Wanted: Tips for Being The Best Stay At Home Mom I Can Be

Being a stay at home mom is the hardest job I have ever had - yet it's by far the best. I started staying home about eleven months ago, with my then eight month old daughter. I thought I was going to have oodles of free time as she napped and we would have tons of time to play together. Little did I know naps aren't a given no matter how much you work to have a stable schedule. However making breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as doing the laundry, keeping up with my housework and all the house hold errands are a given. Yup, staying home was a bigger job then I realized and wanting the best for my daughter meant I needed to brush up on my preschool lessons as well as my ability to make a variety of meals that could provide my family with healthy options. I started adjusting to the demands and doing what I felt was a good job and really got into a nice groove right about the time my second daughter came along. Things got busier and I have been feeling my way through life as a stay at home mom. We have a schedule that works for us - and now that I live this life, I wouldn't want it any other way for me and my family. As a previous career woman I have a huge respect for both at home moms and at work moms and my goal is to share some of the things that make my life as a mommy easier - from recipes to crafts I hope what we do in our home can make it to your home and you'll enjoy it!



My daily posts include fun activties I am doing in real time with my kiddos, dinners I am making for my family, snacks, and some fun things I discover along the way. I hope they are things other moms can use as tips rather than recreating the wheel. Let me know what you think and lets share some tips because nothing is better than bragging about what you and your little ones can do together!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Simple Go To Banana Bread

Warm and Fresh
Banana Bread


Every week I buy bananas, and many weeks we just don't get to the whole bunch before they over ripen.  So, I make banana bread at least twice a month.  Its quick and easy to make - I usually make it after dinner, and tastes great along with coffee the following morning.  My husband usually takes a loaf into work with him for the office to share and it seems to always be a hit with his coworkers, but if I make it on the weekend, my daughter loves it with a little butter on top served warm.  This is a can't go wrong recipe that I think you'll love.  You can make it simple just the basic bread with banana in it, or you can add to it with walnuts or chocolate chips.  I do several variations and all are very good.

Here's a tip that I didn't know until a few years ago, when your bananas start to over ripen just peel and place in a Ziploc bag in the freezer until you are ready to use them.  This helps me out because some weeks I may have one banana left and other weeks two or three so I can save them until I have enough to bake.  Also, if you need a quick bake method and you don't have enough over ripened bananas to make a bread, just use banana baby food.  This gives you the same great banana flavor with out having to wait a couple of days on the bananas to ripen.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 c flour
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-5 ripe bananas - smashed

Optional Additions:
1 cup Walnuts or 1 cup mini chocolate chips


Start by preheating your oven at 375.  With your electric mixer cream butter, brown and white sugar, and vanilla extract. Add your eggs one at a time. Combine your dry ingredients (baking soda, flour, and salt) in a separate mixing bowl, then slowly add this to your wet ingredients.  Finally, add your bananas and mix all together.  This will make a light cake like batter.  If you choose to add nuts or chocolate chips fold them in at this time.  Spray your loaf pan and pour your batter into it.  Place in the center of your oven and bake for 55- 60 min until knife inserted comes out clean.


Good luck!
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