Friday, December 30, 2011

the perfect champagne for any budget

new years eve is tomorrow night and im sure there will be plenty of bubbly flowing.  if i could only drink one alcoholic beverage for the rest of my life, i would, without a doubt, choose champagne.  i love love LOVE it.  now, i say "champagne" but i am referring to all sparkling wines in general and not just "champagnes."  you may or may not know that a sparkling wine can only be called champagne if it is made from the grapes of the champagne region of france.  all champagnes are sparkling wines, but not all sparkling wines are champagnes :)  moving right along... 

 here are my champagne/sparkling wine recommendations for NYE or whenever:

UNDER $10




cristalino brut.  around $8



UNDER $20



scharffenberger brut.  around $15



UNDER $30



nicholas feuilatte brut.  around $25-30



UNDER $50



perrier jouet brut.  around $40



moet & chandon brut imperial.  around $42



UNDER $100



bollinger brut.  around $60



billecart salmon brut rose.  around $80




UNDER $200



krug brut non-vintage.  anywhere from $150-200




pommery cuvee louise.  around $160




SPLURGE



dom perignon brut rose.  around $475


as you can see, i prefer a dry non-sweet sparkling wine and have also included roses.  who doesnt like pink sparkly things?  sparkling roses have such a wonderful color and are a great way to change it up a bit.  i tried to select wines that werent SO recognizable and popular.  try something new and exciting!  most of these champagnes/sparkling wines can be picked up at your local market/liquor store.  some of the more unique and hard-to-finds may require a specialty wine shop.  if youre in the costa mesa/newport beach area you could hit up hi time wine cellars.  also, bevmo should carry and have most of these selections in stock.  and of course, there is always bristol farms - which carries all of these lovely wines!


CHEERS!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

what are YOU doing for new year's eve?

if youre like me (a procrastinator) you don't plan anything for NYE and just hope something super fun and exciting to do lands in your lap.  well, because i have spent a few NYEs doing nothing super fun and exciting, i have learned that a plan needs to be made in advance if youre looking for some action.  but here i am, 2 days before the big night with NOTHING planned. hhaha.. shocking!  so what now?  well, i am married.  i do have an 18 month old son.  its not like my plans will involve getting heavily intoxicated at some chic and trendy hotel party in a city im not familiar with (although one of my good friends will be - sigh).  another friend of mine is heading up to tahoe for the weekend with a guy friend of hers (guy friend? sheesh, lets make it official already).  maybe other people will be joining them in tahoe, so my assumption that its a romantical weekend alone might be hasty.  i was talking to another girlfriend about NYE and she mentioned a hotel party as well (locally, however) and possibly a yacht cruise in newport (how fantastic!).  all of these PLANS sound amazing... but as i stated earlier, i FAILED TO PLAN ANYTHING!  so now im thinking dinner with my husband at one of our favorite places in newport, the cannery.  they dont take reservations in their jelly fish lounge (great signature cocktails and sushi) anyhow, so i dont feel so horrible for not making any.  however, it is NYE and it is newport. 

 wish me luck!  happy new year!


the cannery. jelly fish lounge.


what are your plans for NYE?

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

tea! yes.

i have always been a coffee drinker and when i say always, i mean i started drinking coffee in my 3rd year at UCLA.  coffee was a must.  i've never been into energy drinks (or drugs) and having a hot coffee in during the early morning or late night study/cram sessions was essential.  i love coffee, i do.  everything about it - the aroma, the body, the texture and flavor. my favorite ice cream is ben and jerry's coffee heath bar crunch and my favorite dessert is tiramisu.  that being said, i have been diving into the world of tea (hot tea) head first.  iced tea has always been on my radar, and i love it.  hot tea, not so much.  its tastes too much like water - its practically hot water, but i guess iced tea is just cold water? hmmm.

anyhow, i talked to a few tea lovers i know - one of them being the coffee/tea buyer at work.  she was so full of information and enthusiasm, definitely making me excited about tea too!  after trying a few of the samples she gave me and taking her suggestions on things to try and learning about proper tea preparation and tasting - i stocked up!  went to the store and bought one of every thing!  well, not really, but i bought some green tea, some black tea, some white tea, some loose tea.  WOW! so many selections. 




i also went to tea forte dot com and purchased a kati tea brewing system shown above in "tree top."  its a double wall ceramic tumbler with a stainless steel mesh infuser basket for loose tea.  there are 8 different color/pattern options.  i love it and keep one at home and one at the office!  its never hot to the touch and i like the versatility of being able to use both loose and bagged teas.  this brewing system was featured in O Magazine, so use the coupon code: OPRAH at check out and this super cute tumbler is yours for only $9!  

oh, and their tea isn't too bad either, haha.  i love their cucumber mint and mango peach green teas.  i got the cucumber mint bagged and the mango peach loose.  let me know what you think!

at work, i just use our hot water dispenser for my tea, but at home i currently use the microwave to heat my tea water and would like to get away from doing that.  i am debating between a traditional stove-top tea kettle or an electric kettle.  i like the idea of getting a cute green whistling stove-top kettle - its pretty and functional but maybe not so practical.  the electric kettle is much more efficient/quicker.  maybe i will just get both?  meh, thats not really necessary.


le creuset whistling tea kettle. kiwi.

 
bodum electric kettle. green.



sooooo, which one?

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

let's do this!

it's that time of year again... THE END!
 time to say good-bye to 2011 and hello to 2012.  

most of us start the new year off with a resolution that we vow to keep and end the year forgetting what we resolved to accomplish in the first place.  not this time! (well for me anyway.  i say this now, but we'll see).  

2012 resolutions:

blog! keep it up.  i haven't posted since like.. what? march 2011.
live a healthier lifestyle - free of sugar binges and processed junk
exercise - (realistically it should be MAKE TIME to exercise)
finish my "home to-do list"

don't have a resolution?  HERE is a website that can generate one for you.  heck, you can even have it keep generating until you find one you like.
this year, i will...

i'm ready for 2012!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

my life list

my 25th birthday is this saturday.  eeks.  i thought that it would be a good time to update my life list.  i have the next 50+ years to get these things accomplished, but time is slowly ticking away.




so lets get on with it....


write a book
visit all 50 US states
renew my wedding vows
run a marathon
learn to surf
learn to drive with manual transmission
attend an oprah show (not looking good)
start my own company
watch my son graduate college. get married. have children
go on a caribbean cruise
go to disney world
travel in ireland. fiji. thailand. dominican republic. belize. sweden. brazil
ski in canada
kayak in alaska & see the northern lights
successfully maintain a garden
see the egyptian pyramids
walk on the great wall of china
see stonehenge
lose this damn baby weight! (OK so probably not all baby weight)
move to another state (possibly hawaii)
scuba dive
be 100% debt free!
make a difference in someone's life
ride in a hot air balloon
get a complete makeover (working on this)
go on a cross-country road trip - travel on route 66
create my dream home
volunteer at a hospital
walk for a charity
visit all MLB stadiums in the US
brush up on my spanish speaking skills
teach my son how to treat a lady
remain happy
read a stephen king novel
see niagara falls
shark cage dive
go on an african safari
go back to australia!
see the grand canyon
take a cooking class
be an amazing wife. mom.



so thats my updated life list.  i have already done so many things on my original list that i started in high school.  these are the ones i am yet to accomplish and i am sure there will be more added throughout the years.  if you dont have one already, i suggest you start making your own life list.  my life list is a great online resource to get ideas, set goals, track your achievements and help keep you motivated.  you can read about others' stories and goals and share your stories with others.



Monday, April 4, 2011

yoga virgin






i recently tried yoga for the first time.  didnt hate it.  didnt love it.  i really never thought i would do yoga, ever.  i found myself adopting the "i dont need yoga, my ass needs boot camp!" mentality.  i just didnt think it was "my thing."  bending, stretching, posing, weird positions and movements.  no thanks.  i am NOT a limber person and certainly not the most graceful.  i much prefer a fast-paced strength training type of exercise and anything competitive.  loud music, grunting, heavy breathing, shouting, high energy.  i need to sweat, to move quickly and get my heart pumping.  this particular yoga class was none of the above.  that was to be expected, however... it was not as easy as i had anticipated it being.  i was feeling the burn in places and muscles i never knew i even had.  some of the positions were nearly impossible for me to hold for any length of time and i learned that i need to work on my balance (while not horrible, could be improved).  i consider myself an athletic person (however i am out of shape right now.. ughhh) and i am up to any challenge.  its hard for me to admit defeat.   i like to think there is nothing i cant do, so that is why i am going to the same yoga class tomorrow morning and i am going to master it.  one class at a time.  if i had one complaint about the class it would be the yoga lingo.  but after a few times of going to the class, i should be able to add a few yoga words to my vocabulary and start remembering the names of the different positions/poses.  i found myself spending a good deal of time looking over my shoulder or between my legs just to get a glimpse of the instructor and re-position my body.  she spoke very quickly and my un-trained yoga ear was not ready.  but, on the upside it was a very welcoming atmosphere and i didnt feel out of place, which is nice.  also, the meditation thing.  i guess that was another bump in the road for me.  i dont meditate, but i did enjoy the cool-down meditation time at the end of the session.




namasté




Monday, March 21, 2011

gettin' the itch to travel...



if i had unlimited funds, i would travel the world.  fiji, thailand, the caribbean, ireland, dominican republic, belize, brazil, sweden, canada, alaska.  and the list goes on.  i am fortunate enough to have already done a great bit of traveling.  ive been to 17-18 countries in europe, australia, new zealand, mexico, and many beautiful places right here in the united states.  unlimited funds would be amazing and afford me the luxury to travel in style, with great ease, and of course for extended periods of time.  but, you dont need a ton of money to have a rewarding and unforgettable traveling experience.  the best part about traveling is experiencing something new and learning about the people and culture of the region (eating and drinking - ha!).  and of course, this can be done with little or no money.  however, back to my original thought, unlimited funds would be nice because then when i get home from traveling, i wouldnt have to worry about my bills or my mortgage and car payments.  


tavarua - fiji



a friend of mine just got back from spending a few weeks in australia and a few other people around me have been talking about planning trips.  trips of a lifetime.  to europe.  to the dominican.  how i wish i could pick up and leave, but things are different now.  i have a family.  my son, 9 months old, cant just travel with us anywhere.  well, i suppose he could, but spending time in a foreign country with a child under the age of one doesnt sound like my cup of tea.  and i can only imagine how hard it would be to spend any extended length of time away from him.  i would worry, constantly (and im not even a worrier).  and if my husband and i are traveling and something happened to either one of us... well, lets just say, we arent prepared for that (legally, financially).  however, when kai gets older (5-6) i want to take him everywhere.  he is going to be a well-traveled child. i believe the experience is so beneficial and if we can make it happen, i would be so grateful.  



so for now, we are limited to mini-vacations.  we are taking our first family road trip to arizona this weekend to go see the angels at spring training.  kai has never been for a car ride longer than an hour, so this will be interesting.  drive time is about 5-6 hours on average and can be done even quicker.  but i am afraid that we are going to have to make numerous stops (diaper changes, feeding, cranky baby).  we are hoping for the best.  kai is a great kid, so it shouldnt be too bad.  we'll see how it goes....






we also have a wine tasting getaway planned for my (gasp!) 25th birthday.  good lord.  25.  this will be brian and i's first weekend away from the baby.  3 days 2 nights.  sleeping in?  wooowww!  sleeping in. we are looking forward to it.  oh and of course, the wine tasting.  good times & great friends. 





plan a trip.  today!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

time for a change

for those of you who know me personally, you know that i have always had blonde hair.  straight, long, blonde hair.  i never change it.  i am too chicken to cut it, dye it, try something new (with the exception of dying it dark brown ONE TIME.  ONCE.  in my life)  also, im waaaayy to lazy to do anything fun to it.  and now that im a mom, ive given up the hair straightener and most mornings forgo the blow dryer.  its not that i dont care or dont have time, i think its because im bored.  over it.  i need to shake things up!  im thinking...










yep, red.  now, more than likely my hairstylist will roll her eyes, laugh at me and then just shake her head.  because, you see, i have threatened to change my hair COUNTLESS times in the past and always end up leaving the salon with blonde hair and a trim.  thats it.  i chicken out.  why?  its just hair!!  i can always change it again if i hate it.  its not like im chopping it all off, and even if i did, it will grow back.  so why the hesitancy?  thats my problem.  i dont know.  maybe its because blonde is all i have ever known.  i like blonde.  i look good blonde.  its my identity for pete's sake! 




so here is what im thinking, colorwise....



ooohh lindsay.  you are so silly.  disregard how trashy she looks and how obviously fake her extensions are.  focus on the color.  its ALMOST blonde.  this red is so do-able.  it wouldnt be that different from my hair now, but still a change.  which is monumental in itself.








sienna.  this looks a bit more red to me, but still not full-blown "red-head."  i can see myself doing this also, but maybe not this go around.  it is definitely more red than lindsay's hair, but a bit "witchy" looking.  but i do like the color on sienna. it looks great with her skin tone and eye color.  









ashlee.  this might be a bit much for me.  a little darker than i was thinking, but still a beautiful color.  brown tones, but the red still shines through.  i am not thinking this will be MY red, but a great color nonetheless.







kirsten.  now this is RED.  i have been told that i look like kirsten.  ughhh, i guess i kind of do, but i just dont think shes that cute.  and most of the times i see her in magazines, she looks dirty and greasy, like she needs a shower.  shes too skinny for my taste, no boobs (not that that matters).  kind of boyish in a way.  but anyhow, thats not what i am here to discuss.  i believe this color was for the spiderman movies and it doesnt look that bad on her, really.  she definitely dyed the eyebrows to match, and her lip color is a perfect marriage.  but, again, maybe not for me.












christina.  fail.  this is just trashy.  maybe its the sparkly bandeau top, or the bicep jewelry.  im not sure.  but the hair isnt working either.  blonde, red, black.  no, no, no.  but a hairstyle like this on a music artist with hit songs titled "dirrty" "stripped" and "sex for breakfast" is not surprising.  






anyhow.  my hair appointment is TODAY.  can i make the change?

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

vegan chocolate cupcakes with coffee buttercream frosting






vegan cupcakes?!  yuck, right?  WRONG.  i made these cupcakes a week ago and they were so delicious, i might start using this recipe as my go-to cupcake recipe.  i just wont tell people they are vegan, and they will love them!  the thought of a vegan cupcake might not be appealing to some, and i admit, i was really scared to take my first bite.  and boy was i pleasantly surprised.  the cupcake was so moist and flavorful and the frosting had the perfect texture.  the combination was to die for, and now im sharing the recipe with you.

how did i even come up with a vegan cupcake recipe?  most people who arent vegan dont keep standard vegan-friendly ingredients stocked in their pantry - coconut oil, coconut milk, vegan margarine, non-hydrogenated shortening (just to name a few).  when youre thinking about baking without butter and eggs, it may seem impossible to find ingredients to stand in as substitutes.  of course, as many of you know, i google everything.   so i googled "vegan cupcake recipe" and read through about 10 recipes or so before deciding to try chef chloe's chocolate cupcake recipe.  chef chloe won the cupcake wars competition on the food network, beating non-vegan bakers and impressing the hard-to-understand french judge, and the owner/founder of sprinkles cupcakes, candace nelson.  chef chloe is young and super cute, but also very talented.  lets give her recipe a go!


chocolate cupcakes 
(frosting recipe below)
ingredients needed:
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup coconut milk
1/2cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp instant espresso powder

preheat oven to 350 - yields 12 cupcakes
bake time: 20 min - line cupcake pan with paper liners


method:
sift or whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt into a bowl.






in a separate bowl, mix the coconut milk, oil, vinegar, vanilla, and espresso powder until smooth.






pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and mix with a fork or small whisk.




divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners until each cup is 2/3 full.  the batter made about 17 cupcakes for me, but i guess i could have filled the cups a little bit more.  to divide the batter evenly, try using an ice cream scoop, or as 1/3 cup measuring scoop.








bake for about 20 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.  i took mine out right around 18 minutes.  let cool in cupcake pan for about 3 min, then transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack.  *always let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.  (i definitely could have filled my cupcake liners up a bit more.  on my second batch i did and they were perfect).




coffee buttercream frosting
ingredients needed:
1 tbsp instant espresso powder (i used finely ground instant coffee i had on hand)
2 tbsp amaretto liquor
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup non-hydrogenated shortening (i used non-hydrogenated margarine and refined coconut oil will also work)
4 cups organic confectioners sugar (i used conventional)
2 tablespoons water


method:
combine espresso powder, amaretto, and vanilla in small bowl and mix or swirl bowl until espresso powder has dissolved (about 1 minute). 





beat shortening in large bowl with an electric mixer for about 1 minute, then add confectioner's sugar.  i decided to sift my sugar before adding it.. personal preference.





add the espresso mixture to the frosting a little at a time as you beat it. you might not want to add ALL the espresso mixture depending on the climate and how the frosting is looking. Once it becomes a desirable consistency, you can stop adding it. If you dump it all in at once, it may become too runny.  (for me, i need all of the espresso mixture).  if it is too dry, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until desired buttercream consistency is achieved. beat on high for about 5 minutes, making sure you scrape down the sides with a spatula often.









pipe or frost with a knife.






give this recipe a try.  you wont be sorry!

Monday, February 14, 2011

bloggin' for a livin'

well, its a good thing i dont do this bloggin' thing for a living, because i am seriously far behind in my vegan updates.  i really want to let you all in on my little vegan cupcake recipe.  the cupcakes we SO amazing, really.  even brian mentioned that they may be the best cupcakes i have ever made him (which is saying  A LOT).  i love sweets, and i bake often - especially cupcakes.   

but, as for today, monday - valentine's day.  i am no longer following a vegan diet.  filet mignon for dinner.  so perfect.  everyone have an amazing day with their loved ones and tomorrow i will be posting a complete briefing of my week as a vegan.




"glad the search is over.  the adventure continues..."


Friday, February 11, 2011

falling beeehiiiinnndddd - VEGAN UPDATE



wow.. i just realized that i havent posted since monday.  this week has been super hectic and even worse, brian, myself and kai all have a cold.  greeeaatttt!  i had a sore throat on wednesday and started feeling super under the weather last night.  and today, its full-on.  im sipping on theraflu (yes its vegan.. and even if it wasnt, i wouldnt care at this point) and trying to get some work done, but my head isnt cooperating. i made some super yummy vegan cupcakes on tuesday.  and plan on making some hummus tomorrow.  all of my vegan plans didnt really come together this week, and brian has already quit on me.  he quit yesterday.  the vegan diet doesnt really agree with him.... and he constantly whines about not getting enough protein.  im with him.  its super hard to eat "chik'n" when you really want CHICKEN!!  the meat substitute products, while some are pretty good, just dont do it for me.  its a texture and consistency thing mostly.  we made "chik'n" tacos the other night and i had to practically swallow it whole and gag it down.  NOT enjoyable!  also, the coffee thing.  i really enjoy the creaminess that really milk gives the coffee.  almond milk and truvia just dont cut it.  and i LOOOOVEEEE coffee.  all forms.  EXCEPT black.  i need my cream and sugar.  i have just given up on drinking coffee all week.  so sad.  

anyhow.. the main reason for this post is to inform you that i am still sticking to the vegan diet.  i havent had any blunders other than the first day, i just have been way to busy to post the recipes and photos.  tomorrow or tonight i am gonna work on that.   


stay tuned.  stay vegan.  at least until sunday.

Monday, February 7, 2011

day one - so far... FAIL

so, in a hurry to get out the door today and head to work, i grabbed my easy on-the-go breakfast.  double fiber english muffin with peanut butter and two morning star veggie sausages.  poured my almond milk into a water bottle and grabbed a few packets of truvia (for my coffee) - done.  out the door.  heading to work thinking.. wow i didnt do any shopping to prepare for my vegan adventure (starting today), what am i gonna have for lunch?!  great.  so i get to work, finish up some projects that need to be done ASAP, get on the computer and google "morning star sausage patties."  and FAIL.  the second ingredient listed: egg whites.  greeaattt.  NOT VEGAN.  i had a sneaking suspicion that these veggie sausage patties weren't vegan, but didnt have the time to grab my oatmeal instead.  so, back to my other problem, lunch... there arent many restaurants around my office and the ones that are nearby certainly dont offer vegan alternatives.  im thinking... veggie sandwich from subway.  cant be 100% sure the bread is vegan, but i have already had one blunder, so this day is a wash.  i think i am going to make a trip to whole foods on my way home.  they opened a new one in bella terra back in october.  i have to pick up some vegan staples and plan something for dinner.  brian is on board with my for this week, so i cannot screw this up already.  




shopping list:


milk alternative - soy, almond, rice, hemp - whatever suites your taste, but i will say this, dont do soy all the time, switch it up.  i already purchased some almond milk (i was thinking a little bit ahead)

butter alternative - i keep earth balance spread on hand - they also make sticks, just like traditional butter

fresh/frozen fruits and veggies (obviously) - get a variety and think of meal planning

beans - all kinds, including chick peas/garbanzos

brown rice - i buy it frozen (already cooked) from costco.  SO easy

tofu - i HAAAATTTTEEEE tofu.  but i am willing to give it a chance this time around

hummus - always LOVED hummus, now it will be my new best friend.  easy to make yourself as well.  i will be posting a delicious recipe (probably tomorrow).  i am going to make some this week

nuts/seeds - i prefer raw and unsalted (you can also get trail mixes for snacking)

whole wheat pasta/pasta sauces/canned tomato products

popcorn - for snacks

protein powder - i use either soy or hemp - my breakfast will usually consist of a blended veggie smoothie (recipe to come)

vinegars/condiments/sauces - bragg's is a great apple cider vinegar

nutritional yeast - have yet to try it, but have heard it has amazing health benefits and is great in your "cheese" recipes

bread - rudi's or ezekial - just check the ingredients as some of the varieties are NOT vegan - remember honey is NOT VEGAN



happy shopping my vegan friends!



Friday, February 4, 2011

VEGAN challenge



oprah.  oprah.  oprah.  i love her.  and i am SO sad that this is her last season because her new OWN network isn't cuttin' it.  period.  its not in HD and i have yet to see a show that i like.  sad.  anyhow... i record oprah everyday and usually find time to watch it on my days off while im folding laundry or cleaning the house.  the topic of the recorded show i watched yesterday was veganism  and food consumption awareness.  her guests included  famed food author michael pollan, author and well-known vegan kathy freston, as well as general manager of cargill meat solutions beef processing facility in fort morgan, colorado, nicole johnson-hoffman.  the show was very informative and eye-opening and even included footage of oprah correspondent, lisa ling's tour through the cargill slaugherhouse with nicole johnson-hoffman.  the video was graphic, but terribly interesting.  johnson-hoffman did an excellent job of explaining the methods and processes of the facility during the tour.  but what i found most intriguing was that after seeing the slaughter right in front of her eyes, lisa ling, a meat-eater before the tour, still eats meat after what she saw. 

oprah challenged the staff of harpo studios to a 7-day vegan diet.  the challenge was optional, however 378 staffers, including oprah, signed on: no meat. no milk.  no animal anything.  one week.  so, like i have done before, i am going vegan for a week.  however, my biggest challenge is not giving up animal products, its convincing my husband to get on board with me.  i gave him the heads up today and he says he is going to think about it this weekend.  i figured we would start on monday, after the big game this sunday.  that will give us a weekend of gluttony followed by a week of cleansing.  as for myself, i have done many vegan cleanses in the past.  most of them including no alcohol, no caffeine, and no processed carbohydrates.  because heck, i can go on a tater tot and cookie binge all week and still remain vegan.  thats not the point.  so, even if i cant get brian to join me, starting monday, february 7th, i will be on a vegan diet.  




i purchased two new books for my kindle to get me motivated.  you should too!
















stay tuned for my daily journey through my 7-day vegan challenge

Sunday, January 30, 2011

extreme banana nut bread


it was raining today and brian and i were craving some comfort food.  so i threw some chicken taco stew in the crock pot and decided to bake some banana nut bread for dessert. 




ingredients needed:

2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
two sticks of butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs, beaten
4 over-ripe bananas, mashed
1 cup chopped walnuts - optional
preheat the oven to 325 - yields two loafs - 9x5 
bake time: 60-70 min


method:

once the oven is preheated, grease and flour your loaf pans.
in a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.







in a large bowl, cream your butter and sugar until smooth.







once the mixture is smooth, add the eggs and vanilla and beat on low until well incorporated.







i just added the chopped walnuts to my mashed bananas... on the right is my sifted dry ingredients







next, gradually add your dry ingredients to your wet ingredients.  i used a spatula for this.  you should probably add the dry ingredients in thirds, but i was too impatient and added it all at once.








next, add the bananas and walnuts.  dont overmix.








divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans.  bake for 60-70 min until a knife inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean. 








i would recommend keeping a close eye on the loaves around 45-50 min.   because of the sugars, it can brown quickly.  i started to smell the bread at about 50 min, and i should have checked on it then, and didnt. a liiiiitttllee burnt. darn. *note - i think our oven is hotter than it should be, so you may not have any problems.




let the loaves cool in pan for 5-10 min.  transfer the loaves to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely.  wrap in aluminum foil to keep the moisture in.   ideally, refrigerate for two hours before serving.  but heck, they come out warm and smelling delicious.  how can you resist?  there are two loaves... so i decided to try one hot out of the oven and put the other one in the fridge to cool for two hours.  







finished product.  yuuuuummm!  way good and way addicting.  i just wish i hadnt burned the edges.  ugh.  better luck next time.  it was still delicious though.  enjoy!