Banana, walnut, dark chocolate oatmeal muffins

I just realized today that it's been just over five months since I last posted something...Oh how time flies! So sorry for my absence, I have been quite busy though - working my full time job, working and managing my small business, trying to buy (and sell) a house, and trying to help me husband find a new job near where we're planning to move to. Ugh...that's quite a tall list for a "normal" person, and I do have to say, I've been quite proud of myself for keeping my stress under control through all of this! I have made some fabulous new foods during this time - which I hope to start sharing with all of you again very soon, as well as found some more wonderful new foods that help me stay on track with my GF diet!

One of my favorite new websites (which most of you have probably also become addicted to) is Pinterest. I have found SOOO many fabulous ideas, recipes, products and just general time wasters on there!! One of my favorite things though is that Pinterest allows those who are on a GF diet to so easily share their favorite recipes. Here's a link to my Gluten Free Foods pin board and since I haven't been keeping up on photographing my cooking sessions, here's a link to one my most recent FAVORITE breakfast/morning snacks -- Banana, walnut, dark chocolate oatmeal muffin:

**Photo borrowed from Green Lite Bites blog

I used the recipe provided by Green Lite Bites blog and made a couple additions/twists to suit mine and my husbands tastes.

Ingredients:

3 Ripe bananas

1 cup Almond Milk (milk, or I've even used French Vanilla Coffee Cream)*

2 large eggs

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

3 cups Old Fashion or Rolled Oats (I just used a generic of quick oats)

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 cup Dark Chocolate Chips

1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts (or any other nut you prefer) - Optional

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees while mixing the ingredients.

2. Smash the 3 ripe bananas until smooth then mix the milk, eggs, baking powder, vanilla and oatmeal. Mix thoroughly. Add in dark chocolate chips and nuts (optional) and mix until well combined.

3. Spray your muffin pan with Pam or other non-stick spray or put liners into pan.

4. Generously scoop batter into muffin pan - the muffins don't really rise so they'll be about as big (or little) as the batter you put in the pan. I divide the batter into 12 nice sized muffins.

5. Bake 25 - 30 minutes - or until they begin to brown just a bit on the top.

6. Remove from pan and allow to cool - ENJOY!

*If you use milk alone, also at a bit of splenda, truvia or other sweetener - When making with milk I use 4 packets of splenda.

FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS DAY 2012

Tomorrow, May 12th, is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day!

A day dedicated to making those around us more aware of what we go through on a daily basis. A day dedicated to standing on our soapboxes to yell to the world about the pain we live with and that it IS REAL! A day to stand next to each other...and to just know, that we're not alone.

I did some google searches recently (yup, last minute of course) to see what events might be planned here in my home state of Minnesota and possibly near my hometown of Hopkins, MN...I was very dissappointed to find nothing :( The Courage Center will be having their monthly meeting with a special speaker, but nothing out in public to make them more aware of Fibromyalgia. Of course, I have these grand thoughts - had I done some searching months agao - of what could have been set up to mark this date and raise awareness...kind of a coulda, shoulda, woulda moment.

So, since it is WAY to late to start planning some grand event for tomorrow to make those around me more aware of this syndrome of Fibromyalgia, I will just blog about it and share, share, share!!

Some information about Fibromyalgia syndrome (Shared from the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Associations website:

Fibromyalgia (fi-bro-my-AL-ja) is a very common condition of widespread muscular pain and fatigue. Seven to ten million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia (FM). It affects women much more than men in an approximate ratio of 20:1. It is seen in all age groups from young children through old age, although in most patients the problem begins in their 20s or 30s. Recent studies have shown that fibromyalgia occurs worldwide and has no specific ethnic predisposition.

The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia patients have widespread body pain which often seems to arise in the muscles. Some FM patients feel their pain originates in their joints. Pain that emanates from the joints is called arthritis; extensive studies have shown FM patients do not have arthritis. Although many fibromyalgia patients are aware of pain when they are resting, it is most noticeable when they use their muscles, particularly during repetitive activities. Their discomfort can be so severe it may significantly limit their ability to lead a full life. Patients can find themselves unable to work in their chosen professions and may have difficulty performing everyday tasks. As a consequence of muscle pain, many FM patients severely limit their activities including exercise routines. This results in their becoming physically unfit, which eventually makes their fibromyalgia symptoms worse.

In addition to widespread pain, other common symptoms include a decreased sense of energy, disturbances of sleep, and varying degrees of anxiety and depression related to patients' changed physical status. Furthermore, certain other medical conditions are commonly associated with fibromyalgia, such as: tension headaches, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder syndrome, premenstrual tension syndrome, cold intolerance, and restless leg syndrome. Patients with estalished rheumatoid arthritis, lupus (SLE), and Sjogren's syndrome often develop FM during the course of their disease. The combination of pain and multiple other symptoms often leads doctors to pursue an extensive course of investigations, which are nearly always normal.

Prevelance 
Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic pain conditions. The disorder affects an estimated 10 million people in the U.S. and an estimated 3-6% of the world population. While it is most prevalent in women —75-90 percent of the people who have FM are women —it also occurs in men and children of all ethnic groups. The disorder is often seen in families, among siblings or mothers and their children. The diagnosis is usually made between the ages of 20 to 50 years, but the incidence rises with age so that by age 80, approximately 8% of adults meet the American College of Rheumatology classification of fibromyalgia.

*Photo shared from Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 2012 FB Page