Zucchini Banana Flaxseed Muffins

Yesterday, I received a zucchini. A beautiful zucchini that my friend had grown in her garden. Like the lovely lady she is, she gave me said zucchini so I could bake with it. Isn't that wonderful? The only thing I knew what to do with it was make it into muffins. Shutterbean, recently posted a recipe for Zucchini Banana Flaxseed Muffins. They sounded so fantastic I just had to try them for myself. So, while wearing heels in my tiny kitchen, I made these muffins. They made about 12 big muffins and 16 mini muffins total; perfect for feeding ones favorite coffee shop.

Wait...You want to make them now too? Well, here's the recipe for ya!

Taken and adapted from Shutterbean.

Stuff You Need:

- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 3/4 cup lightly packed light-brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups grated zucchini or 1 large zucchini grated
- 1/3 cup mashed banana (I used 2 very brown bananas for this)

- 3/4 cup whole milk

- 1 large egg

- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350F Lightly coat muffin tin with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, flaxseed, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt & cinnamon. Add zucchini and banana and stir to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together milk, egg and vanilla. Add milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until combined. DO NOT OVERMIX!

Divide batter among muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes, Let muffins cool completely in a pan on a wire rack, about 30 minutes. Store in an air- tight container, up to 3 days.

What I Wore: 8.27.2011

Today is beyond beautiful. For reals, it really is. I tell people all the time how everyday I fall more and more in love with Chicago. This is one of those days where I really mean it. Even though I'm walking in heels for the first time in ages, even though my apartment feels like an oven, I still love Chicago. Always. This is what I wore.

My friend, Chris Vaughn, saw me at my local coffee shop. He snapped these pictures for me.

Gotta love sundresses.

These shoes are far too cute to be on my feet. Or are they?

Smiles all around!!

Dress: ModCloth

Shoes: ModCloth

Sunglasses: Ray Bans

Bracelet: Gift from my brother

Rings: Gifts from my Grandma

Like I said, Chris Vaughn, took these. Follow him on Twitter. He's a radd dude. 

The Storm

This storm is intoxicating as it rolls in through the West, pushing me towards my destination. My black dress flies up, showing off my white bike shorts while I walk down the street, but no one was there to see. The storm has caused everyone to retreat into their homes. Those who have chosen to keep outside, do so with caution, not wanting to stray too far away from a door way in case of a sudden downpour. Leaves rustle and rattle against the wind, off in the distance a car alarm is blaring, seeking attention against the coming storm. My pace quickens in my own silent fear of the storm. But even if I did get soaked while on my way to Wormhole, I was prepared. The bag I recently purchased was waterproof, I had an umbrella in said bag as well as an extra change of clothes. Being a nanny has its benefits I guess, it causes me to prepare for the unexpected things in life; a scrapped knee, a sudden storm, a hungry child, all remedies can be found in my bag. 

I turn the corner, away from the quiet residential streets and onto the more lively Milwaukee. More people bustle about, looking for shops or bars to step into while the rain falls. Only a young couple sits on the patio outside Wormhole. Almost as soon as I step inside, greeting familiar faces along the way, the clouds let loose and the skies erupt with heavy rain. The smell of the of the cool rain on the hot sidewalk is comforting in its own way as I sit for a bit and rest. 

The Bridge

The feeling of my legs working, actually working, as I pump up the incline of the bridge is fantastic. My calves, still sore from moving a few days prior, are welcoming this strain. I can feel my backpack weighing heavy on my shoulders as the incline becomes much more apparent. Cars whiz past me, but the wind is down and I have no fear of being hit. Overcast skies, however, threaten to open up with rain and drench me as I make my way down the road. My heartbeat pounds inside my chest and I struggle slightly to keep the pace of my breath even. But when the bridge plateaus, a cloudy skyline appears. Looking out, I still can't believe I've lived in this city for a year, that I have a life and a job and a school here. That seeing that beautiful skyline is part of my everyday life. After the small stretch where the city seems to say "Yes, you are home," the bridge begins to descend. My legs can take a break and I coast down the bike lane and into another six corners. The hardest part of my journey is over. I pause for a moment and catch my breath before the light changes and I move onward.

Moving Day

Today, (almost) all by myself, I moved. I say almost because James is planning on helping me after he gets done with work. But seriously, I moved. Again. The third time in less than a year to be more exact. Of course, my new place would be on the third floor of a vintage building and I'd have to use the back entrance to move everything in, but hey, at least I have a place.

Currently in Chicago it is 84 degrees. That, plus moving heavy boxes for a few hours tend to overheat an individual. So that is why I'm sitting in Wormhole. That, and there is no A/C or WiFi in my apartment so I needed a place to type this as well as cool down for a spell.

That might be another reason why you all may not hear from me for a while, unless of course, I come to Wormhole to type a blog. Look out for a people watching post soon!!

Stay cool. It's important. Hydrate too! If you start to shake, sit down and get water! That is all. =]