Late Night “No-Bakes” + Suns, Flowers, and Seeds!

Hey my Absolutely AMAZING Buttercups! <3

Thanks for all of your comments on my last post: my Buttermilk Oatmeal Pancakes. Those are seriously my favorite pancakes now: and I love how incredibly filling they are!

There are some “healthy” things I probably will never be able to get my sister to eat. But, when I got her to try one of my single lady banana cream pies, she fell in LOVE.

She fell in love with them so much with that she and I, at 9:30pm at night, were in the kitchen whipping up some yummies.

We took different roles: she prepared the banana filling while I handled the crust.

She had never made them before, so I just guided her through the steps – she caught on pretty quickly.

Lastly, she decorated them with chocolate chips and some almond slices, and then we stuck them in the freezer.

This is what they looked like in the morning!

Awwwwhhhhh, so good. I’m so glad that she loves these as much as I do! I always know something’s good if my sister really likes it.

And just like how my sister has been making a lot of my single lady banana cream pies…

…I’ve been making a lot of these! Practically every day I have one of these, in one form or another.

But there is something different about this one than all the others I’ve eaten!

Can you guess? It involves suns, and flowers, and seeds, and butter.

Yep, it’s SUN BUTTER! <3

Don’t worry; I’ll be sharing the recipe next!

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Here’s what’s been going on with my workouts and sleep goal!

Workouts: I’ve been having fun with my treadmill recently: trying out different inclines, various speeds, interval training, running, jogging, etc. On Monday I did an intense incline workout (my backside REALLY felt it); yesterday was a 5k on my treadmill while singing/listening to the Tarzan and Little Mermaid II soundtracks (I was running at 7 mph to some of the songs) varying between running, jogging, and speed walking; and today was an incline workout with some weight lifting beforehand (total body and abs). Since trying different speeds and pushing myself a little, I’ve found that I CAN run: I am capable of it; I never thought I could, but I’ve found that I CAN!

Sleep: I went to bed at 9:15pm last night! I never thought I would ever be able to go to bed with a 3 digit number on my clock (and to willing do it makes me even more amazed!). Even though I went to bed at 9:15, I realized I was still tired this morning. I guess I am starting to recognize those messages my body sends saying “TIME TO GO TO BED!” Before, collapsing on my bed and practically passing out (three hours past the time my body wanted to go to bed) used to be what told me I was tired. Now I know I CAN go to bed at a decent time. I CAN.

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What are some of your favorite ways to spend time with your family? I like anything that I get to just spend that one-on-one time with them, whether that be folding laundry, doing dishing, grocery shopping, writing cards, riding bikes, coloring in a coloring book (when I have the time – yes, I still love doing that!), or just playing a game!

Do you have a favorite snack you just can’t get enough of? Bananas (frozen) with nut/seed butter for me!

Have you ever thought you would never be able to do something to find out later that you CAN do it? Have you ever just had to push yourself a little to try something to find out you like it? Like with school or work; fitness/working out; or cooking or baking. Overcoming hardships? Conquering fears? Jumping off a pole? (You can read about my experience here.)

xoxox,

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is a special day to me.

I was actually born on Mother’s Day.

I was my Mom’s Mother’s Day Gift!

*

I am so grateful for my Mom.

Throughout my journey to find balance with myself, she is always there.

She is the first one I told when I decided to find that balance with myself.

She knows I could acheive anything I set my mind on.

She is always there supporting me.

She never gives up on me.

*

She teaches me to stand up for what I believe and to never lower my standarrds for ANY occasion.

She teaches me to manage my time wisely.

She teaches me to be the best Kathleen that I can, because there will never be anyone quite like me.

She teaches me that I am a Child of God — a Daughter of a Beloved Father, who loves me.

She teaches me the importance of kindness — of love  — of charity.

Yesterday, my Dad and I took dropped by Target and picked this out for my Mom.

They are Pecan Delights — my Mom’s little splurge that she has once in a while. They are her favorite!

I love you Mommy!

Thank you for everything you do.

Thank you for putting up with me all these years.

Thank you for being the woman you are.

Thank you for being my role model.

Even though your baby will be an adult in a few years, I will always be your little girl.

Without you, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO!

to you from me, your loving daughter,

P.S. I’ll be back tomorrow with my update on my Birthday Party and SAT Test!

Edited: P.P.S. It seems that by the way I wrote this, it sounded like my Birthday was today too. I just wanted to clarify: when I was born, my Birthday was on Mother’s Day. This year, it isn’t. The next time it will be will be in a few years. My birthday will actually be in a few days. But, when I was born, I was my Mom’s Mother’s Day gift!

*Picture 1 source, Picture 2 source.

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes!

Hey my Chocolate Chips!

Thank you guys for all of your support on my LINK LOVE post! I truly enjoyed trying those recipes, and I can’t wait to try some more!

What have you been doing today?

Today I have been reflecting on how grateful I am for my Dad.

My Dad is always there for me. If I ever need anything, he is there. If I need to talk, I know I can go to him and he would take the time to listen and help me.

I am so grateful for everything my Dad has teaches me. He teaches me the value of always giving an honest work for the pay, of spending my money wisely, and of saving my money.

He teaches me the value of Family Time. On Monday Nights, we get together as a family and spend time together — we call it Family Home Evening (aka FHE). Spending time together, we strengthen our bonds as a family and get to know each other better. We try not to plan activities on those nights so we can have that valuable time together. Indubitably, he teaches me the value of the family — our family.

He teaches me to pray if I ever need an answer to anything — life, friends, school. If I ever need help in math, I know I can ask God in prayer for help. God is the Greatest Mathematician — He created this world. He knows Calculus and Physics like the back of His hand. I know He can help me – all I have to do is ask and do my part. As I continue to learn throughout my life, I am so grateful for this knowledge.

Today is my Dad’s Birthday.

To celebrate his birthday, I decided I wanted to make him some pancakes.

My Dad wakes up REALLY early in the morning –aka, 4am– to go to work. I didn’t want him to have reheated pancakes for his birthday — I wanted him to have FRESHLY MADE pancakes. So if I wanted to make him pancakes, that meant I had to get up at 4am too.

So that’s what I did.

Funny thing is that my sister told me, “When I woke up this morning, I thought I smelled pancakes. I determined I must have been dreaming, because it was before 5am in the morning!” I can tell you that she was very happy to find out that she HADN’T been dreaming. There WERE pancakes!

These Pancakes are so light and fluffy!!! THEY ARE THE BEST PANCAKES I HAVE EVER HAD!!! THESE ARE EVEN BETTER THAN IHOP’s PANCAKES!!!!

These pancakes are dedicated to my dad for everything he does for me, for my family, and for the world.

printer-friendly version

Notes: You can use applesauce in place of the banana. Use any kind of chocolate chips you’d like!  Carob Chips would be amazing in this! Also, if you want to make these MORE chocolatey, try replacing a TB of the flour with cocoa powder (and if you are like my dad, make sure it’s DARK cocoa powder). If you want a more coconut flavor, use 2 tsp of coconut oil in place of part of the banana, and add a handful of shredded coconut. Vegan, Sugar Free, Soy Free, and ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Plus, they are SINGLE LADY STYLE!

Ingredients for one Single Lady (or Guy) :)

• 1/3 cup + 2TB whole wheat flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• dash of cinnamon
• 1/3 cup mashed banana
• 1/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Handfuls of chocolate chips! (to authentically be my dad, use DARK chocolate chips )

Top with Peanut Butter and some more CHOCOLATE CHIPS!

Directions

Start heating up your skillet/griddle on medium to medium-high heat.

While your skillet is heating up, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

Set aside.

Combine the wet ingredients in a separate bowl: the banana and almond milk.

Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture,

and stir to combine.

Once your skillet is ready, spray the pan so your pancakes don’t stick (or if your griddle/skillet is non-stick, then you can skip this step). Pour the batter onto the skillet/griddle using a 1/4-cup measure.

Sprinkle with Chocolate Chips.

Once you see lots of bubbles, it’s time to FLIP! It should take about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the bottom is golden brown.

Look at how BIG and FLUFFY these are!

As soon as they are lightly golden brown on both sides, remove them from the heat.

Top with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips.

EAT THEM UP!

Happy Birthday Daddy.

To you from me — your loving daughter.

My dad ate his so fast that I didn’t get the chance to take a picture. So these pictures were taken later in the day. Even though these weren’t the original ones, I was thinking about him the entire time as I was making them.

My Favorite Hummus!

Hey my Chocolate Chip Cookies!

I’m so glad that you enjoyed my Part 2 of My Life! Thank you for all of your sweet comments and for always being so kind and thoughtful! You guys have changed me for the better.  YOU are the best readers anyone could ever ask for! THANK YOU!  

What do you think of when you eat Hummus?

When I eat hummus, I think of my childhood.

When we lived in Turkey, my mom would get little me a bowl of hummus and a big chunk of bread. I would then, very meticulously, tear off a piece of bread, dip it gently into my hummus, and proceed to devour it. I was very particular in the way I did it.

This is my and my family’s favorite hummus. :) I always like homemade better than any hummus from the store. There’s something about making it yourself–the love you put into it– that just makes it taste better!

After I made this, I stuck it in the fridge for later.

I had some for lunch.

As I am finishing my lunch, my dad walks in and says, “What’s this?”

“Hummus! “

“Where’d you get it?”

“I made it.”

He tastes it….”THIS IS SO GOOD!!! Why didn’t I know you had some?!”

“I just made it.”

“Well, next time, make sure I know about it. “

Haha, I love you Daddy.

Kat’s YUBBY DUBBY Hummus!

printer-friendly recipe

notes: Vegan, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Sugar Free, and absolutely DELICIOUS! I love to eat it with fresh vegetables, whole-grain bread, whole-grain flat-outs, etc!

Ingredients

• 3 cups Chickpeas, prepared and rinsed
• 1/4 cup Tahini
• 1 TB Olive oil
• 2 1/2 TB lemon juice
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• pinch of pepper
• 1/2 tsp red cayenne pepper (optional, but gives it a nice KICK!)

Directions

Add all ingredients, except the chickpeas, into your blender (I used my trusty BlendTec).

Blend for about 5 seconds, or until it is all combined.

Add the chickpeas.

Blend on high until it’s creamy (about 10-15 seconds). You may have to scrape the sides a couple of times.

Tear off a piece of bread, dip it in, and ENJOY!

Or store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for later. I like to eat it after it has chilled in the fridge for a little while.

 

How do you like to eat hummus? I REALLY like it with my Homemade Bread!

What food brings back memories for you? Hummus for me!

What do you call your parents? I have called my parents Mommy and Daddy since my childhood, and that’s what I still call them. While we lived in England (I was a little girl), I even corrected one of my teachers on her spelling. She had written M-U-M on the board. I raised my hand and said “That’s not how you spell it!” She then responded, “Well then, how do you spell it? :)” I then strutted up to the board and wrote the following: M-O-M-M-Y. She has been and will forever be M-O-M-M-Y to me.

xoxox

Should I Care If I Go Blind? + What The Girl Did

Hey my lovelies!!!

Thanks for all of your lovely comments about my last post. I’m so glad that you guys like Pumpkin as much as I do.

So, what did the girl do?

She made Pumpkin Ice Cream!

I just added a bit of this, and a bit of that, so I can’t really give you the recipe yet. Haha, what a shame. I guess I’ll have to make it again. Nonetheless I’ll drive you CRAZY mad for the recipe by saying it was like a Pumpkin Pie, but in the form of Ice Cream!

Now I am going to talk a little bit more seriously.

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When my mom was first diagnosed with diabetes, her dietician told her how hard it is to work with diabetics in this city, as many who have diabetes have fatalistic attitudes.

Even though the national average of people who have diabetes is 7%, in this city it is 14% – which is double the national average! And most diabetics here just accept the fact that they’ll go blind or lose an arm or leg.

I don’t know about you, but I would like to keep my arms and legs where they are.

My mom’s dietician further explained she works with people who tell her that “because of diabetes, their father lost an arm, their brother died of a heart attack. But it doesn’t matter, it’ll happen to me too. Whatever. They don’t care. I’ll still do what I want, eat whatever.” They seem to have just accepted that it’s “fate” and they can’t do anything about it. They’ve accepted that they may go blind. They feel they’ll end up just like their family did.

My family genetics is difficult. Not only does my mother have diabetes, but so did my uncle and my grandmother (who died of diabetic complications).

Diabetes in my family, so I have to be careful in the decisions I make.

 

I do NOT want to become another “statistic” to be recorded. I am NOT going to just give up and let “fate” take hold–not when I can do something about it.

Even though diabetes is in my family history, doesn’t mean I have to get it. I can eat smartly, stay active, take care of my body. I can take control of my destiny.

SO, SHOULD I CARE IF I GO BLIND?

Yes, especially if I can prevent it.

The decisions I make each and every single day – decisions on what I eat, how active I am, how much I learn, my attitude, make the difference.

YES. I DO CARE.

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Does your family history affect your lifestyle choices?

How would you describe your eating philosophy? I focus on eating the most nutrient rich foods possible.

xoxox,