I started the day with a pilates class at our neighborhood studio, Mighty Pilates. I’ve attended Mighty’s group classes since last November when I scored a killer intro deal on Bloomspot. Nestled in our cute little neighborhood and five minutes away by foot, this has been a wonderful place to workout and meet some fantastic people. Everyone on the Mighty team is friendly and knowledgeable, and the environment is spa-like…except for the rows of torturous reformers and towers! The Jumpboard and Sport classes are my favorites because they combine cardio and strength training. I left class feeling quite mighty!
Notice anything different about breakfast? I usually don’t photograph my drinks, but I just want to show you that I’m hydrating! In addition to an unsweetened iced tea, I drank plenty of water in a new water bottle I picked up in Tahoe. A useful souvenir, no? My latest theory is that I need a pretty new water bottle every few months to motivate me to drink more water. A little sad, I know!
Anywho, after two mornings away from my beloved oaties, this bowl of whipped cinnamon banana oatmeal was just what I needed to energize me for the busy day ahead!
Later in the afternoon, I grabbed a Larabar on-the-go because I didn’t have time for a seated meal just yet…
But before getting started on making my husband’s banana cream pie dreams come true, I needed an energy boost. So, I made a mini smoothie, halving the ingredients, resulting in this little bowl of protein-packed energy goodness.
As you might have noticed, my husband is obsessed with banana cream pie. For his birthday, I decided to make him a BCP to share with friends at his dinner later that night. For a second, I considered lightening the traditional BCP recipe. But don’t worry. After over two and a half years of marriage, it didn’t take long to make the right decision. Sometimes you just have to stir in some sugar and butter and throw caution to the wind. Ah, the things I do for love!
He showed the words “chocolate cake” to a group of Americans and recorded their word associations. “Guilt” was the top response. If that strikes you as unexceptional, consider the response of French eaters to the same prompt: “celebration.”
Michael Pollan
Traditional Banana Cream Pie
Recipe from Here
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk
- 3 egg yolks, beaten
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked (I used Christine’s Handmade Upper Crust Frozen Pastry Shell, which I highly recommend!)
- 3 bananas, sliced
Directions:
- If you are using a frozen pastry shell, bake it and set aside to cool.
- In a saucepan, combine the sugar, flour, and salt. Add milk in gradually while stirring gently. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is bubbly. Keep stirring and cook for about 2 more minutes, and then remove from the burner.
- Stir a small quantity of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks, and immediately add egg yolk mixture to the rest of the hot mixture. Cook for 2 more minutes while stirring continuously. Remove the mixture from the stove, and add butter and vanilla. Stir until the mixture has a smooth consistency.
- Line the cooled pastry shell with sliced bananas. Top with pudding mixture.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 minutes. Chill for an hour.
- Top with coconut flakes and cocoa nibs. Serve and enjoy!
The best part of the night for me was my sweet husband’s reaction to it all!
We had so much fun spending time with our awesome friends. I adore each person in this picture! Thank you so much for celebrating with us!
After dinner the staff emerged from the kitchen in a congo line, clapping and singing with Velvet Husband’s blazing banana cream pie in tow. In my opinion, you can never be too old for the royal treatment!
We had such a fun night! Happy Birthday to my sweet husband, the biggest blessing in my life! I love birthdays because they give me an extra excuse to spoil him like he spoils me. He kept telling me, “I don’t want my birthday to be over!” Now that’s a good day.
Y’all come back now, ya hear? 😉
What is your favorite must-have birthday treat?
What a fantastic birthday, and it wouldn’t have been possible without my Velvet Wife! I love you forever. Thanks for making my day so special!!!
Looks like you had a great time celebrating your husbands birthday! As much as I looooove my bananas.. I have actually never had a banana cream pie. That sure looks yummy though!
OH, from one banana lover to another, you’ve gotta try it! I don’t think I had ever had it before my husband raved about it, but when it’s made right, it’s delicious! I still prefer my bananas in oatmeal and with peanut butter, but it’s a nice treat once in a while…for him especially! And just because I was curious, I just found this article on the “history” of BCP if you’re interested! 😉 http://www.examiner.com/cheap-eats-in-colorado-springs/banana-cream-pie-101
Love the article.. thanks for sharing! I think bananas should a a food staple of life 🙂
Cute pictures!!! So nice of you to make that for your husband, I love making my boyfriend special treats on his birthday! 😀 I don’t think I’ve ever actually had banana cream pie but it looks yummy&fresh! -jamie
Yay! Happy belated birfday mr velvet!!
I love mason jars too! Not sure what it is about them, but they are fun to drink out of.
My husband LOVES bbq, me not so much. We went to Famous Daves for the first time last night and it was actually pretty good. He got the ribs and LOVED them. I got a chargrilled ckn sandwich which was pretty tastey.
I think this will probably be where we go when he gets on a bbq kick. We also saw a Rudy’s which we had in TX. I’m sure he’ll get his fill there too. 😉