banana oat blender pancakes

In the “before times,” my husband traveled quite a bit. When my boys were really wee, they would get super sad and inevitably meltdown at some point during the day, wailing “I miss dada!” Poor little guys. But as they grew and became more used to his jet setting, we began to get a rhythm to our no-daddy days and started a few little sweet traditions that made it feel special. Sometimes I’d bust out a new picture book at bedtime that I’d been saving for the occasion. Sometimes we’d have a pizza party with friends or do something fun after school to distract them. And we ALWAYS had pancake night. My husband s is not a breakfast for dinner kind of guy, but I’m a breakfast for ANYTIME kind of gal, so this became our special ritual when daddy was away. At least one night while he was traveling, we’d sit in front of the TV and eat pancakes and turkey bacon and overflowing syrup for dinner and watch a show. It was “our thing” and almost certainly will be again when my husband some day gets back to that “normal” travel schedule, whatever it may look like.

I’ve been making a just slightly modified version of these Mountain Mama Cooks Banana Oat Blender Pancakes (aka “mama pancakes” in our house) for the better part of 10 years. My guys devour them and since they have no sugar, I feel totally fine about them jamming in as many as they want. They’ve also become one of my own very favorite comfort foods. Over the years, I’ve been on all varieties of elimination diet (that dang fussy constitution again) which is never super fun, but I have almost always been able to pull off some form of these pancakes and they just make me happy. Now, these are NOT the fluffy diner pancakes you might be used to, but they are gluten free, have no refined sugar, have lots of protein AND are delicious, so.... I’m not knocking the fluffies, I LOVE those too, but these are another awesome option and are decidedly a bit healthier if you care. Here’s the recipe to make things super easy for you, but def check out Mountain Mama Cooks’ site, she is super talented.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1 + 1/4 cups almond milk (or whatever kind of milk you like)

• 1 banana

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 scoop collagen powder (optional)

• pinch of salt

• 1 + 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1 egg

• 2-3 tbsp flax seeds (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Put all ingredients (except flax seeds) into a good blender and whizz until just combined. I recommend putting any wet or squishy ingredients in first so the blender doesn’t get jammed. Don’t over-mix. If your batter seems a bit thick, add a little more milk.

• Stir in the flax seeds if using (I have found that if I put them in the blender with the rest of the ingredients it turns the whole thing to cement)

• Put lots of butter or coconut oil on your favorite pancake-making pan and scoop out about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake (you’re making silver dollar size pancakes)

• Flip when ready and then place on a rack to cool so they don’t get soggy

• Slather in butter, syrup, blueberries, more banana, chocolate chips or anything else that sounds yummy and enjoy!

• Make sure they’re cooled completely before putting any leftovers in the fridge

And that’s it! It’s super easy. I also make these ahead of time and bring on rafting or camping trips when I know the group breakfast is going to be non-gf pancakes. Just heat them on the griddle with a little butter and you’re set. And maybe next time you need to mix things up, make pancakes for dinner. It’s the best.

I’ve included below some ideas for fantastic pancake-making gifts in case you love someone who loves to make [or eat] pancakes (if you’re looking for a good set of mixing bowls, look here). xo

1. Crate & Barrel Glass Syrup Dispenser // 2. Beehive Handmade Heart Pancake Spatula // 3. All Clad Double Burner Griddle // 4. Trees Knees Butter Maple Syrup (they have other flavors, too, that sound amazing) // 5. Hand-Carved Wooden Pancake Spatula via Etsy // 6. Linda Hsiao’s gorgeous Bird Pitchers would be amazing syrup dispensers // 7. Tomie DePaola’s wordless book Pancakes for Breakfast was always one of my favorites // 8. Badger Pancake Plate via Etsy // 9. Clea Speckled Measuring Cups from Anthropologie // 10. Maison Plus Gold Measuring Spoons + Cups from Food52 // 11. Lodge Cast Iron Square Griddle via Crate & Barrel // 12. Ekobo Bamboo Nested Measuring Cups // xo

Hey! Just a heads up that this post includes affiliate links, but rest assured that I stand by all product recommendations 100%. Questions? Reach out, I’m always here for you. xo

things i love // love yourself

Happy Valentine’s Day, lovelies. I hope you’re all feeling the love today, whether from your sweetheart, your kiddos, your neighbor or your favorite pet goldfish. And In case you didn’t get spoiled like you deserve to be by someone else, this week I’m gifting you ideas to spoil your OWN RAD SELF. Sometimes you just need to give yourself a little pat on the back, say “I love you” with meaning and hand over a little something special to celebrate how awesome you are. All of these things would also make amazing gifts for a friend of course, but it’s only fair that you test them out first to make sure they’re worthy, right? I’m all about the “one for you, one for me” method of gifting. So give yourselves a big ol’ bearhug from me and dive in, because you all deserve to be spoiled today and everyday. xo

I got my ears pierced when I was 9 and shortly after that I screwed something up and my cute little holes became more like grumpy ‘meh’ slits for the next 30+ years. It’s such a silly thing to feel self-conscious about, but I could never wear studs in my ears because they drooped down like a melting ice cream cone and just looked sad. So two years ago I went and had them sewn up. It felt very frivolous, but I have to say it made me really happy. Then on my birthday, my husband and I went to the local piercing studio and had my lobes re-pierced and now I can wear studs for the first time in my life. Which is super convenient, because there’s nothing worse than having your earrings snag on your mask while you’re trying to whip it off after escaping the grocery store.

Slantt is a small Austin studio where Jennifer Rodgers hand makes really pretty, very sculptural jewelry. Some is delicate, much is dramatic, but it’s all unique. It has movement and form that is usually reserved for other art forms and I think it’s stunning. Plus her studio is focused on sustainability and uses recycled metal whenever possible, which makes it even cooler. I love these hand-stamped APHERA studs that come in 3 different metals, but if you’re looking for something that makes a bit more of a statement, the SABIA are also gorgeous. I’m totally eyeing her LEGER Cuff, too. All of her designs are super interesting and beautiful. And, FYI, it’s totally ok to buy yourself jewelry. We all deserve a little bling in our lives and who better to spoil you rotten than your biggest fan.
// SLANTT APHERA STUDS $48 //

I was staring kind of wistfully at my closet the other night, lamenting the complete abandonment of my beautiful boots and flats. I’m only just a *wee* bit embarrassed to admit that I put on a pair of suede wedge booties with my dirty old yoga pants and wandered around the house for the better part of an hour, just to remember what it was like to have somewhere to go in clothes that weren’t made for doing squats. I got some looks from the peanut gallery for that one. But the truth is, aside from that little sentimental outburst, I’m really pretty happy in my favorite slippers most of the time. I mean, they’re obvs WAY more comfy than suede wedge booties.

So maybe what I actually need isn’t to mourn my Fryes, but to add a little variety to my comfy slipper wardrobe. Enter these amazing Topdrawer House Shoes. They look like heaven. They’re all hand sewn in Japan, are totally unisex and reversible. Plus you can throw them in the wash after you dribble maple syrup on them, which I totally can’t do with my suede booties. They come in 30 (yes, THIRTY) different color + print combos, so there’s def something for everyone. And they roll up into nothing, so you can bring them traveling. Some are all fuzz, some are just cotton. The only thing that’s kept me from pulling the trigger is choosing THE ones that I love most. Can you help?! Please? Otherwise, it might be back to yoga-pant + wedge-heel walks of shame.
// TOPDRAWER REVERSIBLE HOUSE SHOES $59 //

Ok gals, this is not the sexiest of gifts to express your self-love, but I will tell you that these babies are one of my most-used and prized kitchen tools. And, I’d argue, there’s no greater gift to yourself than the gift of not having to wipe splattered melted butter or marinara from every corner of your microwave. I know they look like cutie little sombreros for your cat, but they are actually Food52’s own line of Airtight Silicone Lids in 5 different sizes to cover just about any bowl you have.

I have an older version that I use for everything from keeping my tea steaming hot while I pack lunch to minimizing splatter to keeping finished food warm. You can also use them to cover prepped grains or veggies or leftovers in the fridge. They basically replace pot lids, plastic wrap and whatever weird old plate you’re using now to keep stuff warm. They can go in the dishwasher over and over again so you can pop that buttery mess onto the top rack and not deal with it again. The lids are also stain-resistant, antimicrobial, airtight, and have no grody chemicals. I honestly use mine just about everyday for something. So, maybe this time leave the sexy gifts to someone else and get yourself something that’s actually super useful and will make your life better.
// FIVE TWO AIRTIGHT SILICONE LIDS $40 //

Wanderlust Creamery is a California-based ice cream shop like none you’ve ever visited. There’s no bubblegum or mint chip to be found, all of Wanderlust’s super distinct flavors are inspired by destinations in the far flung corners of the world. Founders, Adreienne and Jon-Patrick, draw from their childhoods, the places they’ve traveled or places they’d like to visit one day to come up with flavors like Sticky Rice + Mango, Abuelita Malted Crunch (dying for this) and Kashmiri Pink Tea. The Oolong Pineapple Tart also sounds completely outrageous, packing oolong flavored ice cream with house-made pineapple jam and “pieces of buttery Taiwanese style pineapple pastry” into each pint. Um, that’s a big yes, please.

In an effort to keep their business afloat during strange times, they’ve started shipping their ice cream all over the lower 48. If you can’t actually go someplace exotic and far flung right now, you can at least get a sweet little taste of someplace you’ve never been (or maybe feel nostalgic for) and support a really special small business to boot. If you live near one of their 5 California brick + mortar stores, lucky you! Otherwise, you’ll have to order a minimum of 4 pints to qualify for shipping, so… lucky you! Pack some extra spoons and go on a little culinary getaway with friends or family or travel solo, I’ll never judge.
// WANDERLUST CREAMERY PINTS $12 //

Artist, Kerri Rosenthal, is all about the love, so today seems like the perfect day for you two to meet. She’s an artist, stylist and designer with a super distinct style that’s all about spreading happiness, kindness and sunshine in a big colorful joy explosion and it makes me smile. She is ALL about the hearts and her signature imperfect “drippy hearts” have become iconic (apparently we share a love of yellow ones), but she also does playful portraits and abstracts, and often gives meaningful words center stage. In addition to adorning walls, she has created a little empire, putting her original, happy artwork on everything from greeting cards to surfboards to wallpaper in an effort to spread the love as far and wide as possible. She also makes clothing and accessories if you prefer to wear your happy and radiate it wherever you go. If you’re local, you can find a few of her things at Eleanor and Hobbs in downtown Louisville, lucky gals.

If her over the top positive vibe doesn’t speak to you for your own walls (or heads), it’s still totally worth a pop over to her site for a minute to look at the actual artwork that inspires the brand and just take in the happy outpouring of love and color and inspiration. If you love someone who would *love* her kind of sunshiny bliss, there are some awesome gifts to be found for both your happy-loving adults and t(w)eens. And, lovelies, I really do hope we CAN hold hands soon.
// KERRI ROSENTHAL //

things i love // let me entertain you

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! All of my guys are big football fans, but my oldest is also a huge Patrick Mahomes + Chiefs fan (sorry, Broncos!) and my littlest is writing a biography about Mahomie at school, so they are PUMPED. My husband is rooting for Brady as a fellow “old” guy and just to spice things up because my boys are seriously down on the GOAT. I’m making Killer Chicken Thighs (aka Everyone’s Favorite Chicken” in our house - if you make it I recommend cooking it at 425 for about an hour and fifteen unless you have some very petite thighs) and Mushroom Cauliflower Rice, probs with a side of gooey nachos just because. I always love the Super Bowl commercials, of course, and am pretty excited to see The Weeknd perform. Though in my true heart, I desperately wish we could host our friends for our annual(ish) Super Bowl Party. You’ll notice in my selections this week that I’m pining for spring and just dying to entertain friends and family, it’s one of my favorite things to do. But alas, we’ll have to keep our family-only party going for a bit longer (thank GOODNESS I love our family-only party). Whatever you have on the roster today, enjoy it. I’d love to hear what kind of awesome [slash gross] things you make for the big game. I’m glad to have you all on my team, lovelies. xo

Hygge Life in the Vail Valley is everything you’d dream of in a space designed to celebrate warmth, coziness, togetherness and gorgeous Scandinavian design. It’s serious beautiful eye candy and I would basically like one or two of everything they have. But in particular, my eyes keep coming back to these stunning Danish Brass Twinkle Candleholders. Each teeny tiny hole is hammered by hand to create a magical twinkling effect that would be so pretty on a dining table. They have 3 different sizes that could be mixed up into a gorgeous little cluster. I also love these Swedish cast-iron candleholders that have 2 concentric circles that can hold 3 different sized candles depending on your mood or the ambiance you’re trying to create. Or these gorgeous tall solid brass Dome Candleholders that would be super dramatic and beautiful. Um, can you tell that I’m dreaming about entertaining someone in our house besides my cutie boys?!

If you’re ever in the Vail Valley, Hygge Life is def worth taking the small detour to find (it’s tucked away in an industrial strip mall off the frontage road). They also have a truly lovely cafe with coffee and sweets, so you can take a break and thoroughly enjoy the hygge.
// DANISH BRASS TWINKLE CANDLEHOLDERS $44.95 //

In addition to my passion for entertaining, I am also a bonafide cheese lover. And since there’s no better way to get a party started than with a heaping plate of cheese, I am now also a lover of Marissa Mullen and her brilliant cheese-plate-building method. She has developed a sort of paint-by-numbers way to build incredible, overflowing boards of cheese, meat, fruit, veggies, spreads, dips, nuts, herbs… you hungry yet? They’re dreamy and so appealing, but also totally accessible and something you could actually make with her streamlined method. She offers virtual classes + recipes on her site and some of her most popular plate builds to get you started. She even shares some of her favorite serving pieces for inspiration (spoiler alert: they’re super reasonable and not fancy).

That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life is Marissa’s drool-worthy book and it’s just fun to look at her dreamy photographs even if you only ever end up creating a mini plate for yourself (aka what I would *like* to eat for lunch EVERY darn day). So, if you love a cheese-lover or a hostess [or host] with the mostess, think about gifting them one of Marissa’s classes or books. It just might change their life. And when we can have piles of kiddos over again, I’m dying to make one of these char”treat”erie plates. Just fun goodness.
// THAT CHEESE PLATE WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE $28 //

I LOVE a cup of hot tea (or two or three) in the afternoon. It feels so good to warm up your body from the inside out and to just take a minute to breathe. I crave it and start looking forward to my little after-school ritual by about mid morning. But I stopped drinking caffeine regularly like 12 years ago when I got pregnant with my first babe and even the mildly caffeinated green tea that I love is starting to mess with my sleep (sigh, getting older). I also have a seriously fussy constitution, so I skip out on some of the more popular herbs like mint and ginger. SO I’ve been on a really dedicated mission to find a tea that I can drink to my heart’s content without upsetting any of my *delicate* little systems. Well, shout it from the South African mountain tops, I have found my true love!

Honeybush is a super delicate, slightly sweet tea that is naturally decaffeinated and is delicious as a single-ingredient brew. It comes from a shrub in a specific area of South Africa and its yellow flowers smell a bit like honey, hence its name. As a happy added bonus, it also has several incredibly beneficial health properties, including polyphenols that help combat heart disease and inflammation. It has been used in South Africa for centuries for everything from coughs to menopause to a digestive aid and I can’t get enough of it (my little adores it too, it’s super mild and has no tannins, so no bitterness). I’ve been really enjoying the Numi Organic Honeybush that I picked up at Vitamin Cottage, and I’m going try this Smith Teamaker version, too, just to mix it up (I know I’m getting super wild over here). If you love a good cuppa, give it a try, it’s divine.
// SMITH TEAMAKERS HONEYBUSH HERBAL INFUSION $12 //

To know me is to know my loving dedication to Baggu Reusable Bags (and to find a least one long strand of my hair in all the food I serve you. Sorry.). I think they’re the bees knees for so many reasons and they’ve just dropped some springy new prints that are so breezy and sunny, I might need to add a few more to my already, um…‘impressive’ collection. In fairness, I do share and before you judge, indulge me for just a sec… For starters, Baggus are hands down the cutest reusable bags you’ll find. So, right there, they’ve got me. I’m such a sucker for a great print + color combo and they continuously just nail it. I get so many compliments when I pull them out and the grocery baggers always pop a big smile (one asked me once if I owned the company because I had so many, which was *slightly* embarrassing, so…maybe do judge).

They’re also the most durable reusable bags around. I’ve had some for like 7 years and they look brand new. They can be machine washed and hung to dry, which I’ve done literally 100 times in the last 12 months, and there’s nary a tear or pull in a single one of them. Also they hold SO MUCH stuff and pack down tiny for travel. They make awesome gifts all by themselves (hello teachers, yoga instructors, galentines therapists…) or as the fabulous and eco-friendly wrapping for another gift. And maybe best of all, I use them all the time when I deliver meals to friends in need. It always makes them feel extra special to find their dinner wrapped up in a bright, happy bag that they can use when they’re feeling better (especially the Yellow Happy print).

See, not crazy, right?! They also have a ton of other awesome goods (I’m eyeing the Puffy Earbud Case and Laptop Sleeve) that would make excellent gifts. So, check out their new prints and you’ll feel just a little warm glimmer of the sunshine coming our way.
// BAGGU REUSABLE BAGS from $10 //

While we’re on the subject of springtime, among all of the other refreshing virtues of the season comes the promise of new outdoor adventures (yay!). VSSL is a very cool outdoor survival kit company with a unique product and they’ve just released their newest must-have gear piece to the lineup.

VSSL kits pack tiny canisters of essential outdoor gear inside a top-of-the-line flashlight and compass unit, creating a sort of Swiss Army Knife of survival necessities. You can either choose from one of their already well-though out versions, like First Aid or Camp or Flask (obvs a necessity for some), or you can customize your own with the tools that are most relevant to your particular adventure. It’s brilliant. I gifted a Camp Supplies kit to my husband for Christmas and he keeps it in the truck for all of the ‘just in case’ scenarios that run through your mind when you’re adventuring WAY out in the boonies. It has things like Fire Starter, Rope + Razor, a Fishing Kit, a mini First Aid kit and tons more that just give you a little peace of mind and are actually useful. It easily moves from truck into daypack and is super lightweight so you’ll never know it’s there until you need it. VSSL kits are waterproof, virtually indestructible and can be restocked so you can reuse it forever.

And now, they can solve all of your pressing (get it?!) coffee emergencies, too. With the new VSSL Java Coffee Grinder, your die-hard, adventure-loving coffee nerd can have freshly ground beans even 15 miles deep on a backpacking trip. It’s a burr grinder with 50 unique settings to get everything just right for your brew. It’s incredibly durable (made with aircraft grade aluminum) and also super lightweight. Pair it with the compact Aeropress GO and a Miir Tumbler and you are set up for a great morning, either in the far reaches of the wild or your backyard. If you’re still looking for a Valentine’s gift for your sweetheart, this could be a fantastic answer.
// VSSL JAVA COFFEE GRINDER $150 //

daddy smoothie

OUR FAVORITE ACAI + OAT SMOOTHIE

THIS NOW-beloved smoothie is named for my husband after he improvised trying to make our old favorite Banana Oat smoothie while mama was away and ended up accidentally creating a brand new favorite. It’s not that pretty looking [the color’s weird, just saying], but it is delicious and super nutritious. My little asks for a ‘daddy smoothie’ most mornings [and after school] and I’m happy to make it for him as a fantastic way to start the day. Well, he asks for the smoothie and an entire package of bacon. You need some balance, right?

I’M NOT much for measuring when I’m making smoothies (and my husband DEF isn’t), so adjust according to your likes. Throw it all in a good blender and whizz until smooth. And then cheers my little guy and his giant plate of bacon. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup almond milk (or favorite dairy/non-dairy milk)

• 1/2 cup rolled oats

• 1 banana

• 1 packet frozen açaí [frozen blueberries or blackberries or all 3 would be yummy, too]

• 1 heaping scoop vanilla protein powder [we use Orgain Organic Vegan Vanilla Bean but use whatever kind you like - if you use a plain one, just add a dash of vanilla extract]

• a couple shakes of cinnamon

• a big squirt of honey

• a big handful of ice cubes

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banana chocolate chip muffins

WE WERE away for the weekend and came home to a *bunch* of VERY ripe bananas. There’s only one thing I know of to do with them, so I made a batch of my tried and true banana muffins. I’ve made this recipe so many times in the last 10 years and it’s so easy that I don’t even need to look at the directions anymore. It takes like 8 minutes to put together. Really, promise. And probably with all things you already have. I add chocolate chips because my littlest loves them, but on top of the chips, I also add fresh blueberries or raspberries to half of the batch for me. If you’ve never had a raspberry chocolate chip muffin you are seriously missing out on one of the best flavor combos around. This recipe is very slightly adapted from Simply Recipes Banana Bread to add the berries, chips and collagen (I add a scoop of Vital Proteins collagen powder to just about all of my baking, smoothies + pancakes for a nutrition boost). Though this is not a GF recipe, I use King Arthur Measure for Measure and it works perfectly. If you prefer a loaf to muffins, just add it to a greased pan and bake for 45-60 minutes. I also rounded up some really pretty mixing bowls that would make amazing gifts for the chefs and bakers you love. xo

INGREDIENTS

• 2 or 3 very ripe bananas

• 5 tbsp butter, melted

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 scoop collagen powder (if using)

• Pinch of salt

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 large egg, beaten

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour (or GF flour)

• 1/2 - 1 cup of chocolate chips depending on how chocolatey you want them

• 1 cup of fresh berries (optional)

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 350 and either spray or add paper cups to a muffin tin or two (I usually end up with 18 muffins total)

• In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.

• Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, collagen powder, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.

• When well combined, fold in the chocolate chips and/or berries

• Fill your muffins cups about 2/3 of the way and bake in the center rack for 12-15 minutes

• Share a few with your cutie baking partner, preferably slathered in even more butter. Yum.

Mixing Bowls Make Great Gifts

+ Sustainable + pretty Bamboozle Nesting Bowls

+ I use these Oxo Good Grips Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls ALL the time

+ I own and love these Moser Glass Mixing Bowls in Jadeite

+ Great Jones’ Stir Crazy ceramic bowls have such a fun pattern

+ This Duralex Lys Glass Bowl Set is on the list of My Favorite Kitchen Tools

+ These Food52 X Rosti Margrethe Nested Mixing Bowls have really useful lids

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