WiNNiNG

OK, so I’m a little late on the Charlie Sheen title…but it applied to my post so I’m running with it 🙂 TWO of my favorite bloggers Alyssa (she has an amazing name) and Holly (she got engaged in Baltimore, where I live) awarded me with The Versatile Blogger Award. The only requirement is that I tell you 7 random things about myself…This shouldn’t be hard. I love talking about me 🙂

But first I wanted to fill everyone in on the lie from yesterdays post. Only a few of you got this right…My own mother and boyfriend both failed! If you guessed Number 5 “My favorite dessert is creme brulee and I wish I owned a torch to make it” – You are correct. I am a peanut butter and chocolate girl allllll the way but Ice Cream is my number one dessert pick. I have a bottomless pit when it comes to eating fro yo, soft serve or ice cream. Most of you picked Number 3. “I used to think bones could fall out of my feet and would come home daily to tell my mom another one did.” – Unfortunately, this is true. I. am. weird.

Now back to my 7 random things…

1.) When I grow up (ha), I want a husband (duh), 2 or 3 children, a Maltese named Daisy, a huge boutique like walk-in closet filled with shoes and accessories, an island in my kitchen, an Alyssa room where I can just scrapbook, blog and watch Disney movies alone, and a garage so I never have to scrape snow off my car ever again. Oh, and a really big backyard. I don’t ask for much.

2.) I’m lactose intolerant – but I cannot and will not give up dairy to save my life.

3. You know how everyone takes those really fun jumping pictures? Well this tan girl can’t jump. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me.

I'm in the yellow dress

4.) I do a little bit of this every. single. day.

5. I’m a diehard redskins fan – Even though they always disappoint me by the end of the year I still have high hopes!

6. I was sleeping in the same bed with my best friend the night her water broke. Is that TMI? Let’s just say that was a hectic night! But worth it 🙂

Sweet Baby Paxton

7.  Last but not least – I made one of my best friends wedding cakes (with the help of my best best friend). It was funfetti flavored. Everyone loved it. D.U.H.

So now I get to tag 7 people… Cara, Jenny, Maris, Jess, Nichole, Gina and Kate and of course anyone else who wants to participate 🙂

Now that I’ve told you random things about myself it’s onto two of my favorite meals this week for Favorite Friday!

I’ve been enjoying this Protein Shake after workouts and it’s SO SO amazing.

Peanut Butter Cup Shake

Ingredients

• 1 scoop of chocolate whey protein
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 2 tbsp Peanut Butter

Directions

• Blend together

I bet you can guess how long it took me to finish that? Yep, 2.6 seconds.

The next meal is a breakfast – I’ve never even had quinoa…Let alone thought of eating it for breakfast. But I’ve eaten this 3 times this week – and it is realllllly tasty.

Breakfast Quinoa

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 banana, mashed
• 1 tbs slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• drizzle of agave

Directions

• Bring all ingredients (except agave) to a boil in a saucepan until all of the liquid has been soaked up.
• Drizzle agave nectar on top and add more cinnamon if desired

I never thought I would eat the same breakfast 3 days in a row… But, it’s happened. I might even eat it again tomorrow. If you’ve never tried quinoa but have been thinking about it – try it this way! No joke, deliciousness.

Before I sign off for the night – Did everyone watch the Royal Wedding??

I honestly had no desire to until I woke up this morning at 5:40 with no alarm set so I turned  the TV on and watched for 2 straight hours. So much for not being interested huh? I really thought everything about it was great…The dress, the carriages, their love and how prim and proper everyone was over there. It was a true fairy tale! If you missed it I’m sure there are recaps on every single channel.

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend! I hope to make some fun recipes this weekend because I have a lot of free time on my hands.

Questions: Tell me a random fact about yourself. What is the best meal you’ve had this week? What did you think of the royal wedding? (i had to ask!)

Honored

A couple of weeks ago I received an invitation to join my friend Michelle for brunch this past Sunday. I gladly accepted… Hellllo breakfast buffet (side note: best french toast casserole EVER and i plan to recreate this weekend) and all you can drink mimosas. I sort of had an idea what it was for but I didn’t want to pry!

On Friday, Michelle asked me to come over ahead of time on Sunday so I could help her carry some bags she had for the girls. When I arrived she asked me to open mine… I wanted to wait so she asked me to open the card for now. As i read one of the SWEETEST cards anyone has ever given me I got goose bumps! At the bottom it read “I would be more than honored for you to stand by me and be my maid of honor on the day I become Mrs. Mitchell!”

I was so honored and of course said yes 🙂 I’ve known Michelle for 10 years now and couldn’t be any more excited to spend this special day with her. I’ve even started thinking of bridal shower AND bachelorette ideas. Um, MOHzilla much!? Just kidding. But, really… I’m already planning – That’s what happens when you ask a planner to be your Maid of Honor!

Here are some pictures of Michelle and I over the past 10 years… I left out the ones when we were younger because nobody wants to see pink sweaters, with pink chain belts, pink pointy shoes and jeans with a pink outline. I’m sure the visual is enough.

Even though I knew Michelle would be engaged ahead of time – She had no idea. Robby & I had been on the hunt for the perfect ring! Michelle & Robby flew out to Vegas for a friend’s wedding and she came back with a big rock of her own.

Bling Bling

I’m so excited to see you two say your vows and spend every waking second for the next year helping you plan!!

Now that you know how excited I am about their wedding let me tell you what else I’m excited about… Bananas + Pudding + Muffins.

When I went to work today the mom said “Sorry it looks like I’ve been running a concentration camp – I’m headed to the grocery store now” It was kind of true… The only thing there was to eat was bananas, banana pudding mix and cereal. But we made do with what we had and invented the best banana pudding muffins EVER. The 5-year-old said “It’s so much fun cooking with you”. Those words make my heart melt… Therefore I let her have a no nap day! Good idea or Bad? I guess the parents will find out later, whoops!

Banana Pudding Muffins

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter melted
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 box of banana pudding mix
• 4 medium bananas
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Mash bananas

• Mix in sugar and lightly beaten egg
• Pour in melted butter and stir
• Make a well in the center and add the remaining ingredients

• Mix well

• Pour into lined muffin tin

• Sprinkle Brown Sugar on top if you’d like

• Bake for 20 minutes

(The 5-year-old said the elephant couldn’t wait any longer!)

• Let cool for 10 minutes

• Enjoy one when it’s still warm!

I usually spread Peanut Butter all over my muffins/breads because well, i guess just because I’m addicted.. But this was perfect without it! These were fluffy with a pudding like taste. I love banana pudding, shakes and candy so these are definitely my new favorite muffins 🙂

So next time you see some of these…

and some of these…

(we clearly couldn’t use these…luckily i keep some extras with me at all times – that is not a joke)

Definitely make these!!

Now the children won’t have to starve 😉 Kidddding

I also wanted to share the cutest cards the girls made today for an 11-year-old they know who just found out she has an inoperable brain tumor. We went to Target while they picked out “pretty paper” with “bright colors”. I hope these make her (and you) smile!!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

P.S. I added my blogroll to a tab at the top of my page. If I missed you – let me know here or shoot me an email alyssakuminski(at)gmail(dot)com

QUESTIONS: What is your favorite muffin? Have you ever been a Maid of Honor in a Wedding?