Get more potassium.

That was what my doctor said.

I've been low in potassium for a few years now. 

I know.

Eat a banana. 

Believe me, I try, but I don't like them.

A banana is the best, most convenient way to get the right amount daily potassium.  

But, it's a banana.

Sigh.

I love most fruit, but really don't like the texture of a banana.

Most of the time I find it either underripe or too ripe...either way it's gross.

But my doctor said that I have to, so I only have one solution...

Banana bread.

I love banana bread, so this could be an excellent solution to my deficiency. 

Banana Bread

Origin: unknown

(I've been using it for as long as I can remember.)

Servings: makes two 9x5 loaf pans

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

2 eggs or 2 egg equivalent of Bob's Red Mill egg replacer

4-5 ripe bananas mashed

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon (or more)

2 cups flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Prepare two loaf pans by lining them with parchment paper and then set aside.

3. Blend sugar, eggs, and bananas together.

4. Add oil and vanilla- blend well.

5. Add soda, baking powder, salt and flour, then blend until smooth.

6. Pour into prepared pans.

7. Bake for 50 minutes or until you insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean.

Enjoy your boost of potassium! 

This is definitely way better than eating a banana 

and my doctor will be proud of me too.

It was a BLAST!

I should apologize, because I think the snow is mostly my fault.

I know. I know.

It's not one person's fault, but I really, really wanted a snow day.

The problem was I forgot to mention that 

I just wanted one really awesome day...

Not an entire weekend!

Oh well, we didn't ask for it but we're so glad it's here!

At Murphy and I made the best of it.

In between baking cookies for Valentine's Day,
we played, 

and played, 

and played.

While heading out again for another round of frisbee fun, 

I heard a voice down the street.

It was a familiar sound...the type sound that I knew pretty well.

It was excitement and joy.

It was the sound of a kid, telling someone REALLY important things.

You see, the kid was talking nonstop. 

The dad was just listening, nodding, and encouraging the story

as they skied down the street.

All the way up and down the street the kid talked, and talked and talked.

Telling his dad all about something super important to this kids' world.

You see, as adults we sometimes forget that kids just want to be heard.

They want to tell us all about elements in their world.

The kid was smiling by the time he got to my house,

and I could see that he and his dad had been snowshoeing up and down the streets.

I imagine that the dad was a little reluctant to head out with his son, 

unsure if his kid could keep up and have fun.

But as soon as they got going, 

the dad knew that this adventure was going to be perfect.

It was just a kid and a his dad.

A simple memory being made...

I wondered if they knew that.

Maybe.

I'd say that is was just about perfect.

So if you're one of those people, but found the Arctic blast a little annoying, 

remember that for some kids this is their perfect time.

Time that they got to spend with their parents 

and undivided attention where other things weren't pulling them away.

To me sometimes I worry that families don't get enough time together,

with all of the distractions of technology and games and sports.

It seems like families are running around nonstop.

But on a snow day...

on a snow day, it's family time.

Time to go out and play.

Time together outside playing or just hanging out watching a movie. 

Sounds pretty perfect to me.

So thinking back,

I'm not sorry about praying for the snow.

In fact I'm pretty glad that it has lasting a few days.

It's a good reminder to spend time with those that you love. 

Murphy and I have no trouble with that.

Oh excuse me, I think let's play again.

Miss IO is here and ready to play.

See, this Artic Blast has been a blast for us...that's for sure.

Celebrating Joe

There always comes a time when kids are too busy...

thank goodness that my nephew isn't there yet.

He's busy, but still willing to hang out with his silly aunt.
One of the things that I love about January is that
I can plan a special birthday "Day of Fun" for Joe.
He a cool kid.
So what would help make this cool kid a cool birthday?
Hockey!!
(Yep, I went there.  It's cheesy, but I'm cheesy. It works)

Joe and I love Hockey.

Okay, we don't know much about the game really.

All we care about are the fights.

There's something really thrilling about chanting,

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

with thousands of people...

And it's encouraged!

Bonus.

We like that...A LOT!

Thankfully, this game gave us plenty of times to chant 

for someone to punch the other out.

Not our usual chanting, 

but it's fun.

After the game, it over to my house...

and The Murph.

As soon as Murphy sees Joe,

I don't exist anymore...

He LOVES Joe.

And who wouldn't blame him?

He's a pretty awesome kid.

After a little slumber, we off early to breakfast at one of my favorite spots...Genie's

If you live in Portland and you don't head here often...well, you should.

It's delicious!

With our tummies full,

we head over to Pacific Pie Company for slices to go.

Joe has a busy day planning basketball, 

but no birthday can be complete in our family 

without a little birthday pie. Yum!

There are so many choices, 

but somehow, 

we managed to find a few treats for the afternoon.

So there it is, a complete birthday celebration.

Hockey, fights, delicious breakfast, and local pie...

Happy Birthday Joe!!

Impact: Part Three

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; 

courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

--Winston Churchill

Speak, but listen more. 

Remember that though kids listen to what we say,

our facial expressions with listening ears and hearts are valued more.

Impact: Part Three

People that my student admire...

Impact: Part Three

Luis (friend): Luis tells me to be strong in life.  He has taught me that you can go through times in your life that are rough and still stand back up.  Plus, he encourages me to stand up to people that are just “dream crushers”.

Uncle Robby: He means a lot to me because when I would go to family reunions I knew that he would be there and it was going to be fun.

Jake (step-brother): He showed me that it doesn’t take 50 years to become the manager of the Hawaiian Pepsi Company.  He has taught me humor, weirdness, and awesomeness.

Kyle (brother): I always get excited when he visits us on breaks.  He has always cheered me on and is still always fun to play with.

Nikki (cousin): Nikki calls me her twin sister and I feel the same.  She’s a volleyball coach and made me love to play too.

Uncle Caesar: He made everything better because he always acted wild and crazy, but also calm at the same time.  Also, my uncle always taught me to take risks.

Dad:  My dad means so much to me.  He’s the one who makes sure I have food on my plate, a warm bed to sleep in, and a roof over my head.  My dad always taught me to be respectful and do my best.

  

Dad: he pushes me to do stuff that I didn’t think that I could do.

Anthony (Older brother):  My mom met his dad when I was 2 and he was 3.  He shows me courage because he wasn’t supposed to get diabetes until 11 or 12 years old, but he got it and had to manage it at 7.

Ms. Moore (4th grade teacher):  She was the best teacher and we always had a good time together.  She gave me advice about things too.

My Dad:  My dad is my rock, the person I know can cheer me up when I’m down.  He taught me to see the brighter side of things and to not hang my head.  Without him I would be lost.

Aunt Carina: She means a lot to me.  She has 7 kids and is tough and strong.  She impacts me by reminding me that whatever happens to you, tough it out, fight through, and think the best of things.

My Dad:  My dad has taught me that family comes first and that nothing has to drag you down.

Ashlynne:  She means a lot to me because she was the only one who didn’t abandon me for my “mean” exterior.  She taught me to laugh more, to not care what people thought, and to be awesome.

Levi (Step-dad):  Whenever we’re going to the beach or camping, Levi always finds a way to make it way more fun.  For example, he will make baskets from long grass, or something.  He has impacted my life by always being able to make me laugh.

 

Grandpa Richard:  My grandpa to me meant that we were going to have a fun time.  He also taught me that anything is possible.

Sister:  She means everything to me…yeah, we fight, but without her I’d be clueless.  She taught me how to play soccer.  We would play in the backyard, and she’d teach me new tricks.  Someday I want to be just like her.

Mr. Camp:  If he was not teaching and there was a sub, I would be sad.  If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t know how to read.

Mrs. Elliot (2nd grade teacher):  My teacher means challenges…for when I went to school she was always there giving me a new challenge.  She has impacted my life greatly!  She was the reason I now LOVE math and reading.  I succeed because of her.

Bake Sale Time

Please order by Friday, February 7th 
so that I can have your treats to you by Valentine's Day.  

VALENTINE’S DAY: Baking With Purpose
Everyone needs a little love.
For me, love means a happy tummy.
I love to bake.  I love helping animals.
So how can you help? Well, it's simple...
you buy cookies, treats, or pies.
Together we can make a difference.

High-Maintenance Cookies (Specialty Cookies)
Just like people, some cookies are a little high-maintenance…
they take a bit longer to create perfection.
Therefore the price reflects the extra pizzazz that it takes.

-German Chocolate Cake-Frosting Center
-Red Velvet Cheesecake-Cheesecake Center
-Cream Cheese Sugar
-GF/Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk
-GF/Vegan Cowboy (Almond Butter)
                
High-Maintenance Cookies
can be ordered by
- Full Containers will be $15.00
- Half Containers will be $7.50

Classic Cookie Flavors

-Peanut Butter Chip
-Compost (Monster) Cookies
-Mexican Hot Chocolate 
-Oatmeal-Raisin 
-Soft Sugar Cookies 
-Lemon Crinkle 
-Ginger-Molasses 
-Snickerdoodles 
-Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie 
**Classic Cookies can be ordered by
- Full Containers will be $12.00
- Half Containers will be $6.00

PIES:        $12.00 each

-Apple
-Dutch Apple
-Pecan 
-Chocolate Cream

Cakes:    $15.00
6" 3 layer cakes...choose your cake and frosting.  
It's a little piece of heaven. 
Cake
-Chocolate 
-Red Velvet
-Vanilla

Frosting
-Vanilla Buttercream
-Chocolate Buttercream
-Cream Cheese

***Payment by cash, check, or credit card. How easy is that?!
If you would like to order, please email me at livesimplywithsparkle@gmail.com

 or Facebook message me.