My Life Lately...

Ready for Sweet Summertime

Is it just me, or has winter overstayed its welcome? I love Winter... I truly do! I love snow, hot chocolate, stocking hats, warm mittens, and crackling fires...

But this girl is so ready for some summertime! There's something so pure and innocent about the Spring season that serves as a segway into the sun-beaming months of summer. Fresh starts, sun-kissed skin, and bright colors.

What is your favorite part about the warm seasons? They are right around the corner... I hope!

 

Healthy Treats

I was just informed ALARMED at the fact that Easter is only 55 days away. March 31st, also known as the segway into Spring, is just around the corner and I for one want to fit into a teeny weenie some-mis-matched bikini when the sunshine makes its grand debut...

Hello, College Days!

To help me get back into suit shape, I've been looking through Pinterest recipes, tips and tricks to help whip this bod into firm and fab!

One treasure I stumbled upon was this recipe for No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein bars...

With every ingredient already in my pantry (because my breakfast smoothie has a recipe longer than the Grammy's guest list), I decided on a whim to give it a try. Mix Chia seeds, peanut butter, honey, protein powder, and oats and you give birth to...

And these babies were tasty, too! Filling and fueling, I give these snacks two thumbs up! Get the RECIPE here along with more tips on eating and living healthy!

Vegan Coconut Banana Bread

Being that I buy so many bananas at one time, sometimes I can't eat them fast enough before they go bad. Banana bread may be one of my favorite baking ventures, as it's one of the easiest recipes to execute!

(Picture Cred)

I found an incredible banana bread (3 ways!) recipe this past weekend and let me tell you- It made my mouth water onto my keypad. But trying to stay close-to-vegan, I altered my list of ingredients just a tad. I also left out the chocolate chips and added in shredded coconut. Nothing says summer like bananas and coconut!

Ingredients

DRY INGREDIENTS

(2 .1/4.) Cup flour (whole wheat unbleached)

(1) tsp Baking Soda

(1) tsp Baking Powder

(1/2) tsp salt

_________________________

OTHER INGREDIENTS

(3) *over ripe* Nanners ;)

(1) tsp Cinnamon

(2 .1/2.) tbs *Buttermilk (mix 1 Cup Soy milk w/ 2 Tbs Lemon juice. Sit for 5 minutes until thick)

(1/2) Cup Apple Sauce (2 eggs substitute)

(1/2) Cup Earth Balance Spread + 2 Tbs Canola Oil (or 9 Tbs Canola Oil)

(1) Cup Sugar

(1) tsp Vanilla

(2/3) Cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)

Directions

1. Preheat Oven to 325 degrees

2. Mix dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Set aside

3. In separate bowl, mash bananas (Nanners) and *Buttermilk

4. Fold in oil, sugar, and applesauce.

5. Fold in shredded coconut

6. Bake for 1hr+10min.
7. Cool- 

(Top with shredded coconut & powdered sugar if desired!)

Of course, you can use eggs and milk in this recipe- but for the sake of our animal friends, our healthy insides, and that ever sought-after bikini bod, I made it Vegan-Friendly. Have at it friends! Enjoy a warm slice of sweet, sweet summertime

Not a Vegetarian? Take into consideration

Still eating cheese and dairy? Take into consideration...

Do the Twist

I am not much of a summer person (Gasp! I know…) But one things that I do love about the season is that my hair is usually long, wavy (the only upside to humidity) and pony-tail cooperative. Since starting my new job, I’ve been experimenting with ways to put my hair up to beat the heat but also look somewhat like an attempt to look cute.

My favorite is leaving the actual tail long and wavy, but keeping bangs out of the way with the side twist…

All images found via google search: Side twist pony tail

What do you think? Are you doing the twist?

Summer Bucket List Update!

Does everyone remember my summer bucketlist I created back at the beginning of June? Well it's already nearing the tail-end of July and I thought I'd give a little update, considering I've completed some of the items on the list!

1. Compile 120+ Poems with illustrations for possible publication- In/P...
Look for a new poem with illustrations next week!

2. See The Hunger Games movie... FINALLY-
Ok, so the DVD comes out August, so until then, I will have to put this little number on hold.

3. Go to at least 2 different concerts
With my new job and moving to a new city, July has been a whirlwind. But having about a month and a half left of the summer season (I'm counting mid-september as still summer) I plan on securing tickets for some good shows!

4. Begin training for Disney half/marathon- STARTED! Jan 13

Yes, the training has begun! You can follow along (ahem, and by follow along, I mean join myself and friends in the race!) by looking at my training plan and signing up here!

5. Secure a big girl job – DONE! Started Jul 16 (Check Me Out!) and... AGAIN!

6. Reach over 30 followers for my blog- On The Wing
Still working on this- So if you have a gmail/blogger account, help a girl out!

7. Play on an organized sports team for a sport I never played as a child
This is in progress. But I'm looking forward to finding a volleyball, kickball, or flag football team ASAP!

8. Make an inspirational video and post it on Youtube
In progress... be on the lookout soon ;)

9. Visit baby sister in TN!

Cross this one off the list! I may not have made it all the way to TN, but I did make it out to see my friend Amanda, Danella, and Rachael in Asheville for a day of exploring, good food and hiking!

10. Make plans for a trip out of the country

This one will depend on the budget... But keeping my fingers crossed!

11. Find a new recipe for my favorite food

That's what this weekend is for! :)

12. Find a pen pal in a Spanish speaking country- Not a pen pal, but online friend from aiport.

Two weeks ago, I was stranded in the Dallas airport for 14 hours. I befriended a kind woman from Mexico who was having a hard time understanding the terminal updates and translated them into spanish. She may not be a "pen-pal" but we are for sure facebook friends and conversing regularly!

13. Eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s and not feel guilty

14. Read two new books- In progress- Finished Nicholas Spark's Safe Haven-
Now I'm  looking for next book!

Any reccommendations?

15. Complete all 10 Seasons of Friends.- In progress- On season 7!

There you have it! Some things crossed off, others in progress. One thing's for sure, I'm having a great summer so far! I hope everyone out there is too...

Happy Weekending!

Pineapple Upside Down

Love summer? Love to eat? Uh... You and I both! I was watching the food network one afternoon after a swim in the pool and I saw this little diddy being made by the one and only- Paula Deen. Although this cake may make your next skinny dip turn into a chunky dunk... I fully support you to indulge a little with this scrumptious cake 

Paula's  Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

 

 (trust me, it's worth every sweet, sticky bite)

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 3 cups cake flour, plus more for pan
• 1 cup butter, softened, plus 1/2 cup, melted
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups whole buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 (20-ounce) cans pineapple slices in juice, drained well (reserve 2 tablespoons juice for frosting)
• 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained well
• Pineapple Buttercream Frosting, recipe follows
• Chopped pecans, for garnish, optional

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and coat with flour.

In a large bowl, beat 1 cup butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating until fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and set aside.

In a small bowl, add the 3 cups of flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine. Add the flour mixture into the egg mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.

Divide the brown sugar evenly into each pan. Pour the melted butter equally over the brown sugar. Arrange the pineapple slices and cherries over the brown sugar. Reserve remaining pineapple slices and cherries for another use.

Pour equal amounts of batter over the fruit and bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 40 to 45 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Invert the cakes onto wire racks to cool completely.

To assemble the cake, carefully arrange 1 cake layer, pineapple side up, on a cake plate. Carefully stack the remaining cake layer, pineapple side up, over the first layer. Frost the sides of the cake with Pineapple Buttercream Frosting. Press chopped pecans into sides of cake, if desired.

Pineapple Buttercream Frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons reserved pineapple juice
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Beat all the ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.

Yield: about 2 cups

Summer Bucket List

It's Summer as of now... Ok, perhaps the calendar deems June 20th as the first day of the swelter season, but I would like to start now. A list of 15 things to accomplish before September 1st. Getting motivated and oh so excited!

1.     Compile 120+ Poems with illustrations for possible publication

2.     See The Hunger Games movie... FINALLY

3.     Go to at least 2 different concerts

4.     Begin training for Disney half/marathon

5.     Secure a big girl job

6.     Reach over 30 followers for my blog- On The Wing

7.     Play on an organized sports team for a sport I never played as a child

8.     Make an inspirational video and post it on Youtube

9.     Visit baby sister in TN

10.  Make plans for a trip out of the country

11.  Find a new recipe for my favorite food

12.  Find a pen pal in a Spanish speaking country

13.  Eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s and not feel guilty

14.  Read two new books

15.  Complete all 10 Seasons of Friends.

What do you hope to accomplish this summer? Make a list, share it, and get started!

The Whole Fam Damily! (&Cheesecake!)

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I am currently enjoying the summer-like temps and sunshine in Florida with family. The evenings have been somewhat surreal, being at 72 degrees and clear skies for sunset and then cool, clear skies for star gazing. 

I am so blessed to be where I am when I am- with most of my extended family in town from my dad's side of the tree. To celebrate a great family, us Kellers did the best way we know how- With lots and lots of food!

I'm not kidding, people! Fried chicken, coleslaw, hot dogs, cornbread, macaroni salad, baked beans, casseroles, fruit, and desserts! Little need to say, I went to bed stuffed higher than a Boyds Bear, and I couldn't have been happier. 

My contribution to the feast? Another Pinterest find (+ my own little addition) It was a hit! and I highly recommend making one of these babies for your next big occasion (Or just because your sweet tooth will love you in the end.)

Blueberry Kiwi Cheesecake

(Modified from THIS recipe)

What You'll Need-
CHEESE CAKE-
1 (9 inch) pie tin (greased)
3/4 cup milk
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 eggs
3/4 cup of sugar
1/2 cup Original Bisquick Mix
2 (8oz) Cream Cheese

___________________
TOPPING

1 Pkg Blueberries
1 Cup Water
3/4 Cup Sugar
2 Tbs Corn Starch (or flour)
1-3 Kiwi

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all Cheesecake ingredients (except Cream Cheese) into a blender. Blend for 15 seconds
3. Add cream cheese. Blend on lowest setting for 1-2 minutes, until creamy.
4. Pour into greased pie pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes
5. Place in fridge IMMEDIATELY- Cool for 4+ hours
6. In a medium saucepan, pour washed blueberries, water, and sugar. Bring to a light boil.
7. Add cornstarch (or flour) to thicken. Stir as it boils. Remove and place in fridge
8. After cake and berries cool, top with kiwi slivers and blueberry glaze.

9. DEVOUR! 

Happy Thursday, lovelies!

Keep Cool, Stay Smooth

Spending some relaxing time in Florida, I am definitely enjoying the sunshine state and its abundance of January rays. The warmth is also causing some fruity cravings that are commonly consumed in the summer months.

To beat away the slight sun burn from yesterday's beach trip, I slurped down this for lunch and it for sure kept my stomach full and cool.

Frothy Fruit Smoothie

1 cup 1% (or skim, your pref) milk
2T 0% Plain Chobani Greek Yog.
(The dairy also reduces any puffiness acquired from any sunburnage.)

1 Banana, sliced
Handful Frozen Whole Strawberries

Blend together for a sweet treat that doubles as a healthy meal! If you're still hungry afterwards, grab some pretzels and hummus.What up New Years Resolution, made easy!