I'm Back!

So my trip to LA was a success!! I got to see a bunch of friends in my small town of La Canada Flintridge and my best friend, whom I stayed with, made me feel as if I'd never left.

                                           

         On the day of my returning flight, my amazing Aunt Carolyn took me for lunch at Fred Segal in Santa Monica and treated me to a beautiful Diptyque candle and gorgeous boyfriend cardigan. Thank you!! Then my grandfather picked me up so that I would get to spend time with one of my beautiful baby cousins and my grandma. But, before I knew it, I was whisked away to LAX for my flight back to Seattle. It was so bittersweet. I miss my old town, my old life, my old friends. But it's hard to be without my family, and not only has my life changed dramatically but so has life at La Canada High School. Friends are different, girls are different, boys are different. Everythings different. So this time, I knew coming home wouldn't be as hard.

       Though, it probably helped that one of my closest friends since birth was coming up to Seattle to visit us with her family, the next day. It was super fun to give them a tour of all the Seattle hot spots: Pikes Place Market, original Starbucks, Space Needle, and the new Dale Chihuly exhibit (which was very cool) at Seattle Center.
     

My lovely friend Sonia                                                                               Dale Chihuly's Greenhouse

 

My dad needed a new profile picture

Now it's back to regular old life in Bellevue (even the sky is remembering what life in Seattle's like-today's forecast: clouds), but this is going to be "Get in shape and look amazing for sophomore year" month! I've started off with healthy eats and new work out classes. For the first time ever I've tried Barre classes which I am really enjoying! It's like the workouts we do at dance but x10 and its super fun! As far as the healthy eats go, I've been eating oatmeal with fruit or making my own parfaits with Yoplait Light yogurts, Bear Naked granola, and blueberries (big antioxidant and superfood!) for breakfast/lunch and snacking on fresh fruit, vegetables, and nuts. As far as sweets go, I've been cheating a little because I have a MAJOR sweet tooth but today I tried out a Banana Chocolate Chip muffin recipe adapted from a Fit Sugar one for Oatmeal, Dark Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin muffins. I basically substituted mashed banana for canned pumpkin and excluded the nutmeg. They turned out to be delicious, so here's the recipe:

Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 1/2 cups oat flour (or whole wheat flour)
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1-3 mashed bananas (depending on how much banana flavor you want)
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1/4 cup lowfat milk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips




Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 and grease tin or add cupcake liners
2. Blend dry ingredients together in a large bowl
3. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients then add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly
4. Stir in chocolate chips
5. Add to muffin tin and bake for 18-20 min  Makes about 15 muffins









xoxo
Sabrina