A.P. -- after the pandemic

With the temporary closing of most service businesses, I am no longer able to get a pedicure. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. What I’m trying to say is polishing my own nails pales in comparison to the beauty of my toes once a professional has had my feet in her capable hands. I miss and have developed a new appreciation for that monthly treat.

As we remain in our homes, we’ve all had to do without one or more of our extra pleasures. For me, a morning walk is one I still give myself, savoring the blossoming flowers, the trees as their leaves continue to fill out into a green canopy above my head, and the warmer temperatures that brush across my face. I'm more thankful than ever for the short periods of time spent outdoors.

People have asked me what I will do first when we’re on the other side of the pandemic; I really don’t know. I do know that life will not go back, it will go forward with a start date that, at the moment, is difficult to pinpoint. While I believe I have time to gather my thoughts about an answer, one thing is certain, it won’t be "getting a pedicure".

Stay safe, be well, take good care and…

keep your peepers open!

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#togethercookingathome

I made this oatmeal for breakfast yesterday using a baked banana and it was soooooooo scrumptious, I had to share!!! These are easy dairy free with honey used sparingly as a sweetener recipes from my kitchen that you can alter to your taste. Full disclosure, I tried baking bananas with cinnamon and nutmeg that tasted good before I read a recipe.  I then decided to read one to get the proper oven temperature and glanced at the ingredients; mine has that soulful touch with a nod to my southern roots.  

If you have children and they like bananas and/or oatmeal, they will love…sans the bourbon or rum of course. Experiment with your own ingredients and please come back and comment so we can all get a chance to try something new! 

Have fun and enjoy. Stay safe, be well, take good care and…

keep your peepers open!

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BAKED BANANAS

Oven 400 degrees, 10 - 15 minutes

bananas

OPTIONAL - bourbon or rum

ground cinnamon

ground nutmeg

honey

OPTIONAL - chopped pecans

        OPTIONAL - sea salt (for the nuts(

PAM butter spray (if you have)

Aluminum foil, baking sheet

Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with PAM or rub lightly with butter

Peel and slice bananas lengthwise; place sliced side up on the aluminum foil

Pour a little bourbon or rum over the bananas, drizzle with a little honey

Sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg over bananas

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes; don’t overcook, you want some of the banana liquor to remain 

While bananas are baking…Spread chopped pecans close together on aluminum foil & drizzle pecans with honey and a couple of light sprinkles of sea salt

    10 MINUTES INTO BAKING OF BANANAS…put them into the oven

Remove bananas and pecans from oven making sure to keep the gooey banana liquor that has bubbled up beneath the bananas (don’t overcook or it will fully caramelize and burn)  

Serve warm banana with honey pecans on top

DELICIOUS OATMEAL

Prepare baked bananas and roasted nuts from above. Once they are cooked and cooling a little…

Make your favorite oatmeal adding to the water ground cinnamon & nutmeg. If you like raisins, a minute or two before oatmeal is done, stir some in and finish cooking. Pour into your favorite bowl. DO NOT ADD SWEETENER…you won’t need it.

Scoop off some of the banana liquor and if you are using nuts, stir them into the oatmeal. Top with the bananas…don’t stir them in, just spoon some with every mouthful.

FROZEN DAIRY FREE BANANA ICE CREAM

(to enjoy right after you make it)

frozen bananas (ahead of time, peel, slice into rounds and freeze flat, not bunched up)

OPTIONAL - bourbon or rum; coconut milk if you don’t drink

ground cinnamon

ground nutmeg

honey

OPTIONAL - chopped pecans (or nut of your choice and if allergic, try oat granola though I haven’t put in the oven) preheat oven to 350, baking sheet lined w aluminum foil

Food processor (I use my mini processor because I’m making a small serving), rubber scraper, aluminum foil

Spread chopped pecans close together on aluminum foil & drizzle pecans with honey maybe a little sea salt; put in oven when you begin making ice cream…10 minutes 

Place frozen bananas in food processor. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg and splash in liquid of your choice if you want to use one of them

Pulse the banana until they are creamy…you may have to open the top and push them down with the rubber scraper

Use the scraper to remove the ice cream from the bowl putting into individual bowls or a container and place in the freezer

Remove pecans from oven and let them cool slightly before serving over ice cream

Note: the banana “ice cream” melts pretty quickly 

covid composure

Many of us will experience moments during this crisis when we’ll just collapse. Breaking down is nothing to avoid or be ashamed of; I've been there myself as have friends and those who've been courageous enough to share what's happening to them by posting on my social media platforms. Rather than fight the feelings, we need to go with our emotions in an effort to avoid a bigger, perhaps more devastating outburst that could surface when we least expect it. 

Worth repeating is that we must take good care of ourselves during this crisis. Self care includes letting go of anxiety in a constructive manner which can be done by taking a moment to breathe, find composure, and allow the energy to shift in our body. When we wake up each morning, breathe. Not just once or twice, take several breaths and remember to be grateful if you’re able to do so without assistance from a ventilator. And if you need some professional guidance, by all means seek it via online or hotline assistance.

We’re still in this together on this Easter and Passover Sunday; happy holiday if you celebrate either. Stay safe, be well, take good care and…

keep your peepers open!

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social distance care

In the midst of the corona chaos, positive stories really do have an impact on our psyche; a random act of social distance kindness happened to me on a chilly March morning as I headed out to walk.

Just steps away from my front door I was looking one way, started walking in another and FELL!!!! Face down on the concrete drive, it took me a minute to comprehend what had just happened; I was afraid to move, not sure if I could even do so. When I finally raised my head, there across the street was a neighbor who I’ve only seen on his way to work some mornings when I’m out getting my steps in. He called out asking if I was okay, my response, as I carefully and slowly pushed myself into a seated position, “I don’t know, think I’m in shock!” I didn’t move for what seemed like a long time as I assessed my condition. Though both my palms and right knee were stinging, overall, I felt okay and got back up on my feet. My neighbor was still there waiting and once again asked me how I was. I took a few steps, “I’m good,” I shouted and it was only then that he waved and told me to have a great day before going on his way. I finished my walk. 

Once home, scrapes and bruises that needed attention were tended to and I decided to take it easy for the rest of the day. As I relaxed, I thought of the comfort I had felt while I was on the ground knowing that a complete stranger who, in a time when we are forced to practice physical distancing, chose to practice care from afar. I still have no idea who he is, have not seen him again when I’m walking, however I am and will be forever grateful for his kindness. 

In the season when nature is springing back to life, it is tragically sad that so many people are losing theirs. Let us be kind and caring to others and ourselves in whatever ways we can until AND after this is over. Be safe, be well, take good care and...

keep your peepers open!

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