Whole Wheat Banana Bread

Derrick and I have been trying to eat only whole wheat for the past couple of weeks.  It has a lot of health benefits and we have actually found that we often like the taste of it better that non whole wheat products. 

Here is a yummy banana bread recipe I made using whole wheat!

 

Ingredients:

1/3 cup  vegetable oil (I substituted applesauce)

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas (About 3 large bananas)

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 cup hot water

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In large bowl, beat oil (or applesauce) and honey together. Add eggs, and mix well. Stir in bananas and vanilla. Stir in flour and salt. Add baking soda to hot water, stir to mix, and then add to batter. Blend in chopped nuts, if using.  Spread batter into a greased 9x15 inch loaf pan.

3.  Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 1/2 hour before slicing.

Kitchen Organization

Our kitchen is pretty small and we have limited cabinet and counter space.  Here are a few things I have done to stay organized...

I love using different shapes and sizes of jars to hold things..and the clear ones make it super easy to grab exactly what you are looking for. I even added some vinyl to some of the jars to state what's inside.

I found some really cool vintage measuring cups at a thrift store and they make the perfect scoops for my flour, rice and oatmeal jars! 

I added some hooks on the wall above some of the baking items for easy access to measuring cups and spoons. It also doubles as wall decor! 

These wooden crates make the perfect shelves when turned on their side. 

I love baskets and this one is perfect to hold all of our cookbooks! 

Lastly, I'll leave you with a little spring decor! I wrapped some plastic Easter eggs in twine to give it more of a natural look and then added a cute little vintage bunny cookie cutter!

What are some ways you like to stay organized in your kitchen?

A New Adventure

Many of you know that last July I started a business, Thrifty 31, selling antiques and vintage items on facebook and for awhile I also had a booth at an antique store. It has been so much fun getting to hunt for  things to sell to you all and I have loved getting to meet so many new friends along the way!!

A couple of months ago I was trying to think of a way to either expand the business or somehow branch out in a new why. While on facebook one day, I saw a link to a page located in the St. Louis area, Finch Vintage Rentals, that rents vintage items for special events such as weddings, parties and even photo shoots!  I thought, "THIS IS IT!!"  So, after talking to my husband, friends, family and praying about it, I decided it was a go!

1. I talked with the owner of Finch Vintage Rentals and asked lots of questions and about dos and don't with this kind of business. She was very sweet and very helpful!

2. I started collecting items for inventory! It's always fun shopping and searching for the perfect pieces!

3. My very talented husband started making a website (hopefully to be completed this month!)

4. I launched our facebook page, Thrifty 31 Rentals!

SO, if you or anyone you know lives in the Southern Illinois area, be sure to like our facebook page! Also, be sure to stay tuned for the launching of our website which will have a full listing of all of our inventory along with quantities of each item and prices! We will rent these items for weddings, showers, parties, photo shoots, any special event you might have! So be sure to check us out! :)

I will leave you with a few pictures of some of my favorite pieces in our inventory so far!

Garlic Lemom Pork and Beer Bread

Garlic-Lemon Pork

1/4 cup flour
2 lemons, 1 zested & juiced; 1 sliced thin
1 pork tenderloin, cut into slices
salt and pepper
1 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs butter, divided
4 cloves garlic
2 Tbs fresh chives
3/4 cup chicken broth

1. Place flour in dish and stir 1 tsp. lemon zest. Season pork with salt and pepper and then coat with flour

2. In large skillet, heat oil and 1 Tbs butter over med-high heat. In batches, cook pork until browned and cooked through. (2 min per side) Transfer to plate and tent loosely with foil.

3. Reduce heat to med, add garlic and remaning Tbs of butter and cook 30 seconds.

4. Add broth and cook, stirring until reduced by half, (4 min). Return pork to pan along with lemon juice and slices; cook until sauce thickens (2min). Add 1 Tbs lemon juice, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with chives.

Beer Bread

3 cups lour
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbs baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 can beer

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x5 loaf pan.

2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Pour beer into bowl and stir with wooden spoon until just combined.

3. Pour batter into pan and bake 50-60 minutes, until top is golden brown.