Fluffy Banana Oat Pancakes


Part of a long holiday weekend always includes good eats!  Labor Day is all about a great BBQ dinner and a lazy Sunday {or Monday in our case} brunch.  I found this recipe for banana oat pancakes and was intrigued...ingredients include Greek yogurt and honey too, which I love.  These are healthy and surprisingly GOOD!  They were a hit with our guests and definitely something we'll make again and again.  They had the perfect hint of sweet with chunks of gooey bananas, but were still light and fluffy.

Recipe from Simple Bites:
  • 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 3 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon ground flax seed
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups low-fat milk
  • 1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt, preferably Greek style
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter or canola oil
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 1/3 cup puréed ripe bananas, about 4 medium bananas
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten

1. Place a large skillet or griddle on the stove (you can also use an electric skillet) and preheat over low heat while you make the batter.
2. Add the oats to a food processor and process until the mixture is very fine. In a medium-large sized bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, ground oats, flax seed, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
Note: Alternatively, if you have a large food processor you can add all the dry ingredients at once and process until the oats are very fine. Follow step 3, then add the flour mixture to the bowl containing the liquids and mix. Then, proceed to step 5.
3. In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the milk, yogurt, butter or canola oil (if using butter, allow it to cool to room temp first), honey, banana, and eggs. Hand whisk until thoroughly combined, but do not beat.
4. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour the liquids into the bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until well incorporated. Again, do not beat the mixture. Just stir until moist and combined.
5. Turn the heat on the pan or griddle up to medium-low. Grease with cooking spray, oil, or butter according to your preference. Add the batter 1/4 cup per pancake to the pan. Cook until golden brown on the bottom before flipping.
6. You can usually tell it is ready to flip because the top will start to bubble. Pancakes can be kept warm in a 150 degree oven on an oven-safe plate or cookie sheet while the remaining cook. Serve with your favorite jam, honey, or syrup.


Here's another shot showing off our new place mats from Pier 1.  They were only $1.88 on sale!  Find them here.

Did you cook anything good over the long weekend?  Do share!
xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays

Loving Labor Day

A late post for Labor Day?  Why not!


We've still got our company in town, so I'll keep this short and sweet!  How have your Labor Day Weekends been so far?  We've enjoyed the river nearby, a fun wine & food festival and fireworks last night!  Today we're going out on the lake...gotta soak it up while we can...you never know how the weather will go in Tahoe!  And what do you think about Labor Day being the last chance to wear white?  I think it's a little passé...winter white is one of my very favorite colors this next season!  

 Wishing you all a wonderful holiday!  Happy Labor Day!

xo natasha

Friday Fancies::Labor Day

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

First, I want to thank all of you who linked up to my Fall 5 series...fun little linky party!  I'm planning to host it again next Thursday, so keep your Fall Favorites in mind!  :)

I'm very excited for a 3-day weekend...Mondays are nice too because the following work week is just that much faster!  We have friends coming up to visit from the Bay Area.  I am looking forward to going out on the boat, hiking with the pups, eating out on our deck...hubby just installed outdoor speakers {yay!}, possibly attending a food & wine festival, and watching the fireworks!  Should be a super fun holiday weekend!





In Friday Fancy fashion, I am excited to showcase what I feel like will be my last summer outfit...le sigh!  But it's time...the season's a turning and it's time for something different!

Anyway...I am loving this nautical chic look!  The stripped tank is a classic...and the navy blue mini is a great way to show off your summer tan, right?  The D&G white jacket is crisp and clean to finish off the look!  Of course, I have a huge crush on these Balenciaga heels...totally swoonworthy!  And I really want this American Apparel clutch!  

The gold jewelery is fun without overpowering the look.  Especially loving this YSL ring!  I know Miss Noelle over at Beauty Girl 24 has not one but TWO!  I am muy jealous!  :)

What are your plans for the long weekend??  Do tell!

xo natasha

Fall 5::Michaela Noelle Designs

Happy September and welcome to my very first guest series!



I am super excited to feature 5 guest bloggers over the next 5 Thursdays...and it's all about 5 fall favorites!  I am thrilled to have Michaela from Michaela Noelle Designs kick off this series.  As many of you know, we've become good friends since I came into the blog world and I am very grateful for all her help, encouragement and insight!  She has an adorable blog that you all must visit..she covers everything from design, fashion, and tutorials/tips.  Please give a warm welcome to Michaela!


***

Well hello to Natasha's readers! I'm Michaela from Michaela Noelle Designs and I'm so excited to be over at Schue Love today dishing on things I'm falling for (; Natasha and I are real life pals, so I can vouch and say she really is as beautiful, kind and fun as she seems on her blog! Here's us at our lunch date last week...



Alrighty, let's get to it. Five things I'm loving for Fall:


1. Fall Fashions.  A few things on my wish list are a cute blazer that can be worn with tops and dresses, as well as some cozy yet sophisticated long sleeve tops (& of course the skirt would do, too!) The darker, more richly saturated colors, along with the girly details seen in lace, bows, and blousy tops are all making me smile.
Nordstrom


J. Crew
2. Colors!  Dontcha love when you start to see the leaves change color? From that vibrant yellow to the darker burnt orange...ahh, you just know it's Autumn. It's not just the leaves that change, though! It's also time to think about changing your nail polish color from bright and summery to deeper colors of the season. I just took the plunge into one of my fall go-to's and painted my toes a dark lavender. I thought it was a good transition color (:






3. Mercury Glass.  Who else is loving this finish?? I love me some metallic in a room, so anything mercury glass...I'm sold.


Pottery Barn


Pottery Barn




4. Shoes. As a California girl, I love my sandals and wedges, but if I have to trade those for the winter, you'll find me in cute ballet flats or my cowgirl boots.
Wish List:
Tory Burch


5. Chalkboard Paint. Clearly, we all love chalkboard paint! After Natasha and I's date last week, I headed to the craft store to "browse". Well, after nearly screaming of joy at the spotting of Martha Stewart's new chalkboard paint (in different colors!) I knew I needed to find something to paint. Fast.
I came up with this inexpensive little DIY:


Materials
mason jar, MS chalkboard paint, brush, chalk and PATIENCE! (:

 Wash and dry the mason jar, then paint one coat of paint on the jar.

Let it dry and wait an HOUR, then paint the second coat. Wait a whole 24 hours, then use chalk to embellish!

Desk supply holder:


Or a cute vase: 


Of course there's a lot more things I'm excited for come Fall, but 5 will have to do today! Thanks for having me in your neck of woods, Natasha (:
xoxo,



Photobucket

Isn't she adorable?!  I love all 5 fall things, especially the DIY chalkboard vase!  Reminds me of school starting in the fall and such a cute idea for pencils or flowers.  Thanks so much for being here today!  

Now for the fun part...I got so much great feedback and inspiration yesterday, I thought...hey!  Maybe I should allow all of you to show off your fall inspiration, whether it be a "Fall 5" post specifically or your favorite fall inspiration in general.  Feel free to use my little "Fall 5" button and link up...or showcase a previous autumn-inspired post!  I'll be running this series over the next 5 Thursdays...so if you miss today, plan for the next one.  I'd LOVE to see what you've all been dreaming up for fall!

xo natasha