you should make these...

To say I love to cook (and bake) would be an understatement. Ask my mom – she will tell you that when I used to visit them (while at AU) I would make things just for the sake of making them and then leave everything uneaten for them to enjoy. It may have been a little annoying, like my habit of "cleaning" when I was home, and making piles, which ultimately became a game of hide & seek for them (but that's another story).

It's relaxing to me, I guess. Ultimately I attribute my love for cooking to my Nana. Sometimes I still make some of the things we used to love as children; spanish noodles, scalloped potatoes (although mine are homemade), chicken divan & spritz cookies (which is a Christmas tradition with mom too), etc. When Nana & Pop-pop passed away we (family) made a list of their things that each of us wanted to keep. Pop-pop had already given me Nana's Bible and a strand of her pearls, so the thing I asked for was her cookbook. I love the recipes that were written in her handwriting.

This weekend I tried a few new recipes that I think you should try too...

#1 – Healthy Banana-Blueberry Muffins
These are awesome & great for you – a little different than the typical banana bread I usually make with overripe bananas.
{recipe here}


#2 – Homemade Clif Bars
Ok, in my opinion, these are better than store-bought clif bars AND they are super easy. Definitely try them.

Ingredients –
1/4 cup rice krispies
1 cup quick-cooking oats
3 tbsp ground flaxseed meal
1/4 cup crasins
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I used mini)
1/4 cup sliced toasted almonds
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
few dashes of sea salt

Directions –
In a large bowl, mix the rice krispies, oats, flaxseed, crasins, choc chips and almonds.
In a pot, heat the honey, then add the peanut butter, vanilla and salt; stirring constantly until melted.
Let it sit for a few minutes until it stiffens, then press into an 8x8 or 9x9 pan. (I doubled the recipe & used a 9x9 pan)
Cut into bars.
Place in ziploc baggies & put in the fridge.

#3 – Old School German Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Icing & the best sprinkles
Maybe not so good for you, but they're for Brian (ha). Doesn't this picture make you want one?

The girls spent some time in the kitchen too – concocting a plan on how to get the cupcakes off the counter I'm sure...