Tag: mothers day

Banana Bread French Toast

Brunch and Mother’s Day seems to go hand-in-hand, so what better way to celebrate mom than with a delicious, homemade breakfast?

We have teamed up with our local Whole Foods again this month to not only bring you this amazing recipe, but to launch a Mother’s Day Instagram giveaway for a $250 Whole Foods gift card AND a re-useable tote filled with all of the ingredients to make this recipe. So visit the @twofitmoms Instagram page for more details!

Since Mother’s Day is generally a day for pampering and splurging our goal was to create a decadent brunch dish. As you know, the vast majority of our recipes are healthy, so while healthy and decadent don’t always go together, we managed to merge the two to bring you Banana Bread French Toast! How amazing does that sound??!!

We took our traditional Banana Bread recipe (which happens to be gluten free!), sliced it, soaked it in an egg batter and pan fried it to create a delectable dish that any mom would love. The beauty of this recipe is that you can make the banana bread a day or two in advance and leave the frying for Mother’s Day morning.

You can serve it as is, with a dusting of powdered sugar (as shown) or topped with a bit of maple syrup (you don’t need much at all)!.

Banana Bread French Toast
Yields 12 slices (feeds approximately, 4-5 people)

1 loaf of banana bread, sliced into 12, 1/2 inch slices (find recipe here)
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup of milk (your choice)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons of butter
powdered sugar for dusting
maple syrup (optional)

Directions: Set a griddle or a large frying pan, over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. While the butter is melting, beat eggs, milk and vanilla in a shallow bowl. Dip both sides of banana bread into egg mixture and place on hot griddle/pan (We were able to fit 2-3 pieces of banana bread in our pan). Let the banana bread cook about one to one and a half minutes on each side — until nice and golden brown. Turn the banana bread onto a baking sheet and keep warm in a 300 degree oven while making the rest of the bread. You will use the rest of the butter once you work through the remaining slices of bread.

Serve warm, top with powdered sugar or maple syrup – fresh fruit, whatever you desire.

The Instagram giveaway is sponsored by Whole Foods.

Whole Foods Market®
“Mother’s Day Giveaway”

Official Rules

No payment or purchase is necessary to enter.

Dates: This promotion begins at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 05/06/17, and ends at 12:00 p.m. ET on 05/13/17 (the “Promotion Period”).

Eligibility: Entrants must be a legal US resident, and at least 18 years of age or older, to participate. Officers and employees of Whole Foods Market (the “Sponsor”), and its respective subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, their vendors and agents, and the immediate family members of the foregoing, are not eligible to win.

To Enter – Instagram: To participate using Instagram, participants must have a valid, public Instagram Account and be a follower of both @wholefoodsbergennj and @twofitmoms Instagram accounts. Participants are asked to comment on the Post telling us their favorite Mother’s Day tradition, share by tagging @wholefoodsbergennj and @twofitmoms, and include the hashtag #SweepstakesEntry for an entry. By using the hashtag, participant indicates his/her agreement to these Official Rules. Entrant’s Instagram settings must be public. Entries uploaded from “private” Instagram accounts will not be eligible. Entrants must follow and continue to follow @wholefoodsbergennj and @twofitmoms through at least 05/13/17 in order to be notified in the event he/she is a potential winner. By submitting an Instagram Entry, Entrants agree to Instagram’s Terms of Use. This Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram LLC. IMPORTANT: MESSAGE AND DATA RATES MAY APPLY TO USE OF MOBILE PHONE/DEVICE TO PARTICIPATE IN SWEEPSTAKES. INSTAGRAM IS FREE TO DOWNLOAD AND AVAILABLE FOR iPHONE FROM THE APPLE APPLICATION STORE AND FOR ANDROID FROM THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE.

Limit: One (1) Entry per person per day.

Drawing/Prize: At approximately 1:00 p.m. ET on 05/13/17 one (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing, under the supervision of the Sponsor, from among all eligible entries received. Winner will receive a $250 WFM Gift Card and a re-useable tote filled with all the ingredients (and the recipe) to make decadent Banana Bread French Toast. Approximate retail value of prize is $350. Odds of winning will depend on the total number of eligible entries received.

General Terms & Conditions: Potential Winner will be notified by a tag/direct message to the Potential Winner’s Instagram Account, and will have 3 days within which to claim their prize, or an alternate winner may be selected, at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. No substitution or exchange of prize will be allowed, except at the sole discretion of the Sponsor. Entry also constitutes permission, where allowable, for Sponsor to use the name, photograph and likeness of the winner for promotional purposes, without further compensation. Sponsor reserves the right in their sole discretion to disqualify any Entry at any time in the event it is determined that the Entry is offensive, inappropriate, not in keeping with Sponsors’ images or if it is determined that the entrant has not otherwise complied with these Official Rules. Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which shall be final and binding in all respects. All taxes on prizes, if applicable, are the sole responsibility of the winner. All federal, state and local rules and regulations apply. Entrants/winner agree to “hold harmless” the Sponsor, Instagram, and agents affiliated with this promotion for any and all damages that may result from acceptance of the prize offered, and/or participation in the promotion. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Apple, Inc.

Instagram is a registered trademark of Instagram, Inc. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram, Inc.

May 5, 2017
A Flow for All Moms

Happy Mother’s Day! In honor of mothers everywhere, we created a short sequence that is accessible to women of all ages and levels of fitness. Each pose can be modified so that it is appropriate for varying levels of strength and flexibility. We encourage you to share your practice with your mother, grandmother, or other special mom in your life. Give the incredible gift of yoga today with this all-levels flow. Start with a few rounds of sun salutations, and then remember to hold each posture for five full breaths (about 30 seconds). Practice the sequence on both sides of your body, and have a beautiful Mother’s Day!

Downward Facing Dog
Although the traditional posture looks like a perfect upside down letter V, your pose may look a bit different. Depending on your level of flexibility, your knees may be bent, and your heels may be lifted from the mat. These modifications are perfectly acceptable, and are welcome, as they offer a safe, full-body stretch.

Revolved Downward Facing Dog
Shift your weight into your right hand, and place your left hand on the outside of your right thigh. If you would like a deeper stretch, slide your hand to your calf or ankle. Twist your torso to the right, and gaze up under your right armpit. Don’t forget to engage your core, as this Downward Dog variation is a balance pose!

3-Legged Downward Facing Dog
From Revolved Downward Facing Dog, untwist your body and return to Downward Facing Dog. Extend your right leg high into the air for 3-legged dog. Flex the foot on your lifted leg, and rotate your right hip so that all five toes point down toward the mat. If this requires you to lower your leg, go ahead and lower it. Your leg does not need to be particularly high to reap the benefits of this pose. Make an effort to keep your shoulders equidistant from the mat and avoid sinking into your left shoulder.

3-Legged Downward Dog Variation
Bend the knee of your lifted leg, drawing the heel of your right foot in toward your body. Open your chest toward the right by stacking your right hip over your left hip. For a deeper stretch, slowly lower your left forearm to the mat.

Lizard Pose
Lower your lifted leg, returning to Downward Facing Dog. Step your right foot to the outside of your right hand. Walk your hands forward a few inches, and then lower your forearms to the ground for Lizard pose. If this hip stretch is too intense, lower your back knee to the mat for a more comfortable variation. Feel free to experiment in this pose by rocking onto the outer edge of your foot and then back down onto the sole. Maintain length in your spine, and remember to breathe!

Side Plank Variations
From Lizard Pose, lift onto your hands, and roll onto the outer edge of your left foot for Side Plank. Choose the variation that challenges you while allowing you to maintain your form. Keep your hips lifted and your core engaged.

Forearm Plank
From Side Plank, roll into plank pose (top of a push up), and then lower onto your forearms for Forearm Plank. This pose will strengthen your shoulders and core muscles. Your body should create a straight line from head to heel, and your shoulders should be stacked above your elbows. Feel free to lower onto your knees to maintain proper form.

Dolphin/Forearmstand
From Forearm Plank, begin to walk your feet in toward your elbows for Dolphin pose. Rise onto the balls of your feet or even your tippy toes to test your strength. Keep your feet together, and challenge yourself to try to stack your hips above your shoulders. Breathe deeply as you hold this intense posture. If inversions are a regular part of your practice, move into a Forearmstand.

May 10, 2015
Make Ahead Mother’s Day Brunch

Mother’s Day and brunch seem to go hand-in-hand.

So, if you are entertaining your mom this weekend, consider our Make Ahead Mother’s Day Brunch menu. It’s simple, healthy and delicious — and most of the heavy lifting can happen a day in advance.

We have put together some of our favorite breakfast recipes, including our Easy Baked Frittata, Banana-Oat Muffins, Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote and our Oatmeal Cake.

All or a few of these recipes would make a lovely brunch. Remember, it’s the thought that counts, and we guarantee any special mom in your life would be delighted with a brunch in her honor!

See below for pictures and access to the recipes.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Easy Baked Frittata

Banana-Oat Muffins

Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote

Oatmeal Cake

May 8, 2015
Moms Love Yoga

Yoga is a great form of fitness for anyone — but it’s ideal for moms! In honor of Mother’s Day, we thought we would create a list of all of the reasons why moms should give yoga a try.

Here are 10 reasons why yoga is the perfect workout for YOU!

1. You can do yoga from the comfort of your own home. You can practice yoga anywhere or anytime that works for you—before work, during your lunch break or at night when the kids are asleep.

2. You can tailor your practice to fit your body’s needs. Do it at your own pace. You can adjust each pose for your current level of strength and flexibility. Your practice is your own, and there are plenty of modifications to accommodate injuries.

3. There’s no set amount of time. You can participate a in a full hour-long flow, 30-minutes or even 10-minutes.

4. It will make you feel stronger. Yoga will help you build physical strength and also strength of mind.

5. You have a valid reason to shop! Who doesn’t love stylish exercise clothing? Obviously, you can wear your old t-shirt and shorts to practice, but you will get a great boost of confidence with fresh new clothing that makes you feel confident and beautiful. You know we love our funky patterned leggings. Check out some of our most recent faves from the new Gaiam line at Kohl’s. There’s also some really cool yoga gear out that will inspire you to get on your mat. In fact, there are some beautiful mats, totes and carriers as well as other accessories that will help motivate you to get moving!

6. Yoga is a forced time-out for moms. Yoga will do amazing things for your body, but it’s even more amazing to see what it will do for your mental state of being. When your mind is racing and your to-do list is endless, it’s a good thing to have yoga in your life. You don’t have to know how to quiet the mind and meditate. Yoga is a moving meditation, and you will automatically fall into that meditation. You will notice that your loud thoughts dissipate over the course of your practice, and you are left in a blissful, peaceful state.

7. It will make you feel beautiful. Doing something for yourself, and doing something that makes you feel good, will make you feel beautiful.

8. It’s better with a friend. A yoga partner makes the practice more fun! So, find a friend and get your yoga on! Now you can work out and spend quality time with your bestie. How about scheduling a playdate with another mom friend? Your kids can play in the yard while you roll out your mats and practice outdoors.

9. You can join a yoga community. There’s a tight knit group of yogis who will inspire and motivate you, and you can connect with them through social media, such as Instagram, or find/create your own community by attending local studios or gathering your friends.

10. You can share yoga with your family. Once you begin your practice, your kids — even your husband — will be interested. And, what better way to show your love for your family than by taking care of YOU!

May 7, 2015
Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote

Mother’s Day is around the corner. Have you planned something special for your mom? I think all moms love brunch — so whether you are making one — or someone else is making you one — check out this recipe for Strawberry-Rhubarb compote.

If you’ve never had rhubarb, you really must try it. It’s actually a vegetable — it kind of looks like red celery. It is frequently paired with strawberries because they sweeten up the naturally tart rhubarb. You can make strawberry rhubarb pie, or strawberry rhubarb crisp, but I thought a compote would be delicious and versatile and perfect for Mother’s Day brunch!

So, what is a compote? In this case, it’s a mixture of cooked down fruit, usually in a flavored sugar/water reduction. It can be eaten on it’s own — both hot or cold. You can also use it to top pancakes and waffles, ice cream and pound cake. However, today, I’m going to layer it between Greek yogurt for a delicious parfait.

The Strawberry-Rhubarb compote recipe is super simple. All you need is strawberries, rhubarb, maple syrup (yes, I’ve replaced the white sugar with grade B maple syrup to lighten it up), lemon zest and vanilla extract — let it cook down on the stove and voila – compote! For this recipe, let it cool down before serving.

So, here’s my recipe. I’m hoping it introduces some of you to rhubarb — which is a wonderful vegetable — and I hope you love it. I think the parfait would be lovely for Mother’s Day brunch, don’t you?

Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote
Yield approximately 4 cups

4 cups of rhubarb (sliced, 1/2 inch thick)
1, 16 ounce container of strawberries, quartered
1/2 cup of grade B maple syrup
2 tablespoons water
zest of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a saucepan over medium low heat, add the rhubarb, maple syrup, and water. Let the mixture simmer until the rhubarb just starts to soften. Then, add the strawberries and cook until they are soft — total cooking time is approximately 10-12 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and lemon zest at the very end. Please note that the rhubarb cooks down — it will not be whole, but you will notice strawberry pieces throughout.

If you are going to make the parfait in the photos — just add a few tablespoons of Greek yogurt to a cup, then a tablespoon or two of the compote, then repeat until you reach the top of your glass. You could even top yours with granola or chopped walnuts.

Helpful Hint: Rhubarb is a seasonal spring find! You can find it in your local grocery store — in the fresh produce section or in the freezer case. If you purchase it fresh, you will find it in long stalk form. You generally won’t find any with green leaves in tact, but if you do, remove them — you only use the red stalk!

May 6, 2015
20 Ways to a Perfect Mother’s Day

As mothers, we rarely think about ourselves. Taking care of everyone else always seems to come first!

But, there is one day out of the year that should be all about YOU — and that’s Mother’s Day!

Here are our suggestions for making it a perfect day this year!

1. Start your day by setting a daily intention. Declare peace and joy for the day ahead.

2. Exercise. Don’t you feel better fitting this into your day?

3. Make yourself pretty. Get dressed up. Put makeup on.

4. Spend some time by yourself. Go for a walk. Read a book or magazine. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, but do it by yourself.

5. Pamper yourself. Get your nails done, go for a massage.

6. Turn off your phone, step away from the iPad and computer. No working and no social distractions. Devote your attention to yourself and your family.

7. Take a nap.

8. Let your family pamper you and serve you — preferably, breakfast, lunch and dinner!

9. No housework. No cooking, cleaning or worrying about an upside down house.

10. Let your husband and kids fend for themselves. Let the kids pick out their clothes, let your husband do the laundry. They will survive.

11. Enjoy a real meal, sitting down at the table (not at the kitchen counter or with kids hanging off of your body).

12. Indulge in dessert or wine, or both.

13. Take a picture of yourself with your kids — it’s funny how few of these we actually have.

14. Surround yourself with people you love.

15. Celebrate the other moms in your life: your mom, your sister, your best friend . . .

16. Spend time with your children. Read them a book, fit in a trip to the park, go on a bike ride. They are the reason you are being celebrated today!

17. Smile, a lot.

18. Kiss and hug your children.

19. Take a long, hot bath.

20. Recognize you are loved.

Happy Mother’s Day!

xoxo

Laura, Masumi & Kate

May 9, 2014