Back to School Blues

This week marked the beginning of a new school year at our house. What's different about this back to school season is that for the first time in a long time I too am going back to school.  After much soul searching (and emotional baking) I decided to apply to the Faculty of Education at our local University.  Throwing my hat in the ring was one thing, being accepted was another!


Many sleepless nights were spent trying to decide if this was to be my next chapter. Should we invest all of that money in tuition? Can we afford for me to take yet another year off of work? What if I can't find a job in this dire market at the end of all of this? How am I going to manage being in school with 3 busy kids and a household to run?  Suffice it to say, many of these questions were pondered while sifting, mixing and wearing an apron. The thought did cross my mind at one point to abandon the idea of going back to school altogether. Instead of spending all of that money on books and tuition I had the notion to throw caution to the wind and open up my own bakery. 


While the bake shop is still in the back of my mind, I made the decision to go back to school.  For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a teacher. I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work in an elementary school and that solidified what I already knew; I love working with kids in a learning environment.  Despite what my practical, overwrought brain told me, I knew in my heart that going back to school was the right decision for me.


That said, this is going to be a tough year; one spent juggling my duties as a wife, mom and student. Fortunately, I have a very supportive husband, great kids and wonderful friends to see me through this. One of my professors said that this year will be the equivalent of trying to drink from a fire hydrant. With all the information that was given to us in the first week, I think that is a sound analogy.  Let's hope that I can be a sponge and soak it all up while still finding time to bake. I also hope that my new found student colleagues will enjoy my baked goods as much as my family does!

Back to School Banana Muffins

 

 

Ingredients:

 

3 bananas, mashed

1 egg, beaten

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup oil

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

 

To make:

Mash the bananas in a large bowl. Add the egg and all other ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula. Line your muffin pan with paper liners or spray them with cooking spray. Fill muffin cups 3/4 of the way and sprinkle the tops with some extra cinnamon if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the muffins.

 

 

*You may also add chocolate chips to this recipe.  Once you have incorporated all ingredients add as many as you like and stir until combined.