Thanksgiving

I will not be shopping on Thanksgiving. I never have, and I do not plan to start now.

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed several movements, particularly on Facebook, urging consumers--nay, let us say people, for we are (hopefully) more than mere consumers--not to shop on Thanksgiving. Some of them are mild; others are a little angrier, accusing people of being "part of the problem" if they shop on Thanksgiving. While I do agree with this sentiment, I do not think it is necessarily the best way to go about convincing Thanksgiving shoppers to postpone their money-saving plans until Black Friday. Instead, I think we ought to go about the entire issue lovingly, appealing to people's sense of humanity.

Here is why I will not be shopping on Thanksgiving, and I hope you and yours will follow suit.

1. The Golden Rule

You might be familiar with this one--the whole "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" idea. I don't know about you, but I am pretty glad I do not have to work tomorrow--and I feel pretty bad for those of us who do. While there are those selfless civil servants--police, firemen, doctors, and the like--who will be at work tomorrow as a result of their necessity to society's safety and smooth operation--there is no necessity for someone in, for example, retail to be at work tomorrow. I would certainly not want to be told to come in  to work tomorrow; I do not want to be the reason someone else has to go in.

As a Thanksgiving worker, one might console oneself with the idea of appropriate compensation--overtime or double time or some planned day off in the future. As a Thanksgiving shopper, one  may justify one's decision to shop on a national holiday with the same consolation. However, there is no way to know whether the cashier on the other end of the transaction will actually be compensated in such a way. And to be honest, I would personally rather have the day at home with my family than a slightly larger paycheck. I imagine that most people in even a somewhat comfortable position probably share those sentiments.

If you are tempted to head out and shop tomorrow, ask yourself: Would I want to work today? If the answer is no, please stay home.

2. Entitlement

In a day and age where feelings of entitlement seem to be growing more prevalent, it seems to me like setting aside a holiday designated solely to gratitude is a pretty good idea. Even if we are grateful for all we have, forgetting to acknowledge our gratitude--even just to ourselves--is so easy in the face of all the obligations and responsibilities in our lives. Sending people to work on a day when most of us are home enjoying warm pies, piles of turkey, and some distant relative's green bean casserole may foster resentment in those who have to work, but will likely not foster gratitude in them (though we may hope they will at least feel grateful to be employed). In addition, keeping stores open on Thanksgiving can foster feelings of entitlement in the consumer, who may take for granted the fact that he or she can shop whenever he or she wants, regardless of, oh, you know, a national holiday meant for spending time with loved ones and acknowledging our blessings.


3. Work, Work,Work 

This argument may seem contradictory to the one that precedes it, but I have to say it: Considering the long hours most people keep at work these days, they deserve some time off; they are--dare I say it?--entitled to it.

Just look at the statistics:

• Parents ages 25 to 54 spend an average of  8.8 hours per day at work. While that may not seem too outrageous, in 2012, 37% of those who held Bachelor's degrees or higher worked additional hours at home.
• In 2012, 34% of employed people age 15 and above worked on the weekends, as well as during the week. For people who held multiple jobs, the number jumped to 67%.
• Americans work an average of one month more per year than we did in 1970.

While a good work ethic is hardly something of which to be ashamed, I think it is imperative that people also take time out to nurture other aspects of themselves and their lives. Time spent bonding with family and acknowledging the good in our lives is just as vital as time spent at work.

4. Holiday Creep

On November 6, I saw a house fully decorated for Christmas--lights, tree, the whole package. I have to admit that even I thought it was a little too early for such displays. After all, Halloween was only a week gone by. And yet, a week and a half later, I found myself following suit.

I got some compliments, and I got some "it's-not-even-Thanksgiving yet's." But the compliments on my holiday spirit far outweighed any naysayers' comments.Why is that? Let's be frank: It's hard to knock colorful lights, cheerful trees, and a nativity set, but I think there's more to it than that.

I think this phenomenon that has come to be known as "holiday creep" is as much a symptom of the commercialization of Christmas as it is of a society where many people are over-worked, over-stressed, and overwhelmed. They are craving not only a distraction, but also a little joy, some unity, and some togetherness.

I should admit that I did feel a little wrong stringing lights as early as November 17--like I was betraying Thanksgiving. I didn't really have an excuse other than it was 75 degrees that day and hanging lights in that temperature was a lot more comfortable than the 35 degrees we had last weekend and the 30s and 40s in store for us this weekend. But for those people who will be working on Thanksgiving? Well--why not "skip" Thanksgiving altogether and dive headlong into Christmas? If Thanksgiving is going to be treated as just another work day for them, so bet it.

But I think that's sad. Everyone deserves to set aside a day--it is just one day--for gratitude.

If you are going to shop on Thanksgiving...
Please embody the spirit of the holiday. Treat the employees you encounter with love, kindness--and gratitude. They are there for you as much as for The (proverbial) Man making the money off you. Don't forget that they would likely rather be at home eating turkey and watching football with their families.

Gratitude On the Go
Looking for ways to be more grateful on a regular basis? Here are some tips!

1. Before you get out of bed in the morning, envision your day, and count all the good things you expect to happen. An example list might look like this:
     1. I have a delicious lunch packed today
     2. I am going to wear my favorite sweater
     3. We're eating leftovers for dinner, so I don't have to cook tonight
     4. The weather forecast looks great

2. When you go to bed at night, make a mental gratitude list that includes all the good things you can think of from your day.

3. Always remember to say thank you.

4. Never expect anyone to thank you (even when they should); do good for the sake of doing good and the way it makes you feel. When someone does thank you, let yourself revel in the moment, even if just briefly.

5. Focus on the positive. Instead of harping on how you wish things were, be grateful for the way things are.

Sources:
http://www.bls.gov/tus/charts/#work
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=93364

November Pancakes: A Twist on the Traditional

Tonight, we had breakfast for dinner. Matty cooked up some pancakes and bacon. While I don't dislike pancakes and bacon by any means, and I was grateful for Matty's willingness to both prepare the meal and complete the clean-up tonight, pancakes and bacon just aren't my favorite meal. I wouldn't choose it on my own--morning or evening, but I'll eat it, albeit with a relative lack of enthusiasm.

At first, I had resigned myself to the typical topping: maple syrup (no butter, though). I'm actually a pretty big fan of maple syrup. When I do eat pancakes--or waffles, for that matter--I pretty much douse them in syrup. But I pulled our "syrup" out of our fridge tonight to find it wasn't the real thing, and in fact, its first ingredient was high fructose corn syrup.

To be honest, I don't really know why everyone is so up in arms about high fructose corn syrup right now, but I know no one thinks it's a good idea in anything. Given my tendency to drown my pancakes in syrup, and the general uproar over high fructose corn syrup, I decided to ask myself what else I could possibly use to top my pancakes.

November Pancakes were the delicious result of my improvisations.

You will need:
1) just-add-water pancake mix (We used Aunt Jemima Original Complete)
2) water according to pancake mix directions
3) dried cranberries (I used Craisins)
4) ground cinnamon (I used Penzey's)
5) pumpkin butter (I used Private Selection Oregon Pumpkin Butter)

Simply prepare pancakes as directed, and:
1) spread with as much pumpkin butter as desired
2) sprinkle with as much cinnamon as desired (don't go overboard)
3) top with as many cranberries as desired (I was pretty generous)
4) drizzle with just a bit of maple syrup

The result was, well, beautiful--to start. The bright red cranberries sitting atop a bed of orange pumpkin butter created quite a pleasing, autumnal aesthetic effect. I was tempted to take a picture--and in fact wish I had, but it smelled so good and I was so hungry that I found myself devouring my newly-created November Pancakes even as I contemplated whether or not I should photograph them. By the time I made up my mind that I should, I had only half a pancake (of the original three) left on my plate. Such is life. Guess you'll just have to make them yourself and see for yourself. :-)

Hair Today, Hair Tomorrow: Two Styles in One

I seem to always operate under the assumption that if someone's hair looks good, it must have taken her forever to get ready that morning.

This is not, however, necessarily the case, as proven below, where you will find a versatile hairstyle (actually, it's kind of two hairstyles in one...) that works across two days, or a day and a night, or whatever your schedule demands of you in a forty-eight hour period.

This is a two-step process. If you're really busy, Step 1 can be worn during the day on Day 1, slept on that night, and then Step 2 can be worn on Day 2. Alternatively, you could wear Step 1 during the day, and wear Step 2 for your evening plans that night. Finally, you could simply sleep in Step 1, and wear Step 2 during the day. As you can see, this two-step process is very versatile and can be used in many situations.

(If you are really busy, you could even wash and dry your hair and wear it down Day 1, use Step 1 on Day 2, and then use Step 2 on Day 3.)

Step 1: The Up-Do
Time: 3 minutes

After you have washed and dried your hair and sprayed it with dry shampoo...

1. Pull up half of your hair as if you were preparing to put it up in a ponytail. Instead, twist the hair into a tight twist high on the back of your head.
2. Twirl the twist into a bun, and push it up a bit to give the hair on the top of your head a little "bump." Pin in place with as many bobby pins as necessary.
3. Spray with hairspray.
4. Braid the remaining hair into a tight braid. DO NOT fasten with a hair tie.
5. Twirl the braid into a second bun near the base of the head.
6. Pin in place with as many bobby pins as possible.
7. Spray with hairspray. 

See photos below for finished up-do. Though I completed this style right before heading to bed, you can see it would be perfectly fine to wear out, as well.

The above look, shown from the back, each side, and the front, can be worn out or to bed, to be let down at any point (after a reasonable amount of time) to create the style below.

Step 2: The Down-Do

Time: < 1 Minute

1. Remove all bobby pins and shake hair free, arranging as needed with fingers.
2. Spray with hairspray if desired.

*Resist the urge to comb or brush your hair. Doing so will likely remove the curls and waves.*

Above, you can see the result of Step 1: Up-Do, as shown on Day 2. The bun and braided bun create multiple layers of waves, adding body, volume, and character to your hair.

Easiest Ever BBQ Chicken

As of Wednesday night, there is a new favorite meal in my household. With just two ingredients, it's inexpensive. With just three steps, it's easy. And, to top it all off, it's delicious!

Here it is:

Easiest Ever BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 bottles BBQ sauce (You can use any kind you like. I used Kraft Thick and Spicy Honey Barbecue Sauce. (The word "spicy" worried me a little, but the sauce was thick and sweet, not spicy, which was a good thing for me.)

Process:
1. Place chicken breasts in slow cooker.
2. Pour barbecue sauce over chicken.
3. Cook on low for 8 to 9 hours.

Makes 2-4 servings

Serving Suggestion:
Serve with cheesy scalloped potatoes and green beans.


*TIP*

If you've read this blog before at all, you've probably realized that I love my slow cooker. I do not, however, love to wash it. In fact, my husband and I have a deal: Every time I make dinner in the slow cooker, he washes it. (Like me, he doesn't exactly love to wash the slow cooker, but it's a compromise since he doesn't have to prepare the food.)


Anyway, the same night I tried the new recipe above, I also tried a new slow cooker tactic. The original recipe (which I modified; the original calls for bacon and Swiss cheese to be added near the end of the cooking time) came with a tip: To make clean-up easier, spray your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. I'm not sure why I had never thought of this before, but I hadn't. I tried it, and can confirm that it does indeed make washing the slow cooker easier. In fact, I just prepared tomorrow's beef stroganoff slow cooker meal, and sprayed my slow cooker prior to adding the ingredients.

 

Simple and Chic: A Complete Look Using Five Makeup Staples

Below you will find a simple, stylish, everyday look that utilizes just five basic items:

Cover Girl Pencil Eyeliner in Black
Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black
Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Strawberry Cream
Mary Kay Nourishine Lipgloss in Mango Tango
Cover Girl Advanced Radiance pressed powder in Classic Beige, No. 115

To achieve this look, follow these steps:

1. Line top lash line with Cover Girl Pencil Eyeliner in Black.

*TIP*:To make eyes appear larger, extend liner out to just shy of where eyebrow ends.

2. Apply Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black to top and bottom lashes.

3. Apply Mary Kay Cheek Color in Strawberry Cream to apples of your cheek. 

*TIP*: To make sure you are applying color to the apples of your cheeks, smile as you apply, and apply to the part of your cheek that appears "rounded" or "lifted" when you smile.

4. Apply Mary Kay Nourishine Lipgloss in Mango Tango.

5. Apply Cover Girl Advanced Radiance pressed powder to face.

*TIP*: To further avoid clogging pores, be sure to apply in a downward motion to close pores. Applying in an upward motion can open them, allowing makeup, dirt, and oil to enter.

Note that to make the eye appear larger, you can extend the eyeliner beyond the edge of the eye, stopping just shy of where your eyebrow ends.

Shown above: Cover Girl Pencil Eyeliner in Black, Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black, Mary Kay Cheek Color in Strawberry Cream, Mary Kay Nourishine Lipgloss in Mango Tango, and Cover Girl Advanced Radiance pressed powder in Classic Beige, No. 115.

Cooking for Couples: Joy of Cooking's Lemon Curd Bars

You're probably familiar with the idea that a meal tastes better when someone else makes it. I'd like to propose a new idea; namely, that a meal tastes better when you make it with someone else. With the holiday cooking and baking season upon us, I thought it might be fitting to share a recipe that I recently (as in tonight) discovered is very conducive to cooking together as a couple.

I have to give my husband some credit--this whole cooking together idea was his. I was a little skeptical, but very willing, and I would say we met with relative success. The process was smooth and easy and the product was delicious.

Some recipes are more conducive to a duo than others, and we got pretty lucky with this one; it was very couple-cooking-friendly. You can find the original recipe on page 765 of the 2006 edition Joy of Cooking, but below you can find a couple-ready version.

Lemon Curd Bars 

Partner #1
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Whisk together:
1 1/2 cups  all-purpose flour
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
Pinch of salt

Partner #2
1. While Partner #1 completes steps 1 and 2 above, slice 1 1/2 sticks cold unsalted butter into thin slices.
2. Use fingertips to add the butter into the dry mixture created by Partner #1.

Partner #1
3. While Partner #2 mixes the butter into the dry mixture, whisk together in large bowl
6 large eggs
3 cups sugar

Partner #2
3. After you have prepared the crust dough, grate the zest of one lemon into the moist mixture created by Partner #1. 
4. Then, stir in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 5 lemons).
(At this stage in the game in our case, Partner #2 had to run out to the grocery store and bring home more lemons...) 

Partner #1
4. While Partner #2 adds lemon juice and zest to moist mixture, press the crust dough Partner #2 created into the bottom and and 3/4 inch up the sides of an un-greased 9X13 baking pan.

5. Bake 25 to 30 minutes.

Together
6. When Partner #2 has finished adding lemon zest and lemon juice to moist mixture, Partner #1 slowly adds 1/2 cup all-purpose flour as Partner #2 continues stirring.

Partner #1 or Partner #2
Pour the moist mixture over the baked crust. Reduce heat to 300 degrees. Bake about 35 minutes. Cool on cooling rack and sprinkle with confectioner's sugar. 

Matty and I had a lot of fun and a nice evening preparing this from-scratch dessert for our family tonight, and everyone agreed that it was really tasty.

Plus I learned something new about my husband: He is not only a backseat driver; he is also a backseat baker...

The finished product pictured above is Joy of Cooking's Lemon Curd Bars. As it turns out, this recipe was very easy to make together, and tasted great!

Another Eye-dea: Neutral Eye Makeup with some Pizzazz

When we think of natural or neutral makeup, we tend to think of warm browns, smokey grays, or flesh-colored hues. While I must admit I am a fan of the natural look, neutral eye makeup doesn't always have to consist of merely earth tones or grays. The look below adds a pop of purple, but remains neutral and understated for everyday wear.

Shown above: Mary Kay cream eyeshadow in Pale Blush (base), Mary Kay mineral eyeshadow in Moonstone (brow bone), Mary Kay mineral eyeshadow in Honey Spice (eyelid), Almay Intense i-Color Trio for Greens (purple shade; on crease), Cover Girl pencil eyeliner in Black, and Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in Black. For steps to create this look and more pictures, see below.

To achieve the above look, follow these steps:

1. Using ring finger, apply Mary Kay cream eyeshadow in Pale Blush to entire lid, from lash line to eyebrow.
2. Using sponge applicator, apply Mary Kay mineral eyeshadow in Honey Spice to entire lid, from lash line to eyebrow.
3. Using sponge applicator, apply Mary Kay mineral eyeshadow in Moonstone to brow bone.
4. Using sponge applicator, apply the purple shade of Almay Intense i-Color Trio for Greens to crease, beginning at inside of eye and extending color up to end of eyebrow and down to end of eyelid.
5. Apply Cover Girl pencil eyeliner in black to top lash line, extending color out just beyond the end of the eyelid.
6. Apply Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara in black to top and bottom and lashes.

Shown above are all the eye makeup products listed previously, as well Mary Kay mineral cheek color in Strawberry Cream, Cover Girl Pressed Powder in Ivory, and Chapstick brand mint-flavored chapstick.

Love your Leftovers: Two Meals in One

Some people are big fans of leftovers. Some are not. I fall into the former category. My husband falls into the latter. I must admit, he has gotten much better, and as a reward for his increased willingness to eat leftovers, I have made an attempt to make the leftovers seem a little less like, well, leftovers. Here is one way I have succeeded. (In fact, my husband says he probably won't want to eat chili without a baked potato again.)

Meal No. 1: Three Bean and Corn Chili
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
1 package mild dry chili seasoning
1 16-ounce can red kidney beans, drained
1 16-ounce can black beans, drained
1 16-ounce can white kidney beans, garbanzo beans, great northern beans, or pinto beans, drained
1 16-ounce can sweet corn, drained
14 ounces tomato juice or tomato sauce (for thick chili; use more if you prefer soupier chili)
 2 tsp. sugar or brown sugar
Instructions
1. Brown beef/turkey in skillet. (I have skipped this step before and found that the meat cooks just fine in the slow cooker for 8-10 hours.)
2. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.
3. Cover. Cook on low 8-10 hours.
4. Serve with shredded cheese and/or sour cream and crackers.
Makes about 8 servings.

*This recipe is a modification of "Three-Bean Chili," which can be found on page 178 of Fix-It and Forget-It Recipes for Entertaining: Slow Cooker Favorites for All the Year Round by Phyllis Pellman Good and Dawn J. Ranck.

The above recipe for Three Bean and Corn Chili can be "re-purposed" quite tastily the next night according to the recipe below, "Baked" Potatoes and Chili, pictured above topped with shredded cheddar cheese.

Meal No. 2: "Baked" Potatoes and Chili (pictured above)
Ingredients
2 potatoes
2 cups leftover (or prepared) chili
shredded cheddar and/or mozzarella cheese to taste
sour cream to taste (optional)
Instructions
1. Prick potatoes in several places with fork. Wrap potatoes in aluminum foil. Place in slow cooker. Cover; cook on low 8-10 hours or on high 4-5 hours. Carefully unwrap potatoes and place on serving dish.
2. Re-heat chili in microwave. Split hot potatoes and spoon chili on top. Sprinkle with cheese and, if desired, spoon on sour cream.
3. Serve with corn bread (I recommend Krusteaz Honey Cornbread and Muffin mix)
Makes 2 servings.

*This is a modification of "Chili and Cheese 'Baked' Potato Supper," which can be found on the Sunday, March 24, 2013 calendar page of the Crock Pot: The Original Slow Cooker crock pot calendar. 

Did you know...?
...one potato can provide you with as much potassium as can a banana?  In addition, foregoing the peeling of your potatoes not only saves you some time and work, but can also provide you more fiber, and help the potato retain more of its nutrients during cooking.

Motivation to Move: A Higher Purpose for Exercising

Ask any John or Jane Doe why he or she exercises, and you are likely to get an answer like this: "To maintain a healthy body weight" or "To lose weight" or "To look good in a bathing suit" or "To lower my cholesterol" or "To stay fit and be healthy." We typically think of physical activity as a way to increase our longevity, maintain our physical health, and keep ourselves looking fit and trim.We tend to think we need to exercise to live a long, healthy life, and that, while it may sometimes be enjoyable, it is more often obligatory--a necessary evil we must endure to enjoy a small waistline or guiltlessly indulge in an extra brownie now and again.

I think we have it all wrong.

There is something fundamentally incorrect about believing that our exercise habits determine exactly the kind of life we will lead in terms of that life's quality, length, and purpose or meaning. Instead, I think we need to completely reverse our thinking on exercise--and why we do it.

As I was finishing up a four-mile run today, this thought occurred to me: I don't want to believe my run determines my size or my fitness or my ability. I don't want to give running (or yoga, or walking, or cycling--or anything) the power to determine how I think about my body. Instead, I want to run because I can. I want to run to express something greater than myself, to surpass the physical limits I have erroneously ascribed to myself, to touch on something deeper. I want to run in order to tap into a source of energy and vitality and ability that comes from something bigger than my lungs, my heart, and my muscles.

Mary Baker Eddy writes in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "We are all capable of more than we do." This concept applies to many different aspects of our lives on many different levels. One aspect of our lives it can easily be applied to is our fitness. Many of us tend to indulge self-defeating thoughts. "I'm too heavy to run that far." "It will take me forever to work up to that distance." "I'm just too slow." "I don't have the time." "I'm worried about injury." The list goes on and on. What we don't always realize when we tell ourselves these discouraging lies, is that the ability to walk that far or run that fast or cycle that hill does not necessarily depend on our bodies. It depends on our heart--not our physical hearts--but our heart. Why place so many limits on ourselves before we even begin? Yoga, running, hiking, aerobics, walking--these should be exercises of a deeper self, not just of lungs, heart, muscles.We should be exercising our ability, not our bodies. Exercise should be seen as a celebration of all we can do, not a grueling activity in which we must engage to keep ourselves looking good.

But why--why change an ideology on exercise that has prevailed for so long; namely, that the quality and amount of it we get determines our health? This is why: Because while lowering our cholesterol or looking good in a bathing suit or adding a few years to our lives are all good things, they are only material benefits--and they are often not enough motivation to keep the average Joe at the gym or on the trails.

A few years ago, I worked part-time at my local YMCA. Every January, right after New Years, we would see an influx of new members. The gym would be packed. People were excited. They were motivated. This year, they were sure, they were going to uphold their New Year's Resolution of losing weight, or exercising at least three times a week--or whatever wellness goal they had made for themselves. You know what always happened? Without fail, by the end of March, we would be back to our regular numbers. Why? What happened? Simply put, these people had lost their mojo. The idea of being thin or lowering their cholesterol or toning various parts of their bodies had not been enough to keep "work out" at the top of their priority lists. And why not? Because these goals, by themselves, are vain and materialistic. We need more--something deeper and more meaningful--to keep us engaged. With family, home, and career obligations all vying for our time and energy, can we really justify spending so much time exercising if the only goal is to lose weight and look good? And so, our exercise goals fall to the wayside.

However, if we realize these goals are not the true goals, we can regain our motivation. If our true goal in going out for a run or a walk or a hike or a bike ride is to tap into something beyond ourselves--to push our limits and find a source of energy deeper than ourselves--suddenly, our workouts take on a spiritual quality. Human beings naturally search for meaning. We always ask why. If our only answer to the question "Why exercise?" is akin to "Because I want to look good," the question still remains. The answer is simply not good enough. It provides no deep meaning--no worthwhile purpose.

My best runs are the ones during which I completely lose sight of myself and the limits I think I have. When I just run for the joy of running, run simply to celebrate that I can--I feel like I have connected to something larger than myself. I can run. But I don't want to think it is because I am thin and tall and have been conditioning myself for years. Instead, I want to acknowledge that I can run because the source of my ability lies not within me as a physical body, but as a being connected to a large, omnipotent, unlimited source of energy, love, and ability.

If you let your exercise routine have power over you, it will become a sort of slave driver. If you let it determine how you feel and how you think about yourself, you will likely come to despise it. It will become a burden, an obligation. But if you can see your exercise routine as an opportunity to express Life, as a chance to exercise your ability, you will almost always approach it with joy and anticipation. I am working to realize that my running does not determine my fitness, nor does it have the ability to keep me thin or healthy; instead, my running is away for me to express and to celebrate that I am healthy. Do not decide that you are incapable; after all, "We are all capable of more than we do"--and more than we realize. Only by pushing the limits we think constrain us can we realize they were only illusions.

A Simple Snack

For lack of a better (i.e. simpler) name, I like to refer to this snack as Peanut Butter Banana Pumpkin Bread Toast with Honey. If you can think of something just as appropriate--but a lot shorter--let me know.

If you read the name or look at the picture, you can pretty much imagine what goes into the snack, but just in case:

Pepperidge Farm Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Swirl Bread
Natural Peanut Butter
Local Honey
Banana Slices

To enjoy, simply toast as many slices of pumpkin bread as you wish (I was pretty full after two), spread as much peanut butter as desired onto each piece, top with banana slices, and drizzle with honey. Voila! You easily and quickly concocted a snack that will not only fill you up, but also provide you with foods from multiple food groups: carbohydrates, proteins, and fruits.