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    Life Lately and My Favorite Bakery

    They say life is like a cup of tea, it’s all in how you make it

    Hey guys! Hope y’all are having a good start to the month so far! Over the last few weeks, we’ve battled the flu and strep with one sick kid and managed to curb it from spreading to the rest of the family! It’s been busy at work and I cannot believe the month of January is almost over!!!!  I have to confess that apart from disinfecting my entire house, I have enjoyed some down time with the family. So, I thought I would share what I’ve been up to lately and the hidden bakery I found that will be a great spot to enjoy a Valentine’s day dessert!

    • Apart from nursing Zyanya back to health, I started a little early Spring cleaning in January and began to pack up gently used clothes and toys. I’ve got to confess that it always feel wonderful to make a donation and it is super crazy how kids quickly seem to grow out of their clothes and how rapidly stuff can accumulate! Did you know there are organizations like Metrocrest Services that will pickup your donations?
    • We revisited some home improvement tasks that we put off due to the holidays.  One of them is my formal dining room table that Alex is going to tackle in the next several weeks. I also put a wallpaper up in my study and we are halfway done with that mini project. I can’t wait to show y’all once its complete!
    • The kids pulled me into a fun project that I’m debating working with them on.  It’s something I have to stew over and will most definitely require finding time in my already busy schedule but I love the idea so much. No one put it any better regarding making time and juggling tasks than Albert Einstein’s; “life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving.” More to come on this one 😉 ……
    • I am “reflecting” (see picture of teacup below…see how i did that 🙂 with use of imagery and words) of starting my YouTube channel back up! It’s been over a year since I my last video (no joke) and I’m thinking of sharing a few of my affordable fashion hauls, recipes, and cool diy (do-it-yourself) activities with the kids in 3-5 minute videos. A little more personal perspective. What do you think?

    Eat dessert first

    Oh! I started a keto-like diet …well, not exactly! In the past week, I have been gradually cutting off carbs but I am still allowing myself the good carbs like having a sweet potato which I cannot live without! Really, I am just making a more conscious effort on what I put into my body. I also made my very first keto chocolate chip cookie using almond flour. Alex loved it but I think there’s room to tweak the recipe further. I am also thinking of trying my hands at making macarons but not sure if I should do two versions; one keto and another using regular ingredients. Decisions decisions…

    Speaking of keto and desserts, I discovered this cute little bakery (*the London Baker) that has true European style, freshly baked croissants and desserts. They’ve been featured on Cake Central, Food Network, and a few more. I recently discovered that they make keto desserts too; cookies, brownies and muffins! My kids love their oooey gooey brownies, deep dish chocolate chip cookies, and cupcakes. I’ve already had a few tea dates with Zyanya there and the ambience is always so welcoming.  The owner and staff are amazing and we’re already planning on ordering custom cakes for upcoming birthdays. If you’re in Dallas, you should check out this bakery.  They also deliver outside the DFW metroplex.

    Well, that’s all for now and thanks for stopping by. ~ xoxo Louise

    *Review of the London Baker are my own. 

    Life truly is like a cup of tea; fluid and aromatic. It depends on how you look at it, your ability to change, and how you make it. In a nutshell, it is so much more fulfilling when every experience is truly savored. Yes?

    Photography by MalloryKeePhotography

    Easy Banana Bread Recipe

    Ever wondered how simple it is to bake a perfectly moist, easy-to-make banana bread? Perhaps this delicious banana bread recipe can help you stick with any healthy eating-related goals.

    Banana bread is one of my favorites of all time. It is one of those classic food recipes that the whole family can enjoy together.  After all, everyone loves bananas!

    I have been perfecting this banana bread recipe for a while now.  It is wholesome, loaded with banana flavor, and just sweet enough. I personally think banana bread is a taste of heaven.

    The ingredients for this yummy bread begins with four overripe bananas.  Then comes the other basic essentials of flour, eggs, flax seeds, butter, and stevia powder or sugar to sweeten things up.

    The banana bread recipe can be easily adapted or changed to suit your needs.  You can add chopped walnuts or dried fruits, or cocoa powder and chocolate chips for the chocolate lovers. You can also use whole wheat flour as a healthier alternative instead of white flour but the banana bread may be a bit dense.

    I prefer my banana bread plain. My kids love the taste of cinnamon in it so I usually mix a little cinnamon in my banana bread batter to give it a variance in flavor and texture. The hard part is waiting for the banana bread to cool once it is out of the oven. This was the perfect yummy weekend treat on a rather warm fall afternoon. You are going to love this delicious bread!

    Recipe

    Prep Time

    10 mins

    Cook Time

    1 hour

    Total Time

    1 hour 10 mins

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 cup white flour (optional replace with wheat flour)
    • 2 eggs, beaten (for vegan option, see my older video on youtube)
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
    • 1 cup sugar (or substitute 1 3/4 tablespoon stevia)
    • 4 bananas, ripe and finely crushed
    • optional: 1 teaspoon flax seed and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.  You can also use parchment paper to line the pan.
    • In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.
    • Mash the bananas in a separate bowl.
    • Cream together the butter and sugar.  Add the eggs, banana and dry ingredients to the mixture along with the cinnamon and vanilla. Blend for another minute.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 55-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of loaf comes out clean. It should feel firm and be crackly and golden brown on top.
    • Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool an additional 20 minutes before slicing.

    For chocolate version, add 2 tablespoon natural cocoa powder to the mixture.

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #louisemillen

    @LOUISEMILLEN