Today eats were about smaller packages and cozy drinks.
I had two browning bananas that I knew would be perfect for banana bread or muffins.
I decided to make my Mini Spelt Banana Nut Muffins because these only take about 12 minutes to cook while banana bread takes closer to an hour.
I even had some leftover to freeze!
Edamame snack.
After lunch, I got some slow cooker chili started.
And I turned yesterday’s leftover rotisserie chicken into Ina Garten’s Chicken Noodle Soup – gosh this stuff is the best!
Ginger tea
Yogi tea quote – “Tranquility is the essence of life.”
I also experienced possibly my new fave hot drink.
Hot Carob Drink.
This is basically a homemade hot cocoa using roasted, ground carob. I think I like it way more than hot chocolate! The flavor is lovely – not quite hot chocolate, not quite coffee, not quite tea. 100% delicious.
After work today, I had a date with Megan to go to the yarn store!
Then, I had a date with Erica to work on new choreography. I had two new songs to share, so we worked on them and other choreo for a bit. Can’t wait to share the new songs with my classes!
I hurried home to make some from-scratch corn muffins.
Like the banana nut muffins earlier, I used this recipe for Sweet Golden Cornbread, but I did them in muffin form so they’d cook faster.
My only substitution – I used 1/2 cup of sugar (instead of 2/3 cup sugar).
The recipe was super easy and tasty! I may try subbing healthier oils, but other than that, there’s not much to fix. These were really tasty!
I can’t believe how easy it is to make corn bread from scratch. Most of my life, I’ve used boxed mixes with weird chemicals and preservatives. Now that i know how simple homemade can be…I may never go back!
PS how do you like my Santa cupcake holders!? 
By the way, the chili was deeeeee-licious! I can’t wait to share the recip with you guys. It’s a winner!
Nom!
Lesson learned today – when you want homemade but you don’t have the time, try baking in smaller sizes – it cooks much faster!
***
Tip Request: PS My twitter friends already saw but it’s official – I’ve signed up for my first 5k and it’s this weekend. Major EEK! Any tips for me running friends? You know I’m a clueless runner. Help!!!
***
Reader question: Do you prefer box-mix or from-scratch?
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
how cute are those muffins!! whenever i try and bake them.. they always come out in different heights- they never look that good!
I just bought the Quotable card with that saying on it today! … for my friend’s graduation. Wish they had the mug =[
Maybe you can find it online?
That is such a brilliant idea! I need to ask Santa for a muffin tin for Christmas
This is awesome news!!!! You will rock this 5K!!!
Those muffins are so adorable! Mini muffins make the best gifts!
Are you running Thunder Road? A lot of my friends are doing the 1/2 and I’m going to be there cheering and I will yell for you if I see you! Just enjoy it and don’t try to blast any unreal records! You will do awesome
Wear a cute outfit too!
Oops a little late responding, but it was the Thunder Road – the one called Jingle Jog.
First (very random) thought – I LOVE your pink bowl! The dotted glass is my favorite and of course anything pink is just even better
Good luck on the 5k! The best running tip I’ve gotten was not to ball up your hands and point your thumbs in the direction you’re headed. It forces your chest open a bit which keeps you breathing steadily and smoothly…you know, important stuff for not passing out!
I am doing the half at Thunder Road along with my sister and dad. My mom is doing the 5k. My advice for your first 5k is don’t start out too fast! You will have a blast and will possibly become addicted to races! Such a fun atmosphere to be apart of! have fun
That’s so cool your whole family did the race!
Those are very mini muffins, but so cute.
From scratch- it’s really not much harder than using a box mix if you already have the stuff on hand. I’ve been wanting to make cornbread, so I’ll give this recipe a shot- I’ve never made it without a box mix!
Good luck with the 5K!
from scratch is the best! and if you have the chance, buy GOOD corn meal. it makes all the difference. my parents got me some a grain mill near chicago and it is SO SO good! when i run out i’ll have to find soemthing more local.
Good luck on the 5K! I just did one last weekend!!! I think everyone says this, but pacing. Just don’t burn yourself out too early. I was never a runner, so I used the Couch to 5K program to get ready the first time I did a 5K.
Oh, and my goals are always just to finish and not finish last!
Just try to relax for the race. It’ll fly by and be over before you know it. Try really hard not to just blow it out when the race first starts – that’s easy to do b/c of nerves and just the mass of people surging forward. Try to find someone to pace with too if you can. Seriously though, just try to enjoy it.
Thos muffin photos are GORGEOUS!!!!
Very lovely pictures, girl! Those muffins sound fantastic.
Good luck! Dress for warmer weather then you’re running in! You’ll be chilly at the starting line but will warm up as soon as you start running!
I can’t stop eyeballing those muffins!
Good luck on the 5k!! I ran my first one November 20th! My advice is to not go out too fast. I was not used to running with other people and started off running way too fast to keep up with the leaders. Not so smart
Luckily, I caught my breath and was able to keep a normal pace, but I probably would have been better off to keep that pace from the beginning!
Congrats on running your first 5k recently!
Gorgeous photos!
Although I don’t really cook, I prefer from scratch. There’s just something about food when it’s not pre-packaged!
Yummy food! I have been craving chili and corn bread too! Can’t wait to hear your recipe.
Ooh, good luck with your first 5K!
Thanks Dee! Eeks, I still owe you guys the recipe for the chili!
Mini muffins are so adorable!
Yay – congrats on signing up for a 5k! I was so scared of my first one but am now hooked and anxiously waiting to sign up for my next race. You will do great!
I’m all for small batches if it speeds up the cooking time
Those banana bread muffins look fantastic!