Tag Archives: Health

Vegan layered banana pudding

Vegan Layered Banana Pudding

 I attended an after-church luncheon last week where 94% of the guests were vegan. So of course, the hostess asked me to bring a non-dairy dessert. At first I was a little nervous. I’ve eaten plenty of vegan desserts, but I don’t think I’ve ever made one. From scratch. (Throwing a cake mix in a bowl with water and oil, adding egg replacer, and calling it a day DOES NOT COUNT)

I went online hunting for some ideas. Anything that did not include tofu, because for me personally, dessert + tofu = No thank you.

I decided on a banana pudding, and found this (tofu free) vegan vanilla pudding recipe. It was super easy to make and tasted deceivingly good! The only alteration I made was adding some whipped cream to make it a little lighter and creamier. Yum!

After the pudding was made I ground up some graham crackers, sliced up a few bananas and attempted to toast some slivered almonds.

I say attempted because my first go at it was an utter and epic FAIL. This was also my first attempt ever in the history of my cooking life, mind you, so while the directions said “toast @ 350 degrees in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown”, they SHOULD have said “toast @ 350 degrees in the oven 5 minutes or until the slightest change of color and get them out immediately because those Mo-Fo’s burn FAST!”

Needless to say, I had to make a late night run to the grocery store to get some more.

After succeeding to toast the second batch of almonds, it was just a matter of layering the pudding: graham cracker crumbs first, sliced bananas, then pudding, repeat, repeat, repeat.

Lastly, I spread the top with whipped cream and garnished with the slivered almonds. It was a snap to make and was a huge hit at the luncheon!


Welcoming in 2010

Good Golly Miss Molly! This post is a little tardy but better late than never.  I filled out this quiz last year and have decided to do it every year.  Here are my answers! Oh! And Happy New Year!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? 

 Started a running program with a good friend and ran over two miles straight. It may not seem like a huge feat for someone who has far surpassed it, but it was an accomplishment for me, especially after never having run more than 5 minutes straight in my entire life. Also, last year’s effort brought me to the place of being in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in. I’ve slacked considerably in that area, but it is something I want to carry into 2010.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for this year?

I realize now that last year’s resolution’s were rather vague, and in turn were easier to neglect. This year I do have goals. More specific ones:

  • Daily devotions before anything else in the mornings
  • Exercise at least 5 times a week (running, fitness DVD’s, Wii Fit/Active, weights, etc…)
  • Eat less junk and more whole grains, fruits, and veggies
  • Run a 5K
  • WRITE MORE! Seriously. This has got to happen for me. I’m hesitant to shoebox myself into a certain amount of days per week, but I’m gonna go ahead and set the bar at writing and publishing a post at least 3-4  times a week. That’s totally do-able, I just have to force myself into the habit.
  •  Also, maintain this new spot I created last year for my fitness journeys.
  • Read every day. At least 1 chapter or 30 minutes a day
  • Start taking college classes again
 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

 Yes, my friend Valisa

4. Did anyone close to you die?

 No

5. What countries did you visit?

If we re-worded this a little to say “Counties”, then yes, I’ve visit many counties in Florida. Orange, Lake, Seminole,  Volusia, Marion. And even some counties in Georgia and Tennessee. I’m such a world traveler!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

More happy moments with my husband and children

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 17, the day my sister was married.  It was a beautiful day.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

It was most definitely in the department of fitness. I grew leaps and bounds physically and I am immensely proud of my accomplishments.

9. What was your biggest failure? 

Not enough time spent doing the things I love…time with my family, time spent reading, writing and cooking up new ideas in the kitchen.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Just a normal cold

11. What was the best thing you bought?

 Decor to revamp our apartment. The Wii and fitness games. Oh! The best of all was our laptops! Definitely!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Austin’s. I feel like I’m finally cracking into his little brain and we are getting farther, behavior-wise than we have in the past.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The people who go on The Jerry Springer Show. I swiftly flip the channel in disgust whenever it comes on.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Rent, bills, food, gas, and the kids.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Starting up Fit For Life, on Gather.com

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Hot n Cold, by Katy Perry

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:


a) happier or sadder? Happier!
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner. Down to a size 4/5
c) richer or poorer? Poorer, but only financially. We are richly blessed!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Reading and writing (Same answer as last year)

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? 

 Losing my temper with my kids.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

At my sister’s new house with our family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Yes, I re-fell in love.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

The Biggest Loser, Cougar Town, and The Office

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

 Hate is such a strong word, but there is a certain person I came across last year that I could lay a smack down on any day of the week.

24. What was the best book you read?

The best book I read was Writing Life Stories by Bill Roorbach

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? 

Owl City

26. What did you want and get?

A laptop

27. What did you want and not get?

I think there are always things in life that we want and don’t get. I am content with what I have. 

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

The Proposal

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 25 and went out to dinner with the hubby and kids.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

More of God in my life

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

 Jeans, shorts and T-shirts during the week. Dresses, skirts, blouses and heels for church and special occasions.

32. What kept you sane?

Trust in God, my husband and kids. (From last year, that will never change) Also, exercise saved my sanity when drinking seemed like a better option.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

 Eh, maybe the guy from Castle.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Glen Beck, a person, not an issue though.

35. Who did you miss?

My Grandpa. Always will.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

On the internet, (not in person) just discovered Heather Armstrong. ( I know, I know, I live under a rock) Love her!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

 Life is full of unending possibilities, waiting for you to persue and conquer them.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Love will sustain
Love will provide
Love will not cease
At the end of time

Love will protect
Love always hopes
Love still believes
When you don’t

Love is the arms that are holding you
Love never fails you

-Brandon Heath, Love Never Fails


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