I obtained this easy bread recipe from Gourmet Godmother and use this recipe all the time because you can easily change it to a pumpkin bread, banana bread or apple bread. Below is the recipe for banana bread:
1 and ¼ cups dark brown sugar
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
½ cup water
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 ripe mashed bananas (about 1 cup)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
In a medium bowl, whisk together the first five ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together all of the last four ingredients (the dry ingredients). Fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture and mix until just combined. Spoon batter into a 9 inch loaf pan or two miniature loaf pans until pans are about 2/3 full. Bake breads about 1 hour (45-50 minutes for miniatures) in a 350 degree preheated oven. Set baked breads on cooling racks for a few minutes after removing from oven. Remove from pans and foil, and cool to room temperature if planning to package or freeze.
If you would like the instructions for the pumpkin or apple bread please contact services@justbeassistants.com and we will send the recipes your way.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Dear Just Be: I am looking for a unique way to bring my friends together.
A unique occasion to bring friends together is the Academy Awards, so throw an Oscar party.
You can put this party together in multiple ways, but below are a couple ideas:
1.) Watch the pre-Academy Awards show and the Academy Awards show and be your own commentator. Judge and comment on dresses accessories, hairdos, and maybe this year the tuxes.
2.) Do a pool on who will win in each category. The winning prize for the pool can range from a pat on the back, a bottle of wine, dinner at a fantastic restaurant, all the way to money.
3.) Make up your own Academy Award categories. Categories can be things like best outfit in 2009, best get together of 2009, best line/phrase, best hairstyle, etc. Make it as outrageous as you want. The one thing you should definitely try to include is the red carpet. Have your friends dress up. They can dress up like they are going to a formal function or like it is Halloween. Then find or get a red carpet and be out front of your place to take pictures of your friends as they arrive and comment on their outfit – like the entertainment magazines.
With whatever you decide to do, have fun but also be sure to serve great food and drink. Food and drink always add to an event! You never know, this could be an annual event.
Check out the Academy Awards this Sunday, March 7, 2010.
You can put this party together in multiple ways, but below are a couple ideas:
1.) Watch the pre-Academy Awards show and the Academy Awards show and be your own commentator. Judge and comment on dresses accessories, hairdos, and maybe this year the tuxes.
2.) Do a pool on who will win in each category. The winning prize for the pool can range from a pat on the back, a bottle of wine, dinner at a fantastic restaurant, all the way to money.
3.) Make up your own Academy Award categories. Categories can be things like best outfit in 2009, best get together of 2009, best line/phrase, best hairstyle, etc. Make it as outrageous as you want. The one thing you should definitely try to include is the red carpet. Have your friends dress up. They can dress up like they are going to a formal function or like it is Halloween. Then find or get a red carpet and be out front of your place to take pictures of your friends as they arrive and comment on their outfit – like the entertainment magazines.
With whatever you decide to do, have fun but also be sure to serve great food and drink. Food and drink always add to an event! You never know, this could be an annual event.
Check out the Academy Awards this Sunday, March 7, 2010.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Dear Just Be: My microwave has food caked in it that I just can’t get off. Any tricks?
A great trick I learned for cleaning out microwaves is:
In a bowl take one part vinegar to two parts water and boil ( put in microwave on high) for two minutes. Let the bowl of water and vinegar steam in the microwave until it is cool. Then open up the microwave, take out the bowl of water and vinegar and simply wipe out your dirty microwave. Caked on food should fall and come off effortlessly.
For more tips and tricks using vinegar check out our post on February 16. Who knew vinegar had so many uses.
In a bowl take one part vinegar to two parts water and boil ( put in microwave on high) for two minutes. Let the bowl of water and vinegar steam in the microwave until it is cool. Then open up the microwave, take out the bowl of water and vinegar and simply wipe out your dirty microwave. Caked on food should fall and come off effortlessly.
For more tips and tricks using vinegar check out our post on February 16. Who knew vinegar had so many uses.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Dear Just Be: We've had incredible snowfall in the high country. Can you recommend any snowshoeing trails?
Snowshoeing can be a great sport to get out and enjoy. If we had snow here in the Denver area you could just strap on your snowshoes and go around one of our parks or golf courses or even follow along a bike path. But without snow here in the city we recommend you get up into the hills and hit the trails!
Before you head out its wise to think about a few things:
1. Snowshoeing can burn 45% more energy than walking at the same speed and you can vary the workout level based on the terrain level and snow conditions you choose.
2. On a packed trail you can expect to burn approximately 450-550 calories/hour. Going uphill in unpacked snow conditions, snowshoeing burns as much as 1,000 calories/hour. So be sure to pack along plenty of drinking water and food to re-energize yourself.
3. Living in Colorado many of us are accustomed to dressing in layers and when you go snowshoeing you should keep this in mind as well. Also don't forget gloves, a hat and sunscreen.
So now that you are ready to go, we suggest the following locations:
1. Brainard Lake Recreation Area-Located less than an hour's drive from Boulder and not much farther from Denver. There are roughly 30 miles or so of well-marked and well used trails around the lake.
2. The Colorado Trail at Kenosha Pass offers a 8.5 mile round trip, easy trail.
3. Near Estes Park, you can snowshoe throughout Rocky Mountain National Park. At Monarch Lake there is a moderate 5.5. mile trail to follow.
4. Wanting a great, strenuous workout? Head up to Hell's Hole which offers a 5 mile round trip trail, not too far from Georgetown.
Have a favorite trail yourself? Post a comment and share it with us and other readers!
Before you head out its wise to think about a few things:
1. Snowshoeing can burn 45% more energy than walking at the same speed and you can vary the workout level based on the terrain level and snow conditions you choose.
2. On a packed trail you can expect to burn approximately 450-550 calories/hour. Going uphill in unpacked snow conditions, snowshoeing burns as much as 1,000 calories/hour. So be sure to pack along plenty of drinking water and food to re-energize yourself.
3. Living in Colorado many of us are accustomed to dressing in layers and when you go snowshoeing you should keep this in mind as well. Also don't forget gloves, a hat and sunscreen.
So now that you are ready to go, we suggest the following locations:
1. Brainard Lake Recreation Area-Located less than an hour's drive from Boulder and not much farther from Denver. There are roughly 30 miles or so of well-marked and well used trails around the lake.
2. The Colorado Trail at Kenosha Pass offers a 8.5 mile round trip, easy trail.
3. Near Estes Park, you can snowshoe throughout Rocky Mountain National Park. At Monarch Lake there is a moderate 5.5. mile trail to follow.
4. Wanting a great, strenuous workout? Head up to Hell's Hole which offers a 5 mile round trip trail, not too far from Georgetown.
Have a favorite trail yourself? Post a comment and share it with us and other readers!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Dear Just Be: I loved your tips for uses of vinegar! Do you have any other tips for other household items?
It is amazing that we don't have to look too far in our homes to find items that are extremely useful. Many items have uses that aren't commonly known. For instance, take a look in the vegetable drawer in your refrigerator and you may find an item that not only is a natural "pick-me-up" but can be used as a mirror defogger, garden protector and more. What is this item? Your everyday cucumber!
Here are some uses for your cucumbers:
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours..
3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. (WOW)
5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!
6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
8 . Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber sliced rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!
Now who know a cucumber was more than a staple in the kitchen for salads and other dishes?!?!?
Here are some uses for your cucumbers:
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours..
3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. (WOW)
5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!
6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
8 . Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber sliced rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!
Now who know a cucumber was more than a staple in the kitchen for salads and other dishes?!?!?
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