving (divided into 6 servings), it's only 4 Points+. I usually try to keep breakfast to around 5 or 6 Points+, so this breakfast, even the big portion, is right on track. Not to mention that it's incredibly filling! It's worth every bite.

Berry-on-the-Bottom Baked Oatmeal

*Adapted from my Strawberry Baked Oatmeal

5 WW Points+ (for 4 large servings); 4 WW Points+ (for 6 smaller servings)

1 1/2 C mixed berries (I used a combo of strawberries, blueberries and black berries; frozen would probably work nicely too)

3/4 C fat free or almond milk + more for topping

2 Tbsp maple syrup

2 egg whites

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 C old-fashioned oats

1 Tbsp Splenda brown sugar blend (or regular brown sugar; might affect Points+)

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8" or 9" round or square baking dish with cooking spray. Whatever pan you have on hand works! You could even do it in an oven-proof skillet with tall sides.

Spread the berries over the bottom of the pan.

In a mixing bowl, combine the milk, egg whites, maple syrup and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry and pour over top of the berries in the pan.

Bake about 30-40 minutes or until browned on top. Serve in a bowl and top with some additional milk.

 

Sit back, relax. It's Saturday!

 

Oh, but if you want to make this on the weekend, it also reheats nicely on a rushed Monday morning when you are focused on simply getting out of the house without looking like a zombie and so you pack up a Tupperware-full of this goodness, tote it to work, and heat it up in the office microwave. It's pretty delicious then, too.

I hope you enjoy! I bet you could also make this with any fruit you want...apples, peaches, plums...

Questions of the Day:

How do you keep your breakfasts fresh?

What time to you usually go to sleep on a 'school' night? I try to be in bed by 10:30, but lately it's been more like 11:30-12:00ish!

psst...it's link day on The Peach & The Pit...head over to see some cool stuff.

Go-To Dinner: Skillet Tortilla Pizza Redux

Well we made it to Tuesday, my least favorite day of the week. It's ok. Tonight I'm having dinner with my bestie Lindsey and so that makes Tuesday a good day!

I have to tell you about something. Ever since I started on Weight Watchers I've been on the hunt for easy peasy dishes and snacks that can be my 'safety' food. Things that I know I can eat guilt free and still be excited about eating them. A tall order?

I thought so.

In keeping with my recent tortilla obsession, I have been eating a lot of skillet tortilla pizzas. They are incredibly easy, come together in about 5 minutes and are incredibly tasty. Who needs a thick, doughy crust? Ok, usually I'd say me...but not if I have a crispy tortilla pizza around!

Skillet Tortilla Pizza Redux

4 WW Points+ for 8" size tortilla (taco size)

6 WW Points+ for 10" size tortilla (burrito size)

1 low carb, whole wheat tortilla (like Mission Carb Balance Whole Wheat)

1/4 C tomato sauce

1/4 C reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese

dried oregano

dried basil

kosher salt (optional)

cooking spray

Spray both sides of the tortilla with cooking spray. Lay in a dry skillet over medium heat. As soon as it starts to bubble slightly and brown on the bottom, flip over and lower the heat. Pour on tomato sauce and sprinkle with oregano, basil and just a big of salt if desired. Sprinkle cheese over top. Lower heat or turn off completely and cover with a lid for 2 minutes to melt the cheese. Cut into quarters and enjoy!

I really love this as a quick meal for one, or even for a heartier lunch on the weekend. It's so quick, so easy and feels like such a treat! And for just 6 Points+, it's perfect with a side of veggies for a delicious, light meal.

Happy Tuesday all!

Questions of the Day:

What are you go-to dinners? Snacks?

What foods do you always have on hand to keep you in the safety zone?

psst...Kimberly is sharing an A-mazing article today about overcoming workout fears! My favorite article yet!