Good Morning.

I woke up before everybody this morning. I wasn't sure at first what I was going to do with this time, shower, clean? Nope! Making a huge fruit platter and a cup of tea sounded way more relaxing so that is exactly what I did. By the way broiled grapefruit with sugar is so delicious, try it you won't be disappointed. Twenty minutes later I was interrupted by something so sweet. Happy Thursday.

Gluten-Free Banana Bread Recipe.

I tried this recipe a few days ago and showed a few pictures through instagram and Facebook.  Heres what You will need:

Recipe.


1 3/4 cup of the all purpose gluten free baking flour.
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 large eggs
1/3 cup of applesauce (you can use canola oil if you prefer)
2/3 cup of brown sugar ( do not substitute with white sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of xanthan gum ( a natural thickener used in a lot of gluten- free recipes)
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 1/2 cups of mashed very ripe bananas
You can also add a 1/2 cup of chopped nuts of you would like, I did not because I wanted Isaac to be able to eat them with our choking on a walnut.

Instructions.
Preheat your oven to 350
lightly butter a 9x5 loaf pan
(or use a 8x8 bar pan like I did)
cream together the eggs, vanilla extract, apple sauce and sugar
In a separate bowl mix together the rest of the ingredients excluding the bananas
combine the wet and dry and in small portions add the mashed banana
Do not over mix or you will end up with a really dense banana bread, yuck!
bake for 1hour in loaf pan and 50 min with a bar pan.

How can you get the gluten-free baking flour mix?
 At your grocery store there is usually a bulk bin section and in this section they usually will have a gluten free all purpose flour blend. It will contain either brown rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, Gf flour or probably a mixture of a few. I used this and used a recipe I found at the Co op I shop at regularly. If not they may have it pre packaged in your natural section at a regular market.

Here are a few photos from that same morning of my kitchen, I try and aways keep up on cleaning it because I'm in it so often. I really do enjoy cooking and baking though, a lot of experimental recipes go down in this room. Some good, some bad Thats all a part of the fun though right.?
My favorite thing to do in the morning is wake up turn on some great up beat music, push open all of the curtains enjoy whatever the weather may be and make breakfast for Isaac and I, such a mood boosting way to start the day. Whats your favorite way to start the day?

11 months.

This morning when I woke up I rolled over next to an 11 month old boy. Thinking to myself I remembered how a  tiny newborn used to take place of this now chubby little, almost toddler. I know that it is hard for most to get used to the fact that there baby turns from just that into a walking talking little being, but I am so excited for him to mutter his first I love you mom and for him to be able to hop on his skateboard for the first time. Don't get  me wrong though it will be missed all the baby cooing and wobbly sitting. I just can't get over the fact that Isaac is getting so much more fun everyday and that it will probably only continue from here! His clothes are getting more grown up like and I can't help but to buy him way too many, his jabbering is more often and way louder than ever before, the backwards crawling is now a full speed sprint in crawl form, and a jungle gym is now what everything is used for. Also Im not sure if its possible but his eyes seem more blue every day. So while I will continue to enjoy these baby stages I will not be bitter when they leave because to me I will still always have a baby, I love you sweet boy.


Today.


 We did our usual routine breakfast, bath, play then nap time. We had been on the go for the past couple days and yesterday and today we decided to stay home and get back on track with what we are used to, such as scheduled nap times. While getting Isaac dressed today I couldn't help but put a plain white onesie on him! Reminds me of the summer time when he was so little and would wear just a onsie almost everyday. They are just one of those things that kids can get away with for so long so today I had to.
On a different note we started a gluten free juicer cleanse a few days ago and it has been going great. Yesterday I made gluten free banana bread bars and they were so good Isaac and I ate them all! Usually I only eat things that Isaac is able to eat as well. Avocados, bananas, waffles, oatmeal, lentil and pea soup are some of our favorites. This has changed a bit though due to the non gluten diet. Below Isaac is enjoying his new gluten free cereal with organic almond milk, its actually really good and so far have found that gluten free food doesn't actually taste bad at all! Eric and I have been feeling great so far besides the not being able to eat pizza part and I don't think isaac is having a hard time with it either, so I am hoping to keep it up as long as we can! I will eventually be sharing a few of the gluten free recipes we try and hopefully you can test out as well.
Happy Monday,
Breanna

Rainy Days.

We live in a one bedroom apartment, and honestly I don't mind it a bit. Yes sometimes I would love to have a two bedroom but with Eric's job we could move at anytime and paying a new deposit just isn't worth it. Sometimes the thought of leaving Bellingham is a little hard to swallow, but I know eventually it will happen. With summer on the fast approach we probably will hardly ever be inside anyways. Isaac's crib is next to the bed and though he still doesn't sleep there, he likes to play inside of it and look out the window. My little window watcher, so fascinated by the world around him. Taking in all the sights, sounds, trees and more. 

The rain is falling today, and pretty sure this first picture has me falling too. :)

a little video I made from yesterday. Click here!