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August 31, 2015

Mingle Monday Blog Link-Up!

Happy Monday, y'all!
I spent the last 4 days recovering from an awful cold, so I had plenty of time to rest and put together some blog posts for this week - I'm so excited! It's been awhile since I've been able to get back in my blogging groove, so I am excited to share!

How are you guys this morning? Did you have a relaxing weekend?
Thanks for swinging by - let's get our mingle on...

   

HOW TO MINGLE

 ** Only 3 easy rules - that's all I ask! **


1) Link-up your blog below.

2) Share a link to Mingle Monday on your post or give a social media shout out.
 
3) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below:
** Best part of your weekend? **



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In Case You Missed It...

+ My Most Favorite Day
+ Skinny Banana Chia Chocolate Chip Muffins
+ Seattle & Portland - Any Recommendations?


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August 24, 2015

Mingle Monday Blog Link-Up!

Hey sleepy heads!
Welcome back to the weekly grind, you sassy things. I think I successfully had the laziest weekend ever, and I sure didn't hate it. Poor hubs has been sick, so it was easy to lounge around all day with him. 

How are you this morning? Did you have a good weekend yourself?
Let's get our mingle on...

   

HOW TO MINGLE

 ** Only 3 easy rules - that's all I ask! **


1) Link-up your blog below.

2) Share a link to Mingle Monday on your post or give a social media shout out.
 
3) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below:
** What are your top US states that you would like to visit? **


_________________________________________________________

In Case You Missed It...

+ My Most Favorite Day
+ Skinny Banana Chia Chocolate Chip Muffins
+ Seattle & Portland - Any Recommendations?

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August 17, 2015

Mingle Monday Blog Link-Up!

Good morning!
Already off to a crazy crazy crazy morning, so let's keep this short and sweet...
Glad you're here, glad you're you... let's mingle!

   

HOW TO MINGLE

 ** Only 3 easy rules - that's all I ask! **


1) Link-up your blog below.

2) Share a link to Mingle Monday on your post or give a social media shout out.
 
3) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below:
** Favorite way to get some exercise that's FUN? **



_________________________________________________________

In Case You Missed It...

+ My Most Favorite Day
+ Skinny Banana Chia Chocolate Chip Muffins
+ Seattle & Portland - Any Recommendations?

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Follow along here:  BlogLovinInstagramTwitterFacebookPinterestEtsy
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August 10, 2015

Mingle Monday Blog Link-Up!

Hello everybody!
I swear I am keeping my eyelids open with toothpicks this morning. I was jolted awake with a few loud claps of thunder and when my alarm went off it was just too cozy to get out of bed. But now... must. find. coffee.

So as always, let's keep this short and sweet...
Glad you're here, glad you're you... let's mingle!

   

HOW TO MINGLE

 ** Only 3 easy rules - that's all I ask! **


1) Link-up your blog below.

2) Share a link to Mingle Monday on your post or give a social media shout out.
 
3) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below:
** What does your perfect Saturday morning look like? **




_________________________________________________________
In Case You Missed It...
+ My Most Favorite Day
+ Skinny Banana Chia Chocolate Chip Muffins
+ Seattle & Portland - Any Recommendations?

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Follow along here:  BlogLovinInstagramTwitterFacebookPinterestEtsy
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August 6, 2015

My Most Favorite Day

// Photo by Sharaya Mauck Photography //

Today over my lunch break I made a trip out to Parkville, Missouri (a quaint suburb of Kansas City where we got married) to run a few errands. While driving around the charming little town with my windows rolled down and an iced coffee in my hand, I was flooded with memories of my most favorite day.

The more I let the memories roll in, goosebumps just washed over my arms and I couldn't stop smiling. I couldn't help but feel overcome with so much joy and gratitude... I married the man of my dreams.

I still remember...

+ waking up next to my sissy with a stomach full of happy butterflies
+ lounging around and giggling all day while my best friends and I all got ready
+ the way Adam's face lit up when he saw me for the first time in my dress
+ feeling giddy (read: trying not to erupt in tears) as my dad walked me down the aisle
+ my mom's insanely sweet dance moves - stanky leg, y'all - and yes there is photo proof
+ having the time of my life on the dance floor
+ how much I wanted to eat our entire delicious coconut milk wedding cake
+ the feeling of being guided to our limo with my hand in Adam's ready to start our new life together
+ and how overwhelmed with love and gratitude we both felt to have our most favorite people with us

Today I'm grateful for...

+ drives that take me off the beaten path
+ memories that make it all seem like yesterday
+ how incredible my husband is and how much of a blessing marriage is in all seasons
+ and for the awesomely creative ways God shows me how much I am known, loved, and remembered, and the gratitude that freely brings


What are you thankful for today, sweet friends?

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August 4, 2015

Skinny Banana Chia Chocolate Chip Muffins

Weekends are made for sleeping in, staying in your jammers until 11a.m. and sipping coffee from oversized cups all morning. Can I get an amen?

Just like you, I'm sure, after a high stress busy busy week, all I want to do is unwind and of course indulge a bit. I want our home to feel welcoming and cozy, activities to be relaxing things we love, and our bellies full of delicious food that doesn't undo our healthy eating and exercise progress.

One of my favorite ways to achieve all three of those things is tinkering around in the kitchen with a new recipe. So you can imagine my excitement when I found this recipe from Ambitious Kitchen, which had all the things I love (and I took the liberty to add even more!) - whole grains, greek yogurt to add protein and moisture, chia seeds for Omega 3's and fiber, and melty chocolate chips for a little splurge, because it it the weekend after all.

Let me just tell you... these muffins are to die for!


Within minutes of popping these babies into the oven, smells of roasted bananas and toasty cinnamon wafted through the Haskins House. I didn't even have the muffins out of the oven before Adam followed his nose to the kitchen to wait for the opportune time to sneak a warm muffin out of the tin the second they came out.

That first bite is packed with a delicious punch of flavor, warm gooey chocolate chips, and the sweetness of honey and nutmeg that linger and tie everything together. I made 2 dozen, and thank goodness I did... they were gone in no time. 

Perfect with a little nut butter spread on the top for a healthy afternoon snack or a sweet bite with some eggs in the morning. Give these babies a shot, your family (and your stomach) will thank you!


Skinny Banana Chia Chocolate Chip Muffins


Ingredients

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (whole wheat pastry flour is preferred)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3 medium bananas
1/4 cup local clover honey
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 tablespoon olive, coconut oil, or applesauce
1 egg
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (I love Fage 0%)
1 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk (can use regular milk too)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1-2 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)


Instructions:


1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prep mini muffin tin by spraying with nonstick cooking spray. 

3) In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Set bowl aside.

3) Use kitchen aid or hand blender to mix bananas, honey, vanilla, oil, egg, greek yogurt, and milk on medium speed for 1 minute. Wet mixture should be thoroughly combined and creamy. 

4) Add dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture until just combined (which creates a soft fluffy texture - don't over mix!). Gently fold in chocolate chips.

3) Filling each cup about 3/4 full, divide batter evenly into muffin tin. Bake for 10 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Cool muffins for 5 minutes then remove and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Muffins are best served warm and even better the next day when the flavors have time to combine to a richer flavor.


Tips & Tricks:

- Store at room temperature in a sealed container for 3-5 days. 

- These muffins are also perfect to make ahead and freeze, that way they are easy to break out when you have company or just need a little treat. Place in a Ziploc freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can let muffins thaw at room temperature, or if you need a muffin fix, just pop into the microwave for 30-45 seconds for maximum ooey gooeyness (yes, it's a word).

- Don't leave yourself alone in the house with 2 dozen of these bad boys. Trust me... you'll want to start 'gifting' these to anyone you can find. Here you go parents! Mailman? Sure why not!



Bon Appetit!

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August 3, 2015

Mingle Monday Blog Link-up!

Hello everybody!
If you're anything like me this morning, I am under caffeinated and a little sleepy this morning. So it's probably best to keep things short and sweet.

Glad you're here, glad you're you... let's mingle!

   

HOW TO MINGLE

 ** Only 3 easy rules - that's all I ask! **


1) Link-up your blog below.

2) Share a link to Mingle Monday on your post or give a social media shout out.
 
3) Answer the weekly question in the comments section below:
** What are your favorite type of posts on Life of Meg? I'd love your feedback! **





_________________________________________________________
In Case You Missed It...
+ Seattle & Portland - Any Recommendations?
+ 5 Things

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