Almond Date Banana Smoothie

It is a new year. When the calendar on the wall is replaced, my mind drifts to thoughts of resolutions and new beginnings—often whether I'd like it to or not. This time last year I shared with you how I felt I no longer needed to make a list of resolutions. I was already keeping both mind and body healthy; a list to remind me to do so felt redundant. This year, however, is quite a different story.

When I took a teaching job and moved across state lines this fall, it threw my life, my predictable patterns and routines, into disarray. Even though months have passed, I haven't been able to get the fragments back in order. I often feel like a puzzle with the outer edges intact, but missing a few pieces in the middle.

I pay for a membership to a gym I rarely attend. More often than not, it feels as though I'm paying for the privilege of guilt; a packed gym bag sits in the front seat of the car acting as a silent, but continual reminder. As my days are long and filled with the hours of a first year teacher, I find I do not often cook for pleasure anymore. When dinner rolls around, I opt for the least involved option, which is often take out or some version of plain noodles covered in a fried egg. Truthfully, I eat this type of meal half a dozen times a week, throwing nutrition out the window. I miss food, real food.

I have been working on these changes for awhile, however slow progress may feel at times. Just this afternoon I filled the refrigerator with a real, honest to goodness pork roast. Progress. It seems that when the new year slides in, we compile lists of all the things that we are doing wrong, instead of congratulating ourselves for the things that we are doing well. I, too, am guilty of this, if my prior confessions are any indication. It is noble to want to better ourselves, but I also believe that we shouldn't forget how far we've come on our journeys of self discovery. This is perhaps the most important thing we can do.

When I was reading quotes about the new year, I was drawn to the one I shared with you above. As a teacher, I feel that for everything I do right in the classroom, there's a misstep that follows, whether it be a genuine mistake or simply something I could have said or explained better. By the day's end, there's a dozen of these little missteps that follow me to bed, before I bury them and start anew the next morning. If I'm making mistakes, whether I'm in the kitchen inventing a new recipe or leading young minds through the field of physics, I'm learning something new. I'm trying something new.

I may not be perfect, never perfect, but I am strong and doing well. I'm making mistakes because I am putting myself out there and trying something new. While some aspects of my life may be neglected now, I'll figure it out. I always do. For your next year, I hope you make mistakes too.

Lately I have been craving a good smoothie, but haven't gotten around to making one until this weekend. This Almond Date Banana Smoothie is naturally sweet and has a character all its own. A frozen banana composes the base, a spoonful of almond butter adds a nutty tone, and a handful of dates gives it a rounded flavor. Small pieces of date are left in the drink, giving a nice little treat for each bite. Though this smoothie may be simple, the flavors are sophisticated and perfect for an early morning or afternoon on the go.

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Date Flapjacks From Izy of Top With Cinnamon

I stumbled across Izy's blog, Top With Cinnamon, over a year ago. Izy's photographs are absolutely breathtaking and her flavor combinations are both decadent and refreshing. And she also makes gifs! Watching her dig a spoon or fork into cookies or cakes gets me every single time. I just stare at the gooey chocolate and sigh. You will, too.

Hi everyone! I'm so honoured to be able to guest post on Kristin's blog. The Pastry Affair has been one of my top sources of inspiration ever since I started my blog. Thank you so much for inviting me to contribute to such a beautiful space!

Today, I'm bringing a classic British treat to your screens (and hopefully, kitchens!). Flapjacks.

Over here, a flapjack is a well-loved, simple granola bar-esque treat. They're loaded with butter and oats, as well as golden syrup. They're basically the best application of golden syrup in baking that I've ever found. That unique caramelised flavour translates so well to the final bar, and provides a brilliantly chewy texture. Of course, it can be easily substituted for another liquidy sweetener like honey or agave syrup, with excellent results too!

A few years ago, my brother went through a phase of baking chocolate chip flapjacks EVERY SINGLE WEEK. I mean, of course I love them (it's butter, sugar and oats. Only crazy people wouldn't love that) but eventually got tired of their richness.

In an effort to cut that richness and make them a bit more, ummm, healthy.... I've found my own perfect version of flapjacks. There's less added sugar in the oat part, coconut oil in place of some butter, and a gooey date ribbon running through them. (Oh, and there's a good pinch of Maldon salt in them too. Salty-sweet is my jam.)

The smell alone of these when they're baking will be enough to draw everyone into the kitchen. They're that good. And hey, you could probably pass them off as a healthy granola bar and no one would ever judge you for eating 4 of them in one go (that totally didn't happen. But also, it actually did.)

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