Happy Friday!  I’m looking forward to this weekend, because there is a certain rivalry game going on:

See, we’re a house divided.  I’m a Penn State fan, and Nathan is an Ohio State guy.  Now we have a kid.  Who obviously will be a Penn State fan tomorrow if only because I strategically purchased Ohio State onesies that would be too big for the game.  Only his Penn State ones fit.  What a shame!

I’m also making blue & white striped football cookies and buckeyes, because that’s fun.

Sidenote: I totally realize I still haven’t posted Nathan’s birthday dinner menu & recipes.  Early next week.  I promise.

Speaking of football, I made this a few weeks ago to eat while we watched various games.  It didn’t even make it to the games.  Nathan ate all of it throughout a Friday.  He’s begging me to make more.

I wish I could take credit for this recipe, but alas, I cannot.  The Pajama Chef made it, and I just changed the kind of apples used.  She used gala apples, and I went with Winesap apples.

Crock Pot Applesauce {from The Pajama Chef}

Ingredients:

• 8 apples
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

1.  Peel and core the apples. Cut into medium size chunks.

2.  In the crock pot mix the apples, water, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.  Let cook on low for 8 hours.

3.  When done use a fork or potato masher to smash the apples.  Leave it as chunky as you wish.

Grade: A+

Comments: Like I said, this was a huge hit with Nathan.  I was nervous about it, because he always talks about the great applesauce his grandmother made.  I was sure I couldn’t live up to it, and since she passed away a few years ago I couldn’t get the recipe from her.  Thankfully, he said that my applesauce was just as good!  I was relieved.  It definitely was delicious.  I managed to get a spoonful.  I’d make it again in a heartbeat.  It is the perfect fall comfort food.

{On that note, I’m really on a healthy streak here aren’t I?  Don’t worry I’m about to undo that with an awesome pie I came up with earlier this week.  Look for the recipe Monday or Tuesday.}

{this week’s menu is posted}

A few weeks ago Nathan was leaving for a work trip, and I thought he needed something delicious to take with him.  I wanted it to be healthy, but nothing that screamed it.  Thankfully, Two Peas and a Pod had posted something seemed almost perfect.  There was chocolate.  There was pumpkin.  I was set.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip & Peanut Butter Granola Squares {adapted from Two Peas and a Pod}

Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup peanut butter chips

Directions:

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray an 8×8 baking pan with cooking spray.

2.  In a large bowl, mix the oats, spices, and salt.

3.  In another bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, pumpkin, honey, and vanilla extract until it is easy to move the whisk.

4.  Combine the pumpkin mixture and the oats mixture in the large bowl.  Mix well.

5.  Fold the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips into the mixture.

6.  Spread the mixture in the pan.

7.  Cook for 30 minutes.

8.  Let cool and then cut into little squares.

Grade: B

Comments: These received mixed reviews.  I thought they were good especially after they had sat for a day.  Nathan did not like them.  He thought they should have been crunchy, and they were definitely more of a chewy granola square.  I thought they made a perfect afternoon snack or a quick breakfast.  In my opinion, these would make a fabulous snack for kids to take to school.  They are healthy, filling, and definitely flavorful!  I’m all for quick and easy baked goods for school and work, and these definitely fit the bill.

I love muffins in the morning.  Foruntely there never seems to be a shortage of great recipes, and I love to try all of them!  I’ve been hoarding this recipe for some time, but with how much Nathan has been gone for work, I haven’t had a chance to make them.  Now that he is mostly back in town for a month or so, it seemed like the perfect time to try them out!

Banana Crumb Muffins {from AllRecipes.com}

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

4.  In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

5.  Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Grade: A

Comments: These were so, so good.   I could have eaten a lot more than just one!  The banana flavor is definitely there, but it is not overwhelming at all.  I put some butter on mine while it was still hot, and it was absolutely perfect.  These would be great for a brunch or picnic.  Definitely don’t skip the brown sugar topping.  It added just the right amount of crunch and sweet!

Yesterday we got some snow, and I decided since it wasn’t a great idea to get on the roads {people from the South do NOT drive in the snow well} I was going to go on a little bit of a baking spree.  Luckily I keep the baking basics on hand specifically for times like this.

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com.  Using my Supporting Membership, I was able to change the quantity.  So, the recipe I am showing is for 2 dozen while the original recipe is for 3 dozen.  If you don’t have a supporting membership, get one!  SO AMAZING.

Healthy Banana Cookies {from allrecipes.com}

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1 1/3 cups rolled oats {I used quick oats, and it worked fine}
• 2/3 cup dates, pitted and chopped
• 4 tbs vegetable oil
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Stir in oats, dates, oil, and vanilla. Mix well, and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly brown.

Grade: B+

Comments: These are very good!  The best part is each cookie only has 44 calories!  The banana flavor is subtle, so don’t expect anything overpowering.  I was initially reluctant to add the dates, but they are a great addition to the cookie.

I’m always willing to splurge on dessert.  I have two major weaknesses in this world: chocolate and shoes.

I was walking through Kroger on Sunday, and I had a craving for ice cream.  Not wanting to spend my day’s calories on 1/2 cup of chocolate, I decided to try Haagen Dazs low-fat chocolate sorbet.  It is heavenly.

became…

A healthy sweet treat for when you are craving that huge sundae at your local ice cream shop!

If I had thought about it I would have topped this with strawberries and raspberries for an extra touch of healthy sweetness.