Quick and Easy Banana Bread

Happy Monday!! Normally I'm not a fan of Monday's, but between having a great recipe to share and getting to go home in a few days for my cousins wedding it's a good day👌

I haven't baked in quite a long time, but I needed some baking therapy so I whipped out a classic: banana bread. My boyfriend is a massive banana bread fan so I had a very willing taste tester. He along with all the newsroom gave it a big stamp of approval, plus I had a few requests to share the recipe. It's super easy and quick to make, which is always a plus because no one has time for something to bake for an hour or more. If you make it take a picture and tag me on instagram! 

Banana Bread

• 1.5 cups gluten free flour
• 1/2 cup sugar (can add more if you like it sweeter)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup melted vegan butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 3.5 bananas, mashed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a loaf pan with tin foil or spray with nonstick cook spray.

In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients.

Pour batter into loaf pan and spread evenly. 

Bake for 35-45 minutes. Every oven is different so I always air on the side of caution and use less time. 

You can tell the loaf is done when you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean. 

Allow the bread to fully cool before slicing. 

Office in the Sky: Thinking Out Loud #93

Happy Thursday! Maybe it's just me, but this has been such a long week. I've had a ridiculous amount of overtime at work and it's been HOT. Same old story I know. It's about to be a crazy hot weekend, but I have a ton of super fun plans so I'm not going to let the heat slow me down🔥Anyway, let's jump into this weeks thinking out loud! 

1. The part I love most about my job is everyday is something different, I don't ever have a typical day at the office. One of the coolest stories I've done was this week about a group offering free flights to kids to get them interested in pursuing careers in aviation. One of the pilots took me up in his private plane, it was like a cessna for any aviation people out there. He flew me around and I got to see a few towns and some farms, the view was just beautiful. I feel so incredibly blessed that I have a job I genuinely love and look forward to going to, even on days where I have a zillion hours of overtime. 

2. Baking therapy is the best. I had a million things to do on my days off last week, but what did I do instead? Bake banana bread🍌It was an awesome stress reliever and I took it into work and it was demolished within a few minutes. I'm going to share the recipe next week because I got a few requests when I shared a pictures on instagram, plus it's super easy to make!

3. Less than a week until I am reunited with my puppy! I'm so excited to see her (and my family), plus I get to see my amazing cousin get married. Her wedding is the entire reason I'm going home. It's a very quick trip since I don't get much vacation time, but I'm excited to have a few days to relax and catch up on puppy snuggles. Cora will be far more interested in playing, but I'll hold her down and make sure to get some snuggles in😂Just kidding!

4. The flowers my amazing boyfriend got me are still looking so beautiful. I smile every single time I walk in the door and see them💜He's so good to me and most definitely a keeper. I'm not a big gifter, but he never fails to surprise me with the sweetest gestures and it blows me away every time. To any single ladies out there, being single is 100% worth the wait. Find a man who loves you enough to show up at 7:30 on a Monday morning with flowers or a note just because he wanted to see you before work. Gifts are not necessary, but he's a true gentleman and everyday he gets better. That's the kind of guy you want. Don't settle for anything less.

5. Holy guacamole! No one prepared me or gave me a warning of what storms are like in the midwest🙆living in Michigan my entire life I thought I was the midwest, but most definitely not. The other day we had some pretty strong storms, which I found fascinating. Watching the storm roll in and seeing how quickly the sky goes from sunny to almost black was really interesting, and mildly frightening. The longer I live out here the more I find myself becoming a weather nerd because you see so many different types of weather out there. Nerd alert, I know. 

6. I love this quote so much💜Working in the field I do I wear a ton of makeup all the time. The first thing I do when I go home is take it all off. I always apologize to my boyfriend and friends for looking like a bum when they see me off work. He threw me by asking me why I do that because he likes me without all the makeup because it's me. He doesn't mind all the makeup of course, but he said he likes when I go zero makeup and rock my crazy, naturally wavy and curly hair. It blew me away because to a degree I've gotten so used to seeing myself with a ton of makeup on that when I take it off I see imperfections and scars. Guess what? Those things don't matter to people who love you. You are beautiful just the way you are. No makeup or hair straighteners needed.

Have a great Thursday and a terrific weekend🎉🎉🎉

Love is in the Air: Thinking Out Loud #92

Happy Thursday! It's been another HOT week in the midwest. I'm pretty tired of these crazy hot temps and the humidity, holy smokes. I thought Michigan was humid, but at 100 degrees humidity it another level😳I'm talking hair frizz for DAYS. Anyway let's jump into this weeks thinking out loud! 

1.This week has been tough with things happening back home with my family and some things happening at work. Bright and early Monday morning I open my front door to find my amazing boyfriend standing there with this stunning arrangement of flowers. I was totally speechless I was not expecting anyone at my door at 7:30 on a Monday, with flowers no less. He's so unbelievably supportive and thoughtful. I'm beyond lucky and blessed to have him in my life. 

2. If you don't follow puppiesmakemehappy on Instagram you totally should. They post a ton of super cute memes about puppies and I relate to basically all of them😂This one made me giggle because it plays off the old song and I'm pretty sure any dog owner can relate. 

3. This fall my brother is getting married in California, so I'm pretty excited to get to spend some time out there. It will definitely be a quick trip since I don't get many days off work, but I'm hoping to sneak down to Newport Beach (aka my happy place) for a few hours. If you have any recommendations for places to eat or things to do in Fallbrook, CA comment and let me know👇

4. This has become my favorite poem of all time💜It's so beautiful and so true. Sometimes the right person will walk into your life when you least expect it and turn your entire world upside down. They will make the world a little brighter, make you laugh a little louder, and wipe your tears when you cry. There's no such thing as a perfect person, but there's a person who's perfect for each of us. You'll know when that person walks into your life. You'll look at them and all the air will be sucked out of your lungs and they'll knock you off balance, but they'll be right there to catch you before you fall. Those are the people you want in your life. 

I know this is a short TOL, but it's been a long week and a nap sounds pretty good right now😴have a great Thursday and a terrific weekend🎉🎉🎉

1. Do you like surprises, why or why not?

2. What is one trait that is super important to you in a relationship?