I love being a pet-sitter, almost as much as I love teaching yoga! Just like in the studio, everyday is a different adventure when I’m watching my furry friends. Unlike my yoga students though, these pals don’t have any special requests… just the occasional treat when I come and go! And what started out as a little side job, has now bloomed into a part-time gig, especially with the holidays approaching fast! You need a pet-sitter? Call me! 

This weekend I’m watching my student Ann’s three dogs; Taxi, Limo and Hudson. Taxi and Limo (cute names huh?) are Queensland Healer litter-mates (can you even tell the difference below?) and are mellow and quiet, while Hudson is a Chihuahua-mix with tons of energy and the highest jump I have yet to see! These guys are so fun and Corduroy (and Sugar) love them… when all of the boys aren’t sniffing and licking her butt… how polite! 

 

I’m also watching my friend Sara’s kitten too; she’s about five months and adorable. Sara swears she doesn’t want kids although she asked me to feed Cisco two wet meals a day, plus dry food to snack on, visit and play! We’ll see if the girl procreates someday or not…she’s a great kitty mom, reguardless!

What a long week! Friday, My BFF Lynn came over for some much needed Seinfeld, pajama time, and my Squash/Apple/Blueberry Crumble that we, I mean I, demolished! I also went to the Morro Bay Oyster Festival this weekend with my friend Jennifer and Sarah. We had a great time! Andy’s food truck was there (amongst others, though not nearly as good), the music was awesome, and I ran into a bunch of people I knew… again, this place is starting to feel like little ole Rhode Island! They were actually trying to charge $25 to park! HA! The Chicago came out of me and I was like, “I’m parking for free even if I have to walk a mile!” Which I did, and I was fine with. I spent the saved money on wine… of course! 

And the other cute food trucks…. not as big or as black….!

  

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And like I promised on Friday, I did compete in an at-home cookie challenge against me, myself and I. My friend Lori M., who is gluten-free, is obsessed with these cookies from New Frontier’s in SLO that are both gluten and sugar free. And freaking good! They are $1.99 a cookie, a bit pricey, but worth every penny once you bite in. Who cares if you are gluten-free or not? I did my best to replica said cookies, when all I had were the ingredients; banana, rolled oats, apricots, soy butter, hemp milk, vanilla, salt and one cookie to taste/study. 

But who doesn’t enjoy a challenge? The Yummy Yogini certainly does. Because hemp milk can be hard to find and because soy butter tends to be expensive, I’ve substituted them for almond milk and almond butter, items you can find for cheap, at any regular grocery store.. or Target for that matter where I found this family sized vanilla almond milk! The key to this recipe is definitely the ripe bananas and mine could have been riper. I am impressed though that they came out as yummy as they did… literally… but I’ll let Lori be the judge when I give them to her tomorrow! 

Banana Oatmeal Apricot Gluten and Sugar Free Cookies- makes 12

Ingredients:

-1 cup rolled oats (I used Trader Joe’s) 

-2 ripe bananas, mashed 

-1 cup dried apricots, quartered 

-1/3 cup almond milk 

-1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 

-1 T vanilla 

-1/4 tsp salt 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350. 

2. In a bowl, mash the bananas. 

3. Add the mashed bananas, almond butter, vanilla and salt into your food processor and pulse. 

4. Then add the almond milk and pulse again. 

5. Add the rolled oats and pulse again. 

6. Lastly, cut the apricots in quarters and fold then in, mixing with a spoon. 

7. Place parchment paper on cookie sheets and place big spoonfuls of the cookie dough on it. 

8. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until edges are golden. Place on wire rack to cool, Enjoy without the guilt! 

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Speaking of mashed bananas, I made Andy a delicious breakfast-in-bed this morning while he watched football and his beloved Chicago Bears… chef’s wife done good! They lost, he got sad, and then he had a Pumpkin Banana Pancake to cheer him up! Again, these have no flour and no sugar so if you’re trying to watch your weight or flour intake, here ya go! 

Spiced Pumpkin and Banana Pancakes- makes 5 

Ingredients: 

-2 eggs

-1 banana (mashed) 

-3 T pumpkin puree (not the pie filling)

-dash of cinnamon and nutmeg 

Directions:

1. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin puree and spices. 

2. Add the banana and mash it. (I used a potato masher)

3. Place on a lightly-greased skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes before flipping over. 

4. When brown, remove pancakes. Either add honey, maple syrup or Niccola’s homemade apple butter (like I did) as a special treat and enjoy! 

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That’s all for today folks….but before I go.. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! do yourself a favor and stop by Trader Joe’s for some of this Pumpkin Body Butter! I dare you not to eat it! Oh, and Ma! I know you don’t have a TJ’s nearby so I’m sending some your way… I love you that much!