Baking Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I love breakfast food.  This particular bread is so delicious, that I actually look forward to getting out of my warm bed on cold mornings to eat it.  

The Recipe

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 bananas
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup peanut butter
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 egg
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cover the bottom of a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.  Mash the bananas in a medium-sized bowl.  Add milk, peanut butter, oil and egg to the banana mixture.  Stir well, then join with the dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened.  Blend in the chocolate chips.  Spoon the batter into the loaf pan.  Bake for 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Total servings:  9 thick slices

Daily Dose of Wonder

I have a creativity coach which I regularly consult with.  She is positive and upbeat each day.  Her words inspire me to be my best, artistic self.

Jill Badonsky is my creativity consultant.  The words and advice I receive are through her book, The Awe-Manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder.  This playful guide is reminiscent of the Old Farmer's Almanac, but with a more-fun-than-practical approach.  Rather than predicting the weather, Ms. Badonsky proposes a "toast of the day"; celebrating little delights that we may normally take for granted.  She does not offer much instruction on farming.  However she does feed the soul with her "daily soul vitamins" - quotes that she anticipates will ignite your heart energy.  The Old Farmer's Almanac may suggest daily commonsensical activities such as washing windows.  The Awe-Manac might propose an amusing exercise like drawing on your windows.  Famous birthdays and holidays (a few of which are made up) are also observed.  (Did you know that January 22 is Cat Appreciation Day or that February 8th is Think Like A Kid Day??) Jill Badonsky's creative prompts are entertaining and designed to stimulate the artistic mind.  Pick up your own copy of the book and prepare to laugh, smile, and be reminded not to take life too seriously.

Bring on the New

What does 2012 hold for Indyspire Art? I am ready to be back in the workshop.  Fabricating jewelry regularly sparks new ideas, which has left me with a sketchbook full of concepts for original pieces.  In the coming months, imaginative designs for both women and men will be added to my Etsy shop.   I will continue working with quality materials; my current favorites being copper, precious metal clay, and sterling silver.  These beautiful metals will be incorporated into rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

As the monthly planner fills with creative time and blogging, and more content for tracking the latest fashion and trends is added to my Google Reader, I am increasingly excited for this new year.  Here's to a fabulous 2012!