just for now.

Some adorableNESS from yesterday and today.
Pictures 1-4: Kiddos at local farm with the most ahhhmazing yogurt. We’ve already eaten 1.5 quarts in a day and a half.
Picture 5: bathtime. Which Zoe has been requesting 3x a day by making a splashing motion with her hands.
Picture 6: My husband sent me flowers today out of the blue!! Sooooo happy. I love these colors right now.
Picture 7: Zoe with her dollies in their stroller. She absolutely LOVES posing for pictures now and looking at herself in them.
Picture 8: The ever-expanding stomach. I’m measuring around 34/35 weeks. It’s so fun right now getting ready and nesting/cleaning all the time.

Do you have a good morning routine– mindless, ritualistic, comforting, wakeful?

Here’s mine.

After negotiating a few extra minutes of “rest” in my bed with two kiddos ready to get downstairs and eat, I finally succumb.

I put some dry cereal in bowls for them or set some other finger food out on the table while explaining we’ll have real breakfast after mommy’s exercise.

Found this little gem– AM Yoga– on Hulu.com

Then sometimes I read this amazing little blog/devotional from a pastor I know and really respect.

Deeper Devotional.

I seriously think this blog is perfect for a busy/distracted mommy because the Bible references are linked right at the top, you click and they’re all there…and the message is under 10 minutes of reading.

Then breakfast.

Sometimes tea.

Now I liked the AM Yoga so much that I tried the Cardio Yoga (20 minutes) yesterday after naps and  it   kicks   butt.

What I love about both of the routines is all the shoulder/arm stretches. If I’m given the choice I usually pick exercises that focus on my legs/butt/hips but in reality every mom really, really needs to work on her arms and shoulders.

I was just realizing yesterday that I’m always, always picking up and holding, pulling towards me, cradling, etc. So I’m working that muscle group in a lop-sided fashion, because I never work them away from my body. As in push ups and movements of that nature.

The stretches in these Yoga routines are also so good for pulling your muscles out of their tightened holding pattern. Please try!

I’ve been sore for a few days but I am reveling in the new strength I’m gaining in my body– all the better to mother with.

So I’d tried this brownie before, and by following the recipe exactly I ended up with something kind of like chocolate banana bread. Good, but not a brownie.

Today, out of pure necessity, I had to alter it quite a bit, but I LOVED what I ended up with. A sweet, chocolaty dense brownie-like cake with banana tones interwoven. If you’re not a fan of banana bread then this definitely isn’t for you…but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love banana bread.

Okay, so here’s the deal. You use honey, or maple syrup, instead of sugar. You use one really brown, smooshy banana for moisture and more sweetness. You use whole wheat flour, and it detracts nothing from the goodness that is this treat. I would even like to try added a few tablespoons of ground flax seed sometime…my bet is you wouldn’t even know it’s there.

The original recipe is as follows:

“Beat well together 2/3 cup honey, 1/2 cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 beat eggs, 1 ripe mashed banana, and 3/4 cup water.

In separate bowl combine 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/3 cup cocoa, 1 cup flour.

Combine them together slowly, making sure to really whip it so there aren’t big chunks of banana anywhere. Stir in 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts at the very end. Pour into greased 8×8 (?) pan (I had to use two bread pans) and bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. Best fresh!” (I found it at MoreThanAlive.com)

Now, for the glorious “alterations”.

Today I had no honey and a lot of maple syrup, so I used that, though it’s much more expensive and I’m sure honey is just as good. Then, I replaced the eggs for about 1/3 cup applesauce, which gives you a lot more density. You will have to bake longer if you do this too. Also, I had no baking soda so I put in 3 teaspoons of baking powder (they are not equal in quantity replacement). Lastly, I added about 1/2 cup of peanut butter just because I love peanut butter + chocolate + banana. Oh actually very last of all, I replaced the nuts with dark chocolate chips. This does add some sugar but it’s so minimal and you get the added benefits of dark chocolate.

Okay, so since I had no brownie pan around I used two loaf pans and baked for more like 30-40 minutes at 350F. When I first took it out it seemed a little undercooked but I usually like things like this a little gooey anyway, so I let it cool and it was perfect. Very dense, and very moist. Mmmm. I put a little peanut butter on top and ate with a fork.

The original recipe also says that these brownies are best fresh but I put the leftovers in tupperwear and found that the trapped moisture only added to their texture and I think the flavor intensifies with time. Absolutely delicious! I was so happy to feed these to the kiddos today after last week’s “mommy’s pregnant so we’re eating junk food” streak.