{healthy version} Banana Pineapple Muffins

Do you remember my post about the {super delicious} Banana Pineapple Muffins? They truly are super delicious, but I've once again  messed around with a few things and found out, they can be so much healthier for you and STILL super delicious!

I've very into eating "clean", aka eating real food. We've always made healthier choices in our home, but I'm more involved now to make sure my family eats nothing processed and full of sugar. We splurge, of course, but I'm much more aware of the gross, chemical infused stuff grocery stores try and sell me.

I'm a label reader, and if I can't pronounce what's in it, I don't eat it. WE don't eat it. I have a daughter to think about! You want to know what the best part about this is? Eating clean, eating healthy, and reading labels? It's more delicious than all that fake food available! It's real, it's full of natural flavors, and you feel better when eating it!

Don't these look incredible?

I turned my already delicious muffins into even more delicious muffins.

The Recipe

1 1/4 cup organic unbleached, all purpose flour

1 1/4 cup organic whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup organic unsweetened applesauce

2 cups pureed organic banana (food processor!)

1 cup organic crushed pineapple, with juice

1/4 cup organic agave nectar (or natural honey)

2 eggs

Organic brown sugar (optional)

The Directions

Preheat oven to 350, line cupcake tin with paper cupcake wrappers

Combine all dry ingredients in medium bowl and set aside. In stand mixer, slowly combine applesauce, banana, and pineapple. Then add in eggs 1 at a time, slowly. Finally mix in the agave or honey. Once mixed, add in flour mixture and combine well.

Divide into cupcake liners (I got 15 muffins out of this). 

Optional - sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons organic brown sugar on top prior to baking.

Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until toothpick comes out dry.

ENJOY!

5 Years Down...

John and I celebrate our 5 year anniversary on March 18th (today!), and what a crazy and exciting 5 years it has been. If you remember, we do things backwards in our life. First came baby, then came marriage, and then, 5 years later... we had our "wedding" pictures done.

Surprise!

I felt that I deserved the cutesy, lovey-dovey pictures that everyone else has, or had. It's only fair, right?

These last 5 years have been a roller coaster. I love John so damn much, even on days he does nothing but infuriate me.  He annoys me, but the annoying things he does make me laugh. We yell, bicker, and ignore each other to avoid confrontation. The feeling is mutual, we drive each other absolutely crazy sometimes. What kind of marriage is it if the bride and groom don't bicker? But, I love John and all his annoying crazy.

I love the way he hugs me, kisses me, and makes me laugh. I love how he fathers Kenzie. I love hearing him read to her, making her laugh, and watching him hug and kiss her. I love the way he eats ice cream, I laugh every time. I love that he's opened my mind to new adventure and thrill. I love that no matter what, Kenzie and I are his top priority. I love how hard he works to provide for his family, and I love that he excels in his work more each day. I love his wittiness. I love his patience and strength. I love that he is Mr. Fix It and creative. I love watching him succeed. I love the family I gained when I married him, and I love his huge, passionate heart. I love everything about this wonderful man, even all the imperfections, I love it all. Plus, his beard. I love the beard :)

Cheers to the next 50+ years!

       

March ... so far.

March has been a pretty mellow month, and I'm absolutely OK with that. Sometimes being busy all the time is much too exhausting. It's nice to just stay home, and do little family activities.

Nothing new is happening, work and school consumes us. Kenzie is happy and healthy, what else matters?

We do a lot of park time, play time, bike rides, and just family fun. Enjoy!

Kite flying and soccer 

This is about as high as this cheap little kite would go!

Building castles.

Bike ride on the big kid path!

Wants to be a cowgirl so bad.

John and I had the chance to take Kenzie to her cousins' and enjoy a night alone, to celebrate our anniversary a little early. We had a wonderful day relaxing at a spa, he got a massage and I got a facial. We enjoyed it very much! Then we were able to go out to a really nice dinner in Phoenix at a place called Chelsea's Kitchen, which is delicious. Because Kenzie spent the night, we were able to wake up and ride our bikes. We went 16 miles! It was such a nice time together.

We clean up nice!

Water break! 

Halfway mark.

{surprise} Kisses!

I have a bad addiction to candy, chocolate, dark chocolate...anything sweet, really. And, it's no surprise that I love baking.

It’s said to put dark chocolate in your freezer for an occasional snack, which sounds like a good idea, but let’s be serious. I'd start with a few pieces, then all of a sudden they’re gone and I’d be the only one to blame. The problem started when Bashas' had dark chocolate Hershey kisses on sale, 3 bags for $8...

When I finished off the first 2 bags in record time, I decided I had to make cookies incorporating the last bag. That way, I could share them with friends and coworkers, and I wouldn't be tempted to eat them all by myself, hiding in a closet to avoid the little hands of my Little Red, who also enjoys sweets.

I knew peanut butter had to be part of the recipe, but I didn't want to do the kiss cookies. You know, the peanut butter cookies with a kiss sitting on top?

Oh no, I had to do something different. SO I did! I made a chocolate peanut butter cookie and rolled the dough around a kiss. After the cookies were done baking, and while still warm, I rolled them in sugar. Boom baby!

I’m still testing this out. The cookie (and cookie dough) was very crumbly, but they were still dangerously addictive!

The Recipe –

1 1/2 cup flour

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

18 kisses (give or take)

The Directions – Preheat oven to 350

In medium bowl, sift together all dry ingredients.

In stand mixer, cream together butters and brown sugar; add in egg and vanilla. Slowly combine dry ingredients to wet ingredients. WASH HANDS! It is easier to finish mixing by hand.

Use a small ice cream scooper (about 1 1/2 tablespoons) to measure dough for each cookie. Flatten to a disc and place kiss in middle. Roll the dough gently around the kiss to form a ball.

Place cookie balls on baking sheet and bake for roughly 8-10 minutes. I did 8 :)

While still hot, roll in sugar and place on cooling rack. I LOVE these cookies, they're my new favorite!

February - Part 2

Well, February didn't turn out the way I wanted. Here's why.

Kenzie and I got sick, multiple times, and it was not fun. I'll spare you the details {you're welcome}, but it definitely held us back from doing some fun activities.

We did, however, decide to devote every Wednesday night to "picnic day". After work, I swoop by and pick up the kids (John, Kenzie, and Max) and we either pack a fun meal, or we pick up Chinese take-out. There are parks on every corner in our 'hood, but we tend to favor the one with the lake. It's a great park to go and play, fly kites, or just take a nice walk around the water. And, with the weather being perfect, we've been taking advantage of it!

Enjoy some pictures!

Silly girl!

These two pictures are randoms I had to share, because she's cute. Duh!

         

We recently did another photo sesson, stay tuned on that. You'll love them :)