Banana, Zucchini Muffins/Bread

Have I mentioned before that I LOVE Fall time? Well I do. Especially because I think it makes baking so much more enjoyable. I don't know why? I must be the "chilly" weather that makes it so great.
I decided today, because it was pouring down rain, to make some sort of bread. I had originally wanted to make my sister's bread known as her "Whatever bread," see her post here, but I didn't have the right ingredients to make it. So then I pondered at what I could make with half the ingredients her recipe called for. And then I came up with a super original recipe. Banana, zucchini bread...because those were the only 2 fruits and veggies I had in the house. And to my dismay, it came out pretty good. I didn't add any chocolate chips and they came out a little "boring" without them, so do your taste buds a favor and add some.

Banana, Zucchini Muffins/Bread

1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup oil of your choice (I prefer olive)
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3 tsp cinnamon
2 cups grated zucchini
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
2+ cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare bread pans or muffin pan by spraying non-stick cooking spray.
Combine sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Sift in flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Once all ingredients are combined, add in grated zucchini, mashed bananas, and chocolate chips. Mix well. Pour into pans of your choice.

For muffins bake 20-25 minutes
For bread bake 40-45 minutes.

Bread will be done once tooth pick is inserted into center of bread and comes out clean.

{Crock pot} Chicken Taco Soup

My favorite time of the year has almost arrived. I am so excited for Fall to hit. The smell of football is in the air, along with giant pots filled with homemade soups. I love making soup when the leaves start to change colors and the temperature drop. There's just something so "homey" about it.
And because all of that is sort of happening now, the husband and I decided to whip out the crock pot and make some taco soup. The thing I love about a crock pot is that it does all of the work for you. Just dump in your ingredients and walk away. How easy is that? Pretty easy. Here is a quick recipe for shredded chicken taco soup.

Taco Soup

2 skinless chicken breasts
3 cups veggie or chicken stock
1 8oz can El Pato tomato sauce (or just regular tomato sauce)
1 10oz can tomatoes w/ green chilis
1 15oz can pinto or kidney beans, whichever you prefer
1 15oz can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups corn
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot, excluding the chicken breasts. Once all ingredients are mixed, add in chicken breasts. Cook on low for 4-5 hours. Pull chicken out and grab two forks to start shredding it. Once chicken is shredded, dump it back into the crock pot. Continue to cook for another 2 hours on low before serving.

Serve with tortilla strips, avocado, sour cream, and/or shredded cheese.

Please don't judge my "photography." I'm still in the process of trying to figure it all out. It's very hard to do so when my picture taking coach (my sister) lives in another state :)

Exfoliating facial scrub

This isn't a recipe to fill your tummy with food but a recipe for smooth, baby soft skin. I have extremely sensitive skin and have to be really careful when it comes to putting anything on it, especially my face. Over the past few months, I've noticed my face becoming super dry and flaky...gross right? Well I finally decided enough was enough. I wanted soft, clear, pretty skin. So I did some research and found a great homemade exfoliating facial scrub.
I made it, I tried, I loved it. And now I'm here to share it with you. It's super easy to make and literally you'll be done and left with baby soft skin in 5 minutes.

Facial Scrub

2 TBS baking soda
1 lemon
1 wash cloth

In a small bowl combine baking soda and lemon juice. Add enough juice so your mixture becomes a thin paste (I added about 1/2 a lemon). Apply to face in circular motions with fingers for about 2 minutes. Rinse with warm wash cloth and water.
DONE.

Easy right? And I promise you, your face will feel amazing! Enjoy. Here's to smooth, beautiful skin.

Tortillas

Homemade tortillas, is there anything better? I think not. The smell, the taste, it just can't be compared to store bought. Making them may seem a little intimidating, but don't be fooled. It's so easy, it's almost ridiculous. It calls for very few ingredients and just a little, teeny, tiny amount of time.

Tortillas (makes about 12)

2 cups unbleached flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cup warm water (heat in microwave for about 30-35 seconds)

Combine flour, salt, and e.v.o.o in mixer (Kitchen Aid or something similar). Mix until it makes little clumps. Slowly add in warm water, and mix until dough forms. Do not over mix, it will make for tough dough that is very difficult to work with. Cover and let it rest for 15 minutes. Break into 2 inch sized balls. Roll out into circular discs and cook in a skillet on medium to high heat. As soon as bubbles start to form (big ones, not little ones) flip over and wait for bubbles to form again. Both sides should be golden brown and "bubbly."
Fill with your favorite taco fixin's or eat it plain. Either way, you shouldn't be disappointed.