Skinny Pumpkin Spice Bread

November 24, 2013 by Christine Skari

Hello all you lovely people!

I know, I know, I’ve been AWOL again lately. I feel like this a reoccurring trend once I hit midterms (I’m on the quarter system instead of the semester system, so this is basically every couple of weeks… le sigh) and it really bums me out that I feel too drained to blog. I miss you guys!

Anyways, one of my favorite ways to de-stress is to cook and bake and am so excited to share this recipe. It’s everything you could want in a good sweet bread: moist, bursting with flavor, and perfectly sweet. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s the best pumpkin bread I’ve ever had (HAH- take that Starbucks!).

And guess what? It contains no butter, mostly egg whites, and mostly whole wheat flour!

While I wouldn’t say that it has the nutritional stats of a carrot, it’s a great option for a healthier treat that still tastes absolutely delicious and like the real deal. Since I live in an apartment complex with well over 20 friends to share it with, the bread was gone in no time and nobody could even guess that they were enjoying a healthier treat. I promise, it won’t disappoint!

If you’re going to pin this recipe, please pin this picture below! Thank you!

Note: this recipe makes enough for one loaf and a some muffins. I haven’t yet mastered converting the recipe into two full loaves, but I’m working on it!

Enjoy and let me know how it turns out for ya!

Lately (In Pictures!)

November 15, 2013 by Christine Skari

It’s midterm round #2 season around here, so I’m a little pinched for time! I have my Organic Chemistry and Physics exams coming up on Monday and Thursday, so this will just be a quick photo drop (mostly about the trip to the zoo that I went on for my best friend Kelty’s birthday).

To get right to it, it was the best day ever. I fed a giraffe (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), and had a great time with all my gals. I guess I should probably mention that I started crying from being so overwhelmed and excited. Yup, you read that right. I cried over feeding a giraffe. My friends are never going to let me live that down.

Me crying over a giraffe definitely reminds me of Kristen Bell’s Sloth Meltdown on the Ellen Show.

He licked me!

Lightened-Up (but seriously SO delicious) Pumpkin Bread recipe to come! I’m drooling just thinking about it

Question of the Day: What’s your favorite animal?

MIMM: Anniversary Recap #2 & Other Marvels

November 11, 2013 by Christine Skari

Let’s take a look at all the marvelous things that are happening lately!

Marvelous is my 3 year anniversary date with Kyle!

Not only did he spoil me with a steak and lobster dinner at home, we also went to Cold Spring Tavern! It’s rated the top romantic getaway restaurant in Santa Barbara and it blows us away every time we go!

We started off the meal with a platter of appetizers that included charbroiled tiger shrimp, venison sausage stuffed mushrooms, and artichoke hearts which were absolutely delicious! By this point we had been feasting on so much of their warm bread that I would have felt completely satisfied with leaving dinner at that.

Our entrees came with a first course of either lobster bisque, salad, or a hearty chili, and Kyle and I decided to order the bisque and chili so we could try a bit of everything. I feel like it’s almost comical to watch us eat since we’re always swapping dishes across the table!

For his main entree, Kyle ordered the Sautéed Duck Breast which came with sautéed vegetables and unreal garlic mashed potatoes. His dish was definitely the highlight of the meal!

For my main, I ordered the Cold Spring Chicken that was superb as well. It came stuffed with an almond-raisin stuffing and smothered with a sherry, sour cream, and mushroom sauce. Yum!

We had a wonderful evening and can’t wait to head up the mountains to our little getaway soon!

(Before I forget, thank you guys SO much for the kind comments you left on my last post! You guys sure make me feel the love and Kyle adores reading compliments directed to him (even if he won’t admit it ;))

Marvelous is shopping!

Kyle humored me while I picked up a few things from Forever21. I feel like those benches were designed to hold all the poor brothers, boyfriends, and husbands. It always makes me laugh when I see a hoard of males camped out there!

Marvelous is going to the zoo today for my best friend’s birthday!

Happy birthday Kelty, I love you! I feel so blessed to have you in my life and I value your friendship more than anything. You have such a kind heart, great sense of humor, and are always there for me. I could go on and on about your wonderful qualities!

Marvelous is baking!

I’m trying out a new recipe for lightened up pumpkin bread, so stay tuned folks!

{Skinny Banana Bread Recipe}

What’s the most marvelous thing about your monday?

3 Year Anniversary Recap!

November 9, 2013 by Christine Skari

Hi guys!

I know, I know, I’ve been a bad blogger lately.

My life right now pretty much revolves around college and studying, so I feel as if there just isn’t anything interesting to blog about! (Do any of you guys get in this rut?)

Anyways, here’s an update on what’s been going on in my life lately!

On the 6th I had my 3 year anniversary with Kyle.

I didn’t get out of class till 8:30 at night, so we put off our big anniversary dinner till today. Kyle, however, offered to make dinner for me when I got back and went all out with rib eye steak and LOBSTER. It was absolutely delicious and we had leftover steak for the next day. Steak leftovers? Not bad for college students!

Not only did he cook me dinner, but he put in the extra effort to make the meal lovely and intimate with candles and flowers. I can’t even express how much I love and appreciate him!

We also exchanged anniversary gifts and I loved how thoughtful his present is. He knows I love custom things, and ordered a beautiful, handcrafted ring from Etsy for me!

{Etsy Store}

My present to him was a leather messenger bag. I swear that boy has been talking about getting one since high school, and I knew he would love the “mountain-man-y” colors and material. He loved it and has been using it everyday!

{Source}

Tonight we will be going on our “official” anniversary date to Cold Spring Tavern. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you might recognize the restaurant since we’ve gone there twice before for another anniversary and Valentine’s Day. We’ve decided that it’s “our place”!

I’m ridiculously excited for tonight and feel so unbelievably blessed to have Kyle in my life. I could go on and on about him and all of his wonderful, wonderful qualities!

These past three years have been the best of my life and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us!

Kyle, you’re my rock, the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I love you with all my heart and soul.

MIMM: Halloween Shenanigans & Getting Back In The Groove!

November 3, 2013 by Christine Skari

Happy Monday folks! It’s back to the grind for me after a long week of Halloween festivities. If you’ve ever been to Santa Barbara around October, you’d know how HUGE of an ordeal it is here. Madness I tell ya!

In a weird way I’m almost relieved that the holiday is over. While I look forward to it every year, having a solid week of partying, lack of sleep, and junk food makes me feel sluggish and exhausted. I only have one body, so I need to show it the love, care, and respect it deserves. I’ve been craving veggies and exercise like no other!

Anyways, onwards to Marvelous In My Monday fun!

Marvelous is having a fantastic Halloween with all my favorite people!

Marvelous is endlessly decorating and loving the final results!

Marvelous is a fan-freaking-tastic first workout back!

This morning I walked with Kyle to one of our nearby gyms and completed my “I Don’t Want to Workout Workout”. I love how it sneakily challenges me and leaves me feeling worked-out and sweaty. After my time on the treadmill, I tortured myself with an awesome ab workout from my “Abs Trainer” iPhone app. If you’re ever in the market for a great collection of ab workout with a built-in timer and demonstrations, this is the perfect app!

Marvelous is coffee dates with my love!

Not so marvelous? Massive amounts of chemistry, biochemistry, and physics studying. Yikes.

Marvelous is impromptu paddle boarding with friends!

On Saturday my housemates and two of our foreign friends headed out to the beach for some impromptu paddle boarding fun. The water was freezing and it took me about 20 minutes to actually get in, but it was a blast and I loved being able to be out on the waves. There’s something so therapeutic about being out in nature and I’m going to make a conscious effort to capitalize on all the possible activities that the mountains and beaches that surround Santa Barbara bring!

Anyways, that’s all folks! Sorry to bombard this post with pictures :).

Hope you have some fabulous MIMM additions as well!