Throwback

Sorry. I'm not going to post throwback pictures of me or something. At least not for this post. Maybe another time. BUT. This week has been a throwback week. At least the last few days have been. Mark and I were reminiscing about the good old days after reading 50 Things That Look Just Like Your Childhood. We were delighted to be reminded of orange VHS tapes (Harriet the Spy!!!), French Toast Crunch, AOL Instant Messenger, the Pierre Escargot, Heads-Up 7 Up (still one of my favorite games), Gigapets, and other wonderful things from our childhood. This led to a fun reminiscent discussion about the good, quality Saturday Morning cartoons and our favorite shows on the Disney channel and Nickelodeon. GOOD times! The shows these days just pale in comparison. It's sad really.

So. Saturday morning I woke up, took Scotty out, poured myself a bowl of cereal (with chocolate chips because, hey, it's Saturday) and watched one of my favorites: Rocky and Bullwinkle. Thank you YouTube!!!

Today I think I might watch Gummi Bears. I LOVED that show. 

I also did some baking because...I love it. Because it makes me happy. Because it relieves my stress. Because I enjoy it. Because I was craving some things. Etc., etc., etc.

My new faaaaaavorite thing is "ice cream" made of just frozen bananas and peanut butter. I LOVE IT!!!!! 

2 overripe bananas cut into coins and frozen thrown into a food processor with 2 generous spoonfuls of peanut butter (or however much PB you desire). Toss with chocolate chips and voila!, a healthy version of ice cream. Friends, it's the bomb. I am going to try it with just bananas and strawberries too. 

THEN. I found a recipe for pretzel buns and decided it was a MUST. Super easy to make and holy catscans are they good. I brought some into work and froze the rest...except I ate the last one today and am going to make some more...today. They are THAT good. Recipe at the end of the post!

Friday Amy created a training plan for my next half marathon in October. Whoa baby. It's definitely do-able, but it's going to push me. Yikes! New kickin' PR here I come!

Yesterday karma and the world were against me. I blame the heat and humidity, paper-thin patience, and fatigue but OH MY LANTUS it was ridiculous. It was one of those days where it was one annoying thing after another. I'm not going to waste your and my time talking about it because the day is over but let me just say, I am not a fan of shopping at Wal-Mart to begin with, but I HATE it on Saturdays. Plus some lady with a MAAAASSSIVE cart full of things cut in front of me. I was fuming. THIRTY minutes later, I finally left Wal-Mart. Yeah, not a happy camper. BUT I did get these beauts!

And I have discovered my new favorite Greek yogurt (of which I am obsessed): Dannon's Light and Fit coconut vanilla. HOLY MOLY it's so good. It was my first time trying it--I think it's brand new--and I only bought three. DRATS! Next time I go, I am clearing Wal-Mart of their supply. So. Good. And with chocolate chips...pardon me while I die of happiness. Oh and, BONUS, it's only 80 cals. Yes, indulge away! 

And another good thing from my Wal-Mart experience, my chocolate chip jar is now restocked and therefore all is right in the world. And I even got some PB chips so now I can finally make my copy cat chocolate PB Levain cookies! 

AND. HOME IN TWO DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(To come: Mom, Heath and Emma, Soucys, GP, Lagos, Shake Shack, seafood and so much more). I AM READY TO BURST I AM SO HAPPY! Oh New England I love you.

Pretzel Buns (from Yammie's Noshery)

Makes ~12 (I think you could get about 16...they get pretty big)

2 cups milk1 1/2 Tablespoons (2 packets) active dry yeast
6 Tablespoons brown sugar
4 Tablespoons butter, melted
4 1/2 cups flour (I used 5-5 1/2...maybe because it's so flippin' humid right now...)
2 teaspoons fine salt


1/3 cup baking soda
3 cups warm water (I'd recommend boiling the water because my pretzels didn't get that nice brown "pretzel" look...but they still tasted wicked good)!
Coarse salt
6 tablespoons butter, melted

Warm up the milk in the microwave or on the stove for just about one and a half minutes. It should be about 110º. If it's too hot it will kill the yeast. You should be able to comfortably keep your finger in it. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for about 3 minutes. Add the butter and sugar. Add the flour about 1 cup at a time and the add the fine salt. Kneed for about 10 minutes with a stand mixer, or by hand. Put it in a greased bowl and cover with greased cling wrap. Let rise for 1 hour in a moist, warm place until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 375º. Punch down dough and divide into 12 lumps (I like to divide it in half, then divide each half into three, and then divide each remaining one in half again). Roll them into balls. Combine the warm water and baking soda in a wide bowl. Dip each ball in the baking soda water and then cut a slit in the top with a serrated knife. Place on a greased baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for about 9-15 minutes or until browned. Brush with melted butter. INDULGE. Good, huh?